Benefitial Conversations explores the evolving world of employee benefits! Each episode dives into the trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the industry. Join us as we sit down with industry leaders, HR professionals, and thought leaders to discuss strategies for creating impactful benefits programs that support employees and drive organizational success. Whether you're an employer, consultant, or simply curious about the latest in benefits, Benefitial Conversations provides valuable insights, actionable advice, and inspiring stories to help you navigate the future of benefits.
In 2016, Phifer Inc. in Tuscaloosa had their moment.
The moment they realized the current trajectory of their health spend was not on a sustainable course and something had to be done. Instead of sticking their head in the sand waiting for things to get better, they got to work.
In this episode, Kat Cagle, Wellness and Internal Communications Director with Phifer, shares the innovative approach their company has taken to transform healthcare for employees through on-site clinics, direct contracts, and continuous improvement strategies.
Discover how data-driven decisions and a proactive mindset can lead to significant cost savings and healthier workforces. Hear what they've been able to accomplish in 10 years, and how they've significantly improved their overall plans, while keeping costs down.
28 Jul 2026
From Mercenary to Missionary
Reference-Based Pricing used to be a four-letter word in this industry. Jimmy Madeksho, Regional Vice President at AMS, explains why that changed. He shares how RBP delivered a 48% cost reduction for one client. He tells the story of negotiating an EEG bill for his daughter from $1,100 down to $157. And he talks about his shift from broker to vendor, where he now trains the consultants he used to compete with.
This episode covers what RBP actually is, why employers should stop fearing it, and how education is the real key to making it work.
23 Jun 2026
Next Level Medical & Value Based Care
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Juliet Breeze, CEO & Founder of Next Level Medical, as she shares her journey from healthcare provider to innovator in advanced primary care.
We discuss her epiphany moment when her own plan saved $500K in year one from this approach and how she realized this could be a solution for other businesses.
She shares how her model saves employers significant plan dollars while improving employee health. Dr. Breeze holds a strong belief that primary care should be just that -- primary.
Discover the strategies behind her successful healthcare solutions and the future of value-based care.
12 May 2026
Medicine 3.0 with Sperity Health
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Grant Zarzour where we cover his journey from medical training to becoming and orthopaedic surgeon to founding Sperity Health.
Sperity Health is on a mission to increase healthspan for people by focusing on proactive health strategies and reducing the risk of chronic illness like cardiovascular issues, dementia, and cancer.
Discover how data-driven, personalized approaches can revolutionize employer-sponsored health programs and individual wellness.
24 Mar 2026
Revolutionizing Rx Programs with Data Transparency
In this in-depth interview, I sit down with Philip Carroll, Chief Growth Officer at WriteWise. Listen as he shares insights on transforming pharmacy benefit management through innovative risk assessment, data transparency, and cost-saving strategies.
Discover how their approach bridges gaps in traditional models, evaluates PBM performance at the drug level, and offers cost certainty for employers in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
24 Feb 2026
Creating Bespoke Healthcare Networks
In this episode, we talk with Warren Ables, Director of Sales and GTM strategist of Open Networks.
We discuss the evolving landscape of healthcare, focusing on the innovative approach of Open Networks. Warren shares his journey from sports marketing to healthcare, emphasizing the importance of creating bespoke networks that lower costs while improving care quality.
Furthermore, we explore the challenges and opportunities in the self-funded market, the need for transparency, and the significance of incentivizing employees to make informed health choices.
This discussion highlights the potential for disruption in traditional healthcare models and the importance of understanding the complexities of the industry.
20 Jan 2026
The Fight for Price Transparency
Kicking off Season 2, we sit down with Kimberly Carleson, President of US Beacon.
In this episode, Kimberly shares how a personal crisis led her down the path of becoming an advocate for price transparency and ensuring businesses and employees don't pay for billing errors.
She emphasizes the importance of contract by consultants and groups to ensure entities aren't being rewarded when errors happen.
She expects 2026 to be a year where we see progress in healthcare and is playing a big role in how that happens for businesses.
18 Nov 2025
Sunny Days and ESAs with Rachel Fox
In this conversation, I speak with Rachel Fox, VP of Sales at Sunny Day Fund, about the importance of emergency savings accounts in the context of financial wellness.
We discuss how these accounts can help employees build financial security and the behavioral changes needed to encourage saving.
Throughout the episode, Rachel emphasizes the need for employers to support their workforce through financial wellness initiatives and the potential future growth of emergency savings accounts as a vital employee benefit.
21 Oct 2025
From HR to Healthcare
In this episode, Matt Ohrt shares his journey from VP of HR at Merrill Steel to transforming healthcare through innovative solutions like Direct Primary Care and the Free Market Medical Association (FMMA).
In the episode, we discuss the importance of employee engagement, the need for education in healthcare spending, and the challenges of change management.
Furthermore, Matt emphasizes the necessity of creating a culture of health-conscious consumers and breaking the monopoly in healthcare to improve quality and reduce costs.
23 Sept 2025
Re-Imagining the Health Insurance Benefits
In this episode, we talk with Jeff Bak, President and CEO of Imagine360, to discuss the evolving landscape of healthcare.
Jeff shares his journey in the healthcare industry, the challenges posed by hyperinflation, the importance of educating employees about their options, and how alternative health plans have the potential to save employers significant costs while improving employee care.
Additionally, we address common misconceptions about alternative health plans and highlight success stories from Alabama, emphasizing the need for change in how healthcare is consumed.
Lastly, we explore insights into future trends in healthcare, including the role of data and direct primary care.
26 Aug 2025
Taking Your Power Back
Information is power and when you don't have access to good information, you're at a disadvantage.
In this episode, Kayla Shawn explains the how and why behind Healthcare Navigator and how it helps insureds take back some power when it comes to their healthcare journey.
From helping you identify high-quality providers in your area to explaining your benefits plan to bill review, Healthcare Navigator gives you access to the information you need in a digestible way.
22 Jul 2025
The Other Side of Self-Funding
In this episode, we talk with Stephanie Koch, HR Director of Hendry Marine, about her view on self-funding and building out an ecosystem of healthcare for her team.
She highlights her experience going from the fully insured side to alternative funding and what she has been able to accomplish.
From an on-site clinic to a transparent PBM, she discusses different strategies she has implemented and the success she has seen for her employees.
24 Jun 2025
Life Insurance 101 with Dan Bergan
Whether you're a 25 year old looking for some basic term life insurance, a high-net-worth individual looking for estate planning help, or a company looking to use life insurance as a recruiting a retention tool, we cover it all in this podcast.
Dan Bergan is a Managing Director with Higginbotham and a Private Placement and Premium Finance Specialist. Listen as he explains the most basic of life insurance offerings, the complex offerings, and everything in between.
20 May 2025
Mental Wellbeing & Fitness with Austin Baker
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Austin Baker from Sholder is joining me to discuss all things Mental Wellbeing & Fitness.
Where traditional EAPs fall short in their engagement with employer groups, Austin and his team at Sholder have created a platform that serves as a shoulder to lean on, and a spaceholder for U.
Whether you're a small business or a large corporation, mental wellbeing and fitness is an important topic and benefit for your employees and platforms like Sholder have secondary and tertiary benefits to your company beyond simply giving them someone to talk with.
22 Apr 2025
Implementing a Successful Wellness Program
Implementing and running a successful wellness program can be a challenge. However, when done well, it is a great way to manage many of the chronic conditions and high-cost claimants on a company's health insurance plan.
In this episode of Benefitial Conversations, we sit down with Lia Lansky, Chief Wellbeing Officer for Baptist Memorial Hospitals, to discuss how she has had success not only with employees at the hospital, but also for independent businesses.
25 Mar 2025
Solving the ProBleM with Rachel Strauss
The cost of pharmacy claims on health plans continues to increase. What can groups do about it? Rachel Strauss brings her knowledge and experience to discuss all things pharmacy related to help groups win. We discuss rebates, GLP-1s, transparency, and much more.
25 Feb 2025
Capturing the Hearts and Minds of Employees with Benefits
Open enrollment shouldn't be the only time employees hear about benefits, and it doesn't have to be a drag. In this episode, Luke Aslesen discusses how engaging and educating your employees throughout the year, and capturing their hearts and minds, can lead to a better understanding of their benefits and a better experience overall.
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