The Justin Burgess Podcast

The Storm That Changed Everything: My Hurricane Katrina Story Twenty years ago, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and changed my life forever. We didn’t just lose a building—we lost Sid Mar’s, our family’s restaurant and legacy. In this episode, I walk you through what happened, what it felt like, and what it taught me about business, identity, and resilience. We talk loss, legal battles, rebuildi...

Live from the Ascend Conference, I sat down with Chris Wolpert—founder of Group Benefit Solutions and a 2024 BenefitsPRO Advisor of the Year finalist. We talked about: How to build trust and authority as an insurance professional Lessons from fitness and CrossFit that apply to branding Breaking out of the traditional broker mold Real strategies from top advisors in the field What it takes to grow...

Live from the Ascend Conference — I sit down with Stephanie Koch, nationally recognized HR leader and speaker, to talk about what employers really want from their benefits strategy. From lazy renewals to real alignment with business goals, this episode covers it all. Sponsored by Crumdale SpecialtyDownload the 2025 Broker Playbook: www.crumdalespecialty.com/playbook#employeebenefits #hrleaders #be...

What does Direct Primary Care  actually  look like? In this special live episode from the Ascend Conference, I sit down with Dr. Bernard P. Bubanic and Lorenzo Amaya from Integrated Source One (ISO) to walk through a real-time DPC visit — on the podcast. No scripts, no filters. Just a real exam and real conversation about how DPC, when paired with clinical claim review, can reshape the way employe...

What are you really paying for when you fill a prescription? In this episode, Justin sits down with Dr. Sadie Mannino Bennett, a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist and second-generation pharmacist from Louisiana, to break down the real costs behind pharmacy benefits. They discuss: What makes up the true cost of a prescription Why local pharmacies are being reimbursed below cost The role of...

In this episode, Justin sits down with Jacob King, a rising broker in the employee benefits space. They talk about what it takes to succeed as a young advisor, how the broker role is evolving, and why authenticity and work ethic matter more than ever. This is a real conversation about collaboration, grit, and building something better—for employers and their people.

In this solo episode, Justin Burgess shares the real story behind his transformation—from an overworked, burned-out benefits broker to a disciplined, present father, husband, and business owner. He opens up about: Getting started in the insurance industry The toll of burnout and corporate pressure Losing 50 lbs and regaining mental clarity How CrossFit, routine, and community changed his life Why...

In this solo episode, Justin Burgess breaks down exactly how to build a personal brand in the insurance industry without feeling salesy, overproduced, or fake. Fresh off his appearance on the  Andy Neary Accelerate Your Insurance Sales Podcast , Justin shares the strategy behind his content—what works, what doesn’t, and how to stand out in a crowded space. You’ll learn: Why reposting articles isn’...

In this solo episode, Justin Burgess shares what it really means to do hard things—personally and professionally. From losing 50 pounds through CrossFit to leaving the comfort of a stable job to pursue employee benefits sales, Justin opens up about the uncomfortable moments that led to real growth. He connects these experiences to helping employers rethink their healthcare strategy, challenging th...

Why Group Disability Insurance Isn’t Enough – with Alex Wesdorf Most CFOs and HR directors don’t realize that their  key executives are underinsured  when it comes to disability coverage. Group disability plans  cap out at a certain dollar amount , leaving high-income earners exposed to serious financial risk. In this episode, I sit down with  Alex Wesdorf , an expert in  individual disability ins...

Building a Brand from the Bayou: GATR Coolers CEO Bryan McGehee on Growth, Leadership & Community In this episode, I sit down with  Bryan McGehee, CEO & Co-Founder of GATR Coolers , to discuss how he built a thriving cooler brand in a competitive market. 💡 We cover: How GATR Coolers started with a simple idea and grew into a national brand The entrepreneurial grind—learning business witho...

In this episode of  The Justin Burgess Podcast , I sit down with  Phil Harrison  from Healthcare Reporting to break down the key compliance challenges impacting employers today. We cover: Fiduciary responsibility and what it means for employers The impact of the  Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA)  on health plans RxDC Reporting, Mental Health Parity, Air Ambulance Reporting & Gag Clause At...

In this episode of *The Justin Burgess Podcast*, I sit down with Shawn Torres, CEO of In-Telecom Consulting, to discuss leadership, business growth, and the power of investing in people. Shawn shares his journey from building a company from scratch to scaling it into a multi-million-dollar business. We talk about the importance of company culture, strategic hiring, and how strong employee benefits...

Join me as I interview Bob McCollins, an industry veteran thriving in small-town markets. We discuss innovative strategies, big-picture thinking, and how to achieve success in tight-knit communities. Don't miss this insightful conversation!

In this episode, I take you behind the mic to share my journey—from growing up at my family’s Sid-Mar’s Restaurant to building my career at Benefit Administration Group, and ultimately making the pivotal decision to leave NFP. I also explore my ‘why’ and the passion that fuels my mission to design the next generation of employee benefits.

In this insightful interview, Justin Burgess sits down with Brian Del Savio, VP of Sales at New Benefits, to discuss innovative solutions in the employee benefits space. They dive into how New Benefits provides brokers and employers with customizable packages of over 30 non-insured benefits, from telemedicine and mental health support to financial wellness and fertility solutions. Brian shares his...

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Dean Jargo, CEO of Fair Market Health, to dive deep into some game-changing conversations about the future of healthcare and what employers need to know. From transparent pricing to innovative ways to optimize healthcare costs, we covered some powerful insights that CFOs and HR Directors won’t want to miss! Stay tuned for more, where we’ll explore h...

I’m thrilled to introduce our special guest, Joette Karr. Joette is one of the owners and head coaches at CrossFit Gris Gris, where she has transformed countless lives through her innovative and supportive approach to fitness. In this interview, we’ll dive into her journey, the philosophy behind CrossFit Gris Gris, and how the principles of fitness can enhance employee benefits, mental health, and...

I had the pleasure of interviewing Hugh O'Toole, CEO of Innovu, to discuss his extensive experience in the retirement industry and his insights into the evolving role of data analytics in healthcare. Hugh shares his unique journey, from starting in healthcare to becoming an influential leader in human capital risk management. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging data to create impactful, sus...

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Rebecca Bell from Paylocity. In our conversation, Rebecca shared some incredible insights about Paylocity’s mission to streamline payroll and HR processes for businesses of all sizes. As we navigate the evolving landscape of payroll and HR, Rebecca highlighted the importance of customized solutions, innovative technology, and exceptional support. Pa...

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Ian Woidke from Roundstone. In our conversation, Ian shared some incredible insights about Roundstone’s mission to deliver cost-effective, sustainable employee benefits. Their innovative approach is truly changing the game, helping businesses take control of healthcare costs while ensuring employees get the quality care they need. As we navigate the...

I recently interviewed Brian Behnken at Agility Innovation Partners. In our conversation, Brian shed light on the transformative power of data in shaping employer decisions regarding healthcare spend. His expertise underscores the crucial role of data analytics in navigating the complexities of healthcare economics. As businesses seek sustainable solutions amidst evolving healthcare landscapes, Br...

**Welcome!** In this episode, Justin Burgess interviews David Barrett, Regional Sales Director for Crumdale Partners in Louisiana. They discuss innovative strategies for helping small to mid-sized employers self-insure and contain healthcare costs, focusing on medical and pharmacy expenses. David shares insights on managing pharmacy costs through patient assistance programs, biosimilars, and inter...