Awkward Insurance

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 a...

Wesley Pergament, Sola Wesley 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 c...

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 ex...

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 Insura...

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 cus...

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 in...

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 Casualt...

In this special conference episode, the Awkward Insurance Podcast hits the road to ITC Vegas, where technology meets insurance in surprising ways. Join host Dustyne Bryant as she dives into the industry's pressing challenges around talent recruitment, uncovers inspiring career journeys, and explores the ever-evolving insurance landscape. From motivational stories to insights on how AI will reshape...

Key Takeaways: Diverse Sessions: A comprehensive agenda covering compliance, risk management, and cybersecurity awareness. Leadership Vision: Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Alan McClain’s forward-looking view on industry challenges and opportunities. Next-Gen Engagement: UCA student Connor Black shares perspectives on attracting young professionals to the field. Reinsurance Insights: Lee Covingto...

Level up your industry language by visiting www.riskeducation.org/insurtech to learn about a brand new self-paced course developed with BrokerTech Ventures: Introduction To Insurance for Insurtech Professionals.   Douglas Ver Mulm is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Turris, a financial infrastructure platform for the insurance industry. Prior to this, Douglas was the Co-Founder & CEO at St...

Mark Olson is a seasoned communications professional with extensive experience in strategic communications, spanning agency and in-house leadership roles. As the Director of Corporate Communications at Hippo, he specializes in developing corporate narratives, preparing spokespeople, and providing counsel on reputational issues. Mark has a proven track record in enhancing brand reputation and drivi...

Thomas Raabe has been in real estate development and sales for the last 11 years. He was a project manager for Ohio University prior to becoming a licensed salesperson in 2016. He has been helping people buy and sell homes for the last 8 years. He is the broker and co-owner of Westwood Real Estate Co. located in Columbus, OH. Westwood Real Estate prides themselves in being trusted advisors and cre...

Allison Albrecht is a National Sales Director for Clearspeed - with a focus on the financial services market. Prior to joining Clearspeed, Allison spent over a decade in various roles within the insurance industry - largely on the carrier side. Allison is proud to be from and reside in Columbus, Ohio - home to an eager and innovative insurance landscape, and of course - the Buckeyes!   Nate Curtis...

Alan McClain was appointed as Arkansas’s 24th Insurance Commissioner by former Governor Asa Hutchinson in April 2020, and continues to serve as Commissioner under Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.  Prior to his appointment, McClain served for five years as Commissioner of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS)—a sister agency of the Arkansas Insurance Department (AID) under the state Department of...

We want to hear from you!  Share your favorite Season 5 episode in our Facebook Group and join the conversation with fellow listeners. Whether it’s a memorable interview, a hilarious moment, or a valuable insight, let us know what resonated with you the most! Your feedback helps us create even more content you’ll love. Join the Discussion! Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance prof...

Bridge Insurtech with Insurance Fundamentals! Demo our upcoming Introduction to Insurance for Insurtech Professionals course! Our guests (in order) are: Kristopher Lundberg, CEO of Insurance Tech Insights, discusses the value of independent agents engaging with tech start-ups.  Jacob Galecki, Managing Principal of Galecki Search Associates, highlights the disconnect between Insurtech developers an...

Get ready for Insurtech Insights, USA 2025, by registering today! 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.  

Follow Awkward Insurance on Facebook!  Colleen O'Hara is an accomplished executive leader whose two decades in the insurance industry have transformed the way businesses achieve growth and engagement. Beginning her journey on the front lines of the retail agency world, Colleen has carved a niche for herself by applying her unique insights to foster deep engagement, adoption, and, most importantly,...

Finalist Collegiate Teams : Appalachian State University | USA Durban University of Technology | South Africa Institute of Insurance and Risk Management (IIRM) Hyderabad | India (First Place Finalist) Illinois State University | USA (Second Place Finalist) Milpark Education | South Africa Peking University | China (Third Place Finalist) St. Mary’s University | USA University of Wisconsin-Madison |...

In this episode (In order): Jerrie Price, H.I.R.E.D Project Coordinator at Arkansas Public School Resource Center, Inc. (Special Guest) Colton Johnson, James Green & Associates (Arkansas) (YIP Board Member) Victor Werley, Pinnacle Advisors (Speaker) Casey Nelson, StakWise Data Automation (Speaker) Matthew Gleason, UA CIC, Gleason Insurance, LLC (First Time/New Professional Attendee Insight) Ben Bu...

Insurtech Insights USA 2024 | Javits Centre, New York | June 5-6 Use discount code AWKWARDNYC to get 50% off individual registration at https://www.insurtechinsights.com/america/register/ 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 t...

Susan Etter : With a journey that began at PPIB in 2010, Susan has ascended to the role of President. Known for her astute creative vision and underwriting detail, she possesses the ability to discern opportunities often overlooked by others in the industry. Collaborating closely with our London carriers, Susans specializes in curating some of the most distinctive and successful insurance programs...

Mark your calendars! The next Coaching Cohort is on the horizon, running from April 22 to June 10. Eight weeks that could reshape your spirit and skills in insurance sales. Learn more about the coaching program: https://www.scic.com/dynamics-producer-coaching/ Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a prac...

Based in Little Rock, Arkansas,  Brian Thompson is a seasoned insurance professional with over 15 years in the industry across various roles including Reinsurance and agency ownership. Currently serving as the Business Development Manager for North America at Descartes Underwriting, he is instrumental in expanding the company's presence in the US market through a client-centric focus on solving ch...

Key Takeaways: Learn to navigate and strengthen your connections with marketing representatives. Discover actionable strategies to boost your or your agency's process efficiency. Mike's insights on the questions and requests that can make a significant impact. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a prac...