The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI

Navigating the Future of Agribusiness: Insights on Insurance, Technology, and Family Farms

Why are affordability and tech advances important to farmers? This 24-minute episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI features Craig Smith, vice president of Agribusiness and Food Services for Alliant Insurance Services and a keynote panelist for the 2025 IRMI Emmett J Vaughan Agribusiness Conference. Listen to this impactful discussion of these challenges and what's happening on the family farm. After this podcast, you will have even more appreciation for the importance of strong advocates for farmers and ranchers.

How Private Equity Is Impacting the Construction Industry

Private equity is investing in the construction industry—but what does that mean? In The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, join Rob Langtry, global private equity director at Liberty Mutual, as he provides clarification as to why private equity is interested in the construction industry. In this 15-minute podcast, gain an understanding of the typical structure of a private equity program in construction and learn how insurance is generally addressed in such transactions.

What Tariffs Are Really Doing to Insurance Costs

Join Joel Appelbaum, chief content officer at IRMI, as he dives into the real economic impact of global trade and tariffs with special guest Bob Passmore, department vice president of personal lines at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.

In this short, 12-minute episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, you'll explore how tariffs influence claims costs, repair cycles, and underwriting strategies.

Strategic Approaches to Global Captive Insurance

In this episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast, host Joel Appelbaum speaks with Steven Bauman, head of global programs and captive practice for AXA XL in North America. With over 35 years in the insurance industry, Steven brings a depth of expertise on how multinational organizations can structure captives to navigate regulatory complexity, diversify risk, and support global growth strategies.

The conversation covers best practices for aligning captive programs with parent company objectives, the importance of selecting the right partners, and how emerging risks—from cyber threats to climate exposures—are influencing the future of captive insurance. Steven also shares reflections on his long career and offers final advice for companies looking to launch or expand their global captive footprint.

Water Damage Mitigation: Trends and Risk Management Strategies

Water damage is a perpetual risk for all insureds but significantly so for contractors. This month, The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI welcomes Tony Grieser, technical director of construction loss control at Nationwide, for a thorough discussion of water damage mitigation programs. In this episode, learn about key tools a construction insured can utilize to reduce water damage losses and gain clear action items to establish and implement a water damage mitigation program for contractors of every size. 

Empowering Farmers: Insights from California Farm Bureau

What's the raison d'être of American Farm Bureau, and how does California Farm Bureau fit into that? This 24-minute episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI features Dan Durheim, chief operating officer, California Farm Bureau, and 2025 IRMI Emmett J Vaughan Agribusiness Conference (AgriCon) keynote panelist. Listen as Mr. Durheim explains the value proposition of Farm Bureau and why it continues to remain strong since its start in 1919. After this podcast, you will have even more appreciation of the organization that serves as the "voice of the farmer."

Innovative Captive Insurance Solutions: Fronting and Nonadmitted Paper for Hard-To-Place Risks

In this episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, host Joel Appelbaum sits down with Jeremy Colombik, president of Management Services International (MSI), to explore how captive insurance can solve hard-to-place risk challenges. Drawing from over 2 decades of industry experience, Jeremy unpacks the advantages of integrating unrated and nonadmitted paper into captive structures, including cost efficiency, greater flexibility, and custom coverage solutions.

The conversation dives deep into fronting arrangements, regulatory considerations, and the evolving use of captives across high-risk sectors. Whether it's environmental exposures, cyber liability, or excess layer risks, Jeremy explains how businesses can use captives to craft tailored strategies that go beyond what the traditional market offers. Tune in for insights on quarterbacking a successful captive, structuring reinsurance relationships, and ensuring compliance while building innovative programs that stand the test of time.

Know about the Agricultural Claims Association?

How different is a "regular" property claim from an agricultural property claim? The answer could be—significant. This 8-minute The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI episode features a Snap Talk by Julie Overdeer, executive director and partner at the Agricultural Claims Association, LLC (ACA). The mission of the ACA is to provide agricultural claims professionals with a resource that offers training, education, and support. After this Snap Talk, you will have even more of an appreciation of the importance of this specialized knowledge.

Insurance Considerations for Adaptive Reuse Projects in Construction

The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI welcomes Kerry Powers, national director of large accounts at Gallagher, and Ted Way, senior vice president at Gallagher, for an insightful discussion on insurance considerations for adaptive reuse projects in construction. In this 16-minute episode, gain valuable insights into the increasing prevalence of these projects and the tax incentives some municipalities may provide for adaptive reuse developments. Learn the importance of the insurance market in keeping pace with this trend and the role of technology in providing insurers with the confidence to cover adaptive reuse projects.

Navigating the Evolution of a Captive Insurance Program in Construction

In this episode of The Edge of Risk podcast, host Joel Appelbaum welcomes Andy Stoelting, senior director of insurance and risk management at Webcor, to discuss the evolution of Webcor's Hawaii-domiciled captive insurance company, Paramount Insurance, Inc. Andy shares his journey from insurance defense attorney to risk management leader and provides an inside look at how Paramount transitioned from a pure captive to a sponsored captive with protected cells.

The discussion explores how Paramount supports Webcor and its affiliates in managing construction risks, including innovative uses of the captive to address unique challenges, such as a 10-year performance obligation for the University of California, Merced project. Andy also highlights the benefits of domiciling in Hawaii, the influence of Japanese governance from Webcor's parent company, Obayashi Corporation, and the strategic considerations for balancing captive utilization with opportunities in the commercial market. Whether you're in the construction industry or exploring captives as a risk management tool, this episode offers valuable insights into the power of captive insurance in a complex and evolving landscape.