TCN Talks

In this episode, Part 2 of Top News Stories from 2025, and Predictions for 2026,  Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner break down the most important healthcare and hospice stories from 2025—and share clear, grounded predictions for what’s coming in 2026.  Rather than headline-driven chaos, 2025 revealed a year of incremental change, with persistent challenges around staffing, Medicare Advantage, hospic...

Part 1 | Top Stories from 2025, and Predictions for 2026 by Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner This episode of TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership brings together a year-in-review and a forward-looking conversation, as Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner reflect on the most important healthcare and hospice stories from 2025 and share their predictions for what lies ahead in 2026. In Part One, Chris and Cord...

A new year often feels like a clean slate, yet most resolutions fade because they add complexity instead of clarity. In this episode, Chris Comeaux makes the case for a simpler, more enduring tool: choosing One Word as your theme for the year. A single word sharpens focus, clarifies priorities, and guides daily decisions without a bloated checklist. Leadership is about changing trajectories—not re...

A Year of Insight, Impact, and Leadership in Hospice & Palliative Care.  As 2025 comes to a close, we pause to say thank you—to our listeners, leaders, clinicians, and partners who make this work meaningful. This special Christmas Eve episode is our gift back to you: a highlight reel of the most impactful, downloaded, and talked-about TCNtalks episodes of the year. With nearly 45,000 total dow...

What if aging services led the way in redesigning care—combining smart technology with deeper human connection?  That’s the challenge Katie Smith Sloan, President and CEO of LeadingAge, brings to the table as we unpack the data, the headwinds, and the promise across nonprofit senior living, home-based care, and hospice. Katie, also brings a powerful blend of policy insight, sector leadership, and...

In this crossover episode TCNtalks and Anatomy Of Leadership, Andrew Reed, CEO and Chief Teaching Officer of Multiview Incorporated, shares his journey as a recording artist with Universal Virgin Music Groups and his experiences in the music industry.  He discusses with Chris Comeaux his unique podcast, "What Are You Willing to Throw Your Life Away On?", where he offers practical advice...

In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner reflect on the significance of hospice and palliative care, especially during the holiday season. They discuss the evolution of the field, the importance of fostering well-being for patients, and the transformative impact of hospice on healthcare.  Dr. Ira Byock, a pioneer in the field, shares insights on the need to reframe the narrativ...

In this episode Scott Tarde talks about how a lab breakthrough became a lifeline for families, and why immersive reminiscence, caregiver coaching, and data-driven collaboration can change dementia care.  Tarde, is the CEO of the George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers, emphasizes the significance of collaboration over competition in business, particularly in the healthcare sector.  He advocat...

This TCNtalk episode explores the multifaceted role of thrift stores in hospice care, highlighting their impact on community engagement, grief support, and economic sustainability.  Our guests, Lin Sue Flood, Director of Community Engagement at Hospice of the Valley, and Mark Cohen,  retired Editor & Publisher of Hospice News Today, and Principal, Cohen-Fyfe Communications, discuss how thrift...

In this week’s special joint episode of TCNtalks and Anatomy of Leadership , host Chris Comeaux welcomes Andrew Molosky , President and CEO of Chapters Health System . Together, they explore what it means to lead with perseverance, authenticity, and vision in times of change. Andrew shares powerful insights on cultivating culture, navigating uncertainty, and the role of vulnerability in leadership...

Top News Stories October 2025 In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner discuss the top news stories of October, focusing on AI in healthcare, innovations in hospice care, and the impact of personal experiences on healthcare practices.   They explore the ethical implications of AI surrogates in life-or-death decisions, the importance of equitable access to hospice care, and the...

In this episode of TCNtalks , host Chris Comeaux welcomes back Jason Bradshaw , a seasoned benefits consultant with USI Insurance Services.  Together, they unpack why healthcare premiums are rising, where volatility is coming from, and how employers can regain control without gutting benefits. Jason shares practical funding models, transparency tools, and a playbook for building a cost culture tha...

In this episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux welcomes Dr. Khai Nguyen, a geriatrician and age-friendly care champion. They discuss the 4Ms framework for age-friendly care, which includes what matters, mentation, medications, and mobility.  Dr. Nguyen shares his personal journey into geriatrics, inspired by his father's health challenges, and emphasizes the importance of integrating the 4Ms...

In this conversation, Peter Benjamin and Chris Comeaux discuss the impact of COVID-19 on mortality rates, particularly the concept of 'death pull forward' and its implications for hospice care.  Peter highlights the significant role of assisted living facilities in hospice days and explores macro trends in healthcare, emphasizing the shift from vertical to horizontal care models.  The di...

As the seasons shift, so do the conversations shaping Hospice and Palliative Care.  In this week’s episode, host Chris Comeaux and Hospice Analytics expert and co-host Cordt Kassner explore the latest headlines, challenges, and innovations impacting Hospice and Palliative Care. Together, they provide timely insights and thoughtful reflection on what matters most right now for providers, patients,...

Are we headed for a healthcare train wreck?  The warning signs are flashing: skyrocketing premiums, looming Medicaid cuts, significant reductions in home health funding, and major insurers experiencing substantial stock losses.  These aren't isolated issues but symptoms of fundamental structural flaws in our healthcare system. Rita E. Numerof, co-founder and president of Numerof & Associa...

Hospice and palliative care face significant challenges amid broader failures in the healthcare system, with experts anticipating a critical opportunity for reform by 2026-2027 as Medicare faces potential bankruptcy and employers confront double-digit premium increases. Join Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner as they delve into the latest trends and challenges in hospice care.  From the impact of AI...

The healthcare landscape is transforming before our eyes, shifting away from hospital-centered care toward home-based models. This fundamental change raises urgent questions about Medicare's outdated reimbursement systems, particularly for hospice providers facing the reality of a mere 2.6% rate increase while battling significant inflation. Join us in this illuminating conversation and in-de...

"Connection isn't new, it's just neglected.  And it's neglected now more than ever."  These powerful words from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ryan Jenkins set the stage for a transformative conversation about what might be our most critical yet overlooked human need. Despite our hyperconnected world of social media, texting, and endless digital communication, genu...

The Path to the Future May be the Un-obvious - Top News Stories, July 2025  The future of hospice care hangs in the balance as providers navigate a perfect storm of challenges and opportunities. From financial pressures closing hospice houses to unprecedented Medicare fraud schemes, from technological disruption to changing consumer expectations – the hospice field stands at a critical inflection...

What does it take to lead in one of the most complex corners of healthcare? In this crossover episode with TCNtalks and Anatomy of Leadership, we delve into the complexities of leadership in healthcare, particularly in Hospice and multi-service settings.  Rebecca Ramsay and Mark Jarman-Howe, two dynamic leaders who are navigating the evolving world of Hospice and multi-service healthcare with visi...

Is Hospice Care losing its soul?  Dr. Ira Byock thinks so, and after months of soul-searching work, he's offering us the roadmap back to our roots. In this episode, Dr. Ira Byock discusses the current state of Hospice and Palliative Care, emphasizing the need for reform and improvement in the field.  He and Chris spend time unpacking Dr. Byock’s recently released seminal work, “A Strategic Pa...

What if everything you thought you knew about marketing was completely wrong? Dave Mastovich, founder and CEO of MASSolutions and author of the Amazon bestseller "No Bullshit Marketing," challenges conventional wisdom in this eye-opening conversation about the true nature of effective marketing.  Dave emphasizes the need for organizations to understand their customers deeply and to gathe...

What makes Hospice special isn't magic—it's the masterful implementation of coordinated care plans that align interdisciplinary teams with patient priorities.  This month's deep dive into June's most critical Hospice and Palliative Care developments explores how this "secret sauce" remains simultaneously the heart of our philosophy and our most common survey deficienc...

Is America’s Healthcare System Beyond Repair?  Rita Numerof Doesn’t Think So. In this powerful crossover episode of TCNTalks and Anatomy of Leadership , Chris Comeaux sits down with healthcare strategist and thought leader Rita Numerof , Co-founder and President of Numerof & Associates.  Together, they pull back the curtain on one of today’s most urgent crises: the deeply flawed business model...