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

Moving Around and Making it Happen with Jeromy Huerta, Episode #37

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interviews Jeromy Huerta, President at Heritage Insurance Inc. Jeromy talks about his career in the insurance industry and how he got into the insurance business. He also shares his knowledge and expertise on how to acquire agencies, and make them grow.

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Power Women in Insurance with Teresa Kitchens And Denisse Bravo, Episode #36

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interviews Teresa Kitchens, Owner and Agent at Sterling Insurance Group and host of the Power Women In Insurance podcast, and Denisse Bravo, Owner and Vice President at Bravo Insurance Solutions. Teresa and Denisse discuss how they got into the insurance business and how they built their insurance agency. They also share their knowledge and expertise in the insurance world and the IAOA subgroup they have created.

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Bringing the Heat Jersey Style with Hal Soden, Episode #34

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Hal Soden, Jr., CPCU, AAI, CIC, CRM, Principal, and Risk Management Advisor at Oliver L.E. Soden Agency. Being the fourth generation in their agency, Hal shares his knowledge and expertise in the insurance business and explains how their services have changed as technology, and business practices have changed.

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The Growth Matrix with Bob Paskins, Episode #33

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Bob Paskins, Corporate Consultant, Sales Coach, and Keynote Speaker at Bob Paskins Enterprises. Bob talks about his journey in the insurance industry and his transition from being a commercial insurance agent to being a professional speaker, motivator, and consultant. He also discusses the benefits of utilizing the Growth Matrix to develop salespeople, processes, and overall performance.

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Crushing Comp in Cali with Eli Gillespie, Episode #31

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Eli Gillespie, Owner of Gillespie Insurance Services. Eli talks about his career in the insurance industry and his knowledge and expertise in Workers Compensation. He also discusses the significance of utilizing the dynamics of sales.

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Trucking Through the Insurance Game with Cameron Pechia, Episode #30

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Cameron Pechia, Managing Partner at Valley Trucking Insurance, a division of All Lines Insurance. Cameron talks about his career in insurance and his niche focus and verticals in the insurance business. He also shares his knowledge and expertise in commercial insurance.

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Leading with LinkedIn Content with Micah Salas, Episode #29

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Micah Salas, Advisor of Risk Management & Business Insurance at Marsh & McLennan Agency. Micah talks about cold calling, getting prospects from LinkedIn and creating a content production strategy.

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Choosing Love to Make a Difference with Justin Sloan, Episode #27

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Justin Sloan, Real Estate Investment Insurance Specialist, Principal Agent and Owner at BSP Insurance. Justin discusses his niche in the insurance industry and what tools they use in AMS and CRM. He also talks about the significance of utilizing automation in insurance.

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Harvesting Success Out of Struggles with Vonda Copeland, Episode # 26

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Vonda Copeland, CPIA, CWCU, VP of Operations at Copeland Insurance Agency, and Custom Harvest Insurance, LTD. Vonda talks about the obstacles she faced in succeeding her goals in life, what they have been accomplishing in their agency, how they utilize technology, and how they manage their producers.

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Protecting What Matters in Life with Greg Zahn, Episode #25

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Greg Zahn, AVP of Multiline and Digital Sales at Highland Capital Brokerage. Greg talks about his career in the insurance industry and the significance of life insurance. He also discusses the benefits of understanding the disability policy in life insurance, and the value of digital tools in creating systems that are more accessible.

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Running with Wild Stallions with Billy Wagner, Episode #24

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Billy Wagner, Multi-Unit owner at Brightway Insurance. Billy talks about the book he is currently writing and shares his hiring process, what his agency does to go the extra mile for their clients, and how insurtech is changing personal lines.

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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