Wheel of Risk: A podcast by Allianz Trade Allianz Trade

It’s a defining characteristic of American culture; we love sports, we love business, and we love the people who excel at either endeavor. Both billionaires and top-level athletes are household names in this country. And it turns out, the values and mindset it takes to succeed in athletic competition are identical to those you need to rise to the top in the world of business.

On this very special season finale of Wheel of Risk, host Alix McCabe is joined by two-time Paralympic athlete and medal winner for Team USA, Daniel Romanchuk. With a focus on prediction, preparation, and perseverance, their conversation ranges from Daniel’s early life in Maryland and his discovery of wheelchair racing, to his journey to the Rio Games in 2016 and on to Tokyo in 2020, where he faced unexpected challenges but still emerged victorious. The episode also highlights the importance of partnership, showcasing Daniel's support network and his collaboration with Allianz Trade, the Worldwide Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.


We'd also love to learn more about you and what you'd like to hear on future episodes, so please take two minutes to fill out this survey.

It’s a term that’s seen a lot of use and prompted plenty of anxiety over the past few years: recession. Ever since the start of the pandemic, there’s been a barrage of media coverage about the state of the economy and where it’s headed. But it turns out, recessions may not be the economic bogeymen they’re made out to be… they’re simply part of a boom-bust cycle that dates back hundreds of years.

On this episode of Wheel of Risk, host Alix McCabe is joined by series stalwart Dan North, the Senior Economist for North America at Allianz Trade, for a deep dive into the cyclical nature of the U.S. economic system. One part history lesson, one part economics lesson, with a pinch of prognostication on the side, this podcast is essential listening for any business owner or manager who’s concerned about the toll that tough economic times can take on their organization’s bottom line.

We'd also love to learn more about you and what you'd like to hear on future episodes, so please take two minutes to fill out this survey.

From supply chain disruptions, bank failures, and labor disputes to inflation, interest rate hikes, and of course, the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s no secret that businesses have faced an unprecedented confluence of challenges over the past few years. Unfortunately, they may not be out of the woods just yet.

On this special episode of Wheel of Risk, host Alix McCabe moderates the show’s first-ever roundtable discussion, featuring Steve Georgetti, the Director of Risk Underwriting for the Americas at Allianz Trade, and two members of his risk team; Teresa Matney and Matt Cobo. Together, they break down the specific risks and opportunities facing a wide swath of businesses that operate in two key sectors of the economy; the tech and manufacturing industries. The team also highlights which key indicators to watch in the coming months and years, and shares expert advice about what businesses can do to weather — or benefit from — any peaks and valleys in the economic cycle.

We'd also love to learn more about you and what you'd like to hear on future episodes, so please take two minutes to fill out this survey.

How well do you remember the subprime mortgage crisis of 2007? It led to the collapse of many of America’s largest financial institutions, and an unprecedented, $700 billion government bailout of banks, insurance companies, and other lenders. It also popularized a phrase that is still widely used to this day; “too big to fail.”

On this episode of Wheel of Risk, host Alix McCabe digs into the dangers of that expression with the help of Justin Seedorf, Southwest Regional Vice President at Allianz Trade Americas. Together, they explore why doing business with large corporations or customers is no guarantee that your company won’t run into trouble. They’ll also dive into the potential ripple effects that can occur when a supposedly ‘fail-proof’ company does indeed collapse, and provide some invaluable food for thought for any business owner who believes they’re on solid financial footing because they only deal with “the big guys.”

Have you ever noticed that there tends to be a spike in retail bankruptcies every January? It’s no coincidence. It’s because the preceding period from Black Friday to Christmas is among the most critical times of the entire year for many retailers, the suppliers with which they do business, and the U.S. economy in general.

On this special seasonal episode of Wheel of Risk, host Alix McCabe is again joined by regular contributor Dan North, Allianz Trade’s Senior Economist for North America, for a timely deep dive into the importance of the holiday shopping season. Together, they examine the specific risk factors facing seasonal retailers, and discuss which economic conditions, like inflation, food costs, and gas prices, may affect or help predict how much money shoppers are going to spend. Dan will also share his forecast for the 2023 holiday shopping season in particular to help anyone with ties to the retail sector know what to expect.

Sure, it would be another expense at a time when many businesses are already stretched thin. But instead of asking yourself if you can afford to buy trade credit insurance, this podcast may get you wondering if your organization can afford to do business without it.

On this episode of Wheel of Risk, host Alix McCabe is joined by the Chief Commercial Officer at Allianz Trade Americas, Christina Montes de Oca, to bust some common myths and misconceptions about the value proposition of trade credit insurance, and discuss how U.S. companies in particular may be missing out on opportunities overseas. They’ll also dig into the numbers to explain why a policy’s price tag pales in comparison to the value it provides — not only as a safety net, but as an engine for growing your business beyond what you previously thought possible.