The Insurance Perspectives Podcast

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, Michael Ley hosts and talks to Sean Hawkins and Matt Aman about HawkSoft's core value, "Continuous Innovation." They explore the importance of grassroots innovation, the role of team empowerment, and how feedback from users drives product development. The conversation highlights real-world examples of innovation, the challenges...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, guest host Ciara Gravier speaks with Tinsley English, an operations executive and expert in female leadership development. Tinsley shares her journey into the insurance industry, the importance of people in the business, and her G-Force code, which emphasizes grit, growth, and gumption. Tinsley has a mission to, "... help 1 million women...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, host Ciara Gravier speaks with Lisa Hengel, owner of Willow Wood Insurance Agency. They discuss Lisa's journey in the insurance industry, her experience with the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Program, and the importance of supporting women in ownership roles within the industry. Lisa shares insights on navigating acquisitions, the chal...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspective podcast, guest host Ciara Gravier speaks with Kasey Connors, executive director of the Agents Council for Technology (ACT), about her journey into the insurance industry, the importance of relationships, and the challenges of technology adoption. They discuss the role of ACT in supporting technology in insurance, advice for new agents, and the significa...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast hosted by Michael Ley,  director of network relations at HawkSoft, we celebrate 30 years of HawkSoft by speaking with a few of the long-tenured employees at the company. The conversation highlights their unique journeys, the core values that define the company culture, the challenges faced in providing exceptional customer service, and the less...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, Kenny Hendricks speaks with Landon Bentham, President and CEO of Callahan and Rice Insurance Group, about the intricacies of agency perpetuation. They discuss Landon's journey within the agency, the importance of leadership during transitions, and the key lessons learned throughout the perpetuation process. Landon shares insights on avoid...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, Kenny Hendricks and Carey Wallace delve into the critical topic of perpetuation planning for insurance agencies. They discuss the definition of perpetuation planning, its importance, and the challenges faced by agencies that lack a solid plan. The conversation emphasizes the need for a living document that evolves with the agency and the emoti...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives Podcast, Rob Bowen, and Jason Hansen delve into the complexities of agency acquisitions. They share their personal experiences, insights on the importance of relationships, and the critical factors to consider when acquiring an agency. The conversation emphasizes the need for transparency, due diligence, and understanding cash flows, while also highlig...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, Kenny Hendricks and Carey Wallace discuss the intricacies of agency acquisitions. They explore the importance of understanding what it means to buy an agency, the readiness of an agency to acquire, and the significance of team communication during the process. The conversation also delves into evaluating cultural fit, identifying key performan...

In this conversation, Jeff White, HawkSoft social media manager, shares insights on effective social media strategies for agencies. He emphasizes the importance of consistency in posting, the need to stand out in a crowded digital space, and the significance of nurturing client relationships through social media engagement. Jeff also discusses the creation of effective campaigns, focusing on strat...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, Dustin Parker, co-founder of SALT, shares his journey of transforming agency culture. He emphasizes the importance of showing care for employees, developing a clear vision, and fostering a collaborative environment. Through personal anecdotes and practical strategies, Parker illustrates how humility, recognition, and a focus on core values can...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, Nicole Harris and Mary Hyland discuss strategies for cultivating leadership at every level and phone and email etiquette. Nicole focuses on the importance of empowering staff and fostering a positive workplace culture. Mary provides practical tips for effective communication in the insurance industry. These presentations were recorded at the 2...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, Rushang Shah and Paul Moyes of HawkSoft share insights on leadership and personal fulfillment. Rushang discusses the concept of servant leadership, emphasizing the importance of supporting team members and fostering growth. Paul explores the difference between fleeting happiness and lasting joy, offering practical tips for cultivating joy thro...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, Brent Thurman and Michelle Hancock discuss the importance of team dynamics, leadership, and employee engagement within the insurance industry. Brent shares insights on leading without authority, emphasizing the need for self-awareness and the ability to influence others positively. Michelle highlights the significance of clarity in leadership...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, George Patterson shares his experiences and insights from attending the HawkSoft User Group (HUG) National Conference. He discusses the value of networking, building relationships, and the importance of engaging with HawkSoft leadership. The conversation highlights the benefits of being part of the HUG community, including access to resources,...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, Paul Hawkins and Rushang Shah discusses the importance of developing a strong company culture. They share insights on how to define and disseminate culture within an organization, the significance of core values, and the role of leadership in fostering an environment where employees feel valued and engaged. Takeaways Culture is defined by cons...

In this episode, Kenny Hendricks chats with April Jordan about the impact of Levitate on Carolina Property Insurance. They discuss the agency's growth, the importance of client relationships, and how Levitate has transformed their operations through automation and personalized communication. April shares her passion for the insurance industry and the value of maintaining connections with clie...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, Kenny Hendricks sits down with Leia Stallings from Levitate and April Jordan from Carolina Property Insurance to discuss the unique value proposition of Levitate's communication platform. The conversation touches on the challenges faced by insurance agencies and the rewarding relationships built through technology partnerships. Takeaways...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, Kenny Hendricks is joined by Brenda James and Jake Finnell to discuss the importance of secure communication, the innovative features of RPost, and the evolving landscape of cybersecurity. Brenda shares how Mathews Insurance utilizes RPost to enhance agency efficiency and client security.  Takeaways RPost offers a range of services beyond elec...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, Kenny Hendricks sits down with Jake Finnell from RPost and Brenda James from Mathews Insurance to discuss RPost's easy-to-use and affordable email security/compliance services. The conversation highlights the evolution of RPost and the challenges and rewards of working with independent insurance agencies. The episode emphasizes the need f...

In this episode of the Insurance Protectors podcast, Aron Robertson interviews Joseph G. Ems from Sembley, discussing the importance of data ownership in insurance, the benefits of Sembley's technology for streamlining the insurance process, and the shift from personal to commercial lines among independent agents. They explore Sembley's origin story, its competitive advantages, and how i...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives Podcast, we share Elia Gourgouris's presentation on navigating conflict from the 2025 HawkSoft User Group National Conference, #HUGatSea. Elia emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, adaptability, and kindness in resolving conflicts. By identifying whether we fall into victim, critic, bystander, or navigator roles, we can better manage our re...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, Kenny Hendricks sits down with Elia Gourgouris to discuss the complexities of workplace conflict and resolution. He emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in leadership, the necessity of clear communication, and the role of curiosity in understanding differing perspectives. The conversation also touches on the challenges of family dynamics...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, Kenny Hendricks, Zac Franz, and Sandi Copson discuss the integration of ePayPolicy at O'Quinn Insurance. Sandi shares insights on the agency's history, their experience with ePay, and how the integration has streamlined workflows and improved client interactions. The conversation also touches on an agent's experience giving feed...

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, Kenny Hendricks sits down with Zac Franz from ePay Policy to discuss the evolution of ePay, its new features, and the impact on agency operations and client experiences. The conversation touches on the importance of data ownership in the insurance industry, emphasizing the need for agencies to maintain control over their data. They highlight e...