Insights
Side Affects Podcast
Provoking People to Think Differently
At McGohan Brabender, we know the importance of staying on top of the latest industry trends and keeping your workforce informed. That’s why we created our podcast, Side Affects, to help take the complexity out of healthcare.
Whether you are new to insurance or a seasoned executive, our podcast provides expert advice and innovative ideas about leadership, legislation, culture, compliance, and other topics. When you tune in to Side Affects, you’ll access exclusive insights from industry experts who share their knowledge and experiences. Our hosts, along with our guests, provide practical advice and proven strategies to help you improve your services in a crowded market.
Our podcast, which has received “new and noteworthy” recognition three times, was the first benefits podcast published on iTunes and is designed for busy professionals who want to stay informed while continuing to keep up with the demands of their business. We offer an immersive audio experience that can be accessed anytime, anywhere, making it the perfect tool to help you stay ahead of the curve.
Explore our collection of over 130 podcast episodes and discover how we can help you elevate your benefits.
Featured Episodes
Episode #139
Non-Negotiables for Benefit Communication: Part II
Producer Kenzie McEvily is back with Dave Homan, CMO at McGohan Brabender, for Part 2 of his 10 Non-Negotiables for Benefit Communication. Discover why movement matters, what Rain Man can teach about simplicity, and how to make your next presentation unforgettable!
Episode #138
Non-Negotiables for Benefit Communication: Part I
Producer, Kenzie and co-host-turned-guest, Dave rethink employee benefit presentations during open enrollment season. In Part 1 of Dave’s 10 Non-Negotiables for Benefit Communication, he shares five essential tips on using simplicity, storytelling, and smart strategies to make your presentations more engaging and effective.
Previous Podcasts
Episode #35
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
At MB, we focus a lot on health management from the employer’s point of view. In this episode of Side Affects, special guest Samantha Redden talks with Scott about her experience with diabetes and her role at JDRF, including some of the promising management devices that are now in the clinical trial stage.
Listen NowEpisode #33
The GOP Health Care Proposal
The Republicans’ first attempt to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act didn’t get enough votes to pass, but it gave a glimpse into some of their intentions. In this episode from March 2017, ERISA Attorney Paul Routh joins Scott and Anne Marie about the proposal, and how it sets the stage for future debate.
Listen NowEpisode #32
Is a Captive Right for you?
Self-funding can save money, but until recently only large employers could handle the added risk. Today, there’s an option for businesses with 50 to 300 employees that combines the savings of self-funding with the protection of full funding. MB President Mike Suttman joins Scott to talk about captive arrangements.
Listen NowEpisode #31
ActionMasters Performance Coaching
Scott and Anne Marie welcome Betsy Westhafer, a performance coach and founder of ActionMasters Network. She finds one trait stands out among successful leaders: They don’t want to be the smartest person in the room. They hire for outcomes and qualities, not for a skill-set on a resume. Find out how this approach works.
Listen NowEpisode #30
Improve with Improv!
Justin Howard, founder of Black Box Improv, talks with Scott and Anne Marie about training your brain to listen. Too often, he says, we’re more concerned about what we’re going to say that we don’t really hear what others are saying.
Listen NowEpisode #29
Soft Skills Beat Hard Sell
Technical skills might open doors but soft skills will maintain relationships. Scott and Anne Marie talk about the value of soft skills — listening, responding and recognizing nonverbal queues. Poor soft skills drive away clients, while good skills pull them in. And soft skills, like technical skills, can be taught.
Listen NowEpisode #28
The Value of Vision Coverage
Vision coverage is the voluntary benefit that employees request most. It’s an inexpensive way to enhance your benefits package and attract and retain employees. Scott and Anne Marie talk about the value of vision coverage.
Listen NowEpisode #27
The Next Generation
Millennials now outnumber Baby Boomers in the workforce. Scott and Anne Marie talk with Melissa Carr and Michael Allen of Generation Dayton, an organization for young professionals, on how employers can connect to and develop our future leaders.
Listen NowEpisode #26
“Hood Robin” and Prescription Drug Pricing
This episode marks our first foray into the secretive world of prescription drug pricing, and it's one we'll revisit many times. Scott likens it to Robin Hood in reverse — the real payers of prescriptions are propping up a dysfunctional system.
Listen NowEpisode #25
Employee Assistance Programs
When employees are under stress, at work or at home, their well-being and performance suffers. An Employee Assistance Program, or EAP, could be the solution. EAP offers free confidential, professional counseling. Scott and Anne Marie talk about EAP services, the value they bring, and simple ways to get the word out.
Listen NowEpisode #24
The evolution of wellness
Scott and Anne Marie are joined by Alexandra Paul, National Wellness Executive for Humana Health Care. She says the focus of wellness has evolved from awareness to activities to outcomes. And the future holds the promise of earlier and improved disease detection.
Listen NowEpisode #22
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Long-term disability is an inexpensive way to protect your employee’s income in the event of an extended illness or injury. In this episode of Side Affects, Scott and Anne Marie talk about the benefits of employer-provided LTD.
Listen NowEpisode #21
Communication Technology and Human Resources
Scott and Anne Marie look at how social media and wearable technology are impacting Human Resources. The playing field is crowded, so how do you choose the ones that will have the greatest impact? The way we communicate is evolving; don’t be left behind.
Listen NowEpisode #20
Airrosti
Musculoskeletal claims are among the highest on any plan. Airrosti treatment centers offer an effective surgical alternative. Scott and Anne Marie welcome Derek Curlee, a VP at Airrosti, to find out why Airrosti is the go-to organization for rapid recovery of soft tissue injuries.
Listen NowEpisode #19
Reference-Based Pricing
Reference-based pricing is a tool that reveals the true cost of healthcare services. Scott and Anne Marie discuss reference-based pricing, gating strategies, bundled services and other ways to bring transparency to your costs.
Listen NowEpisode #18
Organizational Change
Organizational change is an essential, but sometimes painful, reality. Scott and Anne Marie talk with Suzanne Meek, MB Director of Human Resources, about strategies that work, and some that don’t. Learn how change is easier with effective leadership.
Listen NowEpisode #17
Understanding Health Care Costs
The way you purchase health care is different from the way you purchase other consumer goods. Scott and Anne Marie share insights on how health care costs can differ from one facility to another in the same region. How you utilize care can greatly impact your costs.
Listen NowEpisode #16
C2 Solutions
Scott McGohan, MB President Mike Suttman, and special guest Sean Willoughby-Ray of Scott Insurance in North Carolina talk about the “power of partnership.” McGohan Brabender and Scott Insurance are two of six firms that comprise C2 Solutions, a strategic collaboration to create innovative products and services.
Listen NowEpisode #15
Get Ready for Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment gives employers the opportunity to deliver a more strategic benefits plan. You need one that serves your employees and, at the same time, keeps your costs to a minimum. Scott and Anne Marie talk about the Open Enrollment strategies that employers need to know.
Listen NowEpisode #14
Metabolic Syndrome Awareness
You can’t see Metabolic Syndrome, but if you don’t identify it in your employees, you could end up paying the price. Scott and Anne Marie talk about the risk factors of Metabolic Syndrome, and how biometric screenings are the first step toward lower claims and healthier people.
Listen NowEpisode #13
Beyond Wellness
MB Health and Engagement Specialist Tiffany Reid joins Scott and Anne Marie to talk about wellness programs. A wellness program alone is not enough. You have to identify your risk, implement a strategy, and engage your employees.
Listen NowEpisode #12
Data Analytics
Reporting provides numbers you need to know; but data analytics reveals what those numbers are telling you. Scott and Anne Marie talk about how interpreting data can provide the answers and the pathway to better health and lower claims.
Listen NowEpisode #11
Innovation Symposium Wrap-up
Every few years, we host an event that highlights the latest tools and technologies in health benefits. Scott is joined by Dave Homan, director of innovation at MB, and MB President Mike Suttman as they touch on the highlights of the May 2016 Symposium. They welcome special guest Den Bishop of ACAP Health.
Listen NowEpisode #52
Psychographics
Casey Albertson and Brent Walker of PatientBond talk with Scott about the power of psychographics to influence behaviors. Psychographics identifies what motivates individuals, so you can appeal to those points in your communications. Learn how this longtime consumer marketing strategy is being applied to health care.
Listen NowEpisode #10
Using Psychographics for Communication
If you want to engage your employees, you have to motivate them. But how do you motivate them? The answer is psychographics. Psychographics is a quick and easy way to identify individual motivators. Dave Homan, VP of marketing and innovation at MB, talks with Scott and Anne Marie about this effective engagement tool.
Listen Now