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?

Power Producers Podcast

Big I Oklahoma | Shoptalk Series, Episode #106

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers goes live at the Young Agents Conference in Oklahoma with guests Julie Hamill, Ryan Smith, Bradley Owens, Jase Riggs, Trent Willis, Wes Becknell, Shania Slavick, and Krista Kautz to discuss their experiences at the conference.

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Becoming the Protege with Sean Kirby

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers interviews Sean Kirby, from Performance Group Indiana, and contestant from The Protege season 2. Sean shares his experience on the show and the things he has been able to apply in the real world, and how he got an immunity because of his work product.

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The Wood Sessions 4 | Shoptalk Series, Episode #105

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck sit down with Clayton Wood, Managing Partner at C.B. Wood Financial. They discuss Clayton’s book, The Chronic Cost, and how it can help companies with 50 to 500 employees better understand and save money in the the employee benefit buying process.

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Becoming the Protege with Ryan Smith

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers interviews Ryan Smith, a contestant on The Protege. Ryan talks about his experience on the insurance reality show, and shares some of the lessons that he has learned thus far.

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A New Way to Aggregate with Kenny Urbania, Episode #211

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers interviews Kenny Urbania Chief Executive Officer at The Agency Collective. Kenny discusses The Agency Collective’s desire to help not only in the growth of agencies but also in the development of a leader. Kenny also shares the structure they have at The Agency Collective for agents in terms of commissions and bonuses.

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The Wood Sessions 3 | Shoptalk Series, Episode #104

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck sit down with Clayton Wood, Managing Partner at C.B. Wood Financial. They discuss pharmacy benefits and how they work in the P&C world and why P&C agencies should have a conversation with their clients about benefits.

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Becoming the Protege with John Lyons

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers interviews John Lyons from Insurance One. John talks about his experience being on The Protege, and the takeaways that he was able to apply in his agency.

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Hangin with Sir Charles with Charles McDade, Episode #210

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Charles McDade, Agency Owner at McDade Insurance Brokerage Group. Charles discusses the ways in which his brokerage assists their clients in lowering their financial risk and saving money.

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Becoming the Protege with Caryn Seifert

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Caryn Seifert, President of Streamlined Business Insurance. Caryn talks about her experience on The Protege and how she is applying what she is learning in her agency.

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The Path to Professionalism with Robert Sutter, Episode #209

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers sits down with Robert Sutter, President of Keystone Insurers Group, and Josh Gurley, Vice-President of HM Advisors, a member of the Keystone Top 20 Program. Robert and Josh talk about the ways in which Keystone is partnering with agencies to provide independent agencies with access to resources, expertise, and relationships to help them be successful long-term.

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The Wood Sessions 1 | Shoptalk Series, Episode #102

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Clayton Wood, Managing Partner at C.B. Wood Financial. Clayton discusses how their company consistently reduces employer healthcare spending by 20-40%, and how they can assist agents not only getting more business but also maintain the accounts they already have by increasing stickiness.

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Becoming the Protege with Bryan McCall

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Bryan Mccall, Agency Owner of Sand Springs Agency and Contender on The Protege Season 2. Bryan discusses why he joined The Protege, and what he has learned so far from the competition.

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Running the Game with Tom Larsen, Episode #208

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers interviews Tom Larsen, CEO of Larsen Insurance Agency. Tom discusses the traits of a great mentor and how important it is to have a great mentor to help you grow your business.

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The Macdonald Sessions 4 | Shoptalk Series, Episode #100

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck continue their conversation with Peter MacDonald, Co-founder & CEO at Wunderite for a four-part series called “The MacDonald Sessions.” In this session, Peter talks about band of pricing.

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The Power Producers Podcast where we are refining and redefining the sales game.

Kyle Houck

Employee

Why Employee Ownership is the Key to Sustainable Agency Growth and Talent Retention

In an increasingly competitive commercial insurance landscape, agency owners are struggling to find long-term solutions for succession planning, talent retention, and business perpetuation. Many have considered private equity sales, others offer limited equity to top producers—but a growing number are discovering a more powerful alternative: the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

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Sales

How to Reverse Engineer Your Sales Funnel and Crush Your Q4 Insurance Production Goals

As we enter the fourth quarter, many commercial insurance producers begin to panic. Whether you’re behind on your goals or just trying to hit that final sprint, the Q4 crunch is real. But the producers who consistently win don’t treat Q4 as a Hail Mary. They plan with precision, reverse engineer their goals, and execute with ruthless consistency.

In this post, we’ll break down how you can reverse engineer your sales funnel, identify your revenue gaps, and finish the year stronger than you started. Whether you’re writing workers’ comp or cyber liability, these strategies apply across all middle market verticals.

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wholesale

Mastering Wholesale Partnerships: Submission Strategies, Underwriter Relationships, and Technology Tools for Middle-Market Success

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.

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Client

How AI-Powered Workflows Are Transforming Sales, Marketing, and Client Communication

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.

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Killing Commercial Login