In this episode of Know Your Risk and Insurance Coverage, host Kyle Watts talks with Matt Sasso, Executive Director of RiskProNet, to reflect on a transformative year for the network—and lay out what’s ahead in 2026.

From a complete brand refresh and a new website to adding four new member agencies, launching new practice groups, and expanding corporate partnerships, RiskProNet has solidified itself as a nimble, collaborative force in the independent insurance landscape.

If you're part of the RiskProNet network—or considering joining—this conversation outlines everything you need to know about how the group is growing, modernizing, and creating new opportunities for its members across the country.

Timecodes:

00:00 – 01:10 - Podcast intro and episode overview

01:11 – 02:47 - Why the rebrand? A new logo, colors, and market positioning

02:48 – 03:56 - Member-led brand refresh process with creative collaboration

03:57 – 05:29 - Four new agencies in 2025: who they are and why they joined

05:30 – 06:59 - Key regions targeted for 2026 membership expansion

07:00 – 08:59 - New practice groups launching in 2026: surety, sales, nonprofit & more

09:00 – 10:50 - CIO, AI, and Risk Control groups: tech-driven collaboration for agencies

10:51 – 12:33 - Corporate partnerships: what they bring and what’s coming

12:34 – 14:07 - Two big wins from 2025: quality growth and strategic alignment

14:08 – 15:31 - Practice groups as a value engine—for both leadership and frontline staff

15:32 – 16:53 - New website and mobile app: modern tools for member access

16:54 – 17:25 - Shoutout to Patti Reed for her leadership on the site launch

17:26 – 18:23 - Final reflections on 2025 and closing remarks for the year

Resources:

Become a member at RiskProNet.com
Connect with Matt Sasso on LinkedIn
Connect with RiskProNet on LinkedIn

In this episode of Know Your Risk and Insurance Coverage, we’re joined by Kim Slager, President of Commercial Lines at BHS Insurance, to dive into one of the most unique and misunderstood sectors in insurance: botanical gardens.

With over 30 years of specialization, Kim walks us through the unexpected risks, coverage gaps, and creative underwriting strategies that make gardens far more complex than your average cultural institution. From glass greenhouses and hurricane zones, to slip-and-fall litigation and rare plant appraisals, Kim explains how her team builds tailored programs that protect these vibrant, high-exposure environments.

Whether you’re a RiskProNet member looking to serve a botanical garden client, or just curious how garden operations and coverage intersect, this episode reveals what makes this niche so critical and why standard policies just don’t cut it.

Timecodes:

00:00 – Welcome & guest introduction

01:11 – How BHS built the botanical garden insurance program

03:57 – Key exposures: slips, paths, glasshouses, misclassification

05:43 – Disaster readiness & natural disaster funding

07:43 – Event liability, liquor risks, and TULIP coverage

10:09 – Real-world claim: Abuse exclusion and uninsured loss

13:22 – Volunteer accident gaps, active shooter coverage, and client education

16:01 – Insuring rare trees, indoor plant collections, and replication strategies

17:57 – Who underwrites the program

19:14 – Partnering with RiskProNet members & claims trend insights

21:34 – Final thoughts and invitation to connect

Resources:

Become a member at RiskProNet.com

Connect with Matt Sasso on LinkedIn

Connect with Kim Slager on Linkedin

Connect with BHS Insurance on LinkedIn

Connect with RiskProNet on LinkedIn

In this special two-part episode of Know Your Risk and Insurance Coverage, host Chip Arenchild talks with leaders and interns from Moody Insurance and M3 Insurance to explore how real internship programs are shaping the future of the independent agency model. Guests include Ashley Canny and Hunter Rivers from Moody, and Jake Cline and Cyrus Choisy-Madon from M3. The episode dives into what makes these programs successful—from rotational department exposure to executive mentorship—and why young professionals are choosing to stay in insurance. Whether you’re building a pipeline or launching your first internship, this episode delivers practical ideas and candid stories.

Timecodes:

00:00 – Welcome and introduction
01:03 – Why RiskProNet is spotlighting internships
02:00 – Meet Moody Insurance’s internship leaders
03:20 – How Moody’s rotational program is structured
04:31 – Intern Hunter Rivers on his experience and takeaways
05:55 – What surprised him about working in insurance
07:13 – How Moody sources and selects interns
08:44 – What a “day in the life” of an intern looks like
10:31 – Live work, real projects, and measurable impact
11:52 – Summer School & executive mentorship at Moody
13:30 – How Moody evaluates and hires from the intern class
15:05 – Now to M3: Meet Jake Cline and intern Cyrus Choisy-Madon
16:23 – How M3 views internships as a culture-building tool
18:04 – M3’s internship model: data science, pharmacy, IT & more
19:46 – What Cyrus learned—and what changed his mind about insurance
21:21 – Interns doing real actuarial and benefits work
22:33 – The human side of the insurance industry
23:40 – Why insurance is complex, valuable, and growing
25:06 – Planning career paths after the internship
26:18 – Final thoughts from all four guests

Resources:

Become a member at RiskProNet.com
Connect with Chip Arenchild on LinkedIn
Connect with Moody on Linkedin
Connect with M3 Insurance on LinkedIn
Connect with RiskProNet on LinkedIn

In this episode of Know Your Risk and Insurance Coverage with RiskProNet, Kyle Watts and Matt Sasso talk with Dustin Thome, Executive Vice President of Buckner Insurance in Denver, about their Elite Property Insurance Program. Underwritten by Ascot Specialty, this exclusive product is designed for apartment complexes caught between shrinking standard market appetites and expensive E&S options. Dustin walks through eligibility requirements, underwriting flexibility, competitive commission strategies, and recent success stories. If you’re a broker struggling to place mid-market multifamily risks, this program could be your winning move.

Get in touch with the Elite Property Insurance underwriter, Cindy Smith-Tomlinson: 972-666-8740 | csmithtomlinson@innovative-risk.com

Resources:

Become a member at RiskProNet.com

Connect with Dustin Thome on Linkedin

Connect with Buckner Insurance on LinkedIn

Connect with RiskProNet on LinkedIn

Timecodes:

00:00 – Welcome to RiskProNet podcast

00:41 – Meet guest Dustin Thome of Buckner Insurance

01:00 – Overview of the Elite Property Insurance Program

01:17 – Market challenges for multifamily property placement

02:13 – Origins of the Elite Property Program

02:59 – Target property types and eligibility

03:57 – What makes a strong submission

05:00 – Broker commission strategies and flexibility

06:29 – Deductible structures and lender compliance

07:26 – Competitive water damage deductible advantage

07:54 – Risks that disqualify a property

09:18 – Key advantages for brokers using the program

10:41 – States where the program operates

11:47 – Where the program excels most

12:32 – Recent success story: winning a Colorado deal

13:58 – Submission process and dedicated underwriter contact

14:43 – Closing thanks and how to learn more

Luis Rivera of Solutions 21 joins host Chip Arenchild to explore the real challenge facing independent insurance agencies: developing the next generation of leaders. From military insights to succession planning analogies, this episode uncovers how brokerages can address generational shifts, preserve institutional knowledge, and build leadership at every level. If you’re navigating retirements, M&A, or growth challenges, this conversation is a must-listen. Stick around for practical advice that blends strategy, human behavior, and hard-won experience.

Timecodes
00:00 – Welcome and guest introduction
00:52 – What Solutions 21 does and why it started
02:00 – Why the name “Solutions 21” matters
02:35 – The military connection and leadership philosophy
05:09 – Generational shifts in today’s workforce
06:32 – The silver tsunami and Gen X talent gap
08:11 – Preparing millennials and Gen Z to lead
09:34 – The baton analogy for leadership transition
11:02 – When leadership handoffs go wrong
13:05 – Ideal clients for Solutions 21
14:15 – Leadership lessons from the military
15:48 – The power of 1-on-1s and influence
18:19 – Solutions 21’s work with the Council of Insurance Agents
19:08 – What firms must analyze before investing in people
21:08 – Tools vs. carpenters: how leadership is developed
22:09 – M&A, onboarding, and protecting culture
23:17 – Final takeaways on human capital and agency success

Resources:

Become a member at RiskProNet.com
Connect with Luis Rivera on Linkedin
Connect with Chip Arenchild on LinkedIn

In this follow-up conversation with Jill Epstein, CEO of IABCal, we dive deep into the state of the California insurance marketplace following the devastating January wildfires. Jill walks us through major regulatory shifts, including the commissioner’s new tools, the inclusion of cat modeling and reinsurance in rate applications, and how these changes are impacting carriers and consumers alike. She shares candid insights into how independent brokers are rising to meet the needs of their communities, the evolving role of the FAIR Plan, and what the future may hold for rate approvals, market stabilization, and rebuilding efforts across the state.

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction and welcome to Jill Epstein
01:04 New rate reform regulations and timelines
04:19 Cat modeling, reinsurance, and how fires accelerated change
08:18 Brokers’ on-the-ground response and early carrier actions
12:59 FAIR Plan updates and industry leadership during crisis
18:07 Market impact, rate realities, and future carrier return
24:03 E&O risks, sticker shock, and consumer understanding
27:14 Legislation, hope for change, and broker resilience

Resources:

Become a member at RiskProNet.com
Connect with Jill Epstein on Linkedin
Connect with Chip Arenchild on LinkedIn

In this episode of Know Your Risk and Insurance Coverage with RiskProNet, we continue our insightful conversation with Matt Cranney from M3 Insurance. Matt leads M3 Elevate, a pioneering small business insurance division that redefines how firms approach this crucial market. He shares how M3 transformed its small business unit into a sustainable, profitable, and high-value operation by leveraging advisory-led, tech-supported strategies.

We dive deep into key challenges, including how to balance profitability with excellent service, integrate technology efficiently, streamline workflows, and align producer and carrier incentives. If you’re looking to optimize your agency’s small business unit, this is an episode packed with practical takeaways. Tune in for part two of our discussion with Matt Cranney and gain valuable insights into the future of small business insurance.

Timecodes
00:00 Introduction: Welcome Back with Matt Cranney
00:47 The Philosophy Behind M3 Elevate’s Success
02:30 Small Business vs. Large Commercial: Navigating the Challenges
05:00 Creating an Agency within an Agency: M3’s Unique Structure
07:17 Cross-Selling & Internal Workflows for Small Business Insurance
10:26 Producer Roles & Expectations in Small Business Units
13:39 Touchpoints & Customer Experience: How Often Should You Engage?
17:13 The Power of Insurance Technology in Small Business Operations
20:21 Why M3 Elevate Took a Cautious Approach to InsurTech Adoption
22:45 Specialization & Growth Strategies for Small Business Accounts
24:50 Managing Workload & Scaling Small Business Books Effectively
27:10 Producer Compensation, Sales Goals, and Performance Tracking
30:05 Carrier Consolidation: Strategy for Building Strong Partnerships
32:26 Key Lessons: What to Avoid When Building a Small Business Unit
35:15 Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks

Resources:
Become a member at RiskProNet.com
Connect with Matt Cranney on Linkedin
Connect with Chip Arenchild on LinkedIn

In this episode of Know Your Risk and Insurance Coverage with RiskProNet, we sit down with Matt Cranney of M3 insurance to explore the unique approach behind their small commercial unit, M3 Elevate. Matt shares his journey from Liverpool to leading M3 Elevate, the strategies that turned an accommodation service into a thriving agency within an agency, and the intentional decisions that made it possible. From operational challenges to aligning leadership, this episode provides actionable insights for any agency looking to elevate its small business strategy. Stay tuned for a preview of our second session with Matt, where we’ll dive deeper into insurer tech and operational solutions.

Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction to the podcast and RiskProNet
00:19 Episode overview and guest introduction: Matt Cranney from M3 Elevate
00:51 Matt's personal journey from Liverpool to leading in Wisconsin
02:50 How Matt connected with M3 and started shaping the small business unit
05:04 The evolution of M3’s small business focus and the decision to create M3 Elevate
08:24 Establishing M3 Elevate as an "agency within an agency"
12:33 Aligning internal messaging and branding to gain leadership and team support
15:24 The operational effort behind launching M3 Elevate and early success stories
19:22 Closing remarks: Preview of the next episode with Matt Cranney

Resources:
Become a member at RiskProNet.com
Connect with Matt Cranney on Linkedin
Connect with Chip Arenchild on LinkedIn