Redefine What's Impossible with The Iron Cowboy, James Lawrence
Release Date: 06/30/2025
Storytelling as an Insurance Career Tool with Rena Strohmeier
IN-the-Know
Rena Strohmeier is the Underwriting Manager at Wawanesa Insurance and a San Diego State University faculty lecturer, teaching insurance and risk management classes. She is a member of the Executive and Leadership Council of the CPCU Society, and holds CPCU, AIC, and AINS designations. Here, she joins Chris Hampshire on In The Know for a conversation about working for a California-only insurer, global insurance interests, and insurance careers for women and offerings for underserved communities. Key Takeaways ● Rena’s career path started in auto theft. ● Underwriting or claims?...
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AI in Insurance and the Power of People with Lou Bonanno
IN-the-Know
Lou Bonanno is the AVP of Property Underwriting at Arch Insurance Group, where he is responsible for portfolio management and analysis, program data feeds, corporate and business unit reporting. He also serves as the business unit representative to the Data Transformation Team. He has held positions in claims, premium audit, accounting, consulting, and ceded reinsurance. Lou is an active volunteer of the CPCU Society, currently serves in the New Jersey Chapter and previously on the Publications Committee and Technology and Innovation Committee. Here he joins Chris Hampshire on In The Know for...
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Training Insurance Pros in an AI Age with Ruth Phillips
IN-the-Know
Ruth Phillips is a Learning and Development Specialist with Higginbotham, where she develops and delivers training programs that help insurance professionals build technical expertise and advance their careers. She holds a Master’s degree in Adult Education and has earned 17 insurance and professional development designations, including the CPCU and Insurance Training Professional (ITP) designations. Here she joins Chris Hampshire on In The Know for a conversation about learning and development in an era of telework and AI. Key Takeaways ● Ruth’s early career dreams were those of...
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Special Episode: Ask the Expert: All About Space Insurance with Richard Parker
IN-the-Know
Richard Parker is the Chairman at Applied Underwriters Aerospace, LLC, where he runs the space team. He recently joined Chris Hampshire for a special episode of In the Know: Ask the Expert, which features their conversation about the structure of space insurance, recent explosions, the typical claims process, and a host of other questions from a live audience. Key Takeaways ● The structure of space insurance. ● Recent changes in space insurance underwriting. ● Challenges of insuring smaller spacecraft. ● Geosynchronous Earth Orbit characteristics. ● What type of space-specific...
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AI, Data, and the Future of Claims with Joe Powell
IN-the-Know
Joe Powell is the Chief Digital Officer at Gallagher Bassett, where he oversees Data, Analytics, and Product Innovation functions. He previously served as a management consultant at Bain & Company, and holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Management Information Systems from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. This episode of In the Know was recorded live at RIMS RISKWORLD 2026 and features a conversation between Chris Hampshire and Joe about the state of AI, trends in data and analytics, and all that a future with AI has to offer. Key Takeaways ...
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How AI Is Changing the Casualty Insurance Game with Jayson Taylor
IN-the-Know
Jayson Taylor is the Head of Casualty at MSIG USA. He previously served as Head of Excess Casualty for Argo Group and has held actuarial roles responsible for workers’ compensation, warranty, property, and liability lines with QBE North America, Wells Fargo, and EMPLOYERS. He earned a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Florida. This episode of In the Know was recorded live at RIMS RISKWORLD 2026 and features a conversation between Chris Hampshire and Jayson about advancing technologies, successful product development and launch, and the importance of building business...
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Insurance Leadership and the Power of Culture with Pat Gallagher
IN-the-Know
J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer at Gallagher. He began his career as an intern in 1972, worked his way to Chief Executive Officer, and, in 2006, was appointed Chairman of the Board. In 2003, Mr. Gallagher joined the board of trustees of The Institutes. In this episode of In the Know, Chris Hampshire and Pat discuss his successful career, his perspective on where the insurance industry is today, and where it is heading in the future. Key Takeaways ● Pat’s successful career started with a fire and an internship. ● The...
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Change Management and Innovation in Insurance with Lindsy Graichen Hudnall
IN-the-Know
Lindsy Graichen Hudnall, CPCU, AIDA, AU-M, AINS, LSSBB, is a process improvement expert currently serving as VP Strategic Operating Model & Execution Lead at Chubb. With a background in mathematics, analytics, and underwriting, she leads change management, driving operational efficiency and growth. In this episode of In the Know, Chris Hampshire and Lindsy discuss process improvements and making operational changes within a carrier, Lindsy’s experience as a female leader in the industry, and her unique role in the CPCU Society. Key Takeaways ● Lindsy’s career success started...
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Navigating Reinsurance Markets Around the World with Bryan Fuller
IN-the-Know
Fuller Consulting Principal Bryan Fuller is a reinsurance and insurance regulatory consultant with more than 30 years of specialized experience for U.S. insurance regulators and international financial institutions. He holds a BS in International Economics from Georgetown University and professional designations as a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Reinsurance (ARe), Accredited Insurance Examiner (AIE), and Market Conduct Management (MCM). He is active in the CPCU Society (former Kansas City Chapter President) and currently serves on the Reinsurance and Excess...
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Surplus Lines Decoded with Glenn Leung
IN-the-Know
Glenn Leung is the Vice President of the Surplus Line Association of California (SLA), which serves as the statutory surplus line advisory organization of the California Department of Insurance. Glenn leads a team focused on analyzing the financial solvency of nonadmitted insurers in California, and his team reviews 150 U.S. and Alien insurers that write more than $20 billion of premium each year. He received his bachelor’s degree in Economics & American Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and is the President of the Golden Gate CPCU Chapter, past chair of the RE&S...
info_outlineJames Lawrence, better known as The Iron Cowboy, is a world-renowned keynote speaker, bestselling author, and endurance athlete who redefined human potential by completing 50 Ironmans in 50 days across all 50 states — and then doing the unthinkable — 100 full-distance triathlons in 100 consecutive days. Before becoming the greatest endurance athlete in history, James was a successful entrepreneur, running a thriving mortgage company and helping hundreds of clients build wealth through homeownership and strategic refinancing. That same relentless mindset that powered him through thousands of miles now fuels his ventures in multi-family real estate and ownership of Crumbl Cookie franchises. He’s been named one of Sports Illustrated’s “Fittest 50,” featured in two acclaimed documentaries, and honored alongside icons like LeBron James and Conor McGregor. But James’s story isn’t just about athletic records — it’s about purpose, resilience, and refusing to settle for average. In this episode of In the Know, Chris Hampshire and James examine the importance of risk-taking in any successful career, techniques for transferring fear to excitement, and the possibilities that are available to those who are brave enough to tackle the unknown.
James will be the closing keynote and conferment speaker at this year’s In2Risk event, taking place November 3‒5 in New Orleans. For more information and to register, visit In2Risk.org. Register by Sept. 5 to take advantage of early bird rates.
Key Takeaways
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James’s pivot from the mortgage industry to extreme sports.
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The importance of risk-taking in any successful career.
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Calculating which risks bring the greatest rewards.
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The suffering is worth it when you show up prepared.
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The future is filled with possibilities for those who are willing to take risks.
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AI leverage has the potential to bring greater joy to the workforce.
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Techniques for transferring fear to excitement.
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Breaking monumental accomplishments down into manageable tasks.
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Personal development and risk-taking.
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Staying healthy while achieving incredible goals.
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What to expect from James’s keynote presentation at In2Risk.
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A five-year look at the rapidly changing future.
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James’s encouraging advice to his early career self.
In the Know podcast theme music written and performed by James Jones, CPCU, and Kole Shuda of the band If-Then.
To learn more about the CPCU Society, its membership, and educational offerings, tools, and programs, please visit CPCUSociety.org.
Follow the CPCU Society on social media:
X (Twitter): @CPCUSociety
Facebook: @CPCUSociety
LinkedIn: @The Institutes CPCU Society
Instagram: @the_cpcu_society
Quotes
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“Sometimes hitting rock bottom can be the greatest gift.”
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“What is the risk that I have to take? And what is the benefit to myself, my family, my community?”
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“The suffering is always worth it if you show up prepared.”
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“For people who understand and leverage AI, it’s going to bring a lot of joy and happiness in their lives.”
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“Am I going to allow fear to dictate my decisions, or am I going to continue to chase my dreams?”
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“Taking risks and personal development go hand in hand.”