Risky Benefits

Taking a Different Approach to Embracing ChatGPT
Are you intimidated by ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence (AI)? With advanced AI technology becoming more developed everyday, the subject of job security can be a common concern. But from an employer-centric perspective, the more resources you have at your disposal, the more efficient and productive you can be. Keeping an open mind to great opportunities and becoming an early adapter of AI can help you develop an arsenal to improve upon your daily work. 

Listen as Risky Business Podcast guest, Efrain "Ricky" Baez, Jr., Chief HR Consultant at Baezco, takes a hard look at how AI impacts work efficiency and innovation, concerns surrounding job security, and approaching AI to be used as a tool and not THE tool.

MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
Efrain "Ricky" Baez, Jr.
Chief HR Consultant - HR Talk Podcast Host
Baezco.com

Picture this: a dynamic, results-driven HR powerhouse with a contagious enthusiasm for transforming businesses and empowering employees. That's Efrain "Ricky" Baez Jr. in a nutshell.

With over two decades of HR expertise under his belt, Ricky has made a name for himself as a published professional who knows how to strategically align HR competencies with business goals. But what sets him apart is his refreshing, down-to-earth approach that resonates with everyone from executives to front-line staff.

Ricky understands that the "H" in HR is more than just a letter—it's the heart of any successful organization. By forging strong partnerships and creating a fun, vibrant learning environment, he helps companies minimize legal risk while maximizing employee engagement and satisfaction.

As a proud four-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Ricky knows a thing or two about leadership and teamwork. He leverages that experience to guide business leaders from "here" to "there" using talent management, training and development, and leadership coaching strategies that deliver real, measurable results.

But Ricky isn't just a seasoned practitioner—he's also an accomplished educator. As a faculty member for the Master of Human Resources program at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL, he shares his passion for HR with the next generation of professionals.

So if you're looking for a dynamic, knowledgeable HR partner who knows how to get results, look no further than Ricky Baez Jr.

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.

People have complex medical situations in life and the wrong decision can lead to disaster. With MediOrbis, a physician-founded digital health company, it’s reassuring to know that providers are readily available to help get patients with complex conditions through difficult times with expert, innovative telehealth services. 

Listen as Risky Benefits podcast guest, Dr. Jonathan Wiesen, CMO and MediOrbis founder, discusses how MediOrbis fills the need for comprehensive care through integrated specialty telehealth, telehealth utilization and trends, and medical case studies. MediOrbis provides access to top-tier physicians and innovation in clinical services to help deliver the best care to patients in a time and cost-effective manner.

MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
Jonantha Wiesen, MD
CMO and MediOrbis Founder
MediOrbis.com

Dr. Jonathan Wiesen is a pulmonary and critical care physician, teacher, researcher and medical technology pioneer with a passion for clinical medicine and telehealth innovation.

Graduating from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine with distinction in research, he completed his training in internal medicine as well as pulmonary and critical care at the Cleveland Clinic - earning an advanced teaching degree and several teaching and research awards.

As founder and chief medical officer of MediOrbis, he led the development of ground-breaking clinical programs for monitoring and managing chronic medical conditions and providing integrated medical specialty services. He also piloted the development of a global network of top physicians to deliver the company’s telemedicine services worldwide.

Currently, Dr. Wiesen is a pulmonary specialist at Ben Gurion University’s Soroka Medical Center, where he directs the Cardio-Pulmonary Exercise Program. For many years, he has advised and assessed medical technology companies and served on the board of several companies, specializing in clinical assessment and due diligence.

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.

When demands exceed capacity, it can be difficult to navigate work and life harmony. During this Risky Business podcast, you’ll learn through managing your own energy, being aware of your personal recovery needs, and training to balance dimensions of your own wellness, you can help bring out your best level of service and orchestrate the energy of your team to be their best too.

Listen as Jill Sharp, who specializes in performance and help coaching, leadership, development, and key note speaking, discusses important points surrounding stress management, health and wellness within mental health, the “whole self” concept, work life integration, shifting mindsets, social and relational energy, and employer tips to help employees stay healthy.

MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
Jill Sharp, BA, MPC, CPT, CHC, MMC
Health & Performance Coach, Keynote Speaker
Founder & Chief Change Officer, Sharp Performance Group
YourBestEnergy.com

As a Performance Coach, Jill delivers training and development programs that cultivate healthy, high-performing leaders and teams. She also partners with organizations as a keynote speaker to inform, inspire, and empower others with the principles to perform in business and in life.

For the last 17 years, Jill has been on a mission to create positive change and unleash potential. As an independent consultant, she supports leaders and teams from Fortune 500 companies who are committed to creating cultures of engagement and productivity while supporting employee health & well-being. Through her work with The Human Performance Institute as a master-level Performance Coach, she has been able to strengthen her knowledge and expertise in the strategies of energy, resilience, and performance management, and his now sharing that message even more broadly to drive impactful change. Those looking to further sharpen their personal and professional edge, will partner with Jill 1:1 to leverage her broad leadership experience and expertise.

Jill has strategically partnered with thousands of clients to create positive change. One worth noting began in 2017, when she joined MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski on a global initiative to support women in knowing and growing their value. This experience sparked one of Jill’s latest initiatives - supporting women in strengthening their communication and negotiation skills to create the outcomes they want, along with a greater sense of empowerment, in their personal and professional life. This has evolved to a coach-role on the Game Changer negotiation team with The Molly Fletcher Company, where Jill has been able to take negotiation to a new level and an even broader audience.

Jill’s expertise in leadership is grounded in her own trials and tribulations as a leader – experiences that have helped her grow and better support other leaders. One of her most impactful and rewarding leadership roles was with Johnson & Johnson. As the Global Development Lead, she was responsible for the development of 150 coaches from 14 countries and 17 languages in sharing the performance energy message world-wide. Jill was also a regular columnist for a women’s magazine where she shared science-based, practical guidance on how to have the passion, focus, energy, and health needed to live your best life.

Although Jill’s career has grown to a global stage, she got her start in public education, then transitioned into the corporate arena where her success in sales, management, learning & development, and coaching led to new opportunities. Jill continues to work for and with various individuals and companies planning and facilitating full-scale leadership programs, conducting 1:1 and group performance coaching, designing, and delivering sales and product training, designing and delivering diversity, inclusion, and equity initiative

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.

Listen as second-time Risky Benefits podcast guest, Jim Klein, President of the American Benefits Council – a Washington, D.C. based employee benefits public policy advocacy organization – discusses the remarkable amount of bipartisanship that occurs surrounding employee benefits issues, such as: mental healthcare, Telehealth provisions, site neutrality payment reform, demand for greater transparency among pharmacy benefit manufacturers, Roth Catch-Up provision, and paid leave.

He explains the challenges of consistent movement on these issues beyond must-do legislation, i.e., the annual federal debt ceiling legislation. Often times, bipartisan issues get flushed out based on political timing and influence. Klein shares his insight on the lack of moderate viewpoints to help create balance and trust among parties – and its impact on actual policy changes.


MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
Jim Klein, President
americanbenefitscouncil.com

Jim Klein is president of the American Benefits Council. He joined the Council in 1988 as Deputy Executive Director and has served as Executive Director/President since 1992. Previously, Jim was manager of pension and health care policy for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and, before that, practiced law for a Washington, D.C. firm specializing in employee benefits. He also worked as a Legislative Assistant for a member of Congress.

Jim serves on the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plan’s Government Liaison Committee and was the recipient of the 2018 Public Service Award from that organization. He is a fellow of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel and a member of the editorial advisory board of Benefits Quarterly. In the global benefits arena, Jim serves as a private sector advisor to the Working Party on Private Pensions of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); and the Council is actively engaged with several international organizations representing the interests of U.S.-based companies operating outside the United States. Jim graduated with a degree in bioethics from Tufts University and a law degree from the George Washington University School of Law.

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.

Some of the most beautiful diamonds are cultivated from pressure and, in this instance, guttural experiences that nobody should have to endure – and our Risky Business podcast guest is a prime example of great resilience in the face of childhood adversity.

Listen as Joe Knopp, Film Producer and Inspirational Speaker, shares his raw, heart-wrenching story of child homelessness and experiences as a Philadelphia orphan from ages four through high school. Knopp’s journey details his best and worst days, how he hid his history during his years as an Air Force serviceman, to becoming a family man with a wife and three children, and later sharing his full-circle perspective to make a positive impact on serving those who serve others.

The Disaster Relief Benefit Concert for Hurricane Ian Relief will take place at the Hertz Arena, Ft. Myers, FL, on September 21, 2023 at 7 p.m. EST. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits already serving in the Ft. Myers, Florida community. To buy concert tickets, donate, or learn more about the Disaster Relief Benefit Concert, visit DisasterReliefBenefit.com.


MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
Joe Knopp
Movie Producer
joeknopp.com

Joe Knopp is a Movie Producer and has most recently produced the documentary The Trump I Know, released in October 2020. Joe’s previous titles include Unplanned, I Can Only Imagine and Woodlawn, which collectively grossed over $115 million at the Box Office. Joe has a passion for telling true impactful stories that provide Hope to those in need. Joe is also involved in Ohio politics and was a candidate for Lt Governor in 2022. Joe’s personal journey of surviving the streets of Philadelphia, being raised in an orphanage, enlisting in the U.S. Air Force, serving wealthy families, and now producing Hollywood movies is a testament to God’s purpose for our lives.

Joe has been married to Angie since 2002 and together they have three children.

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.

Need a new strategy to get rid of debt or become debt-free? The Bank on Yourself concept may revolutionize how you invest.

Listen as Sarry Ibrahim, of thinkinglikeabank.com, and Rick Farris, FBMC Growths Officer, discuss the Bank on Yourself Concept – an alternative investment strategy that allows employees to use accumulated cash value from their whole life insurance policy to fund investments or eliminate debt. Find out how the Bank on Yourself concept can be applied at your company!


MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

Sarry Ibrahim
Bank on Yourself® Professional
CEO & President of Financial Asset Protection

ThinkingLikeABank.com

Sarry Ibrahim is a financial specialist, private money lender, real estate investor and member of the Bank On Yourself Organization. He helps business owners, real estate investors, and full time employees grow safe and predictable wealth regardless of market conditions using a financial strategy that has been around for over 160 years.

Sarry started this journey when he was in grad school completing his MBA. He worked for companies like Allstate, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Healthspring, and Humana before founding Financial Asset Protection, a financial services firm that focuses on one sole concept; the Bank On Yourself ® concept.

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.

3MPWR takes on the sometimes, mundane, annual benefits enrollment and applies its three sacred “Es” – Engagement, Education, and Enrollment – to create a customer-centric, mindful, and innovative experience for employees.

Listen as David Perry, 3MPWR Managing Principal, and Rick Farris, FBMC Growth Resources Officer, discuss 3MPWR’s rigorous counselor training to target employer initiatives, a cutting-edge tech tool, concise communication strategies to help employees engage, and supplemental benefit trends.



MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
David Perry
Managing Principal at 3MPWR Enrollment Solutions
3mpwrenroll.com

I have over 25 years experience in Employee Benefits and I am learning something new every single day. I love working and collaborating with our clients and industry experts from all industry spectrums to help solve the ever changing challenges employers are facing. I have a passion for engaging, educating and empowering members to understand their employer's benefit offering and helping facilitate their enrollment and utilize their benefits!

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.

You won’t find the stereotypical insurance products with New Benefits. Listen as Jake Cleer and Collin Ray of New Benefits discuss the products and services that are unique and highly sought after by employees.

When you need benefits that aren’t fitting into a set plan, New Benefits offers services that aggregate benefits like caregiving support and fertility services to help employees get what they need. Think outside the box and get creative with benefits solutions by New Benefits.

MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

Collin Ray
Vice President of Sales
NewBenefits.com

New Benefits offers over 35 health and lifestyle non-insured employee benefits that are a great complement to any coverage you already have in place. With products such as Telemedicine, Healthcare Navigation, Mental Health, Fertility Advocacy, Pet Care, ID Theft Protection, Legal Services and more on one card, you can now decrease the administrative burden for your clients by packaging all of these non-insured products in one place.

We also take care of the billing, compliance, eligibility, member services, print and fulfillment. Contact me at [email protected] if you are looking for a low-cost creative solution to your healthcare needs.

Jake Clear
Vice President of Sales
NewBenefits.com

Jake Cleer amplifies benefit programs. As Vice President of Sales at New Benefits, Jake tailors non-insured benefit programs to brokerage and consulting firms around the country, helping their clients add value to the employee benefit offering while redirecting claims from their health plan. Jake speaks fluent “meme,” believes crazy socks are the new business tie, never worked for State Farm, and (most importantly) learns something new every day from his son and daughter.

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.

Retirement for everyone! After years of study into retirement plans, the government found that many Americans were not covered by a qualified retirement plan. Many people either did not qualify due to their part-time status, did not have access to a retirement plan, or just do not know enough about them to use them.

The government amended Security Act 1.0 in order to provide more inclusive solutions for all Americans. Listen in to learn along with Andrew Zito, COO of Advus Financial Partners LLC,  about how the SECURE 2.0 Act will affect your retirement plans and your business.

MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST:

 Andrew S. Zito, AIF®, CPFA®
President / Chief Operating Officer
AdvusPartners.com

Andrew has always been fascinated by complex things. The more complicated something is, the more he wants to understand it and fix it. From applying technology to solve business problems to working with plan sponsors to untangle complicated situations, he thrives on finding efficient and effective solutions.

Andrew oversees the operations of Advus, translating the firm’s vision and objectives into actionable processes. His responsibilities encompass technology solutions, business processes, service standards and human resources. He also is directly responsible for the retirement plan division and setting its strategic direction.

Andrew specializes in the qualified retirement plan aspect of the Advus business. Throughout his career, he has worked with retirement plans in a variety of different capacities. He began his career as an intern at Advus (formerly LAMCO Advisory Services, Inc.) assisting with compliance testing. He then spent several years working on platform conversions for retirement plans before moving into his present consulting role. Within the retirement plan space, he specializes in complex plan situations including plan mergers, spinoffs, complex regulatory audits, M&A activity and error corrections.

Andrew received a BS in finance from Bentley College. He also earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) and the Certified Fiduciary Plan Advisor (CFPA) designations.

Andrew lives in Longwood, Florida, with his wife, Amanda, and their three children. He likes to be out in the water, to watch his kids compete in sports and to tackle projects around the house.

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.

Listen in on this thoughtful discussion about business and personal growth from author and speaker Bob Burg.

As co-author of The Go-Giver series, Bob is on mic to walk us through what it means to be of value in today's job market and how to be an authentic leader. His strategies guarantee everyone from buyers, sellers, to management will walk away feeling valued and offering quality solutions. 

MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Bob Burg
Co-author, The Go-Giver Series
TheGoGiver.com

Bob Burg shares how a subtle shift in focus is not only a more uplifting and fulfilling way of conducting business but the most financially profitable way, as well. For 30 years he’s helped companies, sales leaders, and their teams to more effectively communicate their value, sell at higher prices with less resistance, and grow their businesses based on Endless Referrals.Bob has regularly addressed audiences ranging in size from 50 to 16,000 — sharing the platform with notables including today’s top thought leaders, broadcast personalities, Olympic athletes and political leaders including a former United States President.Although for years he was best known for his book Endless Referrals, it’s his business parable, The Go-Giver (coauthored with John David Mann) that captured the imagination of his readers.The Go-Giver, a Wall Street Journal and BusinessWeek Bestseller, has sold over a million copies. Since its release it has consistently stayed in the Top 25 on Porchlight’s (formerly 800-CEO-READ) Business Book Bestsellers List. The book has been translated into 30 languages. It was rated #10 on Inc. Magazine’s list of the Most Motivational Books Ever Written, and was on HubSpot’s 20 Most Highly Rated Sales Books of All Time.Bob is the author of a number of books on sales, marketing and influence, with total book sales approaching two million copies.The American Management Association named Bob one of the 30 Most Influential Leaders and he was named one of the Top 200 Most Influential Authors in the World by Richtopia.Bob is an advocate, supporter and defender of the Free Enterprise system, believing that the amount of money one makes is directly proportional to how many people they serve.He is also an unapologetic animal fanatic and served on the Board of Directors of Furry Friends Adoption and Clinic in his town of Jupiter, Florida.

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.