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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 interviews Paul Epstein, bestselling author, and keynote speaker. Paul discusses the importance of adaptability, resilience, and a positive mindset and the importance of understanding yourself and your purpose.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Liz Benz, Marketing Director at New Buffalo Insurance Agency. Listen to this inspiring conversation filled with insights on resilience, teamwork, and the pursuit of growth in both personal and professional life.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Trace Meek, Founder of Fetch. Trace explains how Fetch helps insurance agents find policy-specific carriers and discusses the launch of a new product called Ask Fetch, which utilizes machine learning to teach AI about insurance underwriting.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Donald Shampine, President of Michigan Insurance Group. They discuss the importance of knowledge and education in the sales process, the challenges of starting and running an agency, and the benefits of being involved in industry associations.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Peter Dunn, Sr. Vice President, Commercial Division at DHI Commercial Roofing. Peter Dunn discusses DHI Commercial Roofing’s proactive approach to roof inspections and maintenance recommendations, as well as its use of technology to monitor weather events, and the importance of understanding insurance policies when it comes to roof damage.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Jacob Simon, Founder & CEO at Adapt API. They discuss the benefits of using Adapt API to streamline processes and automate repetitive tasks and the challenges of automating the exchange of information between carriers and agencies.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and guest co-host Josh Gurley discuss various topics related to the insurance industry, including the challenges of the hard market and the importance of branding and building strong relationships.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and guest co-host Josh Gurley discuss the challenges of navigating the hard market in the insurance industry, the importance of understanding reinsurance, and providing accurate information to underwriters.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Josh Braun, a Sales Guru, and host of the Inside Selling Podcast. Josh discusses his approach to sales and how mindfulness training can help you lower the zone of resistance people often have with salespeople.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers reveals that his single biggest affliction also serves as his most powerful superpower, and discusses the importance of self care and how the pressure to emulate “perfect” role models can set newer producers up for disappointment.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Anurag Sha, CEO & Co-Founder of Aureus Analytics. Anurag discusses the use of AI and machine learning in the insurance industry. They talk about Donna for Agents and discuss the future of AI and machine learning in the insurance industry.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Bharath Bangalore, Founder of Blue Ocean Strategic Partners. Bharath discusses process efficiency, automation, and the impact of technology on the insurance industry.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Erika Andresen, Business Continuity Expert at EaaS Consulting. Erika shares her expertise in business continuity planning for disasters and business interruptions. She highlights the importance of preparing for communication loss, and developing a 12-week plan to secure your business. Listen and learn how EaaS Consulting can help you prepare for unexpected disruptions.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Rick Elmore, CEO and Founder of Simply Noted. Rick discusses the benefits of sending handwritten notes, both in terms of building relationships and increasing customer loyalty, and how Simply Noted can help businesses grow authentically.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Scott Knowles, CEO of Loss Scan. Scott discusses the features of Loss Scan, which uses AI to turn loss runs into data, and how it could benefit the insurance industry.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Ryan Dunn, Director of Insurance at Trava. Ryan discusses the importance of being proactive with cyber insurance, how to leverage cyber to earn new business, and how Trava is enabling agents to collect internal infrastructure data and provide it to carriers for cyber underwriting.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Dulce Suarez-Resnick, Vice President of Sales at Acentria Insurance. Dulce discusses how Acentria Insurance leverages technology to streamline the insurance process and improve customer experiences.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Andy Phillips, Author of Round Zero: Inside the NFL Draft. Andy discusses the Round Zero book, which focuses on the football draft process and gave him the opportunity to interview various individuals such as agents, coaches, players, and general managers to get a better understanding of what goes on in the months leading up to the NFL draft.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Mike Seling, Vice President of Growth, and Jacob Geyer, Chief Insurance Officer at CompScience. Mike and Jacob discuss how CompScience offers a unique solution to the problem of workplace safety by utilizing computer vision technology and AI to detect potential risks and hazards in real-time.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Bogus Handzel, CEO of Handzel & Associates. Bogus discusses the unique systems and processes that his agency has put in place to efficiently manage their workflow and handle a high volume of clients.
In today’s competitive insurance marketplace, middle-market agencies must leverage every available advantage to win and retain business. One of the most underutilized yet powerful resources at an agent’s disposal is the wholesale market. By establishing strong partnerships with wholesalers, agents can access capacity, expertise, and proprietary programs that are often unavailable through direct channels. However, success in the wholesale arena requires more than simply submitting risks and hoping for the best.
In the fast-paced world of commercial insurance, where every hour counts and every interaction matters, producers and agency owners are turning to artificial intelligence not as a replacement for human connection—but as a force multiplier. AI tools like ChatGPT are no longer just novelties or futuristic concepts. They are strategic business assets, helping commercial producers streamline workflows, scale personalization, and reclaim valuable time.
Most commercial insurance producers fail not because they lack talent, but because they lack a plan. They enter the year with vague production targets—usually handed down from management—and hope that pure effort or luck will lead to success. But in the middle market, hope is not a strategy.
If you want to build a book of business that produces consistent results and long-term revenue, you need to think like a business owner. That means developing a business plan that is personal, measurable, and rooted in data. In this post, we’re going to show you how to reverse engineer your sales goals, simplify your sales pipeline, and build a weekly rhythm that supports growth without burnout.
When it comes to retaining large, high-value clients in the middle market, captive insurance should be one of the first solutions every producer considers. Yet many agents avoid the topic entirely—often for reasons that have less to do with the client’s needs and more to do with the producer’s own hesitations.
The truth? Failing to offer captives could cost you a $300,000 revenue client overnight. And in today’s competitive market, someone else will step in and take that account if you don’t.
In this post, we’ll break down the three biggest mental roadblocks holding agents back from selling captives, show you how to address them, and explain how to position yourself as the quarterback of the client relationship—while increasing your value and your compensation.
Middle market insurance producers face a “sleeping giant” opportunity in professional lines—namely cyber insurance, management liability (Directors & Officers and Employment Practices Liability), and broader professional liability coverages. Too often, these critical products are treated as afterthoughts, tacked onto a renewal packet rather than leveraged as strategic revenue drivers and client-retention tools. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore why professional lines deserve your full attention, how to overcome common obstacles, and which actionable strategies will unlock growth across your book of business.
The landscape of commercial insurance is evolving at an unprecedented pace. As agencies strive to serve middle-market clients more effectively, many find themselves asking: how can we harness the power of AI in insurance to streamline operations, reduce errors, and free up producers for high-value tasks?
In this deep dive, we’ll explore the two fundamental pillars of AI—generative and analytical—outline practical steps for embedding automation into repeatable workflows, examine real-world case studies, and offer guidance on security, vendor selection, and change management. Whether you’re a curious producer or an operations leader, this post will give you actionable insights to start small and build momentum toward a more efficient, technology-enabled future.
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