Early 2026 Trends: With Hosts Liv and Matt

Early 2026 Trends: With Hosts Liv and Matt

In this episode of Inside the Practice, Olivia Wolf and Matt Shortt unpack some of the biggest trends already shaping healthcare in early 2026—including patient access strategies, payer complexity, AI adoption, and organizational culture.  Drawing from recent conferences and on-the-ground consulting work in practices across the country, Liv and Matt explore how leaders are navigating physician shortages, evolving patient expectations, and the explosion of healthcare technology vendors.  The conversation dives into the promises and pitfalls of AI, the growing importance of trust and transparency in workplace culture, and why intentional leadership—not “the way we’ve always done it”—will determine which practices thrive in the years ahead. This episode is equal parts practical, philosophical, and future-focused—and a reminder that healthcare leaders must stay curious, adaptable, and just rebellious enough to challenge broken systems.

Host Spotlight: With Guest Olivia Wolf, MBA

In this special Inside the Practice episode, Matt Shortt turns the mic toward co-host Olivia Wolf to explore her unconventional leadership journey and the experiences that shaped her approach to leading in healthcare. Olivia shares her evolution from command-and-control leadership to a more collaborative, values-driven style, along with candid insights on burnout, emotional processing, and the importance of reflective practice. The conversation also dives deep into her work in physician advocacy, highlighting the systemic challenges clinicians face and the critical need to rehumanize healthcare leadership. This episode is a thoughtful and honest look at what it means to lead with intention, challenge broken systems, and build more sustainable, human-centered practices.

Payments Made Simple: with Guests Nikki Slusher & Michelle Chouinard, Thrive Payments

In this episode of Inside the Practice, Olivia Wolf and Matt Shortt sit down with Nikki Slusher and Michelle Chouinard of Thrive Payments to talk about one of the most important—and often overlooked—parts of medical practice operations: patient payments and front-end financial communication. Together, they explore how payment technology, patient expectations, and operational workflows intersect, and why clear communication around balances, copays, and payment options matters for both the patient experience and practice sustainability. The conversation also covers implementation challenges, staff buy-in, security concerns, and the future of mobile-first payment tools in healthcare. This episode offers practical insight for practice leaders looking to improve collections, reduce administrative burden, and create a smoother financial experience for patients.

Host Spotlight: with Guest Matt Shortt, PA-C

In this special Inside the Practice episode, Olivia Wolf turns the mic toward her co-host, Matt Shortt, for a candid conversation about his path through healthcare. From working the front desk in high school to a 15-year clinical career in orthopedics, launching a private practice, and stepping into executive leadership with an MBA. Matt shares the leadership lessons he’s learned along the way: why people-pleasing isn’t leadership, how honesty and accountability build trust, and why sustainable systems matter more than “burnout” narratives. The conversation also explores the realities physicians face in today’s healthcare environment; high expectations, limited room to fail, and systemic pressures that require advocacy and coalition-building. You’ll hear what brought Matt to KZA, how he views KZA’s consulting approach as “surgical” and actionable, and why he’s optimistic about the future of private practice; especially for leaders willing to be bold, stay curious, and “embrace their rebel.”

Embrace Your Rebel - with Guest Karen Simonton, CPA

In this episode of Inside the Practice, we’re joined by Karen Simonton, CEO of The OrthoForum, for a wide-ranging conversation on collaboration, advocacy, and what it will take for independent physician practices to thrive in the decades ahead. Karen shares how The OrthoForum supports physician-owned and physician-led musculoskeletal practices across the country through peer networking, shared learning, and collective problem-solving. We explore the power of collaboration—from building clinically integrated networks and direct-to-employer strategies to strengthening governance and leadership within practices. The conversation also dives deep into advocacy: redefining what it means, why it must extend beyond federal policy, and how issues like downcoding, corporate practice of medicine, pricing transparency, and patient access directly impact physician autonomy and patient care. Looking ahead, Karen offers candid insight on the opportunities and challenges facing private practice, including value-based care, AI, purchaser preparedness, culture, governance, and the critical leadership skills required for the future. Her message is both grounded and energizing: independence is possible, but it requires humility, strong communication, collaboration, and a willingness to be a little rebellious. This episode is a must-listen for physicians, administrators, and practice leaders committed to preserving independent practice while building sustainable, patient-centered models of care.