Six years and 100 episodes later, the Placing You First podcast welcomes back Neil Kessler , CEO of CRC Specialty and Benefits, who was our very first guest in 2019. What a journey it's been! The transformation runs deep—while our collaborative, hustle-driven culture remains intact, we've become an entirely different organization. Perhaps most significant has been our shift to an ownership mindset. Looking ahead, our focus intensifies on specialization, data utilization, and cross-business colla...
Jun 30, 2025•14 min
Every business with a social media account now faces media liability exposures that were once limited to publishers and broadcasters. This reality stands at the core of our fascinating conversation with Mario Romero , a professional lines broker specializing in media and entertainment coverage with CRC Group in Los Angeles. The digital transformation has democratized content creation while simultaneously introducing complex liability questions. From the local bakery using music in Instagram reel...
Jun 05, 2025•14 min•Ep. 99
The healthcare insurance landscape is rapidly evolving beyond traditional pain points, creating new challenges for retail agents seeking coverage for specialized risks. From ketamine clinics to advanced med spas, these emerging sectors require specialist navigation to secure appropriate protection. Healthcare has always presented unique insurance complexities, but today's market features several particularly difficult placement categories. While correctional healthcare and locum tenens staffing ...
Apr 29, 2025•30 min•Ep. 98
Technology is reshaping insurance placement, but the most powerful solutions don't just automate—they amplify human expertise. This fascinating conversation with Team CRC's ExecPro Broker Brian Benda and Director of Digital Distribution Erin Dyer reveals how CRC’s Quick Quotes platform delivers exactly that balance. Quick Quotes began as an internal tool refined over five years before being extended to retail partners. What makes it revolutionary isn't just the instant quotes—it's the seamless c...
Mar 19, 2025•36 min•Ep. 97
Learn more about navigating cyber threats and insurance with insights from Hunter Maskell , a Director with the CRC / INSUREtrust Cyber Practice Group and Professional Lines Broker Chris Zepeda . Ransomware attacks are making a sophisticated resurgence, matching the concerning levels of 2020 and 2021. Despite strides in incident response, the financial strain from business interruptions and legal battles lingers. While current market conditions may seem buyer-friendly, the looming specter of inc...
Feb 06, 2025•31 min•Ep. 96
Could "forever chemicals" like PFAS be the new asbestos for the insurance industry? Join us on the Placing You First podcast as we unpack this pressing issue with CRC Environmental Broker Sean McLaughlin . We explore how these persistent chemicals infiltrate our everyday lives, from kitchen cookware to essential firefighting gear, raising alarming health concerns. Listen as we navigate the complexities of managing PFAS risks and insurance challenges. We discuss the proactive measures clients can...
Jan 21, 2025•20 min•Ep. 95
Learn more about safeguarding your business against one of the most insidious threats today—social engineering fraud. Join us as we sit down with specialists, Lori Wheeler and Jackie Leslie from CRC's ExecPro Practice Group, who share their invaluable insights into the growing prevalence and sophistication of these cyber threats. Gain a thorough understanding of how these scams have surpassed even ransomware in frequency and the severe financial toll they can take on businesses, especially small...
Jan 07, 2025•28 min•Ep. 94
Summary: Join hosts Amanda Knight and Scott Gordon as they engage with industry specialists Tyler O'Connor , Josh Anderson , and Michelle Earle to dissect the seismic shift from admitted carriers to the thriving Excess and Surplus (E&S) market. You’ll learn precisely why high-severity claims and social inflation are pushing human services organizations toward E&S solutions, especially during a mental health crisis. The conversation doesn’t shy away from the tough topics, particularly the...
Dec 09, 2024•35 min•Ep. 93
Ever wondered how the latest advancements in GLP-1 medications are revolutionizing the treatment of diabetes and obesity? Join us for an insightful conversation with healthcare brokers Scott Scheiblin and Chip Wenges as they unravel the complexities and opportunities these groundbreaking drugs bring to healthcare providers. You'll discover the hidden pitfalls of improper prescribing practices, the looming threat of regulatory scrutiny over compounded medications, and the challenges posed by insu...
Oct 18, 2024•25 min•Ep. 92
Learn how to master submissions for small and midsize property placements with insights from Destinie Kindle a seasoned Underwriting Team Leader with CRC Group's Fort Worth Texas office. Discover how precise and detailed property submissions can be a game-changer in securing optimal insurance coverage. Destinie shares her specialist advice on enhancing your submission process, including the crucial details often overlooked. Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the ...
Oct 03, 2024•14 min•Ep. 91
Imagine the financial and logistical nightmare of discovering that a single contaminated ingredient has infiltrated multiple food products across your supply chain. That's exactly what we're examining with John O'Malley and Chris Martin from CRC Group's Minneapolis office. This episode unravels the complex web of costs and liabilities that ensue from food recalls, using real-world incidents to stress the importance of proactive risk management and the critical role of comprehensive recall insura...
Sep 09, 2024•20 min•Ep. 90
Unravel the complexities of the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA) with cyber and professional lines broker Josh White from CRC Group’s ExecPro practice group. Discover the essential components of this new legislation, understand its alignment with similar laws, and learn about the unique aspects that set Texas apart. Josh breaks down the immediate compliance requirements for businesses, shedding light on potential costs and challenges. Plus, get a firsthand look at the pivotal role ins...
Aug 27, 2024•17 min•Ep. 89
The sharing economy is booming, and its growth isn’t expected to slow down any time soon. Listen in as SVP & Casualty Broker Andrea Ward and Apollo ibott President Chris Moore discuss where they’re seeing growth, some of the more widespread obstacles the sector faces, and what insureds can expect to encounter in the marketplace when putting their insurance programs together. They also dive into what kind of information or risk management elements insurers want to see when considering sharing...
May 01, 2024•26 min•Ep. 88
Gain valuable insight into the ever-changing E&S property market with CRC Group's property brokers, David Christopher and Jonas Williams . This episode peels back the layers of market trends as the calendar flips from 2023 to 2024, highlighting the significant role of quota share and layered business in navigating complex accounts. Get ready to grasp the importance of precise property valuations and the innovative tools CRC leverages to help you win in today’s marketplace. Visit REDYIndex.co...
Apr 04, 2024•21 min•Ep. 87
Learn how to traverse the evolving cosmetics industry regulatory landscape with CRC Group Casualty Brokers John O'Malley and Chris Martin . They discuss the changes brought into effect by the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act as well as its ripple effects across the industry. From increased reporting and FDA registration to the increased risk of product recalls, this episode is a specialist’s guide in how product recall insurance can be your client’s safety net. Listen in and fine tune y...
Mar 21, 2024•18 min•Ep. 86
Listen in as Lee McClure a Senior Healthcare Broker with Team CRC in Birmingham, Truitt Taylor , a Broker with CRC Group’s Jackson, MS office, and Rebecca Adelman , founder of Adelman Claims Management, discuss the terrain of the senior living insurance marketplace. Our guests discuss evolving litigation trends, from staffing quandaries to medication missteps, and lay out the blueprint for proactive claims management as well as other tools, insights, and strategies that can empower retail agents...
Mar 08, 2024•23 min•Ep. 85
Are you ready to navigate the security guard insurance market? Prepare to arm yourself with the essential knowledge shared by industry specialists Vince Polese and Greg Zschiesche . In our latest episode, we tackle the shrinking pool of insurers, dissect the nuances of liability concerns that have come to the forefront with cases like the Surfside Condo collapse, and analyze the diverse risks associated with various security environments. This is a must-listen for understanding the complexities ...
Jan 08, 2024•15 min•Ep. 84
In this episode we attempt to unravel the complexities of Habitational property insurance with Daniel Ball, a Property Broker with CRC's Boca Raton, FL office and David Pagomian , President of CRC's Red Bank, NJ office. Join us as we traverse the labyrinth of skyrocketing property valuations and the resultant seismic shifts in coverage layers. The stakes have never been higher in 2023, with ITV rates soaring, and our guided discussion highlights the urgent need for carriers to preserve their rat...
Jan 04, 2024•23 min•Ep. 83
As the world of remote work continues to explode, so does the need for robust cybersecurity solutions. In our latest episode, we're joined by Chris Zepeda, an Associate Broker with CRC Group’s Boca Raton, FL office, and Alexandra Kish, an Associate Broker with our Dallas, TX office. They are going to enlighten us on the often misunderstood, yet increasingly critical, world of end point detection and response (EDR). We’re going to delve into how EDR works, the key benefits of utilizing this techn...
Nov 30, 2023•13 min•Ep. 82
Today we’re jumping into the deep end with Ben Tschepikow , a Broker with Argenia, a CRC Group Company located in Little Rock, AR as well as Emma Grimshaw, an Underwriting Manager with Liberty Specialty Markets in London. They're going to discuss navigating today's flood insurance market. Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive progra...
Nov 15, 2023•24 min•Ep. 81
The holidays will be here before we know it and with the holidays come parties, and social gatherings with colleagues, friends, and family. Alcohol also tends to flow a little more freely than at other times of the year, making it a perfect time for us to explore the world of liquor liability insurance. Today we're in the studio with CRC Sumter Office President Renee Middleton , Sallie Howerton , an Inside Broker with CRC Group’s Indianapolis, Indiana office, and Lisa Flowers , Underwriter and P...
Oct 26, 2023•30 min•Ep. 80
July 1st property renewals saw high prices and capacity cuts, but in the middle the toughest property market in recent history, the stock throughput market offered some relief. Today, Amanda and Scott are joined by Ted Clayton , a Senior Property Broker & Office President of CRC Group’s Santa Ana, California office, and Farrah Schubmehl , Senior Property Broker & Office President of CRC Group’s Nashville, Tennessee office. They’re going to break down the landscape of the stock throughput...
Sep 21, 2023•29 min•Ep. 79
PFAS have been referred to by some as the next asbestos when it comes to their potential health impacts and claims potential. Today, Amanda and Scott are joined by Jim Hamilton , Senior Broker and CRC Group’s Environmental Practice Group Leader, as well as Sean McLaughlin , Inside Broker, with our Philadelphia office. Both specialize in Environmental coverage, and they’re going to walk us through the insurance industry's role in dealing with PFAS-related issues. Visit REDYIndex.com for critical ...
Sep 14, 2023•21 min•Ep. 78
Significant changes are coming to the farming industry. The FDA’s recent traceability rule changes increase the product recall risk for food producers. Today, Scott and Amanda are joined by Jon O’Malley an Associate Broker with CRC Group's Minneapolis office where he specializes in Product Recall exposures, as well as Chris Martin , also a Casualty Broker with our Minneapolis office specializing in Product Recall. They’re going to break down the FDA’s changes and their impact on farmers and food...
Sep 06, 2023•16 min•Ep. 77
We're delving into the challenges and opportunities when it comes to insuring public works construction in the U.S. in light of the pressing need for nationwide infrastructure upgrades. Amanda and Scott are joined by Jeff Dunn and Ryan Nadler , Casualty Brokers with CRC Group’s Norcross, Georgia office as well as Josh Levy , Casualty Broker with our Redondo Beach, California office. Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your care...
Aug 29, 2023•19 min•Ep. 76
Pixels and Biometrics are a hot topic. They’ve been referred to by some as the next asbestos when it comes to their potential health impacts and claims potential. Today, Scott and Amanda are joined by Mike Edmonds , an Assistant Vice President with CRC Group’s Seattle office where he specializes in Cyber & Technology, E&O, Healthcare, and Management Liability as part of the Seattle ExecPro Team. We’ve also got Mark Smith , Senior Vice President and Professional Liability Broker also with...
Aug 17, 2023•28 min•Ep. 75
The cannabis industry continues to grow rapidly. It’s expected to be worth $134.4 billion by 2030. With that kind of growth, it’s clear the industry is shedding its taboo status in some areas, but many insurance carriers are still hesitant to consider cannabis coverage, and the majority of insurance business finds a home in the E&S marketplace. In this episode, Scott and Amanda are joined by members of CRC San Francisco – Associate Broker Michele DeLuca , Vice President & Broker, Drew Ta...
Jun 23, 2023•20 min•Ep. 74
Telemedicine is here to stay and it’s impacting the insurance needs of healthcare providers. In this episode, Amanda and Scott are joined by Josh Anderson and Conner Madey - Brokers with CRC Group’s Chicago Office where they specialize in Healthcare Liability, as well as Scott Scheiblin , a Broker with CRC Group’s Denver office. The topic: How telemedicine is changing the insurance landscape for healthcare providers. Featuring: Josh Anderson - Broker, CRC Chicago Conner Madey - Broker, CRC Chica...
May 11, 2023•26 min•Ep. 73
All it takes is one bad batch of inventory to cause a foodborne illness outbreak in a restaurant, which can be a costly risk for owners. The fallout can include lost inventory, a drop in sales, and long-term reputational damage. Unfortunately, many restaurants don’t carry foodborne illness insurance, which can cover the financial and reputational fallout of an outbreak. Today, Scott and Amanda are joined by Jon O’Malley an Associate Broker with CRC Group's Minneapolis office where he specializes...
Apr 27, 2023•19 min•Ep. 72
The trucking industry faced several challenges in 2022, but rate growth for primary auto insurance flattened for the first time in years. Today, Amanda and Scott are joined by Chris Slezak , Director of CRC Group’s Central Transportation Region, Julie Sirois , Director of CRC Group’s Northeast Transportation Region, and Alek Turko , Managing Underwriter and Office President with 5Star Specialty Programs. They’re going to fill us in on the state of the market for primary trucking insurance. Featu...
Apr 24, 2023•16 min•Ep. 71
