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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 and co-host Kyle Houck are joined by Crystal Ware. David, Kyle, and Crystal discuss their better halves’ successes and motivations, and the importance of being coachable.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Brian Ahearn, an Author, and Chief influence Officer at Influence People. Brian answers 3 significant questions about the insurance industry.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Toby Hansen, Owner of Toby Hansen Insurance Agency, and co-founder of GSTsoftware. Toby talks about his move from captive to independent agent, what’s going on in the world of Insurtech, and how GSTsoftware helps insurance professionals get their business done in the most efficient way possible.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck are joined by Crystal Ware. David, Kyle, and Crystal discuss their motivations, goals, fears, and challenges in their journey.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Chris Paradiso, Owner of Paradiso Financial and Insurance Services. Chris talks about refining and redefining the sales game through the new version of his magazine, The Last Agent Standing.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Will Shaw, CEO, and co-founder of Better Agency. Will discusses InsurTech, commercial aspects, and how agency owners grow their businesses more effectively with Better Agency.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck are joined by Crystal Ware. David, Kyle, and Crystal share insight into the power and importance of having more women in the insurance industry.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers interviews John Bachmann. John talks about his journey as a claim adjuster, and his new book, The Successful Adjuster’s Playbook.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and guest co-host Derek Hayden interview Christian DeLozier, Proactive Business Risk & Insurance Consultant at Mike Keith Insurance. Christian discusses how he got started and how he was able to make his niches successful.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck are joined by Stephen Sedlak. David, Kyle, and Stephen explain how to use email effectively at your agency from a marketing perspective.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Andrew Martin, Founder & President of Atlas Financial Strategies. Andrew discusses his transition from life insurance to financial planning, why he decided to become a fee-based advisor, and how he provides value for his clients.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Kat Ternes, Vice President of Revenue at AgencyZoom. Kat discusses the value of automation in helping teams be more consistent and effective.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck are joined by Stephen Sedlak. David, Kyle, and Stephen discuss strategies for making connections, boosting your credibility, and how to have productive meetings with your clients.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Casey Nelson, Founder & CEO at StakWise. Casey discusses the significance of data automation and how StakWise can help agencies in leveraging the most out of their tools and platforms.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Peter MacDonald, Co-founder & CEO at Wunderite. Peter discusses Wunderite’s goals and how the program makes the insurance application process easier, faster, and more efficient.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck are joined by Stephen Sedlak, author of: The Work Comp Control Effect: 7 Steps to Increase Profits Through Your Work Comp Program. Stephen discusses the purpose of the book, his writing process and shares a few of the unique ways that he has promoted the book.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Justin Goodman, President of Total CSR. Justin discusses the changes they’ve seen, what’s new in the business, and how agencies are succeeding by utilizing the Total CSR platform.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck
interview Ron Shroyer, Vice President of Sales at Aureus Analytics. Ron discusses what Aureus Analytics is doing, what the Donna platform is and what it does, and how they’re using integration to make it a lot simpler to operate an agency intelligently.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck are joined by Stephen Sedlak, the Vice President of Schmale Insurance Agency. Stephen talks about how he gets new business and how his experience with ADP helped prepare him for what he does now.
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Crystal Ware, Chief Risk Strategist at Empower Benefits & Insurance Group. Crystal discusses how she transitioned from being an attorney to becoming an insurance producer and how they are helping their clients by simplifying the insurance process.
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.
In the fast-paced world of commercial insurance, the grind of daily operations often blinds agency leaders to the foundational cracks forming beneath them. Producers are focused on closing deals. Account managers are buried in servicing. Agency principals are juggling leadership, sales, operations, and finance. Yet in the midst of this hustle, many agencies lack the one thing that can unlock the next level of growth: organizational clarity.
Brian’s journey isn’t one of shortcuts or overnight success. It’s the story of a man who has faced battlefields, boardrooms, and hospital beds — and come out the other side with an unshakable sense of purpose. His agency is young, his vision is clear, and his “why” runs deep.
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