POPULARITY
Introduction Most insurers say they want to be innovative. Fewer have a systematic way to know what's worth pursuing, who's building it, and whether they should partner, invest, or simply wait. Matt Connolly has spent ten years building the answer to that problem. Connolly is the founder of Sønr, a global market intelligence platform that tracks over five million companies and helps insurers, reinsurers, and brokers make better decisions about innovation and technology. Working with fifty-plus tier-one carriers—from Travelers and Liberty Mutual to Munich Re, Allianz, and Tokio Marine—as well as brokers like Guy Carpenter and WTW, Sønr sits at the intersection of the startups changing the industry and the incumbents that need to understand them. In this conversation, Josh Hollander and Connolly dig into where innovation intent breaks down inside large carriers, the four points where value leaks out of a corporate innovation process, why POC purgatory is a symptom not the disease, and how Sønr 2.0 is bringing market intelligence to operators who've been tasked to innovate but not given the tools to do it. Guest Bio Matt Connolly is the Founder and CEO of Sønr, a global insurtech market intelligence platform used by fifty-plus tier-one insurers, reinsurers, and brokers worldwide. Founded ten years ago, Sønr tracks over five million companies and has built a proprietary data set on insurance innovation unavailable to general AI platforms. He also hosts his own podcast interviewing innovation leaders from major global carriers. Sønr now generates half its revenue from North America and recently made its first US hire. Key Topics • Where innovation intent breaks down — At the CEO level. Without clear sponsorship and direction from leadership, innovation functions become disconnected from real business priorities. Ten years of data backs this up. • The four value leaks — Not understanding trends, poor scouting discipline, year-long POCs that should be three weeks, and failing to move from POC to pilot to scale. Each is a distinct failure mode with a distinct fix. • POC purgatory — Mature innovation programs are running more POCs than ever but scaling fewer. The root cause is almost always people: wrong sponsors, wrong internal champions, or wrong startup for the actual need. Sønr's fix: a one-day workshop to build a mini business case before a three-week POC begins, with KPIs and go/no-go criteria agreed upfront. • The decentralization of innovation — Carriers that once had centralized innovation functions have spread that mandate across underwriting, claims, and distribution—but capability hasn't followed. Operators have been tasked to innovate with no networks, no tooling, and no experience. This is the gap Sønr 2.0 addresses. • Sønr 2.0 and the Emerging Trends Academy — A simple front-end into ten years of proprietary insurance innovation data, priced for operators not just innovation teams. The Emerging Trends Academy goes deeper: cross-industry groups going deep on specific trends with startups, carriers, consultants, and academics in the same room. • The data moat — Ten years of tracking every company, trend signal, and client engagement within insurance innovation. Data that Connolly notes even Anthropic or OpenAI simply can't access. That compounded intelligence sits behind both the platform and the research offering. Notable Quotes "Don't go with the startup that is the best salesperson. Do the scouting properly—where are they based, what's their culture, who are their people, does the technology align to your needs?" "POC purgatory. We're seeing mature innovation businesses doing more POCs than ever but not moving beyond them. The answer is often the people." "The data we sit on is not available to anybody else. It's compounded intelligence from ten years. Anthropic or OpenAI simply can't get to it." "If you don't get your direction right from the top, the value leak is going to be huge later on. Just start in the right place." Resources Guest: • Sønr: https://www.sonr.io • Matt Connolly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wearematt/ Host & Organization: • Joshua R. Hollander on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/ • Horton International (USA): https://www.horton-usa.com/ • Insurtech Leadership Podcast (LinkedIn Showcase): https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show Subscribe & Review If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe on your favorite platform and leave a review. The Insurtech Leadership Podcast is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
Send us Fan MailYvonne and Rafael sit down with Dave Chmiel, Chief Claims Officer at Hub International. Together, they engage in a great conversation about the broker's perspective on workers' compensation.Episode Highlights☕ The Core Message: Listening Changes Everything (00:02:38)From day one in the brokerage world, Dave was taught to listen, to understand what economic buyers (CEOs, CFOs) actually care about. That skill transcends the boardroom. When you truly listen, you access perspectives you'd otherwise miss. In workers' comp, where we're managing human situations, that's everything.
A new Wall Street Journal study finds that the five biggest home insurers, Allstate, State Farm, Liberty Mutual, United Services Automobile Association, and Farmers Insurance, denied nearly half of all claims last year. The primary driver is an increase in deductibles, which insurers claim is being done to compensate for an increase in weather-related catastrophes. Professor Richard Wolff and producer Nicole Roussell discuss.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.
In this episode of Experts Unleashed, I sit down with Rose Harper, founder of Rose Harper Law, a personal injury attorney serving clients across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Rose spent years on the inside — defending businesses at national insurance defense firms and trying jury cases every single day in the Bronx Supreme Court as in-house counsel at Liberty Mutual. Then life redirected her: a move to Ohio for her husband's career, a new baby during COVID, and nearly three years as a stay-at-home mom. When she came back to law, she came back on the other side. Rose built her practice almost entirely on personal referrals with zero advertising — backed by a social media team, 5,600+ LinkedIn connections, and a bilingual practice in English and Spanish. We get into why the insurance company calling you first is a red flag, how she takes cases other firms rejected by getting into the real story behind every client, what her Liberty Mutual experience tells her about how the other side thinks, and why she has genuinely never heard of the word losing.
Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society. In this episode, Justin takes the opportunity of RISKWORLD 2026 to interview on-site two session co-presenters, Sandy Avina and Angel Guerra, and a fellow podcast host, Joel Appelbaum. Sandy and Angel co-wrote a book, Riskfetti: Risk Management for the Rest of Us, which comes out on May 18th. They discuss their careers, how they came to team up to write, and why this book, now. Justin and Joel discuss Joel's career in risk, from underwriter to Chief Content Officer at the International Risk Management Institute (IRMI) and podcast host of The Edge of Risk. Listen for thought leadership on communicating risk to business professionals and translating complex risk research into media content. Key Takeaways: [:01] About RIMS and RIMScast. [:14] About this episode of RIMScast. It was recorded live, on-site at RISKWORLD 2026, in Philadelphia. It's one of my favorite episodes of the year. We will be joined by a range of guests. But first… [:43] RIMS Virtual Workshops. The next RIMS-CRMP-FED Exam Prep Course will be on May 13th and 14th. The popular CBCP and RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep Bootcamp will be held from May 18th through the 21st. The next RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep Course will be held on June 9th and 10th. [1:02] Links to registration are in this episode's notes. [1:05] Webinars. On May 14th, Origami Risk will return with a new session, "Future-Proofing Your Risk Program: Keeping Pace with Scale, Complexity, and Visibility." [1:17] On May 21st, GRC returns to present "Is Your Fire Protection Strategy Outdated? Emerging Risks Are Changing the Rules." [1:27] On May 28th, Zurich returns with "From Underwriting To Risk Management: What To Expect From The Growing Demand For Data Center Construction." Register for webinars at RIMS.org/Webinars or through the links in this episode's show notes. [1:41] Folks, RIMS is back on YouTube. Our handle is @RIMSOfficialChannel. We've got plenty of videos there, including RIMScast, RIMScast Canada video podcasts, and other informative and entertaining content from RIMS. Subscribe to the channel today! [2:00] On with the Show! We are live on the exhibit floor at RISKWORLD 2026 at the Philadelphia Convention Center. There's a lot of great energy. That energy transferred from the stage to our booth! My first guests are from our LA RIMS Chapter, Sandy Avina and Angel Guerra. [2:23] Sandy and Angel co-presented the session on Tuesday, May 5th, "Between Truth and Trauma: Investigating the Invisible." RIMScast caught up with them right after they came off the stage to discuss the state of mental health claims and get a preview of their new book. [2:37] Sandy and Angel co-authored the book coming out on May 18th. It's called Riskfetti: Risk Management for the Rest of Us. We're going to have a lot of fun! Let's get to it! [2:44] Interview! Sandy Avina and Angel Guerra, Welcome to RIMScast! [2:58] Angel says this is her third RISKWORLD and she loves it! She last attended two years ago in San Diego. Sandy says this is her first time at RISKWORLD. She's trying to experience everything, and it's like trying to put ten pounds of sugar in a five-pound bag. She's getting there. [3:17] Sandy is The Riskfluencer on TikTok. [3:25] Angel has a business, Beauty and Beast in Business. [3:28] Together, Sandy and Angel make Riskfetti. [3:41] Angel started in the mailroom of SRS 20 years ago, moved through Claims, Operations Management, and Global Risk Management, and is now a VP at Arrowhead Evaluation, which does independent medical and risk consulting. [4:11] Angel's variety of experiences lets her see everything and gives her knowledge of risk management and the ability to manage a program well. [4:31] Right out of college, Sandy joined California's workers' compensation state fund as an adjuster. She loved it and started to learn other lines. She now works for California Schools JPA, a public risk pool supporting K-12 and community colleges. [4:54] Sandy leads the California Schools JPA claims program for property liability and workers' compensation. She loves it. [5:03] Sandy and Angel connected through LinkedIn. [5:25] Sandy and Angel presented a RISKWORLD session on developing the defense for psychological claims. Sandy says we're seeing the change in legislation for allowing mental-mental claims and not just physical-mental claims. [5:35] Dr. Ron Heredia was also on the panel. He spoke on how to crack defenses and properly investigate. There are red flags and also very truthful claims. As professionals, check your unconscious bias. Think about fact-finding without a specific agenda. [6:12] Justin points out that May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the U.S. Sandy partners wth Kind Souls Foundation, a non-profit that provides a warm, emotional support line for anybody with a work-displacing event. Sandy notes the struggles of the Sandwich Generation. [6:56] Angel says we see people are being a lot more open about mental health and self-care, but there's still a stigma to it. It's important to recognize that, not just in May, but throughout the year. [7:15] Justin mentions a guest from a couple of weeks ago who served in the Canadian military. He was very open about his Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. They had a wonderful conversation about it. Justin doesn't want to bring it up if somebody doesn't want to talk about it. [7:40] Sandy says, when you have the conversations more often, and they're more open, people feel more comfortable bringing it up. [7:50] Sandy and Angel's session was "Between Truth and Trauma: Investigating the Invisible." Angel says a lot of people told them they were very happy with the session. They see increases in legislation that allow for more mental-mental claims, and it's a challenge to keep up. [8:11] Angel says having Dr. Ron Heredia with them gave a view of what it looks like from the employer's side. Are you investigating those claims, recognizing the importance of very clear documentation? If it's not in writing, it didn't happen. Have a doctor help with questions to ask. [8:43] Riskfetti: Risk Management for the Rest of Us is coming out on May 18th. Sandy says she and Angel both started in claims, and they found that a lot of employers they spoke to didn't know risk management. They didn't understand their coverage or insurance, or how it works. [9:12] Sandy says a lot of the education in the industry today is very academic and is meant for the risk managers. Employers are not going to go get their CPCU or take webinars on coverage or understanding endorsements. They assign someone else to do it. It's split in the organization. [9:35] Sandy says nobody is speaking to that audience from a layperson's perspective in a way they'll be receptive to. Sandy said we wanted to make that information accessible, so we created a book that is fun, engaging, and more accessible for business owners. [9:49] Angel says they used case studies, fun stories of claims they had managed or others had managed. It's very engaging. People say they've read the book and laughed. It's for HR Managers, Safety Managers, and CFOs, who don't understand insurance but have responsibility. [10:41] Angel's advice for beginning risk professionals: Find a community of individuals who are willing to support you and talk about the hard things and cheer you on when you're not sure if insurance or claims is where you want to be. It's not an easy industry, but a wonderful industry. [11:00] Sandy's advice for the young generation is to make content about this industry. If you are working in this industry, make your TikToks and post on socials. We need to hear from that generation. It democratizes the flow of information. They already do it for their personal life. [11:18] Sandy says, talk about your experience. I want to know what it's like for somebody coming into the industry right now. I know what it was like 23 years ago; I want to know what it's like now. That's the best way to get that information out there. We want to know those opinions. [11:40] Justin says, I love what you're doing. You've got a lot of great energy! Angel, Sandy, thank you so much for joining me on RIMScast. You were wonderful guests! I hope to see you again next year. [12:04] A Quick Break! There are so many other wonderful RIMS events coming up in 2026. The 2026 Florida RIMS Educational Conference will be held from July 28th through August 1st at the lovely Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Florida. A link to the event is in this episode's show notes. [12:25] Register now for the Second Annual RIMS Texas Regional Conference, to be held from August 10th through 12th at the Grand Hyatt on the San Antonio River Walk. Advance rates are available through June 5th. [12:39] The 11th Annual Chicagoland Risk Forum will return to the Old Post Office on Thursday, September 24th, 2026, in Chicago. Visit ChicagolandRiskForum.org for more information. [12:53] The RIMS Western Regional Conference will be held from October 4th through the 7th in Seattle, Washington. Registration is open, and you can also submit a session. Visit RIMSWesternRegional.com and the link in this episode's show notes for more information. [13:10] Save the dates October 18th through the 21st. We will be in Quebec City to celebrate the 50th Live RIMS Canada Conference. Booth sales are already open. The call for educational sessions has been extended to May 18th. Early-bird registration will open in June. [13:29] Visit RIMSCanadaConference.ca for more information. Also, remember to check out RIMS.org/Canada for our spinoff show, RIMScast Canada, hosted by National Conference Committee Chair, Aaron Lukoni. [13:44] The RIMS ERM Conference 2026 will be held on November 18th and 19th in Columbus, Ohio. Details will follow. [13:52] Our final guest is Joel Appelbaum, Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer at IRMI, the International Risk Management Institute! Joel is the host of IRMI's podcast, The Edge of Risk. He was formerly a Chief Risk Officer. [14:10] We are going to talk all about our shared interests and the importance of risk management education, and some of the trends that are emerging, some that are overhyped, and what he's seeing on the risk landscape. Let's get to it! [14:23] Interview! Joel Appelbaum, Welcome to RIMScast! [14:28] Joel Appelbaum is the Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer for IRMI. Joel says he is used to asking the questions; he says it will be really cool to be asked the questions. [14:47] Joel is the host of The Edge of Risk. When they launched, six years ago, the idea was to come up with more relevant content, quickly, by talking to leaders. In the last year, it has grown by 60%. There's a need for insurance podcasts. It's still growing. [15:24] Justin notes that Elise Farnham was a recent guest. Elise teaches for RIMS. Justin says insurance podcasts share the same space, and there's some natural crossover. Justin and Joel sat together the day before at the main stage keynote. [15:53] Justin asks Joel about his having been an Enterprise Chief Risk Officer, when Enterprise Chief Risk Officers first came into vogue. He felt there were not a lot of resources for being a good ECRM, after coming from an underwriting background with CPCU and IRMI. [16:22] It was a challenging time. Joel cites Adam Grant's theme of low ego but honestly trying to help. Joel remembers bringing up to his boss that IT could be a risk, and being yelled at by his boss for about an hour for yellow-flagging IT. [16:53] Joel loves where Enterprise Risk Management has gone. It's necessary to identify risks in a positive way and deal with them proactively. [17:06] Joel says when it started, it was a rough job. Asking people what keeps them up at night, and sharing that with the board regularly, people weren't ready for it. It's a necessary and important job, but Joel found it to be one of the most challenging, alone on an island. [17:30] Joel thinks everyone who's been an Enterprise Chief Risk Officer or Risk Officer will tell you they do it with very few resources. Joel is glad to have an organization like RIMS to help. [17:50] Joel says he was in a lot of positions that IRMI serves. He was a Product Officer, an Enterprise Chief Risk Officer, a Chief Underwriting Officer, and a Chief Actuary. He did a lot of great things with a lot of great people. None of that prepared him to be a Chief Content Officer. [18:17] Being a Chief Content Officer is about writing and deep research. Joel works with people who research all day. [18:29] Joel learned that there's a disconnect between deep research and understanding coverage and analysis well, and practical insights and thought leadership for how it works in the real world. Parsing it and putting it together, and communicating it is the challenge. [18:53] Joel says it was a bit bumpy coming in and changing the way that IRMI approached things. Joel speaks of his joy of working for Jack Gibson at IRMI. [19:15] Joel says trying to put all the research into writing, keeping it up to date, making it useful, and changing it from just research to practical insights was challenging. It's been a great challenge, and he loves it. [19:29] Joel says he loves being at IRMI and working with people in the industry every day, trying to understand what they need. [20:16] Joel says he struggled with translating research into print, CE courses, and conferences. That takes time, and they need to be updated with the times, as well. A podcast can be simple. Yesterday, Justin and Joel came up with six or seven relevant questions and were ready to go. [20:48] Joel says podcasts fill the gap for the on-demand, necessary knowledge somebody might be seeking on the go. Joel's 30-something children listen to podcasts in the car or while they're exercising. You don't have to sit. Joel likes to do 20- or 30-minute Edge of Risk podcasts. [21:35] Joel says you can cover a very specific, timely topic. It doesn't take the effort of doing a research project or writing a book. Getting it to print takes time. If something changes in war, terrorism, or cyber, you can have a new podcast out in a day. [21:54] Justin says he finds it very gratifying when a guest's words on RIMScast are cited in a white paper. Seeing a reference to something he has done is very gratifying. Joel agrees. [22:10] Joel feels like it's such an honor to meet with thought leaders in the industry, sit down with them, and ask them questions. Joel says he gets great knowledge, meeting them, and learning a little bit about them personally. [22:43] Joel says it's gratifying when young professionals come up to him saying they know him from the podcast. Justin mentions people hearing him talking in the halls at RISKWORLD or RIMS events and recognizing him as the RIMScast guy or the webinar host guy. [23:26] Joel says AI has been a little overhyped. We all need to understand how to use it, but it isn't going to provide all the answers. A guest on his podcast told him at RISKWORLD they're going all in on AI for learning. [23:55] Joel says he gets that AI can be a quick fit for the answer you need. It's the right tool for the right time, but all risk managers know you have to have a lot of tools in your tool kit. AI doesn't replace foundational knowledge. [24:16] Joel's MBA helped him understand the other disciplines in the organization, to know when he was getting good information or bad information, and how to talk the language. [24:35] Joel believes that RIMS certifications and IRMI certifications help risk managers and insurance professionals understand the foundational knowledge. Then they know if they're getting a good answer from the AI. [24:50] Joel says that AI is trained on the internet. The internet has some flaws. Joel predicts AI will hit a learning curve. You're not getting the latest and greatest insights from RIMS or IRMI just writing a white paper on a new topic. Are you getting your AI from a reliable data source? [25:25] Joel advocates for using AI on IRMI material. They have an AI agent in beta now. IRMI has ReferenceConnect for its customers. AI is a good tool, but it's overhyped as a solution for everything. It's not going to solve all the problems. [26:00] It's a great tool if you're using it to gather data. Joel went to a great session at RISKWORLD with LineSlip about bringing all your different brokers' information together so you can get real insights. AI is a great tool to be used at the right place, at the right time. [26:23] You can't have it write all your letters because it doesn't sound like you. [26:37] Justin says an issue that's top of mind for him is PFAS, forever chemicals, because we need water to live. The second our water supply is bad, we've got much bigger problems. [26:52] Joel says Marsh did a presentation at an IRMI conference talking about how widespread the PFAS problem is. It should be on everybody's risk radar. Joel has put more filters in all of his houses. [27:21] Justin says Third-Party Litigation Funding is an emerging risk for RIMS. Joel has also done several podcasts on that. Liberty Mutual likes to call it Legal System Abuse. They had a great podcast on it with The Edge of Risk. [28:04] Joel says the concerning aspects are inflated awards and nuclear verdicts. ISO has introduced a new endorsement on disclosing third-party litigation funding. We've always needed tort reform. Joel thought that as an Enterprise Risk Manager, 20 years ago. [28:39] Joel says if you look at how all the other countries do it, the United States has a problem. It's really important to solve it. Insurance is a fundamental backstop and assistance to business. If the problem continues, insurers may start declining. How do you find solutions? [29:10] Joel thinks one of the solutions is to determine the appropriate amount of an award. Does $200 million make up for something where $2 million would suffice? [29:33] Justin says that he and Joel met up at the keynote with Adam Grant. They both enjoyed the keynote. Adam Grant spoke of unpleasant truths we may not want to hear. There's a difference between being loyal and being honest. [30:26] Joel doesn't have a problem delivering the unpleasant truths, but it has not always been great for his career. Joel says that in a lot of big corporate organizations, people want their allies with them. A new Chief Officer comes in and brings loyal friends with him. [30:54] Four or five years of being coddled later, the officer is gone. Joel worked for CNA for four different CEOs. Joel learned that integrity matters. He says if you communicate out of frustration or anger, it comes across wrong. [31:35] Joel says what he loved about Adam Grant's message is that people need to deliver the truth in a way that is kind and fair, and not fake. The people who tell you what you want to hear and that you're the greatest ever are the people you need to "get rid of." [32:08] Joel tells people that the knife gets sharper against the steel. Joel wants somebody who's sharpening the skill. He has to work harder for it. That's who he likes to surround himself with. Joel has his "board of governors" he goes to for help as a sounding board. [32:58] Leaders who surround themselves with yes-people are not going to last long. Justin asks about the compliment sandwich. Joel likes it if it doesn't come off as fake. Ask AI what's a fair way to deliver this, a compassionate way to give feedback. AI can give unbiased feedback. [33:45] Justin shares an experience where he successfully used AI to shorten and change the tone of an angry email message before he sent it. He was very pleased with the result, and the response was "OK." Joel admits he has delivered a lot of career-shortening emails. [34:44] AI should be thought of as a sounding board. Justin thinks the students coming into the profession probably already do so. Joel says certain types he has worked with don't handle negative feedback well from their peers. AI might be the best way for them to respond. [35:25] Joel has been to about 10 RISKWORLDs. He says the vibe this year is awesome. He feels there's a lot more opportunity for small connections. He loves the smaller talks. The conversation pods are great. There's always lots to learn, interesting people, and friends. [36:07] I love what you do at IRMI. Thank you for joining our show, RIMScast! I think very highly of your show. We've had a lot of the same guests. You're wonderful, and I appreciate all of your support! [36:35] Thanks again to all of our guests here on this special episode of RIMScast, produced live on-site at RISKWORLD 2026. We look forward to seeing you all in New Orleans next year for RISKWORLD 2027! [36:47] Be sure to check out last week's episode of RIMScast, featuring Risk Manager of the Year, Jeff Bray of Prologis. [36:53] Plug Time! You can sponsor a RIMScast episode for this, our weekly show, or a dedicated episode. Links to sponsored episodes are in the show notes. [37:22] RIMScast has a global audience of risk and insurance professionals, legal professionals, students, business leaders, C-Suite executives, and more. Let's collaborate and help you reach them! Contact pd@rims.org for more information. [37:40] Become a RIMS member and get access to the tools, thought leadership, and network you need to succeed. Visit RIMS.org/membership or email membershipdept@RIMS.org for more information. [37:58] Risk Knowledge is the RIMS searchable content library that provides relevant information for today's risk professionals. Materials include RIMS executive reports, survey findings, contributed articles, industry research, benchmarking data, and more. [38:14] For the best reporting on the profession of risk management, read Risk Management Magazine at RMMagazine.com. It is written and published by the best minds in risk management. [38:28] Justin Smulison is the Business Content Manager at RIMS. Please remember to subscribe to RIMScast on your favorite podcasting app. You can email us at Content@RIMS.org. [38:40] Practice good risk management, stay safe, and thank you again for your continued support! Links: RISKWORLD Playlists:
In this episode of the She Spark Podcast, Breeanya sits down with Angela Smith, a Prescott-based insurance broker with Comparion Insurance, a Liberty Mutual company, to talk about something we all need—but rarely understand: insurance.Angela brings a refreshing, human approach to an industry that can often feel overwhelming. From protecting your business and family to building trust in client relationships, she shares how education, transparency, and connection are at the heart of what she does.This conversation goes beyond policies and premiums—it's about empowerment. Because when women understand their coverage, they make stronger, more confident decisions for their future.Whether you're a business owner, homeowner, or just trying to adult a little better—this episode will spark clarity, confidence, and a whole new perspective on protection.
Oral Arguments for the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Liberty Mutual Group, Inc. v. Digitas, Inc.
Eddy Chiang is Co-founder and CEO of Moment Energy, a company building commercial-scale energy storage systems from repurposed electric vehicle batteries. By testing, certifying, and remanufacturing second-life battery modules, Moment Energy is creating lower-cost alternatives to new lithium-ion storage while extending battery lifespans by decades. In this episode of Inevitable, Chiang explains how a growing wave of retired EV batteries is reshaping the energy storage market—making recycling alone economically unviable. The conversation covers the technical and regulatory challenges of certifying second-life systems, how Moment Energy became the first company to achieve full UL certification, and why safety, not cost, is the real barrier to adoption. We also explore how distributed battery systems can replace traditional grid upgrades, why hyperscaler demand is accelerating deployment, and how Moment Energy is positioning storage not just as a product, but as long-term infrastructure designed to last 100 years. MCJ is a three-time investor in Moment Energy. The company just closed a $40M Series B co-led by Evok Innovations and the Canadian Growth Fund — with the participation of Amazon, Liberty Mutual, Voyager and our fund. Episode recorded on April 14, 2026 (Published on May 5, 2026). In this episode, we cover: (0:00) An overview of Moment Energy (2:47) Moment Energy's market evolution (6:37) What certification means and why it's the hardest part (10:22) Are second-life batteries actually safe? (12:15) Hardware + software: how Moment Energy builds safe systems (15:39) Moment Energy's product: modular, distributed battery systems (19:06) Batteries vs grid upgrades: the core economic tradeoff (25:35) Repurposed batteries and domestic supply chains (29:49) The second life of EV batteries and why most still have value (35:20) Designing battery systems to last 100 years (42:53) Demands for AI, hyperscalers, and distributed storage (47:55) Working with Amazon and scaling deployment Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant
Agency Nation Radio - Insurance Marketing, Sales and Technology
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Will Jones, editor-in-chief of Independent Agent magazine, interviews Luke Bills, president of independent agent distribution at Liberty Mutual. They discuss the retirement of the Safeco brand and what the shift to a single Liberty Mutual brand means for independent agents. They also dig into how carriers and agencies can stay aligned through change, where the market may be headed over the next few years, and how technology and AI can reduce friction in day-to-day workflows—without adding yet another disconnected tool. “Everything that agents have come to love and know about Safeco is staying the same,” Bills says. “Our people are not changing, the products don't change, and certainly, our long-term commitment to the channel does not change.” Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic to share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped shape their careers. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent, these are the stories insurance professionals want to hear.
Brace for an AI-driven patch surge. Google fixes a critical Android flaw. Trellix confirms a source code breach. Apache Software Foundation ships urgent fixes. Data tied to Liberty Mutual leaks. CloudZ evolves to steal OTPs. Ouroboros persistence raises the stakes. A vishing suspect faces U.S. charges. Our guest is Markus Rauschecker, Executive Director for the University of Maryland Center for Cyber, Health and Hazard Strategies (CHHS), on the importance of the non-technical aspects of good cybersecurity preparedness and response. Our Threat Vector segment focuses on incident response. If you think UK age verification is working, I mustache you a question. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our daily intelligence roundup, Daily Briefing, and you'll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow CyberWire Daily on LinkedIn. Industry Voices Markus Rauschecker, Executive Director for the University of Maryland Center for Cyber, Health and Hazard Strategies (CHHS), discussing the importance of the non-technical aspects of good cybersecurity preparedness and response. If you enjoyed this conversation check out the full interview here. Threat Vector Segment On this segment of Threat Vector by Palo Alto Networks, host David Moulton speaks with guest Steve Elovitz. In this conversation, Steve reflects on what two decades of incident response actually teaches you about the people on the other side of a breach. You can listen to the full conversation here, and catch new episodes of Threat Vector every Thursday on your favorite podcast app. Selected Reading NCSC Warns of an AI-Fuelled “Vulnerability Patch Wave” (Infosecurity Magazine) AI Adoption Outpaces Safety Policies, Leaving Organizations Exposed (Infosecurity Magazine) Critical Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Patched in Android (SecurityWeek) Trellix Reveals Unauthorized Access to Source Code (Infosecurity Magazine) Critical, High-Severity Vulnerabilities Patched in Apache MINA, HTTP Server (SecurityWeek) Everest Group Begins Leaking Alleged Liberty Mutual Data (GovInfo Security) CloudZ malware abuses Microsoft Phone Link to steal SMS and OTPs (Bleeping Computer) dMSA Ouroboros: Self-Sustaining Credential Extraction in Windows Server 2025 (Huntress) Western District of North Carolina | Romanian National Appears in Federal Court Following Extradition from Romania on Bank Fraud Charges Stemming From “Vishing” Scheme (United States Department of Justice) Kids can bypass some age checks with a drawn-on mustache (The Register) Share your feedback. What do you think about CyberWire Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show. Want to hear your company in the show? N2K CyberWire helps you reach the industry's most influential leaders and operators, while building visibility, authority, and connectivity across the cybersecurity community. Learn more at sponsor.thecyberwire.com. The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Send us Fan Mail
Send us Fan Mail
Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society. In this episode, Justin interviews Kiersten Cash regarding the May 6th RISKWORLD session that she is co-presenting with Frank Wickersham, a Workers' Comp defense attorney, "Reefer Madness: Still in the Weeds with Medical Marijuana and Workers' Compensation Insurance, Legal, and Regulatory." Kiersten shares the biggest misconception risk professionals have about medical marijuana in Workers' Comp. She discusses the conversation around cannabis and workplace injury. Justin and Kiersten talk about the growing patchwork of state laws on cannabis and what risk managers should be paying close attention to right now. Kiersten explains the concerns about Workers' Comp paying for medical marijuana. She gives a preview of what to expect in her RISKWORLD session. Listen for insights about the problems of marijuana as a treatment option in Workers' Comp. Key Takeaways: [:01] About RIMS and RIMScast. [:14] Public registration is open for RISKWORLD 2026, which will be held from May 3rd through 6th in Philadelphia. Visit RIMS.org/RISKWORLD to register. [:27] About this episode of RIMScast. Our guest is Kiersten Cash. She is the Senior Manager for Workers' Compensation and General Liability at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She's going to talk to us all about medical marijuana and Workers' Compensation Claims. But first… [:58] RIMS Virtual Workshops. The next RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep Course will be on April 21st and 22nd, and then again on June 9th and 10th. Registration links are in this episode's notes. [1:14] On April 15th, we have a virtual workshop covering "Emerging Risks", led by Joseph Mayo. Register today and strengthen your risk knowledge. RIMS members always enjoy deep discounts on the virtual workshops. [1:29] Webinars. On April 16th, Zurich and World Travel Protection will present "Navigating the New Global Risk Landscape: Lessons for Business Travelers in Unstable Times". Register for webinars at RIMS.org/webinars and through the links in this episode's show notes. [1:47] Folks, for more RIMS content, head over to YouTube and subscribe to @RIMSOfficialChannel. There you will find video podcasts, RIMScast Canada video podcasts, and other informative and entertaining content from RIMS. [2:02] Head over to RMMagazine.com for the Q1 Edition of the Azbee-Award-winning publication, RIMS Risk Management Magazine. [2:15] On with the Show! Our guest today is the Senior Manager for Workers' Compensation and General Liability at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Kiersten J. Cash. She's here to discuss what's going on with medical marijuana and Workers' Compensation claims. [2:31] This will serve as a bit of a preview of her session at RISKWORLD on May 6th at 10:15 a.m. in Room 120-BC, "Reefer Madness: Still in the Weeds with Medical Marijuana and Workers' Compensation." [2:43] We will discuss whether cannabis is still an effective treatment for chronic pain due to workplace injury and what could happen if the U.S. Government were to change its schedule from number 1 to number 3. [2:54] We're going to learn about Kiersten's fascinating work and her career. Let's get to it! [3:00] Interview! Kiersten Cash, MBA, welcome to RIMScast! [3:23] Kiersten is with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, or CHOP. Kiersten Cash has a session at RISKWORLD, "Reefer Madness." [4:27] Kiersten has been in the world of Workers' Comp for a little over 20 years. She started as an adjuster. She adjusted national market claims and middle market claims for 10 years. Then she went to the broker side. [4:46] She managed the claim program for the broker's largest client at the time, along with 23 other claim programs, covering all lines of insurance. Next, Kiersten worked for Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, a residential treatment facility. [5:06] Then Kiersten moved to CHOP, where she manages all of Workers' Comp, General Liability, and Auto for the health system. [5:22] Kiersten says Workers' Comp is one of those industries where you kind of fall into it. In the final year of her graduate program, she needed a job. She met someone who worked at Liberty Mutual, who said they were hiring claims adjusters. She took the job. [5:44] Kiersten says she tried to get out of this industry on numerous occasions, but the industry apparently loves her too much. She's glad she stayed because she really likes where she has ultimately landed, CHOP. [6:52] Kiersten is a member of the Delaware Valley Chapter of RIMS, the oldest RIMS chapter. RIMS is 76 years old. The chapter is 75 years old. Chapter President Tom Armstrong was on RIMScast recently, excited about all the cool things the host chapter is doing for RISKWORLD. [7:44] Justin asks what Kiersten feels is the biggest misconception risk professionals have about medical marijuana and Workers' Compensation. She thinks the biggest misconception is that there is a difference between medical marijuana and recreational marijuana. [8:18] Kiersten says, as an employer, we do not want a trace in our employees' system while working, whether prescribed by a doctor or not. Legalizing marijuana for medicinal use does not excuse an employee from being impaired at work. [8:36] Kiersten thinks that, down the pike, this will cause a major conflict as this continues to be a topic of conversation. Kiersten hopes to dispel that misconception in this episode of RIMScast and in her presentation at RISKWORLD. [9:12] Kiersten says she has not had to have this conversation at CHOP from a Workers' Comp perspective, as they have not seen an influx of chronic pain or severe injuries in her tenure. That's good from the employer's perspective, as injuries are under control. [9:38] Kiersten says that when we get into back surgeries, shoulder surgeries, or other major surgeries, she definitely sees this conversation becoming an issue. [9:53] Kiersten says she is very good at interacting with the medical providers involved in her program. If medical marijuana were to become a treatment option, Kiersten would need to sit down with the pain management specialist or physician to talk about it, so it is monitored. [10:29] The goal is not to put an employee on medical marijuana and keep renewing the card so they're just out there, collecting marijuana. There has to be a treatment plan with a target date. [10:53] The goal of Workers' Compensation is always either to get the employee back to work or to their baseline, so they can function in society as a human being. [11:06] Kiersten has not had to deal with prescription opioid claims, thankfully. In her adjuster days, she has seen situations where opioids have been out of control. There were times when she would propose detox programs for employees who were addicted to opioids. [11:32] It would start with something like a back surgery. The employee was still in pain, and instead of addressing the cause of the pain, they would get opioids and end up getting addicted to them to the point that weaning off the opioids was not an option. [11:55] Talking about medicinal marijuana, could marijuana have the same effect? That's one thing we are not sure of right now. [12:25] Justin notes that opioid addiction often leads to huge nuclear verdicts and settlements, some of which are still being litigated. [12:47] Kiersten brings up the socioeconomic factor of the claim. You can't say, this person had back surgery; this is going to be a situation where they're going to be addicted to medical marijuana, or they're going to be addicted to opioids. [13:08] In her 20 years in the industry, Kiersten has seen that the motivation and the socioeconomic status of the employee, and their need to get back to normal, will always play a factor in whether this becomes an issue or is just something they have to do after surgery. [13:48] Kiersten has worked with plenty of employees who have had surgery, used opioids for three to five days, and asked what they can have instead, because they don't like this medication. That's something to take into account when having this conversation. [14:17] Kiersten talks about reimbursement costs and how long the payment would be required for medicinal marijuana, if approved. Is the medical marijuana prescribed for the work accident or for a pre-existing chronic condition that they claim was aggravated by the injury? [15:11] A Quick Break! RISKWORLD 2026 will be held from May 3rd through the 6th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. RISKWORLD attracts more than 10,000 risk professionals from across the globe. It's time to Connect, Cultivate, and Collaborate with them. [15:27] Booth sales are open now. General registration and speaker registration are also open right now. Marketplace and hospitality badges are now available. Links are in this episode's show notes, and be sure to check out RIMS.org for more information. [15:45] Our guest today, Kiersten Cash, will be a session speaker at RISKWORLD. We are excited for her and also for our just-announced closing keynote, NFL Hall of Famer, Super Bowl Champion, Emmy-winning broadcaster, and entrepreneur, Michael Strahan. [16:09] Michael Strahan will be on the main stage on May 6th. Justin is super stoked! If you're still on the fence, this is a fine time to smash that Register button and hear from one of the all-time greats. [16:21] The RIMS Western Regional Conference will be held from October 4th through the 7th in Seattle, Washington. Registration is open, and you can also submit a session. Visit RIMSWesternRegional.com and the link in this episode's show notes for more information. [16:41] Let's Return to Our Interview with Kiersten Cash of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia! [16:49] On May 6th, Kiersten Cash will deliver the session at 10:15 a.m. in 120-BC, "Reefer Madness: Still in the Weeds with Medical Marijuana and Workers' Compensation." Kiersten will co-present with Frank Wickersham, a Workers' Comp defense attorney with Marshall Dennehy. [17:17] Kiersten says that after the presentation, she and Frank will leave time for Q&A. Kiersten says that audience participation makes her feel like she did her job. [18:07] Kiersten asks, why should the employer ever have to pay for marijuana. If an employer starts paying for medicinal marijuana for employee A, B, and C, they'll tell their friends they got a medical card after a work injury, CHOP is paying for it, and this is all you have to do to get it. [19:13] That can become a big issue. Kiersten thinks the biggest thing is for the employer to control what they will pay for, if they have to pay for anything, and to keep it contained, so people who are not hurt but want free medicinal marijuana do not become an issue for Workers' Comp. [20:14] In Pennsylvania, there is a mental-mental claim. People can initiate a mental-mental claim, for example, if they get into a dispute with a co-worker and don't feel comfortable coming to work because they don't want to work with said co-worker. [20:31] Mental-mental claims are very hard to prove. In Pennsylvania, nine times out of 10, they are denied. The burden of proof is on the employee to show that their mental issue is from a condition that arose out of something that happened at work. [21:08] Different states may have different laws that affect Workers' Comp. Kiersten always pays attention to what is going on in the Tri-State Area and the Mid-Atlantic Region. If something passes in one state, it might be about to pass in the next state. [21:50] Justin asks about Cannabis potentially shifting from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug. Kiersten has not heard of that happening in Pennsylvania. Schedule III classifies a drug as having a medicinal benefit, as long as it's prescribed by a physician. [22:32] If the treating physician for the work injury prescribes a Schedule III medicine, the employer could be responsible for ongoing payment indefinitely. [22:48] Schedule I drugs are not classified as having a medicinal benefit and are considered highly addictive, similar to heroin and LSD. [23:03] Another Quick Break! The Spencer Educational Foundation's Risk Manager on Campus application period opened on April 1st, 2026, and it will close on June 30th. Grant awardees, colleges, and universities are typically notified in September. [23:24] The Course Development Grant application deadline for Interval Number 2 will be on June 15th, 2026. Award notifications will be sent out in late July. [23:39] General Grant applications will open on May 1st, 2026, and the application deadline is July 30th. Internship Grant applications open on August 15th and close on October 15th. [23:51] Links to each of these grants are in this episode's show notes. Visit SpencerEd.org for more information. [24:00] Let's Conclude Our Interview with Kiersten Cash of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia! [24:12] Kiersten is a department of two: herself and her Workers' Comp Specialist. They run the program together. [24:39] Kiersten mainly talks to managers, as she does a lot of accident investigation. Kiersten utilizes Teams a lot to establish relationships with the managers. They have a lot of videoconference calls. [24:55] They send a lot of emails back and forth, but her initial contact with everybody is through Teams, so they know who Kiersten is and what she looks like. She sets up tours and in-person meetings with staff, so they're comfortable with her, and she builds rapport. [25:20] If something is going on, Kiersten will go into the office and attend whatever meeting she needs to attend. The biggest way Kiersten gets to know a department is by setting up a meeting to do either shadowing or a tour of the department. [25:37] CHOP is a large organization. Once Kiersten visits a department, and everybody knows her, they're more comfortable with her when it comes to somebody getting injured. [25:57] Kiersten establishes herself as a contact so that for anything about Workers' Comp, they know to reach out to her. [26:26] Kiersten also has vendors that help CHOP navigate claims. She builds and maintains vendor relationships as part of her job. She goes to vendor locations, tours their facilities, and meets the staff. [26:57] Kiersten meets her nurses in person. Kiersten has met in person every nurse who works on her program. She has spoken to them, and they understand how the program is run. [27:09] Kiersten has a very good relationship with all of the outside vendors who manage her program, so that everybody is on the same page and everybody knows what the common goal is for each claim. [27:47] Kiersten's advice for the next generation of risk professionals is that Workers' Comp is absolutely the best line of insurance to learn with and hit the ground running in the industry. [28:03] With Workers' Compensation, you learn about legal, medical, how to pay somebody's wage benefits when they're out of work, what's related to work, and what's not related to work. [28:22] You learn how to decipher a claim. You learn how to investigate properly, to understand what you should be paying for, and what you should not be paying for. Workers' Comp is very complex. Trust the process. [28:48] Being a claims adjuster is hard work, but it is only the first step to getting into a much bigger world of risk management. Kiersten says if she had not adjusted claims for 10 years, she would not be able to do the job that she has now. [19:07] Understand that there is a reason for everything that happens in your career, and that you're not stuck. If a door closes in your face, understand that just because that door closes, it doesn't mean another door will not open. [29:37] Michael Strahan is the RISKWORLD closing keynote on May 6th. Kiersten will be there. Is she stoked to see Michael Strahan? Kiersten's an Eagles fan, but back in the Strahan days, she would only watch the New York Giants just for him. It's exciting that he's there! [30:20] Justin says it has been such a delight to finally meet you and to have you on our show. Everyone out there, please remember to go to Room 120-BC for "Reefer Madness: Still in the Weeds with Medical Marijuana and Workers' Compensation," at 10:15 a.m. on May 6th. [30:53] Special thanks again to Kiersten Cash of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Check out her session, "Reefer Madness: Still in the Weeds with Medical Marijuana and Workers' Compensation," at RISKWORLD on May 6th at 10:15 a.m. in Room 120-BC. [31:18] Register at RIMS.org/RISKWORLD today. [31:22] Plug Time! You can sponsor a RIMScast episode for this, our weekly show, or a dedicated episode. Links to sponsored episodes are in the show notes. [31:50] RIMScast has a global audience of risk and insurance professionals, legal professionals, students, business leaders, C-Suite executives, and more. Let's collaborate and help you reach them! Contact pd@rims.org for more information. [32:08] Become a RIMS member and get access to the tools, thought leadership, and network you need to succeed. Visit RIMS.org/membership or email membershipdept@RIMS.org for more information. [32:26] Risk Knowledge is the RIMS searchable content library that provides relevant information for today's risk professionals. Materials include RIMS executive reports, survey findings, contributed articles, industry research, benchmarking data, and more. [32:42] For the best reporting on the profession of risk management, read Risk Management Magazine at RMMagazine.com. It is written and published by the best minds in risk management. [38:56] Justin Smulison is the Business Content Manager at RIMS. Please remember to subscribe to RIMScast on your favorite podcasting app. You can email us at Content@RIMS.org. [33:09] Practice good risk management, stay safe, and thank you again for your continuous support! Links: RISKWORLD 2026 Registration — Open for exhibitors, members, and non-members! Reserve your booth at RISKWORLD 2026! Spencer Educational Foundation — Scholarships and Grants | Open Calls and Timelines. RIMS-CRO Certificate Program In Advanced Enterprise Risk Management | July‒Sept. 2026 Cohort | Led by James Lam RIMS Western Regional Conference — Oct. 4‒7, 2026 | Seattle, WA | Register Today and Submit an Educational Session! RIMS Risk Management Magazine | Contribute Cannabis coverage in Risk Management Magazine RIMS Now RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) | Insights Video Series Featuring Joe Milan! The Strategic and Enterprise Risk Center RIMS Diversity Equity Inclusion Council RIMS-CRMP Story, featuring John Button RIMScast Canada — Episodes Now Live RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy Upcoming RIMS-CRMP Prep Virtual Workshops: RIMS-CRMP Exam PrepApril 21‒22, 2026 | June 9‒10 Full RIMS-CRMP Prep Course Schedule See the full calendar of RIMS Virtual Workshops "Claims Management" | April 7‒8 "Emerging Risks" | April 15 | Register Now! Upcoming RIMS Webinars: "Navigating the New Global Risk Landscape: Lessons for Business Travelers in Unstable Times" | April 16 | Presented by Zurich and World Travel Protection RIMS.org/Webinars Related RIMScast Episodes: "Canna-Business Risks with Nikolas Komyati" "Opioid Awareness and Workers Comp Risks with Raji Chadarevian of the NCCI" "Bridging The Workers' Comp Talent Gap with Nikki Jackson" "Tom Armstrong on Leading Risk at Comcast and RIMS Delaware Valley Chapter" (2026) "Navigating Marine Risks in 2026 with Joshua Gold" Sponsored RIMScast Episodes: "Secondary Perils, Major Risks: The New Face of Weather-Related Challenges" | Sponsored by AXA XL (New!) "The ART of Risk: Rethinking Risk Through Insight, Design, and Innovation" | Sponsored by Alliant "Mastering ERM: Leveraging Internal and External Risk Factors" | Sponsored by Diligent "Cyberrisk: Preparing Beyond 2025" | Sponsored by Alliant "The New Reality of Risk Engineering: From Code Compliance to Resilience" | Sponsored by AXA XL "Change Management: AI's Role in Loss Control and Property Insurance" | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company "Demystifying Multinational Fronting Insurance Programs" | Sponsored by Zurich "Understanding Third-Party Litigation Funding" | Sponsored by Zurich "What Risk Managers Can Learn From School Shootings" | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog "Simplifying the Challenges of OSHA Recordkeeping" | Sponsored by Medcor "How Insurance Builds Resilience Against An Active Assailant Attack" | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog "Third-Party and Cyber Risk Management Tips" | Sponsored by Alliant RIMS Publications, Content, and Links: RIMS Membership — Whether you are a new member or need to transition, be a part of the global risk management community! RIMS Virtual Workshops On-Demand Webinars RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy RIMS Strategic & Enterprise Risk Center RIMS-CRMP Stories — Featuring RIMS President Manny Padilla! RIMS Events, Education, and Services: RIMS Risk Maturity Model® Sponsor RIMScast: Contact sales@rims.org or pd@rims.org for more information. Want to Learn More? Keep up with the podcast on RIMS.org, and listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Have a question or suggestion? Email: Content@rims.org. Join the Conversation! Follow @RIMSorg on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. About our guest: Kiersten J. Cash, MBA Senior Manager, Workers Compensation & General Liability Insurance Administration, Office of The General Counsel The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Roberts Center for Pediatric Research Production and engineering provided by Podfly.
This CEO Is Disrupting The Insurance Industry With Tech & AI. “Never confuse effort for success”GuestTim Johnson (Founder & CEO)CompanyHealth In Tech, Inc. (Nasdaq: HIT)Websitehttps://healthintech.com/Tim's BioTim Johnson is the founder and CEO of Health In Tech. He has spent his entire career in the insurance industry, beginning on the property and casualty side at a small regional insurer before moving to larger firms including Liberty Mutual and AIG. He later transitioned to the brokerage side, working at leading brokerage firms where he built captives and developed alternative risk solutions.Mr. Johnson has over 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur and has founded multiple successful companies in the medical insurance sector. He has extensive knowledge in the stop-loss insurance and self-funded benefits space, and between 2005 and 2007, he helped pioneer some of the country's first Stop Loss captive programs for healthcare, applying proven techniques from the P&C world that had not previously been widely used in employee benefits. He also launched his own insurance carrier and built a vertically integrated platform offering underwriting, claims, repricing, and medical management services.Seeing how far behind healthcare was in technology, Tim began building Health In Tech with a system designed to help brokers quote and bind health plans more quickly and efficiently. That early tool ultimately evolved into the AI-powered platform Health In Tech is known for today.Company Bio:Health in Tech (“HIT”) is an insurance technology platform company, which offers a marketplace that aims to improve processes in the healthcare industry through vertical integration, process simplification, and automation. By removing friction and complexities, we streamline the underwriting, sales and service process for insurance companies, licensed brokers, and TPAs.Marketplace: We are a health insurance marketplace where insurance companies can list various stop-loss policy options for self-funded benefits plans. Licensed brokers registered on our platform can log in, upload certain required information, select policy plans, obtain a bindable quote and sell them to small businesses. Our technology enables us to medically underwrite insurance policies and usually produce bindable quotes within approximately two minutes, allowing us to deliver an integrated and seamless sales cycle.Customizable Solutions: Beyond policy underwriting and sales, our marketplace offers customization of health benefits plans, vendors, claims, and network services. Brokers can select customized plans that suit their customers.Accessibility and Savings: We make self-funded benefits plans and stop loss insurance accessible online for small businesses. We aim to deliver meaningful cost savings for low-risk, small employers with comparatively healthy employees through a digital medical underwriting process. We seek to deliver time savings for employers, brokers, TPAs, and carriers, by leveraging both external and internally developed technology.HIT was founded on the belief that self-funded benefits plans and stop loss insurance should be simple and streamlined with significant transparency. With over 30 years of industry experience of our management team, we understand the complexities of the healthcare insurance market, and we know how to integrate the multifaceted aspects of the industry. Our solutions and technology platforms do exactly this through vertical integration, process simplification, automation, and digitalization.
Many agency leaders run their businesses on gut instinct. While intuition is important for speed, relying on it for your year-end forecast or retention metrics is a dangerous game. If your Agency Management System (AMS) is just spitting out numbers without context, you are effectively flying blind.My guest, Todd Dailey, creator of Premium Logic, joins me to discuss how his transition from the data-rich corporate world of Liberty Mutual to the independent agency side exposed a massive gap in analytics. We break down why traditional AMS platforms fall short, the critical difference between lagging metrics (like retention) and leading metrics (like client sentiment), and how to use data to collaborate with your producers rather than punish them. If you are ready to stop guessing and start making confident, calculated decisions to scale your agency, this episode is your blueprint.▶▶ Sign Up For Your Free Discovery Callcompletegameu.com/agaCONNECT WITH ANDY NEARY
Agency Nation Radio - Insurance Marketing, Sales and Technology
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we meet Marissa Winkelman, managing partner of Webb + Winkelman in Grove, Oklahoma. Winkelman entered the insurance industry in 2012 as a receptionist at Webb Insurance and quickly realized the role wasn't the right fit. After transitioning to a back-office position, she focused on learning the business and working her way up. By 2023, Winkelman became a managing partner of the rebranded Webb + Winkelman Insurance Company, aiming to build a culture where women can thrive. Two years later, she earned the Outstanding Female Agency Principal honor in the Liberty Mutual 2025 Agent for the Future Awards. “I'm hoping to change the standard for working moms in our industry,” Winkelman says. “That's really the goal in an industry that used to be so male-led and male-centered.” Throughout the episode, Winkelman discusses her agency's maternity program, what they have planned for Women's History Month and how they give back to their community. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we've got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts. Winkelman was also featured in the March issue of Independent Agent. Check out her interview or read the full issue online.
From 1969 to 1999, Wausau Insurance Companies (later bought by Liberty Mutual) was a major sponsor of CBS-TV's 60 Minutes. The ad campaign would put the company on the map.
AM Best Senior Associate Editor Steve Hallo breaks down Massachusetts regulatory approval of Liberty Mutual's affiliate reorganization, including the conversion of several mutual insurers to stock companies and what the move signals about capital access.
Boston has been a creative powerhouse for decades. While agencies like Mullen, The Barbarian Group, Modernista, and Hill Holiday have all left their mark, Arnold continues to this day, alongside smaller agencies like Colossus, to make a mark with national work (think Progressive Insurance) that makes most of us jealous. Boston also houses many in-house agencies at companies including The LEGO Group. Shark Ninja, Staples, Liberty Mutual, New Balance, Puma, etc. We talk about all this and more with many of the people at its center. Thanks to Tracksuit, Ipsos and the Effies for supporting our live tour.
Mascots are proving to have high value at little cost when it comes to establishing brand traction. How about all the insurance brands clearly benefiting from having a brand mascot like Liberty Mutual's, limu, imu, and Doug, which dominated in ad breakthrough messaging and branding in a market cast study. While All State, Mayhem, ranked first in likability and memorability, Progressives, Flo, excelled in message recall. While Geico's Gecko has maintained a 94% recognition rate and is a driving force in Geico becoming a leading US insurer. Research from Ipso shows that ads with brand characters perform six times better on brand recall than ads without double the attention of celebrity ambassadors. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ty Harris is CEO and co-founder of Openly, a VC-backed startup reinventing homeowners insurance for independent agents. Before founding Openly in 2017, Ty co-founded Quote Hopper and spent 12+ years at Liberty Mutual, where he rose to EVP & Chief Product Officer overseeing $18B in premium across Liberty and Safeco brands, plus $3B across 17 countries. Earlier in his career, he lectured in economics and statistics at MIT and Northeastern, and began as a research assistant at Brookings. A Duke and MIT alum, Ty is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS).
Agency Nation Radio - Insurance Marketing, Sales and Technology
This episode of Agency Nation Radio is the third in a special series about artificial intelligence (AI) brought to you by the Big “I” Agents Council for Technology's (ACT) AI workgroup. Host Kasey Connors, executive director of ACT, is joined by Jake Holehouse, owner of HH Insurance in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Dale Steinke, director, Agent for the Future Advisors at Liberty Mutual. The discussion dives into the realities of implementing AI tools in an agency—how to start small, gain team buy-in and integrate AI into existing workflows. Holehouse shares first-hand lessons from introducing AI across his agency, while Dale offers research-backed insights on adoption, policies and measuring impact. Together, they highlight how agencies can overcome fear, avoid missteps and use AI to free up staff for higher-value client work. Learn more about ACT. https://www.independentagent.com/agency-management/technology/ Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we've got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts.
For years, companies have relied on credentials and rigid job structures that filter out talent instead of developing it. But in a world where roles are shifting fast, especially with AI, those old models are holding organizations back and leaving employees frustrated. It's time for organizations to unlock human potential by rethinking talent development for the future of work.In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari sits down with Stacey Dietsch—former McKinsey partner and senior executive at Liberty Mutual— to explore how skills-based practices, leadership investment, and responsible AI adoption can help organizations empower people and close the talent gap.Stacey Dietsch is Executive Vice President of Talent Pipeline at Liberty Mutual Insurance, where she leads the end-to-end talent lifecycle—including strategic workforce planning, talent attraction, onboarding, learning and development, performance management, and career growth across 45,000 employees globally. Before joining Liberty Mutual in January 2024, Stacey spent nearly two decades as a Partner in McKinsey & Company's People & Organizational Performance Practice, helping organizations align their talent, culture, and operating models to drive sustainable performance and meaningful work.Stacey emphasizes that building thriving organizations requires deliberate choices—simplifying structures, developing leaders at every level, and giving people ownership of their growth and impact. Tune in now and learn what unlocks your team's real potential.Things you will learn in this episode:• Why empowered workplaces outperform bureaucratic ones• The role of purpose, autonomy, and trust in employee flourishing• The shift from credential-based to skills-based hiring and promotion• The promise of STARS (Skilled Through Alternative Routes) in widening talent pipelines• Using AI responsibly: not just for cost savings, but for growth and workplace transformation✅Resources:• Liberty Mutual Insurance: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liberty-mutual-insurance/ • STARS (Skilled Through Alternative Routes) framework: https://www.opportunityatwork.org/stars • Positive Organizational Scholarship: https://positiveorgs.bus.umich.edu/an-introduction/ ✅Books:• Multipliers, Revised and Updated: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman: https://a.co/d/cgjo5ij • The Win-Win Workplace: How Thriving Employees Drive Bottom-Line Success by Angela Jackson: https://a.co/d/awtKbEP • Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://a.co/d/fpmucOP
Welcome to this Edition of award-winning Everything Compliance. In this episode, we have the quartet of Matt Kelly, Jonathan Marks, Jonathan Armstrong, and Karen Moore with Tom Fox, the Compliance Evangelist, sitting in as host. Matt Kelly examines socialism under Trump through his investments in US corporations. He shouts out to CDC employees for honoring management who were summarily fired by Trump, and FEMA employees who whistled-blow on the Trump administration for gutting FEMA. Jonathan Marks takes a deep dive into the Liberty Mutual declination. He shouts out to Kyle Schwarber for his 4 home run, 9 RBI game, and to Dan Korem for his book, The Art of Profiling. Jonathan Armstrong considers whether AI should be the responsibility of a corporate compliance function and, if not, which function should be responsible. He rants about self-avowed UK racist Lucy Connolly for claiming she is a prisoner for free speech. Karen Moore takes a deep dive into a new whistleblower case filed by Rodney Campbell against Adobe. She shouts out to the Kyiv School of Economics for teaching the next generation of leaders and economists in Ukraine during the Russian invasion. Tom Fox shouts out to Cowboy owner Jerry Jones for upholding the great Texas tradition that a handshake is a contract by trading future HORer Micah Parsons for violating this sacred Texas screed. He also shouts out to ‘Scottish Girl' (If you don't know, you don't know.) The members of Everything Compliance are: Karen Woody is one of the top academic experts on the SEC. Woody can be reached at kwoody@wlu.edu Matt Kelly, founder and CEO of Radical Compliance. Kelly can be reached at mkelly@radicalcompliance.com Jonathan Armstrong is our UK colleague and an experienced data privacy/data protection lawyer in London. He can be reached at Armstrong@puntersouthall.law. Jonathan Marks can be reached at jtmarks@gmail.com Karen Moore is a principal at Sounding Board Compliance, and can be reached at moore@soundingboardcompliance.com The host, producer, and sometimes panelist of Everything Compliance is Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance. He can be reached at tfox@tfoxlaw.com. The award-winning Everything Compliance is a part of the Compliance Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of The Speed of Culture, Matt Britton speaks with Jenna Lebel, CMO of US Retail Markets at Liberty Mutual Insurance, about AI's role in modern marketing, connecting with Gen Z, and how jingles and data-driven creative keep Liberty top of mind.Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBizFollow Jenna Lebel on LinkedInSubscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is the DOJ really changing its playbook on FCPA enforcement, or is it business as usual under a new administration? In this episode, Michael digs into two headline developments that say a lot about where things are headed - the first FCPA declination under the Trump Administration and the first indictment. Both shed light on how DOJ is applying its policies in practice, what companies should expect, and why individuals are squarely in the crosshairs. Taken together, these cases remind listeners that while priorities may shift, the fundamentals of disclosure, cooperation, and accountability remain very much alive.You'll hear him discuss:Why Liberty Mutual's $4.7 million disgorgement shows DOJ is sticking closely to its Corporate Enforcement PolicyHow voluntary disclosure and cooperation continue to all but guarantee a declinationThe details behind Liberty Mutual's misconduct in India and the factors DOJ weighed in its decisionWhat the Pemex indictment tells us about DOJ's push to hold individuals accountableThe role of disgorgement in DOJ resolutions and whether the policy might be applied with more flexibility going forwardHow luxury goods and personal perks were used in the Pemex scheme and why DOJ zeroed in on those detailsWhat these developments signal for companies trying to strengthen compliance programs in a shifting enforcement landscapeResourcesMichael Volkov on LinkedIn | TwitterThe Volkov Law Group
Welcome to the Hughes Hubbard Anti-Corruption & Internal Investigations Practice Group's podcast, All Things Investigation. In this podcast, host Tom Fox welcomes back Mike DeBernardis to discuss the recently released first Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement action, a Declination involving Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. Mike DeBernardis, partner at Hughes Hubbard & Reed, and Tom delve into the first FCPA enforcement action of 2025 involving Liberty Mutual. They discuss the nuances of self-disclosure during ongoing investigations, the challenges facing defense attorneys, and the expectations set by the new corporate enforcement policy. Key topics include proactive cooperation, dealing with deconfliction, and the importance of root cause analysis. The conversation provides valuable insights into how the Department of Justice communicates its expectations through enforcement actions and the evolving landscape of corporate compliance. Key highlights: Exploring the Liberty Mutual Case Challenges of Early Self-Disclosure Corporate Enforcement Policy Changes Full and Proactive Cooperation De-confliction in DOJ Investigations Root Cause Analysis Importance Social Media and Ephemeral Messaging Resources: Hughes Hubbard & Reed website Mike DeBernardis
In this episode, John Byrne and Elliot Berman unpack a series of significant developments in banking, compliance, and enforcement. They begin with the White House's new executive order on “Guaranteeing Fair Banking for All Americans,” which aims to prevent what some call “debanking.” While positioned as a fairness measure, John and Elliot warn that it could weaken banks' ability to make independent, risk-based decisions, potentially increasing white-collar crime exposure. They note concerns over the subjective nature of risk scoring and parallels to the 2008–2010 financial crisis. Next, they spotlight the IRS-CI “CI-FIRST” program, a collaborative effort between financial institutions and the IRS's Criminal Investigation division to improve information sharing and streamline financial record requests. The recent CI-FIRST Executive Forum in Washington is seen as a model for effective public-private partnerships in combating financial crime. The discussion then turns to enforcement actions: Paxos Trust Company will pay $26.5 million to New York regulators for failing to properly vet Binance and for systemic AML program weaknesses, alongside a $22 million investment in compliance upgrades. The DOJ issued its first corporate FCPA action since resuming enforcement, with Liberty Mutual paying $4.7 million to resolve bribery allegations involving Indian state-owned banks. Do Kwon, co-founder of Terraform Labs, pled guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy, tied to the $40 billion collapse of Terra USD and Luna, with a $19 million penalty and possible 12-year sentence. They also cover a Senate minority report critical of the administration's approach to Russian sanctions, arguing it undermines Ukraine's leverage and lacks consistent enforcement. The FACT Coalition emphasizes the need for tools like the Corporate Transparency Act to bolster sanctions' effectiveness. On the policy front, they discuss delays and staffing cuts affecting the State Department's annual human rights report and the pending trafficking in persons report—both key references for global human rights and anti-trafficking efforts.
A winning strategy for Liberty Mutual is to have professionals with farming backgrounds serve in its farm and ranch division. It helps to understand your client's needs when you understand your client's lifestyle and daily reality. This 16-minute episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI features Jenn Powell, farm and ranch senior territory manager, Liberty Mutual Insurance. This episode unpacks the challenges farmers face and the important work Liberty Mutual is doing to help protect the farmers' families and livelihood.
If your client was riding in your car all day, would they see you as a dedicated professional, or just someone running errands? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes Sharon Mills. Sharon is one of Northeast Florida's leading realtors. Sharon dives deep into her journey, highlighting how her early corporate experiences at General Motors shaped her into a meticulous professional dedicated to client service and relentless attention to detail. She shares invaluable lessons learned from transitioning through multiple industries—including owning an interior design firm—to becoming a top-producing luxury real estate agent. Throughout the conversation, Sharon emphasizes the importance of treating real estate like a true profession, investing deeply in self-education, and knowing your market inside and out. From setting clear boundaries with clients to maintaining consistent work ethics even during downturns, Sharon delivers actionable advice on building resilience and establishing yourself as a go-to realtor for life. Want to set yourself apart in the competitive world of real estate? Tune in, learn Sharon's proven strategies, and commit to investing in yourself. Subscribe to the Real Estate Excellence Podcast now and elevate your real estate career! Highlights: 00:00 - 14:20 Sharon Mills Early Career and Life Experiences Sharon's journey from Buffalo to Jacksonville Working at Liberty Mutual as a teenager Corporate growth at General Motors Importance of mentors and early responsibilities Transition from corporate America to entrepreneurship 14:21 - 28:50 Building a Real Estate Career Amid Challenges Entering real estate during the 2006 downturn Consistency and discipline during tough markets Learning short sales and foreclosures Rising to the top 1% of agents Reinventing yourself to stay relevant 28:51 - 43:15 Treating Real Estate as a Serious Profession Structuring your business day effectively Setting clear professional boundaries with clients Defining work hours and customer expectations Importance of business mindset and planning Creating worklife balance through scheduling 43:16 - 58:00 Importance of Continuous Learning and Preparation Educating yourself beyond basic real estate skills Understanding the nuances of luxury homes Attending seminars and training events nationwide Developing confidence through knowledge Building relationships through informed conversations 58:01 - 01:11:40 Establishing a Loyal Client Base Providing genuine value and consistent followup Understanding client needs and preferences Becoming the go-to real estate professional for life Maintaining integrity and honesty in transactions Using knowledge as the foundation of relationships 01:11:41 - 01:26:43 Advice for New and Growing Agents Developing market expertise early Managing downtime effectively Leveraging your network and community involvement Avoiding comparison and focusing on personal growth Committing to continuous selfimprovement and adaptability Quotes: "You have to have a passion for what you do and keep reinventing yourself." – Sharon Mills "Customer service isn't just customer service—it's people service." – Sharon Mills "The biggest mistake agents make is assuming success will just fall into their laps." – Sharon Mills "If you don't know your value, others will define it for you." – Sharon Mills To contact Sharon Mills, learn more about her business, and make her a part of your network, make sure to follow her on her Website and Instagram. Connect with Sharon Mills! Website: http://sharonmills.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonmills10/ Connect with me! Website: toprealtorjacksonville.com Website: toprealtorstaugustine.com SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW as we discuss real estate excellence with the best of the best. #RealEstateExcellence #SharonMills #LuxuryRealEstate #RealEstateCareer #TopAgent #CustomerService #RealEstateAdvice #FloridaRealEstate #MillionDollarAgent #AgentTips #RealEstateSuccess #RealtorLife #RealEstatePodcast #JacksonvilleRealtor #RealEstateEducation #BusinessMindset #RealEstateAgent #HomeSellingTips #ContinuousLearning #PodcastEpisode
Join us for an in-depth conversation exploring the intersection of mental health awareness and early risk detection in school safety. This session will focus on equipping educators, administrators, and safety professionals with the tools and insights necessary to identify and address early signs of at-risk behaviors. By integrating mental health frameworks with threat assessment strategies, we aim to create proactive approaches to school safety that prioritize student well-being while preventing harm. Our panel of experts share actionable insights, real-world examples, and innovative practices to enhance the safety and security of our schools.GuestsMelissa KreeSchool Psychologist·Oxford Community SchoolsMelissa Kree has been a School Psychologist with Oxford Community Schools for the last 12 years. She has worked at all levels from PreK through high school. She coordinates building level MTSS teams and special education evaluations and is a district level IEP Coach. She serves on the district's crisis team as well as building level threat and suicide risk assessment teams, following both BTAM and PREPaRE models. She has been an ongoing part of Oxford's response to the tragedy on November 30th, 2021, and works closely with the Executive Director of School Safety, Operational Technology, and Student Services to regularly review and implement policies and procedures, as well as lead building level teams in the implementation as situations arise. She serves on the district mental health/SEL committee and participates in county level PREPaRE community of practice groups. Melissa serves on the Mental Health subcommittee of the Michigan Association of School Psychologists and is an advocate for the mental health involved in all aspects of school safety before, during and after an event. Melissa lives in Oxford with her husband and two children (2nd and 5th grade)Randolph MercedExecutive Director of Public Safety & Emergency Management·Seattle UniversityCareer university public safety professional with extensive experience supporting student well-being and campus safety. Currently serving as Executive Director of Public Safety and Emergency Management at Seattle University. An active member of the university's CARE Team and contributor to the development of student support strategies. Previously held a leadership role at the Community College of Philadelphia, where I established the institution's first BITA/CARE Team. Also provided instruction to graduate counseling students, bringing a public safety lens to student behavioral intervention and support.Rick ShawFounder·First PreventersRick Shaw founded Awareity in 2004 and is the CEO. Rick also founded First Preventers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, in 2019. Rick is a Pre-Incident Prevention Expert, author of The First Preventers Playbook, and Prevention Coach to forward looking leaders of schools, universities, organizations, and communities. Rick Shaw has been researching failed preventions for over 25 years and has identified dangerous gaps, silos, disconnects, and blind spots that are common in nearly every failed prevention. Rick's visionary pre-incident prevention innovations offer a new category of solutions that have been recognized with the Risk Innovator award from Risk & Insurance Magazine, Responsibility Leader award from Liberty Mutual, Business Innovation award from Business Insurance, Campus Safety BEST Award from Campus Safety Magazine, and MVP Award from Security Sales & Integration Magazine. Rick also created the First Preventers Framework, a different category of solutions to deliver different and better results, which has been delivering impressive successes and safer schools, workplaces, and communities since 2016.
Episode Info David Corry joined Argo Group in September 2020. As Head of Casualty, he is responsible for leading Primary Casualty, Excess Casualty, Construction, Environmental, Rockwood, and Bermuda Casualty. Corry previously served as Senior Vice President, Head of Environmental at Argo Group. He has in-depth experience in all lines of casualty insurance, having served as Senior Director at Markel Specialty and Vice President at Liberty Mutual. He also held senior positions at Chubb and Crum & Forster. Corry is a veteran of the armed forces, having served for 29 years in the Air National Guard, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Highlights from the Show The video features a discussion with David, who has over 35 years of experience in the insurance industry, focusing on casualty underwriting and management. He currently serves as the Head of Casualty at Argo Group, where he oversees various liability lines, including primary and excess casualty, environmental liabilities, construction liabilities, and workers' compensation. The conversation highlights Argo's niche focus on the U.S. market, with some operations in Bermuda, and its recent acquisition by Brookfield Wealth Solutions. David shares insights into the challenges faced by the Casualty insurance sector, such as social inflation, litigiousness in the U.S., and the economic viability of Casualty lines. He discusses the importance of capacity management and the need for insurance carriers to be nimble in managing their portfolios. The conversation also touches on the impact of distracted driving on auto insurance claims and the necessity for the industry to adapt to changing conditions. The video concludes with a discussion on the future of the insurance industry, emphasizing the need for innovation and the importance of attracting new talent to sustain the industry. David expresses optimism about the industry's ability to adapt and continue providing necessary coverage despite current challenges. Key Points: Challenges in Casualty Insurance: Social inflation and increased litigiousness in the U.S. Economic viability of casualty lines. Importance of capacity management and nimbleness in portfolio management. Impact of Distracted Driving: Significant effect on auto insurance claims. Necessity for the industry to adapt to changing conditions. Future of the Insurance Industry: Need for innovation and attracting new talent. Optimism about the industry's ability to adapt and provide necessary coverage despite challenges. 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 lively and wide-ranging episode of The Big Red Bus, See Red Fred and the Podfather Doug Thonus discuss one of the Bulls' most intriguing potential draft picks: Collin Murray-Boyles. The South Carolina forward has been rising up draft boards thanks to his physical style of play, defensive versatility, and emerging offensive skill set. See Red Fred identifies Derik Queen as a player with high bust potential. The show starts with a detour, as See Red Fred launches into a spirited critique of the repetitive Liberty Mutual commercial that seems to plague every timeout during the NBA Conference Finals. Fred can't believe anyone can endure it. Things escalate when Fred uncovers Doug's shocking ignorance of ABC7 meteorologist Cheryl Scott. That revelation leads to a debate about whether anyone still watches the evening news for weather updates in 2025 or if that habit has gone the way of VHS tapes and payphones. This episode blends Bulls talk, media culture, and some classic See Red tangents you won't want to miss. Timestamps: Collin Murray-Boyles discussion begins: 20:00 Derik Queen discussion begins: 28:50 Collin Murray-Boyles – Scouting Snapshot Games: 32 Minutes Per Game: 30.6 Points Per Game: 16.8 Rebounds Per Game: 8.3 Assists Per Game: 2.4 Steals Per Game: 1.5 Blocks Per Game: 1.3 Turnovers Per Game: 2.4 Shooting Percentages: Field Goal: 58.6% (6.2/10.6) 3-Point: 26.5% (0.3/1.1) Free Throw: 70.7% (4.2/5.9) Advanced Metrics: Box Plus-Minus (BPM): 11.1 True Shooting % (TS%): 63.0 Net Rating Differential: +18.3 Block %: 4.7 At Rim FG %: 66.9% Physical Measurements: Height: 6'7” Weight: 245 lbs Wingspan: 7'0” Date of Birth: 6/10/2005 Hop on the bus and ride along for all the analysis, laughs, and rants you've come to love from The Big Red Bus.
Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson l Presented By Marigold
In this episode of Do This, Not That, Jay Schwedelson breaks down what's trending this week—from Instagram's push for carousel posts to summer-themed subject lines that boost open rates. He also covers LinkedIn layoffs, Dick's Sporting Goods buying Foot Locker, and some personal takes on movies and Blake Lively.=================================================Best Moments:(00:34) So basically you should only be posting carousels(01:34) Carousel posts... are increasing average engagement rates... to about 30% higher(02:05) Summer oriented subject lines... have a 22% higher average email open rate(03:15) Your summer starts with this email or hot summer, hotter discounts(03:40) This tool doesn't take summer Fridays(04:19) LinkedIn is facing job cuts(05:12) Do you not then use LinkedIn to find your next job?(05:48) Dick's Sporting Goods bought Foot Locker for $2,400,000,000(06:27) They could be a total of 35% of Nike's sales(06:58) Liberty Mutual's TV spot, the Limu Emu(07:22) They spent... $2,700,000 on that ad this week(07:33) Wegovy's TV spot... $8,700,000 because they're going after some more expensive markets(08:00) Tom Cruise can like jump out of planes(08:28) I do not like these live action versions of cartoons(08:58) This is the sixth film in the Karate Kid whatever(09:39) Sorry, Blake Lively(10:00) She needs to hide. If she just hid for a few months...=================================================Check out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->EVENTASTIC - The worlds LARGEST event about EVENTS! June 5-6 2025Register HERE: https://www.eventastic.com/RegistrationGuru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.com=================================================Check out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/=================================================AND don't miss out on this awesome FREE upcoming Quick Hit!Marigold: Should I Switch Email Platforms? 5 Truths & Myths!June 24th 11am – 12pm ET.Register HERE: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7325947932031991808/comments/=================================================MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ keep control while local teams send on-brand, on-time messages with ease.Podcast & GURU listeners: 50 % off your first 3 months with an annual plan (new customers, 10 k-contact minimum, terms apply).Claim your offer now at jayschwedelson.com/emma
Private equity is investing in the construction industry—but what does that mean? In The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, join Rob Langtry, global private equity director at Liberty Mutual, as he provides clarification as to why private equity is interested in the construction industry. In this 15-minute podcast, gain an understanding of the typical structure of a private equity program in construction and learn how insurance is generally addressed in such transactions.
In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Jamie Luce—CEO and Co-Founder of AIR Parametric—breaks down how parametric insurance is changing the game for managing climate risks in livestock and dairy farming. He shares how their data-driven tool, Milkshake™, helps farms get fast support during extreme heat, skipping the usual hassle of filing claims. It's a simpler, smarter way to get coverage, no matter the size of the operation. Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform!Meet the guest:Jamie Luce is the CEO and Co-Founder of AIR Parametric, bringing over two decades of leadership in commercial insurance. With a career spanning Liberty Mutual, QBE, and Jewelers Mutual, he launched AIR Parametric to build new protections for agricultural businesses against extreme climate events. Luce holds deep expertise in underwriting, insurance strategy, and innovation.Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedInWhat you will learn:(00:00) Introduction(02:11) Parametric insurance (04:42) Heat index triggers(07:07) Localized data models(10:24) Pricing and policy tiers(17:09) Rise of alt insurance(22:25) Closing thoughtsDiscover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast". This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices.Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels and encounters with important figures around the world.Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Subscribe at http://www.agculturepodcast.com and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.
The fellas talk about Rory's win at the Players Championship, LB and Claude share their brackets and Claude tries to convince LB that the Liberty Mutual commercials are funny. Check out our friends at Love Life Coffee and Cashae Spine Sports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The fellas talk about Rory's win at the Players Championship, LB and Claude share their brackets and Claude tries to convince LB that the Liberty Mutual commercials are funny.Check out our friends at Love Life Coffee and Cashae Spine Sports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
ABOUT MAHER HANAFIMaher Hanafi is a seasoned technology engineering leader, driving digital transformation and delivering impactful SaaS solutions. As Senior Vice President of Engineering at Betterworks, he leads the AI vision and applications for their AI-powered performance management software, overseeing the integration of AI tools that enhance HR functions like performance reviews, goal setting and employee development.Maher's passion for technology centers on the transformative potential of AI, particularly Generative AI. He views it as a powerful tool capable of learning, adapting and solving real-world problems, and champions its responsible development to empower individuals.Maher's vision extends beyond technology, aiming to revolutionize tech workplaces by fostering human potential alongside cutting-edge solutions. He employs a people-centric leadership style, building collaborative environments that empower teams to excel. This commitment to empowerment extends to mentoring fellow engineering leaders and sharing his knowledge through public speaking.ABOUT COREY COTOCorey Coto is a creative, data-driven, and innovative executive. He founded Kaizen Insights to help enterprises create business intelligence with their people. Corey was SVP of Product, Design and Engineering at a Vista Equity Partners portfolio company and held engineering leadership roles at Amazon, CoStar Group, and Liberty Mutual. He is a Founder Institute Mentor, an ELC Seattle Chapter Lead, and a startup advisor. Software is his favorite artistic medium because of its power to quickly move the needle on big ideas that can benefit people and the planet. He believes there has never been a better time to build. The future is bright!SHOW NOTES:When Maher realized he needed to rethink his approach to AI & upskill quickly (3:38)Milestones across Maher's AI knowledge progression (7:42)Set aside time for your eng team to experiment & apply AI learnings (11:09)Why intentionally building different use cases leads to better outcomes (14:22)The importance of revisiting AI decisions as a team (16:53)Frameworks for determining how deep to go into each learning area (19:37)How to navigate the challenges of going from proof of concept to production (22:43)Evaluating the ROI of AI applications (26:47)Strategies for deciding which resources / operating expenses go toward AI use cases (29:24)Tips for developing stakeholder confidence in your AI strategy (32:36)How non-technical experts can build AI awareness & confidence (36:22)Betterworks' AI roadmap for 2025 (38:48)Rapid fire questions (40:58)LINKS AND RESOURCESDrive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us - Drawing on four decades of scientific research on human motivation, Daniel H. Pink exposes the mismatch between what science knows and what business does—and how that affects every aspect of life. He examines the three elements of true motivation—autonomy, mastery, and purpose—and offers smart and surprising techniques for putting these into action in a unique book that will change how we think and transform how we live.This episode wouldn't have been possible without the help of our incredible production team:Patrick Gallagher - Producer & Co-HostJerry Li - Co-HostNoah Olberding - Associate Producer, Audio & Video Editor https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-olberding/Dan Overheim - Audio Engineer, Dan's also an avid 3D printer - https://www.bnd3d.com/Ellie Coggins Angus - Copywriter, Check out her other work at https://elliecoggins.com/about/
Ledgebrook is transforming the commercial insurance industry with a technology-driven approach that prioritizes speed and service for wholesale brokers. With $50 million in funding, the company has rapidly scaled to a $100 million run rate in less than two years since writing its first policy. In this episode of Category Visionaries, I spoke with Gage Caligaris, CEO and Founder of Ledgebrook, about his journey from spending nearly a decade as an actuary at Liberty Mutual to launching an insurtech startup focused on making commercial insurance quoting faster and easier. Topics Discussed: Ledgebrook's mission to bring faster quoting experiences to wholesale brokers The 14-month journey from founding to writing their first insurance policy Scaling from 30 to nearly 100 employees in just one year Reaching $100 million run rate within 19 months of their first policy The company's expansion strategy of rapidly launching new insurance products Building a distributed team culture that remains connected and engaged The E&S (Excess and Surplus) insurance market opportunity exceeding $100 billion GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Simplify your value proposition: Ledgebrook succeeded by focusing on two clear promises: being the fastest to quote and the easiest to do business with. Gage explained, "Fast and cheap is what they like. We'd prefer to be fast over cheap." B2B founders should identify the 1-2 most critical pain points in their industry and build their entire value proposition around solving them. Choose boots-on-ground engagement over flashy marketing: Despite their rapid growth, Ledgebrook has minimal formal marketing. Instead, their underwriters travel two weeks each month to visit brokers in person. "We're in our broker's offices... instead of a marketing campaign, it's a boots on the ground approach," Gage shared. For B2B startups, prioritizing direct customer engagement can be more effective than traditional marketing campaigns. Maintain consistent service delivery: Ledgebrook built their reputation by simply delivering on their promises consistently. "We kept showing up, right? We kept coming back with those fast quotes, we kept picking up the phone," noted Gage. B2B founders should recognize that reliability and consistency are powerful differentiators in markets where competitors often overpromise and underdeliver. Integrate customer-facing and technical teams: Ledgebrook has tech team members do regular "ride-alongs" with underwriters to see how their products are actually used. This collaboration ensures they build the right features and move faster. B2B founders should create structured opportunities for engineers and product teams to directly observe customer interactions. Leverage referral recruiting for growth: Ledgebrook has scaled their team primarily through employee referrals. Gage shared, "People are like, man, I'm having a blast here. Let me bring my friends." Creating a workplace where employees genuinely enjoy their work can transform your hiring process, especially when scaling rapidly. // Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co
Regulators have given two major insurers the OK to begin raising rates for 660,000 customers starting later this year.Mercury General , the fifth largest home insurer in the state, will begin raising rates in late March for its 579,300 homeowners, condo owners and dwelling rental policyholders by an average of 12% for homeowners (less for condo and rentals), filings with the California Department of Insurance show. And those who get their homeowners insurance through Safeco, a subsidiary of fourth-largest insurer Liberty Mutual, will see rates rise by an average of 7.2% in May. About 86,700 customers are affected.
Send us a textThis week, Wade Carpenter and Stephen Brown discuss the critical role of client collaboration in construction projects. The episode explores strategies for effective collaboration, from pre-project planning to managing supply chain challenges, labor shortages, and inflation.Drawing insights from a recent report from Liberty Mutual and Dodge, they highlight how top contractors are navigating industry challenges by working closely with clients, subcontractors, and surety companies.Subscribe for weekly construction finance tips: https://www.youtube.com/@CarpenterCPAs?sub_confirmation=1Topics Wade and Stephen cover on this episode:01:01 The Importance of Collaboration Culture02:26 Technological and System Challenges03:18 Impact of External Factors on Projects04:33 Effective Risk Management Strategies05:42 Contract Negotiations and Material Costs07:19 Collaboration with Subcontractors12:29 The Role of Technology in Collaboration20:02 Collaboration with Surety CompaniesLINKSVisit the episode page at https://carpentercpas.com/collaboration for more details and a transcript of the show.Join the Profit First for Construction community!Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com.Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs FIND US ONLINEWade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.comStephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com
Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a leader in the surety industry? NASBP is excited to continue the series of episodes exploring that question, titled “The Corner Office: Conversations with Surety Leaders.” In this episode, we are joined by Tim Mikolajewski, President at Liberty Mutual Surety. Tim shares his background and tips from his experiences for navigating a career in surety. Additionally, Tim speaks to opportunities and challenges in the surety industry both in the US and international surety markets. With special guest: Tim Mikolajewski, EVP Global Risk Solutions, President, Global Surety, Liberty Mutual Surety Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP Sponsored by Old Republic!
After getting dropped by Liberty Mutual due to 'mold and algae' on her roof, Kathryn Kathman invested thousands of dollars to get it checked only to find the issue was never there. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'The Afternoon Drive with Philip Teresi & E. Curtis Johnson' on all platforms: --- The Afternoon Drive with Philip Teresi & E. Curtis Johnson is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- The Afternoon Drive with Philip Teresi & E. Curtis Johnson Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Lorin Montgomery, Vice President of Brown & Brown Insurance. Lorin and Teresa talk about how to build relationships, educate and build a business in this crazy market Key Topics: Lorin's transition from Liberty Mutual to Brown & Brown Insurance. Challenges of rising costs and stricter policies in today's hard market. Importance of client education to address market changes and build trust. Proactive strategies like year-round communication and consultative advising. Networking tips for building credibility and finding niche markets. Benefits of focusing on larger clients for efficiency and relationship depth. Managing client emotions and expectations during difficult renewals. Connect with: Lorin Montgomery Teresa Kitchens Visit Websites: Brown & Brown Insurance Sterling Insurance Group Produced by PodSquad.fm
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Lorin Montgomery, Vice President of Brown & Brown Insurance. Lorin and Teresa talk about how to build relationships, educate and build a business in this crazy market Key Topics: Lorin's transition from Liberty Mutual to Brown & Brown Insurance. Challenges of rising costs and stricter policies in today's hard market. Importance of client education to address market changes and build trust. Proactive strategies like year-round communication and consultative advising. Networking tips for building credibility and finding niche markets. Benefits of focusing on larger clients for efficiency and relationship depth. Managing client emotions and expectations during difficult renewals. Connect with: Lorin Montgomery Teresa Kitchens Visit Websites: Brown & Brown Insurance Sterling Insurance Group Produced by PodSquad.fm
Tim Sweeney is a Fortune 100 CEO and the leader of one of America's largest and most successful insurance companies. Tim is the CEO of Liberty Mutual, where he oversees a business that generates more than $52 billion in annual revenue and employs more than 50,000 people. Tim joins share to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Tim and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, personal and professional development and success, hiring, culture, innovation, diversity, trust, and more.
Today's guest can boast a 40-year career in the reinsurance business and now leads a global reinsurer with around $3bn in gross written premium and approximately 250 employees. Dieter Winkel is President of Liberty Mutual Re and this podcast is very timely, given its positioning just ahead of the key 1.1 reinsurance renewal season. Dieter is everything you want in a reinsurer: experienced, probably unshockable and very measured and consistent, as well as being easy to talk to. In this Episode we cover all the major issues affecting the global reinsurance market, from the general state of the market cycle, and trends in global specialty, property and casualty and retro all the way through cyber to the burgeoning world of parametrics and the best applications of AI in reinsurance. This a very enjoyable interview with a consummate reinsurance professional, who has lived through multiple market cycles and is an excellent communicator and great company to boot. LINKS: We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo: https://www.advantagego.com We also thank audio advertiser, The Insurance Network (TIN), organiser of the highly-successful TINtech events series. This week they are advertising their successful TINtech London Market event, which will be happening on 4th February 2025.
We are so happy to introduce you to Elise White, President of Change Forward Industries, based in the Atlanta Metro area in Georgia. Join us for an interesting conversation with Elise. You'll learn about her educational background, including that she studied criminal justice and how that led to a career in insurance and claims management.Elise has 16+ years of experience managing claims for some of the biggest insurance companies, including Liberty Mutual, Travelers, and Zurich, and has developed quite an affinity for supporting at-risk youth, as well as at-risk industries. She recently launched Change Forward Industries. Listen to this episode to learn more about Elise, her career and what she's been up to lately, including some very important work with Diversity and Talent Alliance (DATA).Here are some resources related to our conversation: Change Forward Industries - https://changeforwardindustries.com/Article about RIMS/WCI Research Presentation: www.workerscompensation.com_Want better worker safety-tryEmpathyDiversity and Talent Alliance (DATA) , Non-profit https://www.diversityandtalent.org/Support the DATA Fundraiser - Workers' Compensation Empathy Relay Digital Game for $10: https://www.diversityandtalent.org/store/p/empathy-relay-digital-game-workers-comp-editionNote from Elise: "I did not state these stats with 100% accuracy, but here is the insurance data on the aging workforce and talent shortage within insurance:" Stats mentioned: 4% millennials interested in working in insurance careers, PEW Research50% of insurance professionals are looking to retire by 2028, National Association of Mutual Insurance We love Elise and we think you will too! Grab your headphones and let's go talk to Elise!¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp
Kayla is joined by her husband and Canadian-born actor and model, Tanner Novlan, who currently stars in the soap BOLD & BEAUTIFUL as Dr. John “Finn” Finnegan. You may also recognize him as “Struggling Actor” from the Liberty Mutual commercials. Well, speaking of struggle - Kayla and Tanner get real about their personal holidays as a family. Of course, they absolutely love the holidays and the special traditions they've created as a family but it can certainly come with its own stresses as anything worth having can. They also dish on BOLD & BEAUTIFUL, their first five dates, and how to date with the intention of finding “the one”. Follow TannerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tannernovlan_/Follow Us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directionallychallenged__/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.