The No Normal Show by BPD

BPD’s latest report outlines the threats facing CMOs—and reveals the bold opportunities to lead, influence, and transform from the inside out. In this episode, Stephanie, Desirée, and Chris take a deep dive into The Future of the CMO, BPDs latest report, unpacking how marketing leaders can expand their influence, claim greater value, and lead transformation inside the health system enterprise. Plus: a spirited debate on speculative fiction, Des’ surprising pick, and why metaphors might just be magic. Subscribe to the No Normal Rewind for early access to all of BPD’s thought leadership—and a front-row seat to the future.

Check out our latest report: "The Future of the CMO"

There’s A LOT out there that’s swirling into the pressure cooker that is today’s healthcare economy. On this episode of TheNo Normal Show, Stephanie, Desirée, and Chris break down the cascading impact of policy shifts and economic trends—from DEI backlash and NIH cuts to tariff-induced inflation and Medicaid shakeups. What does this all means for CMOs, marketers, and the future of care access in America? Plus, a farewell to White Lotus, the curious case of a pina colada coffee creamer, and the underrated brilliance of Black Mirror’s health-tech commentary. This episode is quite sunny with a chance of rain. Tune in now.

Our new white paper, The Future of the CMO, will be available early to subscribers! You can sign up here or even subscribe via BPD’s LinkedIn.

The creative bar is high—and healthcare marketing is rising to meet it. Award season is about more than applause; it’s proof that bold ideas with real impact matter. This episode is your backstage pass to the sharpest thinking and fearless creativity in healthcare today. Stephanie, Desirée, and BPD’s Chief Creative Officer Mindy Adams unpack what it takes to stand out—from judging the Effies to pushing SHIFT Nursing for a Webby. Plus, a Cannes Lions roundup (yes, even the cement company campaign).

Vote SHIFT. Name your AI. Throw an unhinged dinner party. Press play.

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Barbie’s showing love to future doctors. People are crowdfunding their hospital bills. And ChatGPT just dropped an image update so powerful, it might make your designer sweat. On this episode of The No Normal Show, Desirée, Stephanie, and Chris unpack the game-changing upgrade from OpenAI that makes photorealistic image generation feel real. From Bill Gates suggesting humans could be irrelevant within a decade, to the new frontier of visual storytelling and the copyright chaos of Studio Ghibli-style AI fan art, we explore what this all means for marketers, healthcare brands, and creatives. The AI race is speeding up—are you even on the track? Tune in now.

Subscribe to The No Normal Rewind, our newsletter featuring a mashup of the boldest ideas, sharpest takes, and most rewind-worthy moments from our podcast — right here.

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From highlight reels to headlines, culture is shifting—and healthcare marketing needs to keep up. In this episode we get into why the moment is overtaking the message. We unpack the Meta tell-all Careless People, dissect the rapid-fire chaos of tech and policy updates (hello, Policy ICU), and explore how fan fiction, fantasy leagues, and even SNL are reshaping engagement in real time. Plus, we break down what it all means for brands trying to show up authentically in the age of short attention spans and hot takes. Ready to rethink your media mix? Tune in now.

Subscribe to The No Normal Rewind, our newsletter featuring a mashup of the boldest ideas, sharpest takes, and most rewind-worthy moments from our podcast — right here.

The No Normal Rewind is now on LinkedIn! Follow BPD for more updates!

Gen X—the so-called “forgotten generation”—has officially entered the chat. In this episode of the No Normal Show, Desirée and Chris goes deep into why Gen X deserves more attention in healthcare marketing. Sandwiched between two larger, louder generations, they’ve been overlooked for years—but as they take on the role of both patient and caregiver, their influence on healthcare decisions is bigger than ever.

From their skeptical, independent nature to their deep distrust of inauthentic marketing, Gen Xers don’t buy into fluff. Let’s be clear—if your healthcare brand isn’t speaking to them in a real, no-BS way, you’re missing a massive opportunity.

We break down why this “forgotten middle child” should be at the center of healthcare strategy, how their unique experiences shape their expectations, and what health systems need to do to reach them before it’s too late.

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The Funnel Wars just took another unexpected turn. Walgreens is going private, VillageMD may be on the chopping block, and the retail health revolution isn’t playing out as planned. So, what does this mean for primary care, health systems, and the future of patient access? In this episode, Stephanie, Desirée, and Chris break down the uncertain state of primary care, the surprising gaps in the modern CMO role, and whether technology can fill the growing void in frontline healthcare. Plus, Chris drops some folk song wisdom, Desirée gives us a reality check on Walgreens' consumer experience, and Stephanie sounds the alarm on an emerging healthcare crisis. Is primary care dead? Or just evolving? Tune in now.

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From Eli Lilly’s provocative Oscars ad to AI-powered therapy backlash, this episode of The No Normal Show goes deep into the forces reshaping trust in healthcare. The latest data from The Wall Street Journal shows confidence in doctors is plummeting, AI is disrupting care delivery, and alternative health movements are gaining ground. What does this mean for healthcare leaders? How should marketing teams rethink their approach to patient engagement and brand credibility? We break down the key trends, the marketing implications, and what healthcare brands must do to stay ahead. Let's chat.

What do a fictional death, a DOJ investigation, and Kendrick Lamar have in common? In this episode of the No Normal Show, Desirée, Stephanie, and Chris connect the dots between pop culture, marketing, and the ever-evolving world of healthcare. They revisit Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl performance—and what it all says about the game of strategy. Plus, they unpack the messy brilliance of White Lotus Season 3 and debate whether Duolingo’s owl met a just end. But it’s not all fun and games—big questions arise as they dig into the DOJ’s investigation into UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare billing and the ethical gray areas of media buying. In a world where truth is up for grabs, how can healthcare brands build trust? Tune in to find out.

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As healthcare costs rise and institutions face increased scrutiny, a new battle is emerging. Will governmental policy and public skepticism reshape the industry? How will funding cuts impact hospitals and research? In this episode, we unpack the shifting landscape and what it means for the future of healthcare.

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