CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. Healing Through Human Connection w/ Darin Buxbaum, CEO, Wider Circle
Oct 9, 2025
Darin Buxbaum, co-founder and CEO of Wider Circle, discusses how community engagement rather than traditional healthcare settings can truly improve health outcomes. He shares the inspiring story of his grandmother's loneliness that fueled his mission. Buxbaum emphasizes the importance of peer-led groups in building trust and addressing issues like social determinants of health. He also highlights innovative strategies used in diverse communities, showing how local needs drive effective support and demonstrating the measurable impact of these initiatives on healthcare utilization.
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Family Loss Sparked Wider Circle
- After his grandfather died, Darin Buxbaum watched his grandmother withdraw socially and her health deteriorate.
- That family experience inspired Darin to start Wider Circle to restore connection and hope for people in need.
Peer Trust Bridges Healthcare Gaps
- Wider Circle found peer-led groups close a massive trust chasm in healthcare because neighbors trust each other more than plans.
- That trust enables members to act on health advice they ignore from formal institutions.
Test In Real Communities First
- Start small and observe real-world group dynamics before scaling; Wider Circle began in a senior center as a living lab.
- Use human patterns of belonging to design matching and let community
