SOA Podcasts - Society of Actuaries
396 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 days ago - ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsThis is the official podcast feed of the Society of Actuaries
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Episodes
Actuary of the Future: Launching Your Actuarial Career: Frank Yeager
April 16, 2024 16:18 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBJoin 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.
Health Section: Leadership Series: Tim Rozar
April 15, 2024 12:00 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MBListen as host Jackie Lee talks with SOA President and Chair, Tim Rozar. They discuss Tim’s actuarial and volunteer background and the SOA’s goals for the year to come. Be sure to check out Tim’s Presidential address here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BG0AhwX6Ic
Product Development Section: Promises and Risks of Emerging Data in Insurance
April 12, 2024 14:00 - 50 minutes - 46 MBPodcast on the industry adoption of emerging data sets across the insurance value chain. The participants include recognized leaders from business, regulation, legal, and innovation. The discussion covers current adoption practices, business opportunity, regulatory and legal considerations.
Emerging Topics Community: Return to Trees, Part 3: Random Forest
April 10, 2024 12:00 - 31 minutes - 28.5 MBBuilding on the discussion of individual decision trees in the prior episode, Shea and Anders shift to one of today’s most popular ensemble models, the Random Forest. At first glance, the algorithm may seem like a brute force approach of simply running hundreds or thousands of decision trees, but it leverages the concept of “bagging” to avoid overfitting and attempt to learn as much as possible from the entire data sets, not just a few key features. We close by covering strengths and weakne...
Health Section: Actuaries Discuss Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
April 01, 2024 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MBDave Dillion and Bryon Robidoux discuss the book Dare to Lead, which was the Joint Risk Management and Leadership & Development Sections book club selection for December. They discuss what it means for managers to be vulnerable. How to give and receive feedback from both a manager’s perspective and the direct report perspective. The end the podcast talking about actuaries can be more curious and innovative.
Young Professional Advisory Council: Professionalism – The Code and Beyond
March 25, 2024 14:49 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBWhat is professionalism? Is it just following the law? The code/rules of professional conduct? Is it more than both of those? Listen to our podcast where YPAC member Patrick Samborsky, ASA, MAAA discusses professionalism with Charly J Pazdor, FSA retired, who has written about professionalism for The Actuary magazine as well as being a course director and facilitator for the FAC.
Emerging Topics Community: Return to Trees, Part 2: Single Decision Trees
March 20, 2024 12:00 - 42 minutes - 38.5 MBShea and Anders dive into tree-based algorithms, starting with the most fundamental variety, the single decision tree. We cover the mechanics of a decision tree and provide a comparison to linear models. A solid understanding of how a decision tree works is critical to fully grasp the nuances of the more powerful ensemble models, the Random Forest and Gradient Boosting Machine. In addition, single decision trees can still be useful either as a starting point for building more complex models...
Health Section: Great Unwinding
March 18, 2024 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MBJoin host Jackie Lee and guest Colby Schaeffer as they delve into the recent SOA research paper, “Modeling the Impact of the Great Unwinding on State Medicaid Programs.” They explore the model presented in the research paper and discuss the societal and actuarial implications of the Great Unwinding. Tune in to learn more about this important topic.
Health Section: Neurofeedback: A Potential Game Changer for Mental Healthcare?
March 04, 2024 12:00 - 21 minutes - 20.1 MBDave Dillon talks to psychologist Matt Fleischman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Neurofeedback Advocacy Project, and Charlie Doe, a retired group health actuary, about neurofeedback, infra-low frequency (ILF) neurofeedback, the data on over 500 clients who have completed 20 sessions of ILF neurofeedback, and the prospect to expand neurofeedback's availability.
Financial Reporting Section: Demystifying Regulatory Bodies and Rating Agencies (Part 1): AM Best
February 29, 2024 15:00 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MBIn the first of a series to further explore and differentiate the regulatory bodies and rating agencies overseeing the insurance industry, this podcast presents a conversation with Matthew Mosher, MAAA, FCAS, CERA, President and CEO of AM Best Rating Services. Matt presents an overview of the goals of and approaches taken to evaluate insurance companies with a focus on the important considerations for financial reporting actuaries and how they assist the relationship between AM Best and the ...
Actuary of the Future: Launching Your Actuarial Career: Jim Cristallo
February 28, 2024 20:00 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBJoin Jim Cristallo, FSA and Chris Smith, ASA for an insightful discussion as they dive into the topics of entrepreneurship, blockchain, baseball cards, and - of course - tips and tools for early-career actuaries.
Long Term Care Section: Update on Public LTC Financing Exploration in California
February 28, 2024 15:00 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MBRoger Loomis interviews Stephanie Moench about her research supporting the exploration of a statewide Long Term Care insurance program in California.
Emerging Topics Community: Return to Trees, Part 1: Overview of Tree-Based Algorithms
February 28, 2024 12:00 - 10 minutes - 9.32 MBThis is the first episode in a new mini-series, “Return to Trees”. In this series, Shea and Anders will be covering tree-based algorithms, including single decision trees, Random Forests, and Gradient Boosting Machines. In this episode, we discuss the rationale for re-visiting these models, which were covered in older podcast episodes in the mid-2010s, as well as an overview of what’s to come in the remaining episodes of the mini-series.
Young Professional Advisory Council: From Career Crossroads to Volunteering: A Non-Traditional Actuarial Odyssey
February 26, 2024 12:00 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MBPrepare for a dynamic conversation on the YPAC podcast as host Silver Zhou, FSA, engages in a rich discussion with special guest, Kelly Hennigan, FSA, CFA, a leader in business who transitioned away from traditional actuarial roles. From the impactful influence of mentors on career paths, navigating trust in the workplace, and the intricacies of working with non-actuaries, this episode promises special insights and perspective. Also, discover the secrets of staying motivated and dedicated to...
Health Section: Critical Illness: Past, Present & Future
February 19, 2024 12:00 - 24 minutes - 22 MBListen to Ashlee Borcan and Jennifer Howard of Milliman discuss the past, present and future of critical illness insurance. This podcast is based on the article, “Critical Illness Turns 40!”, written by Ashlee and Jennifer.
The Actuarial Foundation’s Impact: Celebrating our 30th Anniversary
February 07, 2024 12:00 - 11 minutes - 8.16 MBJeff Johnson, The Actuarial Foundation immediate past board chairperson talks with Andy Ferris, current board chairperson and incoming board chairperson, Sharon Robinson about the vital work being done by the Foundation. The group highlights how the Foundation’s advancement efforts positively influence the lives of our students and how the actuarial community drives our impact. Visit the https://actuarialfoundation.org/ for more information.
Health Section: Unveiling Healthcare’s Hidden Numbers: Navigating the Landscape of Price Transparency and Coverage Data
February 05, 2024 12:00 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBDive deep into the world of healthcare data with industry experts discussing the groundbreaking machine-readable files, unraveling hospital charges, discounted cash prices, and negotiated rates with health plans. Learn about the positive applications and pitfalls within these extensive datasets, gaining valuable insights from experts who have navigated the complexities of transparency in coverage.
Young Professional Advisory Council: Actuarial Career In Reinsurance - The Experience And Insights of Stephen Abrokwah Ph.D, FSA, CERA, MAAA
February 03, 2024 01:05 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBIn this podcast, fast-rising leader in the reinsurance space, Stephen Abrokwah Ph.D, FSA, CERA, MAAA, shares some general knowledge about reinsurance and delves a bit more into his own career journey and experience as a client-facing reinsurance Actuary.
Actuary of the Future: Launching Your Actuarial Career: Ryan Wodarski
January 30, 2024 15:00 - 25 minutes - 23 MBIt's a new year and a new episode! Listen in as Ryan Wodarski, ASA, and host Chris Smith, ASA, discuss how to stand out to employers, transition successfully from the ASA to the FSA exam track, and plenty of other tips for early career actuaries.
Actuary of the Future: Launching Your Actuarial Career: Vy Le
December 27, 2023 15:00 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MBJoin Vy Le, FSA, CERA and Chris Smith, ASA for a great discussion of topics that include pursuing your passions (both at work and outside of it), the value of education and the SOA exam track, and - of course - tips and tools for early-career actuaries.
Young Professional Advisory Council: Being An Actuary In Latin America - Part Two
December 25, 2023 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBJoin Roberto Gomez, ASA, and Kiu Yuen, FSA, as they explore the Actuarial world within Latin America with their expert panel in this two-part episode. This discussion promises a rich conversation covering topics like the journey of becoming an actuary, the role of SOA in Latin America, and the myriad career paths that actuaries can embark upon. Whether you're an aspiring actuary or an industry professional, this episode is your gateway to understanding the nuances of being an actuary in La...
Marketing and Distribution Section: Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in Insurance Product Development Part 2
December 22, 2023 12:00 - 36 minutes - 33 MBDiscover the role that a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) has in insurance product development in our two-part podcast series. Experts Joe Alaimo and Chris Siudzinski explore how MVP and agile software development can innovate insurance solutions.
Emerging Topics Community: Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in Insurance Product Development Part 2
December 22, 2023 12:00 - 36 minutes - 33 MBDiscover the role that a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) has in insurance product development in our two-part podcast series. Experts Joe Alaimo and Chris Siudzinski explore how MVP and agile software development can innovate insurance solutions.
Health Section: The Biosimilar Wave
December 18, 2023 12:00 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MBAre the many new biologic drugs that launch each year bringing the clinical innovation that patients desperately need or the financial doom that healthcare benefit plan sponsors and their members cannot afford? Or both? What are biosimilar drugs and how can they help? This podcast and its related series of articles in Health Watch helps actuaries better understand the potential clinical and financial impact that the coming wave of biosimilars could have on our healthcare system and how pl...
Health Section: The Inflation Reduction Act: What Should Actuaries Know?
December 04, 2023 12:00 - 21 minutes - 19.5 MBIn this podcast, Jackie Lee interviews Milliman Principal Gabriela Dieguez on the highlights of the Inflation Reduction Act and how it is shaping Medicare Part D, the largest prescription drug program in the world.
Actuary of the Future: Launching Your Actuarial Career: Jennifer Lang
December 01, 2023 15:00 - 36 minutes - 28.1 MBJoin Jennifer Lang, FIAA and Chris Smith, ASA for a great discussion on this latest episode of the Actuary of the Future section’s podcast for aspiring actuaries. Topics include actuaries’ intersection with the field of data science, our role in helping manage the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and - of course - tips and tools for early-career actuaries.
Marketing and Distribution Section: Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in Insurance Product Development
December 01, 2023 12:00 - 35 minutes - 32.8 MBDiscover the role that a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) has in insurance product development in our two-part podcast series. Experts Joe Alaimo and Chris Siudzinski explore how MVP and agile software development can innovate insurance solutions.
Emerging Topics Community: Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in Insurance Product Development
December 01, 2023 12:00 - 35 minutes - 32.8 MBDiscover the role that a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) has in insurance product development in our two-part podcast series. Experts Joe Alaimo and Chris Siudzinski explore how MVP and agile software development can innovate insurance solutions.
Young Professional Advisory Council: Being an Actuary in Latin America - Part One
November 29, 2023 17:01 - 23 minutes - 21.6 MBJoin Roberto Gomez, ASA, and Kiu Yuen, FSA, as they explore the Actuarial world within Latin America with their expert panel within a two part episode. This discussion promises a rich conversation covering topics like the journey of becoming an actuary, the role of SOA in Latin America, and the myriad career paths that actuaries can embark upon. Whether you're an aspiring actuary or an industry professional, this episode is your gateway to understanding the nuances of being an actuary in Lat...
Young Professional Advisory Council: A Little Help from My Friends: The Power of Networking with SOA Sections
October 30, 2023 11:00 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MBJoin Morgan Zuidema, FSA, and Bryon Robidoux as they take you into the world of SOA Sections. Uncover the practical insights, tools, and strategies that can help you leverage Sections to advance your professional journey through becoming a "Friend of a Section". Gain a comprehensive understanding of what Sections are, their tangible benefits, and how they can be a pivotal asset in shaping your career for success.
Emerging Topics Community: Actuaries in the Age of AI: A conversation with ChatGPT
October 12, 2023 21:09 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBIn this captivating podcast, Joe Alaimo, CEO of ProComp, sits down with ChatGPT, one of the most advanced AI models, to delve into the future of the actuarial profession. ChatGPT provides thought-provoking insights and predictions on where the profession is headed, the challenges that lie ahead, and the opportunities that come with embracing innovation. Whether you're a seasoned actuary, a student, or just someone fascinated by the intersection of AI and actuarial science, this podcast ...
Social Insurance & Public Finance Section: Episode 4 - Social Security: A Look Ahead
October 11, 2023 15:17 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MBIn the conclusion of a four-part series, Bruce Schobel and Geof Hileman discuss what lies ahead for the Social Security program. The trust funds are projected to be depleted around 2034, but what does that really mean for beneficiaries? And what can be done?
Social Insurance & Public Finance Section: Episode 3 - Social Security: Benefit Calculations
October 11, 2023 15:15 - 36 minutes - 33.5 MBIn Part 3 of a four-part series, Bruce Schobel and Geof Hileman dive deep into some of the finer calculation details related to Social Security benefits. If you don't know what a bend point or a COLA is, this episode is for you.
Social Insurance & Public Finance Section: Episode 2 - Social Security: Key Beneficiary Decisions
October 11, 2023 15:11 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MBIn Part 2 of a four-part series, Bruce Schobel and Geof Hileman analyze some of the key decisions that retirees face, most importantly the critical question of when to start receiving Social Security benefits. Disability benefits and spousal benefits are also covered in this episode.
Social Insurance & Public Finance Section: Episode 1 - Social Security: An Overview
October 11, 2023 14:52 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MBIn Part 1 of a four-part series, Bruce Schobel and Geof Hileman discuss the history and structure of the Social Security program, which provides benefits to over 66 million Americans each month. In this episode, you will learn why you should care about this program, both as an actuary and as a taxpayer and likely future beneficiary.
Actuary of the Future: Launching Your Actuarial Career: Dominic Lee, The Maverick Actuary
October 02, 2023 11:00 - 48 minutes - 44.8 MBThe Maverick Actuary, Dominic Lee, ACAS reflects on his dynamic career journey which traverses insurance, software, content creation, and public speaking with host Chris Smith, ASA. Dominic shares granular insights on opportunities for actuaries outside of insurance, AI's impact on the actuarial profession, navigating career moves, presenting to senior leaders, and working remotely in a post-pandemic world.
Young Professional Advisory Council: The Actuary’s International Roadmap
September 25, 2023 11:00 - 21 minutes - 20.1 MBJoin us for a captivating episode as YPAC Member Silver Zhou, FSA, MAAA, sits down with special guest Andres (Andy) Montes, ASA, MAAA, MBA. Delving into Andy's one-of-a-kind international career journey, offering valuable insights for those looking to shape their own distinctive career paths. Discover the benefits of working abroad and how to seize those exciting prospects!
Actuary of the Future: Launching Your Actuarial Career: Mary Pat Campbell
September 18, 2023 14:15 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MBJoin Chris Smith, ASA, and Mary Pat Campbell, FSA for an insightful discussion full of tips and tricks for early-career actuaries and those aspiring to enter the field (as well as a brief detour into the topic of poker).
Entrepreneurial and Innovation Section: Everyday Entrepreneur: From Dance to Actuarial Innovation
September 13, 2023 17:36 - 34 minutes - 32 MBHost Rong Rong, FSA, CPCU, and Arthur da Silva, FSA, FCIA, talk about how dancing and music relate to an actuarial career and what day-to-day work is like in a start-up company.
Long Term Care Section: LTC Innovation and Wellness
September 13, 2023 13:48 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBRoger Loomis and Erik Wenzel discuss Assured Allies wellness program which reports it can reduce LTC claim costs by 18%.
Health Section: SDOH Beyond the Numbers
September 11, 2023 11:00 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBListen in as host Jackie Lee and guests Rebecca Owen and Sara Teppema delve into the intricate world of social determinants of health (SDOH) and their profound impact on actuarial workstreams. They explore how SDOH data, sourced from a range of primary and secondary sources, shapes actuarial decisions in the healthcare sector. From ethical considerations surrounding human data to the evolving landscape of health information, they discuss the strategies and insights that guide actuaries in le...
Emerging Topics Community: AI and the Future of Actuarial Work: Shaping the Future of Insurance and Actuarial Science
September 08, 2023 13:00 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBWelcome to the final episode of our 3-part series on AI and ChatGPT and their implications for actuaries. In this concluding episode, Joe Alaimo, CEO of ProComp, is joined by Deloitte AIS team members and AI experts Andrew McLeod and Harrison Jones to explore the future trajectory of AI technology and its potential disruption of the insurance and actuarial professions. They reflect on the lessons learned from the adoption of ML/AI technologies in the past decade and anticipate how the impac...
Financial Reporting Section: Assumption Governance Overview
August 30, 2023 13:00 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MBIndustry experts discuss the latest trends and developments relating to assumption governance, especially as it relates to financial reporting and valuation work.
Young Professional Advisory Council: Supporting the Future
August 28, 2023 11:00 - 15 minutes - 13.8 MBJoin Young Professional Advisory Council Chair Kiu Yuen, FSA, MAAA as she chats with SOA’s Beth Gall, Senior Director, Member and Candidate Engagement. Beth discusses the various ways SOA supports candidates, members, DEI initiatives and volunteerism.
Entrepreneurial and Innovation Section: Everyday Entrepreneur: Conversation with a Generalist Actuary
July 31, 2023 15:15 - 42 minutes - 38.7 MBHost Rong Rong, FSA, CPCU, learns about uncommon actuarial and entrepreneurship experiences with generalist actuary Sam Wehner, ASA, MAAA.
Young Professional Advisory Council- Actuarial Careers: Consulting vs. Insurance
July 31, 2023 11:00 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBJoin Lisa Jiang, FSA, MAAA and Young Professional Advisory Council (YPAC) member as she talks with fellow YPAC member Patrick Samborsky, ASA, MAAA, and colleagues Jing Qian, ASA, MAAA and Joyce Wang, FCAS about their unique experiences working in both consulting and insurance.
Emerging Topics Community: Reimagining Actuarial Reporting with AI: Introducing ReportGen.AI (Part 2 of 3)
July 28, 2023 12:00 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MBWelcome back to part 2 of our 3-part series on AI and ChatGPT, where we continue to explore the potential impacts of AI on the actuarial profession. In this episode, Joe Alaimo, CEO of ProComp, resumes the conversation with Deloitte AIS team members and AI experts, Andrew McLeod and Harrison Jones, focusing on a fictional AI product named ReportGen.AI. This innovative concept aims to revolutionize actuarial reporting by streamlining and enhancing the process. Together, they discuss the bene...
Health Section: Optimizing Operations - an Interview with Chad Hollenback
July 03, 2023 12:30 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBDave Dillon talks with Chad Hollenback about his new role as Executive Director of Resource Management FP&A at Aetna - and the lessons he's learned along the way. From key leadership initiatives to implementation missteps - Chad shares his thoughts on getting the most out of people and creating a positive and productive workplace.
Long Term Care Section: Interview with LTCI Producer Sally Leimbach
June 29, 2023 14:33 - 35 minutes - 32.1 MBRoger Loomis discuss the past and future of the LTC insurance industry with an LTC sales veteran.
Young Professional Advisory Council: A DEI Discussion
June 26, 2023 11:00 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBListen in on a robust conversation with Harrison Lin, FSA, MAAA, YPAC member and Vice-Chair of the SOA DEI Committee as he discusses exciting new DEI initiatives with Karthik Balaji, FSA, EA and Chair of the Joint Committee on Inclusion, Equity & Diversity.