The H.I.T. Podcast

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 puzzleKey considerations for companies exploring or currently using self-fundingThis is the stuff every employer, HR leader, and benefits decision-maker needs to know—straight from the Podfather of Self-Funding himself.About the Show:The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

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 strategicallyWhy good data is your best friend Common mistakes employers make when self-fundingHow actuaries help you budget accurately & protect your planI was thrilled to have Nick Allen, career actuary and Founder/CEO of Blue Raven, back in the studio for this second half of our 2-part series on why actuaries matter so much in the health plan ecosystem.If you missed Part 1, go back and catch it—then dive into this powerful conclusion!About the Show:The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

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 teamsHow premium equivalent rates are calculated Why independence matters in actuarial workHow actuaries fit into the larger ecosystem of health plansThis series will give you the clarity and confidence to make smarter, data-driven decisions about your benefits. Don’t miss it!About the Show:The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

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 episode, we cover:What to do if I.C.E. shows up at your businessHow to prepare and communicate a company policyWho should (and shouldn’t) speak with immigration officersUpdates on I-9s, hiring best practices, and complianceWhy every employer needs to “put on their employer hat” when it comes to immigration issuesPolitics aside, this is about being prepared, protecting your people, and having the right systems in place.#TheHITPodcast #Immigration #ICE #EmployerCompliance #MatthewMeltzer #BusinessImmigration #I9Compliance #HRLeadership

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 benefits ecosystem.With 15+ years in the pharmacy space, John brings a wealth of knowledge—and we cover:The truth about rebates & transparencyHow PBMs differ (and why it matters)What employers don’t know they don’t know The future of pharmacy benefitsIf you’ve ever felt PBMs were opaque or confusing, this series will clear it up—and give you the tools to ask the right questions.

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 builtWhy formularies differ from one PBM to anotherThe role formularies play in cost control & accessThe questions you didn’t know you should be asking about your PBMIf you’ve ever wondered how this often-opaque part of the health insurance puzzle works, this series will give you the clarity you’ve been looking for.About the Show:The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

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 dive into:What a PBM actually isHow formularies, rebates, and pricing structures really workWhy PBMs can vary dramatically (and what to look for)Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs modelPast, present, and future trends in pharmacy benefitsThis is the deep-dive your HR, benefits, or broker brain has been waiting for.About the Show:The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

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 teamsSherli’s top advice after years in the field—distilled into under 20 minutes!If you’re in HR, compliance, or leadership, this episode will sharpen your understanding and protect your organization.About the Show:The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

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 landscapeCommon misconceptions and hidden advantagesWhether you’re brand new to the concept or looking to refine your understanding, this episode will leave you saying, “I didn’t know I didn’t know that.”About the Show:The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

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 Dr. Brandi is insightful, energizing, and packed with takeaways—and this one is no exception.About the Show:The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

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 lessWhy fun isn’t fluffHow play drives performanceIf you missed Part 1, it’s live now—go check it out! And don’t miss this inspiring finale.About the Show:The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

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 that don’t… well, suck.This is Part 1 of a 2-part conversation you won’t want to miss.About the Show:The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

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 quietly—and doing a remarkably good job of hiding it.We’re proud to end the month with this real, thoughtful, and deeply personal conversation.

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 earlier episodes, now’s a great time to catch up—but definitely don’t miss this one. It’s a highlight reel of what made CAHR25 so special.About the Show:The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.