Insurance Refocused
The independent insurance agency space is rapidly changing and evolving. The whole industry is feeling it and we want to provide a connection for agents to understand that they’re not alone. Join industry expert, Carey Wallace, and her Gen X daughter, Lindsay Wallace, as they interview agency owners, and get down in the nitty-gritty of every day topics that you face in your agency. The incoming wave of M&A, agency marketing, technology & insurtech, and generational change is upon us, join us as we redefine the industry!
Episodes
105 episodes
#104 - Starting From Scratch w/ Charles McDade
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Charles McDade, Agency Owner at McDade Insurance, to discuss building an agency from scratch from an entrepreneurial perspective. The conversation covers the importance of relationships, ...
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Episode 104
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47:12
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#103 - Effective Tax Planning w/ Andre Logan, Ivan Kan & Aaron Stocks
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with financial experts Andre Logan, Ivan Kan, and Aaron Stocks from Agency Point and Ameriprise Financial to discuss the financial needs and strategies for agency owners. This episode explores the imp...
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Episode 103
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32:20
#102 - Not All Buyers are Right for Every Seller w/ Jake Jensen & Kevin Callister
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Jake Jensen and Kevin Callister from the Leavitt Group to discuss the how the hard market has impacted M&A in the independent insurance industry. They share insights on what the market has ch...
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Episode 102
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41:23
#101 - 2025 Predictions w/ Thomas Mann
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Thomas Mann, a new addition to Agency Focus, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing insurance agencies as they navigate scaling, staffing issues, and the importance of technology. The...
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Episode 101
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29:08
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#100 - The Insurtech Santa w/ Frank Sentner
In this episode Lindsay and Carey sit down with Frank "Santa" Sentner to celebrate their podcast milestone, who shares his extensive experience in insurance technology. The conversation covers the evolution of technology in the insurance indust...
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Episode 100
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39:06
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#99 - Creating an Internship Program w/ Andrew Darlington
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Andrew Darlington from Veritas Insurance to chat through how he manages his internship program. THe conversation explores how internship programs can be used to attract young talent, the ...
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Episode 99
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36:01
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#98 - Choosing a Network w/ Dawnyel Smink
In this episode, Carey and Lindsay sit down with Dawnyel Smink, President of the Western region at Keystone Insurers Group to talk about the importance of agency networks in todays insurance landscape. The discussion emphasizes the need for age...
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Episode 98
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39:04
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#97 - Project 55: Empowering Mental Health Awareness w/ Justin Goodman & Brenden Corr
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Brenden Corr & Justin Goodman to chat about Project 55, an initiative aimed at providing resources and support for mental health in the insurance industry. Project 55's mission is to ...
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Episode 97
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39:29
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#96 - Permission to Fail w/ Andrew Ryan
In this episode Lindsay and Carey sit down with Andrew Ryan from Hertvik Insurance Group to discuss generational differences in the workplace, the role of technology in modern insurance, and the significance of creating a culture that encourage...
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Episode 96
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35:56
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#95 - What Even Is a Valuation Report Anyways w/ Carey & Lindsay
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace answer the question "What even is a valuation report anyways?" and break down what a valuation report really is, why understanding your agency’s worth is crucial, and the key components that make up an...
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Episode 95
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31:52
#94 - Solving the People Problem w/ Billy Wagner
In this episode, Carey and Lindsay Wallace sit down with Billy Wagner to explore the transition from being an operator to a CEO, emphasizing the importance of building a high-performance team and solving the people problem. Billy shares insight...
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Episode 94
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42:44
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#93 - The Future of Agency Acquisitions w/ Mike Wagar & Mike Strakhov
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Mike Wagar and Mike Strakhov from Westfield Bank, to discuss the dynamics of the insurance lending market. They explore the current state of the market, predictions for 2024 and 2025, and...
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Episode 93
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35:14
#92 - Increasing Your Agencies Valuation
In this co-hosted solo episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace dive into key strategies for boosting the valuation and overall value of an insurance agency. They cover essential topics like preparation, defining a niche, improving efficiency, levera...
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Episode 92
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33:38
#91 - The Data-Driven Future of Insurance w/ Kabir Syed
In this episode Lindsay and Carey sit down with Kabir Syed, the Founder CEO of Ennabl to discuss the critical role of data and technology in the insurance industry. He shares his journey into insurance, the importance of data in underwriting an...
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Episode 91
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40:23
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#90 - Marketing Drives Agency Acquisitions w/ Nick Vitali
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Nick Vitali, Vice President & Co-Owner of All About Insurance to explore the power of marketing in agency growth. They discuss how NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) partnerships have elevated the a...
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Episode 90
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37:44
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#89 - Humanity is Our Biggest Superpower w/ Vonda Copeland
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Vonda Copeland to chat about the importance of community support and gratitude in the face of adversity. Vonda shares her experiences giving back to her community with the Flint Hills Foster Teen...
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Episode 89
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29:44
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#88 - Don't Fall in Love With the Deal w/ Bradley Flowers
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Bradley, co-host of the Insurance Guys Podcast and Owner of Portal Insurance to discuss the intricacies of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the insurance industry. They explore Bradley's jou...
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Episode 88
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44:30
#87 - Establishing Authority in Your Niche w/ Bill Butler
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Bill Butler from Butler & Associates Insurance Agency to discuss the journey of transitioning from a generalist insurance agency to a niche-focused agency. Bill shares his experiences, challe...
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Episode 87
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39:15
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#86 - Inside the Acquisition: 7-Month Reflection w/ Rob Bowen
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Rob Bowen, the owner of Patriotic Insurance Group, about his first seven months post acquisition. They discuss the process of getting on an approved buyer's list, the challenges of acquir...
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Episode 86
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47:42
#85 - Disrupting Systemic Poverty w/ Wessly J. Anderson
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Wessly Anderson, co-founder of Agency VA, to discuss the benefits of virtual assistants (VAs) in the insurance industry and his mission to disrupt systemic poverty. Wessly explains that VAs can h...
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Episode 85
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39:58
#84 - Holding Court w/ Heath (The Mayor) Shearon
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Heath Shearon, the Mayor of Insurance Town to chat about topics such as the impact of technology on the future of the industry, and the importance of maximizing efficiency and driving margins in ...
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Episode 84
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43:54
#83 - Redefining Ability: Autism in the Workplace w/ Spencer Berg
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Spencer Berg, to share his story finding the abilities in his autism diagnosis that helped him build a successful career in the insurance industry. Spencer emphasizes the importance of recognizin...
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Episode 83
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34:04
#82 - Adapting to the Evolving Tech Landscape w/ Sean & Paul Hawkins
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Sean and Paul Hawkins, the founders of Hawksoft to chat about what large technology companies are doing to keep up with the rapidly evolving insurtech landscape. This episode covers many topics i...
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Episode 82
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35:45
#81 - Four Generations of Trimbles w/ Kirt Trimble
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Kirt Trimble, the president of Trimble Insurance as shares his experience of being the fourth generation to transitioning into ownership of the agency. He emphasizes the importance of planning, c...
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Episode 81
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31:37
#80 - Get Your Financials In Order Pre-Sale w/ Aaron Stocks
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey interviews Aaron Stocks, CEO of PFS Global and AgencyPoint, about outsourcing accounting for independent insurance agencies. They discuss the process of onboarding, cleaning up books and taxes, and the importa...
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32:37