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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?
In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers welcomes back Craig Bender, founder of INSUREU2, INC. What started as a marketing venture has evolved into a comprehensive ecosystem for insurance professionals, culminating in the launch of a new AI software designed to provide real-time guidance to producers.
In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers interviews Heather McKinnon, a “Protege” contestant from Horizon Insurance Services in Columbus, Ohio. Heather shares her atypical journey into the insurance world, transitioning from a background in biochemistry and CPG brand management to joining her husband’s agency.
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn In the tenth installment of the “Becoming the Protégé” series on Power Producers Shop Talk, host David Carothers sits down with
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers interviews Terrence McLean, Co-Founder and CEO of SageSure. Terry joins the
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers sits down with Aaron Puchbauer, a contestant on Season 3 of
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers welcomes back Andy Mathisen, Insurance Sales Manager for Homebot. They
In this episode of Power Producer Shop Talk, host David Carothers interviews Pam Seidler, the only female contestant in Season 3 of The Protégé. Pam shares her diverse background, from working in radio and TV to oxygen sales and a stint in the captive insurance world with AAA. Now, she’s diving headfirst into commercial insurance, eager to prove that being new to the industry is not a disadvantage but an opportunity to learn without bad habits.
In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers interviews Dean Bowen of Patriotic Insurance. Dean represents the next generation of producers, having transitioned from a background in blue-collar labor (roofing, manufacturing) into the insurance industry just over a year ago.
They discuss the mental shift required to move from task-based physical labor to the self-motivated world of sales, the pros and cons of “niching down” too early, and Dean’s fascinating deep dive into insuring Cryptocurrency Mining and High-Performance Computing (HPC) operations.
In the seventh installment of the “Becoming the Protégé” series on Power Producers Shoptalk, host David Carothers interviews the first set of coaches for The Protégé Season 3: Zach Mefferd, Founder and CEO of ZipBonds, and Mike Fusco, President of Fusco & Orsini Insurance Services. Dressed in costumes (including sunglasses), the trio discusses their coaching strategies, evaluates the current crop of contestants, and strategizes for the upcoming draft. They also dive into the massive opportunity created by industry consolidation, sharing how independent agents can capitalize on the service gaps left when large brokerages acquire local agencies.
In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers sits down with Elana Burr, Co-Founder and President of Talent Harbor. They tackle one of the insurance industry’s biggest headaches: acquiring top-tier sales talent. David shares his own frustrating journey of trying to enter the industry without a “traditional” background, while Elana pulls back the curtain on how recruiters identify the “intangibles” that resumes often miss.
In the sixth installment of the “Becoming the Protégé” series on Power Producers Shop Talk, host David Carothers speaks with contestant Jacob Brawner of Brawner Insurance, based in Iowa and serving the Midwest. Jacob shares his unconventional path from being a teacher to joining his family’s agency, originally focused on crop insurance. The conversation highlights Jacob’s educational background as a key asset in his sales process, allowing him to patiently teach clients rather than just sell to them. They also discuss the importance of detaching from the outcome, the value of building a consistent pipeline, and how Jacob plans to leverage the mentorship and networking opportunities within The Protégé to accelerate his agency’s growth.
In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers, Kyle Houck, and Clinton Houck explore how technology, customer experience, and new product offerings are reshaping opportunities in the insurance industry.
Clinton, who started his career at State Farm and later moved into the insurtech space, shares how his path led him to Fair, a company reimagining the vehicle warranty space. Historically plagued by poor customer experiences and shady telemarketing tactics, warranties are being reinvented as a trustworthy, transparent, and agency-distributed product.
In this fifth installment of the “Becoming the Protégé” series on Power Producers Shop Talk, host David Carothers chats with contestant Jeff Rountree, principal of the Roundtree Agency. The conversation is a flavorful blend of business strategy and culinary passion, as Jeff shares his journey from life insurance and corporate training to commercial ownership. They dive into the challenges of navigating an agency after a partner’s passing, the importance of specialization in niche markets like health and fitness, restaurants, and contractors, and how Jeff’s participation in The Protégé is already reshaping his professional life through networking and mentorship.
In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck welcome back Brian Ahearn, Chief Influence Officer at Influence PEOPLE. They discuss his fifth book, Influence from Above, a business parable that merges Robert Cialdini’s principles of persuasion with Biblical tenets. The conversation explores modern authorship using AI, the strict definition of ethical influence, and how to maintain relationships in a polarized world.
In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck are joined by Jessica Fukuchi, co-founder of PCRG Insurance. They dive into the often-overlooked world of high-net-worth personal lines insurance and why middle-market commercial producers need to pay attention to it. Jessica shares her journey from a captive agent to building an independent agency specializing in high-net-worth clients, often through referrals from financial advisors. The conversation explores the strategic importance of partnering with a high-net-worth specialist to protect commercial accounts from being poached by large brokerages that offer both commercial and private client services.
In the fourth installment of the “Becoming the Protégé” series on Power Producers Shop Talk, host David Carothers welcomes contestant Brian Shaw, the Principal at Alamo Insurance Professionals. Brian, a veteran of the US Army, law enforcement, and the financial services world, shares his powerful “why” for joining the competition. He discusses his unique challenge of feeling like he’s “running in quicksand” while trying to grow his two-year-old agency and simultaneously train his son, who has Asperger’s and type 1 diabetes. The conversation is a candid look at the father-son dynamic, the need for proven systems, and finding the discipline to succeed.
In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers sits down with Jeff Harris, the CEO and co-founder of Appulate, widely considered the original Insurtech (founded in 2005). Jeff shares Appulate’s journey from solving the “abysmal” problem of supplemental form generation to becoming an all-in-one AI solution for agencies. They discuss the critical gap between insurance and technology, how AI is reshaping the industry, and why Appulate is taking a conservative and reliable approach to its implementation. The conversation also covers the dangers of agents using public AI tools with client PII and how technology is the “great equalizer” for small agencies.
In this third installment of the “Becoming the Protégé” series on Power Producers Shop Talk, host David Carothers sits down with contestant Lloyd Brown. David opens the show with a candid discussion on the need for greater diversity in the “pale, male, and stale” insurance industry, commending Lloyd for joining the competition. Lloyd shares his powerful personal journey, from attending ministry school for six years to become a pastor to finding his calling in the business world. He explains how his core strength of empathy has become his greatest asset, allowing him to build a successful niche serving churches, religious organizations, and schools in the challenging Florida market.
In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers sits down with Toby Hung, co-founder and COO of 1Fort, to discuss the practical application of AI in commercial insurance agencies. Toby shares his background on both the carrier and tech sides, explaining why he co-founded 1Fort to bridge the gap between insurance and technology. The conversation centers on how AI can automate the most time-consuming, non-revenue-generating tasks—like the submission-to-bind process—allowing agencies to 10x their revenue without 10x their headcount. They also explore why AI is the “great equalizer” for small and mid-sized agencies.
In this second episode of the “Becoming the Protégé” series on Power Producers Shop Talk, host David Carothers sits down with Protégé Season 3 contestant Joe Hollier, also known as “Mr. Hotel.” Joe, a 20-year industry veteran, shares why he’s joining the competition to accelerate his full transition into the commercial insurance space. The conversation covers his deep background in the hospitality industry, his niche focus on boutique and luxury hotels, and how he’s building a brand focused on service over sales and improving hospitality culture to differentiate himself.
You could feel it—every producer, coach, and guest mentor knew this was the official start of something special. The conversation wasn’t just about competition. It was about purpose, legacy, and growth.
Hosted by David Carothers, creator of The Protege and founder of Killing Commercial, this kickoff call set the tone for what Season 3 will represent: a proving ground for producers who are ready to work harder, think deeper, and build something that lasts.
Influence is one of the most powerful tools we have in business, leadership, and personal life. Used well, it inspires people, builds trust, and creates ethical results. Used poorly, it can slide into manipulation and self-interest.
Reinvention is one of the most powerful themes in the insurance industry. Some of the best commercial producers in the country did not grow up wanting to sell insurance. They did not study risk management in college. They did not come from an agency family. They found this industry after they tried something else. They found it after life pushed them toward a career where performance, autonomy, and mindset determine the outcome.
The most successful producers in the middle market did not get there because they quoted faster, smiled bigger, or knew how to talk longer. They got there because they learned how to differentiate themselves so clearly that prospects had no choice but to see them as trusted advisors. They learned to operate like businesspeople first and insurance technicians second. They learned how to tie operational mechanics to insurance outcomes. They learned how to control their time, their pipeline, and their future.
In commercial insurance, the most dangerous threats to your book of business aren’t always visible on the loss runs. One of the most overlooked vulnerabilities for middle market producers is ignoring the personal lines needs of their business owner and executive clients.
The commercial insurance industry is one of the few professions where someone can enter with no experience, no connections, and no background in risk management and still build a long, lucrative career. But success is never automatic. It requires hunger, humility, curiosity, and the willingness to keep showing up even when the process feels overwhelming. That is why the story of Pam Seidler has already started making waves among new and aspiring commercial producers.
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