HealthBiz with David E. Williams – Details, episodes & analysis

The HealthBiz podcast is moving to the CareTalk: Healthcare Unfiltered Channel. From now on, when you want to listen to HealthBiz, head over to one of these links:

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2GTYhbNnvDHriDp7Xo9s6Z

Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caretalk-healthcare-unfiltered/id1532402352

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CareTalkPodcast

CareTalk website  https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/ 

I launched the Health Business Blog exactly 20 years ago, on March 1, 2005 to provide my perspectives on healthcare business and policy. I wrote thousands of posts and started sprinkling in audio interviews with healthcare CEOs in 2007 –long before the podcast boom.  

My blog became very popular and as a result I even switched the name of my healthcare consulting firm to Health Business Group to take advantage of the blog’s brand equity.

The biggest podcast highlight of that era came in 2014, when I interviewed all 9 candidates for Governor of Massachusetts about their plans for healthcare. It was my goal to help elevate the political debate.

In 2017, I started co-hosting the CareTalk podcast with John Driscoll, then CEO of CareCentrix and now Chairman of the UConn Health System. We recorded monthly, in-person and experimented with a variety of formats.

When the pandemic arrived, John and I switched to remote recording and began taping weekly. There was so much to discuss about COVID-19 and we made the most of it. Our producer, Vincent Grippi masterfully built up our show to one of the top few on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Meanwhile, I also shifted the Health Business Blog to an all-podcast format in September 2020, about six months into the pandemic, with Dafna Williams taking over as producer. I called it the HealthBiz podcast and we released a new episode every week on all the major audio channels plus YouTube. We’re now well over 200 episodes.

In 2024, we tested out the idea of melding HealthBiz and CareTalk by adding HealthBiz Briefs to the CareTalk channel. The experiment was a success, generating substantial engagement.

In 2025, we’re going all the way by moving all of HealthBiz over to CareTalk. You can listen or subscribe using the links in the show notes.

You’ll now have the chance to experience HealthBiz along with a bunch of great CareTalk content, including one -on-one shows with John and me, plus John’s own interviews with executives and policy leaders.

So that’s it for the first 20 years of the Health Business Blog and HealthBiz Podcast. I’d like to thank you, my listeners and viewers, and my producer, Dafna Williams.

I’m looking forward to the next podcast chapter. I hope you’ll join me for it.

Meet me on CareTalk! https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/

As of March 2025 HealthBiz is part of CareTalk. Healthcare. Unfiltered and can be found at the following links:

• Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2GTYhbNnvDHriDp7Xo9s6Z
• Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caretalk-healthcare-unfiltered/id1532402352
• YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CareTalkPodcast
• CareTalk website https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group.

Episodes through March 2025 were produced by Dafna Williams.

Dougal Hawes, Group CEO of Smartbox Assistive Technology shares his inspiring journey from growing up in the English countryside to leading a company that empowers people with communication disabilities. Dougal's story is deeply intertwined with his father's dedication to empowering the disabled, a passion that began with a chance encounter in a hospital and evolved into a lifelong commitment. This familial influence not only shaped Dougal's understanding and empathy but also paved the way for his career in creating innovative communication devices for those with speech difficulties.

Explore the evolution of communication technology for disabilities, from the early days of personal computing to today's sophisticated augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. Discover how companies like Smartbox have leveraged advancements in consumer technology to create comprehensive tools tailored to the unique needs of individuals with communication challenges. The conversation highlights the critical role of software and hardware integration, offering insights into the complexity and necessity of providing personalized communication solutions for people with diverse requirements, whether from birth or due to acquired disabilities.

Gain insight into the global landscape of AAC technology, as we discuss the significant need for these solutions and the efforts to expand accessibility worldwide. We examine the transformative impact of technologies such as eye-tracking for individuals with conditions like ALS, and how AI and voice cloning are poised to revolutionize the field further. The episode underscores the importance of combining technology with expertise and training, addressing distribution challenges, and the potential for AAC to be integrated as essential medical devices. Hear about the ripple effect of increased visibility in AAC, encouraging more people to recognize its benefits, and the role major tech firms play in advancing accessibility features.

As of March 2025 HealthBiz is part of CareTalk. Healthcare. Unfiltered and can be found at the following links:

• Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2GTYhbNnvDHriDp7Xo9s6Z
• Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caretalk-healthcare-unfiltered/id1532402352
• YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CareTalkPodcast
• CareTalk website https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group.

Episodes through March 2025 were produced by Dafna Williams.

Shan Sinha is confronting the urgent issue of workplace violence in healthcare. Delving into the alarming rise of aggression against healthcare workers, particularly exacerbated by the pandemic, Shan discusses pioneering solutions like Canopy's wearable safety buttons that empower staff with connectivity and protection. 

Shan shares his extraordinary journey through the fast-paced world of technology and innovation. We embark on a captivating exploration of Shan's upbringing in Texas, his academic pursuit at MIT during the pivotal shift from Microsoft's reign to Google's ascension, and his leap into the startup ecosystem influenced by the dot-com boom. Shan's experiences highlight the challenges and triumphs faced by children of immigrants, shedding light on their vital contributions to technological advancement and healthcare innovation.

We trace the transformative evolution of cloud-based collaboration tools, punctuated by the early dominance of Amazon S3 and the emergence of Dropbox and Box. Shan recounts his bold decision to leave Microsoft, paving the way for his startup's critical role in shaping Google Drive, and reflects on Google's prescient embrace of hybrid work and video conferencing well before the pandemic. The journey through Shan's entrepreneurial ventures culminates in a successful acquisition by Dialpad, underscoring the dynamic interplay between technological growth and societal demands.

This episode challenges us to rethink how we safeguard our essential healthcare workers, drawing insights from Numbers on't Lie, by Vaclav Smil. It's a thought-provoking book on exponential growth and innovation that offers hope for addressing today's pressing issues, from energy to food waste. 

As of March 2025 HealthBiz is part of CareTalk. Healthcare. Unfiltered and can be found at the following links:

• Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2GTYhbNnvDHriDp7Xo9s6Z
• Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caretalk-healthcare-unfiltered/id1532402352
• YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CareTalkPodcast
• CareTalk website https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group.

Episodes through March 2025 were produced by Dafna Williams.

Health Business Group president David Williams delivers 6 health care industry predictions in this rapid-fire episode to kick off 2023.

As of March 2025 HealthBiz is part of CareTalk. Healthcare. Unfiltered and can be found at the following links:

• Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2GTYhbNnvDHriDp7Xo9s6Z
• Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caretalk-healthcare-unfiltered/id1532402352
• YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CareTalkPodcast
• CareTalk website https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group.

Episodes through March 2025 were produced by Dafna Williams.

Emergency physician Brian Fengler found it impossible to get real-time, evidence based guidance to make fast treatment decisions in challenging, life-threatening cases. He founded EvidenceCare to fill that gap. Today, the company's software is available in leading health systems, providing real-time, contextual information right in the workflow.

As of March 2025 HealthBiz is part of CareTalk. Healthcare. Unfiltered and can be found at the following links:

• Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2GTYhbNnvDHriDp7Xo9s6Z
• Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caretalk-healthcare-unfiltered/id1532402352
• YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CareTalkPodcast
• CareTalk website https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group.

Episodes through March 2025 were produced by Dafna Williams.

Erica Jain started Healthie in 2016, when she was a first-year student in business school. For the last several years she's been building a company that builds infrastructure for the next generation of digital health. As you can imagine, the pandemic radically increased the need for what Healthie provides.

As of March 2025 HealthBiz is part of CareTalk. Healthcare. Unfiltered and can be found at the following links:

• Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2GTYhbNnvDHriDp7Xo9s6Z
• Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caretalk-healthcare-unfiltered/id1532402352
• YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CareTalkPodcast
• CareTalk website https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group.

Episodes through March 2025 were produced by Dafna Williams.

Attorney Jonathan Tycko represents whistleblowers under the False Claims Act and is a podcast host to boot. Whistleblowers play a useful function and can be well compensated for their service. But the road is long, arduous and not to be traveled alone.

As of March 2025 HealthBiz is part of CareTalk. Healthcare. Unfiltered and can be found at the following links:

• Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2GTYhbNnvDHriDp7Xo9s6Z
• Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caretalk-healthcare-unfiltered/id1532402352
• YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CareTalkPodcast
• CareTalk website https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group.

Episodes through March 2025 were produced by Dafna Williams.

Smileyscope uses virtual reality neuromodulation to take the fear out of needle procedures for kids. Founder and CEO Evelyn Chan is a Rhodes Scholar and medical doctor with an inspiring life story.

As of March 2025 HealthBiz is part of CareTalk. Healthcare. Unfiltered and can be found at the following links:

• Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2GTYhbNnvDHriDp7Xo9s6Z
• Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caretalk-healthcare-unfiltered/id1532402352
• YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CareTalkPodcast
• CareTalk website https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group.

Episodes through March 2025 were produced by Dafna Williams.

Brigham Hyde lost his mother to cancer at 14 and has been on a quest to help patients ever since.  Atropos Health brings the promise of real world data to the point of care, helping doctors and patients make personalized treatment decisions.

As of March 2025 HealthBiz is part of CareTalk. Healthcare. Unfiltered and can be found at the following links:

• Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2GTYhbNnvDHriDp7Xo9s6Z
• Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caretalk-healthcare-unfiltered/id1532402352
• YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CareTalkPodcast
• CareTalk website https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group.

Episodes through March 2025 were produced by Dafna Williams.

Learn all about actigraphy and its role in clinical trials from Actigraph CEO Jeremy Wyatt. You'll also hear about his role in the Farmers' Opry! And he's the first guest to take me up on my offer to share a suggestion of a book to avoid.

As of March 2025 HealthBiz is part of CareTalk. Healthcare. Unfiltered and can be found at the following links:

• Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2GTYhbNnvDHriDp7Xo9s6Z
• Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caretalk-healthcare-unfiltered/id1532402352
• YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CareTalkPodcast
• CareTalk website https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group.

Episodes through March 2025 were produced by Dafna Williams.