What's in this episode?
Resources in this episode
Tom, Carole & Kelly Leonard discuss Kelly’s book “Yes, And”
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Guest 1 - Kim Brandt
🎙 04:16 — Holding the Line on Hospice Integrity: Kim Brandt on CMS enforcement and ensuring patients receive the right care at the right time
Kim Brandt, Deputy Administrator & COO at CMS, joins Tom and Carole for a candid conversation on protecting the Medicare hospice beneficiaries and strengthening program integrity.
She discusses CMS’s action against fraud and profiteering, concerns about providers not delivering all required levels of care, and the agency’s focus on ensuring beneficiaries receive the right care at the right time. Kim also explains how CMS is working to make sure patients understand when they are enrolled in hospice, what services they should expect, and the questions caregivers should be asking.
A clear look at accountability, oversight, and safeguarding patients at a vulnerable time.
Preview
Guest 2 - Kelly Leonard
25:02 — Leading Like an Improviser:
Kelly Leonard on Second City, leadership, and why care relies on improv
Legendary Second City executive Kelly Leonard — who helped hire and develop talents like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Stephen Colbert, and Steve Carell — joins Tom and Carole for a conversation on improvisation and leadership in healthcare.
In improv, there is no script. You step on stage and respond in real time to what is unfolding in front of you. Kelly explores how that same mindset can help caregivers and healthcare leaders navigate uncertainty and high-stakes moments with greater confidence and clarity.
From building trust through deep listening to embracing the power of “yes, and,” he shares why improvisation is about adaptability and leading when the next line hasn’t been written yet.





