Episodes

  • Patients Don’t Want “The Portal” They Want a Human

    Patients Don’t Want “The Portal” They Want a Human
    Jan 8 2026
    Have you ever called a medical office with something that felt urgent… and got treated like an inconvenience? In today’s episode, we talk about why modern healthcare can feel cold—why patients hear a quiet “no” through portal messages, policies, and rushed triage—and how good clinicians get trained into emotional distance without even realizing it. This is not a rant about bad people. It’s a breakdown of a healthcare system that rewards speed, punishes humanity, and turns real care into compliance, documentation, and workflows. If you’re a physician, nurse practitioner, PA, nurse, medical assistant, triage staff, or healthcare leader, this episode is your reminder that the messiness isn’t a glitch in the job—it IS the job. Because illness isn’t tidy. Fear isn’t tidy. And patients don’t just need answers—they need reassurance, curiosity, and a clinician who doesn’t flinch when the story doesn’t fit the template. We’ll unpack how “work-life balance” can quietly become a shield, how reflexive gatekeeping erodes trust, and what it looks like to draw boundaries without building walls. The core message: the mess is medicine—and reclaiming small human moments can change everything. Why patients feel rejected even when nobody “said no” The 3 forces creating distance in healthcare (compliance, inconvenience, avoidance) How triage and portals can become gatekeeping (and how to fix the tone) 3 practical practices: see the person, replace “no” with curiosity, set boundaries without walls How burnout changes behavior—and how to stay compassionate without self-sacrifice What healthcare leaders must change (metrics, documentation burden, relational outcomes. #healthcare #burnout #patientcare #medicine #leadership Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    16 mins
  • 85% of Visits Don’t Need the Office: So Why Are We Still Doing This? with Dr. Rodney Ison

    85% of Visits Don’t Need the Office: So Why Are We Still Doing This? with Dr. Rodney Ison
    Dec 18 2025
    Healthcare is becoming financially unsustainable—and fee-for-service is a huge reason why. In this episode, Dr. Rodney Ison breaks down what value-based care actually requires and how to build a patient-centered model that works in the real world. --- If you’re one foot in value and one foot in fee-for-service, this is your wake-up call. Why fee-for-service pushes “widgets,” not outcomes The “True North” move: defining patient-centered care as the operating system What changes when you pay for outcomes instead of visits How remote monitoring + messaging can deliver “care anywhere” The real barrier to transformation: fear (and how to move through it) How to build a culture of change clinicians actually buy into How to catch up faster by learning from people who already made the mistakes --- 00:00 Intro00:41 Meet Dr. Rodney Ison + background01:45 Why the current system is unsustainable02:16 “Back to house calls” — but with modern technology03:21 Tech that enables patient-centered care (care anywhere)04:21 Why fee-for-service blocks better care05:02 Pick a destination: stop “wandering in the wilderness”06:13 You can’t pay for widgets and expect patient-centered care07:12 Culture of change (or you drown)08:12 Where to start: pay for value + outcomes09:26 How doctors must think differently under capitation/full risk10:48 The big stat: most visits don’t need to be in-office11:36 Getting clinicians on board (peer model + outcomes + stories)12:58 The 20–25 provider room: frustrations → solutions → support14:10 Speak-up culture + psychological safety16:24 How to catch up fast (reduce fear + get experienced help)19:14 Final takeaway: do the right care and you’ll be financially okay Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • Why US Healthcare Costs Are Out Of Control (And Fixable)

    Why US Healthcare Costs Are Out Of Control (And Fixable)
    Dec 4 2025
    In this episode, we dive into US healthcare costs and unpack why healthcare is so expensive, from misaligned incentives to the erosion of primary care. Dr. Brady Steiner and guest Tom Campanella break down the rising healthcare costs and the true cost of healthcare in America, highlighting how primary care and healthcare costs are deeply connected. We explore the promise of value based primary care as a path forward and shine a light on the often overlooked rural healthcare crisis, where access, outcomes, and affordability collide. What You’ll Learn / Highlights In this conversation with healthcare veteran Tom Campanella, you’ll learn: How Medicare’s original payment model helped launch today’s out-of-control healthcare costs Why primary care went from 60% of doctors to an underfunded afterthought—and why that broke the system The quiet crisis in rural healthcare and why “forgotten” communities pay the highest price How defensive medicine, CT scans, and fee-for-service incentives drive unnecessary tests and hospital revenue What value-based care and capitation really look like on the ground for primary care doctors and patients Why big health systems are sidelining primary care with urgent care + telehealth funnels straight to specialists Practical ideas for employers: onsite/near-site clinics, preferred primary care relationships, and educating employees about cost and value Hosted by Dr. Brady Steiner of Curbside Health Cast, featuring Tom Campanella—healthcare attorney, former Blue Cross VP, educator, and long-time rural health advocate. 3. Chapters (timestamps) 00:00 Intro & show sponsor00:45 Meet Tom Campanella: 40+ years inside healthcare02:30 Viewing healthcare as a puzzle: lenses, experience & context05:10 Why US healthcare costs exploded after Medicare07:20 Primary care’s decline and the price we all pay11:45 Transactional vs relational care: ER, urgent care and specialists13:50 Rural America’s long-neglected healthcare crisis15:30 Malpractice, lawsuits and the myth of defensive medicine18:05 Value-based care, capitation and doing fewer unnecessary tests20:20 How big systems devalue primary care and push volume22:55 New models: independent practices, concierge & direct primary care24:55 Policy ideas to bend the cost curve (Medicare, transparency, competition)27:55 Why employers must lead with smarter primary care partnerships29:20 Final thoughts & what needs to change next Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • From Numbers to Care: How Data is Transforming Patient Outcomes

    From Numbers to Care: How Data is Transforming Patient Outcomes
    Oct 9 2025
    What if your patient’s next hospitalization could be prevented, not by guesswork, but by real-time data? In this episode of Curbside Health Cast, Dr. Brady Steineck sits down with Lauren Poult, VP of Medical Economics at Millennium Physicians, to unpack how healthcare analytics is changing the game for providers and patients alike. If you're a provider feeling stuck in outdated systems or overwhelmed by data you don't know how to use, this is your wake-up call. Dr. Steineck and Lauren dive deep into how data is no longer just about cost-cutting, it's about clarity. From leveraging statewide hospital feeds to pinpoint high-risk patients, to transforming lagging claims data into strategic care insights, Lauren reveals how analytics is reshaping care models under value-based care. She shares real-world wins, persistent blind spots, and how providers can practically harness analytics to close gaps in care and reduce readmissions. This episode bridges the worlds of clinical passion and operational precision. Whether you're in rural primary care or a leadership role at a major practice, you’ll walk away with a renewed understanding of how to use the numbers to take better care of people. Takeaways: Real-time hospital data (like HIE feeds) is revolutionizing transitions of care and slashing readmission rates. Value-based care aligns economics with better outcomes, moving away from volume-based RVU targets. Lagging claims data still matters, but only if you know how to translate trends into action. Regional and prevalence data must be localized to be truly useful, macro trends often miss micro health realities. Actionable analytics (like avoidable utilization tracking) build trust and engagement among providers. "Let’s not be judgmental about what the data shows, let’s be curious. That’s how we take better care of our patients." – Dr. Brady Steineck If this episode sparked ideas or questions, share it with a colleague. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a conversation that helps you lead with data and serve with heart. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 mins
  • Burnout Isn’t Inevitable: Reclaiming Purpose & Culture in Healthcare Leadership

    Burnout Isn’t Inevitable: Reclaiming Purpose & Culture in Healthcare Leadership
    Oct 2 2025
    Is burnout just part of the job, or can we actually lead and live differently in healthcare? In this episode of The Curbside HealthCast, host Dr. Brady Steineck sits down with leadership consultant and former PA Becky Wolf for a power-packed conversation that gets real about the emotional, cultural, and systemic toll of burnout in healthcare, and what can be done about it. From top-down leadership shifts to ground-level team transformation, Becky shares eye-opening insights from years of helping organizations find clarity, purpose, and health from the inside out. You'll hear the story of how Becky left clinical practice to pursue coaching and leadership development full-time, and how that calling is helping teams across the country rebuild trust, reignite purpose, and fight emotional exhaustion with self-awareness and intentionality. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why burnout is still a major risk, 5 years post-COVID, and what actually works to reverse it How emotionally intelligent leadership transforms teams and reduces medical errors The overlooked power of self-awareness and daily energy management What it looks like to “lead up” even if you’re not at the top How small changes (like being present and curious) can create ripple effects in your organization “If we are healthy at the top, we give away health to the rest of the organization.” Whether you're a provider, administrator, or someone burned out and barely hanging on, this episode is your invitation to take a breath, reflect, and take the first step toward healing yourself and your team. 🎧 Subscribe to The Curbside HealthCast, share this episode with a colleague, and take five minutes today to journal your answer to this question: When do I feel most like myself in my work? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 mins
  • From Reactive to Proactive: Can AI Actually Make Care More Human?

    From Reactive to Proactive: Can AI Actually Make Care More Human?
    Sep 25 2025
    When patients feel like a “bother,” they stop calling, and their health suffers. In today’s episode of Curbside Health Cast, Dr. Brady Steineck tackles a hard question: how do we rebuild real connection between patients and providers in a system that’s overwhelmed, siloed, and too often reactive? Our guest is Stephanie Kerensky, RN, a 23-year emergency medicine nurse and account executive with Health Precision. She pulls back the curtain on Medical Brain, an AI-powered, EHR-integrated app that opens a 24/7 text line between patients and their care teams. We explore how structured clinical logic, daily check-ins, and human oversight (with physicians monitoring around the clock) can triage symptoms at 3 a.m., surface only what needs a provider’s touch, and give patients peace of mind they rarely get from a phone tree. Dr. Steineck and Stephanie get practical, what changes for the front desk, clinicians, and administrators; how automation reduces low-value noise; and how practices can move from “sorry for the wait” to “we saw this coming.” You’ll also hear the story of an older patient whose diabetes and loneliness both improved because she finally felt seen, every day. Data you’ll hear: in one NJ cohort of ~2,200 patients with diabetes, 170 had A1c > 9. Among those actively engaging with Medical Brain, 64% moved out of the >9 group with an average A1c drop of ~3.5 points, a striking shift from reactive to proactive care. 5 Key Takeaways Access isn’t just appointment slots; it’s continuous, low-friction connection. AI triage + human oversight can surface only the 10–15% that truly needs a clinician. Daily, structured follow-up drives earlier medication adjustments and fewer crises. Proactive touchpoints reduce ER crowding, patient costs, and provider burnout. Technology doesn’t replace empathy—it multiplies it when designed for care. “Patients tell me, ‘I didn’t want to bother you.’ Medical Brain removes that barrier—and we catch more before it becomes a crisis.” —Dr. Brady Steinich If this episode helped you rethink connection, subscribe, share it with a colleague, and take five minutes to journal one workflow you’ll shift from reactive to proactive this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    27 mins
  • The “Big, Beautiful Bill” & the Bottom Line: How to Survive (and Thrive) in 2026

    The “Big, Beautiful Bill” & the Bottom Line: How to Survive (and Thrive) in 2026
    Sep 18 2025
    Is your practice ready for the Medicare/Medicaid shake-up? In this episode of the Curbside Health Cast, Dr. Brady Steineck sits down with managing director Ronnen Isakov (Medic Management Group) to unpack what Washington’s newest “big, beautiful bill” really means for independent and hospital-based groups. If you’re staring down shrinking margins, rising costs, and a wave of new rules, this conversation gives you a clear game plan, not just to cope, but to lead. Ronnen brings 26 years of healthcare finance and compliance experience to break down the coming reimbursement bump in 2026, the downstream risk to Medicaid coverage, and the messy middle where most practices live: fee-for-service today, value-based tomorrow. Together, Brady and Ronnen connect policy to the front desk, showing how denials, days in A/R, and sloppy intake can quietly sink a practice long before any regulation does. You’ll also hear how Curbside and MMG partner to help groups shift from traditional FFS to shared savings and full-risk models, without losing their mission or burning out their people. From dashboards and denial patterns to staffing ratios and cautious automation, this is a practical, encouraging roadmap for leaders who want operational excellence and patient-first care at the same time. 5 Key Takeaways A one-year Medicare bump in 2026 won’t fix the long game, plan now for 2027 and beyond. Rural subsidies may help, but unclear rules and short timelines demand fast, focused prep. Denial management is a must-win: know your codes, your causes, and your appeal playbook. Front-end accuracy (demographics, insurance) is the cheapest way to speed cash and cut denials. You can’t live in two worlds forever, build the competencies for value-based care now. “Have the courage, clarity, competency, and commitment to act, change is coming, and you can be ready.” - Ronnen Isakov Take 10 minutes to review your latest KPIs (days in A/R, >90-day A/R, denial rates). Then share this episode with your admin/CFO team and subscribe so you never miss a playbook update. Want help building your transition plan? DM us or visit CurbsideQD to start the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • Fixing Cardiology: Why the System Is Broken, And How to Make It Work

    Fixing Cardiology: Why the System Is Broken, And How to Make It Work
    Aug 21 2025
    We all know cardiology is critical, but why is access to cardiac care often so frustratingly slow, inefficient, and costly? What if there were a better way? In this episode of The Curbside HealthCast, Dr. Brady Steineck sits down with the uniquely insightful Dr. Mike Hughes, cardiologist, healthcare administrator, and value-based care innovator. With decades of experience spanning clinical practice, hospital leadership, and startup ventures, Dr. Hughes offers a powerful insider perspective on what’s broken in cardiology today, and how primary care and specialists can work together to fix it. Together, they tackle head-on the real-world challenges plaguing cardiac care: poor access, misaligned incentives, burnout, and costly delays. But it’s not just a gripe session, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and real-world solutions already making a difference. Dr. Hughes shares how a simple, relationship-based model of patient navigation is cutting weeks off referral times, improving care quality, and driving satisfaction for both patients and providers. Key Takeaways: The RVU model often incentivizes repeat visits over timely access to new patients. Mild cases (like early heart failure or low-risk AFib) can and should be managed in primary care, with cardiologists serving in a consultative role. Strong relationships and real-time communication between PCPs and specialists drive better, faster, more affordable care. Coordinated patient navigation reduces unnecessary ER visits and hospital admissions. Scaling this kind of care model requires local knowledge, trust, and intentional design, not just more technology. “If we focus on what’s best for the patient, getting them to the right next best site of care, we’re going to drive better outcomes and lower costs every time.” - Dr. Mike Hughes If you’re a provider frustrated with the referral grind, or a leader ready to bring value-based care to life, this episode is your playbook. Subscribe, share, or journal your takeaways, and reach out to Curbside QD to see how we can help bring better care coordination to your system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins