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Agency Intelligence: The Insurance Podcast Network

Agency Intelligence: The Insurance Podcast Network

Written by: Agency Intelligence
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 The Agency Intelligence Podcast Network is the top insurance podcast network with many unique series that let you hear from both insurance agency owners and insurance industry influencers. Learn from real insurance agents in real insurance agencies, get the latest and greatest that thought leaders in the insurance industry have to offer, and more!2024 Agency Intelligence Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Celebrating The Life Of Walt Gdowski

    Celebrating The Life Of Walt Gdowski
    Jan 20 2026
    This episode of the Agency Intelligence Podcast is a heartfelt tribute to Walt Gdowski, a significant figure in the insurance industry and the former CEO of Rough Notes. Jason Cass and Roger Sitkins reflect on Walt's life, his contributions to the industry, and the personal memories they shared with him. They discuss his leadership style, his commitment to community service, and the high standards he set for the industry. The conversation highlights the importance of relationships in business and the lasting impact Walt had on those around him. Key Topics: Walt Gdowski was a pivotal figure in the insurance industry. He modernized Rough Notes, making it a trusted resource. Walt was known for his generosity and mentorship. He believed in the power of relationships in business. Walt's leadership style combined authority with influence. He launched the Rough Notes Community Service Award in 2000. Walt was an avid golfer and a licensed pilot. He had a significant impact on independent agents and brokers. Walt's legacy is a high standard for the industry. He was a gregarious and fun-loving individual who cared deeply about others. Reach out to: Roger Sitkins Jason Cass Visit Website: The Rough Notes Company Agency Intelligence Produced by PodSquad.fm
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    29 mins
  • Millionaire Insurance Producer: Things Highly Successful Insurance Producers Do (and don't do)

    Millionaire Insurance Producer: Things Highly Successful Insurance Producers Do (and don't do)
    Jan 19 2026
    There are definitely things that the most highly successful insurance producers do in order to ensure victory when selling insurance. Some are easier than others, but almost all of them can be done by new(er) producers as well. If you want to build a $1,000,000 or more Book of Business, you need to begin implementing these things the most successful producers do. What are these things, you ask? Well, that's what host Charles Specht will teach you about in this podcast episode. Moreover, be sure to check out www.PermissionProducerSchool.com as the next cohort will begin on February 16, 2026. Go to www.PermissionProducerSchool.com to learn more and get registered for the upcoming cohort for producer school (virtual sales training). And, be sure to pre-register before all of the spaces are gone. Happy prospecting! Key Topics: How successful producers generate business through referrals and centers of influence instead of cold prospecting Why top producers only work through broker of record letters and never blind quote The importance of being micro-niched to know which carriers you need to be competitive Pre-qualifying accounts by calling underwriters before meetings to avoid wasted time and market blocks Three essential guardrails for the quoting process: securing markets, defining savings thresholds, and preventing quote sharing Using the Broker Of Record letter request in first meetings to measure relationship strength Permission Producer School training for building a million-dollar book through the permission sales framework Reach out to Charles Specht Visit: Permission Producer School Permission Network Produced by PodSquad.fm
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    34 mins
  • Stuff About Money: Episode 100: Caring for Aging Parents: Why Waiting Is the Most Expensive Option

    Stuff About Money: Episode 100: Caring for Aging Parents: Why Waiting Is the Most Expensive Option
    Jan 14 2026
    In this episode of Stuff About Money They Didn’t Teach You in School, Xavier Angel, CFP®, is joined by Shannon Mehaffey Ory, Owner and Senior Care Consultant at Avila Senior Advisors, for an honest conversation about something every family will face but few feel prepared for: caring for aging parents. Whether care needs change slowly or arrive overnight after a fall, hospitalization, or diagnosis, Xavier and Shannon unpack why families often find themselves making major financial and care decisions under stress, emotion, and time pressure, usually without a plan. With over a decade of experience across senior housing, memory care, home care, and mission-based work with the homebound and aging, Shannon brings clarity to a confusing and emotionally charged process. Together, she and Xavier walk through six essential things families need to understand about long-term care, including why crisis-based decisions are the most expensive, why Medicare assumptions can be dangerous, and how understanding care options like assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing changes everything. At the heart of this episode is a simple but powerful truth: early planning gives families options, peace of mind, and the ability to honor their loved one’s wishes. If you have aging parents, or hope someone will one day advocate well for you, this is a conversation worth starting now. If this episode resonates, follow the show and share it with someone who needs to hear it before life forces their hand. Episode Highlights: Shannon shares her background in Health Administration with a concentration in senior housing and her experience working across multiple states in assisted living, memory care, and sitter agencies. (03:04) Shannon explains how care needs can change overnight with an example of a healthy client whose wife fell after a medication change. (07:50) Shannon discusses the differences between sitter agencies and private independent sitters, recommending getting names ahead of time through church or friends. (13:30) Shannon describes dementia as a journey and explains factors that determine whether someone should stay home or move to memory care. (18:42) Shannon explains independent living retirement communities, including buy-in fees and how residents can lock in monthly rates as their needs increase. (22:01) Shannon defines activities of daily living (ADLs) including bathing, dressing, hygiene, feeding, and transfers. (26:36) Xavier discusses the importance of aligning care needs with financial ability and how crisis-based decisions become the most expensive. (32:42) Shannon discusses how clients discover VA benefits they had no idea they had access to, making senior living possible. (37:22) Shannon shares her main takeaway that there are options available for aging parents, including resources not widely known to the public. (42:48) Key Quotes: “Every family is unique in what they're experiencing and what their needs are, and they do need accompaniment through that to figure out what is available for them specifically.” - Shannon Mehaffey Ory “A lot of people forget what their long-term care insurance policies included, and adult children have no idea their parents have this, and finding that out means a whole world is possible to them that the children didn't know was possible.” - Shannon Mehaffey Ory “The benefit of independent living is you don't have any maintenance. You probably can pay an extra fee for housekeeping. You have a ton of social opportunities, lovely dining. People go on trips together in independent living communities all the time.” - Shannon Mehaffey Ory Resources Mentioned: Shannon Mehaffey Ory Avila Senior Advisors Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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    52 mins
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