SOA Podcasts - Society of Actuaries

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.

Join Frank Yeager, FSA and Chris Smith, ASA for an insightful discussion about leadership, the future of actuarial consulting, and the value of strong relationships. Frank shares his advice for aspiring and early-career actuaries gleaned over the course of a two-decade long career at Mercer that has culminated in his latest role as US Health Actuarial and Financial Group Leader.