Flourish with Sarah Richardson

This Week Health

Technology changes fast, yet leadership is still about people. “Flourish” is your dose of inspiration, growth, and practical wisdom in healthcare IT. Hosted by Sarah Richardson—health system executive and trusted mentor, this channel shares personal stories, career journeys, and leadership lessons from across the industry. Whether it’s a rapid-fire Q&A, a culture-building conversation, or a behind-the-scenes look at someone’s career pivot, each episode helps health leaders thrive in work and life. Because in healthcare, flourishing people build flourishing systems.

  1. Flourish: Extraordinary Ordinary Women and Finding Your Worth with Mandy Crosby

    MAY 6

    Flourish: Extraordinary Ordinary Women and Finding Your Worth with Mandy Crosby

    April 21, 2026: What happens when a young mother with no plan, no car, and no housing decides she's done surviving and ready to lead? Lead Consultant and Author of “Extraordinary Ordinary Women,” Mandy Crosby joins host Sarah Richardson to share the unfiltered story behind her journey from medical assistant to healthcare IT executive advisor. From the leader who refused to put her on a do-not-hire list to the moment she raised her hand for Epic training and changed her career forever, Mandy's story explores potential, grace, and legacy. Key Points: 05:27 Second Chances at Work 09:41 Seeds and Self-Worth 15:19 Give Flowers and Intuition 20:49 Mentorship Skills Inventory 26:15 Speed Round X: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

    35 min
  2. The 229 Podcast: New Host, New Format, Same Mission with Sarah and Bill

    APR 17

    The 229 Podcast: New Host, New Format, Same Mission with Sarah and Bill

    April 16, 2026: Something big is changing at This Week Health, and it starts with this episode. Bill Russell sits down with Sarah Richardson to announce that Flourish, the beloved show Sarah has helmed since joining TWH, is joining the 229 Podcast. But this isn't a step back; it's a consolidation of purpose. Bill and Sarah unpack why simplifying to a single channel better serves the healthcare IT community, what listeners can expect going forward, and why the conversations that happened on Flourish aren't going away, just coming home. Keep up to date on the latest in health IT: https://thisweekhealth.com/news/ Key Points: 02:30 Flourish Joins 22908:06 Signal Reports And AI16:52 City Tour Plans21:55 Fundraising Rides Events X: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

    33 min
  3. Flourish Soundbytes: Surviving a High Risk Pregnancy and Finding Purpose With Ashley Jester

    MAY 6

    Flourish Soundbytes: Surviving a High Risk Pregnancy and Finding Purpose With Ashley Jester

    April 16, 2026: In this personal and powerful episode of Flourish Soundbytes, Sarah Richardson welcomes healthcare leader and author of “Poppy’s Story” Ashley Jester for a conversation that goes far beyond professional achievement. Ashley shares the journey of her pregnancy, one that shifted from joyful expectation to a fight for life. Ashley reflects on how purpose conquered pain, what she wishes the healthcare system had offered her, and how her daughter, nearly three years old and thriving, continues to inspire every single day. Key Points: 01:00 Ashley’s Healthcare Path 02:37 Pregnancy Turns Critical 10:14 Purpose Over Pain 15:02 Advocacy and New Normal X: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

    21 min
  4. Newsday: AI, EHRs, and the Fight Health Systems Can't Ignore with Jacob Hansen

    APR 13

    Newsday: AI, EHRs, and the Fight Health Systems Can't Ignore with Jacob Hansen

    April 13, 2026: Jacob Hansen, Chief Product and Technology Officer at AvaSure, joins Bill, Drex, and Sarah on Newsday for a conversation about the data governance battles quietly reshaping AI. From who owns AI model improvements derived from a health system's environment to whether EHRs should have control over how that data is used, Jacob pulls no punches. The conversation also tackles the evolving CIO title, the future of computer science careers in an AI-driven world, and why nursing may be one of the most AI-resilient roles in healthcare. Key Points: 01:07 CIO to CTDO Shift06:52 Data Ownership and Governance13:24 AI Transparency and Governance21:00 Careers and AI Future Keep up to date on the latest in health IT: https://thisweekhealth.com/news/ X: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

    28 min
  5. Flourish Soundbytes: From Patient to Advocate - Healthcare Needs Your Story with Grace Vinton

    MAY 6

    Flourish Soundbytes: From Patient to Advocate - Healthcare Needs Your Story with Grace Vinton

    April 9, 2026: What happens when a healthcare communications professional becomes the patient no one listened to? Grace Vinton, Director of Media Relations at Supreme Communications and Host of the “HITea With Grace” podcast, joins Sarah Richardson on Flourish Soundbytes. From making the case for patients on innovation panels to arguing that caregivers deserve a seat at the governance table, Grace challenges the industry to move from treating patients as case studies to recognizing them as lived experience experts. It’s not just right, it's financially genius. Keep up to date on the latest in health IT: https://thisweekhealth.com/news/ Key Points: 01:21 Storytelling to Advocacy 06:43 Caregivers Need a Seat 10:19 Chief Patient Officer 19:35 AI Tech Stack and Wrap

    28 min
  6. Newsday: Healthcare Caught in the Crossfire of Iran War with Drex and Sarah

    APR 6

    Newsday: Healthcare Caught in the Crossfire of Iran War with Drex and Sarah

    April 6, 2026: The rules of warfare have changed, and health systems are caught in the middle. On this episode of Newsday, Sarah Richardson and Drex DeFord break down two stories that should be on every healthcare leader's radar: the IRGC's declaration that major tech companies are now legitimate combatants, and what the Stryker attack reveals about the fragility of the healthcare supply chain. From cloud co-location risk to vendor contract language, this conversation reframes what resilience planning actually demands in 2026. Stay a little paranoid. Key Points: 02:04 Iran Targets Tech Giants08:52 Resilience and Supply Chain12:27 CISO Storytelling and Contracts17:10 Cyber Reality and Wrap Up Keep up to date on the latest in health IT: https://thisweekhealth.com/news/ X: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

    21 min
  7. Flourish Soundbytes: The Only Woman in the Room - Grit and Knowing When to Leave with Lisa Davis

    MAY 6

    Flourish Soundbytes: The Only Woman in the Room - Grit and Knowing When to Leave with Lisa Davis

    March 31, 2026: For decades, Lisa Davis was often the only woman in the room, navigating the highest levels of corporate leadership while quietly asking the questions so many women dare not voice out loud. Now, as Founder and CEO of Davis Core Advisory and author of the upcoming book “The Only Woman in the Room”, Lisa joins Sarah to unpack why the workplace system hasn't kept pace with women's ambitions, what separates healthy perseverance from fear-based endurance, and why the rise of AI makes diverse voices more urgent than ever. Key Points: 03:56 Why Work Still Penalizes Women 06:40 Stay, Stretch, Or Leave 14:25 Leadership Identity Lessons 20:04 Book Launch And Farewell X: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

    23 min
  8. Executive Interview: How Carahsoft Connects Healthcare to What Works with Rob Courtney

    MAY 6

    Executive Interview: How Carahsoft Connects Healthcare to What Works with Rob Courtney

    March 25, 2026: How can healthcare organizations move faster on adopting new technology while navigating complex procurement processes? Rob Courtney, Healthcare CTO at Carahsoft, joins Sarah Richardson at HIMSS to share how Carahsoft is bridging that gap. By acting as a master aggregator, Carahsoft helps vendors access the healthcare market while giving providers vetted solutions that solve real problems. From driving demand through events and marketing to simplifying contracting with pre-built agreements, the model accelerates both discovery and decision-making. Rob also highlights emerging innovations, including AI-powered revenue cycle tools and clinical solutions that improve outcomes and reduce costs—showing how the right partnerships can deliver measurable impact across healthcare. Key Points: Carahsoft’s Model Explained What CIOs Should Look for in Vendors AI Driving Financial and Clinical Outcomes Reducing Procurement Friction and Sales Cycles3

    21 min
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About

Technology changes fast, yet leadership is still about people. “Flourish” is your dose of inspiration, growth, and practical wisdom in healthcare IT. Hosted by Sarah Richardson—health system executive and trusted mentor, this channel shares personal stories, career journeys, and leadership lessons from across the industry. Whether it’s a rapid-fire Q&A, a culture-building conversation, or a behind-the-scenes look at someone’s career pivot, each episode helps health leaders thrive in work and life. Because in healthcare, flourishing people build flourishing systems.

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