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Digital Health Heavyweights

Digital Health Heavyweights

Written by: Norm Volsky
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About this listen

This conversational podcast brings you exclusive interviews with all the Heavyweights in Digital Health. Hosted by Norm Volsky, a top industry headhunter, whose team helped scale companies including Livongo, Hinge Health, Lyra, Virta, Progyny and many more. This series will bring listeners insights into the latest trends, technologies, and strategies driving the digital health revolution.

In each episode, Norm sits down with some of the most influential and innovative leaders in healthcare technology today from legendary founders who have built successful companies, venture capitalists who have led funding rounds, HR/Benefits leaders at forward thinking companies, Consultants and Brokers at the top benefits consulting firms, and other impactful visionaries challenging the status quo in healthcare. Listeners can learn from the industry greats who have created what we now know as health benefits, and who are changing the face of healthcare as we know it.

Whether you're a healthcare professional, a tech enthusiast, a start-up founder, benefits aficionado, jobseeker in Digital Health, or simply curious about the future of healthcare, Digital Health Heavyweights has something for you.

© 2026 Digital Health Heavyweights
Careers Economics Personal Success
Episodes
  • Episode 3: Nandan Rao, CEO of Starlight
    Jan 19 2026

    In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, Norm Volsky interviews Nandan Rao, CEO of Starlight, a virtual proactive care clinic. Nandan shares his background, including his experience founding Virtual Lab and his transition from international public health to digital health. He discusses the importance of culturally sensitive coaching, the mission of Starlight to improve patient adherence, and the successes the company has achieved in partnership with major health systems. Following the model of CMS ACCESS, Starlight coordinates closely with provider groups for referrals and co-management The conversation also touches on the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, the importance of technology in enhancing patient care, and the personal experiences that shape Nandan's leadership style.

    Check out their website here: https://hellostarlight.com/


    Takeaways

    🧠 Nandan Rao has a diverse background in public health and technology.

    🌟 Starlight focuses on improving patient adherence through health coaching.

    🤝 Culturally sensitive coaching is crucial for patient engagement.

    💻 The integration of technology with healthcare can enhance patient outcomes.

    📉 Value-based care is essential for improving healthcare efficiency.

    🩺 Patient relationships with coaches drive better health outcomes.

    🏥 Starlight has successfully partnered with major health systems.

    🧩 Understanding patient behavior is key to increasing program participation.

    💰 The healthcare system often prioritizes profit over patient care.

    🧘‍♂️ Nandan emphasizes the importance of self-care and stress management for leaders.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Nandan Rao and Starlight

    01:27 Founding Virtual Lab and Its Impact

    04:41 Comparing International Public Health and Digital Health

    07:13 The Value of an Eclectic Career in Leadership

    12:17 The Inspiration Behind Starlight

    23:48 Starlight's Mission and Approach

    24:58 Success Stories and Outcomes from Starlight

    29:15 Enhancing Patient Engagement through Referrals

    32:15 The Balance of Technology and Human Touch in Healthcare

    36:06 Leveraging Technology for Better Patient Outcomes

    39:28 Creating Meaningful Patient Experiences

    40:23 Scaling Healthcare Solutions Across Diverse Populations

    44:14 Navigating the Financial Landscape of Healthcare

    55:30 Personal Well-being in a High-Stress Environment

    Follow, connect and subscribe:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-health-heavyweights-podcast
    Youtube: https://youtube.com/@DigitalHealthHeavyweights
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalhealthheavyweights/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyweightspodcast

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    55 mins
  • Episode 2: Dr. Kumar Dharmarajan, Chief Medical Officer at World Class Health
    Jan 12 2026

    In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, Norm Volsky interviews Dr. Kumar Dharmarajan, co-founder and chief medical officer of World Class Health. They discuss Dr. Dharmarajan's journey in healthcare, the challenges of patient experience, and the importance of technology in improving healthcare delivery. The conversation delves into the economics of employer-sponsored healthcare, the mission behind founding World Class Health, and the potential of direct contracting and global healthcare solutions. Dr. Dharmarajan shares insights on engagement strategies, innovations, shaping the future of healthcare, and his personal health practices.

    Takeaways

    💡 Clinical inspiration matters in healthcare operations

    ⚙️ Building technology for doctors requires understanding their workflow

    🧑‍⚕️ Patient experience is often poor and needs improvement

    🏢 Employer-sponsored healthcare is the largest payer in the U.S.

    💰 Direct contracting can lead to significant cost savings

    🌎 Global healthcare can offer high-quality care at lower prices

    📈 Engagement strategies must be tailored to the audience

    🔍 Data transparency is crucial for innovation and accountability

    📊 Incentives should align between providers, employers, and patients

    🧘‍♂️ Wellness and personal health practices are vital for healthcare leaders

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Dr. Kumar Dharmarajan and World Class Health

    02:40 Lessons from Clover Health: Clinical Inspiration and Successes

    05:17 Building Tech for Doctors and Patients: Key Principles

    07:27 The Importance of Reducing Friction in Healthcare

    09:55 Transitioning to Global Care Delivery: Motivations and Market Opportunities

    12:28 Understanding Cost Disparities in Healthcare

    14:25 Challenges in the Healthcare System: Misalignments and Transparency

    17:38 Founding World Class Health: Personal Stories and Market Gaps

    29:06 Global Centers of Excellence: Engagement and Cost Reduction

    31:37 The Role of Nurses in Patient Care

    34:23 Cost Savings in Healthcare

    36:36 Demand for Specific Healthcare Services

    38:32 Misconceptions About International Healthcare

    41:39 Innovations in Global Healthcare

    44:58 Engagement Strategies in Healthcare

    51:59 Personal Wellness Practices

    Follow, connect and subscribe:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-health-heavyweights-podcast
    Youtube: https://youtube.com/@DigitalHealthHeavyweights
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalhealthheavyweights/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyweightspodcast

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    59 mins
  • Episode 1: Noah Kotlove, CEO of Berry Street
    Jan 7 2026

    In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, host Norm Volsky interviews Noah Kotlove, Founder and CEO of Berry Street, a virtual nutrition therapy platform connecting patients with dietitians for one-on-one personalized nutrition care across more than 25 conditions, and leveraging AI to empower providers and patients . Noah shares his patient-first journey how working with a dietitian helped him lose weight and why nutrition counseling remains one of the most underutilized benefits in U.S. healthcare despite broad commercial coverage that is often $0 out of pocket. The conversation explores Berry Street’s rapid growth since January 2023, its $50M raise in 2025, the difference between dietitians vs. “nutritionists,” and how Berry Street supports patients navigating the GLP-1 era with sustainable nutrition and behavior change.

    Takeaways


    🥗 Nutrition therapy is widely covered by commercial insurance, yet remains deeply underutilized.
    🧠 Dietitians support behavior change beyond “eat this / don’t eat that,” including relationship-with-food work.
    ⚖️ “Food freedom” helps patients avoid guilt spirals and build sustainable habits.
    🍿 Small guardrails (like portioning snacks into a bowl) can compound into major outcomes over time.
    🏢 Large enterprises often struggle with zero-to-one innovation—startups thrive because they’re built for it.
    🚀 Berry Street scaled rapidly after launching in January 2023, reaching tens of millions in annualized revenue (as shared on-air).
    💰 Berry Street raised $50M in 2025, driven by growth, a massive market tailwind, and strong provider/patient experience.
    🩺 Dietitians are credentialed clinicians who can bill insurance; “nutritionist” is not a standardized credential term.
    💉 GLP-1s are a powerful tool, but dietitian support helps protect nutrient intake, adherence, and long-term sustainability.
    🍌 A simple daily habit: pairing fruit (banana) with protein/fats (peanut butter) can improve satiety and energy stability.

    Chapters


    00:00 Introduction to Noah Kotlove and Berry Street
    01:35 Noah’s Path into Healthcare: A Patient-First Story
    04:10 How Dietitian Care Drives Sustainable Behavior Change
    07:24 Principles Behind Noah’s 60–65 lb Weight-Loss Journey
    11:41 Founding Sobriety Soft: Early Entrepreneurship in Health Tech
    15:25 Lessons Learned Building a Product for a Sensitive Community
    18:25 Accenture to Startup CEO: Lessons from Enterprise Innovation
    21:11 The Origin and Meaning Behind the Name “Berry Street”
    23:19 Why Nutrition Therapy Is Massively Underutilized
    24:34 Fundraising Advice: Authenticity in a Tough Capital Market
    26:20 What Drove Berry Street’s $50M Raise and Growth Strategy
    28:35 Dietitian vs. Nutritionist: Credentials, Training, and Trust
    31:00 Inside the Berry Street Patient Experience
    33:26 Insurance Coverage Explained: Preventive vs. Medical Nutrition Care
    35:11 Go-to-Market Strategy: From DTC Growth to Health Plans
    35:58 Becoming In-Network: Scaling Provider Contracts Nationally
    37:20 Clinical Outcomes and the GLP-1 Nutrition Pathway
    39:13 The Role of Nutrition in a GLP-1-Driven Future
    48:45 Managing Stress and Staying Centered as a Founder
    50:12 Healthy Habits and Simple Nutrition Wins
    53:01 Closing Thoughts and Final Reflections

    Follow, connect and subscribe:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-health-heavyweights-podcast
    Youtube: https://youtube.com/@DigitalHealthHeavyweights
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalhealthheavyweights/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyweightspodcast

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    54 mins
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