Healthcare leaders today face an evolving challenge: navigating an increasingly complex system while ensuring patients and employees receive the support they need. With rising costs, regulatory shifts, and an urgent demand for personalized care, leaders must adopt both innovative strategies and human-centered approaches. Research has found that empathetic leaders are more likely to have employees who are innovative and engaged in their work. But how do executives integrate these values into their daily work, and what lessons can they share with the next generation of leaders?

That’s the question at the heart of this episode of Growthwell, where host Josh Byrd sits down with Nadine Hauf, Vice President of Premier Advocacy Operations at UnitedHealthcare. In this conversation, they explore how empathetic leaders drive innovation and personal well-being, diving into the habits and mindset shifts that have helped Nadine build a thriving career while maintaining balance in her personal life.

Key takeaways from the episode…

Empathy as a Leadership Tool: Nadine shares how fostering genuine human connections has been instrumental in building a healthcare model that truly supports patients and employees alike.

The Power of Innovation in Healthcare: By leading concierge-style advocacy models for corporate clients, Nadine has helped change how over 1.2 million members engage with their healthcare.

Balancing Professional Growth and Personal Well-being: From early morning workouts to mentorship, Nadine explains how she stays energized and focused while managing a high-impact career.

Nadine Hauf is a healthcare operations executive with extensive experience in leading advocacy and clinical teams to improve patient navigation and drive medical trend reduction. As Vice President of Premier Advocacy Operations at UnitedHealthcare, she oversees concierge healthcare solutions for National Account Clients, ensuring streamlined coordination between call centers, clinical services, and behavioral health teams. With leadership roles at Aetna, Optum, and UnitedHealthcare, she specializes in developing innovative healthcare models that enhance member satisfaction, reduce complexity, and optimize client strategies.

In an era where busyness is often equated with success, the ability to say “no” can spell the difference between burnout and well-being. Studies on workplace well-being suggest that overcommitment and a lack of boundaries can contribute to stress and burnout. As work and personal life increasingly overlap, finding a balance is more important than ever.

But how do we confidently say no to opportunities, obligations, or even social invitations without guilt? How do we ensure that our choices align with our personal and professional priorities?

Enter Growthwell, the podcast dedicated to exploring the balance between professional success and personal well-being. In the latest episode, host Josh Byrd sits down with Matt Brost, Vice President at Marsh McLennan Agency and host of Excellence Culture, to discuss the freedom that comes with setting boundaries and prioritizing what truly matters.

Key takeaways from the episode:

Saying no is about prioritization. Brost shares his experience of making tough but necessary decisions to spend more time with family, ultimately deepening his relationships.

Intentionality fuels both personal and professional growth. Whether in business or life, choosing fewer commitments with greater depth yields stronger results and deeper fulfillment.

Navigating societal pushback. Brost discusses the challenges of going against the cultural norm of saying “yes” to everything and how standing firm in personal values leads to greater clarity and peace.

Matt Brost, the Vice President at Marsh McLennan Agency, specializes in employee benefits strategy and human capital consulting. With over a decade of experience in benefits optimization, risk management, and employee engagement, he has worked with organizations to navigate challenges such as rising healthcare costs and workplace retention. As the host of Excellence Culture, he explores leadership, resilience, and personal development, drawing from his diverse background, including his time as a professional golfer.

Balancing high performance in business, family, and fitness is no small feat, but Kathryn O’Day makes it look effortless. As a seven-time Ironman finisher and a venture capitalist, her approach to goal-setting and resilience offers valuable lessons for professionals looking to push their limits. After all, Ironman is one of the most challenging single-day endurance competitions in the world, consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a full 26.2-mile marathon run.

How do the principles of endurance sports translate to building a successful career and a fulfilling life?

In this episode of Growthwell, host Josh Byrd sits down with Kathryn O’Day, Partner at Atlanta Ventures and former startup COO, to explore how the Ironman mindset fuels success in business and life. They dive into the discipline, goal-setting, and work-life balance strategies that allow Kathryn to thrive in multiple demanding roles.

Key takeaways from the conversation:

The Power of Goal-Setting – Why having a clear target, whether in athletics or business, is the foundation of sustained motivation.

Time Management for High Performers – How Kathryn structures her day with time blocking, a three-item to-do list, and early morning workouts to maximize productivity.

Building Mental Resilience – The role of coaching, self-reflection, and listening to personal energy levels in sustaining long-term success.

Kathryn O’Day is a Partner at Atlanta Ventures, leveraging over 15 years of startup leadership experience, including multiple acquisitions and a $100M exit. As a former startup COO turned venture capitalist, she specializes in scaling operations, customer success, and fostering strong company cultures. A seven-time Ironman finisher, she applies endurance sports principles to leadership, helping entrepreneurs build resilient, high-growth businesses.

How do you navigate the unthinkable and find your way forward? Tiran Jackson’s story is a testament to the human capacity for growth through adversity. His journey of resilience, after an unimaginable loss and trauma, exemplifies what it means to turn pain into purpose.

What does it take to bounce back when life shatters into pieces? How do we reshape what remains instead of holding onto what’s lost?

In this episode of Growthwell, host Josh Byrd sits down with resilience expert and inspirational speaker Tiran Jackson. They explore Tiran’s journey from being a successful engineer to finding a higher purpose in life after a tragic accident that claimed his wife and left him a permanent amputee. Together, they discuss the mindset, habits, and courage it takes to rebuild after loss and how resilience isn't just recovery but transformation.

Key takeaways from the conversation:

Resilience Redefined: Resilience isn't about regaining what was lost but reshaping what remains. This profound mindset shift can empower anyone to move forward with purpose.

Daily Habits for Healing: Tiran’s journey highlights the importance of physical therapy, journaling, and daily routines in overcoming emotional and physical trauma.

Support Systems Matter: A close-knit circle and professional therapy played critical roles in helping Tiran navigate his grief and turn pain into purpose.

Tiran Jackson is a resilience expert and inspirational speaker with over 20 years of experience across engineering, leadership, and personal coaching. A former engineering product manager with companies like GE Energy and Rolls-Royce, Tiran transitioned into motivational speaking after a life-altering tragedy, founding "Reborn Resilient" to help individuals and organizations overcome adversity. As the President-Elect of the National Speakers Association Georgia Chapter, he specializes in resilience training, leadership development, and keynote speaking, empowering professionals to navigate challenges and achieve transformational growth.

As the modern workplace evolves, the challenges of leadership remain as intense as ever—especially for those at the helm. According to research by Deloitte, as many as 30% of executives feel isolated in their roles. At a time when balancing personal well-being with professional responsibility is critical, how can leaders thrive without succumbing to loneliness? Well, this is where Kate Van Waes, the CEO and founder of Van Waes Consulting, comes in.

Welcome to Growthwell. In this episode, Josh Byrd and Kate Van Waes dive into the hidden struggles faced by leaders. Together, the two explore strategies to navigate them.

The two discuss…

The loneliness of leadership: Kate shares her experiences advising leaders and navigating leadership roles herself, highlighting the unique challenges faced by minority leaders.

Balancing work and well-being: Insights into how rest and recovery fuel creativity and productivity, offering a fresh perspective on traditional hustle culture.

The power of purposeful decision-making: Kate explains how saying “no” to misaligned opportunities has empowered her career and personal growth.

Kate Van Waes is the founder of Van Waes Consulting, specializing in leadership coaching, strategic planning, and nonprofit board development for mission-driven organizations. With a career spanning roles as an executive director, policy director, and advisor to high-level U.S. officials, she brings expertise in crisis management, leadership development, and organizational transformation.

In a world where collaboration and community are becoming vital for success, how can entrepreneurs balance personal growth, professional achievements, and meaningful relationships? Episode 21 of the Growthwell podcast tackles this question with guest Chris Moreno, CEO of Infinite Niches and a prominent figure in PropTech, a field blending technology and real estate. With insights from Chris’ entrepreneurial journey, listeners gain a fresh perspective on success built on purpose and connection.

What drives leaders to choose connection over competition, and how does it shape their legacy?

Hosted by Josh Byrd, this episode dives deep into Chris Moreno’s journey—from startup challenges to building thriving businesses—and explores how fostering genuine relationships and prioritizing long-term goals over short-term wins can create a fulfilling career and life.

Key takeaways from the episode:

Balancing Work and Life: Chris shares how he integrates family, community, and his entrepreneurial ventures, demonstrating that boundaries and intentional time management are essential for sustainable success.

The Power of Connection: By prioritizing collaboration over competition, Chris builds communities where entrepreneurs thrive, creating lasting impacts beyond individual ventures.

Legacy and Leadership: Chris discusses his approach to mentorship, emphasizing the importance of supporting others without micromanaging and playing the “infinite game” to leave a legacy.

Chris Moreno is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor in PropTech, real estate, and technology. He has co-founded and scaled multiple companies to successful exits, including Luxer One, and now leads Infinite Niches, an advisory and investment firm focused on accelerating growth for real estate and technology innovators. A recognized industry leader, Chris is also an advisor and mentor for organizations like Techstars and the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), leveraging his expertise to support founders and advance sustainability initiatives.

Music producer Christian Hale reveals how an intentional mindset helps him balance his career in the music business and personal life.

Professionals often juggle the competing demands of work, family, and personal growth while striving to achieve their goals. The increasingly blurred boundaries between personal and professional life make this balance more challenging than ever. Asha Strazzero-Wild offers actionable insights into how discipline and intentionality can help harmonize these priorities. Burnout affects more than 70% of professionals at some stage, highlighting the growing urgency of achieving balance.

How can leaders effectively balance the rigor of entrepreneurship, the joys of family life, and the call of community service, all while maintaining personal well-being?

On this episode of GrowthWell host Josh Byrd sits down with Asha Strazzero-Wild, co-founder of Outpointe, to discuss strategies for achieving professional excellence and personal harmony. Together, they explore Asha's unique approach to planning, prioritization, and community involvement.

Key Takeaways:

• The Calendar as a Compass: Asha emphasizes the power of disciplined scheduling to balance family, work, and personal priorities. Her strategy includes weekly family planning sessions and daily reviews of tasks to stay on track with her goals.

• Purpose-Driven Work: Asha shares how her commitment to improving the patient experience drives her professional efforts and inspires her personal growth.

• The Importance of Community: Asha highlights the value of building support networks through groups like the Boston Club and her local community to navigate challenges and celebrate successes.

Asha Strazzero-Wild is the co-founder and principal at Outpoint, a growth strategy and execution agency dedicated to supporting healthcare innovators. With a background in healthcare marketing and a passion for improving patient experiences, Asha combines entrepreneurial savvy with a deep commitment to community service. Based outside Boston, she is also a devoted mother, wife, and advocate for work-life integration.

Customer-obsessed growth is proving to be the key differentiator for businesses aiming to thrive in competitive markets. A study by Deloitte found that customer-centric companies are 60% more profitable than those that aren’t. How do entrepreneurs balance relentless customer focus with scaling businesses and building effective teams? What does it take to maintain this ethos while growing a startup?

In the latest episode of Growthwell, host Josh Byrd sits down with Joshua Silver, the Founder and CEO of Rainforest, to explore the art and science of customer-obsessed growth. From his early days at PatientCo to his latest venture in embedded payments, Joshua shares candid insights into building companies that not only solve problems but also deliver transformative value to customers.

The two discuss...

Customer Obsession: Joshua discusses how immersing himself in customer environments helped him design intuitive, impactful solutions, and why understanding your customers is non-negotiable for long-term success.

Building Scalable Teams: The importance of hiring exceptional talent early, empowering leadership teams, and creating a culture of transparency and accountability.

Balancing Growth and Well-being: Joshua reflects on routines, travel, and the personal strategies that help him stay grounded and driven while managing a high-growth business and family life.

Joshua Silver, a seasoned FinTech entrepreneur and payments expert, founded Rainforest with an aim to help software companies monetize payments with cutting-edge technology and exceptional service. Previously, he co-founded Patientco, a healthcare payments company that successfully exited to Waystar, and led LaunchPath Group, advising over 50 software platforms on payment strategies. A Georgia Tech alum and advocate for the Atlanta tech ecosystem, Joshua is passionate about supporting startups, fostering innovation, and sharing insights on embedded payments and company culture.

Entrepreneurs face the unique challenge of balancing the demands of building a business while maintaining personal well-being and meaningful connections. Navigating this path successfully requires intention, which is an unwavering focus on aligning actions with purpose and values. These conversations resonate deeply as the business world shifts to prioritize purposeful leadership and work-life harmony. Research suggests that 72% of startup founders report mental health impacts, with conditions like stress, anxiety, and burnout being common. This underscores the importance of practices that foster both professional success and personal fulfillment.

How can entrepreneurs build thriving businesses without losing sight of their purpose, values, and personal lives?

In this episode of the GrowthWell Podcast, host Josh Byrd sits down with Jake Hadden, serial entrepreneur and founder of Engineer Up. Together, they discuss the frameworks, habits, and mindset shifts that have helped Jake build two successful companies while staying grounded in his values and goals.

Key Discussion Points:

• Purposeful Routines: Jake shares his transformative 1-10-10-10 journaling routine and the role it plays in keeping him centered and aligned with his values.

• Intentional Leadership: Jake emphasizes how intention drives clarity of vision and values-driven decision-making in his business strategy.

• Work-Life Balance Hacks: From morning routines to fly-fishing retreats, Jake highlights how entrepreneurs can maintain balance and prevent burnout.

Jake Hadden is the founder of Engineer Up, an IT consulting firm with a mission to create positive social impact by offering employment opportunities to underserved communities. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Jake previously co-founded Digital Crafts, a for-profit coding boot camp that he grew and sold after six successful years. When he’s not building businesses, Jake is a devoted family man and an avid fly fisherman.