Transforming Vehicle Warranties: How Insurance Agents Can Unlock New Revenue Streams
January 14, 2026
blog clinton houck
Killing Commercial Login
Last Updated on: December 9, 2025
Read More »
Read More »
Read More »
Read More »
Read More »
Read More »
Hiring, Developing and Retainins Top Tier Talent with Elana Burr, Episode #400
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
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.
If you are an agency owner tired of the revolving door of producers, or a candidate looking to break into the industry, this conversation provides the blueprint for finding the right fit.
Key Highlights:
Beyond the Resume:
Elana and David discuss why industry experience is often overrated. The best hires frequently come from outside the industry, possessing innate traits like drive, competitiveness, and grit rather than just a list of insurance certifications.The “Good Conversation” Trap:
Salespeople are professional communicators. Elana explains the danger of hiring someone simply because they “sold” you during the interview and how to use behavioral questioning to verify actual performance metrics versus a good story.The Passive Candidate Strategy:
Why relying on job boards is a losing game. Elana reveals that 90% of their strategy involves hunting “passive candidates”—A-players who are currently winning in their roles and aren’t looking for a job until they are approached.The Sales Manager Paradox:
A common (and fatal) mistake agencies make is promoting their top producer to sales manager. The skill sets are often diametrically opposed, leading to a loss of revenue and a frustrated employee.Social Media as a Double-Edged Sword:
Employers are looking at your profiles. The duo discusses how social media can be a massive asset for building a personal brand, or a liability that disqualifies a candidate immediately.Connect with:
Visit Websites:
Kyle Houck
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.
From Med Device to Middle Market: Lessons on Sales, Risk Management, and Reinventing Yourself in the Insurance Industry
January 6, 2026
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.
From Executive Leadership to Field Underwriting: Lessons Producers Can Learn from Aaron Puchbauer’s Transition into Middle-Market Insurance
December 31, 2025
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.
Protecting Your Middle Market Accounts with High Net Worth Referral Strategies
December 29, 2025
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.