The Power Producer's Podcast

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?

When Growth Breaks You Before it Builds You with Dan Sachkowsky, Episode #407

January 28, 2026

In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers sits down with Dan Sachkowsky, a business growth expert and founder of Big D Coaching. Recorded on location in Florida, this raw and unfiltered conversation traces Dan’s roller-coaster journey from growing up in “the hood” of New Jersey to building and selling three companies for over $30 million—and losing everything in between.

Why Total Cost of Risk Wins in a Softening Market – Part 1, Shoptalk #207

January 23, 2026

In this episode of Power Producer Shoptalk, host David Carothers kicks off the new year with a deep dive into the shifting dynamics of the reinsurance market and what producers need to do to prepare for a softening market. He emphasizes that the “bad news” hard market—where price shopping is rampant—is giving way to a “good news” soft market, where incumbents are harder to displace.

Profiling, Preparation and Persuasion with Don Weber, Episode #406

January 21, 2026

In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers interviews Don Weber of DR Weber Coaching. Don’s background reads like an international spy thriller—from selling diamonds in Antwerp to conducting intelligence operations for the U.S. and French governments. He joins the show to discuss how the skills he learned in those high-stakes environments translate to elite sales performance and corporate training.

AI, Authenticity and the Future of Elite Production with Craig Bender, Episode #405

January 14, 2026

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.

From Imposter Syndrome to Intentional Growth with Heather McKinnon, Episode #404

January 7, 2026

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.

Becoming the Protege with Rich Bales, Shoptalk Episode #206

January 2, 2026

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn In the tenth installment of the “Becoming the Protégé” series on Power Producers Shop Talk, host David Carothers sits down with

Winning in Catastrophe Exposed Markets with Terry McLean, Episode #403

December 31, 2025

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

Becoming the Protege with Aaron Puchbauer, Shoptalk Episode #205

December 26, 2025

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

Turning Homeowners into Referral Engines with Andy Mathisen, Episode #402

December 24, 2025

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers welcomes back Andy Mathisen, Insurance Sales Manager for Homebot. They

Becoming the Protege with Pam Seidler, Shoptalk Episode #204

December 19, 2025

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.

From Blue Collar to Blockchain with Dean Bowen 12-17-25 Episode 404 - From Blue Collar to Blockchain with Dean Bowen

From Blue Collar to Blockchain with Dean Bowen, Episode #401

December 17, 2025

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.

Becoming the Protege with Team Fusco-Mefferd, Shoptalk Episode #203

December 12, 2025

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.

Hiring, Developing and Retainins Top Tier Talent with Elana Burr, Episode #400

December 10, 2025

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.

Becoming the Protege with Jacob Brawner, Shoptalk Episode #202

December 5, 2025

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.

Transforming Vehicle Warranties with Clinton Houck, Episode #399

December 3, 2025

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.

Becoming the Protege with Jeff Rountree, Shoptalk Episode #201

November 28, 2025

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.

Ethical Influence and Faith with Brian Ahearn, Episode #398

November 26, 2025

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.

Protecting Your Middle Market Accounts with High Net Worth Referral Strategies with Jessica Fukuchi, Episode #397

November 19, 2025

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.

Becoming the Protege with Brian Shaw, Shoptalk Episode #200

November 14, 2025

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.

How AI and Automation are Reshaping the Industry with Jeff Harris, Episode #396

November 12, 2025

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.

David Carothers

Kyle Houck

Financial Literacy Is the Hidden Competitive Advantage for Middle Market Insurance Producers

January 26, 2026

Most commercial insurance producers believe their edge comes from relationships, market access, or quoting speed. Those things matter. But at the middle market level, they are no longer enough.

The producers who consistently win larger accounts, earn underwriter trust, and build long term career leverage all share one trait that rarely gets talked about openly.

Cracking the Code on Sales Talent: How Insurance Agencies Can Recruit, Develop, and Retain Top Producers

January 21, 2026

We can talk all day about marketing funnels, quoting platforms, and prospecting strategies—but if you don’t have people who can sell, none of it matters. Every agency owner I talk to says the same thing: “We just can’t find producers who can sell.”

Mastering the Micro Niche: How Focus, Pre Prospecting, and Relationships Build Million Dollar Books in Commercial Insurance

January 20, 2026

The Protege Season 3 cast met with special guest mentor Charles Specht to talk about what it really takes to build a million dollar book of business in the commercial insurance world. The result was one of the most valuable mentoring sessions the group has ever had.

Transforming Vehicle Warranties: How Insurance Agents Can Unlock New Revenue Streams

January 14, 2026

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From Contestant to Champion: Lessons from The Protege’s First Mentor Call

January 12, 2026

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.

Ethical Influence and Faith: How Biblical Principles Align with the Psychology of Persuasion

January 7, 2026

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.

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