Early 2026 Trends: With Hosts Liv and Matt

In this episode of Inside the Practice, Olivia Wolf and Matt Shortt unpack some of the biggest trends already shaping healthcare in early 2026—including patient access strategies, payer complexity, AI adoption, and organizational culture. Drawing from recent conferences and on-the-ground consulting work in practices across the country, Liv and Matt explore how leaders are navigating physician shortages, evolving patient expectations, and the explosion of healthcare technology vendors. The conversation dives into the promises and pitfalls of AI, the growing importance of trust and transparency in workplace culture, and why intentional leadership—not “the way we’ve always done it”—will determine which practices thrive in the years ahead.This episode is equal parts practical, philosophical, and future-focused—and a reminder that healthcare leaders must stay curious, adaptable, and just rebellious enough to challenge broken systems.