ON THE PULSE with IMA

If pharmacy benefits feel like one of the least transparent parts of your health plan strategy, this episode shows how employers can look beyond the spreadsheet, ask better questions, and uncover real opportunities for savings.

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Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.

Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Matt Collier of IMA Financial Group to explore why pharmacy benefits have become one of the fastest-growing and most complex areas of healthcare spend. Matt explains why many employers lack visibility into their PBM contracts, how spreadsheet comparisons can miss important contract details, and why words, exclusions, rebate structures, audit rights, and pricing guarantees all matter. They discuss IMA Pharmacy Consulting, the importance of transparency and accountability, the role of regulation, and why employers should begin evaluating their pharmacy strategy now instead of waiting for new rules to take effect. Matt also breaks down specialty drug costs, GLP-1 coverage considerations, biosimilars, prior authorization, step therapy, IMARx, and the difference between a lowest net cost strategy and a rebate-driven approach. Whether you are reviewing your PBM contract, preparing for an RFP, or simply trying to understand where pharmacy spend is going, this episode offers a practical roadmap for taking a more proactive approach.

Guest Bio: Matt Collier is a pharmacy benefits specialist at IMA Financial Group. Based in Denver, Matt has been with IMA for 19 years and has worked across financial analysis, self-funding, PBM strategy, and pharmacy consulting. His work focuses on helping employers better understand pharmacy benefit contracts, evaluate PBM arrangements, identify hidden cost drivers, and build more transparent, accountable pharmacy strategies.

Host: Kelly Bowman

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Listen and Subscribe (Repeated for Convenience): If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.

If employees are spending only minutes choosing benefits that can shape their financial lives for an entire year, this episode explores how AI can help make benefits more personal, more useful, and easier to understand.

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Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.

Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Pauline Roteta, CEO and Co-Founder of Pasito, to discuss how AI is changing the employee benefits experience. Pauline shares how her background in finance, including her time at BlackRock and her work as a CFA and CFP, shaped her view of benefits as a critical part of an employee’s financial life. They explore why employees spend so little time choosing benefits, why one-time open enrollment communication falls short, and how personalized, year-round support can help people better understand and use the programs available to them. Pauline also explains the difference between generic AI and vertical, purpose-built AI, how AI agents can reduce manual work for employers, brokers, and carriers, and why benefits will always remain a deeply human business. Whether you are evaluating AI tools, looking to improve benefits engagement, or trying to help employees see the full value of their benefits package, Pauline offers a practical look at where the industry is headed next.

Guest Bio: Pauline Roteta is the CEO and Co-Founder of Pasito, an AI-native benefits workspace designed to help employers, brokers, carriers, and employees improve the way benefits are built, delivered, and experienced. Before founding Pasito, Pauline worked at BlackRock as a Senior Investor and Portfolio Manager. She is a CFA and Certified Financial Planner, bringing a financial planning lens to health, wealth, and total rewards strategy. Her work focuses on using AI to simplify complex benefits workflows, personalize employee support, and help organizations deliver a better year-round benefits experience.

Host: Kelly Bowman

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Listen and Subscribe (Repeated for Convenience): If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.

If Medicare feels overwhelming, confusing, or full of costly deadlines, this episode breaks down the basics and shows how the right guidance can turn a stressful healthcare transition into a confident decision.

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Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.

Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Leigh Bennett and Catherine White of IMA’s Medicare Advisory Services team to make Medicare feel less intimidating and more manageable. Leigh and Catherine explain the different parts of Medicare, including Parts A, B, C, and D, and walk through the major decisions individuals face when approaching age 65 or transitioning later at retirement. They discuss common misconceptions around Social Security, employer coverage, COBRA, HSAs, Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage plans, and late enrollment penalties. They also explain why timing matters, how Medicare coordinates with employer-sponsored coverage, and why COBRA can create a false sense of security for Medicare-eligible individuals. Whether you are approaching Medicare yourself, helping a parent or spouse through the process, or supporting employees preparing for retirement, this episode offers practical guidance, reassurance, and a clearer path forward.

Guest Bio: Leigh Bennett is part of IMA’s Medicare Advisory Services team and has spent more than a decade helping individuals navigate the transition to Medicare. Based in Dallas, Leigh began her career in communications, media, and professional development before moving into employee benefits and Medicare advisory work. She founded IMA’s Medicare Advisory Services business after seeing how much individuals needed clear, compassionate guidance during one of the most important healthcare transitions of their lives.

Guest Bio: Catherine White is part of IMA’s Medicare Advisory Services team. Based in Dallas, Catherine brings a background in psychology and health policy to her work helping individuals understand Medicare, compare plan options, avoid coverage gaps, and feel more confident in their healthcare decisions. Her work focuses on making a complex and often emotional process easier to understand through education, structure, and ongoing support.

Host: Kelly Bowman

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Listen and Subscribe (Repeated for Convenience): If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.

If your organization is investing in employee wellbeing programs but still seeing rising costs, low engagement, and no measurable results, this episode shows exactly how to move from check-the-box perks to a strategic, outcomes-driven approach that delivers real business impact.

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Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.

Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Debra Wein, CEO and Founder of Wellness Workdays and a registered dietitian with more than 25 years in the health and wellness space, to unpack why many wellbeing programs fail to deliver results. Debra explains the true cost of doing nothing, the pitfalls of treating wellbeing as a checklist or perk, and the four-step process every organization needs: assess the population, set a clear strategy, implement targeted interventions, and evaluate outcomes. They dive into building an integrated approach that connects physical, mental, and financial wellbeing, the power of behavioral health coaching, red flags to watch for when evaluating vendors, and a real-world client example showing how focusing on mental health led to improved lifestyle choices, better biometrics, and measurable ROI. Whether you’re struggling with low participation, burnout, or justifying investment to leadership, Debra’s insights provide a practical roadmap to turn wellbeing into a true competitive advantage.

Guest Bio: Debra Wein is the CEO and Founder of Wellness Workdays, a registered dietitian, and a nationally recognized expert in employee wellbeing with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations design strategic, outcomes-based programs. A long-time vegetarian and advocate for healthy living, she has guided employers across industries to move beyond fragmented perks to integrated strategies that improve workforce health, productivity, and bottom-line results. She is also the author of the upcoming book The Wellness Multiplier.

Host: Kelly Bowman

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Listen and Subscribe (Repeated for Convenience): If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.

If great ideas in your organization feel scattered, stuck in silos, or never fully realized, this episode reveals how to create the right environment to connect them and drive meaningful impact in employee benefits.

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Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.

Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Mason Powers, National Employee Benefits Innovation Leader at IMA Financial Group, to explore how organizations move from isolated ideas to real impact. Mason shares the story behind EBX Labs—a cross-functional initiative designed to surface, challenge, and connect ideas across silos. They discuss why innovation is less about chasing big breakthroughs and more about building the right environment, mindset shifts, opportunity framing, and human connection. From the first cohort’s selection process and storytelling exercises to practical ways employees can get involved, this conversation offers actionable insights for HR leaders seeking to foster collaboration, improve teammate and client experiences, and adapt to rising complexity with confidence.

Guest Bio: Mason Powers is the National Employee Benefits Innovation Leader at IMA Financial Group. Based in Minnesota, he leads the development of EBX Labs to connect strategy, ideas, and execution across the organization. With a background that sparked the creation of this dedicated innovation role, Mason focuses on building collaborative spaces that empower teams, challenge the status quo, and deliver better experiences for both employees and clients. Outside of work, he enjoys lake life, bird hunting, fishing, and travel.

Host: Kelly Bowman

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Listen and Subscribe (Repeated for Convenience): If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.

If your employees are overwhelmed by benefits information or missing the value of what you offer, this episode explores how better communication can improve understanding, utilization, and retention.

Resources Mentioned:

2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including communication strategy, employee engagement, and workforce experience. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026]

Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits.

Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out to John Dodson, Senior Marketing Strategist for Employee Benefits, [email protected].

Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Jared Cox, Communication and Engagement Practice Leader at IMA, to discuss why benefits communication matters just as much as benefits design. Jared explains how his team helps employers move beyond awareness toward real outcomes by improving employee understanding, increasing utilization, and turning benefits into a stronger tool for recruitment and retention. He shares how communication expectations are changing, why one-size-fits-all messaging no longer works, and how technology, including AI, can support employees when it is introduced thoughtfully and paired with clear guidance. Jared also walks through a practical client example in which a workforce survey revealed that a paper-first strategy would outperform a tech-heavy rollout, leading to better utilization and retention. From avoiding information overload to building communication plans around real employee needs, this conversation offers actionable advice for employers who want their people to actually understand and use the benefits they invest in.

Guest Bio: Jared Cox is Communication and Engagement Practice Leader at IMA, where he focuses on employee strategy, storytelling, and helping clients create benefits communication that drives action. Based in Kansas City after recently moving back from Denver, Jared works with employers to improve education, utilization, and the overall employee experience around benefits. Outside of work, he and his wife spend plenty of time with their two miniature dachshunds, who occasionally make their own appearances on work calls.

Host: Kelly Bowman

Key Timestamps:

00:00 - 01:24: Introduction to why poor benefits communication creates bigger problems for employers and employees.

01:24 - 02:58: Jared shares where he is based, his recent move back to Kansas City, and a fun fact about his dachshunds.

02:58 - 04:20: Overview of Jared's role and how IMA's communication and engagement practice supports clients.

04:20 - 05:25: Common challenges employers bring to Jared and why benefits communication is never one size fits all.

05:25 - 07:26: Trends shaping benefits communication, including targeted messaging, timing, and AI-enabled support.

07:26 - 09:42: A client story about surveying employees, avoiding the wrong tech investment, and pivoting to a better strategy.

09:42 - 11:19: How better communication improved utilization and retention and why misunderstanding benefits creates risk.

11:19 - 12:39: Common employer mistakes, especially information overload, and what successful engagement efforts have in common.

12:39 - 13:32: How AI can simplify benefits access and make information easier for employees and dependents to use.

13:32 - 14:39: Where employers should start: review what has worked, gather feedback, and adapt over time.

14:39 - 16:27: The value of transparency, community-building, and making benefits feel more relevant to daily life.

16:27 - 17:21: Why timing matters and why employers need to start communication well before open enrollment.

17:21 - 18:25: Step one for leaders: tailor communication by audience and stop repeating strategies that are not working.

18:25 - 18:58: Jared's closing advice on staying adaptable as employee needs and communication norms continue to change.

18:58 - End: Closing thanks and show outro.

If your teams are spread across markets, personalities, and ways of working, this episode explores how leadership, empathy, and clear communication can turn complexity into stronger alignment and better performance.

Resources Mentioned:

2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including leadership, collaboration, communication, and organizational change. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026]

Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits.

Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out to John Dodson, Senior Marketing Strategist for Employee Benefits, [email protected].

Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Jacqueline Roth, President of Employee Benefits at IMA, for a wide-ranging conversation about what it takes to build alignment across distributed teams without erasing the local expertise that makes each market successful. Jacqueline shares lessons from leading through national growth, partnership integration, and change, emphasizing that people want to be seen, heard, and understood no matter where they sit. She explains why strong leadership is not about imposing sameness, but about creating clarity, alignment, and commitment while drawing out quieter voices, making space for disagreement, and helping teams move through friction with curiosity instead of defensiveness. The conversation also explores empathy in leadership, the role of communication norms, how teams can collaborate more effectively across regions, and why clear structure matters even more in moments of rapid change. From practical language for repairing hard conversations to advice on meetings, AI adoption, and team accountability, this episode offers actionable guidance for leaders trying to connect people, improve performance, and scale culture in a way that actually works.

Guest Bio: Jacqueline Roth is President of Employee Benefits at IMA, where she helps shape national strategy, drive growth, and bring together teams across markets, states, and leadership structures. Based in South Pasadena, California, Jacqueline is known for her people-first approach to leadership, with a focus on clarity, empathy, trust, and collaboration. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her two daughters, riding bikes, and jumping on the trampoline with her kids.

Host: Kelly Bowman

Key Timestamps:

00:00 - 01:25: Introduction to the challenge of creating alignment across markets, regulations, and ways of working.

01:25 - 03:13: Jacqueline shares where she is based, life outside of work, and a glimpse into family life with her two daughters.

03:13 - 06:26: Overview of Jacqueline's role, IMA's growth journey, and how she came into national leadership in employee benefits.

06:26 - 09:22: What Jacqueline has learned about bringing teams together across states, markets, and regulatory environments.

09:22 - 10:53: Collaboration, clarity, alignment, and commitment, and what becomes possible when teams truly connect.

10:53 - 14:59: How leaders can honor local market nuance while still creating unity, accountability, and shared standards.

15:02 - 17:46: Friction, conflict, and Jacqueline's leadership approach of replacing defensiveness with curiosity and “tell me more.”

18:15 - 21:27: Practical language for difficult conversations, do-overs, stating intention, and building trust in the room.

21:29 - 24:44: How empathy shows up in leadership, especially during change, and why clear information builds confidence.

24:44 - 26:24: The connection between empathy, safety, candid dialogue, and stronger team performance.

26:24 - 29:17: A cross-market collaboration example that led to a better workload measurement process across the organization.

29:31 - 34:59: AI, communication norms, and how leaders can introduce innovation without losing authenticity or trust.

34:59 - 36:16: Where leaders should start when trying to create stronger alignment across locations.

36:16 - 38:24: Common leadership mistakes, including interrupting, unclear meetings, and failing to define a goal.

38:49 - 40:06: Jacqueline's closing advice: clear is kind, state your why, and follow through on the basics.

40:06 - End: Closing thanks and show outro.

If rising healthcare costs, complex governance, and pressure to preserve rich benefits are making health plan decisions harder, this episode offers a practical framework for building sustainability through data, communication, and proactive change.

Resources Mentioned:

2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including plan sustainability, healthcare cost drivers, and strategic decision-making. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026]

Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits.

Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out to John Dodson, Senior Marketing Strategist for Employee Benefits, [email protected].

Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Cody Purdy, National Practice Leader for IMA's Taft-Hartley and Government Practice, to explore the unique realities of managing health plans in public sector and union environments. Cody explains why these plans require a different strategy than traditional corporate benefits, from governance structures and stakeholder dynamics to longstanding employee expectations around rich benefits and retirement. He breaks down the biggest forces driving cost today, including prescription drugs, specialty medications, cancer, and underlying healthcare inflation, while making the case that inaction is no longer a viable strategy. From using employee census data and member feedback to proactively managing plan design over time, Cody shares what separates high-performing plans from those that fall behind. He also walks through a striking Taft-Hartley case study that shows how active, strategic management can restore long-term stability without abandoning the value members depend on. Whether you support a city, school district, or labor trust fund, this episode offers practical guidance for balancing sustainability, employee expectations, and change.

Guest Bio: Cody Purdy is National Practice Leader for IMA's Taft-Hartley and Government Practice, where he helps public employers and labor organizations navigate the structural, financial, and strategic complexities of health plan management. Based in Denver, Colorado, Cody brings a service-minded perspective to benefits consulting and is passionate about helping plans stay sustainable while protecting value for members and employees. Outside of work, he enjoys fly fishing in Colorado and chasing tarpon on salt water with a fly rod.

Host: Kelly Bowman

Key Timestamps:

00:00 - 01:28: Introduction to rising healthcare costs and the unique pressure facing public sector and union health plans.

01:28 - 02:31: Cody shares where he is based and his love of fly fishing, including saltwater tarpon fishing.

02:31 - 04:51: Overview of Cody's role and why Taft-Hartley and government plans require specialized expertise.

04:51 - 07:27: What drew Cody to this work and how his team supports clients through research, tools, and customized consulting.

07:27 - 09:35: Why public sector and union plans require a different strategy than private sector benefit programs.

09:35 - 12:44: Decision-making realities, stakeholder layers, and the budget and governance pressures shaping these plans.

13:03 - 17:50: The biggest healthcare cost drivers today, including GLP-1s, specialty drugs, cancer, and rising medical costs.

17:50 - 20:23: Why data matters and the practical data sources every employer already has, including census data and employee feedback.

20:23 - 24:11: What separates high-performing plans from struggling ones and why taking the first step matters.

24:11 - 25:59: Leadership mindsets that drive better outcomes, including curiosity and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

25:59 - 30:50: A Taft-Hartley case study on rebuilding a financially troubled plan and the power of strategic, active management.

31:03 - 33:47: Common misconceptions about public sector and union plans, including the myth that these groups cannot change.

33:47 - 36:33: Why communication is one of the most underused tools in benefits strategy and how perceived value shapes employee experience.

36:48 - 40:03: Looking ahead: AI, future disruption, and the move toward more targeted and self-directed benefits support.

40:03 - 42:21: Cody's closing advice: start now, stay curious, and reframe change as a path to long-term sustainability.

42:21 - End: Closing thanks and show outro.

If rising healthcare costs, funding transitions, and employee trust issues are straining your benefits strategy, this episode reveals how thoughtful, data-driven approaches can deliver stability and meaningful impact without disruption.

Resources Mentioned:

2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including funding models, pharmacy strategies, and employee advocacy. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026]

Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits.

Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.

Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Evan Oslica, Benefits Consultant at IMA Financial Group, to explore the dramatic shifts in employee benefits over the past decade. Evan shares insights from a client case study involving a 500-employee group transitioning from fully insured to self-funded models amid leadership anxiety and rising costs. They discuss building trust through invisible backend changes, implementing pharmacy strategies like the IMARx Program for cost savings and enhanced member experiences, and leveraging advocacy tools like Ask Charlie for navigation support. From avoiding massive renewals to achieving over $1 million in under-budget savings, this conversation provides actionable guidance for HR leaders navigating volatility while prioritizing employee confidence. Whether you're evaluating funding shifts or refining communication, Evan's expertise offers a roadmap to balanced, sustainable benefits.

Guest Bio: Evan Oslica is a Benefits Consultant at IMA Financial Group, with over a decade of experience in employee benefits. She specializes in guiding mid-sized employers through funding transitions, pharmacy optimizations, and strategic planning to achieve cost control and employee satisfaction. A mother of two young boys, Evan is based in Kansas City and draws from her service-side roots to foster trusting partnerships.

Host: Kelly Bowman

Key Timestamps:

00:00 - 01:20: Introduction to benefits landscape shifts and challenges.

01:20 - 02:05: Show intro and welcome.

02:05 - 03:15: Evan introduces herself, her role at IMA, and a fun fact.

03:15 - 04:10: Personal chit-chat on motherhood and career evolution.

04:10 - 06:00: Defining benefits transformations and client anxieties.

06:00 - 07:00: Shift to self-funded strategies.

07:00 - 08:30: Impact on employee trust, renewals, and mid-sized groups.

08:30 - 10:50: Common pitfalls: Reactive benefits and leadership concerns, with examples.

10:50 - 13:15: Client story on successful self-funded transition and savings.

13:15 - 15:55: Measuring success: Budget savings, ROI, and employee feedback.

15:55 - 19:25: Designing programs for diverse workforces, with pharmacy examples.

19:25 - 21:25: Communication trends and tools for building confidence.

21:25 - 22:30: Misconceptions about funding risks.

22:30 - 24:00: Bridging HR strategy with finance priorities, plus advocacy examples.

24:00 - 26:00: Evaluating options and addressing volatility.

26:00 - 28:30: Mindsets holding employers back: Fear of change.

28:30 - 29:45: Upcoming trends: Advocacy integration and data-driven decisions.

29:45 - 31:55: Rethinking employee experience through invisible enhancements.

31:55 - 33:30: Building a trust culture from leadership down.

33:30 - 34:40: Role of data, analytics, and personalization in benefits.

34:40 - 34:55: Branding benefits for employee buy-in.

34:55 - 35:40: Must-have strategy for 2026: Proactive funding and pharmacy reviews.

35:40 - 37:55: Advice for organizations: Build trust, communicate thoughtfully, and measure impact.

37:55 - End: Closing thanks and show outro.

Resources Mentioned (Repeated for Convenience):

2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including funding models, pharmacy strategies, and employee advocacy. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026]

Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits.

Listen and Subscribe (Repeated for Convenience): If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.

If reactive chronic disease management and rising costs are limiting your workforce health, this episode shows how proactive lifestyle strategies can drive prevention, reversal, and sustained wellbeing without over-reliance on medications.

Resources Mentioned:

2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including lifestyle medicine, chronic disease reversal, and shared medical appointments. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026]

Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits.

Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.

Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Dr. Jacob Mirsky, Primary Care Physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and Founder of

Guest Bio: Dr. Jacob Mirsky is a Primary Care Physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, Medical Director of the Healthy Lifestyle Program, and Founder of Lifestyle Medicine Consulting LLC. He specializes in lifestyle medicine for chronic disease management via shared medical appointments, focusing on diet, exercise, sleep, and stress. Based in Boston, Dr. Mirsky enjoys cross-country skiing.

Host: Kelly Bowman

Key Timestamps:

00:00 - 01:20: Introduction to lifestyle medicine and chronic disease challenges.

01:20 - 02:05: Show intro and welcome.

02:05 - 03:15: Dr. Mirsky introduces himself, his roles, and a fun fact.

03:15 - 04:10: Personal chit-chat on winter activities.

04:10 - 06:00: Defining lifestyle medicine and its evolution.

06:00 - 07:00: Shift to proactive, evidence-based strategies.

07:00 - 08:30: Impact on prevention, reversal, and employer health.

08:30 - 10:50: Common pitfalls: Reactive care models, with examples.

10:50 - 13:15: Client story on shared medical appointments success.

13:15 - 15:55: Measuring success: Remission metrics, ROI, and outcomes.

15:55 - 19:25: Designing programs for diverse populations, with GLP-1 examples.

19:25 - 21:25: Communication trends and tools for motivation.

21:25 - 22:30: Misconceptions about behavior change.

22:30 - 24:00: Bridging clinical care with employer strategies, plus inflammation examples.

24:00 - 26:00: Evaluating interventions and reducing friction.

26:00 - 28:30: Mindsets holding employers back: Overlooking root causes.

28:30 - 29:45: Upcoming trends: Integrated proactive models.

29:45 - 31:55: Rethinking health support through education and autonomy.

31:55 - 33:30: Building a proactive culture from leadership down.

33:30 - 34:40: Role of data, groups, and personalization in medicine.

34:40 - 34:55: Branding lifestyle programs for engagement.

34:55 - 35:40: Must-have strategy for 2026: Behavior-focused incentives.

35:40 - 37:55: Advice for organizations: Educate, inspire, and empower employees.

37:55 - End: Closing thanks and show outro.

Resources Mentioned (Repeated for Convenience):

2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including lifestyle medicine, chronic disease reversal, and shared medical appointments. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026]

Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits.

Listen and Subscribe (Repeated for Convenience): If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.