The Insurance Technology Podcast

In this final podcast episode, Reid reflects on his journey, including his early years, a career in insurtech, the connections he has forged, his roles as a podcast host, CEO, and entrepreneur, and the lessons he has learned along the way.

As Reid steps into a new chapter – mastering music and inspiring passion – he leaves behind a legacy that challenges us all to think bigger, connect deeper, and embrace innovation. Tune in to hear Reid in the hot seat with Jim Hackbarth, a retired industry expert and former CEO of Assurex Global (and a well-known guest on the podcast).

Episode Highlights

• Laguna Beach skateboarding roots and forest ranger ambitions (1:00)
• Construction, landscaping and the value with your hands (8:06)
• Solving insurance issues with technology (9:30)
• Reid’s evolving understanding of leadership (21:18)
• How does Reid define success (36:11)
• Fun: cars, dirt bikes, boats, freediving, spearfishing, camping, and more (38:55)
• Reminiscing on what will be missed about Ivans and Applied (46:00)

In this podcast episode, Reid whisks together a rich discussion about the essential ingredients of unforgettable industry events with experts Bryan Falchuk, President and CEO of PLRB; Chip Bacciocco, CEO of TrustedChoice.com (now a part of the Momentum family); Christen Kelley, podcast co-host and VP of Marketing at Ivans; and Jim Hackbarth, a retired industry expert and former CEO of Assurex Global. 

From throwback stories about early industry events to bold strategies that push events beyond the cookie-cutter conference formula, this conversation focuses on reimagining how we meet, interact, and grow together.

Episode Highlights 

• Reminiscing on first industry events (3:02) 
• Favorite events (9:32) 
• Fun conferences & keeping to a theme (13:31)
• Bigger events becoming pay-to-play (17:39) 
• Why CIAB is great even though it’s a grind (23:16) 
• Honesty is the best policy (32:39) 
• How panels should work (34:00) 
• Bryan’s soapbox on sales pitches (45:22) 
• If you created an event, what would it look like? (52:33)

In this podcast episode, Reid talks with a returning guest – Luke Magnan, co-founder and CIO of Combined Ratio Solutions.

 
 Luke believes that core insurance software should be accessible and affordable, much like the dependable Honda Civic. Tune in to hear Luke’s vision: to empower insurance companies by simplifying their operations without breaking the bank (and more).

Episode Highlights

• Catching up on Combined Ratio’s mission (00:50) 
• Carriers running IT as an engineering shop (11:42) 
• How to become the industry standard (12:39) 
• Aspiring to be the Honda Civic of Policy Systems (19:34) 
• The relationship between the insurance industry and tech experts (26:12) 
• The next big move in the industry (28:56) 
• The role of Salesforce in insurance (34:00) 
• Practical solutions over cool tools (39:36) 
• A concept for large companies to consider (43:49) 
• How keeping exits out of the conversation opens up opportunities (47:25) 
• Disadvantages of private equity and venture capital (53:51) 
• Thoughts on AI (58:41) 

Ever wish you could wave a wand and solve the insurance industry's biggest headaches? In this solo episode, Reid dives into a conversation inspired by guest-proposed ideas about what they would change if they had a magic wand.

With a mix of hard truths, bold ideas, and passion, Reid breaks down what is holding us back and what could move the needle if we stopped playing by the same old rules. Grab a coffee or beverage of choice and get ready for a reality check on where we are with the issues we wish we could magically solve.

Episode Highlights 

·       Exploring Reid’s take on guests’ magic wand answers (00:41)

·       Getting market access or going directly to carriers (2:15)

·       Unpacking the “golden record” (5:22)

·       Target practice on old servers (10:30)

·       Customer-centric user experiences (11:30)

·       The desire to turbocharge integrations + connectivity (14:40)

·       The takeoff of companies like Uber Eats (14:55)

·       The insurance talent gap debate (20:49)

·       Shifting the public perception of jobs in insurance (24:13)

·       Reid’s magic wand wish (30:29)

In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats live in New York at Insurtech Insights with Peter Germanov and Michael Lebor, the CEO and president of Momentum by NowCerts.

Tune into their candid conversation to dive into the stories that shaped who Peter and Michael are today and how they joined forces to create lasting momentum in Insurtech.

Episode Highlights

• Setting the scene at Insurtech Insights (00:40)
• Michael reminiscing on growing up in New York (1:29)
• Peter’s relocation from Bulgaria to Canada to New England (5:03)
• From humble roots to humbling success (11:18)
• Stumbling into the software business (13:00)
• NowCerts becomes Momentum (15:03)
• Talking about TrustedChoice.com (15:38)
• Connecting the dots, bringing everything into one system (16:56)
• Making it easy for agents to do what they do (26:00)

In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats live with Curt Stevenson, Head of Operations at Next Insurance, in the vibrant city of Boston.

Join us for an exciting episode of the Insurance Technology Podcast, where we dive deep into the evolving insurance world. This episode is packed with unique insights and intriguing conversations that explore the trends shaping the industry today, and you’ll get to know more about Curt’s life journey.

Episode Highlights

• Life in the Boston suburbs – from strict parenting to unforgettable adventures 
• Navigating high school challenges and triumphs
• How high school jobs laid the foundation for a landscape business
• From college campus life to a career at Accenture
• The journey of entrepreneurship from the start to acquisition
• Navigating the sale of Agencyport to Duck Creek
• The NEXT adventure
• Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in insurance

In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, co-host Christen Kelley puts Reid in the hot seat to explore the transformative trends shaping the Insurtech landscape in 2025.

Tune in to hear Reid fly solo as the guest for the first time in a while, sharing his point of view on everything from intelligent document processing to E&S, AI, the tech talent gap and much more!

Episode Highlights

• What’s on the horizon with insurtech trends in 2025 (1:35)
• The rise in generative AI for insurance carriers (2:29)
• How carriers will modernize in the next year (6:30)
• AI underwriting at large carriers (10:30)
• The impact of intelligent document processing (14:10)
• Specialty and E&S lines driving innovation (16:10)
• Rapid innovation in the face of new risks (18:55)
• Quantum threats, fault-tolerant systems (22:08)
• Shifting risk landscape and coverage models (26:24)
• SaaS inflation (31:00)
• AI solutions for the tech talent gap (35:40)

In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Applied Pay President Chase Petrey about Chase’s journey from the snow-capped mountains of Salt Lake City to his success in insurtech.

Join them as they delve into the evolving payments industry and discuss innovative trends that are influencing its future. Chase also shares fascinating life stories, including his move to Washington, D.C., at just 16, his experiences on a Latter-Day Saints mission, doing business in Australia and Singapore, starting a family, joining Team Applied, and more. 

Episode Highlights

• Growing up in the Salt Lake City mountains (00:43)
• An interest in politics starting in high school (5:00)
• Packing up bags and moving to Washington, D.C. at 16 (6:12)
• Realizing government jobs weren’t for him (8:04)
• Discipline and grit developed from a Latter-Day Saints mission (12:55)
• Getting into econometrics and learning to code (20:32)
• Becoming the “international guy” (30:58)
• Living in Australia, opportunity in Singapore (34:19)
• Family changes things, moving back with second kid (39:02)
• Accepting the “moonshot” opportunity at Applied (45:20)
• The explosion of digital payments (49:03)
• Leadership has its own discipline (1:01:00)

In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Michael Vega-Sanz, co-founder of Lula and co-founder & President of GAIL, to hear about his unique upbringing on a Miami farm and how early experiences fueled his entrepreneurial spirit. 

Tune in to hear Michael’s captivating stories of tinkering with lawnmowers, exploring his rural surroundings, growing up and collaborating with his twin, his dedication to family, and the innovative work they’re doing today in the insurtech space.  

Episode Highlights

·         Chickens, goats and a lot for tinkering on the Miami farm (00:36)

·         A love for tech that started at Babson (6:54)

·         Twins join forces, building their first app (10:14)

·         Going from an app to an insurance business (16:42)

·         A customer-centric approach goes a long way (24:37)

·         From zero to $2 million in 18 months (29:40)

·         The AI, tech + insurance opportunity (32:34)

·         Selling Lula, founding GAIL (46:54)

·         The goal is to be the customers’ “wingman” (1:03:49)

·         Getting in the trenches as effective leadership (1:10:48)

In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Niji Sabharwal, co-founder and CEO of AgentSync, in an engaging conversation that blends culture, creativity, and cutting-edge technology.

Need some inspiration to keep momentum with your New Year’s resolutions? Tune in to hear about Niji’s ambitious spirit, from selling candy in middle school to the journey that eventually led him to co-found AgentSync.

Episode Highlights

• Growing up as a first-generation American in the Bay area (00:50)
• A punk rock era, selling candy and going on BMX adventures (4:22)
• College life and job hunting in a recession (7:54)
• The Zenefits journey (16:06)
• Starting AgentSync, finding a market (30:21)
• Working with your spouse (37:26)
• AI’s impact on insurance (55:12)
• Entrepreneurial advice, having a north star (57:48)
• Leader vs. problem solver (1:02:14)
• Leaning into the hurt (1:04:00)