Madison Advisory AI Podcast

Amanda Verner Thompson

The Madison Advisory AI Podcast explores how leaders navigate a world where technology and AI are accelerating decisions—but where judgment, trust, and experience still matter more than ever. Hosted by Amanda Verner Thompson, a healthcare investment banker and founder of Madison Advisory AI, the show features candid conversations with founders, operators, advisors, and executives who understand that good advice isn't about products or algorithms—it's about asking the right questions at the right time. Each episode examines how trusted advisors think through complexity, make decisions in moments that matter, and use technology as an amplifier—not a replacement—for seasoned judgment. For leaders who value substance over speed, and perspective over hype.

  1. The Long Build: How EyeQue Grew a Decade Without Venture Backing

    6d ago

    The Long Build: How EyeQue Grew a Decade Without Venture Backing

    Episode Summary Most healthcare technology companies are built on venture timelines. John Serri built EyeQue on a different premise — that the technology would eventually matter enough to justify the long game. Founded in 2015, EyeQue set out to make accurate vision testing accessible through a smartphone. Nearly a decade later, the company holds 35 patents, operates across direct-to-consumer and B2B channels, and is now integrating AI to reduce support burden, accelerate development, and improve testing accuracy. In this conversation, John and Amanda cover what it takes to build in a regulated healthcare market without venture backing — navigating FDA registration, evolving from D2C to a telemedicine platform, and making capital decisions across multiple market cycles. They also dig into EyeQue's current inflection point and how John is weighing equity investment versus a strategic partnership for the next phase of growth.   Key Themes Building without venture capital — discipline and trade-offs of a decade-long independent buildD2C to telemedicine — how regulatory realities and COVID shaped EyeQue's evolutionAI as an operational tool — cutting support costs, accelerating development, speeding up testingThe vision care market — the myopia epidemic, aging population, and provider shortageCapital strategy — equity investment versus strategic partnership at an inflection pointWhat investors get wrong — why understanding the technology matters as much as the return  About the Guest John Serri is the CEO and Founder of EyeQue Inc, which he co-founded in 2015 to rethink vision testing using smartphones, optical hardware, and telemedicine infrastructure. EyeQue has developed 35 patents, registered seven devices with the FDA, and scaled across D2C and B2B channels. John brings a background in aerospace and physics to healthcare technology and is based in Pleasanton, California.   About the Host Amanda Verner Thompson is the Founder & CEO of Madison Advisory AI and a former healthcare investment banker with nearly two decades of experience advising healthcare services companies, founders, and investors on growth, strategy, and transactions. Through the Madison Advisory AI Podcast, Amanda leads conversations with founders, operators, investors, and executives navigating leadership, decision-making, and AI adoption across healthcare and founder-led businesses. Website: https://www.madisonadvisory.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-verner-thompson/

    36 min
  2. Technology May Be Our Greatest Hope for Suicide Prevention

    May 18

    Technology May Be Our Greatest Hope for Suicide Prevention

    Episode SummaryAs technology becomes embedded in daily life, the conversation around mental health has grown more complex. We hear constantly about the risks. But there is a less discussed perspective: technology may be one of our most powerful tools for improving mental health outcomes and preventing suicide.   Dr. Dan Reidenberg has spent decades at the forefront of suicide prevention. He serves as Managing Director at the National Council for Suicide Prevention and is the founder of Safe Online Standards — the world's first rating system for technology companies on mental health and wellbeing.   In this conversation, we explore the dual nature of technology in mental health, what leaders most misunderstand about suicide prevention, the responsibility of technology platforms, and why Dan believes AI may be the field's greatest source of hope. Key Themes•      The dual role of technology — risk and protective factor in mental health •      How algorithms amplify mental health vulnerability •      Why suicide never has a single cause — and what that means for prevention •      What leaders most misunderstand about suicide in the workplace •      Safe Online Standards: the world's first rating system for social media platforms •      AI as a protective factor — 24/7 access to support when clinicians aren't available •      The human-in-the-loop imperative in behavioral healthcare •      Why young people's willingness to talk gives Dan his greatest hope   About the GuestDr. Dan Reidenberg is one of the leading voices in suicide prevention and behavioral health. He serves as Managing Director at the National Council for Suicide Prevention and is the founder of Safe Online Standards — the world's first comprehensive rating system for technology companies on mental health, wellbeing, suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders, released February 2026. Throughout his career he has advised technology companies, healthcare organizations, and corporate leaders on evidence-based approaches to prevention and breaking through stigma.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-reidenberg-9264864/ Safe Online Standards: https://www.safeonlinestandards.org/     About the HostAmanda Verner Thompson is the founder of Madison Advisory AI and host of the Madison Advisory AI Podcast. With nearly two decades of investment banking experience, she has advised founders, operators, and investors on healthcare and behavioral health transactions — from capital raises to sell-side M&A. Madison Advisory AI is a boutique advisory firm at the intersection of strategy, capital, and AI adoption, focused on healthcare services and behavioral health.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-verner-thompson/ Madison Advisory AI Website: https://www.madisonadvisory.ai/ Crisis ResourcesIf you or someone you know is struggling, support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (US) Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

    52 min
  3. The Decisions That Create Value Happen Before the Deal

    May 11

    The Decisions That Create Value Happen Before the Deal

    Episode Summary Most founders don’t realize they’re leaving value on the table until a banker walks in the door and by then, much of the story is already written. In this episode of the Madison Advisory AI Podcast, Amanda sits down with Sterling Morris to discuss the decisions that shape enterprise value long before a transaction ever begins. Drawing from his background in investment banking and corporate development, Sterling shares a practical perspective on what founders in the $5M–$50M revenue range consistently overlook: operational discipline, transferability, and the hidden risks that surface during diligence. The conversation explores why many founder-led businesses become overly dependent on the founder themselves, how key man risk directly impacts deal structure and valuation, and why communication and judgment become even more valuable as AI automates more execution-oriented work. Amanda and Sterling also discuss the reality of AI adoption for smaller businesses: where it creates leverage, where it creates noise, and why founders need trusted advisors to navigate a rapidly changing environment. This is a grounded conversation about leadership, value creation, and decision-making under uncertainty, not just during a transaction, but in the years leading up to one.   Key Themes Value Creation Starts Before the Transaction: Many of the issues that impact valuation — financial reporting gaps, operational inefficiencies, customer concentration, and founder dependency — are created years before a sale process begins and become far harder to fix once diligence is underway. The Hidden Impact of Key Man Risk: Buyers are often evaluating whether a business can operate independently after the founder exits. AI as Leverage Not Replacement: AI can accelerate research, drafting, and operational efficiency, but it cannot replace trust, accountability, context, or human judgment. Communication as a Competitive Advantage: As more execution becomes automated, communication, critical thinking, and relationship-building become even more important differentiators for founders, operators, and advisors.   About Sterling Morris Sterling Morris brings experience across investment banking, corporate development, growth strategy, and founder advisory. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside founder-led businesses navigating growth, operational scaling, M&A processes, and strategic transitions. His current work focuses primarily on businesses in the $5M–$50M revenue range, helping founders think through the operational, financial, and strategic decisions that ultimately drive long-term enterprise value. Website: https://www.acuxcel.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sterlinglmorris11/   About the Host Amanda Verner Thompson is the Founder & CEO of Madison Advisory AI and a former healthcare investment banker with nearly two decades of experience advising healthcare services companies, founders, and investors on growth, strategy, and transactions. Through the Madison Advisory AI Podcast, Amanda leads conversations with founders, operators, investors, and executives navigating leadership, decision-making, and AI adoption across healthcare and founder-led businesses. Website: https://www.madisonadvisory.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-verner-thompson/

    33 min
  4. Growth, Differentiation, and Decision-Making in the Age of AI

    May 4

    Growth, Differentiation, and Decision-Making in the Age of AI

    Episode Summary In this episode of the Madison Advisory AI Podcast, Amanda is joined by Rob Lemos, SVP of Growth and Strategy at Mosaic Health, for a conversation on what actually drives growth, alignment, and decision-making inside complex healthcare organizations. Rob brings the perspective of an operator working at the intersection of strategy and execution. The discussion focuses on where growth efforts break down in practice — particularly at the interface between growth and operations — and why alignment across teams, incentives, and stakeholders ultimately determines whether initiatives succeed. Amanda and Rob explore what it takes to deploy AI effectively within healthcare enterprises, including a key distinction between organizations that aim to lead in AI and those that choose to be fast followers. Each path requires different structures, decision-making processes, and cultural readiness. They also examine how AI is raising the bar for executive clarity. As messaging becomes easier to generate, differentiation becomes harder to demonstrate. If leadership teams cannot clearly articulate what makes their organization distinct, no technology will compensate. Topics covered include: The interplay between growth and operations, and when to involve operators in the BD processWhy alignment — internal, external, and personal — drives integration successEvaluating partners and leaders when data is incompleteWhere judgment still outweighs analytics: hiring, narrative-building, and strategic decisionsWhat founders need to communicate clearly in the first 30 secondsThe evolving role of human judgment as AI capabilities accelerateThis episode is for healthcare operators, founders, and investors navigating growth and decision-making in an increasingly complex and fast-moving environment. Connect with Rob Lemos: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lemosrob/ About the Madison Advisory AI Podcast Conversations at the intersection of strategy, capital, and AI — with founders, operators, and investors shaping the future of healthcare and behavioral health. Hosted by Amanda Verner Thompson, Co-Founder of Madison Advisory AI. Website: https://www.madisonadvisory.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-verner-thompson/

    39 min
  5. From Prison to Purpose: Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of AI

    Apr 27

    From Prison to Purpose: Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of AI

    Most leadership frameworks are built in boardrooms. Carlos Vasquez built his in solitary confinement. Carlos spent nearly 17 years in prison, including three years in solitary confinement, where he read over 150 books, processed childhood trauma, and built the foundation for what would later become a leadership consulting firm, a nonprofit, and five books. In this episode, Amanda and Carlos discuss his journey from incarceration to entrepreneurship, the inner work that made it possible, and the leadership framework he now brings to healthcare systems, corporations, and schools. The PRICE Framework — Purpose, Recognition, Inspiration, Compassion, Education — grew from rebuilding identity, purpose, and connection from nothing. They also explore Carlos’ perspective on AI. He uses it daily in his business and built an AI-powered app for foster youth, but he is equally clear-eyed about what technology cannot do. In an era of rapid automation, Carlos argues leaders must double down on presence, authenticity, and human connection. The conversation closes on legacy—and what Carlos, who once had a vision board full of cars and houses, puts on it now instead.   What We Cover • From incarceration to entrepreneurship—and the mindset that made it possible • Three years in solitary confinement, 150+ books, and processing PTSD • Why mentoring lifers in prison became a consulting business • The PRICE Framework: Purpose, Recognition, Inspiration, Compassion, Education • Why leaders must lead themselves before leading others • AI as a tool for access, equity, and opportunity • Why the age of AI demands more human leadership, not less • The 90-day self-assessment Carlos recommends to leaders • What changed on his vision board—and why   About the Guest Carlos Vasquez is a speaker, author, leadership consultant, and founder of Life to Be Consulting Group, along with a nonprofit serving formerly incarcerated individuals and at-risk youth. He earned his psychology degree while incarcerated and developed the trauma-informed PRICE Method, which he now brings to healthcare systems, corporations, schools, and YPO events. His fifth book, The Leader’s PRICE: Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of AI, publishes May 2025. He also hosts the podcast Battles, featuring people who have overcome extraordinary adversity. Follow Carlos: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosvasquezofficial Order his book: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeULz50u7fuXsF5mAd-5ZywhEBk36LNyMffZ1UtUw8YnBbDrQ/viewform   About the Host Amanda Verner Thompson is the Founder of Madison Advisory AI, helping founders, operators, and investors navigate growth, capital strategy, and decision-making in healthcare. A former healthcare investment banker with nearly two decades of experience, Amanda has advised across behavioral health, post-acute care, and physician services. The Madison Advisory AI Podcast explores leadership, strategy, and technology—bringing together executives navigating complex decisions where human trust still matters most Follow Amanda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-verner-thompson/ Learn more: https://www.madisonadvisory.ai/

    37 min
  6. Connection Is the Key: What AI Can’t Replace in Therapy

    Apr 20

    Connection Is the Key: What AI Can’t Replace in Therapy

    Episode Summary When a teenager is in crisis, families are often navigating one of the most confusing moments of their lives—trying to understand what is happening, what level of care is appropriate, what resources exist, and what they can actually access. Adolescent behavioral health is complex, underfunded, and often misunderstood. Brent Esplin is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 25 years of experience in adolescent residential care. As Executive Director of Oasis, he leads a short-term, assessment-driven program designed to stabilize teens, clarify diagnosis, and help families chart a responsible path forward. In this episode, Amanda and Brent discuss Brent’s evolution from clinician to executive director, how Oasis built a hybrid model combining comprehensive assessment with short-term residential treatment, and what the insurance environment actually looks like for families trying to access care. They also explore two practical AI applications already being used at Oasis: AI-assisted clinical documentation that gives therapists more time with patients and families, and an AI aftercare planning pilot that helps teens and parents build aligned transition plans before discharge. The conversation closes on what Brent believes technology can never replace: the human connection between a therapist and a family in crisis—the foundation of real outcomes in behavioral health. What We Cover • Brent’s 25-year path from therapist to executive director • The Oasis model: comprehensive assessment + short-term residential treatment • Why experiential therapy matters—including the skiing story and resilience • The insurance and reimbursement realities of residential treatment • How Oasis built a more accessible model • AI-assisted clinical documentation and reducing therapist admin burden • AI-supported aftercare planning and aligning family expectations • What Brent wishes families understood before crisis hits • Why human connection remains the foundation of effective care About the Guest Brent Esplin, LMFT is the Executive Director of Oasis, a Utah-based adolescent residential treatment program focused on short-term stabilization, comprehensive assessment, and family-centered care. With more than two decades in behavioral health, Brent has served as a therapist, clinical director, admissions leader, and executive operator. Oasis helps families navigate crisis with a model designed to create clarity, access, and appropriate next steps—whether that means returning home, stepping into PHP/IOP care, or transitioning to longer-term treatment when necessary. Learn more: https://oasisascent.com/ About the Host Amanda Verner Thompson is the Founder of Madison Advisory AI, where she advises healthcare and professional services companies on strategic growth, capital planning, and practical AI implementation. A former healthcare investment banker with nearly two decades of experience, Amanda has advised founders, operators, and investors across behavioral health, post-acute care, and physician services. The Madison Advisory AI Podcast explores leadership, judgment, and technology—bringing together operators and executives navigating complex decisions where human trust still matters most. Learn more: https://www.madisonadvisory.ai/ Follow Amanda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-verner-thompson/

    43 min
  7. Adoption, Trust, and the AI Inflection Point

    Apr 6

    Adoption, Trust, and the AI Inflection Point

    Episode Summary Gregg Bauer has watched adoption curves play out for four decades — from pervasive computing before it was called IoT, through multiple market cycles, and now into AI. That experience gives him a grounded perspective that cuts through the noise around artificial intelligence. In this conversation, Gregg and Amanda explore why AI is being adopted at a pace that makes every prior technology look slow — and what’s still holding organizations back. While consumer adoption is accelerating, enterprise adoption remains constrained by data quality, security, and organizational change. Gregg also discusses the emerging role of small language models as a practical path for small and medium businesses, along with real-world healthcare applications including claims denial management, early neurological disease detection, and AI-driven dietary interventions. The conversation closes on a principle Gregg returns to throughout: AI augments people — it doesn’t replace them.   Key Themes Why AI Adoption Is Different This Time AI adoption is accelerating due to existing infrastructure, low experimentation cost, and immediate perceived value. But enterprise adoption still depends on trust, governance, and data readiness. Small Language Models and Practical AI Gregg distinguishes between large language models and smaller, domain-specific models that can be deployed on-premise, trained on proprietary data, and used as operational “coworkers.” AI as Augmentation, Not Replacement Organizations that focus on augmenting human judgment — rather than replacing people — are more likely to see successful adoption. Healthcare Applications Moving Beyond Hype Examples discussed include claims denial management, early neurological disease detection through wearables and voice analysis, and AI-driven dietary interventions for neurodegenerative disease.   About the Guest — Gregg Bauer Gregg Bauer is Managing Partner at Scale-Up Labs, a venture originating firm combining a venture studio, investment platform, and acceleration program connecting entrepreneurs from Latin America and Europe with U.S. capital markets. He began his career at Rockwell Corporation before building startups, including one of the earliest IoT companies, later taken public. He later formed Spinnaker Venture Partners, which evolved into Scale-Up Labs. His work today spans healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and energy sustainability, with a focus on applied AI and global company formation. Scale-Up Labs: https://www.scaleuplabs.vc/ Gregg Bauer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greggdbauer/   About the Host — Amanda Verner Thompson Amanda Verner Thompson is the Founder of Madison Advisory AI, a strategic advisory firm focused on helping founders, operators, and advisors navigate growth, capital strategy, and decision-making in an evolving market environment. A former healthcare investment banker with nearly two decades of experience, Amanda launched the Madison Advisory AI Podcast to explore how leadership, capital, and technology are reshaping advisory businesses and ownership transitions. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-verner-thompson/ Website: https://madisonadvisory.ai

    44 min
  8. Beyond Private Equity: The Overlooked Exit Path for Founder-Led Companies

    Mar 30

    Beyond Private Equity: The Overlooked Exit Path for Founder-Led Companies

    Episode Summary In this episode of the Madison Advisory AI Podcast, Amanda Verner Thompson speaks with Brandt Brereton about the evolving lower middle market and why private equity is no longer the default path for founder-led companies. Drawing on decades of investment banking experience, Brandt explains how the internet and the explosion of private equity fundamentally changed the advisory landscape — and why Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) are emerging as a compelling alternative for owners focused on legacy, governance, and long-term value. The conversation explores common misconceptions about ESOPs, the role of trusted advisors in shaping exit decisions, and how new capital structures are making ESOPs more viable than ever. Amanda and Brandt also discuss how AI and technology are improving education, decision-making, and client engagement in advisory businesses. This discussion offers founders, advisors, and investors a thoughtful look at ownership transitions — and why understanding the full decision tree matters more than ever.   Key Takeaways Private equity is not the only path for founder-led companiesThe internet and capital abundance changed the investment banking modelESOPs can provide liquidity while preserving culture and governanceBusiness owners often misjudge trade-offs in exit decisionsCPAs and advisors play a critical role in shaping ownership transitionsESOPs function as a trust — not a traditional third-party buyerEmployees do not control operations in an ESOP structureNew capital sources are expanding ESOP viabilityAI is improving client education and advisory efficiency  About the Guest — Brandt Brereton Brandt Brereton is a long-time lower middle market investment banker and founder of Perpetuate Capital, a firm focused on ESOP-based ownership transitions and structured equity solutions. With decades of experience advising founder-led businesses, Brandt focuses on helping owners preserve legacy, maintain governance, and achieve liquidity through alternative capital structures. His work centers on expanding awareness of ESOPs and educating founders and advisors on ownership transition strategies beyond traditional private equity. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandtbrereton/ Website: https://www.perpetuatecapital.com/   About the Host — Amanda Verner Thompson Amanda Verner Thompson is the Founder of Madison Advisory AI, a strategic advisory firm focused on helping founders, operators, and advisors navigate growth, capital strategy, and decision-making in an evolving market environment. A former healthcare investment banker with nearly two decades of experience, Amanda launched the Madison Advisory AI Podcast to explore how leadership, capital, and technology are reshaping advisory businesses and ownership transitions. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-verner-thompson/ Website: https://madisonadvisoryai.com Madison Advisory AI Podcast The Madison Advisory AI Podcast explores how leaders navigate strategy, capital, and change — with a focus on thoughtful conversations, real-world insights, and long-term decision making.

    35 min
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About

The Madison Advisory AI Podcast explores how leaders navigate a world where technology and AI are accelerating decisions—but where judgment, trust, and experience still matter more than ever. Hosted by Amanda Verner Thompson, a healthcare investment banker and founder of Madison Advisory AI, the show features candid conversations with founders, operators, advisors, and executives who understand that good advice isn't about products or algorithms—it's about asking the right questions at the right time. Each episode examines how trusted advisors think through complexity, make decisions in moments that matter, and use technology as an amplifier—not a replacement—for seasoned judgment. For leaders who value substance over speed, and perspective over hype.

Information

  • Creator
    Amanda Verner Thompson
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Amanda Verner Thompson
  • Show Website
    Madison Advisory AI Podcast