The Agent Leader Podcast

Why not you? In this powerful solo episode, Brent Kelly challenges insurance agency leaders to confront the one thing holding them back: their mindset. Drawing inspiration from the final chapter of Best Version Possible , Brent unpacks the core differences between good agencies and great ones. Discover the three areas where most agency leaders think too small—and how to break free from the self-li...

What’s Holding Your Agency Back? If you’re still managing people, profit, and performance the old way, you may be capping your agency’s potential without realizing it. In the latest episode of The Agent Leader , Brent Kelly is joined by Roger Sitkins for an inspiring conversation about what it really takes to build a high-performance agency in today’s world. 🎧 Tune in to discover: The leadership...

Renowned insurance technology expert Steve Anderson, co-founder of Catalyit and author of The Bezos Letters, joins us to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the insurance industry. Drawing lessons from the internet boom of the late ’90s, Steve shares how today’s agencies can move from AI hype to real-world results. You’ll discover how AI can boost efficiency, improve data quality,...

Is your agency stuck selling insurance as just another commodity? In this powerful episode, Brent Kelly reveals how to shift that perception through meaningful communication and client connection. Learn how to differentiate your agency by going beyond the overused promises of "great service" and "experienced staff." We explore the "head, heart, and hands" framework wi...

Is your agency rowing in the same direction—or just spinning in circles? In this episode, senior consultant Kari Glennon joins Brent Kelly to break down the real reasons insurance agencies struggle with internal misalignment—and what to do about it. From duplicated efforts to pricing uncertainty, Kari shares how a lack of formal communication and role clarity quietly erodes agency efficiency and c...

Feeling pulled in every direction in your agency? In this episode, Brent Kelly shares how to flip daily distractions into your biggest productivity wins. Inspired by Cal Newport’s Deep Work and Darren Hardy’s Insane Productivity , Brent offers practical strategies for creating focus zones, setting boundaries, and aligning your work with what truly matters. You’ll learn: How to identify and elimina...

In this episode, Brent Kelly sits down with two dynamic leaders from Bravera Insurance, Brennan Quintus and  Tess Pergande, to uncover the key drivers behind their agency’s success. From fostering a strong team culture to leveraging open communication and strategic leadership, they share actionable insights that can transform any independent agency. Discover how Bravera prioritizes clarity in lead...

Is your insurance agency leaving money on the table? In this power-packed episode, Brent Kelly reveals how to maximize your agency’s valuation by mastering the people side of the business. Discover the critical leadership shifts that drive real growth. Brent explores how to break free from a scarcity mentality and create an abundance-driven culture that fuels revenue, retention, and agency value....

What if simplicity was the key to becoming a stronger leader? In this episode of The Agent Leader Podcast , renowned author and speaker Joe Calloway shares his journey from a Tennessee farm to captivating audiences at iconic venues like the Staples Center. With a talent for breaking down complex ideas into clear, actionable strategies , Joe reveals how focusing on the fundamentals can transform yo...

Join us for a motivating episode of The Agent Leader Podcast as we sit down with Jeff Schulz from J. Krug & Associates to explore his journey from fraternity connections to leadership in the commercial lines division. Jeff’s story highlights the power of continuous learning, industry designations, and a relentless commitment to growth. 🎧 Highlights include: (01:00) The Journey to Insurance Ex...

Discover how to bridge performance gaps and drive unprecedented success in your insurance agency with insights from Roger Sitkins, founder and CEO of the Sitkins Group. In this episode, we break down the transformative power of key performance indicators (KPIs) and introduce the  Performance Gap Analyzer —a game-changing tool designed to help agency leaders pinpoint growth opportunities and align...

In this episode of the Agent Leader, Brent Kelly dives into the transformative power of setting standards over merely chasing goals in insurance agency leadership. Drawing inspiration from James Clear's "Atomic Habits," Brent explores how establishing consistent standards can turn your aspirations into tangible achievements. Discover actionable insights and tools to elevate your agen...

Discover the Secrets to Consistency and Balance in Insurance Sales In this episode, Brent Kelly sits down with Dan Elliott, managing partner of the Diebold Agency and a fourth-generation leader, to uncover how he steers his family-run business toward multi-location success. Drawing from his journey to leading the Diebold Agency to new heights, Dan shares proven strategies for mastering consistency...

Jill Wagner Kelly, the Chief Distribution Officer at Grange Insurance, shares her profound insights from over 30 years in the insurance industry on this episode of The Agent Leader. Jill's journey from a personal lines underwriter to an executive leader is filled with pivotal moments and invaluable lessons in authenticity, mentorship, and leadership. Highlights include: (07:57) - The Power of Auth...

Dive into a transformative journey as Matt Hughes shares his path from NFL player to Growth and Sales Strategist at First MainStreet Insurance on this episode of The Agent Leader. From his beginnings as a college athlete and NFL player to a thriving career in the insurance industry, Matt shares invaluable lessons on resilience and leadership. Listen as Matt recounts his transition from medical sal...

Join us on this special episode of the Agent Leader Podcast, where Brent Kelly, Roger Sitkins, and Kari Glennon explore transformative insights for insurance agencies drawn from 2024. Highlights include: (07:42) - Intentional Communication in Leadership (15:50) - Cohort Management and Practice Culture (26:54) - Maximizing Producer and Service Efficiency (39:57) - Elevating Efficiency (45:53) - Lev...

Unlock the secrets of transforming a traditional family business into a thriving, innovative insurance agency as we sit down with Tom Krug, the visionary president of J Krug & Associates. Discover how Tom's journey from working alongside his father and grandfather to reshaping the agency with a modern employee stock ownership model has paved the way for sustainable growth and employee empowerm...

Mark Shipp, Senior Executive VP at HUB International, joins us to share his extraordinary transformation from early career hurdles to becoming a multi-million dollar producer in the insurance industry. Mark's journey underscores the role of mindset, strategic processes, and a heart for service. From his beginnings in the family business to honing sales skills in the car industry, Mark shares how h...

Discover the transformative power of self-leadership in this inspiring episode featuring Tinsley English, a dynamic leader in the insurance industry. Tinsley shares her unexpected journey into insurance and how she embraced it with passion and purpose. Drawing from her empowering book, Grit, Growth, and Gumption for Women , she unveils strategies for bringing authenticity to the industry, unlockin...

Trent Tillman, President and Chief Revenue Officer of TrueNorth Insurance, joins us to share the extraordinary growth story of the agency, scaling from under $10 million to over $140 million in revenue. Gain insights into a leading agency's strategic vision for growth as the discussion covers the company's expansion across multiple locations, its robust internship program, and its approach to reta...

Join us as Joe Vens, a leading risk advisor at First MainStreet Insurance, returns to share his transformative journey in the insurance industry. Through the themes of mentorship, coachability, and dedicated personal growth, Joe discusses how these qualities have shaped his career and set him apart.  Joe dives into the art of balancing family, professional development, and pursuing continual growt...

What if you could seamlessly blend cutting-edge technology with personal growth in your insurance agency? This episode of the Agent Leader promises insights into just that as we chat with Billie Jo Galle, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Operations at TRICOR Insurance. Billie Jo's extensive experience provides a unique perspective on harmonizing technological advancements with human elements...

Renowned sports psychologist and performance coach Dr. Rick Jensen draws from his remarkable experience coaching pro champions to offer powerful insights for excelling in insurance. Dr. Jensen emphasizes the value of specialization, and the competitive advantage gained by becoming trusted consultants within specific niches rather than staying generalists. Highlights include: (00:00) - Growth and L...

How can leaders help shape up their agency culture for heightened success? Dick Gibbs, CRO and VP of Sales at Hartwig Moss Insurance Agency, joins us to share how his own commitment to personal well-being has propelled his leadership abilities and fostered a thriving team culture. With his impressive background in both company and agency sides of the insurance sector, he offers a unique lens on ho...

What if the key to your agency’s growth lies in something you're overlooking? In our latest podcast episode, Matt Fairbanks, Vice President of Sales and Producer Development at EHD Insurance, joins Brent to reveal how investing in your team can transform your agency’s success. Learn from Matt’s incredible journey from managing a $2 million book of business to excelling in a leadership role dedicat...