Episodes

“I think we're now at a point where we as a society are recognizing we can't wait until it gets bad enough. And how do we get people into care sooner?" - Megan Rozanski I wanted to close out January with a focus on mental health and how to continue breaking down the stigma surrounding it, and Megan Rozanski was gracious enough to join me in the studio to do just that. Expanding access to and improving the delivery of healthcare have been two key values of the podcast since the beginning, and t...

"Whereas the current structure pits [employers, doctors, and patients] against each other, with Direct Primary Care, we all want the same thing." - Dr. David Cameron For Dr. David Cameron, DPC (direct primary care) isn't just another health insurance acronym; it’s a revolutionary approach to delivering healthcare that has transformed his role as a physician. Beyond incorporating DPC into his practice, David, in his capacity as the Chief Medical Officer at Hint Connect, is actively working to e...

"The only thing that will fix healthcare is restoring the doctor patient relationship without anybody in between it." - Emma Fox Emma Fox joins me on this special pre-YouPowered Symposium episode to talk about her healthcare journey, from moving to America and discovering just how broken our system was for the first time to recently meeting with the President to discuss what needs to be done. Emma’s early experience with medical debt and medical bankruptcy inspired her huge passion for transpa...

"Health insurance has been so perverted that it becomes the one insurance that we go bankrupt when we use." - David Contorno I was super grateful to have David Contorno, founder of e-Powered Benefits, join me on the podcast for a conversation covering many aspects of the healthcare landscape, from how brokers can think outside the boxes to change the industry to how we need to change the way employers look at wellness plans. At a time when the average family premium is over $23,000 a year, the...

"If we can take that [financial] anxiety away from them to where they can focus on their health, that's our mission, that's our cause. That's what we want to do." - Brett Morris Brett Morris joins me on the podcast for a conversation revolving around the Samaritan Fund Program, which he developed to help those individuals and families who have been physically and financially devastated by a medical diagnosis. He directly works with employers and employees, helping to mitigate high-cost medical...

Advanced Medical Strategies - Stacy Borans - Founder of AMS Stacy Borans is a seasoned expert in healthcare technology and data analysis, with a robust background in medical cost management. As a key player at Advanced Medical Strategies (AMS), she has been instrumental in developing software solutions for payment accuracy, risk assessment, and business intelligence in the healthcare industry. Her perspective on healthcare technology and data analysis in medical cost management is shaped by he...

Josh Honaker is a seasoned pediatrician from South Central Kentucky, renowned for his expertise in integrating telehealth and education in pediatric healthcare. He currently serves as the CEO of Parent MD, a platform that embodies his belief in the necessity of Telehealth and education as solutions to common frustrations and disconnects in pediatric healthcare. Dr. Honaker's perspective is shaped by his experiences with time constraints and high patient volumes, which often leave parents feeli...

How Should Insurance Brokers Get Paid - Jonathan Lopez Jonathan Lopez's career journey is a testament to the power of hard work and continuous learning. From a shoulder injury in the Marine Corps to earning a doctorate in leadership, Lopez has overcome obstacles and embraced opportunities to shape his professional path. Lopez's commitment to helping others extends beyond his career. He is actively involved in fundraising for wells in Tanzania through the Water Boys organization. This philanthr...

In this episode of the podcast Self-Funded with Spencer, hosted by Spencer Smith and featuring Sam Moen, the co-founder of MD Direct, the discussion centered around MD Direct's unique approach to optimizing healthcare and nutrition. MD Direct is a healthcare company that aims to bridge the gap in hospital nutrition and diet, focusing on individual performance and optimizing knowledge to help patients achieve their health goals. One of the key factors that impact MD Direct's approach is the dis...

Recruit & Retain with Employee Benefits - Kyle Minick The evolving employer market is placing a greater emphasis on HR policies, benefits, and healthcare transparency. In this episode of the podcast "Self Funded" hosted by Spencer Smith and featuring Kyle Minick, the importance of these factors in talent management strategies was discussed. Traditionally, financial compensation has been the primary focus for employers when it comes to attracting and retaining talent. However, surveys have cons...

The TPA Problem-Solver - Madeline Smith of MADDRS Today's episode features Madeline, CEO and Founder of MADDRS. Madeline Smith is a passionate insurance professional with a diverse background in writing, teaching, coaching, and consulting, and a strong desire to improve differentiation and value in the self-funded plan industry. Madeline sees her role evolving to focus more on teaching, supporting, and consulting behind the scenes, rather than being at the forefront trying to sell and produce...

From Military Service to Employee Benefits - Two Veterans' Journey into Healthcare Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be a daunting task for some veterans. However, with the right support and guidance, veterans can find fulfilling careers in various industries. One such industry is insurance consulting, which offers a unique blend of strategic thinking, problem-solving, and client management. In a recent episode of the podcast @SelfFunded with Spencer, hosted by Spencer S...

In this episode of the podcast @SelfFunded with Spencer, hosted by Spencer Smith and featuring Paul Pruitt, the topic of addressing high medication costs in healthcare was discussed. The episode shed light on the challenges faced by individuals and employers due to the financial burden of expensive medications and explored potential solutions to alleviate this issue. Paul Pruitt, CGO of SHARx, shared his personal experience of spending $1.8M on annually on medication for his family. This stagge...

Pharmacogenetics: Personalized Medicine for the Future In a this episode of the podcast "Self Funded" hosted by Spencer Smith, entrepreneur Nick Glimcher shared his journey from the world of commercial real estate to the healthcare industry. Glimcher's story highlights the importance of adaptability and seizing opportunities in different industries. He emphasizes the link between powerlifting and entrepreneurship, both requiring consistent effort and commitment for success. One of the key cha...

In this episode of the podcast "Self Funded with Spencer," host Spencer Smith sat down with CJ Brock, the CEO of Better Way Medical Group, to discuss a range of topics related to healthcare innovations and challenges. The conversation covered groundbreaking advancements in heart transplants, the shift of surgical procedures to office settings, and the obstacles faced by healthcare providers. One of the highlights of the episode was the opening discussion on the revolutionary heart box, a device...

Executive Medical Benefits with ArmadaCare - Rachel Rutherford This week's episode features Rachel Rutherford, Sales Director at ArmadCare, where she and host of @SelfFunded with Spencer - Spencer Smith, dive into the world of Executive Benefits. In today's competitive job market, attracting and retaining top talent is crucial for the success of any organization. Human Resources (HR) directors play a vital role in determining organizational benefits and tailoring them to individual needs. This...

Today, we're diving into the world of affordable and accessible healthcare benefits for hourly employees. Meet Hooray Health, a game-changer in the industry that aims to bridge the gap between basic healthcare needs and major medical insurance. With their innovative approach and data-driven insights, Hooray Health is revolutionizing the way we think about healthcare. So, let's jump right in and explore their journey! The Birth of a Vision: Shane Foss, the CEO and founder of Hooray Health. They...

Welcome to Episode 112 of Self-Funded with SPencer, featuring Landon Fielding of Brite! Navigating the world of employee benefits can often feel like an overwhelming and confusing task. From understanding different plans to making informed decisions, employees are often left feeling lost and uninformed. This is where Brite Benefits comes in. Co-Founded by Landon Fielding, a seasoned benefits consultant, Brite Benefits is a revolutionary benefits education platform designed to simplify the compl...

Generic Drugs at Cost with ZERO Markup - ScriptCo In this episode of our podcast, host Spencer Smith welcomes Zach Zeller, the founders of Scriptco. They are on a mission to disrupt the traditional healthcare system by offering transparent medication pricing and emphasizing the importance of affordable generics. Join us as we explore their journey, the benefits of Scriptco, and the potential for change in the healthcare industry. Unveiling the Dark Underbelly of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs...

From Tragedy to Triumph: The Journey of Writing 'Wounds' In this week's episode of the podcast "Self Funded" with Spencer, hosted by Spencer Smith, performance coach Ryan Miller shares his unique coaching approach that combines psychology, self-perception, and personal branding. Ryan's coaching journey began with a focus on sales, but it quickly evolved to encompass a deeper understanding of human behavior and the importance of self-perception in achieving success. Ryan believes that influenc...

In this week's episode, Spencer Smith and Sean Turner delve into Sean's inspiring journey of establishing his insurance agency, Buffer Insurance. We explore the key takeaways from their conversation, offering practical advice and data-driven insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. Key Highlights: 1. The Challenges of Hiring Employees and Empowering Your Team: Starting an agency often means taking on the responsibility of hiring employees before revenue catches up. Sean Turner initially faced thi...

Welcome back to another episode of our podcast, where we dive deep into the world of insurance and healthcare. Today, we have a fascinating conversation between Spencer Smith and Elizabeth Vire, Vice President of National Sales at HPI (Health Plans, Inc.). They discuss the importance of a long-term strategy when working with third-party administrators (TPAs) in the insurance industry, along with practical insights and data-driven advice. So, let's jump right in! The Power of Strategy and Except...

The History of Self-Funding - Larry Turell Have you ever wondered how self funding in the insurance industry evolved over the years? Wonder no more because that is the theme of this episode of the Self-Funded with Spencer podcast. In our latest episode, host Spencer Smith and Larry Turrell dive into the fascinating history of self funding, from its humble beginnings to the innovative strategies used today. Discover how Larry's father helped pioneer one of the very first self funded plan for s...

A Better Barber Shop - The Gents Place - Founder - Ben Davis 🎧 Discover the fascinating journey of Ben Davis, founder of Gents Place, in the latest episode of Self Funded with Spencer! 🎙️ From starting his business during the 2008 financial crisis to navigating the insurance world, Ben's story is a rollercoaster of entrepreneurship and resilience. Tune in to hear how he turned a men's hair salon into a country club meets Speakeasy meets barber shop experience. Ben describes the model of The G...