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 #144
A New Era of Pharmacy Solutions: Trends, Tech & GLP-1s
In this episode of Side Affects, Kenzie McEvily and Dave Homan talk with Dr. Jeff Eichholz about the biggest trends transforming pharmacy today—from GLP-1 medications to international prescription access. Learn how innovation, affordability, and patient-centered care are reshaping the future of pharmacy.
Episode #143
The Missing Piece in Corporate Wellness: Mental Health First Aid
Mental health is essential in the workplace, and in this episode of Side Affects, hosts Kenzie and Dave talk with Tiffany Kuck about how Mental Health First Aid Training is transforming corporate wellness. They explore rising stress levels, legal challenges, and proven strategies that help companies lower healthcare costs, boost productivity, and create healthier, happier teams.
Previous Podcasts
Episode #142
Compliance in Minutes – February 2025
Employees hear 'benefits' and think perks like healthcare, PTO, and 401(k)s, while HR pros focus on costs, strategies, and compliance. Join Producer, Kenzie for February 2025’s Compliance in Minutes.
Listen NowEpisode #141
Compliance in Minutes – January 2025
Employees hear 'benefits' and think perks like healthcare, PTO, and 401(k)s, while HR pros focus on costs, strategies, and compliance. Join Producer, Kenzie for January 2025’s Compliance in Minutes.
Listen NowEpisode #140
Beyond the Norm: Alternatives to Traditional Health Plans
On this episode of Side Affects, Kenzie McEvily and Dave Homan team up with Senior Consultant Dean Stitz to explore alternative health plans like Side Car, Ohio Healthy, and the ICHRA model. Dean breaks down how these innovative options can offer flexibility, cut costs, and empower employers and employees to rethink healthcare.
Listen NowEpisode #139
Non-Negotiables for Benefit Communication: Part II
Producer Kenzie McEvily is back with Dave Homan, CMO at McGohan Brabender, for Part 2 of his 10 Non-Negotiables for Benefit Communication. Discover why movement matters, what Rain Man can teach about simplicity, and how to make your next presentation unforgettable!
Listen NowEpisode #138
Non-Negotiables for Benefit Communication: Part I
Producer, Kenzie and co-host-turned-guest, Dave rethink employee benefit presentations during open enrollment season. In Part 1 of Dave’s 10 Non-Negotiables for Benefit Communication, he shares five essential tips on using simplicity, storytelling, and smart strategies to make your presentations more engaging and effective.
Listen NowEpisode #137
Navigating Group Health Plans: What is a MEWA?
Join us as we dive into the world of MEWAs with Liz Schneider, MB's Executive Vice President of Emerging Markets, and Matt Appenzeller, President and CEO of the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA). Learn how their innovative approach is transforming access to health coverage and creating peace of mind for small businesses.
Listen NowEpisode #136
Exploring How Captive Strategies Can Empower Risk Management
Assistant Vice President at Innovative Captive Strategies, Sara Stopulos joins Digital Experience Producer, Kenzie and CMO, Dave to discuss captive programs. She covers the risks, benefits, and challenges. Tune in now to learn why captives are "better together!"
Listen NowEpisode #135
Finding Middle Ground: Exploring Level Funded Health Plans
MB Executive Vice President of Emerging Markets, Liz Schneider joins hosts, Dave and Kenzie to discuss the next funding arrangement in this series: level funding. Tune in to learn more about this plan's flexibility, cost-savings opportunities and growing popularity among small businesses.
Listen NowEpisode #134
Empowering Employers: Pros and Cons of Self-Funded Health Plans
Co-hosts, Dave and Kenzie are joined by veteran MB Consultant, Tim Rieger who breaks down ideal employer profiles and the pros and cons of self-funding. You'll learn the importance of intentionality and diligence in decision-making with this funding arrangement and how to create a strategy that sets you up for success. Tune in now!
Listen NowEpisode #133
From Patents to Prices: A Deep Dive into Drug Pricing | Part IV
Hosts, Kenzie & Dave continue the pharmacy series with MB's Vice President of Pharmacy Solutions, Dr. Jeff Eichholz. They tackle one of the most sought-after topics in pharmacy: pricing. Learn the origins of generic drugs and unravel the components comprising the cost of specialty drugs, touching on patents, research, drug ingredients and beyond.
Listen NowEpisode #132
PBMs and RFPs: The Devil is in the Details | Part III
MB Director of Pharmacy Solutions, Dr. Jeff Eichholz joins Kenzie and Dave to discuss all things Pharmacy Benefit Managers – or PBMs. Dr. Jeff explains how to choose a PBM or vendor and what’s involved in the RFP process. The devil is truly in the details and he shares some of the “gotchas” when you’re reviewing these contracts. Tune in!
Listen NowEpisode #131
Pharmacy Essentials Unveiled: Insights from Dr. Jeff Eichholz | Part II
In this episode of Side Affects, our mission is to set the groundwork of pharmacy basics for listeners. Our guest, MB’s Director of Pharmacy Solutions, Dr. Jeff Eichholz does just that with his diverse expertise. Kenzie, Dave and Dr. Jeff discuss PBM management, drug adherence, the evolving role of pharmacists and essential clinical programs for organizations. You won't want to miss this episode.
Listen NowEpisode #130
Introducing MB’s Director of Pharmacy Solutions, Dr. Jeff Eichholz | Part I
Side Affects Producer, Kenzie McEvily and Chief Marketing Officer, Dave Homan sit down with Dr. Jeff Eichholz, MB's Director of Pharmacy Solutions. Tune in to learn about Dr. Jeff's background, what brought him to MB and catch up on the latest pharmacy news.
Listen NowEpisode #129
New Beginnings: Navigating Pregnancy, Maternity Leave & Postpartum Resources
Side Affects Producer, Kenzie McEvily returns from maternity leave and hosts the first podcast of 2024. In this episode, she discusses a topic close to her heart with colleagues, HR Generalist, Erin Woessner and Population Health Manager, Tiffany Kuck. Tune in to learn more about what benefits your organization can offer pregnant employees, policies on maternity leave, and mental health resources for expecting parents.
Listen NowEpisode #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!
Listen NowEpisode #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.”
Listen NowEpisode #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 Now