Fast Break

M3 Elevate
  • 5.0 (3)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Join host Matt Cranney, Executive Vice President of M3 Elevate, as he sits down with the top business leaders to share real stories, fresh insights, and practical strategies to help you elevate your business.

  1. Breaking Barriers, Building Futures

    MAR 17

    Breaking Barriers, Building Futures

    This special Women’s HERstory Month takeover of Fast Break brings three remarkable nonprofit leaders to the mic for a conversation about impact, resilience, and the power of women shaping their communities in real time. Guest host Becky Menefee sits down with Brenda Campbell of Secure Futures, Tara Panasewicz of the Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha, and Jane Graham Jennings of The Women’s Community to explore the systems women are still navigating today and the breakthroughs happening across Wisconsin. From financial capability as a catalyst for independence, to the transformative force of positive mentorship, to redefining strength as survival for women rebuilding after abuse, these leaders share candid stories from the front lines of community change. They reflect on what it means to protect organizational culture in emotionally heavy work, mentor the next generation of women, and challenge the barriers that still restrict safety, opportunity, and equity. This takeover episode honors the women who paved the way and celebrates the women pushing the work forward now. It’s a conversation about voice, agency, and what it looks like when women continue writing HERstory every day.

    24 min
  2. From Perk to Performance: Integrating Leadership, Wellness, and Results

    FEB 19

    From Perk to Performance: Integrating Leadership, Wellness, and Results

    Organizations invest heavily in leadership development and employee benefits, but rarely design them to work together. In this episode of Fast Break, Matt Cranney and Alex Simmons unpack why that disconnect is limiting performance and how a more integrated approach is reshaping engagement, culture, and retention outcomes. Whether you're running a 20-person team or a 2,000-person organization, the principles they unpack here apply, and the cost of ignoring them is getting harder to justify. If you're invested in the people who count on you to lead, this one is worth your time.

    27 min
  3. Your Why, Your Wallet, Your Future

    11/13/2025

    Your Why, Your Wallet, Your Future

    Today’s “tap-to-buy” world has made has made spending almost effortless and saving feel harder than ever. Many people don’t know where to start, don’t know who to trust, and often feel intimidated asking financial questions. That’s why education and having a trusted advisor matter now more than ever. Join host Matt Cranney and M3 Wealth Advisor Nick Natsky as they explore the real barriers to financial wellness today. They explain why it matters, how it impacts employee wellbeing, and the practical steps individuals and organizations can take to build long-term financial confidence. Whether you’re an employer trying to support your team, a new saver unsure where to begin, or someone planning for retirement, this episode gives you practical, judgment-free guidance you can actually use.

    21 min
  4. Turning Cyber Awareness into Action

    10/09/2025

    Turning Cyber Awareness into Action

    Cyber threats aren’t just an IT problem, they’re a business reality. In this episode of Fast Break, Matt Cranney sits down with M3’s Cyber Liability team —Matt Thomson, Megan Peyton, and Alex Friedl—to discuss how the threat landscape has evolved and what every organization can do today to stay ahead. From AI-driven scams and deepfakes to supply chain breaches and class action lawsuits, the conversation covers what’s really at stake for businesses of all sizes—and the practical steps you can take to protect your people, clients, and reputation. Whether you lead a small business, manage risk for a large organization, or simply want to better protect your data, this episode will help you turn cybersecurity awareness into everyday action. Tune in to strengthen your defenses and your peace of mind.

    28 min
  5. Big Beautiful Bill, Big Questions: The State of Individual Marketplace

    09/11/2025

    Big Beautiful Bill, Big Questions: The State of Individual Marketplace

    For growing companies, health benefits remain a top tool for recruitment and retention, yet traditional group plans can be costly or out of reach for startups and small employers. That’s where the individual market and ICHRAs come in, offering flexibility and controlled costs, provided employees have the right support to make confident choices.   Uncertainty around the Big Beautiful Bill is creating real questions for the individual health insurance marketplace. Host Matt Cranney sits down with M3 Elevate’s Natalie Damro dig into what you need to know as shifting rules could impact both affordability and access. This landscape is changing by the day, don’t try to sort through it alone. M3 is monitoring these developments closely and will keep you informed every step of the way. If you need guidance now, or as new rules take effect, connect with us. We’re here to help you navigate today’s options and prepare for tomorrow’s changes.

    21 min
  6. Weathering the Risks: Why Proactivity Matters in Personal Lines

    08/13/2025

    Weathering the Risks: Why Proactivity Matters in Personal Lines

    The personal insurance landscape is changing, with rising premiums, severe weather events, and evolving underwriting guidelines. Being proactive has never been more important. Fast Break host Matt Cranney sits down with Amy Schroeder and Tim Hoel from M3 Elevate’s Personal Lines team to unpack why the “set it and forget it” mindset no longer works. The conversation outlines the drivers behind increasing rates, from catastrophic weather and rebuilding costs to the ripple effects of global reinsurance markets. These factors impact everyone, even those with no claims, making it critical to understand policy changes before they affect you. Personal lines insurance is no longer static. By partnering with M3 Elevate you can stay ahead of risks, protect what you have built, and avoid costly surprises when disaster strikes.

    29 min
  7. Culture of Commitment: The Building Blocks of Workplace Safety

    07/10/2025

    Culture of Commitment: The Building Blocks of Workplace Safety

    Safety isn’t just a compliance issue; it’s a strategic business decision. In this episode of Fast Break, host Matt Cranney is joined by Chris Halverson of M3 Insurance and Kyle Ricely of The Employer Group to explore the critical role of risk management and safety for small and growing businesses. Workplace safety isn’t just about preventing accidents—it’s about protecting employees, reducing insurance costs, and driving long-term business sustainability. Chris and Kyle share real-world stories and practical strategies from their deep experience in the field, offering guidance on building proactive safety cultures, understanding key metrics like experience modification rates, and preparing defensible positions against OSHA citations. Whether you're a solopreneur or lead a 500-person company, this conversation provides essential takeaways for employers looking to strengthen their operations, improve employee wellbeing, and gain a competitive edge.

    26 min
  8. Investing in Impact: How Businesses Can Support Nonprofits

    06/05/2025

    Investing in Impact: How Businesses Can Support Nonprofits

    Nonprofits are essential to our communities, yet they face increasing challenges from funding cuts to shifting engagement trends. In this episode of Fast Break, host Matt Cranney welcomes Jeff Burkhart, a nonprofit leader and founder of Mission Forward, to explore the state of the sector and how businesses can step up to drive lasting impact. With insights on collaboration, leadership, and community engagement, this conversation is a must-listen for business owners, leaders, and professionals looking to make a meaningful impact.

    24 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Join host Matt Cranney, Executive Vice President of M3 Elevate, as he sits down with the top business leaders to share real stories, fresh insights, and practical strategies to help you elevate your business.

Information

  • Creator
    M3 Elevate
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 M3 Elevate
  • Show Website
    Fast Break

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