The H.I.T. Podcast

Few topics are as important—or as often avoided—as honest conversations around mental health. In this episode, we shine a light on what’s too often kept in the dark.

I’m joined by my friend and guest Russell Carney, PHR, a high-level HR professional who came up through operations but never lost sight of the internal battles many face—including his own.

As we close out Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, this episode is a powerful reminder that some of the men in your life are struggling quietly—and doing a remarkably good job of hiding it.

We’re proud to end the month with this real, thoughtful, and deeply personal conversation.

We had an incredible opportunity to be live from the floor at the California HR Conference (#CAHR25) last month, serving as the official podcast of the event—and the conversations did not disappoint.

This episode marks the final installment in our CAHR series, and we’ve pulled together some of our favorite moments from across the interviews. Insightful, candid, and often surprising, these clips capture the energy and expertise of the people shaping the future of HR.

If you missed any of the earlier episodes, now’s a great time to catch up—but definitely don’t miss this one. It’s a highlight reel of what made CAHR25 so special.

About the Show:

The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

I had the chance to sit down with Diana Tsai LIVE from the floor at #CAHR25 for a fascinating conversation on how A.I. is reshaping the world of work—especially in HR.

From hiring and retention to compliance, culture, and beyond, Diana brings bold insights on what’s already happening and what’s just around the corner.

If you're curious—or concerned—about how A.I. is impacting your workplace, this is a must-listen.

About the Show:

The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

We hit the floor at #CAHR25 as the official podcast of the California HR Conference—and spent two packed days collecting interviews from HR professionals across industries.

We asked everyone the same question:

“What’s keeping HR up at night?”

The answers? Insightful. Honest. And packed with wisdom.

In this special compilation episode, we highlight the biggest challenges facing HR leaders today—along with real-world advice. Don’t miss this one—it’s the pulse of HR, straight from the people living it.

About the Show:

The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

Find out more here: www.hitpodcast.com

We were honored to deliver the closing keynote at #CAHR25, and we’ve been bringing it to you in a powerful 3-part series.

In this final installment, we dive deep into the world of Pharmacy spend—covering everything from rebates and PBMs to real, actionable strategies for cost containment.

Then we shift gears to explore the often-overlooked but essential ancillary benefits:

✔️ Dental

✔️ Vision

✔️ Disability

✔️ Life and more

If you missed Parts 1 or 2, go back and catch up! This finale ties it all together with high-impact insights every employer should hear.

About the Show:

The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

Find out more here: www.hitpodcast.com

This is Part 2 of my keynote from the Main Stage at #CAHR25—if you missed Part 1, definitely go check that out first!

In this episode, we dive into Self Funding: what it actually takes to do it well. From point solutions to stop loss nuance to controlling claims, it’s all here.

If you’re in this space, you won’t want to miss this one.

We’re extremely proud to share the closing keynote we delivered last week at #CAHR25, live from the main stage!

This keynote was all about breaking down core health insurance concepts that impact everything you do in the benefits space—starting with practical strategies for fully insured plans.

The feedback from the live audience was incredible, and now we’re bringing it to you in our signature bite-sized, digestible style.

This is Part 1 of your three part series—don’t miss it!

About the Show:

The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

Find out more here: www.hitpodcast.com

We’ve hit the floor at #CAHR2025, thanks to the incredible Rafael Rivera and the awesome team at PIHRA, and we’re podcasting LIVE from the heart of the action!

If you’re here at the conference, come find us! Jump on the mic, share your HR insights, and be part of a special series featuring interviews with real HR professionals from across the industry.

And don’t miss the keynote! I’m closing out Day 1 with a full hour on everything you need to know about employee benefits in 2025—trends, strategies, and what’s coming next.

Let’s make it a great one. See you on the floor!

About the Show:

The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

Find out more here: www.hitpodcast.com

Looking to take your wellness program beyond just checking a box?

In the second part of our mini-series on Employer Wellness Programs, I’m joined by the amazing Carly Marino-Healy — Corporate Wellness Expert and Founder & CEO of Marino Wellness LLC.

Carly brings years of experience (and a ton of wisdom!) to the table, sharing real-world tips, best practices, and major do’s and don’ts for employers looking to launch, improve, or maximize their wellness initiatives.

If you're serious about building a workplace culture that actually supports health and well-being, you won't want to miss this one!

About the Show:

The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

Find out more here: www.hitpodcast.com

We’re kicking off a 2-part series on Employer Wellness with special guest Austin Ollis—Air Force missileer, active reservist, and founder of the innovative wellness company Fly Bodies.

In this episode, we dive into: How to launch or improve a workplace wellness program

• Realistic tips for increasing employee engagement
• How to measure ROI and long-term impact

Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to level up your current wellness efforts, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and big-picture perspective.

Tune in for a powerful conversation on the future of wellness at work!

About the Show:

The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

Find out more here: www.hitpodcast.com