CLEAR's podcast is a resource in the field of professional and occupational regulation to help stakeholders stay current on new developments and hear diverse opinions on a broad range of topics.
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This episode previews two keynote presentations at the 2026 CLEAR Annual Educational Conference. Host Line Dempsey first speaks with keynote speaker Jay Chaudhary about his concept of "regulatory abundance"—the idea that effective regulation requires continually balancing public protection with access, innovation, affordability, and opportunity. Drawing on his experience in legal aid and behavioral health leadership, Chaudhary discusses the importance of recognizing the trade-offs inherent in every regulatory decision, considering both visible and invisible harms, and designing regulatory syst
The UK's Professional Standards Authority (PSA) has introduced a new single set of standards that will be used to assess both professional regulators and accredited registers, replacing separate frameworks with a unified set of expectations. In this episode, host Line Dempsey speaks with Graham Mockler, Director of Regulation and Accreditation at the PSA, about the rationale behind this significant change and what it means for the future of regulatory oversight. They discuss the shift toward outcomes-focused regulation; the growing emphasis on governance, risk management, and organizational cu
In this episode of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR conversation, host Line Dempsey speaks with Tamara Richter and Carin Plischke about what major regulatory reform looks like in practice. Drawing from their organizations’ experiences with legislative change, multi-profession regulation, governance restructuring, and large-scale organizational transformation, they discuss the realities of implementing change amid political pressure and uncertainty. The conversation explores change fatigue, communication strategies, public trust, evolving governance models, and the challenges of integrating new prof
In this episode of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR conversation, host Line Dempsey speaks with Jennifer Garrett and Richard Woolf about what happens when regulators step outside traditional channels to better understand how the public perceives professional regulation. Drawing on Jennifer’s direct outreach to civic groups and Rich’s national perception data, the conversation reveals a significant awareness gap. Most individuals have little to no understanding of regulatory boards or their role in public protection. Yet, once informed, public support for regulation is strong. The discussion explore
Episode 100 of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR conversation revisits one of the podcast’s most enduring questions: what does it mean to be a good regulator? Bringing together a diverse panel of global regulatory leaders, this milestone episode reflects on how the role has evolved amid rapid technological change, shifting public expectations, and increasing political and social pressures. From the growing need for agility and proactive oversight to the central importance of trust, transparency, and communication, the conversation explores the complex trade-offs regulators must navigate today. Panel
In this second installment of our awards series, host Line Dempsey continues highlighting CLEAR’s 2025 award recipients and their impact on public protection. Cindy Reinhardt of the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations shares how her team’s investigation into the Return to Nature funeral home uncovered egregious misconduct, led to criminal charges and emergency regulatory action, and prompted legislative reforms that strengthened oversight statewide. The episode also features leaders from the Utah Department of Commerce, whose collaborative work to modernize behavioral health licen
During CLEAR’s recent midyear business meetings in Nashville, we conducted our annual environmental scan, asking committee members to share the top trends, challenges, and policy developments they’re seeing across jurisdictions. These environmental scans are consistently cited as one of the most valuable aspects of CLEAR’s committee work, offering early insight into emerging issues and practical approaches from colleagues around the globe. In this episode of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR conversation, we highlight key themes from this year’s discussions, including the expanding role of artificia
In this episode of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR conversation, host Line Dempsey explores the newly released CLEAR Principles for Ethical and Effective AI in Professional Regulation with working group members Paul Byrne, Kelly Parker, and Candice Alder. The discussion examines why CLEAR stepped forward to develop a shared, principle-based framework for artificial intelligence at a time of rapid technological change and fragmented global adoption. Centered on three core commitments—professional competence, human-centered ethics, and trust through oversight—the conversation highlights the importan
In this episode of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR conversation, host Line Dempsey sits down with two of CLEAR’s 2025 award recipients whose work demonstrates the power of innovation and dedication in public protection. Camile Lindsay from the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation shares how the CORE modernization project is transforming licensing across the state—streamlining processes, improving transparency, and keeping the human experience at the center. Then, Utah’s Kelsey Hammack discusses her investigative work uncovering widespread consumer harm in the solar industry, resulting in r
In this episode of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR conversation, host Line Dempsey is joined by exam security leaders Wally Dalrymple (ETS), Roddy Meade (Prometric), and Harry Samit (Pearson VUE) to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of licensure exam integrity. The guests discuss how testing organizations are combating cheating through layered security—from 360° room scans and AI-assisted proctoring to undercover investigations and data forensics. They examine both the human and technical dimensions of exam fraud, including organized cheating rings, proxy testing, and emerging threats like de
In this episode of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR conversation, host Line Dempsey speaks with Stuart Wilkinson, Chief Consumer Officer at Ontario’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), about practical approaches to consumer engagement in regulation. Stuart explains how FSRA amplifies the consumer voice through research and a consumer advisory panel, ensuring that consumer experiences with regulated services inform regulatory priorities. He shares examples of how this work has shaped FSRA’s operations, from developing a vulnerability framework to integrating consumer insights into super
In this episode of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR Conversation, host Line Dempsey continues CLEAR’s Telling Our Story series with board members Mark Steinagel, Jessica Kallipolites, and Shilo Tooze. Together, they reflect on their first encounters with CLEAR, the connections that drew them into committee and board service, and the lasting impact of conference learnings on their regulatory work. The discussion highlights themes of compassion in regulation, the importance of trust with the public, and the value of adapting to change. With stories of practical policy shifts, professional growth, and
The August episode of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR Conversation focuses on the upcoming CLEAR Annual Educational Conference, taking place in Chicago, Illinois. Camile Lindsay, Director of the Division of Financial and Professional Regulation in Illinois, shares key findings from the state’s CLIMB Task Force report, which addresses unnecessary licensure barriers—especially for justice-involved individuals and professions like hair braiding. She outlines IDFPR’s proactive reforms, including system modernization, community engagement, and legislative initiatives. Then, keynote speaker and economis
In this bonus episode of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR conversation, host Line Dempsey continues the conversation with Ken Anderson, CIO of the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, and Christy Williams, General Manager of Tyler Technologies’ Arkansas unit. Building on the previous episode’s discussion of digital transformation, this follow-up explores strategies for interagency collaboration, innovations in data sharing, and test cases for applying artificial intelligence to licensing and inspection processes. The conversation also features practical advice for new regulatory leaders and
In this episode of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR conversation, host Line Dempsey kicks off a two-part series in partnership with CLEAR’s 2024-25 Premier Partner, Tyler Technologies. Joined by Ken Anderson, CIO of the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, and Christy Williams, General Manager for Tyler’s Arkansas unit, the conversation explores how Arkansas is harnessing technology to streamline regulatory processes, enhance public engagement, and modernize professional licensure frameworks. Topics include digital transformation across multiple licensing entities, balancing accessibility fo
In this episode of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR conversation, host Line Dempsey continues CLEAR’s “Telling Our Story” series with a conversation about the power of connection, community, and global engagement. CLEAR board members Kym Ayscough, Jennifer Garrett, and Michael Carpenter reflect on their personal journeys with CLEAR—from first encounters to board service—and the value they’ve gained through international perspectives, peer networks, and shared learning around regulatory challenges and opportunities. They discuss how CLEAR fosters regulatory excellence, supports professional developm
How can regulators ensure ethical practice when technologies—and their risks—are constantly evolving? Researchers Dr. Tracey Adams and Dr. Kate Leslie discuss the intersection of professional ethics and technological innovation with host Line Dempsey. From the ambiguities of artificial intelligence to the pressure of rapid implementation, the discussion highlights how regulators are addressing practitioner uncertainty; the limits of regulatory reach; and why proactive guidance encouraging reflective, risk-aware practice is more important than ever. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podca
In this episode of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR conversation, Line Dempsey chats with experts in regulatory administration to highlight some of the key skills needed to effectively provide staff support to regulatory boards and councils. Sara Chambers, Lise Betteridge, and Priya Bhatia discuss the difference between the role of the regulator and the role of the professional association, the distinction between staff’s responsibility for operations and the board’s responsibility for policy, development of a strategic mindset, the importance of transparency in decision-making, the collaborative l
During CLEAR’s recent midyear business meetings, we conducted an environmental scan and asked our committee members about the top trends or issues they’re seeing in professional regulation or in their jurisdictions. Committee members often comment that these environmental scans are the most valuable part of CLEAR’s committee meetings. In this episode of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR conversation, we highlight some of the issues and trends mentioned during these environmental scans in order to share this benefit more widely, connecting more members with the committees’ activities and discussions.
In this episode of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR conversation, host Line Dempsey speaks with Brian Tobias, Director of the Colorado Office of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform, and Katie O'Donnell, Director of Communications and Public Engagement for the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. They explore Colorado’s sunrise review process through the case study of funeral service professionals and discuss how the state navigated media scrutiny following tragic events in Penrose, Colorado. The conversation highlights best practices for evaluating the need for professional regulation, re
How do we balance freedom of expression, professional responsibilities, and the role of the regulator? Scott McLeod shares the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta's perspective. With media coverage and recently proposed legislation focused on freedom of expression of regulated professionals, the CPSA sought to clarify the college's intent and the need to strike the right balance of allowing physicians the freedom to express their opinions while upholding their responsibilities as a professional to protect the public. Scott talks about the challenge to the practitioner of differentiat
The 2024 CLEAR Awards were presented in Baltimore during CLEAR's Annual Educational Conference. Our podcast host had the chance to sit down with the recipients and hear about the accomplishments and initiatives they were nominated for. In this part 2 episode, hear from Sharon Oliver, recipient of the Regulatory Excellence Individual Award, and John Pugsley, recipient of the CLEAR Service Award for Lifetime Achievement. Listen to their insights from experience as they pursue regulatory excellence. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode84_CLEAR_Awards2_
The 2024 CLEAR Awards were presented in Baltimore during CLEAR's Annual Educational Conference. Our podcast host had the chance to sit down with the recipients and hear about the accomplishments and cases they were nominated for. In this part 1 episode, hear from MDR Strategy Group, recipient of the Regulatory Excellence Team Award, and the Investigations Bureau with the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, recipient of the Investigative Excellence Team Award. Listen to their insights from experience, and tune in next month for part 2 with two more award recipients
This month's conversation continues the theme of telling CLEAR's story. CLEAR members Paul Byrne and Micah Matthews talk about their CLEAR journeys, how their CLEAR learnings and connections make them better regulators, reflections on regulatory excellence, the greatest challenges to regulators in achieving that excellence, and how we can take CLEAR's story forward to support the new generation of regulatory leaders. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode82_CLEAR_Regulatory_Excellence_Story_100824_transcript.pdf
This month's conversation focuses on CLEAR’s DEI journey. CLEAR’s President and Board of Directors would like to share CLEAR’s DEI story with you, both internally as an example of an organization looking at DEI and externally as a clearinghouse of resources related to DEI. CLEAR's president, president-elect, and chairs of the DEI working groups share the DEI elements that have come to be included in CLEAR's strategic plan; insights and challenges to CLEAR's DEI journey; and the outcomes so far from the DEI working groups on internal metrics and data, advisory panel, terminology and connections
