Navigate's People First Podcast

Planning for 2026: why your wellbeing strategy needs to evolve

There’s a phrase we hear all the time in our world: "meet people where they are." And while the heart behind it is absolutely in the right place, has it led us to a place where we're accidentally overwhelming our teams with choices? We try to find a solution for every single need, and suddenly we’re juggling dozens of different vendors, and our people are flooded with information. Well, what if there’s a better way? A way to truly listen and connect that goes beyond just offering another tool. We recently had an incredible conversation with our Peter Dunn, CEO at Your Money Line [https://www.yourmoneyline.com/]. We talked about what it really means to support our people, moving past old metrics like 'clicks' and focusing on something much more meaningful: readiness for change. If you’re looking for a fresh, honest take on how we can support our people without adding to the noise, you’re in the right place. This conversation is packed with big ideas about the future, we wanted to give you a way to bring them back to your own team. PLUS! You can download our 2026 Trends Playbook to explore everything we discuss today and more. Download your FREE copy here [https://www.navigatewell.com/2026-employee-benefits-wellbeing-trends-playbook?utm_campaign=31129150-2025-12-2026%20Trends&utm_content=365689141&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-22328828].

Gratitude in Action at UKHS with Sahn Lucas and Janelle Shafer

How can a small wellness team meaningfully engage over 20,000 employees across a massive health system? The team at the University of Kansas Health System discovered the answer is not just about physical health, and that traditional programs often miss the key ingredients for deep engagement: purpose and community. By focusing on gratitude and giving back, UKH has built a program that unites its workforce, strengthens the community, and has generated a ripple effect transforming their challenges from simple step-counting competitions into powerful, purpose-driven movements. Learn how Sahn Lucas and Janelle Shafer used a flexible platform and a network of champions to scale their impact, and how they partnered with other major corporations to donate hundreds of volunteer hours to local causes. Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Building Flexible Wellbeing Programs That Scale 00:38 – Gratitude in Action at UKH Health System 01:54 – Purpose-Driven Wellness Careers and Team Culture 04:31 – Creating Empathy and Community Inside UKH 06:01 – Configurable Wellness Technology for Real-World Needs 08:31 – Blending Digital Tools With Human Connection 10:03 – Powering a 100+ Wellness Champion Network 11:36 – Driving Community Partnerships and Competitive Challenges 16:30 – Step Into Spring + Caring for KC: Culture-Building Events 20:49 – Measuring Impact Through Steps, Volunteer Hours, and Engagement 24:25 – Sustaining Year-Round Engagement With Creative Initiatives 28:41 – Best Day Ever Key Takeaways: "Our programming is a launching pad. Take our core concepts and go crazy. The best ideas come from our clients." "Gratitude in action builds community. It connects people to purpose and enhances well-being." "Culture at UKH is community-based and family-oriented, focusing on empathy and patient care." "Gratitude at work is about building relationships and rapport. It's a priority in personal and professional life." "Community challenges create camaraderie and positive results. Competition leads to service and outreach." "Digital tools and face-to-face interactions go hand in hand. Relationships help us tailor resources to needs." "Gratitude isn't just a feeling; it's an action. It creates a ripple effect, impacting lives and communities." Resources: Who is Navigate? Learn more at navigatewell.com Learn more about the ROI of employee wellbeing - https://info.navigatewell.com/roi-whitepaper University of Kansas Health System: https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/

Stopping HR Burnout & Prioritizing Personalized Care with Ryan Kellogg

Troy is joined by two exceptional leaders today - Ryan Kellogg, Senior Vice President of Sales at Talkspace and a U.S. Army veteran; and Jenn Lowry, Navigate’s own Vice President of Product and Strategy - for a crucial discussion on shaping the future of workplace well-being. Together, they explore the intersection of authentic leadership, personalized mental health solutions, and practical strategies for preventing HR burnout.  The discussion dives deep into why a one-size-fits-all approach to mental health is no longer sufficient for the modern workforce. Drawing from a powerful lesson learned as a young officer in the military, Ryan explains how leading with the heart is essential for building trust and navigating adversity. Jenn outlines the strategic value of integrating accessible, digital therapy into a holistic well-being ecosystem, emphasizing how data can drive early interventions and proactive support.  Today’s conversation offers a clear roadmap for leaders to better support their people - from veterans in the workplace to the HR professionals on the front lines - by fostering an environment of psychological safety and accessible, high-quality care. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Leading With Heart and Authenticity in the Workplace 01:51 - How Military Leadership Shapes Compassionate Corporate Culture 06:03 - Building a Culture of Care Through Digital Therapy Partnerships 09:36 - Personalizing Mental Health Access During Open Enrollment 13:26 - Using Data Insights to Strengthen Employee Wellbeing Programs 16:24 - Addressing Top Mental Health Challenges: Anxiety, Depression, and Burnout 19:47 - Supporting Teens and Families Through Accessible Digital Therapy 21:37 - Managing HR Stress and Mental Health Spikes in Open Enrollment Season 23:19 - Creating Seamless Member Experiences That Boost Engagement 25:44 - Building Resilience and Purpose Through Culture, Care, and Connection 26:19 - Best Day Ever Key Takeaways: "Self-care is such an important part of life. When I think of HR leaders out there, focusing on the stress that you're dealing with in the workplace, but also checking in with yourself." "We recognize that mental health is such a crucial component of wellness... that self-care aspect that tends to be forgotten." "We want to make sure that there is 24/7 access to the same therapist with continuity of care in mind." "How great would it be... to be proactive in their mental health and get them the services before they have those critical measures?" "Stigma is the number one reason why people are not pursuing mental health resources. If we can go upstream a little bit... I'd like to think that it's a bit more normalized." "You only have one opportunity to make a first impression... I remember how I felt when I first started with you three years ago... I felt like I was the most important person in the room. That's important." "When you lead with love and you do good things, the scoreboard always takes care of itself." Resources: Who is Navigate? Learn more at navigatewell.com  [https://www.navigatewell.com/] Learn more about the ROI of employee wellbeing - https://info.navigatewell.com/roi-whitepaper [https://info.navigatewell.com/roi-whitepaper] Ryan Kellogg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjkellogg/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjkellogg/] Talkspace: https://www.talkspace.com/ [https://www.talkspace.com/]

Implementing Radical Flexibility In Healthcare with Sarah Wheeler

Today’s episode of Navigate’s People First Podcast welcomes Sarah Wheeler, Corporate Wellness Program Manager at Children's Nebraska, who discusses her organization's employee well-being strategy and its connection to patient care. This episode explores their people-first approach, as Children's Nebraska cultivates a wellness program extending beyond conventional health initiatives. Sarah details Children's Nebraska's employee wellness program, whose design aligns with the ICARE values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence, and features dedicated subject matter experts across emotional, social, financial, physical, and community well-being dimensions. Her informative and insightful conversation with Troy and Jeremy here today highlights "radical flexibility" in healthcare while integrating family and community values for support, and demonstrates how data drives program improvements, demonstrating ROI in employee retention and engagement. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Using Data and Values to Drive Employee Engagement 01:29 - Sarah Wheeler’s Journey Into Wellbeing Leadership 03:05 - Designing a Holistic Employee Wellness Program 04:35 - Building a Team of Wellbeing Experts 05:58 - Why Holistic Programs Boost Participation 09:10 - Integrating Family and Community Into Wellness Initiatives 11:50 - Champion Networks and Personalized Communication 13:46 - Volunteerism and Culture as Drivers of Success 15:26 - Proving ROI Through Retention and Engagement Results 16:59 - Supporting Women’s Health and Workplace Flexibility 19:33 - Leveraging Navigate Tools and Data for Better Outcomes 22:34 - Best Day Ever: Celebrating Joy and Purpose at Work Key Takeaways: "Healthcare workers care for others before themselves. Our job is to ensure they're cared for too." "We started our wellness program from scratch, meeting people where they are." "Holistic programs see better engagement. They meet immediate needs without huge barriers." "Family is woven into our social well-being. We bring family into the hospital to see behind the scenes." "Volunteer programs help us understand patient experiences and foster empathy." "Programs with a giving back aspect are more successful. They bridge cultural and care aspects." "We've seen a 35% turnover reduction and 26.7-point engagement increase since 2021." "Radical flexibility helps retain people. We meet employees in their life phase." "Navigate supports us by reaching people wherever they are, enhancing engagement." Resources: Who is Navigate? Learn more at navigatewell.com  [https://www.navigatewell.com/] Learn more about the ROI of employee wellbeing - https://info.navigatewell.com/roi-whitepaper [https://info.navigatewell.com/roi-whitepaper] Sarah Wheeler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahwheelerfitness/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahwheelerfitness/]

Embracing Health Solutions for Workplace Wellbeing with Brooke Ossenkop and Dr. Jen Musick

Welcome back to the Navigate’s People First Podcast, where, this week, Troy is joined by Brooke Ossenkop, VP of Marketing, and Dr. Jen Musick, VP of Health Solutions Services. Together, our talented trio discusses Navigate's acquisition of Health Solutions and the company's approach to employee wellbeing. Their conversation covers how integrating culture, care, and clinical engagement can create better outcomes for individuals and organizations. Dr. Musick explains the origins of Health Solutions, which grew from her work as a pharmacist who saw a need for better support for people with chronic conditions. The episode details the value of pharmacist-led coaching as a way to provide a human connection that digital tools alone may not offer while also demonstrating how data from biometrics, claims, and surveys is used to personalize support for each person. Overall, today’s fascinating discussion presents wellbeing as a method for developing life skills that contribute to professional and personal growth. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Wellbeing Skills for Thriving at Work and Life 00:33 - Navigate’s Mission to Redefine Employee Health 01:42 - The Backstory of Navigate and Health Solutions Acquisition 04:35 - Dr. Jen’s Journey and the Power of Pharmacist-Led Coaching 08:18 - Closing Healthcare Gaps with Coaching and Digital Integration 12:10 - Case Study: Linn County’s Long-Term Coaching Success 15:49 - Wellbeing and Upskilling as Workforce Growth Drivers 18:13 - Using Health Data and Readiness Insights for Personalized Care 21:47 - Multidimensional Care Team Approach and Preventative Strategies 27:09 - How Employers Can Successfully Launch Health Coaching Programs 34:35 - Transforming Outcomes with Integrated Coaching and Future Career Pillar 37:15 - Best Day Ever Key Takeaways: "Wellbeing skills are essential. Can I live my best life at work, play, or with family? That's where wellbeing shines." "Growth isn't just about size. It's about thinking bigger and rewriting employee wellbeing rules." "Aligning people on purpose is key. A mission of helping is how it all started." "Pharmacists in chronic disease management improve health and deliver ROI." "Coaching needs to be an integrated part of any wellness program for real impact." "Digital solutions enhance coaching. They make health coaches superhuman." "Improving employee health and wellbeing is the goal. Health coaching is essential." "Meet participants where they are. Coaching is about asking the right questions." "Data reveals readiness to change. It guides coaching conversations." "ROI is a lagging indicator. Improve health, and ROI will follow." Resources: Who is Navigate? Learn more at navigatewell.com  [https://www.navigatewell.com/] Learn more about the ROI of employee wellbeing - https://info.navigatewell.com/roi-whitepaper [https://info.navigatewell.com/roi-whitepaper]