IIANC Radio

Noted economist and retired NCSU business professor Dr. Michael Walden offers up his insights on the state of the current global, national and state economies, and provides an assessment of what key factors in the financial markets you should watch in the coming months to determine the likelihood of a recession in late 2024. He also talks about what the continued population growth and increasing internationalization of our state's business community means for the state, and why he's calling this current economic era the 'Anxious Age.'

IIANC's Joe Stewart chats with his lobbying colleague Brian Lewis, owner of the governmental affairs firm New Frame, and co-host with his business partner Skye David of the podcast Do Politics Better. The conversation covers the state of politics today, some of the highlights of the more than 1,000 editions of Do Politics Better that have been aired, and a few great stories from their collective years working in NC politics.

Brenda Berg, President and CEO of BEST NC, joins IIANC lobbyist Joe Stewart to talk about the state of K-12 public education in North Carolina, and offer some insights on creative and innovative things North Carolina can do to make sure our public schools are preparing our young people for the jobs of the 21st Century economy.

Dr. David McLennan, a political science professor and Director of the Meredith College Polling Program, joins IIANC lobbyist Joe Stewart for a conversation on voter attitudes - both nationally and here in North Carolina - on public policy issues and candidates at this point in the 2024 election season.

We're back for 2024! This edition of IIANC Radio features a conversation with Jim Slaughter, President of Law Firm Carolinas, which has the largest community association legal practice in the Carolinas. Jim talks with IIANC lobbyist Joe Stewart about North Carolina's unique statutes regarding HOAs and condos, as well insights on the insurance-related issues that have been discussed and debated in recent months at the NC General Assembly.

This year, IIANC celebrates our 125th Anniversary (Happy Quasquicentennial!). To commemorate that event, contributors to IIANC Action / iPAC / InsurPAC are invited to a dinner at the Briggs Hardware Building in Raleigh (the site of the organizational meeting in 1898 of Alexander Webb and 33 other agents from across the state) on October 12th that will feature a keynote address from the 26th President of the United States, Theodore ‘Teddy' Roosevelt (courtesy of actor-historian Peyton Dixon). President Roosevelt took time recently to chat with IIANC lobbyist Joe Stewart. For information on the October 12th event, click HERE.

Meet Lucille Sherman, reporter for Axios RALEIGH, a daily e-mail newsletter that covers everything going on in North Carolina's capital city including the legislature and state government. Lucille started her career as a print journalist before migrating to this electronic outlet, and talks with IIANC Vice President of Governmental Affairs Joe Stewart about what it's like being a digital reporter covering politics and politicians in North Carolina.

This edition of IIANC Radio features Lisa Sharrard of Choice Flood Insurance in Wilmington for a conversation about flood insurance. In her career, Lisa has served as Chair of the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM), and was South Carolina Flood Mitigation Coordinator, managing the Community Assistance Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant Program, and was a Project Manager for FEMA's Risk MAP (Mapping, Assessment & Planning) with the SC Department of Natural Resources, and served on a number of FEMA committees including the CRS Task Force and testified before Congress.

This installment of IIANC Radio features a conversation with Sougata Mukherjee, Editor in Chief of the Triangle Business Journal, on the current state of North Carolina's economic climate, and how the next generation of business leaders differ from their older counterparts, and what news publications like the TBJ are doing to reach younger readers (check it out at www.tbjtext.com).

IIANC CEO, Aubie Knight, sits down with IIANC's National Director, Bobby Salmon, to discuss Bobby's plans for the future in terms of being involved on the IIABA National Board of Directors.

For this installment of IIANC Radio, Joe Stewart chats with Denise Ryan, author and professional speaker, on what makers for a great presentation whether you are just chatting with folks or making a speech to an audience of thousands!

Aubie sits down with Jason Liu, CEO of Zywave, at IIABA's inaugural InsurTech Summit that was held in Savannah on January 20th.

Aubie sits down with Jackson Cromer, President of BondExchange, at IIABA's inaugural InsurTech Summit that was held in Savannah on January 20th. 

Aubie sits down with Adam Kiefer, CEO and Co-Founder of Talage Insurance, at IIABA's inaugural InsurTech Summit that was held in Savannah on January 20th. 

Aubie sits down with Catalyit co-founder and CEO, Steve Anderson, at IIABA's inaugural InsurTech Summit that was held in Savannah on January 20th. Want to hear more from Steve? Don't miss IIANC's Tech Summit on February 7th - grab your seat at iianc.com/techsummit today!

This installment of IIANC Radio features David Smith of eBen Concepts, who is a member of the IIANC Governmental Affairs Committee and chair of the General Assembly Action Committee for the NC Association of Health Underwriters. IIANC lobbyist Joe Stewart and David talk about the current state of the health insurance marketplace in North Carolina, and take a look ahead to the health care related issues likely to be discussed and debated during the 2023 Session of the NC General Assembly.

This installment of IIANC Radio features Natalie O'Brien, Senior Research Associate with the UNC Highway Safety Research Center, chatting with Joe Stewart about teen drivers, and how to keep them safe when they get behind the wheel (spoiler alert – research show crashes are more often due to inexperience than recklessness among young motorists).

In this episode we chat with Dr. David McLennan, Political Science professor and director of the Meredith College Polling Program in Raleigh. Dr. McLennan discusses the results from the most recent poll on voter attitudes about the candidates and what issues are motivating them to actually turn out and cast their ballot as we enter into the final weeks before Election Day. He also shares findings from this survey that show Generation Z voters may not be quite as ‘woke' as once thought!

In this edition of IIANC Radio, Joe Stewart chats with WRAL-TV reporter Travis Fain on the latest insights of key races in the 2022 election, the state of national and state politics, and how to make sure you are getting the best, most objective news on politics and public policy issues.

VP for Governmental Affairs Joe Stewart talks with IIANC member Senator Vickie Sawyer (Chair of the Transportation Committee in the NC Senate) about the challenges faced maintaining the second largest state-maintained highway system in the US, to ensure food can get to tables, goods can get to market, and North Carolinians can get to work!

IIANC lobbyist Joe Stewart chats with Rep. John Bradford (R-Mecklenburg, House District 98) who recently become the 6th IIANC member of our legislative 'Agent Caucus.' John launched an independent agency within his business portfolio and decided to join IIANC after a conversation with Joe and IIANC Membership Coordinator Jill Lewis. Rep. Bradford talks about his background and experience as an entrepreneur, his perspective on tax policy as the Senior Chair of the House Finance Committee, and what he thinks it will take to preserve and enhance North Carolina's positive economic landscape.

On this installment of IIANC Radio, Joe Stewart talks with Kait Park who does social media analytics and research for NP Strategy, the firm IIANC works with on the three public safety campaigns. Kait offers some insights on how best to use social media to build your brand and get your message out (and check out the recent videos IIANC had NP Strategy produce to help our members in their use of social media.)

In this special edition of IIANC Radio, we are giving you part two of Jelani Fenton's session that was presented at the Agency Leaders Executive Retreat in Asheville. Jelani and Aubie discuss the industry's "talent gap" and its impact on the independent agency market, recruiting the next generation of diverse talent, and much more. 

In this special edition of IIANC Radio, we are giving you part one of Jelani Fenton's session that was presented at the Agency Leaders Executive Retreat in Asheville. Jelani and Aubie discuss the industry's "talent gap" and its impact on the independent agency market, recruiting the next generation of diverse talent, and much more. Stay tuned for part two!

IIANC's Aubie Knight and Joe Stewart chat with Chris Greene, the Flood Insurance Guru, about his work to educate consumers, interested constituencies like realtors and mortgage lenders, as well as elected officials and other public policy makers on how flood coverage works and what's needed to ensure people are properly protecting themselves from this peril.

On this installment of IIANC Radio, Joe Stewart talks about the 2022 elections and issues of interest to business leaders with journalist Colin Campbell who covers the intersection of business and state politics for Business North Carolina magazine and is editor of their daily e-newsletter, NC Tribune.

Joining IIANC lobbyist Joe Stewart for this edition of IIANC Radio is Dr. David McLennan, political science professor and Director of the Meredith College Polling Program in Raleigh. Joe and Dr. McLennan talk about how polling works, what pollsters have done in recent years to ensure polling is an accurate reflection of public opinion, and discuss how current voter attitudes are likely to impact the 2022 elections.

This installment of IIANC Radio features Aubie Knight and Joe Stewart chatting about what happened in 2021, and what's on the agenda for 2022, in terms of events and programs, and politics and public policy, that's of interest to IIANC members.

IIANC lobbyist Joe Stewart chats with Stephen Kent, author of the recently-published book, How the Force Can Save the World: Lessons on Life, Liberty and Happiness from a Galaxy Far, Far Away. Listen and you will learn, young Jedi, on how core principles of the Star Wars franchise, HOPE, CHOICE, HUMILITY, EMPATHY, REDEMPTION, BALANCE and rejecting FEAR, can be your roadmap for a happier life!

On this installment of IIANC Radio, Aubie and Joe chat with Gina Hardy, CEO of the NCIUA and NCJUA, about the state of North Carolina's coastal residual market mechanism, and the push to encourage homeowners on the coast to put stronger roofs on their houses.

Aubie and Joe chat with Dr. Michael Walden, the William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor Emeritus at NCSU. Dr. Walden is a noted expert on North Carolina's economic landscape, and offers his insights on how COVID has changed the world of business here and around the world, and the factors that will influence how financial markets act in the months leading up to the 2022 elections.

Aubie and Joe chat about the great speaker lineup for this year's InsurEXPO, being held on September 16 and 17 in Winston-Salem.

Aubie and Joe chat with Monty Ross about what turned out to be a highly unusual and unexpected (but accomplishment-filled) year serving as Chairman of IIANC's Board of Directors.

In this edition of IIANC Radio, Aubie and Joe talk about the topics and speakers on the program agenda of the 2021 InsurEXPO on September 16 and 17 in Winston-Salem. You can register at iianc.com/EXPO.

This podcast features a conversation with Steve Anderson, author of The Bezos Letters - 14 Principles to Grow Your Business Like Amazon and CEO of Catalyit, a new company that simplifies technology for insurance agencies.

Aubie and Joe are joined by Jess Stanford, Demographic Analyst with Carolina Demography at the UNC Population Center, and talk about the soon-to-arrive 2020 Census data and what it's likely to show in terms of our state's growing and diversifying population.

Aubie and Joe talk about the amazing program for the upcoming sold out IIANC Agency Owners Executive Retreat (recordings of presentation made available after the March 28-30 event), and the importance of thinking strategically.

Aubie and Joe discuss the formation and launch of InsurAcademy, the IIANC strategic initiative to find, train and place qualified applicants with independent agencies looking for talent.

Aubie and Joe talk about what will be different both for independent insurance agencies and for IIANC, based on the operational modifications and adaptations necessary due to COVID-19.

This edition of Cup of Joe features a conversation with Austin Vevurka, who runs the North Carolina Coalition for Fiscal Health, a nonpartisan organization focused on raising awareness on the economic issues associated with the rising cost of healthcare in North Carolina.

On this installment of Cup of Joe we hear from Jess Stanford, Demographic Analyst within the Carolina Demography program at the UNC Population Center. Jess shares her analysis on the latest trends in the growth and diversification of North Carolina, as well as some insights on how our state will continue to grow and change over the next few decades.

On this installment of Cup of Joe, we hear from Big "I" lobbyist Charles Symington with a recap of current federal legislative issues of interest to independent agents, his insights on key US Senate races (including the one in NC), and what's on deck for 2021 (given all the various scenarios of which party controls the White House and Congress).

This edition of Cup of Joe features Tim Boyum, Emmy Award winning anchor of Capital Tonight on Spectrum News 1. Tim shares his insights on the challenges of covering politics in the time of COVID-19 and offers his thoughts on how these final few weeks of the 2020 elections are likely to play out.

On this edition of Cup of Joe, we hear from Colin Campbell, editor of the NC Insider State Government News Service. Colin and IIANC lobbyist Joe Stewart talk about the tense relationship between Democratic Governor Roy Cooper and the Republican led state legislature, how voters view the state's response to COVID-19, and how the political landscape in North Carolina is shaping up as we head in to the final weeks before Election Day.

This episode of Cup of Joe features North Carolina’s State Treasurer Dale Folwell, who talks about the status of the $107 billion state pension fund, offers his insights on the state and national economic outlook, and encourages YOU to check and see if there’s money you’re owed that you didn’t know about (check out https://www.nccash.com).

In this installment of Cup of Joe, we hear from Dr. Martin Kifer, Director of the High Point University Survey Research Center, on highlights from their most recent survey on voter attitudes about COVID-19, the economy, and other issues of interest in this election year.

On this edition of Cup of Joe, we hear from Mike Causey, Republican Commissioner of Insurance who is seeking re-election in 2020

On this edition of Cup of Joe, we hear from Brad Young, Executive Director at the NC Institute of Political Leadership (IOPL).

On this edition of Cup of Joe, we hear from Wayne Goodwin, the Democratic candidate for NC Commissioner of Insurance, on what he feels qualifies him for that office, what his top action items as Commissioner would be, and how if elected he’d engage with and involve independent insurance agents in discussions on key public policy and related regulatory issues. 

On this edition of Cup of Joe, Host Joe Stewart discussed the progress of the "Hands Free" bill with Rep. Corbin and how the Covid-19 pandemic has delayed that process.

On this edition of Cup of Joe, we hear from Becki Gray, Senior Vice President, John Locke Foundation.  To learn more about the John Lock Foundation, visit: https://www.johnlocke.org/