The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI

Captive insurance is increasingly viewed as a strategic risk management tool rather than simply an alternative to the commercial insurance market. Sam Komo, captive manager for the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance's Captive Insurance Program, discusses the importance of clear business purpose, realistic financial assumptions, adequate capitalization, experienced advisers, strong governance, and long-term organizational commitment.

Recorded live at the 2026 Vermont Captive Insurance Association Annual Conference, the conversation also examines the Midwest's growing role in captive insurance, the collaborative purpose of the Mid Rivers Risk Forum, and opportunities involving enterprise risk management, emerging risks, group and association structures, data analytics, technology, and artificial intelligence.

The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI welcomes Joe Reynolds, executive vice president at RT Specialty, to discuss a framework for consideration regarding professional liability when contractors are collaborating with design professionals on design-build projects. Originally presented as a Snap Talk at the 2025 IRMI Construction Risk Conference, Joe highlights the importance of implementing appropriate contractual and coverage requirements while considering market availability in such negotiations. Joe discusses adequacy of limits requirements, limitations of liability provisions, and waivers of consequential damages, among other negotiated terms.

From on-site at the 2026 IRMI Energy Risk & Insurance Conference, this episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI explores forces influencing today's energy insurance market. Join host Joel Appelbaum and David Artzerounian, property and casualty client executive and partner at USI Insurance Services, as they dive into underwriting and capacity shifts, risk management innovations, and alternative risk financing solutions. This episode offers practical insights for navigating an increasingly dynamic risk landscape.

Want to get ahead in your career faster than your peers? In this episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, host Joel Appelbaum sits down with Fela Abioye, middle-market underwriting leader and author of How to Corporate. They discuss the skills nobody teaches you in school but every successful professional needs to master.

Fela shares the lessons he wishes he had known earlier, including how to build influence, create a personal brand, develop meaningful professional relationships, and accept feedback.

If you've ever wondered why some talented professionals advance while others stall, this conversation provides an honest look at the unwritten rules, relationship-building strategies, and leadership habits that can make a lasting impact on your career. Don't miss this practical road map for succeeding in today's workplace.

What key insights emerged from the sold-out Women in Energy Risk & Insurance Collaboration session at the 2026 IRMI Energy Risk & Insurance Conference? In this episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, host Joel Appelbaum sits down with Christine Palomba, deputy head of natural resources at Howden US, to discover what it takes to thrive.

Listen as they examine the realities of work-life balance, the critical role relationships play in career advancement, and the difference between mentorship and sponsorship. They also explore the importance of building confidence, taking calculated risks, and embracing feedback.

More than just a conversation about women in business, this episode provides a blueprint for leadership, resilience, career growth, and the power of lifting others as you climb.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) scrutiny of captive insurance companies has increased in recent years, but what are regulators and courts actually evaluating? In this episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, Joel Appelbaum is joined by George Belokas, president of GPW and Associates, chair of the Self-Insurance Institute of America Captive Committee, and president of the Arizona Captive Insurance Association, to discuss the insurance fundamentals that support well-managed captive insurance companies. Drawing on his actuarial and industry leadership experience, Mr. Belokas explains why the focus extends beyond tax elections to whether a captive is genuinely operating as an insurance company.

The conversation explores the importance of actuarially sound pricing and reserving, risk transfer and risk distribution, and the lessons emerging from recent IRS regulations and court decisions. Mr. Belokas also discusses governance, documentation, and emerging risks such as cyber liability, employee health care, and supply chain disruption, and he explains why captive owners should regularly evaluate whether their captive continues to align with changing organizational risks. He concludes with practical guidance on maintaining strong underwriting, governance, and long-term operational discipline while navigating an evolving regulatory environment.

In this episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, Joel Appelbaum sits down with Carly Pye to talk about how majoring in risk management and insurance (RMI) changed her future. Carly shares the internships, networking opportunities, and real-world experiences that turned a college program into a career path she genuinely is excited about.

Carly and Joel talk candidly about how, originally, she did not think a career in insurance was for her, but the opportunities her RMI major has given her made Carly fully buy into the insurance industry.

Joel and Carly's conversation unlocks what makes a great internship and how to make the most out of your college experience. Listen in, and you may find out that the insurance industry is one of the best-kept secrets for students looking for a rewarding career.

When should an organization seriously consider forming a captive insurance company—and when is it better to wait? In this Captive Insurance 101 episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, Joel Appelbaum speaks with T.J. Scherer, vice president at Spring Consulting Group, about the practical questions organizations should ask before pursuing a captive. The discussion explains what typically prompts companies to explore alternative risk financing, how to distinguish common misconceptions from legitimate opportunities, and why the decision extends far beyond premium size alone.

T.J. also walks through the key elements of a captive feasibility evaluation, including total cost of risk, capital requirements, organizational readiness, leadership alignment, and long-term business strategy. Listeners will learn why captives are strategic risk management tools rather than quick cost-saving solutions, how organizations should think about group versus single-parent structures, and what a typical feasibility study can—and cannot—tell decision-makers before moving forward.

Agriculture is increasingly affected by forces far beyond the farm gate—from commodity markets and interest rates to global economic uncertainty. In this 13-minute episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, Scott Shellady, better known as "The Cow Guy," shares his unique perspective on the trends shaping agriculture and risk today. Scott also offers a preview of his keynote address at the IRMI Emmett J Vaughan Agribusiness Conference, set for August 31–September 2 in Nashville, where he'll discuss navigating uncertainty and finding opportunity in a rapidly changing agricultural economy.

The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI welcomes Hank Dutton, senior technical specialist at Travelers Insurance and certified lift director, in a highly informative discussion on cranes and rigging exposures. Hank highlights important areas of focus, such as roles that should be clarified within rental agreements and where projects get tripped up regarding ground conditions. As an "encore" to Hank's popular session presented at the 2025 IRMI Construction Risk Conference, this talk also provides solutions to avoid unexpected exposures regarding cranes and rigging at a construction site.