Travelers Institute Risk & Resilience

Latest Episodes:

America’s Shrinking Workforce: How Demographic Trends Are Reshaping the U.S. Economy May 13, 2026

Show notes

For the first time, the U.S. is facing a future where each generation is smaller than the last, even as people live longer than ever. Luke Pardue, co-editor of the Aspen Economic Strategy Group’s landmark report series “Demographic Headwinds: The Economic Consequences of Lower Birth Rates and Longer Lives,” joined us to explore what these trends mean for labor markets, public finances and businesses – and the strategies that could ease the pressure ahead.

This program is presented as part of the Travelers Institute’s Forces at WorkSM initiative, an educational platform to help today’s leaders navigate the shifting dynamics of the modern workplace and prioritize employees and their well-being.

Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travelers.com/webinar-series/symposia-series/demographic-trends.

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Visit the Travelers Institute® website: http://travelersinstitute.org/.

Join the Travelers Institute® email list: https://travl.rs/488XJZM .

Subscribe to the Travelers Institute® podcast newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7328774828839100417.

Connect with Travelers Institute® President Joan Woodward on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-kois-woodward/.

Mental Health at Work: Workforce Well-Being Guidance for Leaders and Teams Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

Mental health is no longer a topic to be avoided at work. It’s a critical factor impacting employee well-being, productivity and overall business success. Speakers from Hartford Hospital’s Institute of Living, the American Psychiatric Association and Travelers explored mental health as a continuum and its connection to workplace safety. The panel provided actionable mental health strategies for leaders and managers to help them support worker well-being, strengthen organizational resilience and better understand emerging trends in workers compensation programs.

This program is presented as part of the Travelers Institute’s Forces at WorkSM initiative, an educational platform to help today’s leaders navigate the shifting dynamics of the modern workplace and prioritize employees and their well-being.

Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travelers.com/webinar-series/symposia-series/mental-health-at-work.

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Visit the Travelers Institute® website: http://travelersinstitute.org/.

Join the Travelers Institute® email list: https://travl.rs/488XJZM .

Subscribe to the Travelers Institute® podcast newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7328774828839100417.

Connect with Travelers Institute® President Joan Woodward on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-kois-woodward/.

The Changing Liability Environment: What Leaders Need to Know Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

With over $2.5 billion spent on legal advertising in 2024 alone, the American legal landscape is transforming, with profound business implications. Rich Ives, Senior Vice President of Business Insurance Claim at Travelers, joined us to examine the forces behind today’s liability environment: evolving litigation tactics, changing social attitudes, technology’s role in claim acceleration and economic pressures inflating awards. Drawing from Travelers’ frontline experience, Rich discussed tort reform status and provided practical protection strategies to navigate these complex challenges.

This program is presented as part of the Travelers Institute’s Risk. Regulation. Resilience. Responsibility.SM initiative, addressing the availability and affordability of P&C insurance.

Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travelers.com/webinar-series/symposia-series/liability-environment.

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Visit the Travelers Institute® website: http://travelersinstitute.org/.

Join the Travelers Institute® email list: https://travl.rs/488XJZM .

Subscribe to the Travelers Institute® podcast newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7328774828839100417.

Connect with Travelers Institute® President Joan Woodward on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-kois-woodward/.

Leadership Growth: From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

In an era of unprecedented business complexity, how do leaders position themselves for C-suite success while building resilient organizations? Byron Loflin, Global Head of Board Advisory at Nasdaq and co-author of the new book “CEO Ready: What You Need to Know to Earn the Job and Keep the Job,” joined us to discuss leading effectively through uncertainty, provide best practices for building high-impact leadership teams and explore succession planning strategies that work for organizations of any size. This session is for anyone looking to advance their career or strengthen their leadership effectiveness in today’s dynamic business environment.

Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travelers.com/webinar-series/symposia-series/leadership-growth.

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Visit the Travelers Institute® website: http://travelersinstitute.org/.

Join the Travelers Institute® email list: https://travl.rs/488XJZM .

Subscribe to the Travelers Institute® Podcast newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7328774828839100417.

Connect with Travelers Institute® President Joan Woodward on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-kois-woodward/.

Real Estate Market Outlook with National Association of Realtors® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

What’s the latest in the real estate market and what does it mean for the broader economy? Today’s residential market faces ongoing inventory constraints and affordability challenges, while commercial properties must adapt to new work patterns and investment strategies. National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Lawrence Yun joined us to discuss the state of the residential and commercial markets and what that means for buyers, sellers, renters, investors and the insurance industry.

Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travelers.com/webinar-series/symposia-series/real-estate-market-outlook.

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Visit the Travelers Institute® website: http://travelersinstitute.org/.

Join the Travelers Institute® email list: https://travl.rs/488XJZM .

Subscribe to the Travelers Institute® Podcast newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7328774828839100417.

Connect with Travelers Institute® President Joan Woodward on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-kois-woodward/.

Stewarding the Future of Insurance with Travelers EVP Michael Klein Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

What does it take to navigate a 35-year career in insurance from entry-level actuary to executive leadership?

Travelers EVP and President of Personal Insurance Michael Klein recently joined Conner Insurance’s Risk & Resolve podcast to break down his remarkable journey in the insurance industry.

In this special Travelers Institute Risk & Resilience episode, we’re sharing the conversation Michael had with Risk & Resolve hosts Ben Conner and Todd Hufford. Michael offered candid insights about career setbacks that ultimately positioned him for greater success, the importance of professional advocates and the vast opportunities within the insurance industry. He discussed Travelers’ focus on digitization and modernization, the critical need for attracting young talent to the industry and his mission to leave the insurance world better than he found it.

Watch the video recording: https://connerins.com/risk-and-resolve/?wchannelid=6jgsnm0r44&wmediaid=puxrzk434z.

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Visit the Travelers Institute® website: http://travelersinstitute.org/.

Join the Travelers Institute® email list: https://travl.rs/488XJZM .

Subscribe to the Travelers Institute® Podcast newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7328774828839100417.

Connect with Travelers Institute® President Joan Woodward on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-kois-woodward/.

Beyond Benefits: Building Personalized Mental Health Support at Work Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

Mental health challenges affect millions of American adults, costing over $210 billion annually in direct treatment costs, according to the National Institutes of Health. Employers shoulder many of those direct costs as well as losses from reduced productivity, absenteeism and turnover. April Koh, co-founder and CEO of Spring Health, joined Travelers’ Greg Landmark to share how employers can play a proactive role in improving mental well-being in America. This webinar explored the compelling business case for employer mental health support, examined real-world success stories and provided actionable strategies your organization can implement to move beyond generic wellness programs to truly personalized care that meets employees where they are.

Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travelers.com/webinar-series/symposia-series/employee-mental-health-investment.

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Visit the Travelers Institute® website: http://travelersinstitute.org/.

Join the Travelers Institute® email list: https://travl.rs/488XJZM .

Subscribe to the Travelers Institute® Podcast newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7328774828839100417.

Connect with Travelers Institute® President Joan Woodward on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-kois-woodward/.

The Evolving Property Insurance Landscape: Strategic Response and Agent Participation Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

What's driving the changes in today's complex property insurance market, and how can we turn challenges into opportunities to better serve customers? Angi Orbann, National Property Lead and Vice President of Property, Personal Insurance, and Dan DiMugno, Assistant Vice President, Risk Management, Personal Insurance, both from Travelers, joined us to examine how the company views evolving market pressures. Learn how Travelers is using innovative solutions and analytics to better assess customer needs and help them protect their home investment. Also get insights into the critical role agents play in helping customers understand their exposure and make informed decisions.

Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travelers.com/webinar-series/symposia-series/property-insurance.

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Visit the Travelers Institute® website: http://travelersinstitute.org/.

Join the Travelers Institute® email list: https://travl.rs/488XJZM .

Subscribe to the Travelers Institute® Podcast newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7328774828839100417.

Connect with Travelers Institute® President Joan Woodward on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-kois-woodward/.

Strategic Connections: Short-Term Negotiation Tactics for Long-Term Success Dec 03, 2025

Show notes

In the complex world of insurance and risk management, how do you negotiate effectively without compromising long-term relationships? John Burrows, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer at the University of Chicago and Associate Fellow at Oxford University, joined us to explore practical tools and approaches to the ‟negotiator’s dilemma” – knowing when to compete and when to collaborate. He shared real-world examples of successful trust-based bargaining, revealed how network structures impact business resilience and provided actionable strategies to elevate your negotiation skills while developing the relationship capital that drives sustainable success.

Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travelers.com/webinar-series/symposia-series/negotiating-for-success.

NEW -- Upcoming Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar scheduled for October 14, 2026

Wednesday 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. ET: https://institute.travelers.com/events-podcasts-webinars/webinars/wednesday-woodward/human-connection

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Visit the Travelers Institute® website: http://travelersinstitute.org/.

Join the Travelers Institute® email list: https://travl.rs/488XJZM .

Subscribe to the Travelers Institute® Podcast newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7328774828839100417.

Connect with Travelers Institute® President Joan Woodward on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-kois-woodward/.

Overload: How Employers Can Help Maxed-Out Caregivers Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

With 53 million Americans providing unpaid care for loved ones and many considering reducing work hours or leaving jobs, caregiving significantly impacts America's workforce. Lindsay Jurist-Rosner, co-founder and CEO of Wellthy, and Greg Landmark, Senior Vice President of Total Rewards and People Analytics at Travelers, joined Travelers Institute President Joan Woodward to discuss how employers can address this challenge. They explored the business case for caregiver support, effective strategies including flexible work arrangements and specialized benefits, and how employers can help families navigate the complexities of caregiving while retaining talent and boosting productivity.

Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travelers.com/webinar-series/symposia-series/support-working-caregivers.

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Visit the Travelers Institute® website: http://travelersinstitute.org/.

Join the Travelers Institute® email list: https://travl.rs/488XJZM .

Subscribe to the Travelers Institute® Podcast newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7328774828839100417.

Connect with Travelers Institute® President Joan Woodward on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-kois-woodward/.