That Annuity Show

In this episode, we delve into the dynamic landscape of annuities and retirement markets, exploring the promising opportunities of 2024 amidst the evolving Retiretech scene. Join moderator Doug Roth of CT Innovations and industry experts Ray Jang from Primetime Partners, Marie-Christine Razaire representing Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures, and Andrew Wegrzyn of SixThirty Ventures as they discuss strategies for making smart bets on the future of retirement. Discover insights on navigating the shifting sands of valuation resets and uncover the untapped potential that lies within the annuity and broader retirement markets. Gain exclusive access to expert predictions on which opportunities are primed for success in 2024 and which ventures are poised to attract funding. Subscribe now to unlock valuable insights and actionable strategies: This episode was recorded live at Retiretech Vegas in April 2024. Click to watch the full panel:

In this episode of That Annuity Show, recorded live at RetiretechTM Vegas, we delve into the dynamic interplay between technology, regulation, and innovation within the insurance industry. Our panelists, including Commissioners Andrew Mais from Connecticut, Nathan Houdek from Wisconsin, Kathleen Birrane from Maryland, and Troy Downing from Montana, along with moderator George Esposito of Zinnia, lead a discussion on the pivotal role of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping the landscape of insurance. Throughout the conversation, they stress the crucial balance between fostering innovation and maintaining regulatory oversight to uphold fair treatment of policyholders. With a keen eye on the potential risks associated with AI and machine learning, the panelists underscored the importance of financial literacy and ongoing consumer education initiatives. As the dialogue unfolds, technological advancements in insurance distribution emerge as a central theme, highlighting the transformative potential of AI-driven solutions. The panelists emphasized the need for collaboration among regulators, industry stakeholders, and consumers to navigate this evolving terrain effectively. Tune in as we explore the nuanced dynamics of insurance regulation and technology, offering insights into how industry players can adapt and thrive in an ever-changing landscape. Learn more about RetiretechTM at Watch the full panel: Insuring Tomorrow: Navigating the Regulatory Environment of the AI and Tech Revolution,

On April 8-10, we held our third RetiretechTM event...this time in Las Vegas. Joe Jordan joined us as a keynote speaker. The next day, we caught up with him in the expo hall of RetiretechTM Las Vegas and talked to him more about the future of purpose-driven retirement planning. Learn more: https://imagine.nfg.com/retiretech-2024/

Tamiko Toland and Michael Finke join us today as founders of Income Path. Income Path is a tool that visualizes retirement income paths and the impact of annuities on that journey. A conversation with Bill Sharpe in 2018 provided the spark for this new venture. The tool aims to shift the narrative from fear-based discussions to positive outcomes and flexibility. It allows individuals to modulate their annuity allocation and equity allocation to create the desired income path. The target audience for Income Path includes financial professionals and institutions, and the tool can be used throughout retirement to evaluate and adjust income plans. Takeaways Income Path is a tool that visualizes retirement income paths and the impact of annuities on those paths. The tool aims to shift the narrative from fear-based discussions to positive outcomes and flexibility. Individuals can modulate their annuity allocation and equity allocation to create the desired income path. Income Path is targeted towards financial professionals and institutions and can be used throughout retirement to evaluate and adjust income plans. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions 01:05 Genesis of Income Path 05:29 The Modeling of a Variable Annuity 06:52 The Value of Income Path and Annuities 07:22 Shifting the Narrative from Fear to Positive Outcomes 08:15 Coming Together to Create Income Path 09:18 Shifting the Perception of Annuities 10:12 The Flexibility and Offensive Role of Annuities 12:45 Visualizing Retirement Income Paths 14:17 Shifting Mindsets and Behavioral Inputs 21:43 The Impact of Annuities on Longevity Risk 23:08 Considering Healthcare Costs in Retirement 25:38 Target Audience and Launch Strategy 28:04 Inspiring Visualization and Flexibility 29:37 The Impact of Income Path on Advisors and Annuity Sales 32:47 Bringing Visual Tools to the Market 33:33 Closing Remarks and Thank You

217 - The Peak 65 Zone Is Here With Jason Fichtner Jason Fichtner, Chief Economist, Bipartisan Policy Center & Executive Director, Retirement Income Institute, Alliance for Lifetime Income joins us today to talk to us about his latest paper. Jason recently released the 2024 edition of “The Peak 65® Zone Is Here – Creating A New Framework For America’s Retirement Security". On our show, Jason Fichtner discusses this paper, the retirement income challenge, and the need for protected income strategies. He highlights the moment and the retirement challenges faced by the baby boomer generation. Fichtner emphasizes the transition from defined benefit to defined contribution plans and the importance of optimizing Social Security benefits. He also discusses the use of bridge annuities to convert retirement assets into a stream of income. The role of the workplace in retirement planning and the need for prescriptive advice are also discussed. The conversation explores the need for protected income products in defined contribution plans and the role of defaults in retirement planning. It also discusses the importance of educational tools and calculators for retirement planning and the impact of narrative framing and behavioral elements in retirement decision making. The narrative on retirement income strategies is changing, and there is a need to expand the message and address retirement security for multiple generations. Takeaways: The retirement income challenge is a significant issue, with many individuals struggling to convert their retirement assets into a stream of income that will last their lifetime. The Peak 65 moment is approaching, with millions of Americans turning 65 each year. This highlights the urgency to address retirement challenges and ensure financial security for retirees. The transition from defined benefit to defined contribution plans has shifted the responsibility of retirement savings and income planning to individuals. This has created a need for protected income strategies, such as annuities. Employers play a crucial role in retirement planning, as employees often trust them for information and guidance. Employers can provide education and resources to help employees make informed decisions about their retirement income. Protected income products should be included in defined contribution plans to provide retirement security. Defaults can play a role in retirement planning by offering options that fit the majority of the population, with an opt-out option. Educational tools and calculators can help individuals understand the benefits of delaying social security and bridge the gap in retirement income. Narrative framing and behavioral elements are important in influencing retirement decision making. The conversation on retirement income strategies is shifting towards a holistic approach. There is a need to expand the message on retirement security and address the challenges faced by multiple generations. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 00:47 Jason's Roles and Expertise 04:13 Peak 65 and Retirement Challenges 05:11 Financial Challenges and Trust Fund Insolvency 06:03 Transition from Defined Benefit to Defined Contribution 07:25 Personal Experience and Retirement Savings 08:11 Optimizing Social Security Benefits 10:04 Bridge Annuities and Protected Income 11:29 Calculating Retirement Income 16:23 Role of the Workplace in Retirement Planning 21:50 Protected Income Products in Defined Contribution Plans 23:27 The Role of Defaults in Retirement Planning 25:17 Educational Tools and Calculators for Retirement Planning 30:20 Narrative Framing and Behavioral Elements in Retirement Decision-Making 35:02 Changing the Narrative on Retirement Income Strategies 38:03 Expanding the Message and Addressing Retirement Security 39:51 The Retirement Challenges for Multiple Generations Read more here:

In this episode, Paul Tyler and David Czerniecki, Chief Investment Officer for Nassau, discusss various economic topics, including China's economic slowdown, energy prices, inflation, and global conflicts. They explore the implications of these issues on the global economy and provide insights into potential future developments. Takeaways China's economic slowdown has implications for the equity markets, interest rates, and global growth. Energy prices have remained stable despite conflicts and disruptions in shipping lanes. Achieving the target inflation rate of 2% has been challenging due to sticky prices in the services sector. Global conflicts, while tragic, have had a muted economic impact so far. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:05 China's Economic Slowdown 09:01 Inflation 14:06 Global Conflicts

Summary Ron Gura, the co-founder and CEO of Empathy joins us today on our show. Empathy aims to provide support and guidance to individuals who have lost a loved one, helping them navigate the administrative and emotional aspects of the process. He shares his personal journey and the inspiration behind starting Empathy. The conversation delves into the workflow and touchpoints of Empathy's services, the co-branded experience for carriers and producers, and the impact of Empathy's services on claimants. The episode concludes with a discussion on breaking the taboo around death and the value of experience over product in the insurance industry. Takeaways Empathy is a company that provides support and guidance to individuals who have lost a loved one, helping them navigate the administrative and emotional aspects of the process. The taboo around death and loss needs to be broken, and conversations about mortality and end-of-life planning should be encouraged. Empathy offers a co-branded experience for carriers and producers, allowing them to provide personalized support and resources to their policyholders and beneficiaries. Having conversations about death and end-of-life planning is essential, and individuals should take the time to discuss their wishes and make necessary arrangements with their loved ones. Experience and support are more important than the product itself in the insurance industry, and companies should focus on delivering a positive customer experience throughout the claims process. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Weather Update 01:03 The Importance of Life Insurance Claims 02:07 Introduction of Guest: Ron Gura, Co-founder and CEO at Empathy 03:06 The Taboo Topic of Death and Empathy's Mission 04:12 Ron Gura's Background and Journey to Empathy 06:26 The Impact of Personal Loss on Ron Gura's Mission 08:25 The Need for Conversations About Loss and Death 10:04 The Workflow and Touchpoints of Empathy's Services 11:25 The Co-branded Experience for Carriers and Agents 13:26 The Administrative Support Provided by Empathy 15:44 The Impact of Empathy's Services on Claimants 17:44 The Logistics and Timing of Introducing Further Business Relationships 19:02 The Importance of Breaking the Taboo Around Death 23:20 The Value of Experience Over Product in the Insurance Industry 31:10 The Right Time and Approach to Introduce Further Business Relationships 35:12 Closing Thoughts and Advice on Having Conversations About Death 38:33 Conclusion and Call to Action

Summary Andrew Unkefer, an industry legend joins us to talk about the importance of relationships in the industry, the impact of technology, the future of the producer and IMO space, the shift to virtual meetings, consolidation in the industry, the impact of regulation, and the integration of estate planning and financial solutions. Andrew also shares his personal focus and future plans. Takeaways Relationships are still a key aspect of the insurance industry and producers and IMOs that prioritize serving their producers and building partnerships will thrive. The industry is experiencing a shift towards virtual meetings, with some producers successfully initiating relationships and conducting business through platforms like Zoom. Consolidation is happening in the industry, and producers and IMOs need to adapt and concentrate their businesses to remain successful. The integration of estate planning and financial solutions presents a significant opportunity for producers to provide a higher level of benefits and services to their clients. Regulation is an ongoing concern in the industry, but state-level protection can help ensure consumer protection and maintain the integrity of the industry. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:22 Starting in the Insurance Industry 03:16 Educating People about Annuities 06:08 The Importance of Technology in the Industry 07:31 The Persistence of Paper Kits and Brochures 08:08 The Future of the Producer and IMO Space 09:05 The Shift to Virtual Meetings 10:42 The Importance of Relationships in the Industry 12:09 Consolidation and Changes in the Industry 13:31 The Impact of Direct-to-Consumer Marketing 15:03 Regulation and the Future of the Industry20:27 The Integration of Estate Planning and Financial Solutions 25:26 The Magnitude of the Opportunity for Estate Planners 30:35 The Importance of Celebrating Producers 34:09 The Impact of Regulation on the Industry 37:01 Future Plans and Personal Focus

Zinnia provides technology and administrative services to over 40 life, annuity, and retirement carriers. We had the opportunity to discuss the future of insurance service and technology with Michele Trogni, CEO at Zinnia and Operating partner at Eldridge, and George Esposito, General Counsel, Head of Business Development for Zinnia in their Greenwich, CT offices. As it just so happened, Zinnia announced that it will acquire Ebix Inc.'s Life and Annuity software assets shortly after we met. We quickly added a short interview with Michele to understand what it means for their company and customers going forward. Highlights: Michele Trogni, CEO of Zinnia and operating partner of Eldridge, discusses simplifying insurance through data and technology. Zinnia serves carriers, advisors, and consumers with the goal of modernizing the "rails" of the insurance industry. They are shifting from just a TPA (third party administrator) to a broader technology and data provider focused on carrier growth and better customer experiences. Zinnia has built an extensible data platform called Zahara to enable faster product development and innovation. They aim to facilitate insurance distribution through acquisitions like PolicyGenius. Pending acquisition of Ebix, will expand Zinnia's capabilities from back-office to front-end distribution solutions. Culture focused on collaboration, learning, and delivering value is key, as is having a bold vision to transform the industry.

Summary In this episode, Paul Tyler and his guests discuss the Department of Labor's new rules and their implications for insurance agents. They explore the impact on independent agents and the potential migration towards the RIA industry. The conversation also touches on public policy considerations and the need for proper regulation. Michelle Richter-Gordon shares her insights and highlights the importance of understanding the new rules and their potential risks. The episode concludes with a discussion on advocacy and the resources available to navigate these changes. Takeaways The Department of Labor's new rules will have a significant impact on insurance agents, particularly independent agents. There is a need for proper regulation that takes into account the unique characteristics of insurance products and the role of insurance agents. The new rules may lead to a migration towards the RIA industry as agents seek to operate under an investment advising regime. It is important for agents to understand the new rules and their potential risks, and how to help address these potential risks. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Introducing Michelle Richter Gordon 03:02 The Department of Labor's New Rules 05:06 Implications for Insurance Agents 07:58 Public Policy Considerations 10:05 Long-Term Impact on the Industry 13:36 Potential Impact on Unqualified Funds 15:33 The Definition of Investment Advisor 18:12 Democratization of Retirement Planning 19:52 The Purpose of Annuities 20:10 Michelle's Work and Future Plans 30:38 Advocacy and Seeking Help 33:08 Final Thoughts Show Notes: ARC Presents Critical Information for Annuity Fiduciaries recording: Q&A registration, for 2/14/24 at 3pm Eastern, for anyone who has questions about the provocative content in the recording above, here: NAFA Webinars: Axonic Insurance Solutions launch press release: Michelle's Letter to DOL:

Summary James Wong, our guest today, shares his perspective on the future of annuity distribution. The main takeaway…build strong relationships today in order to navigate the changing landscape of the industry tomorrow. The conversation covers industry associations, survey work, product innovation, acquisitions, and the implications for agents and agencies. James also introduces the concept of the Founder's Chair, which aims to support entrepreneurs in the insurance industry.

Summary In this episode of That Annuity Show, Paul Tyler and Tisa Rabun-Marshall interview Marshall Heitzman, VP of Advanced Planning Consulting at TruStage. They discuss the role of annuities in comprehensive planning and the importance of understanding clients' values and goals. Marshall shares his personal experience with behavioral finance techniques and how they can help advisors connect with clients on a deeper level. They also explore the evolution of annuity products and the benefits of including adult children in financial conversations. The episode concludes with recommendations for further reading and ways to reach out for assistance. Takeaways Understanding clients' values and goals is crucial in comprehensive planning with annuities. Behavioral finance techniques can help advisors connect with clients on a deeper level and engage them in the planning process. Including adult children in financial conversations can strengthen relationships and ensure continuity of the client-advisor relationship. Simplifying the planning process and focusing on clients' values can lead to better client retention and referrals. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:18 Marshall's Career and Skills 02:15 Case Design and Solution Design for Annuities 03:35 Types of Advisors Working with Annuities 04:57 Overcoming Objections and Regulatory Changes 05:21 Behavioral Finance Techniques for Advisors 06:11 Time Objections and Building Relationships 07:49 Coaching Time-Pressed Advisors 08:18 Slowing Down and Having Conversations 09:47 Annuities as Estate Planning Tools 11:31 Evolution of Annuity Products 13:26 Behavioral Finance Conversation Techniques 14:08 Personal Story and Connecting with Clients 16:47 Communicating with Women in the Household 19:37 Better Client Retention and Referrals 24:39 Changing Advisor Mindset and Approach 26:11 Simplifying the Planning Process 30:09 Recommendations and Conclusion Paul Tyler (00:00.154) Hi, this is Paul Tyler and welcome to another episode of That Annuity Show. Tisa, how are you? Tisa Rabun-Marshall (00:08.246) Doing good, Paul. Good morning. Paul Tyler (00:10.578) It's good to see you and we've got another great guest today on our show, Mr. Marshall Heitzman, okay, who is the, an advanced planning consultant, vice president at TruStage. Marshall, did I introduce you correctly? Marshall Heitzman (00:27.793) That's it. Yeah, good morning. Paul Tyler (00:29.486) All right, well, for our listeners, I think we'll have some interesting conversation that a lot of our listeners will find useful. Do you wanna just sort of tell us, you know, who are you and, you know, what do you do at TruStage? Marshall Heitzman (00:42.568) Yeah, thanks. Marshall Heitzman, I am, as you said, VP of Advanced Planning Consulting at TruStage. I'm actually dedicated to their annuity distribution channel. So I'm doing advanced planning just on our annuity opportunities. And I think of it this way. I brought in as the strategy that leads to investment solutions. And so I'm kind of building out that strategy, talking the talk for. those who are maybe leaning more towards the planning side of the business. Paul Tyler (01:18.238) Well, excellent. And just maybe by way of background, you know, you've had a very interesting, you know, career, I think, working at a variety of different types of companies, right? I think you've worked at some fraternals. I know, I think you were at a large planning firm. Yeah, I guess, what, you know, skills do you bring to a role like this? Marshall Heitzman (01:45.216) Yeah, I would say that I've had kind of a diverse career a little bit a lot of sales support But I have done some roles in supervision and compliance And now back into sales support again, and like I said directly Dedicated to annuities at this moment, even though in the past I've done investment advisory and been on The the full investment planning comprehensive planning side of the business in the past Tisa Rabun-Marshall...

Summary In this episode of That Annuity Show, Bobby Samuelson, President of Life Innovators, discusses the current state of the annuity market and the challenges and opportunities it presents. He highlights the entry of new companies into the market and the different strategies they employ. Bobby also discusses the role of proprietary indices in annuities and the need for innovation in product development. He emphasizes the importance of technology in enabling advisors to tell the annuity story more effectively. Overall, Bobby provides insights into the changing dynamics of the annuity market and the evolving expectations of customers. Takeaways New companies are entering the annuity market, with many focusing on multi-year guarantee annuities (MYGAs) as an entry point. The annuity market is highly competitive, and companies need to differentiate themselves through innovation in product development. Proprietary indices have played a significant role in the annuity market, but there is a need for more innovation and a focus on the underlying product structure. The annuity market faces challenges in attracting and retaining customers, and companies need to adapt to changing customer expectations and preferences. Technology can play a crucial role in enabling advisors to sell annuities more effectively and reach new markets. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Focus of Bobby Samuelson 03:45 New Entrants in the Annuity Market 07:43 Competition and Innovation in the Annuity Market 13:42 The Role of Proprietary Indices in Annuities 20:31 Challenges and Opportunities in the Annuity Market 27:12 Changing Customer Expectations in the Annuity Market 30:44 The Role of Technology in the Annuity Market 35:37 Conclusion and Closing Remarks Paul Tyler (00:03.644) Hi, this is Paul Tyler and welcome to another episode of That Annuity Show. Tisa, good to see you. Tisa Rabun-Marshall (00:09.89) Good to see you, Paul. Good morning, everyone. Paul Tyler (00:11.708) Yeah, we're having a lot of fun at work these days. Paul Tyler (00:29.411) Ramsey Atlanta is like, I don't want to know. I'm not sure I want to know what Atlanta is like. Ramsey Smith (00:32.292) It's sunny. It's chilly, but it is bright sunny day. Can't complain. Paul Tyler (00:36.464) Okay. All right. Bobby, hey, listen, first of all, thanks for coming back. It's always good, you know, when guests, we have guests on once and they say yes to coming back. It's been a couple years, but we are lucky and fortunate to have Bobby Samuelson, President of Life Innovators, on our show. And Bobby, hey, just tell, it brings up the speed, you know, tell us, you know, what's your focus these days? Bobby (00:36.797) Same in Charlotte. Bobby (00:50.781) See you back. Bobby (01:02.789) Yeah, sure. So I've been doing, um, obviously worked at midlife Bright House for a few years. Less than 2017 started up a newsletter that I actually had done prior to going to Bright House. So I still do that called the life product review. That's, you know, three to 4,000 words every week on what's going on in the life insurance side of the world. Um, and then we also started up an annuity product development company. And so basically we serve as an outsourced chief product officer to small and midsize insurance companies. And so a lot of these newer entrants getting into the space. can't hire product talent, can't find product talent. And so they use us as their chief product officer effectively. And then we've also picked up, I'd say a few kind of insurance companies that are either doing other types of products and want to get into annuities or maybe are already doing annuities, but haven't done for example, an FIA or a RYLA or even a VA and they hire us to help them build those products. And then along the way with that, we kind of realized that wait a second, we're doing, you know the life product review, can we do something? on kind of what's going on in the competitive landscape on the annuity side of the world....

“208 - Improving the #AnnuityUX in 2024 With David Hanzlik" Summary In this episode, Paul Tyler, Ramsey Smith, and Dave Hanzlik discuss the annuity industry and the changes that occurred in 2023. They talk about the rebranding of TruStage, the growth in annuity sales driven by the rate environment, and the success of fixed annuities and fixed indexed annuities. They also explore the potential for growth in niche markets, such as deferred income annuities, and the role of registered index-linked annuities (RILAs) in the industry. The conversation highlights the importance of making annuity sales easier for advisors and the potential impact of AI in the industry. The episode concludes with final thoughts and tips for annuity sales professionals. Takeaways The annuity industry experienced significant changes in 2023, including rebranding and growth in sales driven by the rate environment. Fixed annuities and fixed indexed annuities performed well in 2023, with advisors recognizing the value of the guarantees they provide. There is potential for growth in niche markets, such as deferred income annuities and registered index-linked annuities (RILAs). Making annuity sales easier for advisors and improving the ease of use of annuity products should be a focus for the industry. AI has the potential to play a role in improving operational processes and making the industry more efficient. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:30 Recapping the Holiday Season 01:44 Changes and Rebranding in 2023 03:24 Annuity Sales in 2023 07:27 Growth in Niche Markets 08:08 Renewed Interest in Annuities 09:37 Behavioral Finance and Market Ups and Downs 11:08 Deferred Income Annuities and Income Solutions 12:04 The Role of RILAs in the Annuity Market 13:41 White Space in the Annuity Business 16:33 Expanding the Target Audience for RILAs 20:01 Making Annuity Sales Easier for Advisors 22:29 New Year's Resolutions for the Industry 25:15 The Role of AI in the Industry 27:06 Retire Tech Innovation Event 28:29 Final Thoughts and Advice 30:32 Closing Remarks Paul Tyler (00:01) Hi, this is Paul Tyler and welcome to another episode of That Annuity Show. Ramsey, good morning. Ramsey Smith (00:08) Good morning to you. Great to be here as always. Good morning to you. Paul Tyler (00:11) It is, and we've got a great guest, a returning guest, Mr. Dave Hanzlik Vice President, Annuity and Retirement Solutions at TruStage, formerly known as CUNA Mutual Group. Dave, welcome back. Dave Hanzlik (00:25) Hey, thanks guys. It's great to be back. How was your holiday? Paul Tyler (00:30) You know, it was too short, too short. And I'm paying for it now, paying for it now as we get ready for our upcoming sales conference here that I'm looking forward to. Ramsey, yours. Dave Hanzlik (00:34) Yeah. Ramsey Smith (00:44) Good holiday. We actually spent some time in New York, which is sort of our historic home, which is fantastic. During the Christmas season, it was so, so busy. Frankly, it's great to see what looks like a really great strong recovery for the city over the course of the last year or so. So it's just great to see that kind of energy in the city. So it was fantastic. And other than that, college applications. So busy. Paul Tyler (01:09) I don't know. Judging from the sketches on your wall, I don't think you're quite there, Dave. Dave Hanzlik (01:14) No, not yet, although these are several years old. So, yeah, yeah. Paul Tyler (01:18) Okay. Yeah. Hey, well, listen, we actually had a chance to catch up in person at the Limerick Annual Conference, which was great. But, Liz, it's hard at the beginning of the year not to look back and then look forward. You know, looking back to 2023, it was a big year in the annuity industry and also, you know, a big year for your company. Do you want to talk about the changes and the new name, maybe? Dave Hanzlik (01:44) Yeah, yeah. I mean, 2023, as you mentioned. true stage. We went to market and changed our name and brand in 2023. If...

Summary Ema Roloff, Co-Founder and Principal Consultant of Roloff Consulting, discusses the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in the annuity and broader insurance industry. She emphasizes the importance of addressing legacy systems and the education gap in digital literacy. Ema provides insights on how to start building digital literacy and recommends finding reliable sources for learning. She also discusses the fear associated with AI and the need to overcome it by focusing on the benefits and practical applications. Ema highlights the power of video content and authenticity in marketing and suggests becoming the favorite teacher to build trust with customers. The conversation concludes with a discussion on reaching the right audience with video content. Takeaways Legacy systems and the education gap are key challenges in digital transformation in the insurance industry. Building digital literacy is crucial for individuals and organizations to leverage emerging technologies effectively. Overcoming fear and focusing on the benefits of AI can help drive adoption and build trust. Video content and authenticity are powerful tools for marketing and building connections with customers. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:18 Ema Roloff's Background and Expertise 03:01 Legacy Systems and Digital Transformation 05:32 Education Gap and Digital Literacy 06:21 Starting Point for Digital Literacy 09:15 Finding Valuable Insights and Lessons 10:09 Trial and Error in Finding Good Sources 18:13 Overcoming Fear and Building Trust in AI 20:59 The Next Wave of Adoption and Perception Change 23:29 Importance of Educating People in the Company 25:31 Understanding the Problems and Bottlenecks 27:52 Completing the Puzzle in Digital Transformation 30:43 The Power of Video and Authenticity 36:15 Reaching the Right Audience with Video Content 39:37 Becoming the Favorite Teacher and Building Trust 40:59 Closing Remarks Paul (00:06.752) Hi, this is Paul Tyler and welcome to another episode of the That Annuity Show. And in fact, it's the first That Annuity Show recorded in 2024. Ramsey, good to see you. Ramsey Smith (00:19.441) Good to be back. It's been a minute. Yeah. Paul (00:21.668) Been a minute. Yeah, Tisa, welcome. Tisa Rabun-Marshall (00:25.85) Thanks. Good morning, everyone. Happy New Year. Paul (00:28.968) Yeah, well, we're off to a very interesting start this year, and we've got a great guest, Ema Roloff. I got to know Ema, I don't know, I think Ema, probably maybe a year and a half ago, I think, two years ago. Yeah, and you were working at that point for a software company, really doing, I think, and you correct me if I'm wrong, it felt like you were really kind of a leading spokesperson for the company. Ema Roloff (00:42.018) Sounds about right. Paul (00:54.608) Definitely did a tremendous job creating a presence on LinkedIn, various social media channels. And then you basically are now you've got your own company and you're helping bigger companies think about technology, change transformation, and also helping people figure out how to market in a rapidly changing world. How did I do for an introduction? Ema Roloff (01:18.658) Pretty good. I'm actually impressed. Most people do one or the other and you got both. So I have a content brand that is focused on, I would call leading change and transformation as a whole. Um, and the name of that is leading change, surprise, surprise. Um, so I do interviews and live episodes on LinkedIn from that series and do speaking engagements all attached to transformation. And then on the business side, my husband and I started a consulting company because we were both salespeople that were selling in a very different way than our peers. And we thought more people should recognize the benefit that comes from updating and modernizing their sales process and taking advantage of things like social media and other digital outlets to really change the paradigm of sales and sell the way that people...

We can’t believe we’re near the end of the fourth quarter already. Today we sit down with David Czerniecki, Chief Investment Officer for Nassau Financial Group. We cover interest rates, geopolitics, inflation, and AI. Interested in learning more? https://

It's hard to escape a news show, magazine or newspaper without reading about AI these days. How will it affect our business? That's what we explore today with David Macchia, CEO and Founder of Wealth2K. Learn more: Gain additional industry insight:

As the market heads into its final quarter, we thought you would enjoy hearing Tamiko Toland's take on trends in 2023. In this episode, we talk about the 401(k) market, retail annuities, and the consulting firm that Tamiko is building next.

Our world is filled with risks today. At a personal level, we've spent a lot of time talking about risks in managing retirement. Today, we explore how those risks overlap with those of carriers with Tamara Burden, Deputy Chief Risk Officer of National Life Group.

David Czerniecki, Chief Investment Officer of Nassau Financial Group joins us today to talk about the economy. In this episode, we cover a cooling economy in China, an improving outlook for our supply chain, a steadying job market, and the current cost of climate change.