Radio Advisory

Spencer Nadolsky, MD, obesity and lipid specialist who builds direct-care models; Angela Fitch, MD, internal/pediatric physician focused on patient-centered metabolic homes; Florencia Halperin, MD, endocrinologist leading telehealth obesity care. They tackle GLP-1 hype, access and cost challenges. They debate medication-only approaches versus wraparound care. They explore payer strategies and what true, sustainable obesity care will require.

Max Hakanson, Advisory Board expert on payer and employer strategies and specialty drug management. Natalie Trebes, Advisory Board expert on healthcare strategy, cost management, and behavioral health. They unpack rising spend, purchasers handing off outcomes to third parties, PBMs and startups reshaping obesity and GLP-1 care, tech platforms altering behavioral health, and how AI, wholesalers, and variable copay plans are shifting influence in healthcare.

Max Hakanson, Advisory Board expert in healthcare financial modeling and care-delivery strategy, and Natalie Trebes, Advisory Board strategist on healthcare policy and access, discuss shifting safety-net responsibility and diffusion of power in 2026. They highlight strained insurance, hospitals, specialty care, and pharmacies. Conversations cover policy-driven funding changes, rural system risks, new entrants, and where organizations might partner or compete.

In 2026, Radio Advisory is diving into the biggest questions shaping the future of healthcare. We aren’t just here to talk about challenges, we’re here to help you determine your next best action. Our first episode of the year drops Tuesday, January 13. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. We want to hear from you. What do you want to hear about in 2026? Where are you seeing opportunities or facing challenges you think we should explore? Email us at podcasts@advisory.com We’re here to help: Read Advisory Board’s 2026 research agenda State of the Industry: Protecting access amid funding cuts State of the Industry: Managing spend amid rising costs

Advisory Board is here to do two things: tackle the toughest questions keeping healthcare leaders up at night, and push leaders' thinking on the questions they aren’t asking – but should be. In 2025, we navigated a landscape of major shifts, from policy changes, the growing presence of AI, drug innovations, and more. As we head into 2026, we are keeping that momentum going to deliver the insights you need to stay ahead. That’s why this week, hosts Rachel (Rae) Woods and Abby Burns pass the microphone to six Advisory Board researchers to preview their top questions and topics on our research agenda for the new year. They’ll unpack what they’re researching, why it matters, and why these topics deserve your attention. [1:30] Ty Aderhold on cutting through the AI hype [4:15] Monica Westhead on margin management and hospital efficiency [7:08] Sally Kim on cutting costs and scaling health plan operations [9:45] Sebastian Beckmann on prioritizing sustainable growth through smarter forecasting and analytics [14:08] Kaci Plattenburg on rethinking service line growth strategies [16:27] Chloe Bakst on navigating the pharmacy policy shakeup We’re here to help: Read Advisory Board’s 2026 research agenda The state of the industry: Key insights for 2026 249: What is 340B, and why is it in the hot seat 267: Care variation reduction: A $100B opportunity What’s driving — or slowing — service line growth? 270: Service line snapshot: What every health leader needs to know 276: The AI gold rush is changing how humans (and clinicians) make decisions [Tools] Use Advisory Board tools to inform your strategy for growth, cost control, and more. We want to hear from you. What are your challenges? Where are you seeing opportunities? Email us at podcasts@advisory.com Learn about Advisory Board Research Membership. How the collaborative care model improves access to behavioral healthcare How We Approach Behavioral Health Integration | evolvedMD A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

The national spotlight on food and chronic disease management is intensifying, especially given the momentum of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement. This presents an opportunity to finally move the needle on incorporating healthy food and nutrition into care delivery — but our traditional healthcare system is not set up to do this well, or at scale. Healthcare leaders need to learn from the experts who have been doing this work successfully in their communities. That’s why this week, live from Advisory Board’s Nashville Summit, host Abby Burns speaks with Tomi Ogundimu, Chair of the Board of DC Greens, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., and Angela Fitch, MD, Cofounder and Chief Medical Officer of Knownwell, a comprehensive primary care and metabolic health clinic. Our guests will share what it looks like to put the principles of “food as medicine” into practice and how the traditional delivery system can adapt to help realize these principles at scale. We’re here to help: DC Greens – Healthy food is a human right. knownwell, weight-inclusive healthcare for all Provider-led strategies to address food insecurity 3 keys to effective partnerships with community-based organizations 3 Imperatives for Investing in Successful Community Partnerships The state of the industry: Key insights for 2026 A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

Dr. Emily Oster, economist, Brown professor, and founder of ParentData, who translates data for parents and public health. She talks about how panic headlines and low-quality studies fuel distrust. She explains why people now demand reasons behind guidance. She outlines ways clinicians can communicate clearly, use questions to lower conflict, and anchor advice to the best evidence.

Matt Cornner, Advisory Board strategy and operations expert, and Morghen Philippi, Advisory Board specialist in patient trust and experience, tackle rising patient distrust. They trace how societal trends and misinformation fueled distrust. They explain how distrust harms care quality, workforce stability, and finances. They outline trust’s core elements and practical leadership steps to rebuild relationships.

David Woods is a veteran researcher in patient safety and cognitive systems engineering, while Mike Rayo and Dane Morey are specialists from The Ohio State University's Cognitive Systems Engineering Lab. They delve into the complexities of AI adoption in healthcare. Key topics include how AI can mislead clinicians, the necessity of designing AI as a joint human-machine system, and the risks of premature adoption without rigorous evaluation. They also share insights from recent studies on AI's impact on nurse decision-making, highlighting the potential dangers of overtrusting AI recommendations.

Nearly 16 million veterans live in the United States, and while 9 million receive care through the Veterans Health Administration, about 40% rely entirely on civilian healthcare. That’s where the challenge begins: many veterans are navigating a system that isn’t designed for their unique health needs. Veterans outside the VA system often face barriers that lead to poorer outcomes—delays in diagnosis, fragmented care, and overlooked service-related conditions. The healthcare system must do better. In this episode of Radio Advisory, host Rachel (Rae) Woods talks with Optum Serve experts Christi Kruse and Christine Erspamer about what it takes to close this gap. Drawing on their in-depth ethnographic research, Christi and Christine explore why understanding the veteran patient journey is critical, how to integrate data-driven population health strategies, and the role of publicly available tools and guidelines, along with other practical solutions. The conversation doesn’t stop at veterans. These insights can help healthcare leaders better serve other vulnerable populations, too. Stay tuned through the end of the episode for a special message from Optum Serve CEO Ed Weinberg, as he shares how Optum Serve is honoring the lived experiences of veterans and military families, and calls on clinical providers to lead with compassion, consistency, and purpose. We’re here to help: Research Study: Caring for Veterans and Military Families Devoted to Improving Lives Across the Nation | Optum Business Military & Veteran Health Care Journey: Infographic Join us for an upcoming State of the Industry webinars, where Advisory Board experts will challenge three long-standing assumptions about the healthcare industry — and reveal the powerful new dynamics reshaping the future. Learn more about Optum Advisory: Healthcare consulting services A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.