Agency Freedom: E170: We Suck At Storytelling

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 operations and continuous adaptation Travel, culture, and perspective gained across markets Reach out to: Ashim Khurana Jason Cass Visit Website: Cogneesol Agency Intelligence Produced by PodSquad.fm

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 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 industry trends, technology impacts, interviews with leading experts, and much more. To learn more about Insurance Shoptalk, please visit https://insuranceshoptalk.com/. If you enjoyed this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, please like and subscribe, and be sure to click the notification bell to catch the next episode.

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 money; it’s about love, legacy, and peace of mind. Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement to face life’s hardest truths with courage and grace. Episode Highlights: Gio discusses growing up with scleroderma, reconstructive surgeries, and the impact of bullying in his teenage years. (02:48) Gio shares how marriage and becoming a father transformed his outlook and fueled his desire to create a strong family legacy. (04:12) Gio discusses the emotional weight of planning for his family while living with limited life expectancy. (05:42) Gio explains the miracle of receiving a transplant call just one week after being placed on the list and the frantic race to the airport. (08:58) Gio recounts the airport gate reopening and his arrival in Houston before the organs, describing it as the first of many miracles. (14:08) Xavier emphasizes how essential it is to account for different scenarios when building a solid financial strategy. (18:18) Gio explains how he and Erik Garcia planned for financial and business continuity, including wills, trusts, and contingency strategies. (19:20) Gio reflects on the importance of legacy, emphasizing character, faith, and the example he hopes to leave for his children. (20:33) Xavier highlights how many families struggle to address conversations about wills, directives, and preparing for the unexpected. (24:58) Gio encourages listeners to confront difficult conversations about death, wills, and family preparedness. (25:36) Gio affirms that his faith is now “stronger than ever,” describing how the journey reshaped his belief. (28:41) Xavier encourages listeners to begin planning early and communicate the legacy they want to leave. (29:38) Key Quotes: “My actual transformation to a more concentrated person, and being a productive person and being someone happened when my kids were born, that completely changed my way of thinking, because to me, family, it's very important.” - Giovani Arenas “There were so many things that happened that have no explanation except the power of God working in the process, you know. And if I have to say something now is, I believe more now than before.” - Giovani Arenas

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 of transformation AI’s role in communication, authenticity, and content creation Mindset shifts from hard work to meaningful impact Purpose, humility, and human connection in leadership Reach out to: Peter Van Aartrijk Jason Cass Visit Website: Aartrijk Agency Intelligence Produced by PodSquad.fm

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 industry trends, technology impacts, interviews with leading experts, and much more. If you enjoyed this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, follow us on our social media pages to learn the latest on commercial insurance industry.

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 connect with prospects. Balancing numbers in prospecting with relationships in selling insurance. Refining prospecting skills or outsourcing to avoid stagnation. Reach out to  ⁠⁠Charles Specht⁠⁠ Visit: ⁠⁠Permission Network⁠⁠ Produced by ⁠⁠PodSquad.fm

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 vision Why mentorship and innovation remain the foundation of growth Reach out to: David Carothers Jason Cass Visit Website: Florida Risk Partners Killing Commercial The Protégé Agency Intelligence Produced by PodSquad.fm

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 insights to every episode. Insurance Shoptalk is your premier destination for in-depth discussions on the latest industry trends, technology impacts, interviews with leading experts, and much more. To learn more about Insurance Shoptalk, please visit https://insuranceshoptalk.com/ If you enjoyed this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, please like and subscribe, and be sure to click the notification bell to catch the next episode.

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 Humanizing executives and preserving authenticity in leadership transitions Reach out to: Dana Coates Jason Cass Visit Website: UWIB Risk & Insurance Solutions Agency Intelligence Produced by PodSquad.fm

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 too thin How micro-niching increases trust and helps you secure more broker of record letters Avoiding the trap of dabbling by fully committing to a niche for greater success Reach out to  ⁠⁠Charles Specht⁠⁠ Visit: ⁠⁠Permission Producer School⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Permission Network⁠⁠ Produced by ⁠⁠PodSquad.fm