In this special Friends with Benefits episode of The EOB Podcast, Justin and Julie sit down with Jessica Brooks Woods, healthcare leader, executive, and Founder of the newly launched Health Intelligence Network (HIN). This episode was filmed April 16, 2026.

Jessica has spent her career bringing together employers, policymakers, consultants, innovators, and healthcare leaders to tackle some of the industry's biggest challenges. In this conversation, she shares the personal experiences that shaped her mission, why collaboration is the key to meaningful healthcare transformation, and how AI may fundamentally change the way we solve healthcare's most complex problems.

The discussion covers:

🔹 The story behind launching Health Intelligence Network (HIN)

🔹 Why healthcare doesn't have an information problem—it has a cohesion problem

🔹 Trust as healthcare's biggest challenge

🔹 AI's role in the future of healthcare and benefits consulting

🔹 Why collaboration beats competition when solving healthcare problems

🔹 The power of employer coalitions and collective action

🔹 Healthcare innovation, transparency, and leadership

🔹 Building businesses that create impact while remaining profitable

One of the most memorable takeaways: "We're not lacking information. We're lacking cohesion." Whether you're an employer, benefits professional, consultant, healthcare executive, entrepreneur, or simply interested in the future of healthcare, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on leadership, innovation, and creating meaningful change.

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