In this episode of Benefits Breakdown, the team is joined by Rachel Jensen from the Population Health and Well-Being team at Brown & Brown. Together, they explore the concept of "friends as medicine" and how social connection, belonging and workplace culture directly impact employee health, retention and productivity. The conversation explores the latest trends in lifestyle medicine, including food as medicine, movement as medicine and the critical role of social well-being in today's evolving work environment.

Whether you're a benefits leader, HR professional or simply passionate about workplace wellness, this episode delivers actionable insights and real-world examples to help you drive positive change.

For more information, watch our Friends as Medicine webinar.

Connect with the hosts:

Jared Bowcutt

Vanessa Longnecker

Adam Compton

Vanessa, Jared and Adam discuss the challenges and innovations shaping employee benefits during open enrollment season. With healthcare costs rising at record rates—often 10% or more—employers are exploring new funding models, direct-to-consumer pharmacy options and Centers of Excellence (COEs) to improve outcomes and control spend.  

The team highlights the importance of ongoing communication, data-driven decisions and leveraging technology to help employees make informed choices. Real-world examples show how COEs and alternative care models can deliver significant savings and better experiences. Employers are encouraged to audit their plans, build year-round engagement strategies and stay open to new ideas to thrive in a rapidly changing benefits landscape. 

Connect with the hosts:

Jared Bowcutt

Vanessa Longnecker

Adam Compton

Today on the Benefits Breakdown, Vanessa Longnecker, Jared Bowcutt and Adam Compton are joined by Meghan Pistritto and Dr. Wendy Coduti from Prudential to unpack the findings of the “2025 Benefits and Beyond” study. The conversation explores the growing intersection of financial stress, mental health, and employee well-being—and how employers can better support their teams. 

The episode highlights key insights from the study, including: 

• A disconnect between employer intentions and employee perceptions of support. 
• The need for holistic wellness strategies that integrate financial, mental, physical and social health. 
• Best practices for ongoing communication, benefit education and building trust. 
• The importance of leadership modeling vulnerability and mental health openness. 
• Real-world examples of flexible work, embedded support services and proactive manager training. 

With personal stories, practical strategies and a call to action for cultural change, this episode is a must-listen for HR leaders, benefit professionals and anyone committed to helping employees thrive in 2025 and beyond. 

Connect with the hosts:

Jared Bowcutt

Vanessa Longnecker

Adam Compton

In this episode of Benefits Breakdown, Adam Compton, Jared Bowcutt, and guests Leyla Bilge, Casey Cullinan, and Paul Berryman explore the evolving landscape of digital wellness and its critical role in employee well-being and organizational resilience. 

From the rise of AI-driven scams to the emotional toll of identity theft, the panel discusses how employers can proactively support their workforce through integrated HR and cybersecurity strategies. Leyla Bilge shares insights from her research on scam evolution and digital stress, while Casey Cullinan highlights the ROI of digital wellness programs and the importance of privacy, protection, and financial stability. Paul Berryman emphasizes the need for cross-functional collaboration between HR and security teams to build holistic support systems. 

Real-life scenarios, best practices, and forward-looking strategies make this a must-listen for HR leaders, benefit professionals, and anyone navigating the digital frontier of work.

Connect with the hosts:

Jared Bowcutt

Vanessa Longnecker

Adam Compton

In this insightful follow-up episode, Adam and Jared are joined by Chelsea Hamilton and Sam Thomeier from herronpalmer to explore the evolving landscape of total rewards, pay transparency and the role of AI in enhancing employee experience. From digital delivery to hyper-personalization, the team discusses how employers can build trust through thoughtful communication, empathy and transparency.  

With real-world examples and generational insights, this episode offers practical strategies for navigating the future of benefits with both innovation and heart.

Connect with the hosts:

Jared Bowcutt

Vanessa Longnecker

Adam Compton

Vanessa and Adam are joined by compensation specialists Sam Thomeier and Chelsea Hamilton to explore the evolution of pay transparency and its growing impact on workplace culture and business strategy. Together, they unpack how regulations across 20+ states reflect a broader cultural shift toward openness and fairness in compensation. The conversation highlights key strategies such as the importance of defining your market, the role of compensation in employee retention and the need to "prepare before you share." From compliance pitfalls to leadership preparation, this episode is packed with insights for HR leaders and business owners navigating today’s competitive talent landscape.

Connect with the hosts:

Jared Bowcutt

Vanessa Longnecker

Adam Compton

Vanessa, Adam & the team are joined by Tricia Laursen, President & Executive Director, and Sandy Danault, Senior Director of Programs & Partnerships at DetectTogether, for a powerful conversation on the critical role of early cancer detection and the evolving healthcare landscape. 

The discussion explores how employers can play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of health literacy and early detection. Through ongoing education, storytelling and accessible tools, DetectTogether helps organizations reduce healthcare costs while improving outcomes. Real-world examples illustrate how employer partnerships help save lives and curb rising premiums. 

The episode also touches on the promise and limitations of emerging screening technologies, the emotional and financial impact of cancer in the workplace and how consistent, year-round engagement can drive meaningful change. 

Connect with the hosts:

Jared Bowcutt

Vanessa Longnecker

Adam Compton

Vanessa, Jared & Adam are joined by Tammy Miller, Executive VP of Auditing at Brown & Brown. Tammy breaks down the essentials of healthcare and pharmacy audits—why they matter, how they’re conducted and what employers often overlook. The team explores audit triggers, common findings like duplicate claims and misapplied copays and the growing importance of fiduciary responsibility. They also dive into fraud, waste and abuse detection, and how audits can benefit both plan sponsors and administrators.

Connect with the hosts:

Jared Bowcutt

Vanessa Longnecker

Adam Compton

The team welcomes Melanie Payton, National Practice Leader for the Brown & Brown Absence team. In this insightful podcast episode, we delve into the current state of the market, highlighting the significant impact of absence costs, which now surpass medical expenses, and the evolving regulatory climate driven by generational shifts in employee expectations. We explore the complexities of Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) legislation, with new mandates on the horizon and the decision-making process between state-run and private plans. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of enhancing the employee experience through technology and centralized resources, and the critical role of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) in providing necessary accommodations and training for supervisors. Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of these pivotal topics and their implications for employers and employees alike. 

Connect with the hosts:

Jared Bowcutt

Vanessa Longnecker

Adam Compton

Vanessa, Jared & Adam are joined by Julie Turpin, Chief People Officer of Brown & Brown to discuss the latest trends in People Analytics and how they are shaping the future of HR. Julie highlights the importance of collecting, analyzing and applying data related to employees to improve business outcomes. This enables HR departments to gain data-driven insights for decision-making on various people processes, such as recruitment, retention, performance management and diversity initiatives. 

The team delves into the concept of Thriving in '25, exploring how to foster a culture of open communication and holistic development among employees. They discuss key questions to help individuals and organizations thrive, such as evaluating daily habits, addressing tolerations and focusing on internal growth.

Check out our 2025 Employee Benefits Market Trends 

Connect with the hosts:

Jared Bowcutt

Vanessa Longnecker

Adam Compton