Episodes

The holiday season is officially underway… which means holiday party planning is in full swing! But before you hit send on those invites, this episode breaks down the 9 essential things HR and employers need to consider — the details that can truly make or break your event. We cover: Alcohol or no alcohol? Family-friendly vs. adults-only Expectations, communication & guardrails How to create a fun, safe, inclusive celebration A quick, practical guide your future self will thank you for.

There’s a fairly new(ish) legislative mandate that’s catching some employers off guard — the Gag Clause Attestation requirement tied to your company’s health insurance plan. In this quick, informative episode, we break down: What the Gag Clause Attestation actually is Who needs to file it (and how often) Important deadlines & compliance steps Simple action items to make sure your organization is covered Short, clear, and to the point — everything you need to know to stay compliant and avoi...

There are a lot of plan designs out there that promise tax advantages, cost savings, or “creative” ways to structure benefits… but not all of them are compliant. Some are even double-dipping schemes that can create major legal and financial risk for employers. So we brought in someone who actually knows this space at the highest level: Alden Bianchi — a nationally-recognized employee benefits attorney who: Testified before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee during the development of the ACA Se...

Open enrollment season is here! Whether you’re choosing your health plan for the first time or just need a quick refresher, this under 9-minute episode gives you everything you need to make smart, confident choices. We’ll break down: The difference between HMO and PPO plans What’s the deal with Kaiser Permanente? How to think about deductibles, networks, and coverage levels All delivered with a touch of humor and zero boring jargon! Quick. Insightful. Actually fun. Tune in and get ready to...

In this very special (and very scary) episode, we’re diving into all things Halloween at work — from fun ideas and team activities to best practices for keeping it festive and professional. We cover: Office costume contests & team themes Creative treats, decorations, and events How to keep celebrations inclusive & fun for everyone Simple ways to boost morale and team spirit Don’t miss a chance to turn your trick into a treat this Halloween! About the Show: The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by ...

Have you heard of an LSA—or wondered why they’re quickly becoming one of the most popular employee benefits out there? In this episode, I sit down with Rob Cinco to break down everything you need to know about Lifestyle Spending Accounts—what they are, how they work, and why both employers and employees can’t get enough of them! We cover: What an LSA is and how it differs from FSAs & HSAs Why employers are adding them to their benefits mix How employees use them for real, everyday wellness ...

This episode is all about helping you get ready to make it awesome. Whether you’re a team member, manager, or HR pro, we’ve got fun, thoughtful, and easy ideas to celebrate your boss (or your team leaders!) the right way. We’ll cover: Creative gift ideas that stand out Meaningful ways to show appreciation How to personalize your message Simple gestures that make a big impact Tune in for inspiration, last-minute ideas, and a reminder that a little appreciation goes a long way. #TheHITPodca...

We’ve reached the third and final episode in our incredible series with the Podfather himself — Spencer Smith — and we’re closing things out with a bang! In this episode, we dig into point solutions, explore how they’re shaping today’s self-funded landscape, and then take a look into the crystal ball to talk about the future of healthcare. If you want forward-thinking insights from one of the most trusted voices in the industry, this one’s a can’t-miss. Be sure to catch Parts 1 & 2, available...

Self-insuring can feel complicated—especially when you get into contract provisions or health insurance captives. In Part 2 of our 3-part series with the Podfather himself, Spencer Smith, CSFS®, we break down: What a health insurance captive actually is When a captive might be the right fit for your group Key contract nuances every employer should understand Practical insights for anyone dealing with group benefits This series was a blast to record and is packed with value for employers, H...

We’ve got Spencer Smith in the house—and if you know anything about self-funded employer healthcare, you know this guy is the name to listen to. Spencer is the host of “Self Funding with Spencer” and one of the clearest voices in the country at breaking down this complex topic into language everyone can understand. In this 3-part series, we kick things off by covering: What self-insurance really is (and isn’t) Why Stop-Loss is the most important piece of the puzzle Key considerations for co...

One of the many reasons a skilled, independent actuary is crucial to your health plan strategy: setting the right individual stop-loss limit. Do you just go with what you did last year? Follow “best practices” blindly? Take whatever a vendor recommends? In this episode, we break down: How to approach stop-loss decisions strategically Why good data is your best friend Common mistakes employers make when self-funding How actuaries help you budget accurately & protect your plan I was thrilled...

In any version of self-funding, you’ll need to know your premium equivalent rates—what to budget for, what to deduct from employees, and how to keep your health plan sustainable. That’s where a skilled, independent actuary comes in. To unpack this crucial role, I’m joined by my friend and insurance expert Nick Allen, a career actuary and the Founder/CEO of Blue Raven. Together, we kick off a 2-part series that dives into: The value actuaries bring to employers & HR teams How premium equivalen...

What happens if I.C.E. shows up at your workplace? Whether you’re running a private business or a public-facing company like a restaurant, it’s critical to know your responsibilities, your rights, and your company’s official policy. I sat down with Matthew Meltzer, Immigration Attorney and Co-Founder/Partner at Meltzer Hellrung, for an essential conversation on what every employer needs to know about immigration enforcement, deportations, and I-9 compliance in today’s environment. In this epis...

No Trumps were hurt in the making of this episode

Where else are you going to get PBM lore? After 3 bite-sized episodes with John C. Tackman, Director of Strategic Partnerships at MedOne, we’ve reached the big conclusion of our PBM mini-series! In Part 1, we broke down what a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) actually is. In Part 2, we dove into the fascinating world of formularies. Now, in Part 3, we tackle the ALL-IMPORTANT conversation on rebates—what they are, how they work, and the impact they have on employers, employees, and the entire b...

Part 2 of our 3-part mini-series is here! Last time, we broke down what a PBM (Pharmacy Benefit Manager) actually is—now we’re diving into a fascinating conversation about formularies and why they matter so much. I’m joined in-studio by John Tackman, Director of Strategic Partnerships at MedOne, who brings over 15 years of pharmacy experience to the table. In this episode, we cover: What a formulary is and how it’s built Why formularies differ from one PBM to another The role formularies pl...

If you’ve ever been confused (or frustrated) by how Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) work... you're not alone. I sat down in-studio with John Tackman, Director of Strategic Partnerships at MedOne, for an in-depth, no-fluff breakdown of this complex—but critical—piece of the health insurance puzzle. With over 15 years in the pharmacy space, John brings a wealth of experience to the table—and we’re breaking our 45-minute conversation into a 3-part, bite-sized series you won’t want to miss. We d...

I sat down with the brilliant Sherli Frank, employment attorney and investigator, for a high-impact conversation on what it takes to conduct effective workplace investigations—and how to avoid the biggest mistakes. We cover: Does the situation even require an investigation? Choosing the right investigator (it matters more than you think) Common pitfalls that trip up even experienced HR teams Sherli’s top advice after years in the field—distilled into under 20 minutes! If you’re in HR, comp...

ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement) might be relatively new to the market—but the complexity, strategy, and opportunity behind it run deep. In this episode, I’m joined by David Hoxworth, one of the go-to experts on ICHRA, to break down what it is, how it works, and why more employers are paying attention. We cover: What ICHRA actually is (and isn’t) Why it matters in today’s benefits landscape Common misconceptions and hidden advantages Whether you’re brand new to ...

It’s always a privilege to welcome brilliant guests—but even more special when they’re returning friends of the show. In this episode, I sit down once again with the incredible Dr. Brandi Stankovic, Ed.D.—a dynamic leader, speaker, and yes, someone who’s graced the TED stage. We dive into what DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) looks like today, how organizations can align their strategic planning with their true mission, and what real leadership looks like in action. Every conversation with ...

What if—hear me out—work could actually be FUN? And what if that fun led to higher engagement, more creativity, and even greater profitability? Yeah… that’d be pretty cool, right? In this episode, we’re back with Part 2 of my awesome conversation with play expert Jeff Harry. We dig into the real-life power of play at work—and how it can help teams thrive, connect, and actually enjoy what they do. We talk about: Making work suck less Why fun isn’t fluff How play drives performance If you ...

After over a year of trying to coordinate schedules, I finally got the chance to sit down with the incredible Jeff Harry—and it was worth the wait. In this episode, Jeff shares his unique journey from building the largest LEGO-based STEM education organization in the U.S. to working with major tech and Fortune 500 companies—helping them rediscover the power of play in the workplace. We talk about how play isn’t just for kids—it’s a key tool for innovation, connection, and creating workplaces t...

Few topics are as important—or as often avoided—as honest conversations around mental health. In this episode, we shine a light on what’s too often kept in the dark. I’m joined by my friend and guest Russell Carney, PHR, a high-level HR professional who came up through operations but never lost sight of the internal battles many face—including his own. As we close out Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, this episode is a powerful reminder that some of the men in your life are struggling quiet...

We had an incredible opportunity to be live from the floor at the California HR Conference (#CAHR25) last month, serving as the official podcast of the event—and the conversations did not disappoint. This episode marks the final installment in our CAHR series, and we’ve pulled together some of our favorite moments from across the interviews. Insightful, candid, and often surprising, these clips capture the energy and expertise of the people shaping the future of HR. If you missed any of the ea...