Best Healthworkers Podcasts (2025)

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Wrapping Up 2025 with RISE Caldwell Watauga Details and News of a New Grant Program for Helene Impacted Businesses 45:18

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7d ago45:18

45:18

In what is quickly becoming the season of saying, "for the last time in 2025," we bring you the final episode of Mind Your Business for the calendar year! On this week's episode, we take a closer look at the RISE Caldwell Watauga program, and how its connecting local employers with apprenticeships designed to enhance work-based learning for high sc…

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Why Marketing Is Make-or-Break for Direct Primary Care 33:27

9d ago33:27

33:27

In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig sits down with Sierra Lavallee, head of marketing at Freedom Healthworks, to explain why smart, strategic marketing is one of the most important factors in building a successful direct primary care practice. They discuss how marketing helps connect the right patients with the right doc…

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Solving Your Office IT Needs Locally 45:50

14d ago45:50

45:50

This week's High Country weather brought its fair share of schedule disruptions, placing a premium on remote connectivity for the majority of us, from small business owners to local school students. As a small business, how do you stay up-to-date on the technology needs within your workplace, and how are those processes and programs accessed on a d…

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The Prior Authorization Crisis and 340B Drug Program Explained 36:17

16d ago36:17

36:17

In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig talks with neurosurgeon and healthcare policy leader Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio about the growing crisis around prior authorizations. They discuss how complicated approval processes delay urgent care, burden physicians, and put patients at risk. Dr. DiGiorgio explains why smarter, low-frict…

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Closing the Books: Year-End Financial Insights for High Country Businesses 34:59

21d ago34:59

34:59

As we kick off the final month of the year, this edition of Mind Your Business serves up a fresh slate of insights and stories from across the High Country. We sit down with Jonathan Allen of Allen Wealth Management to break down the financial to-dos local businesses and individuals should check off before the calendar turns, and we look at some of…

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Giving Thanks for Job Creation, Impactful Leaders, and Creative Small Businesses 41:32

29d ago41:32

41:32

This Thanksgiving edition of Mind Your Business features a buffet of stories from across the High Country. We'll learn more about the recent expansion announcement made by GE Aerospace for its Ashe County campus, and what this economic development win means for the Northwest region. We'll also recap the Evergreen Voices Gala that inspired our Watau…

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Bonus Episode: 2025 Evergreen Voices WWIL Gala 1:07:30

1M ago1:07:30

1:07:30

A holiday week is the PERFECT time to drop a bonus episode of Mind Your Business, just in case you need a podcast to get you through a long drive or out of an impossible conversation! We take you inside the Inn at Crestwood for the 2025 Watauga Women in Leadership Evergreen Voices Gala. This year's conversation centers on work ethic and hustle, the…

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The Business of Running: Inside the Mountaineer 10 Miler 46:19

1M ago46:19

46:19

Every race has a story, and the Mountaineer 10 Miler is no exception. On this week's Mind Your Business, we connect with Charlie Mercer and Ryan Anderson of Capstone Event Group, the visionaries behind this new event. They share how the race got its start, the lessons they’ve learned from successful events in other communities, and what that experi…

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How Health Sharing Works: A More Affordable Alternative to Traditional Insurance 40:47

1M ago40:47

40:47

In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig talks with Tim Hirsch, COO of ShareWELL Partners, about health sharing as a practical and affordable alternative to traditional health insurance. Tim explains how health shares work, why they often cost much less than insurance premiums, and how combining a health share with a DPC or F…

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Perk Power: Building and Using a Better Benefits Package 39:03

1M ago39:03

39:03

Great perks can spark productivity, boost morale, and change workplace culture — but only if people know how to use them. On this week's Mind Your Business, we dive into what smart employers are offering now and how employees can make the most of every benefit available. We'll visit with Lisa Finaldi of Family Forward NC, who'll discuss popular ben…

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Carolina HealthWorks explained and Lessons for Success in Leadership 39:49

2M ago39:49

39:49

Among the many things business leaders must consider these days is the rising cost of health insurance, and how extending these benefits can impact the bottom line. On this week's Mind Your Business, we examine Carolina HealthWorks, a new program offered in partnership between the North Carolina Chamber and its Federation members and Blue Cross Blu…

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Mind Your Business Bonus Content - Passing the Torch - A Dialogue on Leadership Transition 52:19

2M ago52:19

52:19

On Monday, November 3, 2025, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and its Watauga Leadership Institute presented Passing the Torch: A Dialogue on Leadership Transitions. This program was made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of App State's Walker College of Business and Mast General Store. Our featured guests included: Dr. Leslie Alexander,…

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How Direct Primary Care Is Making Healthcare Human Again 20:24

2M ago20:24

20:24

In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig talks with Tony Cerna, family nurse practitioner and founder of Progressive Healthcare DPC in Tampa, Florida. After 27 years in traditional medicine, Tony left the insurance-driven system to create a clinic focused on time, trust, and personalized care. He shares how direct primary car…

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October Business Performance & the Latest on Howard Street Construction 42:00

2M ago42:00

42:00

As businesses watch the calendar turn to November, many across the High Country are taking stock of October performance metrics. They are also trying to catch-up on everything else that's been going on during one of the busiest times of the year. On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Eric Brinker of The Speckled Trout to get insight on O…

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Coming Full Circle to Preserve Howard Knob 35:54

2M ago35:54

35:54

Organizations strive to stay true to their mission. The Watauga Land Trust was formed in 1995, established by Appalachian State University students concerned with protecting Howard Knob, a mountain adjacent to the Town of Boone. The new organization raised local awareness about the unprecedented pace of development not just around Boone, but across…

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Surgery Without Walls: How Veritas is Rethinking Care 34:04

2M ago34:04

34:04

In this episode of Healthcare Americana, Christopher Habig talks with David Foucachon and Dr. Matthew Abraham from Veritas Surgery in Idaho about how they deliver world-class surgical care without the limits of a traditional hospital. They explain how Veritas brings together independent surgeons, partners with existing surgical centers, and offers …

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Maximizing Healthcare Coverage in the High Country 37:04

2M ago37:04

37:04

Conversations around the cost of healthcare and related insurance coverage brings a variety of emotions these days. While the Federal Government continues to use the renewal of tax credits related to the Affordable Care Act as a chief negotiating tool in budget conversations, High Country residents are among the millions of Americans gearing up for…

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Fall Festival Season & the Dollars & Cents Behind the Leaves on the Trees 43:01

3M ago43:01

43:01

The landscape around the High Country is getting more beautiful by the day! The annual changing of the leaves provides the perfect backdrop for one of the most important times on our region's economic calendar. As we move through fall festival season, this week's Mind Your Business is focused on the Super Bowl Weekend of fall events, October 18-19 …

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More Time, Less Stress: The Freedom of Direct Primary Care 26:18

3M ago26:18

26:18

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Blue Ridge Parkway News & Boone Town Council Forum 2:03:58

3M ago2:03:58

2:03:58

The Federal government shutdown has people asking about the status of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We have answers about access to this popular piece of the High Country's fall experience. Speaking of government, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its annual Watauga County Meet the Candidates forum at the LaQuinta Inn & Suites in Boone, …

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Talking Helene: One Year Later with Six WNC Chambers of Commerce 55:41

3M ago55:41

55:41

As we approach the one-year milestone of Hurricane Helene's impact on Western North Carolina, we bring you a special episode of Mind Your Business. This week we connect with six Chambers of Commerce from across the region to answer some of the most popular questions of the day. We get perspective on how things stand in each community today, what ar…

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Beyond the Annual Lab: Root Cause Testing in Direct Care 23:11

3M ago23:11

23:11

In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig speaks with Dr. Lahnor Powell of Genova Diagnostics about how advanced functional testing is transforming care in direct primary care and membership medicine. They discuss how Genova goes beyond traditional lab work to uncover the root causes of issues in areas like hormones, gut healt…

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Spirit of Boone Community Award Recipients: Where Are They Now? 43:28

3M ago43:28

43:28

The Spirit of Boone serves as the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce annual membership gathering and provides an opportunity to celebrate a group of annual award recipients for their impact on the High Country community. While this week’s Mind Your Business was recorded just hours before this year’s event, we took the opportunity to build a “pregame sh…

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How to Avoid Traffic in the High Country 39:51

4M ago39:51

39:51

Since 1981, AppalCART has been moving people around Boone and Watauga County. As we move into one our highest periods of annual traffic volume, how does public transportation play a role in getting people to and from their destinations? On this week's Mind Your Business, we'll talk with Craig Hughes, Executive Director of AppalCART, about the syste…

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How Direct Mail-Order Pharmacy Improves Care and Cuts Costs 25:43

4M ago25:43

25:43

In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig sits down with Trace Voshell, Chief Revenue Officer at GoGoMeds. They discuss how direct mail-order pharmacy is transforming the patient experience by making medications more affordable, accessible, and reliable. Trace explains how DPC practices can integrate pharmacy services without …

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High Country Business Disaster Grant Program Reopens 42:53

4M ago42:53

42:53

On September 5th, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation reopens its High Country Business Disaster Grant Program, which has been in place since September 2024 to support businesses in Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. On this week's Mind Your Business, we will explain the criteria for the fourth funding round o…

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The Tax Impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill 37:56

4M ago37:56

37:56

When Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill in July 2025, the Federal legislation brought significant changes for business and individual taxpayers. On this week's Mind Your Business, we continue our examination of the bill and it's impact on tax law for business and individual filers, highlighting key changes that will resonate with High Count…

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Medicare Advantage Fraud: The Billion-Dollar Upcoding Problem 23:07

4M ago23:07

23:07

In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig sits down with Dr. Marion Mass, pediatrician and co-founder of Practicing Physicians of America, to uncover widespread fraud and abuse in the Medicare Advantage program. They break down how insurers use practices like upcoding, assigning patients exaggerated or false diagnoses, to coll…

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The Impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill on Health Care in the High Country 45:02

4M ago45:02

45:02

Since President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July, those that have funding tied to the legislation have been pouring through the 1,100-page document to understand the impacts. On this week's episode of Mind Your Business, we visit with Nathan Nipper and Rob Hudspeth (UNC Health Appalachian), Jennifer Greene (AppHealthCare), and Al…

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The Evolving Business Model for App State Athletics 40:03

4M ago40:03

40:03

Fall is inching closer and that means college football season is just around the corner! As App State kicks off another season, it's football program has placed Boone under the college football spotlight many times over the years. Fans bring renewed energy to The Rock each fall, and their gameday visits to the High Country make the Mountaineers a k…

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How Value-Based Care Changes Healthcare 39:34

5M ago39:34

39:34

In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig talks with Dr. Shannon Decker, CEO of VBC One, about what value-based care (VBC) really means and how it differs from traditional fee-for-service models. Dr. Decker explains that VBC focuses on prevention, quality measures, total cost of care, and accurate risk adjustment. She discusse…

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Using Local Resources to Help Grow Your Business 39:59

5M ago39:59

39:59

Business growth is an ongoing thought for just about everyone that listens to this podcast. How does my business take the next step? The answer to that question may lie within opportunities for professional development or credential attainment. The riddle could also be solved with the help of a neutral set of eyes, examining your business in a way …

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Update on Blue Ridge Parkway Repairs & a Recap of our Q2 Economic Indicators Report 39:19

5M ago39:19

39:19

Phase I of Hurricane Helene repair along the Blue Ridge Parkway continues in Watauga County, but we are getting closer to completion of a key stretch of roadway between Parkway Elementary School and Bamboo Gap. On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Leesa Brandon, External Affairs Specialist with the Blue Ridge Parkway and National Park S…

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The Autoimmune Care Crisis: What Needs to Change 32:53

5M ago32:53

32:53

In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig talks with Dr. Mala Kaul, a board-certified rheumatologist, about the growing crisis in autoimmune care. With too few specialists and rising patient demand, Dr. Kaul explains how rushed appointments and broken incentives are hurting patients. She also explains why early detection, life…

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Cutting the Ribbon on AMOREM's new In-Patient Hospice Care Facility in the High Country 40:59

5M ago40:59

40:59

Over the years the types of health care offerings in the High Country have continued to evolve. On Friday, July 25th, AMOREM, formerly Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, will mark the opening of a state-of-the-art in-patient care facility in Watauga County, serving the needs of the entire High Country region. On this week's Mind Your Business, w…

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Rounding Up for the Middle Fork Greenway 39:57

5M ago39:57

39:57

The Middle Fork Greenway is one of the most significant ongoing economic development projects in the High Country, connecting the towns of Boone and Blowing Rock by 6.5 miles of trail. Each July, Blue Ridge Conservancy conducts its Round Up for the Middle Fork Greenway, which gives local businesses and their customers an opportunity to directly imp…

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Uniting Voices for Healthcare Change: Michigan Joins The FMMA 31:49

6M ago31:49

31:49

In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig speaks with Shannon Biergans, a longtime nurse practitioner and patient advocate, and John Hsieh, a direct primary care leader, about launching the Michigan chapter of the Free Market Medical Association (FMMA). They discuss how personal experiences and professional frustrations sparke…

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How is Summer Treating Businesses in the High Country? 36:19

6M ago36:19

36:19

With the economic realities of Hurricane Helene recovery coupled with the uncertain nature of the overall economy these days, many people have been asking, "How is business in Boone?" On this week's Mind Your Business, we answer that complex question from a variety of perspectives. We hear from Chris Burns, Senior Vice President, Relationship Manag…

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How Free Market Economics Can Fix American Healthcare 34:05

6M ago34:05

34:05

In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig talks with Dr. Tom DiLorenzo, President of the Mises Institute, about how Austrian economics can help fix America’s broken healthcare system. They explore how government bureaucracy, inflation, cronyism, and rent-seeking drive up costs and reduce quality, while free market principles l…

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What's Next with Boone Next - A Conversation with Boone Mayor Tim Futrelle 44:04

6M ago44:04

44:04

On Wednesday June 25th, the Town of Boone Council voted to adopt the Boone Next Comprehensive Plan. This document will drive future vision, development ordinances, transportation projects, and economic development strategy for years to come. On this week's Mind Your Business, we talk with Boone Mayor Tim Futrelle about the process that led to the a…

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Getting to Know the Business Behind a Ribbon Cutting & Adam Church Talks Boonerang 37:07

6M ago37:07

37:07

Chambers of Commerce all over the country host ribbon-cuttings for their members. More than a picture in the paper, these events are the crossing of a finish line for those that are putting their heart and soul into a new professional veture. On this week's Mind Your Business, we take you inside a recent ribbon cutting at The Pottery Lot. From the …

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The Hidden Loophole Driving Up Your Healthcare Costs 40:44

7M ago40:44

40:44

In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig talks with Charles Sauer, Founder and President of The Market Institute, about site neutrality, the idea that the same medical service should cost the same no matter where it's delivered. They explore how government price-setting and hospital consolidation are driving up costs, limitin…

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Summer is Back: Previewing An Appalachian Summer Festival & Updates on the Blue Ridge Parkway and Helene Recovery Funding 39:56

7M ago39:56

39:56

Summertime has arrived in the High Country! As schools continue to release throughout the state and region, tourists have heard the #WNCOpenforBusiness message. On this week's Mind Your Business, we will preview An Appalachian Summer Festival, a month-long arts showcase that serves as one of the area's July tourism magnets. An Appalachian Summer Fe…

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Western North Carolina is Open for Business & Opening a Business in Post-Helene Times 40:15

7M ago40:15

40:15

#WNCOpenforBusiness week rolls continues throughout Western North Carolina, and this intentional effort to bring people to the region got quite the boost from the State's First Family. On this week's Mind Your Business, we recap North Carolina First Lady Anna Stein's visit to Watauga and Ashe counties on Monday, June 2nd, which included the canoe t…

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Escaping Marketing Paralysis: A Practical Guide for DPC Clinics 41:07

7M ago41:07

41:07

In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig talks with Andrew Newland, Founder & CEO of Direct Primary Care Marketing, about overcoming marketing paralysis in independent healthcare practices. They discuss why many clinics struggle to establish an online presence and how to build a strong foundation with clear messaging and mult…

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Practice Makes Perfect: Communication is Key in DPC 19:19

7M ago19:19

19:19

In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig introduces a new monthly segment, Practice Makes Perfect, featuring Amanda Compton, Client Services Manager at Freedom Healthworks. Amanda brings her on-the-ground insights from managing DPC practices across the country and dives into the crucial role of communication in patient satisf…

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How Cash Pay Healthcare is Reshaping Medicine 42:00

9M ago42:00

42:00

In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig talks with Dr. Michael Havig about the rise of cash pay healthcare models. They explore the inefficiencies in traditional healthcare payment systems, the importance of price transparency, and how Dr. Havig’s company, HealthMe, is helping facilitate direct pay solutions for patients and…

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Public Shaming Is My Prior Authorization: Julie Baak’s Viral Fight for Patients 29:09

11M ago29:09

29:09

In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig speaks with Julie Baak, practice manager at the Arthritis Center in St. Louis, about the challenges of patient access to infusion therapy and the manipulative practices of insurance companies. Julie shares her experiences managing a large number of infusion patients and the burdens imp…

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Advocacy to Action: How Everyday People Can Shape Healthcare Policy 43:48

11M ago43:48

43:48

In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig sits down with Indiana Representative Julie McGuire to explore the crucial role state lawmakers play in shaping healthcare policy. They discuss how everyday citizens can influence healthcare reform, the challenges of hospital pricing transparency, and the accountability of nonprofit ho…

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Healthcare’s Trust Crisis: How We Fix It 16:48

11M ago16:48

16:48

In this episode of Healthcare Americana, Christopher Habig introduces the new season focused on solutions in the American healthcare system, emphasizing the critical role of trust. He discusses the erosion of trust among patients and healthcare providers, the bureaucratic challenges faced, and advocates for direct care models as a viable solution. …