The H.I.T. Podcast

Tobias Kennedy
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Management
  • Updated Weekly

The H.I.T. Podcast curates the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive. The Podcast is powered by Montage Insurance Solutions.

  1. 19h ago

    Ep. 177: The Real Reason Your Pharmacy Costs Are So High | A HIT-chat with Louis Gallucci

    Prescription drug costs are climbing—but the medication itself may not be the biggest problem. It may be how and where you're buying it. On this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, Toby Kennedy welcomes longtime friend Louis Gallucci, CEO of Limitless Consulting Group, for a deep dive into one of the biggest challenges facing employer-sponsored healthcare today: pharmacy costs. With 20 years of experience across group benefits, carriers, voluntary benefits, benefits technology, and consulting, Louis explains why employers need to rethink the way they purchase prescription drugs—and start looking at healthcare through the lens of procurement. Pharmacy now represents a significant portion of overall healthcare spending, and Louis shares how a surprisingly small number of medications can account for an enormous percentage of a health plan's total costs. In this episode: Why prescription drug spending has grown so dramaticallyHow just a handful of medications can drive a huge portion of plan spendingWhy the sourcing channel can matter as much as the medication itselfUnderstanding the enormous pricing differences that can exist for the same drugWhy rebates and traditional PBM strategies may no longer be enoughHow alternatives such as direct sourcing are changing the pharmacy landscapeWhy HR leaders should start thinking more like procurement directorsWhat self-funded employers need to understand about their fiduciary responsibilitiesWhy employers need to take ownership of their claims dataThe questions employers should be asking their PBMs and benefits partners One of Louis' biggest messages is simple: employers are the buyers. Your PBM may administer the claims, but employers need to understand what they're purchasing, where the money is going, and whether there is a more efficient way to source the same care. And there's a personal connection to this episode, too—Toby and Louis go back nearly 20 years, from working together early in their careers to attending each other's weddings. Now they're sitting down to unpack how dramatically the benefits and pharmacy landscape has changed.

  2. Sep 8

    50% of Employees Are Struggling — What Can Employers Do? | A HIT-chat with Andrea Notch Mayzeles

    Employee mental and physical health aren't separate issues—and both can have a major impact on the workplace. In Part 2 of The H.I.T. Podcast, Toby Kennedy continues his conversation with Andrea “Andy” Notch Mayzeles, Workforce Health Consultant at Kaiser Permanente, about the realities of employee well-being and what organizations can actually do to help. With research showing significant levels of burnout, depression, and anxiety among today's workforce, the consequences extend far beyond individual employees. Absenteeism, healthcare utilization, retention, productivity, and even customer service can all be affected. But mental health is only part of the equation. Andy explores the often-overlooked connection between musculoskeletal health and mental health, including how physical pain can contribute to depression—and how depression and inactivity can make physical pain worse. In this episode: The impact of burnout, depression, and anxiety in the workplaceWhy musculoskeletal health deserves more attentionThe connection between physical pain and mental well-beingWhy psychological safety helps employees speak up before problems escalateHow micro-movement breaks can support physical and mental healthWhy simply taking a lunch break mattersWhy communicating benefits once isn't enoughCreating a “surround sound” approach to employee wellness communicationHow leaders, wellness champions, HR, and safety teams can work togetherWhy employees need to understand that resources like EAPs are confidential One of the biggest challenges isn't always a lack of resources—it's making sure employees actually know those resources exist and feel comfortable using them. Missed Part 1? Check out the first half of Toby's conversation with Andy on building workplace wellness that actually works.

  3. Sep 1

    How to Build a Workplace Wellness Program That Actually Works | A HIT-chat with Andrea Notch Mayzeles

    Workplace wellness is about much more than step challenges, gym memberships, and occasional health initiatives. The everyday employee experience matters. On this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, Toby Kennedy sits down with Andrea “Andy” Notch Mayzeles, Workforce Health Consultant at Kaiser Permanente, to discuss how organizations can build wellness strategies that actually become part of their workplace culture. With more than a decade of experience at Kaiser Permanente, Andy shares practical ways employers can assess their current wellness efforts, get employees involved, build leadership support, and integrate health and well-being throughout the organization. In this episode: How benchmarking and scorecards can reveal where your wellness strategy standsWhy employee wellness shouldn't live exclusively within HRHow wellness committees and employee champions can drive engagementWhy organizations should regularly ask employees what they actually needThe powerful trickle-down effect of leaders modeling healthy behaviorsThe business case for wellness—from retention and healthcare costs to absenteeism and productivityHow to make mental health part of the everyday employee experienceSmall, practical wellness rituals that managers can incorporate into their teams One of the biggest takeaways? A quarterly wellness challenge can't make up for an unhealthy day-to-day work experience. Managers and leaders play a critical role in creating an environment where employees can thrive. Andy also discusses Kaiser Permanente's Mental Fitness Toolkit, designed to help organizations incorporate simple, achievable mental wellness practices into the regular rhythm of work.

  4. Aug 25

    Ep. 174 | The Leadership Development Formula That Actually Works | A HIT-chat with Maren Perry

    Great leadership isn't developed in a single training session—it takes insight, action, repetition, and real-world application. On this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, Toby Kennedy sits down with Maren Perry, Founder and President of Arden Coaching, to discuss how organizations can develop stronger leaders at every level. Since founding Arden Coaching in 2007, Maren has grown the organization into a network of more than 35 executive coaches, helping leaders, teams, and organizations strengthen their people skills, improve performance, and create meaningful organizational change. Maren breaks leadership development into three distinct domains: self leadership, relational leadership, and strategic leadership—and explains why the way we develop leaders needs to change as people progress through an organization. In this episode: Self Leadership — developing self-awareness and understanding your communication styleRelational Leadership — navigating difficult conversations, accountability, execution, and developing othersStrategic Leadership — building the skills needed to lead at the highest levels of an organizationWhy leadership development should evolve as responsibilities increaseWhy one long training session usually isn't enoughHow repetition and multiple learning "touches" fight the forgetting curveWhy coaching and small-group sessions help lessons stickTurning leadership concepts into action under real-world pressure Maren also shares a simple but powerful formula: INSIGHT + ACTION = RESULTS Information can create insight, but lasting leadership development happens when people take those insights back into their actual jobs, put them into practice, and continue building on them over time.

  5. Aug 18

    The Trust Circle: Why Great Leaders Don’t Lead Alone | A HIT-chat with Daniel Hallak (Part Two)

    Great leaders don't have to be great at everything—they need to know what they're great at and surround themselves with people who make them better. In Part 2 of The H.I.T. Podcast, Toby Kennedy continues his conversation with Daniel Hallak, author of The Trust Circle, about leadership development, career growth, trust, and why the relationships around a leader matter more than ever. Daniel explores how organizations can intentionally develop their people through stretch, support, and strategy—giving leaders the social architecture they need to grow and succeed. The conversation also dives into the idea of the "shadow job description." Beyond what's written on paper, leaders juggle countless responsibilities every day. The key is understanding where you bring unique excellence, recognizing what drains you or falls outside your strengths, and having the humility to bring the right people around you. In this episode: Why great leaders need a trusted circle around themHow mentorship can accelerate employee development and productivityThe role of stretch, support, and strategy in developing leadersUnderstanding your "shadow job description"Identifying what you're uniquely great atBuilding a team that complements your weaknessesWhy AI and unlimited information can't replace context and nuanceHow trusted relationships help leaders make better decisions In a world where information is everywhere, knowing the latest leadership theory isn't enough. Real leadership development comes through formation, relationships, context, and having people you trust enough to tell you what you need to hear. Learn more from Daniel in his book, The Trust Circle.

  6. Aug 11

    Ep. 172 (Part One): Why Leadership Can Be So Lonely | A HIT-chat with Daniel Hallak

    Leadership can be incredibly rewarding—but it can also be incredibly isolating. In this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, host Toby Kennedy sits down with Daniel Hallak, partner at the Sage Group and author of the upcoming book The Trust Circle, for a conversation about trust, leadership, feedback, and the often-overlooked isolation that comes with leading an organization. Daniel shares how a 13-year exploration of leadership isolation ultimately inspired The Trust Circle—and why every leader needs a small group of trusted “relational investors” who can provide honest feedback, perspective, and support. Daniel also shares the fascinating journey behind the book, from writing chapters on airplanes and during airport layovers to delivering a TEDx Talk that was ultimately featured by TED and caught the attention of a publisher. ⏱️ In this episode: Why leadership becomes more isolating as you move upHow to build your own trusted circle of advisorsSeparating meaningful feedback from everyday noiseWhy leaders need people who aren't afraid to challenge themNavigating transparency, confidentiality, and competing expectationsThe story behind The Trust CircleHow Daniel's TEDx Talk helped turn his idea into a bookCreating trusted relationships both inside and outside your organization There's so much to unpack that one episode wasn't enough. The conversation continues in Part 2 next week!

  7. Aug 4

    Ep. 171: "It Begins With You... But It's Not About You" | Leadership Lessons from Cora Tellez

    "It begins with you, but it's not about you." That may have been my favorite quote from this conversation—but when you're sitting down with a true healthcare legend like Cora Tellez, it's nearly impossible to pick just one. In this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, Toby Kennedy talks with Cora, whose remarkable career has spanned nearly five decades. From leading organizations like Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield of California, Prudential, and Health Net to founding Sterling Administration and launching new ventures in healthcare innovation, Cora shares the leadership lessons that have shaped her extraordinary journey. This conversation is packed with timeless wisdom for leaders, entrepreneurs, HR professionals, and anyone looking to make a lasting impact. In this episode: Cora's incredible journey through the healthcare industryThree leadership principles that have guided her careerWhy failure should lead to learning—not blameWhy no leader succeeds aloneThe importance of addressing personnel issues earlyFinding purpose, building community, and aging wellHow creativity outside of work can make you a stronger leader Whether you're leading a company, managing a team, or simply looking to grow, Cora's insights are practical, inspiring, and as relevant today as ever.

  8. Jul 28

    New HSA Limits, ICHRAs & MERPs Explained (2027 Update)

    Looking for smarter ways to manage employee health benefits while controlling costs? In this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, Toby Kennedy explores emerging healthcare funding strategies, the latest 2027 HSA updates, and innovative benefit trends that employers should have on their radar. From Medical Expense Reimbursement Programs (MERPs) and Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) to the growing use of GLP-1 reimbursement programs, this episode breaks down practical options for businesses of all sizes. In this episode: How MERPs can reduce health insurance costs while maintaining quality coverageUnderstanding ICHRAs and when they make sense for employersThe newly announced 2027 HSA contribution and deductible limitsWhy some employers are creating GLP-1 reimbursement programsStrategies to balance employee benefits with rising healthcare costs Whether you're an HR professional, business owner, benefits administrator, or insurance advisor, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving world of employee healthcare benefits.

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About

The H.I.T. Podcast curates the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive. The Podcast is powered by Montage Insurance Solutions.

Information

  • Creator
    Tobias Kennedy
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    203
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 The H.I.T. Podcast
  • Show Website
    The H.I.T. Podcast

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