What does it really mean to take care of our mental health, and why is it still so difficult for so many of us to talk about it?

In this episode of Heart of It, Scott is joined by Rob Novick, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and counselor, for an honest, thoughtful, and genuinely sweet conversation about mental health, the stigma that still surrounds it, and whether we've made meaningful progress, particularly when it comes to men and mental health.

We explore why we often approach our mental health differently than our physical health, what people should be paying attention to, and how we can become more comfortable recognizing when we or someone we love might need support. Rob also shares his personal journey into the counseling profession, his passion for animals, and the sometimes surprising role that the human-animal connection can play in emotional well-being.

Recorded just one day after the election, our conversation also touches on something many people were experiencing in real time: political anxiety and the emotional toll of the world around us. This isn't a conversation filled with clinical terminology or easy answers. It's a human conversation about the things many of us experience but don't always feel comfortable discussing.

The hope is that this episode helps someone feel a little less alone, a little more understood, and perhaps just a little more comfortable starting a conversation that matters. Because so many people are struggling, and sometimes simply talking about it is a meaningful place to start.

In this episode of Heart of It, Scott visits with Nicki Purcell, Group President at Morgan’s, for a meaningful conversation about friendship, mentorship, growth, and leadership. Our relationship has evolved over time, often blurring the lines between mentor, colleague, and friend, and reminding us that the most impactful relationships rarely fit neatly into a single category.

We explore Nicki’s commitment to personal growth, the investments she makes in herself, and how she continually looks for opportunities to stretch, learn, and expand her impact. We also reflect on the lessons she has modeled for her three boys, and how she has navigated the challenge of bringing her best to motherhood while embracing the demands and opportunities of an evolving career.

Finally, Nicki shares her vision for her new role at Morgan’s, including how she plans to leave her mark and expand the possibilities for this remarkable collection of organizations.

At its heart, this conversation is about the power of relationships, the importance of continued growth, and the lasting influence we have on the people around us both through what we accomplish and the example we set along the way.

On this episode, Scott is joined by Guy Benjamin, a former F-16 fighter pilot for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Yale graduate, former McKinsey consultant, and cofounder and CEO of Healthee. Guy’s story is a remarkable one, filled with the rigor, discipline, and determination it takes to become a fighter pilot, earn admission to one of the nation’s top universities, and go on to work for one of the world’s leading consulting firms. But his journey was just getting started.

We talk about Guy’s path from Israel to the United States and how he set out to solve a problem that affects millions of people: making health benefits simpler, smarter, and more accessible for both employers and employees. Guy saw the potential of AI long before it became the conversation dominating boardrooms and headlines. We explore how Healthee is leveraging AI to transform the health benefits experience, why Guy believes this technology will fundamentally change the way we navigate healthcare, and what he sees coming next. His vision is bold, his perspective is insightful, and his entrepreneurial journey offers a fascinating look at what happens when you combine technology, purpose, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

And because every great conversation on Heart of It goes beyond the résumé, we wrap things up with a discussion of hummus, falafel, chocolate chip cookies, and the things that make us who we are outside of our professional lives. This episode is about leadership, innovation, taking risks, and the power of genuine human connection. I walked away with a new perspective on AI and a deeper appreciation for this new friendship. You won’t want to miss this conversation with Guy Benjamin!