Top 10 podcasts for 2021
This year, the Actuaries Institute introduced several new ‘mini-podcast’ series, and continued existing favourites such as the ‘Driven by Data’ and the ‘SIPC Super Series’. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to podcasts this year. Your efforts have ensured we continue to publish high quality, relevant content on a diverse range of topics.
Here are the 10 ‘most downloaded’ podcasts of 2021.
#10 – SPC Practice Update Podcast
Tim Jenkins and Louise Campbell’s update on the activities of the then-Superannuation Practice Committee (now known as the Superannuation and Investments Practice Committee) opens the Top 10 podcast countdown for 2021.
In this episode, Tim Convenor) and Louise (committee member) discussed the initiatives of the Practice Committee, along with the many Subcommittees, Working Groups and Taskforces who collaborate to deliver the SPC’s five strategic goals. Read the summary article or listen below.
Listen to “SPC Practice Update Podcast” on Spreaker.
#9 – The Role of Directors and Boards – Lessons from the Banking Royal Commission
Ian Laughlin joined Barry Rafe to discuss the key points of the research paper the pair presented at the 2021 All-Actuaries Virtual Summit.
Ian and Barry’s paper was titled The Role of Directors and Boards – Lessons from the Banking Royal Commission. During the Virtual Summit, Ian and Barry talk about the paper in the Leadership and Professionalism Plenary session, titled ‘Was the misconduct identified in the Banking Royal Commission enabled by directors who didn’t understand the complexity of the businesses they directed?’. Read the summary article or listen below.
#8 – Revolutionary Actuaries at the 2021 All-Actuaries Virtual Summit
In the leadup to the Virtual Summit, Institute Vice President Naomi Edwards, Dee Madigan (Creative Director at Campaign Edge), and Queenie Chow (Microinsurance Specialist at Milliman) previewed the Plenary session ‘Revolutionary Actuaries’.
Naomi, Dee and Queenie, who co-presented the Plenary, shared stories about their experience in branding and offered their opinions on the actuarial brand. Read the summary article or listen below.
#7 – Gender Inequality in the Retirement Savings Gap
David Knox (Global Pension Expert), Tim Jenkins (in his capacity as a Partner at Mercer) and Richard Dunn (then-Consultant at Rice Warner) previewed the Virtual Summit Plenary session ‘Gender Inequality in the Retirement Savings Gap’.
David and Richard shared their ideation and research behind their session and why it’s important not only for themselves but for all actuaries to be invested in closing the gender gap.
To conclude the discussion, Tim, David and Richard also discussed what Superannuation Concurrent sessions they are looking forward to attending at the Virtual Summit. Read the summary article or listen below.
#6 – 2021 Virtual Summit to cater for all
Following on from the record-breaking 2020 All-Actuaries Virtual Summit, Jennifer Lang (2021 Virtual Summit Organising Committee Convenor) and Naomi Edwards discussed the ins and outs of the 2021 Virtual Summit.
Jennifer and Naomi dissected the exciting Plenary and Concurrent program on offer, the high-profile guest speakers locked in to present, and the bargain registrations options which are simply too good to pass up. Read the summary article or listen below.
Listen to “2021 Virtual Summit to cater for all” on Spreaker.
#5 – SIPC Super Series: Optimising member outcomes
Actuary and UniSuper Strategy Lead Vivian Dang joined Christine Li (Superannuation and Investments Practice Committee Secretary) on the inaugural episode of the ‘SIPC Super Series’, an initiative of the SIPC.
In this episode, Vivian and Christine discussed the importance of superannuation fund outcomes for members, the benefit of comparison tools from the ATO and tighter industry regulation, and his role in enhancing member returns for UniSuper. Read the summary article or listen below.
Listen to “SIPC Super Series: Optimising member outcomes” on Spreaker.
#4 – Recent Developments in Understanding Natural Climate Variability
Tatiana Potemina (Natural Perils Senior Pricing Advisor at Suncorp Group) joined Tim Andrews (Chief Operating Officer of Analytics at Chubb) and Simone Collins (Senior Actuary at Picnic Labs + Picnic Syndicate to preview the 2021 Virtual Summit Plenary session ‘Recent Developments in Understanding Natural Climate Variability’.
Simone, Tatiana and Tim also discussed which general insurance and broader fields concurrent sessions they are looking forward to attending at the Virtual Summit. Read the summary article or listen below.
#3 – Securing Adequate Retirement Incomes for an Ageing Australia
In this podcast, Andrew Boal (Convenor of the Institute’s Retirement Strategy Group), Tim Jenkins (in his capacity as Convenor of the Superannuation and Investments Practice Committee), and Shang Wu (Retirement Incomes Working Group), joined Vanessa Beenders on the Actuaries Institute Podcast to discuss the key points of the Statement.
This landmark statement sets out 13 policy positions on key reforms that aim to improve the Australian retirement system. The intent is to create a system that is clear in its objective, simpler, more efficient, delivers adequacy and improves equity across and within generations. Read the summary article or listen below.
Listen to “Securing Adequate Retirement Incomes for an Ageing Australia” on Spreaker.
#2 – Driven by Data: Amanda Aitken
Amanda Aitken (actuarial educator) joined Meg Yang (member of the Young Data Analytics Working Group) to provide invaluable advice on starting out in data analytics.
Amanda is a qualified Fellow with a wealth of actuarial experience, who joined the Institute’s staff to establish the data analytics education program. Amanda is also a member of our Data Analytics Practice Committee Meg is a Fellow of the Institute and part of our Young Data Analytics Working Group (YDAWG). Read the summary article or listen below.
Listen to “Driven by Data: Amanda Aitken” on Spreaker.
#1 – Machine learning explained
Jacky Poon, Michael Storozhev and Meg Yang’s discussion on machine learning claims the title as the most listened podcast of 2021.
Equipped with a combined 28+ years’ experience working closely with machine learning models, influential data analytics actuaries Jacky Poon (Head of Finance at nib Travel) and Michael Storozhev (Head of Underwriting, Asia and Startup Ventures at Cover-More) joined the offers predictions on where and how machine learning will be applied in the future. Here’s a hint… it could end up operating your fridge!
Jacky and Michael chatted about their first taste of machine learning, how they apply it in their current roles, the four machine learning techniques actuaries must have in their toolkit, and the one machine learning technique Jacky and Michael swear by. Read the summary article or listen below.
Listen to “Machine learning explained” on Spreaker.
CPD: Actuaries Institute Members can claim two CPD points for every podcast listened to.
