What does it take to lead risk in one of the world’s most essential—and regulated—industries?
In this episode, host Marc Cunningham talks with Beth Mineau, Director of Strategy, Sustainability and Risk Management at TriCal Group, live from RIMS RISKWORLD in Chicago.
 
Beth shares how she transitioned from insuring the company to becoming its embedded risk leader, and how her work helps protect people, land, and legacy across a global agricultural operation.
They explore the role of risk leadership in protecting workers, supporting long-term family businesses, and creating safety-first cultures in complex environments.
Join us as we discuss:

• The strategic role of risk in sustainable agriculture
• How to build safety and compliance into operations
• Preparing future claims leaders through better partnerships

Risk management in the restaurant industry is no longer just about minimizing claims. For Kurt Leisure, VP of Risk Services at The Cheesecake Factory, it’s about anticipating challenges, building strong industry partnerships, and knowing when to trust people over technology.

In this episode, recorded live at RIMS 2025 in Chicago, host Marc Cunningham talks with Kurt about the lessons from 35 years in risk, the art of preventing litigation before it begins, and how Cheesecake Factory is blending AI with human insight to stay ahead.

Join us as we discuss:

• How to work with carriers early to avoid courtroom surprises
• Why people skills still matter more than automation in complex claims
• Where AI fits in risk programs—and where it doesn’t
• What forward-thinking really looks like in enterprise risk management

Strong communication isn’t just a nice-to-have for risk leaders—it’s part of the job. Whether it’s a panel at a conference or a media interview on emerging threats, the ability to deliver your message clearly and credibly can set you apart in a crowded industry.

In this episode, host Marc Cunningham talks with Beth Jarecki, Founder and CEO of Omnia, live from this year’s RIMS RISKWORLD in Chicago. Beth shares lessons from two decades of helping executives in insurance, law, and financial services sharpen their voice, lead with clarity, and turn expertise into influence.

Join us as we discuss:

• How media training equips professionals for high-impact moments
• Why storytelling remains essential for risk and claims leaders
• The value of preparation in elevating executive presence

What happens when high performance hides toxic leadership? As innovation accelerates, overlooking the human side of work can quietly erode even the strongest companies.

In today’s episode, Marc Cunningham sits down with Michael Baumgartner—veteran HR strategist and founder of the Work Life Survival Center—to explore how talent, leadership, and culture intersect. Together, they tackle the hidden costs of poor management, why employee advocacy is non-negotiable, and how businesses can build environments where people and profits thrive.

Join us as we discuss:

• The hidden dangers of promoting talent without people skills
• How promoting without empathy destroys culture
• How HR can become a true catalyst for culture change

This week, host Marc Cunningham speaks with Jeff Breskin, Commercialized Producer for Insurance Office of America, who was recently recognized as a 2024 Workers’ Compensation Power Broker. Jeff shares his unrivaled passion for client advocacy and holistic approach to risk management, highlighting personal anecdotes of how he’s gone above and beyond for clients. Marc and Jeff also explore emerging trends, challenges, and strategies within the industry that every ambitious and committed insurance professional should bear in mind.

Join us as we discuss:

• The impact of generative AI on commercial insurance and workers' compensation pricing
• How robust employee benefits programs can influence premiums
• The value of strong relationships with carrier partners and underwriters for achieving industry success.

This week, Wayne Brand, Head of Corporate Client Practice at Crawford & Company, speaks with Stephen Lathrope, Senior Vice President of Solutions at ICEYE, live from the RIMS RISKWORLD 2024. Stephen talks with us about Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and how the technology is being harnessed in satellite constellations to revolutionize disaster risk assessment and management.

Join us as we discuss:

• The benefits of SAR-generated imagery over optical imagery
• How government agencies are utilizing SAR-equipped tech in their disaster responses
• How satellite data is enabling innovative risk management

This week, host Marc Cunningham speaks with Kara Sepulveda, Senior Corporate Risk & Insurance Manager at Lithia, whom he caught up with at RIMS RISKWORLD 2024. Kara shares her thoughts on employee care, industry misconceptions, and the strategic role of case management—particularly her commitment to proactive communication and continuous training in order to prevent client dissatisfaction and enhance relationships.

Join us as we discuss:

• How proactive problem-solving from account managers positively impacts client retention
• Using field case managers early in an injury claim process
• The role of personalization when engaging with injured employees

This week features host Marc Cunningham’s conversation with Paul King (Chief Client Officer at myMatrixx), which took place at this year’s RIMS RISKWORLD2024 conference. Paul covers all things Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM)—from implementation to challenges to benefits.

Join us as we discuss:

• How clinical edits fit into the PBM process
• The concept of benefit neutrality and treating whole-person health
• Using virtual healthcare platforms in managing conditions like COPD, asthma, and obesity

If you’re a reporting entity, there’s a good chance you have October 11, 2024 circled on your calendars, as it’s when Medicare’s Section 111 becomes applicable following the effective date of December 2023. Naturally, questions remain for many regarding what effective compliance looks like—and when companies need to fully comply by. Given the hefty penalties that come along with the guidelines, most companies truly can’t afford to be left in the dark.

This week, we’re joined by Suzanne Jordan, Compliance Manager at Broadspire, who helps break down Section 111 and demystifies the various dates, forms, processes, and acronyms companies that all manner of companies need to know. 

Join us as we discuss:

• The process for registering and recertifying with Medicare as a responsible reporting entity (RRE)
• The various challenges for meeting Medicare reporting standards
• The claim review process and the relevant deadlines for reporting entities