Fast Break

Great leaders are not always the ones with the fastest answers. Often, they are the ones brave enough to ask the better question. In this episode of Fast Break, Matt Cranney sits down with Nate Hoffman, founder and president of Carrus Group, to explore how curiosity, clarity, and courage can change the way leaders guide their teams. From challenging assumptions to resisting the urge to take every problem back to your own office, th...

Health care costs are still climbing, but employers are not powerless. In this episode of Fast Break, M3’s Ryan Barbieri and C2’s Jill Palmer unpack M3’s 2026 Momentum Report and share how businesses can move beyond renewal-season reactions to build smarter, data-backed benefits strategies. From pharmacy pressures and high-cost claims to employee navigation and long-term planning, this conversation offers a practi...

Every organization has a safety plan. But what happens when that plan is suddenly put to the test?

In recognition of National Safety Month, Matt Cranney is joined by M3’s Chris Halverson and Dylan Schroeder to discuss how businesses can prepare for, respond to, and recover from serious workplace incidents, operational disruptions, and other crisis events.

From the critical first few hours of response to communication, leadershi...

The property and casualty market is not shifting through headline shocks. It is changing through quieter misalignments that many organizations do not see until renewal day. In this episode of Fast Break, Matt Cranney sits down with Paul Connor of M3 and Jamie Gregory of Assurex Global to break down what is really happening across the commercial, personal, property, and casualty landscape as we move through 2026.

From softening prope...

This special Women’s HERstory Month takeover of Fast Break brings three remarkable nonprofit leaders to the mic for a conversation about impact, resilience, and the power of women shaping their communities in real time.

Guest host Becky Menefee sits down with Brenda Campbell of Secure Futures, Tara Panasewicz of the Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha, and Jane Graham Jennings of The Women’s Community to explore the systems w...

Organizations invest heavily in leadership development and employee benefits, but rarely design them to work together. In this episode of Fast Break, Matt Cranney and Alex Simmons unpack why that disconnect is limiting performance and how a more integrated approach is reshaping engagement, culture, and retention outcomes.

Whether you're running a 20-person team or a 2,000-person organization, the principles they unpack here apply, a...

Today’s “tap-to-buy” world has made has made spending almost effortless and saving feel harder than ever. Many people don’t know where to start, don’t know who to trust, and often feel intimidated asking financial questions. That’s why education and having a trusted advisor matter now more than ever.

Join host Matt Cranney and M3 Wealth Advisor Nick Natsky as they explore the real barriers to fina...

Cyber threats aren’t just an IT problem, they’re a business reality. In this episode of Fast Break, Matt Cranney sits down with M3’s Cyber Liability team —Matt Thomson, Megan Peyton, and Alex Friedl—to discuss how the threat landscape has evolved and what every organization can do today to stay ahead.

From AI-driven scams and deepfakes to supply chain breaches and class action lawsuits, the conversation...

For growing companies, health benefits remain a top tool for recruitment and retention, yet traditional group plans can be costly or out of reach for startups and small employers. That’s where the individual market and ICHRAs come in, offering flexibility and controlled costs, provided employees have the right support to make confident choices.  

Uncertainty around the Big Beautiful Bill is creating real questions for the...

The personal insurance landscape is changing, with rising premiums, severe weather events, and evolving underwriting guidelines. Being proactive has never been more important. Fast Break host Matt Cranney sits down with Amy Schroeder and Tim Hoel from M3 Elevate’s Personal Lines team to unpack why the “set it and forget it” mindset no longer works.

The conversation outlines the drivers behind increasing rates, from...

Safety isn’t just a compliance issue; it’s a strategic business decision. In this episode of Fast Break, host Matt Cranney is joined by Chris Halverson of M3 Insurance and Kyle Ricely of The Employer Group to explore the critical role of risk management and safety for small and growing businesses.

Workplace safety isn’t just about preventing accidents—it’s about protecting employees, reducing insurance ...

Nonprofits are essential to our communities, yet they face increasing challenges from funding cuts to shifting engagement trends. In this episode of Fast Break, host Matt Cranney welcomes Jeff Burkhart, a nonprofit leader and founder of Mission Forward, to explore the state of the sector and how businesses can step up to drive lasting impact.

With insights on collaboration, leadership, and community engagement, this conversation is ...

In this episode of Fast Break, we are celebrating Small Business Week by recognizing the critical role small businesses play in our economy. Host Matt Cranney sits down with Sadie Howell, CEO of Envision Greater Fond du Lac, to discuss why small businesses are more important than ever in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. Explore the power of word-of-mouth marketing, the agility of small businesses in adapting to change, and...

Nearly one in five workers are leaving jobs due to mental health concerns, and this latest Fast Break episode is more relevant than ever. Matt Cranney is joined by Celie Valentin, Director of the Employee Assistance Program at Family Service Madison, and M3’s Jodi Riley, Senior Director of HR, to break down the impact of mental health on today’s workforce.

Mental well-being isn’t just about offering a day off and h...

In honor of Women’s History Month, Becky Menefee, VP of M3 Elevate, takes over the mic to celebrate the achievements and impact of women in leadership. Joined by two powerhouse guests—Coreen Dicus-Johnson, President and CEO of Network Health, and Heather Dunn, Senior VP and CFO of West Bend Insurance Company—this Fast Break episode dives into their career journeys, the challenges they've faced in male-dominated in...

Tax planning isn’t just about numbers—it’s about strategy and trust. In this episode of Fast Break, host Matt Cranney sits down with Brooke Weitzer, partner at Baker Tilly, to tackle the biggest tax challenges small business owners face. Hear how proactive planning, strong advisor relationships, and continuous collaboration can help you make informed decisions, minimize risks, and maximize savings.

Just like any gr...

Are you leading your business with a short-term mindset or crafting a vision that lasts? In this episode of Fast Break, Matt sits down with Matt Pletzer to tackle the art of goal setting and strategic planning for small business owners.

Learn why thinking beyond the next 12 months can transform your organization, how to include your team in a way that truly inspires collaboration, and how to avoid common planning pitfalls. Whether y...