Podcast
Friends with Employee Benefits
Hosted by OneDigital CT · EN
The podcast that tackles trending topics in the employee benefits and HR world… and hopefully entertains along the way. Tune in biweekly to stay informed of the latest trends and industry insights to help you develop an exceptional workplace.
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why 17% of the Workday Is Lost—and How Employers Can Get It Back with Jon Cooper, CEO of Overalls
Dec 1000:36:06Tap to summarizeIn this episode, host Jeff Cross sits down with Jon Cooper, Founder and CEO of Overalls, to explore how employees lose 17% of their workday to personal life distractions, and what employers can do to reclaim that time. Cooper shares the surprising range of issues Overalls tackles and why a broad, comprehensive support model outperforms traditional point solutions. Together, they dig into the impressive ROI organizations are seeing as employees regain hours of productivity. Tune in to discover why reducing distraction isn’t just compassionate—it’s a strategic advantage. Music By: Colin Cross Music
Transcribe →
Transforming Benefits with AI: From Confusion to Clarity with Rohan D’Souza, Co-Founder & CEO of Avante
Nov 400:49:18Tap to summarizeEmployers are spending more than ever on healthcare, yet many benefits go underused and employees remain unsure how to navigate them. The problem isn’t the benefits themselves, but the outdated ways they’re managed and communicated. In this episode, host Jeff Cross talks with Rohan D’Souza, Co-Founder & CEO of Avante, about how AI is transforming benefits. Together, they explore how AI-powered real-time employee guidance and continuous insight into benefit usage and sentiment can help organizations lower costs, improve utilization, and build smarter strategies - including how we here at OneDigital have implemented it for our own employee population. If you’re looking for practical ways to make your benefits work harder through the power of AI – for both your people and your bottom line – this episode is for you.Music By: Colin Cross Music
Transcribe →
Captive Success Story: Horst Engineering's Path to Cost Control & Employee Wellbeing with Anthony Luis, Director of HR & Administration
Oct 1400:28:06Tap to summarizeTired of watching your employee benefits costs climb year after year?In this episode of Friends with Employee Benefits, we explore how one company broke free from the costly, fully insured model and took control with a self-funded approach using a group healthcare captive. Our guest, Anthony Luis, Director of Human Resources and Administration at Horst Engineering, shares their phased journey to combat premium volatility — a strategy that delivered zero employee premium increases for two consecutive years. Host Jeff Cross and Anthony get into the broker collaboration required to manage an unbundled plan, what all employers need to know about making the move to self-funding, and how Horst's leadership team embraced the flexibility and transparency that came with the transition. Whether you’re a small business or a large employer, this episode is essential listening for anyone looking to optimize employee benefits, control costs, and invest in a healthier, happier workforce. Tune in now and learn how to turn benefits from a budget burden into a strategic advantage.Music By: Colin Cross Music
Transcribe →
ICHRA Success Stories: How Loureiro Engineering Reimagined Health Coverage & Cut Costs with Brian Cutler, CEO
Aug 2600:52:09Tap to summarizeIn this episode, host Jeff Cross speaks with Brian Cutler, CEO of Loureiro Engineering, an employee-owned global engineering company based in Plainville, Connecticut. Brian shares the compelling story behind Loureiro Engineering's decision to transition from a traditional group health insurance plan to an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA after several years of high renewals. The two get into the benefits and challenges of implementing an ICHRA, the steps his team took to make the switch, and how this change is supporting both the company’s bottom line and its people. He shares the mistakes he made that led him to going down the ICHRA path and what he'd share with other companies who find themselves in a similar situation. If you’re a small or mid-sized business leader searching for better ways to offer health coverage—this episode is for you. Music By: Colin Cross Music
Transcribe →
The Invisible Crisis: How Caregiving is Quietly Draining Your Workforce ft. Homethrive
Jul 2200:33:25Tap to summarizeDid you know that caregiving is the second leading reason employees leave the workforce, right after retirement?* In this insightful episode, host Jeff Cross sits down with George Nightingale and Adriana Medina from Homethrive to shine a light on the often-overlooked challenges faced by working caregivers. The conversation reveals how many employees don’t even realize they’re caregivers — leading to hidden effects on productivity, wellbeing, and financial health. Together, these three explore why employers frequently underestimate the prevalence of caregiving among their teams and discuss the significant advantages of offering support systems like Homethrive. Tune in to discover practical strategies for recognizing and supporting caregivers in your organization, and learn how proactive solutions can benefit both employees and employers alike. Music By: Colin Cross Music*Harvard Business School’s Project on Managing the Future of Work report.
Transcribe →
Fractional Work and People-First Leadership with Darrin Tulley, Fractional Operating & People Officer at Koster Keunen
Jun 1700:39:24Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we sit down with Darrin Tulley, Fractional Operating and People Officer at Koster Keunen, a global manufacturer of waxes. During this conversation, we dive into the world of fractional work—a growing trend that’s changing how companies and professionals connect. Darrin explains why more organizations are turning to fractional roles, and how this approach brings fresh talent, greater engagement, and flexibility for everyone involved. And if you’re passionate about workplace culture, you won’t want to miss Darrin’s insights on building a “people-first” organization. He draws powerful parallels between the productivity of a healthy “beehive” and the success of a thriving workforce, showing us how active listening, genuine empathy, and consistent action can transform a company from the inside out.Music By: Colin Cross Music
Transcribe →
Breaking the Stigma: Rethinking Mental Health Care with Daniel Lawhon, Founder & CEO of First Tracks Health
Jun 900:29:58Tap to summarizeWe recently sat down with Daniel Lawhon, the driving force behind First Tracks Health. Daniel shares his unique journey and sheds light on the current mental health landscape, exploring why anxiety and depression are on the rise and what employers can do to support their teams. Jeff Cross and Daniel dive deep into the challenges of accessing quality, affordable care, and how First Tracks Health is pioneering solutions for treatment-resistant mental health conditions. From the debate over medication versus holistic approaches to practical strategies employers can implement today, this episode is packed with actionable insights and fresh perspectives. Whether you’re an HR leader, a business owner, or simply passionate about mental wellness, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how to foster a healthier, more resilient workplace.Music By: Colin Cross Music
Transcribe →
Crafting a Well-Designed Workplace Mental Health Strategy to Help Your People Thrive with John Lufburrow, Chief Revenue Officer at ReviveHealth
May 13, 202501:02:21Tap to summarizeJohn Lufburrow, Chief Revenue Officer at ReviveHealth, joins Jeff Cross on the podcast to discuss how employers can move past the traditional EAP programs to drive greater impact on their workforces' mental health. From their successful virtual care clinic solution to mental health Rx (not what you think it is!) and weight health vs. weight loss, these two have a great conversation around how a well-designed mental health strategy is fundamental to an organization's ability to thrive. If you're curious how to support your employees' mental health where they need it most, this episode is for you.Music By: Colin Cross Music
Transcribe →
GLP-1s, The Rebate Game & Tariffs - Oh My! A Conversation with Richard Lo, Director of Clinical Services, OneDigital Pharmacy Consulting
Apr 29, 202500:38:15Tap to summarizeAccording to the 2025 Employer Health Care Strategy Survey by Business Group on Health, 27% of an employer's healthcare spending was due to pharmacy costs in 2023, up from 21% in 2021. And it's not slowing down anytime soon as this becomes one of the fastest-growing expense categories for businesses.To understand why pharmacy costs continue to rise, we invited Richard Lo, Director of Clinical Services on OneDigital's Pharmacy Consulting team, to help our listeners navigate the intricate world of pharmacy benefits. From GLP-1s rise on the scene as a weight loss drug and the highly-debated rebate game to the impact tariffs may have on medications, host Jeff Cross and Richard tackle almost every topic employers are concerned about when it comes to their pharmacy plans. The two also dive into how drug pricing works and innovative strategies employers have started to implement to manage and optimize their pharmacy benefit spend. If you're a business leader looking to optimize your pharmacy benefits and get a better handle on the pharmaceutical industry overall, this episode is packed with valuable insights and information to take back to your organization.Music By: Colin Cross Music
Transcribe →
Beyond Symptoms: A Doctor's Perspective on Healthcare in America
Apr 15, 202500:34:08Tap to summarizeWe sat down with Dr. Brian Williams, a family medicine physician in Mystic, Connecticut, to get his perspective on the current healthcare system in America and how we, as individuals, can live healthier lifestyles as well as create healthier workplaces for our employees. During this discussion, we delve into why we don't see ads for broccoli or fish on TV, the controversial role GLP-1s play in weight management, and what the state of primary care is in this country. We also ask Dr. Williams how we can shift from a reactive sick-care model to a proactive well-care system and what actionable steps we can take, both individually and collectively, to promote healthier habits. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that aims to inspire healthier lifestyles and systemic change.Music By: Colin Cross Music
Transcribe →