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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?
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.
In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck welcome Tania the Herbalist, a former top insurance salesperson turned holistic life advisor. Tania shares her journey from corporate burnout to helping people become the “CEO of their life” by finding purpose and balance across health, career, and relationships. The conversation delves into the scarcity mindset around time and energy, the societal programming that hinders women’s confidence in the workplace, the detrimental effects of the “cutoff culture,” and the importance of holistic independence from broken systems.
In this first episode of a special 12-part Power Producer Shop Talk series titled “Becoming the Protégé,” host David Carothers introduces the contestants and coaches for The Protégé Season 3. Kicking off the series is Sam Louwrens (Can’t shut up Sam on X), whose application video generated significant buzz. David sets the stage, explaining his motivation for reviving The Protégé—to give back, train new talent, and challenge the industry’s often inadequate approach to developing producers. Sam shares his creative background, why he decided to jump into the competition, the story behind his unique application video, and the early media attention he’s already receiving.
In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck welcome back Ashley Napier of Solomon Strategic Advisors, a key supporter of Producers in Paradise. Ashley, who transitioned from an agency COO to a leadership consultant, shares her insights into the common struggles facing insurance organizations today. The conversation explores the critical need for organizational clarity, the difference between mission and vision, and why many leaders lack the self-awareness and other-awareness required to build high-performing teams. They also discuss the pitfalls of promoting top producers into leadership roles they aren’t suited for and the cultural challenges presented by mergers and acquisitions.
In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck are joined by Kevin Surace, an inventor, keynote speaker, and the “father of the virtual assistant.” They take a high-energy deep dive into the present-day impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the insurance industry. Kevin explains that the AI revolution is not a future event—it’s happening right now. He details how AI is set to transform every aspect of insurance, from automating claims processing and quotation to serving as a powerful co-pilot for salespeople. They discuss practical, actionable ways agents can use AI today to find new clients, refine their sales pitch, and handle objections more effectively.
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.
In an industry where tradition often outweighs innovation, artificial intelligence and automation are slowly but steadily reshaping how independent insurance agencies operate. The push toward smarter, more efficient workflows is no longer a matter of if—but when. While many agencies are still evaluating how AI fits into their operations, early adopters are already reaping the benefits of streamlined submissions, faster processing, and actionable data insights.
The commercial insurance industry is changing faster than ever—and not always for the better. Consolidation is accelerating. Service levels are declining. Private equity is pushing agencies to scale in ways that strip out the personal touch that once defined the independent channel. But for the producers willing to do the work, lean into mentorship, and sharpen their craft, this isn’t a challenge—it’s an opportunity.
The commercial insurance industry is in the midst of a major evolution. The traditional workflows that once drove agency productivity are now dragging down growth, overloading staff, and frustrating owners who are trying to scale efficiently. For independent insurance agencies—especially those in the middle market—adapting to these challenges without increasing overhead is a tightrope walk.
Few industries reward consistency, discipline, and patience quite like middle-market commercial insurance. Initially, every producer starts with a different story, background, and path into the business. However, the ones who rise are the ones who learn to embrace the long game. Moreover, while success may take time, those who persevere ultimately reap the benefits. Furthermore, this industry values resilience, and those who remain committed often find themselves achieving great success in the end.
In today’s performance-obsessed culture, achieving elite status in your profession can often come with a hidden price. Tania Khazaal, known to many as Tanya the Herbalist, knows this truth firsthand. After climbing the ranks in the insurance industry and landing in the top 1% of sales professionals, she found herself at a crossroads. Despite the accolades, international travel perks, and consistent recognition, she was suffering from a quiet crisis: burnout.
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