One of the most crucial topics discussed in healthcare coverage today is the challenge of affordability.

Diving right in, Dan Kueter discusses where employers are most focused in dealing with healthcare coverage affordability and how they see it affecting their workforces. Other issues like plan simplicity and transparency are also key ingredients for creating a more sustainable system for healthcare consumers, he says.  

Speaking to Leader’s Edge Editor in Chief Sandy Laycox and Podcast Producer Zach Ewell at The Council’s Operations Leadership Forum, Pink talks through different ways to approach our lives during this “fricking weird” state of the world. From figuring out how to stay motivated without false optimism, writing down the things we want to stop doing, or learning how to give better feedback, Pink shares useful and well-researched advice for daily life.

Glasgow walks through the cases he’s watching most closely, explaining why they could have far-reaching implications for employers across industries, and how the current administration has intensified legal pressure on organizations committed to DEI initiatives. For employers who remain committed to building inclusive workplaces, Glasgow offers practical, legally sound strategies to advance DEI goals while reducing exposure to litigation.

The Hard Market jokingly describes itself as a safe place for insurance professionals, and it’s not wrong.

Where else would you find memes about additional endorsements?

From its humble beginnings in 2019 as an Instagram page for memes about the industry, The Hard Market has grown to over 66,000 followers, a separate website, and a widely followed pay survey.

In this podcast, the anonymous insurance professional behind The Hard Market, discusses their history in the industry, the origins of the endeavor, and its role as a sounding board for different generations of workers.

In this episode of the Leader’s Edge Podcast, Denis Bensoussan, head of space at Beazley, discusses innovations from the maturing space insurance market. From satellite constellations circling the globe to the possibility of data centers on the moon, risks in space are expanding almost as fast as the universe itself.

As artificial intelligence moves from buzzword to business tool, the startups inside the BTV Accelerator are finding sharper, more sophisticated ways to put it to work. Jackovin breaks down the trends defining this year’s cohort, previews what’s ahead at BTV Mania, and explains how brokers and carriers are rethinking their technology and operational needs in an era of rapid change.

Speaking with Leader’s Edge Editor in Chief Sandy Laycox, agency Executive Chairman and CEO Eric Leavitt discusses the reasoning behind the sale, why succession planning is central to its M&A approach, the two-year journey to gaining consensus on integrated tech, and what’s on the horizon for Leavitt Group and brokerage M&A overall. This interview has been edited for clarity.

In in this episode of the Leader's Edge podcast, Chris Sparro, CEO of North America for Sompo Commercial P&C Insurance, continues his discussion of talent and technology in the workplace.

Sparro dives deep into the world of technology adoption. If you’re in the middle of a tech overhaul, or about to start one, this episode delivers the insights you need.

In this episode of the Leader's Edge podcast, Chris Sparro, CEO of North America for Sampo Commercial P&C Insurance, discusses talent and training in today's insurance industry.

They explore the newest generation entering the workforce, the diverse backgrounds they bring, the tech skills they carry, and the areas where they’re eager to grow. The conversation opens with a look at how this influx of fresh perspectives is reshaping the industry and what it means for its future.

Kinney, a returning guest, traces his path from his early days in insurance after college, through more than thirty years at Travelers, to his current role leading Keystone Agency Partners. Along the way, he shares hard-earned lessons from his life and career, including what to look for when building a winning team. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned professional, there’s plenty of insight to take away from this one.

From their unconventional origins to their modern-day popularity, these events combine entertainment, entrepreneurship, and live performance in ways that introduce a wide range of exposures for organizers, vendors, and performers. Journey with market analyst and podcast producer Zach Ewell as he dives deep into the people behind Renaissance fairs and the risks they face.

In this discussion moderated by Council Meetings and Culture Associate Samantha Willow at the Insurance Leadership Forum, Vieira takes us on a journey through her career’s most memorable moments, and shares how she’s been able to pivot jobs in the ever-changing media landscape.

Data centers continue to pop up across America. Their massive power needs and building requirements are impacting policyholders and the property market as a whole. Meanwhile, the industry is reevaluating the impacts of secondary perils such as wildfires and storms that occurred in 2025.

Having recently written his book, How to Know a Person, Brooks discusses why he set out to better understand others around him and what he gained from the experience, how leaders today can better support new graduates, and more. 

Jackson and Kirk both served in White House Office of Legislative Affairs, respectively during the Biden and George W. Bush administrations. They share unique stories from the White House spanning from Sept. 11 to the passage of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act to Jan. 6.

Council Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Joel Kopperud and Vice President of Government and Political Affairs Blaire Bartlett also discuss the issues they are focused on in the new year and if we are headed for another federal government shutdown at the end of January.

Starting with the basic tools developed by ancient ancestors, Mike explains how to view today’s advanced technology with the right perspective. Data centers, AI, and quantum computing are all on the agenda. 

Council Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Joel Kopperud and Vice President of Government and Political Affairs Blaire Bartlett also join for a conversation on what to expect from Washington in 2026.

In this podcast, Leader’s Edge writer Russ Banham takes us on a journey through his reporting and shows how a hard market for a specific type of coverage can easily disrupt a centuries-old U.S. industry.

Being a substantial brokerage acquirer in recent years, Trucordia is undergoing the multi-pronged process of integrating those acquired companies into one.

From the tech stack to the branding to the culture, integration is a complicated process. This conversation gets under the hood of that work. 

He describes how key relationships early in his underwriting career helped him to grow and understand the industry in new ways. He also discusses the challenges of building post-pandemic relationships, the importance of the broker-carrier relationship, and the importance of relationships in the complex specialty business.

The two leaders unpack how a major deal between their firms came together, offer sharp insights on the surge of brokers entering the continental European market, and reflect on how recent elections are reshaping their strategic priorities.

They discuss the current risk landscape, the risks of labor shortages and tariffs on construction, the rise of data centers and the challenges of insuring them, and the role of alternative risk transfer as a critical component in ensuring proper coverage for construction risk.  

The conversation covers the overall cyber threat landscape for medium-sized businesses, the growth of third-party risk, and new exposures coming from AI. We also discuss threat actors’ use of AI and how underwriters are responding.

The Council’s senior vice president Joel Kopperud, vice president of government affairs Blaire Bartlett, and director of government affairs Audra Jackson also join the conversation to break down how we got here.

He shared takeaways from Verisk’s latest Global Modeled Catastrophe Losses report, discussed how modeling has evolved to use new data and technology and respond to modern climate risk, and offered suggestions for better integration and use of advanced modeling in the insurance ecosystem.

She shares candid learning experiences from her personal history that are truly valuable lessons for leaders everywhere.

From theme parks to mom-and-pop operations, over 1,200 haunted attractions open their doors to scare seekers each year, according to the organization America Haunts. The haunted house industry generates $500 million in ticket sales annually, with an average of 8,000 guests per attraction and some locations employing dozens of scare actors. But in this business, the risks—like the devil—are in the details.

For the Leader’s Edge podcast, market analyst and podcast producer Zach Ewell spoke with people who love working at scare attractions and people who insure them. They share the risks that put them in danger and the policies that protect them.

In this episode, we dive deep into advancements in data analysis in underwriting in excess and surplus lines.

We discuss how the evolution of  third-party data and the use of  AI have helped turn raw data into usable information, change management and barriers to implementing advanced technology in underwriting, and what’s on the horizon in this changing field.  

In our latest conversation with AXA XL, we discuss their focus on building out their wholesale solutions, including the programs segment, excess & surplus (E&S), and the wholesale underwriting unit.

Topics include the value of the wholesale broker in complex risk markets, trends in E&S, and the importance of talent in achieving growth goals. 

They share stories drawn from over 30 years each of experience, muse on trends, and focus on the future of employee benefits.  

Tom O’Neal's career has spanned over half a century. He made an early name for himself during the 1960s and ’70s, with photographs gracing the album covers of rock legends such as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Steppenwolf, B.B. King, John Denver, and many, many more.

In addition to photographing the musicians and songwriters who defined a generation, Tom has spent the past two decades photographing events hosted by The Council. After wrapping up a conference, podcast Producer Zach Ewell sat down with Tom to discuss his history with The Council, how he gets his subjects to open up, and how he feels about the ever-changing media landscape.

In this episode of the Personal Lines podcast, Ed Cha shares how his career path led to the insurance industry, says why he finds learning a reward for his job, and dives deep into the problem-solving intricacies of his role.

A world traveler, Marmoush discusses his life’s journey of immigrating to several countries, how he was inspired to start his business, and the intricacies of AI.

Steenberg dives into detail around the current state of automation and the benefits agencies can reap when investing in integration. Later he shares what options suit different-size agencies.

FIRST Insurance Funding is not endorsing any specific payment service provider or making representations about their privacy and data security resources.  Any agency, broker, or any other entity that desires to work with a payment service provider should conduct their own due diligence as part of their vendor evaluation process to assess the necessary risks.

Körner dives into detail about the Krankenhausversorgungsverbesserungsgesetz, which is changing how the German hospital system operates and funds itself. Körner also shares how his family’s history of working at brokerages led to his career in insurance and offers advice for people looking to break into the industry.

In this episode of the Politics & Risk podcast, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) discusses the increasing pressure that wildfires are placing on insurance companies and their clients.

Westerman for years has been a chief champion of the Fix Our Forests Act, a bipartisan bill that includes a host of measures to transform federal forest management in order to reduce the wildfire threat. The legislation easily passed out of the House in January, and Westerman expressed optimism that the Senate will also approve it and send it on to President Donald Trump for signing.

Hsieh shares how his background in law helped him break into insurance industry, how medical inflation and tariffs are impacting his clients, and what trends he’s watching in the benefits market.

Having recently surveyed employers and employees about modern benefits, Prudential gathered data on the disconnects between the two groups.

In addition to discussing the survey results, the conversation covers benefits-related technology, opportunities for growth, new product development, better client service, and the 150-year history that provides the foundation for Prudential today.

Goodreau also dives into why higher education changed his life and how he started his company.

Nadeau discusses how clients are dealing with the impacts of tariffs, potential supply chain disruptions, AI algorithm bias, and much more.

Our purpose is to interview up-and-coming insurance talent to find out why they chose this industry. These professionals have pivoted to insurance from careers on the fields of Major League Baseball and sailing the seas for the U.S. Coast Guard, to name just two.

In this episode, we’re going back to school. We meet two former teachers who went from education to employee benefits. First up is Casey Allsbrooks, an elementary school teacher and librarian for 29 years who recently jumped to working as an account manager at the Marsh McLennan Agency. Next, we meet Julia Lacoste, who taught middle school for two years before pivoting to insurance, where she works as an account manager at CBIZ.

Both women share why they moved to the industry of risk. Their stories are a part of a larger narrative insurers may want to pay attention to: past educators being a great source of talent for the industry.

Among the range of risk management issues covered are economic concerns, supply chain disruptions, cyber threats and regulatory compliance issues. She also discusses gaps in risk preparedness for middle market businesses, industry opportunities, and more. 

Both authors of “Investing in insurance: The value imperative,” discuss recent private investment trends in insurance. They also evaluate what made 2024 M&A unique, and share why they expect increased deal activity this year.

Talking to Leader’s Edge on the eve of the multiday, in-person BTV Mania, Jackovin shares insights on new areas of startup focus, investment trends, and what BTV startups and partners have to look forward to when they gather this week.  

In this episode, Michael Blackshear discusses how growing up in New York City shaped him, how his consistent pursuit of education informs his role, and finding out that his father was an undercover detective.

By the end of Monday, Jan. 27, nearly $1 trillion in value had been wiped off the Nasdaq 100. U.S. tech companies that had invested billions of dollars in AI now faced new competition from DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup. Supposedly only costing $6 million to develop, and as intelligent as OpenAI’s reasoning models, the open-source application became the most downloaded free app for iPhone when released.

For Brandon Nuttall, chief digital and AI officer at industry data solutions provider Xceedance, this was a Sputnik moment for the AI industry–referring to moment in which the Soviet Union surprised the United States and jump-started the space race in 1957 by sending the first artificial satellite into space. In this podcast, Nuttall discusses the risks for companies that use DeepSeek, how the AI was created, and why it needs significantly less energy than other large language models.

Krzyzewski shares stories of leadership, talent, and rivalries with Editor-in-Chief Sandy Laycox, who attended the University of North Carolina, Duke’s primary rival. Although Krzyzewski is retired, the rivalry burns strong.

In this episode, Sarah Friend shares how and why she started her own podcast, the importance of community in retaining young professionals, and her philosophy on leadership.

A Los Angeles County native, Banham himself was forced to evacuate his home with his family as the Eaton Fire edged toward his neighborhood in January. After the fire was contained, Russ was able to return to his neighborhood and house, still intact. He shares his personal experience and details from his reporting.

From AI in benefits to the growth of individual coverage HRAs, Kerrigan discusses which solutions are top of mind, which are falling out of favor, and where we might see the most trend growths in 2025.

Verlingue shares his story of becoming the 4th generation to run his family’s insurance business. He discusses what changes he wants to see during his time of leadership, and differences and misconceptions between U.S. and France.

Goodwin offers insights on the political strife, past and present, that has challenged numerous generations of Americans. She also offers anecdotes concerning the history of the presidency, a message on the importance of young people bringing change to the world, and leadership lessons applicable to all.

Waters also discusses what characteristics impact the middle market and what industry segments the company is focused on.

First to join in conversation was Kevin Davis, president of Kevin Davis Insurance Services, who shared how he uses his own podcast to help his business. Next, Leader’s Edge’s book reviewer Scott Naugle discussed the similarities between recommending a book and an insurance policy.

For over 34 years Mike St. Lawrence traveled the United States selling alien abduction insurance on local TV news and radio shows.

With nearly 7,000 coverages sold at a $24.95 asking price, the Florida resident offered a $10 million payout for proof of abduction. The catch: The payout would come at $1 annually for 10 million years. Following our 2021 interview with St. Lawrence, podcast producer Zach Ewell recently attempted to reach the self-proclaimed comedian insurer to see how his business was going and pick his mind on current UFO phenomena.

In this year-end episode of Politics & Risk, The Council’s senior vice president and vice president of government affairs, Joel Kopperud and Blaire Bartlett, discuss the turmoil in Washington, D.C., as Congress struggles to keep the government open through the new year.

Additionally, Bartlett interviews Republican Rep. David Joyce, of Ohio’s 14th Congressional District. The congressman offers his thoughts on the incoming presidential administration and hot-button legislation pertaining to cannabis and banking.

In this discussion, Hempstead takes us through the stories and people in her book.

Leung’s experience has shaped his approach to pharmacy benefit consulting and his view on transparency with respect to drug costs. He discusses where all the different industry players disagree, which cost-saving levers employers have access to and the value of different types of data that inform client strategy. 

In the first of three special interviews conducted at ILF, retired U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis, former NATO supreme allied commander Europe and a current board member of global broker Aon, discusses what risks American companies face from abroad, what trends he foresees impacting the world, and what U.S. citizens can do to tamp down the political divisiveness running rampant in our country.

Cutter shares her story of becoming the 4th generation to run her family’s insurance business. She also discusses the importance of company culture and hard work.

Cohen paints a vivid picture of what a fully optimized digital industry could look like, but cautions that we’re not there yet. He discusses where the industry is on this journey, why digital evolution is moving at the pace that it is, and what we can do about it. He also digs into the differences between manual and digital processes, how to bring out useful data points for insureds, and how Zywave is building its data from the ground up.

Smith shares how his childhood entrepreneurial mindset led him to working with NBA legend Magic Johnson. He also discusses his perspective on life insurance, and why its vital for a family member to have. 

To understand how this market started, podcast producer Zach Ewell spoke with Geraldine Morgan, a history enthusiast who gives tours in London England around the history of Lloyds and insurance. Morgan takes us on a tour from the great fire of London of 1666 to the establishment of Lloyd’s Coffee Shop.

 To learn more about Morgan's tour you can visit her website. 

According to a recent Pew Research Center poll, public trust in government has edged near all-time lows in recent years.

The nonpartisan organization She Should Run believes part of the answer to fixing this problem includes increasing the number of women in public office. To understand how increasing women’s participation in public office could improve public trust in government, podcast producer Zach Ewell spoke with Tracey Vasile, a member of the Planning Board for Foxborough, Massachusetts, home of the New England Patriots. Vasile is also senior vice president for client strategy at Verisk, an information services company that specializes in risk. The New England native discusses her journey serving in elected office, the importance of women running, and recent risk trends.

The congressman discusses his party’s new excitement surrounding the presidential ticket after President Joe Biden’s withdrew from the 2024 election, possible running mate picks for Vice President Kamala Harris after she became the Democratic Party candidate, and what’s at stake in November.