Podcast
Almost Nowhere
Hosted by The CAS Institute · EN
Almost Nowhere explores the intersection of data science, AI, and actuarial thinking in the P&C insurance industry—and beyond. In a world where innovation feels slow and risk is constantly evolving, we ask the hard questions, spotlight real-world progress, and talk with the people driving change. Whether you're an actuary, a data scientist, or just curious about what’s next, this show dives into how emerging tech is reshaping insurance from the inside out.
31episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ted Rock from Rock Roofing
Nov 400:48:35Tap to summarizeAlicia Burke and Max Martinelli talk with Ted Rock, owner of Rock Roofing, about everything from storm chasers and hail claims to why insurers and contractors so often talk past each other. Ted shares an unfiltered view from the other side of the claim.It’s a conversation about trust, timelines, and what happens when boots on the roof meet spreadsheets at the desk.
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Frank Chang - The Growth Set
Jun 4, 202500:33:36Tap to summarizeFeaturing Frank Chang, VP of Applied Science at Uber and Immediate Past President of the CAS BoardThe growth set. What’s changing in the actuarial profession — and how do we flex the right muscles to grow?In this episode of Almost Nowhere, Frank Chang joins Alicia Burke, Max Martinelli, and Josh Meyers live from the 2025 CAS Spring Meeting to talk about:How actuaries are solving non-traditional problems at companies like Uber and GoogleWhat needs to change in how we train, credential, and promote actuarial talentWhy judgment is the irreplaceable skill in the age of AIAnd whether it’s finally time to bring Max back into the credentialing foldYou’ll also hear a debate about global AI adoption, a vision for modernizing actuarial work, and yes — a brief segment on everyone’s bench press max.This episode is about finding balance: technical and human, tradition and innovation, strength and judgment.
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Kay Wakeman - IIHS/HLDI
May 29, 202500:42:44Tap to summarizeOur guest, Kay Wakeman of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute, is a trusted voice for insurance-embedded research. Her CAS sessions are routinely standing-room only — and after hearing this conversation, you’ll understand why.Join us as Kay helps answer some big questions:Which collision-avoidance systems actually reduce losses?Why are EVs both safer and more expensive to insure?How is speed-limiting tech reshaping conversations about regulation and underwriting?And could partial automation be doing more harm than good on real roads?Whether you're an actuary, a product manager, or just someone wondering why your car keeps yelling at you — this episode is a crash course in what today’s safety tech gets wrong, and what the data says we should do next.Recorded live at the 2025 CAS Spring Meeting in Toronto, this episode of Almost Nowhere separates the marketing from the math when it comes to vehicle safety tech.
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Jim Guszcza
May 22, 202500:35:52Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we talk with Jim Guszcza — former US Chief Data Scientist at Deloitte and current CAS Board Member — about what the future of AI should look like. We challenge the ideology of artificial intelligence, explore how actuaries can lead the shift to human-centered systems, and dive into the power of collective intelligence, participatory design, and explainability. If you’ve ever wondered how to build models that actually work — and what we’re missing when we treat AI as magic — this episode is for you.Jim's latest publications
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Drew Hill, Product Manager at MCA
May 12, 202500:52:04Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we talk with Drew Hill, a product manager at Mutual Capital Analytics, about what happens when product, actuarial, and data science roles start to blend — and why that might be exactly what the future of insurance needs. We get into AI, upskilling, regulatory hurdles, model trust, and how cross-functional teams are reshaping product strategy from the inside out.
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Molly Mowery - What the WUI?!
May 1, 202501:00:35Tap to summarizeWe are joined by Molly Mowery, AICP, a national leader in wildfire mitigation and land use planning. She’s the founder of Wildfire Planning International and co-founder of the Community Wildfire Planning Center.We explore how data, AI, and smart planning are shaping wildfire risk mitigation across the wildland-urban interface (WUI). Molly walks us through the evolving tools and policies designed to protect communities, the challenges that come with rapid growth in high-risk areas, and what insurers and data scientists need to understand about the future of this growing threat.Links Mentioned & Other Research:Molly’s Publication: Planning the Wildland-Urban InterfaceCould this Irvine neighborhood be the blueprint for a more fire-resistant L.A.?2025 RPM Aligning Industries for Wildfire Resilience KCC Wildfire Losses Whitepaper Florida's wildfire season and weather: what's at play?
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Craig Alsdorf - Restoration Challenges in the Face of Disaster
Apr 16, 202501:03:38Tap to summarizeThis conversation takes a look at the aftermath of recent hurricanes, focusing on the restoration processes, challenges in building materials, and the complexities of insurance claims. The discussion highlights the importance of communication between contractors and insurance adjusters, the need for data transparency, and the evolving trends in construction and disaster preparedness. Insights from industry experts provide a comprehensive view of the current landscape and future directions.
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Howard Kunst - Navigating Catastrophe Risk
Apr 2, 202500:37:25Tap to summarizeIn Episode 4 of Almost Nowhere, hosts Alicia Burke and Max Martinelli are joined by Howard Kunst, Chief Actuary at Cotality (formerly CoreLogic), to explore the evolving role of data science and AI in catastrophe risk management. Recorded at the Casualty Actuarial Society’s Rate Making, Product and Modeling Seminar (RPM) in Orlando, this episode explores the challenges of pricing insurance products amidst a changing climate and the innovations helping to mitigate these risks.Howard shares his insights on how the insurance industry is adapting to new climate realities, with a focus on building codes, resilience, and the future of catastrophe modeling. The conversation also touches on the intersection of AI and catastrophe risk, highlighting real-time data solutions and the role of AI in enhancing catastrophe predictions.As the industry faces rising natural disaster risks, Howard also discusses how data-driven approaches are reshaping the insurance landscape, ensuring insurers stay proactive and capable of adjusting to new realities. Whether you’re an actuary, underwriter, or risk manager, this episode provides valuable insights into the future of catastrophe risk and how AI and data science are playing pivotal roles in its evolution.
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Devyn McNicholl - Embracing Change
Mar 18, 202500:36:12Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Almost Nowhere, hosts Alicia Burke and Max Martinelli sit down with Devyn McNicholl, an actuarial and statistical consultant, to explore the evolving intersection of AI, data science, and the actuarial profession. Recorded live at the Casualty Actuarial Society's Rate Making, Product, and Modeling Seminar (RPM) in Orlando, this episode dives into the future of AI in the insurance industry and how it’s reshaping the actuarial landscape.Devyn shares her reflections on a keynote address by a futurist discussing AI's rapid evolution and its implications for actuaries, particularly around automating tasks, improving efficiency, and enhancing decision-making processes. The conversation emphasizes the importance of human oversight in AI’s role within the industry and the challenges of embracing new technologies.Devyn also opens up about her personal journey, transitioning from a traditional actuarial career to a more data science-focused role. She discusses how branching out into new areas of expertise can create new opportunities and drive growth for professionals in the evolving insurance landscape.
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Sergey Filimonov - The Future of AI
Feb 18, 202500:29:59Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Almost Nowhere, host Alicia Burke speaks with Sergey Filimonov, CTO at Matrisk, about the transformative power of AI in the P&C insurance landscape. They discuss the AI Fast Track Bootcamp, the challenges of working with unstructured data, and the evolving role of actuaries in an AI-driven world. Sergey shares insights from his journey in data science, the importance of evaluating AI outputs, and predictions for the future of AI technology. The conversation also touches on the implications of massive capital expenditures in AI, the global landscape of AI development, and practical advice for individuals and organizations looking to adopt AI solutions.
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