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 #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!

Episode #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!
Previous Podcasts
Episode #20
Airrosti
Musculoskeletal claims are among the highest on any plan. Airrosti treatment centers offer an effective surgical alternative. Scott and Anne Marie welcome Derek Curlee, a VP at Airrosti, to find out why Airrosti is the go-to organization for rapid recovery of soft tissue injuries.
Listen NowEpisode #19
Reference-Based Pricing
Reference-based pricing is a tool that reveals the true cost of healthcare services. Scott and Anne Marie discuss reference-based pricing, gating strategies, bundled services and other ways to bring transparency to your costs.
Listen NowEpisode #18
Organizational Change
Organizational change is an essential, but sometimes painful, reality. Scott and Anne Marie talk with Suzanne Meek, MB Director of Human Resources, about strategies that work, and some that don’t. Learn how change is easier with effective leadership.
Listen NowEpisode #17
Understanding Health Care Costs
The way you purchase health care is different from the way you purchase other consumer goods. Scott and Anne Marie share insights on how health care costs can differ from one facility to another in the same region. How you utilize care can greatly impact your costs.
Listen NowEpisode #16
C2 Solutions
Scott McGohan, MB President Mike Suttman, and special guest Sean Willoughby-Ray of Scott Insurance in North Carolina talk about the “power of partnership.” McGohan Brabender and Scott Insurance are two of six firms that comprise C2 Solutions, a strategic collaboration to create innovative products and services.
Listen NowEpisode #15
Get Ready for Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment gives employers the opportunity to deliver a more strategic benefits plan. You need one that serves your employees and, at the same time, keeps your costs to a minimum. Scott and Anne Marie talk about the Open Enrollment strategies that employers need to know.
Listen NowEpisode #14
Metabolic Syndrome Awareness
You can’t see Metabolic Syndrome, but if you don’t identify it in your employees, you could end up paying the price. Scott and Anne Marie talk about the risk factors of Metabolic Syndrome, and how biometric screenings are the first step toward lower claims and healthier people.
Listen NowEpisode #13
Beyond Wellness
MB Health and Engagement Specialist Tiffany Reid joins Scott and Anne Marie to talk about wellness programs. A wellness program alone is not enough. You have to identify your risk, implement a strategy, and engage your employees.
Listen NowEpisode #12
Data Analytics
Reporting provides numbers you need to know; but data analytics reveals what those numbers are telling you. Scott and Anne Marie talk about how interpreting data can provide the answers and the pathway to better health and lower claims.
Listen NowEpisode #11
Innovation Symposium Wrap-up
Every few years, we host an event that highlights the latest tools and technologies in health benefits. Scott is joined by Dave Homan, director of innovation at MB, and MB President Mike Suttman as they touch on the highlights of the May 2016 Symposium. They welcome special guest Den Bishop of ACAP Health.
Listen NowEpisode #52
Psychographics
Casey Albertson and Brent Walker of PatientBond talk with Scott about the power of psychographics to influence behaviors. Psychographics identifies what motivates individuals, so you can appeal to those points in your communications. Learn how this longtime consumer marketing strategy is being applied to health care.
Listen NowEpisode #10
Using Psychographics for Communication
If you want to engage your employees, you have to motivate them. But how do you motivate them? The answer is psychographics. Psychographics is a quick and easy way to identify individual motivators. Dave Homan, VP of marketing and innovation at MB, talks with Scott and Anne Marie about this effective engagement tool.
Listen NowEpisode #9
Millennials in the Workforce
Is your company savvy to the ways of the Millennial? This young demographic represent tomorrow’s leaders, and they grew up in a vastly different world than previous generations. Scott and Anne Marie talk to Matt McNeil, an up-and-coming Millennial, about the potential Millennials bring to your business.
Listen NowEpisode #1
Introduction to Side Affects
McGohan Brabender’s Side Affects fills a void in the crowded podcast arena. We present solutions to rising costs; strategies to improve health; guidance for leadership development; and keys to creating a positive culture. Hosts: MB CEO Scott McGohan and Business Development Director Anne Marie Singleton.
Listen NowEpisode #23
A Podcast about Podcasting
Scott and Anne Marie share how 20 minutes of unscripted conversation is an easy, inexpensive and effective way to transfer knowledge and share useful information, both internally and for a larger audience. If you’re wondering whether a podcast is right for your business, you’ll want to hear this.
Listen NowEpisode #8
Every Company has a Culture
Your company’s culture can propel you to success or leave you stranded. And make no mistake, every company has a culture. Scott and Anne Marie talk about creating and nurturing a culture that attracts and retains talent, ensuring a productive future.
Listen NowEpisode #7
The Lost Art of Feedback in the Workplace
Feedback provides a path for success, but too often it isn’t treated as a priority. Good feedback recognizes achievements and, more importantly, gives practical guidance for improvement. Scott and Anne Marie share tips on how to give and receive impactful feedback.
Listen NowEpisode #6
Health Care Reform
Remember 2016, when the Cadillac Tax was at the top of employer’s minds? We bring ERISA attorney extraordinaire, Paul Routh, in for his first guest-spot on Side Affects.
Listen NowEpisode #5
Medical Plan Benchmarking
Data drives change, and benchmarking provides the data you need to move forward. Scott and Anne Marie discuss what benchmarking tells you about your business, and how medical plan benchmarking can be used to build a better medical plan.
Listen NowEpisode #4
Aileron – The Entrepreneur Exec’s Best Friend
Mark Thompson joins Scott and Anne Marie in the episode focused on leadership. Mark is the Business Advisor at Aileron, a nonprofit organization that helps private entrepreneurs develop and grow their business. His insights are invaluable, whether you’re starting out or looking to grow.
Listen NowEpisode #3
Telemedicine Needs To Be Part Of Your Benefits
Telemedicine is moving into the mainstream, and for good reason. Virtual medical visits save both time and money, without sacrificing quality of care. Scott and Anne Marie talk about why telemedicine is more than a convenience; it’s a game-changer.
Listen NowEpisode #2
Self-Funding and Health Care Reform
Fully funded plans bear the brunt of a number of fees associated with health care reform. It’s no surprise, then, that a number of businesses are considering or have already switched to self-funding. Scott and Anne Marie look into the considerations employers should take before embracing this strategy.
Listen Now