Agent Boost Marketing Podcast

On Episode 128 of the Agent Boost Podcast, Mike sits down with longtime agent and agency owner Riley Garner for a conversation that starts personal and ends up being a masterclass in why experience, both lived and professional, is what actually builds trust in healthcare. Riley opens up about his son's sudden health crisis: a routine day swimming in the Virgin River turned into E. coli, then S...

In Episode 127 of the Agent Boost Podcast, Dan and Mike open with a "week of survival" tone. AEP certifications are dropping, the agent force is demoralized, and the industry feels like it's in a constant state of flux. On a lighter note, both of their sons got licensed this week, a small but meaningful signal that the business still has a future for those who approach it the right w...

In Episode 126 of the Agent Boost Podcast, Mike sits down with his best friend and fellow agency owner Seth Cottle, founder of Alchemy Health Plans, for a candid conversation about what it actually takes to build a thriving insurance agency in one of the most challenging markets the industry has ever seen. Seth spent years working at Comcast while quietly building his book of business on nights an...

In Episode 125 of the Agent Boost Podcast, Mike sits down with Jeff, who just returned from the CMS Annual Marketplace Meeting in Baltimore, to break down everything brokers and agents need to know heading into this fall's open enrollment season. This episode covers the real state of ACA in 2025, from what CMS leadership actually thinks about brokers, to breaking news about the three-way call...

In Episode 124 of the Agent Boost Podcast, Dan and Mike sit down with Nate Brown, National Vice President of Sales at Agent Boost, to talk about what actually makes great Medicare agents stand out in today’s market. This episode dives into leadership, relationship-building, training, diversification, compliance pressure, and why the insurance industry is becoming harder for average agents to survi...

Devoted Health CEO, Ed Park on Building a Different Kind of Medicare Advantage Plan | Agent Boost Podcast at Medicarians 2026Live from Medicarians 2026 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, the Agent Boost Podcast sits down with the CEO of Devoted Health for a powerful conversation on growth, trust, broker partnerships, and what it takes to build a healthcare company differently. In this episode, we talk ab...

Recorded live on the floor at Medicarians Vegas 2026, Dan and Mike sit down with Jay Weintraub, the founder and driving force behind Medicarians, the industry's premier annual conference that has grown from 1,100 attendees to over 5,500 in just five years. Jay pulls back the curtain on how Medicarians got started, what it was like buying a struggling conference and nearly getting it wrong, and...

Recorded live on the floor at Medicarians Vegas 2026, Dan and Mike sit down with returning guest Jared Strock, actuary, owner of Telos Actuarial, and founder of the Medicare Market Insights newsletter, for one of the most data-rich conversations we've had on the podcast. Jared breaks down what he's hearing from carriers, distributors, and industry insiders at the conference: less money in...

In this episode, Dan and Mike Hardle sit down with Mike Tobitsch, Victoria Lucas, and Steve Smith from the AmeriLife Deal Team to break down how acquisitions actually work and why more agency owners are choosing to partner instead of going it alone. The insurance industry is evolving fast. Growth is harder to sustain on your own, capital matters more than ever, and agents are starting to think lon...

In this episode, Dan Hardle and Jeff Gaston sit down with Mary Steele and Eric Almassy from Allstate Health Solutions to break down why more agents are selling Allstate in today’s market. The insurance industry is shifting fast. ACA and Medicare are getting more complex, benefits are changing, and relying on one product just isn’t enough anymore. Ready to grow your book? Connect with Mary Steele:...

In Episode 117 of the Agent Boost Podcast, Dan and Mike sit down with Carol Labrum, owner of ClearPath Insurance Solutions and founder of the “Medicare Moms.” From starting in a grocery store booth while pregnant… to building a thriving, purpose-driven agency, Carol shares how she turned real-life skills into real business success. This episode dives into: • How moms are already equipped to succee...

In this episode of the Agent Boost Podcast, Mike and Dan continue their conversation with Sam Melamed (CEO of NCD) to break down the current ACA marketplace landscape, what proposed changes could mean for agents, and why the healthcare system feels increasingly strained for consumers, carriers, and brokers alike. They dive into the real challenges facing the ACA market, including affordability iss...

In Episode 115 of the Agent Boost Marketing Podcast, Mike and Dan Hardle sit down with Sam Melamed, CEO of NCD , to discuss the growing disruption across the Medicare industry. They break down Medicare Advantage reimbursement changes, CMS policy pressure, carrier profitability challenges, plan exits, and benefit reductions already impacting agents and agencies. The conversation also explores the r...

Proposed 2027 ACA Changes, Marketing Crackdowns, and Why Agents Need to Diversify | Agent Boost PodcastIn this episode of the Agent Boost Podcast, Dan sits down with ACA superstars Jeff Gaston and Heather Woody to break down the proposed 2027 ACA rule changes, what is actually likely to pass, and what agents should be doing right now to stay ahead. We cover the real-world state of the ACA market c...

Unleashing the Power of AI in the Insurance Industry | Agent Boost Podcast Join us for a special edition of the Agent Boost Podcast where we discuss the transformative impact of AI in the insurance industry. Featuring Nico Picard, project manager and acting CTO at Agent Boost, and Christian Williams, creative director and equity owner of Fruitstand Studios, this episode covers how AI tools are rev...

Agency Growth and Challenges in Medicare Industry | Agent Boost InsightsJoin Agent Boost's in-depth discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing agency owners in the Medicare industry. Dan and Mike break down the current market landscape, the importance of mindset, and strategies for building a successful agency. They explore the differences between running a lifestyle business versus...

Navigating the 2026 Insurance Landscape: Challenges & OpportunitiesWelcome to the latest episode of 'Agent Boost.' In this episode, catch up on industry updates as Dan and Mike discuss their recent break, holiday adventures, and the state of the insurance business in early 2026. Learn about the significant changes from major carriers like Humana, the evolving landscape of Medicare Adva...

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period - Trends, Challenges, and OpportunitiesWe dive into the chaos and hustle surrounding the last few days of Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). Mike and Dan Hardle discuss the never-ending busy season, the dynamics of telemarketing laws, and the varying attitudes of agents during AEP. Expect insightful commentary on the evolving field of Medicare insuranc...

Navigating the Insurance Industry Wasteland: Trends, Challenges, and Solutions. In this episode of the Agent Boost Podcast, Dan and Mike dive into the current chaos in the insurance industry, discussing everything from the ongoing frustrations with regulatory bodies and market corrections to the continuing shifts and emerging trends. They highlight the daily challenges and ongoing adjustments requ...

Navigating Healthcare Changes & Industry Challenges | Agent Boost PodcastIn this episode, hosts Dan and Mike Hardle delve into pressing updates in the healthcare industry, including the reopening of the government and the impact on ACA subsidies. They discuss the complexities agents face, especially concerning plan filings and consumer confusion. Key topics include the industry's shift tow...

Navigating the Complexities of Healthcare Costs and InsuranceIn this episode of 'Agent Boost,' dive into the pressing issues surrounding health insurance and the record-breaking government shutdown. Host Jeff provides insights from industry lobbyists, discussing the uncertain future of ACA subsidies and changes to open enrollment periods. The discussion spans the skyrocketing costs of heal...

Welcome to the latest episode of the Agent Boost Podcast, where Dan, Mike, and Jeff dive deep into the intricacies of Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) and upcoming ACA Open Enrollment (OE) 2026. This episode covers key industry trends, market performance report cards, insights on Humana's success, issues with provider directories, and a critical look at the recent John Oliver segment on...

Navigating the Chaos in Idaho's Health Insurance Market | Agent Boost Dive into the latest updates and tumultuous situations in Idaho’s health insurance market with your hosts from Agent Boost! With Halloween on the horizon, we’re two weeks into AEP and are hit with a deluge of news and updates. In this insightful episode, we unpack the reasons behind the insurance commissioner's cease and...

In this episode of Agent Boost, host Mike Hardle discusses taking a much-needed mental health break, the current state of ACA subsidies, and the impact of the government shutdown on the healthcare industry. Joined by EVP Jeff Gaston, they provide insights into the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), the performance of major carriers like Humana and Aetna, and the market dynamics affecting sma...

Maximizing Your Annual Enrollment Success | Medicare Sales Strategies & Industry InsightsIn this crucial final episode before the 2026 Annual Enrollment Period kicks off, Dan and Mike Hardle discuss the latest updates from carriers, the struggles agents and agencies face in a turbulent insurance industry, and provide valuable tactical tips for making the most out of the enrollment periods. Lis...