Beyond the Sketch

Hurricane season officially ends today, and while 2025 didn't bring a U.S. landfall, we're closing it out with the real deal: Dr. Hurricane Hal Needham. In this episode of Beyond the Sketch, Dr. Needham breaks down what it actually takes to survive extreme weather, from understanding wind and flooding to the often-overlooked dangers of storm surge. We dive into forensic meteorology, the critical role of hurricane hunters in collecting real-time data, and why impact-based forecasting is changi...

Burnout Isn't the Problem, Your Nervous System Is Think you can power through burnout with a vacation or a long weekend? Think again. Chelsy Bell Carpenter, former large-loss adjuster turned burnout recovery expert, reveals why your body won't let you rest—even when you're exhausted. After quitting her 10-year insurance career in a single night, Chelsy discovered something terrifying: her cells were aging like she was in her 60s. She was 35. The culprit? A nervous system stuck in fight-or-fli...

Summary In this episode of Beyond the Sketch, Brittany Harris interviews Michelle Raue, EVP and Chief Claim and Transformation Officer at Preferred Mutual. They discuss Michelle's journey in the insurance industry, her insights on innovation and technology, particularly AI, and the importance of relationships in the field. Michelle shares her experiences transitioning from a tech-driven environment at Lyft to a traditional insurance carrier, emphasizing the need for modernization and storyte...

"I make more money if I find damage. I WISH that roof blister was hail." If you're an adjuster complaining about no work, this episode will either motivate you or piss you off. Either way, you need to hear it. KEY TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Music video intro (because why not) 01:38 - Are the glory days behind us? 04:03 - Anonymous adjuster getting evicted - Mike's response will shock you 11:48 - How adjusters created the ladder assist monster 14:46 - Why we make LESS than ladder assist companies 17...

In this episode of Beyond The Sketch, Brittany Harris sits down with Erika Duda — CEO and Founder of InsureQuest — to unpack one of the most overlooked growth multipliers in the insurance world: training. Erika challenges the old idea that “training” belongs in HR or onboarding. Instead, she shows how true organizational training is a mindset woven into every process, every interaction, and every leader’s responsibility. Together, they explore what happens when you stop treating training as a...

In this episode of Beyond the Sketch, Brittany Harris sits down with Dashawn Bryant — better known as @RoofHustlers to break down the mindset, structure, and systems that turn raw hustle into sustainable success. Dashawn shares how consistency built his reputation in the roofing and insurance industry, the importance of having a daily formula, and why most people never make it past motivation. From door knocking to leadership, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to win...

In this episode of Beyond the Sketch, Brittany Harris of Sketch My Roof sits down with Ema and James Roloff for an insightful conversation about leadership, visibility, and the power of personal brands in the modern workplace. They discuss how digital transformation goes deeper than adopting new technology. It begins with people who are willing to take action, show up authentically, and build trust through consistency. Ema shares how organizations can create cultures that inspire innovation f...

In the debut episode of Beyond the Sketch, Brittany Harris of Sketch My Roof sits down with Neil Baumann, a career adjuster who has seen it all in claims. Neil built his expertise in the field and went on to launch Parrot Key Training, where he helps the next generation of adjusters sharpen their skills and adapt to a changing industry. Together they explore what it takes to thrive as an adjuster today, the lessons learned from years in the trenches, and why training and mentorship matter mor...