This episode features an interview with Jen Jones and Cody Fair from Noom Health. Jen is the Director of Clinical Solutions and supports teams with alignment on client needs and clinical programs. Cody serves as the Chief Commercial Officer leading the company’s commercial division and drives growth initiatives across all segments. In this episode, Kirk, Jen, and Cody explore the importance of integrating GLP-1 medications with behavior change programs, challenges related to yo-yo dieting and co...
Jun 24, 2025•41 min•Season 3Ep. 1
The healthcare system feels broken. Costs are skyrocketing, transparency is nonexistent, and too many people are left wondering, ‘Why is this so complicated?’ Welcome to The Benefits Playbook—where we fight the good fight for a better healthcare system. This season, we are joined by new host Kirk McConnell, Commercial Leader at Collective Health. This year, Kirk sits down with the boldest minds leading the health benefits revolution: industry disruptors, fearless benefits leaders, and healthcare...
Jun 17, 2025•52 sec
This episode features an interview with Ali Diab and Halle Tecco. Ali is the CEO and Co-founder of Collective Health, the world’s leading employer health benefit plan administration platform. Prior to co-founding Collective Health, he held executive and management positions at AdMob by Google, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, and Yahoo!. Halle is an entrepreneur and Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, Course Director at Harvard Medical School, and Collective Health Board Member. Passionate a...
Oct 15, 2024•53 min•Season 2Ep. 10
This episode features an interview with Michael Menerey, Senior Vice President of Alliant Insurance Services. He currently oversees and manages the Los Angeles employee benefits team and is focused on new business development and recruiting and developing talented team members. Michael has been with Alliant for over 20 years in various roles such as Vice President and Benefits Consultant. In 2021, he was named by Risk & Insurance Magazine as a 2021 Power Broker® Award Recipient for Employee ...
Sep 10, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 9
This episode features an interview with Brian Olsen, Partner of Employee Benefits at Sterling Seacrest Pritchard. Brian is an experienced Client Advisor specializing in creative employee benefits strategies to mitigate risks of health plans for companies ranging from 50 to 5,000 employees. His expertise resides in data management solutions and analysis, pharmacy cost containment, and complex contract negotiations. In this episode, Sasha and Brian discuss the intricacies of working in the TPA spa...
Aug 20, 2024•34 min•Season 2Ep. 8
This episode features an interview with Kristen Jordan, Benefits and Wellness Manager at Chime. She is responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of various programs that enhance employee well-being and satisfaction. Kristen has a proven track record for designing and managing benefit plans, wellness initiatives, and vendor relationships that align with the company's vision and values. In this episode, Sasha sits down with Kristen to discuss the importance of benefits educa...
Jul 30, 2024•38 min•Season 2Ep. 7
This episode features an interview with Doug Ramsthel and Jaclyn Rielly of Burnham Benefits. Doug serves as the Executive Vice President and Partner of Employee Benefits, and Jaclyn is the Vice President of the Irvine Office. In this episode, Sasha, Doug, and Jaclyn discuss how the shift in pharmacy is affecting employers and members, the rising trend of GLP-1s, and why covering gene therapy drugs is important. ------- “If I can convert somebody from a drug where I'm getting a $382 rebate to a c...
Jul 09, 2024•55 min•Season 2Ep. 6
This episode features an interview with Dr. Smita Das, Vice President of Psychiatry and Complex Care at Lyra Health. Smita is board certified in psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and addiction medicine and has over 20 years of research experience. Previously, she served as President of an American Psychiatric Association District Branch and chair of the APA's Council on Addiction Psychiatry. Smita is also a clinical associate professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford School of ...
Jun 18, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 5
This episode features an interview with Dr. Matt Resnick, Chief Medical Officer at Embold Health. He is a member of the founding executive team and led the development of measurement and analytic stacks. Today, he is responsible for growth and all go-to-market functions, leading a team in developing strategy and building products that align with market demands and deliver exceptional value. In this episode, Sasha sits down with Matt to discuss the importance of quality care measurement, how it c...
May 28, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 4
This episode features an interview with Dan Hodges, Senior Vice President of Employee Benefits at Woodruff Sawyer, where he provides strategic consultation and counseling to clients on their employee benefits programs. Dan has over 25 years of experience consulting a large cross section of employers including those in healthcare, not-for-profit, high-tech, service, and hospitality. He is also an expert in self-funding, consumerism, and HSA style plans. In this episode, Sasha and Dan discuss tran...
May 07, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 3
This episode features an interview with Jessica Lea, founder and CEO of Tria Health. Jessica is passionate about pharmacists providing patient-centered care to improve the health outcomes of patients. She has a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, maintains board certification in psychiatric pharmacy, and has an Executive Masters in Business from Rockhurst University. Jessica is a healthcare innovator and has been recognized as one of the PharmaVOICE100. In this...
Apr 16, 2024•46 min•Season 2Ep. 2
This episode features an interview with Michael Caussin, former NFL tight end and New York Times bestselling author. Mike became a licensed health advisor in 2023 and helps individuals and families find the health coverage they need. In this episode, Sasha and Mike get back to the basics of healthcare. They discuss why healthcare education is so important, how to navigate life events, and what people don’t know about coverage options. ------- “I want to be an asset to people in whatever I'm doin...
Mar 26, 2024•40 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Welcome to The Benefits Playbook podcast! We have a really exciting announcement: a new season is on its way! Last season, we had the privilege of sitting down with some of the best minds in employee healthcare including benefits leaders, brokers, and consultants. They shared expert advice on creating a winning benefits strategy. Everything from how to build an inclusive benefits program, to making the leap to self-funding, to delivering a great member experience. If you haven’t tuned in yet, ca...
Mar 19, 2024•1 min
This episode features an interview with Ben Greene. Ben is an international public speaker and LGBTQ+ inclusion consultant, as well as an author and an advocate for transgender youth. In 2019, he gave a successful TEDx Talk called “Where are you sitting?” and has since traveled the world speaking in different domains like HR conferences, DEI summits, and government agencies like NASA. In this episode, Sasha and Ben discuss inclusion consulting, what carriers get wrong about member experience, an...
Jan 30, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 8
This episode features an interview with Emily Munroe, Global Head of Benefits and Wellness at Live Nation. Emily began her career in banking and finance before making a career change to HR. She began in HR serving growth-and-expansion stage biotech and pharmaceutical companies in Compensation and Benefits. She has also worked in global Benefits roles for a consulting firm, tech and retail, and now entertainment. In this episode, Sasha and Emily discuss must-have benefits, how to get buy-in from ...
Jan 09, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 7
This episode features an interview with Serafina Miller, Senior Principal Consultant at Mercer. Serafina has been in the industry for over two decades, specializing in group account management for multiple industries like banking, biotechnology, transportation, engineering firms, and law firms. At Mercer, Serafina partners with employers to ensure their employee benefits programs integrate with compensation strategies and business objectives, as well as aligning with the organizations’ DEI strat...
Dec 05, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 6
This episode features an interview with Michael Levin, Co-founder of Ideon, an infrastructure platform powering digital experiences in health insurance and employee benefits. Michael has over 20 years of experience driving innovation and bringing quality and choice to new markets. Prior to Ideon, he served as the Chief Operating Officer for Affiliates Risk Management Services (ARMS), where he recruited a new leadership team, transformed and upgraded financial operations and audit systems, and le...
Nov 14, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 5
This episode features an interview with John Meister, Principal and Senior Vice President of Employee Benefits at Newfront. John provides top-tier consulting, creative strategies, and employee advocacy on behalf of his clients nationwide. Prior to Newfront, John spent five years leading Client Strategy and Execution at Woodruff Sawyer and held Employee Benefits roles at One Digital and Burnham Benefits. In this episode, Sasha sits down with John to discuss transitioning to self-funded solutions,...
Oct 24, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 4
This episode features an interview with Dr. Bapu Jena, an economist, physician, and professor at Harvard Medical School. He bridges his professions to explore the economics of healthcare productivity and medical innovation. Bapu is also a faculty research fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research and practices medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. In this episode, Sasha and Bapu discuss his book Random Acts of Medicine , provider-level quality scoring, and designing employer-spons...
Oct 10, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 3
This episode features an interview with David Duenas, Life Science Practice Leader at HUB International. HUB International is a leading full-service global insurance broker providing property and casualty, life and health, employee benefits, investment and risk management products and services. David has served the company for nearly 20 years in Consulting and the Life Sciences Practice space. In this episode, Sasha and David discuss how to move to a self-funded solution, crafting a better membe...
Sep 26, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 2
This episode features an interview with Lee Lewis, Chief Strategy Officer and General Manager of Medical Solutions for Health Transformation Alliance (HTA). At HTA, he spearheads efforts across 50 large employers and six million employees to transform healthcare, save lives, and save millions of dollars. Lee has spent his career advising Fortune 10 employers, insurance companies, medical associations, and the Departments of Justice and Labor. In this episode, Sasha sits down with Lee to discuss ...
Sep 12, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Employee healthcare represents the second-largest investment for most U.S. businesses. As we all know, navigating the complexities of the system is no easy task. High costs, confusing experiences, and administrative burdens can make it challenging to make the most of healthcare investments. On “The Benefits Playbook: Strategies for Self-Funded Health Plans”, we’ll provide the insights needed to take control of employee healthcare all while delivering a great member experience. Listen in to hear...
Jul 14, 2023•1 min
