TCN Talks

Your culture isn’t defined by what your organization says it values—it’s revealed by the behaviors it allows, rewards, and repeats. In Part Two of Your Culture Isn't What You Say—It's What You Tolerate , host Chris Comeaux continues his conversation with author and leadership expert Tom Foster about what it takes to intentionally build a strong organizational culture. Tom challenges leaders to look beyond KPIs and productivity metrics and examine whether the behaviors being measured actually support the organization’s mission and purpose. Using examples from healthcare and home health, they explore how well-intentioned performance measures can sometimes work against the outcomes leaders truly want. Chris and Tom also discuss practical ways to evaluate culture—including examining behaviors, organizational systems, customs and rituals, and actually going to see the work firsthand. The conversation explores the relationship between leadership, workplace culture, strategy, employee development, organizational behavior, and performance —and why culture and strategy continuously shape one another. One leadership principle captures the heart of the episode: “Reality always wins. The biggest challenge for the leader is simply to get in touch with it.” — Tom Foster If you're a healthcare leader, hospice professional, nonprofit executive, or business leader , this episode will challenge you to look beyond the culture you intend to create and examine the culture your organization is actually producing. Featuring: Tom Foster, President of Foster Learning Corporation and author of Premeditated Culture: The Consequences of What We Tolerate , Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership Topics: Organizational Culture | Healthcare Leadership | Hospice Leadership | Accountability | Leadership Development | Workplace Culture | Organizational Behavior | Purpose-Driven Leadership | Culture Change Subscribe to TCNtalks and Anatomy of Leadership for more conversations on leadership, healthcare, organizational culture, and building high-performing teams. Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

Your culture isn’t what your organization says it values—it’s what your leaders are willing to tolerate. In Part One of Your Culture Isn't What You Say—It's What You Tolerate , host Chris Comeaux sits down with Tom Foster , President of Foster Learning Corporation and author of Premeditated Culture: The Consequences of What We Tolerate , to explore how leaders intentionally—or unintentionally—shape organizational culture. Tom challenges leaders to look beyond mission statements, values on the wall, and aspirational language. Instead, he introduces the Culture Cycle and explains why leaders should start by defining the behaviors they want , then examine what happens when those behaviors collide with the consequences of reality. Because ultimately, the behaviors leaders reinforce, ignore, or allow to continue become the organization's real culture. Chris and Tom also explore why culture often deteriorates through seemingly small lapses in accountability and how pressures facing healthcare and hospice leaders —including workforce shortages, regulation, compliance, productivity demands, reimbursement pressures, and rapid change—can expose the difference between an organization’s stated values and its actual behaviors. In This Episode: Why culture lives in what leaders tolerate The difference between accidental and intentional culture Tom Foster’s Culture Cycle Why leaders should define behaviors before beliefs How accountability—or the lack of it—shapes workplace culture Why consultants should clarify before they fix How small leadership omissions can slowly erode culture How healthcare pressures test organizational values What hospice leaders can learn about connecting behaviors with purpose The question for every leader: Are the behaviors happening inside your organization consistent with the culture you say you want? ▶️ Listen to Part One now, and subscribe so you don’t miss Part Two of this important leadership conversation. Featuring: Tom Foster, President of Foster Learning Corporation and author of Premeditated Culture: The Consequences of What We Tolerate , Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership Topics: Organizational Culture | Healthcare Leadership | Hospice Leadership | Accountability | Leadership Development | Workplace Culture | Organizational Behavior | Purpose-Driven Leadership | Culture Change Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

The hospice moratorium may eventually end—but CMS scrutiny of hospice is likely here to stay. In Part Two of The Hospice Moratorium: What CMS Is Really Signaling About the Future , Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner continue their conversation with Dr. Jennifer Kennedy, Vice President for Quality, Standards and Compliance at CHAP , about what hospice leaders should expect when the moratorium is lifted—and how organizations should prepare now. The conversation explores increased CMS enrollment scrutiny, changes of ownership, audits, SSVI, compliance programs, and the growing role of data and AI in identifying fraud and abuse. Jennifer emphasizes that quality and compliance must work hand-in-hand and that hospices should begin treating audits and regulatory readiness as part of the cost of doing business. But greater regulation raises an important question: Can CMS become precise enough to eliminate bad actors without penalizing high-quality providers? The discussion examines how better data and AI could help regulators target fraud more effectively while protecting access, innovation, and legitimate hospice organizations. Most importantly, Jennifer reminds leaders that compliance cannot overshadow the mission. Even in a more regulated future, hospice must remain centered on compassionate, patient-centered care and what matters most to the patient. In this episode: What could happen when the hospice moratorium ends Why CMS scrutiny is likely to increase Building a culture of compliance and quality Why hospices should budget for more audits SSVI and the future of hospice oversight Using AI and data to better identify fraud and abuse Protecting legitimate providers from regulatory overreach Keeping compassion at the center of hospice care 🎧 Subscribe to TCNtalks | Anatomy of Leadership for conversations helping healthcare and hospice leaders navigate what’s next. Guest: Dr. Jennifer Kennedy, Vice President, Quality, Compliance and Standards with CHAP Co-Host: Cordt Kassner, PHD, Publisher, Hospice & Palliative Care Today Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios, author of The Anatomy of Leadership Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

The hospice moratorium may be temporary—but the changes it signals for hospice oversight could be permanent. In Part One of The Hospice Moratorium: What CMS Is Really Signaling About the Future , Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner, PhD, are joined by Dr. Jennifer Kennedy, Vice President for Quality, Standards and Compliance at CHAP , to unpack why CMS implemented the hospice moratorium and what it could mean for the future of the Medicare hospice benefit. The conversation explores the growing federal focus on fraud and abuse, rapid hospice market expansion, Medicare enrollment, accreditation oversight, and increasingly sophisticated screening of providers . Jennifer also explains why she believes the moratorium could be extended—and why CMS scrutiny is unlikely to disappear when the moratorium eventually ends. But there’s another side to the crackdown: legitimate hospice providers can get caught in the same regulatory net designed to stop bad actors. What happens when high-quality organizations want to expand into rural or underserved communities but can’t? And can CMS become precise enough to protect access while aggressively pursuing fraud? In this episode: What the CMS hospice moratorium actually means Why fraud and rapid market expansion triggered increased scrutiny Whether the moratorium could be extended The role of accreditation and enrollment screening How legitimate hospice providers may be unintentionally affected Why quality and compliance will define the next era of hospice oversight Guest: Dr. Jennifer Kennedy, Co-Host: Cordt Kassner, PHD, Publisher, Hospice & Palliative Care Today Host : Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios, author of The Anatomy of Leadership Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

What if the frustration, anger, and resistance showing up in your organization aren't signs of disengagement—but signals that your people still deeply care? In Part Two of From Zombies to Zealots: Cultivating Passion and Purpose in Healthcare Leadership , host Chris Comeaux continues his thought-provoking conversation with DJ Mitsch , author, master coach, and founder of the Healthcare Coaching Institute, and Tasha Walsh , CEO and Executive Director of ConnectionsPlus Healthcare + Hospice. Healthcare and hospice professionals often enter the field because they feel called to the work. But regulations, audits, documentation requirements, productivity pressures, and constant organizational change can gradually disconnect people from that deeper sense of purpose. DJ challenges leaders to recognize what happens when meaningful, purpose-driven work becomes dominated by the language of compliance rather than creation . Using the real-world example of hospice audits and documentation pressure , the conversation explores how fear of financial clawbacks and increased scrutiny can ripple through an organization and contribute to caregiver burnout. Rather than ignoring those emotions, DJ and Tasha encourage leaders to acknowledge them—and use anger, fear, frustration, and even pushback as valuable information. As DJ explains, anger can become fuel for change . Tasha takes that idea further: what lies beneath someone's frustration may be a deep commitment to patients, coworkers, or the mission. Effective leaders learn to uncover that meaning, transform emotional energy into courage, and create space for difficult but necessary conversations. In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why purpose-driven healthcare professionals can become disconnected from their calling How leaders can shift the organizational conversation from compliance to creation Why anger, fear, frustration, and resistance shouldn't automatically be labeled “negative” How to use emotion as information—and transform it into constructive action Why taking a breath and really listening can change the direction of a difficult interaction How leaders can create cultures where people feel safe bringing their authentic selves to work Why organizational culture is shaped by what leaders repeatedly tolerate, encourage, and create How healthcare leaders can become change agents rather than passive participants in a dysfunctional system One of the most powerful ideas from the conversation is that naming what people are experiencing can reduce its hold over them. By giving language to fear, anger, and frustration, leaders can help their teams redirect that energy toward something more productive. And ultimately, the goal isn't simply to build a more “resilient” workforce. It's to create an environment where people are excited to come to life fully every day. What is the culture you're creating helping your people become—zombies or zealots? Guest: Tasha Walsh , LCSW, PCC CEO/ED of Connections Plus Healthcare + Hospice Darelyn DJ Mitsch , Author, Master Coach, and Chief Energy Officer, The Pyramid Resource Group, Home of the Healthcare Coaching Institute and Team Advantage Team Coaching Host: Chris Comeaux , President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership If this conversation resonates with you, like, subscribe, and share this episode with another healthcare, hospice, or business leader who is working to create a more engaged, purpose-driven culture. Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

What turns a passionate healthcare professional into a “zombie” at work—and what can leaders do to help reignite that sense of purpose? In Part One of From Zombies to Zealots: Cultivating Passion and Purpose in Healthcare Leadership , host Chris Comeaux is joined by DJ Mitsch , author, master coach, and founder of the Healthcare Coaching Institute, and Tasha Walsh , CEO and Executive Director of ConnectionsPlus Healthcare + Hospice, for a thought-provoking conversation about burnout, workplace culture, leadership energy, and reconnecting healthcare professionals to their calling . Healthcare professionals often enter the field with a deep sense of mission. But regulatory pressure, productivity expectations, audits, quality metrics, and constant organizational change can gradually disconnect people from the heart of why they chose this work. As DJ explains, when organizations focus primarily on mandates, productivity, and profitability rather than the human beings doing the work, healthcare can become transactional rather than transformational. DJ and Tasha explore why language is one of the most powerful indicators of organizational culture . Leaders can learn a great deal by listening not only to what employees say, but also to the emotional currents beneath words such as “pushback,” resistance, and disengagement. The goal isn't simply greater compliance—it's creating language and leadership practices that empower, clarify, and reconnect people to purpose. In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why passionate healthcare professionals can gradually become “zombified” How productivity and compliance can overshadow purpose Why leaders should pay close attention to the language of their organization The difference between a workplace “zombie” and a purpose-driven “zealot” How leadership energy influences employees—and ultimately patient care Why connection and belonging are essential to sustaining passion How leaders can help employees reconnect with the mission that brought them into healthcare Why changing workplace culture begins with how leaders listen, communicate, and show up A “zealot,” as DJ describes it, is someone who stays connected to purpose even when organizations change, leaders leave, or circumstances become chaotic. They remember that they belong to something bigger than themselves. For hospice leaders, healthcare executives, nonprofit leaders, and anyone responsible for organizational culture , this conversation offers a different way of thinking about burnout and workforce engagement: perhaps the answer isn't another program or initiative, but helping people rediscover the meaning, connection, and purpose already embedded in the work. Subscribe and don't miss Part Two of this conversation , as Chris, DJ, and Tasha continue exploring how leaders can transform healthcare cultures from burnout and disengagement toward greater passion, connection, and purpose. Guest: Tasha Walsh , LCSW, PCC CEO/ED of Connections Plus Healthcare + Hospice Darelyn DJ Mitsch , Author, Master Coach, and Chief Energy Officer, The Pyramid Resource Group, Home of the Healthcare Coaching Institute and Team Advantage Team Coaching Host: Chris Comeaux , President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

What is CMS really signaling about the future of hospice? In Part Two, Chris Comeaux continues his conversation with hospice experts Annette Kiser and Judi Lund Person about the Hospice Wage Index, the Final Rule, and what leaders should be preparing for now. They explore the larger shift toward increased CMS oversight, data-driven accountability, stronger documentation, scrutiny of non-hospice spending, and greater expectations around quality and value. From SSVI and PEPPER data to the mandatory hospice addendum, claims, and cost reports, the message is clear: hospice organizations need to understand their data and trends before CMS does. The conversation also looks ahead to the future of the Medicare Hospice Benefit , including potential payment reform, outcomes-based accountability, and the growing importance of accurate, auditable cost reports. Most importantly, Annette and Judi challenge leaders to look beyond compliance and keep patients and families at the center —using data not simply to satisfy regulators, but to identify gaps, improve care, and build stronger organizations for the future. If you lead a hospice or work in compliance, quality, operations, or finance, this is a conversation you don't want to miss. ▶️ Watch Part Two and share it with your leadership team. 🔔 Subscribe to TCNtalks and Anatomy of Leadership for more conversations exploring hospice, healthcare leadership, innovation, regulation, and the future of serious illness care. Guests: Annette Kiser — Chief Compliance Officer, Teleios Collaborative Network Judi Lund Person — Principal, Lund Person & Associates Host: Chris Comeaux — President/CEO of Teleios and author of The Anatomy of Leadership Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

What is CMS really signaling through the 2027 Hospice Wage Index and Final Rule—and what should hospice leaders be doing now? In Part One, host Chris Comeaux is joined by hospice regulatory experts Annette Kiser and Judi Lund Person to unpack the 2027 Hospice Wage Index and Final Rule and look beyond reimbursement to what CMS may be signaling about the future of hospice regulation, compliance, payment, and oversight. They explore the Hospice Election Statement Addendum , the Service and Spending Variation Index (SSVI) , non-hospice Medicare spending, Part B claims, telehealth reporting, and why leaders should be examining their data through a quality and compliance lens. In this episode: What the 2027 Hospice Final Rule reveals about CMS priorities Preparing for the October 1, 2026 Election Statement Addendum Understanding SSVI and non-hospice spending Why CMS is increasing scrutiny of unrelated services Telehealth, G-code reporting, and eligibility Using SSVI and PEPPER data to identify trends and opportunities CMS reported that Medicare Part A and B non-hospice spending increased 160% from 2020 to 2024 , exceeding $2 billion in 2024 , with hospice patients responsible for approximately $510 million in cost sharing —a major reason this issue is receiving increased attention. fileciteturn0file0L130-L148 The Final Rule tells you what CMS is doing. The details may tell you what CMS is preparing to do next. ▶️ Listen to Part One, share it with your hospice leadership team, and subscribe so you don’t miss Part Two. Guests: Annette Kiser — Chief Compliance Officer, Teleios Collaborative Network Judi Lund Person — Principal, Lund Person & Associates Host: Chris Comeaux — President/CEO of Teleios and author of The Anatomy of Leadership Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

What if one of the most powerful partnerships in serious illness care is one healthcare leaders have largely overlooked? In Part Two of The Healthcare Partnership Nobody Is Talking About: Hospice + FQHCs , Chris Comeaux continues his conversation with Kyle Ahlenstorf about the opportunity for hospice and palliative care organizations to partner with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to create a stronger continuum of care. FQHCs bring primary and preventive care, behavioral health, care coordination, community health workers, telehealth capabilities, and deep connections within their communities. Hospice and palliative care organizations bring expertise in serious illness and the ability to extend specialized care directly into the home. Chris and Kyle explore what could become possible when these strengths are intentionally connected. In this episode, you'll hear about: How hospice, palliative care, and FQHCs can collaborate beyond traditional referral relationships Opportunities to extend palliative and serious illness care into the home The role of care coordinators, referral specialists, and community health workers How FQHCs integrate behavioral health, substance use disorder services, and telehealth What hospice leaders should understand about FQHC operations, federal funding, and the 340B Drug Pricing Program The importance of EMR data sharing, quality reporting, and value-based care How FQHCs participate in ACOs and shared-savings models Potential opportunities involving rural healthcare transformation grants and service co-location Why these partnerships could become increasingly important to the future of community-based healthcare Kyle's message to hospice and palliative care leaders is simple: “Think of us as partners.” Stronger community connections can help organizations better coordinate resources and serve patients across the continuum. If you're a hospice leader, palliative care professional, FQHC executive, healthcare executive, nonprofit leader, or anyone working in value-based and community-based care , this conversation offers a different way to think about partnership, access, and healthcare innovation. 👍 Like this episode 💬 Share your thoughts in the comments 🔔 Subscribe to TCNtalks and Anatomy of Leadership for more conversations designed to challenge healthcare leaders, spark innovation, and inspire better leadership. Episode Topics: Hospice care, palliative care, Federally Qualified Health Centers, FQHCs, serious illness care, community health centers, healthcare partnerships, value-based care, behavioral health, 340B Drug Pricing Program, ACOs, rural healthcare, community health workers, care coordination, telehealth, preventive care, population health, healthcare leadership Guest: Kyle Ahlenstorf, CEO of Infinity Health Host: Chris Comeaux , President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

What if one of the biggest untapped opportunities for hospice growth, access, and community impact is a partnership most healthcare leaders aren’t even considering? In Part One of The Healthcare Partnership Nobody Is Talking About: Hospice + FQHCs , Chris Comeaux sits down with Kyle Ahlenstorf, CEO of Infinity Health, to explore the powerful potential of partnerships between hospice and palliative care organizations and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). FQHCs are built around access, equity, and serving communities where barriers to healthcare are often greatest. Kyle explains how these community health centers work, how they’re reimbursed, the populations they serve, and why their mission has so much in common with hospice and palliative care. The conversation also explores integrated medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services—and how FQHCs can function as an important hub for coordinated, patient-centered care. For hospice leaders, the opportunity goes far beyond generating another referral. Kyle and Chris discuss how trusted relationships, provider education, care coordination, and warm handoffs can create a stronger continuum of care for people facing serious illness. Kyle also offers a highly practical starting point: find out who manages referrals at your local FQHC and begin building the relationship there. In this episode, you’ll discover: What an FQHC is and why it matters to the healthcare safety net Why hospice and FQHC missions may be more closely aligned than leaders realize How FQHC reimbursement and payer mix work How FQHCs integrate medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services Why care coordination and warm handoffs matter for serious illness Common misconceptions hospice leaders may have about FQHC patients How hospice organizations can begin building relationships with local FQHCs Why behavioral health may represent another major area for collaboration If you lead a hospice, palliative care organization, FQHC, community health center, nonprofit, or rural healthcare organization, this is a conversation worth bringing back to your leadership team. 👉 Your next step: Find the FQHCs serving your community. Identify their referral or care coordination leader. Start a conversation about where your missions—and your patients—intersect. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss Part Two of this important conversation. Guest: Kyle Ahlenstorf, CEO of Infinity Health Host: Chris Comeaux , President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

What if the biggest breakthrough in hospice care isn't a new technology—but a better way of focusing on what matters most? In Part Two of this special conversation, host Chris Comeaux continues his discussion with Kelly McCutcheon Adams and Margherita Labson about how the Four M's Framework—What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility—is transforming hospice and palliative care into a more reliable, person-centered model. Together, they explore why exceptional hospice care goes far beyond symptom management to preserve dignity, independence, emotional well-being, and meaningful moments for patients and families. The conversation dives into practical questions every hospice leader and clinician should be asking: How can we better address delirium, depression, and cognition at the end of life? Why should mobility be viewed as preserving independence instead of simply preventing falls? Is it time to add a fifth "M" to the framework? What would healthcare look like if every decision truly began with what matters most? Kelly and Margherita also paint a compelling vision for the future of hospice—one where earlier conversations, better continuity of care, and reliable systems lead to fewer late hospice admissions, better patient experiences, and stronger healthcare organizations. Their message to leaders is both practical and inspiring: hospice is not something to apologize for—it's one of healthcare's greatest expressions of compassion. Whether you're a hospice executive, palliative care professional, healthcare leader, clinician, nonprofit executive, or someone passionate about improving the patient experience, this episode offers actionable insights that can reshape the way you think about quality care. In This Episode: ✅ Why Mentation deserves greater attention in hospice care ✅ Looking beyond fall prevention to meaningful Mobility ✅ The debate over adding a Fifth M to Age-Friendly Care ✅ Why earlier hospice conversations improve patient outcomes ✅ Practical leadership advice for creating reliable, person-centered care systems ✅ Resources available through the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Guest: Kelly McCutcheon Adams, Senior Director at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Margherita Labson , President and CEO, MCLabson Consultation and Education Services Host: Chris Comeaux , President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership Learn More ➡️ Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI): https://www.ihi.org ➡️ Learn more about Teleios Collaborative Network: https://www.teleioscn.org 🎙️ Subscribe to TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership for conversations with healthcare innovators, nonprofit leaders, and industry experts who are shaping the future of leadership and care. 👍 If you found this episode valuable—Like this video Share it with your colleagues—Leave a comment: How can healthcare better focus on what matters most? Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

How can hospice and palliative care become more person-centered while also becoming more reliable? In Part One of this Anatomy of Leadership conversation, host Chris Comeaux sits down with Kelly McCutcheon Adams , Senior Director at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), and Margherita Labson , President and CEO of McLabson Consultation & Education Services, to explore the groundbreaking 4 M's Framework and its growing impact on hospice and palliative care. Originally developed through the Age-Friendly Health Systems Initiative , the 4 M's—What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility —provide a practical, evidence-based framework for helping healthcare teams consistently deliver individualized care that aligns with each patient's goals while improving reliability across the care continuum. During this conversation, you'll discover: Why the 4 M's are a framework—not another quality measure How "What Matters" transforms goal-concordant hospice care Why reliability and individualized care are not mutually exclusive How medication decisions should be guided by patient goals—not habits What hospice leaders can learn from the science of quality improvement Whether you're a hospice executive, palliative care clinician, healthcare leader, or quality improvement professional, this episode offers practical insights for building care systems that are both compassionate and consistently excellent. Don't miss Part Two , where we continue the discussion by exploring the remaining 4Ms and practical strategies for implementing this framework within hospice organizations. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Meet Kelly McCutcheon Adams & Margherita Labson 04:14 What is the 4Ms Framework? 06:58 How IHI is Bringing the 4Ms to Hospice Care 09:43 The Mission of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) 11:46 Why the 4Ms Work Across Every Care Setting 15:17 Framework vs. Traditional Quality Measures 17:24 What "What Matters" Really Means in Hospice 21:08 Reliable Systems for Individualized Care 26:57 Medication Decisions Guided by Patient Goals 32:12 Hospice, Opioids, and Changing the Conversation 34:37 Coming Up in Part Two 🎙️ Learn more about TCNtalks /Anatomy of Leadership and by subscribing and following Teleios Collaborative Network (www.teleioscn.org) for more conversations on leadership, hospice, healthcare innovation, and purpose-driven organizations. Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

Can hospice organizations remain relevant if they only engage patients during the final months of life? In Part Two of this thought-provoking conversation, host Chris Comeaux continues his discussion with Dr. Bethany Snider, exploring why traditional primary care often falls short for frail elders and why nonprofit healthcare organizations must rethink the future of serious illness care. Dr. Snider explains how frail elder practices, value-based care, advanced primary care, palliative care, and hospice can work together as one seamless continuum to improve patient outcomes, reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, and help older adults age safely in place. She also shares practical insights on reimbursement strategies, accountable care, leadership, emotional intelligence, organizational innovation, and building sustainable care models that preserve the hospice mission for decades to come. Whether you lead a hospice organization, health system, nonprofit, accountable care organization, or healthcare practice, this episode provides actionable leadership insights on preparing for the next generation of healthcare delivery. Episode Highlights - Why traditional primary care often fails frail elders - The business case for upstream serious illness care - Building sustainable value-based care models - Measuring outcomes beyond traditional healthcare metrics - The future of integrated primary care, palliative care, and hospice - Leadership lessons on innovation, emotional intelligence, and failing fast - Why partnerships will shape the future of nonprofit healthcare Guest: Dr. Bethany Snider , CMO of Everent Health Host: Chris Comeaux , President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

Is traditional primary care failing America's frail elders? As our aging population grows, healthcare leaders face an urgent challenge: today's healthcare system was never designed to meet the complex, long-term needs of frail older adults. In Part One of this compelling conversation, Chris Comeaux welcomes Dr. Bethany Snider , Chief Medical Officer of Everent Health , to explore why the future of healthcare requires a new model of care. Together, they examine the emerging concept of the frail elder practice—an interdisciplinary, relationship-centered approach that goes far beyond traditional primary care by integrating home-based care, caregiver support, palliative care principles, and longitudinal care management. Dr. Snider explains why traditional primary care, built around brief office visits and volume-driven reimbursement, is increasingly inadequate for patients living with serious illness, multiple chronic conditions, functional decline, and caregiver challenges. She also discusses why hospice organizations must begin moving upstream as value-based healthcare, accountable care organizations (ACOs), and population health models reshape access to patients and redefine the future of serious illness care. Whether you lead a health system, hospice, physician practice, nonprofit, or healthcare organization, this episode offers strategic insights into where healthcare is headed—and why organizations that adapt early will be best positioned to improve patient outcomes while advancing their mission. In this episode, you'll learn: •Why traditional primary care often falls short for frail elders •What defines a successful frail elder practice model •How interdisciplinary, home-based care improves quality of life •Why hospice leaders must rethink their role in value-based healthcare •How palliative care should be integrated throughout the patient journey •What healthcare leaders should be doing today to prepare for tomorrow 🎧 Don't miss Part Two , where Dr. Snider shares how healthcare organizations can successfully build, scale, and sustain frail elder practice models. About TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership TCNtalks and Anatomy of Leadership feature conversations with today's most respected healthcare executives, physicians, researchers, and business leaders exploring leadership, innovation, hospice, palliative care, serious illness care, nonprofit management, and the future of healthcare. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations designed to help you lead with greater purpose, compassion, and impact. Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

What can America learn from healthcare systems around the world? In Part Two of this thought-provoking conversation, host Chris Comeaux continues his discussion with Dr. Mark Stoltenberg , a global palliative care physician and educator, exploring how lessons from countries across Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Europe could reshape the future of American healthcare, hospice, and serious illness care. From community-based palliative care models in India, Uruguay, and Costa Rica to powerful stories from Rwanda, Kenya, Colombia, Brazil, and Jamaica, Dr. Stoltenberg reveals why the greatest healthcare innovations aren't always technological—they're deeply human. Together, Chris and Mark discuss trust in healthcare, integrated serious illness care, hospice reform, healthcare leadership, population health strategies, and compassionate care, offering practical lessons every healthcare leader can apply. The conversation also tackles some of the biggest questions facing the future of American healthcare: Should hospice evolve beyond the traditional carve-out model? Why is trust one of healthcare's most overlooked leadership challenges? What can global partnerships teach us about serving patients with dignity? How can nonprofit organizations and healthcare systems better collaborate to meet the needs of an aging population? Whether you're a healthcare executive, hospice leader, physician, nurse, nonprofit executive, policymaker, or business leader, this episode offers a compelling vision for creating more compassionate, equitable, and patient-centered care. Episode Highlights Why global healthcare offers valuable lessons for the U.S. Community-based palliative care models improving access and quality The critical role of trust in patient care and leadership Leadership lessons from international healthcare partnerships The future of hospice, concurrent care, and serious illness care Why responding to suffering is the true purpose of palliative care If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe for more interviews with healthcare innovators and leadership experts. Like, comment, and share this episode with colleagues who are passionate about improving hospice, palliative care, healthcare leadership, and the future of serious illness care. Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

What can American healthcare learn from global healthcare? In our latest episode, Dr. Mark Stoltenberg, Harvard Medical School professor and Massachusetts General Hospital physician, joins Chris Comeaux to explore global healthcare, palliative care, hospice leadership, healthcare innovation, and the future of serious illness care in America. Healthcare leaders often assume innovation requires more money, more technology, or more specialists. Dr. Stoltenberg argues the opposite, drawing from his work leading global palliative care programs throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and other underserved regions. He shares how resource-limited healthcare systems are pioneering solutions that can improve American healthcare, strengthen the healthcare workforce, and restore compassionate, person-centered care. Together, Chris and Dr. Stoltenberg discuss workforce shortages, Project ECHO, community-based care, volunteerism, family-centered decision-making, healthcare leadership, and why hospice and palliative care must preserve their founding values while continuing to innovate. Through moving patient stories—including a remarkable experience in Belize—they reveal why dignity, compassion, community, and purpose remain healthcare's greatest innovations. If you're a healthcare executive, hospice leader, physician, nonprofit executive, nurse, or business leader, this episode offers practical strategies for improving leadership, building stronger organizations, and delivering more compassionate care. In this episode you'll learn: ✔ What America can learn from global healthcare systems ✔ Why palliative care is rooted in social justice ✔ How healthcare workforce shortages can be addressed creatively ✔ Why Project ECHO is transforming healthcare education ✔ How community-based care improves patient outcomes ✔ Why family and spirituality remain essential to serious illness care ✔ How great organizations preserve their mission while scaling innovation 👍 If you enjoy conversations about healthcare leadership, hospice, palliative care, leadership development, healthcare innovation, and serious illness care, subscribe to TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership for weekly conversations with today's leading healthcare experts. Guest: Dr. Mark Stoltenberg Attending Physician in the Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School Host: Chris Comeaux President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

What separates great leaders from those who simply manage people? It starts with presence. In Part Two of Leadership Starts With Presence | The Art of Showing Up, host Chris Comeaux continues his conversation with executive leadership coach David Sachsenmaier to explore how leadership presence, emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and authentic leadership shape thriving organizations. Leaders don't just influence strategy—they shape culture. David explains how unresolved personal patterns affect trust, communication, decision-making, and team performance, and offers practical insights for building healthier, high-performing organizations. Learn why vulnerability is a leadership strength, how to create a culture where people feel both safe and challenged, and why the most effective leaders lead from a place of self-awareness rather than reactivity. Whether you lead a healthcare organization, hospice, nonprofit, or business, this conversation delivers practical leadership wisdom you can apply immediately to build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient organizations. In this episode, you'll learn: Why leaders transfer their inner world into organizational culture How psychological safety improves performance without sacrificing accountability Why vulnerability increases—not decreases—leadership credibility The difference between executive coaching and therapy How self-awareness creates calmer, more effective leadership Why authentic leadership builds trust and engagement How presence transforms organizational culture and team performance If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership for more conversations with today's leading thinkers in healthcare, leadership, and organizational excellence. 💬 Share your biggest leadership takeaway in the comments. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss a new episode. Highlights ✔ How your inner life becomes your organizational culture ✔ The hidden cost of reactive leadership ✔ Why vulnerability is one of a leader's greatest strengths ✔ Creating psychological safety without lowering expectations ✔ Coaching high performers versus therapy ✔ Leading from identity instead of performance ✔ David's powerful leadership blessing for work Blog: https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/part-2-leadership-starts-with-presence-the-art-of-showing-up-with-david-sachsenmaier Guest: David Sachsenmaier, Corporate Executive Coach Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

Great leaders don't just show up—they create the kind of presence that changes people. What separates truly exceptional leaders from those who simply manage? In Part One of this thought-provoking conversation, Chris Comeaux sits down with executive coach David Sachsenmaier , whose 30 years of leadership experience and more than 4,000 hours of executive coaching have helped leaders uncover one of leadership's most overlooked truths: the quality of your leadership is shaped by the quality of your inner life. Together, they explore why presence, self-awareness, and emotional grounding are essential to building healthy teams, resilient organizations, and cultures where people thrive. David shares powerful insights on why many high-performing leaders unknowingly operate from a place of constant reactivity, how unresolved pain influences decision-making, and why treating people like machines ultimately destroys engagement and innovation. Through memorable illustrations—including his "mason jar" metaphor—he explains why slowing down, becoming more self-aware, and leading from a place of wholeness creates organizations marked by trust, creativity, and lasting impact. The conversation also explores the unique challenges facing healthcare and hospice leaders who spend their lives caring for others while often neglecting themselves. Transcript- Leadership Starts W… Whether you lead a healthcare organization, hospice, nonprofit, or business, this episode will challenge you to look beyond leadership techniques and consider the deeper work of becoming the kind of leader people genuinely want to follow. Key Takeaways Leadership begins with presence. The healthiest leaders create calm, clarity, and trust instead of spreading chaos and reactivity. Self-awareness fuels better leadership. Understanding your own "limps," triggers, and unresolved pain enables you to lead others with greater empathy and wisdom. People are not machines. Organizations thrive when leaders recognize the humanity of their teams and create psychologically safe cultures. Wholeness precedes performance. Sustainable leadership comes from finding your identity and worth beyond titles, achievements, and external success. Healthy leaders multiply healthy cultures. Grounded, emotionally present leadership is contagious, improving engagement, creativity, collaboration, and organizational resilience. Guest: David Sachsenmaier , Corporate Executive Coach Host: Chris Comeaux , President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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

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