In this episode, Ashton sits down with Pete Fowler, founder of Pete Fowler Construction Consultants, a national firm with expertise spanning construction defects, fire investigation, slip-and-fall, and everything in between. Pete brings decades of forensic consulting experience and a refreshingly no-nonsense take on what it actually takes to move a construction defect case from a pile of documents to a recoverable claim.

They cover:

• The "minimum viable product" approach to expert engagement and why it saves time and money
• What lawyers and adjusters are doing wrong when they hand files to experts
• The post-COVID construction defect surge and the specific claim types you should be watching

Plus, Pete shares why organized files are worth more than you think and what a cabinet falling on someone's foot has to do with the state of American construction.

Brad brings over 30 years of experience managing asbestos and bodily injury litigation, having helped process more than a million claims and $40 billion in settlements through PACE's centralized facility. He breaks down the current state of asbestos litigation, including how claims have shifted from heavy industrial workers to take-home exposures and home remodelers, and introduces emerging toxic torts like talc, benzene, and PFAS that are reshaping the landscape.

The big takeaway? An estimated $2–4 billion in respiratory-related comp claims are paid out each year, with no effort made to seek recovery from asbestos trusts or the tort system. 

Ashton and Donnie also tackle the real-world risks: confidentiality, public-source tools, “hallucinated” outputs, and the growing challenge of deepfakes and fabricated evidence. They discuss how carriers, TPAs, and subrogation vendors can implement AI responsibly (think: internal systems, security, and human review), plus what individual adjusters can do immediately to stay competitive—starting with learning how to prompt, verify, and refine AI output. 

Donnie’s book, The AI Advantage in Claims, is available here: https://a.co/d/07louEZr

They break down how strong negotiators prepare (and why most don’t), including BATNA/walkaway points, anchoring, objective criteria, and the difference between positional bargaining and interest-based problem solving. The discussion also tackles real-world mediation strategy: when early (pre-suit or early-suit) mediations make sense, what to include in mediation submissions (and what to keep confidential), how to handle difficult client/insured dynamics, and how Zoom mediations have changed participation and decision-maker access. The episode closes with actionable tips for adjusters and attorneys who want better outcomes, fewer stalemates, and a more disciplined approach to negotiation.

Ashton and Jerrod dive into Jerrod’s path from West Point to Afghanistan to the courtroom, and how the discipline, leadership, accountability, and investigative skills honed in the military translate directly into claims handling, litigation strategy, and recovery work. Together, they discuss what employers should know when recruiting veterans, how veterans can better “translate” their resumes for civilian legal roles, and why the insurance industry is uniquely positioned to benefit from the veteran talent pipeline.

They also break down what subrogation really is, why it matters, and how veterans looking for mission, teamwork, and purpose can find all three in this corner of the legal world. 

They dive into the evolution of risk management, the growing importance of subrogation, and how today’s carriers can recover smarter, not harder.  It’s a rare glimpse into one of the world’s most recognizable brands' approach to risk, resilience, and recovery. 

**Red Bull is a registered trademark of Red Bull GmbH. This podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Red Bull**

From missed recoveries worth millions to the evolving role of AI, and from frontline adjuster training to future trends like autonomous-vehicle claims, Ashton and Chris share real-world stories, lessons learned, and practical strategies you can put to work today.

This crossover isn’t just a conversation—it’s a call to action. Use the strategies shared here to sharpen your claims process, spot overlooked recoveries, and stay ahead of shifting industry trends. 

Ashton and Gary explore how Nevada went from one of the toughest places for comp subrogation to a state offering clearer, common-sense rules, while Nebraska grapples with court rulings that threaten to sideline recovery altogether. Together, they highlight what these changes mean for claims professionals, why legislative compromise matters, and how reform efforts impact employers, insurers, and the subrogation industry at large. It’s a practical, state-specific look at where subrogation is headed—and why it matters to anyone working in insurance and risk.