SOA Podcasts - Society of Actuaries

Young Professional Advisory Council's Jake Davis discusses exam education and career development with Eddie Smith, Director of SOA Exams at The Infinite Actuary and FSA exam instructor. Learn about Eddie's transition from practicing actuary to exam educator, effective study strategies for FSA exams, and how exam preparation has and will continue to evolve.

This episode of the Society of Actuaries' Professional Development Edge podcast features Dave Dillon, Senior Vice President and Principal at Lewis & Ellis; entrepreneur and founder of Cost Plus Drugs, Mark Cuban; and Jon Forster, the SOA's Director of PD Learning and Content Design.

Together, they explore entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and the evolving healthcare landscape. The conversations move from what it takes to be successful in business, the current healthcare landscape, and the state of AI in Actuarial work. Mark shares the origin and mission behind Cost Plus Drugs, underscoring the critical role of price transparency and trust in improving healthcare access and affordability.

Listeners will gain practical insights and forward-looking perspectives relevant to actuaries, business leaders, and anyone interested in the future of healthcare and innovation.

Contributors: Mark Cuban; Dave Dillon, FSA, FCA, MAAA; Jon Forster, ASA, MAAA

Join us for a discussion about the SOA and why you should care about the SOA, its purpose, and its strategic plan! In this episode of the Young Professional Advisory Council podcast, YPAC member Carolyn Ellis and guest Gabi Dieguez, SOA board member, discuss the SOA as a professional organization, the roles of employees, members, and volunteers, and dive deep into why the SOA is important to us as actuaries and the critical role volunteers play in the SOA's success now and into the future.

Anders Larson, FSA,MAAA and Shea Parkes, FSA, MAAA provide a clear, approachable look at how modern AI systems really think, act, and respond. They dive into the hidden machinery behind today's GenAI applications – exploring how agent frameworks guide LLMs through structured, choose‑your‑own‑adventure–style decision loops. Using practical examples from Microsoft Copilot and actuarial workflows, they break down how middleware, tool calls, and general context transform raw models into useful business assistants.

The podcast features Jon Forster interviewing Aree Bly, founder of Alignment Ally and author of "The Sustainable Brain," focusing on the importance of developing comfort with ambiguity for actuaries and other professionals. Aree shares practical examples from her career, such as handling ambiguous data formats in healthcare analytics, and discusses strategies for determining when work is "good enough" without sacrificing quality. The conversation covers tools like the RACI framework for clarifying roles and responsibilities, and offers advice for navigating ambiguity arising from organizational changes. The episode emphasizes the impact of ambiguity on career sustainability and personal well-being, encouraging proactive communication, expectation-setting, and self-awareness.

Contributors: Aree Bly; Jon Forster, ASA, MAAA

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About Us:

With roots dating back to 1889, the Society of Actuaries (SOA) is the world's largest actuarial professional organization with more than 32,000 actuaries as members. Serving as the SOA's research arm, the SOA Research Institute provides objective, data-driven research bringing together tried and true practices and future-focused approaches to address societal challenges and your business needs. It provides trusted knowledge, extensive experience and new technologies to help effectively identify, predict and manage risks.

● Learn more about Influence and other engaging topics relevant for actuaries on the Professional Development Edge Subscription product. https://www.soa.org/prof-dev/pd-edge/

Exploring Fraud, Waste & Abuse (FWA) in U.S. healthcare—key trends, AI's impact, and how actuaries and data professionals can drive smarter detection and prevention.

Join Jason Hiquet, FSA, CERA and host Chris Smith, ASA, for an insightful discussion of innovation in insurance. Jason's expertise in the field and advice for those seeking to have an impact is can't-miss for anyone with hopes of driving change in the industry!

Want more? Register for the Innovating Inside of Traditional Insurance Work Topic Call on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET. Topic calls are live virtual events that allow for engagement and interaction on topics of interest.

Note: This episode refers to the Entrepreneurial & Innovation Section. It was recorded in 2025 prior to the transition from SOA Sections to SOA Communities.

In this episode of the Get Plugged In Podcast, originally published in January 2026, Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Society of Actuaries Research Institute, is joined by Joe Alaimo, CEO at ProComp Consulting Inc. in Ontario, Canada and Community Advisory Team Member of the Emerging Topics Community. Together, they unpack the results of the Society of Actuaries Research Institute's inaugural AI Adoption Survey.

Their conversation explores how actuaries are using AI tools, the most common use cases across career stages, and the key organizational barriers such as skill gaps and compliance risks. They also discuss surprising survey results on interest in further AI education and how attitudes differ between early- and late-career actuaries. This foundational research will be repeated regularly to track how the profession's use of AI evolves over time.

Want to go more in-depth? Read the full report and explore other valuable resources at the Artificial Intelligence Research landing page.

Send us your feedback at AI-Insights@soa.org

Join Tasso Bountouvas, FSA and Carly Mauro, FSA as they give an overview of the main goals and motivations of YPAC. They celebrate 2025 accomplishments and look forward to another exciting year of impact!

Join Ganiu Shefiu as he interviews Jola Fakoya, FSA, CERA, to discuss making an impact in actuarial leadership.

The podcast features Jon Forster interviewing Hasham Piperdy about the similarities and differences between Takaful and mutual insurance. Both models emphasize collective risk sharing and returning surplus to participants, but differ in ownership structure, capital provision, and investment restrictions. Takaful adds a layer of Shari'ah compliance, requiring investments to be Islamic and oversight by a Shari'ah board. The discussion highlights that while the models share cooperative principles, Takaful introduces faith-based ethics and governance.

Contributors: Hasham Piperdy, FIA; Lisa Schilling, FSA, EA, FCA, MAAA; Jon Forster, ASA, MAAA

Thanks for watching and don't forget to subscribe!

Want to keep up with the latest SOA news? Follow us on our social channels:

Instagram: @soactuaries

Facebook: Society of Actuaries

LinkedIn: Society of Actuaries

Twitter: @SOActuaries

About Us:

With roots dating back to 1889, the Society of Actuaries (SOA) is the world's largest actuarial professional organization with more than 32,000 actuaries as members. Serving as the SOA's research arm, the SOA Research Institute provides objective, data-driven research bringing together tried and true practices and future-focused approaches to address societal challenges and your business needs. It provides trusted knowledge, extensive experience and new technologies to help effectively identify, predict and manage risks.

● Learn more about Takaful and other engaging topics relevant for actuaries on the Professional Development Edge Subscription product. https://www.soa.org/prof-dev/pd-edge/

In this captivating podcast, Joe Alaimo, CEO of ProComp, sits down once again, two years later, with ChatGPT. Together they talk about what has actually changed in two years, what did not change, and where the profession might be heading next. What does ChatGPT now see ahead for the actuarial profession?

The original Actuaries in the Age of AI: A conversation with ChatGPT was published on Oct 12, 2023

The podcast features a conversation with Willis Towers Watson CEO Carl Hess, who discusses his progression from actuary to CEO, emphasizing the importance of analytical skills, communication, and people management in leadership. Carl highlights how technology and AI are transforming the actuarial profession, noting that automation and AI projects at WTW are helping staff focus on more productive work and better utilize unstructured data. He shares personal anecdotes about using music to maintain focus during actuarial exam studies and explains how he stays connected with WTW's employees through informal interactions and modern communication tools. Carl reflects on key career moments and lessons leaned along the way. Carl is joined by Chris Lombardi, Karen Grote, and Jon Froster for this thoughtful conversation.

Contributors: Carl Hess, FSA, CERA; Chris Lombardi, FSA, MAAA; Karen Grote, FSA, MAAA; Jon Forster, ASA, MAAA

Thanks for watching and don't forget to subscribe!

Want to keep up with the latest SOA news? Follow us on our social channels:

Instagram: @soactuaries

Facebook: Society of Actuaries

LinkedIn: Society of Actuaries

Twitter: @SOActuaries

About Us:

With roots dating back to 1889, the Society of Actuaries (SOA) is the world's largest actuarial professional organization with more than 32,000 actuaries as members. Serving as the SOA's research arm, the SOA Research Institute provides objective, data-driven research bringing together tried and true practices and future-focused approaches to address societal challenges and your business needs. It provides trusted knowledge, extensive experience and new technologies to help effectively identify, predict and manage risks.

● Learn more about Influence in the Actuarial Profession and other engaging topics relevant for actuaries on the Professional Development Edge Subscription product. https://www.soa.org/prof-dev/pd-edge/

What is it really like to work as an actuary in a fast-moving startup versus a large, established company? In this episode, YPAC member Zack Moore sits down with Matt Briggs to unpack the realities of both worlds, from culture and pace to impact, growth, and career satisfaction. They explore how actuaries fit into each environment, the trade-offs between stability and innovation, and what young professionals should consider when choosing their own path. Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder or diving into startup life, this conversation offers insights to help you shape a career that fits your goals.

In this episode of the Get Plugged In podcast originally published in September 2025, host Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Society of Actuaries, is joined by Joe Alaimo, CEO of ProComp Consulting Inc. and Community Advisory Team Member of the Emerging Topics Community. Together, they delve into the findings of a recent roundtable discussion focused on the role of generative AI in the actuarial profession.

Joe shares highlights from the panel of actuaries and industry professionals who discussed real-world use cases, ethical concerns, and how actuaries are uniquely positioned to navigate the evolving landscape of AI. From code generation and digital coaches to actuarial modeling support, this conversation covers the growing impact of AI in insurance and risk management.

Want to explore more? Access the full report and other valuable resources on our Artificial Intelligence landing page at SOA.org

Send us your feedback at AI-Insights@soa.org

This podcast episode features Dave Friesen and Tom Callahan discussing the collaboration between actuaries and data scientists. Tom is an Actuary who works extensively with data scientists, and Dave is a data scientist who works with Actuaries, making them a great combo for the topic. Dave highlighted the operational focus of data science in improving workflows and customer experience, while Tom emphasized the financial impact focus of actuaries. They both agreed on the importance of clear communication and common terminology to bridge gaps between the two fields. They also shared examples of successful collaborations and the benefits of using modern data platforms and tools.

Contributors: Tom Callahan, FSA, MAAA; Dave Friesen; Joe Long, ASA, MAAA; Jon Forster, ASA, MAAA

Research isn't just for academics! This episode reveals how broad the impact of SOA research is – balancing the retrospective with the prospective – and why it's essential for actuaries and the broader public. YPAC Vice-Chair Tasso Bountouvas and guest R. Dale Hall discuss misconceptions, real-world applications, and how you can contribute – no PhD required. Tune in for practical advice, inspiration, and a glimpse into the future of actuarial science.

Listen in as Greg Fann interviews Moshe Nelkin about Medicare Supplement insurance. We will take you from Medicare basics through product details covering pricing assumptions, factors driving claims trend, regulatory considerations, challenges, opportunities, and more.

Roger Loomis sits down with Stephanie Moench and Michael Rustemeyer to discuss their paper that was just published by the SOA Research Institute: "Long-Term Care Wellness Primer", which can be downloaded here: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2025/long-term-care-wellness/

Listen to Juan Herrara and Danny Moore discuss pending claims, large claims, and using predictive analytics and other modeling techniques to develop these estimates.

Join host Tiana Zhao as she explores the cutting-edge trends reshaping the insurance landscape. From AI-driven underwriting to climate-focused products, this episode of the SOA Marketing and Distribution podcast dives deep into the technological and societal shifts transforming how we think about risk and protection. Discover how insurtech startups, IoT devices, and changing consumer expectations are driving innovation in product design, distribution channels, and customer experience. Whether you're an industry professional or simply curious about the future of insurance, this podcast offers valuable insights into the forces shaping the industry's evolution and the opportunities that lie ahead.

Anders Larson and Shea Parkes discuss using GenAI applications with coding agents to simulate healthcare costs. They revisit the distinction between large language models (LLMs) and the applications that wrap them. They then use some newer GenAI application functionality to generate some simulated healthcare cost distributions. During their discussion they explore what domain knowledge the modern LLMs already have, and how to supplement that with their own domain expertise.

Description: Listen as co-hosts Jackie Lee and Josh Hammerquist speak to data scientist Supriya Ramachandra as they discuss how she attacks messy data with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. From this discussion, actuaries will learn about how these cutting-edge tools can be used in their work.

PleaseNote:

1. At timestamp 11:00: The training data was created through manual annotation — it took 4 annotators about a week to label the clinical notes.
2. At timestamp 12:24–12:26, we said "non-supervised" — the correct term is "unsupervised learning."

In this month's YPAC podcast host Shawn Stender, FSA, MAAA will be joined by Simon Gervais, FSA, MAAA to discuss an often-overlooked topic for young actuaries. With so much focus given to career advancement and "managing up," actuaries looking might overlook the benefits of managing down to promote younger professionals within their organization. This podcast will discuss how managing down can not only benefit your career, but also the actuarial profession.

Join Danny Moore and Aaron Jurgaitis as they discuss tertiary and quaternary care from an actuarial perspective. Danny and Aaron discuss:

• Definitions around the different levels of care, from primary up to quaternary
• Specifics around the types of care delivered in the specialized facilities that deliver this care, and
• The key themes actuaries need to keep in mind when analyzing data that include these types of services.

Aaron shares information from his background of performing analysis for pediatric and academic facilities that highlight important factors that actuaries should consider, such as relative efficiency, referral patterns, episodes of care vs. points in time, and the specific value of expertise that these facilities contain. The information shared is relevant from both a provider and payer point of view, and will broaden your understanding of the unique characteristics of tertiary and quaternary care providers.

In this episode Joe Alaimo interviews Jeremy Levitt. Actuarial models are central to decision-making across insurance, finance, and risk management—but without proper validation, even the most sophisticated models can lead to costly errors. In this episode, Joe and Jeremy take a deep dive into model validation: defining its purpose, outlining key procedures, and highlighting the risks of getting it wrong. Jeremy shares expert insight on balancing thorough analysis with real-world constraints like timelines and budget, while also addressing cultural and structural barriers to effective validation.

We also explore how AI is beginning to influence model validation, from automated testing to AI-driven challenger models. Whether you're a practicing actuary, a risk professional, or a stakeholder relying on actuarial outputs, this conversation offers valuable guidance on how to build confidence in your models—and the decisions they support.

Join host Tiana Zhao as she explores the transformative power of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) in the world of marketing and distribution actuarial work. This episode of the SOA Marketing and Distribution podcast dives deep into:

• The fundamentals of OKR methodology and its adoption by tech giants
• How OKRs can enhance clarity, focus, and measurable outcomes for actuaries
• A practical example of implementing OKRs in an insurance company setting
• Strategies for marketing and distribution actuaries to leverage OKRs effectively

Join host Justin Le, ASA, MAAA for a talk with Kate Smith FSA, MAAA about finding meaning and purpose in our work as actuaries. Kate is a Director and Actuary working in Valuation at Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company. In this episode Kate shares her perspective and advice on connecting her work to the impact on her company's members.

Listen as Danny Moore interviews Charlie Larimer on Epidemiology and Predictive Analytics. Listen as Charlie gives his insight on applying predictive analytics techniques to determine drivers of health outcomes in differing populations and regions.

This interview featured Amanda Hug, the president and chair of the Society of Actuaries, discussing the role of actuaries in building trust with AI models. Amanda shared a personal anecdote from a trip to Uganda, highlighting the global reputation of actuaries. The discussion covered the importance of integrity, excellence, and professionalism in the actuarial field and provided advice on incorporating AI into actuarial processes while maintaining ethical standards.

Contributors: Amanda Hug, FSA, MAAA ; Jon Forster, ASA, MAAA

Thanks for watching and don't forget to subscribe!

Arielle Galinsky—Harvard Kennedy School MPP candidate, JD candidate at Yale Law School, and advocate for aging with dignity—joins host Roger Loomis for a wide-ranging conversation on caregiving, aging, and how her generation sees the future of LTC financing.

Listen to this interview with Whitney Pratt – an actuary who leads a team of data scientists – about similarities and differences of the two fields and how we can better work together. If you are an actuary wanting to know more about data science, or trying to choose between the two career paths, this is a must listen!

Becoming credentialed is one of the major goals for an actuary, but what does life look like after? Join Carly Mauro, FSA, MAAA and Chris Lombardi, FSA, MAAA as they discuss "the void" and how to approach personal growth, investing time in the community and the SOA, and professional development after exams.

SOA is proud to present the audio version of the winning entry in the 2024-25 Speculative Fiction Contest, Faulty Medication by Brian Tajlili, FSA, MAAA. Here is what the contest's literary judge, Dr. Bob Mielke, had to say, "Nothing but positives here. A plausible and timely scenario, excellent world-building, vivid incidents, lively and detailed, polished and very well-written. …This story has a real shot at publication even beyond the realm of actuaries." Find the written version at https://www.soa.org/sections/2024-25-speculative-fiction-art/

Join host Tiana Zhao, FSA, CERA, as she explores the emerging field of marketing actuaries in this insightful episode of the SOA Marketing and Distribution podcast. Discover how these professionals blend actuarial science with marketing strategies to drive data-informed business decisions. Tiana breaks down the key responsibilities of marketing actuaries, including data analysis, predictive modeling, customer segmentation, and pricing optimization. Learn how this evolving role is shaping the future of marketing in our increasingly data-driven business landscape. Whether you're an actuary looking to expand your skillset or a marketing professional curious about the power of actuarial science, this episode offers valuable insights into this exciting intersection of disciplines.

In this podcast episode Joe Alaimo interviews Bob Leach. Bob introduces us to model validation concepts from the article that he has written for the emerging topics community: Model Validation 101: Bring your Calculus Mindset! Bob discusses how to use calculus concepts to validate results from actuarial models. This discussion is in the context of principle-based reserve valuation models, but the concepts can be extended to other types of actuarial models, like pricing or risk management models. Partial derivatives of the value function can be used to validate that a model is appropriately applying discount rate, expense, withdrawal rate and other actuarial assumptions.

For more details, please read the full article here: https://www.soa.org/digital-publishing-platform/emerging-topics/et-2025-02-leach/

In this podcast, Michael Frings FSA, MAAA, now Chief Actuary at one of the Bermuda insurance companies, shares his experiences on his career path, where he started from an unexpected place -- medical school, which ultimately took him to where he is now -- an actuary. Please join us as we explore how Michael navigated his "unusual" path, how he found success, and what one may expect entering the profession from a different background.

In this podcast Darryl Wagner, Principal with Deloitte Consulting, discussed the complexities and principles of IFRS 17, highlighting its goal to standardize insurance accounting globally. He explained the building blocks of IFRS 17, including best estimate cash flows, risk adjustment, and contractual service margin (CSM). Darryl emphasized the significant data and technology requirements for implementation and the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration among actuaries, accountants, and technology teams. He also compared IFRS 17 with US GAAP, noting similarities and key differences.

More dynamic content such as this is available on the SOAs Professional Development Edge+ product. https://www.soa.org/prof-dev/pd-edge/

Be sure to take the IFRS 17 course in the Life Learning track of Professional Development Edge+ for more insights.

Contributors: Darryl Wagner, FSA, MAAA; Jon Forster ASA, MAAA

Host Jackie Lee discusses the MAPD historical and future landscape of the Medicare Advantage market. They talk about notable milestones throughout the years and their impact on the growth of this sector.

This podcast features Robert Eaton, Principal and Consulting Actuary at Milliman and Sherry Chan, Managing Director at EY. They discussed the role of actuaries in overseeing AI models, highlighting their unique skills in data analysis and model evaluation. Robert and Sherry emphasized the importance of actuaries in ensuring AI models are free from bias and leveraging AI to handle routine tasks, allowing actuaries to focus on strategic and analytical roles.

For more info on PD Edge+ click here: https://www.soa.org/prof-dev/pd-edge/

Join host Tiana Zhao as she explores the critical role of relationships in actuarial marketing and distribution. In this insightful episode, Tiana discusses why strong partnerships are essential in the insurance and financial services industry, and provides practical tips for understanding distribution partners, effective communication, collaborative product development, and building trust.

Join Host Jackie Lee with Brian Pauley as they discuss the characteristic of leaders, including developing an abundance mindset. Their discussion is based on the High Road Leadership book by John Maxwell and Brian's article featured in The Stepping Stone.

Join Joe Alaimo, Founder and CEO of ProComp, and David Schraub, Founder and CEO of David Schraub Actuarial Consultancy, as they discuss the rapidly developing regulatory frameworks surrounding AI in the insurance industry. They explore the intricacies of laws and guidelines across the U.S., Canada, the European Union, and China, focusing on AI's role in underwriting, pricing, and risk management. David shares insights on how actuaries can navigate the regulatory challenges of AI while promoting fairness and transparency. Key topics include transparency, data governance, anti-discrimination efforts, and how different regions are approaching these issues. If you're interested in staying ahead of the curve in AI regulation, this episode offers valuable information

For more details, please read the full article sponsored by the Society of Actuaries Research Institute and the Casualty Actuarial Society: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2024/regulatory-framework-comparison-ai/

Dive into price transparency with Danny Moore and Greg Mottet, founder of Vairate. In this episode, they discuss a study exploring inpatient maternity rates in Washington, as well as the use of price transparency in payer-provider negotiations and its impact on consumers, payers, providers, and employers.

Roger Loomis and Steve Schoonveld discuss the state of the Long-Term Care Insurance industry and the opportunities to modernize products and broaden coverage.

In this episode, join host Tiana Zhao, FSA, CERA, to explore the principles of "The New One Minute Manager" by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson.

Join host Andrea Wang, ASA, ACIA, for an inspiring episode featuring Vincent Lepez, PhD, IAF (Institut des Actuaires Francais), a distinguished leader and a seasoned expert in the insurance and reinsurance industry. With decades of experience bridging academia and diverse global sectors, Vincent unveils his remarkable career journey, offering actionable insights on discovering your passion and mastering industry transitions.

Tune in to uncover how curiosity, adaptability, and strategic risk-taking can transform your professional path and unlock your fullest potential.

Roger Loomis interviews Matt Morton about the next generation of the SOA's Long-Term Care experience study. You can reach out to Matt Morton at mattmorton@illumifin.com.

Host Victor Zhao, FSA, CERA sits down with Frank Cheung, FSA, MAAA, CEO and Founder of Accorded, to explore how modeling headaches and operational friction inspired him to launch an actuarial data and analytics infrastructure startup. Frank shares how he identified the core problem, validated it through deep industry conversations, and took the leap into entrepreneurship.

Join us for an insightful conversation with host Tiana Zhao and guest Lilach Frenkel from CAAT Pension to explore the evolving world of pensions.

How do you go from working in a structured corporate actuarial role to forging your own entrepreneurial path? In this episode, Yisi Wang, FSA, CFA sits down with Jing Lang, FSA, FCIA, a seasoned actuary, writer and entrepreneur, who transitioned from corporate actuarial science to entrepreneurship. She shares her journey, the challenges she faced, and the strategies that helped her navigate uncertainty. Whether you're contemplating a career shift, exploring entrepreneurship, or simply love hearing stories of transformation, this conversation is packed with insights, inspiration, and lessons on taking calculated risks!

In this episode, Joe Alaimo interviews Joan Barret to discuss climate change, highlighting their impacts on the environment and everyday life and the roles actuaries play in assessing risks and solutions related to climate change.

Do you need professionalism credits? Look no further and listen to host Jackie Lee discuss experiences with the ABCD for counseling from guests Cathy Quock and Lydia Tolman.

Join host Silver Zhou, FSA, Chair of YPAC, for a dynamic conversation with Matthew Duke, ACAS, a seasoned actuary, insurance industry leader, and longtime volunteer in various actuarial organizations. Duke shares the deliberate and strategic steps that shaped his career in both traditional actuarial roles and non-traditional industries. Along the way, he reveals invaluable insights on the impact of mentors and coaches at different career stages and why understanding people is key to success as a business leader.

Listen in to get those professionalism CE credits with host Jackie Lee and guest Cathy Quock. They talk about the differences between actuarial communications in a consulting role or internal company setting. They reference the Code of Professional Conduct and ASOPs.

Roger Loomis talks with Eddie Armentrout of Actuarial Research Corporation about the SOA Research Institute's LTC Population Research Model, which can be used to examine the impact of public LTC plans on beneficiary finances and service utilization.

In this podcast episode, join host Tiana Zhao, FSA, CERA and guests Dennis Li, Director of Business Development and Partnerships at Amplify Life Insurance, and Christopher Rzany, Vice President of Strategic Marketing Alliances at Fidelity Life Association and eFinancial, to explore the dynamic world of partnerships. This podcast delves into challenges, evolution and emerging opportunities in this critical aspect of insurance and financial services industries.

Nick Kocisak, FSA, in his final episode as host, speaks with Si Xie, FSA, FCIA, CERA, about her experience working as an actuary in international markets. Si provides detailed insights into her observations from working in international markets, describes challenges and opportunities presented by international work, and offers advice on how you can establish your international footprint.

Join Anders Larson and Shea Parkes as they dive into the world of large language models (LLMs) again. Actuaries are familiar with matrix multiplication, which is at the heart of most LLMs, but not all actuaries are as familiar with how complex software application components work together. In this episode we tease apart the models from the applications and discuss which is responsible for what parts of the magic.

Join us for another exciting episode of YPAC podcast as host Ganiu Shefiu, FSA, FCA sits down with Yvonne Palm FCAS, FIA (African Actuary with a global mindset and a CAS board member) and Teju Scott ASA who had both trained abroad and have come back to Africa to contribute to the development of the Actuarial profession. They both share invaluable advice on how to navigate the new environment and what it takes to live in Africa and how they have contributed to the success of the local actuarial society in Africa. Finally, they spoke about volunteering and how that has impacted their lives.

Join Dave Dillon as he interviews the authors, Rich Junker and Curtis Robbins, of the new book, "Design Your Future with the Competency Framework", inspired by the Society of Actuaries Competency Framework and published by ACTEX Learning. The authors share their personal career perspectives and celebrate the worldwide diversity of actuarial careers from over 26 successful actuaries contributing to the book.

In this video, we interview Chris Lombardi, FSA, MAAA, CERA Associate Director at WTW, and Jeanne Cho Stokke, FSA, MAAA, about goal setting and people management. They share techniques and tools for actuaries to become effective leaders in the profession. Jeanne's experience as a former Pro LPGA golfer and Chris's background in jiu jitsu highlight how these skills have contributed to their career success.

In this podcast episode, join host Tiana Zhao, FSA, CERA for an insightful exploration of distribution channels and how to choose the right ones for your business. We dive deep into the various ways products and services can reach customers, from traditional retail to cutting-edge digital platforms.

Roger Loomis interviews Phyllis Shelton about innovative LTC solutions.

Philip Wright, ASA, hosts Matt Burns, FSA, on a topic that will connect deeply with young professionals: Intentional Leadership. Whether you haven't taken your first exam or early in your career, today's conversation will provide valuable insights into growing as a leader while navigating the modern challenges of our profession.

In this podcast episode, join host Tiana Zhao, FSA, CERA and guest Jason Alleyne for an insightful exploration of how the actuarial profession can adapt and shape the world of sustainability and environmental responsibility while still generating high returns.

Join the conversation as host Jackie Lee talks about the future year with the current SOA President & Chair, Amanda Hug. They discuss upcoming strategic initiatives for the SOA for the coming years.

In this podcast episode, Ashley Bybee, ASA hosts Max Martinelli, who takes us through his transition from an actuary in a traditional pricing role at a large insurance carrier to an actuarial data scientist in tech. Max provides insight into how the actuarial skill can provide value to a variety of industries and roles.

Roger Loomis interviews Randy Beams and Tanner Boyle about how they use data science to measure the effectiveness of wellness programs.

In this episode, Reko Daye, The Actuarial Foundation STEM Stars Program Manager talks with STEM Star, Emily Roman about how the STEM Stars program has positively changed her life.

Title: Cell and Gene Therapies

Description: Listen as host Jackie Lee discussed Cell and Gene Therapies with Ankit Nanda. They explore what they are, regulations, and how the FDA is handling these therapies.

https://www.soa.org/sections/health/health-newsletter/2024/may/hw-2024-05-nanda/

What is your brand? How did you get to be there? What was the moment? Whatever point of your career you are in, your brand is yours to define, to model, to sell. Tasso Bountouvas, FSA, CERA hosts Mitch Stephenson, FSA, MAAA to delve into the notion of one's personal brand and its development. Building off of Mitch's recently published article: Defining Your Brand: It's the Little Things, listen as they both share a bit of the experiences that have shaped their perspectives and advice on what it takes to succeed in branding.

Join Host Jackie Lee in a discussion of ACA hot topics in preparation for the upcoming CY 2026 filing season with Lydia Tolman.

In this episode, host Tiana Zhao, FSA, CERA explores impacts of interest rate changes on insurance market, specifically on marketing and distribution.

Listen in as host Jackie Lee talks to Suzanna-Grace Tritt about Medicare Stars again. We first began this discussion with the 2020 podcast, Health Section: Medicare Star Ratings. Is it a STAR(T) of a new era? What has happened with Stars since Covid? What happened during the summer of 2024 that was unprecedented?

Also, here are other articles from Suzanna-Grace and her Wakely team to dig deeper into Stars:

- Initial Star Ratings and the impact of a significant cut point methodology change

- Updated Star Ratings, which were changed due to SCAN and Elevance lawsuits

- CMS proposes additional temporary changes to Stars

Join us for the September edition of the YPAC podcast as host Derek Camenga, ASA, is joined by Ross Starfeldt, FSA, who discusses the various roles and challenges he has encountered throughout his career as an actuary. From his start in consulting to traditional actuarial functions to strategic leadership positions, Ross has seen a wide variety of ways in which an actuary could provide value and shares his thoughts on how these roles shaped his career for the better. Ross also shares tips on how to position yourself for different opportunities and for succeeding in any role you hold as an actuary.

In this episode Roy Ju, FSA, CERA, MAAA, joins host Nick Kocisak, ASA, to discuss how to build credibility early in your career and accelerate your professional growth. Roy shares his experience through his exam journey and highlights some of the key actions and perspectives that have fueled his success.

Join Anders Larson and Shea Parkes as they delve into the technical aspects of large language models (LLMs); this episode focuses specifically on the process of tokenization. They discuss how understanding the workings of these models can aid in interpreting their outputs and integrating them into actuarial work. The conversation covers the evolution of natural language processing, the significance of tokens in LLMs for bridging text to numbers, and the stochastic process of generating new tokens.

In this podcast episode, join host Tiana Zhao, FSA, CERA and guest Leyla Lesina, Head of Individual Markets Distribution at Guardian Life, to take an in-depth look at the current state of the US individual insurance market, including the key trends, challenges, and opportunities facing insurers. We'll explore the evolving consumer landscape, the impact of financial volatility, and discuss how to set visions and strategies in today's world.

Join us for another exciting episode of YPAC podcast as host Yisi Wang, FSA, CFA sits down with Blake Hill, FSA, FCIA, a distinguished leader in the insurtech industry. Discover the transformative power of technology in insurance, and the unique challenges and opportunities within the insurtech sector. Blake also shares invaluable career advice for young professionals and highlights the benefits of volunteering within actuarial organizations.

Host Nick Kocisak, ASA, is joined by Austin Kang, FSA, MAAA, CERA, to discuss the importance of being more than just a "number cruncher" as you fulfill your actuarial duties. Austin shares his experience working in the health consulting industry and provides lessons learned on how to leverage your actuarial background to gain trust and confidence with your clients and coworkers.

In this podcast episode, Virginette Scott, The Actuarial Foundation's Stem Stars/Math Motivators Program Specialist sets the spotlight on The Actuarial Foundation's Math Motivators program. Virginette's guests are Barry Jacobson, retired actuary and the visionary founder of Math Motivators, and Jill Geritano, the parent of a former and a current Math Motivators student, who both thrived in the program. We will delve into the history of the Math Motivators program with Barry and explore its transformative impact on the educational journeys of students who have participated.

In this episode, we explore the rapidly evolving landscape of emerging risks and how they are impacting the world of marketing and distribution. From climate change and artificial intelligence to financial volatility and geopolitical landscapes, we'll dive deep into the key challenges and opportunities facing businesses today.

In this podcast episode, Jonas Brobbey hosts Elizabeth Dietrich FSA, CERA, MAAA, who takes us through her career journey from Actuary to CFO and provides actionable tips on navigating and forging a successful career as an Actuary.

After being in effect for over three years, the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) expired in May 2023. From the start of the PHE, state Medicaid programs applied continuous coverage (or non-termination) requirements to access additional federal matching funds provided through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 ended the Medicaid continuous coverage requirements in March 2023, disconnecting the federal match requirements from the PHE. This change was projected to result in millions of individuals losing their Medicaid coverage, raising questions about significant short-term and long-term impacts on state Medicaid programs and other health insurance markets. During this podcast, our guests discuss where we are over a year into the unwinding of the continuous coverage requirements, as well as the projected effects on health coverage for the Medicaid population. Presenters also shared considerations for addressing the unwinding in Medicaid managed care capitation rate-setting.

Join host Nick Kocisak, ASA and guest Taylor Pickett, FSA, MAAA for a discussion of the importance of leveraging foundational actuarial principles and communicating effectively when working in innovative areas of the profession. Taylor shares his experience working with accelerated underwriting programs around the industry and provides insights into how he and his team help insurers get comfortable with the assumptions developed for each unique program.

Join us for a conversation that journeys from the 1980's to today, exploring how technology along with the nature of actuarial work has evolved. On this podcast, Bill Sayre, FSA (an actuary with decades of experience) will take Shang Xu, FSA (a Gen Z actuary) into the past, examine how the nature of actuarial work changed with the advancements in technology, how actuarial analysis became more sophisticated as products became more complex. This podcast highlights the only constant throughout history is change and encourages the listeners to stay curious and embrace the changes we face in our profession.

In this podcast Joe Alaimo interviews Rahul Nawab, SVP, Analytics at EXL to discuss cyber insurance evolution, risk mitigation, and emerging trends. They explore emerging trends, adaptive strategies, data analytics, and insurer innovations in cyber insurance and risk mitigation.

In this episode, Dave Dillon has a conversation with Ashwag Alzahrani; Saudi Arabia's First Female FSA.

Join us for a conversation dedicated to helping actuaries navigate the complexities of "managing up" in their profession. On this podcast, Tasha Boland, FSA and Morgan Zuidema, FSA will delve into practical strategies and insights for building effective relationships with managers, understanding leadership styles, and achieving career growth within actuarial teams. From communication techniques to goal-setting strategies, listeners will gain valuable tips to elevate their professional presence and excel in their actuarial careers.

In the next installment in a series to further explore and differentiate the regulatory bodies and rating agencies overseeing the insurance industry, this podcast presents a conversation with Fred Anderson, Chief Life Actuary for the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Fred describes his role as the Chief Life Actuary for the state as well as the interaction between state insurance departments and the NAIC, current priorities at the NAIC, and a view on future regulatory changes and how they will affect financial reporting actuaries.

Join new host Nick Kocisak, ASA, and Mike McPhee Anderson, FSA, to learn about Mike's unique educational background and the importance of data science know-how in the actuarial world. In this episode, Mike discusses some advantages of continuing education and dispels data science "dirty words" like Poisson distribution and decision tree in hopes that actuaries will embrace these advanced techniques and continue to drive the profession forward!

In this episode, Dave Dillon discusses some basics of gene and cell therapies with Marnie Bute of AON and Kristi Bohn of RGA, including a summary on the science, costs, as well as network and coverage concerns.

In this episode Joe Alaimo interviews Joan Barret, Achilles Natsis and Tony Pistilli to discuss total risk analysis, a technique that provides a consistent methodology for answering questions like "what are the chances we will lose more than $1 million?"

Roger Loomis gets to know Mike Bergerson and learns about the upcoming webcast "LTC M&A—Are the Floodgates Opening?" The webcast is on May 23rd 2024 from 12:00 to 1:15 PM ET. Please register here: https://www.soa.org/prof-dev/webcasts/2024-ltc-floodgates/

Listen as host Jackie Lee discusses GLP-1s and their role in Weight Loss Management, with Tyler Engel. They discuss how these drugs are being used and what actuaries should consider when assessing their costs and implications.

In the final episode of this mini-series, Shea and Anders cover the other common tree-based ensemble model, the Gradient Boosting Machine. Like Random Forests, GBMs make use of a large number of decision trees, but they use a "boosting" approach that cleverly makes use of "weak learners" to incrementally extract information from the data. After an explanation of how GBMs work, we compare them to Random Forests and go over a few examples where they have used GBMs in their own work.

Nichole Semprit, The Actuarial Foundation Senior Program Specialist and Channy Cornejo, AP Calculus and AP Statistics Instructor at Santa Teresa High School discuss how the Foundation math competitions, Modeling the Future Challenge and The Hardest Math Problem Student Contest help students expand their skills, build confidence and win college scholarships.

Listen in as host Jackie Lee talks with Joan Barrett about the recent research paper, "Calculated Risk: Driving Decisions Using the 5/50 Research." The discussion and report will help you answer key questions like "what are the chances we will lose more than $1million."

Join us for another exciting YPAC podcast as host Shawn Stender, FSA, MAAA, discusses unique actuarial career journeys with Lana Marozava, ASA, CERA, and Joe Long, ASA, MAAA. This podcast will shed light on the numerous different paths that young professionals can take on their journey to become an actuary. Whether that means changing careers from a teacher, project manager, or data scientist or just taking the exams at your own pace—this podcast will help young actuaries understand that there is more than one way to be successful in actuarial work.