Know Your Risk and Insurance Coverage with RiskProNet

RiskProNet
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Do you get overwhelmed with insurance policies? Are you interested in learning about the different types of insurance? On the show, RiskProNet starts the conversation about insurance and risk management. RiskProNet is a network of independent insurance agencies who serve individuals and corporations with extensive industry knowledge. Follow the show to get an in-depth look at insurance and risk assessment. If you want to learn more about RiskProNet, visit their website at riskpronet.com.

  1. 4D AGO

    What’s Next for RiskProNet in 2026 with Executive Director, Matt Sasso

    In this episode of Know Your Risk and Insurance Coverage, host Kyle Watts talks with Matt Sasso, Executive Director of RiskProNet, to reflect on a transformative year for the network—and lay out what’s ahead in 2026. From a complete brand refresh and a new website to adding four new member agencies, launching new practice groups, and expanding corporate partnerships, RiskProNet has solidified itself as a nimble, collaborative force in the independent insurance landscape. If you're part of the RiskProNet network—or considering joining—this conversation outlines everything you need to know about how the group is growing, modernizing, and creating new opportunities for its members across the country. Timecodes: 00:00 – 01:10 - Podcast intro and episode overview 01:11 – 02:47 - Why the rebrand? A new logo, colors, and market positioning 02:48 – 03:56 - Member-led brand refresh process with creative collaboration 03:57 – 05:29 - Four new agencies in 2025: who they are and why they joined 05:30 – 06:59 - Key regions targeted for 2026 membership expansion 07:00 – 08:59 - New practice groups launching in 2026: surety, sales, nonprofit & more 09:00 – 10:50 - CIO, AI, and Risk Control groups: tech-driven collaboration for agencies 10:51 – 12:33 - Corporate partnerships: what they bring and what’s coming 12:34 – 14:07 - Two big wins from 2025: quality growth and strategic alignment 14:08 – 15:31 - Practice groups as a value engine—for both leadership and frontline staff 15:32 – 16:53 - New website and mobile app: modern tools for member access 16:54 – 17:25 - Shoutout to Patti Reed for her leadership on the site launch 17:26 – 18:23 - Final reflections on 2025 and closing remarks for the year Resources: Become a member at RiskProNet.com Connect with Matt Sasso on LinkedIn Connect with RiskProNet on LinkedIn

    18 min

  2. NOV 24

    Botanical Gardens & Risk Coverage: Glasshouses, Storms, and Slips with Kim Slager of BHS Insurance

    In this episode of Know Your Risk and Insurance Coverage, we’re joined by Kim Slager, President of Commercial Lines at BHS Insurance, to dive into one of the most unique and misunderstood sectors in insurance: botanical gardens. With over 30 years of specialization, Kim walks us through the unexpected risks, coverage gaps, and creative underwriting strategies that make gardens far more complex than your average cultural institution. From glass greenhouses and hurricane zones, to slip-and-fall litigation and rare plant appraisals, Kim explains how her team builds tailored programs that protect these vibrant, high-exposure environments. Whether you’re a RiskProNet member looking to serve a botanical garden client, or just curious how garden operations and coverage intersect, this episode reveals what makes this niche so critical and why standard policies just don’t cut it. Timecodes: 00:00 – Welcome & guest introduction 01:11 – How BHS built the botanical garden insurance program 03:57 – Key exposures: slips, paths, glasshouses, misclassification 05:43 – Disaster readiness & natural disaster funding 07:43 – Event liability, liquor risks, and TULIP coverage 10:09 – Real-world claim: Abuse exclusion and uninsured loss 13:22 – Volunteer accident gaps, active shooter coverage, and client education 16:01 – Insuring rare trees, indoor plant collections, and replication strategies 17:57 – Who underwrites the program 19:14 – Partnering with RiskProNet members & claims trend insights 21:34 – Final thoughts and invitation to connect Resources: Become a member at RiskProNet.com Connect with Matt Sasso on LinkedIn Connect with Kim Slager on Linkedin Connect with BHS Insurance on LinkedIn Connect with RiskProNet on LinkedIn

    22 min

  3. OCT 13

    How Moody and M3 Are Solving Insurance’s Talent Problem

    In this special two-part episode of Know Your Risk and Insurance Coverage, host Chip Arenchild talks with leaders and interns from Moody Insurance and M3 Insurance to explore how real internship programs are shaping the future of the independent agency model. Guests include Ashley Canny and Hunter Rivers from Moody, and Jake Cline and Cyrus Choisy-Madon from M3. The episode dives into what makes these programs successful—from rotational department exposure to executive mentorship—and why young professionals are choosing to stay in insurance. Whether you’re building a pipeline or launching your first internship, this episode delivers practical ideas and candid stories. Timecodes: 00:00 – Welcome and introduction 01:03 – Why RiskProNet is spotlighting internships 02:00 – Meet Moody Insurance’s internship leaders 03:20 – How Moody’s rotational program is structured 04:31 – Intern Hunter Rivers on his experience and takeaways 05:55 – What surprised him about working in insurance 07:13 – How Moody sources and selects interns 08:44 – What a “day in the life” of an intern looks like 10:31 – Live work, real projects, and measurable impact 11:52 – Summer School & executive mentorship at Moody 13:30 – How Moody evaluates and hires from the intern class 15:05 – Now to M3: Meet Jake Cline and intern Cyrus Choisy-Madon 16:23 – How M3 views internships as a culture-building tool 18:04 – M3’s internship model: data science, pharmacy, IT & more 19:46 – What Cyrus learned—and what changed his mind about insurance 21:21 – Interns doing real actuarial and benefits work 22:33 – The human side of the insurance industry 23:40 – Why insurance is complex, valuable, and growing 25:06 – Planning career paths after the internship 26:18 – Final thoughts from all four guests Resources: Become a member at RiskProNet.com Connect with Chip Arenchild on LinkedIn Connect with Moody on Linkedin Connect with M3 Insurance on LinkedIn Connect with RiskProNet on LinkedIn

    42 min

  4. AUG 8

    Win in a Shrinking Apartment Insurance Market with Dustin Thome of Buckner Insurance

    In this episode of Know Your Risk and Insurance Coverage with RiskProNet, Kyle Watts and Matt Sasso talk with Dustin Thome, Executive Vice President of Buckner Insurance in Denver, about their Elite Property Insurance Program. Underwritten by Ascot Specialty, this exclusive product is designed for apartment complexes caught between shrinking standard market appetites and expensive E&S options. Dustin walks through eligibility requirements, underwriting flexibility, competitive commission strategies, and recent success stories. If you’re a broker struggling to place mid-market multifamily risks, this program could be your winning move. Get in touch with the Elite Property Insurance underwriter, Cindy Smith-Tomlinson: 972-666-8740 | csmithtomlinson@innovative-risk.com Resources: Become a member at RiskProNet.com Connect with Dustin Thome on Linkedin Connect with Buckner Insurance on LinkedIn Connect with RiskProNet on LinkedIn Timecodes: 00:00 – Welcome to RiskProNet podcast 00:41 – Meet guest Dustin Thome of Buckner Insurance 01:00 – Overview of the Elite Property Insurance Program 01:17 – Market challenges for multifamily property placement 02:13 – Origins of the Elite Property Program 02:59 – Target property types and eligibility 03:57 – What makes a strong submission 05:00 – Broker commission strategies and flexibility 06:29 – Deductible structures and lender compliance 07:26 – Competitive water damage deductible advantage 07:54 – Risks that disqualify a property 09:18 – Key advantages for brokers using the program 10:41 – States where the program operates 11:47 – Where the program excels most 12:32 – Recent success story: winning a Colorado deal 13:58 – Submission process and dedicated underwriter contact 14:43 – Closing thanks and how to learn more

    16 min

  5. JUN 2

    4 Generations, 1 Workforce: Solving the Insurance Talent Gap with Luis Rivera

    Luis Rivera of Solutions 21 joins host Chip Arenchild to explore the real challenge facing independent insurance agencies: developing the next generation of leaders. From military insights to succession planning analogies, this episode uncovers how brokerages can address generational shifts, preserve institutional knowledge, and build leadership at every level. If you’re navigating retirements, M&A, or growth challenges, this conversation is a must-listen. Stick around for practical advice that blends strategy, human behavior, and hard-won experience. Timecodes 00:00 – Welcome and guest introduction 00:52 – What Solutions 21 does and why it started 02:00 – Why the name “Solutions 21” matters 02:35 – The military connection and leadership philosophy 05:09 – Generational shifts in today’s workforce 06:32 – The silver tsunami and Gen X talent gap 08:11 – Preparing millennials and Gen Z to lead 09:34 – The baton analogy for leadership transition 11:02 – When leadership handoffs go wrong 13:05 – Ideal clients for Solutions 21 14:15 – Leadership lessons from the military 15:48 – The power of 1-on-1s and influence 18:19 – Solutions 21’s work with the Council of Insurance Agents 19:08 – What firms must analyze before investing in people 21:08 – Tools vs. carpenters: how leadership is developed 22:09 – M&A, onboarding, and protecting culture 23:17 – Final takeaways on human capital and agency success Resources: Become a member at RiskProNet.com Connect with Luis Rivera on Linkedin Connect with Chip Arenchild on LinkedIn

    25 min

  6. APR 1

    How the California Wildfires Changed Insurance Policies: Rate Reform and Recovery

    In this follow-up conversation with Jill Epstein, CEO of IABCal, we dive deep into the state of the California insurance marketplace following the devastating January wildfires. Jill walks us through major regulatory shifts, including the commissioner’s new tools, the inclusion of cat modeling and reinsurance in rate applications, and how these changes are impacting carriers and consumers alike. She shares candid insights into how independent brokers are rising to meet the needs of their communities, the evolving role of the FAIR Plan, and what the future may hold for rate approvals, market stabilization, and rebuilding efforts across the state. Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction and welcome to Jill Epstein 01:04 New rate reform regulations and timelines 04:19 Cat modeling, reinsurance, and how fires accelerated change 08:18 Brokers’ on-the-ground response and early carrier actions 12:59 FAIR Plan updates and industry leadership during crisis 18:07 Market impact, rate realities, and future carrier return 24:03 E&O risks, sticker shock, and consumer understanding 27:14 Legislation, hope for change, and broker resilience Resources: Become a member at RiskProNet.com Connect with Jill Epstein on Linkedin Connect with Chip Arenchild on LinkedIn

    30 min

  7. FEB 4

    Agencies within Agencies: The Story of M3 Elevate with Matt Cranney - Part 2

    In this episode of Know Your Risk and Insurance Coverage with RiskProNet, we continue our insightful conversation with Matt Cranney from M3 Insurance. Matt leads M3 Elevate, a pioneering small business insurance division that redefines how firms approach this crucial market. He shares how M3 transformed its small business unit into a sustainable, profitable, and high-value operation by leveraging advisory-led, tech-supported strategies. We dive deep into key challenges, including how to balance profitability with excellent service, integrate technology efficiently, streamline workflows, and align producer and carrier incentives. If you’re looking to optimize your agency’s small business unit, this is an episode packed with practical takeaways. Tune in for part two of our discussion with Matt Cranney and gain valuable insights into the future of small business insurance. Timecodes 00:00 Introduction: Welcome Back with Matt Cranney 00:47 The Philosophy Behind M3 Elevate’s Success 02:30 Small Business vs. Large Commercial: Navigating the Challenges 05:00 Creating an Agency within an Agency: M3’s Unique Structure 07:17 Cross-Selling & Internal Workflows for Small Business Insurance 10:26 Producer Roles & Expectations in Small Business Units 13:39 Touchpoints & Customer Experience: How Often Should You Engage? 17:13 The Power of Insurance Technology in Small Business Operations 20:21 Why M3 Elevate Took a Cautious Approach to InsurTech Adoption 22:45 Specialization & Growth Strategies for Small Business Accounts 24:50 Managing Workload & Scaling Small Business Books Effectively 27:10 Producer Compensation, Sales Goals, and Performance Tracking 30:05 Carrier Consolidation: Strategy for Building Strong Partnerships 32:26 Key Lessons: What to Avoid When Building a Small Business Unit 35:15 Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks Resources: Become a member at RiskProNet.com Connect with Matt Cranney on Linkedin Connect with Chip Arenchild on LinkedIn

    36 min

  8. JAN 2

    Agencies within Agencies: The Story of M3 Elevate with Matt Cranney - Part 1

    In this episode of Know Your Risk and Insurance Coverage with RiskProNet, we sit down with Matt Cranney of M3 insurance to explore the unique approach behind their small commercial unit, M3 Elevate. Matt shares his journey from Liverpool to leading M3 Elevate, the strategies that turned an accommodation service into a thriving agency within an agency, and the intentional decisions that made it possible. From operational challenges to aligning leadership, this episode provides actionable insights for any agency looking to elevate its small business strategy. Stay tuned for a preview of our second session with Matt, where we’ll dive deeper into insurer tech and operational solutions. Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction to the podcast and RiskProNet 00:19 Episode overview and guest introduction: Matt Cranney from M3 Elevate 00:51 Matt's personal journey from Liverpool to leading in Wisconsin 02:50 How Matt connected with M3 and started shaping the small business unit 05:04 The evolution of M3’s small business focus and the decision to create M3 Elevate 08:24 Establishing M3 Elevate as an "agency within an agency" 12:33 Aligning internal messaging and branding to gain leadership and team support 15:24 The operational effort behind launching M3 Elevate and early success stories 19:22 Closing remarks: Preview of the next episode with Matt Cranney Resources: Become a member at RiskProNet.com Connect with Matt Cranney on Linkedin Connect with Chip Arenchild on LinkedIn

    21 min
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Do you get overwhelmed with insurance policies? Are you interested in learning about the different types of insurance? On the show, RiskProNet starts the conversation about insurance and risk management. RiskProNet is a network of independent insurance agencies who serve individuals and corporations with extensive industry knowledge. Follow the show to get an in-depth look at insurance and risk assessment. If you want to learn more about RiskProNet, visit their website at riskpronet.com.

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