Adrian Valdez spent 20+ years in military operations. Now he's applying battlefield planning to insurance claims. Learn why "one bullet at a time" beats multitasking, how to plan backwards, and why your claim process needs a rock drill.

In this episode of Beyond the Sketch, Brittany Harris (Sketch My Roof) sits down with Bryan Falchuk, TEDx speaker, bestselling author of "Do A Day," and President & CEO of PLRB. Brian shares how his "Do A Day" philosophy helps insurance professionals tackle overwhelm in high-pressure roles, why he photoshopped himself onto Oprah's couch (and what happened next), and how he's evolving PLRB to serve the next generation of claims adjusters. From discussing the power of asking for what you want to explaining why insurance "dinosaurs" are still thriving (spoiler: they can fly), Brian brings refreshing perspective on disruption versus evolution, building healthy cross-departmental relationships, and why curiosity is the secret ingredient to both career success and personal fulfillment. Plus: hear why your parrot might actually be a dinosaur.

Julian Badillo didn't take the traditional path to becoming one of the youngest NACA board members and an Xactimate Mobile trainer for Pilot Catastrophe—he sent 300+ emails in a single month, turned grief into purpose, and bet on himself when others doubted. In this episode, Julian breaks down his mobile-first workflow from front door to closed claim, shares why AI is both threat and advantage to adjusters, and explains how he built his career on Facebook groups and stubborn persistence. From The Sims to sketch AR, from Puerto Rican pronunciation debates to the ethics of large language models, Julian brings raw honesty about the feast-or-famine reality of independent adjusting while showing exactly how to create opportunities when storms aren't hitting. Plus: the father voicemail story you need to hear, why seasoned adjusters get estimates wrong, and the billboard message inspired by his late brother Ryan. Whether you're struggling to break in or looking to level up your exact mobile game, Julian's "all in" philosophy might be exactly what you need to hear.

Key Topics:

• Xactimate Mobile workflow and sketch AR capabilities
• AI tools in adjusting (ChatGPT, Xact AI, Google Notebook LM)
• Building a career through networking and volume outreach
• The future of independent adjusting post-2024 hurricane season
• Common estimating mistakes from rookies to veterans
• Training, consulting, and alternative career paths in insurance

Guest: Julian Badillo – Xactimate Mobile Trainer & Consultant, Pilot Catastrophe | NACA Board Member

Hurricane season officially ends today, and while 2025 didn't bring a U.S. landfall, we're closing it out with the real deal: Dr. Hurricane Hal Needham.

In this episode of Beyond the Sketch, Dr. Needham breaks down what it actually takes to survive extreme weather, from understanding wind and flooding to the often-overlooked dangers of storm surge. We dive into forensic meteorology, the critical role of hurricane hunters in collecting real-time data, and why impact-based forecasting is changing how communities prepare for disasters.

But here's the contrarian angle: Dr. Needham explains why human complacency is one of the biggest threats we face. With populations in vulnerable coastal areas exploding and a quiet hurricane season potentially lulling people into a false sense of security, the real risk isn't just the next storm. It's whether we're ready for it.

We also discuss data-driven risk analysis, how past weather events inform future predictions, and why communicating risks in simple, actionable terms can save lives. If you think a calm hurricane season means you're off the hook, think again.

This is the hurricane conversation the insurance industry needs to hear.

Burnout Isn't the Problem, Your Nervous System Is

Think you can power through burnout with a vacation or a long weekend? Think again. Chelsy Bell Carpenter, former large-loss adjuster turned burnout recovery expert, reveals why your body won't let you rest—even when you're exhausted.

After quitting her 10-year insurance career in a single night, Chelsy discovered something terrifying: her cells were aging like she was in her 60s. She was 35. The culprit? A nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight mode for years.

In this episode, Chelsy breaks down:

• Why "work-life balance" is a myth (and what to aim for instead)
• The early warning signs of burnout that high performers miss for MONTHS
• How chronic stress literally changes your body at a cellular level
• Why discipline isn't dirty—it's your secret weapon
• The free tools that helped her reverse years of damage

Chelsy's launching her Built to Last workshop (completely free) to teach insurance professionals and high-achievers the Stabilization Method: nervous system regulation, authentic communication, and workplace disciplines that actually work.

If you've ever felt guilty for sitting still, or can't remember the last time you truly rested, this episode might save your life.

Learn more: ChelsyBellCarpenter.com

Summary

In this episode of Beyond the Sketch, Brittany Harris interviews Michelle Raue, EVP and Chief Claim and Transformation Officer at Preferred Mutual. They discuss Michelle's journey in the insurance industry, her insights on innovation and technology, particularly AI, and the importance of relationships in the field. Michelle shares her experiences transitioning from a tech-driven environment at Lyft to a traditional insurance carrier, emphasizing the need for modernization and storytelling in the industry. She also offers valuable advice for young professionals and discusses the future of claims handling.


Takeaways

Michelle Raue has over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry.
She emphasizes the importance of relationships in the insurance field.
Innovation in insurance requires a shift from legacy systems to modern technology.

AI has the potential to transform claims handling and improve efficiency.
Young professionals should pursue their passions within the industry.
Embracing imperfection can lead to better team dynamics and project outcomes.

Diversity and authenticity are crucial for a thriving workplace.

The insurance industry is often misunderstood as greedy and profit-driven.

Storytelling is essential for changing public perception of insurance.

The future of claims handling will involve more integrated technology and efficiency.


Titles

Transforming Insurance: Insights from Michelle Raue
The Future of Claims Handling with AI


Sound bites

"Insurance covers everything."
"Claims is not rocket science."
"Find what you love to do."


Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Michelle Raue
02:39 Career Journey and Industry Insights
05:38 Innovation in Insurance: A Tale of Two Worlds
08:53 The Role of AI in Claims Handling
11:51 Advice for Young Insurance Professionals
14:38 Embracing Imperfection in Leadership
17:37 Navigating Diversity in Insurance
20:21 Misunderstandings About the Insurance Industry
23:29 The Importance of Storytelling in Insurance
26:29 Future of Claims Handling by 2030
29:15 Versus Round: Fun Insights and Preferences
32:14 Final Advice and Closing Thoughts

"I make more money if I find damage. I WISH that roof blister was hail."
If you're an adjuster complaining about no work, this episode will either motivate you or piss you off. Either way, you need to hear it.

KEY TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Music video intro (because why not)
01:38 - Are the glory days behind us?
04:03 - Anonymous adjuster getting evicted - Mike's response will shock you
11:48 - How adjusters created the ladder assist monster
14:46 - Why we make LESS than ladder assist companies
17:56 - "I make more money if I find damage" - CONTRACTORS LISTEN TO THIS
20:17 - LIGHTNING ROUND: Agree or Fight Me
24:32 - Burnout is real - here's how to survive it
31:20 - Mike's billboard message for the entire industry
ABOUT MIKE FANNON:
12+ year industry veteran, owner of Fannon Claims (merging with Top Shelf Adjusting), former restoration contractor turned adjuster. The guy who will tell you exactly what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Why fee schedules haven't changed since 2019
The "show up without a ladder" story that got an adjuster fired
How to know if you're a bad adjuster
The real reason carriers are cutting field staff
One piece of advice for adjusters thinking about quitting

This isn't your polished corporate insurance podcast. This is real talk from the field.

In this episode of Beyond The Sketch, Brittany Harris sits down with Erika Duda — CEO and Founder of InsureQuest — to unpack one of the most overlooked growth multipliers in the insurance world: training.

Erika challenges the old idea that “training” belongs in HR or onboarding. Instead, she shows how true organizational training is a mindset woven into every process, every interaction, and every leader’s responsibility. Together, they explore what happens when you stop treating training as a department and start treating it as a culture.

From developing high-performing adjusters to building scalable systems that save time, money, and energy — this conversation will make you rethink how growth actually happens inside an organization.

🎧 Tune in to learn how to turn every role, every mistake, and every day into an opportunity to train better and lead smarter.