Best American Benefits Council Podcasts (2024)

1
Common Sense, Common Cause: Talking Health Care Value with National Alliance CEO Shawn Gremminger 38:15

6M ago38:15

38:15

Shawn Gremminger recently assumed the role of president and CEO of the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Associations -- a Council member and frequent ally on health care policy. In this episode, we discuss the National Alliance's unique structure and composition, its policy priorities and the importance of getting value for every health ca…

1
Windows on Benefits: Introducing New Board Chair Fred Thiele (Microsoft Corporation) 48:15

1y ago48:15

48:15

Fred Thiele, vice president, global benefits and mobility for Microsoft, will serve as chair of the American Benefits Council's Board of Directors for the 2023-2024 term. In this episode, he speaks with host Jason Hammersla about his company's unique approach to benefits, outlines his priorities for the next year and drops a few tales of questionab…

1
Episode 45: Bigger Data: The First Step to Improving Health Equity (with Jennifer Haley, Urban Institute) 39:09

2y ago39:09

39:09

Diversity, equity and inclusion is a priority for many of the American Benefits Council’s member companies, who have in turn directed us to engage with these issues as they relate to employee benefits. Over the previous 12 months, the Council has established a task force to address social determinants of health and joined with a number of other est…

1
Episode 44: Follow the Leader: Getting to Know the Council’s New Board Chair (with Tracy Watts, Mercer) 34:52

2y ago34:52

34:52

If the American Benefits Council is to be a leader in the employee benefits world, we must have strong internal leadership. The Council’s policy agenda is carefully considered and set by our Policy Board of Directors, made up of knowledgeable and dedicated human resource and benefits professionals at each of our most engaged member companies. Holdi…

1
Episode No. 43: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally: A Round-Up of the Council's International Benefits Activity 34:05

2y ago34:05

34:05

For many multinational companies, figuring out how to scale employee benefits for a global population is a critical element of their economic competitiveness. But if providing comprehensive employee benefit programs in the United States is like playing advanced chess, doing so on a global basis is like playing advanced chess on a moving speedboat. …

1
Episode 42: Into the Deep End: The Big Splash of Pooled Employer Plans (with Rick Jones, Aon) 30:42

2+ y ago30:42

30:42

Even as policymakers discuss and debate the so-called "retirement savings gap," employers and others are starting to take part in a newly-minted coverage expansion tool: the SECURE Act of 2019 birthed the inception of the Pooled Employer Plan (PEP), which allows separate companies employers to team up and share plan administration for their collect…

1
Episode 41: Get Out the Map: Paid Leave and the State of Play 47:43

2+ y ago47:43

47:43

Paid leave may not be an “employee benefit,” strictly speaking, in the same way that health coverage and retirement coverage are. But providing it has become a significant pressure point for employers, especially as an increasing number of states and localities have erected their own mandates over the last decade. In this episode, host Jason Hammer…

1
Episode 40: No Surprises, Please: The Twisty Tale of 'Surprise' Medical Billing 48:57

2+ y ago48:57

48:57

The 2020 enactment of legislation to eliminate “surprise” medical billing was not just the most significant health care coverage legislation since the Affordable Care Act. It was also the culmination of a remarkable show of (relatively) swift and bipartisan lawmaking. Since that enactment, however, the story has taken dizzying twists and turns, wit…

1
Episode 39: Plumbing and the PBGC: How Plans and Participants are Getting Stuck 38:52

2+ y ago38:52

38:52

Even casual observers know that, over the past several decades, the nation's retirement system has evolved from a predominantly defined benefit system to a predominantly defined contribution system. That said, there are still nearly 47,000 defined benefit plans in the United States, (half of which are insured by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corpora…

1
Episode 38: Nontraditional Workers and Barriers to Retirement Savings 46:26

2+ y ago46:26

46:26

The current labor market is in flux, with many industries still in pandemic recovery while the "great resignation" creating a talent vacuum. Contingent or "nontraditional" work may not be as trendy a topic as it was five years ago, but it could represent a resource for companies seeking to fill important roles. In this episode, host Jason Hammersla…

1
Episode No. 37: Still V.B.I.D.: Chronic Disease and the Drive to Health Care Value 46:04

2+ y ago46:04

46:04

According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6 in 10 adults in the U.S. have at least one chronic disease, while 4 in 10 have two or more. The CDC also estimates that 90% of the nation’s health care expenditures are for people with chronic and mental health conditions. And it’s very likely that the pandemic has ex…

1
The Sublime Sunnah: The merciful nature of the Prophet ﷺ in His interactions with others 24:16

3y ago24:16

24:16

Jummah khutbah: The Sublime Sunnah: The merciful nature of the Prophet ﷺ in His interactions with others by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-AzhariBy Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
The month of mercy 27:17

3y ago27:17

27:17

The month of mercy by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-AzhariBy Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
The role of a mosque and responsibilities of an Imam in the modern age 28:40

3y ago28:40

28:40

Khutbah topic: The role of a mosque and responsibilities of an Imam in the modern age by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-AzhariBy Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Episode 36: Polak's Republic: A Dialogue on Working Smarter 49:04

3+ y ago49:04

49:04

Over the past year, the American workforce has undergone a forced evolution, with work environments and habits thrown into chaos. But even before the pandemic, human resources strategy had shown signs of strain under a rigid definition of "productivity." In this episode, host Jason Hammersla speaks to internationally respected HR consultant Richard…

1
Raising Children: Inculcate The Concept Of La Ilaha Illallah And The Love Of His Messenger ﷺ 27:11

3+ y ago27:11

27:11

Friday Sermons with Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari11/02/2021: Raising Children: Inculcate The Concept Of La Ilaha Illallah And The Love Of His Messenger ﷺListen & share with others. May Allah bless you abundantly and keep you forever in His divine graces. Ameen.By Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Islamic Etiquette: Venerate The Parents & Elderly 26:46

3+ y ago26:46

26:46

Friday Sermons with Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari05/02/2021: Islamic etiquette: Venerate the parents & elderlyListen & share with others. May Allah bless you abundantly and keep you forever in His divine graces. Ameen.By Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Governing Consumption & Medicaments: The Prophetic Remedy 25:29

3+ y ago25:29

25:29

This weeks topic: Governing consumption & medicaments: The Prophetic remedyThe first 6 minutes sound is lowBy Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Qadr: Trust in Allah’s divine plan 23:04

4y ago23:04

23:04

Friday sermons by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari18/12/2020: Qadr: Trust in Allah’s divine planListen & share with others. May Allah bless you abundantly and keep you forever in His divine graces. Ameen.By Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Shukr (Gratitude) & Contentment with Allahs divine decree 19:53

4y ago19:53

19:53

Shukr (Gratitude) & Contentment with Allahs divine decree by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-AzhariBy Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Episode 35: Law and Order with Meaghan VerGow 54:39

4y ago54:39

54:39

With the nation in the throes of a lame-duck congressional session and slow-motion presidential transition, the judiciary is the only branch of the federal government that is working smoothly at the moment, even in the wake of seismic change in the U.S. Supreme Court’s personnel. And, as it happens, employee benefits policy hangs in the balance. On…

1
Response to the Coronavirus: Reliance on God 27:56

4+ y ago27:56

27:56

By Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Better Know a Council Colleague: New Health Policy Senior Counsel Katy Johnson 35:59

4+ y ago35:59

35:59

1
Protecting The Social Environment: Care And Selflessness 33:01

4+ y ago33:01

33:01

By Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
The Environment: An Islamic Perspective 31:05

4+ y ago31:05

31:05

By Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
New Year, New Beginnings 32:09

4+ y ago32:09

32:09

By Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Episode 33: Benefits Calling: The World of Church Plans with Rev. Jeff Thiemann 40:30

5y ago40:30

40:30

While we often focus on the Fortune 500 companies that dominate the world economy, another group of employers plays a fundamental role in the daily lives of millions of Americans: the churches, religious institutions and affiliated organizations that employ hundreds of thousands of clergy, lay workers, and their family members. This is a population…

1
Election reflections: Trust in God 26:55

5y ago26:55

26:55

Election reflections: Trust in God by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-AzhariBy Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Episode 32: It’s a Big World After All: Going Global with Mark Azzarello, International Paper 49:18

5y ago49:18

49:18

The American economy crosses borders, oceans, time zones, cultures, languages and great walls. And therefore, compensation and benefits has gone global, too. For many multinational companies, figuring out how to scale employee benefits for a global population is a critical element of their economic competitiveness. Here at the Council, we’re engage…

1
Episode 31: All Debts, Public and Private - Helping Employers Help Employees Pay Down Student Loans 37:46

5y ago37:46

37:46

Retirement benefits are obviously one pillar of employee health and financial security, but despite all that employers do the “retirement savings gap” between what people have and should have, continues to grow. One of the biggest barriers to savings is student loan debt, which now exceeds 1.5 trillion in the U.S., while tuition rises 8% year over …

1
Virtue & Vice: Controlling Our Tongues 29:47

5y ago29:47

29:47

Friday sermons by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari 20/09/19: Virtue & Vice: Controlling Our TonguesBy Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
13/09/2019 31:08

5y ago31:08

31:08

Friday Sermon By Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-AzhariBy Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Perseverance & Progression Through Patience 31:40

5y ago31:40

31:40

Perseverance & Progression Through Patience by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-AzhariBy Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Episode 30: All In the Families - Building a Better Health Care Engine with Families USA’s Frederick Isasi 38:52

5y ago38:52

38:52

We talk all the time about employee benefits for the evolving global workforce, but the truth is that benefits are important for more than just workers. For example, many covered lives are those of the spouses and children of workers with job-based health insurance. The voice of these families in Washington DC belongs to Frederick Isasi and his col…

1
Family: Maintaining Ties Of Kinship 28:12

5y ago28:12

28:12

Family: Maintaining Ties Of Kinship by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-AzhariBy Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
A Modest Muslim 27:59

5y ago27:59

27:59

A Modest Muslim by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain Al-AzhariBy Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Episode 29: The Compensation of ‘Independents’ - Designing Portable Benefits with the Aspen Institute’s Shelly Steward 43:35

5y ago43:35

43:35

The independent workforce – a potent mixture of temp workers, contingent workers, “gig” workers and others – represents anywhere between 4 and 40% of the overall labor market and constitutes an interesting economic challenge: in a nation where employment is central to one’s health and retirement benefits, how do we provide financial security to tho…

1
Resurrection: Ramadan 26:27

5+ y ago26:27

26:27

Resurrection: Ramadan by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-AzhariJummah Khutbah 10.05.2019By Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Ramadan: Preparing the right way 28:43

5+ y ago28:43

28:43

Ramadan: Preparing the right way by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-AzhariJummah Khutbah 03.05.2019By Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Prayer: The enrichment of The soul 26:13

5+ y ago26:13

26:13

Friday Sermon (Khutbah) 05.04.2019Prayer: The enrichment of The soul by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-AzhariBy Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Lessons From The Celestial Night Journey 29:53

5+ y ago29:53

29:53

Lessons From The Celestial Night Journey by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-AzhariBy Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Islam United: Against all the odds. 28:02

5+ y ago28:02

28:02

Islam United: against all the odds.This weeks Jummah Khutbah in commemoration of the 51 lives lost and the Muslim response to the rise in Islamophobia and discrimination.May Allah grant our brothers and sisters who passed away the highest of stations in Jannah and protect us all from the evil of those who seek to cause us harm. Ameen.…

1
Be The Change You Wish To See 26:59

5+ y ago26:59

26:59

Be The Change You Wish To See by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain Al-azhariBy Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Maintaining a successful Muslim marriage 32:13

5+ y ago32:13

32:13

Maintaining a successful Muslim marriage by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-azhariBy Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Raising Children: Excessive Use Of Social Media & Its Effects 33:29

5+ y ago33:29

33:29

Raising Children: Excessive Use Of Social Media & Its Effects by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-AzhariBy Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
To Marry Or Not To Marry: An Islamic Perspective 32:34

5+ y ago32:34

32:34

To Marry Or Not To Marry: An Islamic Perspective by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-AzhariBy Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Parents: A passage to Paradise 36:08

5+ y ago36:08

36:08

Parents: A passage to Paradise by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-AzhariBy Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari

1
Raising Children: Inculcate the Concept of ‘La Ilaha Ilallah’ 31:22

5+ y ago31:22

31:22

Jummah khutbah 25/01/2019 Raising Children: Inculcate the Concept of ‘La Ilaha Ilallah’ by Shaykh Rizwan Hussain Al-AzhariBy Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari