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

Win Every Day with Cyrus Jaffery, Episode #304

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers interviews Cyrus Jaffery, Founder and CEO of Quotamation. Cyrus discusses his remarkable journey from Afghanistan to becoming a successful insurance agency owner in Nebraska. David and Cyrus delve into the nuances of sales, overcoming adversity, and the impact of technological advancements in the insurance industry.

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Go the Extra 2 Minutes | Shoptalk Series, Episode #132

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers discusses what separates good from great in sales.

David shares his insights and personal experiences on creating memorable customer interactions and leaving a lasting impression. From extraordinary customer service stories to unique marketing strategies, this episode is packed with invaluable advice for anyone in sales.

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Bonds in a Zip with Zach Mefferd, Episode #303

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers interviews Zach Mefferd, CEO and Co-founder of Zip Bonds about the latest trends and innovations in the bond market. Learn how these developments are shaping the insurance industry and how agents can adapt to stay ahead and how Zip Bonds is innovating and leading change in this space.

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Slaying the McInsurance Game with Patrick McBride, Episode #302

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers interviews Patrick McBride, Agency Owner at The McBride Agency. Patrick discusses how he leverages his diverse experiences, from post-military life to mastering tech in insurance to create impactful client relationships and streamline processes in his agency.

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What is Your Identity | Shoptalk Series, Episode #131

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers invites listeners to ponder a profound question: “What is your identity?”. David discusses the importance of defining one’s identity beyond work and shares personal insights on balancing professional success with family and personal well-being.

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Slowing Down to Speed Up with Michael Weaver, Episode #301

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers interviews Michael Weaver and Courtney Weaver of Weaver Sales Academy. Michael and Courtney discuss their journey from launching an insurance agency to creating a training platform that revolutionizes sales tactics in the industry and the importance of transformational relationships over transactional selling.

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A Well Kept Secret with Van Carlson, Episode #300

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Van Carlson, Founder of SRA. Van discusses his approach to risk mitigation through tax deferral strategies and his unique perspective on creating efficient business plans and navigating the challenges entrepreneurs and business owners face in today’s financial landscape.

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The Sales Objections Pocket Guide with Billy Williams, Episode #299

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Dr. Billy Williams, President of Inspire a Nation Business Mentoring, and Author of the Sales Objection Pocket Guide. Dr. Billy Williams discusses his latest game-changer book, the “Sales Objections Pocket Guide”, the art of navigating sales objections across various industries, and his unique 5543 formula – a strategic approach to handling objections and rejections.

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You Think This Cyber Application is Long with Abe Gibson & Ryan Dunn, Episode #298

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Abe Gibson, Partner & Cyber Practice Leader, and Ryan Dunn, Partner & Vice President of Cennairus Cyber. Abe and Ryan discuss the challenges faced by small and medium businesses in implementing cyber controls, the latest trends in cyber insurance underwriting, and the critical role of virtual CISOs in enhancing cybersecurity and insurance terms.

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Mining Your Agency with Raution Jaiswal, Episode #295

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Raution Jaiswal, Founder of InsuredMine. Raution discusses how InsuredMine’s CRM integrates sales, service, and renewal processes, enhanced with AI to elevate agency operations.

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Keep it Simple with Bob Marsh, Episode #294

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Bob Marsh, Keynote Speaker on Sales and Leadership at Bob Marsh and Associates.

Bob discusses the transformative power of simplicity in sales, the significance of understanding the buyer’s mindset, and how reducing complexity can lead to greater sales success.

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Be the First to Tell Them with Kevin Ring, Episode #293

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Kevin Ring, Lead Analyst at the Institute of WorkComp Professionals. Kevin discusses the latest NCCI updates and why understanding these changes is good for insurance agents and their clients.

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Enabling Agents to be Their Best with Kabir Syed, Episode #292

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Kabir Syed, Founder & CEO of Ennabl. Kabir discusses the transformative role of data in insurance brokerage and how Enanbl is empowering small agencies with simplified, data-driven processes for a smarter approach to the industry.

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Stick to Your Guns | Shoptalk Series, Episode #128 

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers discusses the significance of unwavering principles in sales, the essential questions that shape successful client relationships, and a real-life success story that exemplifies the power of a steadfast approach in the competitive world of insurance sales.

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Collaboration Before Competition with Bob Paskins, Episode #291

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Bob Paskins, a Corporate Consultant, Sales Coach, and Keynote Speaker. Bob discusses how personal challenges can sculpt resilience and drive in professional settings, how to identify and cultivate successful sales behaviors, and why empathy might just be the secret ingredient to outstanding salesmanship.

Bob also teases his upcoming book, “27 Insights to Catapult Sales,” which aims to transform ordinary insurance salespeople into extraordinary ones.

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NCCI State of the Union with Kevin Ring, Episode #290

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers interviews Kevin Ring, Lead analyst at the Institute of WorkComp Professionals. Kevin discusses the major updates from the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) and the complexities of Workers’ Comp.

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

Kyle Houck

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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Sales

How to Reverse Engineer Your Insurance Sales Goals with a Business Plan That Actually Works

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.

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Captive

Overcoming Mental Roadblocks to Selling Captive Insurance: Strategies for Retaining High-Value Clients

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.

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Professional

Unlocking Professional Lines Growth: Cyber, D&O & EPL Strategies for Middle Market Producers

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.

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AI

Harnessing AI in Insurance: Automation, Workflow Efficiency, and Document Intelligence

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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