Supplement your personal and professional development by listening to podcasts

 

Do you have friends that you feel are doing more than you to advance their personal and professional development? If you’re at all like me, often when my peers post about the latest best-selling book that they devoured in just a few nights, I think to myself, “How did they make the time?”

I know there is no such thing as free time. You have to make time for whatever it is that you want to pursue. But, often it is exhausting. If you have work, a family, mediocre fitness goals and you’re trying to keep your eye on the prize for your long term career goals, you can run out of designated time quickly. 

Plus, it’s also important to take a break to clear your mind. Yet, this too can become another chore to add to the list, leaving you saying, “Great, I didn’t achieve my rest goals this week. Add it to the list of failures.” 

While audiobooks have made many of these top titles from renowned authors available as a means to fill time with productive insights during your commute, it can be difficult to mentally download the data into usable information. A growing trend among young professionals and entrepreneurs find podcasts to be a great use of their windshield time. 

Since 2017, casual podcast listening has risen by 37.5% over the last three years and according to Convince and Convert, 37% of Americans listen to podcasts monthly. Whether you are looking for a comedy to help you unwind, some political commentary to help you digest world events, or a range of business podcasts to inspire your ongoing development, you can find something that fits your needs and tastes. 

I will share some of the podcasts that I am aware of that touch on career, leadership, and professional development within the insurance community. Some of my favorite podcasts are people in various stages of leadership roles and responsibilities sharing the lessons they have learned through trial, error, adaptation, and endurance. 

 

Profiles in Risk 

Profiles in Risk is the podcast of the Insurance Nerds network. Offering an informative, fun and sometimes irreverent look at the insurance industry. The only recurring podcast dedicated to Insurance Careers, InsurTech Startups and Analysis of Insurance Current Events. Recent guests have included Brian Falchuk, author of The Future of Insurance.

 

Blue Collar Nation Podcast 

Two college friends who went into business together to build an insurance repairs company that they successfully sold and now use that knowledge to help growing businesses. They have a special niche in helping young professionals develop soft skills so that they can expand their career opportunities while contributing to the vision of the organizations they work for. Eric Sprague and Larry Wilberton recently had their former office manager on the podcast to discuss her process of going from knowing nothing to thriving in an industry with endless possibilities. 

 

Flip this Risk 

Dr. Karen Hardy “The Risk Management Story Teller” discusses, “The human factor of risk-taking and how it influences our business and personal achievements.” Dr. Hardy has committed her professional career towards helping millions break free from the crippling fears of risk by using creative problem-solving methods and brings her years of experience and achievement to her podcast.  

 

The Claim Clinic 

The Claim Clinic is the podcast of Andrew McCabe, author of The 24 Hour Tech. This podcast from the Godfather of Remote Estimating focuses on the nuances of insurance claims and property restoration with a variety of guests from multiple disciplines. The Claim Clinic is a master class of education for insurance claims professionals, “Through interviews with legendary Disaster Recovery experts.”

 

Straight Talk

Straight Talk is a webcast from Jeff Cross, the editorial director of ISSA Media. The Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), which is a division of ISSA, has become one of the spearheads for coronavirus resources and response. Straight Talk provides a wealth of knowledge for insurance professionals who are navigating life in a pandemic so that they can help themselves, teams, families and clients continue to operate safely. 

 

Adjuster Talk 

Jason Heenan hosts this podcast which gives an insider’s view into the work of being an insurance adjuster. Whether listeners are interested in pursuing this career path or want to balance their knowledge of policies with how they are executed in the field, Adjuster Talk gathers professionals from around the world to discuss approaches to claims. 

 

The DYOJO Podcast 

Specializing in INFOtainment, The DYOJO Podcast sets out to inform and entertain the listener while helping them to shorten their DANG learning curve for professional development. Host Jon Isaacson has assembled an impressive guest list with leaders and entrepreneurs who share their real-world experiences with success and failure to encourage growth-minded people to develop intentionally. 

 

So many great tools at such a great price (free)

The numbers are staggering, as on average podcast fans listen to an average of 6 podcasts a week. Yet, the scale is rather steep as 51% listen to 1-3 podcasts weekly while devout consumers (12%) listen to 11 or more podcasts in a given week. 

If you have a significant commute, like to work with background noise or want to catch up on some leadership development while you multitask, podcasts are a great way to relax and supplement your learning goals. Wherever you are at in your career, it is awesome to know there are peers who are sharing their knowledge to help you chart your path. 

If you listen to any of these great podcasts, be sure to help them out by subscribing, writing a review, and sharing on your social media accounts. Keep doing good things and if you’ve ever wondered about what goes into composing good property insurance repair estimates you can read about this process in Jon Isaacson’s new book Be Intentional: Estimating. The book discusses developing the right mindset and habits for success at any level within the property restoration, construction, and insurance claims professions.