Awkward Insurance

The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research
  • 4.6 (21)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Welcome to Awkward Insurance, the podcast that strives to bridge the thrilling world of insurance with the real-life struggles of those of us in the trenches. For producing and servicing agents, insurance centers around relationships and personal connections but let's face it, building relationships can be awkward. In this podcast hosted by Dustyne Bryant, CIC, CISR, MBA, and Ashley Fitzsimmons, CISR, our conversations are unscripted, and unplanned, and may have you wondering what just happened. Subscribe and share with all of your fellow insurance nerds!

  1. Recipes for Restaurant Risk Management Success

    FEB 5

    Recipes for Restaurant Risk Management Success

    Featured GuestJay Gates Managing Director, Gallagher National Restaurant Practice 20+ years in insurance, former Applebee’s risk leader, RIMS committee member, and Kids Chance Nebraska board member. What We CoverJay’s unexpected path into risk and insuranceLessons learned investigating EEOC claims early in his careerLeadership principles developed while managing large claims teamsBuilding a full ERM program for 165+ Applebee’s locationsThe most surprising and severe claims in restaurant operationsHow Gallagher reduces the total cost of risk for restaurant clientsInnovative approaches including captives and proprietary analyticsUnderestimated risks: cyber breaches + product recallsThe growing impact of AI on restaurant ops and riskPrivacy + liability concerns tied to AI adoptionThe future of restaurant risk management over the next decadeKey TakeawaysRestaurant risks are broader than most expect. From contaminated produce to liquor liability fatalities, claims can escalate fast.Cyber and product recall coverages are essential, despite being commonly undervalued.AI will reshape restaurant risk—from customer service to operations tracking—creating both efficiencies and new exposures.Gallagher’s differentiator is proactive service, deep data analysis, and tailoring insurance strategy to each client's risk tolerance.Risk leaders benefit from diverse career experiences, which Jay draws on daily.Resources & LinksLearn more about the Restaurant Risk Professional (RRP) certification: riskeducation.org/restaurant-RiskProExplore additional Alliance Insights episodes at riskeducation.org Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

    32 min

  2. 03/10/2025

    Toodles!

    It’s the end of an era! In this heartfelt farewell, hosts Dustyne Bryant, Ashley Fitzsimmons, and Producer Mac reflect on the journey of Awkward Insurance. From awkward beginnings to unforgettable moments—including their adventures in Vegas—they share highlights, podcast stats, and a countdown of top episodes. Join them for one last laugh (and maybe a tear) as they celebrate the connections made and the impact of the show. Thanks for listening—Toodles! 🎤✨ Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

    37 min

  3. 03/10/2025

    Natural Disaster Insurance: Fast, Fair, and Innovative Coverage

    Wesley Pergament, SolaWesley is CEO and Co-Founder of Sola Insurance based in Atlanta, GA. Wesley comes from a tech background and jumped into the insurance industry at a flood insurance startup where he was tasked with working on the data side with private and FEMA flood maps. Realizing this data was telling us exactly where the damage is, Wesley and the Sola team became obsessed with how data can be used to automatically trigger an insurance claim payout. Sola is starting with supplemental tornado coverage for homeowners and small businesses but plans to expand into every type of natural disaster to help people cover their deductible and immediate expenses. Sola has already been approved in 14 states as the first ever admitted personal lines parametric product, is fully reinsured through Lloyd’s of London and has partnered with dozens of agencies and aggregators. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

    12 min

  4. 02/14/2025

    From Problems to Praise: Navigating Feedback and Talent Development in Insurance

    Key Takeaways: Customer feedback is a growth tool – Handling negative reviews with a positive approach strengthens relationships.Cultural fit matters – Many employees leave due to misalignment with company culture rather than job dissatisfaction.Talent is everywhere – Hiring based on traits, not just experience, can uncover high-potential candidates.The industry must evolve – Adapting to new expectations and investing in education will attract the next generation.Monica Adwani is a dynamic leader whose career has been defined by breaking barriers and championing diversity.Monicais a passionate advocate for creating opportunities and fostering inclusivity, particularly for women and Latinos in the business world. As the CEO of Breezy Seguros, she leads a company dedicated to providing accessible and comprehensive insurance solutions tailored specifically for the Latino community in the United States. Born in Puerto Rico,Monicaearned degrees in Information Management and Medical Coding from the InterAmerican University. Her desire for continuous learning brought her to Massachusetts, where she obtained a Business Management degree from Fisher College in Boston. Monica's exceptional leadership has earned her multiple accolades, including Young Agent of the Year in 2019, LatinX Amplifier in 2021, one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Massachusetts in 2022, and the Top 100 Latino Influencer award in 2023. Additionally, Breezy Seguros was recognized as one of America's Top 250 Latino Companies in 2024. Monicais deeply committed to the Latino community and is working tirelessly to reach the goal of insuring more than 5 million Latinos across the United States through Breezy Seguros. Her dedication drives her efforts to empower and protect Latino families, entrepreneurs, and businesses, ensuring their success and security for future generations.   Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

    35 min

  5. 01/23/2025

    Inspecting the Unexpected: Uncovering Property Risks and Insurance Challenges

    Curtis Goldsborough is the President of National Insurance Inspection Services, an evolving technology and field service provider for P&C underwriting, based in Fresno, CA. He cut his teeth in insurance as an agency owner with Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan, where he became acutely aware of the friction and pain points associated with underwriting inspections. In 2013, he joined National Insurance Inspection Services on a quest to forge a better path forward for personal lines underwriting.  Curtis was instrumental in the development and launch of the NIIS self-inspection app and workflow, which is now in production environments with over 18 carriers and MGAs around the country, including three of the top ten P&C carriers in the United States. In his not-so-spare time, Curtis produces insurance video content on LinkedIn under the moniker of LO$$ RATIO, with a goal to engage, educate, entertain and inspire insurance professionals around the world.  Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

    38 min

  6. 01/10/2025

    The Emotional Impact of Insurance Fraud

    Judy Hughes With over a decade of experience in the insurance industry, Judy has been a licensed Property and Casualty agent since 2010 and a licensed Life and Health agent since 2011. Currently, she serves as a Personal Lines Account Manager at Anderson and Green Insurance Agency, where she has been for the past five years. In this role, Judy recently expanded her expertise to assist Medicare customers with their prescription plans. In addition to her work at Anderson and Green, Judy also holds a position as a Customer Service Representative at Cravens Insurance Agency, where she specialize in Medicare Supplements where her commitment to providing exceptional service and guidance allows Judy to help clients navigate their insurance needs effectively. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

    36 min

  7. 12/05/2024

    The Mentor’s Playbook with James Benham

    Regent James M. Benham was appointed to the Texas Southern University (TSU) Board of Regents by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in October of 2020 and was reappointed for a second term in 2023. He is currently the Vice Chairman of the Texas Southern University Board of Regents and is Chairman of the Administration and Finance Committee. Regent Benham is the CEO of JBKnowledge, a 280-employee global insurance software company he co-founded in 2001, with offices and staff in 4 countries. He served for five years as an Adjunct Professor of Construction Science at Texas A&M University and still volunteers as a mentor and advisor for student groups. Regent Benham served the City of College Station as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner from 2011 to 2012 and was elected to two terms on the College Station City Council from 2012 to 2018 where he also served as Mayor Pro Tem. He is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO). He lives in College Station and is an avid airplane pilot and musician. Regent Benham received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 2001 and a Master of Science in Management Information Systems in 2002, both from Texas A&M University. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

    40 min

  8. 11/20/2024

    Stories That Changed the World with Meredith Brasher

    Insurance vs History is a podcast that examines the intersection of insurance and history. Meredith Brasher is a 20-year veteran of the insurance industry, specializing in General Liability, Umbrella and Excess insurance products, wording development, and education. She also has extensive experience in the development and management of MGA programs, as well as auditing for MGA programs and Casualty books of business. She has both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in history, as well as her AU, ASLI and CPCU designations in insurance. She currently works as an insurance consultant, historian, and, sometimes, as a professional actor. www.insurancevshistory.com Linked in: friend/follow me at Meredith Brasher Dive deeper into the fascinating history of insurance and discover how it has shaped the world we live in today. Explore A Tedious Brief History of Insurance—a captivating publication that uncovers pivotal moments, groundbreaking innovations, and the enduring impact of insurance through the ages. Perfect for industry professionals, history enthusiasts, or anyone curious about the roots of risk management. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

    30 min
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4.6
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Welcome to Awkward Insurance, the podcast that strives to bridge the thrilling world of insurance with the real-life struggles of those of us in the trenches. For producing and servicing agents, insurance centers around relationships and personal connections but let's face it, building relationships can be awkward. In this podcast hosted by Dustyne Bryant, CIC, CISR, MBA, and Ashley Fitzsimmons, CISR, our conversations are unscripted, and unplanned, and may have you wondering what just happened. Subscribe and share with all of your fellow insurance nerds!

Information

  • Creator
    The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Risk & Insurance Education Alliance
  • Show Website
    Awkward Insurance