Podcasts about Hurricane Andrew

Tiberius and Ivon DeeIn this exciting episode of The Tiberius Show, Tiberius sits down with Donny Housley, owner of Action Aluminum Products, to talk about the world of screen enclosures, aluminum construction, outdoor living spaces, and building custom projects across Florida.From giant pool enclosures and panoramic lakefront screens to pergolas, gutters, and backyard transformations, Donny explains what it takes to build structures that help families enjoy the outdoors while staying protected from Florida's bugs and heat. He also shares how he started working in the industry at just 18 years old and worked his way up over more than 30 years in the business.Throughout the episode, Donny discusses hard work, leadership, learning through experience, and how technology — including AI — is starting to change the construction industry. Plus, hear crazy job-site stories, lessons about honesty and customer service, and even how a water moccasin almost ruined a fishing break on the job!Discussion Points●    What Does an Aluminum & Screen Company Do? Building pool enclosures, patios, pergolas, gutters, and custom outdoor spaces.●    Why Florida Loves Screen Enclosures: Keeping bugs out while creating comfortable outdoor living areas.●    Learning the Business Young: How Donny started in construction at 18 years old after Hurricane Andrew.●    The Art of Screening: Why installing screen properly is harder than it looks.●    Building Custom Projects: Designing dream outdoor spaces tailored to each homeowner.●    The Importance of Trust & Customer Service: Why honesty and communication matter in business.●    Construction Challenges: Handling difficult customers, delays, and staffing struggles during COVID.●    Technology & AI in Construction: Using AI to help customers visualize projects before building starts.●    Leadership in the Workplace: Training crews, stepping up during challenges, and working as a team.●    Math in Real Life: How geometry, measurements, and square footage are used every day in construction work.●    Lessons From 30+ Years in the Industry: Hard work, learning by doing, and building a successful family business.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tiberius-show--3352195/support.

This week on the Disaster Podcast we take a look at the 2026 hurricane forecast put out by several universities, NOAA, and groups like Accuweather. One key variable in predicting the coming season is the presence or absence of El Niño or La Niña in the equatorial region of the central Pacific Ocean. Dan DePodwin, our disaster weather expert breaks down the coming forecast and talks about how global weather and climate patterns impact storm formation half a world away. Dr. Joe Holley joins the discussion as well and we look at the messaging around hurricanes as they approach landfall. The National Hurricane Center recently updated their forecast cone graphic to make it easier to understand. Dan and Joe share their thoughts about the adjustments and about disaster messaging in general. Joe also shares his thoughts about preparedness for the coming season at the local, state, and federal levels. What to know about the new cone graphic: Incorporates all land-based (coastal and inland) tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings in effect for the continental United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Uses single shading for the entire 5-day outlook cone; Legend depicts symbols for areas where a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning are both in effect (represented by diagonal pink and blue lines); and Full and intermediate Tropical Cyclone Advisories are/will be publicly available on hurricanes.gov. NHC will also be introducing a new experimental version of the NHC's Tropical Cyclone Track Forecast Cone. Since its debut in 2002, the cone has shown where the tropical cyclone's forecast center is likely to go, based on past forecast calculations. Scroll down for Podcast Discussion Summary Thank you as always to Paragon Medical Education Group for their long-term support of the Disaster Podcast. Dr. Joe Holley and the team at Paragon continue to provide excellent and customized disaster response training to jurisdictions around the U.S. and internationally as well. Podcast Discussion Summary Hurricane Season Forecast Discussion The podcast host Jamie Davis welcomed back Dr. Joe and Dan Depodwin to discuss upcoming weather events, particularly the hurricane season. Dr. Joe shared his upcoming schedule, including a Paragon lab in Florida and the First Care Conference in Fort Lauderdale in early June, which runs alongside the Gathering of the Eagles event. Dan discussed unusual weather patterns in the Northeast, noting chilly conditions in May despite early warm spells, and shared AccuWeather’s forecast for the Atlantic hurricane season, predicting 11-16 named storms and 4-7 hurricanes, which is around or slightly below average. He emphasized that even in a below-average season, multiple hurricanes could still impact the United States, using Hurricane Andrew in 1992 as an example. El Nino’s Impact on Hurricanes Dan and Jamie discussed how El Nino and La Nina affect hurricane seasons in the Atlantic Basin. Dan explained that El Nino, characterized by warmer than average water temperatures in the Pacific, typically leads to increased wind shear in the Atlantic, resulting in fewer hurricanes. They noted that while El Nino years generally have fewer storms, they don’t eliminate the possibility of storms. Dan mentioned that current forecasts indicate a strong or potentially record-breaking El Nino developing later in the summer and continuing into the fall. El Niño and Hurricane Season Dan explained that El Niño is driven by weakening easterly winds along the equator in the Pacific Ocean, which reduces cooler water upwelling and leads to warmer ocean temperatures. He noted that hurricanes play a crucial role in transferring energy globally by moving heat from the equator to higher latitudes. Dan emphasized that while this year’s hurricane season may have fewer storms than normal, the warm sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico will continue to fuel storm intensification, making preparation essential during the season running from June 1st to November 30th. Hurricane Preparedness and Response Planning The group discussed hurricane preparedness and response capabilities ahead of the upcoming hurricane season. Joe explained FEMA’s reorganization, noting that while federal response capabilities are effective, there may be variability in state-level preparedness and recovery efforts. The discussion included an analysis of updated National Hurricane Center forecast cone graphics, which now better show inland risks and warning areas. Dan and Joe emphasized the importance of heeding evacuation orders and preparing well in advance of storms, with Joe highlighting the need for experiential training and partnership between federal and state teams. Wrap up and updates The team went through contact information and the team encouraged listeners to stay safe. The group discussed the role of specialized training, with Jamie highlighting the sponsorship of the Disaster Podcast by Paragon Medical Education Group. Catch the full episode using the player above or on your favorite podcast platform, and don't forget to subscribe to the Disaster Podcast for weekly insights from leaders in disaster response and research!

This episode is sponsored by Lodgify, the all-in-one vaction rental platform that will help you start, manage and grow your short-term rental business. You get your own professional booking website. A channel manager that keeps Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com, all in sync. Automated guest messaging and a unified inbox so you're not bouncing between six different apps, whether you've got one property or more. It makes running your business a great deal cleaner, and right now through June 30th, you can get 20% off with code VRS20 on all their yearly and bi-yearly Ultimate and Professional plans.  > Click here to visit Lodgify.com _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ In August 1992, Hurricane Andrew tore through South Florida and damaged or destroyed more than 125,000 buildings. When investigators went through the wreckage, they found that the worst destruction wasn't always explained by the strength of the storm. It was traced to something far more mundane: the connectors, the joints, the foundations. The hardware that held the structure together when the pressure arrived. Out of that came the Miami-Dade construction standards, some of the most rigorous building codes in the United States. Heather opens this solo episode with that story for a reason. After spending months speaking at industry events, running the AI Ambassador Programme, and watching property managers at every scale wrestle with AI adoption, she sees the same pattern: businesses are buying tools without building the foundations that determine whether those tools will hold up. The AI storm is already here. The question is what your connectors look like. This episode is a candid, honest look at why the AI gap in short-term rentals is getting wider, where people are actually learning about AI and what each source is good for, why team learning matters more than individual effort, and a simple three-question filter for evaluating any new AI tool. It also includes a practical foundation idea borrowed from Will Guidara's Eleven Madison Park, and a story about an operator who finally got moving when she stopped trying to learn more and started building one small thing.  ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Steve Funyon and Robert Price on Miami's The Funyons, Street Performances, and MoreIn this episode we welcome Steve Funyon and Robert Price of the experimental folk band The Funyons, a project that emerged in 1991 in Miami and operated largely outside traditional music venues. The conversation traces the band's origins through friendships connected to the Churchill's scene and explores how they rejected conventional club settings in favor of street performances across Miami Beach, Lincoln Road, and other public spaces. Robert Price also reflects on his work founding experimental bands The Prom Sluts and Kreamy 'Lectric Santa.The discussion covers the band's unconventional setup, including junk percussion, found objects salvaged after Hurricane Andrew, minimal amplification, and spontaneous arrangements. They share stories of encounters with police, difficult crowds, and surreal performances in places like Metrorail cars, abandoned boats, and punk picnics in the Everglades and quarries, all of which became central to their identity and reinforced their focus on live, moment-driven music rather than recorded output.They also reflect on the broader DIY culture that surrounded the band, with brief mention of punk zines like Scam, created by Eric Dawn Lyle, known at the time as Iggy Scam, along with the tight-knit community that supported their work.

Here's a chapter breakdown with timestamps for your description:00:00 - The Early 20th Century: Unknowable Weather Dangers01:03 - Galveston 1900: The Deadliest Natural Disaster02:10 - Human Ingenuity: Building Better Tools03:14 - The Birth of Weather Radar and Lifting the Tornado Ban04:15 - A Call to Action: The 1950s Tornadoes and Early Warnings05:16 - Seeing Storms from Space: The Impact of Satellites06:19 - Doppler Radar and Modern Warning Systems 07:24 - Hurricane Andrew vs. Galveston: The Power of Preparation 08:26 - The Hard Lessons of Hurricane Katrina09:31 - The European Model: International Cooperation and Unexpected Heroes10:35 - Sandy's Lesson: Trusting the European Model11:36 - Climate Anxiety: A Call to Action, Not Despair12:39 - The Ongoing Work: Completing Creation and Building Resilience13:41 - Conclusion: Courage in the Face of DangerBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weather-with-enthusiasm--4911017/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.

Episode Info Dr. Megan Linkin is the Head of Parametric Nat Cat Americas for Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, based in New York City.   She has extensive expertise in parametric and structured insurance and reinsurance solutions.  Megan's primary responsibility is the origination, development, structuring and underwriting of parametric insurance solutions that protect corporates and governments against losses incurred due to natural catastrophes or other disruptive events. Before joining CorSo in 2019, Megan worked for Swiss Re's Public Sector Solutions team, focusing on the development of insurance products to address the unique financial needs of public sector entities, from federal governments to municipal service providers. Prior to re-joining Swiss Re in 2012, she worked as a weather derivative underwriter and catastrophe bond analyst at Allianz Risk Transfer, structuring weather solutions for the energy, agricultural and tourism industries. Between 2008 and 2011, she was an atmospheric perils specialist for the Swiss Re Cat Perils team; her responsibilities included assessing the insurance risk posed by hurricanes, tornadoes, hail and winter storms globally and developing pricing tools and techniques for underwriters, actuaries and insurance-linked security traders.    Megan has designed several award-winning parametric insurance solutions, such as Swiss Re STORM, awarded the Business Insurance Insurtech Initiative of the Year in 2020, and Swiss Re HAIL, awarded the Business Insurance Innovation Award in 2021, and Inside P&C's Underwriting Initiative of the Year in 2022. She is one of Swiss Re's experts on climate change science, natural catastrophes and the innovative insurance solutions that exist to address them.  Megan has given invited presentations to the state of New Jersey, the New York Academy of Science, Rutgers University, and the University of Maryland. Her manuscripts have been published in Climatic Change, the Journal of Climate and Weatherwise magazine; she has also authored publications that assess the present-day financial impacts of the 1821 Norfolk-Long Island hurricane and Hurricane Andrew.  Megan was profiled by the New York Times in 2010 and NJ Biz in 2013, and has been interviewed by NBC News, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal and Huffington Post.  She has testified before the United States Senate regarding the impacts of climate change on the insurance industry, and has appeared on The Weather Channel. Megan was named one of Reactions Rising Stars of the insurance industry in 2014.  Megan received her Ph.D. and Masters of Science in atmospheric and oceanic science from the University of Maryland and graduated magna cum laude from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science in meteorology and a minor in mathematics. She received her Certified Consulting Meteorologist Seal from the American Meteorological Society in February 2013. She is an active member of the American Meteorological Society, the American Geophysical Union and the New Jersey Climate Adaptation Alliance.  Episode Overview: Introduction to Parametric Insurance Parametric insurance is a type of index-based insurance where payouts are determined by the intensity of an event rather than the actual incurred loss. This pre-agreed value policy uses specific event metrics to trigger claims. Background and Evolution The concept of parametric insurance has roots in weather derivatives from the late 1990s. Initially focused on natural catastrophe risks like hurricanes, tornadoes, and hail, it has evolved significantly. Swiss Re, with its deep involvement in this space for over 15 years, has seen a shift towards insurance contracts rather than purely derivatives. Parametric Insurance for Governments and Corporations Parametric insurance has resonated with government buyers due to their role as first responders and insurers of last resort after natural disasters. It provides a mechanism to cover immediate costs like infrastructure repair and emergency responder salaries, which traditional policies often don't address. In the late 2010s, after significant hurricane activity, there was a surge in interest from the corporate sector, particularly in hospitality and heavy industry, highlighting the value of parametric solutions for business continuity. How Parametric Insurance Works as an Insurance Policy While distinct from traditional insurance, parametric policies function as insurance contracts. They require a proof of loss and include a broad definition of "ultimate net loss" to encompass direct or indirect, physical or financial losses traceable to the event. Clients attest that their incurred losses exceed the parametric payout, ensuring there's no windfall. The triggers are set to cover catastrophic and disruptive events, aligning with the core purpose of natural catastrophe insurance. Addressing Skepticism Initial skepticism often labels parametric insurance as gambling. However, modern parametric policies, developed with dedicated underwriters and product designers, work closely with clients to understand their historical losses and pain points. This ensures that triggers are set at intensities that allow clients to recover funds for actual losses, including business interruption and pre-event expenditures made for resilience. Expanding Perils and Future Growth While hurricanes and earthquakes are the most recognized perils for parametric insurance, the market is expanding: Severe Convective Storms: Parametric coverage is now available for hail and tornadoes, supported by data providers offering hail footprints and tornado track information. Flood: Addressing flood risk parametrically has been a challenge due to its various causes (nor'easters, hurricanes, rainfall, river flooding). However, advancements in satellite technology and data analytics are enabling parametric flood solutions. Emerging Areas: Concepts are being explored for other event types, potentially leveraging data on flight traffic, restaurant foot traffic, and hotel bookings to assess disruption. Key Requirements for Parametric Insurability For an event to be insurable on a parametric basis, it must meet three key criteria: Randomness: The event must be a random, external shock. Independent Data Provider: A reliable, independent entity must provide consistent data on event intensity or monitoring. Modelability: The probability of a given event intensity must be determinable, either through stochastic catastrophe models or long historical time series. Future Outlook and Holistic Risk Management Parametric insurance is seen as a vital tool for managing increasingly complex and interconnected global risks. It can complement traditional insurance to provide solutions for supply chain disruptions and contingent business interruption. The industry is encouraged to embrace innovation and develop new solutions to address evolving exposures. Parametric insurance is not an "either/or" solution but a valuable component of a holistic risk management strategy, enhancing client resilience when paired with traditional coverage. This episode is brought to you by The Future of Insurance book series (future-of-insurance.com) from Bryan Falchuk. Follow the podcast at future-of-insurance.com/podcast for more details and other episodes. Music courtesy of Hyperbeat Music, available to stream or download on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music and more.

In this episode of The Art Bystander, host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar sits down with Daniel Arsham, one of the most influential contemporary artists working today — an artist whose work treats the present as if it were already history. Arsham is internationally known for what he calls “fictional archaeology”: sculptures, objects, and environments that imagine contemporary culture as relics of the future — eroded, crystallized, and excavated from time yet to come.Born in Cleveland, raised in Miami, and educated at The Cooper Union in New York, Arsham has built a practice that moves fluidly between fine art, architecture, design, fashion, and popular culture. His work is held in major museum collections around the world and has reached audiences far beyond the traditional art world, shaping how an entire generation encounters contemporary art.With his recent book Future Relic, Arsham turns the lens inward. The book offers a rare and unvarnished account of what it actually takes to build a life in art — the failures, detours, discipline, and belief that exist behind the finished works we usually encounter only at the end of the journey.From photographing the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew as a teenager in Miami, to formative years at Cooper Union, to collaborations with Merce Cunningham, Pharrell Williams, Christian Dior, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Arsham shares the experiences that shaped both his work and his worldview.Future Relic is not a romanticized memoir. It's closer to a masterclass — a brutally honest guide to the realities of building a creative life. Arsham speaks candidly about the grind behind the work: how to find a gallery, why having the right lawyer matters, how to think like a creative entrepreneur, and why surrounding yourself with ambitious people is essential.In this conversation, we talk about time, ambition, rejection, visibility, and the long game of making art — not just objects, but a practice capable of enduring. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as Steve and Sheila welcome a good friend, Rich Urick, to the show for the very first time. On this episode, Rich recalls his visit to the Orlando area in 1992, when his hopes of going to Walt Disney World for the first time were dashed thanks to Hurricane Andrew moving through Florida. It wouldn't be until 2007 that he would finally make it to the parks, this time with his wife and children. The trip was filled with magical moments that he still holds dear in his heart today, just as much as he did back then. Rich also talks about his life as a podcaster and shares his excitement about his upcoming new Disney podcast, The House of Mouse Musings. To close out the episode, Rich shares some of his favorite things at Walt Disney World that he enjoys. Below are the links mentioned in the show if you would like to connect with Rich. Email: mousemusings@outlook.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-House-of-Mouse-Musings/61569945934211/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehouseofmousemusings?igsh=OGV2dGYzdWhzY2E1&utm_source=qr X (Twitter): https://x.com/mousemusingspod?s=21 Before you continue on your next Disney adventure… We would love to hear from you. Visit www.speakpipe.com/MonorailTales to leave us a message and share your own Disney dreams. To keep the magic alive long after the show ends, you can visit us at www.monorailtales.com, follow along on Facebook, and join our Disney-loving community where the conversation never stops. For even more stories and connections, follow us on Twitter and Instagram. If you have a show idea or would like to join us as a guest, reach out to Sheila at sheila@monorailtales.com—your magical moment might be just one message away. And if you are envisioning your own Disney Vacation Club experience, be sure to visit our friends at DVC Shop for the best offers on resale contracts and rentals. From all of us at Monorail Tales—thank you for walking this path with us. May your days be filled with Disney wonder, warm memories, and just a touch of pixie dust. ✨

Jimmy Tate joins us over a pour of Basil Hayden bourbon for a wide-ranging conversation that traces his journey from growing up in a small-town Miami on Bay Harbor Islands to becoming a key figure behind some of South Florida's most complex developments. We get into his early hustles, learning real estate the hard way on his father's construction sites, the decision to strike out on his own, and the discipline that shaped Tate Capital. Jimmy also shares lessons from rebuilding after Hurricane Andrew, seeing the 2008 crash coming early, and tackling massive projects like the Bahia Mar redevelopment, giving us a candid look at legacy, risk, and building in Miami over decades.Connect with usWant to dive deeper into Miami's commercial real estate scene? It's our favorite topic and we're always up for a good conversation. Whether you're just exploring or already making big moves, feel free to reach out at info@builtworldadvisors.com or give us a call at 305.498.9410. Prefer to connect online? Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram - we're always open to expanding the conversation. Ben Hoffman: LinkedIn Felipe Azenha: LinkedIn We extend our sincere gratitude to Büro coworking space for generously granting us the opportunity to record all our podcasts at any of their 8 convenient locations across South Florida.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Last call for annual podcast survey feedback! Please share your thoughts and how the survey has inspired change with us, here: ⁠⁠https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bEf5YoxkFv87GIu⁠⁠Note: The survey will close on December 31, 2025. If you cannot access the survey for some reason - please email Shannon at scarnevale@ufl.edu and she can send you a direct link.***In this episode, we explain how hurricanes impact ecosystems and the wildlife that live there. We'll discuss behaviors of wildlife before, during and after a storm, how these events impact wildlife, and what to keep in mind when it comes to encountering wildlife after a storm.  Learn More:• Wildlife and Storms: Hurricanes and Wildlife - https://myfwc.com/news/wildlife-and-storms/ • Are Fish Impacted by Hurricanes? https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/are-fish-impacted-hurricanes • Hurricane Impacts on Florida's Agriculture and Natural Resources - https://journals.flvc.org/edis/article/view/105526 How You Can Help: • Give wildlife space to recover after storms — avoid unnecessary “rescues.” • Report fish kills by calling the Fish Kill Hotline: 800-636-0511 or  report a fish kill online.  • Support dune restoration, wetland cleanup events, and native plantings.• Report injured wildlife to licensed rehabbers or FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline. FWC' s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCCSources:• The Impact of Hurricane Andrew on the Ecosystems of South Florida - https://www.jstor.org/stable/2386357 • The effects of hurricanes on birds, with special reference to Caribbean islands - https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/effects-of-hurricanes-on-birds-with-special-reference-to-caribbean-islands/BB2E910A038B98090BB331310C163DC7 • Short-Term Demographic Responses of a Coastal Waterbird Community After Two Major Hurricanes - https://bioone.org/journals/waterbirds/volume-36/issue-1/063.036.0113/Short-Term-Demographic-Responses-of-a-Coastal-Waterbird-Community-After/10.1675/063.036.0113.short • Geographical variation in hurricane impacts among sea turtle populations - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jbi.12197

Lisa Miller has the tables turned on her in this podcast where she's the guest, in this originally-aired episode of the InsuredMine podcast with CEO and host Raution Jaiswal.  The former Florida Deputy Insurance Commissioner discusses her career and the evolving insurance landscape – both here in Florida and nationally – and how to decode it. The discussion covers litigation reforms, market stability, Citizens Property Insurance depopulation, and other legislative actions in Florida that are restoring consumer confidence and attracting private insurance companies. They also touch on national trends like parametric insurance, the rise of artificial intelligence in underwriting and claims, and the impact of the National Flood Insurance Program shutdown on real estate closings.Show Notes (For full Show Notes, visit https://lisamillerassociates.com/episode-61-the-evolving-insurance-landscape/) Lisa Miller shared her extensive experience in the insurance industry, spanning 35 years, and her work with various stakeholders, including agents, contractors, disaster recovery experts, Realtors®, and insurance company executives.  She recounted her first exposure to catastrophes during 1992's Hurricane Andrew, which shaped her career and commitment to helping policyholders, and her expanding role in disaster recovery today.Miller shared her views and provided insights on:  Litigation Reform & Market Stability: How recent legislative actions in Florida are restoring consumer confidence and attracting private insurance companies back to the state. The Citizens Property Insurance Corporation's Depopulation Strategy: The push to move policies from government-run insurance to private markets for long-term sustainability.  The strategy has reduced policies from over 1.5 million to under 500,000. National Trends: The rise of parametric insurance and its potential to revolutionize the flood insurance space; how states such as Louisiana and California are rethinking risk and resilience; concerns of northeastern states about rising water levels; and the importance of attracting young, innovative professionals to the insurance industry to drive future growth and innovation. Innovation & Artificial Intelligence: Why AI isn't a threat but a tool – if used responsibly – to make underwriting and claims smarter.  Miller emphasized the importance of AI in improving efficiency and consumer confidence, emphasizing its potential as a tool rather than a threat.  She discussed a recent Florida legislative committee meeting devoted to AI and its use in insurance claims, including a subsequent bill filed in the January 2026 legislative session that would require human reviews of insurance claim denials. The podcast had its light moments, as well.  “I often laugh and say that when people see me coming, particularly in the halls of the Capitol of Florida, they either run toward me or they run the other way, because those that go the other way are scared of it.  Insurance is very intimidating, and I do everything I can every single day to demystify it,” said Miller.  (For full Show Notes, visit https://lisamillerassociates.com/episode-61-the-evolving-insurance-landscape/) 

In Part 2 of this multi-part docu-series, award winning host Kelly Jennings brings you the tragic story of Connie Lynn Warner who on August 24th 1992 disappeared from her home in Zachary, Louisiana just two days prior Hurricane Andrew making landfall in the bayou state. Warner, a 41-year-old accountant, is believed to be Derrick Todd Lee's (DTL) first victim. When her body was found a week later. Connie Warner had been so severely beaten that her skull was fractured leading to her death. Derrick Todd Lee (DTL) terrorized the Baton Rouge and Lafayette Louisiana. A Serial Killer who took the lives of at least (7) women in the late 1990's and early 2000's, Lee's reign of terror finally ended in late May of 2003 when he was captured in Atlanta, GA after being linked by DNA to several of the murders.This is DTL  Hosted by Kelly Jennings and produced by the experts at Envision Podcast Productions.For Media or Advertising Inquiries Envisionpodcaststudios@gmail.comTimestamps01:09 Hurricane Andrew Approches06:17 Connie Warner Disappears 10:41 Investigation Ensues in Zachary, LA16:45 Aftermath of the Storm20:53 The Shocking Discovery24:30 Connie Warner is Identified30:53 The Cemetery #DTL #podcast #DerrickToddLee #BatonRouge #SerialKiller #unspeakable #ConnieWarner #Serial 

Turning Chaos Into Clarity Daryl shares how his volunteer search and rescue work during a devastating tornado in Alberta shaped his philosophy on leadership. What he witnessed in those chaotic moments pushed him to create systems for handling emergencies—not just in public safety, but also inside corporate boardrooms. Michael recalls his own experience with Hurricane Andrew in Florida, highlighting how disasters force us to rethink routines, resilience, and the way we lead through disruption. Productivity Meets Humanity Too often, workplaces focus on efficiency while stripping away connection. Michael and Daryl unpack why this doesn't work. Daryl draws from his coaching experience to show how empathy and vulnerability make leaders more effective, while Michael connects it back to employee well-being, stress management, and retention. Together, they stress that leadership is most powerful when it balances results with human connection. Transforming Toxicity Into Trust Michael shares his story of stepping into a healthcare organization with an 86% turnover rate. Within a year, by listening, implementing overdue changes, and fostering collaboration, turnover dropped to 6%. The lesson? Empathy and support aren't “soft skills”—they're leadership essentials. Just like a great coach who believes in their team, leaders can rebuild broken cultures by showing they care. Fundamentals Don't Change, Scale Does Daryl reminds us that whether you're leading 10 people or 10,000, the core challenges stay the same. Leadership is about people—and people are complex. His “order to chaos” framework emphasizes self-mastery, productivity, and intentional leadership. He explains how influence works like concentric circles: the larger the organization, the more intentional leaders must be with communication and culture. Adaptability Creates Team Success Great leaders flex. Daryl underscores the importance of listening and adjusting when introducing new systems. Michael reinforces this point with his healthcare experience—leaders who adapt to different personalities and communication styles build trust and reduce turnover. The message is clear: adaptability and intentionality are non-negotiable in leadership today. Collaboration for Better Decisions Michael highlights why leaders must include frontline voices when rolling out new tools or strategies, or risk creating disconnects. Daryl introduces his practical “1-3-1” tactic: identify the problem, offer three options, and present one recommendation. This simple structure accelerates decision-making and keeps teams aligned. The 1-3-1 Framework in Action Daryl breaks down how the 1-3-1 framework reduces cognitive overload for leaders while strengthening accountability. Though it feels clunky at first, it quickly becomes second nature. He even shares his Executive Assistant playbook and resources for leaders ready to try it—just DM him the word "TeamMichael” on LinkedIn or Instagram to get started. Resources and Balance The episode closes with resource-sharing and gratitude. Michael and Daryl encourage leaders to take advantage of these tools and remind listeners that leadership isn't about doing it all alone. Balance, intentionality, and shared wisdom are what truly move organizations forward.  

WeatherBrains Episode 1023B is a deep dive into 2005's Hurricane Katrina.  It's hard to believe, but the tragedy is approaching its 20th anniversary. Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain for this somber episode is the Curator of the Ground Zero Museum in Waveland, Mississippi.  She's a retired RN and was a former Nurse Administrator in New Orleans, LA.  Bernie Cullen, thanks for joining us. Guest Panelist and show veteran Mark Sudduth "The Hurricane Tracker" joins the panel's discussion by looking back at such a significant historical event, the technological challenges of twenty years ago, and looking ahead to the future.  He's a well known storm chaser and weather documentarian.  Thanks for your valuable insight on tonight's episode, Mark! Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com. Robert Ricks and his pre-landfall Katrina doomsday forecast (04:00) Tropical Storm Katrina forms on August 23rd, 2005 (08:30) 2005 tech available to hurricane chasers vs today (08:45) Katrina's Fort Lauderdale, Florida landfall (11:00) Early Katrina prep in New Orleans (17:00) 1992's Hurricane Andrew and it's forgotten second landfall in Louisiana (29:30) Lack of accurate storm surge forecasting 20 years ago (40:00) Parallels with 1969's Hurricane Camille and its change of forecasted landfall point (53:00) Katrina vs Camille wind fields (58:30) Ground Zero Museum - contents, purpose and history (01:20:00) More TikTok nonsense (01:47:30) The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:48:50) This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:50:35) E-Mail Segment (No segment this week - stay tuned!) and more! Web Sites from Episode 1023B: Waveland's Ground Zero Museum Alabama Weather Network Picks of the Week: James Aydelott - Ray Caldwell, pitching for Cleveland Indians, struck by lightning on pitchers mound - 1919 Jen Narramore - Alabama Weather Network Daily Briefing! Rick Smith - Out Troy Kimmel - Foghorn Kim Klockow-McClain - "Children of Katrina (The Katrina Bookshelf)" by Alice Fothergill and Lori Peek John Gordon - Michelle Cowbourne on X Bill Murray - Katrina: South Mississippi's Story (Full Documentary on YouTube) James Spann - Robert Ricks - On The Ground During Katrina (YouTube) The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Troy Kimmel, Bill Murray, Rick Smith, James Aydelott, Jen Narramore, John Gordon, and Dr. Kim Klockow-McClain. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating podcast about weather.

Earnest ‘EJ' Christian discusses his upcoming vacation, a podcast update, returning to playing fantasy football, feeling encouraged about the 2025 New York Giants, the end of MSNBC, and Hurricane Andrew 33 years later.

An article in the Wall Street Journal suggests that Florida's property insurance market is inherently flawed and financially shaky, under the review of a smaller ratings company.  It cites the 12 insurance company insolvencies between 2019 and 2023 in a market painted as over-reliant on reinsurance. Former Florida Deputy Insurance Commissioner Lisa Miller sits down with Demotech President & CEO Joe Petrelli and former Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty to explain the unique nature of Florida's market, how financial ratings of insurance companies are formulated, the critical role of reinsurance, the confusion between rate and premium, and the real reasons behind those insolvencies.Show Notes  (For full Show Notes, visit https://lisamillerassociates.com/episode-59-how-secure-is-floridas-property-insurance-market/) Host Miller discussed the evolution of Florida's property insurance market following 1992's Hurricane Andrew, highlighting the departure of large insurers and the rise of smaller, regional companies that still make up most of today's market.  Miller, an employee of the then Department of Insurance, said “large legacy insurance companies left our state altogether, saying the risk exposure was just too great.  Likewise, after 2017's Hurricane Irma, other companies stopped writing new policies.”  Florida's Unique MarketMiller noted that the state's property insurance market has adapted over the ensuing 33 years to continue to provide needed insurance “for what's become one of the riskiest places on earth to insure.  It has unique challenges that have prompted innovative solutions.”  One of those solutions was Demotech, a Columbus, Ohio-based actuarial firm that provided ratings for Florida's new regional companies when other ratings companies would not.  Demotech's RoleDemotech President Joe Petrelli said its specialty in reviewing and assigning Financial Stability Ratings (FSRs) for independent regional carriers was born of the need of federal mortgage backers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 1988, who together own or insure a substantial number of home mortgages nationwide.  They vetted Demotech's ratings methodology and today, the firm provides FSRs for most of the 55 Florida based property insurance companies, including some of the recent 14 carriers who've entered the market since the Florida Legislature's 2022-2023 litigation and consumer protection reforms.  Now in its 40th year, Demotech rates insurance companies across the nation that write billions of dollars of premiums.“We look at carriers independent of their size.  We look at them based on their business model, the execution of that business model, and the complementary nature of their reinsurance program,” said Petrelli.  “So I think that's what makes us unique.  I think when we look at catastrophe prone areas, whether it's wind, fire, tornado, hail, earthquake, what we're looking at is, does your reinsurance program give you the claims paying ability that you need?”  (For full Show Notes, visit https://lisamillerassociates.com/episode-59-how-secure-is-floridas-property-insurance-market/) 

In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers is joined by one of his favorite content creators in the industry, Alexander Dopazo of Dopazo & Associates Insurance. They tackle the challenges of the brutal Florida insurance market, which Alexander describes as a 20-year hard market. The conversation centers on the crucial themes of resiliency and homeowner accountability, exploring why agents must educate clients on proactive mitigation rather than relying on insurance as a maintenance plan. They discuss the tough conversations around aging roofs, the real meaning of Actual Cash Value (ACV), and how agents can use automation to handle mundane tasks, freeing up more time for the essential work of building relationships and providing real value. Key Highlights: The Florida Market: A Lesson in Resiliency Alexander Dopazo explains that while the rest of the country is now feeling the pain of a hard market, South Florida has been operating in this environment for over two decades. He emphasizes that building codes and a focus on resiliency, born from catastrophes like Hurricane Andrew, have created a mindset of proactive property protection that is now essential for agents to teach nationwide. Insurance vs. Maintenance: The Roof Dilemma David and Alexander dive into the common conflict over Actual Cash Value (ACV) for aging roofs. They discuss the client misconception that an insurance policy should function as a savings account for a new roof. They argue that carriers are right to push back and that it's the agent's job to set realistic expectations that insurance is for unforeseen events, not predictable wear and tear. The Agent's True Job: Education and Risk Management The conversation highlights that the agent's most important role is to be an educator and risk advisor. Alexander shares his philosophy of helping clients make better decisions about risk so they know what to do when a loss occurs. It's about shifting the focus from simply selling a product to building long-term, profitable relationships based on trust and education. Personal Accountability is Non-Negotiable Both hosts agree that a lack of personal accountability is a major issue. From homeowners expecting a full roof replacement on a 30-year-old roof to not taking simple preventative measures like changing washing machine hoses, the discussion stresses that the only person who can truly protect a client is the client themselves. Leveraging Automation to Deepen Relationships Towards the end, Alexander explains how his agency uses automation not to replace conversations but to enhance them. By automating reminders, signatures, and other low-value tasks, his team frees up valuable time to have meaningful, strategic conversations with clients about their future goals and how to properly prepare for them. Connect with: David Carothers LinkedIn Kyle Houck LinkedIn Alexander Dopazo LinkedIn Visit Websites: Power Producer Base Camp Dopazo & Associates Insurance Killing Commercial Crushing Content Power Producers Podcast Policytee The Dirty 130 The Extra 2 Minutes

Bryan became nationally known as the man who “talked South Florida through” Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which lead to his work on NBC, as the CBS News Hurricane Analyst, and as Senior Hurricane Specialist at The Weather Channel. He is currently the Hurricane Analyst at Fox Weather.

In this wild episode, we dive deep into the Burmese python invasion in Florida's Everglades, which is one of the most unexpected and dramatic ecological crises in U.S. history. It all started with exotic pet owners, relaxed laws in the '80s and '90s, and one catastrophic storm: Hurricane Andrew. From there, things spiraled. Thousands of snakes were released, some intentionally, others by accident, and they found paradise in the Everglades. Warm weather, endless food, no predators? That's a snake's dream vacation... permanently. We'll talk about: 00:58 - Introduction: Bears, Neighbors & the Python Cowboy 03:23 - The Everglades: An important ecosystem for Florida 05:53 - How Burmese Pythons got to South Florida 06:00 - The rise of python ownership as a trendy, edgy status symbol; Exotic Pets & Loose Laws 09:09 - From Pet to Predator: The Rise of the Python Population 11:17 - Hurricane Andrew & the Reptile Escape 18:25 - How Many Are Out There? Estimating the Python Population 19:59 - Are Pythons Dangerous to Humans? 22:01 - The Python Elimination Program (Paid Hunting) 24:17 - The Florida Python Challenge Explained 25:46 - What Happens to the Snakes After They're Caught 28:11 - Can We Ever Win? An Uphill Battle 29:44 - Shana's Creative Snake Solutions 30:22 - High-Tech Tools: Judas Snakes & eDNA 30:58 - Robo-Bunnies and Future Innovations By the end, you'll see just how complex, challenging, and Florida this whole saga is. //SPONSORS ○ Brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at better help.com/AMERICANENGLISH and get on your way to being your best self. Mentioned in this Episode ⁠Season 4 Premium Content⁠ ⁠All Premium Content Seasons 1-3⁠ (+ discount on Season 4) Local Legends Video by Brad Leone (as heard in intro) Cowboy Python Interview with Joe Rogan (most popular segment) All Creatures: A Giant, The Burmese Python (learn more about the snake) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Thursday, and that means it's time for our week in politics with Stephanie Grace, the editorial director and columnist for the Times-Picayune/The Advocate. Today she breaks down a reignited feud between Mayor Cantrell and the city council, and discusses the latest entrant in the New Orleans mayoral race.If you've spent time in the Algiers neighborhood of New Orleans, then you're probably familiar with Rosetree, a studio and store, where artist Mark Rosenbaum has been blowing glass for decades. He's created wine glasses, vases, bowls, commissions for corporations and presidents, and other colorful and delicate artwork. But after 40 years, he's hung up the blowpipe. We traveled to Rosetree Blown Glass Studio and Gallery to chat with Mark. He cleaned up the space, showed us some artwork and reflected on his career.For their series, “What Was Lost”, Verite News has been collecting audio stories from readers who lost a treasure or have a memory from Hurricane Katrina.  Today, we hear a story from Norris Cook, who remembers his grandfather's green skiff boat that washed away with the storm. And Bob Pavlovich remembers his grandfather's boat, lost to Hurricane Andrew decades earlier. ___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Bob Pavlovich. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!  Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

In this episode of 'The Wisdom Of' Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Jeff Dudan, Chairman & CEO of Homefront Brands and founder of AdvantaClean. From turning Hurricane Andrew's devastation into a business opportunity to scaling a national franchise with 240 locations, Jeff shares profound insights on entrepreneurial resilience, strategic decision-making, and building legacy businesses. Discover his unique "business athlete's" approach to recognizing inflection points, making decisions with discernment, and creating organizations that thrive through crisis and opportunity alike.Ready to elevate your leadership approach? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and Jeff's journey from college athlete to entrepreneur05:18 How Hurricane Andrew became a life-changing inflection point12:36 The athlete's mindset and its application in business leadership18:52 Identifying the three critical types of inflection points in business25:44 Scaling challenges: from founder-led operation to franchise model33:29 The power of discernment in strategic decision-making38:22 Creating sustainable franchise systems through franchisee-centered design45:36 The partnership with St. Jude and building purpose beyond profit52:12 Leadership fundamentals: why finding your own happiness comes first58:43 Legacy-building and the transition to helping other entrepreneurs succeedAbout Jeff DudanJeff Dudan is the Chairman & CEO of HomeFront Brands and founder of AdvantaClean, a national restoration franchise that grew to 240 locations before its successful acquisition in 2019. His entrepreneurial journey began as a college football player at Appalachian State University, where he started a student apartment painting business, before pivoting to disaster recovery following Hurricane Andrew.Jeff is the author of "Discernment: The Business Athlete's Regimen for a Great Life through Better Decisions," a Forbes contributor, and tireless advocate for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. His expertise spans franchise development, operational excellence, and leadership transformation, with particular insight into building sustainable business systems that balance growth with purpose.Throughout his career, Jeff has demonstrated exceptional ability to recognize inflection points—those critical moments where decisive action transforms challenges into opportunities. As a former Division I athlete, he brings unique perspective on discipline, performance, and excellence to the entrepreneurial journey.Connect with Jeff DudanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffdudan/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffdudan/Website: https://jeffdudan.com/Company: https://homefrontbrands.com/About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn:

Leigh Occhi was 13 years old when she disappeared on August 21, 1992. According to her mother, Vickie Felton, Leigh was left alone at home while Vickie went to work that Thursday. Upon arriving at work, Vickie learned about Hurricane Andrew heading towards their hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi. Vickie attempted to call her daughter to inform her of the approaching storm, but Leigh did not answer the phone, causing Vickie to worry. She drove back home to check on Leigh, only to find the garage door open and blood smeared in multiple locations throughout the house. Leigh has not been seen since.Contact us at: weeknightmysteries@gmail.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/weeknightmysteriesTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@weeknightmysteries

My guest today has truly lived an extraordinary life. He began his journey with Club Med in 1989, working until 1992, before taking a 22-year hiatus and returning in 2014 for another two memorable years until 2016. His first season was at Club Med Sandpiper, where he started as a Bar G.O. Over the years, he wore many hats, including Excursions, Traffic, Choreographer, and Entertainment Manager, showcasing his versatility and creativity. A standout moment in 1990 happened when he met Serge Trigano, who remarked that he was the only Panamanian G.O. he had ever met—a testament to his unique place in the Club Med family. A graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy and the University of Tampa, where he earned a BS in Marketing, my guest hails from Panama but now calls Germany home. Please join me in warmly welcoming the one and only, Aldo Mata! Aldo has led an extraordinary life, and this episode highlights his unique journey to Club Med, the variety of roles he held during his time there, and his firsthand account of what it was like to be a Traffic G.O. at Club Med Paradise Island in 1992 during Hurricane Andrew—a devastating Category 5 storm. Please enjoy this episode with Aldo! **My First Season podcast has always been ad-free and free to listen to and is available to download on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Samsung Podcasts, Podbean App, Podchaser, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Pandora and Listen Notes. And if you like what you hear, please leave a review on Apple podcasts. 

The period between Hurricane Andrew and the 1994 Election saw a period in Florida politics characterized by flux and a GOP surge- which would carry us into a 1995 Legislative Session at parity between the parties.

To donate to people in need in Los Angeles, visit these links: World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org Los Angeles Food Bankhttps://www.lafoodbank.org/ Los Angeles Fire Department Foundationhttps://supportlafd.org/ Summary This episode of "Coping" covers the devastating fires in Los Angeles and their impact on the community. Kathy and Kevin discuss both the physical and emotional toll of these fires, sharing a personal account from an Altadena resident affected by the Eaton fires. The conversation explores themes of loss, grief processing, and eventual renewal. They emphasize the importance of acknowledging grief, seeking support, and finding opportunities for renewal and community connection in times of crisis. The episode concludes with practical advice for those affected and a prayer for those impacted by the fires. Highlights Introduction to LA Fires Discussion Kathy and Kevin introduce the episode's focus on the Los Angeles fires, acknowledging both the physical destruction and emotional impact on the community. They emphasize the need for compassion and resilience during this crisis. Personal Account from Altadena Resident A detailed firsthand account is shared from an Altadena resident affected by the Eaton fires, describing their evacuation experience and the stark contrast between sunlight and smoke-filled darkness. The account highlights the sudden nature of evacuation and the devastating reality of not being able to return home. Hosts' Personal Experiences with Natural Disasters Kathy and Kevin share their own experiences with natural disasters, including Kevin's childhood experience with Hurricane Andrew in Miami, which involved months without power and school. They discuss how past traumas can resurface during current crises. Processing Grief and Finding Support The conversation continues with the importance of properly processing grief rather than compartmentalizing it, referencing Mindy Caliguire's book 'Ignite Your Soul'. They emphasize the importance of seeking support through counseling, therapy, or trusted friends. Community Response and Renewal The discussion concludes with observations about the Los Angeles community's positive response to the crisis, highlighting how residents are supporting each other despite negative online narratives. The episode ends with a prayer about devastation and renewal, emphasizing hope for those affected by the fires.

This is our last episode of 2024.This time we are discussing The Dead Files “The Aftermath” (Season 4 or 5 depending on the platform) which aired July 12, 2014. We also talked about Hurricane Andrew and other weather events. We veered off a little on TV shows and examined some Zombie D pics.So, leave behind your Current Emotional Muck, pour some shots and be ready to take one each time Megan mentions TikTok, and join her, Amy and Smirky Piersak where… The Activity Continues.Remember, never waive an inspection.  Content Warning:In this episode we mention hurricanes so trigger warning for those who need it. Also, we swear.Also, while Amy and Steve's swears are bleeped on TV, ours are not. The Activity Continues is a paranormal podcast where soul friends, Amy, Megan, and AP chat about pets, true crime, ghost stories, haunts, dreams, and other paranormal stuff including the TV show, The Dead Files. We also sometimes interview interesting people, whether it be a paranormal professional, a Dead Files client, or a listener with spooky stories. This episode was recorded on November 18, 2024, and released on December 19, 2024. Chapter Markers00:00:00 Intro00:00:39 Hello & Content Warning00:01:49 Housekeeping00:07:23 Overview00:08:52 Segment One00:29:39 Segment Two & Three – (we jumped around a lot)00:44:01 Movie/TV discussion00:45:18 Back to Segments 2 and 301:00:25 Sketch (in the reveal)01:06:40 Next week01:07:21 Outro Episode LinksThe Aftermath on The Dead Files Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Kr1U90JEQfXRWIP9qOHIV?si=3a9db51901674f92The hot chocolate we like: https://amzn.to/3OR5wUm*Amazon links could give TAC a small commission at no expense to you.Disclaimer:This podcast is in no way affiliated with Warner Brothers, HBOMax, the Travel Channel, Painless TV, or the TV show The Dead Files or any of its cast or crew. We're just fans that love the show and want to build a community of like-minded people who would enjoy hanging out and discussing the episodes and similar content. Credits:Hosted by: Amy Lotsberg, Megan Simmons, and Amy PiersakProduction, Artwork, and Editing: Amy Lotsberg at Collected Sounds Media, LLC.Theme song. “Ghost Story” and segment music by Cannelle https://melissaoliveri.comAI artwork by Fotor https://www.fotor.com/referrer/1ygaknya Visit us at https://www.theactivitycontinues.com/  Affiliates/SponsorsPlease see our Store page for all the links for all our current affiliates. https://www.theactivitycontinues.com/store/ Thank you for listening, take care of yourselves. We'll see you next week!Become a Patron, join our Ghosty Fam! https://www.patreon.com/theactivitycontinuesJoin our Ghosty Fam over on Patron, https://www.patreon.com/theactivitycontinues/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tac/exclusive-content

In the wake of Hurricane Andrew's devastating tear through the state of Florida in the early 90's, the Miami Herald newspaper invited Landon Saunders to visit with its team. Today's episode is Part 2 of his presentation -- "How to Survive in a World That Breaks Everyone."

Jeff Dudan started his first business in college, painting apartments to pay the bills. The business grew beyond his expectations, allowing him to support his younger brother and create jobs for other college athletes. Years later, he moved to South Florida to help with disaster recovery after Hurricane Andrew struck. Having learned to see opportunity in adversity, he started AdvantaClean, which eventually grew into a national franchise. In this episode, Jeff talks to Ilana about spotting hidden opportunities in crises and the mindset shifts that helped him build a successful franchise business to empower others. Jeff Dudan is a franchise executive and the CEO of Homefront Brands. He brings decades of experience in funding, building, and scaling franchises to help others succeed in the industry. As a published author and host of The Homefront Podcast, Jeff also appeared on CBS's Undercover Boss. In this episode, Ilana and Jeff will discuss: - Starting a business in college   - Pushing past your limitations - Grabbing opportunities as they come - Building Homefront to help franchise owners - Lessons from his father's business challenges - Setting clear roles to make partnerships work - Creating a unique franchise model - Figuring out the right time to start franchising - Leading franchisees with patience  - Why businesses are high-class assets - Using real estate to fund his business - The CEO's role in setting standards   - Saying “yes” to chances for visibility - Aligning your values with your business - And other topics… Jeff Dudan is the CEO of Homefront Brands, a published author, and a franchise executive with 25 years of experience building and scaling franchise businesses. He founded AdvantaClean in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, growing it from a disaster recovery business to a franchise with over 240 locations before it was acquired. Jeff is a Forbes contributor and host of The Homefront Podcast, where he explores the world of franchising and leadership. He has also appeared on CBS's Undercover Boss. He has worked with organizations like Novant Health, the IFA Franchisor Forum, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Connect with Jeff: Jeff's Website: https://jeffdudan.com/  Jeff's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffdudan/  Resources Mentioned: Jeff's Episode on Undercover Boss: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6432766/  Jeff's Books: Discernment: The Business Athlete's Regimen for a Great Life through Better Decisions: https://www.amazon.com/Discernment-Business-Athletes-Regimen-Decisions/dp/1544508506  Hey, Coach! https://www.amazon.com/Hey-Coach-Jeff-Dudan/dp/1511990570  Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time. Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murray discuss the growing trend of four-point inspections in Minnesota with guests Eric Houseman and John Bolton. They explore the history and origin of four-point inspections, particularly in Florida, and the challenges homeowners face in securing insurance. The conversation delves into the implications of these inspections on home buying and selling, the differences between four-point inspections and traditional home inspections, and the importance of educating consumers about the inspection process. The episode concludes with insights on navigating the evolving landscape of home inspections and insurance requirements.TakeawaysFour-point inspections are becoming more common in Minnesota.The history of four-point inspections dates back to Hurricane Andrew in 1992.Insurance companies in Florida are increasingly selective about coverage.Homeowners face significant challenges in obtaining insurance due to inspection results.Four-point inspections focus on plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and roofing systems.There is a growing trend of using four-point inspections as a substitute for full home inspections.Consumer education is crucial to avoid misconceptions about inspection reports.The insurance landscape is changing, making it harder for older homes to get coverage.Home inspectors must navigate pressure from agents and consumers regarding inspection results.The future of home inspections may involve more detailed requirements from insurance companies.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Show and Guests02:08 The Rise of Four-Point Inspections in Minnesota08:44 History and Origin of Four-Point Inspections11:41 Insurance Challenges in Florida16:12 The Impact of Four-Point Inspections on Home Insurance22:20 The Future of Home Inspections and Insurance29:11 Comparing Four-Point Inspections to Traditional Home Inspections37:27 Consumer Education and Misconceptions46:19 Navigating the Challenges of Inspections and Insurance55:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The "Special Report: Florida's 2025 Condo Association Financial Cliff" series is brought to you by the Miami Real Estate Investing Podcast. Expert Peter Zalewski of the Miami Condo Market Investing Club™ discusses the implications of the upcoming 2025 law requiring Florida condo associations to set aside reserves to prevent disasters like the Surfside condo collapse. The podcast features Miami Condo Expert Peter Zalewski interviewing Jose Pazos of A-Smart CAM LLC property management in Miami. Pazos' property management firm handles the administrative responsibilities of more than 6,000 residences condo and homeowners associations in Miami-Dade and Broward counties in South Florida. It is an anxious time to be a property manager who advises, guides and provides support for condo associations in Florida. With less 90 days to go until condo associations are forced to adhere to a series of new administrative and financial measures instituted by the Florida Legislature, property management companies are scrambling to prepare for what is expected to be a volatile 2025. A lot has changed since June 24, 2021 when the Champlain Towers South collapsed on the barrier island in Miami-Dade County. Nearly 100 people died and a $1 billion settlement was reached with the families of the victims. Some industry watchers have compared it to an inflection point on par with the Category 5 Hurricane Andrew that devastated South Miami-Dade County in August 1992 and led to more stringent building code requirements in South Florida. Since the 2021 collapse, older units are said to be tougher to sell, insurance prices are spiking year-over-year and association maintenance fees and special assessments are squeezing owners to the brink. In response to the Surfside disaster, Florida is requiring associations that govern older condo projects to study the structural integrity of all buildings on their properties and begin funding the necessary repairs by January 2025, ending the practice of deferring work and costs. People are dubbing this moment as the 2025 Condo Association Financial Cliff as it expected to result in significantly higher costs for unit owners. Industry watchers are at odds as to the direction of the South Florida housing market through the end of 2024 and into next year. Bullish investors are predicting housing demand will reignite once the Federal Reserve begins to cut interest rates. Bearish investors contend that condo prices are too high from the run up in work-from-home buyers during the pandemic years and likely to collapse in the months ahead if the economy slows and these transplants leave South Florida. To stay abreast of the volatile South Florida condo market, we would encourage you to join the newly launched Miami Condo Market Investing Club™ at PeterZalewski.substack.com. The objective of the Club is to create a community that shares realtime, actionable information on the latest real estate trends, opportunities and service providers in South Florida. The Club is ideally suited for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) condo buyers who can rely on our latest statistics, expert opinions and access to consulting services. Additionally, we encourage you to listen or view our podcast wherever you get podcasts. The podcast is available on Apple, Spotify and/or YouTube. As a reminder, we are always available for consulting, expert witness work and buyside brokerage services just as we have been since 2006. For South Florida condo resale information, please call 305.865.5859 or visit CondoVulturesRealty.com

The "Special Report: Florida's 2025 Condo Association Financial Cliff" series is brought to you by the Miami Real Estate Investing Podcast. Expert Peter Zalewski of the Miami Condo Market Investing Club™ discusses the implications of the upcoming 2025 law requiring Florida condo associations to set aside reserves to prevent disasters like the Surfside condo collapse. The podcast features Zalewski interviewing Carlos Villanueva, a veteran chief building engineer who has overseen the operations of condo towers, office buildings and retail centers in South Florida for more than 30 years. Villanueva, principal of SeeWhyConsultingLLC.com, said many condo buyers, owners and board members often obsess about cosmetic details, such as lobby flower arrangements, air fresheners and staff courtesy. As important as these measures may be to a condo association's vibe, they are unlikely to affect the big ticket items that directly impact a tower's life safety measures and special assessments in the runup to the Florida's 2025 Condo Association Financial Cliff. A lot has changed since June 24, 2021 when the Champlain Towers South collapsed on the barrier island in Miami-Dade County. Nearly 100 people died and a $1 billion settlement was reached with the families of the victims. Some industry watchers have compared it to an inflection point on par with the Category 5 Hurricane Andrew that devastated South Miami-Dade County in August 1992 and led to more stringent building code requirements in South Florida. Since the 2021 collapse, older units are said to be tougher to sell, insurance prices are spiking year-over-year and association maintenance fees and special assessments are squeezing owners to the brink. In response to the Surfside disaster, Florida is requiring associations that govern older condo projects to study the structural integrity of all buildings on their properties and begin funding the necessary repairs by January 2025, ending the practice of deferring work and costs. People are dubbing this moment as the 2025 Condo Association Financial Cliff as it expected to result in significantly higher costs for unit owners. Industry watchers are at odds as to the direction of the South Florida housing market through the end of 2024 and into next year. Bullish investors are predicting housing demand will reignite once the Federal Reserve begins to cut interest rates. Bearish investors contend that condo prices are too high from the run up in work-from-home buyers during the pandemic years and likely to collapse in the months ahead if the economy slows and these transplants leave South Florida. To stay abreast of the volatile South Florida condo market, we would encourage you to join the newly launched Miami Condo Market Investing Club™ at PeterZalewski.substack.com. The objective of the Club is to create a community that shares realtime, actionable information on the latest real estate trends, opportunities and service providers in South Florida. The Club is ideally suited for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) condo buyers who can rely on our latest statistics, expert opinions and access to consulting services. Additionally, we encourage you to listen or view our podcast wherever you get podcasts. The podcast is available on Apple, Spotify and/or YouTube. As a reminder, we are always available for consulting, expert witness work and buyside brokerage services just as we have been since 2006. For South Florida condo resale information, please call 305.865.5859 or visit CondoVulturesRealty.com.

All public school teachers are not created equal. They have different talents, teaching styles, and skills. They have different backgrounds and purposes that drive them. Jim Curtis is one of those supreme educators with his students and colleagues in mind. He served during the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in 1992 with us, because his students were going and he wanted to be apart of what they were doing. That is waaaaay over the required work of a teacher! We slept on the floor of a church and served in harsh conditions during an impossible situation. In this episode, Jim shares he and his wife's experience during our missions trip to South Florida to assist the people of that area that were affected by this natural disaster. He is one of those teachers I loved to be around. I had the privilege of sitting in his classroom on many occasions and was captivated each and every time. Jim is also an avid world traveler... the long time Geography educator and visionary living and experiencing what he teaches on! We also dive into his many world travels and experiences that fueled his passion for the educational teaching path he chose. Enjoy this episode as we navigate through Jim's incredible life experiences, as well as, his personal take on past and present education within the school systems. _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder's Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy  Edited by: Secret Roots Music House

Shoot us a Text.Welcome to Tuesday, the most productive day of the week! Today we're talking about the anticipation that Florida is facing with Hurricane Milton and how dealers and EV owners can be prepared. Plus, we see some unexpected kindness between Kia dealers and learn how Cybertruck owners are having their insurance policies canceled.As Hurricane Milton looms, Florida dealerships across Tampa Bay and the Gulf Coast prepare for impact. The storm, expected to hit Category 3 by landfall, still poses significant threats.Dealers like the Morgan Auto Group and Potamkin Automotive are closing stores early and initiating staff safety protocols and storm preparation.CEO Teddy Morse of Ed Morse Automotive Group is preparing for significant damage from Hurricane Milton, expecting it to be severe, saying “This isn't a scenario where you say, ‘Wow, I hope everything's OK.' It's not going to be OK.”Morse emphasized  ensuring every eligible vehicle is floorplanned, because “if they're not on the floorplan, they're not insured.”Meanwhile, after Hurricane Helene destroyed 672 of Ken Ganley's Kia inventory, Raul Gomila, GM of City Kia in Orlando stepped up, selling 100 new and 25 pre-owned vehicles to assist.Gomila, who survived Hurricane Andrew in 1992, understands the devastation and felt compelled to help, despite not knowing Ganley personally."That kind of kindness just doesn't happen," Ganley said. "It just doesn't exist. I mean, I'm blown away.”"It's the right thing to do when a store is in need," Gomila said. "Sometimes even a little help goes a long way."For EV owners, hurricanes pose a unique set of uncertainties to navigate. Whether they stay or evacuate, here's some tips to protect vehicles and keep options open.Avoid parking EVs in areas prone to flooding or standing water, as saltwater can damage batteries.Relocate EVs to higher ground and shelter, with many counties offering free public garage access.Cybertruck owners have faced multiple challenges in 2024, including cleaning their new trucks, rusting issues, and five recalls. Now, insurance complications are adding to their woes as some drivers report policy cancellations.Geico confirmed some Cybertruck owners received non-renewal notices due to the vehicle not meeting underwriting guidelines.Geico cited the Cybertruck's heavy weight and challenges with repair part availability as reasons for some policy cancellations.Issues seem concentrated in New York and Kansas, though other regions report smoother experiences.Geico is seemingly still willing to insure the vehicles under commercial plans, saying “Some customers may have received notices stating that Private Passenger Automobile insurance would not be renewed for this vehicle. However, policies for this vehicle have always been available through our commercial insurance division.”Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle MountsierGet the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email

The "Special Report: Florida's 2025 Condo Association Financial Cliff" series is brought to you by the Miami Real Estate Investing Podcast. Peter Zalewski of the Miami Condo Market Investing Club™ discusses the implications of the upcoming 2025 law requiring Florida condo associations to set aside reserves to prevent disasters like the Surfside condo collapse. This is a clip from a podcast with Richard Alfonso, the Director of Specialty Products at U.S. Century Bank in Miami. Alfonso provides insight into how monthly condo fees increase with a special assessment loan in Florida. Bank financing is an option for some Florida condo associations that are facing hefty special assessments to comply with the revisions of the Florida Condo Law. A lot has changed since June 24, 2021 when the Champlain Towers South collapsed on the barrier island in Miami-Dade County. Nearly 100 people died and a $1 billion settlement was reached with the families of the victims. Some industry watchers have compared it to an inflection point on par with the Category 5 Hurricane Andrew that devastated South Miami-Dade County in August 1992 and led to more stringent building code requirements in South Florida. Since the 2021 collapse, older units are said to be tougher to sell, insurance prices are spiking year-over-year and association maintenance fees and special assessments are squeezing owners to the brink. In response to the Surfside disaster, Florida is requiring associations that govern older condo projects to study the structural integrity of all buildings on their properties and begin funding the necessary repairs by January 2025, ending the practice of deferring work and costs. People are dubbing this moment as the 2025 Condo Association Financial Cliff as it expected to result in significantly higher costs for unit owners. Industry watchers are at odds as to the direction of the South Florida housing market through the end of 2024 and into next year. Bullish investors are predicting housing demand will reignite once the Federal Reserve begins to cut interest rates. Bearish investors contend that condo prices are too high from the run up in work-from-home buyers during the pandemic years and likely to collapse in the months ahead if the economy slows and these transplants leave South Florida. To stay abreast of the volatile South Florida condo market, we would encourage you to join the newly launched Miami Condo Market Investing Club™ at PeterZalewski.substack.com The objective of the Club is to create a community that shares realtime, actionable information on the latest real estate trends, opportunities and service providers in South Florida, The Club is ideally suited for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) condo buyers who can rely on our latest statistics, expert opinions and access to consulting services. Additionally, we encourage you to listen or view our podcast wherever you get podcasts. The podcast is available on Apple, Spotify and/or YouTube. As a reminder, we are always available for consulting, expert witness work and buyside brokerage services just as we have been since 2006. For South Florida condo resale information, please call 305.865.5859 or visit CondoVulturesRealty.com

The "Special Report: Florida's 2025 Condo Association Financial Cliff" series is brought to you by the Miami Real Estate Investing Podcast. Expert Peter Zalewski of the Miami Condo Market Investing Club™ discusses the implications of the upcoming 2025 law requiring Florida condo associations to set aside reserves to prevent disasters like the Surfside condo collapse. This is a clip from a podcast with Richard Alfonso, the Director of Specialty Products at U.S. Century Bank in Miami. Alfonso provides a description of the steps necessary for a Florida condo association to successfully obtain a special assessment loan. Bank financing is an option for some Florida condo associations that are facing hefty special assessments to comply with the revisions of the Florida Condo Law. A lot has changed since June 24, 2021 when the Champlain Towers South collapsed on the barrier island in Miami-Dade County. Nearly 100 people died and a $1 billion settlement was reached with the families of the victims. Some industry watchers have compared it to an inflection point on par with the Category 5 Hurricane Andrew that devastated South Miami-Dade County in August 1992 and led to more stringent building code requirements in South Florida. Since the 2021 collapse, older units are said to be tougher to sell, insurance prices are spiking year-over-year and association maintenance fees and special assessments are squeezing owners to the brink. In response to the Surfside disaster, Florida is requiring associations that govern older condo projects to study the structural integrity of all buildings on their properties and begin funding the necessary repairs by January 2025, ending the practice of deferring work and costs. People are dubbing this moment as the 2025 Condo Association Financial Cliff as it expected to result in significantly higher costs for unit owners. Industry watchers are at odds as to the direction of the South Florida housing market through the end of 2024 and into next year. Bullish investors are predicting housing demand will reignite once the Federal Reserve begins to cut interest rates. Bearish investors contend that condo prices are too high from the run up in work-from-home buyers during the pandemic years and likely to collapse in the months ahead if the economy slows and these transplants leave South Florida. To stay abreast of the volatile South Florida condo market, we would encourage you to join the newly launched Miami Condo Market Investing Club™ at PeterZalewski.substack.com The objective of the Club is to create a community that shares realtime, actionable information on the latest real estate trends, opportunities and service providers in South Florida, The Club is ideally suited for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) condo buyers who can rely on our latest statistics, expert opinions and access to consulting services. Additionally, we encourage you to listen or view our podcast wherever you get podcasts. The podcast is available on Apple, Spotify and/or YouTube. As a reminder, we are always available for consulting, expert witness work and buyside brokerage services just as we have been since 2006. For South Florida condo resale information, please call 305.865.5859 or visit CondoVulturesRealty.com

This is a clip from a recent episode of the "Special Report: Florida's 2025 Condo Association Financial Cliff" podcast series from the Miami Real Estate Investing Podcast. Peter Zalewski of the Miami Condo Market Investing Club™ discusses the implications of the upcoming 2025 law requiring Florida condo associations to set aside reserves to prevent disasters like the Surfside condo collapse. This is a clip of Richard Alfonso, the Director of Specialty Products at U.S. Century Bank in Miami. Alfonso said Florida condo associations are addressing the reserve requirements mandated by the Florida Legislature but are facing challenges with skyrocketing insurance rates. A lot has changed since June 24, 2021 when the Champlain Towers South collapsed on the barrier island in Miami-Dade County. Nearly 100 people died and a $1 billion settlement was reached with the families of the victims. Some industry watchers have compared it to an inflection point on par with the Category 5 Hurricane Andrew that devastated South Miami-Dade County in August 1992 and led to more stringent building code requirements in South Florida. Since the 2021 collapse, older units are said to be tougher to sell, insurance prices are spiking year-over-year and association maintenance fees and special assessments are squeezing owners to the brink. In response to the Surfside disaster, Florida is requiring associations that govern older condo projects to study the structural integrity of all buildings on their properties and begin funding the necessary repairs by January 2025, ending the practice of deferring work and costs. People are dubbing this moment as the 2025 Condo Association Financial Cliff as it expected to result in significantly higher costs for unit owners. Industry watchers are at odds as to the direction of the South Florida housing market through the end of 2024 and into next year. Bullish investors are predicting housing demand will reignite once the Federal Reserve begins to cut interest rates. Bearish investors contend that condo prices are too high from the run up in work-from-home buyers during the pandemic years and likely to collapse in the months ahead if the economy slows and these transplants leave South Florida. To stay abreast of the volatile South Florida condo market, we would encourage you to join the newly launched Miami Condo Market Investing Club™ at PeterZalewski.substack.com The objective of the Club is to create a community that shares realtime, actionable information on the latest real estate trends, opportunities and service providers in South Florida, The Club is ideally suited for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) condo buyers who can rely on our latest statistics, expert opinions and access to consulting services. Additionally, we encourage you to listen or view our podcast wherever you get podcasts. The podcast is available on Apple, Spotify and/or YouTube. As a reminder, we are always available for consulting, expert witness work and buyside brokerage services just as we have been since 2006. For South Florida condo resale information, please call 305.865.5859 or visit CondoVulturesRealty.com

The "Special Report: Florida's 2025 Condo Association Financial Cliff" series is brought to you by the Miami Real Estate Investing Podcast. Expert Peter Zalewski of the Miami Condo Market Investing Club™ discusses the implications of the upcoming 2025 law requiring Florida condo associations to set aside reserves to prevent disasters like the Surfside condo collapse. The podcast features Miami Condo Expert Peter Zalewski interviewing Andy "Daro" Rotondaro, a Realtor and North Bay Village Commissioner. The conversation examines why Rotondaro is paying $50,000 in condo special assessments instead of selling his two units in the runup to the Florida's 2025 Condo Association Financial Cliff. A lot has changed since June 24, 2021 when the Champlain Towers South collapsed on the barrier island in Miami-Dade County. Nearly 100 people died and a $1 billion settlement was reached with the families of the victims. Some industry watchers have compared it to an inflection point on par with the Category 5 Hurricane Andrew that devastated South Miami-Dade County in August 1992 and led to more stringent building code requirements in South Florida. Since the 2021 collapse, older units are said to be tougher to sell, insurance prices are spiking year-over-year and association maintenance fees and special assessments are squeezing owners to the brink. In response to the Surfside disaster, Florida is requiring associations that govern older condo projects to study the structural integrity of all buildings on their properties and begin funding the necessary repairs by January 2025, ending the practice of deferring work and costs. People are dubbing this moment as the 2025 Condo Association Financial Cliff as it expected to result in significantly higher costs for unit owners. Industry watchers are at odds as to the direction of the South Florida housing market through the end of 2024 and into next year. Bullish investors are predicting housing demand will reignite once the Federal Reserve begins to cut interest rates. Bearish investors contend that condo prices are too high from the run up in work-from-home buyers during the pandemic years and likely to collapse in the months ahead if the economy slows and these transplants leave South Florida. To stay abreast of the volatile South Florida condo market, we would encourage you to join the newly launched Miami Condo Market Investing Club™ at PeterZalewski.substack.com. The objective of the Club is to create a community that shares realtime, actionable information on the latest real estate trends, opportunities and service providers in South Florida. The Club is ideally suited for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) condo buyers who can rely on our latest statistics, expert opinions and access to consulting services. Additionally, we encourage you to listen or view our podcast wherever you get podcasts. The podcast is available on Apple, Spotify and/or YouTube. As a reminder, we are always available for consulting, expert witness work and buyside brokerage services just as we have been since 2006. For South Florida condo resale information, please call 305.865.5859 or visit CondoVulturesRealty.com

The "Special Report: Florida's 2025 Condo Association Financial Cliff" series is brought to you by the Miami Real Estate Investing Podcast. Expert Peter Zalewski of the Miami Condo Market Investing Club™ discusses the implications of the upcoming 2025 law requiring Florida condo associations to set aside reserves to prevent disasters like the Surfside condo collapse. The podcast features Miami Condo Expert Peter Zalewski interviewing Andy "Daro" Rotondaro, a Realtor and North Bay Village Commissioner. The conversation examined strategies for owners facing condo association special assessments in the runup to the Florida's 2025 Condo Association Financial Cliff. A lot has changed since June 24, 2021 when the Champlain Towers South collapsed on the barrier island in Miami-Dade County. Nearly 100 people died and a $1 billion settlement was reached with the families of the victims. Some industry watchers have compared it to an inflection point on par with the Category 5 Hurricane Andrew that devastated South Miami-Dade County in August 1992 and led to more stringent building code requirements in South Florida. Since the 2021 collapse, older units are said to be tougher to sell, insurance prices are spiking year-over-year and association maintenance fees and special assessments are squeezing owners to the brink. In response to the Surfside disaster, Florida is requiring associations that govern older condo projects to study the structural integrity of all buildings on their properties and begin funding the necessary repairs by January 2025, ending the practice of deferring work and costs. People are dubbing this moment as the 2025 Condo Association Financial Cliff as it expected to result in significantly higher costs for unit owners. Industry watchers are at odds as to the direction of the South Florida housing market through the end of 2024 and into next year. Bullish investors are predicting housing demand will reignite once the Federal Reserve begins to cut interest rates. Bearish investors contend that condo prices are too high from the run up in work-from-home buyers during the pandemic years and likely to collapse in the months ahead if the economy slows and these transplants leave South Florida. To stay abreast of the volatile South Florida condo market, we would encourage you to join the newly launched Miami Condo Market Investing Club™. The objective of the Club is to create a community that shares realtime, actionable information on the latest real estate trends, opportunities and service providers in South Florida, The Club is ideally suited for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) condo buyers who can rely on our latest statistics, expert opinions and access to consulting services. Additionally, we encourage you to listen or view our podcast wherever you get podcasts. The podcast is available on Apple, Spotify and/or YouTube. As a reminder, we are always available for consulting, expert witness work and buyside brokerage services just as we have been since 2006. For South Florida condo resale information, please call 305.865.5859 or visit CondoVulturesRealty.com

In August 1992, Hurricane Andrew was predicted to be the worst storm system to hit Florida in the state's history. If the preparation wasn't enough, Palm Beach County Sheriff's office received a request for a wellness check. Upon arrival, law enforcement found the bodies of Lisa and Rita Bado. It would be a race against Mother Nature to secure and solve this crime. Unfortunately, this case would go cold for over a decade. Thanks to advancements in DNA technology, the killer was identified but it was never someone on police's radar.

This is a Special Report series from the Miami Real Estate Investing Podcast focusing on Florida's 2025 Condo Association Financial Cliff. Peter Zalewski from the Miami Condo Market Investing Club™ discusses the implications of the upcoming 2025 law requiring Florida condo associations to set aside reserves to prevent disasters like the Surfside condo collapse. The podcast features Richard Alfonso, the Director of Specialty Products at U.S. Century Bank, who explains condo association financing options. A lot has changed since June 24, 2021 when the Champlain Towers South collapsed on the barrier island in Miami-Dade County. Nearly 100 people died and a $1 billion settlement was reached with the families of the victims. Some industry watchers have compared it to an inflection point on par with the Category 5 Hurricane Andrew that devastated South Miami-Dade County in August 1992 and led to more stringent building code requirements in South Florida. Since the 2021 collapse, older units are said to be tougher to sell, insurance prices are spiking year-over-year and association maintenance fees and special assessments are squeezing owners to the brink. In response to the Surfside disaster, Florida is requiring associations that govern older condo projects to study the structural integrity of all buildings on their properties and begin funding the necessary repairs by January 2025, ending the practice of deferring work and costs. People are dubbing this moment as the 2025 Condo Association Financial Cliff as it expected to result in significantly higher costs for unit owners. Industry watchers are at odds as to the direction of the South Florida housing market through the end of 2024 and into next year. Bullish investors are predicting housing demand will reignite once the Federal Reserve begins to cut interest rates. Bearish investors contend that condo prices are too high from the run up in work-from-home buyers during the pandemic years and likely to collapse in the months ahead if the economy slows and these transplants leave South Florida. To stay abreast of the volatile South Florida condo market, we would encourage you to join the newly launched Miami Condo Market Investing Club™. The objective of the Club is to create a community that shares realtime, actionable information on the latest real estate trends, opportunities and service providers in South Florida, The Club is ideally suited for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) condo buyers who can rely on our latest statistics, expert opinions and access to consulting services. Additionally, we encourage you to listen or view our podcast wherever you get podcasts. The podcast is available on Apple, Spotify and/or YouTube. As a reminder, we are always available for consulting, expert witness work and buyside brokerage services just as we have been since 2006. For South Florida condo resale information, please call 305.865.5859 or visit CondoVulturesRealty.com

This episode of WeatherBrains features multiple special guests for Show 971. Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is a suggestion of Friend of the Podcast Ryan Stinnett.  This WeatherBrain has a rich background in meteorology, including a very profound childhood experience with 1992's Hurricane Andrew in South Florida.  She earned her Bachelor's Degree with a from the University of Miami.  She currently resides in Missouri at KQ2-TV in St. Joseph, Missouri.  She has previously worked at The Weather Channel and is an active member of the AMS and NWA.  Vanessa Alonso, it's an honor to have you on with us tonight. Guest WeatherBrain No. 2 is also a very special guest we are excited to chat with on episode 971.  She works in the NOAA Weather Program Office as an Observations Program Coordinator and is here to preview sessions at the NWA Annual Meeting 2024.  Sandy LaCorte, welcome to WeatherBrains. Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com. NWA Annual Meeting 2024 (12:30) Looking back at 1992's Hurricane Andrew (19:00) Importance of internships in college (40:45) What is astraphobia?  (46:30) Shared experiences in Double Majors in college (47:00) Experiences with 2011 Joplin tornado (01:02:30) AMS Digital Meteorologist Seal (01:17:30) Efforts to recruit Spanish speakers in CBM program (01:25:00) The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:33:00) This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:35:00) E-Mail Segment (01:36:00) and more! Web Sites from Episode 971: Meteorologist Vanessa Alonso on Facebook NWA 2024 Annual Meeting Picks of the Week: Vanessa Alonso - How Texas chocolate maker survives the summer heat: WFAA TV Dallas on YouTube James Aydelott - Microburst Footage from McConnell AFB Airshow Jen Narramore - TornadoTalk Podcast On Spotify Rick Smith - ChickFilA Cows Thunderstorm Neil Jacobs - Out Troy Kimmel - NOAA/NWS IDSS Prototype Forecast Points Kim Klockow-McClain - "The Fifth Risk" by Michael Lewis Bill Murray - Hurricane Carla Hits Texas AKA Hurricane Carla (1961) James Spann - Weathernerds ECENS Data The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Troy Kimmel, Bill Murray, Rick Smith, James Aydelott, Jen Narramore, Dr. Neil Jacobs, and Dr. Kim Klockow-McClain. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating podcast about weather.

Join us on our with our special guest, 37 year veteran, retired Miami Dade Fire Chief, Dave Downey. Tune in as we take you through his career that began when he joined the fire explorer program with the City of Lauderhill many years ago. He was hired in August of 1982 as a Firefighter with the City of Sunrise and just grew from there.Certified as a paramedic - Became a Haz May Technician - Certified as a Driver Operator - Met my future wife. She had 1 year seniority on me. Married in 1986 - January 1988 – Hired by Metro Dade (now Miami-Dade Fire Rescue) as a Firefighter/Paramedic -Assigned to Station 11 in Carol City (now Miami Gardens). - May 1991 Promoted to Lieutenant - One of the original members of FL-TF1 (USAR Task Force) - Deployed to various Hurricanes, earthquakes, and the AA plane crash in Columbia - Worked at Station 11 during Hurricane Andrew (1992) - Assigned to Station 7 as well as working relief on Air Rescue. - Developed Flashover Training programs in Palm Beach, Coral Springs and the Broward Fire Academy - Taught various technical rescue training programs - November 1999 promoted to Captain - Assigned to Special Operations- Tasked with implementing a second full-time Air Rescue operation - Became the US&R Bureau OIC - Deployed as part of FL-TF1 to the WTC post-September 11th - May 2002 promoted to Battalion Chief - August 2003 appointed Division Chief, North Operations, Responsible for 4 Battalions in the northeast part of the County - August 2004 assigned as Chief of EMS - April 2005 assigned as Chief of Training and Safety (My dream job!) - Deployed to New Orleans post Hurricane Katrina - No training facility but tasked with an aggressive hiring program. Trained 400 firefighters in 18 months - Responsible for the final design and oversaw construction of the $25M Training Facility - March 2010 appointed Assistant Chief and assigned Technical Services Fire Prevention, Communications, Logistics, and Training - Deployed to Hait Earthquake - May 2011 appointed Chief of Operations - February 2013 appointed as the 12th Chief of Department - Challenging first couple of years with budget. Faced with laying off 59 firefighters in my first year. - Retired June 2019 - Hired by State Fire Marshal to coordinate disaster response - Deployed to Surfside building collapse. Coordinated US&R operations for 19 days.We look forward to hearing his journey. Join us at the Kitchen Table on the BEST FIREFIGHTER PODCAST ON THE INTERNET! You can also Listen to our podcast ...we are on all the players #lovethisjob #GiveBackMoreThanYouTake #Oldschool #miamidadefirerescueBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gettin-salty-experience-firefighter-podcast--4218265/support.

Injustice and Grief: Three Profound Lessons with Dr. Cristi Bundukamara, Ed.D. PMHNP Founder and Creator of The Mentally STRONG Method Have you ever felt your pain was too much to bear? Have you experienced the heaviness of sorrow, and asked, “Why me?” Are you ready to discover a hidden purpose in your suffering? Cristi Bundukamara fearlessly shares her remarkable journey of resilience and transformation. She will show you how to find purpose after loss. Here at Mentally STRONG I want you to be empowered by our model of providing psychoeducational counseling through the Mentally STRONG Method. https://mentallystrongacademy.com/ I have been a psychiatric nurse practitioner since 2000, with extensive experience with clients of all ages. My career began as an Army Medic before attending Florida International University (FIU) nursing school. I have worked in various nursing positions, including missionary work in Jamaica, Mexico, and Peru. I continued at FIU and obtained a master's in nursing as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, then continued to Nova Southeastern for my Doctorate. With a deep desire to serve my country again, I was commissioned in the US Navy Reserves, where I still do. I am originally from Miami, FL, where I accepted Christ after the devastating Hurricane Andrew. My husband and I have seven children, two biological and five adopted from the foster care system. My husband and two biological children have a devastating, rare, and difficult-to-diagnose disease that struck us unexpectedly, challenging our view of life and faith in God. Life is filled with joy and pain in varying degrees for different people. We have had our share of both, and we recognize that people are immensely resilient and are never given more than they can handle. We also appreciate that while we have experienced heart-wrenching setbacks through the years, our family has relied on each other for comfort and support. Supporting each other is undoubtedly one of our family's greatest strengths. Find out more about Dr. B here: Website: www.cristibundukamara.com Instagram: instagram.com/cristibundukamara Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristi-bundukamara-ed-d-pmhnp-bc-dr-b-713432b0/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/cristibundukama Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mentallystrongacademybyDr.B/ Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/drbmentallystrong Call In and Chat with Deborah during Live Show: 833-220-1200 or 319-527-2638 Learn more about Deborah here:  www.lovebyintuition.com

We talk about palm tree tattoos, what makes a flamingo from Miami, and tattooing a hurricane on you. (00:00) Welcome to the Miami Comedy Podcast (00:21) Iconic Miami Tattoos: Palm Trees (01:28) Flamingo Tattoos: A Miami Staple (03:03) Pit Bull Tattoos: Defying the Ban (03:44) Portrait Tattoos: Love and Commemoration (04:19) Hurricane Andrew and 305 Till I Die (05:35) Miami Dolphins Tattoos: Fan Dedication (06:44) Unique Miami Tattoo Ideas (07:35) Pop Culture Tattoos: Bad Bunny and Scarface (08:43) Conclusion and Viewer Interaction Follow us for all things Miami Comedy! (Live comedy shows, podcasts, livestreams, memes, and more...) Live Comedy Shows ⮕ https://miamicomedy.com Instagram ⮕ https://instagram.com/miamicomedy Facebook group ⮕ https://miamicomedy.com/group Facebook ⮕ https://facebook.com/miamicomedydotcom Twitch ⮕ https://www.twitch.tv/miamicomedy Twitter ⮕ https://twitter.com/miamicomedycom Tik Tok ⮕ https://www.tiktok.com/@miamicomedy Merch ⮕ https://shop.miamicomedy.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/miami-comedy-podcast/support

This is a 10-minute clip from the beginning of the August 2024 Monthly Meeting. To watch the entire video, you will have to sign up for he Club by clicking this link. What's the future of vintage condos - units at least 25 years old - in the tricounty South Florida region of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach? This topic was discussed at the fourth Monthly Meeting of the Miami Condo Market Investing Club™ that was hosted online on Aug. 14, 2024. Club founder Peter Zalewski - who is a former business journalist, Wall Street consultant, expert witness and licensed Florida real estate buyside broker - explained the three ways to differentiate condos - New, Used and Vintage - for resale purposes. After comparing the resale stats for each category based on age, Zalewski also discussed some of the key 2024 revisions to the Florida Condo Law. The topics are generating increased media attention as units in older condo projects are expected to face greater scrutiny in 2025. A lot has changed since June 24, 2021 when the Champlain Towers South collapsed on the barrier island in Miami-Dade County. Nearly 100 people died and a $1 billion settlement was reached with the families of the victims. Some industry watchers have compared it to an inflection point on par with the Category 5 Hurricane Andrew that devastated South Miami-Dade County in August 1992 and led to more stringent building code requirements in South Florida. Since the 2021 collapse, older units are said to be tougher to sell, insurance prices are spiking year-over-year and association maintenance fees and special assessments are squeezing owners to the brink. Zalewski also discussed the findings of a seven-part series examining how Florida condo living could change in 2025. This is a 10-minute clip from the beginning of the August 2024 Monthly Meeting. To watch the entire video, you will have to sign up for he Club by clicking this link. The objective of the Club is to create a community that shares realtime, actionable information on the latest real estate trends, opportunities and service providers in South Florida, Besides real estate professionals, developers and lenders, the Club is also ideally suited for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) condo buyers who can utilize our latest statistics, expert opinions and access to consulting services. We encourage you to listen or view our podcast wherever you get podcasts. Additionally, the podcast is available on Apple, Spotify and/or YouTube. As a reminder, we are always available for consulting, expert witness work and buyside brokerage services just as we have been since 2006. If you want more information on condo resale units, please visit CondoVulturesRealty.com or call the office at 305.865.5859. This information is believed to be accurate and complete but cannot be guaranteed or warranted. Copyright © 2024 Condo Vultures®, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

What does it take to stay safe during a hurricane in coastal Florida? Discover the invaluable insights from Kathy Perkins, Director of Pinellas County Emergency Management Services, who brings over three decades of experience, including her firsthand involvement in Hurricane Andrew. Kathy helps us navigate the unique challenges that each storm brings, from storm surges and high winds to inland flooding. Learn why it's crucial not to get fixated on the "cone of uncertainty," and hear Kathy's expert advice on staying informed and understanding the broader risks.Ever felt "hurricane fatigue"? We tackle this critical issue by reflecting on personal experiences with major storms like Hurricane Charlie, Ian, and Irma. Kathy shares the complexities of hurricane forecasting and stresses the importance of staying vigilant despite the unpredictable nature of these storms. We dive into the challenges of evacuation planning, especially for vulnerable populations, and discuss the necessity of preparing for best, mid, and worst-case scenarios. This segment aims to keep you ready for rapid changes in storm intensity and direction, emphasizing the dangers of complacency.Preparation is key, and that's why we focus on practical strategies for evacuation and hurricane preparedness in our final chapter. Drawing parallels to everyday safety measures, you'll get practical advice on creating a well-thought-out plan tailored to your family's needs, including pets and specific medical requirements. Learn about the importance of timely preparation and how to use resources like Alert Pinellas and the Ready Pinellas app. Kathy's insights will guide you through knowing your risk, making a plan, and staying informed to ensure your safety during hurricane season.

Every American who has a mortgage is required by their bank to have homeowners insurance, but getting it and keeping it is becoming a challenge. In this episode, hear the highlights of a Senate hearing examining the problems in the homeowners insurance market and why they might lead to much bigger problems next time disaster strikes. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank's online bill pay function to mail contributions to: Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Background Sources Effects of Climate on Insurance Christopher Flavelle and Mira Rojanasakul. May 13, 2024. The New York Times. Chris Van Hollen et al. September 7, 2023. Chris Van Hollen, U.S. Senator for Maryland. Alice C. Hill. August 17, 2023. Council on Foreign Relations. Insurance Information Institute. Antonio Grimaldi et al. November 19, 2020. McKinsey & Company. Lobbying OpenSecrets. OpenSecrets. OpenSecrets. Heritage Foundation SourceWatch. Demotech William Rabb. April 15, 2024. Insurance Journal. Parinitha Sastry et al. December 2023. Fannie Mae Adam Hayes. May 17, 2023. Investopedia. Hurricanes National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Audio Sources Senate Committee on the Budget June 5, 2024 Witnesses: Glen Mulready, Insurance Commissioner, State of Oklahoma Rade Musulin, Principal, Finity Consulting Dr. Ishita Sen, Assistant Professor of Finance, Harvard Business School Deborah Wood, Florida Resident , Research Fellow, Heritage Foundation's Grover Hermann Center for the Federal Budget Clips 23:05 Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI): In 2022 and 2023, more than a dozen insurance companies left the Florida residential market, including national insurers like Farmers. Residents fled to Citizens Property Insurance, the state backed insurer of last resort, which ballooned from a 4% market share in 2019 to as much as 17% last year. If it has to pay out claims that exceed its reserves, citizens can levy a surcharge on Florida insurance policy holders across the state. Good luck with that. Particularly if the surcharge grows to hundreds or even thousands of dollars to depopulate its books. Citizens has let private insurers cherry pick out its least risk policies. Those private insurers may have problems of their own, as we will hear today. 25:10 Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI): The federal budget takes a hit because these insurers and their policies are accepted by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, who either own or guarantee a large part of our $12 trillion mortgage market. This all sounds eerily reminiscent of the run-up to the mortgage meltdown of 2008, including a role of potentially captive or not fully responsible rating agencies. 25:45 Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI): Florida is far from alone. A New York Times investigation found that the insurance industry lost money on homeowners coverage in 18 states last year, and the states may surprise you. The list includes Illinois, Michigan, Utah, Washington, and Iowa. Insurers in Iowa lost money each of the last four years. This is a signal that hurricanes and earthquakes, once the most prevalent perils, are being rivaled by hail, windstorms, and wildfires. 28:00 Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI): This isn't all that complicated. Climate risk makes things uninsurable. No insurance makes things unmortgageable. No mortgages crashes the property markets. Crashed property markets trash the economy. It all begins with climate risk, and a major party pretending that climate risk isn't real imperils our federal budget and millions of Americans all across the country. 33:45 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA): Insurance premiums are far too high across the board and may increase after the recent storms, including those very storms in my state of Iowa. Climate change isn't the primary driver of insurance rate hikes and collapse of the insurance industry isn't imminent. Although I'll have to say, Iowa had six property and casualty companies pull out of insuring Iowans. Climate change doesn't explain why auto insurance premiums in 2024 have increased by a whopping 20% year over year. It also doesn't account for the consistent failure of liberal cities to fight crime, which has raised insurance risk and even caused insurers to deny coverage. Expensive liberal policies, not climate change, are much to blame for these market dynamics. 39:00 Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI): The first witness is Rade Musulin. Rade is an actuary with 45 years of experience in insurance, specializing in property pricing, natural perils, reinsurance, agriculture, catastrophe, risk modeling, public policy development, and climate risk. Specifically, he spent many years working in Florida, including as chair of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund Advisory Council during the time in which Citizens Property Insurance Corporation was established. 39:35 Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI): Our second witness is Dr. Ishida Sen. Dr. Sen is an Assistant Professor at Harvard Business School. Her recent research examines the pricing of property insurance and the interactions between insurance and mortgage markets. This includes the role that institutions and the regulatory landscape play and the broader consequences for real estate markets, climate adaptation, and our overall financial stability. 40:00 Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI): Our third witness is Deb Wood. Ms. Wood and her husband Dan McGrath are both retired Floridians. They moved to South Florida in 1979 and lived in Broward County, which includes Fort Lauderdale for 43 years until skyrocketing insurance premiums became too much. They now reside in Tallahassee, Florida. 40:35 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA): Dr. EJ Antoni is a Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget. His research focuses on fiscal and monetary policy, and he previously was an economist at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Antoni earned his Master's degree and Doctor's degree in Economics from Northern Illinois University. 41:10 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA): Commissioner Glen Mulready has served as Oklahoma's 13th Insurance Commissioner and was first elected to this position in 2019. Commissioner Mulready started his insurance career as a broker in 1984, and also served in the Oklahoma State House of Representatives. 42:15 Rade Musulin: Okay. My name is Ray Muslin. I'm an actuary who has extensive experience in natural hazard risks and funding arrangements for the damage and loss they cause. I've worked with many public sector entities on policy responses to the challenges of affordability, availability of insurance, and community resilience. This work included participating in Florida's response to Hurricane Andrew, which included the creation of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund and Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. The Cat Fund and Citizens can access different forms of funding than traditional insurance companies. Instead of holding sufficient capital or reinsurance before an event to cover the cost of potential losses, both entities use public sources of capital to reduce upfront costs by partially funding losses post-event through bonding and assessments. All property casualty insurance policy holders, whether in Citizens or not, are subject to its assessments. While the Cat Fund can also assess almost all policies, including automobile, this approach exposes Floridians to debt and repayment if large losses occur, and it subsidizes high risk policies from the entire population. These pools, others like them in other states, and the NFIP have contributed to rapid development in high risk areas driving higher costs in the long run. In Florida, national insurers have reduced their exposure as a significant proportion of the insurance market has moved to Citizens or smaller insurers with limited capital that are heavily dependent on external reinsurance. To date, Florida's system has been successful in meeting its claims obligations, while improvements in building codes have reduced loss exposure. However, for a variety of reasons, including exposure to hurricanes, claims cost inflation, and litigation, Florida's insurance premiums are the highest in the nation, causing significant affordability stress for consumers. According to market research from Bankrate, the average premium for a $300,000 home in Florida is three times the national average, with some areas five times the national average. A major hurricane hitting a densely populated area like Miami could trigger large and long lasting post-event assessments or even exceed the system's funding capacity. Continued rapid exposure growth and more extreme hurricane losses amplified by climate change will cause increasing stress on the nation's insurance system, which may be felt through solvency issues, non-renewals, growth of government pools, and affordability pressure. 44:55 Rade Musulin: Evidence of increasing risk abounds, including Hurricane Otis in 2023, which rapidly intensified from a tropical storm to a cat. five hurricane and devastated Acapulco in Mexico last summer. Water temperatures off Florida exceeded a hundred degrees Fahrenheit last week. As was alluded to earlier, NOAA forecast an extremely active hurricane season for '24. We've seen losses in the Mid-Atlantic from Sandy, record flooding from Harvey, and extreme devastation from Maria, among others. In coming decades, we must prepare for the possibility of more extreme hurricanes and coastal flooding from Texas to New England. 46:50 Dr. Ishita Sen: Good morning Senators. I am Ishita Sen, Assistant Professor at Harvard Business School and my research studies insurance markets. In recent work with co-authors at Columbia University and the Federal Reserve Board, I examine how climate risk creates fiscal and potentially financial instability because of miscalibrated insurer screening standards and repercussions to mortgage markets. 47:15 Dr. Ishita Sen: Insurance is critical to the housing market. Property insurers help households rebuild after disasters by preserving collateral values and reducing the likelihood that a borrower defaults. Insurance directly reduces the risks for mortgage lenders and the Government-Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Mortgage Lenders therefore require property insurance and the GSEs only purchase mortgages backed by insurers who meet minimum financial strength ratings, which measure insurer solvency and ability to pay claims. The GSEs accept three main rating agencies AM Best, S & P and, more recently, Demotech. And to provide an example, Fannie Mae requires insurers to have at least a B rating from AM Best, or at least an A rating from Demo Tech to accept a mortgage. Now, despite having this policy in place, we find a dramatic rise in mortgages backed by fragile insurers and show that the GSEs and therefore the taxpayers ultimately shoulder a large part of the financial burden. Our research focuses on Florida because of availability of granular insurance market data, and we show that traditional insurers are exiting and the gap is rapidly being filled by insurers, rated by Demotech, which has about 60% market share in Florida today. These insurers are low quality across a range of different financial and operational metrics, and are at a very high risk of becoming insolvent. But despite their risk, these insurers secure high enough ratings to meet the minimum rating requirements set by the GSEs. Our analysis shows that many actually would not be eligible under the methodologies of other rating agencies, implying that in many cases these ratings are inflated and that the GSEs insurer requirements are miscalibrated. 49:20 Dr. Ishita Sen: We next look at how fragile insurers create mortgage market risks. So in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, homeowners with a policy from one of the insolvent Demotech insurers were significantly more likely to default on their mortgage relative to similar borrowers with policies from stable insurers. This is because insurers that are in financial trouble typically are slower to pay claims or may not pay the full amounts. But this implies severe economic hardships for many, many Floridians despite having expensive insurance coverage in place. However, the pain doesn't just stop there. The financial costs of fragile insurers go well beyond the borders of Florida because lenders often sell mortgages, for example, to the GSEs, and therefore, the risks created by fragile insurers spread from one state to the rest of the financial system through the actions of lenders and rating agencies. In fact, we show two reasons why the GSEs bear a large share of insurance fragility risk. First is that lenders strategically securitize mortgages, offloading loans backed by Demotech insurers to the GSEs in order to limit their counterparty risk exposures. And second, that lenders do not consider insurer risk during mortgage origination for loans that they can sell to the GSEs, even though they do so for loans that they end up retaining, indicating lax insurer screening standards for loans that can be offloaded to the GSEs. 50:55 Dr. Ishita Sen: Before I end, I want to leave you with two numbers. Over 90%. That's our estimate of Demotech's market share among loans that are sold to the GSEs. And 25 times more. That's Demotech's insolvency rate relative to AM Best, among the GSE eligible insurers. 57:15 Glen Mulready: As natural disasters continue to rise, understanding the dynamics of insurance pricing is crucial for both homeowners and policymakers. Homeowners insurance is a fundamental safeguard for what is for many Americans their single largest asset. This important coverage protects against financial loss due to damage or destruction of a home and its contents. However, recent years have seen a notable increase in insurance premiums. One significant driver of this rise is convective storms and other severe weather events. Convective storms, which include phenomena like thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hail, have caused substantial damage in various regions. The cost to repair homes and replace belongings after such events has skyrocketed leading insurance companies to adjust their premiums to cover that increased risk. Beyond convective storms, we've witnessed hurricanes, wildfires, and flooding. These events have not only caused damage, but have also increased the long-term risk profile of many areas. Insurance companies are tasked with managing that risk and have responded by raising premiums to ensure they can cover those potential claims. 58:30 Glen Mulready: Another major factor influencing homeowner's insurance premiums is inflation. Inflation affects the cost of building materials, labor, and other expenses related to home repair and reconstruction. As the cost of living increases, so does the cost of claims for insurers. When the price of lumber, steel, and other essential materials goes up, the expense of repairing or rebuilding homes also rises. Insurance companies must reflect these higher costs in their premiums to maintain financial stability and ensure they can meet those contractual obligations to policyholders. 59:35 Glen Mulready: I believe the most essential aspect of managing insurance premiums is fostering a robust, competitive free market. Competition among insurance companies encourages innovation and efficiency, leading to better pricing and services for consumers. When insurers can properly underwrite and price for risk, they create a more balanced and fair market. This involves using advanced data analytics and modeling techniques to accurately assess the risk levels of different properties. By doing so, insurance companies can offer premiums that reflect the true risk, avoiding excessive charges for low risk homeowners, and ensuring high risk properties are adequately covered. Regulation also plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy insurance market. Policyholders must strike a balance between consumer protection and allowing insurers the freedom and flexibility to adjust their pricing based on the risk. Overly stringent regulations can stifle competition and lead to market exits, reducing choices for consumers. We've seen this play out most recently in another state where there were artificial caps put in place on premium increases that worked well for consumers in the short term, but then one by one, all of the major insurers began announcing they would cease to write any new homeowners insurance in that state. These are all private companies, and if there's not the freedom and flexibility to price their products properly, they may have to take drastic steps as we've seen. Conversely, a well-regulated market encourages transparency and fairness, ensuring that homeowners have access to the most affordable and adequate coverage options. 1:02:00 Dr. EJ Antoni: I'm a public finance economist and the Richard F. Aster fellow at the Heritage Foundation, where I research fiscal and monetary policy with a particular focus on the Federal Reserve. I am also a senior fellow at the Committee to Unleash Prosperity. 1:02:15 Dr. EJ Antoni: Since January 2021, prices have risen a cumulative 19.3% on average in the American economy. Construction prices for single family homes have risen much faster, up 30.5% during the same time. 1:03:20 Dr. EJ Antoni: Actuarial tables used in underwriting to estimate risk and future losses, as well as calculate premiums, rely heavily on those input costs. When prices increase radically, precisely as has happened over the last several years, old actuarial tables are of significantly less use when pricing premiums because they will grossly understate the future cost to the insurer. The sharp increase in total claim costs since 2019 has resulted in billions of dollars of losses for both insurers and reinsurers prompting large premium increases to stop those losses. This has put significant financial stress on consumers who are already struggling with a cost of living crisis and are now faced with much higher insurance premiums, especially for homeowners insurance. 1:05:10 Dr. EJ Antoni: The increase in claims related to weather events has undoubtedly increased, but it is not due to the climate changing. This is why the insurance and reinsurance markets do not rely heavily on climate modeling when pricing premiums. Furthermore, climate models are inherently subjective, not merely in how the models are constructed, but also by way of the inputs that the modeler uses. In other words, because insufficient data exists to create a predictive model, a human being must make wide ranging assumptions and add those to the model in place of real world data. Thus, those models have no predictive value for insurers. 1:07:40 Sen. Sheldon Whitehoue (D-RI): You say that this combination of demographics, development, and disasters poses a significant risk to our financial system. What do you mean by risk to our financial system Rade Musulin: Well, Senator, if you look at the combination, as has been pointed out, of high growth and wealth accumulation in coastal areas, and you look at just what we've observed in the climate, much less what's predicted in the future, there is significant exposure along the coastline from Maine to Texas. In fact, my family's from New Jersey and there is enormous development on the coast of New Jersey. And if we start to get major hurricanes coming through those areas, the building codes are probably not up to the same standards they are in Florida. And we could be seeing some significant losses, as I believe was pointed out in the recent Federal Reserve study. Sen. Sheldon Whitehoue (D-RI): And how does that create risk to the financial system? Rade Musulin: Well, because it's sort of a set of dominoes, you start with potentially claims issues with the insurers being stressed and not able to pay claims. You have post-event rate increases as we've seen in Florida, you could have situations where people cannot secure insurance because they can't afford it, then that affects their mortgage security and so on and so forth. So there are a number of ways that this could affect the financial system, sir. Sen. Sheldon Whitehoue (D-RI): Cascading beyond the immediate insurer and becoming a national problem. Rade Musulin: Well, I would just note Senator, that in Florida, the real problems started years after we got past Andrew. We got past paying the claims on Andrew, and then the big problems occurred later when we tried to renew the policies. 1:10:50 Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI): And you see in this, and I'm quoting you here, parallels in the 2008 financial crisis. What parallels do you see? Dr. Ishita Sen: So just like what happened during the financial crisis, there were rating agencies that gave out high ratings to pools of mortgages backed by subprime loans. Here we have a situation where rating agencies like Demotech are giving out inflated ratings to insurance companies. The end result is sort of the same. There is just too much risk and too many risky mortgages being originated, in this case backed by really low quality insurers that are then entering the financial system. And the consequences of that has to be born by, of course the homeowners, but also the mortgage owners, GSCs (Government Sponsored Enterprises), the lenders, and ultimately the federal and state governments. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI): You say, this will be my last question. The fragility of property insurers is an important channel through which climate risk might threaten the stability of mortgage markets and possibly the financial system. What do you mean when you refer to a risk to the financial system? Dr. Ishita Sen: Well, as I was explaining the GSEs, if there are large losses that the GSEs face, then those losses have to be plugged by somebody. So the taxpayers, that's one channel through which you've got risk to the financial system and the GSE's serve as a backstop in the mortgage market. They may not have the ability or capacity to do so in such a scenario, which affects mortgage backed security prices, which are held by all sorts of financial institutions. So that starts affecting all of these institutions. On the other hand, if you've got a bunch of insurers failing, another channel is these insurers are one of the largest investors in many asset classes like corporate bonds, equities, and so on. And they may have to dump these securities at inopportune times, and that affects the prices of these securities as well. 1:12:45 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-AI): Dr. Antoni, is there any evidence to support the notion that climate change is the greatest threat to the insurance market? Dr. EJ Antoni: No. Senator, there is not. And part of that has to do again, with the fact that when we look at the models that are used to predict climate change, we simply don't have enough empirical data with which we can input into those models. And so as a result of that, we have to have human assumptions on what we think is going to happen based essentially on a guess. And as a result of that, these models really are not of any predictive value, and that's why these models for the last 50 years have been predicting catastrophic outcomes, none of which have come true. 1:14:45 Glen Mulready: This focus on the rating agencies, I would agree with that if that were the be all end all. But the state insurance commissioners in each 50 states is tasked with the financial solvency of the insurance companies. We do not depend on rating agencies for that. We are doing financial exams on them. We are doing financial analysis every quarter on each one of them. So I would agree if that was the sort of be all end all, forgive that phrase, but it's not at all. And we don't depend very much at all on those rating agencies from our standpoint. 1:22:15 Dr. Ishita Sen: On the point about regulators looking at -- rating agencies is not something that we need to look at. I would just point out that in Florida, if you look at the number of exams that the Demotech rated insurers, that by the way have a 20% insolvency rate relative to 0% for traditional insurers, they get examined at the same rate as the traditional insurers like Farmers and AllState get examined, which is not something that you would expect if you're more risky. You would expect regulators to come look at them much, much more frequently. And the risk-based capital requirements that we have currently, which were designed in the 1980s, they're just not sensitive enough to new risks like wildfire and hurricanes and so on. And also not as well designed for under-diversified insurance companies because if so, all of these insurers were meeting the risk-based capital requirements, however, at the same time going insolvent at the rate of 20%. So those two things don't really go hand in hand. 1:23:25 Dr. Ishita Sen: Ultimately what the solution is is something that is obviously the main question that we are here to answer, but I would say that it is extremely hard to really figure out what the solution is, in part because we are not in a position right now to even answer some basic facts about how big the problem is, what exactly the numbers look like. For instance, we do not know basic facts about how much coverage people have in different places, how much they're paying. And when I say we don't know, we don't know this at a granular enough level because the data does not exist. And the first step towards designing any policy would be for us to know exactly how bad the problem is. And then we come up with a solution for that and start to evaluate these different policy responses. Right now we are trying to make policy blindfolded. 1:23:50 Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): So we've had testimony before this committee that we've already spent $5-6 trillion. That's 5,000 to 6,000 billion dollars trying to mitigate climate change. We haven't made a dent in it. Their estimates, it's going to cost tens of trillions of dollars every year to reach net zero. So again, this is not the solution for a real problem, which is the broken insurance market. I have enough Wisconsin residents who live on the Gulf Coast in Florida to know after Hurricane Ian, you got some real problems in Florida. But fixing climate change isn't the solution. 1:33:15 Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR): In looking at the materials I saw that Citizens Property Insurance Company, I gather that's Louisiana and Florida, that have a completely state backed program. Well, alright, so if the state becomes the insurer of last resort and they now suffer the same losses that a regular private insurance company is suffering, now the folks in the state are carrying massive debt. So that doesn't seem like a great solution. Dr. Ishita Sen: That's definitely a problem, right? The problem is of course, that whether the state then has the fiscal capacity to actually withstand a big loss, like a big hurricane season, which is a concern that was raised about Citizens. And in such a scenario then in a world where they do not have enough tax revenue, then they would have to go into financial markets, try to borrow money, which could be very costly and so on. So fiscally it's going to be very challenging for many cities and many municipalities and counties and so on. 1:36:40 Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT): I wish there were something we could do that would reduce the climate change we're seeing and the warming of the planet. But I've seen absolutely nothing proposed by anyone that reduces CO2 emissions, methane gases and the heating of the planet. Climate change is going to happen because of the development in China and Indonesia and Brazil, and the only thing that actually makes any measurable impact at all is putting a price on carbon, and no one seems to be willing to consider doing that. Everything else that's being talked about on the climate — Democratic Senator: I got two bills. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT): I know you and I are, but you guys had reconciliation. You could have done it all by yourselves and you didn't. So the idea that somehow we're going to fix climate and solve the insurance problem is pie in the sky. That's avoiding the reality that we can't fix climate because that's a global issue, not an American issue. Anyway, let me turn back to insurance. 1:38:30 Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT): So the question is, what actions can we take? Fiscal reform? Yes, to try and deal with inflation. Except I want to note something, Mr. Antoni, because you're esteemed at the Heritage Foundation. 72% of federal spending is not part of the budget we vote on. So we talk about Biden wants to spend all this.... 72% we don't vote on; we only vote on 28%. Half of that is the military. We Republicans want more military spending, not less. So that means the other 14%, which the Democrats want to expand, there's no way we can reduce the 14% enough to have any impact on the massive deficits we're seeing. So there's going to have to be a broader analysis of what we have to do to reign in our fiscal challenges. I just want to underscore that. I would say a second thing we can do, besides fiscal reform and dealing with inflation, is stopping subsidizing high risk areas. Basically subsidizing people to build expensive places along the coast and in places that are at risk of wildfire. And we subsidize that and that creates huge financial risk to the system. And finally, mitigation of one kind or another. That's the other thing we can do is all sorts of mitigation: forestry management, having people move in places that are not high risk. But if you want to live in a big house on the coast, you're gonna have to spend a lot of money to insure it or take huge risk. That's just the reality. So those are the three I come up with. Stop the subsidy, mitigation, and fiscal reform. What else am I missing, Mr. Musulin? And I'm just going to go down the line for those that are sort of in this area to give me your perspectives. Rade Musulin: Well, thank you, Senator. And I'd agree with all those things. And I'd also add that we need to start thinking about future-proofing our building codes and land use policies. The sea levels are rising. If you're going to build a house that's supposed to last 75 years, you ought to be thinking about the climate in 75 years when you give somebody a permit to build there. So I'd say that's important. I'd also say that large disasters also drive inflation because it puts more pressure and demand on labor and materials. More disasters means supplies that could have been used to build new homes for Americans or diverted to rebuild homes in the past. So certainly doing things to reduce the vulnerability of properties and improve their resilience is important. And I do think, sir, that there are things we can do about climate change with respect over periods of decades that can make a difference in the long run. Thank you. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT): Thank you. Yes. Dr. Ishita Sen: So before that, the one point about inflation that we are missing, which is without doubt it is a contributing factor, but the US has had inflation in the past without such an acute crisis in insurance markets. So whether that is the biggest cause or not is up for debate. I don't think we have reached a conclusion on inflation being the biggest contributor of rising insurance cost. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT): It's just a big one. You'd agree It's a big one? Dr. Ishita Sen: I agree. It's a big one, but I wouldn't say it's the biggest one in terms of policy solutions. I completely agree with you on, we need to stop subsidizing building in high risk areas. That's definitely one of the things we need to do that. Mitigation, another point that you bring up. And on that, I would say not only do we need to harden our homes, but we also need to harden our financial institutions, our banks, and our insurance companies in order to make them withstand really large climate shocks that are for sure coming their way. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT): Thank You, Ms. Wood. I'm going to let you pass on this just because that's not your area of expertise. Your experience was something which focused our thinking today. Mr. Mulready. Glen Mulready: Thank you, Senator. I would say amen to your comments, but I'll give you three quick things. Number one, FEMA has a survey out that states that every $1 spent in mitigation saves $6 in lost claims. It pays off. Number two, unfortunately, a lot of communities have to have a disaster happen. In Moore, Oklahoma, back a dozen years ago, an EF5 (tornado) hit, it was just totally devastating. After that, the city of Moore changed their zoning, they changed their building zoning codes, and then third, the city of Tulsa, back in the eighties, had horrible flooding happened. So they invested over decades in infrastructure to prevent flooding. Now we're one of only two communities in the country that are Class one NFIP rated. 1:45:40 Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD): One way to address this, and I think it was discussed in a different matter, is the need to get the data and to get consensus on where the risks lie, which is why last year Senator Whitehouse, Senator Warren and I sent a letter to the Treasury Department, to the Federal Insurance Office (FIO), urging them to collect information from different states. I'm a supporter of a state-based insurance system for property and casualty insurance, but I do think it would benefit all of us to have a sort of national yardstick against which we can measure what's happening. So Dr. Sen, could you talk a little bit about the benefit of having a common source of insurance data through the FIO and how that could benefit state regulators and benefit all of us? Dr. Ishita Sen: Yeah, absolutely. Thanks for bringing that up. That's just the first order importance, I think, because we don't even know the basic facts about this problem at a granular enough level. The risks here are local, and so we need to know what's going zip code-by-zip code, census tract-by-census tract, and for regulators to be able to figure out exactly how much risk is sitting with each of these insurance companies they need to know how much policies they're writing, what's the type of coverage they're selling in, what are the cancellations looking like in different zip codes. Only then can they figure out exactly how exposed these different insurers are, and then they can start designing policy about whether the risk-based capital ratios look alright or not, or should we put a surcharge on wildfires or hurricanes and so on? And we do need a comprehensive picture. We just can't have a particular state regulator look at the risks in that state, because of course, the insurer is selling insurance all over the country and we need to get a comprehensive picture of all of that. 1:47:40 Sen. Chris Van Hollen: I appreciate that. I gather that the Treasury Department is getting some resistance from some state insurance regulators. I hope we can overcome that because I'm not sure why anyone would want to deny the American people the benefit of the facts here. 1:48:45 Rade Musulin: I will just note that sometimes climate change itself can contribute to the inflation we've been talking about. For example, there were beetle infestations and droughts and fires in Canada, which decimated some of the lumber crop and led to a fivefold increase in the cost of lumber a few years ago. So some of this claims inflation is actually related to climate change, and I think we need to address that. 1:49:35 Glen Mulready: If you didn't know, the NAIC, National Association of Insurance Commission is in the midst of a data collection right now that will collect that data for at least 80% of the homeowner's market. And we have an agreement with FIO (Federal Insurance Office) to be sharing that data with them. They originally came to us, I got a letter from FIO and they were requesting data that we did not actually collect at the zip code level, and they had a very stringent timeline for that. So my response, it wasn't, no, it was just, look, we can't meet that timeline. We don't collect that today. We can in the future. But from that is where this has grown the data called by the NEIC. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD): So I appreciate, I saw that there had been now this effort on behalf of the....So has this now been worked out? Are there any states that are objecting, to your knowledge at this point in time, in terms of sharing data? Glen Mulready: I don't know about specific states. We will be collecting data that will represent at least 80% of the market share. Music by Editing Production Assistance

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