TCN Talks

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 reacting to noise—and a clear theme helps leaders stop drifting and lead with intention.The process begins with reflection, not prediction. Look back before you look forward. Review the past year for lessons and patterns, revisit your mission, and clarify your role—not as a job description, but as the part you are meant to play in the story. Deeper questions like Why am I alive? and What am I willing to die for? cut through distraction and reveal what truly matters. From that clarity, a word emerges that helps you say yes faster and no sooner.Once chosen, the word becomes a companion for the year. Document it, return to it, and allow its meaning to deepen as circumstances change. Pair it with rhythms of rest and intentional time, because sustainable leadership requires margin. When your word and your time align, leadership shifts from reaction to design. Choose the word. Live the word. Let it change your trajectory.https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/choose-a-word-change-your-trajectory-lead-with-intentionTeleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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 downloads across TCNtalks and Anatomy of Leadership, this milestone reflects a shared commitment to thoughtful leadership, courageous conversations, and care as it should be. We’ve curated standout moments from episodes that challenged assumptions, clarified complexity, and pointed toward a better future for serious-illness care.🎧 Why This Episode MattersThis highlight episode isn’t just a recap—it’s a reflection of where hospice and serious-illness care has been, where it is, and where it must go next. These conversations underscore the urgency of leadership rooted in clarity, compassion, and courage.Whether you’re revisiting a favorite or discovering an episode you missed, we hope this collection sparks insight, conversation, and renewed purpose as we head into 2026.Top Episodes FeaturedThe Healing of AmericaGuest: T.R. Reid, Author of the NY Times Best Selling book The Healing of AmericaA powerful exploration of what the U.S. healthcare system can learn from global models. Reid shares firsthand experiences and data that reveal why covering everyone improves outcomes and lowers costs—and why healthcare reform is no longer optional.Key Themes:Universal coverage and outcomesCost transparencyHealthcare as a moral imperative---------------------The Healthcare Customer of the FutureGuest: Marcus R. Escobedo, Vice-President of Communications and aSenior Program Officer at The John A. Hartford FoundationA deeply human conversation on aging, family caregivers, and the realities of an age-diverse America. This episode introduced many listeners to the 4Ms Framework and reframed how we talk about older adults.Key Themes:Ageism and languageFamily caregiversPreparing for an aging population---------------------No BS MarketingGuest: Dave Mastovich, CEO and Founder of MASSolutions A fan favorite that demystified marketing for healthcare leaders. Dave reframes marketing as a leadership and effectiveness function, not a tactical afterthought—and challenges organizations to trade jargon for authenticity.Key Themes:Marketing vs. salesBrand storytellingAuthentic communication----------------------A Strategic Path Forward for Hospice & Palliative CareGuest: Dr. Ira Byock, A leading Palliative Care physician, author, and public advocate for improving care through the end of lifeA candid and courageous deep dive into the current inflection point facing hospice and palliative care. Dr. Byock calls the field to reclaim its moral center while confronting corporatization, complacency, and courage.Key Themes:Mission vs. marginQuality and accountabilityReclaiming purpose in care---------------------The Complexity of Multi-Service OrganizationsGuests:Rebecca Ramsay, Chief Executive Officer of Housecall Providers Mark Jarman-Howe,  Chief Executive of St Helena Hospice, based in Colchester, England A forward-looking discussion on leading increasingly complex care organizations. As hospice leaders expand into palliative care, home-based primary care, and community services, this episode explores culture, risk, and resilience.Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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 human-centered vision to a wide-ranging conversation about the future of aging, workforce challenges, technology, dementia care, and the urgent need to break down silos across the continuum of care.Together, Chris and Katie explore how collaboration, innovation, and values-driven leadership can reshape aging services to better serve older adults—and those who care for them.  Join us, it is a great listen. Guest:Katie Smith Sloan, President and CEO of LeadingAge Host:Chris Comeaux, President/CEO of TeleiosTeleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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 and philosophical insights. Andrew reflects on his bold life, marked by significant achievements and catastrophic losses, and how these experiences have shaped his music, public speaking, business ventures, and his consulting in the hospice field.The conversation delves into the importance of quality, leadership, and the balance between art and science in both personal and professional realms especially in hospice and palliative care.Guest: Andrew Reed, CEO & Chief Teaching Officer Multi-View Incorporated & Recording Artist with Universal/Virgin Music Groups Host:Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOSTeleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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 narrative around hospice, emphasizing its role in life completion and the importance of strategic planning for the future. The conversation highlights the overwhelming positive feedback received on Dr. Byock's strategic framework for hospice and palliative care, showcasing the ongoing relevance and necessity of these services in modern healthcare. In this conversation, Ira Byock discusses the importance of equity in palliative care, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and a rethinking of existing frameworks to better serve diverse populations. He addresses barriers to quality care, the role of health plans in ensuring quality, and the necessity of implementing clear standards for hospice and palliative care.  Byock also advocates for a compassionate approach to dying, celebrating life while acknowledging the challenges of mortality.Guest:Dr. Ira Byock, MD, FAAHPMHost:Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOSCo-Host:Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice AnalyticsTeleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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 advocates for organizations to support one another and engage in meaningful discussions to foster community and transformation within healthcare. Tarde believes that there is ample opportunity for synergy among organizations, and that intentional conversations are crucial to prevent individuals from being left behind in the evolving landscape of healthcare.  He also covers the incredible innovative model that the Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers has implemented for dementia care and is now franchising nationwide as Town Square.   Join us, it is a great listen.Be sure to subscribe to both of our podcast, Anatomy of Leadership and TCNtalks. Some Highlights • Origins of Glenner Centers and caregiver-first mission • Town Square immersive reminiscence model and design • Virtual Glenner Care to upskill family caregivers • Reducing ER visits and hospitalizations with coaching • Franchising strategy with local adaptation and standards • Data, EHR, and AI for trend spotting and prevention • Leadership practices: expectations, accountability, consistencyGuest:  Scott Tarde, CEO of the George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family CentersHost:  Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TeleiosTeleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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 stores serve as vital assets for hospices, providing not only financial support but also fostering community connections and environmental sustainability. They reveal how these stores generate essential financial support, strengthen community ties, provide meaningful volunteer opportunities, and even offer gentle pathways through grief. You’ll hear how mission-aligned messaging, environmental stewardship, and a new generation of thrift-loving shoppers are reshaping the future of hospice support.Lin Sue and Mark share how purposeful messaging can ignite the interest of younger generations, who aren’t just hunting for treasures— they’re seeking ways to make their shopping choices count for something bigger.It’s an inspiring look at how everyday purchases can make an extraordinary impact.  Join us — this is truly a conversation worth hearing.Guest:Lin Sue Flood, Director of Community Engagement at Hospice of the Valley Mark Cohen, retired Editor & Publisher of Hospice News Today, and Principal, Cohen-Fyfe CommunicationsHost:Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOShttps://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/the-hidden-value-of-thrift-stores-in-hospice-careTeleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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. The conversation provides a thoughtful examination of how clarity of mission and purpose can guide teams through even the most challenging seasons.Guest:Andrew Molosky, President and CEO of Chapters Health SystemHost:Chris Comeaux, President and CEO of TELEIOSTeleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

Top News Stories October 2025In 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 role of technology in improving care delivery. The conversation also highlights the significance of personal stories in shaping healthcare perspectives and the ongoing challenges in the hospice industry.Co-host:Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice AnalyticsHost:Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOSTeleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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 that actually moves behavior.Also, they delve into the complexities of the U.S. healthcare insurance market, discussing the key drivers of rising premiums and the challenges employers face in managing costs while maintaining competitive benefits.Jason shares insights on innovative plan designs and funding models, emphasizing the importance of developing a cost culture within organizations. Tune in to explore strategies for balancing affordability and sustainability in healthcare benefits.. Guest: Jason Bradshaw, Benefits Consultant with USI Insurance ServicesHost:Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOSTeleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast