Breakfast Leadership Show

How AI Is Disrupting Healthcare RCM and Exposing Insurance Claim Denials, With Reid Zeising, CEO of GAIN

In this episode, Michael sits down with Reid Zeising, CEO of GAIN, the largest revenue cycle management organization specializing in litigated and complex healthcare claims. The conversation pulls back the curtain on how healthcare providers struggle to get paid for services already delivered, and how technology and AI are being used to push back against decades of insurance-driven denial strategies.
Reid explains how the insurance industry fundamentally changed in 1994, when Allstate introduced Colossus, a system designed to standardize and often suppress claim payouts in favor of shareholder value. That shift, he argues, still shapes today’s reimbursement environment, leaving providers underpaid and patients caught in the middle.
Drawing on Michael’s background in primary care administration, the discussion highlights a stark reality: many healthcare organizations collect only a fraction of what they bill, even when care is medically necessary and properly delivered. Reid compares this to asking professionals to do full work for partial pay and explains why this model is unsustainable, especially for providers serving uninsured and underinsured populations.
The conversation then turns to how GAIN is using AI, predictive analytics, and technology-enabled workflows to reverse that imbalance. By focusing on litigated and complex claims, GAIN helps providers recover fair compensation, improve cash flow, and continue offering care to communities that need it most. Reid also shares why his company intentionally shifted away from higher-margin claim financing toward a service-driven model built around access, transparency, and long-term system impact.
Michael and Reid also explore the broader healthcare landscape, including the financial strain on providers, the coming “silver tsunami” of aging patients, and the consequences of tort reform on patient access to care. Reid challenges common insurance-industry narratives around “frivolous lawsuits,” explaining how language and lobbying efforts have been used to restrict legitimate claims and reduce accountability.
The episode closes with Reid’s advocacy work through Americans for Patient Access and Americans for Responsible Consumer Funding, organizations focused on protecting access to healthcare and helping individuals navigate overwhelming medical and financial challenges.
This is a candid, systems-level conversation about healthcare economics, AI-driven disruption, and what it will take to ensure providers get paid and patients get care.
https://gainservicing.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/reidzeising/
 

Deep Dive: Employee Onboarding That Works: How Structured Onboarding Packets Boost Confidence, Retention, and Culture

A strong first day does not happen by accident. In this episode, we explore why structured onboarding packets are one of the most overlooked drivers of employee confidence, engagement, and long-term retention.
We unpack how relying on informal “tribal knowledge” creates confusion, increases burnout risk, and leaves new hires guessing about expectations. In contrast, a single, centralized onboarding resource sets clarity from day one by showing people how work actually happens, not just what the policies say.
You will hear why effective onboarding packets go beyond paperwork. We discuss the value of clear navigation guides, explicit cultural norms, and role-specific milestones that help both remote and in-office employees integrate faster and with less friction. We also examine a phased delivery approach, where information is shared in intentional stages instead of overwhelming new hires with everything at once.
The episode closes with a clear takeaway: onboarding is not an administrative task. When designed well and kept current, it becomes a strategic advantage that turns early uncertainty into confidence, focus, and forward momentum.
Source:  https://www.breakfastleadership.com/blog/create-onboarding-packets-that-boost-confidence-clarity-and-retention
 

Trevor McGregor – From Rock Bottom to Quantum Leaps in Business and Life

Podcast Show Notes: Trevor McGregor – From Rock Bottom to Quantum Leaps in Business and Life
Episode OverviewIn this transformative episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show, Michael D. Levitt welcomes Trevor McGregor, a globally recognized High Performance Master Coach, real estate investor, and former top Tony Robbins coach. With over 45,000 individual coaching sessions and two decades of empowering entrepreneurs and executives, Trevor shares how he turned personal devastation into a multi-million-dollar mission of helping others achieve freedom and fulfillment.
From Failure to FreedomTrevor’s journey began with losing everything—his savings, a six-figure family loan, and nearly his marriage—after a failed real estate investment. From that rock bottom, he rebuilt his life and business, developing the resilience that would become the foundation of his coaching philosophy. Personally selected by Tony Robbins as one of his top business coaches, Trevor spent five years mastering the art of transformation, earning what he calls his “Black Belt in Coaching.”
The Psychology of Quantum LeapsNow leading Trevor McGregor International, he helps already-successful entrepreneurs, investors, and Fortune 500 executives break through their current ceilings by aligning mindset, identity, and strategy. Trevor explains how identity transformation drives exponential results (10X or even 100X) and how combining psychology with strategy can create the “freedom lifestyle” he enjoys between Canada and Australia—his personal “endless summer.”
Key Insights & Takeaways
Why losing everything became the catalyst for Trevor’s greatest growth
How identity work creates quantum breakthroughs faster than strategy alone
The psychology behind building wealth and generational freedom
How to design a business that supports your ideal lifestyle
Lessons learned from coaching clients managing over $2.7 billion in assets
Topics of Expertise Discussed
From Rock Bottom to Empire: Rebuilding after loss
The Joe Fairless Masterclass: Coaching one of the top real estate minds
Psychology Meets Strategy: Avoiding burnout through alignment
The Freedom Code: Building legacy wealth and time freedom
The Quantum Leap Framework: Transforming identity for faster results
About Trevor McGregorTrevor McGregor is a high-performance master coach and international speaker who has helped clients generate billions in revenue and assets under management. His work has empowered thousands of leaders to transcend limitations and achieve extraordinary results across business, investing, and life.
Key Achievements
45,000+ coaching sessions across 20+ years
Former top business coach for Tony Robbins
Clients have generated billions in revenue and AUM
Connect with Trevor McGregorWebsite: trevormcgregor.com/BreakfastLeadershipInstagram: @trevormcgregorLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/trevormcgregor
Learn More from Michael D. LevittExplore more leadership and burnout-prevention insights at BreakfastLeadership.com/blogRead Michael’s books Burnout Proof and Workplace Culture
 

Pete Behrens on Adapting Leadership in Turbulent Times

Adapting Leadership in Turbulent Times
In this episode, Michael and Pete explore what leadership really requires in an era defined by fatigue, disruption, and constant change. They examine how pressures at home, the aftershocks of COVID, and the acceleration of AI are compounding exhaustion for leaders at every level. Pete describes today’s environment as a relentless “hailstorm” of forces outside any leader’s control, while Michael emphasizes that clarity around mission, vision, and values is no longer optional. It is the stabilizing force leaders must return to when everything else feels uncertain.
Leadership Clarity and Workplace Culture
Michael outlines why leadership clarity directly impacts workplace culture, engagement, and performance. Organizations that successfully navigated the pandemic and economic volatility have a unique opportunity to reduce fear and restore confidence across their teams. Using a familiar San Diego fog analogy, Michael explains how experienced leaders move forward not by guessing, but by relying on judgment, shared wisdom, and deliberate next steps, even when visibility is limited.
Leading Through Fog and Uncertainty
Pete shares the thinking behind his book on leading in foggy conditions, shaped by more than 30 years in the technology sector. His work challenges outdated leadership models and speaks directly to younger leaders navigating ambiguity for the first time, as well as seasoned leaders who may be overly attached to certainty. At its core, the book advocates for a more humane, respectful, and grounded approach to leadership that acknowledges uncertainty rather than denying it.
Balancing Expertise and Fresh Perspective
Michael reflects on a formative experience at Daimler-Benz, where introducing structured debriefs and outside perspectives increased client capacity by 20 percent without adding staff. The lesson was clear: too much expertise can create rigidity. Pete builds on this with his concept of the “elusive peak,” where leaders risk becoming trapped by what they already know. Together, they unpack how psychological safety and openness allow teams to challenge assumptions, surface better ideas, and improve outcomes.
Humility, Teamwork, and Modern Leadership
The conversation closes with a candid discussion on humility and vulnerability. Pete reinforces that leadership is a team sport, especially in uncertain conditions. Through his work with Agile Leadership Journey, he helps leaders tap into the collective intelligence already inside their organizations. The takeaway is simple but demanding: effective leadership today requires courage, curiosity, and the willingness to lead with others, not above them.
Book:  https://www.agileleadershipjourney.com/into-the-fog-book
 

Deep Dive: Leading Change with Purpose: From Vision to Everyday Execution

In this episode, we take a leadership journey through the four essential pillars of successful organizational change: Vision, Emotional Intelligence, Decisiveness and Openness. Drawing from the recent article How to Successfully Lead Organizational Change, we explore how every leader – whether founder, C-suite executive or emerging internal change champion – can step into their role with clarity, confidence, and humanity. Expect concrete take-aways, real-world application and reflection prompts for your next big change initiative.
Key Take-aways
Vision is non-negotiable
Change without a clear destination is like driving in the fog; your team will feel lost and unmotivated. (Breakfast Leadership Network)
As the article states: “If you don’t have a vision, you will also find it very difficult to motivate and lead your team.” (Breakfast Leadership Network)
In practice: create a vivid picture of the “after-state” for your organization and share that widely.
Emotional intelligence is the hidden accelerator
Recognizing how your people are feeling—and why—is vital. (Breakfast Leadership Network)
Change triggers uncertainty, fear, resistance. As the article reminds, being tuned in helps you support team members effectively.
Practical tip: map out the emotional journey your team might take during the change. Pre-empt fears and build empathy early.
Decisiveness keeps momentum alive
In times of change, leadership vacillation kills progress. The article highlights that your team looks to you to “take the reins.” (Breakfast Leadership Network)
It’s not about making everything perfect—rather, about making the right call, owning it, and moving forward.
Consider installing a decision framework: how will you determine when to act vs. when to pause and reflect.
Openness builds trust and fuels participation
Transparency matters more when things are shifting. The article says that being “open with your teams” is “especially important.” (Breakfast Leadership Network)
Communicating the “why,” the “how,” and the “what’s next” helps reduce fear and invites buy-in rather than resistance.
Real-world practice: hold regular “change check-ins” where people can surface concerns, ask questions, and feel heard.
Discussion Questions for Your Team:
Reflect on a major change you led (or were part of). How clear was the vision? How did that shape the outcome?
How do you as a leader stay emotionally tuned in during change—what practices help you sense team mood and response?
In your experience, where do leaders most often hesitate during change? What tends to cause that hesitation and how can it be mitigated?
What transparency looks like in your organization? Are you striking the right balance between “too little” and “too much” communication?
Looking ahead: in your next organizational change initiative, which of these four pillars deserves most of your attention—and what will be your first action step?
Action Steps for Listeners
Grab a blank sheet and map your current or upcoming change initiative using the four pillars: Vision, Emotions, Decisiveness, Openness.
Identify one thing you are not doing now (or could do better) in each pillar—and pick one pillar to focus on this week.
Schedule a “change check-in” with your team where you openly share the vision, invite questions, and surface emotional reactions.
Commit to a decision-cadence: set a fixed date (within next two weeks) when you will make a key change decision and communicate it, rather than letting it linger.
Who Should Listen
Founders, CEOs, senior leaders facing a significant organizational change (e.g., pivot, restructure, culture shift)
HR, change-management and OD professionals charged with leading or supporting change efforts
Emerging leaders looking to step into change-leadership roles and build their competence in guiding transitions
Anyone interested in the human side of change—how emotions, trust and clarity influence outcomes.
Links & Resources
Link to the article: How to Successfully Lead Organizational Change
Learn more: BreakfastLeadership.com/blog
If you’re planning a change initiative and need support, reach out for coaching and advisory services with the Breakfast Leadership Network.
Final Thought
Change is inevitable—but successful change doesn’t just “happen.” It is led. As the article reminds us, it takes a visible vision, emotional attunement, bold decisions and open communication. If you lean into these four pillars, you’ll lead not just a transition, but a transformation.

Chris Kline on Building Retirement Security in a Volatile Economy: Bitcoin, Discipline, and Diversification

In this episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show, Michael sits down with Chris Kline, Co-Founder and CRO of BitcoinIRA, to unpack what it really takes to build long-term wealth in an economy where traditional retirement systems are no longer guaranteed.
Chris shares the unfiltered origin story of BitcoinIRA, from leaving Colorado for Los Angeles, living in a motel, and grinding through long days, to scaling the company into a platform serving more than 200,000 users and managing over $12 billion in assets. Along the way, he reflects on the leadership tension between scaling complexity and the clarity of early-stage simplicity.
The conversation expands into the broader retirement crisis facing North America. With pensions disappearing and nearly half of Americans not actively participating in retirement planning, Michael and Chris challenge listeners to rethink responsibility, ownership, and strategy when it comes to long-term financial security.
They explore how Bitcoin fits into a modern, diversified portfolio, not as a speculative gamble, but as an alternative asset shaped by scarcity, adoption, and long-term macro trends. The discussion covers due diligence, dollar-cost averaging, portfolio diversification, and the persistent myth that Bitcoin is inaccessible due to price, despite the ability to invest fractionally.
Beyond Bitcoin, the episode addresses the importance of diversified income streams. Michael and Chris share real-world examples of building resilience through multiple revenue channels, passive income strategies, and investments across traditional markets, AI, defense, and digital assets. The message is clear: in an uncertain economy, relying on a single paycheck is a structural risk.
The episode closes with a reminder that leadership extends beyond business. Chris shares a personal story about his daughter’s passion for helping others, reinforcing the idea that purpose, curiosity, and long-term thinking are skills worth teaching the next generation.
Listeners also learn about a limited-time BitcoinIRA incentive, including a $1,000 reward for new accounts opened before April 15th, designed to encourage proactive retirement planning.
This is a grounded, practical conversation for anyone thinking seriously about financial resilience, leadership, and building a retirement strategy that reflects today’s economic reality, not yesterday’s assumptions.
http://bitcoinira.com/breakfastleadership

Why Productivity Fails Without Flow States | Steven Puri on Focus, Remote Work, and Sukha

Episode Overview
In this episode, Michael sits down with Steven Puri, a former Hollywood studio executive turned founder of Sukha, to explore career reinvention, sustainable creativity, and the science behind focus and flow. Drawing from Steven’s journey through the film industry and his transition into building tools for deep work, the conversation uncovers practical strategies for productivity, work-life balance, and long-term creative success.
From Hollywood Sets to Studio Executive Leadership
Steven and Michael begin by unpacking Michael’s career trajectory in the film industry, from working directly on major motion pictures to stepping into senior executive leadership. Michael shares stories from his time collaborating with renowned directors and how those formative experiences shaped his understanding of storytelling, leadership, and execution.
His career evolved into executive roles at DreamWorks as Executive Vice President, where he oversaw high-profile projects including Transformers and Fringe, and later as Vice President at 20th Century Fox, managing large-scale summer action franchises. These experiences laid the foundation for his later work in leadership, burnout prevention, and performance.
Crafting Success Through Sustainable Creative Environments
Steven shares insights from his own career about the importance of craftsmanship and sustainability, particularly for writers and creative professionals. Rather than relying on bursts of inspiration, he emphasizes designing environments that consistently support deep focus and high-quality output.
He highlights examples of successful creatives who intentionally tied their work to specific locations, including writing teams who returned to the same villa in Puerto Vallarta or repeatedly booked the same room at the Universal Hilton to trigger a focused mental state. Steven encourages listeners to identify or create their own dedicated spaces that signal it is time to do meaningful work.
Remote Work Rituals and Focus
Michael reflects on his early experience working remotely as far back as 2007, long before remote work became mainstream. He explains how he established rituals to mentally transition into and out of work, including maintaining a dedicated workspace, dressing as if going to an office, and even using intentional entry and exit routines to mark the workday.
Steven connects this to his own writing on the concept of “commuting to your home office,” reinforcing how rituals can replace the psychological cues that traditional offices once provided.
Work-Life Balance, Boundaries, and Productivity
As a father and entrepreneur, Michael shares how he learned to balance presence with productivity. He discusses setting clear boundaries during work hours while remaining fully engaged with his children outside of them, a strategy that helped him avoid burnout while maintaining performance.
The conversation moves into procrastination and task management, with Michael explaining how breaking large projects into smaller, manageable steps helps reduce resistance. Steven adds insights from his work with Sukha, noting that limiting visible tasks to just three at a time can significantly improve focus and execution.
Flow States and High Performance
The episode concludes with a deep dive into flow states, drawing on the research of psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Steven and Michael explore how elite performers across industries enter flow and the conditions required to sustain it.
Steven shares a pivotal personal experience of entering a deep flow state during a flight, which ultimately inspired the creation of Sukha. The company’s name itself came from a user who described how the tool helped them find balance between meaningful work and family life, perfectly capturing the mission behind the platform.
Key Takeaways
Sustainable success is built through intentional environments and rituals, not constant hustle
Flow states can be designed, not left to chance
Clear boundaries support both productivity and well-being
Limiting task overload is a powerful antidote to burnout and procrastination
For more information on Steven Puri and his work, visit https://thesukha.co or reach out directly at steven@thesukha.co.
 
Steven Puri is a speaker and productivity expert who helps remote workers and leaders achieve focus, flow, and well-being. He draws on a career that includes executive roles at major film studios, producing and funding projects like Die Hard and The Wolverine, raising $21 million in venture capital, and founding three startups. Today, Steven shares practical tools such as time boxing, mono-tasking, and dopamine management, while also emphasizing meditation, movement, and rest as keys to sustainable performance. His work blends creativity, business leadership, and proven productivity strategies to help people finish faster and feel better.
Website:  https://www.thesukha.co/media
 
 

Deep Dive: How do Americans use dopamine fasting to address digital overstimulation and burnout?

Urban residents are increasingly adopting dopamine fasting as a structured way to disconnect from the constant noise of modern life. In cities like Austin, New York, and Cleveland, residents utilize this practice to seek relief from digital distraction and overstimulation.
According to the sources, here is how urban residents use these techniques to address overstimulation and burnout:
Intentional Breaks from High-Stimulus Activities
Residents in top-ranking cities for this trend engage in intentional breaks from activities associated with instant gratification. Rather than a literal "reset" of brain chemistry, the practice is focused on reducing the frequency of dopamine spikes triggered by modern behaviors. Common strategies include:
Digital Detoxes: Taking multi-day or week-long breaks from social media and video gaming to break compulsive reward-seeking loops.
Dietary and Lifestyle Changes: Avoiding sugary snacks, processed foods, and alcohol as part of a broader effort to manage stimulation.
Reengaging with Low-Stimulus Activities: Using the time gained to focus on nature, reading, or direct social connection, which provides deeper satisfaction than digital inputs.
Combatting Burnout and Enhancing Focus
Urban residents utilize these breaks specifically to combat the "constant connectivity" that leads to burnout. By stepping away from incessant stimulation, they aim to achieve several psychological benefits:
Mental Clarity and Productivity: Participants report increased focus and executive function, which are essential for navigating demanding urban work environments.
Emotional Regulation: The practice is linked to improved mood, reduced anxiety, and a decrease in symptoms of depression.
Present-Moment Awareness: By removing digital distractions, residents find they can cultivate greater mindfulness and intentional living.
Integration into Workplace Culture
The trend is also being recognized as a tool for holistic wellness in professional settings. Leaders and HR professionals are encouraged to support employees in setting boundaries with technology and taking intentional breaks to support long-term well-being and build healthier workplace cultures.
Expert Cautions on Implementation
While many see it as a healthy practice, experts in the sources suggest that the most effective way to address burnout is through moderation and purposeful reduction rather than total deprivation. Taking the practice to extremes can lead to isolation or decreased life satisfaction; therefore, it is often recommended as a component of a balanced lifestyle rather than a rigid "fast".
Analogy for Understanding: Think of dopamine fasting like letting an overheated engine idle. The goal isn't to remove the oil or fuel (the dopamine) which the engine needs to run, but rather to stop redlining the motor so it can cool down and operate efficiently again without burning out.
Link to research:  https://www.breakfastleadership.com/blog/why-dopamine-fasting-is-trending-across-american-cities-and-what-it-means-for-mental-clarity-focus-and-behavioral-health