The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI

Governance Best Practices for Captive Insurance Companies: Actuarial Insights

In this episode of The Edge of Risk podcast by IRMI, host Joel Appelbaum, chief content officer at IRMI and Captive.com, is joined by Samantha Poulin, associate actuary, and Craig Brophy, principal and consulting actuary, both with Milliman, to discuss governance best practices for captive insurance companies from an actuarial perspective.

Together, they explore how captive boards can strengthen governance through regular strategic reviews, clear communication with service providers, and ongoing education. The conversation covers key topics including aligning captive strategy with organizational goals, evaluating capital and coverage decisions, seeking independent actuarial opinions, and using actuarial data to guide operational and investment initiatives. Ms. Poulin and Mr. Brophy also share actionable steps boards can take over the next year to enhance oversight and ensure their captives remain resilient, data-driven, and strategically aligned.

Breaking Down American Association of Insurance Services (AAIS) Changes to Forms for Agribusiness

Recorded live at the 2025 IRMI Emmett J Vaughan Agribusiness Conference (AgriCon) Central in Des Moines, this 9-minute episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI features a Snap Talk with Casey Roberts of Laurus Insurance Consulting. In this episode, Mr. Roberts gives us a sneak preview of what's in store for you at the 2026 AgriCon, August 31–September 2, in Nashville, Tennessee. AAIS has changes coming our way, and Mr. Roberts will be joining forces with Casey Davis of AAIS to break it all down for us!

Best Practices for Captive Insurance Year-End Success

As the year-end approaches, captive insurance companies face a complex checklist—from renewals and actuarial reporting to audits, governance, and board preparation. In this episode of The Edge of Risk podcast by IRMI, host Joel Appelbaum, chief content officer of IRMI and Captive.com, brings together a distinguished panel to share practical guidance on how to streamline every stage of the process. Guests Kim Guerriero of Milliman, Alex Murray of Johnson Lambert, Claire Richardson of Hylant, and Dave Williams of Father Flanagan's Boys Home discuss key insights on policy renewals, strategy meetings, and regulatory compliance. They highlight how clear communication, proactive planning, and strong coordination among actuaries, auditors, captive managers, and boards can ensure a smooth and compliant close to the year. Whether you're a new captive owner or an experienced executive, this episode offers actionable takeaways for achieving efficiency and excellence in your captive's annual cycle.

Closing the Information Loop in Construction Risk

The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI features Terence Kadlec, senior vice president and technical services expert at MC Consultants, Inc. In this 19-minute podcast episode, Mr. Kadlec highlights the connection between front-end project failures and back-end claim investigations that can and have led to improved processes. Hear about his experience as he stresses the importance of communication to adapt to the evolving risk industry. Learn how construction risk and insurance professionals of all levels can utilize experiences and environments, such as the IRMI Construction Risk Conference, to collaborate more effectively to mitigate future risk.

Building Alignment for Captive Insurance Success in Small Businesses

In this episode of The Edge of Risk podcast by IRMI, host Joel Appelbaum welcomes Courtney Boles, director of operations at Management Services International (MSI), one of the largest captive managers in North Carolina. Courtney brings her unique perspective on how small businesses can harness organizational alignment to maximize the success of their captive insurance programs. Drawing on her experience in both commercial insurance and captive management, Courtney discusses the importance of identifying internal champions, demystifying the captive formation process, and addressing common skepticism among business owners and their advisers. She highlights the value of communication, education, and cultural buy-in as cornerstones of long-term alignment. The conversation also explores real-world examples of successful captives, strategies for balancing emerging risks with conservative growth, and the role of innovation—from parametric solutions to artificial intelligence-driven tools—in shaping the future of small-business captives.

Reinsurance Contracts 101: Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say

Reinsurance can be complex and confusing. However, in this 21-minute episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, Larry Schiffer, attorney at Schiffer Law & Consulting PLLC, helps you understand the basics. In plain talk, Mr. Schiffer breaks down important reinsurance concepts as they relate to agricultural risks. After this podcast, you'll understand the importance of Mr. Schiffer's philosophy of "say what you mean, and mean what you say."

Insure the Farm, Ensure the Future

A winning strategy for Liberty Mutual is to have professionals with farming backgrounds serve in its farm and ranch division. It helps to understand your client's needs when you understand your client's lifestyle and daily reality. This 16-minute episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI features Jenn Powell, farm and ranch senior territory manager, Liberty Mutual Insurance.

This episode unpacks the challenges farmers face and the important work Liberty Mutual is doing to help protect the farmers' families and livelihood.

Creating Supportive and Future-Proof Work Environments in Construction

In this episode, The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI welcomes Anuja Patil, risk control consulting director at CNA, for an insightful discussion with practical strategies in creating supportive and future-proof work environments in construction. In this nearly 25-minute episode, Ms. Patil provides an examination of the multigenerational and multicultural workforce and explains how understanding the nuances of a workforce can help develop effective safety solutions on construction sites. Ms. Patil provides practical advice and action items to address the challenges in communication, work styles, and physical demands that may vary with diverse jobsites.

Insuring Carbon Restraint: Captive Insurance, Parametric Solutions, and Climate Risk

In this episode of The Edge of Risk by IRMI, host Joel Appelbaum speaks with Dr. Marcus Schmalbach, CEO of RYSKEX, about a groundbreaking application of captive insurance and parametric risk transfer to support carbon sequestration. The discussion centers on the Arx Veritas project, which monetizes environmental restraint by leaving fossil fuels in the ground—turning unmined coal into a verifiable and tradable asset.

Dr. Schmalbach explains how the captive structure, paired with blockchain-based verification, artificial intelligence, and satellite imagery, creates trust and financial credibility for this emerging asset class. The conversation explores how parametric triggers address complex, forward-looking risks, why third-party validation is essential, and how similar models could scale to oil, gas, and rare earth minerals. He also shares his perspective on the paradigm shift needed for risk professionals to work effectively in the evolving carbon economy.

Tech Meets Risk: The Future of Battery Energy Systems

Join Tom Britten of Travelers as he discusses the evolving risks, quality challenges, and technological advancements in battery energy storage systems on the Edge of Risk podcast. If you want even more education on energy risks, the 2025 IRMI Energy Risk & Insurance Conference is available on demand at IRMI.com.