This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features my friend, Rockstar Dan Bredson, Author of Seeds of Culture, out of the Charlotte Metro area.   We dive right into our interview with Dan taking us on a journey from the spark of inspiration for his book while working in the benefits industry, to his decision to return to grad school for a deep dive into organizational leadership. We explore the diverse organizational styles within Major League Baseball teams, unraveling how these distinctions shape the experiences of players and fans.   The second half of our podcast delves into the paramount importance of "psychological safety" in crafting a thriving organizational culture. Drawing on real-world examples, he sheds light on how fostering an environment of trust and openness can profoundly impact team success. Wrapping up, Dan shares practical insights into how successful companies build and sustain positive cultures.   So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.     Episode Highlights: -       How he got the idea for his Amazon Bestselling book, Seeds of Culture -       Going back to grad school to study organizational leadership -       How organizational style differences of MLB teams lead to very different experiences for players and fans -       Why “psychological safety” is so important to culture How companies built good cultures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features my friend, Rockstar Erin Issac, President/CEO & Founder of Joy Benefits, out of the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area.   We dive right into our conversation, talking about how and why she created her own agency after leaving a large “everything in house” company where competing priorities kept her from giving the service she wanted. We discuss how she fights to get employees and employers better coverage and better costs by cutting out some of the middlemen who take a piece of commissions but don’t really know their products and/or client needs. We wrap up with Erin telling us about her book club which is designed to help industry insiders, employers, and employees read and understand helpful benefit focused books that are changing the industry.   So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.     Episode Highlights:   -       Leaving a large firm that handled everything in house to start her own agency, to focus on providing the best employee benefit solutions for her clients -       Cutting down the number of “hands in the pot” to help her clients get affordable, quality coverage. -       Knowing your clients & product vs. selling a slide-deck -       Fighting imposter syndrome when opening her own agency -       Starting a book club for benefits industry books & resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features Rockstar Stephanie Schomer, Editor-In-Chief of Employee Benefit News at Arizent, out of New York City.   We dive right into our interview with Stephanie talking about how she came to be the Editor-In-Chief of Employee Benefit News and why it’s the best job in journalism. We then discuss company culture, navigating the remote vs return to office debate, the new focus on mental health in the workplace, and how Employee Benefits can help all of those. We finish up with a sneak peek into the upcoming BENEFITS AT WORK conference, and what folks can expect to see, hear, and experience there.   So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.     Episode Highlights:   Becoming Editor In Chief at Employee Benefit News and why it’s the best job in journalism. The importance of company culture and doing the best for your employees no matter your budget Navigating the remote vs. in office work changes and what that means for recruiting and retention The explosion of mental health discussions in the workplace and wanting to offer support through employee benefits Women in the workplace and their changing needs since Covid The brand-new BENEFITS AT WORK Conference Sept. 27th - 29th bringing employers and industry leaders together Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features Rockstar Chelsea Ryckis, President & Founder of Ethos Benefits & President of Ladies Executive Golf Society Orlando out of the Orlando, Florida area.   We dive right into this episode with Chelsea talking about working with her husband, growing up playing sports and how that sent her to college on a D1 scholarship, and how a freak accident left her with a brain injury that changed the trajectory of her life. We then dig into her career start with a non-profit who, when asked for a raise, gave her a $10 bonus instead. She then joined the employee benefits field and recently went through a rebrand of her business, Ethos Benefits and how that’s brought all aspects of the business into better alignment. We round out our discussion with her founding the Orlando chapter of the Ladies Executive Golf Society and how it helps her foster relationships with fellow businesswomen.   So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.     Episode Highlights:   -       Meeting her husband through business, then going into business together -       Growing up playing sports and going to college on a D1 scholarship -       How a serious brain injury changed the trajectory of her life -       Re-learning her worth and getting into Employee Benefits after a $10 Bonus -       Going through a rebrand and bringing clients, partners, employees, and values into alignment Founding the Orlando chapter of LEGS to create space for women to network and grow relationships on the golf course Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features my longtime friend, rockstar Cerinna Jensen, Co-founder of the Ellevate Foundation and Benefits Consultant with Solv Independent Insurance Associates out of the Greater Sacramento, California area.   We dive right into our episode with Cerrina detailing how getting laid off from a former company lead to her career in employee benefits, specializing in micro-groups. She then discusses starting Stellar Stories as a ‘side hussle’ which became even more successful than she expected. The Ellevate Foundation and the Women’s Leadership Summit make up the bulk of our talk, as we go through how and why she co-founded Ellevate, how they put on a successful summit every year, and how men can also be allies to the Women’s Leadership Summit through the Mars Squad.   So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.     Episode Highlights:   -       How getting laid off lead to her start in the employee benefits field, selling to micro-groups up to 10 employees -       Starting Stellar Stories as a side hustle and becoming independent -       Co-Founding the Ellevate Foundation & Women’s Leadership Summit -       The men who support Ellevate through the Mars Squad -       Growing the summit with the help of supporters who believe in the cause Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features rockstar Kelly Fristoe, Healthinsurologist & President of NABIP, of out of the Greater Wichita Falls, Texas area.   We dive right into our interview with Kelly talking about his start in the industry via a shady, though familiar, newspaper ad and what caused him to specialize in what he calls being a “Healthinsurologist”. As the President of NABIP, he explains why being involved in industry focused associations is not only important, but can be beneficial to your business. He also emphasizes how his tenure wasn’t only about his personal goals, but how multiple NAHU/NABIP leaders came together to create a common vision for the organization to work towards collaboratively across multiple presidential terms. From there, we turn to a look at the upcoming NABIP Annual Convention and the great speaker lineup you can expect, as well as the possibility of announcing the new CEO!   So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.     Episode Highlights:   -       How answering a shady ad in the newspaper lead to becoming a Health Insurance Specialist aka a Healthinsurologist -       The benefits of being involved in industry associations and masterminds -       Creating a legacy that outlasts any one leadership term -       Where to start if you want to get more involved (and why it benefits your business) -       Sneak Peek of this year’s NABIP Annual Convention -       The future of NABIP as they search for a new CEO - Words of wisdom for weathering a rough patch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features my good friend, rockstar Dan LaBroad, CEO of Ovation Health & Life Services of out of Plano, Texas.    Dan opens with telling us how he deleted the email telling him he was a BenefitsPRO Broker of the Year Top 5 Finalist and how he resisted joining the Mastermind group officially, before learning how much it helped him. He then digs into his opportunity to create the Lone Star Counsel to bring together business leaders in Texas. We round out the interview with how he makes his own space in the business, how creating a flu clinic service let him see the health industry from both sides, and how he’s learned to balance relationship, both personally and professionally.   So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.     Episode Highlights:   -       Deleting his announcement email for BenefitsPRO Broker of the Year Top 5 Finalist -       Joining Mastermind and the knowledge he’s learned leading to closing clients -       Closing clients by being everywhere -       Creating the Lone Star Counsel to bring business leaders together -       What differentiates him from the rest of the pack -       Building a Flu Clinic service & finding out how carrier inconsistencies lead to overspend -       Nurturing relationship both personal and professional Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features rockstar Jenni Bickerstaff, Senior Partner/ SVP of Employee Benefits at AHT Insurance of out of the Northern Virginia area. We dive straight into our episode talking about being recognized at a BenefitsPRO Broker of the Year Top 5 Finalist and her work to be a mentor for others. She gets into the challenges and opportunities of working with international clients, how she was able to continue to grow her business and keep clients during the pandemic, as well as why it’s important to know multiple parts of the health industry to be a better at her job. We round out with a look at the specifics of what products are hot, what’s upcoming, and how she’s created a winning communication strategy for her clients.  So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.    Episode Highlights:   -       Being recognized as a BenefitsPRO Broker of the Year Top 5 Finalist -       Coming up in the Insurance industry and trying to be a mentor for others -       Being a better insurance agent by knowing many different aspects of the medical field -       How working with international clients presents its own opportunities and challenges -       How she was still able to grow business during Covid -       New products that clients are asking for -       Communication and driving employee engagement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features rockstar Bryce Heinbaugh, CEO/Managing Partner of IEN Risk Management Consultants and President of Concierge Nurse Navigators out of the Greater Cleveland, Ohio area.   We dive straight into our episode with how Bryce got into the insurance industry while recovering from a major medical event, as a way to find health insurance for himself after being told he was “uninsurable”. A deeper dive into his passion for self-funded plans shows us how they, along with Nurse Navigators, can get members high quality care and stop down-stream money bleeds. Bryce also gives us his insight on why it’s important to have value aligned partners, what that means for growing your business, and what role technology plays in that.   So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.     Episode Highlights:   -       Getting his insurance license after being told he was “uninsurable” -       Why he’s so passionate about self-funded plans -       Focusing on value aligned client partners -       Stopping down stream money bleeds for customers -       Using Nurse Navigators to get patients to quality providers -       How personal interactions are key to his clients in technology deserts  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features rockstar Paul Wilson, Editor-In-Chief of BenefitsPRO Magazine out of the Denver, Colorado area.  Join our discussion about how Paul transformed his love of literature and writing as a kid into a career within the benefits industry, with the magazine BenefitsPRO. He detailed how they started out as ‘Benefits Selling Magazine’ and rebranded with the expansion into the digital media world of the internet era. We also dig into the upcoming BenefitsPRO Broker Expo, May 8th – 10th, 2023 in Atlanta, GA. Paul explains why BenefitsPRO Broker Expo is successful at leaning into industry strengths, some of the amazing speakers they’ve had in the past, including one of his own personal heroes, as well as some sneak peeks into what’s in store for the 2023 expo agenda. So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.   Episode Highlights:   -       How he transformed his love of literature and writing into a career -       The story behind BenefitsPRO Magazine -       How the BenefitsPRO Broker Expo leans into industry strengths -       Amazing past expo speakers and how they try to break out of “echo chambers” -       The good & bad changes he’s seen in the industry over time -       A sneak peek of the BenefitsPRO Broker Expo’s 2023 agenda Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features dual rockstars of the GovCon world; Jim Campbell, CEO of AXIM and TrUcare out of the Las Vegas area and Patrick Moore, President of AXIM and Vice President of TruCare out of the Greater Chicago area.   We have a double hitter this week, and jump right into our conversation with how both Jim and Patrick served in the Marines, fell into the insurance industry as a “carrier rep”, and eventually found their path with their current companies. With a focus on the ‘GovCon’ (government contractor) sector, they operate with the intention of bringing both transparency and niche knowledge to benefits. A discussion about their upcoming “un-conference” in April 2023, mAXIMize 2023: The Competitive Edge, is an outstanding way for GovCon brokers, agents, providers, and employers to come together to network, learn sector specific strategies and information, and find ways that they can bring best in class benefits to employees.   So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.     Episode Highlights:   -       How they both joined the Marines and how they then transitioned to the insurance industry. -       Moving from a traditional carrier rep to current path -       Bringing transparency to health insurance for government contractors -       Starting a business during the pandemic -       Finding the correct people and information for your industry -       mAXIMize 2023: The Competitive Edge “unconference” in April Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features rockstar Stacy Fry, Director of Communications at AIA, Alera Group, out of Central Pennsylvania.   We dive straight into a discussion packed with tips and strategies for effectively communicating with clients as well as how she furthers the industry through her work with local and national insurance organizations like NAHU/NABIP. Stacy discusses the her three key strategies for communicating with employees about benefits, tools and technologies that have changed the game for her through covid and the change to virtual meetings, as well as how her work within the industry through mentorship and leadership programs helps brokers, carriers, and other professionals meet and work together.   So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.     Episode Highlights:   -       How she got into the benefits industry -       The importance of employee education in benefits -       Is there such a thing as ‘too much’ communication about benefits? -       New products and ideas that have helped over the last few years -       Her work with NABIP (National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals) -       The mentorship program with NAHU membership Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features rockstar Lisa Hutcherson, Author and Keynote Speaker, out of Greater Chicago area.   Our interview this week dives right into the deep end with Lisa sharing how she got into the insurance industry through the tragic loss of her sister and never wanted to see another family unprepared for losing a loved one. We segue from there to a discussion about the importance of conviction, authenticity, and being true to yourself and your story.   We then move into how important it is to have the courage to step outside of your bubble of expertise. For Lisa, this came through making career changes, as well as having a “board of directors” who were her mentors that helped her gain new perspective, stay on the right path, and kept her moving forward. We round out our interview with a discussion about becoming an author, as well as her work with WIN (Women in Insurance in Napa).   So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.     Episode Highlights:   -       How losing a sister lead her to the insurance industry -       The importance of conviction and belief in what you’re offering -       Figuring out how to speak to her colleagues about her story and being true to herself -       Having the courage to step outside of your expertise bubble -       The importance of personal branding -       Connecting to the right people and having good mentors -       Becoming a published author and her work with WIN “Women in Insurance in Napa” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features my good friend, rockstar Michael Hart, Employee Benefits Consultant with Dillingham Benefits, out of the Oklahoma City area.   Our discussion with Michael jumps into the deep end of taking a ‘leap of faith’, which was Michael’s decision to leave the benefits carrier he’d been with for 15 years and become an advisor for medical insurance right at the beginning of the pandemic. We dig into why he changed his focus instead of joining another benefits carrier, how he had learned to be a good advisor long before he joined his current firm, and what drives him to keep moving forward.   The second half of our interview takes a step back to focus on what makes someone a good advisor and a good salesman. We get into the pros and cons of making your ‘riches in the niches’ with single channel books of business vs. having a varied book of business. We also talk about Michel’s love of hunting and how being a good huntsman parallels being a good salesman in many ways. We round out our interview with some lessons that he’s learned through his failures and how he’s used them to get better.   So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.     Episode Highlights:   -       How he went from the Carrier world to the “dark side” and became a medical advisor right at the beginning of the pandemic -       Learning how to be a good medical advisor long before he got into the field, by going to benefits meetings with his broker partners and watching how they interact with groups -       Why he wanted to become a “solution provider” rather than be tied to one specific carrier or product -       The pros and cons of working in a niche vs. having a varied book of business -       How being a huntsman parallels being a salesman -       Learning lessons from failures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features rockstar Mark Testa, Exec. VP at Regenexx, out of the Denver, Colorado area.   Eric and Mark dig into the unconventional way Mark found himself in the benefits space, as he was a practicing chiropractor, and how that unique experience has shaped his views of the benefits industry, the healthcare industry, and how he’s using that dual knowledge to improve both sides. Mark also talks about how Regenexx works, how it can be a strong partner in helping clients get quality healthcare that isn’t immediately recommending surgery, and how brokers are key to helping them develop good plans.   So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.     Episode Highlights:   -       Going from Chiropractor to Benefits Advisor -       What he’s learned about benefit by working with doctors & clinicians -       What is Regenexx and how they help employers cut costs -       Breaking through the noise to get brokers to see Regenexx's value -       How Regenexx works, and how it can help your clients see better healthcare outcomes with lower costs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features rockstar Nick Rockwell, President of Eastbridge Consulting Group, out of the Greater Phoenix area. Our discussion with Nick has great insight into the benefits world, from a sideways perspective. Eastbridge Consulting uses data collection to help brokers create well rounded, needed benefit packages, and carriers find areas of the industry where they can bring products to support the broker’s goals. From his background with Identity Protection products, he came into the industry as a disrupter from the very beginning, and his current work is designed to help brokers break out of the ‘standard quo’ to reach the goals they are already working towards with smart, innovative products. So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.    Episode Highlights: -       How he came into the insurance industry as a disrupter from the very beginning -       How Eastbridge uses a “Netflix model” to help carriers understand how the market works -       Finding ways to take the data they collect and turn it into tools for carriers and brokers to create successful enrollments -       Modern Brokers – ‘all in’ or ‘partnership’ approach -       Using complementary product lines to help brokers accomplish what they are already trying to do -       Up and coming products on his radar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features rockstar, Jawad Arshad, Founder and CEO of WOW Health Solutions, out of the Detroit metropolitan area. Jawad jumps right into our discussion, describing his time spent as an emergency care physician and as part of the administration side, which lead him to realize that there was a ‘delivery of care’ problem with our current healthcare system. This led him to creating WOW Health Solutions, which brings employees a direct care program to provide easy access to care at a truly affordable price. We round out the interview with a discussion about how WOW Health Solutions can help brokers gain sticking power in groups and maintain revenue streams over time. So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.   Episode Highlights: -       Working as a doctor and administrator in the health system and realizing there is ‘delivery of care’ problem -       Moving his practice’s employee benefits from a standard plan to a defined contribution for employees -       Creating an ecosystem where employees can quickly, easily, and affordably get the care they need -       “A benefit not taken is a benefit not provided” -       Building the network through broker relationships and provider partnerships Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features a rockstar of multiple areas, Kareim Cade, Founder and President of Great Lakes Benefit Group, out of the Detroit metropolitan area. Kareim gives a great, high-energy discussion about the insurance benefits industry. We begin with a discussion about the two best things his mother did for him: 1. Pushing him to get a good education through HBCU Clark Atlanta University and 2. Eventually firing him from her agency. We then get into how “male, pale, and stale” agencies need to act with intent to bring in people outside the stereotypical white male agents and how not falling into the trap of only hiring people of the same background helped open his agency up to new opportunities and business deals. We round out with his and Andy Neary’s “Black and White: Truth About Benefit Advising” video series, which peals back the cover on the realities of working in the insurance industry. So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.   Episode Highlights: -       Getting a degree from HBCU Clark Atlanta University for Insurance & Risk Management. -       Getting fired by his mother and realizing he actually “fired himself” -       Diversifying your company with intent and looking for opportunities to bring the industry to people who have been overlooked -       How creating a diverse agency opened many hidden opportunities -       “Black and White: Truth About Benefit Advising” video series with Andy Neary pealing back the cover on working in the benefits industry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features a rockstar and my longtime friend, Tye Elliott, Executive Vice President of Acrisure, out of the Peoria, Ill area. Tye opens our interview telling us the story behind his book “Sales Mob” a Wolf on Wallstreet-esque, behind the scenes look at taking an Aflac region from the bottom of the country to a top 10 region in three years. From there, we jump back to discuss how he knew he wanted to go into insurance from a young age and steps he took to work towards his goal. The meat of our talk homes in on how the enrollment process and technology is changing over time, where we think it’s going in the future, and how “voluntary” is increasingly an important part of the cost containment strategy. So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.   Episode Highlights: -       Writing his books “Sales Mob” and “Diamonds Are A Man’s Best Friend” -       How he knew from a young age that he wanted to get into the insurance industry -       The future of in person enrollments and how the field is evolving with technological and societal changes -       The increasing need of voluntary benefits -       The increase in non-medical benefits as “clickbait” to drive engagement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features rockstar guest Lou Bernardi, Founder and Chief Benefit Optimization Officer of BritePath, out of the Long Island, NY area.   Join us for a great, in-depth conversation about the state of the current healthcare industry. We start our conversation with Lou telling us how he requested to get booed off stage at a recent conference and why that was a great thing, as he wants to lead health insurance change as a Benefit Optimization Officer. From that amusing story, we get right into why we need to optimize benefits, as the healthcare industry is intentionally opaque and does not want informed consumers. Lou talks about having to self-reflect on the change he wanted to make as he left the GA world and lifted the cover on the issues with current insurance industry practices and “hidden profit centers”. He finishes up with ways he’s fighting back, through care options like Direct Primary Care programs and internal education through his show “Benefits With Friends”, live weekly on LinkedIn and podcast platforms.   So, are you ready for more? Go ahead and grab your favorite ice-cold beverage and tap that play button, to tune in to this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast.     Episode Highlights:   -       Getting booed off stage – and why that was a great thing -       Educating clients to not get sold what they ask for, but what they need -       The healthcare industry does not want informed consumers -       Leaving the GA world and realizing there is a better way for employers to find solutions -       Health carriers must evolve or become obsolete -       How Direct Primary Care can provide an alternative for better primary care -       “Benefits With Friends” Show/Podcast live on LinkedIn and podcast platforms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices