What if 2026 isn’t about doing more—but choosing a clearer direction and taking real action? In this year-end conversation, Jamie and Matt talk leadership, habits, health, and the mindset shift that turns uncertainty into movement.

Episode 100 is a deeply personal reflection on what healthcare feels like beyond the diagnosis—when leadership, caregiving, grief, and resilience collide. Matt shares his journey as both patient and caregiver, reminding us that healthcare is not a moment, but a human journey no one should walk alone.

In this deeply personal 99th episode of Experiencing Healthcare, Jamie and Matt take a step away from policy and leadership topics to explore what patient experience looks like from the inside. For the first time on the show, Matt shares the private journey he has been navigating since 2024: an unexpected prostate cancer diagnosis, a year of intense testing and decision-making, the emotional weight of uncertainty, and the profound impact of caregiving through multiple difficult family health crises. This two part episode focuses on the patient experience through Matt’s eyes—not as a healthcare executive, but as a husband, son, father, and friend. He reflects on what it feels like to be vulnerable, to navigate appointments, to sit with fear, and to rely on others for strength. And woven throughout is a powerful message to healthcare workers: the smallest acts of compassion—like a tech choosing the right music—are never small to the person receiving them. Episode 1 sets the emotional foundation for this two-part series and leads into Episode 2, where Matt’s family caregiving story and the realities of burnout will take center stage.

In Part 2 of this two-episode series, Jamie and Matt continue their conversation on purpose, values, boundaries, and the real-world decisions leaders face in healthcare. Matt shares reflections on how organizational purpose evolves, why not everything can be your purpose, and the discipline required to say no—even to good things. They discuss emotional and professional boundaries, identity, delegation, “to-don’t lists,” and the difference between fun opportunities and meaningful ones. The episode closes with practical guidance for anyone still figuring out their purpose or unsure of what they need to release in order to grow.

In this first episode of our two-part series, Jamie and Matt Staub explore the journey of finding purpose and aligning values in both life and work. Matt shares personal stories of challenges, lessons from senior care, and insights on distinguishing passion from purpose. Together, they discuss: How pivotal experiences clarify your purpose Why passion alone isn’t enough Practices that help you stay grounded in purpose Helping your team align their work with what truly matters Tune in for a conversation that blends reflection, gratitude, and actionable insights for anyone in healthcare—or anyone seeking meaning in their work.

In this part 2 conversation on The Power of Connection The discussion turns to the inner work of connection: humility in the face of new information, extending grace when mistakes happen, and modeling servant leadership. Matt shares formative stories—from a rushed judgment to mentors who showed up sleeves-rolled—to illustrate how integrity becomes culture.

Jamie and Matt define connection and why it sits at the center of excellent care. From administrator-days stories to first-impression details (flowers out front!) and a candid look at data/AI, they land on how healthy disagreement and advocacy for patients strengthen trust and outcomes.

Jamie and Matt get practical about navigating complexity when answers aren’t clear. They break down how teams grow stronger through shared adversity, how to make confident choices with incomplete information, and how to create psychological safety for experimentation without fear or judgment. You’ll also hear a simple, compassionate reset leaders can do tomorrow: give yourself grace, then take the next right step—together.

In this episode of Experiencing Healthcare, Jamie and Matt discuss what it really takes to lead through complexity in healthcare. From decision fatigue to resilience, Matt shares insights on how leaders can make tough calls, balance speed with wisdom, and lean on their teams to navigate uncertainty. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Stay tuned for Part 2, where Matt and Jamie go deeper into building resilience without burnout.

In Part Two, Jamie and Matt unpack common myths about coaching—starting with the false belief that coaches must outperform their players. They explore why discomfort is part of growth, how coaching builds trust through vulnerability, when to coach vs. teach vs. direct, and how to give feedback that lands on the problem, not the person. Practical, humble, and immediately useful for new and seasoned leaders in healthcare and beyond.

In this episode of Experiencing Healthcare, Jamie and Matt explore the power of coaching in leadership. They reflect on the best bosses from Matt’s career, unpack the difference between coaching and managing, and discuss why a coaching mindset fuels creativity, growth, and culture in healthcare and beyond. This is part one of a two-part conversation that highlights how leaders can become coaches who draw out the best in their people.

In Part Two, Jamie and Matt continue their conversation on fear and courage — this time exploring regret, risk, and the power of support systems. From Jamie’s story of standing frozen at a trapeze in El Salvador to Matt’s reflections on leadership fears, they examine how fear can both protect and paralyze us. They discuss why “do not fear” is one of the most repeated themes across human history, how to build the courage muscle, and what leaders can do to step into discomfort rather than avoid it.

In this first part of a two-part conversation, Jamie and Matt Staub explore how fear and discomfort shape our growth as leaders and human beings. From lawnmower repairs to hot water heaters, from learning Spanish to leading in healthcare, they share personal stories of stepping outside their comfort zones. This episode dives into the difference between curiosity and defensiveness, why learning often feels uncomfortable, and how fear of failure or disappointment can hold us back.

In Part Two of our conversation on decision making, we dive beneath the surface. Jamie and Matt explore the emotional undercurrents of leadership: what to do when your ego gets in the way, how to lead when consensus is missing, and why indecision is often the real threat. This episode covers the messy, human side of decision making—where gut feelings collide with data, teams disagree, and leaders have to own the weight of getting it wrong. You’ll hear real stories from healthcare leadership, reflections on humility and vulnerability, and why your worst decision might just be the one you didn’t make at all. Whether you're running a healthcare organization, leading a team, or just navigating tough calls in life, this episode will help you think more clearly, lead more bravely, and recover more wisely.

Why do CEOs wear the same outfit every day? Because decision fatigue is real—and it’s holding you back. In this two part episode, Jamie and Matt unpack how the tiniest choices can drain your cognitive energy and how creating structure can be your brain’s best friend. From Steve Jobs to meal prep to patient outcomes, we explore how thoughtful decision-making drives better leadership, healthcare, and life.

What happens when proactive medicine meets powerful teamwork? A healthcare experience that actually works. In this episode of Experiencing Healthcare, host Jamie and Matt Staub explore the real power behind great patient care: teams who trust, communicate, and care deeply—both inside and outside their organizations. They unpack the hidden layers of healthcare coordination, how empathy fuels better outcomes, and what the future looks like when AI, trust, and community health workers all play their part!

In this special Independence Day episode of Experiencing Healthcare with Matt Staub, Jamie and Matt reflect on what the Fourth of July means to them personally, professionally, and patriotically. From childhood fireworks shows and peach festivals to navigating Medicaid policy changes and healthcare reform, this is a timely conversation that mixes hot dogs with hard truths. Join us as we explore the intersection of American ideals, healthcare innovation, and why turkey burgers and Katy Perry may never be the same.

In this episode of Experiencing Healthcare, Jamie and Matt explore one of the most overlooked aspects of leadership—your inner circle. Together, they unpack the essential ingredients of building trust, navigating vulnerability, and creating mutual accountability inside your most important relationships at work. They talk candidly about the loneliness that can come with leadership, how to intentionally diversify your team’s personalities, and why the right people in your circle are more important than ever. Whether you're leading a team of five or five hundred, this episode will challenge you to rethink who belongs in your inner circle—and how to become someone worth following.

In this episode, Jamie and Matt unpack one of the most complex questions in modern healthcare: when patients ask for one thing, but need another—who gets to make the call? Together, they explore the tension between patient autonomy and clinical expertise, the importance of health literacy, and why building trust may be more important than being right. From patio metaphors to health system philosophy, this episode offers real insight into what it means to guide instead of dictate—and how we build a healthcare model that respects both evidence and empathy.

Is healthcare a service? A right? Or just a business? In this episode, Matt Staub and host Jamie Preston unpack one of the most important—and misunderstood—questions in modern healthcare. Together, they explore how each identity shapes our expectations, systems, and leadership decisions. From patient experience to provider sustainability, this conversation challenges listeners to stop siloing and start integrating. If you work in healthcare—or rely on it—this episode is a must-listen.