BestDay Audio for Tuesday, Oct. 20: Consultant Richard Weber on Insurance as an Asset Class; LIMRA Researcher Robert Baranoff

BestDay Audio for Tuesday, Oct. 20: Richard M. Weber, president and primary consultant for The Ethical Edge Inc., which provides training and consulting services that help empower advisers and their clients to view life insurance in the context of financial planning, discusses findings from a recent white paper on life insurance as an asset class. Also included in the cast: Robert M. Baranoff, senior vice president at LIMRA International, responsible for LIMRA's global research program, discusses whether consumers have entered a "new normal" due to the market collapse and economic recession, along with how a new normal could affect the life insurance industry.

Recent episodes of BestDay Audio include:

? Monday, Oct. 19: Rob Gillies, head of market processes at the Lloyd's Market Association, discusses an agreement to speed the settlement of premiums within the Lloyd's market. Also included in the cast: Peter Hunt, chief executive of the mutual trade group Mutuo, discusses the Mutuals Forum 2009, which will be held in London on Oct. 22.

? Friday, Oct. 16: John D. Mitchell, the new managing director and chief executive officer of Kinetic, the Lloyd's broker, discusses his strategic goals for the company. Also included in the cast: A look at the risks involved in managing a disaster recovery service, as featured in Best's Underwriting Guide.

? Thursday, Oct. 15: Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance, discusses his concerns about a provision in U.S. health reform legislation that would create a government-run long-term care insurance program. Also included in the cast: Frank Keating, president and chief executive officer of the American Council of Life Insurers, discusses what he says are common misconceptions about long-term care insurance and his concerns with the possible creation of a government-run long-term care insurance program.

? Wednesday, Oct. 14: Joseph DiMartino, president of personal lines for Grange Insurance, speaks about the company's plans to solidify its position in its current operating states and the need for strengthening rates in the Midwest. Also included in the cast: Attorney Jonathan Ziss from the Margolis Edelstein law firm in Philadelphia, discusses dram shop issues and jury duty selection in a case involving a fatal airport injury.

? Tuesday, Oct. 13: Doug Raucy, president and chief executive of Prepared Insurance, talks about starting a new homeowners insurance company in Florida and the challenges that go along with it. Also included in the cast: NAPSLO's chairman of its career awareness committee, Steven R. Gross, discusses how the group uses Facebook and other technology to reach and recruit young talent to the insurance industry.

? Monday, Oct. 12: Tal P. Piccione, chairman and chief executive officer of U.S. Re Cos., discusses a proposal to allow third-party investors to fund a pool of capital that would help risk retention groups grow. Also included in the cast: Hayley Stimpson, external affairs director at Aviva plc in London, discusses the company's decision to list on the New York Stock Exchange.