Welcome to the

Power Producers
Podcast

This is The Power Producers Podcast where we are refining and redefining the sales game.  A place where sales professionals can come to learn from other sales professionals and thought leaders who have mastered their craft. As well as their peers who are still striving for perfection to achieve their “why”.  Real sales professionals. Real stories. Real results. Are you ready to feel the power?

Power Producers Podcast
Why Stand Alone Cyber Beats BOPT Extensions Every Time with Zane Goldthorp

Why Stand Alone Cyber Beats BOPT Extensions Every Time with Zane Goldthorp, Shoptalk Episode #196

In the fourth and final installment of this Shoptalk series, host David Carothers and Zane Goldthorp of ProWriters tackle a critical issue facing agents every day: the vast difference between a standalone cyber policy and a simple BOP or package endorsement. They call out the laziness of settling for an endorsement, highlighting the massive coverage gaps it leaves and the E&O exposure it creates for the agent. Zane shares real-world horror stories of agents discovering their client’s six-figure loss wasn’t covered by their BOP. The conversation provides a clear, strategic path for agents to transition clients to proper coverage and use the inadequacy of endorsements as a powerful competitive wedge against other agents.

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Why Being Liked is Killing Your Sales with Austin Medlin

Why Being Liked is Killing Your Sales with Austin Medlin, Episode #390

In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck are joined by Austin Medlin of closedsales.com for a deep dive into the psychology of high-ticket sales. Austin, a sales expert with a 60% close rate on cold traffic, shares his journey from a natural-born hustler to a seven-figure closer. The conversation centers on overcoming the biggest hurdle for most salespeople: the fear of rejection and the need to be liked. Austin breaks down his framework for winning sales, which prioritizes deep discovery to build trust and emotional alignment before the pitch. He stresses the importance of being a leader in the sales process and why call review is the most critical tool for improvement.

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David Carothers Podcast with Zane Goldthorp

Cyber Insurance Risk Management with Zane Goldthorp, Shoptalk Episode #195

In the third installment of this Shoptalk series, host David Carothers and guest Zane Goldthorp of ProWriters shift the focus to proactive risk management for cyber insurance. They make the case that even in a soft market, a responsible business owner’s focus should be on security, not just on meeting minimum carrier requirements. The conversation covers the essential security controls every business should have, including MFA, MDR, and employee training.

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The Diamond Letters with Kevin Ring

The Diamond Letters with Kevin Ring, Episode #389

In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers, co-host Kyle Houck, and returning guest Kevin Ring of the Institute of Work Comp Professionals come together for a special tribute to the legacy of an industry pioneer, Preston Diamond. The conversation is sparked by the release of “The Diamond Playbook,” a new book compiling decades of Preston Diamond’s influential weekly sales letters. Kevin shares the story behind the book’s creation and offers a deep dive into Preston’s timeless sales philosophy: being client-centric, using stories to build trust, and moving beyond a product-pushing mentality. They also discuss how Preston’s critiques of agency websites from the 1990s are still shockingly relevant today.

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Why Every Agent Should Lead with Cyber with Zane Goldthorp

Why Every Agent Should Lead with Cyber with Zane Goldthorp, Shoptalk Episode #194

In the second episode of our multi-part Shoptalk series, host David Carothers, co-host Kyle Houck, and guest Zane Goldthorp of ProWriters dive into the strategy of selling cyber insurance in a soft market. The conversation begins with an update on ProWriters’ expanded capabilities as a full-scale professional liability wholesaler. The core of the episode focuses on the agent’s “duty to offer” and presents a powerful strategic argument for getting clients into a cyber policy now, before the market inevitably hardens. They provide tactical advice for overcoming client pushback and reframe the conversation from selling a policy to fulfilling an advisor’s duty to protect a client’s livelihood.

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Producers vs. Processors with Sam Louwrens, Episode #388

In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers sits down with Sam Louwrens, a young producer and artist known as “Can’t shut up Sam” on X. The conversation explores the unique advantages of Gen Z producers, the flaws of the traditional agency model, and how to effectively compete with national brokers by being nimble and consultative. David and Sam stress the importance of moving beyond a salesperson mentality and becoming a strategic advisor who focuses on solving operational problems, not just selling a commodity. The episode also touches on the power of a fee-based compensation model and the critical need for agency cultures to support creativity and autonomy.

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Why the Soft Cyber Market is Your Best Opportunity with Zane Goldthorp

Why the Soft Cyber Market is Your Best Opportunity with Zane Goldthorp, Shoptalk Episode #193

In this first episode of a new multi-part Shoptalk series on the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck are joined by Zane Goldthorp of ProWriters to kick off a deep dive into the cyber insurance market. Zane brings everyone up to speed on the recent acquisition of ProWriters by Victor, explaining how it will expand their product offerings into E&O and other specialty lines. The main focus of the conversation is a detailed breakdown of the current soft market in cyber. Zane explains the cyclical nature of the market—how the hard market of 2021-22 led to massive profits, which in turn attracted new capacity and drove prices down, creating the current buyer’s market.

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Marketing Intelligence for Insurance Agencies with Joshua Lauer

Marketing Intelligence for Insurance Agencies with Joshua Lauer, Episode #387

In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck are joined by Joshua Lauer of Lauer Creatives for a deep dive into the world of marketing intelligence. Joshua shares his unique journey from aspiring songwriter to a data-driven marketing consultant. The conversation focuses on the most common and costly mistake B2B companies make: losing marketing attribution as leads move from their website to their CRM. Joshua breaks down the technical solutions for creating a seamless data flow, discusses the complexities of tracking “dark social,” and offers his perspective on the practical applications and limitations of AI in marketing analytics.

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The Captive Conversation Part 4

The Captive Conversation Part 4, Shoptalk Episode #192

In the fourth and final episode of The Captive Conversation on Power Producers Shoptalk, host David Carothers and Warren Cleveland of Captive Coalition unpack the conversation framework that allows agents to stay in control of their most valuable client relationships. They reframe the captive solution as the ultimate business continuity plan for an agent’s book, ensuring long-term retention. The conversation provides tactical advice, including a powerful “pattern interrupt” to start the discussion, and stresses the importance of shifting from a salesperson to a true strategic advisor. They also cover the right and wrong times to introduce the captive concept and why agents must act as the “quarterback” to guide their clients.

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Turning Risk Into Opportunity with Valkyrie Holmes

Turning Risk Into Opportunity with Valkyrie Holmes, Episode #386

In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck are joined by Valkyrie Holmes, the CEO and co-founder of FAURA, for a look into the future of risk assessment. Valkyrie explains how her background in data science at NASA and SpaceX led to the creation of FAURA, a platform that quantifies a property’s ability to withstand natural disasters, a concept she calls property survivability. They discuss how this technology equips agents with the tools to explain risk, justify pricing in a hard market, and offer clients actionable steps for mitigation. The conversation covers the agent education gap, building codes as “minimum wage,” and how granular, property-level data is changing the insurance landscape.

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Warren Cleveland podcast

The Captive Conversation Part 3, Shoptalk Episode #191

In the third installment of our four-part series on Power Producers Shop Talk, host David Carothers and Warren Cleveland of Captive Coalition break down the fundamentals of captive insurance. This episode is designed to give agents the foundational knowledge needed to confidently discuss captives with clients. Warren demystifies the core concept, explains the different models, and provides a critical warning against the misused 831(b) tax election. They also tackle common misconceptions about size and risk, and outline the ideal prospect profile, emphasizing that commitment to risk management is non-negotiable for success.

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Ema Roloff with David Carothers

From Cold Calls to Carpool Closers with Ema Roloff, Episode #385

In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers sits down with Ema Roloff of Roloff Consulting for a deep dive into modern digital marketing for the insurance industry. They discuss the critical shift from traditional sales tactics to building trust through educational content, a strategy Ema calls the “Favorite Teacher Framework.” The conversation tackles the biggest hurdles for agents to talk about and lack of time—and offers practical solutions for creating a sustainable content engine. They also explore the right and wrong ways to leverage AI, the trap of vanity metrics, and why authenticity is the most important currency in today’s digital landscape.

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The Captive Conversation Part 2

The Captive Conversation Part 2, Shoptalk Episode #190

In this second episode of our four-part series on Power Producers Shop Talk, host David Carothers is joined again by Warren Cleveland of Captive Coalition. They dive deep into the three primary mental roadblocks that prevent agents from successfully presenting captive insurance solutions to their clients. The conversation quickly evolves into a powerful critique of flawed commission models, with David making a compelling case for a fee-based compensation structure that aligns an agent’s success directly with client savings. They break down common agent fears, provide tactical advice on educating clients, and explain why mastering these concepts is critical to retaining your best accounts.

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Jon bassford podcast with David

Driving Business through Curious Leadership with Jon Bassford, Episode #384

In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers joined by Jon Bassford, author of the insightful book, “The Curious Leader,” to discuss the transformative power of curiosity in leadership, sales, and personal growth. We explore how an inquisitive mindset fuels innovation, the crucial distinction between a salesperson and a true consultant, and the flaws within the insurance industry’s compensation models. The conversation also touches on the parallels between endurance challenges like running marathons and the journey of leadership, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability, building diverse teams, and fostering psychological safety.

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The Captive Conversation Part 1, Shoptalk Episode #189

In this episode of Power Producers Shoptalk, host David Carothers kicks off a new series on captive insurance with special guest Warren Cleveland of Captive Coalition. They dive into the critical dilemma facing insurance agents today: the risk of losing their best clients to competitors who offer captive solutions. David and Warren discuss why many agents are unaware or unprepared for this threat, leaving their top accounts vulnerable. The conversation focuses on the necessity of being proactive, identifying the right opportunities for captives, and integrating this conversation into an agent’s workflow to protect and grow their book of business.

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Resiliency of Reaction with Alexander Dopazo

Resiliency of Reaction with Alexander Dopazo, Episode #383

In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers is joined by one of his favorite content creators in the industry, Alexander Dopazo of Dopazo & Associates Insurance. They tackle the challenges of the brutal Florida insurance market, which Alexander describes as a 20-year hard market. The conversation centers on the crucial themes of resiliency and homeowner accountability, exploring why agents must educate clients on proactive mitigation rather than relying on insurance as a maintenance plan. They discuss the tough conversations around aging roofs, the real meaning of Actual Cash Value (ACV), and how agents can use automation to handle mundane tasks, freeing up more time for the essential work of building relationships and providing real value.

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clicks to calls

From Clicks to Calls Part 2, Shoptalk Episode #188

In this Power Producers Shoptalk episode, in continuation of our conversation inspired by Chris Langille, we dig deeper into strategies that help insurance agencies thrive in a crowded digital landscape. Part 2 focuses on how Google Business Profiles, local SEO, and personal branding can attract high-intent leads and convert them into loyal clients.

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From Fragmented Systems to Intelligent Automation with Jonathan Maloney

From Fragmented Systems to Intelligent Automation with Jonathan Maloney, Episode #382

In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers is joined by Jonathan Maloney, the founder of InsurStream, to discuss the intersection of insurance and technology. Jonathan, with over 25 years in the industry, shares his insights into the rapidly evolving insure-tech space, specifically the tools he’s building to bridge the gap between technology and insurance operations.

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From Clicks to Calls Part 1

From Clicks to Calls Part 1, Shoptalk Episode #187

In this Power Producers Shoptalk episode, David Carothers is joined by Chris Langille to discuss the evolving role of websites in the age of AI and large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. They explore how agencies can refine their digital strategies while keeping websites relevant in a rapidly changing environment. Chris shares his insights on the current state of digital marketing, emphasizing that while AI is shifting the landscape, websites remain crucial for agency success.

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Beyond the Buzzwords with Chris Luiz

Beyond the Buzzwords with Christopher Luiz, Episode #381

In this Power Producers Podcast episode, David Carothers welcomes Chris Luiz, CEO of Scout Insurtech, to talk about the intersection of technology and the insurance industry. From MGAs to claims adjusters, Chris sheds light on the latest tech innovations that are helping the insurance ecosystem. They discuss the importance of community building in tech and how the right tech solutions can improve processes and enhance efficiency for agencies and carriers alike.

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The Power Producers Podcast where we are refining and redefining the sales game.

Kyle Houck

Business

How Curious Leadership and Operational Audits Drive Middle Market Business Growth

In a rapidly changing business landscape, the difference between thriving and merely surviving often boils down to one core attribute: curiosity. But curiosity alone isn’t enough. When paired with operational audits, strong leadership, and a growth mindset, it becomes a powerful tool for transformation—especially in the middle market. In this post, we explore how curious leadership and deep operational insights can revolutionize how insurance producers approach sales, consult with clients, and build long-term partnerships rooted in value.

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Why Most Producers Don’t Fail From Lack of Sales Skill

Let’s set the record straight: most commercial insurance producers don’t fail because they can’t sell. They fail because they don’t plan. They lack process. They don’t follow up consistently—or when they do, it’s weak and generic.

In today’s competitive environment, trust is not built through hard closes. It’s built through consistency. Being present when the incumbent fails. Being available when the buyer is finally ready. Being prepared with insight when everyone else is just pushing a quote.

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marketing

Email Marketing Strategies That Actually Work for Insurance Agencies: From Segmentation to Conversions

Email marketing is often treated as an afterthought in the insurance industry. Producers focus on cold calling, referrals, and in-person meetings—but overlook one of the most powerful tools already sitting in their hands: their email list.

If you’re an insurance producer or agency principal and you’re not actively leveraging email marketing to drive revenue, retain clients, and expand your footprint, you’re missing a golden opportunity. When executed properly, email marketing delivers unmatched ROI, enables targeted cross-selling, builds credibility, and enhances retention—all at a fraction of the cost of other lead-generation tactics.

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Insurance

Beyond the Buzzwords: How Insurance Leaders Are Using AI, Voice Tech, and Community to Drive Real Innovation – A Conversation with Christopher Luiz

The insurance industry is evolving at a rapid pace, and the lines between technology, relationships, and service delivery are blurring more every day. As InsurTech continues to capture the attention of carriers, agents, MGAs, and startups alike, the challenge has shifted from finding new tools to figuring out which ones are actually worth using. Too often, insurance professionals are overwhelmed by noise—buzzwords like “AI-driven,” “revolutionary,” or “disruptive” are plastered across every product demo and sales pitch. But for forward-thinking insurance professionals, the real focus isn’t just on adopting the newest thing—it’s on building ecosystems where people and technology thrive together.

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