HSB's New Ways of Thinking
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HSB's New Ways of Thinking covers timely topics impacting the U.S P&C insurance industry. Each episode will feature a special guest and will provide a unique perspective related to the specific topic.
Episodes
Rethinking Hurricanes (Again) Part 3: The Hidden Risks of Hurricane Season
In Part 3, Dr. Phil Klotzbach joins Jeff O'Shaughnessy to examine the risks that remain after a storm makes landfall. From Hurricane Helene's devastating inland flooding to Ida's impacts far from the coast, Phil explains why rain, flooding, and landslides can sometimes cause more damage than wind—and why they're so difficult to predict. Phil also offers an early look at the climate signals that could shape the 2027 hurricane season.
Rethinking Hurricanes (Again) Part 2: Looking Ahead to the 2026 Hurricane Season
What does CSU's forecast say about the 2026 hurricane season? In Part 2, hurricane expert Dr. Phil Klotzbach joins Jeff O'Shaughnessy to unpack Colorado State University's outlook, the atmospheric and ocean conditions shaping the season, and the risks that matter most for insurers. From hurricane counts to landfall uncertainty, Phil explains what forecasters are watching and why impact matters more than activity alone. For insurers, the conversation offers valuable context on the risks that could define the 2026 season.
Rethinking Hurricanes (Again) Part 1: Lessons from the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season
Dr. Phil Klotzbach, senior research scientist at Colorado State University and one of the nation's leading hurricane forecasters, returns to HSB's New Ways of Thinking to help make sense of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. Despite concerns heading into the year and several periods of heightened activity, the season proved less impactful for insurers than many expected. Phil joins Jeff O'Shaughnessy to break down what actually happened, why the most damaging outcomes never fully materialized, and the atmospheric and oceanic factors that shaped the season.
Rethinking Non-CAT Water Part 3: Strengthening Agent & Customer Engagement
Jeff O'Shaughnessy speaks with Christina Villena and Tom Smart about how strong agent relationships shape sensor program success. They discuss early skepticism, growing support, and the challenges of DIY installs for policyholders—plus how outreach and clear communication help agents and insureds stay engaged. They also touch on how sensor data informs risk insights and where they hope these programs go next.
Rethinking Non-CAT Water Part 2: Where Sensor Technology Makes the Biggest Impact
Host Jeff O'Shaughnessy, Christina Villena (The Hanover), and Tom Smart (Philadelphia Insurance Companies) share real‑world examples of how water sensors have prevented losses across schools, cultural institutions, and other properties—especially when buildings are unoccupied. From detecting slow leaks over valuable art to preventing frozen pipe damage during holidays and alerting teams to mechanical room failures, they discuss where sensors have proven most effective and how saves are confirmed and quantified.
Rethinking Non-CAT Water Part 1: The Most Controllable Catastrophe
Non‑CAT water losses rarely make headlines, but they affect homes, businesses, and carrier portfolios every day. Host Jeff O'Shaughnessy is joined by Christina Villena (The Hanover) and Tom Smart (Philadelphia Insurance Companies) to discuss how events like freezing temperatures, heavy rains, aging infrastructure, and geography all contribute to these widespread and costly losses—and how sensors, data, and early detection can help reduce exposure for various occupancies.
Rethinking IoT with Meshify Part 6: The ROI
ROI isn't just about numbers—it's about real value. In the final episode, Lewis, CTO and Co-founder of Meshify, and Jeff explore the ROI of IoT programs—beyond loss ratios. They show how Meshify prevents water damage and minor events alike, saving homeowners and business owners from headaches, and wrap up with challenges and what's next.
Rethinking IoT with Meshify Part 5: The First Line of Defense
While many focus on flow monitoring or shutoff valves as a "single solution," the reality is they don't provide full protection and can be costly and invasive to install. In Part 5, Jeff and Lewis explain why point detection should be the first line of defense—you might be surprised how quickly customers act when a leak occurs. They also dive into how Meshify sensors address freeze risks.
Rethinking IoT with Meshify Part 4: The Evolution
Meshify doesn't sell sensors—it provides outcomes. In Part 4, Jeff and Lewis dive into how the team continues to evolve technology, the game-changing impact of Amazon Sidewalk on connectivity, the creation of Meshify Slim, and why designing a sensor people actually want to install—compact, reliable, and unobtrusive—makes all the difference.
Rethinking IoT with Meshify Part 3: The Water Problem
Solving the water problem isn't just about sensors—it's about simplicity, reliability, and impact. In this episode, Jeff talks with Lewis, Co-Founder and CTO of Meshify, about how the team evolved from industrial IoT solutions to a next-generation, low-cost, cellular water detection platform, creating sensors that are easy to install and use while protecting buildings from costly water damage.
Rethinking IoT with Meshify Part 2: The Partnership
The journey from startup to acquisition can redefine a company's focus—and its impact. In part 2, Jeff continues his discussion with Lewis, Co-Founder and CTO of Meshify, about HSB's 2016 acquisition of the IoT pioneer. Lewis shares how joining forces with HSB helped narrow Meshify's focus, refine its technology, and scale its smart water loss prevention solutions.
Rethinking IoT with Meshify Part 1: The Beginning
From a college dorm room experiment to a garage startup, the story of Meshify is a journey in innovation and problem-solving. In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy sits down with Lewis Wight, Co-Founder and CTO of Meshify, about how early experiments with smart thermostats led to a pivot into IoT solutions for insurance.
Rethinking Water Part 4: Smarter Water Management for Sustainability
While advanced water monitoring offers clear benefits, most commercial buildings have yet to adopt it. In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy wraps up his discussion with Yaron Dycian, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at WINT, to discuss HSB's partnership with WINT, how emerging regulations are driving adoption, and the impact of smarter water management on LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) scores and overall building sustainability.
Rethinking Water Part 3: From Construction Sites to Commercial Buildings
Construction projects face some of the highest risks for water damage—often from temporary water lines or late-stage leaks. In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy and Yaron Dycian, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at WINT, examine how water monitoring can be applied in different scenarios—from construction sites to fully integrated building systems—and what these use cases reveal about managing risk in modern buildings.
Rethinking Water Part 2: Uncovering Hidden Leaks with Data
Roughly a quarter of the water flowing into commercial buildings is lost to unnoticed leaks and inefficiencies. In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy continues his discussion with Yaron Dycian, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at WINT, about what's behind this hidden waste and how technology can help uncover it. They discuss the role of data, sensors, and AI in understanding water use patterns and reducing risk for property owners and insurers.
Rethinking Water Part 1: Tackling Water Waste with AI
Water leaks are among the most costly and common insurance claims in commercial buildings—but smart technology can change that. In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy is joined by Yaron Dycian, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at WINT, to discuss how data and AI are transforming water use in buildings and the implications for property management, insurance, and sustainability.
Rethinking Hurricanes: Sea Level Rise & The Future of Hurricane Technology
Sea level rise and climate change are reshaping the risks from hurricanes—but what does that really mean for coastal cities and communities? In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy talks with Dr. Phil Klotzbach about the impact of rising seas, the potential for stronger storms, and innovative—but challenging—technologies designed to mitigate hurricane damage. They explore everything from artificial upwelling and bubble curtains to advanced forecasting tools and AI, offering insights into how science and tech are helping us prepare for the future of hurricanes.
Rising Storms, Rising Costs: Why Billion-Dollar Disasters Keep Growing
Hurricane seasons are bringing more named storms and billion-dollar disasters—but why? In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy and Dr. Phil Klotzbach break down the factors behind rising storm counts, the role of better detection, and why growing exposure drives higher damages. They also explore how stronger building codes and smarter planning can help—and what recent storms like Ida (2021) and Helene (2024) reveal about shifting risks.
20 Years After Katrina: Lessons from Historic Hurricane Seasons
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, still remembered as one of the costliest and most devastating storms in history. On this episode, host Jeff O'Shaughnessy and Dr. Phil Klotzbach of Colorado State University reflect on the record-breaking 2005 hurricane season, how it reshaped forecasting, and what made storms like Katrina, Rita, and Wilma so destructive. They also explore how storm formation patterns impact risk, why seasons like 2017 (Harvey, Irma, Maria) and 2024 defied expectations, and what history can teach us about the unpredictability of peak hurricane activity.
The Science Behind Hurricane Forecasts: Accuracy, Challenges, and How They've Changed
How accurate are seasonal hurricane forecasts, and what goes into predicting the number and strength of storms? In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy talks with Dr. Phil Klotzbach about the challenges of predicting named storms versus hurricanes, the significance of metrics like Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE), the limitations of seasonal forecasts, and how forecasting has evolved over the past decade.
Inside Hurricanes: El Niño, La Niña, and Why Location Matters
Hurricanes aren't just storms—they're a lifelong passion for Dr. Phil Klotzbach. In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy sits down with Dr. Klotzbach to explore his journey from growing up in Massachusetts, inspired by Hurricane Gloria and Hurricane Bob, to becoming a leading hurricane researcher at Colorado State University. Phil shares how he began studying hurricanes, his work with the legendary Dr. Bill Gray, and the science behind how El Niño and La Niña influence hurricane activity.
Hurricane Season 2025: August Outlook & How 2-Week Forecasts Keep You Prepared
Hurricanes remain one of the most challenging catastrophes for insurers to prepare for—and predict. In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy is joined by Dr. Phil Klotzbach, senior research scientist at Colorado State University and a leading authority on hurricane forecasting. They unpack the August 2025 hurricane outlook, why this season is expected to be slightly above normal, and how the absence of El Niño, warmer Atlantic waters, and shifting wind shear patterns are shaping storm activity. Phil also explains the value of 2-week forecasts and why a small number of major storms cause most of the damage.
The Skeleton in the Code: Uncovering the Hidden Threats to Your Cybersecurity
In this last episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy talks with cybersecurity expert Eric O'Neill who shares his insights on the current state of cybersecurity and why passwords are no longer a reliable form of protection. He emphasizes the importance of two-factor authentication and using authenticator apps to add an extra layer of security. Eric also discusses the principle of displacement, where securing one area can displace threats to another, and how this applies to cybersecurity. He shares examples of how simple security measures can prevent major breaches, and encourages individuals and businesses to take proactive steps to protect themselves.
The Shadow Net: Uncovering the Invisible Threats to Our Cybersecurity
In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy speaks with former FBI operative and cybersecurity expert Eric O'Neill who shares the shocking truth about how AI-powered attacks and deepfakes are being used to manipulate elections and threaten democracy. HE also emphasizes the importance of being proactive in cybersecurity, rather than waiting for an attack to happen. With the rise of deepfakes and AI-generated content, Eric stresses the need for individuals and businesses to be vigilant and to develop a mindset of skepticism when interacting online.
Cyber Shadows: The Stealthy Threats Lurking in Our Infrastructure
In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy interviews former FBI operative and cybersecurity expert Eric O'Neill who reveals the shocking truth about nation-state affiliated cyber crime and its impact on critical infrastructure. He exposes how foreign threat actors are using probe attacks to infiltrate and map our power grid, preparing for a future war that could bring catastrophic consequences. Eric warns that we're in a "lot of trouble" and that a critical infrastructure attack is not only plausible but possible.
The Dark Web Economy: A $12 Trillion Problem
In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy speaks with former FBI operative and cybersecurity expert Eric O'Neill who shares his expertise on the state of cyber crime, revealing a staggering $12 trillion problem that's growing exponentially. With the increasing use of AI, cyber crime is becoming more convincing, more frequent, and more deceptive. Join us for a deep dive into the underworld of cyber crime and what it means for your business and personal security
The Evolution of Espionage: From Floppy Disks to Thumb Drives
In a continuation of a conversation with Eric O'Neill, former FBI operative and cybersecurity expert, Jeff O'Shaughnessy takes a deeper dive into the story of Robert Hanssen, the first-ever cyber spy. Eric shares how Hanssen's hacking skills and adaptability allowed him to breach FBI systems and networks for decades, and how he revolutionized espionage by using technology to drop data to foreign powers.
Undercover with a Legend: Eric O'Neill on Cybersecurity and Espionage
In a thrilling episode of HSB's New Ways of Thinking Podcast, Jeff O'Shaughnessy talks with Eric O'Neill, a legendary former FBI operative turned cybersecurity expert, shares his hair-raising story of catching notorious spy Robert Hanssen. From his early days as an FBI ghost to his daring undercover mission, Eric recounts the twists and turns that led to Hanssen's capture.
The AI Paradox: How Can Something So Smart Be So Energy-Hungry?
In the last episode focused on AI, Jeff O'Shaughnessy and Naveen Agarwal explores the intersection of energy efficiency and AI, highlighting the high energy costs of powering AI systems like GPT. He discusses the development of fusion energy as a potential solution, but notes that this technology is still in its infancy. Agarwal also speaks about the risks that AI poses to the insurance industry, including new exposures and liabilities related to AI decision-making. Ultimately, he emphasizes the need for humans to adapt and build alongside AI in order to succeed.
Deep Fakes and Dirty Tricks: The Dark Side of Generative AI
During this episode of New Ways of Thinking, Naveen Agarwal discusses with Jeff O'Shaughnessy the significant challenges and risks associated with Generative AI, particularly in the areas of deep fakes, identity, and privacy. He notes that while responsible players in the industry are working to address these issues, the threat of malicious actors using AI to compromise identities and access sensitive information remains a major concern. Agarwal also highlights the potential benefits of Generative AI in detecting fraud and improving emergency response times in industries such as insurance and healthcare. Episode: "The AI Paradox: How Can Something So Smart Be So Energy-Hungry?"
The Double-Edged Sword of AI: Balancing Opportunity and Risk
In the next episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy and Naveen Agarwal discuss the potential of General Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) to enable new possibilities and opportunities, rather than simply automating existing tasks. Agarwal believes that Gen AI will create new use cases and empower humans to achieve more, citing examples in healthcare and insurance. However, he also acknowledges the challenges that come with AI, such as bias and hallucination, and emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring and testing to ensure the accuracy and fairness of AI models.
Balancing Bots and Brains: The Human-AI Advantage
In this episode, Jeff O'Shaughnessy and Naveen Agarwal discusses the impact of General Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) on various business cases, highlighting three key areas where it has made significant inroads: knowledge management, content generation, and call center operations. He provides examples of industries and companies that have successfully implemented Gen AI, such as insurance carriers using it for underwriting and claims processing. Agarwal also addresses concerns about AI replacing human jobs, emphasizing the importance of focusing on automating tasks rather than displacing jobs. He argues that Gen AI will continue to evolve and automate tasks, but ultimately enhance human capabilities rather than replace them.
The Continuous Learner: Unlocking AI's Full Potential
In this next episode of New Ways of Thinking, Jeff O'Shaughnessy and Naveen Agarwal continue a deep discussion about AI - specifically getting into additional terms and nuances related to AI. Terms like RAG (Retrieve and Generate), which is a layer on top of LLM (Large Language Model) that allows for more attributable and referenceable answers. Agarwal emphasizes the importance of referenceability and continuous learning in AI models, and notes that companies are starting to embed RAG into their LLM solutions.
Generative Genius: The Future of Artificial Intelligence
Naveen Agarwal, a technology expert with a background in AI joins Jeff O'Shaughnessey on this next podcast series to talk about all things AI. In this first episode Naveen discusses the evolution of AI from its early days to the current generative AI models like Chat GPT. He explains the difference between classic AI and generative AI and also breaks down the components of Chat GPT, including GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) and LLM (Large Language Model), which can be trained on specific domains like insurance claims or underwriting. Overall, Agarwal highlights the transformative power of generative AI in making AI more accessible and user-friendly.
The role of insurance as new risks emerge in vehicles
In this next episode, we will continue to focus on cyber risks and how it is impacting the automotive industry. Learn how modern vehicles with advanced connectivity features pose higher risks than older models, and over time, the security mechanisms can degrade, creating need for proactive management. Listen in to hear about the ongoing advancements that are happening within the cyber risk landscape and how the future of connected vehicles will continue to change in the future.
Automotive cyber attacks are coming!
On this next episode, Jeff O' continues a converastion with Automotive Cyber Security Expert Giuseppe Serio, from Upstream Security. Giuseppe shares a recenty story about a ride hailing service that was attacked by cyber criminals, sending all the vehicles into one central location. Nobody was harmed. There was no monetary interest. It was just to attack the infrastructure, to inhibit or demonstrate that there's a potential to attack, and by the way, these were all different vehicle models.
Cyber vulnerabilities of the automotive industry
In this second episode, Giuseppe Serio highlights the complexity of securing modern vehicles, emphasizing that while manufacturers are responsible for the vehicles initial security, third-party applications and APIs can introduce vulnerabilities. He advocates for increased consumer cyber literacy to better understand and mitigate the risks associated with new automotive technologies.
Cyber Hackers taking over cars?
Jeff O' interviews Giuseppe Serio from Upstream Security about the growing cybersecurity challenges in the automotive industry. They discuss the increasing frequency and scale of cyber-attacks on connected vehicles and Upstream innovative, data-driven approach to securing the entire mobility ecosystem.
The next generation's #1 demand in the workplace = Flexibility
Employment law has evolved over the years and the next generation of workers are demanding one thing – Flexibility. Listen to this quick conversation with Jeff O' and Jack McCalmon who talk about the workplace of today.
Insurance agent influence can build EPLI awareness
Learn about a few key components needed for employment management programs in the workplace. These best practices can help employers maintain a well rounded workplace. Also hear how an insurance agent can be a door opener for evolved employment best practices that can help business owners become more aware of potential risks.
AI in the workplace and the impact to EPLI
How can AI impact a business owner from a litigation standpoint? With the rapid interest in AI, there is many different potential risks that could occur from employer AI usage. Unintentional bias, incorrect categorization and more. Listen to this quick episode that talks about the potential risks of AI in the workplace.
Business owners are keeping up with the pace of change in the workplace
How do employers keep up with the pace of change? What is the number one risk to employers in todays environment? How can hiring the right (or wrong) person make all the difference in the world? Listen to this next episode of Jeff O' and Jack McCalmon discuss the impact of employment practices litigation risks.
EPLI Trends in 2024
Employment exposures are on the rise. Diversity in the workplace, ADA, Pregnancy Fairness and more.. these are all recent trends that employers are faced and have to find ways to implement inclusion and fairness in the workplace. Listen to this episode of the ongoing EPL trends within the workplace.
All things EPLI – past, present, future.
Employment Practices Liability Insurance has been around for over 30 years and Jack McCalmon is an expert in this field as he's practiced law for years – focusing on employment practices risks. Jeff O' spends time exploring many different angles of EPLI and the risks that continue to evolve within the workplace. Listen to this short discussion around the history of EPL and how we continue to see this topic evolve in today's workplace.
AI risks and challenges
In this last episode series, Andy Busch continues to talk with Jeff O' about the rapid evolution of AI and discusses the many "unknowns" with where AI could go. Hear from Andy on where he things AI could go and how complex AI can become within our industry. AI has significant challenges but also significant opportunities and Andy provides his thoughts and insights on where AI could go.
AI what's the hype?
The AI environment is changing by the minute, and in this podcast episode Futurist Andy Busch and Jeff O' talk about the various AI influences that could impact our landscape. Andy also shares new ways AI can impact our business and share some of the threats and opportunities that may exist.
Claims in Action: Alert averts grocer meltdown
We're sensing trouble. A hip, fast growing specialty grocer in South Carolina was meeting heightened demand during a music festival when refrigeration units began to fail. Hear how new technology helped them catch and solve the problem before it caused disaster. This podcast and its contents are intended for illustrative purposes only. HSB does not make or provide any guarantees that the performances of its IoT services will be similar to any future results.
We can't ignore extreme weather – its time to act
In this second podcast episode seires, Jeff and Andy talk about all things weather and Andy shares his insights around the importance of 'climate adaption' and how this will continue to impact our world. The weather risks will continue to create challenges for our market and we will need to learn new ways to adapt to these changes. Listen now!
Claims in Action: A taxing burglary
Tax season for a small accounting firm became an ongoing nightmare when it was burglarized, and customers' personal data was stolen. Surprisingly, it was their cyber insurance coverage that helped them resolve what came next.
More about the future - tech and insurance
Technology provides a great deal of data and can give insights into new and different solutions within the insurance industry. Hear about some of the new and existing things that HSB is doing to continue to evolve the technology and insurance market.