Let's Chat Health Tech

Brendan McAdams

Let's Chat Health Tech Healthcare is changing. The business of changing it is complicated. Let's Chat Health Tech is a weekly, no-fluff conversation built for the people in the middle of that work — founders and operators building health tech solutions, leaders selling into health systems and health plans, and the buyers, investors, and builders trying to separate what's real from what's aspirational. Every episode digs into the actual mechanics of how health tech succeeds (or doesn't): procurement committees, clinical workflows, privacy and security reviews, tight budgets, skeptical stakeholders, and the internal politics nobody puts in the pitch deck. Hosted by Brendan McAdams — with occasional appearances from co-host Larry Trotter — the show brings in guests who have been in the room: leaders at health tech companies, payer and provider executives, and the people who make deals happen (or kill them). We cover: Where healthcare is headed — and what's quietly breaking underneath itThe obstacles that slow adoption: pilots, integration, compliance, and change managementOpportunities hiding in plain sight — workflows nobody owns, metrics nobody tracks, budgets nobody thinks to ask aboutPractical strategies for breaking into health systems and plansHow teams build momentum: finding champions, navigating objections, and earning trust with clinicians and administrators who've already seen every shiny demo If you're building, selling, buying, or investing in health tech — this show is for you. Plus, we have fun. About the Host Brendan McAdams has spent more than two decades in the business of health tech — as a founder, sales strategist, and advisor to companies trying to navigate some of the most complex buying environments in any industry. He's the founder of Kiinetics, a boutique sales strategy and consulting practice that helps health tech companies sharpen their go-to-market, build repeatable sales processes, and close more of the deals they're already working. He's also the author of Sales Craft and a Techstars All-Star Mentor — recognized among the top 4% of mentors in the global network. Brendan brings the same directness to this show that he brings to client work: no fluff, no theoretical frameworks, just honest conversation about what's actually working in health tech sales right now — and why.

  1. 2d ago

    The Hidden Playbook for Selling AI Into Community Health Centers

    Summary Chris Grasso, healthcare technology executive and founder of FastX Partners, joins Brendan McAdams to unpack how federally qualified health centers think about technology, why vendors often miss the mark, and where AI is already creating practical value. The conversation is especially useful for anyone selling into FQHCs, rural care, or complex healthcare delivery organizations. Guest Bio Chris Grasso is an experienced and forward-thinking healthcare technology executive with over 30 years of experience, including 20 years at a FQHC, driving technological innovation and digital transformation. Chris served as Chief Information Officer at Fenway Health, where she led technology strategy, data analytics, telehealth, and research initiatives, including a successful Epic Electronic Health Record (EHR) implementation. Chris designed and implemented innovative healthcare technology solutions that streamlined processes, improved patient care, and enhanced operational efficiency. In 2024, she founded FASTx Partners, a fractional executive firm, where she specializes in aligning technology and analytics strategies with business objectives. Her expertise spans information technology, cybersecurity, AI, analytics, health equity, and governance. Chris has a proven track record of leading multi-functional teams and designing innovative healthcare technology solutions to build more effective and inclusive systems. Chris is a recognized thought leader in healthcare technology, with numerous peer-reviewed publications and frequent speaking engagements at major conferences. She served on several advisory boards, contributing to initiatives focused on digital tools and health equity. Her commitment to advancing technology for underserved populations is central to her work. fastxpartners.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grasso Chapters 00:00 - Meet Chris Grasso and FastX Partners 03:10 - What Makes FQHCs Different 06:46 - Medicaid Changes and the Pressure on Health Centers 08:31 - How Vendors Can Better Serve FQHCs 13:24 - Choosing the Right AI Use Cases 17:32 - Where AI Delivers the Most Value 20:16 - Why Healthcare AI Implementations Stall 22:23 - Building Buy-In Across the Organization 26:09 - Customer Success, Trust, and Strong References 34:13 - Preparation, Regulation, and Closing Advice Selling into health plans and health systems isn’t for the faint of heart. The buyers are busy and overwhelmed, the sales cycles are long, and everyone wants a pilot before they commit to anything bigger. Sign up for our newsletter to get: Strategic Sales Tips: Proven methods for shortening long cycles and securing commitments.Health Tech Updates: The latest news on market trends and payer requirements.Sales Guides: Frameworks to move beyond the pilot phase and into full-scale implementation. https://kiinetics.com/new-sub-nl/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanmcadams/

    The Hidden Playbook for Selling AI Into Community Health Centers
  2. Aug 12

    Stop Selling Healthcare Like It’s One Market

    Summary This episode breaks down a practical sales and messaging idea for healthcare companies: the U.S. healthcare market is not one uniform system, but 50 different state markets with different regulations, buying pressures, and opportunities. Brendan McAdams explains how state-specific intelligence can help you stand out, handle objections earlier, and build messaging that actually resonates with health plans, hospitals, provider groups, and health system executives. Topics Brendan McAdams argues that healthcare in the United States should be treated as 50 separate markets, not one national market.He explains how state-level regulation creates both complexity and opportunity for more targeted sales and marketing.The episode emphasizes using real healthcare intelligence to speak credibly with hospital, health plan, and provider executives.Brendan notes that many healthcare buyers are flooded with generic outreach, including AI-generated cold email and repetitive sales decks.He recommends differentiating by understanding a prospect’s state geography, regulatory posture, and operational constraints.In heavily regulated states like California and New York, messaging should show how a solution satisfies specific requirements.In lighter-touch states, messaging can focus on speed, flexibility, and preparing for future regulation.Brendan suggests using compliance knowledge to address objections before they come up.He recommends building a grid or breakdown of state regulations to customize positioning by market.He also notes that AI itself is becoming more regulated in some states, making this approach increasingly relevant. Chapters 00:00 - Why healthcare is really 50 different markets 00:58 - State-by-state variation creates opportunity 01:53 - Generic healthcare messaging gets ignored 02:52 - Use regulatory posture as sales intelligence 03:21 - Heavy-regulation states vs light-touch states 04:19 - How to use compliance to handle objections early 05:16 - Why lighter-regulation states still matter 06:12 - Build a state regulation grid for sharper messaging 07:05 - Why tailored messages resonate more than generic decks Selling into health plans and health systems isn’t for the faint of heart. The buyers are busy and overwhelmed, the sales cycles are long, and everyone wants a pilot before they commit to anything bigger. Sign up for our newsletter to get: Strategic Sales Tips: Proven methods for shortening long cycles and securing commitments.Health Tech Updates: The latest news on market trends and payer requirements.Sales Guides: Frameworks to move beyond the pilot phase and into full-scale implementation.https://kiinetics.com/new-sub-nl/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanmcadams/

    Stop Selling Healthcare Like It’s One Market
  3. Jul 29

    How AI Is Revolutionizing Autism & ADHD Diagnostics by Cutting Over 80% of Assessments Times

    Summary In this episode of Let's Chat Health Tech, Dr. Jan Cosgrave shares how her company Neurotype leverages AI to drastically reduce autism and ADHD assessment times, transforming healthcare access. She discusses the challenges crossing UK and US markets, the nuances of healthcare system differences, and strategies for scaling innovative solutions globally. Guest Bio Dr. Jan Cosgrave is a clinical psychologist and the CEO and co-founder of Neurotype, a venture-backed AI platform that helps clinicians cut the time it takes to write autism and ADHD diagnostic reports from several hours to under 45 minutes, all while keeping the clinician in full control of every word. Jan's mission is rooted in the frontline. Having worked directly in neurodevelopmental assessment services, she saw first-hand the human cost of diagnostic waiting lists — delays that keep people from accessing care, with real costs to their health, education, and employment. She built Neurotype with a clear mission: to end the waiting lists. Neurotype is now expanding into the US market, working with major provider systems and academic institutions to bring faster, clinician-led assessments to a healthcare system where neurodevelopmental waitlists can stretch for months or years. Jan holds a PhD from Oxford and a Clinical Doctorate from UCL, and was a Fulbright Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania. She is a venture partner with The Tech Bros, the world's first all-female, all-technical accelerator, where she champions the next generation of women building in deep tech. She is also a regular voice on the ethics of AI in healthcare and is passionate about what responsible, clinician-led technology can do for people who have waited too long to be understood. www.neurotype.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jan-cosgrave-b89b211ab/ Takeaways The origin story of Neurotype and the motivation driven by long waiting times for assessmentsHow Neurotype automates the diagnostic reporting process, reducing hours to minutesThe importance of data collection at assessment points for better diagnostics and predictive modelingDifferences between UK’s socialized healthcare and the US’s capitalist model and their impact on product designStrategies for successful entry into complex healthcare markets, including the role of champions and understanding reimbursementLessons learned through accelerator programs like Techstars, including the value of domain expertise and tailored mentorshipApproaches to demonstrating ROI in different healthcare systems and building buy-in from multiple stakeholdersThe benefits of US market culture’s openness to innovation and plentiful pathways for market entry Selling into health plans and health systems isn’t for the faint of heart. The buyers are busy and overwhelmed, the sales cycles are long, and everyone wants a pilot before they commit to anything bigger. Sign up for our newsletter to get: Strategic Sales Tips: Proven methods for shortening long cycles and securing commitments.Health Tech Updates: The latest news on market trends and payer requirements.Sales Guides: Frameworks to move beyond the pilot phase and into full-scale implementation.https://kiinetics.com/new-sub-nl/

    How AI Is Revolutionizing Autism & ADHD Diagnostics by Cutting Over 80% of Assessments Times
  4. Jul 22

    How to Apply to a Startup Accelerator (Without Wasting Everyone’s Time)

    Summary In this episode, Brendan McAdams shares ten essential strategies for crafting compelling applications to health tech accelerators, drawn from his decade of experience mentoring and running programs. Whether you're aiming for mentorship, funding, or industry connections, these tips will help you stand out and maximize your chances. Takeaways Clarify your unique value proposition and keep your application concise and specific to avoid confusion.Understand your healthcare business model, including reimbursement methods, industry trends, and your target customer.Clearly articulate what you seek from the accelerator—be it mentorship, funding, or strategic introductions.Demonstrate your contribution to the cohort, highlighting skills or expertise that add value.Explain how you plan to use any investment money, focusing on growth activities like product development or marketing.Build relationships with accelerator staff and participants beforehand, including personalized outreach and short introductory videos.Target the right accelerators for your stage, sector, and geographic focus; emphasize relevant traction or pilot results.Showcase tangible progress at demo day, such as new deals, customer wins, or revenue growth.Follow up after rejection to gather feedback and leave doors open for future opportunities.Remember, applying to accelerators is fundamentally a sales process—both for your startup and your personal brand. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction: Applying to health tech accelerators and why it matters 00:30 - The value of accelerators: Skills sharpening, mentorship, and momentum 01:28 - Key point 1: Be concise, clear, and specific in your application 02:49 - Know your business: Revenue streams, reimbursement codes, and industry trends 04:14 - Defining your ideal customer and understanding the healthcare landscape 05:41 - Clarify what you want from the accelerator—mentorship, funding, or connections 06:37 - Show how you can contribute to the cohort’s success 07:06 - Explain your planned use of funds with specific, deliberate objectives 08:01 - Build relationships before applying: outreach, networking, and video introduction 09:58 - Focus on applying to the right accelerator for your stage and sector 10:56 - Highlight your traction: pipeline, pilots, or customer conversations 11:55 - Preparing for demo day: showcasing wins and progress 12:53 - Post-rejection follow-up: seeking feedback and keeping options open 14:19 - Applying these lessons: Selling, marketing, and sales experience in the application process 15:15 - Conclusion: Sales and execution are key; Brendan offers help for health tech sales strategy https://kiinetics.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanmcadams/

    How to Apply to a Startup Accelerator (Without Wasting Everyone’s Time)
  5. Jul 15

    The AI-Driven Breakthrough Transforming Geriatric Behavioral Health Engagement

    Summary Discover how Vitalic is redefining behavioral health care for seniors through targeted engagement, strategic partnerships, and innovative AI applications. In this episode, Ben Gardner shares insights on market opportunities, navigating health plan sales, and the future landscape of health technology and risk management. Guest Bio Ben Gardner is a healthcare innovator with 25 years of experience scaling businesses at the intersection of payers and providers. As Co-Founder and CEO of Vitalic, he leads a world-class team in transforming senior behavioral healthcare. Ben’s career includes founding Linkwell Health, where he pioneered consumer engagement for major insurers like Anthem. He also led growth at Archway Health and Array Behavioral, driving significant expansion in data science and telepsychiatry. The foundation for Vitalic came from Ben’s insight into Medicare Advantage plans: while 70% of seniors never seek help for mental health needs, untreated depression causes medical costs to spiral. Vitalic solves this through proactive engagement, identifying at-risk seniors before a crisis to improve Star Ratings and reduce costs. Having raised $20M+ in venture capital and delivered multiple successful exits, Ben is uniquely positioned to scale Vitalic into a national platform that improves millions of lives. Takeaways The underserved behavioral health needs of the 65+ population and potential market sizeVitalic’s unique value proposition: proactive, episodic mental health care for seniorsThe importance of partnership with Medicare Advantage plans and risk-bearing providersStrategies for gaining stakeholder support within health plans and employer groupsThe role of specific metrics like PHQ-9 and depression follow-up in quality reporting and risk adjustmentOvercoming resistance: cultural stigma, capacity constraints, and market entry barriersHow AI enhances outreach, engagement, and clinical workflows, especially in populations difficult to reachThe potential for provider organizations to act as new risk carriers through AI-driven risk managementFuture industry shifts: hospital systems expanding into insurance and the democratization of risk management via AI Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Ben Gardner and Vitalic's mission 02:00 - Addressing behavioral health gaps among seniors 05:00 - The significance of specialty care for aging adults 08:00 - Strategic partnership with VNS Health and key sales lessons 11:00 - Tailoring messages for different health plan departments 14:00 - Using quality metrics like STAR ratings and risk adjustment codes 17:00 - The biggest obstacles in selling behavioral health solutions 20:00 - Harnessing AI for member engagement and clinical operations 23:00 - Future industry disruptions: hospitals, insurers, and technology 26:00 - Advice for health tech entrepreneurs entering the marketplace 29:00 - Contact and collaboration opportunities with Ben Gardner https://kiinetics.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanmcadams/

    The AI-Driven Breakthrough Transforming Geriatric Behavioral Health Engagement
  6. Jun 23 ·  Bonus

    The Simple Book Series That Could Transform Your Health Tech Sales Effectiveness

    Summary Introducing upcoming resources and a fresh season of the "Let's Chat Health Tech" podcast, focusing on practical sales insights and health tech industry trends. Takeaways Brendan McAdams discusses the upcoming "Salescraft Fundamentals" book series aimed at helping founders, salespeople, and health tech execs improve effectivenessThe series will contain concise, actionable sales tips tailored to the needs of health tech professionalsInsights on why focusing on specific, meaningful communication in healthcare sales is crucialAn overview of the upcoming podcast season, highlighting guests from various health tech and healthcare backgroundsBrendan encourages listener feedback on topics and sales challenges, emphasizing community involvement Chapters 00:00 Introduction to upcoming book series and podcast season 00:24 Overview of the "Salescraft Fundamentals" book series and its practical focus 00:47 The inspiration behind creating simple, impactful sales tips for health tech 01:10 Target audience: founders, salespeople, health tech executives 01:38 How the book series will be formatted and shared 02:03 Future updates and how to access tips via newsletter 02:27 Audience: anyone wanting to improve sales and engagement in health tech 02:53 Details about the new podcast season's theme on health tech sales execution 03:12 The importance of understanding healthcare operations and communicating with specificity 03:34 Preview of guest experts from health tech startups, health plans, and hospitals 03:56 Commitment to improving podcast production quality 04:22 Call for listener feedback and topic suggestions 04:36 Final thanks and sign-off https://kiinetics.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanmcadams/

    The Simple Book Series That Could Transform Your Health Tech Sales Effectiveness
  7. Jun 16

    How Deep Industry Knowledge Can Be Your Biggest Competitive Advantage in Health Tech

    Summary Learn how healthcare sales are evolving amidst regulatory challenges, technological disruptions, and new industry dynamics. Brendan McAdams shares practical tips on becoming a trusted advisor, understanding industry complexities, and positioning your solutions for success in this rapidly changing landscape. Takeaways The unique challenges of healthcare sales compared to other industriesWhy industry knowledge and detailed understanding are your competitive moatHow to communicate value effectively in complex healthcare dealsThe impact of AI and regulatory changes on healthcare technology salesPractical advice for engaging with providers and health plansThe importance of ongoing learning and industry immersionFuture trends in healthcare, including disruption and industry upheavalBrendan’s personal growth stories and resource recommendations Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Episode overview and season highlights. 00:28 Complexity in Healthcare Sales: Unique challenges and industry comparisons. 01:15 Expertise as a Competitive Edge: Building industry-specific knowledge. 02:30 Selling Solutions: Patient-facing vs. provider-facing challenges. 03:23 Navigating Regulations: Impact of new initiatives and system migrations. 04:42 AI and Healthcare: Disruptive technologies and market differentiation. 05:59 Engaging Providers: Strategies for effective communication and value delivery. 07:15 Continuous Learning: Importance of ongoing education and resources. 09:00 Industry Insights: Reflections on client work and future trends. 11:41 Closing Remarks: Upcoming season plans and listener engagement. https://kiinetics.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanmcadams/

    How Deep Industry Knowledge Can Be Your Biggest Competitive Advantage in Health Tech
  8. Jun 9

    Why Building Trusted Customer Relationships Is the Secret to Healthcare Startup Success

    Summary In this episode of Let's Chat Health Tech, Brendan McAdams interviews Mustafa Al-Adhami about his entrepreneurial journey, focusing on health tech device development, customer discovery, hospital partnerships, FDA approval, and navigating funding landscapes. Mustafa shares valuable lessons on building tech that hospitals trust, the importance of customer relationships, and strategies for success in regulated healthcare markets. Guest Bio Mustafa Al-Adhami, PhD, is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Astek Diagnostics and the inventor of the Jiddu Platform. Before pursuing his graduate work, he spent seven years in market discovery roles, during which he built and sold a software product. He subsequently earned his MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where the Jiddu Platform's technology was developed and where its foundational patents are held under license to the company. He is a named inventor on four issued patents and the author of nine peer-reviewed publications. He founded Astek to commercialize the platform. He is an Iraqi refugee who immigrated to the United States, and the personal story behind the company is described further in the inspiration section of this document. https://www.linkedin.com/in/maladhami https://astekdx.com/ Takeaways Mustafa's journey from refugee to founding AztecImportance of customer discovery in health tech startupsBuilding hospital relationships and identifying championsNavigating FDA pathways and pre-submission strategiesImpact of funding, hospital economics, and partnershipsLessons from Y Combinator in health device innovationTargeting high-priority markets like urology and inpatient careEffective hospital sales strategies and organizational dynamicsUsing relationships and credibility to scale health techFuture plans: FDA clearance, outpatient expansion, and cost-savings Chapters 00:00 Intro: Mustafa’s background in health tech/device dev. 01:29 Immigration story & early ventures. 02:25 Startup inspiration: Grandfather's UTI. 03:08 Customer discovery: Hypothesis testing & validation. 04:30 Interview techniques: Avoiding bias. 05:23 Validating fit: Confirmation & sign-offs. 06:31 Hospital engagement: Obtaining LOIs. 07:12 Socializing findings: Market insights. 07:49 Urology pivot: $1.1M clinician investment. 08:57 Market trends: Funding & AI. 10:23 Med Star: Strategic partnership & championing. 12:05 Scaling: Relationships & hospital support. 13:50 Impact: Cost savings, outcomes & health economics. 15:03 Y Combinator: Advice & healthcare skepticism. 17:15 Hospital sales: Sales champions & organizational nuances. 19:00 Emergency care: Sepsis management discovery. 21:30 Regulatory strategy: Outpatient shift & FDA timelines. 23:11 Startup advice: Data, pre-submissions & risk. 24:49 Reflections: Perseverance & industry validation. 25:53 Networking: LinkedIn & Aztec tech. https://kiinetics.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanmcadams/

    Why Building Trusted Customer Relationships Is the Secret to Healthcare Startup Success

About

Let's Chat Health Tech Healthcare is changing. The business of changing it is complicated. Let's Chat Health Tech is a weekly, no-fluff conversation built for the people in the middle of that work — founders and operators building health tech solutions, leaders selling into health systems and health plans, and the buyers, investors, and builders trying to separate what's real from what's aspirational. Every episode digs into the actual mechanics of how health tech succeeds (or doesn't): procurement committees, clinical workflows, privacy and security reviews, tight budgets, skeptical stakeholders, and the internal politics nobody puts in the pitch deck. Hosted by Brendan McAdams — with occasional appearances from co-host Larry Trotter — the show brings in guests who have been in the room: leaders at health tech companies, payer and provider executives, and the people who make deals happen (or kill them). We cover: Where healthcare is headed — and what's quietly breaking underneath itThe obstacles that slow adoption: pilots, integration, compliance, and change managementOpportunities hiding in plain sight — workflows nobody owns, metrics nobody tracks, budgets nobody thinks to ask aboutPractical strategies for breaking into health systems and plansHow teams build momentum: finding champions, navigating objections, and earning trust with clinicians and administrators who've already seen every shiny demo If you're building, selling, buying, or investing in health tech — this show is for you. Plus, we have fun. About the Host Brendan McAdams has spent more than two decades in the business of health tech — as a founder, sales strategist, and advisor to companies trying to navigate some of the most complex buying environments in any industry. He's the founder of Kiinetics, a boutique sales strategy and consulting practice that helps health tech companies sharpen their go-to-market, build repeatable sales processes, and close more of the deals they're already working. He's also the author of Sales Craft and a Techstars All-Star Mentor — recognized among the top 4% of mentors in the global network. Brendan brings the same directness to this show that he brings to client work: no fluff, no theoretical frameworks, just honest conversation about what's actually working in health tech sales right now — and why.