The Business of Benefits Podcast

Welcome back to the No BS. No sales pitch. Just real solutions podcast.  This week our host Chelsea Ryckis sits down with Justin Held, CEBS of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) to unpack what HR, CFOs, and CEOs need now: neutral education, fiduciary guardrails, and a practical path to future-proof employee benefits. In this episode: What IFEBP is and how it helps plan...

If you have ever been told “you can’t access your own portal” or “don’t worry, we’ve got great PPO discounts,” this episode is for you. Today host Chelsea unpacks real stories employers have shared with me and the costly myths behind them. Names and details are changed, the situations are real. Use this as a checklist to protect your plan, your data, and your people. In this episode The red flag n...

Welcome back to The Business of Benefits Podcast, your no BS, no sales guide to real solutions in employee benefits. Today, host Chelsea Ryckis sits down with Nelson Griswold of Next Gen Benefits to unpack the so-called “big lie” in healthcare and show employers how to take control of cost and quality. Nelson Griswold is a leading voice in employer-sponsored healthcare reform and author of Healthc...

Welcome back to The Business of Benefits Podcast – your no-BS, no-sales guide to real solutions in employee benefits. In this solo episode, host Chelsea breaks down what it really means to have a multi-year healthcare strategy for your company. Instead of reacting to renewals at the last minute and hearing the same excuses year after year, Chelsea shows you how to treat your benefits program like...

In this powerful episode, Donovan Ryckis sits down with Jay Gepfert, President of The Culpepper Group, to unpack what employers don't know—and what it’s costing them. With decades of experience on both the retirement and healthcare side of the fiduciary table, Jay brings the receipts on how hidden broker compensation, lack of transparency, and outdated fee structures are draining company resources...

Welcome back to The Business of Benefits Podcast! In Part 2 of our deep dive with Danielle Young of ClaimDoc, we shift focus from theory to reality — what actually happens when employees engage with a reference-based pricing (RBP) plan? We break down: The truth about provider access How ClaimDoc achieves a 96%+ acceptance rate Fear-based tactics vs real-world outcomes How to handle balance bills —...

Welcome to The Business of Benefits Podcast — the no BS, no sales guide to transforming your health benefits. In this explosive Part 1 of our two-part series, Chelsea Ryckis sits down with Danielle Young of ClaimDoc and host of Claim Talk to unpack one of the most misunderstood and feared concepts in healthcare: reference-based pricing (RBP). What is RBP? How does it really work? And is it as scar...

Today’s episode of The Business of Benefits is a masterclass in bold HR leadership. Meet Stephanie Koch, Director of HR at Hendry Marine, who shares how she went from sitting silently in renewal meetings to transforming her company’s healthcare strategy — saving nearly $24 million in the process. Host Chelsea Ryckis and Stephanie dive deep into: Why most companies are stuck in “spreadsheet” health...

In this no-nonsense episode of The Business of Benefits, host Chelsea Ryckis dives into the critical but often misunderstood world of Third Party Administrators (TPAs) with industry veteran Eugene Starks. This episode offers employers and consultants a candid breakdown of why the TPA is arguably the most important player in a health plan—acting as the “quarterback” responsible for claims processin...

This week's episode dives deep into real-world strategies for transforming health plans—rooted in fiduciary responsibility, transparency, and measurable outcomes.  In this powerful episode, the team sits down with Bryan Orr, CEO of Kalos Services, live from the 2025 Florida Health Care Alliance conference. Bryan shares how he radically redesigned his company’s health plan—cutting costs by 42% belo...

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 a...

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...

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 w...

Could your company be blindsided by an ERISA lawsuit? Join us as we sit down with Jen Berman from MCQ Consulting, who gives us the scoop on a groundbreaking case involving JP Morgan. Unlike previous lawsuits that focused on HR and finance executives, this one takes aim at the board of directors, setting a precedent that could reverberate through companies big and small. Jen unpacks why this case c...

Are you tired of skyrocketing healthcare costs and feeling like there’s nothing you can do about it? In this special episode of The Business of Benefits Podcast, we flip the script on traditional benefits planning. CEO of Ethos Benefits, Donovan Ryckis, sits down with Bryan Orr, President of Kalos Services and host of the HVAC School Podcast, to dive deep into how Kalos transformed its healthcare...

In this episode of The Business of Benefits, host Chelsea Ryckis dives into a crucial topic for HR professionals, CFOs, and employers—how to indemnify the risk of your fiduciary committee. If you're involved in employee benefits decisions, you’re likely acting as a fiduciary under ERISA, which means you have a legal and ethical responsibility to act in the best interest of your employees.   Joinin...

This episode is not just another dialogue; it's an exposé of the often hidden truths within the benefits system. As a registered nurse, Deb sheds light on the intricacies of medical management and its profound impact on healthcare delivery and financing. Listeners will be captivated by personal anecdotes and insights into the tumultuous journey toward healthcare transparency, challenging the statu...

Join hosts Chelsea and Donovan Ryckis in this engaging episode as they join Spencer in his podcast to unravel the complexities and opportunities in the self-funded healthcare space. This episode dives into the importance of fiduciary responsibility, the impact of healthcare costs on employers, and the potential for innovative solutions to transform the industry. Discover why self-funding may be th...

In this episode, we are thrilled to host the dynamic Chris Yarn, CEO and founder of Walk On Clinic. Walk On Clinic is pioneering healthcare delivery with its innovative mobile and on-site clinic model, providing employees with easy access to top-notch primary care services right at their workplace. Chris Yarn isn’t just transforming healthcare from a business perspective; his personal story of bat...

Welcome to Season 2 of The Business of Benefits Podcast—your no BS, no sales, no gimmicks guide to rethinking employee benefits. This season, we're diving deep into the strategies, data, and solutions that transform how businesses approach healthcare and benefits. From cutting through industry jargon to offering actionable insights, we’re here to equip you with the tools to care for your most valu...

180 million Americans rely on their employers for healthcare, but what if there's a hidden truth keeping costs unnecessarily high? In this episode of the Ethos Effect Podcast, host Chelsea Ryckis pulls back the curtain on the healthcare industry's biggest myth: the idea that employers can't control their healthcare costs. Chelsea, President and Founder of Ethos Benefits, shares how misaligned ince...

Listen as we explore a transformative journey that begins with the launch of an insurance agency at just 25, in a fiercely competitive industry. Tune into an inspiring narrative of resilience, adaptability, and strategic growth, marked by a life-altering brain injury and insightful experiences navigating the healthcare system. In this episode, we unravel the myths surrounding healthcare costs and...

In this episode, we dive into the world of employee healthcare with Korie, a dedicated account manager at Ethos Benefits. Kories hares her inspiring journey into the insurance industry and passion for making healthcare more accessible and humanized for both employers and employees. We also tackle pressing challenges, like those faced by pregnant members in Florida, and how Ethos Benefits' innovati...

In this compelling episode of Ethos Effect, host Donovan Ryckis sits down with Patrick Ansara, an Account Executive at Ethos Benefits. Patrick’s journey from studying health policy at the University of Michigan to tackling real-world healthcare financial challenges is nothing short of inspiring. Join us as we dive into the complexities of the American healthcare system, explore innovative approach...

Meghan Anderson, an account executive at Ethos Benefits, joins us as we celebrate our Benefits Pro Luminaries Award for humanizing employee benefits. With a unique dual role that bridges the gap between employers and employees, Meghan shares her expertise on navigating the intricate world of healthcare finance and delivery. Listen as she recounts impactful stories, including how her strategic coll...