Show Notes
Welcome to the Insurance Vs History Podcast! In my first episode, a recent re-watch of the movie Gangs of New York inspires me to ask if insurance inadvertently encouraged gang activity in 19th century New York. In investigating this question I dive into a discussion of the history of firefighting, 19th century fire insurance in England and the United States, and how insurance evolved as a result. Links: Fire Insurance in the United States (eh.net) A Short History of Fire Marks, The World's Hottest Insurance-Related Antiques - Atlas Obscura Home - The Philadelphia Contributionship (1752.com) In the Early 19th Century, Firefighters Fought Fires ... and Each Other | At the Smithsonian | Smithsonian Magazine The African American Firefighter Museum (aaffmuseum.org) The Inspiring History of Women in Firefighting in the US | Amazing Women In History Fires in Edo - Wikipedia Edo Firemen - artelino New York Draft Riots - HISTORY The New York City Draft Riots of 1863 (uchicago.edu) Kim Kardashian and the Rise of Private Firefighting - The Atlantic Books: The Gangs of New York: An Informal History of the Underworld: Herbert Asbury, Russell Shorto: 9780307388988: Amazon.com: Books Eating Smoke: Fire in Urban America, 1800–1950: Tebeau, Mark: 9780801867910: Amazon.com: Books Five Points: The 19th Century New York City Neighborhood that Invented Tap Dance, Stole Elections, and Became the World's Most Notorious Slum: Anbinder, Tyler: 9781439141557: Amazon.com: Books Hire These People: My audio editor, and Voice Over Actor: Zach Stinnett Voice Over Actor Jeff Kornbrot: Jeff Kornbrot - Professional Voice Over Talent | Voices or at [email protected] Contact Me: [email protected]
More from Insurance Vs History
Ever wondered how insurance intersects with slavery in America? My latest episode of Insurance vs History dives into the world of life insurance and American slavery. I'll reveal how life insurance on enslaved people helped historians and genealogists uncover stories that few textbooks ever mention. From lost documents to innovative legislation, we'll explore the surprising ways insurance records have brought new transparency to America's past.
Insurance Festivus: Real Grievances, 23 and Me Updates, and Tesla Turmoil Happy Festivus—it's time to air all our insurance grievances! Featuring real listener comments, updates on the 23andMe bankruptcy (cyber insurers, anyone?), and the wild world of Tesla Insurance, this is a great way to close out the year. Selected References: https://apnews.com/article/whistleblower-china-surveillance-tech-silicon-valley-adbd0bcfbb0892bfcb85948acb3f515f https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/tesla-insurance-unit-sued-over-alleged-auto-coverage-underpayments-2025-11-05/ Hire me to speak at your meeting! I can talk about the topic of your choice, or I can talk about the history of insurance and why insurance matters. Reach out for booking info or just to connect at [email protected] Help keep independent podcasts going by contributing to my production costs: See my page at Buy Me a Coffee: Insurance vs History is Exploring all the ways Insurance changed History...or failed to. Website: www.insurancevshistory.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbrasher Music Credits: Boulangerie by Jeremy Sherman, courtesy of NeoSounds: Boulangerie, LynneMusic | NeoSounds music library
Insurance CEO Pay: What's Fair, What's History, and What's Next? I started trying to answer one question: is Insurance CEO pay fair? and ended up with a massive project. In this episode, I dig into the history of executive pay, share eye-opening stats from AIG, and ask for your help with figuring out who gets paid what and how that's changed over time. Plus, submit your insurance grievance for inclusion in my holiday Festivus episode! Selected References: 1. https://www.insurancejournal.com/magazines/mag-features/2025/06/16/827459.htm 2. https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/guides/insurance-ceo-salary-how-much-do-executives-of-the-top-insurers-earn-467192.aspx 3. https://consumerfed.org/press_release/insurance-ceos-get-27-salary-and-bonus-bump-while-consumers-see-premium-hikes-and-non-renewals/ 4. https://www.businessinsurance.com/gallery/highest-paid-insurance-executives-2025/ 5. https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/articles/2025/8/neuehealths-mikan-tops-insurtech-ceo-pay-list-in-2024-92202141 6. https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/articles/2025/8/arch-capitals-papadopoulo-tops-pc-insurer-ceo-pay-list-in-2024-92167011
Is Your DNA Safe? Inside 23andMe's Bankruptcy and Insurance Challenges What happens when a company owns your DNA data—and then goes bankrupt? In this episode, I dive into the complicated story of 23andMe, exploring its insurance challenges, genetic data risks, privacy concerns, and the ongoing impact for consumers in today's health and insurance landscape. If you have data with 23andMe or any other consumer focused genetic data company, I strongly suggest you listen. Selected References: https://www.inc.com/magazine/201510/jeff-bercovici/the-dna-whisperer.html 23andMe, Antonio Regalado, MIT Technology Review, Volume 119, No. 4 https://www.fastcompany.com/3052283/how-ceo-anne-wojcicki-turned-23andme-around-after-falling-out-with-the- https://restructuring.ra.kroll.com/23andMe/ (Bankruptcy Documents) Hire me to speak at your meeting! I can talk about the topic of your choice, or I can talk about the history of insurance and why insurance matters. Reach out for booking info or just to connect at [email protected] Help keep independent podcasts going by contributing to my production costs: See my page at Buy Me a Coffee: Insurance vs History is Exploring all the ways Insurance changed History...or failed to. Music Credits: Boulangerie by Jeremy Sherman, courtesy of NeoSounds: Boulangerie, LynneMusic | NeoSounds music library Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbrasher
Tesla's Insurance Gamble: Why Cheaper Isn't Always Better (& What History Teaches Us) Why would Tesla get into the insurance business, and is it really a new idea? In this episode, I explore Tesla's foray into insurance, the bumps they've hit along the way, and why history shows automakers rarely succeed with insurance. Selected References: 1. https://www.propertycasualty360.com/2025/10/06/tesla-insurance-in-trouble-for-claims-mishandling/?kw=Tesla%20insurance%20in%20trouble%20for%20claims%20mishandling&utm_source=email&utm_medium=enl&utm_campaign=newsroomupdate&utm_content=20251006&utm_term=pc360&oly_enc_id&user_id=29a99e396b51ff1e37567d2fe2ef4b2d7540d4c206a60ee86a83e02abf0199f8 2. https://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/2025/release064-2025.cfm 3. https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/tesla-insurance/ 4. https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/auto-motor/why-has-tesla-insurance-fallen-short-for-some-customers-471754.aspx 5. https://www.insurancethoughtleadership.com/six-things-commentary/why-tesla-insurance-will-flop Hire me to speak at your meeting! I can talk about the topic of your choice, or I can talk about the history of insurance and why insurance matters. Reach out for booking info or just to connect at [email protected] Help keep independent podcasts going by contributing to my production costs: See my page at Buy Me a Coffee: Insurance vs History is Exploring all the ways Insurance changed History...or failed to. Music Credits: Boulangerie by Jeremy Sherman, courtesy of NeoSounds: Boulangerie, LynneMusic | NeoSounds music library Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbrasher