Actuary Voices

Hosted by American Academy of Actuaries

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Actuary Voices is the official podcast of the American Academy of Actuaries. This podcast brings you thoughtful conversations on the role of professionalism in both actuaries' day jobs and the Academy's public policy work.

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August 6, 202630 min

Managing Risk in a World of Polycrisis with Rade Musulin

In this episode of Actuary Voices , Preeti Vasishtha sits down with Rade Musulin, longtime Academy volunteer, recipient of the 2025 Jarvis Farley Service Award, and author of Managing Risk in a World of Polycrisis, the cover story of the July/August 2026 issue of Contingencies . The conversation explores systems thinking, scenario analysis, climate and geopolitical risk, and the limitations of relying solely on historical data and sophisticated models. Rade also discusses how actuaries can help policymakers navigate uncertainty, why judgment remains essential alongside analytics, and what every actuary can do to better prepare for an increasingly complex and interconnected world. Additional Resources: Read Rade's Full Article: Managing Risk in a World of Polycrisis Read Academy President Tricia Matson's latest President's Message: Custodians of Financial Security Read the Policy Paper: Climate Scenario Considerations for U.S. Own Risk Solvency Assessment (ORSA)

July 31, 202615 min

Policy Update: Representing the U.S. Actuarial Perspective Globally

In this episode of Actuary Voices: Policy Update, host Ted Gotsch speaks with Will Behnke, public policy manager for the Academy's Risk Management and Financial Reporting Council, and Lisa Slotznick, chairperson of the Academy's International Committee, about why international engagement matters for the U.S. actuarial profession. The conversation explores how the Academy represents U.S. actuarial perspectives on global issues such as solvency regulation, financial reporting, artificial intelligence, and emerging risks. Will and Lisa also discuss the Academy's growing international role, the importance of participating in the 2026 International Congress of Actuaries in Tokyo, and how international collaboration helps inform public policy and strengthen the profession at home and abroad.

July 16, 202623 min

The Hidden Cost of Complexity: Pietro Parodi on Smarter Actuarial Models

In this episode of Actuary Voices , Pietro Parodi, pricing actuary, author, and thought leader, shares his unconventional path into the actuarial profession, from studying physics and AI to becoming one of the industry's leading voices on pricing and actuarial modeling. Pietro discusses why more data doesn't always lead to better decisions, the importance of building models that are both accurate and understandable, and how actuaries can avoid the trap of unnecessary complexity. He also shares his perspective on artificial intelligence, the value of critical thinking, and his widely used textbook, Pricing in General Insurance . Additional Resources: Read the Professionalism Discussion Paper: Roles of the Actuary Actuarial Models . Read the Resource & Discussion Guide: Actuarial Review of Investments in Actuarial Modeling Learn More About the Actuarial Stnadards Board's Modeling Actuarial Standard of Practice .

June 25, 202622 min

GLP-1s Explained: Beyond the Weightloss with Dr. Kimberly Ferrero

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are making headlines for weight loss, but their potential impact goes far beyond the numbers on a scale. Could these drugs reshape health care spending, insurance coverage, longevity, and even the assumptions actuaries use to model risk? In this episode of Actuary Voices, Contingencies Editor-in-Chief Preeti Vasishtha speaks with Dr. Kimberly Ferrero, the American Academy of Actuaries' Assistant Director of Research. Drawing on her background in cardiovascular and metabolic disease research, Dr. Ferrero explores the science behind GLP-1 therapies, the promises and uncertainties surrounding their long-term effects, and why actuaries are watching their rapid adoption so closely. The conversation examines affordability, insurer costs, mortality assumptions, patient behavior, health equity, and the question at the center of today's debate: Will the impressive results seen in clinical trials translate into lasting improvements at the population level? Additional Resources: Read Dr. Ferrero's article: How GLP-1 Drugs Are Shaping Care, Cost, and Coverage . Learn More About How Weightloss Drugs Effect Health care Costs in the Drivers of 2026 Premium Changes issue brief. Read Sam Gutterman's Last Word article on Weightloss Drugs, Weight and See?

June 4, 202617 min

Hidden to Heard: Transgender Visibility and the Power of Data with Cynthia Edwalds

In this episode of Actuary Voices, Cynthia Edwalds, treasurer of the Sexuality and Gender Alliance of Actuaries (SAGAA), talks about her path to becoming an actuary, the importance of visibility and community within the profession, and the challenges of understanding risks when data doesn't tell the full story. She explores how actuaries account for missing data, barriers to insurance access, the evolution of underwriting practices, and how actuarial expertise can help create more informed and inclusive systems. Cynthia also shares how SAGAA supports both actuaries and aspiring actuaries through networking, mentorship, advocacy, and scholarships. Additional Resources: Read the Academy's Issue Brief on Valuing Gender Expansive Data Read the Academy's Policy Paper on Social Security and Financially Disadvantaged Groups Learn more about the Sexuality and Gender Alliance of Actuaries (SAGAA) If you or someone you know needs support, help is available in the United States by calling or texting 988.

June 1, 202623 min

Policy Update: Tariffs, Inflation, and Rising Auto Insurance Costs

In this episode of Actuary Voices: Policy Update, host Ted Gotsch sits down with Rob Fischer, Margo MacKenzie, and Jeff Clinch to explore one of the most pressing issues facing consumers and insurers today: the rising cost of auto insurance. The conversation examines the factors driving affordability challenges across the auto insurance market, including inflation, vehicle repair costs, changing driving patterns, advanced vehicle technology, and the growing uncertainty surrounding tariffs and global supply chains. Margo and Jeff also discuss the Academy's recent issue brief on tariffs and auto insurance, explaining how actuaries evaluate emerging risks when historical data may no longer tell the full story. Additional Resources: Read the Academy's Issue Brief, Tariffs and Personal Auto Insurance: An Actuarial Perspective Learn More About the Casualty Practice Council and Its Public Policy Work Explore Additional Academy Resources on Insurance Affordability and Risk Management

May 21, 202638 min

Leading the Actuarial Profession Forward: Insights from Tricia Matson

In this episode of Actuary Voices, Academy President Tricia Matson and Academy Executive Director Bill Michalisin reflect on the challenges and opportunities shaping the actuarial profession today. From AI and climate risk to affordability and demographic changes, they discuss what feels most consequential right now and why actuaries are uniquely equipped to help organizations and society make sense of uncertainty. They explore the importance of professionalism, stakeholder engagement, governance, and the Academy's mission to serve both the profession and the public. Tricia also shares what has surprised her most about serving as president, where she believes the Academy has shown up strongest this year, and what she hopes to accomplish during the remainder of her term. Additional Resources: Read President, Trica Matson's Latest President's Message- https://actuary.org/article/how-academy-membership-helped-me-grow-in-my-career/ Read Executive Director, William Michalisin Latest CEO Insights- https://actuary.org/article/bringing-member-value-to-life/ Learn More About Academy Governance- https://actuary.org/about/governance/

April 23, 202619 min

AI Won't Replace Actuaries: Melissa McDermott on How AI Will Change (Nearly) Everything

Artificial intelligence is moving quickly, but the real question for actuaries is how to use it well and what it means for the profession. In this episode of Actuary Voices, Everest's Chief Actuary Melissa McDermott shares what she thinks about her role. We go beyond technical expertise and look into what it means to be a leader and how to navigate the changing AI landscape. Drawing on nearly three decades in the profession, she discusses where AI is already making a real difference in actuarial workflows, what is still overhyped, how leaders can guide teams through transformation, and what early-career actuaries should focus on now to stay valuable in the years ahead. Additional Resources: Read the Academy's paper on generative AI: https://www.actuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/professionalism-paper-generative-ai.pdf Read President, Trica Matson's Message on Actuarial & Algorithmic Accountability: https://actuary.org/article/actuarial-algorithmic-accountability-setting-ethical-standards-for-ai/

April 9, 202629 min

Inside the NAIC Spring Meeting with Katie Dzurec: AI, Risk, and What's Next

Growing affordability concerns. Conversations about how AI is reshaping access to insurance. The NAIC Spring 2026 Meeting covered a lot of ground, and the Academy was at the center of it. In this episode of Actuary Voices, host Ted Gotsch talks with Katie Dzurec, the Academy's Director of State Public Policy Outreach, about the key takeaways from this year's meeting. Katie shares what regulators are prioritizing right now and how actuaries fit into the conversation. Additional Resources : Read Katie's full recap on the Actuarially Sound blog: https://actuary.org/publication/actuarially-sound/ Read the Academy's recent research findings on risk-based capital (RBC) and impairment: https://actuary.org/resources/academy-presents-on-research-at-naic-spring-meeting/ Read the Academy HPC's Updates to HATF: https://actuary.org/resources/hpc-provides-updates-to-hatf-at-naic-spring-meeting/

March 12, 202623 min

Decoding the Economy & AI Investments: Insights from an Economist

In the latest episode of Actuary Voices, Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at Cotality, joins host Preeti Vasishtha for a conversation about the economy, housing trends, and AI investments.