On this episode of Streamlining Insurance, Darren Bloomfield sits down with Charles Merritt, CEO and co-founder of Buddy, an insurtech firm pioneering embedded insurance solutions. With their flagship ION™ engine, Buddy makes it easier than ever for businesses to integrate insurance directly into digital platforms. Charles shares his insights on how embedded insurance is reshaping customer experiences, the role of APIs in modernizing distribution, and what the next wave of innovation looks like in insurance technology. Whether you’re an insurer, broker, or technologist, this conversation will spark ideas on how to unlock new channels and streamline operations in today’s digital-first world.

In this episode of Alliance Insights, Marsha Linton, National Casualty Analytics Practice Leader at USI Insurance Services, and Tim Wander, CRM faculty member, break down how to understand and apply actuarial reports to drive smarter business decisions. Learn how loss development triangles, projection methods, and ultimate loss selections can help your organization reduce costs, manage reserves, and strengthen communication between actuaries, auditors, and claims teams. Whether you’re a seasoned risk manager or new to analytics, this conversation will help you turn complex data into actionable insight—boosting accuracy, transparency, and long-term financial stability.

In this episode of Streamlining Insurance, Darren speaks with Zhiyu Frank Quan, Ph.D. and Panyi Dong, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who recently co-authored “Automated Machine Learning in Insurance.” Together, they explore how automation and machine learning are reshaping actuarial science, underwriting, and risk management. We’ll also connect the dots to practical implementation—how insurers can move from academic theory to real-world tools that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enable better decision-making.

In this episode of Alliance Insights, Dr. Claire Musselman dives into the human side of workers’ compensation. From the history of the system to modern challenges, she explains why empathy, communication, and dignity matter in every claim—and how they lead to better outcomes for employees and organizations alike.

On this episode of Streamlining Insurance, I’m joined by Nate Brink, Head of Broker Partnerships at CyberCube. CyberCube is at the forefront of helping insurers, brokers, and reinsurers understand and quantify cyber risk. We’ll explore how AI and automation are reshaping the cyber landscape — from underwriting and benchmarking to how insureds’ adoption of AI changes their risk profile.

In this episode of Alliance Insights, Jonathan Peters (JP) shares his journey into the insurance industry—from his start in finance and music to building a successful career as a producer at South Point Risk. He talks about the impact of earning his CIC designation, the importance of education, building client trust, and how persistence pays off in a hard market. Whether you’re new to insurance or a seasoned professional, JP’s story offers valuable lessons on growth, relationships, and the power of continuous learning.

Rebecca Barens, CIC shares her journey from banking to building a successful insurance agency. She talks about the power of persistence, producer training, carrier partnerships, and why trust and transparency are essential for long-term client relationships. A must-watch for producers and agency owners looking to grow their careers in the insurance industry.

In this session, Tyler J. Jensen will share his proven framework for building a high-performance sales culture that elevates value-driven conversations over price-driven ones. Attendees will learn how to shift client perception toward coverage, liability protection, and risk transfer while clearly explaining the importance of safeguarding assets from lawsuits. The session will conclude with practical sales techniques—including permission-based closing questions—that help agents confidently guide prospects to a decision.

n this episode of Alliance Insights, Noelle Codispoti interviews Dale Randol, President and CEO of IBC Insurance, about how one agency is transforming the insurance industry — one high school student at a time. Learn how Dale’s team partnered with Laredo ISD to launch a CISR High School Program, offered guaranteed internships, and created real-world opportunities for students to start careers in insurance. If you're passionate about solving the insurance talent gap or curious how your agency can get involved, this conversation is packed with real success stories, practical strategies, and inspiration for building the future of our industry.

Led by experienced faculty Jay Williams and Alan Messer, the course offers more than knowledge—it provides practical tools. Participants gain checklists for contracts, property, and casualty coverage, along with frameworks for exposure identification they can immediately apply to client conversations.

In this episode, Darren Bloomfield sits down with Shannon Spies, Technology Alliance Manager at Guidewire Software, to explore how Guidewire is reshaping the global P&C insurance ecosystem through strategic partnerships, digital transformation, and AI innovation. Shannon shares insights into the Insurtech Vanguard program—an incubator for startups driving real change in the industry—and explains how Guidewire connects carriers with validated, scalable solutions that reduce manual processes and accelerate underwriting and claims workflows. From tips for startups entering the space to the evolving role of AI, IoT, and telematics, this episode dives into what it takes to innovate in a risk-averse industry—and why collaboration is key.

This episode of Alliance Insights featured presentations by two members of the 2025 Houston Marine & Energy Insurance Conference: Connor Jones, ARM, an Upstream Energy Underwriter, and Angela Sivley, a Marine, Cargo, and Logistics Client Advisor and Broker. Connor’s underwriting focuses on oil and gas exploration and production. He described the complexities of drilling a well, the energy coverage package, widespread usage of quota-share risk-sharing, and the role of the London markets. Connor discussed market softening, increased capacity, windstorm uncertainty, and other market challenges. Angela’s presentation featured descriptions of marine insurance functions, the most common marine liabilities, and key responsibilities of marine insurance brokers. She examined the challenges of the marine insurance market, including market softening, increased capacity, changing tariff legislation that drives holds on projects, the long-term loss of revenue as trade uncertainty persists, and the occurrence of renewals during windstorm season.

Noelle Codispoti interviews SambaSafety's John Barbagallo about the "2025 Driver Risk Report: Current Trends Shaping Roadway Safety". This report, created by SambaSafety, presents a wide-ranging view of driver risk.

While there’s no cure for the ominous feeling when a hurricane landfall is imminent, there’s much we can do to mitigate the problems a catastrophe can cause for our agencies.  In this session, we’ll discuss what you can do before the storm hits, how to navigate the aftermath, and important actions to take once things are back to normal.  We’ll focus on steps to take that will reduce your E&O exposure and help build client loyalty for years to come.

How do real digital transformation deals get done in insurance? This week, I sit down with Chris Luiz—community builder, insurtech connector, and the force behind Scout InsurTech and Insurtech Ohio—to break down how he’s helping carriers, brokers, and vendors work smarter, faster, and more collaboratively in a rapidly evolving landscape. 🎧 Listen now and learn how real innovation happens—one connection at a time.

In this episode of Streamlining Insurance, host Darren Bloomfield sits down with Nick Coenen and Charles Sybert from Wikifri to explore how innovation and human connection drive success in a rapidly evolving insurance landscape. Nick and Charles—leaders in insurance technology, consulting, and business development—share insights on: How economic uncertainty is reshaping insurer and MGA buying behaviors Why strong relationships still power effective teams (even as technology transforms the industry) Where insurers and vendors often get misaligned—and how to bridge the gap How AI, automation, and emerging technologies are streamlining operations Strategic frameworks for startups, investors, and insurance leaders looking to scale smartly Whether you're navigating tech investments, leading modernization efforts, or building your career in insurance, this conversation delivers clarity, practical advice, and a forward-looking roadmap.

In this episode of Alliance Insights, we explore the brand-new Contractors RiskPRO program from the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance. Join host Mitch Dunford and co-host Jay Williams as they sit down with Alliance Faculty Members, Alan Messer and Cathy Trischan to unpack how this specialized program empowers insurance professionals working with contractors. From navigating contract reviews and builder’s risk coverage to understanding additional insured endorsements and liability exclusions, this conversation highlights the practical knowledge and real-world experience built into the course. Whether you're looking to specialize, stand out, or better serve your contractor clients, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what makes Contractors RiskPRO a powerful addition to your professional development.

In this inspiring episode of Alliance Insights, Noelle Codispoti, Head of the Academy at the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance, chats with Brooke Rypel, a standout senior at Florida State University and newly designated Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC). Brooke shares her journey through FSU’s Risk Management & Insurance program, her leadership role in Gamma Iota Sigma, and the dedication it took to complete all five CIC courses before graduation. Whether you're a student exploring the insurance field, a professional considering the CIC designation, or someone passionate about supporting emerging talent in the industry, this episode is packed with motivation, insight, and practical advice for achieving big goals early.

The insurance industry is undergoing a major digital transformation, and AI is at the center of it. In this episode of Alliance Insights, host Darren Bloomfield and guests Mike Roy of Dark Matter and David Derigiotis of Flow Specialty, discuss how AI and Automation are reshaping workflows, enhancing efficiency, and redefining the broker-carrier relationship. We dive into the ROI of AI investments, the challenges of tech adoption, and how the E&S Market is leading innovation. Plus, we discuss how companies can future-proof their teams and prepare for the evolving workplace. Whether you're navigating changes or leading it, this conversation offers key insights for thriving in the next era of insurance.