Podcast
Alliance NOW! Risk & Insurance Podcast Series
Hosted by The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research · EN
The Alliance NOW! Risk & Insurance Podcast Series provides listeners with rich, nuanced conversations that deepen learning and promote the successful completion of Risk & Insurance Education Alliance programs.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Beyond the Claim: The Human Element of Workers Compensation
4d ago00:39:30Tap to summarizeWhat if better workers’ compensation outcomes start with how people feel, not just how claims are managed? In this episode of Alliance Insights, host Noelle Codispoti is joined by Dr. Claire Muselman to explore a more human-centered approach to workers’ compensation. Together, they unpack why workers’ comp is often misunderstood — from its original purpose to common assumptions about wages and benefits — and how system complexity, rigid processes, and unclear communication can leave injured employees feeling lost at a critical moment. Dr. Muselman highlights the powerful role employers, supervisors, and claims professionals play from day one. Every interaction matters. Early conversations can build trust — or break it — making clear, consistent, and empathetic communication essential. You’ll also hear practical strategies to improve engagement, including: • Setting clear expectations early • Staying connected through regular check-ins • Supporting meaningful return-to-work experiences The takeaway is simple: when organizations put people first, outcomes improve — helping employees get back to work, back to life, and fully supported along the way. Want to learn more? Explore the Workers Compensation RISKPro course, or discover customized training through the Alliance’s Corporate Education Solutions. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.
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Getting your Agency Ready for AI
1w ago00:30:26Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Alliance Insights, Noelle Codispoti of the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance is joined by Ron Hocutt of Angela Adams Consulting for a practical discussion on what AI readiness really looks like for today’s insurance agencies. Ron reframes the conversation away from “Which AI platform should we buy?” and toward the far more important questions of how we best use technology, how we ensure data quality, and how we encourage operational discipline. The episode breaks down the differences between generative AI and agentic AI, clarifying how each can support agency workflows without replacing licensed professionals or transferring legal responsibility. Ron explains why current AI tools remain limited in scope, why liability always stays with the agent or agency, and why fears of full automation often overlook regulatory and legal realities. Listeners are guided through real world applications—such as workflow coordination, policy analysis, client communication, and renewal preparation—while learning why inconsistent workflows and poor data can undermine any AI initiative. The discussion also highlights the competitive risks agencies face if they fail to prepare, emphasizing that efficiency gains, not job replacement, will define winners and losers. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.
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Alliance Insights: Insuring Contractors The Additional Insured Basics You Need to Know-Part 2
3w ago00:27:34Tap to summarizeAlliance faculty member and nationally recognized coverage expert Cathy Trischan returns with Part II of Insuring Contractors: The Additional Insured Basics You Need to Know. Building on the history covered in Part I, this discussion focuses on how today’s ISO additional insured endorsements operate in real-world contracts. Cathy explains the intent and limitations of commonly used forms—such as CG 2010, CG 2033, and CG 2038—and why understanding their wording is critical to effective risk transfer. The episode highlights the impact of privity of contract and key court decisions that narrowed automatic additional insured coverage, creating uncertainty across jurisdictions. Cathy also breaks down the often-misunderstood divide between ongoing operations and completed operations coverage, explaining when separate endorsements are required and why completed ops remains a persistent challenge. Throughout the episode, she emphasizes the importance of scrutinizing carrier proprietary forms, identifying hidden restrictions, exclusions, and contract-based triggers that can undermine coverage. The takeaway is clear: navigating additional insured requirements today requires careful endorsement selection, contract awareness, and a practical understanding of how coverage language plays out after a loss. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.
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Insuring Contractors: The Additional Insured Basics You Need to Know - Part 1
3w ago00:38:30Tap to summarizeThis episode of Alliance Insights features Alliance faculty member and nationally recognized coverage expert, Cathy Trischan, covering Part I of Insuring Contractors: The Additional Insured Basics You Need to Know. Listen in as she unpacks why additional insured requirements remain one of the most complex—and misunderstood—areas of contractor risk. From the evolution of ISO endorsement forms to real-world court decisions that reshaped coverage intent, Cathy explains how language like “arising out of,” “ongoing operations,” and “completed operations” can dramatically change who is protected and when. The episode explores why requests for older endorsements persist, how primary and non contributory demands complicate placement, and what today’s agents and risk professionals must understand to navigate contracts with confidence. This discussion lays the foundation for smarter coverage analysis—where knowing the history of additional insured endorsements is critical to managing today’s risk. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.
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Environmental Strategist Podcast - EFA Essentials: What Every Insurance Professional Must Know
Apr 1000:28:11Tap to summarizeTopics Covered: What Environmental Financial Assurance (EFA) is and why it exists The regulatory origins of EFA, including Superfund and CERCLA How contracts and environmental indemnifications can create hidden self‑insurance Why insurance is often the most efficient tool for meeting EFA requirements Common industries impacted by EFA: construction, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, and environmental services Real‑world examples of contracts requesting the wrong environmental coverage Differences between insurance, bonds, letters of credit, escrow, and self‑funding How EFA strategies protect balance sheets, cash flow, and reputation The risks of discovering inadequate coverage only after a claim occurs Why Environmental Strategists focus on education, alignment, and structured EFA planning Resources from Environmental Risk Managers, Inc. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.
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Best Practices for Utilizing Ai in Insurance
Apr 800:37:20Tap to summarizeWhy AI adoption in insurance has shifted from “experimental” to operational Robin Spaulding’s career journey and perspective from claims to leadership How Roots uses agentic AI to automate underwriting, claims, and policy servicing Key workflows primed for AI: Claims indexing and first notice of loss Claim summaries and document classification Policy and submission review for complex commercial policies The hidden cost of manual work in claims and underwriting Balancing straight‑through processing with “human in the loop” decision‑making Improving job satisfaction by removing repetitive administrative tasks How better data flow between claims and underwriting improves outcomes Why empathy and human judgment remain critical in claims handling What insurance professionals should focus on to prepare for an AI‑enabled future Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.
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Streamlining Insurance: VC Investing, Startups & Carrier Partnerships
Mar 2400:45:19Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Darren moderates a deep dive into the fast evolving intersection of venture capital, startups, and carrier partnerships within the insurance industry. Guests Adam Care (HSB Funds) and John Javan (BrokerTech Ventures) unpack how AI is reshaping insurance, the explosion of new vendors, and what makes certain startups stand out. The discussion covers the rapid acceleration of AI—from early process automation tools to individualized productivity solutions—while highlighting a major industry shift: companies no longer market themselves as “AI companies,” but instead focus on the real problems they solve. They explore challenges in product market fit, the complexity of insurance sales cycles, and the disconnect between frontline users and C suite decision makers. The conversation also goes into why carriers are eager but cautious adopters of innovation, the role of accelerators in bridging gaps between startups and legacy players, and what founders must understand about risk aversion, compliance expectations, and long adoption timelines in insurance. Looking ahead, Adam and John predict foundational changes as AI becomes ubiquitous—impacting underwriting, claims, customer service, distribution, and even insurance policy structures themselves (including AI-related exclusions). Their closing advice to founders: fall in love with the problem, not the solution, stay persistent in the face of industry complexity, and partner with organizations that can help accelerate market access and credibility. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.
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Recipes for Restaurant Risk Management Success
Feb 2600:31:39Tap to summarizeFeatured Guest Jay Gates Managing Director, Gallagher National Restaurant Practice 20+ years in insurance, former Applebee’s risk leader, RIMS committee member, and Kids Chance Nebraska board member. What We Cover Jay’s unexpected path into risk and insurance Lessons learned investigating EEOC claims early in his career Leadership principles developed while managing large claims teams Building a full ERM program for 165+ Applebee’s locations The most surprising and severe claims in restaurant operations How Gallagher reduces the total cost of risk for restaurant clients Innovative approaches including captives and proprietary analytics Underestimated risks: cyber breaches + product recalls The growing impact of AI on restaurant ops and risk Privacy + liability concerns tied to AI adoption The future of restaurant risk management over the next decade Key Takeaways Restaurant risks are broader than most expect. From contaminated produce to liquor liability fatalities, claims can escalate fast. Cyber and product recall coverages are essential, despite being commonly undervalued. AI will reshape restaurant risk—from customer service to operations tracking—creating both efficiencies and new exposures. Gallagher’s differentiator is proactive service, deep data analysis, and tailoring insurance strategy to each client's risk tolerance. Risk leaders benefit from diverse career experiences, which Jay draws on daily. Resources & Links Learn more about the Restaurant Risk Professional (RRP) certification:riskeducation.org/restaurant-RiskPro Explore additional Alliance Insights episodes at riskeducation.org Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.
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Environmental Strategist Podcast: Why We’re Here—and Why It Matters
Feb 2300:22:58Tap to summarizeTopics Covered: What inspired Chris Bunbury’s career in environmental risk How pollutants are defined beyond chemicals Why most businesses unknowingly self‑insure environmental exposures The limitations of CGL policies & hidden pollution exclusions Environmental Impairment Liability (EIL) vs. Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL) Real‑world examples of unexpected pollution claims The role and value of an Environmental Strategist How environmental stewardship creates competitive advantage Preview of future episodes: PFAS, stormwater, brownfields, due diligence & more Resources Mentioned: Environmental Risk Managers, Inc. — ermi.us Environmental Strategist Certification — https://www.riskeducation.org/environmental-strategist/ Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.
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Will an AI Bot Take my Job? Interviewing an AI and Innovation Speaker
Jan 2800:38:24Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance Insights podcast, CEO William Hold talks with Dan Chuparkoff, AI expert, innovation educator, and former product leader at Google, McKinsey, and Atlassian. Dan shares his compelling journey—from discovering disruptive technology as a teenager in an architecture firm to spending 25 years guiding teams through massive shifts in how work gets done.He discusses how early exposure to breakthrough tools shaped his understanding of digital transformation, why AI is accelerating faster than any previous change in workplace technology, and how professionals can adapt without fear. Dan explains the real impact of AI on today’s workforce—why it takes away repetitive tasks rather than entire jobs, how it turns “word managers” into problem solvers, and why human skills like empathy, creativity, and judgment remain more valuable than ever. This conversation is full of insights into the future of work, collaboration, and the growing importance of authentic human connection in an AI‑saturated world. Key Topics Covered:✅ Dan’s early journey from architecture intern to software developer✅ Lessons learned from leading teams at Google, McKinsey, and Atlassian✅ How AI evolved from autocomplete to powerful generative assistants✅ Why AI won’t replace most jobs—but will reshape daily tasks✅ Improving productivity with AI: meetings, email, communication, and strategy✅ The “analog renaissance” and the rising value of real human interaction✅ How professionals in risk and insurance can prepare for AI‑driven change Why Listen:If you’re an insurance professional, leader, educator, or simply curious about how AI will redefine work, this episode offers practical guidance and a forward‑looking perspective. Dan’s insights will help you understand the opportunities, limitations, and human implications of AI—empowering you to adapt, innovate, and thrive in a rapidly changing industry.Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.
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