Deconstructing Comp
Now in Season 6! We are still breaking down complex workers' compensation issues into bite-sized nuggets, one conversation at a time, with one slight twist. We are finally doing what we set out to do when we started: discuss the nuances of our fascinating system in "Cliff Notes" style summaries.
Yvonne Guibert and Rafael Gonzalez approach workers' comp conversations from different backgrounds. Still, they share many things in common, such as their love for family and friends, a passion for Latin culture, and good old-fashioned belly laughs. Join them as they chat with industry friends and colleagues, learn more about their roles, laugh, and have fun along the way. You might learn something along the way! See you soon! ¡Hasta pronto!
Episodes
144 episodes
Greg Hamlin: Leading with Empathy
In this episode of Deconstructing Comp, we’re joined by Greg Hamlin, Senior VP and Chief Claims Officer at Berkley Industrial Comp (a Berkley Company), for a grounded conversation about the role empathy plays in workers’ compens...
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Season 6
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Episode 3
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33:12
Tammy Boyd: For The Kids!
In this episode of Deconstructing Comp, Yvonne Guibert and Rafael Gonzalez welcome Tammy Boyd, newly appointed President of Kids' Chance of Florida, for a meaningful conversation centered on service, leadership, and the l...
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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39:39
Season 6 Intro: 2026 Key Issues
1. Mental Health Goes Operational No longer fringe in workers’ comp. Our real challenge now is operationalizing access to timely, evidence-based mental health care so it supports recovery instead of becoming a barrier.<...
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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44:51
Season 5 Wrap Up With Yvonne and Rafael
Yvonne and Rafael take time to reflect on Season 5, their accomplishments, and the time they spent with guests. They also discuss new features of Deconstructing Comp, including the launch of the Work Comp Changemaker Awards, a
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Season 5
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Episode 23
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35:38
Darrell Mathis: O-Block Grit and Work Comp
In this episode, Yvonne and Rafael talk with Darrell Mathis, Director of Workers’ Compensation for the City of Chicago, and explore his work to modernize and manage one of the nation's largest municipal programs. Darre...
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Season 5
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Episode 22
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48:06
Jeff Adelson: Soft Skills in a Tough System
In this episode, co-hosts Yvonne Guibert and Rafael Gonzalez talk with expert defense attorney and educator Jeff Adelson in a candid conversation about two often-overlooked forces in workers’ c...
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Season 5
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Episode 21
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47:45
David Langham: Floridiana and Work Comp
In this episode, Yvonne and Rafael catch up with Judge David Langham, Deputy Chief Judge of the State of Florida, and a prolific writer, blogger, educator, and speaker. If you're curious about the history of Florida’s workers’ compe...
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Season 5
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Episode 20
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38:50
Rosa Royo: Getting Creative in Miami
In this episode, Yvonne and Rafael chat with friend and colleague Rosa Royo, Director, Workers' Compensation and Loss Prevention at Miami-Dade County Public Schools. This is Rosa's second time visiting us at Deconstructing Comp. This school sys...
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Season 5
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Episode 19
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45:07
Gina Jacobs: Defending Claims With Purpose
In this episode of Deconstructing Comp, Yvonne and Rafael welcome Gina Jacobs, a defense attorney with Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel LLP, to share what it’s like navigating workers’ compensation from the defense side. Joining...
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Season 5
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Episode 18
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45:35
Paolo Longo: Inside First Responder Claims
In this episode of Deconstructing Comp, Yvonne and Rafael talk to Paolo Longo, a claimant attorney based in Florida, to explore the realities of representing injured workers, especially first responders. Paolo shares how his car...
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Season 5
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Episode 17
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44:37
Scynthia Syfrett: SHARP Lessons in Risk
In this episode of Deconstructing Comp, Yvonne Guibert and Rafael Gonzalez welcome Scynthia Syfrett, Workers’ Compensation Program Manager at SHARP Healthcare in San Diego. Scynthia offers her perspective on managing a
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Season 5
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Episode 16
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42:34
Robert Rassp: Basics of WC Benefits
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode are Judge Robert Rassp’s personal opinions and do not reflect the official position of the State of California, Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC), or ...
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Season 5
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Episode 15
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46:40
Dr. Marcos Iglesias: Cultivating A Recovery Mindset
In this episode, Yvonne and Rafael talk to Dr. Marcos Iglesias, Chief Medical Officer at AF Group. Dr. Iglesias shares his journey from occupational medicine to the executive level and the lessons he’s learned about helping injured workers reco...
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Season 5
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Episode 14
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52:57
Kirsten Kaiser Kus: Stakeholders in the Comp Ecosystem
In this episode, we talk to Kirsten Kaiser Kus. She is a defense attorney and an equity owner at Downey & Lenkov LLC, leading their Indiana practice. She brings deep experience from both the plaintiff and defense sides of workers’ compensat...
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Season 5
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Episode 13
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40:25
Mollie Kallen: Communication is Key
In this episode, we sit down with industry powerhouse Mollie Kallen to explore the often misunderstood role of case managers* in workers’ compensation. With over 30 years of experience leading one of the largest case management companies...
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Season 5
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Episode 12
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48:20
Bill Zachry: Sisterhood of Traveling Body Parts
In this engaging and insightful episode, co-hosts Yvonne Guibert and Rafael Gonzalez sit down with legendary industry leader Bill Zachry for a deep-dive into the realities shaping today’s California workers’ compensation system, and other state...
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Season 5
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Episode 11
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50:13
Melissa Steger: Hook 'Em and Go Until No!
Melissa Steger returns to walk us through the building blocks of the unique Texas UT System workers' compensation program. While the program is self-insured, they use a third-party administrator (TPA) in a hybrid system where the TPA staff sit ...
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Season 5
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Episode 10
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46:34
Nelson Gonzalez: About Return To Work
In this episode, Yvonne Guibert catches up with Nelson Gonzalez, Executive Director - Florida, Rehab Without Walls® NeuroSolutions, and they talk about Return to Work. In the workers' compensation system, a return-to-work (RTW) poli...
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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41:37
Joseph Sousa: California Love
In this episode, Yvonne and Rafael chat with Joseph Sousa, Workers' Compensation Program Manager for the City of San Diego. In our conversation, we learn from the perspective of ...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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49:14
Amy Cooper: Time to Rise!
In this episode, Yvonne and Rafael talk to Amy Cooper, Vice President Sales, Carrier Practice at Gallagher Bassett, and founder of Rise®, an amazing insurance community dedicated to empowering early-career professionals, attracting new t...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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27:34
LIVE: 2025 FL Bar and WCCP WC Forum
Recently, Yvonne and Rafael attended the 2025 Florida Bar and WCCP Workers' Compensation Forum, April 9-11, in Orlando, Florida. Unfortunately, there was no wi-fi available to do live streaming, which is what we planned to do, but w...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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51:27
Stuart Colburn: Deep in the Heart of Texas Comp
After much anticipation since we started this podcast, Stuart Colburn joins us for a special episode focused on Texas! Stuart, a shareholder at Downs & Stanford, P.C., has over 25 years of experience in workers' compensation. H...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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53:17
Jennifer Wolf: Alphabet Soup
We like to have fun with our episode titles when we can, hence "Alphabet Soup." Still, despite the fun name, this is an informative episode, particularly for those newer to the workers' compensation industry. Our guest is Jennifer W...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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37:53
A COMPlicated Framework with Joe Paduda
Joe Paduda joins us to explain the basic framework of our workers' compensation system. In this episode, we discuss why our system is so complicated and some of the key features of several states. While Yvonne tries to keep the conv...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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41:44
