HSB's New Ways of Thinking

Jeff O'Shaughnessy speaks with Christina Villena and Tom Smart about how strong agent relationships shape sensor program success. They discuss early skepticism, growing support, and the challenges of DIY installs for policyholders—plus how outreach and clear communication help agents and insureds stay engaged. They also touch on how sensor data informs risk insights and where they hope these progr...

Host Jeff O'Shaughnessy, Christina Villena (The Hanover), and Tom Smart (Philadelphia Insurance Companies) share real‑world examples of how water sensors have prevented losses across schools, cultural institutions, and other properties—especially when buildings are unoccupied. From detecting slow leaks over valuable art to preventing frozen pipe damage during holidays and alerting teams to mechani...

Non‑CAT water losses rarely make headlines, but they affect homes, businesses, and carrier portfolios every day. Host Jeff O'Shaughnessy is joined by Christina Villena (The Hanover) and Tom Smart (Philadelphia Insurance Companies) to discuss how events like freezing temperatures, heavy rains, aging infrastructure, and geography all contribute to these widespread and costly losses—and how sensors,...

ROI isn't just about numbers—it's about real value. In the final episode, Lewis, CTO and Co-founder of Meshify, and Jeff explore the ROI of IoT programs—beyond loss ratios. They show how Meshify prevents water damage and minor events alike, saving homeowners and business owners from headaches, and wrap up with challenges and what's next.

While many focus on flow monitoring or shutoff valves as a "single solution," the reality is they don't provide full protection and can be costly and invasive to install. In Part 5, Jeff and Lewis explain why point detection should be the first line of defense—you might be surprised how quickly customers act when a leak occurs. They also dive into how Meshify sensors address freeze risks.

Meshify doesn't sell sensors—it provides outcomes. In Part 4, Jeff and Lewis dive into how the team continues to evolve technology, the game-changing impact of Amazon Sidewalk on connectivity, the creation of Meshify Slim, and why designing a sensor people actually want to install—compact, reliable, and unobtrusive—makes all the difference.

Solving the water problem isn't just about sensors—it's about simplicity, reliability, and impact. In this episode, Jeff talks with Lewis, Co-Founder and CTO of Meshify, about how the team evolved from industrial IoT solutions to a next-generation, low-cost, cellular water detection platform, creating sensors that are easy to install and use while protecting buildings from costly water damage.

The journey from startup to acquisition can redefine a company's focus—and its impact. In part 2, Jeff continues his discussion with Lewis, Co-Founder and CTO of Meshify, about HSB's 2016 acquisition of the IoT pioneer. Lewis shares how joining forces with HSB helped narrow Meshify's focus, refine its technology, and scale its smart water loss prevention solutions.

From a college dorm room experiment to a garage startup, the story of Meshify is a journey in innovation and problem-solving. In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy sits down with Lewis Wight, Co-Founder and CTO of Meshify, about how early experiments with smart thermostats led to a pivot into IoT solutions for insurance.

While advanced water monitoring offers clear benefits, most commercial buildings have yet to adopt it. In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy wraps up his discussion with Yaron Dycian, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at WINT, to discuss HSB's partnership with WINT, how emerging regulations are driving adoption, and the impact of smarter water management on LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmen...

Construction projects face some of the highest risks for water damage—often from temporary water lines or late-stage leaks. In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy and Yaron Dycian, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at WINT, examine how water monitoring can be applied in different scenarios—from construction sites to fully integrated building systems—and what these use cases reveal about managing ris...

Roughly a quarter of the water flowing into commercial buildings is lost to unnoticed leaks and inefficiencies. In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy continues his discussion with Yaron Dycian, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at WINT, about what's behind this hidden waste and how technology can help uncover it. They discuss the role of data, sensors, and AI in understanding water use patterns and...

Water leaks are among the most costly and common insurance claims in commercial buildings—but smart technology can change that. In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy is joined by Yaron Dycian, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at WINT, to discuss how data and AI are transforming water use in buildings and the implications for property management, insurance, and sustainability.

Sea level rise and climate change are reshaping the risks from hurricanes—but what does that really mean for coastal cities and communities? In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy talks with Dr. Phil Klotzbach about the impact of rising seas, the potential for stronger storms, and innovative—but challenging—technologies designed to mitigate hurricane damage. They explore everything from artificial up...

Hurricane seasons are bringing more named storms and billion-dollar disasters—but why? In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy and Dr. Phil Klotzbach break down the factors behind rising storm counts, the role of better detection, and why growing exposure drives higher damages. They also explore how stronger building codes and smarter planning can help—and what recent storms like Ida (2021) and Helene...

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, still remembered as one of the costliest and most devastating storms in history. On this episode, host Jeff O'Shaughnessy and Dr. Phil Klotzbach of Colorado State University reflect on the record-breaking 2005 hurricane season, how it reshaped forecasting, and what made storms like Katrina, Rita, and Wilma so destructive. They also explore...

How accurate are seasonal hurricane forecasts, and what goes into predicting the number and strength of storms? In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy talks with Dr. Phil Klotzbach about the challenges of predicting named storms versus hurricanes, the significance of metrics like Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE), the limitations of seasonal forecasts, and how forecasting has evolved over the past dec...

Hurricanes aren't just storms—they're a lifelong passion for Dr. Phil Klotzbach. In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy sits down with Dr. Klotzbach to explore his journey from growing up in Massachusetts, inspired by Hurricane Gloria and Hurricane Bob, to becoming a leading hurricane researcher at Colorado State University. Phil shares how he began studying hurricanes, his work with the legendary Dr...

Hurricanes remain one of the most challenging catastrophes for insurers to prepare for—and predict. In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy is joined by Dr. Phil Klotzbach, senior research scientist at Colorado State University and a leading authority on hurricane forecasting. They unpack the August 2025 hurricane outlook, why this season is expected to be slightly above normal , and how the absence o...

In this last episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy talks with cybersecurity expert Eric O'Neill who shares his insights on the current state of cybersecurity and why passwords are no longer a reliable form of protection. He emphasizes the importance of two-factor authentication and using authenticator apps to add an extra layer of security. Eric also discusses the principle of displacement, where securing o...

In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy speaks with former FBI operative and cybersecurity expert Eric O'Neill who shares the shocking truth about how AI-powered attacks and deepfakes are being used to manipulate elections and threaten democracy. HE also emphasizes the importance of being proactive in cybersecurity, rather than waiting for an attack to happen. With the rise of deepfakes and AI-generat...

In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy interviews former FBI operative and cybersecurity expert Eric O'Neill who reveals the shocking truth about nation-state affiliated cyber crime and its impact on critical infrastructure. He exposes how foreign threat actors are using probe attacks to infiltrate and map our power grid, preparing for a future war that could bring catastrophic consequences. Eric war...

In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy speaks with former FBI operative and cybersecurity expert Eric O'Neill who shares his expertise on the state of cyber crime, revealing a staggering $12 trillion problem that's growing exponentially. With the increasing use of AI, cyber crime is becoming more convincing, more frequent, and more deceptive. Join us for a deep dive into the underworld of cyber crime...

In a continuation of a conversation with Eric O'Neill, former FBI operative and cybersecurity expert, Jeff O'Shaughnessy takes a deeper dive into the story of Robert Hanssen, the first-ever cyber spy. Eric shares how Hanssen's hacking skills and adaptability allowed him to breach FBI systems and networks for decades, and how he revolutionized espionage by using technology to drop data to foreign p...

In a thrilling episode of HSB's New Ways of Thinking Podcast, Jeff O'Shaughnessy talks with Eric O'Neill, a legendary former FBI operative turned cybersecurity expert, shares his hair-raising story of catching notorious spy Robert Hanssen. From his early days as an FBI ghost to his daring undercover mission, Eric recounts the twists and turns that led to Hanssen's capture.