The real fight in U.S. healthcare isn’t between doctors and patients—it’s against a financing maze that raises premiums, hides quality, and rewards middlemen. We pull back the curtain on why ACA plans look the same yet cost more, how public underpayment pushes employer premiums up, and why political fixes often fail when crafted far from the bedsid…

Season Seven of The Common Bridge features host Richard Helppie in an episode that concludes with foaming mayonnaise dispensers in this lighter, story-driven talk with Tony Award–winning actor Gregory Jbara and longtime friend, designer-turned-humorist Terence Duncan, celebrating Duncan’s new book, Unfiltered Consciousness. This special episode lea…

Healthcare can feel stuck, but the ground is moving under our feet in the best possible way. We sit down with Hartford Healthcare’s CEO, Jeff Flaks, to unpack how a statewide system is using scale with purpose: pushing care into more convenient, lower-cost settings, investing in equity, and building digital experiences that actually save time for p…

What happens when a powerhouse research enterprise, a statewide health system, and a relentless push for access all meet at the same table? Our conversation with Dr. David Miller, CEO of Michigan Medicine, opens the door to a candid look at how precision care, digital tools, and financial reality collide—and how smart leadership turns that collisio…

What if blockbuster weight-loss drugs and a broken food system are two sides of the same story? We sit down with Dr. David Harlan—physician, researcher, and former NIH diabetes branch chief—to trace the unlikely path from the “incretin effect” to GLP-1 therapies that are transforming care for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Along the way, we ask harde…

Host Nate Kaufman brings Rich Helppie back for a discussion about healthcare access. A 30-day wait for a first oncology visit after hearing the word leukemia is not an edge case—it’s the new normal in a system where demand outpaces supply and incentives reward the wrong behaviors. Nate opens with a personal story that reveals how access feels when …

Politicians argue about subsidies while families face premiums that can top $26,900 and deductibles big enough to delay basic care. We step past the slogans to map how the ACA exchanges actually work today—standardized benefits that reduce real choice, narrow networks that hide access problems, and a pricing spiral that subsidies struggle to catch.…

One mother’s plea and a judge’s blueprint collide with a terrifying truth: the systems meant to protect people with serious mental illness—and the communities around them—often wait until harm is done. We bring Beverly Gille and Judge Milton L. Mack Jr. together to map how a 28-year struggle, from teen psychosis to homelessness and a mass stabbing …

Spine surgery sits at the crossroads of need, nuance, and noise—and few people explain that terrain better than Dr. Rod Oskouian, a high-volume neurosurgeon who has led a complex spine program and also navigated care as a patient. Dr. Oskouian and Healthcare Bridge host, Nate Kaufman pull back the curtain on how consolidation, denials, and a flood …

Season seven opens with a clear promise: fewer teams, more truth. We look straight at the incentives that keep America mad—legacy media chasing rage clicks, politicians swapping positions to score points, and a culture that treats every topic like a loyalty test—and we choose a different path. From the first minute, we ask whether the country is tr…

The money is already here—so why are the rules still stuck in limbo? We sit down with Tom Dieters to map how NIL evolved from booster-led collectives into university-controlled revenue sharing after House v. NCAA, and what that shift means for athletes across every sport. From donor intent getting sidelined by caps to student fees propping up compe…

What's the secret to maintaining physician independence when 70% of doctors now work for corporations or health systems? Dr. Leo Spector, CEO of OrthoCarolina and practicing spine surgeon, offers a masterclass in healthcare leadership and strategic navigation of our complex medical landscape. After 20 years as a spine surgeon, Dr. Spector has witne…

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson brings her vision for Michigan's future to The Common Bridge, outlining why she's running for governor in 2026 and what she hopes to accomplish for the state's citizens. At the heart of Benson's campaign is a commitment to making Michigan "the best place to be a kid, raise a kid, and call home." As a mothe…

What does it take to transform a state facing serious economic and educational challenges? In this illuminating conversation, former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard outlines his vision for revitalizing Michigan as he campaigns for the governor's office. Michigan's struggles are starkly quantified—ranking 49th in unemployment, near last in popula…

The assassination of Charlie Kirk has shaken our nation to its core, prompting a raw, emotional response from Rich Helppie in this urgent episode of The Common Bridge. Beyond expressing profound grief for Kirk's family and friends, Helppie grieves for America itself – a country increasingly torn apart by political violence and dehumanizing rhetoric…

What happens when healthcare experts become patients themselves? Dr. Jeff Goldsmith shares his transformative experience of undergoing five major surgeries in 29 months, revealing how it fundamentally altered his perspective after nearly five decades in healthcare. "I underestimated the degree to which patients are motivated by abject fear," he adm…

Drug pricing in America is a shell game where patients always lose. Healthcare Bridge host Nathan Kaufman and his guest Richard Helppie pull back the curtain on why Americans pay drastically more for the same medications than patients anywhere else in the world. At the heart of this problem lies a fragmented system where the United States—effective…

The college sports landscape is undergoing a revolution that few fans truly understand. In this eye-opening conversation, University of Michigan lecturer Greg Dooley breaks down the complex world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation that's transforming collegiate athletics from its century-old amateur foundations into something resemblin…

Are you getting what you pay for with your Medicare plan? This eye-opening conversation between healthcare insiders Nathan Kaufman and Rich Helppie pulls back the curtain on what they provocatively call "Medicare Disadvantage" plans. When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Medicare Advantage plans tempt seniors with zero premiums,…

Ever wondered how a successful women's magazine writer and humor columnist became one of Substack's most incisive media critics? Jenna McCarthy never planned to write about "government corruption, health policy, and politics" - she was perfectly content crafting witty pieces about relationships and lifestyle topics for major publications. Then COVI…

The fundamental flaw in American healthcare might be hiding in your benefits package. In this compelling conversation, host Nathan Kaufman and Common Bridge's Rich Helppie challenge the very foundation of how most Americans receive health coverage. "It needs to go the route of the company car," argues Helppie about employer-sponsored health insuran…

When did healthcare marketing become so disconnected from the people it needs to reach? Brandon Edwards, founder of Unlock Health and a 30-year veteran in healthcare marketing, joins us for a provocative conversation about why traditional approaches are failing in what he calls "the post-truth era." Edwards reveals a startling reality: roughly half…

The American healthcare payment system isn't just broken—it's a non-system that systematically fails providers and patients while generating enormous profits for middlemen. The Healthcare Bridge host Nathan Kaufman and his guest Rich Helppie cut through partisan talking points to expose the real impact of recent Medicaid funding changes that threat…

Garlin Gilchrist II, Michigan's Lieutenant Governor and gubernatorial candidate, shares how his unique background as a software engineer and tech entrepreneur shapes his vision for the state's future. This fascinating conversation reveals how engineering principles can transform governance and policy-making. "Being an engineer, you learn to be a pr…

What happens when you put one of America's leading healthcare governance experts in conversation with a veteran industry insider? You get a rare, unfiltered look behind the curtain of hospital boardrooms where life-and-death decisions get made every day. Jamie Orlikoff, renowned governance consultant and active health system board member, joins hos…

When half the streetlights in Detroit were dark and the city led America in homicide, poverty, and unemployment, Mike Duggan stepped up to lead its transformation. Now, after 12 years of progress as Detroit's mayor, he's taking aim at Michigan's partisan gridlock with an independent run for governor. "Every time the Republicans and Democrats switch…

Get ready for two power-packed days of essential conversations when I take over hosting duties at WJR, the Great Voice of the Great Lakes! Mark your calendars for June 23rd and 24th, from 2-4pm Eastern Time, as we spotlight the critical issues shaping Michigan's communities. We'll dive deep into healthcare challenges and opportunities with renowned…

What does Michigan need in its next governor? Sheriff Chris Swanson believes it's someone who can protect, serve, and unify. The Genesee County Sheriff joins The Common Bridge to outline his vision as a Democratic candidate for Michigan's 2026 gubernatorial race. Drawing from his 33 years in law enforcement and extensive background in education and…

America stands at a crossroads as Marines deploy on the streets of Los Angeles. This gripping analysis examines whether we're witnessing the early stages of a modern civil war or something else entirely. The evidence is sobering: combat-trained Marines entering densely populated urban areas, coordinated opposition with pre-positioned supplies, and …

What happens when a state that was once the crown jewel of American prosperity finds itself near the bottom in employment, education, and population growth? Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox believes it's time for a dramatic course correction, and he's running for governor to make it happen. The son of immigrants who chose Michigan in the 1…

The $84 billion question haunting American healthcare takes center stage as Nathan Kaufman returns to unpack the bombshell criminal investigation into UnitedHealthcare's alleged Medicare fraud. Drawing from his 48 years of healthcare expertise, Kaufman reveals the troubling mechanics behind how the nation's largest insurer potentially manipulated t…

The global economy stands at a crossroads as tariffs reshape international trade, and few understand these seismic shifts better than Bill Michels, returning to The Common Bridge with crucial insights on what's happening at our ports, in manufacturing, and throughout supply chains worldwide. Shipping containers sit idle at major ports like Los Ange…

Professor Jesse Kaufman returns to The Common Bridge to deliver a sobering assessment of the Ukraine-Russia war three years after the invasion began. What started as a discussion about territorial disputes has revealed itself as something far more fundamental: Russia's existential denial of Ukrainian nationhood. Kaufman shatters common misconceptio…

A refreshing voice cuts through the noise of gender politics as Larry Shell, a self-described "TERG" (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Gay), shares his journey from recognizing his homosexuality in sixth grade to finding his authentic voice in today's complex discussions about gender and sexuality. Larry's story begins in 1970s Chicago where, unlike many…

Fierce nonpartisanship meets listener curiosity in this mailbag episode where Richard Helppie tackles tough questions spanning economics, social policy, and political comparisons with refreshing candor. When a listener asks whether recent stock market gyrations prove Trump's policies are "all wrong," Helppie cuts through the binary thinking to expl…

Dr. James Baker delivers a masterclass in scientific clarity as he breaks down what we truly know about COVID-19, vaccines, and our healthcare system's deepest challenges. With decades of experience as a physician, immunologist, and vaccine researcher, Dr. Baker provides a refreshingly honest assessment that cuts through political noise with precis…

Author and educator Paul Cumbo joins us to shed light on the contemporary challenges faced by young men in a rapidly evolving world. He offers a treasure trove of encouragement and practical advice drawn from his two decades of experience. Our conversation navigates the complex terrain of building self-knowledge, emotional intelligence, and healthy…

Ready to challenge your perspectives on government efficiency and economic resilience? Join us for a compelling conversation with Kerry Killinger, co-author of "Nothing is Too Big to Fail," as we question the true impact of federal workforce reductions on national unemployment and explore the potential fallout from dismantling entire departments li…

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In this conclusion of the conversation that began with Episode 262, prepare to rethink everything you know about the American healthcare landscape as we sit down with esteemed guests Dr. Barry Meisenberg and Dr. Matthew Nathan. With candid insights, they help us untangle the chaotic initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the eventual pivot t…

How can we transform the U.S. healthcare system into one that prioritizes both patient-provider relationships and equitable access to care? Join us for a compelling conversation with healthcare visionaries Dr. David Harlan, Dr. Barry Meisenberg, and Admiral Matt Nathan as we navigate the complexities of modern healthcare. Learn from Dr. Harlan's ca…

What if the biggest infrastructure overhaul in the U.S. since the interstate highway system is happening right now? Join us on the Common Bridge as we sit down with Professor Rick Geddes from Cornell University, a leading expert with an eye-opening perspective on the future of infrastructure policy. Professor Geddes enlightens us on the sweeping ch…

Unlock the secrets of healthcare economics with renowned expert Nate Kaufman of Kaufman Strategic Advisors. Join us as we explore the powerful role played by UnitedHealthcare—the largest private healthcare conglomerate in the U.S. Discover how UnitedHealthcare shapes insurance coverage, pharmacy benefit management, and healthcare services. We'll ex…

I thought it might be interesting to revisit an insightful episode from The Common Bridge Vault, recorded one year ago this week, featuring prospective Democratic Presidential candidate Dean Phillips. During our fascinating discussion, Dean expressed concern about President Biden's declining cognitive health and emphasized the need for action withi…

Curious about how a fascination with radio as a child can shape a career? Join us as Chris Renwick of WJR Radio in Detroit shares his captivating journey from growing up in Pennsylvania and Michigan to becoming a respected voice on the airwaves. Chris walks us through his educational background and early career, highlighting key moments that fueled…

What if the media's portrayal of presidential candidates is more fiction than fact? Rich Helpe tackles the disillusionment with the upcoming U.S. presidential election, challenging listeners to rethink the stories they consume. By illustrating a fictional scenario of media misreporting, Rich exposes how sensationalism breeds division and misinforma…

Robert Greenfield returns with his insightful perspectives, sparking a compelling discussion that spans continents and topics. Discover how Detroit's remarkable resurgence is a testament to effective local governance and community-driven efforts, with key figures like Roger Penske and Dan Gilbert leading the charge. Explore how the city's revitaliz…

Chris Bray, a distinguished voice from Substack, joins me to unravel the complex world of media, politics, and narratives. We begin by tracing his journey from the constraints of traditional journalism to the freedom of expression he found on Substack, a platform where diverse voices flourish and challenging conversations take center stage. Our dia…

This is an episode repeat from December, 2020 that we think is even more relevant today. Can blockchain technology transform the future of voting in the United States? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Khalil Byrd, a leading voice in political technology, as we explore the intricacies of the nation's voting system. Khalil breaks down th…

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