Risk & Resolve

The Risk & Resolve Podcast is your go-to resource for insightful conversations at the intersection of leadership, business ownership, and the insurance industry. Hosted by Ben Conner and Todd Hufford, this podcast dives deep into the challenges and opportunities that leaders face in an ever-changing world. Each episode features candid discussions with business owners, industry experts, and thought leaders, exploring topics like innovation, risk management, and the strategies that drive success. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or insurance professional, you’ll gain actionable insights and inspiration to navigate today’s complex business landscape. Tune in to Risk & Resolve —where leadership meets resilience.

Risk & Resolve is a business podcast hosted by Conner Insurance, with 59 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Conner Insurance hosts Risk & Resolve, a business show with 59 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #50

  Leading with Purpose: Adam Weber on Building People Before Business (2026 NextGen Healthcare Summit Recording Series)

  Aug 5, 202627 minS1

  In this episode of Risk & Resolve with Adam Weber to explore what it truly means to lead with purpose. Drawing from his experience as a startup founder, executive coach, and leadership expert, Adam shares practical strategies for avoiding burnout, maintaining perspective, and building sustainable leadership. From the “tyranny of the now” to creating healthy boundaries, this conversation offers actionable insights for leaders who want lasting success without sacrificing their lives outside of work. Main Talking Points: Adam’s most embarrassing leadership moment—and what it taught him The “Tyranny of the Now” and why leaders lose perspective Why business is simply a series of solving problems Building centeredness through intentional daily practices Leading with calm, predictable presence instead of emotional reactions Creating a meaningful life outside of work The power of writing a personal life vision Why hobbies make better leaders Prioritizing physical health to improve decision-making Using gratitude as a leadership advantage Simple gratitude practices that transform team culture Walking, meditation, and creating mental space for better thinking Reading timeless wisdom instead of reacting to constant noise Leading from the “top of the mountain” with long-term perspective

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  Episode #49

  From Chicago to the Big Ten: Kris Loving on Faith, Officiating, and Finding Ministry Everywhere

  Jul 22, 20261h 4mS1

  In this episode of Risk & Resolve, Ben Conner and Todd Hufford sit down with Kristopher Loving, Big Ten football official, Fellowship of Christian Athletes leader, teacher, chaplain, and minister. Kris shares his journey from growing up in Chicago to officiating college football at the highest levels while discovering that ministry isn’t confined to a church building. This conversation explores faith, leadership, sports, purpose, and the courage to say yes when God calls. Main Talking Points Growing up as an only child on Chicago’s west side The church influence that shaped Kris’s leadership and faith The moment he fully surrendered his life to Christ in 2011 Learning leadership through church ministry and public speaking Moving from Illinois to Minnesota and entering a new season of life How a simple conversation led him into sports officiating Receiving a vision of ministry through officiating sports The unlikely path from first-year official to Division I football Working Big Ten football and the UFL The hidden preparation, study, and discipline required of elite officials Building relationships and ministry opportunities within officiating circles How sports became a platform for serving people outside church walls Workforce chaplaincy and meeting people where they are Creating a legacy of faith, stewardship, and service for future generations

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  Episode #48

  Family Business, AI, and the Future of Work: Erik Braden on Building Braden Business Systems

  Jul 8, 202646 minS1

  In this episode of Risk & Resolve, Ben Conner and Todd Hufford sit down with Erik Braden, Managing Partner of Braden Business Systems , to discuss family business, technology, growth, and leadership. Erik shares his journey from cold-calling his way onto Wall Street to returning home to help grow his family business through acquisitions, innovation, and a people-first culture. From managed print and IT to AI consulting and automation, this conversation explores what it takes to stay ahead of change while building a business that serves clients, employees, and family well. Main Talking Points Erik’s Indiana roots and early ambition to work on Wall Street Cold-calling his way into an internship at Bear Stearns Lessons from JP Morgan, private equity, M&A, and board-level leadership Why he returned to Indiana and joined the family business Braden Business Systems’ evolution from fax machines and copiers to full technology solutions Using acquisitions to grow and diversify the business Building in downtown Fishers and betting on the city’s future Working alongside his father and honoring the family business legacy How the pandemic reshaped demand for IT, cloud, and remote-work support Why Braden is leaning into AI consulting and implementation The importance of helping companies adopt AI—not just turn tools on How automation, workflows, and agentic AI will reshape office work Erik’s people-first leadership philosophy and “never miss your kid’s game” standard Building a culture of energy, optimism, service, and long-term resilience

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  Episode #47

  Activating Indiana Employers to Drive High-Value Healthcare Markets - 2026 NextGen Healthcare Summit Recording Series

  Jul 1, 202628 minS1

  In this episode of Risk & Resolve, a healthcare leader from the Employers’ Forum of Indiana (EFI) breaks down why employers—not the system—must drive healthcare reform. Drawing from decades in HR and benefits at Ford, this conversation dives into rising healthcare costs, hospital price transparency, and the policy changes reshaping Indiana’s healthcare landscape. From RAND pricing studies to fiduciary responsibility laws, this episode reveals how employers can move from awareness to action—and finally take control of healthcare spending. Main Talking Points Speaker’s background: 25+ years in HR and benefits at Ford, managing large-scale healthcare systems The reality: healthcare costs have exploded—from $7K per employee to $27K annually Where healthcare dollars actually go: hospitals (45%), physicians (32%), drugs (23%) Why employers historically failed to control healthcare costs—and the consequence The RAND Hospital Price Transparency Studies and what they revealed Shocking insight: Indiana employers pay ~300% of Medicare rates for hospital services The imbalance: hospitals overpaid, physicians underpaid How price transparency exposed systemic inefficiencies and sparked reform Creation of tools like Sage Transparency to help employers compare cost and quality Real-world case studies: Employers removing high-cost hospitals and saving millions, Direct contracting strategies driving better outcomes Indiana’s rise as a national leader in healthcare policy reform Key policy wins: Fiduciary responsibility for TPAs and PBMs, Anti-competitive contract bans, Claims data access and audit rights, Hospital price caps and transparency requirements The critical gap: policy exists—but employers must actually use it EFI’s role in translating complex policy into actionable employer strategies The challenge: benefits teams are overwhelmed and under-resourced Why employers must become active purchasers , not passive participants Top strategies for employers: Invest in advanced primary care (DPC, onsite, near-site), Steer employees to high-value providers, Optimize contracts and eliminate misaligned incentives, Direct contract with hospitals, Audit claims aggressively, Strengthen benefits teams The future: 2027 legislative focus on healthcare—and employers must be ready Core message: awareness isn’t enough—execution is everything

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  Episode #48

  Building Brotherhood & Purpose: Don Palmer and Greg Enas on Citizen 7

  Jun 24, 20261h 13mS1

  In this episode of Risk & Resolve , Ben Conner and Todd Hufford sit down with Don Palmer and Greg Enas , co-founders of Citizen 7, to discuss male friendship, leadership, generosity, mentorship, and building movements instead of organizations. From entrepreneurship and business leadership to faith, community, and legacy, this conversation explores what it means to build men who build others. Main Talking Points How Don Palmer and Greg Enas first met and built a decades-long friendship The origins of Citizen Seven and the vision behind it Why male loneliness and isolation are growing problems The difference between building an organization versus building a movement How authentic male friendships are formed shoulder-to-shoulder on mission The role of vulnerability, confidentiality, and accountability in friendships Why businessmen often struggle to cultivate deep relationships The power of “throwing the party” instead of waiting for an invitation Building intergenerational friendships and mentorship Why curiosity and asking good questions matter in relationships Creating opportunities for younger men to lead and carry the baton Faith, entrepreneurship, generosity, and civic engagement intersecting together How Citizen Seven encourages men to say yes to meaningful action The importance of play, fun, and shared experiences in building brotherhood Legacy, family, and finishing life well

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