Poolside Podcast
Episode 13: The Meaning Behind the Message – The Human Side of High-Stakes Communication
A member can see improving loss data without recognizing the better risk it represents.
An elected official can hear an explanation of rates, reserves, or coverage and leave without fully understanding why it matters.
In high-stakes communication, presenting the facts is only part of the job. Leaders must also help their members and staff connect that information to the decision in front of them. In the newest episode of PoolSide, host Michelle Béchamps speaks with Jeff Bloomfield, founder of Braintrust, author, and former biotechnology executive, about the human side of communicating complex ideas.
Drawing on Jeff’s work at the intersection of neuroscience, storytelling, and trust, we explore:
– Why technical expertise can sometimes make communication more difficult
– How to simplify a message without oversimplifying the issue
– How to adapt a story for different audiences without losing consistency or credibility
– Ways to make the sometimes invisible value of pooling more visible
Jeff also reflects on his recent GEM Summit presentation with fourteen-time, number-one hit singer/songwriter Jimmy Yeary and what neuroscience and songwriting can teach pooling leaders about how people receive, remember, and respond to a message.
☕ So grab your coffee and dive into Episode #13.
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Episode #13: Episode 13: The Meaning Behind the Message – The Human Side of High-Stakes Communication
A board can receive an accurate report and still be uncertain about what to do next.
A member can see improving loss data without recognizing the better risk it represents.
An elected official can hear an explanation of rates, reserves, or coverage and leave without fully understanding why it matters.
In high-stakes communication, presenting the facts is only part of the job. Leaders must also help their members and staff connect that information to the decision in front of them. In the newest episode of PoolSide, host Michelle Béchamps speaks with Jeff Bloomfield, founder of Braintrust, author, and former biotechnology executive, about the human side of communicating complex ideas.
Drawing on Jeff’s work at the intersection of neuroscience, storytelling, and trust, we explore:
– Why technical expertise can sometimes make communication more difficult
– How to simplify a message without oversimplifying the issue
– How to adapt a story for different audiences without losing consistency or credibility
– Ways to make the sometimes invisible value of pooling more visible
Jeff also reflects on his recent GEM Summit presentation with fourteen-time, number-one hit singer/songwriter Jimmy Yeary and what neuroscience and songwriting can teach pooling leaders about how people receive, remember, and respond to a message.
☕ So grab your coffee and dive into Episode #13.
GEM Board Meeting & Members’ Sessions (October 29, 2026)
GEM will hold a Board Meeting and Members’ Sessions (Member Work Group & Members’ Roundtable) on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort. Location: Santa Ana Pueblo, […]