Broken Benefits

Lee Lewis

Whether you are the benefits manager or CEO of your organization, one of the biggest drivers of organizational performance, that most get totally wrong, is the health and benefits strategy. We spend billions on benefits, yet healthcare is unaffordable and complicated. More than half of Americans don't even take their paid vacation, yet people are burning out faster than ever and remote work is scrambling company cultures. It doesn't have to be this way! Great benefits can attract and retain top talent, communicate your values, rejuvenate your productivity, move your stock price, and even save lives. Lee knows this because he advised and learned from many Fortune 100 employers on how to create wildly profitable and popular benefits programs that enhance all areas of the business. Lee created this podcast in the hopes that together we can save lives, save dollars, and save our talent. Join us, each episode, on YouTube or your favorite podcasting platform for some great conversation with some of the world's leading experts in this space.

  1. 3시간 전

    Creating Value and Visibility For Your Operation (Feat: Jason Dinerman)

    On the latest installment of Broken Benefits, Lee Lewis sits down with Jason Dinerman, VP of Product Development & Global Benefits at Mastercard, to explore what it really takes to create value — and just as importantly, visibility — inside a modern benefits operation. Jason brings a rare blend of product thinking and global benefits leadership to the conversation. Drawing from his career journey, he shares how benefits leaders can move beyond administration and into strategic influence by clearly articulating impact, aligning with business priorities, and designing programs that are measurable, scalable, and understood. The discussion dives into how benefits teams can reposition themselves internally — not as cost centers, but as value creators. Jason explains how applying product development principles to benefits strategy can unlock stronger engagement, clearer outcomes, and greater executive buy-in. If you’re a CHRO, total rewards leader, or HR executive looking to elevate the strategic role of benefits within your organization, this episode offers a practical and forward-looking perspective on how to do it. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 1:37 - Leading US Health & Well-Being at Mastercard 9:38 - The talent overlap between product development and benefits 17:14 - Designing benefits that people ultimately value 25:08 - Advice for today's benefits leaders 33:32 - Look inward for the most valuable data 39:00 - The future of transactions within healthcare 44:44 - How to connect with Jason 45:00 - Closing remarks

    46분

  2. 1월 26일

    Cutting Through the Noise in Employer Healthcare Decisions (Feat: Matt Eurey)

    In this episode of Broken Benefits, host Lee Lewis is joined by Matt Eurey, former Benefits Executive at Lowe’s and Time Warner Cable, for a wide-ranging conversation grounded in real-world experience managing benefits at scale. Matt brings a pragmatic lens to the challenges employers face as buyers in a healthcare system crowded with vendors, competing ideas, and constant pressure to “do something new.” Drawing on decades of leadership, he breaks down how organizations tend to approach innovation, why most employers fall into predictable patterns, and what it actually takes to move from reactive decision-making to thoughtful, long-term strategy. The discussion explores how benefits leaders evaluate risk, filter noise, and balance innovation with operational reality — especially inside large, complex organizations. Rather than chasing trends, Matt emphasizes the importance of clarity, discipline, and understanding where your organization truly sits on the adoption curve. This episode is especially relevant for benefits leaders, HR executives, and employers who want a more grounded perspective on what works, what doesn’t, and how to lead through complexity without losing sight of the people behind the plan. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 2:04 - Matt's background and path into corporate benefits 7:15 - Is the reward worth the risk? 14:10 - Cutting your losses 24:19 - Be a strategic partner and work collaboratively 32:16 - Designing benefits that people love 42:04 - Managing disruption among your members 49:00 - Closing remarks

    49분

  3. 1월 7일

    Taking Calculated Risks (Feat: Neil Larson)

    In this episode of Broken Benefits, host Lee Lewis sits down with Neil Larson, Benefits Leader at a Global 500 employer and MIT MBA, for a candid conversation about risk, responsibility, and what it truly takes to change a healthcare benefits system that isn’t working. Drawing from his experience managing a massive, diverse health plan, Neil shares what benefits leadership looks like in the trenches — where decisions carry financial, operational, and human consequences. The discussion explores why incremental change often isn’t enough, how misaligned incentives quietly drive costs higher, and why taking calculated risks is sometimes the only path to sustainability. Together, Lee and Neil unpack what employers often misunderstand about risk tolerance, consulting relationships, and implementation realities — and why meaningful progress requires leaders who are willing to step off the paved road, ask harder questions, and demand better alignment from their partners. This episode is a must-listen for benefits leaders, HR professionals, and executives navigating rising healthcare costs while trying to protect both their people and their organizations. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 3:38 - Big risks that paid off in Neil's career 12:54 - Getting your risky strategy approved 27:20 - "What's the job to be done?" 36:15 - Identifying crisp and clear KPI's 48:13 - What vendors and consultants don't understand 51:05 - Closing remarks

    52분

  4. 2025. 12. 10.

    The Hidden Burden of Benefits: Why Employers Need a New Playbook (Feat: Thomas Plath)

    In this episode of Broken Benefits, Global CHRO Thomas Plath joins the show to confront one of the most overlooked — yet most consequential — challenges facing employers today: the true complexity of healthcare and the enormous responsibility placed on HR leaders to navigate it. Thomas shares a candid look at what it feels like to inherit a benefits ecosystem that can represent hundreds of millions of dollars in spend, yet remains confusing, fragmented, and structurally misaligned with employee outcomes. His journey from “intimidation” to clarity offers a window into the broader awakening happening inside the C-suite as executives realize how deeply healthcare impacts culture, productivity, and long-term organizational strategy. With perspective shaped by global leadership, Thomas explores why employers must shift from passive purchasers to active stewards of care — and why adopting a new playbook is no longer optional. If you’re a CHRO, benefits leader, or executive wrestling with rising costs, broken systems, and pressure to drive better outcomes, this conversation delivers the insight you’ve been waiting for. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 2:10 - Healthcare benefits are complex. Plain and simple. 7:22 - What separates healthcare from other industries 16:20 - Supply chain reform efforts 27:11 - Using savings to directly benefit the rest of your organization 36:55 - Creating importance behind the incentive structure 44:48 - Using outside sources and independent parties 50:02 - The biggest risks on the horizon 57:30 - Closing remarks

    59분

  5. 2025. 11. 19.

    Population Health Meets Self-Administration: A New Equation (Feat: Rich Krutsch)

    In this second installment of our two-part conversation, Rich Krutsch returns to Broken Benefits to expand on the evolving relationship between employee health, organizational strategy, and the growing shift toward more hands-on approaches to managing benefits. Building on the foundation of Part 1, this episode explores how leaders can think more holistically about the connection between their workforce, their data, and the long-term direction of their benefits programs. Rich discusses how organizations can move toward models that offer greater clarity, more control, and deeper alignment with their people. Whether you’re a CHRO, benefits leader, or HR professional navigating the rapidly changing world of workforce well-being, this episode offers valuable perspective on where the industry is headed — and how employers can position themselves for what comes next. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 0:44 - Why should someone consider self-administration 6:53 - Focus on the specific problem you're trying to solve 16:50 - Areas of major friction and blindspots 25:10 - The moments that matter in an employee life cycle 31:15 - Follow the language of your business 32:35 - Closing remarks

    33분

  6. 2025. 11. 06.

    Capitalizing on Robust Data and Analytics (Feat: Rich Krutsch)

    In this episode of Broken Benefits, we’re joined by Rich Krutsch, former VP of People Services at ArcBest, for the first of a two-part conversation that explores how data-driven decision-making can transform the way organizations approach healthcare and benefits. Rich shares his insights on leveraging analytics to build smarter, more strategic benefits programs—ones that actually move the needle for employees and the bottom line. From uncovering hidden trends to identifying cost-saving opportunities, this discussion is a masterclass in using robust data to create meaningful impact. If you’re a CHRO, benefits leader, or HR professional who’s ready to make your strategy work harder (and smarter), this episode is a must-listen. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 1:31 - Rich's background in finance 8:04 - Playing to win and transitioning into this new approach 14:13 - Breaking the mold and removing friction simultaneously 22:35 - Encouraging forward-thinking for your employees 26:20 - Eye-opening research linked to flossing 27:20 - Closing remarks

    28분

  7. 2025. 08. 06.

    Making Positive Change (Feat: Matt Harmon)

    In this powerful episode of Broken Benefits, we sit down with healthcare thought leader Matt Harmon to explore the real potential for innovation and transformation within the American healthcare system—starting with the people who hold the power to do it: CHROs and benefits leaders. Drawing from his extensive experience, Matt unpacks the systemic hurdles that keep companies stuck in broken benefits models and offers a blueprint for taking bold, actionable steps toward meaningful reform. If you’re in HR, healthcare, or benefits administration, this episode is a must-listen. Change won’t happen overnight—but as Matt says, “If you never start, you’ll never finish.” Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 3:27 - Why all benefit leaders aren't following the same course 7:23 - Navigating new strategies without creating problems 13:52 - Integrating different offerings with enrollment tools 20:10 - Change isn't going to happen overnight 27:55 - Measuring the health plan's results 35:00 - The biggest 'ah ha' moments for Matt 40:24 - Getting carriers to do things they don't want to do 44:53 - Connect with Matt on LinkedIn 45:28 - Closing remarks

    46분

  8. 2025. 06. 30.

    Examining the Management of American Healthcare (Feat: Bill Allen)

    In this compelling episode of Broken Benefits, we sit down with Bill Allen, the former CHRO of Macy’s Inc., to explore the intricate and often flawed systems underpinning the management of healthcare in America. With decades of executive HR experience, Bill brings a unique perspective on the intersection of corporate leadership, employee well-being, and the skyrocketing costs of care. We delve into the systemic misalignments that drive inefficiency and inequity, the pressures facing large employers trying to provide meaningful benefits, and the changes needed to reshape the future of American healthcare. It’s a candid, thoughtful conversation filled with insight, experience, and urgency. If you care about the people behind the policies—or you’re responsible for shaping them—this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 1:42 - International experience influencing ideals 13:40 - An important time of change 19:58 - Leveraging data in a new way 33:30 -Advice for other organizations 41:25 - Realigning incentives to create great performance 49:13 - How to connect with Bill Allen 50:36 - Closing remarks

    52분
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Whether you are the benefits manager or CEO of your organization, one of the biggest drivers of organizational performance, that most get totally wrong, is the health and benefits strategy. We spend billions on benefits, yet healthcare is unaffordable and complicated. More than half of Americans don't even take their paid vacation, yet people are burning out faster than ever and remote work is scrambling company cultures. It doesn't have to be this way! Great benefits can attract and retain top talent, communicate your values, rejuvenate your productivity, move your stock price, and even save lives. Lee knows this because he advised and learned from many Fortune 100 employers on how to create wildly profitable and popular benefits programs that enhance all areas of the business. Lee created this podcast in the hopes that together we can save lives, save dollars, and save our talent. Join us, each episode, on YouTube or your favorite podcasting platform for some great conversation with some of the world's leading experts in this space.

정보

  • 제작진
    Lee Lewis
  • 방송 연도
    2023년 - 2026년
  • 에피소드
    31
  • 등급
    전체 연령 사용가
  • 저작권
    © Copyright 2026 Lee Lewis
  • 웹사이트 보기
    Broken Benefits

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