Best CouncilCast Podcasts (2025)

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Personal Lines with Joseph Schauer 14:59

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6h ago14:59

14:59

Joseph Schauer, President and CEO of Schauer Group, joins our personal lines podcast to share the 106-year history of his family's firm and discuss what gives him his competitive edge in business. He also touches upon how his hometown of Canton, Ohio, was vital to shaping his life.By A Council Platform - 868329

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What’s Now, What’s New, What’s Next in Tech 32:08

3d ago32:08

32:08

Having previously served as chief futurist at Deloitte, global innovation director at Accenture, a venture capital co-founder, and an inventor, Mike Bechtel has more than 25 years of experience with technology and innovation.Starting with the basic tools developed by ancient ancestors, Mike explains how to view today’s advanced technology with the …

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Politics and Risk with Rep. Linda Sánchez 26:37

6d ago26:37

26:37

In this episode of The Politics & Risk Podcast, Democratic Rep. Linda Sánchez of California’s 38th Congressional District discusses the impacts of the upcoming expiration of Affordable Care Act enhanced premium subsidies and issues of affordability in America, and offers her thoughts on President Donald Trump's leadership.Council Senior Vice Presid…

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The Liability Last Call 20:53

10d ago20:53

20:53

Bars and other alcohol-serving establishments have been rocked by high premium increases and liabilities, which have resulted in business closures and job losses across America.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 …

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Undertaking Integration 17:32

15d ago17:32

17:32

Trucordia’s COO Michael Moran open up about the process of integrating acquired companies.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 conversati…

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Claims Change, Empathy Remains 11:36

28d ago11:36

11:36

During the 2025 Insurance Leadership Forum, Paul Kottler, president of U.S. Loss Adjusting for Crawford, discusses how claims adjusting has changed in recent years given the changing weather environment, and whether policyholder needs have changed as well.He also explains how advanced technology is being used in claims handling and what success loo…

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Building Intentional Relationships 13:26

1M ago13:26

13:26

In this episode of the Leader's Edge podcast, recorded live at The Council’s 2025 Insurance Leadership Forum, Dan Fortin, president of specialty insurance at QBE North America, dives into the intricacies of relationships in the specialty business.He describes how key relationships early in his underwriting career helped him to grow and understand t…

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Elections and Broker Expansions in Europe 19:30

1M ago19:30

19:30

At last month’s Insurance Leadership Forum, Leader’s Edge podcast host Zach Ewell sat down with Jochen Körner, CEO of Ecclesia Group, and Warren Downey, Group Chief Executive Officer of Specialist Risk Group, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation.The two leaders unpack how a major deal between their firms came together, offer sharp insights on…

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Personal Lines with Eric Diamond 12:03

2M ago12:03

12:03

In this episode of our personal lines podcast series, Eric Diamond, President and CEO of Marshall+Sterling, shares how joining the military helped bring structure to his life, the lessons he learned while serving our country, and who inspires his leadership style.By A Council Platform - 868329

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Construction Risk and Solutions 24:09

2M ago24:09

24:09

Talking with Leader’s Edge onsite at the 2025 Insurance Leadership Forum, Darren Tasker, Head of Construction and Tom Houlihan, Head of Alternative risk transfer at Allianz Commercial, take a deep dive into the construction line of business.They discuss the current risk landscape, the risks of labor shortages and tariffs on construction, the rise o…

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LIIBA Releases Innovation Imperative Report 15:21

2M ago15:21

15:21

London & International Insurance Brokers' Association Chief Executive Chris Croft sat down with the Leader's Edge podcast during the latest Insurance Leadership Forum to share key findings from The Innovation Imperative, a report from LIIBA, Gracechurch, and Trimstone Partners laying out brokers' key role in today's insurance value chain.…

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Cyber Exposure in the Middle Market 23:20

3M ago23:20

23:20

In this episode, Cyber Product Lead for E-Risk Services John Butler talks third-party risk, AI exposure, and more middle market cyber 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 underwri…

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Shutdown and Showdown 27:21

3M ago27:21

27:21

In this episode of The Politics & Risk Podcast, Democratic Representative Adam Gray of California’s 13th Congressional District shares how the ongoing government shutdown is affecting his constituents—and what can be done to end it.The Council’s senior vice president Joel Kopperud, vice president of government affairs Blaire Bartlett, and director …

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Modern Modeling 17:18

3M ago17:18

17:18

By A Council Platform - 868329

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A Culture of Trust and Transparency 18:29

3M ago18:29

18:29

By A Council Platform - 868329

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Staying Humble, Connected, Innovative 21:22

3M ago21:22

21:22

Sitting down with Leader’s Edge during at the Insurance Leadership Forum, Mike Victorson, CEO of M3 Insurance and co-CEO of BrokerTech Ventures, takes us back to his first real leadership experience and all the way through to what the next five years of innovation could look like in the insurance industry. Don’t miss this conversation live from ILF…

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Personal Lines with Chad King 17:41

3M ago17:41

17:41

In this episode of the Personal Lines podcast, Chad King, CEO of King Risk Partners, shares how his career pursuits led him from professional baseball to insurance, what its like running a small business, and shares stories of leadership and innovation.By A Council Platform - 868329

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Hazardous Haunts 16:37

4M ago16:37

16:37

Every October, millions of Americans flock to haunted house attractions, or "haunts" as they are also called, to be entertained.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 tic…

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Personal Lines with Curtis Barton 18:40

4M ago18:40

18:40

In this episode of the Personal Lines podcast, Curtis Barton, CEO of ALKEME, shares why he chose a career in insurance, what it was like building a business alongside his father, and the most valuable business lesson he’s learned along the way.By A Council Platform - 868329

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Advanced Underwriting in E&S 27:38

4M ago27:38

27:38

Nationwide’s John Anthony, SVP, Contract P&C and Excess, E&S Wholesale, discusses advanced data use in E&S underwriting.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, cha…

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Building Out Wholesale 13:57

4M ago13:57

13:57

AXA XL’s Head of Wholesale Solutions in the Americas Tim Whisler discusses growth, goals, and getting there.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 br…

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On Benefits and Friends 25:36

4M ago25:36

25:36

Lisa Hawker, Regional COO of people solutions at Lockton, and the current chair of the Council of Employee Benefits Executives, and Jenn Walsh, Founder and CEO of Genuine Shift, sat down with Leader’s Edge at the 2025 Employee Benefits Leadership Forum.They share stories drawn from over 30 years each of experience, muse on trends, and focus on the …

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Connecting Before the Camera Clicks 32:09

5M ago32:09

32:09

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,…

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Personal Lines with Ed Cha 23:44

5M ago23:44

23:44

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.By A Council Platform - 868329

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From Pharmacy to AI Healthcare Startup 17:57

5M ago17:57

17:57

In this episode, Leader's Edge hosts its third conversation at The Council's Employee Benefits Leadership Forum, with Ahmed Marmoush, co-founder and CEO of Handl Health, an AI platform that aggregates and analyzes publicly available healthcare pricing data to aid insurance brokers.A world traveler, Marmoush discusses his life’s journey of immigrati…

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The State of System Integration 9:39

6M ago9:39

9:39

In this episode, FIRST Insurance Funding Vice President of Business Solutions Nolan Steenberg goes deep on agency payment processing system integration.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 I…

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A Look at Germany’s Hospital System Reform 12:30

6M ago12:30

12:30

In this episode, Leader's Edge hosts its second conversation at The Council's Employee Benefits Leadership Forum, with Jochen Körner, CEO of Ecclesia Group, a Germany-based brokerage.Körner dives into detail about the Krankenhausversorgungsverbesserungsgesetz, which is changing how the German hospital system operates and funds itself. Körner also s…

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A Lose-Lose Situation 22:21

6M ago22:21

22:21

“Nobody wins when the insurance company can’t afford to sell insurance and the homeowners can’t afford to buy insurance.”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 f…

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Medical Inflation and Tariffs Hit International Firms 14:47

6M ago14:47

14:47

In this episode, Leader's Edge hosts a conversation at The Council's Employee Benefits Leadership Forum with Jonathan Hsieh, CEO of Pacific Prime Americas.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.…

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Modern Benefits: Design, Delivery, and Disconnects 25:05

7M ago25:05

25:05

A conversation onsite at The Council’s Employee Benefits Leadership Forum with Prudential’s John Trevisan, Head of Distribution for Group Insurance, and Mark Devine, Vice President, Head of Life, Absence & Disability Product.Having recently surveyed employers and employees about modern benefits, Prudential gathered data on the disconnects between t…

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Personal Lines with Scott Goodreau 18:52

7M ago18:52

18:52

In this podcast, Scott Goodreau CEO of Brightstone Specialty Group, shares childhood stories of waking up at 3 a.m. to help his dad's canteen truck business, and how that informed his entrepreneurial nature.Goodreau also dives into why higher education changed his life and how he started his company.…

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Creative Solutions in Large Commercial 18:35

7M ago18:35

18:35

In this edition of our AXA XL podcast series, head of large commercial Donna Nadeau sits down with Leader’s Edge to talk about the latest on large-business risk.Nadeau discusses how clients are dealing with the impacts of tariffs, potential supply chain disruptions, AI algorithm bias, and much more.By A Council Platform - 868329

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From Classroom to Clients: Teachers Pivoting to Insurance 19:20

8M ago19:20

19:20

It’s been nearly five years since Leader's Edge began the Falling Into It podcast.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 th…

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Risk Management in the Middle Market 20:04

8M ago20:04

20:04

In this episode, Kristina Talkowski, head of commercial lines, middle market for Nationwide, shares takeaways from a recent survey of small and medium sized businesses.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 pre…

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Personal Lines with Beth Ferrin 17:53

8M ago17:53

17:53

A conversation with the president of McGohan Brabender. A native of Ashland, Ohio, Beth Ferrin shares how growing up in Amish country shaped her formative years, what it's like being the first female president of her firm, and the importance of advocacy in her role.By A Council Platform - 868329

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Private Equity Investment Appetites Maturing 21:23

8M ago21:23

21:23

In this episode Leader's Edge talks with Matthew Scally and Grier Dienstag from McKinsey.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.…

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Insurtech Startups Apply AI to Back-Office Woes 16:21

9M ago16:21

16:21

The BrokerTech Ventures 2025 Accelerator startups are putting artificial intelligence to work in new ways, rethinking back-office processes from telephony support to employee offboarding, says Accelerator Executive Director John Jackovin.Talking to Leader’s Edge on the eve of the multiday, in-person BTV Mania, Jackovin shares insights on new areas …

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Personal Lines with Michael Blackshear 15:49

9M ago15:49

15:49

A conversation with Ryan Specialty’s chief compliance and privacy officer and head of diversity, equity, and inclusion.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.…

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A Sputnik Moment for the AI Industry 24:04

9M ago24:04

24:04

At the start of 2025 the AI industry and stock market were both blindsided.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 …

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Coach K Talks Leadership, Vulnerability, and the Greatest Rivalry in Sports 20:32

10M ago20:32

20:32

In an interview conducted on-site at The Council's Insurance Leadership Forum last Fall, Leader's Edge spoke with Mike Krzyzewski, former head coach for Duke University men's basketball and the Team USA Olympics team.Krzyzewski shares stories of leadership, talent, and rivalries with Editor-in-Chief Sandy Laycox, who attended the University of Nort…

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Personal Lines with Sarah Friend 29:11

10M ago29:11

29:11

A conversation with the president of The Partners Group.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.By A Council Platform - 868329

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Reporting from the Eaton Fire 21:32

10M ago21:32

21:32

While on assignment to cover the disproportionate impact of natural catastrophes on low-income families and small businesses, journalist Russ Banham was evacuated from his own Los Angeles home. 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. Afte…

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Flexibility, Choice…and Compliance Top Benefits Trends in 2025 23:48

11M ago23:48

23:48

In this episode, Council VP of Health Policy & Strategy Katie King sits down with Dave Kerrigan, founder and CEO of benefits solution aggregator BenefitPitch, to get his take on the trends driving brokers and employers to prioritize solutions that thread the needle on controlling costs and retaining employees.From AI in benefits to the growth of in…

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Personal Lines with Benjamin Verlingue 21:42

11M ago21:42

21:42

In this episode we meet Benjamin Verlingue, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Adelaide Group.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.…

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Women’s Health in Focus 24:52

12M ago24:52

24:52

In this podcast episode, we discuss women’s health and healthcare with chief medical officer Dr. Janet Choi and chief development officer Julie Stadlbauer from Progyny, a fertility, family building and women’s health benefits provider. From the history of exclusion in medical research, to the fragmented system and myriad point solutions now availab…

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Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Lessons From Presidents Past 27:49

12M ago27:49

27:49

In the second interview conducted on-site at The Council's Insurance Leadership Forum in October, Leader's Edge spoke with Pulitzer Prize-winning presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.Goodwin offers insights on the political strife, past and present, that has challenged numerous generations of Americans. She also offers anecdotes concerning t…

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Middle Market Mindset 11:11

12M ago11:11

11:11

In this episode, Matt Waters, head of US Middle Market for AXA XL, shares what it has taken for his team to build out its business over the past couple of years.Waters also discusses what characteristics impact the middle market and what industry segments the company is focused on.By A Council Platform - 868329

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ILF Open Mic 24:03

12M ago24:03

24:03

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the 2024 Insurance Leadership Forum, Leader's Edge held open mic hours in the magazine's podcast booth where conference guests could sit down and share thoughts on any topic.First to join in conversation was Kevin Davis, president of Kevin Davis Insurance Services, who shared how he uses his own podcast to h…

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CouncilCast #209 - I'll Rev Your Engine...Remotely - 5/10/22 42:43

12M ago42:43

42:43

Science Don't wear sunscreen: https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/05/corals-convert-sunscreen-chemical-into-a-toxin-that-kills-them/ Space explosion: https://gizmodo.com/russian-motor-spontaneously-explodes-in-orbit-creating-1848880566 Technology How do you get your engine revving: https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/6/23059874/ford-patent-application…