The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI

Recorded live at the Captive Insurance Companies Association Conference, this episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI features Stephen Taylor, director of the Bureau of Captive and Financial Insurance Products at the Delaware Department of Insurance. Mr. Taylor discusses Delaware's regulatory philosophy, highlighting a balance of flexibility, efficiency, and innovation supported by a collaborative and responsive oversight framework designed to meet evolving business needs.

The conversation explores how regulators distinguish between thoughtful and reactive captive evolution, with a focus on governance, capital adequacy, and alignment with enterprise risk strategy. Mr. Taylor outlines key regulatory priorities, including solvency oversight, compliance with approved plans of operation, and additional scrutiny for certain captive structures. He also provides practical guidance on effective communication with regulators and emphasizes the importance of deliberate planning, strong governance frameworks, and consistency between strategy and execution.

When the pressure's on, will you make the right call? In this 16-minute episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, Elise Farnham previews her IRMI Emmett J Vaughan Agribusiness Conference (AgriCon) ethics sessions and shares why moral courage isn't optional—it's essential. You'll want to hear what Ms. Farnham, president of Illumine Consulting, will present in her three-part "Ethical Decision-Making" series and make plans to attend this year's IRMI AgriCon, scheduled for August 31–September 2, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Recorded live at the Captive Insurance Companies Association Conference, this episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI features Christine Brown, deputy commissioner of the Captive Insurance Division at the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation. Ms. Brown shares her perspective on regulating within one of the most established captive domiciles globally, emphasizing Vermont's long-standing focus on solvency, transparency, and maintaining the integrity of the captive insurance industry.

The discussion explores how regulators evaluate expansion into new lines of coverage, the importance of early communication with regulators, and the critical role of governance in captive success Ms. Brown also outlines key areas of focus for captive owners in today's environment, including evolving risk exposures, policy exclusions, and claims handling practices, while offering insight into Vermont's continued leadership and collaborative role as the captive landscape grows more competitive.

Recorded live at the 2025 IRMI Construction Risk Conference (CRC) in Indianapolis, this 17-minute episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI features a Snap Talk with David Tibbetts, chief safety officer at Highwire. Mr. Tibbetts discusses why tracking events with the potential to result in a serious injury or fatality (SIF) provides better insight into safety performance than traditional metrics, such as total recordable incident rate (TRIR). Listen in to learn more about the importance of safety culture and identifying the highest-risk work on construction sites.

In this 11‑minute episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, American Farm Bureau Federation economist Faith Parum breaks down the pressures shaping the 2026 farm economy—from soaring input costs to shifting global trade policies. Listen as Dr. Parum explores how tariff and nontariff barriers are reshaping market access, what declining US soybean demand from China means for row‑crop profitability, and where producers face the greatest financial exposure.

In this episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, Joel Appelbaum speaks with Dustin Carlson, president of the 831(b) Institute, about maintaining the credibility and long-term viability of Section 831(b) micro-captives. The discussion centers on Mr. Carlson's three-part series in Captive Insurance Company Reports outlining proposed reforms aimed at addressing practices that have drawn regulatory scrutiny while preserving legitimate captive insurance programs.

Mr. Carlson explains how the Section 831(b) election allows small insurance companies to exclude underwriting income up to the statutory premium threshold while remaining taxable on investment gains. He outlines concerns around structures used for estate planning, investments such as life insurance or annuities inside captives, and related-party lending practices. The conversation explores practical policy proposals designed to curb abuses while reinforcing insurance fundamentals—such as proper underwriting, claims processes, and governance practices—to ensure micro-captives remain focused on risk management rather than investment or wealth transfer strategies.

In this episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, Joel Appelbaum welcomes Ian Davis, president of the Vermont Captive Insurance Association (VCIA), for a detailed discussion on how captive insurance advocacy works in practice. Building on a prior conversation about Vermont's legislative framework, this episode focuses on VCIA's state and federal engagement efforts—including Vermont Legislative Day and Hill Day in Washington, DC—and what captive owners, managers, and service providers should be tracking in today's regulatory environment.

Mr. Davis explains how VCIA sets advocacy priorities, collaborates with regulators, and proactively engages policymakers on issues such as Terrorism Risk Insurance Act reauthorization, National Association of Insurance Commissioners model law discussions, federal tax developments, and emerging regulatory concerns. The conversation highlights how education, relationship-building, and real-world captive owner participation shape effective advocacy—and why staying informed early is critical for the broader captive community.

In this episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, host Joel Appelbaum sits down with Michael Kolodner, Marsh's US energy and power leader, to unpack how geopolitical shifts, market volatility, and evolving incentives are reshaping energy investment priorities. Together, they explore why cross-industry collaboration is becoming essential for building operational resilience in a rapidly changing risk landscape. They also highlight the risks of hyperspecialization and share practical insights leaders need to navigate today's turbulent energy landscape, driven by generative artificial intelligence growth.

This podcast is a snapshot of the insights you'll find at an IRMI Energy Risk & Insurance Conference—where sponsors like Marsh, attendees, and industry thought leaders come together to tackle the latest challenges. Host Joel Appelbaum and Scott Smidlein, managing director and senior client executive at Marsh, break down the 2026 energy insurance outlook in this episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, recorded at the 2026 Marsh Risk North American Energy Industry Conference. They examine artificial intelligence and data center-driven power demand, policy signals from Washington, and the strain of aging assets running at full tilt.

Are traditional insurance models keeping pace with innovation? In this episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, host Joel Appelbaum speaks with Bill Kost, senior vice president, energy, power, and renewables risk consulting leader at Marsh, about how the insurance industry is adapting to rapid energy innovation. From emerging technologies like battery storage to the growing role of captives, they explore where traditional approaches fall short—and how risk strategies are evolving to meet a changing energy mix.