A Train of Thought with Matt Harrington

What if improving healthcare outcomes meant looking beyond the hospital and addressing the barriers people face in their everyday lives?

In this episode of A Train of Thought, host Matt Harrington sits down with Dr. Olu Jegede, Senior Vice President and Chief Health Equity and Community Impact Officer at Cone Health, to explore how healthcare organizations can build healthier communities through meaningful partnerships, integrated care, and mission-driven leadership.

Dr. Jegede shares how his early experiences as a physician in Flint, Michigan, shaped his commitment to health equity. After witnessing patients repeatedly return to the hospital because of limited access to primary care, transportation, and other essential resources, he realized that improving health outcomes requires more than treating medical conditions.

The conversation explores Cone Health's community-centered approach, including mobile healthcare services, partnerships that address social drivers of health, and strategies for integrating physical and behavioral healthcare. Dr. Jegede also discusses the importance of measuring community impact, building trust with underserved populations, and keeping teams connected to their mission as organizations grow.

For behavioral health professionals, healthcare executives, and organizational leaders, this episode offers valuable insights into creating sustainable systems of care that prioritize both individual needs and community well-being.

Tune in to learn how bold leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to health equity can transform healthcare delivery and create better outcomes for all.

What does it take to build a community organization that grows without losing the trust of the people it serves?

In this episode of A Train of Thought, host Matthew Harrington, BCBA, sits down with Abdul-Rahmaan I. Muhammad, Founder of My People Clinical Services and President & CEO of My People Community Services, to explore culturally responsive behavioral health, community leadership, fatherhood, mentorship, and the importance of staying true to your mission.

With over 20 years of experience serving individuals and families, Abdul shares how his journey began with a passion for supporting fathers and evolved into an organization providing therapeutic services, youth mentoring, and supportive housing programs. He explains why understanding the communities you serve is essential to building trust, creating meaningful relationships, and delivering lasting impact.

The conversation also explores The Manhood Tree, Abdul's initiative focused on helping men grow through brotherhood, fatherhood, mentorship, and mental wellness. He challenges traditional approaches to fatherhood programs, emphasizing why supporting men as individuals must come before expecting them to succeed as fathers.

Matt and Abdul also discuss the challenges of scaling a mission-driven organization, maintaining a strong workplace culture, and ensuring that growth never comes at the expense of meaningful community connections.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why cultural competence and trust are essential to effective behavioral health services.
• How My People Clinical Services expanded from fatherhood support into comprehensive community-based programs.
• How to maintain organizational culture and mission while growing your team.
• Why The Manhood Tree prioritizes personal growth, brotherhood, and men's mental health.
• The role of mentorship and intergenerational relationships in developing stronger communities.
• Why sustainable impact matters more than pursuing growth for its own sake.
• Abdul's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and community leaders looking to turn their ideas into action.

Abdul leaves listeners with a powerful reminder: Never stop dreaming. Whether you're building an organization, supporting your community, or working toward personal growth, meaningful change begins with taking that first step.

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, behavioral health, community impact, and creating opportunities for others to succeed.

What if the biggest problem in healthcare isn't the quality of care, but the system delivering it?

In this episode of A Train of Thought with Matt Harrington, Matt sits down with Dr. Roger Jansen, CEO of Exponential Health, to explore why traditional healthcare is becoming increasingly expensive, complicated, and disconnected from the people it's supposed to serve.

With a background in clinical psychology, neuroscience, healthcare leadership, and entrepreneurship, Roger shares his journey from clinical research to leading healthcare organizations and challenging the traditional model of care.

Together, they discuss how Exponential Health is rethinking healthcare through transparent pricing, direct contracting, smaller patient panels, and a greater focus on prevention rather than treatment alone.

Roger also shares how his organization has grown fivefold in just 16 months, the challenges of recruiting physicians, and why listening to patients may be one of the most powerful strategies for building a successful healthcare business.

In this episode, you'll discover:
- Why the traditional healthcare system prioritizes complexity over patient outcomes.
- How preventative care and transparent pricing can transform the patient experience.
- Why employers are seeking alternatives to traditional health insurance models.
- How Exponential Health is improving access through smaller patient panels and faster appointments.
- The challenges of scaling a healthcare organization in a competitive industry.
- Why patient feedback should shape the future of healthcare innovation.

Whether you're a healthcare executive, behavioral health professional, clinic owner, or entrepreneur, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on building organizations that put people first.

Because better healthcare doesn't start with more complexity. It starts with listening to the people you're serving.