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To obtain this week's Real Estate Notes Show guest Doug Smith's information, use this link https://bit.ly/4vfnWB5In this revealing episode, we sit down with Doug, a 35-year banking veteran who survived the 2008 crash and has worked through multiple market cycles. Doug shares the insider knowledge that separates successful note investors from those who lose money on seemingly "good" deals.**What You'll Learn:**• Why pricing notes based solely on UPB or BPO is fundamentally flawed• The dual pricing methodology banks use to evaluate every note investment• How to find the real story behind every borrower (hint: check social media)• The critical difference between data tapes and collateral files• Assignment chains and allonges explained in plain English• Why ROI calculations without time factors will mislead you• Doug's compassionate approach to loan workouts that maintains borrower dignity• Market forecast: Why Doug sees major opportunity coming for note investors in 2025**Key Topics Covered:**✅ Performing vs non-performing note strategy✅ Underwriting methodology from institutional banking✅ Due diligence beyond the spreadsheet✅ Resolution toolkit for non-performing loans✅ Ethical exit strategies for struggling borrowers✅ Market cycles and upcoming opportunitiesDoug brings three decades of special assets experience, having worked with three of the world's largest banks before founding Castle Rock Capital Management and launching The Mad Lender consulting firm. His new book, "The Mad Lender's Guide to Private Lending and Note Investing," is now available on Amazon.**
On this episode, Jonathon Ferguson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at AshGrove Capital, explains how bespoke financing solutions for B2B software differ fundamentally from both direct lending and venture debt—and why underwriting on conviction rather than exit optionality changes how you structure a deal.Hear how to think about valuing a software business as a lender, why proprietary data and vertical software have proved resilient as AI accelerates, and how performance-linked credit facilities tie capital deployment directly to growth milestones—with capacity that can grow organically as a company hits its plan.The information contained in this podcast is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice.
In this episode, I had the chance to speak Brian Reshefsky, founder and CEO of EDGE, the cashflow bureau helping lenders use bank transaction data across the consumer credit lifecycle, and Zuben Matthews, cofounder and CEO of consumer financial management and credit building app Brigit.We had the chance to discuss:* How they think about cashflow-based scoring and underwriting, from both a B2B and a consumer perspective* Uses for cashflow data beyond lending decisions, like lead scoring, loan life cycle management, and cross sell* The intersection of traditional bureau data and cashflow analytics* What it means to be a CRA and why it matters* And much moreA reminder, if you're enjoying this show, please follow, rate & review on your preferred podcast platform, as it really helps others to find the show.And if you want to help support Fintech Business Weekly and independent journalism, upgrade to a paid subscription or reach more than 92,000+ listeners by sponsoring an episode. Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe
Careers in the credit union industry can take unexpected turns, as Kendall Boyle proves in this episode of Credit Union Conversations. From wedding-planning chaos to underwriting spreadsheets, Kendall's career path is anything but ordinary. Host Mark Ritter chats with the MBFS portfolio analyst about surviving hospitality burnout, thriving in remote work, and finding calm through animal fostering. Kendall opens up about the emotional side of fostering kittens, the perks and pitfalls of working from home, and why Michigan summers on the lake make the long winters worth it. It's a warm, funny, and honest conversation about building a career that actually fits your life, on your own terms.What You Will Learn in This Episode: ✅ How Kendall moved from event planning and hospitality burnout into mortgage underwriting✅ Why remote work at a credit union CUSO can support real work-life balance✅ What it takes to become a foster home for kittens through your local humane society✅ How credit union careers can lead to meaningful work in business lending nationwideSubscribe to Credit Union Conversations for the latest credit union trends and insights on loan volume and business lending! Connect with MBFS to boost your credit union's growth today.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Mark welcomes Kendall Boyle, portfolio analyst at MBFS, who shares her origin story06:24 Kendall describes her career change into mortgage underwriting during the 2020 pandemic08:52 Kendall discusses the pros and cons of remote work and finding true work-life balance12:35 Kendall talks about fostering kittens and volunteering with the Capital Area Humane Society16:44 Mark and Kendall close out discussing Michigan summers, snow belt winters, and MBFSKEY TAKEAWAYS:
In this episode of Making Risk Flow, Juan de Castro sits down with Allison Hamilton, US Customer Success Lead at Applied Systems, to discuss why underwriting transformation depends on people and processes as much as technology. Allison explains how better data governance, transparent AI, and aligned incentives help underwriters make faster, more confident decisions. She explores why speed-to-quote has become a critical competitive advantage, how broker integration and third-party data remove costly friction, and why decision-ready workflows, not full automation, will define the winning carriers of 2030. The conversation offers practical insights for insurers modernizing underwriting in an AI-driven world. Allison Hamilton is Head of US Customer Success for Cytora, a division of Applied Systems, where she leads customer delivery, adoption, and long-term value across North America. She partners with insurers to modernize underwriting through workflow automation, digital risk processing, and operating model innovation. Allison oversees strategic customer programs, drives measurable business outcomes, and works closely with product and go-to-market teams to shape Cytora's US strategy. Fan Mail: Got a challenge digitizing your intake? Share it with us, and we'll unpack solutions from our experience at Cytora.To receive a custom demo from Cytora, click here and use the code 'Making Risk Flow'.Our previous guests include: Bronek Masojada of PPL, Craig Knightly of Inigo, Andrew Horton of QBE Insurance, Simon McGinn of Allianz, Stephane Flaquet of Hiscox, Matthew Grant of InsTech, Paul Brand of Convex, Paolo Cuomo of Gallagher Re, and Thierry Daucourt of AXA.Check out the three most downloaded episodes:The Five Pillars of Data Analytics Strategy in Insurance | Craig Knightly, Inigo20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek MasojadaImplementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's
Most investors think market crashes are what destroy wealth. They're wrong. The fastest way to lose money in real estate is much simpler: • Underestimating your expenses. • Overestimating your rental income. • Buying without a clear exit strategy. In today's market, disciplined underwriting matters more than ever. Rising insurance costs, increasing property taxes, higher interest rates, and slowing rent growth have changed the rules of investing. If you're still using yesterday's assumptions, you could be setting yourself up for costly mistakes. In this episode, Gino Barbaro explains the three numbers every real estate investor should analyze before purchasing any investment property: ✅ Know your true operating expenses. ✅ Be realistic about income and occupancy. ✅ Always have a defined exit strategy. Whether you're investing in multifamily apartments, commercial real estate, or your first rental property, these principles can help you avoid expensive mistakes and build long-term wealth. If you're serious about becoming a better investor, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Join Us for DealMachine Unveiled: https://www.dealmachine.com/unveiled AI can now underwrite a deal from nothing but a property address, and this episode shows exactly how. Devin Robinson, a real estate investor who runs his wholesale company on AI, walks through his full setup step by step. He breaks down why AI skills beat prompt engineering for consistent results, how Claude Cowork handles due diligence and closing coordination, how his follow-up system worked a foreclosure lead into a booked appointment, and why prospects reply to his AI outreach thinking it's human. KEY TALKING POINTS: 0:00 - AI Agents & Skills Intro 0:53 - How to Create a Skill 1:45 - Why Claude Desktop 3:13 - Cowork: Agents on Your Computer 5:34 - Underwriting a House by Address 6:32 - Email Monitoring & Deal Management 8:22 - LinkedIn & Facebook Outreach 10:14 - AI-Powered CRM Follow-Up 13:17 - The Full Underwriting Report 14:39 - Outro LINKS: Instagram: Devin Robinson https://www.instagram.com/devin.robinson1/ Website: Devin Robinson https://www.devinrobinsonrei.com/ Instagram: David Lecko https://www.instagram.com/dlecko Website: DealMachine https://www.dealmachine.com/pod Instagram: Ryan Haywood https://www.instagram.com/heritage_home_investments Website: Heritage Home Investments https://www.heritagehomeinvestments.com/
In this episode, I sit down with Todd Nepola, President and Founder of Current Capital Group. As a fourth-generation real estate entrepreneur, Todd shares how his family's legacy shaped his career, the strategies he's used to build a successful commercial real estate portfolio across Florida, and what it takes to lead and scale a business in today's market. If you're interested in real estate, investing, or entrepreneurship, you won't want to miss this conversation.----⏱️ TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS
In this episode of The Private Equity Podcast, Alex Rawlings speaks with Bobby Ocampo and Sheldon Lewis, co-founders and managing partners of Blueprint Equity.Following the successful close of Blueprint Equity's $333 million third fund, Bobby and Sheldon explain how the firm identifies and supports high-growth B2B software companies. They discuss Blueprint's early growth investment strategy, its direct sourcing infrastructure and the role its six-person operations team plays in supporting portfolio companies.The conversation also explores the impact of artificial intelligence on software valuations, underwriting and value creation. Bobby and Sheldon explain how Blueprint has integrated multiple AI tools across sourcing, deal evaluation, portfolio operations and internal workflows.They also share why vertical software businesses with deeply embedded customer workflows may be better positioned to withstand AI disruption than lightweight horizontal software products.Key TopicsBlueprint Equity's early growth investment strategyRaising a $333 million third fundInvesting in B2B vertical software businessesBuilding a large direct sourcing functionSupporting founders with recruiting, go-to-market and RevOpsUsing AI to identify, prioritise and track investment opportunitiesConnecting multiple AI tools through an integrated technology stackUnderwriting software businesses in an uncertain marketAssessing founders in minority growth investmentsMoving quickly without creating employee burnoutTimestamps00:00 Introduction00:28 Blueprint Equity and the successful Fund III raise00:53 The firm's early growth equity investment thesis01:43 Building the team and operations function02:50 Common mistakes made by investment firms04:21 Underwriting software businesses in the AI era06:33 How Blueprint structures its value creation team07:41 Recruiting and institutionalising portfolio companies08:35 RevOps, reporting and financial visibility09:53 How Blueprint uses AI internally10:37 AI-driven sourcing and opportunity prioritisation11:06 Using proprietary data in underwriting12:32 Blueprint's AI technology stack14:01 Building a genuine direct sourcing strategy15:24 The resources required for proprietary origination16:46 Less obvious investment signals17:14 Assessing the entrepreneur behind the business18:13 Vertical software and the threat of AI disruption20:25 Creating a fast-moving culture without burnout22:09 Recommended private equity news and content23:34 How to connect with Blueprint EquityRaw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.
What happens when you bring self-driving car technology to workplace safety and what does it mean for the future of insurance?In the latest episode of The Leadership in Insurance Podcast, host Alex Bond sits down with Josh Butler, Founder & CEO of CompScience, to explore how AI and computer vision are fundamentally reshaping workers' compensation underwriting and loss control.Josh shares how CompScience was born from a personal moment — a family member's construction site accident — and how the same technology that powers autonomous vehicles is now helping carriers finally understand workplace risk at a level that was never before possible.The results speak for themselves. Customers are seeing injury rates drop by 20-30% — not by replacing loss control professionals, but by giving them the data and authority to act as true consultants rather than just salespeople.On what's driving CompScience's success, Butler is clear:"Leaders need to get hands-on with AI to understand the challenges and opportunities. You can't just watch from the sidelines."Josh and Alex also dig into the wider market landscape: how advances in LLMs and agentic AI have transformed who can build software, why problem-solvers are now more valuable than coders, and the regulatory risks that keep him up at night.A fascinating conversation for anyone at the intersection of AI, safety, and insurance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 5487: Underwriting Your Own Destruction
Investor Fuel Real Estate Investing Mastermind - Audio Version
In this episode, Jillian Sidoti shares her insights on real estate investing, capital raising, and leveraging AI to automate and scale her business. She discusses her focus on luxury travel, experiential stays, and the importance of building strong investor relationships. Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind: Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply Investor Machine Marketing Partnership: Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com Coaching with Mike Hambright: Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform! Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/ New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club —--------------------
Kristin Stein, VP of PHLY E&S Insurance Solutions, spoke with Best's Review about how insurers are adapting their underwriting strategies and identifying new opportunities for growth.
Where is commercial real estate headed in 2026? Is the market crashing, recovering, or simply resetting? In this episode, Gino Barbaro breaks down the latest multifamily market data and explains why the answer depends entirely on where you're investing. Using current market trends, rent growth statistics, supply and demand dynamics, construction data, and transaction volume, Gino explains what investors should be paying attention to right now. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why national rent growth remains historically weak • Which markets are outperforming due to low supply • Why high-supply markets continue to struggle • What falling construction starts mean for future investors • Why transaction volume remains muted • The importance of understanding market cycles • How to analyze occupancy and concessions • Why "no deal is better than a bad deal" Some of the markets discussed include: ✔ New York ✔ Chicago ✔ Detroit ✔ Kansas City ✔ Phoenix ✔ Denver ✔ Austin ✔ Orlando ✔ Dallas ✔ East Tennessee One of the biggest mistakes investors make is assuming every market behaves the same way. As Gino explains, understanding your market's supply, demand, occupancy, concessions, and development pipeline can mean the difference between buying a great deal and buying a disaster. Key takeaways from this episode:
In this episode of Making Risk Flow, Jake Harding sits down with Izik Lavy and Jacob Grob from GeoX AI to explore how property intelligence is transforming insurance underwriting. They discuss how accurate geospatial data, computer vision, and confidence-scored models help carriers move beyond reactive decision-making, accelerate quotes, uncover profitable opportunities, and better manage risk. The conversation explores why deterministic data can outperform probabilistic AI, how deeper property insights reveal hidden value in complex markets, and why specialized technology providers are becoming essential partners for insurers. Discover how real-time property intelligence is reshaping portfolio strategy, pricing, and the future of insurance. Izik Lavy is the CEO and co-founder of GeoX AI, a geospatial intelligence platform specializing in property data extraction and analysis for the insurance industry. With 15 years of experience in geospatial technology and expertise in building scalable computer vision solutions, Lavy has led GeoX's expansion from the Japanese and Australian markets into the United States.Jacob Grob is the EVP of Sales for US Markets at GeoX, bringing 20 years of insurance data expertise to the conversation. Previously a senior leader at CoreLogic, where he gained deep exposure to building characteristics, catastrophe modeling, and replacement cost data, Grob now focuses on solving critical data blind spots through computer vision and scalable AI.Fan Mail: Got a challenge digitizing your intake? Share it with us, and we'll unpack solutions from our experience at Cytora.To receive a custom demo from Cytora, click here and use the code 'Making Risk Flow'.Our previous guests include: Bronek Masojada of PPL, Craig Knightly of Inigo, Andrew Horton of QBE Insurance, Simon McGinn of Allianz, Stephane Flaquet of Hiscox, Matthew Grant of InsTech, Paul Brand of Convex, Paolo Cuomo of Gallagher Re, and Thierry Daucourt of AXA.Check out the three most downloaded episodes:The Five Pillars of Data Analytics Strategy in Insurance | Craig Knightly, Inigo20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek MasojadaImplementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's
Investor Fuel Real Estate Investing Mastermind - Audio Version
In this episode, Herold Pierre shares his journey from traditional real estate to leveraging AI for industry innovation. Discover how his platforms Underlytix and Trade Deluxe are transforming real estate and trading, and learn key insights on building relationships and scaling tech-driven businesses. Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind: Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply Investor Machine Marketing Partnership: Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com Coaching with Mike Hambright: Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform! Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/ New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club —--------------------
A strong personal credit score is not enough. Your business has to look fundable too. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex breaks down what the credit score does not tell you and why business underwriting can make or break your ability to secure capital. Let's be real… You can have perfect personal credit… But if your business has no clean financial structure… No corporate credit profile… No organized books… And no banking relationships… You are going to struggle when it is time to scale. In this episode, you'll learn: Why personal credit and business credit are not the same thing How mixing personal and business finances can hurt your borrowing power Why corporate credit should be built before you need funding How strong financial structure creates more leverage, protection, and runway The truth is simple: Banks do not just care about your personal FICO score. They look at the business. The tax returns. The revenue history. The structure. The banking behavior. The separation between you and the company. High-level operators do not wait until they need money to start looking fundable. They build the profile early. They separate the finances. They create clean books. They establish relationships with lenders. And they make the business attractive before the opportunity appears. Because capital flows to organized systems. Build the corporate profile. Protect your borrowing power. Secure the leverage. And keep leveling up. Your Network is your NETWORTH! Make sure to add me on all SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Instagram: https://jo.my/paulalex2024Facebook: https://jo.my/fbpaulalex2024YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhDAD1JyGGzSQUPD9lc9HQLinkedIn: https://jo.my/inpaulalex2024 Looking for a secondary source of income or want to become an entrepreneur? Check out one of my companies below to see if we can help you: www.CashSwipe.com FREE Copy of my book “Blue to Digital Gold - The New American Dream”www.officialPaulAlex.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Do you ever wonder how real estate investors pick winning properties? It all lies in the power of underwriting - the key process for projecting a property's future cash flows and net operating income. In this episode, Randy explains the basics of underwriting in commercial real estate and how investors use this process to pick winning properties. Join the Investor Club: https://bit.ly/4wclITN This episode was originally uploaded on April 12, 2024.
Introduction Most carriers are still running underwriting on policy admin systems built three decades ago — stitched together through a hundred acquisitions and never designed to work with AI. Federato is betting the only way to fix that is to replace it entirely. William Steenbergen is the co-founder and CTO of Federato, the first AI-native platform built to cover the full commercial insurance policy lifecycle. He started in reinforcement learning research before spending five months in a cabin in Idaho interviewing underwriters until he understood the problem well enough to build a solution. Federato has since raised $100 million from Goldman Sachs and is now live across commercial lines from SMB to large enterprise. In this conversation, Josh Hollander and Steenbergen dig into why bolting AI onto legacy systems keeps failing, what the underwriting workflow looks like inside an AI-native platform, and why Federato has started turning away customers who aren't ready to make the full switch. Guest Bio William Steenbergen is the Co-Founder and CTO of Federato, an AI-native platform covering the full commercial policy lifecycle — from email submission through rating, quoting, binding, issuance, endorsements, and renewal. He conducted reinforcement learning research at Stanford before co-founding Federato in 2020, spending over a thousand hours interviewing underwriters before writing a line of code. Federato raised $100 million from Goldman Sachs in 2024. Key Topics Why legacy systems can't run AI agents — Old core policy admin systems have been stitched together through 100+ acquisitions. The data and tools don't live in a standardized way, making it nearly impossible for AI agents to access the context they need to act — not just summarize. The three things an AI agent needs — An LLM, context (submission data, product definitions, claims history, forms), and tools it can interact with to take real action. Most incumbents can't provide all three in an AI-native way. What underwriting looks like now — Ten minutes after an email submission arrives, the underwriter logs in to find it already quoted. They review the AI agent's reasoning, citations, and assumptions, then approve, adjust, or ask follow-up questions in plain text — structurally identical to reviewing a referral. 95% accuracy vs. a room full of humans — Federato ran a study comparing AI agent outputs to human underwriter decisions on the same policies. The agent matched humans 95% of the time and showed less variance than ten humans working the same policy independently. Turning away the wrong customers — Federato now declines prospects who want to use the platform as a workbench on top of a legacy policy admin system. The only configuration that works is replacing the policy admin system entirely. AI regulation and accountability — Underwriters still review and approve every AI-generated quote. The AI runs deterministic tools — the rater, the filed forms — it can only make mistakes on the inputs it sends, not the outputs those tools generate. Notable Quotes "We're not trying to tack on AI onto an existing process. We're re-envisioning what a good insurance and underwriting process actually looks like." "When an AI agent interacts with the rater, it doesn't make up the premium. It still runs a deterministic rater. The tool is deterministic." "If you're not subscribed to doing a full policy lifecycle in Federato and actually replacing your policy admin system, you're probably not the right customer for us." Resources Guest: Federato: https://www.federato.ai William Steenbergen on LinkedIn: (verify and add URL) Host & Organization: Joshua R. Hollander on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/ Horton International (USA): https://www.horton-usa.com/ Insurtech Leadership Podcast: 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.
This month we were delighted to be joined by our colleague Jenni Viitala. Jenni did her PhD at the Department of Anthropology at the University of Helsinki and is currently working on a post-doc at Aalto University. In this episode, Jenni tells us about the work she undertook during her doctorate. This monograph explored how and where planetary metal supply chains connect and disconnect. In particular, Jenni looked at what happens in particular spaces of extraction, such as at the physical gold mining site in the Ecuadorian Amazon and where the mined gold is refined in Finland. These two disparate places are intertwined in surprising ways through the workings of the global supply chain and the production of gold. She unpacks how the sites of extraction and refining are co-dependent. These types of connect are underexplored in academic research. Jenni gives us insight into both of the places themselves and their connections and where there is potential for disconnect as well. Join us for this interesting dive into two unique sites involved in global extractivism. Read Jenni's monograph, Tracing gold : An ethnography across a planetary supply chain, here: http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-84-1264-9Check out Jenni's research profile here: https://www.nodus.aalto.fi/nodusians/jenni-viitala.
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Mohamud Hussein Khalif, Director of the Underwriting Operations Department at the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit, on geopolitical risks, underwriting trends, political risk insurance and the outlook for global trade and investment
Today we're tackling something that every single SRNA needs to understand before signing their very first employment contract, and that's protecting our livelihood once we graduate. In this episode of Grade 1 View, hosts Mackenzie and Nicholas sit down with Bryan Doyle, ME, RPLU, Acting Vice President of AANA Insurance Services and Lisa Kiska, RPLU+, Supervisor, Underwriting & Customer Service at AANA Insurance Services to break down the essentials of malpractice insurance to better prepare every SRNA for the realities of the workplace. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:
10 Commonly Misunderstood Insurance Terms Explained Episode 389 – Sometimes people get confused by all the jargon used in the financial services industry. It's difficult to understand what you're buying—or what you already have—if you don't understand the language being used. Here is a quick listing of ten terms, commonly used in the life insurance industry, that you might not fully understand. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 389 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual's SML Planning Minute. In today's episode: we explain 10 commonly misunderstood life insurance terms. Sometimes people get confused by all the jargon used in the financial services industry, and life insurance is no exception. It can be difficult to understand what you're buying—or what you already have—if you don't understand the language being used. Here is a quick listing of 10 terms, commonly used in the life insurance industry, that are helpful to have a basic understanding of: Underwriting. Before making any sort of offer to you, a life insurance company may need to evaluate your health. For example, life insurance companies generally check to see whether you are a tobacco user or not. A nonsmoker generally has a longer life expectancy than a smoker and thus will often qualify for a better rate and reduce the cost. On the other hand, smoker or not, if you're in particularly poor health, the company may not be able to offer you coverage at all. Beneficiary. Life insurance policies will usually list a beneficiary. That is the person—or entity—who receives the life insurance policy's death benefit if the insured dies. Note that any beneficiary designation under a life insurance policy is separate from beneficiary designations in your will. You could leave your entire estate to your children via your will, but if someone else is the beneficiary of your life insurance policy, that person receives the proceeds. The owner of the policy has the right to change the beneficiary (or beneficiaries) as their needs or desires change and it is recommended to review all of your beneficiaries annually or during any change to your planning strategy. Term Life Insurance. Term life insurance is the simplest form of life insurance. You will pay a premium that covers a specific term of years. 10, 20 or 30 years are common terms for one of these policies. If you die during the designated term, your beneficiary will receive the death benefit. It is generally used when you have a temporary need for insurance, such as paying off a mortgage or funding your child's college education if you're no longer there. Permanent Life Insurance. Unlike a term policy, permanent life insurance is designed to provide lifetime coverage. With most policies, as long as you pay your premiums, the policy stays in force for life, and the death benefit is guaranteed by the insurance company. It also usually provides a cash value. An example of permanent insurance is whole life insurance. Cash Value. With many permanent life insurance policies such as a whole life insurance policy, part of your premium pays the cost of the death benefit, and part of it goes into an account inside the policy and grows on a tax-deferred basis. As a policyowner, you have the right to access these funds if you wish via loans or withdrawals. The funds could potentially be used for major expenditures or cash emergencies if needed. Dividends. It's not just your stock portfolio that can pay dividends; your life insurance policy might do so as well. Life insurance dividends are usually associated with mutual life insurance companies such as Security Mutual Life. Dividends are distributed to policyholders from the insurer’s surplus earnings. They are not guaranteed. Grace Period. This is essentially an automatic safety net that exists on every life insurance policy. If you miss a premium payment, you generally have an extra 30 days past the due date before the policy lapses to pay your premium. And, if you die during the grace period, the full death benefit is payable, although there may be a deduction for any missed premium.[1] Paid-Up Additions. Paid-up additions are like miniature life insurance policies within a whole life insurance policy. Each paid-up addition adds a little bit of extra paid-up death benefit and guaranteed cash value to your policy without ongoing premium. Paid-up additions are often created through a whole life policy rider, although if you have a dividend-paying policy, you might be able to choose to take your dividends as paid-up additions. Since paid-up additions are fully paid up portions of death benefit, they can be surrendered for needed cash by the policyowner, or to pay the policy's premiums, if needed. Doing so will reduce the guaranteed cash value and death benefit. Accelerated Death Benefit. This allows you to receive a portion of the death benefit while you are still living and is often made available as a rider assigned to specific circumstances such as chronic, critical or terminal illness. It is designed to help provide access to cash for medical bills, nursing care, or other costs associated with the qualifying event. If the advance payout from the life insurance policy is due to terminal illness, it is usually exempt from income taxes.[2],[3] In many circumstances, an accelerated death benefit rider is a simple add-on to a life insurance policy with no separate charge. And finally… Chronic Illness Rider. A chronic illness rider is a type of accelerated death benefit rider that gives you access to part of your death benefit while you are still alive. To take advantage of a chronic illness rider, you need to be certified by a doctor as someone who is ill and not expected to recover. In many cases you will be eligible if you are unable to perform at least two of the six “Activities of Daily Living,” or ADLs, without assistance. These include things like bathing, getting dressed, eating, etc.[4] All these terms can be very confusing. Some may be applicable to you; some may not. The good news is that, if you're contemplating a new life insurance policy, you don't need to go it alone. Your Security Mutual Life insurance agent can help. Your Security Mutual Life insurance agent can augment or help assemble your planning team. They'll coordinate with your attorney and tax professional to review your situation and to determine the insurance plan that will best suit your needs and objectives. [1] Ethos Life. “Understanding the Life Insurance Grace Period.” Ethos.com. https://www.ethos.com/life-insurance/life-insurance-grace-period/ (accessed June 4, 2026). [2] Kagan, Julia. “Understanding Accelerated Benefits in Life Insurance Policies.” Investopedia.com https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/accelerated-benefits.asp (accessed June 4, 2026). [3] Stimpson, Jeff. “Form 1099-LTC Explained: Long-Term Care and Death Benefits.” https://www.investopedia.com/1099-ltc-form-what-to-know-about-the-1099-ltc-form-4781748 (accessed June 4, 2026). [4] Progressive Insurance. ”What is a life insurance critical or chronic illness rider?” Progressive.com. https://www.progressive.com/answers/critical-chronic-illness-rider/ (accessed June 4, 2026). More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes This podcast is brought to you by Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, The Company That Cares®. The content provided is intended for educational and informational purposes only. Information is provided in good faith. However, the Company makes no representation or warranty of any kind regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information. The information presented is designed to provide general information regarding the subject matter covered. It is not to serve as legal, tax or other financial advice related to individual situations, because each individual's legal, tax and financial situation is different. Specific advice needs to be tailored to your situation. Therefore, please consult with your own attorney, tax professional and/or other advisors regarding your specific situation. To help reach your goals, you need a skilled professional by your side. Contact your local Security Mutual life insurance advisor today. As part of the planning process, he or she will coordinate with your other advisors as needed to help you achieve your financial goals and objectives. For more information, visit us at SMLNY.com/SMLPodcast. If you've enjoyed this podcast, tell your friends about it. And be sure to give us a five-star review. And check us out on LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter. Thanks for listening, and we'll talk to you next time. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. The information presented is based on current interpretation of the laws. Neither Security Mutual nor its agents are permitted to provide tax or legal advice. The applicability of any strategy discussed is dependent upon the particular facts and circumstances. Results may vary, and products and services discussed may not be appropriate for all situations. Each person's needs, objectives and financial circumstances are different, and must be reviewed and analyzed independently. We encourage individuals to seek personalized advice from a qualified Security Mutual life insurance advisor regarding their personal needs, objectives, and financial circumstances. Insurance products are issued by Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, Binghamton, New York. Product availability and features may vary by state. SubscribeApple PodcastsSpotifyAndroidPandoraby EmailTuneInDeezerRSSMore Subscribe Options
Step into Episode 217 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Corey and TJ from inKind to break down one of the most innovative financing and marketing models in the restaurant industry today. Built by operators for operators, inKind gives restaurants upfront capital at zero interest — and a 5-million-user marketing engine to back it up.From a D.C. restaurant incubator 11 years ago to over 8,000 restaurant partners nationwide, Corey and TJ unpack how inKind turned a $500 gift card idea into a non-dilutive funding platform that's helping Arizona restaurants survive 120-degree summers, pay off high-interest loans, and drive 90% net new diners through the door. Delo shares his own experience as both a hospitality veteran and active inKind affiliate — making this conversation raw, practical, and deeply credible for anyone who owns, operates, or eats at restaurants.Chapter Guide (Timestamps):(0:00 - 1:13) Freestyle Intro, Mic Check, and Episode 216 Kickoff(1:14 - 2:49) Delo's Intro: Risky Business Book Promo & Five-Star Ask(2:50 - 4:51) Meet Corey & TJ: Backgrounds, Arizona, and Why This Summer Matters(4:52 - 7:42) The Origin Story: 11 Years, a D.C. Incubator, and a $500 Gift Card Lightbulb(7:43 - 10:58) inKind Comes to Arizona: From 15 Partners to 300+ and Still Growing(10:59 - 13:21) The Capital Model: Non-Dilutive, Zero Interest, and What COGS Really Means(13:22 - 16:06) Risk, Underwriting, and Why Only Top-Quality Restaurants Make the Cut(16:07 - 18:45) The Marketing Engine: 5 Million Users, Push Notifications, and Demand Control(18:46 - 21:24) Retail Presence, Costco Gift Cards, and Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers Launch Stats(21:25 - 24:24) The User Experience: How to Pay Through inKind Step by Step(24:25 - 27:15) The Restaurant Avatar: Fine Dining to Fast Casual and Why Both Work(27:16 - 32:24) Success Stories, Loan Payoffs, and the Ravenous Pig Funded 28 Times(32:25 - 36:17) Sales Philosophy: Relationships, Listening, and "It's Never a No"(36:18 - 41:14) Rapid Fire + Final Thoughts: Where to Find inKind and What's Next
WEBINAR LINK:https://shawnmoore.clickfunnels.com/optiniyvvg89sWant to learn more about Vodyssey or start your STR journey. Book a call here:https://meetings.hubspot.com/vodysseystrategysession/booknow?utm_source=vodysseycom&uuid=80fb7859-b8f4-40d1-a31d-15a5caa687b7FOLLOW US:https://www.instagram.com/vodysseyshawnmoorehttps://www.facebook.com/vodysseyshawnmoore/https://www.linkedin.com/company/str-financial-freedomhttps://www.tiktok.com/@vodysseyshawnmooreCONTACT US:support@vodyssey.comContact Jeff:https://buildfinanciallegacy.com/Chapters:00:00 Intro00:34 Current Interest Rate Landscape02:42 Impact of Global Events on Rates03:58 Investor Mindset on Rates06:43 Market Dynamics and Buyer Behavior08:31 The Evolution of Financing Options11:06 Understanding DSCR Loans14:00 Competitive Landscape of Financing17:24 Navigating Predatory Lending Practices20:54 Understanding Lending Products for Investors22:49 Comparing Second Home Loans and DSCR Loans24:40 The Importance of Down Payments26:06 Navigating Prepayment Penalties27:41 Underwriting for DSCR Loans30:16 The Role of Market Analysis in Lending32:58 Building Confidence in New Investors34:50 Adapting to Market Changes36:43 Connecting with Lending Experts
AM Best Senior Financial Analyst Lauren Magro highlights a new Best's Special Report that finds the Florida property insurance market has become increasingly manageable due to recent legislative reforms, along with a light weather year that drove substantial earnings in 2025.
If you've ever wondered what your insurance agency is really worth in today's market, and whether now is the right time to sell, this episode cuts straight to the chase. Brandon Schuh and Nick Hartmann sit down with two sharp industry voices: Varada Bhat, Senior Correspondent at the Financial Times' P&C Specialist, and James Graham, Managing Director at MarshBerry, the nation's leading M&A advisory firm for insurance brokerages. Together, they untangle the intersection of AI disruption, carrier strategy, and brokerage valuations in what is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal moments in the history of independent insurance distribution.Varada Bhat opens the conversation with a ground-level view of where the personal lines market stands today, transitioning out of a hard market cycle, into a softer, more competitive landscape where carrier retention has become the new growth strategy. She digs into State Farm's sweeping workforce realignment, the broader shift away from the captive agent model across carriers like Allstate and Nationwide, and how AI is splitting the industry into two camps: those stuck in pilot mode and those already deploying agentic AI across claims and operations. The critical takeaway? Underwriting discipline and customer service still matter more than any algorithm.James Graham follows with the kind of inside-baseball analysis you can only get from someone doing valuation work every single day. He breaks down why private brokerage multiples have held steady even as public broker valuations dropped more than 20% from their March 2025 peak, and why that divergence makes sense. He lays out what buyers are really paying for right now (organic growth, scale, and retention), why the softening market is the real driver of multiple compression, not AI, and why the fundamentals of the insurance brokerage business remain among the strongest of any industry. For agency owners wondering whether to sell now or wait, his perspective is a must-hear.Chapters00:00 Introduction 04:47 Varada Bhat Interview Begins: P&C Market Overview06:28 Carrier Retention as the New Growth Strategy07:24 AI in Insurance: Pilot Phase vs. Deployed Reality09:48 State Farm, Allstate & the Decline of Captive Agents11:55 AI Automation: Simple vs. Complex Insurance Products14:22 Lemonade, Root & the Insuretech Valuation Reality Check16:55 Geico Hires Goldman Sachs CMO: UX and Millennial Strategy19:47 AI Regulation in Insurance: NAIC Guidelines & State Laws21:33 Who's Best Positioned to Win the AI Era?24:40 Personal Cyber Policies & Consumer Data Privacy26:23 Insurance Affordability as a Political Issue32:29 James Graham Interview Begins: MarshBerry Origin Story34:35 Public vs. Private Broker Valuation Divergence39:16 What Buyers Are Really Looking For Today: Organic Growth41:55 Private Equity Activity: Strategic vs. Dry Powder Deals43:58 EBITDA Multiples: Are 11-12x the New Normal?46:06 Debt Leverage, Hold Times & PE Exit Bottlenecks48:02 AI's Role in Brokerage Multiple Compression50:10 Revenue Per Employee & the AI Productivity Argument52:58 Regulation as Insurance's AI Moat55:26 Client Retention Post-Acquisition: What Really Drives It57:48 2026–2027 Outlook: Will Big Blockbuster Deals Continue?Connect with RiskCellar:Website: https://www.riskcellar.com/James GrahamWebsite: https://www.marshberry.com/about/our-team/james-graham/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-graham-b91a5214Varada BhatLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/varada-bhatBrandon Schuh:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552710523314LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-stephen-schuh/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schuhpapa/Nick Hartmann:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjhartmann/
In this solo back-to-basics episode, Axel steps away from the AI and current events conversations that have dominated recent episodes to refocus on the real estate underwriting process. He breaks down the entire game of value creation in real estate into one simple equation, using clear numeric examples that any investor can apply regardless of asset class or market.Axel walks through the three-step framework for quality real estate investing: finding an undervalued deal, assessing whether continued investment can generate a meaningful spread over your all-in cost, and financing the deal in a way that matches the business plan. This episode is essential listening for any investor — new or experienced — who wants a clear, simplified gut-check framework for evaluating whether a deal actually creates value, independent of rent growth projections or cap rate compression assumptions.Join us as we dive into:Why understanding the current market cap rate for your specific asset class and submarket is the non-negotiable starting point for any underwriting exercise.How to interpret that 9% yield on cost depending on whether the market cap rate is 9% (no value created) or 7% (significant value created).Why Axel and his team target an 8.5%+ yield on cost in a 7% cap environment — a 150 basis point spread — across Southern New Hampshire and the Greater Boston periphery.Why the same 150 basis point spread creates more value in a lower cap rate market than a wider spread does in a higher cap rate market.Why a deal with a 12% yield on cost in a 10% cap market actually creates less value than a deal with a 6.5% yield on cost in a 5% cap market, despite the spread looking similar.How to gut-check a multi-year cash flow model: calculate your yield on cost at stabilization and compare it against the market cap rate at that point in the hold period.Why a thin or non-existent spread between yield on cost and market cap rate signals that your returns are dependent on rent growth or cap rate compression — both riskier bets than underwriting a real spread on day one.Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.Connect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners
Send us Fan MailMid-Rise Purpose-Built Rental - Mathieu Fleury on Leader Lane's Mid-Rise Mass Timber Rentals, Market Risk, and What Toronto Needs to Build More Housing Payam interviews Mathieu Fleury, partner at Toronto mid-rise developer Leader Lane Development, focused on purpose-built rental, including a nine-storey, 60-unit mass-timber project at 230 Royal York nearing occupancy, plus other Etobicoke projects and partnerships with Windmill, Elm, and the One Planet Living Fund. Fleury recounts his path from Montreal to Cambridge's real estate finance program, early roles at Loblaw Properties, Great Gulf, Dream Unlimited, and private equity at ForgeStone, where he underwrote 100+ deals annually and identified a gap for repeatable urban infill “missing middle” projects. He describes using site plan/minor variance to avoid rezoning, the challenges of small floor plates and code thresholds, and shifting from condos to rentals as the investor market weakened. They discuss purpose-built rental risks (rent levels, absorption, servicing debt), a looming supply cliff, innovation like mass timber and modular, balcony/amenity tradeoffs, and his top policy wish: reduce government fees and taxes that drive housing costs. Fleury also notes interest in multiplex housing as a complementary solution.Policy Tailwinds And BottlenecksBig Developer PlaybookCondo Vs Rental RiskPurpose Built Rental UncertaintyRent Underwriting CautionSupply Cliff and ImmigrationAffordability and SalariesPurpose Built Rental ShiftCondo Presale Model BreaksPBR Returns and AlternativesApprovals and Underwriting SitesFor more information, please refer to RealEstateDevelopmentInsights.comTake our Free Assessment at: DevelopmentReadinessAssessment.com
In this episode of Construction Blueprints, host Keith Lazarchik speaks with Robert Azarian, Head of Loss Control, Willis Construction, about underwriting healthcare construction projects specifically from the safety and loss perspective.
If a hidden lien, fraudulent seller, or wire scam surfaced after closing, would you know who is actually protecting your ownership rights? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Megan Lopez. Megan is an Agent Account Manager with Fidelity National Financial and a title insurance expert serving Northeast Florida. Drawing from a family background deeply rooted in real estate and title work, Megan explains the critical role title insurance plays in protecting homeowners, lenders, agents, and real estate transactions from hidden risks. Throughout the conversation, Megan breaks down the differences between owner and lender title policies, discusses real world fraud cases involving seller impersonation and wire fraud, and explains how title professionals verify ownership, resolve title defects, and protect consumers from costly claims. She also shares insights into Fidelity's underwriting process, fraud prevention strategies, and the ongoing importance of human expertise in an increasingly digital real estate landscape. If you found value in this episode, subscribe to the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, share this episode with fellow real estate professionals, and leave a review to help more buyers, sellers, agents, and lenders stay informed and protected. HighlightsTop of FormBottom of Form 00:00 - 09:43 Megan's Journey Into Title Insurance and Real Estate · Family background in title and real estate · Starting as a receptionist in a real estate law firm · Becoming a licensed title agent · Moving to Jacksonville and joining Fidelity · Understanding the role of a title underwriter 09:43 - 18:29 Understanding Title Searches and Title Insurance Protection · How title searches are performed · Identifying liens mortgages and ownership issues · The relationship between title companies and underwriters · Differences between owner and lender policies · Why title insurance matters for every buyer 18:29 - 25:54 Real World Claims and Hidden Risks Homeowners Face · Common title insurance claims · Unknown heirs and probate disputes · Mechanic lien issues in new construction · Tax judgments and outstanding debts · How title insurance protects property ownership 25:54 - 34:40 Seller Fraud and Identity Verification Challenges · Rise of seller impersonation fraud · Vacant land fraud schemes · Warning signs agents should recognize · Identity verification best practices · Technology tools used to detect fraud 34:40 - 48:15 Wire Fraud Threats and Transaction Security · How wire fraud attacks happen · Email compromise and phishing schemes · Fake lenders and fraudulent instructions · Secure portals and verification platforms · Protecting buyers sellers and escrow funds 48:15 - 01:05:37 Fidelity's Role Supporting Agencies and Protecting Consumers · Education and training for agents and lenders · Marketing and growth support for title agencies · Underwriting expertise for complex transactions · Escrow oversight and reconciliation reviews · The future of title insurance and consumer protection Quotes: "I don't think AI will completely take over what title professionals do day in and day out." – Megan Lopez "The owner's policy is paid once at closing and protects them for the life of them owning that home." – Megan Lopez "We're seeing a lot of fraud and those are usually the biggest losses." – Megan Lopez "The more we all are informed and educated about the benefits of title insurance, the dangers of fraud, it protects us all." – Megan Lopez To contact Laura Megan Lopez, learn more about her business, and make her a part of your network, make sure to follow her website, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Connect with Megan Lopez! Website: https://nationalagency.fnf.com/home Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megan_lopez_fnfagency/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-lopez-48a535a3 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 #RealEstate #MeganLopez #TitleInsurance #RealEstate #RealEstateExcellence #HomeOwnership #PropertyProtection #FidelityNationalFinancial #RealEstateFraud #WireFraud #TitleSearch #HomeBuying #RealEstateAgent #MortgageLending #OwnerPolicy #LenderPolicy #PropertyOwnership #EscrowSecurity #FraudPrevention #RealEstateEducation #JacksonvilleRealEstate
Brandon Sedloff and Matt Schwartz explore the evolution of fund finance and private credit on The Distribution. Matt shares insights from his two decades in legal finance, including his journey from representing venture debt transactions to overseeing one of the world's largest law firm finance practices. The conversation examines how the financing landscape has fundamentally shifted over the past decade, with private credit funds taking on more complex transactions while banks have moved into back-leverage arrangements. Matt emphasizes the critical role of data strategy and AI adoption in modern fund operations, noting how GPs are using technology to improve underwriting and portfolio management. They discuss: - Why traditional underwriting standards are returning and how data analytics are improving investment decisions - How banks and private credit funds are increasingly collaborating rather than competing on deals - The role of insurance capital and hybrid structures in expanding fund finance options - Whether retail investors can successfully participate in illiquid private credit markets as valuation tools improve - Why technology and life sciences remain strong despite headlines suggesting otherwise This episode offers fund managers and private market professionals a clear-eyed view of where capital is flowing and how operational improvements can create competitive advantages. Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:00:53) - Welcome and guest introduction (00:03:17) - Matt's journey into law (00:07:15) - Landing in San Diego and building a practice (00:10:00) - Leading DLA Piper's finance practice (00:16:40) - Data and operational alpha for GPs (00:25:00) - AI adoption and compliance (00:27:40) - Fund finance and private credit landscape (00:38:30) - AI's impact on vertical SaaS companies (00:41:36) - Underwriting discipline and data usage (00:47:30) - The next cycle in private credit (00:51:00) - Retail capital and LP allocation shifts (00:54:00) - Closing Links: Matt on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-schwartz-15576617/ DLA Piper - https://www.dlapiper.com/en/ Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/ Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsedloff/
Recorded live at The Council's Employee Benefits Leadership Forum, Leader's Edge Podcast Producer Zach Ewell sits down with Massimo Nini, SVP of Consulting, Underwriting, and Actuarial at AGA Benefit Solutions. Nini maps out the Canadian healthcare landscape, by comparing and contrasting the American healthcare system with its northern neighbor. From the rise of GLP-1s to evolving healthcare legislation impacting the province of Alberta, this conversation dives deep into the trends reshaping the Canadian market.
Global Investors: Foreign Investing In US Real Estate with Charles Carillo
Most real estate deals don't fail because of the market. They fail because of bad underwriting. In this Strategy Saturday episode, Charles Carillo breaks down the common underwriting mistakes that can quietly destroy investor returns, including overestimated rent growth, underestimated expenses, property tax surprises, unrealistic renovation premiums, and inaccurate repair budgets. If you are buying multifamily properties, apartment buildings, or any income-producing real estate, your underwriting needs to be realistic, not overly optimistic. You'll learn how to protect your downside, verify key numbers, and avoid assumptions that can kill cash flow after closing. Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe for more real estate investing insights. Links Referenced in Episode: SS114: Most Important Expenses When Underwriting an Apartment Building - https://youtu.be/xWtVXSre3xk Connect with the Global Investors Show, Charles Carillo and Harborside Partners: ◾ Setup a FREE 30 Minute Strategy Call with Charles: http://ScheduleCharles.com ◾ Learn How To Invest In Real Estate: https://www.SyndicationSuperstars.com/ ◾ FREE Passive Investing Guide: http://www.HSPguide.com ◾ Join Our Weekly Email Newsletter: http://www.HSPsignup.com ◾ Passively Invest in Real Estate: http://www.InvestHSP.com ◾ Global Investors Web Page: http://GlobalInvestorsPodcast.com/
Send us Fan MailIn this powerhouse episode of The Real Estate Vibe Show, host Vinki Loomba sits down with Brian Seidensticker, founder of LastPartners and CEO of Tax Sale Resources, to uncover how he leveraged tax liens and tax deeds to create powerful wealth-building strategies and transform an overlooked segment of real estate into high-return opportunities.Key Takeaways:Brian emphasizes that the biggest opportunities often exist where few are looking, and information, not competition, determines who wins.Learn how understanding both tax liens (passive interest-based returns) and tax deeds (active property ownership) can open unique investment pathways.Discover how Brian built Tax Sale Resources to aggregate nationwide auction data, making hidden properties accessible and analyzable at scale.Gain insights into state-specific processes, timelines, and strategies for maximizing returns while mitigating risk.Brian shares his underwriting approach, evaluating both asset value and title risks, including quiet title processes, to ensure profitable deals.Explore his use of technology and AI to streamline due diligence, enhance analysis, and identify high-potential properties efficiently.Tips for passive vs active investors on getting started in tax lien and tax deed investing, and how these strategies can complement broader wealth-building goals.Understand the counter-cyclical nature of this market and how tax-related investments can perform even in economic downturns.Episode Timestamps:00:00 01:30 Introduction to Brian Seidensticker and hidden real estate markets01:30 06:47 Understanding tax liens vs tax deeds and how the process works06:47 10:09 State-by-state differences, timelines, and subsequent taxes10:09 15:55 Structuring returns, auction strategies, and deploying capital15:55 22:21 Founding Tax Sale Resources and sourcing hidden deals22:21 30:49 Underwriting properties, assessing asset and title risk30:49 34:47 Differentiating good deals from bad, mitigating risk34:47 37:50 Passive vs active investing strategies and fund participation37:50 40:44 Market trends, counter-cyclical opportunities, and future outlook40:44 43:31 Rapid-fire insights on habits, clarity, perseverance, and wealth vibe43:31 44:03 How to connect with Brian and explore his platform and fund
Angela Strange speaks with Dileep Thazhmon, founder and CEO of Jeeves, about building a global financial operating system for enterprises across Latin America using stablecoins and AI. The conversation covers the challenges of building localized financial infrastructure across 25 countries, from regulation and payments to underwriting and compliance. They also discuss why stablecoin adoption is accelerating in Latin America, and how AI is helping Jeeves scale billions in payment volume while automating underwriting, customer support, reconciliation, and KYB workflows. Resources: Follow Dileep Thazhmon on X: https://x.com/thazhmon Follow Angela Strange on X: https://x.com/astrange Stay Updated:Find a16z on YouTube: YouTubeFind a16z on XFind a16z on LinkedInListen to the a16z Show on SpotifyListen to the a16z Show on Apple PodcastsFollow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Today we're talking about the five most common underwriting mistakes I see from newer investors.Now, underwriting is one of those topics where people often focus on spreadsheets, formulas, and software. But in my experience, underwriting mistakes are usually not math mistakes. They're assumption mistakes. They're judgment mistakes. They're failures to properly understand risk.And unfortunately, during the years of cheap debt and rapid appreciation, a lot of people developed bad habits that only worked because the market bailed them out.A rising market can hide a multitude of sins.-------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1) iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613) Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com) LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce) YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734) Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso) Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com) **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com) Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital) Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)
Investor Fuel Real Estate Investing Mastermind - Audio Version
In this episode, real estate expert Sid shares his 14-year journey in the industry, focusing on new construction, market analysis, disciplined investing, and adapting to market cycles. Learn actionable strategies for success in a volatile market and how to leverage your experience for long-term growth. Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind: Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply Investor Machine Marketing Partnership: Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com Coaching with Mike Hambright: Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform! Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/ New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club —--------------------
Today's episode includes a discussion on the ever-changing slope of the yield curve, an interview with Sagent's Sridhar Sharma and Shane Leonard on how the latest and greatest in underwriting technology is reducing friction in the mortgage origination process, and what to expect from the Federal Reserve under new Chair Warsh.Welcome to The Chrisman Commentary, your go-to daily mortgage news podcast, where industry insights meet expert analysis. Hosted by Robbie Chrisman, this podcast delivers the latest updates on mortgage rates, capital markets, and the forces shaping the housing finance landscape. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just looking to stay informed, you'll get clear, concise breakdowns of market trends and economic shifts that impact the mortgage world.This week's podcasts are sponsored by NFTYDoor, the white-label HELOC platform for banks, credit unions, and brokers. Close in zero days with warehouse funding. Power your home equity lending with NFTYDoor.
Cost Segregation is the key to unlocking accelerated depreciation and all of the tax benefits that come from that. https://costsegregationguys.com/estateespressopodcast/Visit the Cost Segregation Guys to see how they can save you a ton on your taxes. ---------------On today's show we are talking about where AI can be useful in underwriting. The process of building a professional underwriting model for a real estate project has always been labor intensive. Not because the math is difficult, but because the information is fragmented.You might have architectural drawings in PDF format. A market study in another PDF. Construction pricing in a series of spreadsheets. Environmental reports, zoning summaries, utility studies, financing terms, lease comparables, demographic data, all living in separate silos.The challenge is not the formula. The challenge is translating information from one format into another without introducing errors.That's where artificial intelligence is quietly changing the economics of real estate development.----------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1) iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613) Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com) LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce) YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734) Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso) Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com) **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com) Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital) Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)
In this episode of The Insuring Cyber Podcast, two guests discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping the insurance industry. First, Michael Streit, president of Ivans at Applied Systems, … Read More » The post EP. 114: Underwriting, Workflows, and Digital Transformation appeared first on Insurance Journal TV.
The Senate showdown, new testing for women's metabolic problems, corporate underwriting of gender-transitions, and the late Dave Mason's peak. Plus, Daniel Suhr on the hidden cost of lawfare, a repurposed Barbie camper, and the Thursday morning newsSupport The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donateAdditional support comes from I Witness: Ride to Freedom. Three friends. One simulation. Trapped in history during the Freedom Rides. Now on all major platforms or iwitnesspod.comFrom PEACE International... Serving South Sudan's refugees by educating children, empowering women and equipping pastors. PeaceINT.orgAnd from Reformation Bible College, where theology shapes every calling. More at discover.ReformationBibleCollege.org
Introduction What if the real bottleneck in commercial insurance isn't distribution or pricing—it's the workflow itself? Nearly $100 billion of SME P&C insurance is placed every year using manual processes, disconnected systems, and data that lives in spreadsheets and email threads. Hamesh Chawla has spent the last four years building the infrastructure to change that. Before founding Mulberri in 2021, Chawla led product and technology at Edelman Financial Engines and Asurion. He came to insurance not as a lifer but as a technologist who saw an industry still running on 20th-century tooling. Mulberri is his answer: an AI operations platform connecting PEOs, brokers, SMEs, and carriers—from smart submission and risk scoring to quote-and-bind and certificate of insurance. In this conversation, Josh Hollander and Chawla dig into why the MGA market was the right pivot, what AI governance looks like when binding decisions carry real capital risk, and why the SME segment is the most underserved frontier in commercial insurance. Guest Bio Hamesh Chawla is the Co-Founder and CEO of Mulberri, an AI operations platform for MGAs, PEOs, brokers, and carriers serving the SME market. Before Mulberri, he was EVP and Chief Product & Technology Officer at Edelman Financial Engines, with prior roles at Asurion and Zephyr (acquired by SmartBear). He holds an MS in Computer Science from Texas A&M University. Mulberri has raised $10.8M from Eos Venture Partners, Altamont Capital Partners, MS&AD Ventures, and Hanover Technology Management. Key Topics • The $100B manual workflow problem — Nearly $100B of SME P&C is placed annually using ACORD forms emailed back and forth, loss runs parsed by hand, and decisions made without the data that exists in the market. Mulberri automates this stack. • From embedded insurance to AI operating system — Chawla explains why he pivoted from embedded distribution to building the workflow layer MGAs actually run on—ingesting unstructured data, structuring it through a GenAI OS, and routing decisions with full context. • AI governance when capital is at stake — When AI is binding real policies, black-box models get rejected. Mulberri surfaces claim propensity, frequency, severity, and loss ratio so underwriters can interrogate and trust the output. • The PEO channel as data and distribution — PEOs sit on firmographic and workforce data directly predictive of workers' comp risk. Embedding into that channel is both a data strategy and a go-to-market strategy. • Building for carriers, brokers, and SMEs simultaneously — Carriers need loss ratio visibility, brokers need submission efficiency, SMEs need straightforward access. Aligning all three is the hardest product problem in the space. Notable Quotes "Our mission since day one has been to leverage technology to complement underwriters' expertise—simplifying and streamlining the business insurance process while ensuring transparency." "The Risk Engine puts the information underwriters need at their fingertips to make fast, accurate decisions—not replacing them, but making them dramatically more effective." Resources Guest: • Mulberri: https://www.mulberri.io • Hamesh Chawla on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hameshchawla/ 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.
Updated re-release. A year ago we left one question unresolved. Where do foundational AI models end and where do the applications begin? Nick Tippmann returns in a fresh epilogue. A year on, the tension has only sharpened. Specificity is the differentiator when inches matter. Nick Tippmann, founding partner of TipTop VC, explains how vertical AI is rewriting the software industry by going deeper instead of wider. From the transition beyond SaaS to the gray zone between foundational models and high-stakes applications, we get into how vertical AI can transform laggard industries and why Austin might lead the race.The Agenda00:00 Defining vertical AI05:07 Where general AI fails09:36 Vertical AI software, not just chatbots16:44 Pricing logic after the seat model24:04 Underwriting at pre-seed and seed 27:20 Capital intensity and seed-strapping36:48 TAM analysis and the Frontiers Market example41:46 OpenAI's Instacart hire and the gray zone45:55 Austin as a vertical AI hub58:21 Epilogue: Where the models end and applications beginGuest Links and BiosNick Tippmann, TipTop VCNick Tippmann is the Founder and Managing Partner of TipTop Ventures, an early-stage venture fund focused on Vertical AI. Before becoming an investor, Nick spent nearly a decade as a founding team member and CMO at Greenlight Guru, where he helped scale the company from zero to category leader with more than 250 employees, tens of millions in ARR, and a nine-figure investment from JMI Equity.An operator turned investor, Nick now partners with founders building industry-specific AI and software businesses, bringing hands-on experience in go-to-market strategy, scaling, community building, fundraising, and company development. He has also been an active angel investor since 2021, with more than 100 startup investments. -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack
Loose underwriting standards are increasingly troubling for private credit market participants, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. “This concern has been growing for a period of time,” David Havens, BI’s senior analyst for private credit, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie in this special episode of the Credit Edge podcast. Weak underwriting discipline was flagged by private debt market participants in a recent global BI survey, rising in prominence compared with a poll conducted in September. In addition, direct lenders face lingering pressure from retail redemptions at business development companies. “Headlines are still going to be negative, focused on that very small portion of the market — it’s becoming slightly infectious and weighing on the wealth side of the business,” says Paul Gulberg, a senior analyst who covers global banks and asset managers. The trio also discuss the drivers of private credit growth, loan valuations, the liquidity premium and fund fees.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Dr. Stephanie Pearson on Workplace Injury, Invisible Disability Claims, and Disability Insurance PitfallsDr. Stephanie Pearson, an OB-GYN, describes how a workplace shoulder injury during a delivery led to chronic pain, failed surgery outcomes, job termination after FMLA, and denial of her hospital disability coverage due to a fine-print work-injury exclusion, followed by a disputed workers' comp claim and a settlement after litigation. She explains how invisible or subjective conditions (e.g., chronic pain, fibromyalgia, headaches) are often doubted by clinicians and challenged by insurers, why “gray” cases face scrutiny, and how documentation of worst-day functional limits and timely medical-record collection are critical, including possible IMEs. Pearson contrasts employer group vs private disability insurance, highlighting taxable group benefits, benefit caps, portability issues, and common two-year limitations for subjective illnesses, while private policies depend on underwriting, exclusions, and participation limits. She also discusses underwriting impacts of medical coding, runs a physician peer support group, and shares personal recovery supports and her company's client advocacy approach.00:00 Meet Dr Pearson01:23 Injury In Delivery Room02:25 Surgery And Termination03:03 Denied And Sued04:11 Mental Health Crisis05:54 New Purpose And Company06:40 Invisible Illness Bias09:05 Building A Paper Trail12:59 Independent Medical Exams16:33 Group Versus Private Coverage19:25 Subjective Illness Limits23:12 Underwriting Exclusions24:28 Fibromyalgia Stigma25:15 Contracts And Legal Review25:44 Coverage Limits Explained28:44 Underwriting and Intake Process29:54 Medical History Surprises32:10 No Underwriting Options33:32 Psych Diagnosis Pitfalls36:26 Staying Properly Insured38:44 Claims SuClick here for the YouTube Channel Click here for the YouTube channel International Conference on ADHD in November 2025 where Dr. Lenz will be one of the speakers. Support the showWhen I started this podcast and YouTube Channel—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That's why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you've been told fibromyalgia “isn't real” or that it's “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you'll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 29+ years as an MD.Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn't replace per...
In this special episode of Tangent Proptech, Edward Cohen is on the red carpet at one of the most exclusive commercial real estate events of the year: the Real Estate Gala in New York City. This episode features rapid-fire conversations with founders, investors, brokers, developers, and operators across the proptech and commercial real estate ecosystem. A big focus of the evening was on AI. Namely, this question: how is AI being used in real estate right now? And possibly more front-and-center: what's hype and what's here to stay? From leasing and marketing to underwriting and financial modeling, this episode explores where artificial intelligence is already driving value in real estate, where it's falling short, and how we can close the gap.(00:00) - Welcome to the Real Estate Gala Red Carpet Interviews (02:30) - Cyrus Claffey (ButterflyMX): AI Across Product, Marketing, & Operations (06:00) - Zach Molzer (Molzer Development) & Madi Bremer (CBRE): Networking & AI in Leasing (08:30) - Gabe Einhorn (VryfID): Content, Consistency, and AI Efficiency (10:00) - Kaylan Knitowski (Franklin Street): AI Workflows and Competing with Experience (13:30) - David Auerbach (Hoya Capital): Driving Tech Adoption in Real Estate (14:45) - Adam Steiner (Rick, Steiner, Fell, and Benowitz): Document Automation & Bridging Tech and Business (16:45) - Humberto Lopes (HL Dynasty, Gotham Housing Alliance): A Human-First Real Estate Perspective (19:15) - Jovian Lopes (Gotham Housing Alliance): AI for Research vs Human Relationships (21:00) - Lauren O'Breza (Foresite CRE): AI in Brokerage & Underwriting (24:30) - Pablo Barreiro (Fortec): Simplifying Tech Adoption & the Future of Financing (26:00) - Shanti Ryle (Crexi): AI Data Enrichment & Storytelling Advantage (30:30) - Rameen Inayat (Ryan): AI for Admin & Property Tax Insights (32:00) - Collaboration Superpower: Priya Parker
Is your rental portfolio bleeding cash every month? In this episode, we sit down with Derek Blades, the "Kansas City Owner Financing Chief," who shares his raw and honest journey from owning 120 rental homes to nearly losing it all. After finding himself underwater by $15,000 per month, Derek discovered the power of note creation and seller financing to turn his business from deep red back into the black. Whether you are a seasoned landlord feeling the "teeth kick" of property management or a new investor looking for a scalable model, Derek's "Build-to-Finance" strategy and his mastery of Contract for Deeds in the Kansas market offer a masterclass in modern real estate investing. We dive into why he's selling his 38-note portfolio, how he qualifies buyers without traditional banks, and why he'll never go back to the traditional rental model. Key Takeaways from This Episode:The Rental Trap: Derek explains how he scaled to 120 houses using commercial lines of credit but ended up losing money due to high maintenance, vacancies, and ineffective property management. The Pivot to Paper: Why shifting from being a landlord to being the "bank" through seller financing eliminated the headaches of "flushed rubber duckies" and shifted repair responsibilities to the buyers. The "Build-to-Finance" Model: How Derek and his wife are building 3,000-square-foot custom homes for 75% of their value and seller-financing them to high-income earners who can't get traditional bank loans. Contract for Deed vs. Foreclosure: A deep dive into why Kansas law makes Contract for Deeds a superior tool for investors, allowing for a two-month cancellation process instead of a year-long foreclosure. Underwriting for Success: The importance of using RMLO (Residential Mortgage Loan Originators) and third-party underwriters to ensure "stay and pay" buyers. The 1% Rule Myth: Why the 1% rule is dead in flashy markets but thriving in the Midwest Rust Belt, where you can buy for $75,000 and rent (or finance) for $1,200. Exit Strategies: Insights into selling a portfolio of notes for 85 cents on the dollar and how to create an attractive yield for institutional and individual buyers. About Our Guest: Derek BladesDerek is a Wichita-based investor who specializes in distressed debt, owner financing, and new construction. Along with his wife—the construction mastermind—he has built a pipeline of properties that move from acquisition to owner-financed in as little as three days. Connect with Derek:Website: ownercarrykansas.com Facebook: Follow Derek Blades for daily vlogs on his latest projects. Don't forget to LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives into note investing and real estate strategies!Take action today—because as Derek learned, sometimes you have to get "kicked in the sack" to find the strategy that actually builds wealth. See you at the top! Watch the Original VIDEO HERE!Book a Call With Scott HERE!Sign up for the next FREE One-Day Note Class HERE!Sign up for the WCN Membership HERE!Sign up for the next Note Buying For Dummies Workshop HERE!Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here's How »Join the Note Closers Show community today:WeCloseNotes.comThe Note Closers Show FacebookThe Note Closers Show TwitterScott Carson LinkedInThe Note Closers Show YouTubeThe Note Closers Show VimeoThe Note Closers Show InstagramWe Close Notes Pinterest
The Risk Intelligence Gap: How Exposure Data Deficiency Is Reshaping Property Underwriting In this episode of Scouting for Growth, Sabine VanderLinden is joined by Anthony Peake, CEO of Intelligent AI, to dissect the "Risk Intelligence Gap" reshaping the property insurance landscape. We are both dissecting the recent white paper Anthony commissioned during Q1 2026. With 93% of UK and 90% of US commercial properties insured for the wrong amount, the discussion reveals why the industry's vast data resources fail to reach underwriters in a form that is both actionable and trustworthy. Sabine VanderLinden and Anthony Peake delve into their co-authored research, examining the architectural, integration, and trust challenges at the heart of this crisis and exploring how API-first, verifiable risk intelligence is redefining underwriting. The episode is packed with real-world examples and actionable insights into how the property underwriting process must evolve from reactive data chasing to predictive, cognitive risk management. KEY TAKEAWAYS The scale of the risk intelligence gap in commercial property underwriting today is both alarming and transformative. We're not suffering from a lack of data; instead, we're hindered by fragmented architectures, poor integration, and a deep-rooted trust problem that leaves underwriters rating their data confidence at just three to five out of ten at the critical point of decision. This results in billions in unrecognized exposure and inefficient operational drag, with underwriters losing up to 55% of their day to tedious data gathering instead of strategic decision-making. Our findings underscore that technology alone is not the cure. While AI decision engines and sophisticated catastrophe models abound, their potential is constrained by the quality of the data that feeds them. The true opportunity is to build verified, explainable, and decision-grade risk intelligence, delivered directly into workflows through uniform APIs. The advent of digital twins for properties and real-time data integration equips underwriters with a 360-degree risk view, trimming inefficiencies, mitigating underinsurance, and creating a platform for predictive and preventive underwriting. Trust and explainability remain essential: underwriters will not act on data they cannot understand or audit—and they shouldn't have to. Only those insurers who move decisively from asserted to verified data, and from periodic snapshots to continuous monitoring, will achieve sustainable underwriting profit and own the best risk. The time to tackle this structural data problem is now. BEST MOMENTS "This is better engines running on worse fuel." — Sabine VanderLinden "The client pays for being underinsured—until regulators say the insurer must take responsibility." — Anthony Peake "We can create a model of all the data a risk engineer might manually collect—but do it very quickly and accurately." — Anthony Peake "People are making not million-dollar decisions, but billion-dollar decisions on thousand-dollar data." — Sabine VanderLinden "The real question isn't whether data matters. The question is who will move first from asserted data to verified intelligence, from reactive pricing to predictive underwriting." — Sabine VanderLinden ABOUT THE GUEST Anthony Peake is CEO of Intelligent AI, a pioneering property risk intelligence platform dedicated to real-time, API-first delivery of structured, verifiable property data for insurers, reinsurers, brokers, and MGAs. With over three decades of experience leading projects at global enterprises such as Apple, GE, BT, and Oracle, Anthony Peake has deep expertise in large-scale data architecture and risk system implementation, including for six of the top ten UK insurers. Through his leadership and collaboration with institutions such as Lloyd's Lab, Anthony Peake drives innovation that bridges the gap between raw data and actionable underwriting insights, supporting both the UK and US markets in their transition toward predictive, cognitive insurance infrastructure. Download The Risk Intelligence Gap white paper. ABOUT THE HOST Sabine VanderLinden is a corporate strategist-turned-entrepreneur and the CEO of Alchemy Crew Ventures. She leads venture-client labs that help Fortune 500 companies adopt and scale cutting-edge technologies from global tech ventures. A builder of accelerators, investor, and co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, Sabine is known for asking the uncomfortable questions—about AI governance, risk, and trust. On Scouting for Growth, she decodes how real growth happens—where capital, collaboration, and courage meet. If this episode sparked your thinking, follow Sabine VanderLinden on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram for more insights. And if you're interested in sponsoring the podcast, reach out to the team at hello@alchemycrew.ventures
Amanda Cruise interviews Heather Blankenship, who shares how she built a diversified portfolio across RV parks, mobile home parks, and multifamily over 15 years, starting as an owner-operator before scaling with a team. She explains why RV parks offer strong cash flow but require heavy operations, leading her to add more stable assets to balance her portfolio. Heather breaks down how RV parks have remained stable post-COVID due to drive-to demand and supply constraints, while also explaining the complexity of underwriting assets with multiple revenue streams and higher operational costs. She highlights the importance of aligning your investment strategy with your goals, whether that's cash flow, tax benefits, or long-term stability. She also walks through a hybrid RV and mobile home park acquisition, where she increased occupancy through workforce housing demand and repositioned the asset for stronger performance. Her key takeaway is that one RV park can still be life-changing, but only if the asset type matches your desired level of involvement and long-term vision. Heather BlankenshipCurrent role: RV Park InvestorBased in: Florida Panhandle & TennesseeSay hi to them at: Instagram: @heatherblankenshipX3 website: www.heatherblankenship.com Visit trustetc.com/bestever for more info. Book your free demo today at bill.com/bestever and get a $100 Amazon gift card. Visit https://m1.com/ for more info. Podcast production done by Outlier Audio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices