Agency Intelligence

Where does agency efficiency go when AI begins handling the repetitive steps teams have battled for years? Jason Cass explores that shift with Jackson Fregeau, Co-Founder and CEO of Quandri, as they break down how a renewal intelligence platform can analyze policies, trigger quoting based on premium changes, and create contextual client communication automatically. Their discussion highlights how these capabilities free up staff to spend more time with clients while opening the door to new levels of retention and operational scale. Key Topics: Evolution from RPA to AI-driven capabilities Building a renewal intelligence platform for agencies Policy analysis across key coverage variables Automated quoting triggered by premium change thresholds Personalized communication for retention and cross-sell Shifts from personal lines to small commercial automation Differences in margin and complexity across business segments Trust, accuracy, and model limits in produc

In this solo episode of the Stuff About Money podcast, host Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ sits down for a candid one-on-one about goals. Not the shiny, New-Year’s-resolution kind, but the messy, honest kind we whisper to ourselves when no one’s listening. Erik shares two personal moments that reshaped how he thinks about goal setting, including the year Dr. Matt Morris bluntly told him, “You just made a bad goal,” and the overly ambitious golf objective that nearly convinced him to quit the game altogether. These stories spark a bigger conversation about why we so often overestimate what we can accomplish in the short term and underestimate what we’re capable of over the long haul. In the second half of the episode, Erik unpacks a healthier, more realistic framework for pursuing goals — especially financial ones. Instead of obsessing over hitting a number by a certain date, he encourages listeners to think of goals as direction and objectives as the checkpoints that keep them moving forward. Erik explores w

Leadership is shaped in the moments when uncertainty meets opportunity. Jason Cass sits down with Doug McElhaney, Chief Strategy Officer at Applied Systems, for an Executive Sessions discussion at the Applied Conference, where Doug breaks down how strategic clarity guides agencies through rapid technological change. Drawing from his years at McKinsey and his work at Applied Systems, he shares the decisions, mentors, and personal experiences that continue to influence his approach to leadership and industry impact. Key Topics: Understanding strategy through hard-to-reverse decisions Top-down thinking and identifying value-producing objectives Overcoming analysis paralysis in agency decision-making Mentorship philosophies and leadership growth Mindsets that shape personal and professional confidence People-driven execution of technology and data Navigating industry transformation and accelerating change Insurance access, protection gaps, and real-world impact

In this episode of Front Cover: A Rough Notes Podcast on the Agency Intelligence Podcast Network, Jason Cass sits down with Mark Rodgers, Founder of Trailstone Insurance, the agency featured on the December 2025 front cover of Rough Notes Magazine.  Key Topics: Mark’s reaction to being selected for the Rough Notes Magazine front cover  Trailstone’s growth from a small agency to a large operation after shifting strategy in 2017–2018 Building automation in 2019 and writing more than 50 million in new personal lines premium Moving from purchased leads to strong inbound through social media, YouTube, and referral partners A sales process centered on homeowner targeting, education, and retention systems Operating fully inside HubSpot for AMS, CRM, communication, and workflow management Leveraging offshore teams, automation, and Traction accountability charts to support scale and culture Reach out to: Mark Rodgers Jason Cass Visit Website: Trai

What happens when experience, resilience, and strategic discipline converge inside a rapidly evolving insurance ecosystem? Jason Cass sits down with Ashim Khurana, COO of Cogneesol, for an Executive Sessions conversation that explores how a 25-year industry leader balances instinct, data, technology, and people. Drawing from work across global operations, insurance services, and Cogneesol’s transition into IT-enabled solutions, Ashim breaks down the mindset required to lead teams, solve problems, and build systems that stand up to change. Key Topics: Early influences and lessons from past mentors Transition from instinct-driven work to data-informed decision-making Evolution from BPM services into technology-led solutions Strategic thinking versus operational execution AI use cases and why processes must be fixed first Supporting agents, carriers, MGAs, and legal service clients Leadership strengths, weaknesses, and personal growth The role of global operat

In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein sits down with Vlada Lotkina, CEO and co-founder of SUPERAGENT, to explore how AI is changing the way P&C agencies train and scale their sales teams. Vlada breaks down how SUPERAGENT’s AI personas create realistic roleplay for new producers, how the real-time sales co-pilot improves conversion rates for experienced reps, and how their outbound AI agent can qualify leads, gather data, and follow workflows with almost no integration. She also discusses how agencies are using the platform to gain visibility into performance, deliver personalized coaching, and turn months of training into days of meaningful progress. If you want a clear, practical look at how AI is actually improving insurance sales—not just adding hype—this episode delivers a firsthand view of what’s possible. About Insurance Shoptalk: Join host Eric Stein on a journey through the dynamic world of commercial property and casualty insurance. With over 25 years of experience in the in

In this moving episode of the Stuff About Money They Didn’t Teach You in School podcast, Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC®, CLTC, sits down with Giovani Arenas, business partner of Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA™, ChFC®, at Garcia Insurance Services, to talk about life, death, and everything in between. Gio, who received a double lung transplant just two years ago, shares his remarkable story of resilience and faith. From being told as a child that he wouldn’t live past 40 to defying all odds and thriving in his late 40s, Gio opens up about what it’s like to face mortality head-on—and how that perspective reshapes every part of life, including how we plan for the future. In this powerful conversation, Gio and Xavier discuss the emotional and practical sides of end-of-life planning, from having honest family conversations to getting your estate in order. They explore what it means to prepare for death while choosing to live fully—with gratitude, purpose, and hope. Gio’s story reminds us that wise planning isn’t just about

How do you build a 26-year career around storytelling, culture, and servant leadership while staying relevant through every wave of change? Jason Cass sits down with Peter Van Aartrijk, Senior Vice President at Aartrijk, for an Executive Session recorded live at Applied Net in Las Vegas. From his early years as a journalist to building a respected insurance branding firm, Peter shares the mentors, moments, and lessons that shaped his leadership. Together, Jason and Peter explore the evolution of insurance communication, the meaning of servant leadership, and how authenticity keeps brands relevant through decades of change. Key Topics: Mentorship and lessons that shaped a lifetime in communication Building Aartrijk and defining leadership through service The human side of executives and agency culture Staying creative and relevant through 26 years of change The written word and the craft of storytelling in modern marketing Navigating technology, branding, and the pace o

Would your P&C agency benefit from nearshore or offshore back-office solutions? Find out more in this episode of Insurance Shoptalk! In this episode, host Eric Stein is joined by guests Mark Stetson and Henderson Watkins from Solvo Global. They share more about Solvo Global and their many services for P&C agencies, like processing certificates, scrubbing accords, forwarding policy information, and handling reinstatements and cancellations. Eric, Mark, and Henderson also delve into the differences between offshore and nearshore service, and how they differ in cost savings, productivity benefits, and more. To learn more about Solvo Global, find them online at www.solvoglobal.com About Insurance Shoptalk Join host Eric Stein on a journey through the dynamic world of commercial property and casualty insurance. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to every episode. Insurance Shoptalk is your premier destination for in-depth discussions on the latest in

What happens when one of the industry’s most influential voices decides to rebuild from the ground up?  Jason Cass sits down with David Carothers, Founder of Florida Risk Partners and Creator of The Protégé, for a conversation that dives into what it really takes to evolve. David shares how his agency found explosive growth in personal lines, why transparency is the new superpower in carrier relationships, and how mentorship, leadership, and technology are shaping the next era of independent agencies. Key Topics: Rebuilding agency operations from the inside out Expanding into personal lines with purpose and systems Lessons learned through automation, lead flow, and scalability How transparency drives better carrier relationships and appointments Training the next generation through The Protégé Creating diversity and representation across the industry Building Producers in Paradise into a signature event Balancing leadership, family, and long-term agency vis

No doubt you were hired to sell insurance. But did your agency leadership make you FIRST prove that you can prospect to set appointments? I would suspect probably not. And, that's why so many insurance producers fail and don't make it -- or at least why they don't make enough money. They are good at relationship building and closing business, but they just can't set enough appointments. In this throwback episode of the Millionaire Insurance Producer podcast, host ⁠⁠Charles Specht⁠⁠ will talk about what you need to start saying in order to set more new business appointments with your prospects. After all, prospecting is a numbers-game but selling insurance is a relationship-game. Key Topics: The dual careers in insurance: prospecting versus selling insurance. Why poor prospecting skills often lead to failure and how to fix them. The importance of a defined process for setting appointments. Overcoming objections like gatekeepers and timing issues. Crafting simple, relatable messaging to co

In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein sits down with Terry McLean, CEO of SageSure, to discuss how the company has built one of the largest independent property insurance platforms serving catastrophe-exposed markets. Terry shares insights into navigating the hardest property market in decades, managing risk in wildfire and coastal regions, and balancing technology with hands-on underwriting and claims operations. From Florida’s ENS market to California’s wildfire challenges, this conversation reveals how disciplined underwriting, data-driven modeling, and long-term relationships with agents help SageSure thrive where others retreat. Tune in for a candid look at the future of homeowners insurance, reinsurance cycles, and what agents can do to succeed in high-risk markets. About Insurance Shoptalk Join host Eric Stein on a journey through the dynamic world of commercial property and casualty insurance. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge and

Jason Cass sits down with Dana Coates, CEO and Director of Strategic Partnerships at UWIB Risk & Insurance Solutions, for an Executive Session recorded live at Accelerate to discuss mentorship, generational leadership, and the importance of letting new leaders grow through experience. Together, they explore how patience, trust, and lifelong learning shape success in the insurance industry. Key Topics: Transitioning agency ownership and leadership to the next generation Mentoring younger leaders through patience, trust, and restraint Lessons from building UWIB across multiple states and generations The importance of allowing others to learn through mistakes and challenges Balancing family, faith, and professional growth through leadership change The evolving role of mentorship in shaping agency culture and vision How resilience and lived experience create lasting impact in leadership Maintaining a lifelong learning mindset through every stage of a career

In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein of Insured Solutions speaks with Bob Butts of Alternative Comp Solutions (ACS) about Ohio’s newly approved Alternative Employer Organization (AEO) program—an innovative alternative to the state’s traditional Bureau of Workers’ Compensation system. They discuss how this new model allows agents to finally earn commissions on workers’ comp, helps employers save 20–30% on premiums, introduces a convenient pay-as-you-go billing structure, and simplifies claims management. The conversation also explores how AEOs differ from PEOs, what agents need to know about the AC3 form and quoting process, and why this change opens major opportunities for agencies across Ohio. About Insurance Shoptalk: Join host Eric Stein on a journey through the dynamic world of commercial property and casualty insurance. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to every episode. Insurance Shoptalk is your premier destinat

Check out:⁠⁠ https://permissiongroup.com/permission-producer-school/⁠⁠ Imagine setting twice as many new business appointments with your prospects, tripling your win percentage, writing more accounts, writing larger-revenue generating accounts, and winning most (all?) of these new clients by signed Broker of Record Letter, rather than going through a normal quoting process. Sound to good to be true? Well, it's not. It's exactly what I teach and train my Producer clients to do. And, in this throwback podcast interview, host ⁠⁠Charles Specht⁠⁠ will tell you what the one thing is that you need to do FIRST in order to make all of this come true. Key Topics: The importance of choosing a micro-niche  How a focused niche helps create effective scripts, marketing, and branding Aligning your niche with your carriers' preferred markets for better results Examples of agents succeeding by specializing in unique industries Why focusing on fewer, high-value clients is more effective than spreading

In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, guest Jamie Fortier from isolved joins host Eric Stein to discuss how insurance agents can expand into payroll services through flexible referral and white-label models. Jamie explains how isolved supports agents with full back-office operations—from payroll processing to tax management—allowing them to grow revenue without adding staff. The conversation dives into isolved’s focus on enhancing employee experience, the advantages of consolidating services under one provider, and strategies for protecting core insurance business while building new income streams. Tune in to learn how payroll partnerships can help agencies strengthen client relationships and scale their service offerings. About Insurance Shoptalk: Join host Eric Stein on a journey through the dynamic world of commercial property and casualty insurance. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to every episode. Insurance Shoptalk is your premier

In this episode of Stuff About Money They Didn’t Teach You in School, hosts ⁠Erik Garcia⁠, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™, and ⁠Xavier Angel⁠, CFP®, ChFC®, CLTC®, tackle a hard truth — sometimes, the biggest threat to our financial health isn’t the economy, it’s the lies we tell ourselves. From “I’ll save when I make more” to “I deserve this purchase” and “I can time the market,” Erik and Xavier break down how these self-deceptions quietly shape our spending, saving, and investing habits. They’ll also reveal how these internal narratives may be fueling the stress behind alarming stats showing that 58% of Americans feel their finances are in crisis and 47% say money negatively affects their mental health. Digging deeper, they unpack the psychology and emotion behind each lie and how believing them keeps us stuck — overspending, under-saving, and second-guessing our investments. You’ll hear relatable stories, practical tips, and a few laughs along the way as Erik and Xavier guide listeners toward replacing financial fict

Technology is reshaping insurance and redefining leadership. Jason Cass welcomes Daniel Hom, Chief Technology Officer at Symphony Risk Solutions, for an Executive Session live from NetVu Accelerate. Together, they explore how the rapid pace of AI, cybersecurity, and automation are transforming the industry, and why the next generation of agency leaders must think like technologists as much as business builders. Key Topics: Daniel shares his 25-year journey in insurance technology and rise to CTO. The difference between a CIO and CTO and why smaller firms often merge the roles. Why even small agencies will soon need dedicated tech leadership or managed service partners. How insurance technology has shifted from stagnant to fast-paced innovation. The growing challenge of evaluating which InsurTech solutions will last. Daniel’s perspective on AI as a force that will reshape, not replace, the insurance workforce. Jason and Daniel discuss how automation will let humans f

In this episode of Front Cover: A Rough Notes Podcast on the Agency Intelligence Podcast Network, Jason Cass sits down with Brett Merrill, CEO of Merrill Insurance, the agency featured on the November 2025 front cover of Rough Notes Magazine.  Key Topics: The honor of Merrill Insurance being featured on Rough Notes Magazine Carrying forward a century-old family agency and honoring his father’s legacy Building an agency culture rooted in relationships and community impact The power of mentorship and lessons from Brett’s mentor, Ken Hoffman What Brett’s battle with cancer taught him about leadership and team resilience Investing in people and creating internal missions that strengthen culture Generational differences in values and how they shape modern agency leadership The importance of executing ideas and empowering others to lead Redefining marketing through personal connection rather than budget size Why focusing on people first is the ultimate g

Executive Sessions focus on the person behind the position, and that’s exactly what happens here. Jason Cass sits down with Keith Savino, Managing Partner at Trucordia, live at Accelerate. With over three decades in the business, Keith shares lessons from his journey through five agencies, the evolution of insurance tech from green screens to AI, and why servant leadership and collaboration still drive the industry forward. Key Topics: The insurance industry’s “inside baseball” pace and why it only feels slow from the stands. How community, collaboration, and consensus have fueled decades of industry progress. Mentorship and servant leadership lessons from Mike Stein and other early influences. Building success by putting others first and leading with purpose. From green screens to AI and Keith’s early days implementing technology in the late 1980s. The evolution of transactional filing and how it shaped modern agency efficiency. Predictions for 2030, including resp