Episodes

  • Part Two | What’s Broken in American Healthcare—and How to Fix It with Dr. Don Berwick

    Part Two | What’s Broken in American Healthcare—and How to Fix It with Dr. Don Berwick

    · TCN Talks

    Why does the United States spend more on healthcare than any other nation—yet often achieve worse outcomes?

    In Part Two of this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Don Berwick—former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), internationally recognized healthcare quality expert, and founder of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)—joins Chris Comeaux to explore the systemic challenges facing American healthcare and the leadership required to create meaningful reform.

    From the evolution of Medicare Advantage to the financial incentives shaping healthcare delivery, Dr. Berwick explains why administrative complexity, payment models, and profit-driven incentives continue to drive costs higher while often failing to improve patient outcomes. Together, they examine the future of healthcare policy, value-based care, healthcare leadership, healthcare reform, Medicare, health insurance, and the role employers may play in demanding a more sustainable healthcare system.

    The conversation also turns to one of healthcare’s greatest success stories—hospice and palliative care. Dr. Berwick argues that compassionate, person-centered care isn’t simply a better way to care for people nearing the end of life; it provides a blueprint for improving healthcare across every stage of life. The episode concludes with an inspiring challenge to healthcare leaders: speak up for what is right, lead with courage, and never lose sight of healthcare’s true mission—to heal, serve, and care for people.

    Whether you’re a healthcare executive, hospice leader, physician, nonprofit executive, health system administrator, board member, or business leader, this conversation offers strategic insights into the future of healthcare—and practical leadership lessons that extend far beyond medicine.

    ⸝

    Episode Highlights

    ✔ Why Medicare Advantage has drifted from its original mission
    ✔ The hidden cost of healthcare bureaucracy and administrative waste
    ✔ The $80 billion debate surrounding Medicare Advantage payments
    ✔ Why employer-sponsored healthcare may be approaching a breaking point
    ✔ Lessons the U.S. can learn from healthcare systems around the world
    ✔ Why hospice and palliative care represent a model for all of healthcare
    ✔ The moral responsibility of healthcare leaders to speak with courage

    ⸝

    If you enjoyed this conversation, please Like, Subscribe, and Share this episode with your leadership team, colleagues, board members, and friends. Every conversation helps us build stronger leaders and healthier organizations.

    🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, hospice, palliative care, healthcare innovation, nonprofit strategy, and the future of healthcare.

    Guest: Dr. Don Berwick, Former Administrator of CMS

    Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios, author of The Anatomy of Leadership

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

  • What’s Broken in American Healthcare—and How to Fix It | Part One

    What’s Broken in American Healthcare—and How to Fix It | Part One

    · TCN Talks

    Is American healthcare truly serving patients—or has the system lost sight of its purpose?

    In this powerful episode of TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership, host Chris Comeaux welcomes Dr. Don Berwick, former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), President Emeritus and co-founder of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), and one of the world’s foremost experts in healthcare quality improvement.

    Together, they explore what’s broken in American healthcare, why healthcare reform is urgently needed, and how leaders can build a system that delivers better patient outcomes, higher quality care, health equity, value-based care, and a more sustainable future for healthcare organizations. They also discuss the evolution of the Triple Aim into today’s Quintuple Aim, the growing influence of private equity in healthcare, the impact of healthcare policy, and why restoring purpose—not simply profitability—must become the foundation of modern healthcare leadership.

    Whether you’re a healthcare executive, hospice leader, hospital administrator, physician, nonprofit executive, or business leader, this conversation offers practical insights into improving healthcare while protecting the mission that first drew so many people into the profession.

    In this episode you’ll learn:

    ✅ Why the Triple Aim evolved into the Quintuple Aim—and why it matters today

    ✅ How financial incentives can conflict with quality patient care

    ✅ Why clinician purpose and workforce well-being are essential to healthcare excellence

    ✅ The growing impact of private equity and financialization across healthcare

    ✅ What healthcare leaders can do to improve patient outcomes while reducing waste

    ✅ Dr. Berwick’s vision for meaningful healthcare reform

    This conversation challenges conventional thinking and offers a hopeful vision for healthcare leaders who believe patients—not profits—should remain at the center of every decision.

    Don’t miss Part Two, where Dr. Berwick outlines the structural changes he believes could fundamentally reshape American healthcare.

    Subscribe for More Conversations

    If you enjoy conversations about healthcare leadership, hospice, healthcare innovation, leadership development, healthcare policy, and the future of patient-centered care, subscribe to TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership for weekly conversations with the leaders shaping the future of healthcare.

    Guest:
    Dr. Don Berwick, Former Administrator of CMS

    Host:
    Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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  • Part Two | AI, Hospice Fraud Crackdown & Medicare’s Future—The Biggest Healthcare Stories of 2026

    Part Two | AI, Hospice Fraud Crackdown & Medicare’s Future—The Biggest Healthcare Stories of 2026

    · TCN Talks

    AI is transforming healthcare. Medicare policy is evolving. Regulatory scrutiny is intensifying. What do these changes mean for healthcare leaders, hospice executives, nonprofit organizations, and healthcare professionals?

    In Part Two of this quarterly healthcare leadership update, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner examine the biggest healthcare trends of 2026, exploring how artificial intelligence in healthcare, Medicare policy, healthcare affordability, hospice fraud enforcement, regulatory compliance, and healthcare innovation are reshaping hospice and the broader healthcare industry.

    They discuss how AI is changing the healthcare workforce, why quality and transparency matter more than ever, and what healthcare executives should know about the future of hospice care, palliative care, and value-based healthcare.

    Whether you lead a hospice organization, health system, nonprofit healthcare organization, or healthcare business, this episode provides practical leadership insights to help you navigate healthcare policy changes, prepare for emerging technology, understand the future of Medicare, and make strategic decisions in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.

    If you’re interested in healthcare leadership, AI in hospice, healthcare management, Medicare reform, or the future of healthcare, this conversation will help you anticipate what’s next instead of simply reacting to today’s headlines.


    Episode Highlights

    ✔ AI: Augmenting people vs. replacing jobs
    ✔ Medicare policy and healthcare affordability
    ✔ Hospice fraud enforcement & regulatory trends
    ✔ Industry consolidation & nonprofit outlook
    ✔ Leadership strategies for navigating change


    🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on healthcare leadership, hospice innovation, and the future of care.

    Co-Host:
    Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today
    VP Data Science & Research at 1520ai | CEO/Founder of Hospice Analytics


    Host:
    Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

  • AI, Hospice Fraud Crackdown & Medicare’s Future—The Biggest Healthcare Stories of 2026

    AI, Hospice Fraud Crackdown & Medicare’s Future—The Biggest Healthcare Stories of 2026

    · TCN Talks

    AI is changing healthcare faster than ever. Medicare is under increasing pressure. Hospice fraud is driving unprecedented regulatory action. The question isn’t whether healthcare is changing—it’s whether leaders are prepared for what’s next.

    In Part One of this quarterly TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership special, host Chris Comeaux welcomes healthcare strategist Cordt Kassner to break down the biggest healthcare stories shaping 2026. Together, they examine the trends every healthcare executive, hospice leader, nonprofit executive, and business leader should be watching.

    Using Dr. Ira Byock’s strategic framework as their guide, Chris and Cordt explore the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, the growing crackdown on hospice fraud and abuse, Medicare’s financial future, healthcare affordability, quality measurement, workforce transformation, and the continued consolidation of the hospice industry.

    They also discuss how AI is likely to augment—not replace—healthcare professionals, why quality and transparency are becoming central competitive advantages, and what nonprofit organizations must do to thrive in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.

    If you’re responsible for leading a healthcare organization, hospice, palliative care program, nonprofit, or mission-driven business, this episode offers practical leadership insights and strategic perspective to help you prepare for what’s ahead.

    In this episode you’ll learn:
    • Why AI will fundamentally change healthcare leadership
    • How hospice fraud is reshaping federal oversight
    • What Medicare’s future could mean for providers
    • Why quality and transparency are becoming competitive advantages
    • How healthcare leaders can prepare for unprecedented industry change
    • What nonprofit healthcare organizations must do to remain relevant


    Subscribe for weekly conversations with today’s top healthcare, nonprofit, and business leaders as we explore leadership, innovation, strategy, and the future of healthcare.

    Co-Host:
    Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today |
    VP Data Science & Research at 1520ai | CEO/Founder of Hospice Analytics

    Host:
    Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS | author of The Anatomy of Leadership

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

  • Part 2 | Why Generations Clash at Work—And How Great Leaders Fix It

    Part 2 | Why Generations Clash at Work—And How Great Leaders Fix It

    · TCN Talks

    Your greatest leadership challenge may not be staffing shortages or AI—it may be leading a multigenerational workforce with vastly different communication styles, expectations, and values.

    In Part 2 of Why Generations Clash at Work—And How Great Leaders Fix It, host Chris Comeaux welcomes nationally recognized generational leadership expert Karen McCullough for a practical conversation on multigenerational leadership, workplace culture, leadership communication, employee engagement, burnout prevention, organizational leadership, healthcare leadership, hospice leadership, nonprofit leadership, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence in the workplace.

    Discover why Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z often approach work differently—and how great leaders build trust, improve communication, strengthen workplace culture, and create high-performing teams without stereotyping employees. Whether you lead a healthcare organization, hospice, nonprofit, or business, this episode offers actionable leadership strategies for managing generational differences while preserving authentic human connection in an increasingly digital world.

    In this episode you’ll discover:

    ✔ Why generations often clash at work—and how leaders can bridge the gap
    ✔ How to build a stronger workplace culture through everyday leadership behaviors
    ✔ Why honest feedback creates trust and improves employee engagement
    ✔ How AI should enhance leadership—not replace human connection
    ✔ Practical ways to reduce burnout while strengthening collaboration across generations

    Karen also shares why leaders must stop putting people into generational boxes and instead focus on understanding individuals, creating psychological safety, and fostering cultures built on empathy, accountability, and trust.

    You’ll also hear a thoughtful discussion about balancing technology with humanity, improving meetings, coaching younger employees, and creating workplaces where every generation can thrive together.

    If you’re passionate about leadership development, workplace culture, organizational culture, emotional intelligence, healthcare management, nonprofit leadership, hospice care, employee retention, team collaboration, and the future of work, this conversation is for you.


    👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and Share it with another leader committed to building stronger teams and healthier workplace cultures.

    Guest:
    Karen McCullough, Keynote Speaker - Generations and Workplace Trends 26 Years Speaking on and Observing the Generations in the Workplace

    Host:
    Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS / Author of The Anatomy of Leadership

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

  • Why Generations Clash at Work—And How Great Leaders Fix It | Part One

    Why Generations Clash at Work—And How Great Leaders Fix It | Part One

    · TCN Talks

    Why do generations often clash at work—and what can leaders do to bridge the divide?

    In this insightful first installment, Chris Comeaux sits down with nationally recognized generational expert Karen McCullough to explore the perspectives, experiences, and workplace expectations that shape Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z.

    Drawing from more than two decades of research and real-world consulting, Karen unpacks why many workplace conflicts are not personal attacks, but differences in generational perspective.

    Together, they examine how communication styles, views on commitment, work-life balance, feedback, technology, and leadership have evolved across generations. Karen shares practical insights for healthcare, hospice, nonprofit, and business leaders who are navigating multigenerational teams and seeking to create cultures where every generation can thrive.

    This conversation challenges assumptions, encourages empathy, and provides a framework for leading through one of today’s most significant workplace dynamics.

    Key Takeaways

    Generational workplace conflicts are often rooted in differing perspectives, not personal shortcomings or character flaws.Communication styles vary significantly across generations, creating misunderstandings around feedback, meetings, and collaboration.Generation X leaders are often balancing accountability with a growing need to coach and develop younger employees.Millennials and Gen Z have reshaped workplace expectations around purpose, flexibility, emotional intelligence, and work-life balance.Great leaders build stronger teams by understanding generational differences, adapting their leadership style, and fostering meaningful conversations.

    Guest:
    Karen McCullough, Keynote Speaker - Generations and Workplace Trends 26 Years Speaking on and Observing the Generations in the Workplace

    Host:
    Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS / Author of The Anatomy of Leadership

    If you’re leading a team across multiple generations, this episode is a must-listen. Subscribe to TCNtalks /Anatomy of Leadership, share this episode with your leadership team, and join us for Part Two as we continue exploring practical strategies for building stronger, more connected, and more effective workplaces. Your next leadership breakthrough may begin with understanding a different perspective.

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

  • Part Two | Hospice, Ethics & Capitalism—A Powerful Conversation with UVA Darden School of Business

    Part Two | Hospice, Ethics & Capitalism—A Powerful Conversation with UVA Darden School of Business

    · TCN Talks

    Can healthcare remain compassionate in an age of private equity, artificial intelligence, and growing financial pressures?

    In this part two episode, Chris Comeaux continues conversation with Lauren Kaufmann, Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and Stephen Maiden, Managing Director of Case Writing Research Group, to discuss the future of healthcare, hospice, private equity, artificial intelligence, ethical leadership, and organizational mission.

    Drawing from their groundbreaking hospice case study, they explore why private equity has become one of the most controversial forces in healthcare, how AI is reshaping patient care and the workforce, and why measuring quality in hospice remains one of healthcare’s greatest challenges.

    This conversation goes far beyond hospice. It tackles questions every healthcare executive, nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, and business professional should be asking:

    ✔ Can mission-driven organizations survive growth?
    ✔ What causes mission drift?
    ✔ Is healthcare becoming too corporate?
    ✔ How should leaders balance profits and purpose?
    ✔ What role should AI play in human-centered industries?
    ✔ What does a “good death” actually mean?


    Our Guest:

    Lauren Kaufmann, Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia

    Stephen Maiden, Managing Director of Case Writing Research Group

    Host:

    Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS / author of The Anatomy of Leadership


    👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe, and share this episode with colleagues and friends who care about healthcare, leadership, ethics, and organizational excellence.

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

  • Hospice, Ethics & Capitalism—A Powerful Conversation with UVA Darden School of Business | Part One

    Hospice, Ethics & Capitalism—A Powerful Conversation with UVA Darden School of Business | Part One

    · TCN Talks

    Few topics spark more debate in healthcare than the intersection of compassionate care, ethical responsibility, and financial sustainability.

    Can mission-driven hospice organizations survive—and thrive—in a healthcare landscape increasingly dominated by for-profit providers?

    In Part One of this compelling conversation, TCNtalks/Anatomy of Leadership host Chris Comeaux welcomes Lauren Kaufmann, Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, and Stephen Maiden, Managing Director of the Darden Case Writing Research Group.

    Together, they discuss the groundbreaking business case developed around Teleios Collaborative Network and the evolving hospice industry. The conversation explores whether nonprofit hospice organizations possess unique structural advantages that can help them compete against larger, investor-backed healthcare models while remaining true to their mission.

    Drawing on research, classroom discussions, and real-world leadership experiences, the guests examine topics including community trust, volunteerism, staffing ratios, organizational culture, governance, marketing, and ethical decision-making. They challenge assumptions about nonprofit and for-profit healthcare while offering a thoughtful exploration of what it takes to deliver “care as a relationship, not a transaction” in today’s healthcare environment.

    Key TakeawaysNonprofit hospice organizations may possess structural advantages through community trust, volunteer engagement, and mission-driven cultures that are difficult for competitors to replicate. The future success of nonprofit healthcare organizations depends not only on care quality but also on effectively communicating their value to patients and families. Teleios’ hybrid model combines local independence with shared infrastructure, creating opportunities for scale while preserving community relationships. Quality of care is often reflected in staffing levels, volunteer involvement, and personal relationships that may not be captured in traditional healthcare metrics. Leadership, culture, and governance—not simply tax status—ultimately determine whether organizations fulfill their mission and deliver exceptional care.

    Guest:

    Lauren Kaufmann, Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia

    Stephen Maiden, Managing Director of Case Writing Research Group

    Host:

    Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

  • Part Two | The Missing Middle in Healthcare—And Why It Matters

    Part Two | The Missing Middle in Healthcare—And Why It Matters

    · TCN Talks

    What if the most important care doesn’t happen in a hospital, hospice, or clinic—but in the moments in between?

    In Part Two of The Missing Middle in Healthcare—And Why It Matters, Chris Comeaux continues his conversation with Bridget Sumser and Sonya Dolan of Mettle Health to explore the often-overlooked gap between medical treatment and the lived human experience of illness. Together, they unpack the role of grief, community, language, and connection in supporting people facing serious illness, caregiving responsibilities, and end-of-life challenges.

    This episode challenges traditional healthcare thinking by asking a powerful question: Are we treating diseases while missing the deeper needs of the people experiencing them? Bridget and Sonya share their vision for a future where grief literacy, community support, and compassionate accompaniment become essential parts of care—not afterthoughts.

    Highlights from this Episode:

    ✔ Why the word “hospice” can create unintended barriers to care
    ✔ The difference between treating illness and caring for the whole person
    ✔ How grief begins long before death and affects all of us
    ✔ Why community—not healthcare alone—is the missing middle
    ✔ The future of serious illness support and human-centered care
    ✔ How anyone can learn the skills of accompaniment and compassionate presence
    ✔ Mettle Health’s vision for transforming the way we navigate illness, loss, and mortality

    Whether you’re leading a healthcare organization, caring for a loved one, or simply interested in improving the human experience of healthcare, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

    Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, purpose, healthcare innovation, and human flourishing.

    Guest:
    Sonya Dolan Co-Founder, Mettle Health
    Bridget Sumser, LCSW; Director of Counseling and Programs, Mettle Health

    Host:
    Chris Comeaux, President | CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy of Leadership

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

  • The Missing Middle in Healthcare—And Why It Matters | Part One

    The Missing Middle in Healthcare—And Why It Matters | Part One

    · TCN Talks

    What happens after a serious diagnosis—but before hospice care begins?

    In this compelling conversation, host Chris Comeaux sits down with Sonya Dolan, Co-Founder of Mettle Health, and Bridget Sumser, Director of Counseling & Programs, to explore one of healthcare’s most overlooked challenges: the “missing middle.”

    Drawing from decades of experience in hospice, palliative care, caregiving, and serious illness support, Sonya and Bridget discuss the critical gaps patients and families face as they navigate life-altering diagnoses, caregiving responsibilities, grief, and uncertainty. Together, they unpack why traditional healthcare systems often struggle to address the emotional, relational, practical, and existential realities of serious illness—and how Mettle Health is working to fill that gap through compassionate accompaniment and human-centered care.

    This episode offers valuable insights for healthcare leaders, hospice professionals, nonprofit executives, caregivers, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of what it means to truly support people through life’s most difficult transitions.

    🔹 In this episode:
    • What inspired the creation of Mettle Health
    • Understanding the “missing middle” in healthcare
    • Why caregivers need support in their own right
    • The limitations of traditional healthcare and reimbursement models
    • The role of accompaniment versus treatment
    • Building resilience and coping skills during serious illness
    • The evolution of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary care

    Whether you’re leading a healthcare organization, caring for a loved one, or simply interested in improving the human experience of healthcare, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

    🎧 Don’t miss Part Two, where the discussion continues with deeper insights into caregiving, grief, communication, and the future of compassionate care.

    Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, purpose, healthcare innovation, and human flourishing.

    Guest:
    Sonya Dolan Co-Founder, Mettle Health
    Bridget Sumser, LCSW; Director of Counseling and Programs, Mettle Health

    Host:
    Chris Comeaux, President | CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy of Leadership

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

  • Part Two | Dr. Joan Teno Exposes the Hidden Problems with Hospice Ratings and Quality Scores

    Part Two | Dr. Joan Teno Exposes the Hidden Problems with Hospice Ratings and Quality Scores

    · TCN Talks

    Can consumers really trust hospice quality ratings?

    In Part Two of this powerful TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership conversation, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner continue their discussion with nationally recognized hospice researcher and policy expert Dr. Joan Teno.

    Building on Part One, Dr. Teno explores how patients and families can make better-informed hospice decisions, why current quality reporting systems often fall short, and how artificial intelligence could transform the future of hospice quality measurement. She also addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing the industry today: preserving public trust while combating fraud, profiteering, and unethical practices.

    Drawing from decades of research and policy leadership, Dr. Teno offers a thoughtful perspective on the future of hospice care, the importance of transparency, and the critical role healthcare leaders must play in protecting the integrity of the hospice mission.

    Whether you’re a hospice professional, healthcare executive, policymaker, clinician, or family caregiver, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of end-of-life care.

    Key Takeaways:

    ✔ Why consumers need better tools to evaluate hospice quality
    ✔ How AI could improve hospice transparency and decision-making
    ✔ The risks of oversupply, profiteering, and declining public trust
    ✔ Why quality data should empower both providers and families
    ✔ The extraordinary impact hospice clinicians continue to make every day
    ✔ The future of hospice care, accountability, and patient choice


    Chapters:
    0:00 Welcome And Part Two Setup
    0:21 A Better Way To Find Hospice
    3:06 Weighting Scores Without Punishing Small Programs
    6:01 The Denominator Problem Behind Star Ratings
    10:58 Rural Hospice Reality And The Willie Sutton Rule
    12:08 AI Can Hallucinate Hospice Quality
    16:47 Public Trust And A Saturated Hospice Market
    23:36 Ghost Hospices And Which Data To Trust
    26:04 Do CAHPS Questions Still Fit Hospice Today
    27:44 Concurrent Care And Why Hospice Stays A Hard Choice
    33:40 Giving Back Through Mentoring And Substack
    35:57 Subscribe And The Brain Bookmark



    Guest: Dr. Joan Teno
    MD, MS; Adjunct Professor of Health Services, Policy, and Practice (Brown School of Public Health); Adjunct Staff, RAND Corporation

    Co-Host: Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics

    Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

  • Dr. Joan Teno Exposes the Hidden Problems with Hospice Ratings and Quality Scores | Part One

    Dr. Joan Teno Exposes the Hidden Problems with Hospice Ratings and Quality Scores | Part One

    · TCN Talks

    Are hospice quality ratings really measuring what matters most?

    In this powerful episode of TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner sit down with nationally recognized hospice researcher Dr. Joan Teno to uncover the hidden problems behind hospice ratings, quality scores, and public reporting systems.

    Drawing on more than 30 years of experience shaping hospice and palliative care policy, Dr. Teno explains why many publicly reported quality measures may fail to capture the true experiences of patients and families. She discusses the challenges of transparency, the unintended consequences of current reporting systems, concerns about fraud and oversight, and how artificial intelligence could help transform the future of hospice quality measurement.

    Whether you’re a healthcare executive, hospice leader, clinician, policymaker, or nonprofit professional, this conversation offers valuable insights into the complex realities behind quality scores and what must change to better serve patients and families at the end of life.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:
    ✔ Why hospice ratings may not tell the full story
    ✔ The biggest blind spots in today’s quality measurement systems
    ✔ How some providers avoid meaningful public reporting
    ✔ The role of AI and data analytics in improving oversight
    ✔ What meaningful transparency should look like for consumers

    Chapters:

    0:00 Leadership Sets The Tone
    0:22. Monthly Hospice News And Framework
    3:38. Why Oversight Beats Payment Redesign
    8:28. Transparency Limits And Small Hospice Loopholes
    13:10. Blind Spots In Quality Reporting
    18:56 Using AI To Pick A Hospice
    23:45. Moratorium And Rebuilding Trust
    27:30 Clinicians Needed To Catch What Models Miss
    29:18 Part Two Teaser


    Guest: Dr. Joan Teno
    Adjunct Professor, Brown School of Public Health | Hospice & Palliative Care Researcher | 2023 AAHPM Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

    Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy of Leadership

    C0-Host: Cordt Kassner,

    👉 Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, healthcare innovation, hospice care, and mission-driven organizations.

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

  • Part Two - The Secret to Great Leadership - From a Chick-fil-A Executive

    Part Two - The Secret to Great Leadership - From a Chick-fil-A Executive

    · TCN Talks

    Most leadership advice sounds inspiring until you have to practice it with real pressure, real people, and real consequences. Our host, Chris Comeaux sits down with Mark Miller, former Vice President of High Performance Leadership at Chick-fil-A and bestselling co-author of The Secret and Lead Every Day, to get brutally practical about servant leadership, ego, and why the best leaders stop asking “How do I get more from my team?” and start asking “How do I help my team win?”

    They talk about why the servant-leader mindset is hard to adopt in the first place: it often isn’t modeled, it isn’t taught, and our default human setting leans toward “me and mine.” Mark shares research that puts a spotlight on the real obstacle many leaders face, ego, and we explore how it shows up in everyday decisions, team dynamics, and organizational culture.

    Mark addresses the tension that trips up even well-meaning managers: how do you serve people while still holding them accountable? Mark makes the case that accountability is not a harsh tool, it’s a gift that helps people reach their potential, and he explains why great leaders keep results and relationships high at the same time.

    Mark also dig into Lead Every Day, a leadership operating system built around three disciplines: becoming a better leader, improving team performance, and strengthening the organization, plus the simplest daily push that changes everything: start where you are, use what you’ve got, and do what you can.

    If you care about leadership development, team performance, and building a healthy culture that still delivers results, this conversation will give you language, stories, and next steps you can use immediately. Subscribe, share this with a leader who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

    Guest:
    Mark Miller, Business Leader, Wall Street Journal and International Best-Selling Author, Communicator, and Co-Founder of Lead Every Day

    Host:
    Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy of Leadership

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

  • The Secret to Great Leadership - From a Chick-fil-A Executive | Part One

    The Secret to Great Leadership - From a Chick-fil-A Executive | Part One

    · TCN Talks

    What does it take to build a leadership culture that scales across generations, industries, and millions of customer interactions? In this powerful conversation, Chris Comeaux sits down with Mark Miller — former Vice President of High Performance Leadership at Chick-fil-A and bestselling author of The Secret — to explore the principles behind extraordinary leadership.

    From his humble beginnings as an hourly team member to helping shape Chick-fil-A’s leadership development strategy, Mark shares hard-earned wisdom about influence, intentionality, and what truly drives organizational growth.

    Throughout the episode, Mark unpacks the foundational leadership framework behind the acronym SERVE: See the Future, Engage and Develop Others, Reinvent Continuously, Value Results and Relationships, and Embody the Values. He explains why leadership is ultimately about service — not position — and why organizations that fail to intentionally develop leaders will eventually plateau. Chris and Mark also discuss the tension between results and relationships, the importance of creating a common definition of leadership, and how healthcare, hospice, and nonprofit leaders can prepare for the future by multiplying leadership capacity throughout their organizations.

    For leaders navigating complexity, growth, or organizational transformation, this episode offers practical insight and timeless leadership principles from one of the most respected leadership voices connected to the Chick-fil-A legacy.

    Key Takeaways

    Great leadership requires balancing both results and relationships— not choosing one over the other.Organizations plateau when leadership development does not scale with growth.Leadership is fundamentally about serving strategically, not simply being helpful or nice.Strong cultures are built when organizations create a shared definition of leadership.Continuous learning and reinvention are essential for long-term leadership effectiveness.

    If this conversation challenged and encouraged you, share this episode with another leader in your organization. Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations designed to help healthcare leaders, nonprofit executives, hospice professionals, and business leaders live and lead with greater purpose, clarity, and impact. And don’t miss Part Two of this powerful discussion with Mark Miller.

    Guest:
    Mark Miller, Business Leader, Wall Street Journal and International Best-Selling Author, Communicator, and Co-Founder of Lead Every Day

    Host:
    Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS | Author of The Anatomy of Leadership

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

  • Part Two - The Future of Hospice: How HOPE Will Transform Reimbursement & Care

    Part Two - The Future of Hospice: How HOPE Will Transform Reimbursement & Care

    · TCN Talks

    Hospice has always been about people, but the future of hospice will increasingly be shaped by data—and that shift is both exciting and unsettling.

    In Part Two of The Future of Hospice: How HOPE Will Transform Reimbursement & Care, Raianne Melton and Andrea Hale unpack how the HOPE tool could redefine hospice reimbursement, value-based care, and quality measurement across CMS, Medicare Advantage, and health systems.

    The conversation explores where hospice measurement may be heading—from symptom impact scoring and burdensome discharges to acuity tracking, HUV utilization, and the growing importance of consistent documentation and actionable clinical data.

    The episode also focuses on what hospice leaders can do now to prepare: improving point-of-care documentation, simplifying EMR workflows, leveraging real-time analytics, and exploring AI-powered ambient listening to reduce clinician burden while preserving compassionate care.

    Ultimately, this conversation is about helping hospice organizations prove their value with measurable outcomes while staying true to the mission that defines hospice care.

    This episode offers practical insights for hospice executives, nonprofit healthcare leaders, clinicians, and anyone navigating the evolving landscape of end-of-life care.

    Guest:

    Andrea Hale, CEO of Valley Hospice

    Raianne Melton, Director of Clinical Services of Professional Services for Axxess

    Host:

    Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy of Leadership

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

  • The Future of Hospice: How HOPE Will Transform Reimbursement & Care | Part One

    The Future of Hospice: How HOPE Will Transform Reimbursement & Care | Part One

    · TCN Talks

    The future of hospice care is changing—and the HOPE assessment tool may redefine how providers deliver care, document outcomes, and receive reimbursement.

    Healthcare is entering a new era where quality outcomes, patient data, and accountability are driving the future of care delivery. In this episode, we’re joined by Andrea Hale, CEO of Valley Hospice, and Raianne Melton, Director of Clinical Services of Professional Services for Axxess, whose expertise and frontline perspective help unpack one of the most significant shifts happening in hospice today—the implementation of the HOPE assessment tool.

    Their insight provides valuable guidance for hospice leaders, clinicians, and organizations preparing for the future of reimbursement and patient-centered care.

    In Part One of this important conversation, we explore how the Hospice Outcomes & Patient Evaluation (HOPE) tool is poised to transform the hospice landscape. From evolving CMS expectations to the growing emphasis on quality metrics and patient-centered outcomes, this episode breaks down what hospice leaders, clinicians, and healthcare organizations need to understand now.

    Join us as we discuss:
    • What the HOPE tool is and why it matters
    • How reimbursement models are shifting in hospice care
    • The operational and compliance challenges providers may face
    • Why documentation and quality reporting are becoming more critical than ever
    • How organizations can proactively prepare for the future of end-of-life care

    Whether you’re a hospice professional, nonprofit executive, healthcare leader, or business decision-maker, this episode provides timely insight into the changing future of compassionate care delivery.

    Our Guest:

    Andrea Hale, CEO of Valley Hospice

    Raianne Melton, Director of Clinical Services of Professional Services for Axxess

    Host:

    Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy of Leadership

    🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on healthcare leadership, hospice innovation, and mission-driven care.

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

  • Part Two | CMS Leader Explains Hospice Fraud, Medicare Risks, and the Future of Healthcare

    Part Two | CMS Leader Explains Hospice Fraud, Medicare Risks, and the Future of Healthcare

    · TCN Talks

    In Part Two of this powerful TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership conversation, Kim Brandt, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Administrator at CMS joins Chris Comeaux to discuss hospice fraud, Medicare risk, AI-driven fraud detection, and the future of healthcare policy. Kim provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at how CMS is fighting organized healthcare fraud, protecting Medicare beneficiaries, and preparing hospice providers for a more data-driven future.

    The conversation explores lessons learned from the Medicare Advantage VBID hospice carve-in, the challenges facing legitimate hospice providers, and how AI and machine learning are helping CMS detect fraudulent activity in real time. Kim also shares her vision for what compassionate, dignified hospice care should look like over the next 15 years.

    Whether you are a hospice professional, healthcare executive, nonprofit leader, policymaker, or business leader, this episode delivers critical insights into the future of end-of-life care, healthcare leadership, and Medicare reform.

    Highlights:

    ✔️ CMS reveals how billions in fraudulent Medicare payments are being stopped in real time
    ✔️ Inside the growing hospice fraud crisis impacting patients and providers nationwide
    ✔️ Why AI and machine learning are becoming essential tools in healthcare fraud prevention
    ✔️ Lessons learned from the Medicare Advantage VBID hospice carve-in experiment
    ✔️ How legitimate hospice providers can protect themselves during audits and investigations
    ✔️ The future of hospice care: data, analytics, palliative integration, and patient dignity
    ✔️ Kim Brandt shares her vision for compassionate end-of-life care over the next 15 years
    ✔️ A candid conversation on healthcare leadership, accountability, and reform


    🎧 Featuring

    Guest:
    Kim Brandt, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Administrator at CMS

    Host:
    Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS

    👉 Subscribe to TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership for more conversations with healthcare innovators, policy leaders, and changemakers shaping the future of care.

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

  • CMS Leader Explains Hospice Fraud, Medicare Risks, and the Future of Healthcare | Part One

    CMS Leader Explains Hospice Fraud, Medicare Risks, and the Future of Healthcare | Part One

    · TCN Talks

    In this compelling first installment, CMS Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Administrator Kim Brandt joins Chris Comeaux for a candid conversation about the growing hospice fraud crisis, the financial future of Medicare, and the urgent transformation happening across American healthcare.

    Drawing from her leadership role at CMS and firsthand experiences with hospice care in her own family, Brandt shares why hospice remains a critical pillar of compassionate care — while also exposing the alarming abuse threatening the integrity of the system.

    The discussion dives deep into the pressures facing Medicare as the nation approaches the “silver tsunami,” with 10,000 new beneficiaries entering Medicare every day through 2030. Brandt explains how CMS is thinking about value-based care, the role of technology and AI in improving patient outcomes, and why hospice and palliative care may increasingly blend together in the future.

    From home-based care expansion to quality-driven reimbursement models, this episode offers healthcare leaders a rare inside look at the policy conversations shaping the next decade of healthcare delivery.

    Key Takeaways

    CMS views hospice as an essential part of the Medicare ecosystem and is committed to protecting legitimate providers while aggressively combating fraud.Medicare faces mounting financial pressure as 10,000 baby boomers enroll daily, accelerating the need for healthcare reform and value-based care models.Kim Brandt predicts hospice and palliative care will increasingly integrate, allowing patients to receive supportive care earlier in their illness journey.Home-based healthcare, telehealth, AI, and remote monitoring are expected to play a major role in the future of hospice care delivery.CMS is shifting its focus from enrollment volume toward aligning incentives with quality outcomes and patient-centered care.

    If you’re passionate about the future of healthcare, hospice innovation, and leadership that drives meaningful change, this is an episode you cannot miss. Subscribe to our podcast and share this conversation with your team, and stay tuned for Part Two as we continue exploring the future of Medicare, hospice reform, and value-based care.

    Guest:
    Kim Brandt: Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Administrator at CMS

    Host:
    Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios, author of The Anatomy of Leadership

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

  • Part Two | Healthcare Leaders Break Down Hospice Reform, Medicare & Quality Care

    Part Two | Healthcare Leaders Break Down Hospice Reform, Medicare & Quality Care

    · TCN Talks

    What does the future of hospice care really look like—and who’s shaping it?

    In Part Two of this compelling conversation, healthcare leaders Tom Koutsoumpas, Founder & CEO of NPHI and Carole Fisher, President of NPHI, join Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner to discuss the future of hospice reform, Medicare modernization, quality care standards, and the challenges facing nonprofit hospice providers across America.

    From fraud prevention and workforce shortages to Medicare Advantage and innovative disease-specific care models, this episode delivers an inside look at the policy, leadership, and operational decisions shaping the future of end-of-life care.

    Whether you’re a healthcare executive, hospice professional, nonprofit leader, policymaker, or business leader, this discussion provides valuable insight into how hospice organizations can remain relevant, sustainable, and mission-driven in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.

    ⸝

    Episode Highlights

    ✔️ Why hospice quality reporting and transparency matter more than ever
    ✔️ The growing impact of Medicare Advantage on hospice care
    ✔️ Challenges facing nonprofit hospice organizations
    ✔️ Innovation in palliative care and disease-specific support models
    ✔️ How NPHI is advocating for hospice reform and accountability
    ✔️ The workforce and financial pressures affecting hospice providers
    ✔️ The truth about the hospice carve-in debate and what the data shows
    ✔️ Why leadership and mission remain critical in end-of-life care

    ⸝

    Key Quote From The Episode

    “The future of hospice and palliative care is making sure we are staying relevant, necessary, and sustainable.” — Carole Fisher

    ⸝

    About This Episode

    This episode explores the intersection of healthcare leadership, hospice advocacy, Medicare reform, patient-centered care, and operational sustainability. The conversation emphasizes the importance of preserving the mission of hospice while adapting to changing healthcare systems and patient expectations.

    Featured Guests

    🔹 Tom Koutsoumpas — National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI)
    🔹 Carole Fisher — President, NPHI

    🎙️ Hosted by Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
    Co-Hosted by Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care
    Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics

    ⸝

    Subscribe & Connect

    👉 Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, healthcare innovation, hospice care, and nonprofit strategy.
    👉 Share this episode with healthcare professionals, executives, clinicians, and industry leaders.
    👉 Learn more about TCNtalks /Anatomy of Leadership, and NPHI in the links below.

    TCNtalks
    https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
    NPHI
    https://www.nphihealth.org/
    People Over Profits
    https://www.nphihealth.org/peopleoverprofits/
    Inside View Podcast
    https://www.nphihealth.org/podcast/

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

  • Healthcare Leaders Break Down Hospice Reform, Medicare & Quality Care | Part One

    Healthcare Leaders Break Down Hospice Reform, Medicare & Quality Care | Part One

    · TCN Talks

    In Part One of Healthcare Leaders Break Down Hospice Reform, Medicare & Quality Care, Chris Comeaux sits down with nationally respected healthcare leaders Tom Koutsoumpas, Founder & CEO of NPHI and Carole Fisher, President of NPHI to explore the evolving future of hospice, palliative care, Medicare oversight, and the growing demand for quality-driven, compassionate healthcare leadership.

    Together, they unpack the growing challenges facing end-of-life care — from fraud and benefit manipulation to the urgent need for quality transparency and authentic patient-centered care. Drawing on decades of leadership experience, the guests explore how nonprofit hospice organizations are redefining quality while advocating for compassion, integrity, and trust across the healthcare continuum.

    The discussion also dives into the emotional and cultural barriers surrounding hospice conversations, the importance of introducing palliative care earlier in serious illness, and why communication remains one of the most powerful tools in healthcare leadership.

    Through personal stories, policy insights, and candid reflections, Tom and Carole reveal how mission-driven organizations are creating calm and clarity for patients and families during life’s most vulnerable moments. This episode offers healthcare leaders, hospice professionals, and nonprofit executives a timely and inspiring look at where serious illness care is headed — and what it will take to protect its future.

    Key Takeaways

    Hospice leaders are pushing back against fraud, abuse, and “benefit manipulation” that prioritize profits over patient care. Earlier integration of palliative care can build trust with patients and families before hospice services are needed. One of hospice care’s greatest challenges remains overcoming public fear and misunderstanding surrounding death and end-of-life conversations. Nonprofit hospice organizations continue to lead in quality outcomes, staffing, patient support services, and community-based care. Quality transparency, collaboration, and meaningful data sharing are becoming essential for the future of healthcare and hospice reimbursement.

    🎙 Featured Guests:

    Tom Koutsoumpas — Founder & CEO, NPHICarole Fisher — President, NPHI

    Our Host:

    Chris Comeaux — President / CEO of TELEIOS, Author of The Anatomy of Leadership

    Cordt Kassner — PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care
    Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics

    Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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