53 episodes
Why Self-Funded Health Plans Are Still Broken and How Employers Can Take Control
08/12/2026 | 19 mins.Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of The Uprising Show, we sit down with Jonathan Baran, Co-Founder and CEO of Self Fund Health, to explore the evolving landscape of self-funded healthcare plans for employers. Jonathan shares his journey from identifying Wisconsin’s persistent healthcare cost crisis to launching Self Fund Health, a company focused on empowering employers to take control of their health plan expenses. We dive deep into the chaos of the current system, the misaligned incentives at play, and the cultural and mindset shifts employers need to make, moving from simply purchasing insurance to actively buying and managing healthcare. Jonathan candidly discusses the education gaps facing employers, the obstacles posed by industry intermediaries, and why true transformation requires ownership and culture change, not just new point solutions. Whether you’re an HR leader, business owner, or healthcare professional, this conversation will give you an inside look at the challenges and opportunities awaiting those brave enough to challenge the status quo and reclaim control over healthcare costs.
Timestamps:
00:00 Explaining health plan models
05:47 Buying Affordable Healthcare Strategies
07:40 Understanding employer challenges in healthcare costs
13:02 Managing Healthcare Costs Like Steel
14:59 Understanding Self-Funding in Healthcare
19:09 Focus on movement, not sales
The Uprising Show Website: https://theuprisingshow.com/
Vivek Nanda's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viveknanda1/
Vivek Nanda's Twitter: https://x.com/vickks
TopHealth Media Website: https://tophealth.care/
“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”- Send us Fan Mail
Welcome to The Uprising Show! In this episode, we sit down with Madeline Smith, founder and CEO of MADDRS LLC, Making a Difference, Directing Real Strategy, to explore the transformative power of collective action within the healthcare industry. Madeline describes the organized chaos behind industry summits, the importance of creating a collaborative, sales-free space for innovation, and her hopes for the movement’s growth over the next few years. She shares her vision for democratizing information, bringing in voices from the legal and regulatory side, and motivating attendees to enact real change. Madeline also discusses her three-part book series, designed to educate employers, empower patients, and guide industry insiders, all aiming to arm individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to challenge the status quo in healthcare. Stay tuned as we unpack frustration into motivation and discover how small changes by many can reshape an entire industry.
Timestamps:
00:00 Balancing healthcare and event planning
04:55 Writing book to guide industry
Buy Madeline's Book -
Saltytxk - https://www.saltytxk.com/product-page/mofo
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Lotta-this-MoFo-Navigating-ebook/dp/B0BLDMZ3NF
The Uprising Show Website: https://theuprisingshow.com/
Vivek Nanda's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viveknanda1/
Vivek Nanda's Twitter: https://x.com/vickks
TopHealth Media Website: https://tophealth.care/
“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.” How Self-Funded Plans Can Revolutionize Healthcare: Adam McCall’s Vision for Employers and Families
08/03/2026 | 17 mins.Send us Fan Mail
Welcome to The Uprising Show! In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Adam McCall, a family physician from Northwest Arkansas, owner of Advanced Primary Care, and co-founder of OneStone Physician Advisory Group. Dr. McCall shares his journey from aspiring general surgeon to becoming a passionate advocate for family medicine and advanced primary care. We explore why he believes the current healthcare landscape is in a state of chaos, how employers hold the power to drive real change through self-funded health plans, and what challenges and opportunities exist for companies seeking to provide better care for their employees. Tune in for an insightful discussion on quality, cost, and the future of healthcare as Dr. McCall emphasizes the importance of community, transparency, and truly understanding the needs of both patients and employers.
Timestamps:
00:00 Discovering a passion for obstetrics
04:44 Rethinking Healthcare with Self-Funded Plans
06:47 Understanding Employee Healthcare Costs
12:02 Importance of broker relationships
13:11 Impact of health benefits on employees
17:19 Attending Self Fund Summit
The Uprising Show Website: https://theuprisingshow.com/
Vivek Nanda's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viveknanda1/
Vivek Nanda's Twitter: https://x.com/vickks
TopHealth Media Website: https://tophealth.care/
“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”- Send us Fan Mail
On this episode of The Uprising Show, we sit down with Dr. Tim Murray, M.D., founder and CEO of Solstice Health in Milwaukee. With experience ranging from surgery to anesthesia and urgent care, Dr. Murray offers a unique insider’s perspective on the catastrophic issues plaguing the American healthcare system. He pulls back the curtain on murky hospital pricing, the failures of conventional wellness programs, and the dangers of trendy pharmaceuticals like GLP-1s. Dr. Murray shares the pivotal moments that inspired him to focus on true wellness and deprescribing at Solstice Health, championing a more holistic, prevention-driven approach.
We dive deep into how fragmented employer health plan designs are shortchanging both patients and outcomes, why direct primary care may hold the key to real reform, and what employers should rethink if they want better results for their teams. Plus, Dr. Murray reveals the philosophy and ecosystem behind Solstice Health’s rapid growth, uniting primary care, ambulatory surgery, and progressive therapies under one roof for dramatically lower costs and improved outcomes. If you care about the future of healthcare, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Timestamps:
00:00 Career journey and medical experience
06:10 Risks and consequences of weight loss drugs
08:34 Nutritional keto for weight loss
14:12 Emergence of direct primary care
15:06 Employer influence on health outcomes
18:38 Expanding Solstice Health services
The Uprising Show Website: https://theuprisingshow.com/
Vivek Nanda's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viveknanda1/
Vivek Nanda's Twitter: https://x.com/vickks
TopHealth Media Website: https://tophealth.care/
“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.” - Send us Fan Mail
On this episode of The Uprising Show, we sit down with Jennifer Stanley, founder and president of StanleyKup Legal & Compliance. From her unexpected leap into entrepreneurship to navigating the convoluted world of healthcare compliance, Jennifer shares her candid insights on why employers remain dangerously unaware of the financial traps lurking in their healthcare contracts. She pulls back the curtain on the real impact of the No Surprises Act, exposing how loopholes and opportunistic vendors are creating chaos rather than clarity. Jennifer offers practical advice for employers on protecting their plans, reveals the most common compliance gaps, and doesn’t hold back on the overhyped worries plaguing the industry. Tune in for a frank conversation about the real risks in healthcare compliance and why it might be time for leaders to wake up and take charge.
Timestamps:
00:00 First year of XDC reporting
05:34 Issues with employer-sponsored health plans
08:09 Portal issues and registration debate
10:28 Reading and understanding contracts
14:50 Understanding Employer Health Plan Choices
16:48 Discussing compliance challenges
20:48 AI and legal practice concerns
The Uprising Show Website: https://theuprisingshow.com/
Vivek Nanda's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viveknanda1/
Vivek Nanda's Twitter: https://x.com/vickks
TopHealth Media Website: https://tophealth.care/
“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”
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About The Uprising Show
Welcome to The Uprising Show where we delve into the minds of the game changers, the innovators, the visionaries, and the pioneers of the healthcare industry. The Uprising Show is hosted by Vivek Nanda, Founder of TopHealth. TopHealth is a media network focused exclusively on Thought Leadership in Healthcare. Vivek has a track record of taking several companies in B2B, SAAS, and Health-tech from zero to millions in dollars of revenue as a Marketing and Go-To-Market Leader.Join us as we speak with the people who are revolutionizing the way we think and approach healthcare. Bringing you insights and inspiration from the most impactful voices in healthcare today.
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