Advertise on podcast: Friends with Employee Benefits

In 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

Employers 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 The problem isn’t the benefits themselves, but the outdated ways they’re managed and communicated.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

Tired 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

In 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

Did 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.

In 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

We 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

John 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

According 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

We 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

Friends with Employee Benefits is back with another season and this time, we're focused on one underlying theme: help employers contain their healthcare cost by, among other things, helping their employees live healthier lifestyles. This season, we’re tackling the biggest challenges in healthcare today: the obesity crisis, the rise of GLP-1s medications and skyrocketing pharmacy costs. But we’re not stopping there.  We’re diving into financial, mental and physical health – the mind-body connection, the financial stress-health link, and why America’s healthcare system focuses on sick care instead of prevention – and how that needs to change. We’re going to be sitting down with doctors, CEOs and HR professionals, pharmacy consultants, forward-thinking tech businesses, legislators and more – all with one goal – to answer the question: how are we impacting the health of our employees, and in turn, the health of the business. If you’re ready for real talk, great insights, and practical solutions as it relates to all things healthcare, this season is for you. Tune in and let’s rethink healthcare – together! Music By: Colin Cross Music

In today’s competitive job market, finding skilled workers has become a pressing challenge for employers across various industries. Jim Bologa, President and CEO at Porter & Chester Institute, joins Jeff Cross to share valuable insights and strategies to help bridge the skills gap. The two speak on workforce shortages and explore how Porter & Chester works with employers across New England to help solve this problem.  Music By: Colin Cross Music

100% retention in 24 months in this labor market? Sounds impossible - but that's been the reality for The Walker Group and co-CEO, Jessica Rich, who over the past year helped her organization turn to a Perpetual Purpose Trust (PPT) ownership structure. PPT for short, made most popular by Patagonia recently turning to this structure in 2022, legally empowers a company to organize around its purpose, rather than just profit. In this episode, Jeff Cross, podcast host, and Jessica Rich dive into why the Walker Group looked into PPT, what it has done for their business, their employees, and the community as well as why employers are reaching out to learn more about this ownership structure. Join Jessica and her team for a virtual panel discussion on Wednesday, September 25th, from 12-1 PM EST on their transition to a Perpetual Purpose Trust. Click here to get more details! Check out The Walker Group's website for more details on PPT: https://www.thewalkergroup.com/perpetual-purpose-trust Music By: Colin Cross Music

Generative AI is, and will continue, to transform the American Workplace. How can HR and business leaders prepare for this change? Vinay Gidwaney, Chief Product Officer and our go-to AI expert at OneDigital, joins Host Jeff Cross, Client Executive, for a discussion around artificial intelligence (AI) - including what it is, where we currently stand with AI, how it's impacting the workplace and what employers can do to protect their business and their people, while also taking advantage of the opportunities that come with new technology. 45 minutes packed with what you can expect to continue to see from AI, what AI will never replace and how those who take advantage now will be well positioned in the future.  Music By: Colin Cross Music

Mental health awareness is more than just one month out of the year. It's a year-round opportunity to continue to show up for your employees so they can do their best work and live their best life. And that's how Lisa Harris, Chief People Officer, and Jody Breault, Manager of Benefits and Wellness at VEIC, view their workforce strategy. In this conversation, host Jeff Cross chats with Lisa and Jody about the innovative ways they are supporting their employees' mental health and wellbeing to create a positive workplace environment. Topics include their mental health initiatives, "focus + finish Fridays," employee engagement ideas for a remote workforce, and leadership buy-in.  Music By: Colin Cross Music