#RockstarsRocking

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features Rockstar Bryan Fine, MD, MPH, Physician and Founder of Percentric, out of the Norfolk, VA area.

In this episode, we uncover the driving force behind Bryan’s journey into the health field and the organic evolution that led to the formation of Percentric. Tune in to explore how Percentric is reshaping healthcare accessibility through direct texting with doctors, offering a middle ground between a simple Google search and the traditional in-person doctor’s office visit.

Our conversation delves deeper into the innovative approach of having a doctor on staff and its transformative impact on company culture and talent retention. Discover how Percentric’s unique model goes beyond conventional healthcare benefits, fostering a healthier and more engaged workplace. Additionally, we explore the relevance of HIPAA in the context of direct texting with doctors the need for space to innovate. Join us for this insightful discussion at the crossroads of healthcare, technology, and workplace dynamics with the visionary founder of Percentric.

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 into the health field and organically ended up forming Percentric
• Innovating access to healthcare through direct texting with doctors
• Being the halfway point between a google search and going to the doctor’s office.
• How having a doctor on staff can help with company culture and talent retention
• The relevance of HIPAA with directly texting a doctor

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 

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