Welcome to The People First Podcast by Navigate! Each month, our CEO and Founder, Troy Vincent will bring you an episode featuring some of our favorite people in the employee wellbeing industry, as well as insights from our own team.
Get ready to learn and grow with us as we discover and discuss the resources you need to bring more health and happiness back to your people and culture. Navigate | Corporate Wellbeing Platform Subscribe on Goodpods today!
Planning for 2026: why your wellbeing strategy needs to evolve
There’s a phrase we hear all the time in our world: "meet people where they are." And while the heart behind it is absolutely in the right place, has it led us to a place where we're accidentally overwhelming our teams with choices?
We try to find a solution for every single need, and suddenly we’re juggling dozens of different vendors, and our people are flooded with information.
Well, what if there’s a better way? A way to truly listen and connect that goes beyond just offering another tool.
We recently had an incredible conversation with our Peter Dunn, CEO at Your Money Line (https://www.yourmoneyline.com/). We talked about what it really means to support our people, moving past old metrics like 'clicks' and focusing on something much more meaningful: readiness for change.
If you’re looking for a fresh, honest take on how we can support our people without adding to the noise, you’re in the right place. This conversation is packed with big ideas about the future, we wanted to give you a way to bring them back to your own team.
PLUS! You can download our 2026 Trends Playbook to explore everything we discuss today and more. Download your FREE copy here (https://www.navigatewell.com/2026-employee-benefits-wellbeing-trends-playbook?utm_campaign=31129150-2025-12-2026%20Trends&utm_content=365689141&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-22328828).
2 Dec 2025
Gratitude in Action at UKHS with Sahn Lucas and Janelle Shafer
How can a small wellness team meaningfully engage over 20,000 employees across a massive health system? The team at the University of Kansas Health System discovered the answer is not just about physical health, and that traditional programs often miss the key ingredients for deep engagement: purpose and community.
By focusing on gratitude and giving back, UKH has built a program that unites its workforce, strengthens the community, and has generated a ripple effect transforming their challenges from simple step-counting competitions into powerful, purpose-driven movements. Learn how Sahn Lucas and Janelle Shafer used a flexible platform and a network of champions to scale their impact, and how they partnered with other major corporations to donate hundreds of volunteer hours to local causes.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Building Flexible Wellbeing Programs That Scale
00:38 – Gratitude in Action at UKH Health System
01:54 – Purpose-Driven Wellness Careers and Team Culture
04:31 – Creating Empathy and Community Inside UKH
06:01 – Configurable Wellness Technology for Real-World Needs
08:31 – Blending Digital Tools With Human Connection
10:03 – Powering a 100+ Wellness Champion Network
11:36 – Driving Community Partnerships and Competitive Challenges
16:30 – Step Into Spring + Caring for KC: Culture-Building Events
20:49 – Measuring Impact Through Steps, Volunteer Hours, and Engagement
24:25 – Sustaining Year-Round Engagement With Creative Initiatives
28:41 – Best Day Ever
Key Takeaways:
"Our programming is a launching pad. Take our core concepts and go crazy. The best ideas come from our clients."
"Gratitude in action builds community. It connects people to purpose and enhances well-being."
"Culture at UKH is community-based and family-oriented, focusing on empathy and patient care."
"Gratitude at work is about building relationships and rapport. It's a priority in personal and professional life."
"Community challenges create camaraderie and positive results. Competition leads to service and outreach."
"Digital tools and face-to-face interactions go hand in hand. Relationships help us tailor resources to needs."
"Gratitude isn't just a feeling; it's an action. It creates a ripple effect, impacting lives and communities."
Resources:
Who is Navigate? Learn more at navigatewell.com
Learn more about the ROI of employee wellbeing - https://info.navigatewell.com/roi-whitepaper
University of Kansas Health System: https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/
30 Oct 2025
Stopping HR Burnout & Prioritizing Personalized Care with Ryan Kellogg
Troy is joined by two exceptional leaders today - Ryan Kellogg, Senior Vice President of Sales at Talkspace and a U.S. Army veteran; and Jenn Lowry, Navigate’s own Vice President of Product and Strategy - for a crucial discussion on shaping the future of workplace well-being. Together, they explore the intersection of authentic leadership, personalized mental health solutions, and practical strategies for preventing HR burnout.
The discussion dives deep into why a one-size-fits-all approach to mental health is no longer sufficient for the modern workforce. Drawing from a powerful lesson learned as a young officer in the military, Ryan explains how leading with the heart is essential for building trust and navigating adversity. Jenn outlines the strategic value of integrating accessible, digital therapy into a holistic well-being ecosystem, emphasizing how data can drive early interventions and proactive support.
Today’s conversation offers a clear roadmap for leaders to better support their people - from veterans in the workplace to the HR professionals on the front lines - by fostering an environment of psychological safety and accessible, high-quality care.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 - Leading With Heart and Authenticity in the Workplace
01:51 - How Military Leadership Shapes Compassionate Corporate Culture
06:03 - Building a Culture of Care Through Digital Therapy Partnerships
09:36 - Personalizing Mental Health Access During Open Enrollment
13:26 - Using Data Insights to Strengthen Employee Wellbeing Programs
16:24 - Addressing Top Mental Health Challenges: Anxiety, Depression, and Burnout
19:47 - Supporting Teens and Families Through Accessible Digital Therapy
21:37 - Managing HR Stress and Mental Health Spikes in Open Enrollment Season
23:19 - Creating Seamless Member Experiences That Boost Engagement
25:44 - Building Resilience and Purpose Through Culture, Care, and Connection
26:19 - Best Day Ever
Key Takeaways:
"Self-care is such an important part of life. When I think of HR leaders out there, focusing on the stress that you're dealing with in the workplace, but also checking in with yourself."
"We recognize that mental health is such a crucial component of wellness... that self-care aspect that tends to be forgotten."
"We want to make sure that there is 24/7 access to the same therapist with continuity of care in mind."
"How great would it be... to be proactive in their mental health and get them the services before they have those critical measures?"
"Stigma is the number one reason why people are not pursuing mental health resources. If we can go upstream a little bit... I'd like to think that it's a bit more normalized."
"You only have one opportunity to make a first impression... I remember how I felt when I first started with you three years ago... I felt like I was the most important person in the room. That's important."
"When you lead with love and you do good things, the scoreboard always takes care of itself."
Resources:
Who is Navigate? Learn more at navigatewell.com (https://www.navigatewell.com/)
Learn more about the ROI of employee wellbeing - https://info.navigatewell.com/roi-whitepaper (https://info.navigatewell.com/roi-whitepaper)
Ryan Kellogg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjkellogg/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjkellogg/)
Talkspace: https://www.talkspace.com/ (https://www.talkspace.com/)
Who has been a guest on Navigate's People First Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Jenn Lowry
Katie Tarbill
Allison Ledford
Cameron Stelzig
Jim Barclay
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
6,428
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
12 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 67 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
78
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
71
Contact Navigate's People First Podcast
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