Crossing Thin Ice

Are AI myths clouding your judgment? Join Dave and Max as they debunk the two most common fantasies about artificial intelligence, revealing the true story of its capabilities and risks. Discover the balance between harnessing AI as a partner and maintaining human oversight. This episode is a must for anyone navigating the evolving landscape of AI risk management.

Recent economic volatility, geopolitical tensions, and climate impacts are reshaping the landscape of risk. With insights on the importance of adapting scenario planning in turbulent times, this episode emphasizes preparing for unexpected futures and reevaluating assumptions to avoid costly missteps. Dave and Max highlight the interconnectedness of financial stability, regulatory pressures, and so...

Think you understand corporate risk? Listen in as we explore the ins and outs of SEC disclosures.  Are the risks that matter the most being buried?  What do you need to know to properly understand the Risk Factors section of the SEC filings.  

Explore how AI can enhance creative problem-solving within risk management. Dave and Max discuss the importance of adapting to emerging risks and the role AI can play in this process. From generating innovative ideas to providing instant feedback and keeping track of complex iterative processes, AI serves as a powerful partner for risk professionals. Tune in to discover practical strategies for le...

Insurance only works if we can all keep up with the rapid changes being brought on by climate change. In this  podcast,  Max Rudolph explores the challenges insurers face with wildfires, hurricanes, and the struggle to set fair premiums. They discuss the need for community resilience, regulatory shifts, and innovative predictive modeling. Join them to discover how homeowners can protect themselves...

Anyone who has worked in Risk Management has encountered individuals who, for one reason or another, do not believe that ERM is beneficial to a company.  In this podcast, Max and Dave examine 10 common Anti-ERM Beliefs and suggest ways to address them.  

Discover four scenarios that could reshape our world and your business. Max and Dave are always talking about how important it is to do stress tests.  Here are some examples of today’s risks to get you started.  Each of these scenarios is built off a plausible extrapolation of recent trends.  This podcast offers a deep dive into the dynamics that could have a major impact your organization. Tune i...

Are we ready for the next wave of challenges? As the world evolves, so do the risks that come with it. From climate change to geopolitical tensions and the rapid rise of AI, the landscape is shifting in ways we may not fully comprehend. These emerging threats can disrupt businesses, economies, and even our daily lives. It's crucial to stay informed and proactive in our risk management strategies....

Climate change isn’t just about heat. It’s also changing the chemistry of our oceans, with serious consequences for marine life and food security. In this episode of Crossing Thin Ice, we examine how ocean acidification could accelerate ecosystem collapse. By Max Rudolph

Are you using RBC for your company’s risk capital calculations? In this episode of Crossing Thin Ice, Dave Ingram and Max Rudolph dive into the power of Own Factor Risk Formulas—customized risk metrics that can give insurers a clearer, faster, and more accurate picture of their capital needs that is easy to explain to executives and boards. From historical stress testing to AI-enhanced risk manage...

When building scenarios - It certainly does!  Think about how the 2008 financial crisis reshaped economic forecasts. Those who clung to pre-crisis assumptions faced severe consequences. Acknowledging a new starting point means more resilient strategies. By Max Rudolph

Ever wonder why the ‘best practices’ in ERM often fail? Here’s the secret.  ERM that does not fit the company will be rejected.  It will not transform the company.  Imagine an ERM program that your whole company supports.  That is what you need.  By Dave Ingram

The future belongs to those who learn to adapt. In this, the 48th episode of Crossing Thin Ice, Dave Ingram and Max Rudolph dive into the importance of adaptability in modern business. Explore how the new Adaptor role will help companies to anticipate challenges, leverage opportunities, and embed resilience into every decision.

From China’s aging population and economic slowdown to India’s tech-fueled growth, from the decline of globalization to the rise of AI and climate disruptions, we explore how emerging risks intertwine to drive the future of our risks in 2025 and beyond. Whether you’re a board member, risk manager, or just live on this planet, join us as we navigate these seismic shifts and uncover the strategies n...

In this episode of Crossing Thin Ice, we revisit the crucial topic of zoonotic spillover diseases and their evolving impact. From the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19 to the growing concern about bird flu spreading through mammals, including dairy herds, the discussion highlights what we’ve learned—and what we still need to monitor. Special focus is given to wastewater surveillance as a tool f...

Discover how LLMs are transforming the way risk professionals tackle complex problems, enhancing decision-making much like spreadsheets revolutionized calculations. Listen as we dive into the practical applications of LLMs for Chief Risk Officers, from environmental monitoring to scenario generation, breaking down how these tools can help manage uncertainty, identify weak spots, and even reveal wh...

There are massive challenges for setting modeling assumptions in an era of increasing uncertainty. With insights into the impact of climate change, economic volatility, and emerging risks on actuarial models, this podcast explores the concept of resilience in modeling by adapting assumptions to manage volatility from unexpected events. Max Rudolph provides practical advice on addressing assumption...

A risk-focused mindset ensures better informed, resilient decisions. This mindset leads to a Risk Management Decision-Making process that we describe in this podcast and explain how it differs from other decision-making approaches such as heuristics, satisficing, and cost-benefit analysis.  We feature the five essential components—risk awareness, diversification, risk appetite and tolerance, risk-...

Once more, we dive into a critical discussion on regime change, the scenarios that could drive it, and for the first time talk about what might follow.  This episode of Crossing Thin Ice features insights from experts Max Rudolph, David Ingram, Raghu Ramachandran, and Jim Evans. Our conversation covers key drivers like climate change, debt levels, demographics, and technology, and explores tipping...

AI is being used to improve investment decision-making and risk management. Dave and Max discuss how these models can be retrained with specialized knowledge to enhance long-term strategies while addressing key risks like data bias and overfitting with guest Kailan Shang. Join us as we explore the growing role of AI in shaping the future of investment management. Shang has written a research paper...

As winters grow milder and the global climate shifts, vector-borne diseases like Lyme and Zika are spreading to new regions. Join us as we delve into the science behind this expansion and explore the public health strategies essential for staying ahead of these threats. Another emerging risk podcast by Max Rudolph. 

Build your strategic foresight with our latest Crossing Thin Ice episode "Scenario Planning in 10 Steps." Learn how you can use scenario planning to road test your strategies to ensure your organization is prepared for future challenges. Whether you're a seasoned risk manager or new to scenario planning, this episode offers valuable insights to enhance your strategic planning process and fortify y...

Is there a Place for Zero Cash Flow Assets? Whether a product of today’s added complexity or a result of the recent reach for yield when rates are low, more assets are being held by insurance companies with irregular or deferred cash flows. Some find this a natural progression, while others never find it appropriate. The answer is somewhere in the middle. It depends, but often can add value when d...

We are all overconfident. Sometimes Overconfidence is what is needed to get out of bed in the morning.  In an insurance company it is often the chief risk officer's duty to look out for overconfidence.  In an unusual twist, this podcast addresses overconfidence of chief risk officers and what they can do about it. By Dave Ingram

Explore with us how AI is poised to transform the actuarial landscape. We interview Dan Kim, an actuary pioneering AI innovation to streamline research and enhance efficiency. He delves into the challenges of AI hallucinations and bias, highlighting the need for transparency and accuracy. This episode uncovers the exciting potential and critical considerations of integrating AI into actuarial work...