The 2025 Off the Chart Holiday Spectacular

Two hours. One studio. Zero confetti (almost).

In the 2025 Off the Chart Holiday Spectacular, Off the Chart hosts Keith Reynolds and Austin Littrell race to clean the studio before a holiday party — and along the way, revisit some of the most important conversations of the year.

Listeners hear from Anders Gilberg of MGMA on what 2026 health care policy could actually bring for physician payment, prior authorization and value-based care. Deepika Srivastava breaks down how artificial intelligence is reshaping malpractice risk and what physicians need to do now to protect themselves.

David Tawes of the HHS Office of Inspector General offers a clear warning on skin substitutes and sketchy offers targeting primary care. The episode also revisits leadership lessons from Dave Gans, practical branding advice from Scott Bartnick, and a quick victory lap from the show’s 100th episode.

It’s part year-in-review, part behind-the-scenes chaos and fully grounded in the real issues physicians are heading into the new year with — teamwork, boundaries and absolutely no confetti.

Happy holidays from the crew at Off the Chart: A Business of Medicine Podcast!

Don't miss our recent episodes on concierge medicine, physician engagement, vaccine skepticism and rapid testing.

Music Credits:
Joyful Christmas Adventure by TheRatu - stock.adobe.com
Various Holiday Songs by Elizabeth Klucher Reynolds

Editor's note: Episode timestamps and transcript produced using AI tools.

0:00–3:49
Cold open chaos: last-minute studio cleanup, holiday banter and rules about boxes, soundboards and “fast, ugly cleaning.”

3:49–4:39
The temptation to turn cleanup into a clip show — and why this year actually matters.

4:39–8:21
MGMA policy outlook: Anders Gilberg on what health care policy could realistically look like in 2026, from physician payment reform to prior authorization and value-based care tensions.

8:21–10:45
Back to cleaning: aging, disco lights, mystery cables and why some boxes must never be opened.

10:45–12:24
Artificial intelligence and malpractice risk: Deepika Srivastava on informed consent, documentation, AI scribes and why physicians remain ultimately responsible.

12:24–15:07
Mops, closets, confetti debates and the hidden costs of sticky floors.

15:07–16:27
Compliance warning for primary care: HHS Office of Inspector General’s David Tawes on skin substitutes, red flags and when “too good to be true” really is.

16:27–17:08
Banner hanging, tape as the “EHR of the party world” and clinical perfectionism.

17:08–18:08
Milestone moment: a quick victory lap from the Off the Chart 100th episode lightning round.

18:08–19:08
Holiday music, near-confetti incidents and metaphors for practice management debt.

19:08–20:33
Leadership and retention: Dave Gans on why taking care of staff directly improves efficiency and practice performance.

20:33–21:06
Mic stand mishaps and festive elbows.

21:06–22:11
Physician personal branding: Scott Bartnick on reviews, local reputation and why doctors don’t need national brands to stand out.

22:11–23:36
Final checks: chairs set, snacks staged, disco light defeated.

23:36–25:14
Wrap-up, holiday thanks, subscription reminders and a firm no-confetti policy.