The H.I.T. Podcast

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...

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 pl...

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....

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...

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...

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 ca...

I had the chance to sit down with Diana Tsai LIVE from the floor at #CAHR25 for a fascinating conversation on how A.I. is reshaping the world of work—especially in HR. From hiring and retention to compliance, culture, and beyond, Diana brings bold insights on what’s already happening and what’s just around the corner. If you're curious—or concerned—about how A.I. is impacting your workplace, this...

We hit the floor at #CAHR25 as the official podcast of the California HR Conference—and spent two packed days collecting interviews from HR professionals across industries. We asked everyone the same question: “What’s keeping HR up at night?” The answers? Insightful. Honest. And packed with wisdom. In this special compilation episode, we highlight the biggest challenges facing HR leaders today—alo...

We were honored to deliver the closing keynote at #CAHR25, and we’ve been bringing it to you in a powerful 3-part series. In this final installment, we dive deep into the world of Pharmacy spend—covering everything from rebates and PBMs to real, actionable strategies for cost containment. Then we shift gears to explore the often-overlooked but essential ancillary benefits: ✔️ Dental ✔️ Vision ✔️ D...

This is Part 2 of my keynote from the Main Stage at #CAHR25—if you missed Part 1, definitely go check that out first! In this episode, we dive into Self Funding: what it actually takes to do it well. From point solutions to stop loss nuance to controlling claims, it’s all here. If you’re in this space, you won’t want to miss this one.

We’re extremely proud to share the closing keynote we delivered last week at #CAHR25, live from the main stage! This keynote was all about breaking down core health insurance concepts that impact everything you do in the benefits space—starting with practical strategies for fully insured plans. The feedback from the live audience was incredible, and now we’re bringing it to you in our signature bi...

We’ve hit the floor at #CAHR2025, thanks to the incredible Rafael Rivera and the awesome team at PIHRA, and we’re podcasting LIVE from the heart of the action! If you’re here at the conference, come find us! Jump on the mic, share your HR insights, and be part of a special series featuring interviews with real HR professionals from across the industry. And don’t miss the keynote! I’m closing out D...

Looking to take your wellness program beyond just checking a box? In the second part of our mini-series on Employer Wellness Programs, I’m joined by the amazing Carly Marino-Healy — Corporate Wellness Expert and Founder & CEO of Marino Wellness LLC. Carly brings years of experience (and a ton of wisdom!) to the table, sharing real-world tips, best practices, and major do’s and don’ts for emplo...

We’re kicking off a 2-part series on Employer Wellness with special guest Austin Ollis—Air Force missileer, active reservist, and founder of the innovative wellness company Fly Bodies. In this episode, we dive into: How to launch or improve a workplace wellness program Realistic tips for increasing employee engagement How to measure ROI and long-term impact Whether you're starting from scratch or...

California’s SB 729 goes into effect July 1, requiring insurance coverage for infertility treatments, including IVF. But what does that really mean for employers, employees, and benefit strategies moving forward? In this episode, I’m joined by Kelly Ellison, COO & Founder of Vesta for Families, for a powerful conversation about the current and future state of fertility and family-building bene...

Jeff Kinsley spent over 30 years in HR at FedEx and now serves as Business Director at Six Seconds — a groundbreaking emotional intelligence (EQ) company with the bold mission of impacting one billion lives through EQ. In this episode, we dive into what emotional intelligence really means, how to integrate it into your organization, and why it matters at every level — from personal growth to execu...

This week’s episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating ACA compliance! We’re diving into one of the most misunderstood areas of the Affordable Care Act: new hires and the Initial Measurement Period. In just 15 high-impact minutes, we break down how to properly set up your PPACA Lookback-Stability Period safe harbor, with clear, actionable insight on what distinguishes the Initial period from t...

We made it. 100 episodes of The HIT Podcast – where Human Resources, Insurance, and Technology collide. To celebrate this incredible milestone, Toby takes a look back and shares his Top 5 most memorable “thoughts” from the journey so far. From the funny to the foundational, these are the gems you won’t want to miss. Thank you for being part of this wild ride. Here's to the next 100! Watch, like, c...

Can you believe the Affordable Care Act is turning 15 years old this weekend?! And oh boy, it’s acting like a moody teenager. Join me as I sit down with super lawyer Marilyn Monahan, widely considered an expert on the ACA—whether you call it PPACA, Obamacare, or the Health Care Reform Bill. We’re diving into the biggest mistakes that are still tripping up employers, including some sneaky ERISA and...

We’re sitting down with Dr. Joey Faucette — executive coach, culture architect, and host of the Work Positive podcast! With over 1,000 published articles featured on Fox News, CNBC, WSJ Market Watch, MSNBC, and Entrepreneur.com, plus his best-selling book Work Positive in a Negative World: Team Edition, Dr. Joey has helped companies worldwide transform their workplace culture. His insights have re...

Did you know that over 99% of medical bills contain charges you DON’T actually owe? On average, that’s more than 30% savings off in-network charges! But here’s the real shocker—hospitals rarely fight back when they’re called out on these errors. The appeal rate? Less than 0.25%… and they’ve never lost an appeal! About the Show: The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought...

Here’s what I love about this episode—we’re skipping the medical talk! This episode focuses exclusively on self-funding strategies for your NON-MEDICAL products—think dental and vision. Have you explored this approach? 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 ove...

This is the video—the one you need to watch—to fully understand how to determine "ALE" (Applicable Large Employer) status under the ACA. Figuring out your employer size isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. The ACA has specific rules on how to “get the count right,” and getting it wrong could result in hefty penalties. This is a concise, clear, and instructive conversation that breaks down...

HIT Podcast, Episode 94 – Did COVID scatter your employees across the country? The remote work wave may have left you with team members in states where you never had a presence before. In this episode, we break down the top five things every employer needs to know when managing a remote workforce across multiple states. Tune in for a quick, high-impact discussion! About the Show: The H.I.T. Podcas...

When success is CRITICAL and the pressure is ON, how do you build a winning culture that gets the BEST out of your team? That’s exactly what we’re diving into in Part Two of my conversation with Aron Hyde—a professional soccer coach who has won an MLS Cup, a Gold Cup, two Concacaf Nations League titles, and helped lead the U.S. National Team to the World Cup. Whether you're leading a sports team o...