Most business owners think they know what their company is worth.

They don't.

In this episode, Galen sits down with Dave Bookbinder—business valuation expert, author, and corporate finance executive—to break down what drives value… and why most owners are looking at the wrong metrics.

Highlights:

· Why valuation is about the future—not the past

· The shift from tangible assets to intangible value

· Why your people are your biggest asset (but rarely counted)

· The concept of "Return on Individuals"

· How toxic employees can destroy value faster than you think

· Where AI helps—and where it completely falls short

· Why execution risk matters more than your projections

Episode Resources:

· Connect with Dave Bookbinder

· https://newroi.com/

· https://www.linkedin.com/in/davebookbinder/

· Connect with Galen M. Hair

· https://insuranceclaimhq.com

· [email protected]

· https://levelupclaim.com/

Most businesses don't have a marketing problem — they have a workflow problem.

In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, Sam Ryan, CEO and co-founder of Flocksy, breaks down how companies can scale high-quality creative work without the headaches of hiring, freelancers, or bloated agencies.

Highlights:

· Why most businesses fail to scale creative work

· The shift from freelancers to subscription-based creative teams

· How to structure workflows so creative actually gets done

· The right way to use AI (without losing quality)

· Why soft skills matter more than technical skills in today's market

· How to reduce friction and get more output with less effort

· The power of recurring tasks and "set-it-and-forget-it" workflows

· Why connection and human creativity still win in an AI world

Episode Resources:

· Connect with Sam Ryan

· https://flocksy.com/

· Connect with Galen M. Hair

· https://insuranceclaimhq.com

· [email protected]

· https://levelupclaim.com/

In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, Galen Hair sits down with Drew Thompson, founder of Signal & Scale, to unpack what it really takes to perform at a high level in today's AI-driven world—without burning out.

Drew shares how he scaled and sold his agency, how AI is completely reshaping operations, and why most entrepreneurs are thinking about "hustle" all wrong.

Highlights:

• How Drew scaled a service-based business by becoming a "problem seeker"
• Why overcommunication and client experience drive organic growth
• Practical ways to use AI tools to save time and increase output (even for free)
• The real difference between motion vs. momentum in hustle culture
• How AI can act as a second brain for decision-making and clarity
• The "Four Burners Theory" and how AI is changing the game
• Why being present—not just productive—is the ultimate competitive advantage
• Drew's philosophy behind Permission to Laugh and using humor to build resilience

Episode Resources:

· Connect with Drew Thompson

· https://www.signalandscale.ai/

· Connect with Galen M. Hair

· https://insuranceclaimhq.com

· [email protected]

· https://levelupclaim.com/

Hiring isn't an HR task — it's a revenue driver.

In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, Galen sits down with Molly McGrath, founder of Hiring & Empowering Solutions and author of Fix My Boss, to break down why most companies are still stuck in outdated hiring models — and how it's quietly costing them talent, time, and money.

Highlights:

· Why "hope-based hiring" leads to bad hires (and how to fix it)

· The real reason job positions stay open for months

· Why top candidates aren't applying — and how to attract them anyway

· How to interview for behavior, not just resumes

· The costly mistake of putting your lowest performer in your most important role

· Why employees today are interviewing YOU just as much as you're interviewing them

· How to turn employees into "intrapreneurs" who take ownership

· The #1 reason great employees disengage and leave

· Why consistent communication beats perks, culture events, and bonuses

· How better hiring directly impacts revenue, retention, and client experience

Episode Resources:

· Connect with Molly McGrath

· https://hiringandempowering.com/

· Connect with Galen M. Hair

· https://insuranceclaimhq.com

· [email protected]

· https://levelupclaim.com/

New legislation in Louisiana could change the game for contractors—and not in a good way.

In this episode, Galen Hair sits down with Jonathan Davis of Gator Roofing to break down House Bills 924 and 388, two proposals that could severely restrict how contractors operate, especially after major storms.

While these bills are framed as "consumer protection," the reality is far more complicated—and potentially dangerous for both contractors and policyholders. Jonathan shares what's happening behind the scenes, why these bills are so concerning, and what the industry needs to do right now.

Highlights:

• Why HB 924 could block contractors from helping homeowners for up to 6 months after a storm
• How HB 388 could effectively ban all forms of contractor outreach
• The real impact these bills would have on storm recovery timelines
• Why "protecting consumers" isn't the full story
• The risk of fines, contract cancellations, and losing your license
• What contractors should be doing right now to stay protected
• Why this isn't just a Louisiana issue—it's a national warning sign

Episode Resources:

• Connect with Jonathan Davis

• (225) 907-4715

• Residential Roofing Association of Louisiana, Inc.

• https://rrla.us/

• Connect with Galen M. Hair

• https://insuranceclaimhq.com

• [email protected]

• https://levelupclaim.com/

What if AI didn't replace your team… but made them 10x more valuable?

In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, Galen Hair sits down with James Lang, founder of OverLang Venture Partners, to break down how businesses can use AI the right way without sacrificing control, security, or the human side of their operation.

James brings a unique perspective, combining executive leadership, startup experience, and a deeply personal journey that reshaped how he builds companies. Instead of chasing hype, he's focused on something far more practical: helping contractors, public adjusters, law firms, and service businesses build AI systems that is truly their own.

Highlights:

• Why most AI tools put your data at risk (and what to do instead)

• How to turn AI into a competitive advantage—not just another expense

• Real-world examples of AI improving efficiency in law firms and operations

• The hidden problem with "renting" your tech vs owning it

• How to scale your business without burning out your team

Episode Resources:

• Connect with James Lang

• https://overlang.com/

• Connect with Galen M. Hair

• https://insuranceclaimhq.com

• [email protected]

• https://levelupclaim.com/

In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, host Galen Hair is joined by veteran public adjuster Jack Hanks to discuss a controversial piece of legislation that could dramatically reshape the public adjusting industry.

Kentucky Kentucky House Bill 568 proposes sweeping changes, including a freeze on new public adjuster licenses, a strict 5% fee cap, and limitations on what adjusters are legally allowed to do during the claims process.

Galen and Jack break down what the bill does, why it could make it nearly impossible for public adjusters to operate profitably, and how similar legislation could spread to other states.

Highlights:

• What Kentucky House Bill 568 actually proposes

• Why a 5% fee cap could eliminate most public adjusting work

• How freezing licenses would prevent new adjusters from entering the profession

• The impact these changes could have on homeowners and policyholders

• Why small insurance claims would become nearly impossible to represent

• How legislation like this often spreads from one state to another

• The growing tension between insurers and claims advocates

• Why industry professionals must monitor legislation in their own states

• The importance of industry unity and raising professional standards

• What it means to truly "level up" and protect the future of the profession

Episode Resources:

• Connect with Jack Hanks

• https://unitedclaimsprofessionals.org/

• Connect with Galen M. Hair

• https://insuranceclaimhq.com

• [email protected]

• https://levelupclaim.com/

Success isn't just about strategy — it's about mindset.

In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, Galen Hair sits down with bestselling author and global speaker Randy Gage to talk about the deeper forces shaping entrepreneurial success.

Highlights

• From jail at 15 to global prosperity expert • Why personal responsibility is the turning point for success • The concept of the "prosperity operating system" • How media and culture program limiting beliefs • The difference between critical thinking and contrarian thinking • Why every entrepreneur has a "zone of genius" • How AI is eliminating hours of work for founders • The importance of building a self-managing business • Why working for money limits your freedom • Creating a life of holistic prosperity

Episode Resources:

• Connect with Randy Gage

• https://randygage.com/

• Connect with Galen M. Hair

• https://insuranceclaimhq.com

• [email protected]

• https://levelupclaim.com/

Most business owners have no idea what their company is really worth. They chase revenue, watch their bank balance, and assume growth equals value — until it's time to sell.

In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, Galen Hair sits down with Rafael Pinho, CPA and co-founder of TD Pinho Advisors, to break down how founders can turn financial data into real, transferable business value. Rafael explains why top-line growth doesn't equal valuation, how owner dependency destroys exit potential, and why clean books, strong operating agreements, and a trusted advisory team are non-negotiable if you want options.

Highlights:

• What "transferable value" really means • Why revenue growth alone doesn't increase valuation • The investor's three priorities: predictability, growth, and risk mitigation • How a bad operating agreement can destroy deal value • The dangers of owner dependency • Why most founders never check the value of their biggest asset • Clean books vs "tax return accounting" • Separating revenue from real profitability • How delegation increases enterprise value • Why great leaders work themselves out of a job

Episode Resources:

• Connect with Rafael Pinho

• https://tdpineadvisors.com/

• Connect with Galen M. Hair

• https://insuranceclaimhq.com

• [email protected]

• https://levelupclaim.com/

In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, host Galen Hair sits down with business attorney Matthew Fornaro, a commercial litigation and business law attorney who left Big Law to help small and mid-sized businesses prevent legal disasters before they start.

Matthew shares what business owners get wrong about contracts, compliance, and professional budgeting—and why DIY agreements, AI-generated contracts, and "take it or leave it" commercial leases are ticking time bombs. He also breaks down the mindset shift required to treat your business like a profession—not a hobby—and why proactive legal strategy is always cheaper than reactive litigation.

Highlights:

• Why Big Law overstaffing creates hidden inefficiencies

• The danger of AI-generated and DIY contracts

• Common red flags in commercial leases

• Why small businesses must budget for legal professionals

• Proactive vs reactive legal strategy

• How to build loyalty and long-term client relationships

• Managing compliance before enforcement actions begin

• Representing lawyers as clients (and why some can't turn it off)

• Integrating AI responsibly into a law firm

• What it really means to level up as a business owner

Episode Resources:

• Connect with Matthew Fornaro

• https://fornarolegal.com

• Connect with Galen M. Hair

• https://insuranceclaimhq.com

• [email protected]

• https://levelupclaim.com/