Never take advice from someone who inherited their book from daddy. Listen to this podcast instead. Every week Trey Shields and Micah Salas talk prospecting, sales, and productivity for growth-minded Producers building their book from scratch.
In this episode, Micah breaks down why principles beat price every time, and why complacency, not the other agent, is your biggest competitor.
In this episode, Trey and Micah chat with Matt Sturgeon who breaks down how he built a $1.7M book doing the opposite of what the experts say. He shares how a scrappy networking group of like-minded peers became his biggest growth lever, why he still says yes to the small accounts everyone tells him to drop, and what's actually driving his last three years of $300k+ revenue per year.........Resources & Links:
In this episode, Brandon breaks down the insurance industry's biggest insurance news including reports that Michael Dell's family office is taking the Baldwin Group private in a $7.7B deal, and last week's AI extinction-risk headlines.
In this episode, Micah breaks down "surrender to win," the idea that letting go of pride, ego, and the need to control outcomes actually leads to better results. He talks through the areas where producers fight hardest when they should surrender the most: cold calling and prospecting, chasing meetings, being right on the first call, client complaints, and the constant urge to check email.........Resources & Links:
In this episode, Trey and Micah welcome back two-time guest Guffy Wright to unpack his new book, Attach High, and the idea of attaching to a client's best interest while detaching from your own commission. Guffy breaks down his V3 framework for removing friction from high-stakes decisions, sharing the story of losing a deal despite being $400,000 cheaper as the moment that changed how he thinks about sales. The conversation covers how elite advisors guide buyers through tough decisions, why timing and self-investment matter at every career stage, and where to grab the book.Link to Attach High: https://a.co/d/0eqb8LF8.....Resources & Links:
In this episode, Brandon Schuh break down insurance's biggest headlines: Aon's $17B acquisition of USI and what it means for producers and competing agencies, the Lockton/Kawhi Leonard salary-cap controversy and its potential fallout, and a deep dive into Corgi's unorthodox risk retention and reinsurance structure. Plus a detour into how Warren Buffett once rescued Lloyd's of London from collapse.
In this episode, Trey and Micah welcome Pat Corrigan of Palladium Point, Max Revenue Show's new preferred recruiting partner, to talk through what producers should actually look for when considering a move to a new agency. Sparked by the breaking Aon-USI news, they dig into Pat's "career fiduciary" approach and why top producers really leave a shop, culture and legacy over pure comp......Resources & Links:
Brandon gives you his hot take on all things Aon and USI acquisition.
In this episode, Brandon and Trey cover Bill Gates' new essay on AI and the future of work, the collapse of Meta's blockbuster social media harm settlement, and fresh data on nuclear verdicts (plus a new state ban that looks promising).
In this episode, Trey and Micah sit down with Brian Crisp of Element 22 to talk all things habitational — why E&S is beating admitted markets right now, and what's going on with builder's risk and wind buy downs......Resources & Links:
In this episode, Trey and Micah break down how producers can future-proof themselves and beat the tech bros at their own game. They dig into a real call Micah had with a prospect who left his traditional broker for an AI broker, why he said he did it, and how to prevent the same happening to you......Resources & Links:
Trey and Brandon break down a New Jersey ruling that's putting the D&O "capacity exclusion" back in the spotlight — what happens when a board member accused of wrongdoing sits on multiple boards, and why insurers can deny coverage if the alleged conduct ties back to a different company. They also cover a reinsurance 101 for producers: what reinsurance actually is, the difference between treaty and facultative coverage, who the major players are (Munich Re, Swiss Re, Lloyd's, the Bermuda market), and why retail brokers should care about reinsurance pricing even though they never touch that market directly......Resources & Links:
In this episode, Trey Shields sits down with David Cooper, who built his own risk purchase group (RPG) focused on public entity transit programs after entering insurance at 44. They also get into his journey through Larry Linne"s IncitePerformance Group and Million Dollar Challenge, hitting $2M+ in seven years, and what keeps him grounded outside of insurance......Resources & Links:
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In this episode, Micah explains how producers can avoid being backed into a corner to quote by aggressive and closed-minded insureds without starting a fight or caving to their request......Resources & Links:
In this episode, Trey sits down with David Foster, producer and principal of Three Arbor Insurance in Birmingham, AL, to break down the exact qualifying process his team uses to protect their time and win more of the deals worth winning......Resources & Links:
An OpenAI model broke out of its sandbox, hacked Hugging Face using a zero-day nobody had ever documented, and executed 17,000 autonomous actions in under two days, before OpenAI even knew it happened. Then Anthropic disclosed three similar incidents. Then Meta.In this Monday Brief, Trey sits down with Brandon Schuh to break down the latest news, trends, and insights in ProducerLand.- What's going on with AI models breaking out and the #1 question to ask your insureds- Why the E&S market is flush with capacity and getting cheaper- American Family's $1.2B acquisition of Bowhead, and what it signals.....Resources & Links:
In this episode, Micah and Trey sit down with Colby Allen, an M&A advisor, valuation and exit planning consultant. Colby deep dives on the current state of compensation, valuations, and perpetuation, but from the producer side of things. They talk post-acquisition golden handcuffs, how lift-outs actually get done, what it really means to vest into your book......Resources & Links:
In this episode, Micah and Trey pick up where they left off last time with industry expert Larry Linne. Larry shares how top insurance producers can 2x, 3x, and even 4x their current book of business.Grab your seat to Larry's Elite Producer Training, October 28–29, in Denver, CO, at The Gaylord below:
In this episode, Brandon breaks down what the Willis Towers Watson vs. Brown & Brown AI spending war really means underneath the headlines.Also on the show:
In this episode, Trey and Micah sit down with J Foster, a 20-year veteran and Top Producer, to unpack the real debate between networking and cold outbound, and how to actually build a 30-year career instead of just surviving the first three.Jay also opens up about his executive coaching journey, how mastering "energy management" transformed his business, and the lifestyle decision that changed his life for good.........Resources & Links:
In this episode, Micah Salas breaks down a wild story of a brand-new producer with zero insurance experience who landed two BORs last week, totaling $75K in revenue (Yes, we can confirm it's true).That kicks off a bigger debate: does cold calling actually scale, or is networking the real long-term play? Micah and Trey steelman both sides.Then Micah goes deep on his actual cold calling framework, the mindset trick he still uses to kill call reluctance, his exact opener script, how to handle silence and pushback on the phone, and why collapsing the time between your first meeting and your AOR/BOR pitch can make or break the deal.........
In this episode, Brandon Schuh and Trey Shields break down the latest news and trends in the world of insurance, including the headline-making AI integration at Brown and Brown, McKenzie's latest insurance industry analysis, and the recent state of P&C insurance rates. They explore how technology is transforming the industry and what mid market agencies can do to stay competitive.00:00 Introduction and episode overview02:37 Brown and Brown's AI big reveal explained05:00 Brandon's critique of Brown and Brown's AI claims07:25 Support staff implications of AI at Brown and Brown12:01 McKinsey's industry analysis and critique15:53 Insurance rate trends and K-shape recovery23:45 Small business insurance challenges and statistics
In this episode Trey and Micah talk with Brent Gilliland, Agency Principal at Clandestine Insurance Agency. Brent shares how he went from getting fired after his first year, to six years later, he's running a one-man agency clipping along at $400K in revenue, built entirely around a niche nobody else wanted to touch.In this episode:How Brent got fired after year one for chasing a nicheLanding with an outdoor rec agency and learning from program presidentsWhy relationships with underwriters matter more than almost anything elseBuilding a firearms-specific insurance program from scratchWhat it looks like to run (and start scaling) a one-man agencyAdvice for producers in their first 3-5 years who feel stuckThe rise of the "broker of one" and why solo producers don't need to give up 70-80% of their paycheck to an aggregatorIf you're a producer thinking about niching down, or wondering whether you can build something on your own without a big agency behind you, this one's worth the full watch.
In this episode, Trey Shields kicks off a new Monday segment with Brandon Schuh, breaking down the biggest stories in insurance so producers can stay ahead without drowning in their inbox.
In this episode Trey sits down with Luke Berry, Max Revenue's resident Employee Benefits expert, to break down how he's on pace for his best year ever — $800K in revenue through six months, projected to hit $1.1–1.3M by year end.Luke gets specific about what's actually driving the growth: giving away value through "micro summit" events, a custom-built AI agent trained on his agency's own data, and a complete rethink of how his team processes information. They dig into real (anonymized) deals, including a 300-life AOR win closed in a single month, walk through what it took to build a fully HIPAA/SOC2-compliant in-house AI system, and talk through the real cost, ROI, and security questions every agency owner is asking right now.They also zoom out to the bigger picture — where AI is headed for producers, CSRs, and account managers over the next five years, the "agency of one" theory, tech-first insurtechs vs. legacy agencies, and why the foundation of great production will always be listening, not tools.If you're a producer or agency principal wondering how to actually start using AI (not just dumping policies into ChatGPT), this episode is the playbook.........
In this episode Clayton Wood, CEO of Pinnacle Benefit Partners, breaks down his simple yet powerful cold-calling strategy that helped him scale his book from zero to seven figures. If you've ever thought cold outreach is dead or felt too intimidated to pick up the phone, this episode is for you. Clayton reveals how volume, confidence, and a relentless approach turn cold calls into revenue. He shares his proven scripts, tactics for overcoming gatekeepers, and the mindset shifts that transform beginners into confident pros.........Resources & Links:
In this episode Micah and Trey talk with Mega Producer and Insurance Nerd, Brandon Schuh. Brandon explains where the market is, why it is where it is, and maybe even more importantly, where it's going.Resources & Links:
In this episode, Micah breaks down his curiosity-based approach to moving those "I'm happy with my agent" prospects without resorting to pressure or manipulation.Topics covered:Why the "low-hanging fruit" 10-20% isn't where the real money isHow to tell if a prospect is truly loyal or just avoiding confrontationThe curiosity framework for getting insureds to take a second lookHow hard-selling a "happy" client can backfireStaying top-of-mind without coming across as pushyIf you got value out of this episode, subscribe, follow, and leave a review — it helps us out a ton.........Resources & Links:
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In this episode, Trey and Micah sit down with David Steenstra of Christensen Group, a commercial insurance producer who wrote over $900K in new business in 2.5 years entirely through drop-ins.If you've been wondering whether face-to-face prospecting still works in today's world, this one's for you. David breaks down his entire drop-in playbook: how he structures his days, what he says when he walks in the door, how he handles gatekeepers, and how he wins business on coverage and service, not price.........Resources & Links:
In this episode, Trey Shields and Luke Barry discuss the evolving landscape of employee benefits, market shifts, and innovative strategies to stay ahead. They explore topics like fiduciary risk, pharmacy drug costs, and the impact of AI on brokerage practices.........Key TopicsMarket structural shifts and leverage trend in healthcareFiduciary risk and data ownership for employersThe rising cost and complexity of specialty drugsThe role of AI in insurance analysis and client managementReinsurance market volatility and broker strategiesThe Future of Employee Benefits: Market Shifts and StrategiesHow AI is Transforming Insurance Brokerage"Employers need a five-year cost basis.""Specialty drugs are the central driver in benefits strategy.""E plus R equals O — your response determines your outcome."........Chapters00:00Introduction and Market Overview04:49Structural Shifts in Employee Benefits13:13The Role of Specialty Drugs17:12Stop Loss Dynamics and Data Quality25:10Fiduciary Risk and Employer Responsibilities30:42Navigating Difficult Conversations and Future Trends
In this episode, Micah and Trey talk with industry expert Larry Linne. Larry shares how top insurance producers can scale their revenue from six figures to seven figures a year!
In this episode, Trey sits down with Tanya Andolsen of Argosy Risk, a 30-year veteran of the environmental insurance industry, to break down everything producers need to know.From why premiums are surprisingly affordable to the hidden gaps in standard GL and property policies, Tanya walks us through site pollution, contractor's pollution liability, transportation coverage, non-owned disposal sites, products pollution, and more. Whether you're a generalist trying to round out accounts or a niche producer looking to go deeper, this episode will change how you look at every renewal.........Timestamps:00:01 — Welcome & intro00:45 — Tanya's background: 30 years in environmental insurance (carrier, retail, wholesale)01:13 — Why are environmental claims large but premiums so cheap?03:35 — Why standard contractors (HVAC, roofing, plumbing, flooring) are buying environmental coverage04:44 — Biggest mistake producers make: not bringing it up (and the E&O exposure that creates)06:18 — Environmental Insurance 101: where standard GL/property ends and environmental picks up06:29 — The two main towers: site-specific coverage vs. contractor's pollution liability08:08 — On-site vs. off-site exposures; strict liability and the "chain of title" rule12:02 — Contractor's pollution liability: asbestos, mold, lead, soil contamination13:57 — Transportation pollution liability: in-transit exposures, loading/unloading gaps17:32 — The generator vs. transporter debate — who's responsible when something spills in transit?20:22 — Non-owned disposal sites and Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) liability23:58 — Products pollution: the gap nobody talks about (valves, coatings, solvents, containers)28:40 — Tanya's environmental exposure checklist for producers (available on request)30:27 — Surprising contractors who need environmental coverage: street & road, roofing, HVAC, plumbing, landscaping, drone applicators35:14 — How to sell environmental coverage to resistant clients (claim scenarios + education)38:18 — What producers should bring to a submission — and what they almost never do44:30 — How environmental risk is actually rated (site, revenue, units — not filed rates)48:06 — Sudden & accidental vs. gradual coverage explained simply51:00 — Which is bigger: remediation costs or third-party liability?53:00 — What we didn't cover: M&A, property acquisition, due diligence gaps56:38 — Wrap-up and how to reach Tanya........Key Takeaways:95% of environmental coverage is written on non-admitted (E&S) paper — forms and rates are not filedA "pollutant" doesn't have to be hazardous or toxic — it's anything introduced to an environment that causes harmIf you're in the chain of title on a contaminated property, you can be held liable even if you didn't cause itNot bringing up environmental coverage is an E&O exposure for producersGradual coverage is broader than sudden & accidental — know the difference before recommending limits........
In this episode, Micah breaks down his framework for identifiying "three-star" prospects with huge upside, before everyone else starts knocking their door down.........Resources & Links:
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In this episode, Micah Salas shares how he dug himself out of the worst slump of his career. From tough loss after lough loss to finally getting skins on the wall.Keywordsinsurance sales, prospecting, pipeline management, agency growth, cold calling, deal closing, insurance strategiesChapters00:00 From Despair to Success: A Journey of Resilience09:41 The Roller Coaster of Sales: Managing Expectations18:02 The Importance of Pipeline Management29:05 Understanding Revenue Metrics and Conversion Rates34:29 Exploring Deal Dynamics38:14 The Importance of Follow-Up Strategies42:59 Captive Insurance Insights44:22 Cold Calling Success Stories49:56 Service vs. Price in Winning Deals55:56 Forecasting Future Revenue
In this episode, Trey and Micah sit down with commercial insurance legend David Carothers to break down exactly how he prospects with data and sells with total cost of risk. David pulls back the curtain on his full sales process.........Resources & Links:
In this episode, Will Allen shares his journey of starting a captive, the nuances of selling captives today versus 10 years ago, and how brokers can leverage captives for long-term success.Resources & Links
In this episode, Trey sits down with Andrew Wagley. Andrew shares his journey from insurance rookie to niche domination, building a successful agency with innovative SEO strategies and programmatic insurance solutions. Discover how he leverages relationships, technology, and niche focus to scale rapidly and efficiently as a one-man agency. Keywords:Insurance, Niche Markets, SEO, Agency Growth, Program Insurance, Home Care, Business Development, Industry RelationshipsKey TopicsBuilding niche insurance verticalsLeveraging relationships with underwritersImplementing SEO strategies for lead generationFocus on niche markets to accelerate growthBuild strong relationships with underwriters for program accessUse SEO to generate inbound leads at scaleFrom Rookie to Niche Leader: Andrew Wagley's Insurance Success StoryHow Andrew Wagley Built a 350-Client Home Care Insurance Empire"Nationwide SEO strategy for home care leads""The sky's the limit for agency growth""Retention rates are very high"Chapters00:00 Introduction to Andrew Wagley01:50 Andrew's Journey into Insurance04:19 Building a Successful Agency06:15 The Importance of Relationships in Insurance07:39 Expanding into New Verticals09:41 Leveraging SEO for Lead Generation12:37 Creating Exclusive Programs14:32Scaling the Business18:41 Retention and Client Relationships21:28 Exclusive Products and Partnerships25:12 Generalist vs. Niche Focus28:38 The Power of Consistency31:59 Challenges of Starting an Agency33:52 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs39:13 Key Takeaways for Success
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In this episode, Trey sits down with Scott Moak, multi-million dollar EB Producer and Sales Leader at Ross & Yerger. Scott shares his insights on building and recruiting top producers. Discover how culture, comp, and equity are the ultimate formula for growing a stable of top producers.Connect with Scott:smoak@rossandyerger.comResources & Links:
What happens when you spend 15 years chasing money and status, sacrifice everything to get there, and then finally hit the goal and feel absolutely nothing?Scott Barker went from door-to-door sales to becoming the youngest director at a $4 billion software company, to co-founding his own venture fund. By every scoreboard our industry uses, he won. Then he stepped down, sold his house, sold everything in it, and spent the last year traveling the world looking for better questions.This is one of the most honest conversations we've had on this show and Trey and Micah get personal too. If you're a high performer who hasn't hit the wall yet, this one's especially for you.In this episode:00:00 — Intro03:00 — Scott's background: BDR to venture fund founder05:30 — The first cracks: alcoholism, Adderall, sleeping pills, and the perform-escape-sleep loop10:00 — The lie high performers tell themselves ("just one more crazy quarter")14:00 — What the universe does when you stop listening to your body16:00 — Hitting the $50M goal and feeling nothing — the moment everything changed21:00 — Trey's story: panic attacks, a health scare, and quitting his job23:00 — Selling everything and traveling the world: what Scott found27:00 — Why slowing down is now a competitive strategy31:00 — What to say to the person who's never hit the wall yet35:00 — The 48-hour attention audit and why silence is a superpower44:00 — Optimization is dead. Integration is the new game.52:00 — What 10 days of silent meditation actually teaches you58:00 — Micah's "free agent" framework: why enough is a strategyFind Scott Barker:The Wake Up Call — podcast & SubstackLinkedIn: Scott BarkerIf this episode hit home, the best thing you can do is leave us a review and share it with one person in your life who needs to hear it. It helps more people find the show.
Resources & Links:⏱️ Download Productive Producer pdfshttps://www.maxrevenuegroup.com/products/planner-pdf-s
⏱️ Download Productive Producer pdfshttps://www.maxrevenuegroup.com/products/planner-pdf-s
In this episode, Trey and Micah put Sean through a full AI hot seat — no softballs. Sean Stuart, co-founder of Rosella, spent years doing boots-on-the-ground research. Literally walking into random insurance offices in major metros, knocking on doors, and asking brokers to explain their world. What he found led him to build something most insuretech founders miss: a brokerage that respects the craft while using AI to do things the old guard can't move fast enough to copy.What we cover:- Why Rosella targets under $100K premium accounts- Their "Moneyball" approach to insurance- How AI phone assist is helping junior producers validate in months instead of years- Why building your own tech stack from scratch beats bolting AI onto Applied Epic- The real reason insurtechis a graveyard — and why Rosella is approaching it differently- Trey and Micah's unfiltered take on vertical selection, niche strategy, and what they'd do if they were building this themselvesConnect with Sean:Email: sean@rosellabrokerage.comResources & Links:
In this episode, Rich Varrato breaks down exactly how he used group captives as an entry point to build a $2M book of business, why most producers are underusing (or misrepresenting) captives, and what it really takes to make it in commercial insurance.What we cover:- How Rich discovered captives three years into his career with under $100K in revenue — and what changed- The five-year look-back framework and how to use it to open conversations with contractors- Why $200K in premium is the real minimum threshold (and why going below it gets risky)- The defensive vs. offensive captive pitch — and why one kills deals- Why big brokers don't lead with captives (it's not what you think)- The activity gap between average producers and the top 1% — and what -Rich sees on his Top Gun calls- How Rich's service team of four handles a captive-heavy book and still turns certs in under five minutesResources mentioned:captivekings.com — Rich's free five-year look-back tool for captive prospects
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