On Life With Helen

If you're struggling to close deals or feel your sales pitches are hitting nothing but air, this episode is a must-listen! Today, I'm talking with the Sales Performance Expert Patrick Ryan . Patrick is the CEO and President of Eureka Performance Training, an author, keynote speaker, and expert in sales conversations. With over 40 years of sales experience, he discovered early in his career (sellin...

Do you have everything in place in your business if — God forbid — you don't make it home tonight? In today's episode, we are joined by one of Helen's mentors and a true giant in the insurance space, Craig Gussin. Craig is a seasoned health insurance agent based in San Diego and the co-founder of Retire with Renewals, a company created to help retiring agents plan their business transition and ens...

Most people don't expect to ever use, enjoy, or even see the money from their life insurance policy. As today's guest brilliantly pointed out, life insurances feel more like death insurance because their benefits are available only after the policyholder passes. Today, you'll learn there's a way for policyholders to access their money while they're still alive. In this episode , Rob Haynie explain...

What if we start looking at a reverse mortgage as THE financial tool to get your "longevity insurance" without even thinking of depleting your assets? In part two of our insightful conversation with Mitchell Cooper , we dive deeper into the financial mechanics and unknown benefits of using reverse mortgages as a retirement plan. Mitchell also contextualizes reverse mortgages' evolution and origins...

Most people think of reverse mortgages as a last-resource option, but what if your biggest asset could provide financial freedom without selling or downsizing? In this episode, the first of a two-part series interview with Mitchell Cooper , we discuss reverse mortgages' potential to transform your retirement planning and unlock financial security. Mitchell is one of the 200 Certified Reverse Mortg...

For some business owners, thinking about their company's marketing feels a lot like stepping into a cluttered storage unit — they have no idea where to start, what to move first, or what will actually work. In today's episode, Ann Bouchard unravels the secrets and benefits of crafting simple, honest, and solid marketing strategies. Ann is the Founder and President of Bouchard Communications Group,...

Do insurance costs leave you stressed and uncertain about your business's future? Do you have a strategy to manage employee benefits while ensuring a healthier workforce? Did you know there is a way to turn insurance expenses into a financial asset? If any of these questions keep you up at night, you can't miss today's episode! We have the opportunity to chat with Roland Guillen , a seasoned insur...

Can the CHIPS Act tackle the nationwide workforce shortage? Is $53 billion enough to jumpstart a "U.S. semiconductor renaissance"? Can America reshape the global semiconductor landscape? Can we end our reliance on overseas chip production? These are some of the questions Dan Marrujo answers in this special take-two on the CHIPS Act Initiative. Whether you are a tech enthusiast, a job seeker, or a...

Do you know how to increase your business valuation and appeal to potential buyers? In this episode , we explore succession planning for business owners guided by the expert business broker, Randy Hendershot. Randy is the Founder and CEO of Evolution Advisors, a company specializing in helping entrepreneurs sell or buy businesses, get an accurate valuation of their company, and create a smooth exi...

Do you remember what you did with the flyers you went home with after the last conference or entrepreneurial event you attended? Maybe this statistic will refresh your memory: 66% of promotional items are thrown away. In this episode, Marcie Shelton joins us to talk about an eco-friendly, impactful, and efficient marketing solution, Give2Lead. Marcie is a Leadership and Strategic HR Consultant, wi...

Do you know anything about microelectronics? Tune in and discover why something so small produced so far from America can affect national security, military defenses, and daily life. In this episode, Dan Marrujo joins us to unravel the pivotal role of microelectronics and AI in defense and daily technology. Dan is the Founder of Trusted Strategic Solutions and former Chief Strategist at the Defens...

As a business owner and leader, how prepared are you to de-escalate conflicts and mediate during disagreements in the workplace? In this episode , we learn about the art of addressing polarization and promoting team harmony in the workplace from the brilliant Geoff Hash . Geoff is an experienced employment lawyer and workplace mediator with over 20 years of experience defusing conflicts in profess...

For how long would your business survive if you were forced to leave it unattended for a few months? In this episode, Melissa Yano joins us to discuss financial planning for small and medium-sized business owners and sheds light on planning and securing businesses' financial future. Melissa is the President of Capital Wealth Planner and a seasoned financial planner and advisor with almost two deca...

Are you a Medicare beneficiary and haven't received the 2025 Annual Notice of Changes letter (ANOC) from your insurance provider? Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is just weeks ahead. It goes from October 15th through December 7th, and the information shared in the ANOC letter is all you have to decide whether or not to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan. In this episode, Rosam...

Are you nearing Social Security age and feeling unsure about how to maximize your benefits? We've got you covered! Since Social Security folks are not there to provide guidance on which option is best for you, consulting an expert is the best chance you have to make the right choice when claiming your benefits. In this episode, David Brabender takes us through the complexity and potential pitfalls...

Still unsure of how Medicare changes will affect your health coverage in 2025? The new $2,000 out-of-pocket for prescription drugs, the changes in formularies, and changes in the coverage of weight loss drugs are some of the many modifications awaiting Medicare beneficiaries in 2025. In this episode, we get all our doubts about the upcoming changes for Medicare's 2025 annual enrolment period answe...

Wondering what Medicare updates you need to be aware of for 2025? In this episode, Helen goes through every major change in Medicare for the next year. From the $2,000 limit cap on out-of-pocket drug costs to changes in formularies, here is everything you must know to ensure you choose the right plan to stay on in 2025. Listen to episode 50 of On Life With Helen and discover everything you need to...

Are you second-guessing yourself about starting your own business? In today's episode, I am pleased to welcome Lauren Bayha back to the show. Almost two years after taking that leap of faith and starting her own insurance company, BenefitsBay Insurance Solutions, and taking over the Sacramento Association of Health Underwriters, Lauren joins us again to share her thoughts on the intricacies of ent...

Are you a veteran and feel unsure of how to navigate VA and Medicare Advantage plans effectively? What are the key considerations to have on top of mind when choosing between traditional VA benefits and Medicare plans?  Today, we are fortunate to have a true expert on this topic: Addison Beverly. He helps us understand the intersection of traditional VA benefits and Medicare Advantage plans f...

Medi-Cal completely revamped its process as of January 1st, 2024! This means all the laws, regulations, codes, and everything else have changed.  Do you know how these changes affect your chances of getting accepted into Medi-Cal?  In today's episode, Michael McCabe joins us to explain every change Medi-Cal has created for this year, the bureaucracy behind its new applications and regula...

How do you know you picked the long-term care that better adjusts to your reality? In this episode, we discuss long-term care, insurance, alternative solutions, different ways to cover possible long-term care events, and how to educate the next generations on long-term care and their needs. From 100% self-insurance to accelerated benefit riders, standalone long-term care policies, and having child...

Are you having trouble navigating the complexities of Medicare enrollment for your healthcare needs in 2024? In today's episode, I discuss the intricacies of Medicare enrollment and why using a broker for your Medicare needs is crucial. You'll hear why individuals and business owners benefit from partnering with brokers, how they can assist you in evaluating costs and understanding IRMAA implicati...

Does getting life insurance feels like a chore you've been dreading for longer than you can remember?  In this episode , I'm talking about the countless benefits of using Ethos to get insurance, the three signs that you need life insurance today, and the differences between term and permanent life insurance. I also answer some of the most common questions about life insurance, clear doubts ab...

Although C-suite executives and key personnel are essential for any organization, they aren't the only ones you should take care of. Incentivizing young people with bonuses to get a down payment on a house or decide if they can afford to have kids might save your company tons of money.  In this episode , I'm joined by our monthly guest, Trevor Patching, to discuss the importance of covering a...

Sometimes, getting past the optimism bias we all have, is just the right way to approach our insurance choices.  In today's episode , I'm joined by Dennis Carlson, Host of the #1-rated podcast for employee benefits brokers and advisors, Benefits Influencer, a specialist in long and short-term disability insurance, income protection for executives, and highly compensated employees. He shares t...