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The Business of Benefits Podcast

The Business of Benefits Podcast

By: Hi Hello Labs Network
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 For decades, employers have been fed a lie: “There’s nothing you can do to control healthcare costs.” This couldn’t be further from the truth. The system is doing exactly what it was designed to do—profit off of HR, CFOs, and CEOs who believe that lie year after year.With 180 million Americans relying on employer-sponsored healthcare, it’s time to challenge the status quo. The Business of Benefits is your No BS, No Sales guide to the real solutions. No gimmicks—just the truth about how to take control, transform your benefits, and care for your most valuable asset: your people.Each episode dives deep into the data, exposing industry misalignments and inefficiencies that inflate costs while offering actionable strategies for designing financially sustainable, high-value benefits.Through eye-opening interviews with industry insiders, expert analysis, and real-world success stories, hosts Donovan and Chelsea pull back the curtain on the hidden flaws in the healthcare system. The result? An empowering roadmap for employers ready to break free from outdated models and unlock smarter, more sustainable benefits.If you’re tired of the same old sales pitch and ready to rethink benefits, reduce costs, and improve care—this podcast is for you. The truth is out there—are you ready to hear it?Copyright Hi Hello Labs Network Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • 51. Your Benefits, Your Risk: Why Fiduciary Duty Can’t Be Ignored

    51. Your Benefits, Your Risk: Why Fiduciary Duty Can’t Be Ignored
    May 16 2025
    In this high-impact episode of The Business of Benefits Podcast, we're cutting through the legal jargon and post-lunch drowsiness to bring you the most engaging conversation you’ll ever hear on fiduciary compliance. Hosts Chelsea and Donovan Ryckis pull back the curtain on what it really means to be a fiduciary under ERISA, especially in today’s healthcare landscape, where misaligned incentives are costing employers and employees big.

    Chelsea shares her personal journey from NCAA athlete to healthcare advocate after a traumatic brain injury exposed the broken realities of the American health system. Donovan breaks down the parallels between fiduciary standards in financial services and the gaping lack of those same protections in health benefits—until now.

    From health plan lawsuits and PBM fraud to RxDC reporting and compensation disclosure, this episode arms employers with the truth, the data, and the questions you must start asking.

    You’ll learn:
    • What fiduciary duty actually looks like in practice (and in court)
    • Why the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 is a game-changer for employer-sponsored plans
    • How to identify and eliminate conflicts of interest across your benefit ecosystem
    • What brokers aren’t telling you—and why that matters
    • Practical steps you can take today to realign incentives and protect your people

    Stick around for the debut of special guest Bryan Orr, whose real-world results show what’s possible when employers take back control.

    If you’re ready to rethink your role, reclaim your data, and radically improve your health plan decisions, this one’s for you.

    Connect with Chelsea and Donovan:
    Website: www.ethoseffectpodcast.com
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethoseffectpodcast/
    Chelsea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-ryckis
    Donovan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donovanryckis/
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    39 mins
  • 50. Cracking the Code on PBMs: Real Cost-Saving Strategies for Employers with Guest Rachel Strauss

    50. Cracking the Code on PBMs: Real Cost-Saving Strategies for Employers with Guest Rachel Strauss
    May 1 2025
    If you've ever felt confused or frankly, duped by your pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), this episode is your wake-up call. Chelsea Ryckis sits down with the “PBM Princess” herself, Rachel Strauss, a 20+ year industry veteran and fierce advocate for transparency, to pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood (and most expensive) parts of your health plan.

    You’ll learn:
    - The origin story of PBMs and how it all went sideways
    - The real story behind rebates and why “pass-through” doesn’t always mean what you think
    - How vertical integration and offshore contracts allow PBMs to hide profits in plain sight
    - 40 ways PBMs make money (and how to spot the red flags in your contract)
    - Actionable strategies like international sourcing, manufacturer assistance, and 340B pricing that can drastically reduce costs without impacting employee experience

    Whether you’re a CFO, HR leader, or CEO, this episode is packed with no-BS insights to help you finally take control of your pharmacy spend. Plus, don’t miss Rachel’s exclusive giveaway: the top 10 questions to ask your broker if you're serious about cutting costs.


    Connect with Rachel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmstrauss/

    Connect with Chelsea and Donovan:
    Website: www.ethoseffectpodcast.com
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethoseffectpodcast/
    Chelsea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-ryckis
    Donovan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donovanryckis/
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    58 mins
  • 49. HR Special: An HR's Guide to the Strategic C-Suite with Guest Andy Najjar

    49. HR Special: An HR's Guide to the Strategic C-Suite with Guest Andy Najjar
    Apr 17 2025
    Are you ready to finally break free from the traditional HR rut and discover the game-changing strategies shaping the future of human resources? In this special episode we are joined by Andy Najjar, COO of FutureSolve and host of The Strategic HR Show.


    From redefining the path from HR manager to CHRO, to exploring innovative perks like Uber credits and unlimited PTO, this episode dives deep into what makes HR strategic, and how modern HR leaders can earn and keep their seat at the executive table. Andy shares real-world stories about saving millions on benefits, leveraging automation and AI for HR efficiency, and the untapped power of creative total rewards programs. Plus, the team tackles pressing topics like HR fatigue, upskilling, M&A people-risk, and the critical role of aligning culture beyond the written handbook.


    Tune in to learn how to think like a CHRO, benchmark your current programs, use technology to lighten your load, and create a workplace where people truly thrive. This episode is your no-nonsense guide to elevating HR from compliance taskmaster to strategic business driver so you and your people can win, together.

    Connect with Andy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andynajjar

    Connect with Chelsea and Donovan:
    Website: www.ethoseffectpodcast.com
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethoseffectpodcast/
    Chelsea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-ryckis
    Donovan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donovanryckis/
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins

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