Success in the claims industry isn't built on one great storm. It comes from building systems, relationships, and leadership that continue long after the next claim is closed.

In this special session recorded at the Level Up Claims Summit 2026, Galen Hair sits down with Jack Hanks of VPA Public Claims Adjusting to discuss what separates professionals who simply survive from those who build lasting businesses.

Highlights:

· Why long-term thinking beats chasing the next storm

· Building a company instead of just creating a job

· Leadership lessons learned through experience

· Creating opportunities for future generations

· Developing systems that allow your business to grow

· Why reputation remains your greatest competitive advantage

Episode Resources:

· Connect with Jack Hanks

· https://unitedclaimsprofessionals.org/team/jack-hanks/

· Connect with Galen M. Hair

· https://insuranceclaimhq.com

· [email protected]

· https://levelupclaim.com/

Most business owners focus on getting more leads. The best businesses focus on becoming the obvious choice.

This week on the Level Up Claims Podcast, Galen Hair sits down with Jeffro, founder of FroBro Web Technologies, to discuss how SEO, authority, content, and trust are changing in the age of AI. Jeffro explains why traditional marketing tactics are becoming less effective, how business owners can stand out online, and why becoming a recognized authority in your industry is more valuable than ever.

Highlights:

· How AI is changing SEO and online marketing

· Why authority matters more than rankings

· The biggest mistakes business owners make online

· Building trust before a prospect ever contacts you

· Creating content that generates opportunities

· Hot to become the obvious choice in your market

· The future of search, branding, and visibility

· Personal branding for business owners

Episode Resources:

· Connect with Jeffro

· https://www.frobro.com/

· Connect with Galen M. Hair

· https://insuranceclaimhq.com

· [email protected]

· https://levelupclaim.com/

This special episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast was recorded live at the 2026 Level Up Claims Summit.

While most businesses focus on marketing and growth, few talk about what happens after the leads arrive. In this candid conversation, Galen Hair sits down with Insurance Claim HQ COO Ashley Bickford to pull back the curtain on the operational challenges that come with catastrophe events, rapid growth, acquisitions, and scaling a modern claims organization.

Highlights:

· Why intake is often the first thing to break during a CAT event

· The operational mistakes that nearly derailed growth

· Building SOPs and training systems that scale

· How Insurance Claim HQ uses AI without replacing people

· Improving client communication and accountability

· Solving referral tracking and attribution challenges

· Creating operational leverage before the next storm hits

· Lessons learned from acquiring another law firm's assets

· Why growth exposes problems instead of solving them

· How to identify and eliminate bottlenecks before they become crises

Episode Resources:

· Connect with Ashley Bickgord

· [email protected]

· Connect with Galen M. Hair

· https://insuranceclaimhq.com

· [email protected]

· https://levelupclaim.com/

As we ready for the new year, tune into this special episode of the "Level Up Claims Podcast" with host Galen Hair, featuring powerful insights from industry experts. Whether it's embracing technology, enhancing personal growth, or championing justice, find out what it truly means to "level up." Perfect for anyone in the storm restoration industry ready to embrace new challenges!

Highlights

• Continuous learning.

• Building potential.

• Keep moving forward.

• The importance of self-discovery.

• Tackle daily challenges.

• Holistic problem solving.

• Maintaining personal goals.

• Take community action.

• Growing business value.

• Taking a step back.

• Staying curious and intentional.

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair

• https://insuranceclaimhq.com

• [email protected]

• https://levelupclaim.com/

In a world flooded with AI-generated content, standing out has never been harder; or more important.

This week on the Level Up Claims Podcast, Galen Hair sits down with Kelly Schuknecht, founder of Two Mile High Marketing, author of Unlocking Your Authority X-Factor, and a leading expert in thought leadership, personal branding, and visibility strategy.

Highlights:

· Why expertise alone isn't enough to build influence

· The difference between personal branding and thought leadership

· How to identify your "Authority X-Factor"

· Why authenticity matters more than ever in the age of AI

· The right way to use AI when writing a book

· Lessons learned from rapidly scaling a business

· How to create sustainable visibility through speaking, podcasting, and content creation

· Building systems that support long-term growth

Episode Resources:

· Connect with Kelly Schuknecht

· https://kellyschuknecht.com/

· Connect with Galen M. Hair

· https://insuranceclaimhq.com

· [email protected]

· https://levelupclaim.com/

Most businesses obsess over getting the next client… but completely neglect what happens after the sale.

In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, Galen Hare sits down with Bradley Rausch, founder of Level Up Influence, to break down why onboarding, client success, referrals, and retention are the real profit multipliers most companies ignore.

Highlights:

· Why your onboarding process determines long-term profitability

· The "first 72 hours" framework every business should build

· How to engineer referrals instead of hoping for them

· Why most companies ask for referrals at the wrong time

· The difference between clients becoming assets vs liabilities

· How AI can improve client success without adding headcount

· The emotional mistakes businesses make after the sale

· Building low-friction systems that scale

Episode Resources:

· Connect with Bradley Rausch

· https://www.bradleyrausch.com/

· Connect with Galen M. Hair

· https://insuranceclaimhq.com

· [email protected]

· https://levelupclaim.com/

The 2026 Level Up Claims Summit is almost here — and in this special episode, Parker Logan flips the script by putting Galen Hair in the guest seat.

From AI and tech stacks to appraisals, legislation, documentation standards, and industry consolidation, Galen breaks down the pressures contractors, public adjusters, restoration professionals, attorneys, and claims leaders are facing right now — and why getting the right people in the same room matters more than ever.

The Level Up Claims Summit takes place Friday, June 12th, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana, with intentionally limited seating and a focus on actionable insight, meaningful networking, and real conversations.

Highlights:

• · Why the summit was originally created
• · The "50/50 model" balancing claims education and business strategy
• · Why there's no exhibit hall or pay-to-play speaking
• · The biggest threats facing the property claims industry
• · How AI is changing workflows and operations
• · Why most companies are underestimating what's coming
• · What serious operators are doing differently
• · Why the summit is intentionally small and exclusive
• · The live AI assistant demonstration happening at the event
• · What attendees should expect to leave with

Episode Resources:

· Connect with Galen M. Hair

· https://insuranceclaimhq.com

· [email protected]

· Claim your tickets now!

· https://levelupclaim.com/

This week on the Level Up Claims Podcast, Parker sits down with leadership strategist, speaker, and HR expert Traci Austin to talk about one of the biggest hidden problems in the trades and claims industry: leadership.

Why do good employees really leave? Is turnover actually a labor problem… or a leadership problem? Traci breaks down the hard truths about accountability, toxic work environments, retention, and why avoiding difficult conversations slowly destroys teams.

Highlights:

· Why turnover is usually a leadership issue

· The real reason employees quit

· Accountability starts with clarity

· How poor communication creates resentment

· The difference between "hard" and "honest" conversations

· The 5 drivers of employee engagement

· How great leaders retain top talent

· Practical leadership advice for contractors, adjusters, and business owners

Episode Resources:

· Connect with Traci Austin

· https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/

· Connect with Galen M. Hair

· https://insuranceclaimhq.com

· [email protected]

· https://levelupclaim.com/

Most companies don't fail because of bad technology—they fail because they're using the wrong technology, the wrong way.

In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, host Parker Logan sits down with technology strategist and RB Consulting founder Rob Broadhead to break down what's really holding businesses back. With over 30 years of experience, Rob has seen firsthand how "simple" tech projects spiral into expensive bottlenecks—and how the right systems can unlock serious growth.

Highlights:

Why most tech projects fail (and how to avoid becoming one)

The hidden danger of "scaling chaos" in growing claims businesses

Build vs. buy: how to make the right call on software solutions

The real reason your systems feel disconnected—and how to fix it

Why faster isn't always better when it comes to automation

How AI can improve claims accuracy (and where it can get you in trouble)

The importance of fallback systems when tech inevitably breaks

Red flags that signal your business needs a tech overhaul

How small teams can compete with big tech using smarter systems

Why great vendors should challenge your decisions—not just sell to you

Episode Resources:

· Connect with Rob Broadhead

· https://rb-sns.com/

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

· Connect with Galen M. Hair

· https://insuranceclaimhq.com

· [email protected]

· https://levelupclaim.com/

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/