Podcast Summary: DGTL Voices with Ed Marx

Episode: Facing Healthcare Realities: A Call to Action (ft. Pranam Ben)

Date: December 11, 2025
Host: Ed Marx
Guest: Pranam Ben, CEO of The Garage

Overview of the Episode

This episode of DGTL Voices features a deep and engaging conversation between host Ed Marx and guest Pranam Ben, CEO of The Garage, a company focused on value-based care solutions in healthcare. The discussion spans Pranam’s unique personal journey from humble beginnings in South India to leading innovative healthcare transformation in the United States. Key topics include the entrepreneurial path in healthcare, innovations in digital health, leadership philosophies, and a passionate call to collective action to address the pressing realities of the U.S. healthcare system.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Pranam’s Background and Motivation for Change

• Early Life & Inspiration (02:42–04:25)
  • Born in Bangalore, South India, in a lower-middle-class family of five.
  • Overcame adversity, including his father’s passing from cardiac arrest—an event that shaped his drive to achieve what his father dreamed of.
  • Developed a deep-rooted humility and a drive for continuous learning:

    “This is just the beginning...Regardless of how far we have come, regardless of how much we think we’ve accomplished, there’s always things to learn, there’s always things to do.” – Pranam Ben (02:03)

2. Journey Into Healthcare and Entrepreneurship

• First Exposure to Healthcare Tech (04:58–06:56)

  • Pranam joined a startup in Orlando building patient check-in kiosks for hospitals.
  • Personal negative experience as a patient in an ER sparked his resolve to improve patient experiences using technology and data.

    “Imagine the seniors in the country that have to go through this multiple times a year… And that triggered this urge to want to do something about it.” – Pranam Ben (06:20)

• Startup Success and Vision for The Garage (07:17–09:59)

  • Identified and addressed healthcare process gaps through targeted, incremental solutions.
  • Successful acquisition of his first company led to the creation of The Garage—designed as a hub for value-based innovation in healthcare.

    "Value-based care is going to warrant… a major disruption. It will warrant groundbreaking innovation." – Pranam Ben (08:45)

3. The Garage: Mission, Approach, and Impact

• Company Ethos and Mascot (10:19–10:57)

  • The Garage is built on honesty, relentless innovation, and patient-centricity.
  • The vibrant mascot "Blaze" embodies energy and positivity—a reflection of the company's spirit.

    “Blaze was conceived and designed even before I named the company... it has energy, it has positivity, it has a strong vibe to it.” – Pranam Ben (10:35)

• Role in Value-Based Care (11:14–13:39)

  • The Garage serves as a platform (“the operating system”) enabling providers to transition to and thrive in value-based care models.
  • Offers unique playbooks and hands-on support for health systems and practices aiming for value-based transformation.

• Patient-Centered Technology (13:57–15:13)

  • Strong emphasis that all technology, whether direct or indirect, should improve patient outcomes.

    “There’s nothing that we do that is patient irrelevant. Everything we do is patient relevant.” – Pranam Ben (14:20)

4. Leadership Philosophy & Company Culture

• Authentic, Long-Term Partnerships (15:32–16:38)

  • Rejects purely transactional projects in favor of strategic, mission-aligned relationships.
  • Personally accessible to every client—emphasizing team integration over vendor relationships.

    "You won’t see us as a vendor, you will see us as one of your own..." – Pranam Ben (16:13)

• Culture of Transparency and Humility (16:55–17:19)

  • Open office environment, no walls or barriers—encouraging direct communication and teamwork.

    “…the culture is designed to allow for that level of transparency and commitment to play out as well.” – Pranam Ben (17:10)

5. Innovation and Staying Ahead with Technology

• Measured, Patient Approach to AI (17:44–19:23)
  • Pranam emphasizes focusing on real-world application over “chasing hype,” taking nine months to craft The Garage’s AI strategy.
  • Internal lab "Mozart" ensures the organization remains at the forefront without losing focus or creating friction.

    "For me, the A in AI is applied." – Pranam Ben (17:59)

6. Lessons from Cricket & Leadership

• Passion and Hard Work (19:51–21:33)
  • Passion from cricket translates into business and entrepreneurship—it cannot be faked; must be all-in.
  • Emphasizes hard work and relentless practice, channeling the mentality of elite athletes.

    “There’s no shortcut to it…that 4am is just a metaphor for what that meant, that hard work, that ethic, that commitment.” – Pranam Ben (20:52)

7. Creativity, Authenticity, and Personal Growth

• Sustaining Creativity (21:51–22:32)

  • Finds creative inspiration through a disciplined lifestyle and family activities.
  • The company’s brand identity is rooted in being distinct and creative from day one.

    “We’re going to do something big and we’re going to do it different.” – Pranam Ben (22:57)

• Values from Upbringing (23:48–25:19)

  • The importance of kindness regardless of circumstance and creative problem-solving inherited from his parents.

• Advice to the Next Generation (25:24–25:47)

  • Encourages his daughter (and listeners) to:

    “Never stop believing in yourself… don’t follow the common path. Be a trailblazer. Chart your own path.” – Pranam Ben (25:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "This is just the beginning." (Pranam Ben, 02:03)
  A mantra underscoring humility and the constant pursuit of growth.

• "For me, the A in AI is applied." (Pranam Ben, 17:59)
  Highlights a grounded, practical approach to innovation.

• "There's nothing that we do that is patient irrelevant. Everything we do is patient relevant." (Pranam Ben, 14:20)
  Central philosophy driving The Garage’s work.

• "You won't see us as a vendor, you will see us as one of your own." (Pranam Ben, 16:13)
  Speaks to the deep, strategic partnerships The Garage seeks.

• Advice to his daughter: "Never stop believing in yourself. Don’t follow the common path. Be a trailblazer. Chart your own path.” (25:34)

Important Timestamps

• 01:23 – Musical influences and playlist discussion
• 02:03 – Pranam shares his life mantra
• 02:53 – 04:25 – Early life in India and his father’s influence
• 04:58 – 06:56 – Entry into healthcare and life-changing ER experience
• 07:17 – 09:59 – First company and the birth of The Garage
• 10:19 – 10:57 – Story behind the company mascot and branding
• 11:14 – 13:39 – The Garage’s mission, partnerships, and value-based care approach
• 13:57 – 15:13 – Ensuring all technology drives positive patient impact
• 15:32 – 17:19 – Preferred customer relationships and company culture
• 17:44 – 19:23 – Strategies for innovation and adopting AI
• 19:51 – 21:33 – Leadership lessons from cricket and athlete mentality
• 23:48 – 25:19 – Parental values, creativity, and their influence
• 25:24 – 25:47 – Career advice for the next generation
• 26:48 – 27:54 – Pranam’s call to collective action in healthcare

Call to Action & Closing Thoughts

• Pranam closes with a passionate appeal for collective awareness and engagement:

  “Sometimes we tend to be ignorant to the challenges healthcare faces until it happens to us. My only message… is healthcare is important to all… it’ll take the entire village to drive the outcomes we all deserve.” (26:48–27:54)

For more engaging conversations on healthcare innovation, leadership, and technology, subscribe to DGTL Voices.