In this episode of the Unmitigated podcast, host Van Carlson sits down with Stephanie Forbes, commercial insurance expert and risk advisor, to break down what’s happening in today’s traditional insurance market. The conversation explores why premiums are increasing while coverage is tightening, how exclusions and underwriting changes are impacting business owners, and the role reinsurance plays in rising costs. Stephanie shares insight from her decades in the industry and explains how alternative risk strategies like group captives and self-insurance models can help qualified businesses take greater control. Together, they discuss what makes a company a strong candidate and why proactive risk management matters more than ever.

In this episode of the Unmitigated podcast, host Van Carlson sits down with Joe Davis, Technology Director at SRA 831(b) Admin, to demystify artificial intelligence for small to mid-sized business owners. The conversation explores what AI really means for day-to-day operations, from eliminating repetitive tasks and improving productivity to enhancing analytics and decision-making. Joe shares practical guidance on where to start, why governance and guardrails matter, and how businesses can adopt AI safely without oversharing sensitive data. Together, they discuss the risks of both using and not using AI, the importance of having an internal AI champion, and why this technology may ultimately improve job satisfaction and company culture. The episode offers a realistic, approachable roadmap for business leaders who want to embrace AI thoughtfully rather than sit on the sidelines.

Host Van Carlson welcomes Brian Van Camp to explore how businesses can rethink and modernize their relationship with CPAs. Together, they dive into the evolving role of tax planning as more than just compliance, highlighting how proactive strategies can unlock smarter business decisions, improve financial resilience, and drive long-term growth. From leveraging advanced planning tools to fostering stronger collaboration between business owners and their advisors, this episode uncovers practical insights to help companies transform their CPA partnerships into a powerful advantage.