Straight Outta Workers’ Comp Podcast – Audio – WorkCompCollege – Workers' Compensation Certifications

Straight Outta Workers’ Comp, Episode 26: From Advocate to Arbiter … Maryland Work Comp Commissioners on Bias, Emotion, and the Realities of the Bench (Audio)

admin — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode of “Straight Outta Workers’ Comp,” hosts Bob Wilson and Mark Pew sit down with Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission Chairperson Asha Jefferson and Commissioner Stephane Romano to explore the personal and professional transition from representing one side of workers’ comp cases to serving as impartial decision-makers. The commissioners candidly discuss the challenges of leaving behind advocacy roles, managing emotional cases involving vulnerable injured workers and struggling small businesses, navigating security concerns in heated hearings, and debunking the myth that commissioners work part-time schedules. They also share practical advice for attorneys and stakeholders on preparation, respect, and collaboration to improve outcomes for all parties in the system.

Straight Outta Workers’ Comp, Episode 25: Are We Processing Claims or Caring for People? (Audio)

admin — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:15:00 +0000

Episode 25 of Straight Outta Workers’ Comp features Bob Wilson and his co-host Mark Pew in conversation with Chelsea Strawn, founder of Lighthouse Comp, a Tennessee-based case management firm built on the conviction that processing a claim and actually caring for an injured worker are two very different things. Chelsea shares her remarkable path into the industry—a catastrophic work-related accident of her own that broke her back, cost her a year of employment, and gave her firsthand understanding of the fear, financial anxiety, and loss of control injured workers face—and how that lived experience now shapes the empathy-driven approach she teaches her nurses. The wide-ranging discussion covers the difference between sympathy and empathy, why fraud is far rarer than people assume (and often confused with malingering or depression), the critical role of clear communication and honest expectation-setting, the importance of including families in the recovery process, and how transparency can dismantle the deep-seated mistrust many injured workers feel toward case managers. Equal parts personal, practical, and occasionally irreverent, it’s a candid look at what it truly means to walk alongside someone during one of the most difficult chapters of their life.

Straight Outta Workers’ Comp Podcast: Episode 24, Transitioning Into Workers’ Comp (Audio)

admin — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 11:57:00 +0000

In this episode of Straight Outta Worker’s Comp, co-hosts Bob Wilson and Mark Pew sit down with Chris Loveless, a Work Comp College WRP (Workers’ Recovery Professional) graduate who spent a decade in Utah law enforcement—including time on a SWAT team, a Metro gang unit, and as a K-9 handler—before transitioning into the workers’ comp industry, where he now works in business development at OneCall. The conversation traces his unusual path from first responder to industry stakeholder, drawing on his firsthand perspective as both a former officer who responded to catastrophic workplace injuries and an injured worker himself, having been T-boned by a drunk driver while on duty and then navigating a frustrating claims experience over a disputed neck injury. Chris reflects on how that empathy informs his work with municipalities and first responders, how the WRP program filled the training gap he faced entering comp with zero formal instruction, and how relationships and mentors opened doors in this tight-knit, relationship-driven industry. He closes with candid advice for newcomers – get educated, get comfortable being uncomfortable, keep the injured worker top of mind, and if you’re thinking about a career in workers’ comp, “just do it.”

SOWC Episode 23 – Understanding Impairment (Audio)

admin — Wed, 13 May 2026 11:04:00 +0000

WorkCompCollege.com just made a big move — and in this episode, you’ll hear all about it straight from the people who made it happen. Bob Wilson and Mark Pew sit down with internationally renowned impairment rating expert Dr. Chris Brigham and his colleague Dr. Waqas Buttar to unpack WorkCompCollege’s acquisition of the AMA Guides training assets from Brigham & Associates. But this isn’t just a business announcement — it’s a deep dive into why accurate impairment ratings matter so much to injured workers, why some states are still practicing medicine by a 40-year-old playbook, and where AI is about to take the entire field. From a plaintiff attorney literally slamming Chris against a wall over cervical fusion ratings to Waqas joining the party from Pakistan on his birthday, Episode 23 is equal parts insightful, candid, and genuinely entertaining — the kind of conversation that only happens when the right people stop pretending and start talking.

Straight Outta Workers’ Comp, Episode 22 – Oh, the Humanity!! (Audio)

admin — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:30:00 +0000

In this episode Ariane Camille, a licensed therapist and case manager, shares her insights on how to motivate injured workers who have delayed recovery because of any number of sources. Being direct, clear, and kind while asking open ended questions is a great way to build trust and then empower them to do their part on a consistent basis. Ariane also provided her thoughts on some of the system obstacles to the success of injured workers and the younger generation who wants to apply their purpose-driven nature to work comp. She and Mark met at the WCMICS Live event in February that was hosted by Workplace Health Magazine. The future of our industry is in very good hands with authentic game-changers like Ariane increasingly taking charge.

Straight Outta Workers’ Comp, Episode 21: It’s A Wonderful Life (in Insurance)! (Audio)

admin — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Danielle (Dani) Main of MWCIA joins hosts Mark Pew and Bob Wilson to highlight the various ways in which someone who wants to make a difference can do so in the workers’ compensation industry. Old and young, introverts and extraverts, empathetic or data-oriented, there are many pathways for a purpose-driven person to help drive positive outcomes for both injured workers and their employers. This wide-ranging discussion provides ample opportunities to craft a compelling recruitment elevator pitch to bring in the fresh new perspectives that will propel the industry to lean even more into a workers’ recovery mindset.

Straight Outta Workers’ Comp, Episode 20: Going for Brokerage in Workers’ Comp! (Audio)

admin — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 14:00:00 +0000

This episode of Straight Outta Workers’ Comp takes a look at the role of brokers and brokerages in our industry, as well as some humorous and interesting anecdotes from an expert in the sector. Joining hosts Bob Wilson and Mark Pew is Vincent Capaldi, Jr., President of Bay Oaks Wholesale Brokerage. Vince talks about what may keep brokers and agents less involved in the nuances of comp than professionals from other sectors and relates some truly interesting tales about moments in his career.

Live! Straight Outta Workers’ Comp – Stump the AI Experts (Audio)

admin — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 20:46:43 +0000

A First in Workers’ Comp – Live AI Powered Avatar Guests!

In an industry first, Bob Wilson, BA, WRP, AIWC and Mark ‘RxProfessor’ Pew, AIWC hosted this LIVE Straight Outta Workers’ Comp Podcast, with AI Powered Interactive Avatars as their scheduled guests. Alistair Ienstein, the “Academic Innovator” chatbot from WorkCompCollege.com’s virtual campus, has been brought to life for pithy discussion, and Avatar Bob, fresh from his successful debut as a presenter at the National Workers’ Compensation Defense Network (NWCDN) Conference in Chicago, were the featured guests and enjoyed playing “Stump the (AI) Expert!”

And even better still, audience members were able to enter the room, speak with them directly, and ask them any question that is on their mind (well, almost any question…).

Straight Outta Workers’ Comp, Episode 17: Reducing Costs Through Workers’ Recovery (Audio)

admin — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000

This episode Melissa Steger joins hosts Mark Pew and Bob Wilson to demonstrate the dramatic financial results of following an advocacy-based workers’ recovery model. Steger, who today is a partner and Executive VP for Business Development at WorkCompCollege.com, lays out the stunning results of a positive recovery centric comp program at her former employer, the University of Texas System.

Straight Outta Workers’ Comp Episode 16 – Alex O’Neal, Live from WCI 2025! (Audio)

admin — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 14:55:00 +0000

Guest(s): Alex O’Neal (Arbicare)

Description: In this live podcast from the WCI conference in Orlando on August 19, Mark was joined by Alex O’Neal (Arbicare). He discussed what it’s like from advancing from someone brand new to the industry in 2010 to now being an entrepreneur, subject matter expert, and the facilitator of other people’s aspirations. Alex provided advice to people early in their career to develop confidence and expertise, how to understand your own unique form of communication, embrace the complexity of this unique ecosystem, the importance of service, and how to manage work-life balance.