UFG Insurance: SPIRIT podcast

In this episode, host Lindsay Tarwater sits down with Brian Brandt from Strategic Financial Solutions (SFS), UFG Insurance’s partner in financial wellness. Brian shares his journey, discusses the powerful partnership between SFS and UFG and explains how employees can take advantage of it. You can check out their website at www.retiresfs.com. Brian shares how financial resilience is key to maintain...

Looking to boost your wellness game? Listen as host Lindsay Tarwater sits down with Jordan Soppe, a certified wellness coach and personal trainer for Mercycare Business Health Solutions. With eight years in the wellness industry, including four years as a certified coach with Mercycare, Jordan has a wealth of expertise to share.   In this episode, Lindsay delves into Jordan’s journey in health and...

In this episode, hosts Lindsay Tarwater and Kari Light sit down with Brent Stepanek, owner of Nutri-Sport and local entrepreneur in Cedar Rapids, to dive into his extensive background in fitness, nutrition, supplements and mixed martial arts.   Listen as Brent reveals his captivating journey into the fitness and wellness industry, exploring the key moments and motivations that shaped his career. B...

In this episode, hosts Lindsay Tarwater and Kelly Hayes sit down with Foundation 2 Crisis Services Chief Development Officer Katie Curtis, just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month in May.    Listen as Kelly delves into Katie’s background, exploring her journey and passion for mental health advocacy that led her to Foundation 2. Learn about Katie’s experiences and the pivotal moments that sha...

Listen as host Lindsay Tarwater explores the art of tidying up with special guest Becky Rapinchuk, also known as “Clean Mama.” Having authored four books on the topic, Clean Mama shares her tried-and-true methods for maintaining a clean and organized home and workspace. Clean Mama also shares the mental health benefits of clutter-free space, offering listeners practical advice and inspiring storie...

In this episode, host Lindsay Tarwater dives deep into the psychology of goal setting, from a health and fitness perspective. She explores why setting goals is crucial for personal growth and success.    From leveraging support systems to cultivating a resilient mindset, Lindsay offers practical tips and strategies that serve as a roadmap for anyone striving to set meaningful and achievable goals...

Hosts Lindsay Tarwater and Victoria Hinke welcome UFG Insurance Change Management Specialist Steph Nelson for an enlightening discussion on her career journey and extensive experience providing effective strategies for coping with change. Listen as Steph also shares more about her passion for people and how she aims to support others through her role in change management and as Co-Lead for the Coa...

What does it take to balance work, life and community involvement? Find out alongside host Kari Light as she discusses health, wellbeing and volunteerism with UFG 2023 Go Beyond Award winner Candice Sweet. Get to know Candice by hearing her share more about her role at UFG, life in Quasqueton “Quasky,” family, accomplishments and inspiring community service. Listen as Candice shares her thoughts o...

Listen in as UFG Employee Well-being Resource Group co-lead Kelly Hayes hosts a conversation about the benefits of building a collaborative network and mutual mentorship with Lindsay Tarwater and UFG HR Program Manager Dana Van Abbema.   The pair discusses how their partnership began, the definition of mutual mentorship, advice on finding the ideal mentor and their thoughts on how this concept dev...

Since every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke, there’s never been a better time to equip ourselves with the knowledge to identify the warning signs to prevent disability and save lives. Listen alongside podcast host Lindsay Tarwater, as Teresa Simon — UFG auto physical damage (APD) claims adjuster — shares her personal story of overcoming and rising from adversity after survivin...

In this episode, you’ll hear podcast host Lindsay Tarwater talk with Drew Martel, chief clinical and training officer with Foundation 2 Crisis Services, about the positive impact he’s made on crisis intervention and suicide prevention in Iowa — including leading a workshop on suicide education for leaders here at UFG Insurance. Listen as Drew shares what PTSD is, how it’s diagnosed and the specifi...

Listen alongside podcast host Lindsay Tarwater as UFG Corporate Strategy Manager Erica Bergfeld-Reed shares how important physical and mental toughness has been in her fight against breast cancer. Erica reveals how much her UFG family supported her throughout her journey — holding signs, dancing and waving outside her hospital window in a show of support. She also discusses how she hopes telling h...

Listen alongside host Victoria Hinke as returning guest Kari Light, heard in the last episode “A More Resilient You”, alongside daughter Zeva, advocate for developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. In this inspiring mother-daughter conversation, Zeva shares her experience helping children with developmental disabilities in her role as a behavior specialist at Johnston STEAM Academy — candidly di...

Podcast host Lindsay Tarwater hands the mic to well-being employee resource group co-leads Kelly Hayes and Kari Light for a poignant, friend-to-friend conversation about Kari’s recent battle with cancer. The pair discuss Kari’s courageous journey and how she moves forward with graceful positivity. A listener is sure to find inspirational, resiliency-filled ideas for overcoming adversities in their...

Host Lindsay Tarwater (formerly Lindsay Olson, congratulations on getting married!) gives a couple updates on the Maintain, Don't Gain challenge that's taking place now through the first full week in January and how to stay motivated, plus a fun event coming to UFit on December 12th!  Tune in and don't forget to subscribe! 

Podcast host Lindsay Olson welcomes UFG Senior Communication Specialist (and deathcare advocate) Sarah Walsh for a refreshing and normalizing conversation about the process of grieving. In addition to more than 15 years as a professional communicator here at UFG, Sarah’s volunteer work in bereavement and hospice services (including training as an end-of-life doula) give her a unique perspective on...

Listen in as host Lindsay Olson is joined by EPIC Women’s Forum lead and DE&I advisory council member Lauren Baskerville to demystify what the EPIC employee resource group (ERG) is all about. Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation that will leave you energized and excited to take part in all the EPIC Women’s Forum (and other ERGs) may offer. Remember, all episodes of the employee resource gr...

Hosts Lindsay Olson and Victoria Hinke welcome UFG Insurance Digital Marketing Manager Zach Schladetzky for a personal talk about becoming a healthier human. Zach’s wellness journey — one he says he’ll be on for the rest of his life — has helped him lose more than 100 pounds. In this inspiration-filled convo, listeners will learn about Zach’s personal experiences along with the trials, tribulation...

How far can a strong mind take you? For UFG’s own Brady Anderson, the answer was 26.21 miles in April 2022. Hosts Lindsay Olson and Victoria Hinke welcome Brady to the show to talk about how mental toughness helped him to the finish line of his first marathon. The trio discuss Brady’s time as a Coe College athlete, motivation and a positive mindset, and how to maintain an overall healthier lifesty...

Lindsay and Victoria are back with Part II of their In-Tune Nutrition talk! Haley Resnick, a 2018 Coe College grad and newly graduated PA out of St. Ambrose University, joins the podcast today! Haley is also a nutrition coach with Healthy Steps Nutrition and will be starting a new job in a Quad Cities emergency room. She'll run through what you need (and don't!) to start eating healthier, tips to...

Lindsay Olson and co-host Shawnee from UFG Insurance are here to talk all about nutrition and what we all can be doing to improve on what we eat. They welcome in Shelby Ann, a nutrition educator based out of the Quad Cities. Shelby is the the owner of Serenity Strong Coaching, working on improving your mindset when it comes to fitness and nutrition. She currently coaches group fitness classes at 1...

Lindsay Olson and co-host Victoria Hinke from UFG Insurance are back to talk about goal setting for the new year and talk about why many people don't follow through on their resolutions and what you can do to not fall off the wagon.  They also talk about what services UFG has to help hold you accountable to your goals, not only at the start but all through the year. Reach out to Lindsay or Vi...

Lindsay Olson and co-host Shawnee Haendler from UFG Insurance are joined by Cindy Persico, Regional VP of EAP services for HealthAdvocate, to breakdown what employee assistance programming can do for UFG staff and their family. Spoiler alert: It’s so much more than you might expect. If you’d like to take advantage of any of the services that HealthAdvocate provides, give them a confidential call,...

Introducing our new U[Fit] resiliency program! We have all built resilience in overcoming obstacles the pandemic (and 2020) has thrown at us. However, resiliency is like a muscle — if we don’t use it, we lose it. It’s not a fixed trait but these skills can be taught. Let’s explore a different perspective as we hear from some individuals who have overcome obstacles to become more resilient. This vi...