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)

Ready to reflect on a transformative year and gear up for even bigger tech leaps in 2025? Our latest podcast episode with Reid Holzworth and co-host Christen Kelley is your perfect year-end roundup. We'll dive into the standout moments from 2024, from groundbreaking technologies that shifted the industry to the invaluable insights shared by our amazing guests.

Join us for a forward-thinking conversation that sets the stage for another incredible year of digital transformation.

Episode Highlights

• 2024 reflections, from download to other dynamic innovations (1:21)
• Ivans Connect success (5:28)
• Spearfishing and work travel (6:59)
• Unmissable moments in our top podcast episodes (9:00)
• Navigating challenges like the CrowdStrike incident (12:35)
• Storm Watch: Analyzing 2024 hurricane trends (16:03)
• Looking forward to 2025, call for podcast feedback (19:20)
• The coffee-wine ratio (22:55)
• Final thoughts for 2024 (25:24)

You can also watch this episode on YouTube!

In this exciting episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, co-host Christen Kelley highlights some of the inspiring stories of giving back that we’ve gathered from our incredible guests this year.

Join us as we explore the heartwarming ways our guests are making a difference—from lending a helping hand to their neighbors to tackling hunger relief to championing under-represented founders to engaging in missionary work. We’re thankful for all of our guests this year and the difference they’re making in our communities, and we can’t wait to see what they’ll achieve next!

Episode Highlights

• Jason Cass: Missionary work in Cuba, aiding in Immigration, Centralia Youth Initiative (00:56)
• Taylor Rhodes: World Vision & being a good neighbor (5:42)
• Pat Caldwell: NYC Cares, working with schools, aspirations related to medicine (7:58)
• Jack Ramsey: Church families, supporting the youth, children’s hospital, hurricane relief (9:58)
• Adam Denninger: Dress for Success, supporting the people you work with (11:09)
• Kate Terry: Hunger relief + Greater Boston Food Bank + mentoring young women in the industry (14:26)
• Jen Linton: Under-represented founders – female founders (16:12)
• Leticia Trevino: Heffernan’s giving & Poder Scholarship Fund (investing in Latinas) (17:10)
• Bradley Flowers: Monthly Ask Me Anything, mission work, Little Sparks Project (19:19)

In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Bradley Flowers, founder of Portal Insurance and co-host of the Insurance Guys Podcast, to explore how family influences, personal struggles, and triumphs paved the way for a successful career.  

Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and listen as they unravel the challenges of business ownership and the beauty of building meaningful relationships along the way. 

Episode Highlights 

• Rural roots in Atmore, Alabama – known for its casino and high-security prison (0:55)
• Getting progressively safer with hobbies, from bull riding to skateboarding to golf (5:22)
• A near-death experience that had nothing to do with bull riding (14:00)
• Starting out in insurance to have time for golf (16:37)
• Bradley’s biggest regret…it might surprise you (18:47)
• Starting an agency and creating the Insurance Guys Podcast (37:46)

In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Jack Ramsey, the vice president of agent channels at NEXT Insurance, to dive into Jack’s life journey – from his humble beginnings as a shy kid in a small town to his pivotal role at NEXT Insurance. 

Tune in to hear how Jack broke through his shyness to create an impact in the insurance industry for a fully digital carrier and is giving back through mentorship and his passion for disaster relief, including the disaster that recently impacted his hometown. 

Episode Highlights 

• Big family, small town (00:45)
• Turning shy-kid experiences into mentorship opportunities (5:36)
• From door-to-door greeting card salesperson to insurance leader (13:43)
• Waking up excited to represent something different that agents are looking for (23:53)
• The growing talent gap in insurance (35:48)
• A heart for giving back to youth and supporting disaster relief (52:55)

In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Leticia Trevino, COO at Heffernan Insurance Brokers,  to discuss Leticia’s remarkable story, from growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area to a thriving 24-year career at Heffernan.

Tune in to dive into the intricacies of the insurance technology landscape, the challenges and triumphs of leading a major organization, and the importance of staying connected to one's culture and values amidst it all. 

Episode Highlights

·         Music, culture, and connection (2:30)

·         Starting out as a claims adjuster (3:35)

·         Targeting Latino markets (7:45)

·         Finding satisfaction in team building (9:45)

·         The “golden record” (20:47)

·         Success equals having a body of work you’re proud of (42:40)

·         Setting up the Poder in Action fund for Latina females (44:21)

 In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Adam Denninger, global industry lead for insurance at Capgemini, to discuss everything from musical interests and fighter jet dreams to an appreciation for history and a passion for insurtech. 

Tune in to hear about Adam’s dream of going into flight as a fighter jet pilot in the US Air Force evolved into entering the world of insurtech – you won’t want to miss his insights and stories. 

Episode Highlights 

• From fighter jet dreams to insurance impact (1:43)
• A taste of modern family life and historical interests (2:20)
• Entering insurance at The Hartford, from intern to director (13:56)
• Being a newbie at Capgemini (24:34)
• The right place, the right time, the right data (28:19)
• Leading without fear and being ready to work (1:03:03)
• Doing the right thing (1:09:24)