PODCAST · business
The Policy Playbook
by Misty Carson
The Policy Playbook is a podcast that simplifies the complex world of business insurance, employee benefits, HR compliance, and retirement planning for business owners and decision-makers through interviews with business leaders and solo episodes breaking down real-world scenarios. Each episode delivers actionable strategies with zero jargon, accompanied by a newsletter that translates insights into specific steps you can implement to protect and grow your business.
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Leading with Empathy Isn’t Soft. It’s Strategic
Send us Fan MailGuest: Deborah Livingston, CEO & Founder of ReEmployAbilityWhat if the way we’ve been taught to lead is actually limiting performance?In this episode, I sit down with Deborah Livingston, CEO and founder of ReEmployAbility, to talk about what it really looks like to lead people well, especially the ones who are holding your business together every day.We get into the reality that empathy is not a “nice to have.” It’s a business strategy.Because when people feel safe, supported, and seen, they don’t just stay. They perform.And when they don’t, the cost shows up everywhere, in turnover, in claims, in culture, and in results.This conversation challenges the idea that leadership is about control and replaces it with something far more effective, responsibility.⸻What We CoverWhy empathy in leadership is often misunderstood, and how it directly impacts performanceThe business case for doing the right thing, not just ethically, but financiallyHow organizations overlook the people who are essential to their successThe connection between employee benefits, safety, and long-term business outcomesWhat psychological safety actually looks like in a workplace, beyond buzzwordsHow supporting injured or vulnerable workers the right way changes everything, for them and for your businessThe ripple effect of leadership decisions on culture, retention, and risk⸻Key TakeawaysLeading with empathy is not weakness. It’s clarity about what drives resultsYour workforce is not a line item. It’s your operating systemBenefits and safety are not compliance exercises, they are signals of how much you value your peoplePsychological safety isn’t abstract, it shows up in how people speak, act, and stayWhen you take care of your people, they take care of your business⸻Why This MattersIf you’re responsible for people, performance, or risk, this conversation is for you.Because the way you lead shows up in your numbers, your culture, and your reputation, whether you’re paying attention to it or not.And the leaders who understand this are the ones building organizations that last.⸻Connect & Learn MoreLearn more about Deborah’s work at ReEmployAbility and how they’re helping businesses support employees through injury, recovery, and return-to-work in a way that protects both people and performance.⸻Listen & FollowIf this episode resonated, follow The Policy Playbook and share it with a leader who is responsible for people, but may not realize the impact of how they’re leading yet.Because better leadership doesn’t just change businesses.It changes lives. Support the show
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The Advantage You’re Overlooking Is Sitting Inside Your People
Send us Fan MailBefore we relaunch, we need to talk about where this is going. This podcast started with a focus on business, insurance, and leadership decisions. But underneath all of that, there’s something bigger that’s been driving every conversation:People.The ones carrying pressure.The ones navigating uncertainty.The ones who have lived through more than most people will ever see.What we often call adversity didn’t weaken them.It built something.Resilience.Awareness.Pattern recognition.Decisiveness under pressure.An advantage.And if we don’t know how to recognize it, understand it, and apply it, we miss it.As leaders.As hiring managers.As organizations trying to perform at a higher level.This next chapter goes deeper.We’re going to explore: • How lived experience shapes decision-making • How it influences risk tolerance • How it shows up in leadership, sales, and performance • Why risk isn’t just something on paper, it lives in peopleOver the next couple of weeks, you’ll hear highlight episodes that built the foundation for this shift.In April, we relaunch.The Unbreakable Advantage.Same standard.Same straight talk.Just a deeper lens.Support the show
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17
Why Turnover is Driving Your Insurance Premiums (and How to Fix It)
Send us Fan MailMost leaders treat turnover as a human resources problem. What they don't realize is that it’s actually a massive risk signal that quietly bleeds into every line of insurance they buy. In this solo episode, Misty Carson breaks down the "Zero-BS" reality of how high turnover levels are driving up your workers’ comp, health insurance, and liability costs. Insurance is a lagging indicator; by the time your premiums spike, the damage from your turnover was done 12 to 24 months ago. Misty explains why underwriters look at turnover to judge your business and how you can stop chasing lower quotes and start fixing the systems that are making your company riskier. What you’ll learn: Turnover as a Risk Signal: Why insurance companies price based on what actually happens inside your walls, not your intentions. The Line-by-Line Breakdown: Exactly how churn hits your Workers’ Comp, Health Insurance, EPLI, and Auto Liability. The Lagging Indicator: Why today’s retention decisions determine the insurance costs you'll be paying two years from now. Retention as a Risk Strategy: Moving beyond "feel-good" initiatives to using training and leadership consistency as a defensive play. System Fixes vs. Policy Fixes: Why you can't shop your way out of a leadership problem. Who this episode is for: CEOs, Operations Managers, and Business Owners who are frustrated by rising insurance costs and want to understand the operational drivers behind the numbers. 🎧 Listen to learn how to connect the dots between your team’s culture and your company’s risk exposure. Subscribe & Review: If this solo masterclass changed how you look at your P&L, follow The Policy Playbook and leave a review—it helps us reach more leaders who are ready to play offense. Links: 🔗 Subscribe → The Policy Playbook 💌 Join the newsletter → Play of the Week 🤝 Connect → LinkedIn 💻 Website → The Playbook Consulting Group Support the show
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16
Why Underinvesting in Your Managers is Leaking Revenue
Send us Fan MailMost organizations invest heavily in technology, equipment, and insurance, yet they expect leadership capability to develop on its own. In this solo episode, Misty Carson explains why that assumption is one of the most expensive mistakes a business can make. Leadership isn't just about culture—it's about control. When leaders are unequipped, they avoid conflict, give vague feedback, and tolerate problems too long. This creates a "leak" in your business that shows up as disengagement, safety shortcuts, and eventually, insurance claims. Misty breaks down the direct line between leadership development and risk reduction, showing you how to move from theory to operational reality. What you’ll learn: The Leadership Gap: Why leadership capability is a risk issue, not just a "soft skill" issue. The Pattern of Failure: How management gaps show up in your performance metrics and insurance premiums long before you see them. The Cost of "Promote and Hope": The real price of promoting managers without providing the training to handle hard conversations. Stabilizing the Team: How strong leaders reduce turnover and claims, making your insurance costs predictable. Practical Development: Why one-off speeches fail and how intentional, risk-based leadership development actually sticks. Who this episode is for: Business owners, executives, and HR leaders who want to stop reacting to "people problems" and start building a leadership team that protects the bottom line. 🎧 Listen to learn why your next leadership workshop might be the most important risk management play you ever make. Subscribe & Review: If you’re ready to stop playing defense and start equipping your team, follow The Policy Playbook and leave a review—it helps us help more leaders build a better playbook. Links: 🔗 Subscribe → The Policy Playbook 💌 Join the newsletter → Play of the Week 🤝 Connect → LinkedIn 💻 Website → The Playbook Consulting Group Support the show
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15
Three Plays to Move from Managing a Business to Building a System with Gary T. Harfield
Send us Fan MailHow do you transition from running a successful business to building a multimillion-dollar enterprise that spans healthcare, insurance, and community infrastructure? You stop being a manager and start becoming an architect of systems. This week, Misty sits down with Gary T. Hartfield, a serial entrepreneur, two-time author, and 2025 Titan 100 Honoree.Gary is the Founder and CEO of Serenity Village Insurance & Consulting and has built a sprawling healthcare enterprise that employs over 100 Floridians. From the boardroom to his leadership roles at CareerSource and HART, Gary is one of the most influential voices shaping the future of Tampa Bay. Gary shares his "Zero-BS" philosophy on what it takes to lead across multiple industries, why growth requires a complete reimagining of your "playbook" every few years, and the reality of protecting the downside when you’re operating at scale. What you’ll learn: The "Serial Builder" Mindset: How to apply the same winning systems across completely different industries. Championship Roster Construction: Gary’s philosophy on why filling a seat is never enough—and how to hire for responsibility. Navigating the Audit: How Gary’s businesses have evolved over the last five years and why the "old plays" no longer work. Risk at the Intersection: Understanding the relationship between business growth, insurance strategy, and civic responsibility. The "Game-Saving Play": Real-world insights into when insurance protects the mission and what happens when the ball is dropped. Who this episode is for: Serial entrepreneurs, healthcare executives, insurance professionals, and any leader who wants to scale their business while deepening their impact on their community. Guest: Gary T. Hartfield, Founder & CEO — Serenity Village Insurance & Consulting | Founder — All Hart Foundation. 🎧 Listen to learn how to move from playing the game to building the system that wins it. Subscribe & Review: If Gary’s vision for leadership inspired you, follow The Policy Playbook and leave a review—it helps us bring more high-level strategies to leaders like you. Links: 🔗 Subscribe → The Policy Playbook 💌 Join the newsletter → Play of the Week 🤝 Connect → LinkedIn 💻 Website → The Playbook Consulting Group Support the show
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14
How to Disrupt Runaway Healthcare Costs with Jeff Bak
Send us Fan MailHow do you stop reacting to double-digit healthcare renewals and start playing offense? You stop negotiating the scoreboard and start redesigning the game itself. This week, Misty sits down with Jeff Bak, CEO and President of Imagine360. With over 30 years in the healthcare arena, Jeff is a seasoned executive who has seen the system from every angle—from global practice leadership to spearheading the charge for self-funded employers. Jeff pulls back the curtain on why traditional insurance plays no longer work and how Imagine360 is helping employers regain control over their healthcare spend while actually improving outcomes for employees and their families. What you’ll learn: The "Inside-Out" Perspective: How Jeff’s 30-year journey through the healthcare system informed his mission to disrupt it. Redesigning the Game: Why the secret to lowering costs isn't better negotiation, but better system design. The Self-Funded Advantage: How mid-to-large scale employers are taking the power back from traditional carriers. Reactive vs. Intentional Leadership: Why waiting for the renewal notice is a losing strategy and what to do instead. The Industry Bet: The one trend Jeff is betting on that most business owners are completely missing. Who this episode is for: CEOs, CFOs, HR Directors, and business owners who are tired of healthcare costs eating their margins and are ready for a "zero-BS" alternative. Guest: Jeff Bak, CEO & President — Imagine360. 🎧 Listen to learn how to stop playing defense with your healthcare spend and start building a playbook that actually protects your bottom line. Subscribe & Review: If Jeff’s insights on healthcare disruption resonated with you, follow The Policy Playbook and leave a review—it helps us get these strategies into the hands of more leaders. Links: 🔗 Subscribe → The Policy Playbook 💌 Join the newsletter → Play of the Week 🤝 Connect → LinkedIn 💻 Website → The Playbook Consulting Group Support the show
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13
Scaling Systems and Leadership Performance with Tye Fowler
Send us Fan MailHow do you build a leadership system that stays fast and precise while scaling across the Southeast? You build it like a championship team. This week, Misty sits down with Tye Fowler, the Chief Strategy Officer of SGD Communications and a nationally recognized leadership speaker. Tye operates in the high-pressure world of low-voltage and technology solutions—a space where technical precision and trust are the only things that keep the lights on. Known for his energy and authenticity, Tye pulls back the curtain on driving long-term vision in the telecom and MSP space. From the boardroom to his Dapper and Poised Mentorship Programs, Tye’s mission is simple: help people lead with clarity and elevate every environment they enter. What you’ll learn: The "Championship Team" Philosophy: Why you should stop filling roster spots and start building for performance. Scaling Through the Noise: How SGD Communications evolved its strategy to stay ahead in a fast-moving technical industry. The Art of the Audible: Developing the judgment to know when to pivot versus when to stick to the original play. Identity & Discipline: How Tye’s work with young leaders through mentorship influences his corporate leadership systems. Leadership Simplicity: Practical tools to spark action and simplify communication across technical teams. Who this episode is for: Business owners in technical trades, MSP leaders, construction executives, and any leader tired of playing defense while trying to scale. Guest: Tye Fowler, Chief Strategy Officer — SGD Communications & Founder of Dapper and Poised Mentorship. 🎧 Listen to learn how to build a playbook that protects your people and your performance when the pressure hits. Subscribe & Review: If Tye’s energy and insights sparked action for you, follow The Policy Playbook and leave a review—it helps more leaders build a better strategy. Links:🔗 Subscribe → The Policy Playbook💌 Join the newsletter → Play of the Week🤝 Connect → LinkedIn💻 Website → The Playbook Consulting GroupSupport the show
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12
Your Experience Mod Is Lying to You
Send us Fan MailMost business leaders treat workers’ compensation like an insurance problem.It’s not.In this solo episode of The Policy Playbook, Misty Carson breaks down why workers’ comp is actually a leadership, operations, and culture issue that shows up on your insurance policy months or years later.You’ll learn why experience mods are lagging indicators, how the first seven days after an injury determine claim severity, and why safety programs fail when leadership behavior doesn’t match policy language.If your work comp costs keep rising and you can’t explain why, this episode will change how you look at risk, accountability, and control.Smart strategies. Straight talk. Zero BS.📝 Show NotesWorkers’ compensation is one of the most controllable lines of insurance, but only when leaders understand what actually drives cost.In this episode, Misty explains why claims aren’t random, why your experience mod reflects past leadership decisions, and how culture shows up in claim severity every time. This conversation reframes work comp as a system issue, not a carrier issue.What You’ll LearnWhy your experience mod is a lagging indicator, not a scorecardHow the first seven days after an injury decide claim outcomesThe leadership behaviors that increase claim severity without anyone noticingWhy safety manuals don’t reduce claims but leadership behavior doesHow return to work programs directly reduce cost and litigationWhy two similar companies can have drastically different work comp resultsWho This Episode Is ForBusiness owners frustrated by rising work comp premiumsLeaders managing safety, operations, or HROrganizations with recurring injuries or high claim severityAnyone responsible for controlling insurance costs, not just buying policiesLinks:🔗 Subscribe → The Policy Playbook💌 Join the newsletter → Play of the Week🤝 Connect → LinkedIn💻 Website → The Playbook Consulting GroupSupport the show
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11
Underinsured on Business Income, How Businesses Go Under After a Covered Loss
Send us Fan MailYou can have millions in property coverage and still go out of business after a covered loss.In this solo episode of The Policy Playbook, Misty Carson breaks down business income coverage, the most misunderstood coverage on a commercial policy and one of the biggest reasons companies fail after a fire, tornado, or major equipment loss.You will learn what business income actually covers, what it does not, and why most businesses have the wrong limit, the wrong period of restoration, and no plan for extra expense. Misty also explains contingent business income, the coverage you need when your supplier goes down and your building is fine but your operation is dead.If you have not stress tested your business income limit in the last two years, this episode is for you.Smart strategies. Straight talk. Zero BS.Links:🔗 Subscribe → The Policy Playbook💌 Join the newsletter → Play of the Week🤝 Connect → LinkedIn💻 Website → The Playbook Consulting GroupSupport the show
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10
Hire Right, Protect the Business, Building Championship Teams With Passion, Drive, and Integrity
Send us Fan MailHiring is not an HR task, it is a business protection strategy.In this episode, Misty Carson sits down with Tamara Galla, President and CEO of PDI Connection, to break down what most leaders miss about recruiting, culture, and the real cost of turnover. Tamara built her firm on three non negotiables, Passion, Drive, and Integrity, and she explains why the fastest hire is rarely the right hire.They cover why candidates prefer recruiters, why posting and praying is dead, and how leaders can protect their business by building a roster, not filling seats.What You Will LearnWhy your talent strategy is your business strategyThe hidden cost of turnover and mis hiresHow recruiters reduce time, risk, and disruptionWhat Passion, Drive, and Integrity look like in real hiring decisionsWhy culture fit starts with leadership, not perksHow to build a team you would protect at all costsGuestTamara Galla, President and CEO of PDI ConnectionPDI stands for Passion, Drive, and Integrity, the core values behind how she builds championship rosters for growing businesses.Links:🔗 Subscribe → The Policy Playbook💌 Join the newsletter → Play of the Week🤝 Connect → LinkedIn💻 Website → The Playbook Consulting GroupSupport the show
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9
Why Reaction Is Expensive and Preparation Wins Every Time
Send us Fan MailLeadership isn’t just about growth. It’s about protecting what you’ve built before pressure exposes the cracks.In this episode of The Policy Playbook, Misty Carson sits down with Samantha Greer, Principal and CEO of SG Consulting, to talk about what leadership really looks like when the stakes are high and the margin for error is small.Samantha operates in public, high-accountability environments where one misstep can stall momentum, damage reputation, or derail a mission entirely. She shares what leaders often get wrong about risk, why reaction is far more expensive than preparation, and how organizations can position themselves for growth without becoming overwhelmed by success.This conversation goes beyond titles and tactics. It’s about anticipation, discipline, and making smart decisions before pressure forces your hand.If you lead an organization, manage reputation, pursue funding, or operate in complex systems where waiting is already a risk, this episode will change how you think about protection, strategy, and leadership.This is not an insurance podcast.This is the playbook leaders need when the game is on the line.Links:🔗 Subscribe → The Policy Playbook💌 Join the newsletter → Play of the Week🤝 Connect → LinkedIn💻 Website → The Playbook Consulting GroupSupport the show
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8
Building Teams and Communities One Calculated Risk at a Time with Frank Rygiel
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Policy Playbook, I sit down with Frank Rygiel, a leader who understands what responsibility really looks like when decisions impact people, operations, and outcomes.Frank shares candid insight on leadership, ownership, and the realities business leaders face that rarely get discussed openly. We talk about decision making under pressure, long term thinking, and why consistency and accountability matter more than trends or titles.This is a grounded, practical conversation for leaders who carry real responsibility and want to build organizations that last.If you are responsible for people, performance, or risk, this episode will resonate.Links:🔗 Subscribe → The Policy Playbook💌 Join the newsletter → Play of the Week🤝 Connect → LinkedIn💻 Website → The Playbook Consulting GroupSupport the show
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7
Cyber Insurance Reality Check. Are You Actually Protected Or Just Hoping You Are?
Send us Fan MailIn 2024, the average cyber attack cost businesses $4.88 million, and most companies did not even know they had been breached for six months.In this solo episode of The Policy Playbook, Misty Carson breaks down the seven biggest cyber threats hitting businesses right now and exposes a hard truth.Most leaders think “We have cyber insurance” means “We are protected.” It does not.Cyber policies are manuscript contracts, every carrier writes their own rules, and the coverage gaps are often hiding in the fine print. By the end of this episode, you will know where your program is strong, where it is exposed, and exactly what to ask your broker before your next renewal.In this episode, Misty coversThe 7 major cyber threats you cannot ignoreRansomwareSocial engineering and AI powered phishingSupply chain and third party vendor attacksBricking of hardwareInternet of Things and device vulnerabilitiesBusiness email compromise and funds transfer fraudNation state attacks and cyber warfareWhy having a cyber policy and being protected are two very different realitiesHow waiting periods, sub limits, and exclusions quietly gut your protectionThe difference betweenSocial engineering vs computer fraudProperty damage vs cyber damageCybercrime vs cyberwar exclusionsThe real cost of an attackRansom paymentsForensic IT and emergency responseBusiness income loss and extra expenseNotification, credit monitoring, and legal defenseWhere most policies break downTiny social engineering sub limitsNo bricking coverage for destroyed hardwareNo dependent business income for vendor failuresIoT devices not clearly addressedSilent cyber and vague war exclusion languageYou will walk away withA clear understanding of how each threat shows up in the real worldThe specific coverage terms you need to look for in your own policyThe 7 questions to ask your broker before you renewSimple verification procedures to put in place now so your claim is not denied laterA practical way to run a tabletop cyber scenario with your leadership teamIf you have ever thought “We have cyber, so we are fine,” this is the episode that will change how you look at your coverageLinks:🔗 Subscribe → The Policy Playbook💌 Join the newsletter → Play of the Week🤝 Connect → LinkedIn💻 Website → The Playbook Consulting GroupSupport the show
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Your Financial Quarterback: Coordinating Wealth, Risk, and Legacy
Send us Fan MailMost business owners are making six-figure decisions without a full playbook.They have a CPA.They have a financial advisor.They have an attorney.They have an insurance broker.But none of them are calling the plays together.In this episode, Misty digs into what happens when fragmented financial advice leads to unnecessary taxes, costly risk exposure, missed opportunities, and legacy plans that fall apart when life changes.EJ Pipkin has spent over 20+ years advising high-net-worth families and business owners, plus 10 years serving as a Maryland State Senator. Today, he uses that experience to act as a true quarterback — coordinating wealth, tax, and legacy planning so business owners don’t drop the ball on the goal line of their financial future.What you’ll learn:The most expensive mistake business owners make with their moneyHow to prevent “wealth becoming a burden” after a business saleWhat a true financial quarterback does that advisors alone cannotWhy coordinated advice protects both the deal and your legacyHow clarity in wealth planning reduces stress and future regretWho this episode is for:Founders, business owners, executives, CFOs, and anyone planning a major financial transition in the next 3–5 years.Links:🔗 Subscribe → The Policy Playbook💌 Join the newsletter → Play of the Week🤝 Connect → LinkedIn💻 Website → The Playbook Consulting GroupSubscribe & Review:If this episode helped you think differently about wealth strategy, follow The Policy Playbook and leave a review — it helps more leaders find the show.Guest: EJ Pipkin, Founding Partner at Extra Mile FinancialSupport the show
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Scaling with Heart: How Gulfside Healthcare Grew to $78M Without Losing Its Mission
Send us Fan MailHow do you grow a mission-driven healthcare organization to $78 million in revenue while serving thousands of families in their most vulnerable moments? You follow a leader who has done it for 40 years.This week, Misty sits down with Linda Ward, one of the most respected voices in hospice, palliative, and home health care. Linda has led Gulfside Healthcare Services through statewide expansion, new care centers, and service innovations, all while fiercely protecting their culture, their people, and their purpose.What you’ll learn:The strategy behind Gulfside’s recent Hillsborough + Pinellas expansionHow to innovate in a highly regulated industryWhy sustainable growth requires protecting people — not just marginsThe leadership philosophy that built a strong culture with 500+ employeesHow reputation becomes your most valuable asset in healthcareWho this episode is for:Healthcare executives, nonprofit leaders, policymakers, and any leader scaling in a regulated industry.🎧 Listen to learn how to grow big without losing what made you great.Subscribe & Review:If Linda’s leadership inspired you, follow The Policy Playbook and leave a review — it helps more leaders find the show.Guest: Linda Ward, President & CEO — Gulfside Healthcare ServicesSupport the show
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4
The Pause That Protects Performance
Send us Fan MailThis week on The Policy Playbook, we’re stepping off the field.This episode isn’t about strategy, insurance, or what to fix next. It’s about pausing with intention during Christmas week, especially for leaders and high performers who spent the year carrying responsibility, making decisions, and holding things together.If this year felt demanding in a quieter, more intentional way, this conversation is for you. Rest isn’t weakness. It’s part of how sustainable performance is built.Straight talk and smart strategies will return in the new year.For now, take the pause that allows you to finish strongSupport the show
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Penalty Flags: Five Questions Every Leader Should Ask Before Renewal
Send us Fan MailYou know what drives me crazy? Watching business owners pay the price for mistakes their brokers made.Higher premiums. Coverage gaps. Unnecessary risk. All because someone on your team didn’t do their job.In this episode of The Policy Playbook, Coach Misty Carson throws penalty flags across the field, exposing the violations brokers commit that cost companies money, protection, and peace of mind.From pass interference to delay of game, she breaks down the five questions every leader should ask before renewal — and the red flags that reveal whether your broker is playing fair or running their own agenda.If you’ve ever felt frustrated or powerless at renewal time, this is your game film.🔑 What You’ll LearnThe five questions that reveal whether your broker is protecting or exposing youHow to spot “pass interference” when brokers dodge coverage explanationsWhy “market conditions” is the industry’s most dangerous excuse — and what to demand insteadHow to prevent “illegal blocking” that traps you with one broker year after yearThe ethics of broker compensation — and how to ask about commissions the right way💬 Key Quote“You’re not just a spectator in this game. You’re the one paying for every yard lost in premiums, coverage gaps, and missed opportunities.”💡 Takeaway PlayInsurance is not a spectator sport. If your broker can’t explain, defend, and strategize your coverage, you’re playing with an empty playbook. Ask better questions, demand better answers, and protect your business like you mean it.Tagline: Smart strategies. Straight talk. Zero BS.Links:🔗 Subscribe → The Policy Playbook 💌 Join the newsletter → Play of the Week🤝 Connect → LinkedIn💻 Website → The Playbook Consulting GroupHost: Coach Misty Carson, Business Development Executive at OneDigital and Founder of Playbook Consulting GroupSupport the show
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Turning Benefits into a Competitive Advantage with Stephanie Porrino
Send us Fan MailWhat if your benefits package wasn’t just an expense line—but your secret weapon for winning talent and keeping your best people?In this episode, Coach Misty Carson sits down with Stephanie Porrino (Koch) one of the nation’s top 25 HR and benefits leaders, to uncover how she turned a traditional benefits program into a competitive edge that fuels both engagement and profit.From navigating double-digit healthcare increases to transforming culture through empathy and data-driven decisions, Stephanie shares how she coached her company to become Florida’s Most Engaged Employer—and why HR is not a cost center, but a strategic driver of business growth.🔑 What You’ll LearnHow to transform HR from a “cost center” into a profit driverWhat reference-based pricing really means and how it can cut healthcare costsWhy “stay interviews” outperform exit interviews every timeThe role of culture in building a championship-level teamHow listening and respect can outplay any retention strategy💡 Key Quote“We control two of the largest line items a company has—people and healthcare. If we understand those, we can change the game.” — Stephanie Porrino (Koch) ⚡ Takeaway PlayYour benefits strategy isn’t a policy—it’s a play. When you design it around people, it becomes your most powerful recruiting and retention advantage.📬 Next WeekCoach Misty throws penalty flags—calling out the five most common violations brokers commit and the five questions every leader should ask before renewal.Tagline: Smart strategies. Straight talk. Zero BS.Links:🔗 Subscribe → The Policy Playbook💌 Join the newsletter → Play of the Week🤝 Connect → LinkedIn💻 Website → The Playbook Consulting GroupGuest: Stephanie Porrino (Koch), Director of HR at Hendry Marine IndustriesHost: Coach Misty Carson, Business Development Executive at OneDigital and Founder of Playbook Consulting GroupSupport the show
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1
Game Changer: How Bridgette Bello Rewrote the Rules of Media
Send us Fan MailWhat does it take to change an industry—not just succeed in it, but actually change it?Bridgette Bello didn’t wait for permission. She saw a gap in how Tampa Bay’s business story was being told and built a platform that changed the game. From becoming the first female publisher of the Tampa Bay Business Journal to launching TBBW—now recognized as Florida’s best magazine—Bridgette has proven that when you lead with grit, grace, and game-day execution, you don’t just play the game, you redefine it.Coach Misty Carson sits down with this media MVP to unpack what it really takes to build a brand that matters, how to lead a lean team that delivers at championship level, and why relationships remain the most valuable currency in business. Bridgette also shares a powerful real-world insurance story that every business leader should hear before their next renewal.🔑 What You’ll LearnHow to build a mission-driven brand that becomes a movementWhy “print is dead” was the best motivation to innovateThe playbook for building small, high-performing teamsThe insurance lesson every business owner must learn the easy way—not the hard wayWhy reputation and relationships are your most protected assets💬 Key Quote“Protect your relationships and your reputation at all costs. That’s the currency you control.” Bridgette Bello💡 Takeaway PlayYour brand is not just content—it’s connection. Lead with mission, execute with precision, and protect your relationships like revenue.📬 Next UpHR powerhouse Stephanie Porrino (Koch) joins to reveal how to turn employee benefits into a competitive edge that attracts and keeps top talent.Tagline: Smart strategies. Straight talk. Zero BS.Links:🔗 Subscribe → The Policy Playbook💌 Join the newsletter → Play of the Week🤝 Connect → LinkedIn💻 Website → The Playbook Consulting GroupGuest: Bridgette Bello, Co-Founder, CEO, and Publisher of Tampa Bay Business & WealthHost: Coach Misty Carson, Business Development Executive at OneDigital and Founder of Playbook Consulting GroupSupport the show
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0
Welcome to the Team
Send us Fan MailYou know what happens when you don’t have a playbook? You get blindsided. You lose yards—and sometimes the whole game. That’s exactly what’s happening to business owners who renew their insurance with no strategy and zero explanation.In this debut episode of The Policy Playbook, Coach Misty Carson calls time-out on vague answers, rising costs, and brokers who hide behind “the market is hard.” She breaks down why complexity has become a weapon, how to take back control, and what questions instantly reveal whether your broker works for you—or just collects a commission.If you’re a business leader who built success through grit and integrity and you’re tired of feeling powerless at renewal season, you just made the roster.Key Takeaways:Why most business owners lose money without realizing itThe mindset shift that turns protection strategy into business strategyThe first question to test your broker’s loyaltyTagline: Smart strategies. Straight talk. Zero BS.Next Up: Media MVP Bridgette Bello joins Coach Misty to talk leadership, legacy, and what it takes to build a winning brand.Links:🔗 Subscribe → The Policy Playbook💌 Join the newsletter → Play of the Week🤝 Connect → LinkedIn💻 Website → The Playbook Consulting GroupHost: Coach Misty Carson, Business Development Executive at OneDigital and Founder of Playbook Consulting GroupSupport the show
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Policy Playbook is a podcast that simplifies the complex world of business insurance, employee benefits, HR compliance, and retirement planning for business owners and decision-makers through interviews with business leaders and solo episodes breaking down real-world scenarios. Each episode delivers actionable strategies with zero jargon, accompanied by a newsletter that translates insights into specific steps you can implement to protect and grow your business.
HOSTED BY
Misty Carson
CATEGORIES
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