Insights
Side Affects Podcast
Provoking People to Think Differently
At McGohan Brabender, we know the importance of staying on top of the latest industry trends and keeping your workforce informed. That’s why we created our podcast, Side Affects, to help take the complexity out of healthcare.
Whether you are new to insurance or a seasoned executive, our podcast provides expert advice and innovative ideas about leadership, legislation, culture, compliance, and other topics. When you tune in to Side Affects, you’ll access exclusive insights from industry experts who share their knowledge and experiences. Our hosts, along with our guests, provide practical advice and proven strategies to help you improve your services in a crowded market.
Our podcast, which has received “new and noteworthy” recognition three times, was the first benefits podcast published on iTunes and is designed for busy professionals who want to stay informed while continuing to keep up with the demands of their business. We offer an immersive audio experience that can be accessed anytime, anywhere, making it the perfect tool to help you stay ahead of the curve.
Explore our collection of over 130 podcast episodes and discover how we can help you elevate your benefits.
Featured Episodes

Episode #128
Re-Imagining Open Enrollment Communication: Part II
In this episode, listeners will learn how to create and present a 15 minute open enrollment meeting that still includes all of the necessary pieces of information, doesn’t overwhelm your employees and perhaps changes the way they view them entirely. Be ready to listen with an open mind – because if Dave and Kenzie do their jobs right – your job during open enrollment season will be 100 times easier. Tune in now!

Episode #127
Re-Imagining Open Enrollment Meetings: Part I
MB Chief Marketing Officer, Dave Homan has been in the health benefits world for over 25 years with intense research in the past few about employee benefit communication strategies. Sadly, open enrollment meetings haven’t changed much when our technology and innovation has. Dave and Side Affects Producer, Kenzie are going to share how employees feel about open enrollment meetings, why they need to be re-imagined and solutions on how to turn them from a “stressor” to a “delighter.”
Previous Podcasts
Episode #126
Generational Recruiting Part II: ChatGPT & Interactive Technology
Join #SideAffects Producer, Kenzie McEvily and co-host, Chief Marketing Officer, Dave Homan as they discuss artificial intelligence and how HR professionals can use it to save time, improve efficiency and enhance a job candidate's interview experience. It’s 2023 and personalization is key! From your tennis-shoes to your food order to your job offer letter, personalization can create a competitive advantage for organizations. Technology guru, Dave Homan is going to introduce us to the basics of ChatGPT and why we need to embrace this innovation. Tune in!
Listen NowEpisode #125
ABCs Of ICHRAs
Side Affects Producer, Kenzie McEvily and Chief Marketing Officer, Dave Homan welcome Director of Account Management and 100+ Segment Lead of All Markets for MB, Beth Bailey to the show to discuss an emerging HR topic, Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Accounts, also known as ICHRAs. Between 2020 and 2022, ICHRA adoption doubled across all 50 states. In this episode, you’ll learn the basics of this health plan, what organizations it works best for and the potential drawbacks. Tune in now!
Listen NowEpisode #124
Generational Recruiting Part I: Ghosting
Join Side Affects Producer, Kenzie McEvily and Chief Marketing Officer, Dave Homan as they discuss how recruiting has changed in the past five years. HR professionals are navigating new waters of virtual interviews, advanced technology, artificial intelligence and ghosting. How can they make sure they’re targeting the right candidates and guaranteeing that they will actually show up for their interview? In this episode, HR and benefit communications expert, Dave will share why applicants are ghosting their potential employers, how to avoid that and explain how to target the right generations in the hiring process.
Listen NowEpisode #123
Military Contractors and Employee Benefits
Co-hosts, Kenzie McEvily and Dave Homan welcome McGohan Brabender Shareholder and Consultant, Matt McAlpine to touch on a more specialized topic – benefits for military contractors. What makes this group so unique? How do you develop a benefit plan for them that is attractive but also compliant? Tune in to learn more!
Listen NowEpisode #122
The First Fill: Navigating Your First Prescription as an Adult
Co-hosts, Kenzie and Dave take on part three of the Adulting and Insurance series with special guest, University of Cincinnati junior, Maura Homan. In this episode, you will get inside the brain of a college student when managing the task of filling a prescription from start to finish. Tune in!
Listen NowEpisode #121
Your Health, Your Way
Are you ready to take your healthcare journey to the next level? Join Dave and Kenzie as they explore four "choose your own adventure" scenarios that will help you become more active in your healthcare decisions. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to take control of your health journey!
Listen NowEpisode #120
Traditional Recruiting is Dead: How to Navigate a Multigenerational Workforce
It’s time to rethink the future of recruiting. Join hosts, Dave and Kenzie as they discuss the unique challenges and opportunities that come from attracting and retaining talent from different generations in the workforce, including Millennials and Zoomers who make up 38% of the global workforce.
Listen NowEpisode #119
Health Insurance Explained – It’s Not as Hard as You Think
If you are 26, coming off your parent's health plan, or a first-time enrollee, LISTEN UP. In this episode of “Side Affects,” co-hosts, Dave Homan and Kenzie McEvily dive into the health insurance world and provide insight into what options are available when choosing your health plan for the first time.
Listen NowEpisode #118
Health Care or Pub Crawl? We can help…
The member journey inspired hosts Dave Homan and Kenzie McEvily to talk to a different group of people for this episode, college students! In this audio-only podcast, you will learn what you need to know when it comes time to use your health insurance while you're away at college. Tune in!
Listen NowEpisode #117
End-of-Year Maintenance: FSA, HSA and Prescription Drug Coverage
Don't be on hold for the month of January! Co-hosts, Dave Homan and Kenzie McEvily cover the three things you need to know as the end of the year approaches. In only thirteen minutes, you'll learn everything you need to be aware of regarding your health savings accounts and prescription drugs before 2023 arrives.
Listen NowEpisode #116
The 4 Mental Health Solution Buckets
MB Population Health Manager, Tiffany Kuck joins Kenzie and Dave and explains how the topic of mental health is overwhelming for employers, but crucial for a healthy workplace. Tiffany discusses the 4 mental health solution buckets that can help employers and employees understand what resources are available to them.
Listen NowEpisode #115
Big Journeys Begin With Small Steps – Member Journey Part IV
The moment we've all been waiting for... the solutions to the Member Journey! Producer, Kenzie is joined by Director of S&I, Dave Homan who shares how you can turn a "stressor" into a "delighter." Dave suggests rethinking your recruiting strategy and examining your own benefits plan to create transformational change.
Listen NowEpisode #114
Cultivating Success throughout the Member Journey – Part III
Part three of the Member Journey podcast series shares the results of the S&I team's months-long data collection and analysis. Side Affects host, Kenzie and Director of Strategy and Innovation, Dave dissect the findings to better understand why these trends are changing. Listen in to learn how to move forward.
Listen NowEpisode #113
Celebrating Cultural Uniqueness – DE&I Part V
Kenzie and Anne Marie welcome back Nadia Lewis and Julia Porter along with Jacob Simon, Assistant Vice President for Intercultural and Community Engagement. As Dean of Students, Jacob shares how they support the students with a strong sense of belonging. Tune in to our fifth and final episode of this DE&I series!
Listen NowEpisode #112
Culture Isn’t the Flavor of the Month – DE&I Part IV
Producer, Kenzie and co-host, Anne Marie welcome the President of Tiffin University and founder of the Center, Dr. Lillian Schumacher. Together with Nadia Lewis & Julia Porter, this fourth of the five-part series dives into the center’s beginnings and the effects it has had on the staff and students at Tiffin. Listen!
Listen NowEpisode #111
Don’t Just Hire Diversity, Weave It into Belonging – DE&I Part III
Kenzie & Anne Marie continue with Tiffin University's Center for Intercultural Excellence, Nadia Lewis & Julia Porter to discuss Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging. This third episode dives deep into Equity in the Workplace. Those who genuinely feel they belong will be loyal and approach each workday positively.
Listen NowEpisode #110
Be Worthy of the Talent You Hire – DE&I Part II
Kenzie and Anne Marie host Julia Porter and Nadia Lewis from Tiffin University’s Center for Intercultural Excellence to continue your DEI education. This episode concentrates on the best practices companies should follow to be more inclusive, starting with the hiring process. Learn tips to train your interviewers!
Listen NowEpisode #109
Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable – DE&I Part I
Side Affects host, Kenzie and co-host Anne Marie are excited to be the first to share with you Tiffin University’s Center for Intercultural Excellence, Nadia Lewis, and Julia Porter, to discuss across a 5-part series: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This first episode reveals the importance of self-awareness. Tune in!
Listen NowEpisode #108
What Employees Want for Benefit Options – Member Journey Part II
Join Producer, Kenzie and Director of Strategy & Innovation, Dave for part two of "The New Member Journey." They dig deeper into what your Millennial and Generation Z employees define as a ‘rich benefit.” Think renewable energy credits, pet insurance and unlimited PTO... HR professionals - tune in now!
Listen NowEpisode #107
Now Back to Our Previously Scheduled Program … The Member Journey!
Director of Strategy & Innovation, Dave Homan joins Kenzie for the first episode of The Member Journey series. Dave is always three steps ahead – and when The Great Resignation began, Dave was one of the first to notice the red flags. Now, employers must re-examine their employee benefit offerings. Tune in!
Listen NowEpisode #106
Defining a New “Work-Life Balance”… For Each Generation
Kenzie & Scott welcome Michael Denisoff, President and CEO of Employers Resource Association. Michael shares his observations of The Great Resignation and how to balance the multi-generational workforce. It’s time to ask, “as an employee of this company, what’s important to you?” Watch and listen to learn more!
Listen NowEpisode #105
Ascend Innovations: Leveraging Technology to Do Good
Kenzie, Scott and our guests, Josh Gratsch and Dr. Bill Baez from Ascend Innovations share what Dayton, the Midwest city of Innovation, has going on with their health care network systems. Ascend has rallied three top hospital systems and are collaborating to re-build a trusted name by gathering shared data. Tune in!
Listen NowEpisode #104
Evolution of the Patient Experience Through COVID
Internist, Dr. Peter Nelson and cardiologist, Dr. Harvey Hahn join Kenzie and Anne Marie to discuss the pros and cons of how we approach our physical well-being and the health care system. Many of these observations were present before the pandemic, but with COVID, issues have intensified. Listen to learn more!
Listen NowEpisode #103
Airrosti: Reducing the Cost of Rapid Recovery, Remotely
Airrosti Chief Population Health Officer, Dr. Chris Cato and Vice President of Business Development, Kelly Burchett review the past five years with Kenzie and Anne Marie. Tune in to learn about their fascinating history, what makes them stand out and how they’ve entered the telemedicine world at the perfect time.
Listen NowEpisode #102
ConsumerOptix: Becoming the ‘Amazon’ of Life Insurance
Join Producer, Kenzie and guest host, Dave Homan as they welcome James O’Hara, CEO of Dayton-based ConsumerOptix. Tune in to learn how they are working to be the ‘Amazon’ of Life Insurance as they get the employee benefits and insurance industry up to speed in the digital evolution with new communication software.
Listen Now