The No Normal Show by BPD

In this episode of The No Normal Show , Stephanie Wierwille and Chris Bevelo explore what it means to apply “Einstein thinking” to healthcare marketing—imagining a future where AI agents run always-on campaigns, digital twins forecast patient needs, and CMOs trade approvals for performance. Along the way, they weigh in on Reddit’s first healthcare summit, the cultural buzz around UFOs and the Emmy...

Stephanie Wierwille, Chris Bevolo, and BPD’s VP, Principal Eric Schafer tackle an often-overlooked issue: men’s health. While women’s health has rightfully received more attention in recent years, men continue to face unique barriers to care, engagement, and outcomes. The team explores why closing this gap matters for health systems and marketers alike and how thoughtful strategies can spark bette...

Many health systems are at capacity, but is that the same as growth? In this episode, Chris Bevolo and Stephanie Wierwille discuss why health systems being “full” might be hiding deeper risks, from missed opportunities to stalled innovation. Plus: we talk about Walgreens' latest restructuring, and the rise of fractional CMOs. Tune in now. Read our blog, " You're Full, But Are You Growing? " here ....

We’ve celebrated the promise of AI: the speed, the scale, the potential. But with every new advance comes a growing unease. In this episode, we explore the cognitive dissonance consumers and healthcare leaders are feeling as AI tools outpace ethics, regulation, and even our own understanding. Deepfakes, patient privacy concerns, and the emotional toll of synthetic content are all adding to the dis...

In this episode of The No Normal Show, Stephanie Wierwille, Desiree Duncan, and Chris Bevolo break down the viral buzz around Cracker Barrel’s rebrand and highlight the push by Kaiser Permanente employees for AI-related job protections, exploring what these headlines reveal about shifting expectations for consumers and healthcare workers. Then, they explore BPD’s latest blog, The Einstei...

On this episode of The No Normal Show, Desirée Duncan and Chris Bevolo explore how financial pressures are reshaping the CMO role in health systems — from proving ROI to surviving budget cuts — and what it means for the future of healthcare marketing leadership. Along the way, they swap takes on how young adults are engaging with healthcare and debate ChatGPT’s growing role in usability. Plus, get...

AI just got faster, smarter, and a lot more… agentic. In this episode of The No Normal Show , UChicago Medicine CMO Andy Chang joins us to talk about the tech that’s rewriting the rules for healthcare marketing. We discuss the rise of AI “agents” that can book your appointment before you’ve finished your coffee, to why websites as we know them might not survive. Also, Andy shares how his team is b...

In this episode of The No Normal Show , hosts Stephanie Wierwille and Chris Bevolo explore one of the most pressing challenges in healthcare: the decline of centralized medical authority and the growing complexity of health information. From “health-conscious” marketing claims to vaccine skepticism, they unpack the cultural and psychological factors contributing to shifting perceptions of trust. W...

In this episode of The No Normal Show , we’re pulling back the curtain on who actually shapes decisions in the C-suite and why Chief Marketing Officers might be losing ground to the rising influence of Chief Communications Officers. We’re calling it the Karolina Effect , and it’s changing the power dynamics inside health systems. We also ask if Chipotle has lost its sizzle, and whether influencer...

Healthcare might be serious business—but who says it has to be boring? In this episode of The No Normal Show , Desirée Duncan and Chris Bevolo ask the question: if banks can sponsor Happy Gilmore 2 , why can’t hospitals show up in pop culture too? The duo also explores their Emmy hot takes, Mattel's diabetic Barbie and Mount Sinai's game-changing caregiver clinic. It's time to talk about the unexp...

In this episode of The No Normal Show, Desirée, Stephanie, and guest Victoria Davis unpack the cultural, emotional, and operational weight women carry in their health journeys—and how brands can finally meet them where they are. From weight stigma at check-ins to body image pressure fueled by TikTok trends and GLP-1 drugs, we explore how marketing can either add to the noise or cut through with em...

Artificial intelligence is shaking up healthcare marketing and sparking big questions about trust. On this episode of The No Normal Show, Stephanie Wierwille, Desiree Duncan, and Chris Bevolo dig into the clash between innovation and ethics, from the wild plot of Mountain Head to new insights from OpenAI and MIT. They look at how consumers really feel about AI in branding, the growing risks of dee...

On this episode of The No Normal Show , Desirée, Stephanie, and Chris reflect on this year’s Cannes Lions festival, which they call the “Met Gala of marketing”, where headlines about AI and creativity sparked plenty of conversation. The team also looks at what Best Buy’s exit from Current Health signals for healthcare disruptors and the ongoing shifts in the Funnel Wars. For the modern CMO, how ca...

In this episode of The No Normal Show , hosts Stephanie Wierwille and Desirée Duncan reflect on the themes shaping healthcare marketing at the mid-year mark. They dig into the rise of vibe marketing, why video continues to dominate, and how internal communications is becoming mission-critical for both employee and patient retention. It’s a candid pulse check on what’s real, what’s changing, and wh...

Stephanie and Desirée discuss the real story behind Google’s new AI Overviews—and what it means for healthcare marketers. Are websites still worth it? Is SEO over? And how do you stay visible when search engines are rewriting the rules? Along the way, they dig into what Apple’s AI reveal signals, what OpenAI’s latest moves mean for marketers, and why the old-school idea of “advertising” is quickly...

Author and podcast host Scott Galloway says brand is dead—and a lot of marketers are in a frenzy because of it. In this episode of The No Normal Show , Stephanie, Chris, and Desirée dig into the viral debate and unpack what “brand” really means in today’s world—especially in healthcare. Spoiler alert: it’s not all about logos and ad spend, and no, it’s definitely not dead. The team breaks down Our...

On this episode of The No Normal Show , we jump headfirst into HBO Max’s brand whiplash and why identity confusion can be a slow burn for brand trust. Leaning into the theme of brand reputation with our new TheFuture of the CMO report in hand, Desirée, Chris, and Chief Communications Officer at BPD, Ryan Colaianni, highlight what it means to be a healthcare CMO’s in 2025. Should CMOs stay in their...

YouTube is transforming into a streaming powerhouse and the Chief Marketing Officer role is evolving. This episode of The No Normal Show explores the quiet, but powerful, shifts shaping healthcare marketing today. Stephanie and Desirée discuss how the focus of marketing is moving beyond traditional brand buzz and viral moments—and toward something more enduring: influence through community, trust,...

"The boring spot in healthcare is taken," says Nicole Baxter, Chief Brand Officer at HCA Healthcare. She shows up every day with bold brand ideas that move healthcare beyond the sea of sameness. We sat down with Nicole for a candid, high-energy conversation on what it takes to build a great brand from the inside-out. Nicole shares her career story from Canadian roots to becoming one of the most vi...

In this episode of The No Normal Show , Desiree Duncan and Chris Bevolo highlight the cultural crossfire brands are navigating today. From Nike’s controversial “Never Again” billboard to NYU Langone’s controversial Super Bowl ad, they explore how even well-intentioned moves can result in backlash in a world of unapologetic commentary and hypersensitive audiences. Fresh from his recent Becker’s and...

Mass media is going in a different direction. Livestreams from Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour didn’t come from networks—they came from fans, forming a holistic approach to community engagement. In this episode of The No Normal Show, Desirée, Stephanie, and guest Mario Nichols, producer of The No Normal Show, unpack the shift happening in media, influence, and consumer trust. This episode digs into f...

Gen Z is ditching smartphones, digital clutter, and nonstop notifications in favor of a simpler, more nostalgic life—and brands need to pay attention. In this episode of the No Normal Show, Stephanie, Desirée, and Chris unpack the rise of "digital minimalism" (or Digman, if you dare) and what it signals for marketers trying to stay culturally relevant. Plus, they connect the dots between Kendrick...

BPD’s latest report outlines the threats facing CMOs—and reveals the bold opportunities to lead, influence, and transform from the inside out. In this episode, Stephanie, Desirée, and Chris take a deep dive into The Future of the CMO , BPDs latest report, unpacking how marketing leaders can expand their influence, claim greater value, and lead transformation inside the health system enterprise. Pl...

There’s A LOT out there that’s swirling into the pressure cooker that is today’s healthcare economy. On this episode of TheNo Normal Show, Stephanie, Desirée, and Chris break down the cascading impact of policy shifts and economic trends—from DEI backlash and NIH cuts to tariff-induced inflation and Medicaid shakeups. What does this all means for CMOs, marketers, and the future of care access in A...

The creative bar is high—and healthcare marketing is rising to meet it. Award season is about more than applause; it’s proof that bold ideas with real impact matter. This episode is your backstage pass to the sharpest thinking and fearless creativity in healthcare today. Stephanie, Desirée, and BPD’s Chief Creative Officer Mindy Adams unpack what it takes to stand out—from judging the Effies to pu...