The Art of Telling Stories with John Livesay, Episode #228

Why Standalone Cyber Insurance Beats BOP Extensions Every Time: Protecting Clients from Modern Threats

February 25, 2026

The insurance industry is full of shortcuts. Some producers look for ways to streamline the quoting process, others avoid hard conversations with clients, and many rely on endorsements or extensions because they are “easier” than diving into the details. Nowhere is this more dangerous than in the world of cyber insurance.
Too many agents assume that a cyber endorsement on a BOP or commercial package policy is “good enough.” It isn’t. In fact, treating a BOP cyber extension as a replacement for a standalone cyber policy leaves clients dangerously exposed, puts producers at risk of losing accounts, and opens the door to costly errors and omissions (E&O) claims.
Cyber threats evolve faster than any other area of risk, and endorsements simply can’t keep up. If producers want to protect their clients and themselves, it’s time to understand why standalone cyber insurance is non-negotiable.

Profiling, Preparation, and Persuasion: What Middle Market Insurance Producers Can Learn from Diamonds, Intelligence Work, and Executive Coaching

February 23, 2026

In the middle market, producers don’t lose because the competition has better pricing.
They lose because the competition understands people better—their motivations, their fears, their priorities, and what makes them say yes.

Cyber Insurance Risk Management: Why MFA, MDR, and BYOD Policies Can’t Wait for a Hard Market

February 18, 2026

The cyber insurance market has softened in recent years. Requirements that were once rigid — like mandatory multi-factor authentication (MFA) or endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools — have been relaxed by many carriers. But here’s the danger: just because carriers aren’t demanding these safeguards today doesn’t mean businesses can afford to ignore them.

AI, Authenticity, and the Future of Elite Production: What the Insurance Industry Must Learn from Craig Bender’s InsureU2 Revolution

February 16, 2026

The insurance industry is entering one of the most transformative seasons in its history. For decades, our world has been shaped by carriers, underwriting cycles, prospecting methods, and the grit of producers willing to outwork their competition. But today, a new force is reshaping the landscape—and most producers, agency leaders, and industry professionals aren’t ready for it.

From Imposter Syndrome to Intentional Growth: How Producers Win by Controlling Time, Trust, and the Submission Process

February 11, 2026

The commercial insurance world isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s unpredictable, chaotic, and constantly demanding producers to manage competing pressures—client needs, renewal deadlines, life events, prospecting goals, and agency responsibilities. And if you’re a middle-market producer, multiply that by ten.

Why Every Agent Must Lead with Cyber and Professional Liability Coverage in Today’s Market

February 10, 2026

In the middle market commercial insurance space, the role of the producer has never been more critical—or more misunderstood. Too many producers still view their job as selling policies instead of what it truly is: protecting the assets and livelihoods of the businesses they serve.

The Art of Telling Stories with John Livesay, Episode #228

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

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David Carothers

Kyle Houck