A.m. Best Radio Podcast

Gregory Niehaus, professor of finance and insurance, University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business, discusses how taxes shape insurers’ capital, investment strategy and competitiveness, including offshore structures.

Bill Pieroni, global AI, strategy and growth leader at DXC Technology, says the insurance sector has reached a tipping point in the use of technology, process and organizational innovation to propel use of artificial intelligence that will “eliminate laggards and accelerate leaders.” Pieroni spoke with AM Best TV at the InsureTech Connect 2025 conference, Las Vegas.

Jason Kaminsky, CEO, kWh Analytics, discusses how resilient renewable energy assets, built with smart design and proactive management, help insurers differentiate risk and improve coverage for extreme weather events.

Patrick Foy, senior director, strategic planning, TransUnion’s insurance business, discusses how evolving customer expectations and digital demands are reshaping commercial insurance heading into 2026.

Johnson Lambert’s Chief Innovation Officer Dave Fuge explained how insurers can strengthen data quality, redesign workflows, and balance innovation with governance to fully harness the power of AI.

Alex Maloney, group CEO, Lancashire Group, points to accepting market cycles, building strong relationships, and avoiding quick fixes as competition intensifies. Maloney spoke with AM Best TV at the Rendez-Vous de Septembre in Monte Carlo.

Peak Re CEO Franz Hahn says India’s market is the “most interesting” in Asia, as demographics and technology shape each Asian economy as the insurance sector seeks to catch up with this fast-growing region. Hahn spoke with AM Best TV at the 21st Singapore International Reinsurance Conference.

An Nguyen from Expert Service Provider S-E-A discusses how Human Factors Analysis is typically conducted and how it is used in forensic investigations.

Attorneys John “Jack” Delany, Gary Samms and John Hare, from Qualified Member law firm Marshall Dennehey discuss the best approaches for attorneys to prevent nuclear verdicts in the courtroom. 

Keith Golembiewski, AVP, director, annuity research, LIMRA, discusses 2025 growth in registered index-linked and variable annuities, driven by market volatility and guaranteed income demand, with overall annuity sales projected over $450 billion.

Robert Wiest, CEO, MS Reinsurance, discusses reinsurance trends, the importance of underwriting discipline and strategies for managing risk in a changing market. Wiest spoke with AM Best TV at the Rendez-Vous de Septembre conference, Monte Carlo.

John Cavanagh, co-founder, Beat Capital Partners, discusses how managing general agents matured into underwriting leaders, specialty growth, client focus and responses to emerging risks. Cavanagh spoke with AM Best TV at the Rendez-Vous de Septembre conference, Monte Carlo.

Kirsten Bot, national director, actuarial services and financial consulting, HUB International, discusses emerging trends in benefits and how proactive strategies can curb medical and pharmaceutical inflation.

Nathan Riedel, SVP, federal government affairs, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, discusses how social inflation and litigation funding drive claims costs and premiums, and how agents can educate clients and advocate for reforms.

Matt Blackley, president and CEO, MapleTech, discusses how the company is leveraging AI, cloud-native platforms and intelligent automation to transform insurance operations while keeping client relationships and human trust at the forefront.

Lawrence “Lars” Powell, director, Alabama Center for Insurance Information & Research, University of Alabama, said a study has found that trees caused nearly half of Hurricane Sally claims, even in fortified homes. Powell spoke with AM Best TV at the 130th annual NAMIC convention, San Diego.

Nate Baseman, head of data and technology, CAC Group, discusses the company’s third-quarter market update and the latest trends and challenges insurers face heading into 2026.

Innovation and transformation coach Ibeth Ayala discusses in her book “No Risk No Fun: The Human Side of Innovation in Insurance” how people-centered leadership helps insurance leaders conquer fear, unlock creativity and lead change.

Ben Rose, co-founder and president of reinsurtech Supercede, said firms lose time pulling data from inconsistent spreadsheets, highlighting the need for cleaner information. Rose spoke with AM Best TV at the Rendez-Vous de Septembre conference, Monte Carlo.

John Menefee, enterprise cyber lead, and Lauren Winchester, head of cyber risk services, both of Travelers, discuss key findings of the 2025 Travelers Risk Index, which shows cyberthreats are the top concern for businesses.