Best OneDigital CT Podcasts (2025)

1
Transforming Benefits with AI: From Confusion to Clarity with Rohan D’Souza, Co-Founder & CEO of Avante 49:18

Play Pause

8d ago49:18

49:18

Employers are spending more than ever on healthcare, yet many benefits go underused and employees remain unsure how to navigate them. The problem isn’t the benefits themselves, but the outdated ways they’re managed and communicated. In this episode, host Jeff Cross talks with Rohan D’Souza, Co-Founder & CEO of Avante, about how AI is transforming b…

1
Captive Success Story: Horst Engineering's Path to Cost Control & Employee Wellbeing with Anthony Luis, Director of HR & Administration 28:06

30d ago28:06

28:06

Tired of watching your employee benefits costs climb year after year? In this episode of Friends with Employee Benefits, we explore how one company broke free from the costly, fully insured model and took control with a self-funded approach using a group healthcare captive. Our guest, Anthony Luis, Director of Human Resources and Administration at …

1
ICHRA Success Stories: How Loureiro Engineering Reimagined Health Coverage & Cut Costs with Brian Cutler, CEO 52:09

3M ago52:09

52:09

In this episode, host Jeff Cross speaks with Brian Cutler, CEO of Loureiro Engineering, an employee-owned global engineering company based in Plainville, Connecticut. Brian shares the compelling story behind Loureiro Engineering's decision to transition from a traditional group health insurance plan to an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Ar…

1
The Invisible Crisis: How Caregiving is Quietly Draining Your Workforce ft. Homethrive 33:25

4M ago33:25

33:25

Did you know that caregiving is the second leading reason employees leave the workforce, right after retirement?* In this insightful episode, host Jeff Cross sits down with George Nightingale and Adriana Medina from Homethrive to shine a light on the often-overlooked challenges faced by working caregivers. The conversation reveals how many employee…

1
Fractional Work and People-First Leadership with Darrin Tulley, Fractional Operating & People Officer at Koster Keunen 39:24

5M ago39:24

39:24

In this episode, we sit down with Darrin Tulley, Fractional Operating and People Officer at Koster Keunen, a global manufacturer of waxes. During this conversation, we dive into the world of fractional work—a growing trend that’s changing how companies and professionals connect. Darrin explains why more organizations are turning to fractional roles…

1
Breaking the Stigma: Rethinking Mental Health Care with Daniel Lawhon, Founder & CEO of First Tracks Health 29:58

5M ago29:58

29:58

We recently sat down with Daniel Lawhon, the driving force behind First Tracks Health. Daniel shares his unique journey and sheds light on the current mental health landscape, exploring why anxiety and depression are on the rise and what employers can do to support their teams. Jeff Cross and Daniel dive deep into the challenges of accessing qualit…

1
Crafting a Well-Designed Workplace Mental Health Strategy to Help Your People Thrive with John Lufburrow, Chief Revenue Officer at ReviveHealth 1:02:21

6M ago1:02:21

1:02:21

John Lufburrow, Chief Revenue Officer at ReviveHealth, joins Jeff Cross on the podcast to discuss how employers can move past the traditional EAP programs to drive greater impact on their workforces' mental health. From their successful virtual care clinic solution to mental health Rx (not what you think it is!) and weight health vs. weight loss, t…

1
GLP-1s, The Rebate Game & Tariffs - Oh My! A Conversation with Richard Lo, Director of Clinical Services, OneDigital Pharmacy Consulting 38:15

7M ago38:15

38:15

According to the 2025 Employer Health Care Strategy Survey by Business Group on Health, 27% of an employer's healthcare spending was due to pharmacy costs in 2023, up from 21% in 2021. And it's not slowing down anytime soon as this becomes one of the fastest-growing expense categories for businesses. To understand why pharmacy costs continue to ris…

1
Beyond Symptoms: A Doctor's Perspective on Healthcare in America 34:08

7M ago34:08

34:08

We sat down with Dr. Brian Williams, a family medicine physician in Mystic, Connecticut, to get his perspective on the current healthcare system in America and how we, as individuals, can live healthier lifestyles as well as create healthier workplaces for our employees. During this discussion, we delve into why we don't see ads for broccoli or fis…

1
Introducing Season 4: Rethinking Healthcare, Together 1:29

7M ago1:29

1:29

Friends with Employee Benefits is back with another season and this time, we're focused on one underlying theme: help employers contain their healthcare cost by, among other things, helping their employees live healthier lifestyles. This season, we’re tackling the biggest challenges in healthcare today: the obesity crisis, the rise of GLP-1s medica…

1
Navigating the Skilled Labor Market: Insights from Jim Bologa, President and CEO at Porter & Chester Institute 25:01

1y ago25:01

25:01

In today’s competitive job market, finding skilled workers has become a pressing challenge for employers across various industries. Jim Bologa, President and CEO at Porter & Chester Institute, joins Jeff Cross to share valuable insights and strategies to help bridge the skills gap. The two speak on workforce shortages and explore how Porter & Chest…

1
Building a Culture Around Purpose & Trust with Jessica Rich, co-CEO of The Walker Group 30:03

1y ago30:03

30:03

100% retention in 24 months in this labor market? Sounds impossible - but that's been the reality for The Walker Group and co-CEO, Jessica Rich, who over the past year helped her organization turn to a Perpetual Purpose Trust (PPT) ownership structure. PPT for short, made most popular by Patagonia recently turning to this structure in 2022, legally…

1
A Deep Dive into AI in the Workplace with Vinay Gidwaney, Chief Product Officer at OneDigital 48:24

1+ y ago48:24

48:24

Generative AI is, and will continue, to transform the American Workplace. How can HR and business leaders prepare for this change? Vinay Gidwaney, Chief Product Officer and our go-to AI expert at OneDigital, joins Host Jeff Cross, Client Executive, for a discussion around artificial intelligence (AI) - including what it is, where we currently stand…

1
A Conversation Around Employee Engagement, Mental Health & Wellbeing with Lisa Harris & Jody Breault at VEIC 34:47

2y ago34:47

34:47

Mental health awareness is more than just one month out of the year. It's a year-round opportunity to continue to show up for your employees so they can do their best work and live their best life. And that's how Lisa Harris, Chief People Officer, and Jody Breault, Manager of Benefits and Wellness at VEIC, view their workforce strategy. In this con…

1
Lifestyle Spending Accounts: What Are They & How Are They Keeping Employees Engaged with Lisa Jacobi, CHRO at COCC, Ryan Burns + Megan Burns from Forma 39:04

2+ y ago39:04

39:04

With the workforce becoming increasingly diverse year over year, employers are struggling with finding the right type of benefits that fit all their employees' needs. But there's one benefit that's ranked as the second most valuable employee benefit among all age groups, demographics, and industries: lifestyle spending accounts (LSAs). Tune into th…

1
SECURE 2.0 in 20 Minutes: What This Legislation Means For Your Organization with Sean Patton, SVP, Retirement Services at OneDigital 23:44

2+ y ago23:44

23:44

In this quick hit episode, we'll cover why SECURE 2.0 was created, what the impact will mean for your organization + your people, what deadlines are approaching, and what employers should be thinking about now to implement in the future. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not …

1
Retaining Your People is Not the Answer to Your Workforce Strategy with Travis Dommert, SVP of Talent at OneDigital 41:51

2+ y ago41:51

41:51

In this episode, Host Jeff Cross is joined by Travis Dommert, SVP of Talent at OneDigital, for a candid conversation around why retaining your employees is not the answer when an organization is building their workforce strategy. Travis challenges the status quo by identifying how changing one word can completey alter the way leaders show up for th…

1
A Conversation with Paul LaVoie, Chief Manufacturing Officer for the State of Connecticut 42:13

3y ago42:13

42:13

Paul LaVoie, Chief Manufacturing Officer for the State of Connecticut, joins Host Jeff Cross for a conversation about the state of manufacturing in CT and the impact the current workplace challenges are having on this. The two dive into topics such as staffing, the great resignation, the impact of a recession, bringing more work to CT and more. If …

1
Starting the Year off with Conscious Accountability (Part 2) with David Tate, Co-Author, Executive Coach & Professor at Yale 28:01

3y ago28:01

28:01

Before you press play, make sure you go back to Part 1 released on January 10th to hear the first part of this conversation between Host Jeff Cross and David Tate. Being able to promote accountability is essential for organizational success. But the realities of how work has changed demand a new approach to accountability that supports results, peo…

1
Starting the Year off with Conscious Accountability (Part 1) with David Tate, Co-Author, Executive Coach & Professor at Yale 32:11

3y ago32:11

32:11

Being able to promote accountability is essential for organizational success. But the realities of how work has changed demand a new approach to accountability that supports results, people, and a culture of continuous improvement. Host Jeff Cross sat down with David Tate, Psychologist, Executive Coach, Professor at Yale, and Co-Author of his recen…

1
How Connecticut PFML is Going for Employers with Kate Pikul, HR Director at Avid Marketing 41:32

3y ago41:32

41:32

With being almost a full year into the new Connecticut Paid Family and Medical Leave program, we decided to sit down with a CT-based employer to find out how things are going. Kate Pikul, HR Director at Avid Marketing, shares her experiences with the state plan, how her team and employees are finding the process, what hurdles they are still facing …

1
How to Have Fun at Work with Rachel Waldmann, Sr. Manager of Employee Experience at Privy 30:26

3+ y ago30:26

30:26

Rachel Waldmann, Sr. Manager of Employee Experience at Privy, joined us this week to discuss the shift we are seeing from the term "Human Resources" to this idea of the People Experience and how employees are expecting more from their employers, brought on by the pandemic and the Great Resignation. The two also get into this idea of being happy at …

1
A Conversation with an Executive Trauma Coach for Mental Health Awareness Month 29:35

3+ y ago29:35

29:35

Most likely, the vast majority of your employees have or are currently experiencing some sort of trauma brought on by current life events. Inflation, rising gas prices, the war in Ukraine, political divisiveness - just to name a few of the ongoing stories hitting the 5:00 news that are causing stress levels to rise and distracting us from being abl…

1
Best Practices for Managing Poor Performance in the Workplace with Karen Casey, Head of People & Culture at Canidae Pet 36:09

3+ y ago36:09

36:09

Karen Casey, Head of People & Culture at Canidae Pet, joined Host Jeff Cross this week to discuss an important topic that all human resource professionals run into at some point in their career: managing poor performers. The two get into a great discussion around coaching vs. managing, how much time performance improvement plans should be given, ho…

1
How to Help Employees Thrive at Work & Retire on Time with Gordon Oliver, Cambridge Credit Counseling 31:06

3+ y ago31:06

31:06

58% of those who are feeling stressed, depressed, and lonely attribute it to financial problems.* Whether employers realize it or not - a majority of their employees are dealing with financial stress which leads to distractions at work and decreased productivity. For business leaders who truly care about their employees and want them to be able to …

1
How the Physical Workplace Can Aid in Getting Your Workforce Back to the Office with Rebecca Sarkosi, QA+M Architecture 22:24

3+ y ago22:24

22:24

Tune into this episode with Rebecca Sarkosi, Associate & Director of Interior Design, as she dives into something most employers forget about when putting together their strategy for combatting the great resignation: the physical workplace. During this discussion, Rebecca shares with Jeff how employers can leverage their office space to help their …

1
Hiring for a Diverse Workforce: Where to Start with Stephanie Johnson, Training Consultant 29:21

4y ago29:21

29:21

Stephanie Johnson, Training Consultant, joins Jeff Cross on our first episode of 2022 to chat about hiring diversely. Employers have been prioritizing their DE&I efforts over the past few years, but many are still struggling with where to start. Stephanie dives into what it means to hire diversely, the steps HR professionals should take to ensure t…

1
Getting to the Root Cause of the Great Resignation with Sara Martin, CEO at WELCOA 30:32

4y ago30:32

30:32

Sara Martin, CEO at WELCOA, joins the podcast to chat about her thoughts on the Great Resignation, how mental health has played a role, what employers and leaders should be doing about it and where she sees the future of work heading. An impactful 30-minute episode for any organization looking to support their workforce holistically in 2022. Music …

1
The Great Resignation or the Great Shift? Talking Employee Wellbeing with Patrick Yam, CEO & Co-Founder at Somnology 27:10

4y ago27:10

27:10

Sleep happens outside of work hours - so why should employers care about their employees sleeping habits? Patrick Yam, CEO at Somnology, joins Host Jeff Cross, to dive into this and address the impact sleep has on employer-sponsored health plans as well as employee wellbeing, in addition to what HR professionals can do to better support their emplo…

1
Connecticut Paid Leave: Short-Term Disability Impact, Claims Process, Anticipated Utilization & More with Principal 40:14

4y ago40:14

40:14

With less than 3 months to go before Connecticut Paid Leave Benefits kick-in, employers and HR professionals across the state are looking for answers as it relates to the process of applying and tracking claims, if a private plan option is still advantageous, and why employers should be holding on to their STD plans. Ben and Chris from the Principa…

1
Telemedicine After COVID-19: Continuing the Momentum & Understanding its Impact with Dr. Mary Mulcare, CMO at Summus Global 28:13

4y ago28:13

28:13

Dr. Mary Mulcare, Chief Medical Officer at Summus Global, joins Host Jeff Cross in a lively discussion around "care delay," covid regulations on telemedicine that are expiring and how to continue the momentum around leveraging telehealth services. A timely episode as many are heading into Open Enrollment season and are looking to continue to suppor…

1
Vaccine Mandates, Surcharges & Incentives: Best Practices for Employers 28:23

4y ago28:23

28:23

The recent surge in COVID cases nationwide has upped the stakes for employers in their efforts to maintain safe workplaces for employees. To address the risk related to unvaccinated employee status, employers are evaluating several options that range from a mandate to friendly suggestions. Tune into this episode as we tackle the most pressing quest…

1
Leveraging Coaching, Feedback & Continuous Learning to Create an Intentional 'Culture' with Maureen Gallo, Executive VP at Beekley Corporation 49:49

4+ y ago49:49

49:49

Music By: Colin Cross MusicBy OneDigital CT

1
A Conversation with State Senator Kevin Kelly on Healthcare in CT 42:21

4+ y ago42:21

42:21

Back in December, we had US Senator Chris Murphy join the podcast to chat about the future of Healthcare in CT. To get the other side of the aisle, we invited CT State Senator Kevin Kelly to join the podcast to chat about where he sees the future of healthcare going and what the Republican Party is currently doing about it. Music By: Colin Cross Mu…

1
Getting the Most Out of Your EAP's to Build a Mentally Healthy Workplace with Meghan Stokes, VP Clinical Services at BHS 26:38

4+ y ago26:38

26:38

Music By: Colin Cross MusicBy OneDigital CT

1
Answering Your COBRA Subsidy & Tax Credit Questions with Bob Radecki, Senior Reg. & Public Policy Analyst 25:30

4+ y ago25:30

25:30

Music By: Colin Cross MusicBy OneDigital CT

1
Returning to People, Maintaining Culture & Leaders vs. Bosses with Jon Pace, Chief People Officer at CompassMSP (IT Direct) 34:00

4+ y ago34:00

34:00

Music By: Colin Cross MusicBy OneDigital CT

1
Q&A Round-Up: American Rescue Plan Act, Vaccinations & Returning to the Workplace 50:43

4+ y ago50:43

50:43

What is the definitive definition of involuntary termination for the COBRA subsidy? Can an employer ask for documentation that an employee has received the vaccine? How can we build vaccine confidence with employees? What are the considerations for those who have moved out of state due to remote work? We tackle your pressing questions during this p…

1
How Workplace Culture Influences Productivity & Performance with Becca Jacobs, HR Manager at Instrumart 28:06

4+ y ago28:06

28:06

Music By: Colin Cross MusicBy OneDigital CT

1
Answering Your Connecticut Paid Leave Questions 34:06

4+ y ago34:06

34:06

Looking for helpful CT Paid Leave resources? Look no further: OneDigital Connecticut Paid Leave Portal OnDemand Webinar: CT Paid Leave & Absence Management: Which Way is Up? Employer FAQ Page Music By: Colin Cross MusicBy OneDigital CT

1
Virtual Open Enrollment: Takeaways & Best Practices with Katelyn Ayala, Benefits & HRIS Specialist at Paradigm Precision 23:34

4+ y ago23:34

23:34

Music By: Colin Cross MusicBy OneDigital CT

1
The New Focus on Human Experience 39:34

4+ y ago39:34

39:34

As work changes, so does the dynamic between employee and employer. An entirely new approach to engagement and performance is influencing the nature of work and challenging the fundamental elements of the traditional employee-employer relationship. To dig into this shift further, download our 2020-2021 Emerging Trends in HR & Workforce Management G…

1
Your Vaccine Questions Answered 50:51

5y ago50:51

50:51

This recording was taken from a live webinar hosted on 1/28. To watch the on-demand experience and access the resources mentioned during this conversation, click here. Music By: Colin Cross MusicBy OneDigital CT

1
What We've Learned from 2020 & What to Expect in 2021 33:34

5y ago33:34

33:34

Music By: Colin Cross MusicBy OneDigital CT

1
A Conversation with U.S. Senator Chris Murphy on Healthcare 19:52

5y ago19:52

19:52

About Senator Murphy Christopher Scott Murphy is an American politician and author serving as the junior United States Senator from Connecticut since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served in the United States House of Representatives, representing Connecticut's 5th congressional district from 2007 to 2013. Music By: Colin Cro…

1
Navigate, Pivot or Stay the Course? Helping Employee's Thrive in Uncertain Times 31:47

5y ago31:47

31:47

Resources mentioned during this episode: Upcoming ENGAGE Chat on 12/3 New York Times Webinar: Music By: Colin Cross MusicBy OneDigital CT

1
Green Puppy, Hidden Chocolate & An Incredible Discovery: Some Good News You Might Have Missed 29:51

5y ago29:51

29:51

Dig more into these news stories here: Hidden Candy Buddy the Beefalo Train Saved by Whale Tail 14-Year Old Makes Massive Discovery Puppy Born Green in Italy Dog Walks 62 Miles to Find Owner Tokyo Toilet Project CT Museum Trying For World Record Music By: Colin Cross MusicBy OneDigital CT

1
A Discussion Around The Election, Prescription Drugs & Lowering Costs 33:45

5y ago33:45

33:45

Business & HR Leaders were bracing for rising benefits costs this year - and that was before the pandemic. Pharmacy benefits typically represent nearly 30% of a company's total healthcare expenses and are predicted to increase by roughly 6% annually through 2025. This week's episode dives into what employers can be doing to manage their costs, how …

1
Empowering & Engaging Employees with Jason Lauristen 41:35

5y ago41:35

41:35

It’s an extraordinary time in human capital management. CHRO’s are in lockstep with the c-suite as they determine how to fundamentally reshape how they operate. Leaders are quickly realizing there is no such thing as a “new normal.” Rather, they must completely rethink the employer-employee relationship. Jason Lauritsen, employee engagement expert …

1
Connecticut Paid Family Leave Update 40:39

5y ago40:39

40:39

Keeping track of state legislation, as well as national leave trends, is essential to better support your employees as paid family leave becomes more and more complex. According to the EEOC, the average cost of defending a family medical leave lawsuit is $78,000, and if found guilty of wrongful termination, damages can range from $87,000 to $450,00…