Welcome to the Renaissance Series of the Thousand Stories Podcast. Host Justin Brown, former Secretary of Human Services for Oklahoma, introduces a new era of innovation and transformation, moving beyond negative headlines to explore how leaders are building connected, human-centered systems.
In this episode, Justin and co-host Luke Williams are joined by a panel of "battle-tested leaders" who have transitioned from public service to driving change in the private sector: Robert Hobbelman, Laura Zeilinger, and Sean Toole. Together, they discuss why the convergence of seasoned leadership, a deeper understanding of social determinants, and emerging technology has placed the industry at the "dawn of a renaissance".
In this conversation, the panel explores:
• Culture vs. Capacity: How agencies can shift from transactional processing to relational support by addressing workforce shortages and building a culture that is trauma-informed and outcomes-driven.
• Elevating the Customer Experience: Why government digital services must rival private sector experiences (like Amazon) to build trust, and the powerful shift from "meeting people where they are" to "meeting them where they dream".
• Removing Systemic Barriers: Utilizing data integration and AI to reduce the "scarcity tax" on families, eliminating the need for repetitive paperwork and in-person office visits.
• The Role of Technology: How AI agents and data sharing (similar to the IRS/FAFSA model) can unlock organizational capacity, allowing social workers to focus on solving complex problems rather than administrative tasks.
• Public-Private Partnerships: How former government leaders and the private sector can collaborate to manage risk and drive the bold action necessary for genuine transformation.
Join us for a deep dive into the future of Health and Human Services, where efficiency meets empathy to unleash human potential.
