Rob and Carolyne chat with Sandra Elia from Obesity Matters and Dr. Sandy Van, a Weight Management Physician, aboutsupporting employees who suffer from obesity - an ailment that is responsible for many drug costs. Hear all about how addressing the root cause may lower claims overall and will reduce absenteeism along with short- and long-term disability costs.

What You Will Learn:

• Obesity is a chronic, complex medical condition that requires comprehensive treatment.
• Obesity medications should be covered by employee benefitplans like other chronic illnesses.
• Covering obesity drugs may reduce other drug costs and can result in fewer short- and long-term disability claims.
• Creating an inclusive work environment is crucial for employee well-being.

Employers can improve productivity by addressingobesity in the workplace.

Carolyne and Rahim are joined by Marc-Antoine Morin from Manulife. Together they review the recommendations of the CAPSA guidelines and the importance of adhering to them. They finish by talking about what's coming in 2026 and the implications of AI in plan governance.

• What You Will Learn:
• How CAPSA guidelines have evolved in 2025
• How employers can best support employees while adhering to the guidelines
• Understanding what needs to be documented as part of the guidelines
• The role an advisor plays in helping employers adhere to the CAPSA guidelines
• The importance of cyber security
• The challenges offered by AI down the road
• What to expect from CAPSA guidelines in 2026

In this conversation, Laura Pratt from Canada Life joins Carolyne and Rob.   They discuss the importance of workplace mental health, the rising costs associated with mental health issues, and the strategies organizations can implement to create a psychologically safe environment.  Laura reviews a case study with measurable results from an effective workplace mental health program.

In this conversation, Tara Liu, Assistant Vice President of Drug Claims Strategy at Canada Life, joins Rob and Carolyne to discuss the importance of integrating Diversity, Equity,and Inclusion (DEI) into employee benefit programs, particularly drug benefits. She emphasizes the distinction between health equity and equality, the impact of Canada's diverse workforce on benefit planning, and the need for tailored support to address individual health needs. 

Join Rob and Carolyne who speak with Maude Villeneuve,Coordinator of the Relief Research Chair in Mental Health, Self-Management and Work (powered by Beneva), at Laval University. They discuss what is meant by psychosocial risks and how they impact costs in the workplace.

Join Rob and Carolyne with guests, Neda Nasseri and Sandra Elia, as they dispel the long-held myths about obesity and focus on its complexities as a chronic disease. They also offer suggestions to employers to help foster a supportive environment.

Angela Johnson, CEO & Co-Founder of SanoLiving, joins Roband Carolyne to discuss her personal journey and the importance of addressing midlife women's health. She highlights the financial implications of employers neglecting this segment of their workforce in their benefits plan.

Many small and mid-sized businesses are missing out on the benefits of group retirement plans - and advisors have the power to change that. In this episode,  Courtney Proudfoot joins Carolyne and Rahim to share insights on the importance of financial education for employees and to discuss strategies for engaging both plan sponsors and members… Unlocking new opportunities in the SMB retirement market.

Rob and Carolyne are joined by Veronika Litinski and Dora Chan from Pillcheck along with Gavin Mosley from Mosley Group Benefits to discuss the positive impact of pharmacogenetic testing on benefit plans, absenteeism and better treatment.

Alex Mazer and Connor Bays from Common WealthRetirement join Carolyne and Rahim to to explore whyCanada's group retirement savings (GRS) market, especially among small to medium sized businesses, remains underpenetrated and how advisors can lead its growth.