Negotiating Renewals With AI, It’s A Game Changer

Ever stared down a crazy renewal quote and thought, “No way”? Jason Cass shares how he used AI to challenge a 26% premium hike—and got results. It's a behind-the-scenes look at how tech can give agents an edge, plus some exciting updates on events, tools, and what’s coming next. Key Topics: Using ChatGPT to analyze multi-year loss runs and policy data How AI can level the playing field with carrier actuaries Constructing email and PDF rebuttals with AI assistance Turning a 26% renewal increase into a negotiating opportunity Why thoroughness and specificity matter in renewal disputes Building agency-wide AI systems via the Logic Routing Engine Reach out to: Jason Cass Visit Website: Agency Intelligence Produced by PodSquad.fm

You’re getting things done—but are you getting the right things done? As a leader, your plate is always full. Tasks stack up, people need your input, and it’s easy to fall into a pattern of constant motion with little traction. You’re working hard, but still feel behind. You’re productive, but not always effective. In this episode, Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™, and Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT explore the common traps high performers fall into when managing their workload. From overfunctioning to poor delegation and unclear priorities, they offer tools to help you take back control of your time, your energy, and your focus. Because it’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what matters—on purpose. Episode Highlights: Matt explains why productivity is about managing finite time and variable energy, and stresses improving efficiency rather than perfection. (01:43) Erik shares a story about micromanagement and a pivotal moment that reshaped his view on letting go of control. (04:38) Erik introduces the concept of revenue-generating vs. non-revenue-generating tasks to better prioritize daily actions. (09:41) Matt walks through a detailed guide on developing effective delegation skills, including the 70% rule and clear expectation setting. (12:37) Erik emphasizes the role of written processes in reducing micromanagement and building scalable systems. (18:16) Matt encourages using project management tools wisely, while Erik cautions against tech overload and advises crafting a "technology policy statement". (24:57) Matt lists mental models like the Eisenhower Matrix, Pareto Principle, and "One Thing" method to clarify focus and reduce task overwhelm. (33:44) Erik suggests flipping the script by asking “What are three things I don’t need to do?” to stay sharp and intentional. (48:00) Key Quotes: “ We have to acknowledge that time is finite. And it escapes us all the time. And so we have to be able to work smarter ” - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT “ The more scale, the more repeatable something is, the more efficient and effective you can be.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “ If you're going to delegate to people, they need to feel that you trust them and you need to feel that you, that they're going to get it done. ” - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Resources Mentioned: Cultivate Success Podcast Series Companion Handouts Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Matt Morris & Associates Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors

For the first time ever, Jason Cass steps away from his usual off-the-cuff style to read from a script—and for good reason. He dives into a concept that hit close to home: comprehension debt. It’s about the gap between what you know and what you can truly live and lead. If you’ve ever struggled to explain what you believe in, this one’s for you. Key Topics: Understanding and overcoming comprehension debt in leadership Transforming technical manuals into powerful stories The evolution of agency operations with AI-driven frameworks Why internalizing knowledge matters more than memorizing it Building a community of AI champions through shared learning Turning stuck moments into strategic transformation Creating impact by teaching through your own evolving story Reach out to: Jason Cass Visit Website: Agency Intelligence Produced by PodSquad.fm

Have you ever been rejected when doing your prospecting? Of course you have. Probably thousands of times in your life so far. It comes with the territory. But putting in the work helps you find your people. Getting hundreds of "No's" helps you find the dozens who say, "Yes!"  In this throwback episode of the Millionaire Insurance Producer podcast host ⁠Charles Specht⁠ explains how to embrace the rejecting haters when prospecting in order to find the people who want to do business with you and say, "Yes!" Key Topics: Embracing rejection as part of the sales process Filtering prospects to find the right clients Prospecting is a numbers game; selling is about relationships Success stories of producers landing high-value accounts Choosing between quantity or quality in your book of business Persistence and strategic messaging lead to more wins Reach out to  ⁠Charles Specht⁠ Visit: ⁠Permission Producer School⁠ ⁠Permission Network⁠ Produced by ⁠PodSquad.fm

In this episode of Front Cover: A Rough Notes Podcast on the Agency Intelligence Podcast Network, Jason Cass sits down with Kelly Mora & Steve Mora of Heritage Insurance Agency, the agency featured on the July 2025 front cover of Rough Notes Magazine.  Key Topics: Building an ag-focused insurance agency from farm roots The “tailgate relationship” approach to client connection Balancing modern technology with personal service Cultivating agency culture across generations Leading through mentorship, education, and EOS principles Strategic growth through acquisitions and team development Empowering young professionals and honoring legacy wisdom Reach out to: Steve Mora Kelly Mora Jason Cass Visit Website: Heritage Insurance Agency Rough Notes Magazine Produced by PodSquad.fm

Want to future-proof your insurance agency? Jason, Shawn, and Stephen talk about the tech that matters, the tasks worth automating, and why relationships still lead the way. Key Topics: AI is a tool to enhance—not replace—relationships in insurance. The biggest mistake agents make is staying siloed instead of connecting with others. Agencies need to stop chasing what's changing and double down on what stays the same. Efficiency gains from AI can be redeployed into productivity, but that window won’t last forever. Licensing staff numbers will shrink as bots and VEs take over repetitive tasks. ChatGPT isn’t a shiny object—it's a foundational business tool if used right. Agency success will hinge on vision, implementation, and customer focus, not fear of new tech. Reach out to: Shawn Fitzgerald Stephen Turnbull Jason Cass Visit Website: Scratch Agency podcast Agency Intelligence Produced by PodSquad.fm

As a high achiever, your work never really 'stops'—but should it? You feel pressure from the outside and from deep inside that you NEED to find balance. But balance seems elusive. Just when you feel you've found it, it’s gone. In this episode, Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™, and Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT break down the myth of work-life balance, the cost of blurred boundaries, and how to set limits that work without guilt or career damage. Episode Highlights: Erik introduces the episode by framing the common struggle of work-life balance and the guilt that often surrounds it. (01:31) Matt discusses how high achievers often experience work creeping into home life and the need to define realistic boundaries. (03:56) Erik explains why he believes work-life balance is a myth and argues for alignment of values instead of perfect balance. (06:45) Matt shares his definition of balance: enjoying both work and home life without one impeding the other. (10:07) Matt emphasizes that integration, not perfection, is the key to sustaining relationships and success. (13:51) Matt explains how unresolved work stress affects sleep, health, and emotional presence. (17:52) Erik highlights the role of self-awareness and coaching in identifying when work is intruding on personal life. (19:20) Matt shares the importance of start-stop rituals and sacred times, noting their role in maintaining boundaries. (24:09) Matt encourages leaders to model healthy habits and communicate boundaries to both teams and clients. (27:31) Matt explains how setting boundaries may trigger guilt and discomfort, but it’s a normal part of growth. (36:04) Key Quotes: “ Success shouldn't come at the cost of your personal life.” - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT “The goal isn’t balance or like getting the scales to be weighed. It was more of an alignment of value and purpose.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “Create sacred times for your family and for personal priorities. These are things that are, for the most part, 99% of the time, non-negotiable.” - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Resources Mentioned: Cultivate Success Podcast Series Companion Handouts Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Matt Morris & Associates Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors

There are THREE things that if insurance producers did, they would have far more success at prospecting and selling insurance. What are these THREE things you might ask? Well, that's what podcast host ⁠Charles Specht⁠ will teach you in today's throwback episode on building a $1,000,000 or more Book of Business. Key Topics: The power of micro-niching to attract and convert ideal clients Winning BORs with a 12-month service plan Lowering premiums through strategic pre-renewal planning Follow-up cadence is the key to consistent prospecting Keeping prospects engaged without overwhelming them Maximizing outreach efficiency for better results Closing more deals with a proven sales framework Reach out to  ⁠Charles Specht⁠ Visit: ⁠www.PermissionProducerSchool.com⁠ ⁠Permission Network⁠ Produced by ⁠PodSquad.fm

Jason gets real about why the old agency model isn’t working—and what he’s doing about it. From a free manual to a full book and audiobook, he’s laying out a new path forward for agents ready to build smarter, not harder. Key Topics: Why agency life feels broken—and how we got here. The rise of “IndieTech” and agents building their own tools. AI as an accelerator, not a replacement, for human intelligence. Lessons learned from 70+ hours building a manual, book, and audio blueprint. The power of emotional clarity and shared leadership in agency innovation. Giving as a leadership philosophy, inspired by Andrew Carnegie. Why 2030 starts now: building toward the agency of the future. Reach out to: Jason Cass Visit Website: Agency Intelligence Produced by PodSquad.fm

You’re successful, driven, and operating at a high level—but something still feels off. Maybe you’re stuck, overwhelmed, or just not seeing the growth you want. You can use help to get to the next level. Hiring a coach could be the missing piece. In this episode, Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™, and Dr. Matt Morris break down the difference between coaching, therapy, and mentorship, and how to self-assess whether coaching is the right move. Episode Highlights: Matt recalls hiring a golf coach when he felt stuck and needed help improving his score. (01:55) Erik describes hiring a business coach after realizing there were skills he hadn’t yet developed. (05:10) Matt emphasizes the value of hiring a coach when you don't know what you don't know (06:27) Erik explains his natural drive to grow and his desire to learn from people ahead of him. (08:50) The two discuss how coaching can help with specific roadblocks or feelings of dissatisfaction. (12:43) Erik outlines how hiring a coach provided objective, emotionally detached insight for better decision-making. (14:00) Matt breaks down the differences between coaching and therapy, clarifying their distinct purposes. (18:00) They compare coaching to financial advising and mentorship, identifying key overlaps and distinctions. (20:45) Erik reflects on the loneliness of entrepreneurship and how coaching offers perspective and clarity. (28:51) Matt and Erik encourage listeners to explore coaching when feeling stuck, off-balance, or in need of accountability. (30:34) Key Quotes: “Coaching is a strategic partnership between me, you, and someone else who just needs to tackle some roadblock in their work life.” - Dr. Matt Morris “Every individual should sit down with a financial planner at least once in their life.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “You can be content without being complacent. You could be content and still be ambitious to want to do something more.” - Dr. Matt Morris Resources Mentioned: Cultivate Success Podcast Series Companion Handouts Dr. Matt Morris Matt Morris & Associates Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors