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Episodes

Clinical CBD - Chad Collins, CEO of CORGANICS
57
Aug. 9, 2022

Clinical CBD - Chad Collins, CEO of CORGANICS

How CBD Works with the CEO of CORGANICS, Chad Collins.Have you ever wondered about CBD? What is it? How does it work? Is it actually real, or placebo? Then this is the episode for you! I sat down with Chad for Episode 57 to discuss his Company called CORGANICS, and how they are "bridging the gap between healthcare professionals and their patients when it comes to understanding and treating the endocannabinoid system." Chad referenced a 2019 Gallup poll, that showed 1 in 5 Americans was ...
The Modern TPA - Healthsmart - Craig Julien - CEO
56
Aug. 2, 2022

The Modern TPA - Healthsmart - Craig Julien - CEO

The Modern TPA - Tech when you need it, people when you don't. In episode 56 of Self-Funded with Spencer, I sit down with the CEO of HealthSmart, Craig Julien. Craig is a fascinating person, being an avid Triathlete, Mountain Climber, and a World Record Skydiver, while also running a very successful Third Party Administrator. Throughout his career, Craig has always been willing to raise his hand to take on more responsibility, or a new opportunity, even moving to India for a few years to run a ...
Entrepreneurship & Media - Seth Denson - Head of Benefits - Acrisure
55
July 26, 2022

Entrepreneurship & Media - Seth Denson - Head of Benefits - Acrisure

There are people that have dreams. There are people that execute dreams that other people have. Few people get to do both. Those people are entrepreneurs. That’s the core message that Seth Denson, Head of Benefits for Acrisure, delivered on Episode 55 of the “Self-Funded with Spencer” podcast. In this episode we discussed his successful journey as an entrepreneur, as well as his second career as a business analyst for some of the largest news outlets in America. I’m grateful to call Seth a ...
Resolving Workplace Misconduct - Jared Pope - CEO - Work Shield - Episode 54
54
July 20, 2022

Resolving Workplace Misconduct - Jared Pope - CEO - Work Shield - Episode 54

Jared Pope is the Founder of Work Shield, and a self-described "recovering attorney" to discuss the origins of his company and the solution they provide. Recognizing the gross inefficiencies in the way companies currently handle internal misconduct, Jared recognized an opportunity to deliver a better dispute resolution service, that was unbiased, faster, and easier to implement than most "Check-the-box" options on the market today. Work Shield is on a mission to change the way organizations ...
The Power of SimplePay - Wally Gomaa - Co-Founder - Episode 53
53
July 18, 2022

The Power of SimplePay - Wally Gomaa - Co-Founder - Episode 53

The Power of SimplePay Health, a discussion with Wally Gomaa, Co-Founder. Wally has an extensive track record of success in the healthcare and employee benefits industries, and his latest venture - SimplePay - is an exciting new solution to help bring "Price Certainty" to the health insurance world. SimplePay Health - Where happy and health plan live together. https://www.simplepayhealth.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spencer-harlan-smith/support
Mental Health, Burnout, & EAP - A Conversation with John Troutman - Episode 52
52
July 12, 2022

Mental Health, Burnout, & EAP - A Conversation with John Troutman - Episode 52

John shares his own experience with Burnout at 41, which nearly cost him his life, and we discuss the challenges that men have in discussing their mental health with others, even with the typical EAP offerings most employers provide their employees today. It is even harder for people like John, who had been a pastor at a church for his whole career up that point, and who was perceived as a community leader, to express feelings of fear, weakness, emotional pain, etc. because of concerns of how...
1% Better Every Day - Jake Thompson - CEO of Compete Every Day - Episode 51
51
June 28, 2022

1% Better Every Day - Jake Thompson - CEO of Compete Every Day - Episode 51

Jake Thompson started Compete Every Day as an inspirational apparel company, and over the course of a decade, has grown it into a vehicle for performance coaching, business consulting, and traveling the country to do public speaking. The mindset of getting 1% better every day, while viewed on a micro scale may not seem much, but the aggregate effect over time on your life will have a massive impact. Whether it is your health, your job, your relationships, focusing on the little things you can...
Human Capital Management 101 - Chas Fields - UKG - Episode 50
50
June 21, 2022

Human Capital Management 101 - Chas Fields - UKG - Episode 50

Chas Fields is Senior Partner at UKG - Ultimate Kronos Group - and is also a fellow podcaster, a public speaker, a change management expert, a volunteer, and a baseball coach. Oh yeah, he's also a really cool dude!This episode covers what Human Capital Management is, how it works, and how technology is enabling companies to better manager their Human Capital. We cover topics like the merger of two giant organizations into an even bigger one, managing people through the pandemic, fatherhood, ...
How Jumbo Employers are Solving Healthcare - Lee Lewis - Health Transformation Alliance - Episode 49
49
June 14, 2022

How Jumbo Employers are Solving Healthcare - Lee Lewis - Health Transformation Alliance - Episode 49

How Jumbo Employers are Solving Healthcare. This podcast focuses on the Health Transformation Alliance (HTA) - A Co-Op - that is fully owned by about 65 Jumbo employers, whose entire mission is to create superior outcomes for their health plan. Their goals are to save lives, and save dollars. These employer groups need to have about 5,000 lives on their health plan and pay $500k to join, and all own an equal equity stake in the Co-Op. This fee can be paid over time and can come out of your heal...
Captive Insurance 101 - Stephani Manning - Innovative Captive Strategies
48
May 31, 2022

Captive Insurance 101 - Stephani Manning - Innovative Captive Strategies

Everything you need to know about Insurance Captives, featuring Stephani Manning of Innovative Captive Strategies. We discuss the Layers of Captive, how those layers interact, and which parties are responsible for each of the three layers of the captive. Stephani is a teacher by nature, and it really comes across in how simply she explains how captives work. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spencer-harlan-smith/support
How to MC a Conference - Kiera Hanselman - True Captive St Louis Summit - Episode 2/5
May 26, 2022

How to MC a Conference - Kiera Hanselman - True Captive St Louis Summit - Episode 2/5

Have you ever wondered what it is like to MC (host) a big conference? In this episode of "Self-Funded with Spencer" on the road in St Louis at the True Captive Symposium, I discussed this topic with the host of the event - Kiera Hanselman. Kiera started to MC events during the pandemic at virtual conferences, and did such a good job that she kept getting asked to do it again. She talks about how her theater training helped her prepare to be on stage, but it really comes down to understanding th...
The Science Behind Fasting - Mark Testa - Episode 47
47
May 24, 2022

The Science Behind Fasting - Mark Testa - Episode 47

How Fasting Can Change Your Life. What is Fasting? What are the benefits of Fasting? How does a beginner get started Fasting? What is the difference in Fasting and Intermittent Fasting? What is Autophagy? What is a Water Fast? What is a Fasting Mimicking Diet?. Mark Testa is an expert at Fasting, as well as an expert in Stem Cells. Mark has personally gone through multiple 5-day fasts, and is a regular intermittent faster like myself. Personally, Intermittent Fasting has helped stab...
How Does My PBM Get Paid? - True Captive St. Louis Summit - Rachel Strauss - Episode 1/5
May 19, 2022

How Does My PBM Get Paid? - True Captive St. Louis Summit - Rachel Strauss - Episode 1/5

The "PBM Princess" joins me again on Self-Funded with Spencer on the road, this time in St. Louis at the most recent True Captive Summit, held at Busch Stadium. In this mini-episode, Rachel highlights the convoluted supply chain in Pharmacy Benefit Management. So many different entities have a hand in the Rx supply chain, from payers, wholesalers, contracts with PBM's, marketing firms, insurance companies, etc, which makes it very difficult to uncover why prescription drug trends continue to in...
Stem Cells with Mark Testa of Regenexx - Episode 46
46
May 17, 2022

Stem Cells with Mark Testa of Regenexx - Episode 46

Your own Stem Cells can be extracted from your bone marrow, concentrated, and then later injected into certain areas to potentially eliminate the need for surgery. Many people just refer to it as "stem cells", but bone marrow concentrate which contains stem cells is the most accurate way to describe what Regenexx does. Regenexx can help self-funded employers who have employees which knee injuries, shoulder injuries, back injuries etc. as a possible intermediate step before the last hope is su...
Life as a Serial Entrepreneur - Mark Combs - Self-Insured Reporting - Episode 45
45
May 10, 2022

Life as a Serial Entrepreneur - Mark Combs - Self-Insured Reporting - Episode 45

What is it like to be a Serial Entrepreneur? When you hear Mark's story it becomes clear that it takes someone with a combination of drive, intelligence, will, luck, faith, and a sense of humor! Mark Combs started his career in financial planning, moved into the employee benefits broker world, helped grow an agency into a successful acquisition, and after experiencing nothing but success in his work life thus far, that is when he said, "everything STOPPED working"! He talks about having to re...
Private Equity Explained - Kyle Coots - Episode 44
44
May 3, 2022

Private Equity Explained - Kyle Coots - Episode 44

Private Equity Explained What is it? How does it work? How do you get a job in private equity? When do you use equity vs debt? What types of firms should go public rather than stay private? What are the stages of growth that impact capital requirements? All of these questions and more are answered in Episode 44 of "Self-Funded with Spencer", featuring Kyle Coots, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Miramar Equity Partners. Kyle and I have known each other for almost 30 years, and we recon...
Life, Leadership & Effort - Randy Rider - Episode 43
43
April 26, 2022

Life, Leadership & Effort - Randy Rider - Episode 43

Life Rewards Effort. Randy & I discussed Leadership, Faith, Family, Personal Growth, Managing Career Success, Being a Star Hurdler in High School, Moving from CA to TX, Advice for Young Salespeople, and the roles both of our Wives have played in making us the men we are today. From a random meeting at a children's play-place called "Cheeky Monkey" two years ago during the pandemic, to having Randy sit down this week for the podcast, it has been an interesting two years for both of us. --- Su...
Never Pay the First Bill - Marshall Allen - Episode 42
42
April 19, 2022

Never Pay the First Bill - Marshall Allen - Episode 42

“Never Pay the First Bill” This is the title of Marshall Allen’s extraordinary book, which empowers working Americans to fight back against unfair medical billing practices and WIN. Marshall came on Self-Funded with Spencer to discuss: ✍️ His investigative journalism career 📚 His Substack newsletter 📽 His upcoming video series 👨‍⚖️ How to win in small claims court 🏥 His son’s recent ER visit ⛪️ His faith and time in ministry 🏛 His new job in the federal gov 📕 and of course, the book!...
Dependent Audits - Keith Bird - Episode 41
41
April 11, 2022

Dependent Audits - Keith Bird - Episode 41

Allergy season, muscle cars, space shuttle launches...and Dependent Eligibility Audits? Keith Bird, VP of Sales for AmWINS came on the Self-Funded with Spencer Podcast to discuss the fiduciary responsibility that Self-Funded Employers have to ensure the dependents enrolled on their health plan are eligible to be there. Unless you have a good way of validating the eligibility of enrollees manually (you probably don't) then you likely have dependents on your plan today that are not supposed to be ...
Surgery Quality & Price - Episode 40 - Sanjay Prasad
40
April 4, 2022

Surgery Quality & Price - Episode 40 - Sanjay Prasad

How much does surgery cost? How good is my surgeon? Sanjay Prasad MD sits down with me to discuss the answers to both of those questions and more. Sanjay is an Ear, Nose, and Throat surgeon by trade, the Author of "Resetting Healthcare", and the founder of SurgiQuality. Sanjay is a brilliant man on a mission to create more transparency for patients around the ability of their surgeon, and the price the member will pay. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spencer...
Modern Marketing - Trey Hinson
39
March 22, 2022

Modern Marketing - Trey Hinson

Modern marketing is evolving, and Trey Hinson of Ocozzio shares everything you need to know about this changing landscape.We covered an array of topics from Self-Funding, Bourbon, LinkedIn Sponsored Posts, The Power of Video for Marketing, Personalized Prospecting, the Decentralization of Healthcare Solutions, Storytelling, and so much more!This was one of the most difficult episodes to edit because there was so much great content. I ended up making 4 promo clips instead of 1!--- Support ...
Episode 38 - Jorge Arzate
38
March 9, 2022

Episode 38 - Jorge Arzate

Episode 38 of Self-Funded with Spencer features Jorge Arzate , CEO and Founder of MAKINA BENEFITS . Jorge joined me on the show to discuss the role of a boutique-style independent TPA and his passion for helping small employers take control of their healthcare spend. We had conversations about discipline as an entrepreneur, focusing on growth over just setting goals, and even kicked the chat off with our mutual upbringing on #heavymetal . --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.co...
Episode 37 - Daniel P. Day, CEBS
37
March 1, 2022

Episode 37 - Daniel P. Day, CEBS

Dan is the US Head of Sales, Middle Market for Meritain Health. He has an extensive career in Employee Benefits, especially in Self-Funding, and received his CEBS designation through an affiliation with the Wharton School. In particular, this episode focuses on the advanced role of a TPA for self-funded groups, and how they can serve as an open architecture solution for employers to customize their health plan and better control the cost of care. Dan is also an avid fitness enthusiast, participa...
Episode 36 - Mike Kohl
36
Feb. 15, 2022

Episode 36 - Mike Kohl

One of the most neglected parts of our healthcare system in the last few years has been the lack of availability in virtual mental/behavioral health support for employees. In this episode, Mike Kohl of Vida Health joined me to discuss whole person healthcare, which includes a heavy emphasis on getting members of an employer sponsored health plan access to mental health support as quickly as possible. Mike is a great person, with an awesome story, and I hope you find this information valuable. --...