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  • Stop Replacing People and Start Developing Them with Ashley Napier

    Stop Replacing People and Start Developing Them with Ashley Napier
    2026/09/02
    In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers is joined by Ashley Napier of Solomon for a conversation about recruiting, developing, and retaining talent in an insurance industry increasingly obsessed with artificial intelligence. Ashley explains that development cannot stop after hiring. Agencies need intentional onboarding, clearly defined expectations, and a progression where leaders demonstrate the work, perform it alongside the employee, allow the employee to take the lead with assistance, and eventually step back and observe. David and Ashley challenge the idea that AI should automatically replace employees who struggle in certain areas. Instead, leaders should identify what people do exceptionally well and use technology to strengthen their weaknesses. AI should assist people rather than become the entire agency strategy. David also warns that agencies can become so consumed with the latest AI tools that they overlook foundational technology such as CRMs, processes, data collection, and training. The conversation then moves directly into producer development. David shares his own experience of having to reset the training process with a producer after realizing that both of them had drifted away from the established framework. The lesson: having a process isn't enough—you have to execute it and hold people accountable to it. They also discuss the value of immediate post-appointment coaching. David credits the "curbside chats" he received early in his insurance career—immediate conversations about what worked, what didn't, and what needed to change—with accelerating his development as a producer. Finally, David translates leadership development into a middle-market sales strategy by explaining the Stop, Start, Continue exercise. Producers can anonymously gather feedback from a client's employees to uncover operational problems contributing to workers' compensation, commercial auto, and general liability losses. Connect with: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David Carothers LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ashley Napier Linkedin ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit Websites: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Killing Commercial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Crushing Content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Power Producers Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Policytee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dirty 130⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Extra 2 Minute⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    54 分
  • Stop Recruiting Producers. Start Building the Right Culture with Matt Kistler

    Stop Recruiting Producers. Start Building the Right Culture with Matt Kistler
    2026/08/26
    In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and Matt Kistler of ForgePoint Growth Partners discuss how agencies can recruit, develop, and retain high-performing producers. They explore David’s strategy of recruiting proven B2B salespeople from outside insurance, the importance of intentionally building agency culture, and Matt’s “blueberry” philosophy of identifying and replicating successful producer behaviors. The conversation also tackles accountability for veteran producers, transferring knowledge to the next generation, and looking beyond compensation when attracting talent. Ultimately, David and Matt emphasize that successful agencies must build a culture where great producers can succeed, feel supported, and have a reason to stay. Connect with: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David Carothers LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Kistler Linkedin ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit Websites: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Killing Commercial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Crushing Content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Power Producers Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Policytee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dirty 130⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Extra 2 Minute⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    41 分
  • Premium Is for Show, Revenue Is the Dough: Building a Data-Driven Insurance Agency with James Geyer

    Premium Is for Show, Revenue Is the Dough: Building a Data-Driven Insurance Agency with James Geyer
    2026/08/19
    David Carothers sits down with James Geyer, co-founder of AccountAim, for a conversation about one of the insurance industry's most underutilized assets: data. The discussion explores why agencies need to build the right foundation before chasing AI,automation, and the latest technology. David and James explain how clean data, defined processes, meaningful metrics, and consistent reporting can help agency owners make smarter decisions about production, cross-selling, marketing, staffing, profitability , andultimately agency valuation. David shares lessons from both his insurance agency and his earlier career in the grocery industry to illustrate how real- time data allows leaders to make faster, more intelligent decisions. The conversation also examines how agencies can identify profitable niches, improve workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and use AI without sacrificing the human relationships that remain critical to insurance. The takeaway is simple: agencies already possess enormous amounts of valuable data. The winners will be the agencies that organize it, understand it, and turn it into action Connect with: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David Carothers LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠James Geyer Linkedin ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit Websites: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Killing Commercial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Crushing Content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Power Producers Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Policytee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dirty 130⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Extra 2 Minute⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    48 分
  • The Leadership Skills Every Commercial Insurance Producer Needs to Win with Kasey D'Amato

    The Leadership Skills Every Commercial Insurance Producer Needs to Win with Kasey D'Amato
    2026/08/12
    In this episode, David Carothers welcomes leadership coach and keynote speaker kasey D'Amato for a conversation about the mindset behind high-stakes decision-making and why emotional intelligence is a critical skill for commercial insurance producers and agency leaders. Together, they discuss overcoming imposter syndrome, embracing calculated risk, developing future leaders, making data-driven decisions without losing the human element, and creating a culture of mentorship and continuous growth. The discussion highlights that technical insurance knowledge alone is no longer enough, producers who understand people, communicate effectively, and lead with confidence will ultimately create stronger client relationships and build more successful agencies. Connect with: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David Carothers LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kasey D'Amato Linkedin ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit Websites: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Killing Commercial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Crushing Content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Power Producers Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Policytee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dirty 130⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Extra 2 Minute⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    46 分
  • Why Better Prospecting Data Creates Better Commercial Producers with Rob Gifford

    Why Better Prospecting Data Creates Better Commercial Producers with Rob Gifford
    2026/08/05
    In this episode, David Carothers sits down with Rob Gifford, co-founder of Insurance X-Date, to discuss how AI and data intelligence are transforming commercial insurance prospecting. The conversation explores new platform enhancements, including AI-powered workflows, workers' compensation rate intelligence, Department of Transportation data, and carrier filing analysis that help producers identify better opportunities and prepare for more meaningful prospect meetings. David also sharespractical sales strategies around pipeline management, overcoming imposter syndrome,using data to build confidence, and why consistent prospecting, not market conditions, is ultimately what separates elite middle-market producers from everyone else Connect with: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David Carothers LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rob Gifford Linkedin ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit Websites: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Killing Commercial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Crushing Content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Power Producers Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Policytee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dirty 130⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Extra 2 Minute⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    1 時間 2 分
  • The Relationship Advantage: Winning More Business in the Age of AI with Patrick Galvin

    The Relationship Advantage: Winning More Business in the Age of AI with Patrick Galvin
    2026/07/29
    In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers sits down with relationship-building expert, author, and speaker Patrick Galvin to explore why authentic human connection has become the greatest competitive advantage in an increasingly AI-driven business environment. The conversation begins with David reflecting on the recent Producers in Paradise event and why its structure intentionally prioritizes meaningful conversations over lengthy classroom sessions. David and Patrick discuss how genuine relationships, not networking for networking's sake, are what ultimately drive referrals, trust, and long-term business success. Throughout the discussion, Patrick shares lessons from his own career, explaining how relationship building is a learned skill rather than an innate talent. Together, David and Patrick examine the difference between networking and connecting, the importance of curiosity, active listening, emotional intelligence, personalized communication, and why producers should leverage technology to eliminate administrative work while investing even more time in meaningful client interactions. The episode also explores practical examples of relationship-building strategies that differentiate producers, including handwritten notes, personalized gifts, remembering client interests, asking better questions, and meeting people through their preferred communication channels. The conversation concludes with a powerful reminder that while artificial intelligence will continue transforming business, trust, empathy, curiosity, and authentic relationships remain uniquely human qualities that technology cannot replace. Connect with: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David Carothers LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patrick Galvin Linkedin ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit Websites: ⁠⁠⁠The Galvininzing Group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Killing Commercial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Crushing Content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Power Producers Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Policytee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dirty 130⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Extra 2 Minute⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    56 分
  • How AI Is Freeing Producers to Sell More with Colby Tunick

    How AI Is Freeing Producers to Sell More with Colby Tunick
    2026/07/22
    In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers sits down with Colby Tunik, founder of Refocus AI, to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping the independent insurance agency without replacing the people who make it successful. Rather than focusing on flashy AI tools, the conversation centers on practical applications that help agencies automate repetitive administrative work, improve renewal workflows, strengthen client relationships, and create more efficient internal processes. David shares how his agency is leveraging AI across personal lines, small commercial, marketing, event management, proposal creation, loss run analysis, and CRM automation. Together, David and Colby explore why agencies should solve operational problems before they become bottlenecks, the importance of documenting processes before implementing new technology, and why producers who embrace AI as an assistant not a replacement will be best positioned for the future. The episode closes with a discussion about the rapid evolution of AI, open-source tools, and the need for agencies to stay focused on relationships while allowing technology to handle repetitive work. Connect with: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David Carothers LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Colby Tunik Linkedin ⁠⁠⁠ Visit Websites: ⁠⁠ReFocusAI ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Killing Commercial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Crushing Content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Power Producers Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Policytee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dirty 130⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Extra 2 Minute⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    52 分
  • Why Claims Are the Greatest Sales Wedge in Commercial Insurance with Jess Dantice

    Why Claims Are the Greatest Sales Wedge in Commercial Insurance with Jess Dantice
    2026/07/15
    In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers welcomes Jesse Dantice to discuss why claims management is one of the most underutilized sales strategies in middle market commercial insurance. Drawing from his experience as both an agency owner and the founder of Zenjuries, Jess explains how producers can use claims data, lag-time reporting, and proactive claims management to differentiate themselves from competitors and create immediate value for prospects. David and Jess dive into the emotional side of claims, explaining that business owners don't buy insurance because they love policies—they buy insurance because they're afraid of the financial impact of a claim. The conversation explores how producers can use experience mod audits, injury reports, and real-time claims technology to uncover hidden problems, engage business owners emotionally, and position themselves as trusted advisors rather than commodity insurance brokers. Connect with: ⁠⁠⁠⁠David Carothers LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Jesse Dantice Linkedin ⁠⁠ Visit Websites: ⁠Zenjuries ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Killing Commercial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Crushing Content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Power Producers Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Policytee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dirty 130⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Extra 2 Minute⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    48 分