On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we explore technology and its real-world impact on independent agencies. Join host Bobbie Collies, chief insurance officer at Coterie Insurance, as she unpacks how technology is not just about tools and software—it’s about people. Collies is joined by two industry leaders: Chris Cline, executive director of t…

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we meet Andrew Ryan, vice president of Hertvik Insurance Group in Medina, Ohio. Despite being unimpressed by the software on offer when he first joined the independent agency channel, Ryan has relished the opportunity to constantly innovate and improve agency technology and processes. Currently, Ryan is embar…

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, AnneMarie McPherson Spears, news editor, Independent Agent magazine, interviews Kristina Witzling, executive vice president and property & casualty practice lead at Zeldis about the findings from the 2024 Agency Universe Study. The Agency Universe Study by Future One, a collaboration of the Big “I" and leadin…

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we meet Haley Andrews, vice president of Gaines Insurance Agency in El Dorado Hills, California. Growing up in a family where insurance was a topic of conversation at the dinner table, Andrews' future in insurance was written in the stars. After earning a degree in business with a concentration in insurance a…

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Joseph Cox, director of marketing at Trusted Choice®, hosts a conversation with Jamie O'Hearn, president of O'Hearn insurance in Lowell, Massachusetts, and Philip Schmitz, chief client protection officer at Schmitz Insurance in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, about the role of social media in a modern insurance agen…

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we meet Ivie Isler, assistant vice president and marketing analyst supervisor at McGriff Insurance Services in Birmingham, Alabama. From serving as president of the Birmingham Independent Insurance Agents (BIIA) to chair of the Alabama Independent Insurance Agents (AIIA) young agents committee (YAC)—and numer…

In this episode of Agency Nation Radio, host Nancy Germond, Big “I" executive director of risk management and education, dives deep into the world of workers compensation with Lisa Alea, senior product manager at the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI). The NCCI recently marked its 100th anniversary. During this time, it has supported…

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we meet Ashley Stafford, insurance advisor, Williams Insurance Agency in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Stafford was laid off from a logistics company during the coronavirus pandemic. After a friend posted a vacancy at Williams Insurance Agency, she jumped headfirst into all the opportunities an insurance career h…

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we learn about independent insurance agency alliances, a model that has grown in popularity in recent years, and one that the Big “I” has harnessed with the launch of the Big “I” Alliance. Jared Blackwood, owner and partner at BridgeMark Insurance Solutions in Bismark, North Dakota, chats with Tiffany Overlea…

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we meet Emmanuel Osuyah, CEO, owner, and principal of Alpha Direct Agency. His first significant move in the industry was when he bought his mother-in-law's Allstate agency. However, he realized that this path was not for him and decided to pursue the independent agency route. Fast forward 20 years, Alpha Dir…

The Big “I” National Young Agents Committee (YAC) partnered with Trusted Choice to create a special bonus series of content related to the hard market on Agency Nation Radio. This week’s episode features Jack Griffith, Partner at TWIA Insurance Agency in Summerville, South Carolina and was hosted by Daschle Larsen, a member of the National Young Ag…

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Erika Matthews, program manager at Invest, hosts a conversation with Samantha Snider, assistant account manager at Abbott and Fillmore Agency and Joanna Dresden, an experienced Insurance Agent at Hartland Insurance Agency. Dresden is Snider’s mentor, and the two Michiganders discuss the inspiring dynamic betw…

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Adam Wirthlin, commercial lines producer at Turner Agency in Greenville, South Carolina, shares how his time in the U.S. Army has given him skills to be a better producer. “It seems like a complete 180 from serving, but the skills I learned in the military set me up for success in this field, like attention t…

The Big “I” National Young Agents Committee (YAC) partnered with Trusted Choice to create a special bonus series of content related to the hard market on Agency Nation Radio. This week’s episode features Allyson Hearring-Padilla, an agent at Blank’s Insurance Agency in Olney, Illinois, and was hosted by Taylor Hendrickson, a member of the National …

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, host Brian Chapman, agent and owner of Chapman Insurance in Florida, sits down with Cassie Masone, vice president of flood operations at Selective Insurance. Masone, an authority on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), shares insights and experiences from her decade-long involvement with FEMA and her …

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Owen Thomas, senior account executive, Dial Insurance Agency, Pembroke, North Carolina, shares his experiences from past hurricane seasons and how his agency is applying what they learned this year. When Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina in 2018, it stalled, dropping unprecedented amounts of …

The Big “I” National Young Agents Committee (YAC) partnered with Trusted Choice to create a special bonus series of content related to the hard market on Agency Nation Radio. This week’s episode features Bryan Clinkscales, Owner of Boone Ritter Insurance and Big “I” Executive Committee Member, and Trey Sinclair, Owner of Wells Insurance Agency and …

Sometimes an insurance niche finds you. Other times, you pave your way based on your passion. On today’s edition of Agency Nation Radio Podcast host Toni Jones, Senior Vice President of Transportation Marketing, at Palomar Insurance Corporation, talks with three independent agents about curating a niche business. Our guests include Ryan Teubner, Pr…

On this edition of Agency Nation Radio, we hear from Kevin Ownby, owner of Ownby Insurance Services, Inc. from Sevierville, Tennessee. Ownby has been a Big “I" member for as long as he's been an independent agent. However, it wasn't until the Affordable Care Act was proposed and ultimately passed into law that he became more aware of the importance…

On this special Women’s History Month edition of Agency Nation, host Avery Moore, President ECI Insurance in Edmonton, Oklahoma, and a member the Big “I” national Young Agents Committee, leads a discussion with remarkable leaders who’ve carved their own paths in the independent agency system. Joining the conversation are Michelle Middleton, preside…

On this episode of Agency nation Radio, Sarah Cooke, director of personal lines at WalkerHughes Insurance in Indianapolis, Indiana, shares how the agency took technology into their own hands to overcome challenges in the hard market. Named as the Outstanding Large Agency in the 2023 Liberty Mutual and Safeco Agent for the Future Awards, WalkerHughe…

Members of the Big “I” National Young Agents Committee partners with Trusted Choice to share information about the hard market as part of a special bonus series on Agency Nation radio. Guests Adam Risman, Commercial Risk Advisor at Risman Insurance, and Haley Meisner, SVP of Independent Agency Distribution Strategy at Liberty Mutual, went behind th…

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Will Jones, editor-in-chief of Independent Agent magazine, is joined by an expert panel to discuss the intricacies and challenges of hiring at independent insurance agencies, as well as some much-needed winning solutions. As the insurance industry marks Insurance Careers Month, Claudia St. John, president of …

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Jarrard “Rod” Powell Sr., agency principal at Encore Insurance Group Chesterfield, Virginia, shares his unique experience in insurance. Powell grew up cutting records and touring as an R&B artist, but by the time he reached his 30s, he was looking for a more stable career. After breaking into insurance throug…

The Big “I” Young Agents partnered with Trusted Choice to deliver information on the importance of mentorship as part of a special hard market bonus series on Agency Nation Radio. Guests Krista Kautz, Producer at Berrong Insurance, and Stewart Berrong, Owner of Berrong Insurance, were interviewed by Cash McMillen, National Young Agents Committee me…

In this episode of Agency Nation Radio, host Nancy Germond, Big “I” executive director, of risk management and education, explores the evolving landscape of middle market insurance in 2024. Featuring an in-depth interview with Sandra Little, CEO of CEO, SKL Risk Consultants, Pheonix, Arizona the episode offers insights into the challenges and oppor…

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Jonathan Lugo, producer at FirmSecured powered by Veritas Risk Management in Johnson City, Tennessee, shares his remarkable journey from intern to specializing in real estate insurance. Discover how he carved out a niche within an established agency, bringing entrepreneurial spirit and expertise to a speciali…

During this episode of Agency Nation Radio, the Big “I” Young Agents and Trusted Choice share their insights on building staff morale as part of a special hard market bonus series. Guests Brock Elliott, National Young Agents Committee (YAC) Chair and Producer at Elliott Insurance Group, and Lisa Lemanski, Operations Manager at Meiers Lombardini Lem…

On this episode of Agency Nation radio podcast, the Big “I” Young Agents and Trusted Choice are teaming up to bring you the first episode in a special hard market bonus series. Guests Cash McMillen, National Young Agents Committee member and Vice President at the Cashion Company, and Patricia Clawson, CEO of Clawson Insurance and member of the Flor…

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Will Jones, editor-in-chief, Independent Agent magazine, is joined by Charles Symington, the new Big "I" president & CEO. Amid the hardest market in a generation, a technological revolution and consolidation within the independent agent and broker channel, Charles joins Agency Nation Radio today to discuss hi…

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, meet Erin Dop, an independent agent at Fullenkamp Insurance in West Point, Iowa. She did not join the family agency immediately after graduating from the University of Iowa. Instead, she was encouraged to build a foundation elsewhere, which she did by working as a commercial underwriter for a carrier. However…

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio Podcast, we explore the intersection of parenthood and professional growth with Lori Mihalich-Levin, the founder of Mindful Return. Lori shares insights, challenging stereotypes and offering practical strategies for both working parents and leaders seeking to foster a more supportive work environment for emplo…

Join us for an inspiring conversation with David Garcia, the President of Rancho Mesa Insurance Services Inc. in San Diego, California. Discover how David transitioned from a career in professional baseball to founding a Best Practices agency with a unique approach to specialization. Learn about the agency's commitment to giving back, their innovat…

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Cassandra Keogel, sales executive with Eastern Insurance Group in Massachusetts and member of the Big “I” national Young Agents Committee, is joined by two very special guests: Max Revenue, half man, half meme, 100% producer, and Micah Salas, senior vice president at the Christensen Group Insurance. Together,…

TrustedChoice.com employees have taken over the IA Advantage podcast once again with breaking news! Listen as Steve Gomez, Director of SEO, and Viviana Buzo, Director of Marketing, look back at TrustedChoice.com over the last decade and share the SEO strategies the company has employed leading to a major SEO event.…

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Ray Robertson, principal of Limestone Agency in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, sits down with Olivia Overman, content editor of Independent Agent magazine, to discuss his agency’s 175-year-old roots in Kentucky, community involvement and more. Robertson joined the agency in 1996 after spending several years workin…

Grab your favorite beverage and settle in for a conversation among friends on this edition of Agency Nation Radio podcast. Mike McBride your new Big “I” chairman and president of Mason-McBride, Will Lemanski owner of Meiers Lombardini Lemanski Insurance and Lisa Lemanski, agency operation manager of Meiers Lombardini Lemanski Insurance explore the …

IA Advantage Presented by TrustedChoice.com Chip and team announce major product news, revealing more options and greater control over prospecting for individual producers.

In this episode of Declaration of Independence on Agency Nation Radio Podcast, Osiris Maldonado, the co-founder of Pronto Insurance located in Schaumburg, Illinois sits down with Will Jones, Independent Agent magazine editor-in-chief. Osiris shares her journey from car sales into agency ownership and how educating her staff and the community create…

On this edition of Agency Nation Radio Podcast guest host Nancy Germond, ARM, AIC, ITP, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, executive director, risk management and education sits down with Karen O’Connor Corrigan, CIC, CIRMS, president, and owner of O’Connor Insurance located in St. Louis Missouri and one of the foremost experts on community associations. Together the…

Join us for Declaration of Independents on Agency Nation Radio, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the insurance industry. On this episode, we meet Jason Rodriguez, the managing partner at Prominent Insurance in Wilmington, Delaware. From his entrepreneurial journey growing up in Brooklyn to serving on the board of the Delaware Associa…

There’s no doubt insurance marketplace is harder to navigate, with economic pressures and increased natural disasters leading to rising premiums. How do you best support your clients, agency staff and successfully navigate the hard market? Tune into this episode of Agency Nation Radio Podcast, hosted by Kelley Donahue-Pirro, owner of Agency Perform…

On this edition of Declaration of Independence, on Agency Nation Radio podcast, host Olivia Overman, content editor with Independent Agent magazine, sits down with Crystal Fox, the founder of Beauty Queen Insurance, a division of the Smith Sawyer Smith agency in Rochester, Indiana. The pandemic brought Crystal’s makeup career to a halt leading her …

What does the next generation want in a career? How does the insurance industry align with what Generation Z wants in a profession? We uncover the connections on this edition of Agency Nation Radio podcast. Guest host Cassandra Koegel with Eastern Insurance Group and a member of the Big “I” national Young Agents Committee talks to Will Huang, recen…

David Watson, executive vice president of Mappus Insurance, South Carolina sits down with Will Jones, editor-in-chief of Independent Agent magazine to share his origin story on this edition of Declaration of Independence on Agency Nation Radio podcast. After working for State Farm and Allstate, David became a Farm Bureau contractor and in 2016 he f…

Chip learns the story behind Rocket Referrals' name change when he and Torey Maerz, CEO of ClientCircle and veteran IA channel insurtech leader, catch up for the first time since COVID.

On this edition of Agency Nation Radio podcast, guest host Bob Fee, President, Fee Insurance, Kansas and immediate past chair of the Big “I” is joined by Kathy Conley-Jones LUTCF, Chief Insurance Strategist, Williamson Financial Management Group in St. Louis. She also founded The Conley Financial Group, a multi-line insurance and employee benefits …

On this edition of Declaration of Independence on the Agency Nation Radio podcast, Dean Giem, president of Paradox Insurance Agency in Montana talks about technology. The self-proclaimed technology geek shares his journey from a captive agency to independent agency ownership. Now, as a member of the NetVu board and the AUGIE executive council, he e…

Chip’s guest this week is Jason Keck of Broker Buddha. Chip & Jason discuss some shared history and their evolving insurtech perspectives. Jason also reveals news of an affordable new solution from Broker Buddha specifically designed to help smaller independent insurance agencies with five or fewer customer-facing employees.…

In this episode of Agency Nation Radio podcast, Brandon Okita, FIA Insurance Services and Big “I” Diversity Council chair sits down with Kelly McDonald to answer questions submitted by Big “I” members live and online. Kelly is one of the nation’s top experts in diversity and inclusion, leadership, marketing, customer experience, and consumer trends…