Agency Intelligence

What happens when your agency nearly doubles in size overnight? For Joel Dunham, it meant rethinking everything—from team structure to tech stack. In this high-energy conversation with Jason Cass, Joel shares how he used the “Engine” manual to streamline operations, brought AI into every corner of his agency, and turned growing pains into long-term gains. If you're scaling, restructuring, or just trying to get a grip on AI, this episode delivers the blueprint. Key Takeaways Acquiring an agency means retraining both staff and clients The “Engine” manual sparked an agency-wide restructuring Joel empowered his team by giving everyone access to ChatGPT Team VAs are using AI to communicate more clearly and professionally with clients Weekly AI discussions drive innovation and team adoption AI helped save $30K on a challenging renewal using underwriter logic Job losses are about skill shifts, not doom, AI is simply a tool Want to level up your agency operations? Downl

You get out what you put in. You win championships when you do the good work. You reap what you sow. These are the realities of what happens to people (and teams) who do the right things over and over again. Success comes to those who do the right work and stay consistent. Last time I checked, none of your insurance carriers pay any "consolation commission" when you come in 2nd place. It's all or nothing, baby! If you sow inactivity, you will reap the wind. If you sow inactivity for long periods of time, you'll reap the whirlwind. If you don't do the proper prospecting work, you won't schedule any new business appointments or win any signed BOR's or secure any deposit checks. The choice is yours. In this throwback episode, host Charles Specht reminds, motivates, and guides you on what and why you need to reconsider what you're doing in order to get the results you actually want. Key Topics: Why being busy doesn’t mean being productive The real reason you’re not getting appointments or BORs

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 intro

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

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

Jason Cass brings back Landry Fields to talk about how AI is already changing the way agencies work. From building smarter workflows to thinking beyond ChatGPT, this one’s all about what’s next—and how to get there fast. Key Topics: Why Landry compares AI’s future role in agencies to Iron Man’s Jarvis. The rapid shift from automation to AI delegation—and what it means for staff roles. How Zapier’s new AI agents hint at the rise of autonomous operations. The myth of security concerns and the real blockers to AI adoption. Why Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot will soon be agency essentials. The path from generative AI to agentive AI—and why it’s coming fast. How agencies can slash costs and outperform competitors using AI-driven models. Reach out to: Landry Fields Jason Cass Visit Website: Nova Insurance Agency Intelligence Produced by PodSquad.fm

Insurance agents who struggle at setting new business appointments with prospects, or winning signed Broker of Record Letters, or winning through a quoting process, are typically agents that don't have a Competitive Differentiation that makes the prospect say, "Wow!" In other words, if you don't have anything -- either a tangible service or a unique process -- that separates you from other competitors, your prospect will subconsciously toss you in the bucket of mediocrity and not do business with you. Why? Because, they already have an agent equal to or better than you, so they don't need you. In this throwback episode of the Millionaire Insurance Producer podcast, host ⁠Charles Specht⁠ will GIVE YOU EXAMPLES of differentiation services, both that are insurance-related and also Micro-Niche focused. Also, be sure to check out⁠ www.permissionproducerschool.com⁠ as the next cohort of students to go through our sales school will take place at the end of February. Get registered before all of the seats are gone!

This one’s all about how AI is flipping the internet on its head. Jason walks through how the web works now, how AI reads between the lines, and what you can do to keep your site and content relevant as everything changes fast. Key Topics: Understanding how Google works today—and why that’s about to change. How AI interprets intent, not just keywords, to deliver smarter answers. Why traditional SEO is losing ground to AI-first content discovery. Tactical tips to write AI-optimized content that actually works. Practical website upgrades every agent should implement right now. The rise of AI-first search and its impact on Gen Z and insurance markets. A vision of the near future: integrated AI systems managing your entire business life. Reach out to: Jason Cass Visit Website: Agency Intelligence Produced by PodSquad.fm

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 conn

Why do we assume something has to be complicated to be valuable? That question sparked a spontaneous recording session after ⁠Erik Garcia⁠, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™, walked into ⁠Xavier Angel⁠’s office to unload a bit of planner frustration. Joined by co-host Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC®, CLTC, the two dive into the false narrative that complexity equals effectiveness when it comes to financial planning. Spoiler: it doesn’t. In this unscripted and honest conversation, Erik and Xavier explore why simplicity should always be the starting point in financial planning. They break down the difference between necessary complexity and unnecessary confusion—and how chasing sophistication too soon can sabotage progress. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by your financial plan (or someone tried to impress you with one), this episode is for you. Follow the show and share it with someone who needs a little more clarity and a lot less clutter. Episode Highlights: Erik explains the myth that complexity is better than simplicit

Fresh off the Insurance Agent Summit, Jason Cass shares a quick take on what growing agencies really need to hear. It’s not just about writing more—it's about fixing what’s slowing you down. Let’s talk efficiency, automation, and the future of your agency. Key Topics: Why increasing efficiency is the only path to sustainable productivity The Swing Efficiency Score (SES): what it is and how it transforms agency operations When and why to bring on VEs or automation instead of more staff The difference between doing more with less vs. doing less to get more Redefining team metrics: revenue per human layer vs. headcount The mindset shift from tasks and departments to job types and roles Introduction to the AI 2030 Manual and what it means for the future of insurance agencies Reach out to: Jason Cass Visit Website: Agency Intelligence 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 Monica Adwani, CEO of Breezy Seguros, the agency featured on the June 2025 front cover of Rough Notes Magazine.  Key Topics: Leading agency transformation through culture and accountability. Why understanding minority consumer behavior is key to sustainable growth. Creating systems that meet customers where they are—especially in multicultural markets. Firing fast: the bold leadership decision that sparked momentum. Building a service-driven agency by integrating tech and customer behavior. Using AI to scale efficiently without sacrificing human connection. Tapping into the Hispanic market—the fastest-growing wealth demographic in the U.S. Reach out to: Monica Adwani Jason Cass Visit Website: Breezy Seguros Rough Notes Magazine Produced by PodSquad.fm

Jason interviews Matthew Vega-Sanz, CEO of GAIL, to break down how GAIL went from startup speed to enterprise scale. GAIL GPT is here—built for insurance, trained in the industry, and ready to take work off your plate. From smarter workflows to real-time insights, it’s everything agents didn’t know they needed. Key Topics: Rebuilding GAIL to handle explosive growth: from 3,000 to 150,000 calls per hour. Introducing GAIL GPT: an insurance-specific alternative to ChatGPT. AI compliance and legal accuracy: citing statutes, correcting errors, and risk mitigation. Custom personas: AI as a compliance officer, claims adjuster, or finance VP. Real-time insights from calls and predictive integration with raters and AMS. Redefining agency productivity: doing more with fewer people, without sacrificing service. The future of insurance AI: automation, vertical integration, and domain-specific models. Reach out to: Matthew Vega-Sanz Jason Cass Visit Website: