Insurance Town

In this episode of Insurance Town , we've got a Mayor Solo episode. No guest this week, just me and my fellow citizens of Insurance Town. Today, we're tackling a topic that I think has become way more complicated than it needs to be: personal branding . I'm going to challenge some of the biggest buzzwords in business and marketing today. What if "personal branding" is really just your reputation?...

Most insurance agencies are still using AI like a search engine. They open ChatGPT.  They ask a question.  They get an answer. That’s useful. But it’s also reactive. The next generation of AI doesn’t wait to be told what to do. It monitors activity, organizes information, surfaces opportunities, flags missing data, drafts communications, and helps move work forward before anyone even asks. That’s...

In this week’s episode of Insurance Town, I had the privilege of sitting down with my good friend Kelly Smith . Kelly is one of those people who has truly lived the insurance industry from every angle. She grew up in a family agency, spent time at the front desk, worked in personal lines, commercial lines, agency operations, underwriting, carrier sales, and now helps independent agencies grow thro...

In this week's episode of Insurance Town Podcast, I sat down with my good friend Mariah Gates. Mariah has become one of the insurance industry's leading voices on automation, technology adoption, and helping agencies work smarter. What makes her perspective unique is that it is grounded in service, faith, and a genuine desire to help others succeed. During our conversation, we discussed how agenci...

In this week's episode of the Insurance Town Podcast, I got to sit down with my good friend Carl Ziade, co-founder of Gaia, for a conversation about innovation, entrepreneurship, AI, and what it really takes to drive meaningful change inside an insurance agency. One of the things I appreciate most about Carl is that while he's a technologist at heart, he understands that technology alone doesn't s...

In today’s episode of Insurance Town, Heath sits down with Paul Riemer, CEO of Riemer Insurance Group and Panther Insurance. Paul shares how his agency has grown through a commitment to relationships, community involvement, strategic niche markets, and a willingness to embrace innovation while maintaining a personal touch. As a second-generation insurance professional, Paul discusses the lessons l...

In this episode of Insurance Town, I get to interview my good friend Casey Armstrong of Canopy Connect. We dive into the innovative ways Canopy Connect is revolutionizing data collection for insurance agencies. Casey shares insights on how their platform simplifies client interactions, enhances data accuracy, and integrates seamlessly into existing workflows. Join us for an engaging discussion on...

In this week’s episode of Insurance Town, I had the privilege of interviewing my friend Ema Roloff of Roloff Consulting . Ema and I dive deep into what it really means to lead in today’s digital world, especially in an industry built on relationships, trust, and communication. Ema shares her journey from education into digital sales and consulting, along with the lessons she learned during the COV...

In this episode, Jay Wolfberg shares his remarkable journey from a small Connecticut town to leading a $32 million agency in Florida, and discusses his insights on scaling, client relationships, and franchise models in the insurance industry. Whether you're an aspiring agent or an industry veteran, Jay’s strategic approach to responsiveness and authenticity offers valuable lessons for growth and s...

In this episode, Tyler Brown shares a grounded and practical look at what actually drives success in insurance sales. Drawing from his upbringing and career journey, Tyler explains why authentic listening is still the most underrated skill in the business. He breaks down how emotional connection influences buying decisions, how to ask better questions, and why consistent follow-up separates top pr...

In this episode of Insurance Town , Kevin Deutsch joins the show to unpack what’s really happening in the health insurance space right now. From the growing role of AI to the emergence of ICHRA as a disruptive model, Kevin brings a practical perspective on where the industry is headed and what it means for agents, brokers, and agencies. The conversation digs into how technology is reshaping distri...

In this weeks episode we release more from the Lazy River, Casey Nelson's idea that has been such an amazing addition to the show. I appreciate all of the feedback I have gotten from these, so I will leak a few more out over time!  This clip is a continuation of the part 2, where we get into mental health, and leadership principles etc.  sponsored by: Canopy Connect MAV 1Fort AI 

This Week In Insurance Town, we uncover practical insights and inspiring stories with Chelsea Bell Carpente r as she shares her journey through the insurance industry, mental health strategies, and the importance of intentional living to combat burnout. This conversation empowers listeners to redefine success, build confidence, and prioritize well-being amidst today's fast-paced world. Chelsea's d...

 In this episode, Jason Peacock shares invaluable insights from his nearly three-decade career in insurance, emphasizing the importance of relationships, niching, and strategic follow-up. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned pro, you'll find practical tips on building lasting client and carrier partnerships, navigating industry changes, and avoiding common pitfalls. Key Topics:  The evol...

In this weeks episode of Insurance Town, The Mayor Heath Shearon, sits down with Valerie Bowden, founder of Crdle, to discuss the evolving landscape of outsourcing and the unique opportunities Africa presents. Valerie shares her journey from backpacking across Africa to establishing a successful outsourcing company that champions fair wages and ethical practices. Discover how Crdle is changing the...

You know that room in grandmas house that was that room that you didn’t sit in the furniture, you didnt touch anything? It was just pretty and you gotten threatened every time you went into that room? In this weeks episode, Monica Adwani, CPIA and I talk about that, and tie it into something that makes us cringe in the insurance industry. She also shares her extensive journey through the insurance...

In this episode, Lamar Garrett from Redbird Security delves into the critical importance of agency-specific cybersecurity tailored for insurance businesses. He discusses how proactive hardware and software maintenance can significantly reduce downtime, while the integration of AI streamlines operations and enhances security protocols. Lamar highlights the differences between general IT providers a...

It's another episiode of Insurance town from the Lazy river!! With Ben Morrow, Brenden Corr, Marques Ogden, Jessica, Casey Nelson, Caleb Cramer, etc. Its Fun Sponsors Canopy Connect  MAV Goli= Go. Goli.com/Mayor

In this episode of Insurance Town, the Mayor sits down with his good friend, Emily Merola. Emily Merola is an executive presence expert, speaker, and founder of The Blazer Society who helps leaders go from overlooked to unmistakable. Through her work in Image + Impact and identity-first leadership, Emily equips leaders to bridge the gap between who they are and how they lead so they communicate wi...

The Future of AI in Marketing & Insurance: Insights with Cameron Laboudi In this week's episode, the Mayor Heath Shearon sits down with Cameron LiButti of BidView Marketing. These two dive into the transformative power of artificial intelligence in reshaping marketing strategies and customer engagement, particularly within the insurance industry. They explore practical advice and emerging tren...

This week in Insurance town the Mayor sits down with  Sarah Koolhof, a dynamic insurance professional whose journey spans theater, rugby, and underwriting. Discover how embracing discomfort and versatility has shaped her career and passion for relationship-driven insurance work. She has been with Commonwealth Undewriters for a dozen years and not going anywhere any time soon, She loves her team an...

In this episode, we are doing something a little different. Casey Nelson and I hosted an open call live one day and we called it the lazy river. WE wanted to invite people to "float in and hang out ad float out. Ive provided a few clips here for you guys to check out. WE will release the whole 2 hours some day soon... but for now this clip is about authentic leadership, engaging communication, and...

In this weeks episode,  release my virtual course in Bob Dietrich and Pamela Dunn's virtual program called "Unlease AI in your Business" that released this week.  Hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think...  Sponsored by: Smart Choice Canopy Connect MAV

In this week episode, Heath Shearon and Casey Nelson discuss the importance of standardizing processes in agencies, the impact of AI on business, and the potential societal reset from reducing screen time. They explore the challenges of implementing consistent procedures, the role of AI in modern companies, and the cultural shift towards more face-to-face interactions. The conversation also touche...

This week in Insurance Town I get to catch up with my old friend, and former colleague, Therese Potter of Envela. We have a fun conversation we get to catch up on what she has been up to all the hats she currently wears, from teaching Tai Chi to selling Insurance and everything in between, and she is able to do all that, because of the culture and technology over at Envela.  Check it out, and let...