The Insurance Perspectives Podcast

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, host Jeff White wraps up the three-part social media series with Melissa Stallings, principal and owner of Stallings Insurance Agency. Melisa walks through her content philosophy: post consistently, put your people in front of the camera, skip the stock photos, and don't overthink it. She also shares the practical scaffolding behind Stallings Insurance's social presence — weekly Monday Messages, a marketing company handling the monthly calendar, staff incentives to like and share, and seasonal content that doesn't always have to be about insurance.

Key Takeaways

• Record it, post it, don't watch it back. 
• If you hate the camera, put someone else in front of it. 
• Stock photos are a scroll-past. Use your own faces, your own moments, your own life.
• Create a recurring theme and stick with it.
• Social media is branding, not direct revenue. Accept that and stop trying to measure the wrong thing.
• Get someone dedicated to it. A staff member, a marketing company, or a college intern.
• Seasonal beats salesy. Content tied to what's happening in life performs better than insurance facts.

Learn more about Stallings Insurance:
https://stallingsia.com/
https://www.facebook.com/stallingsia/
https://www.instagram.com/stallingsia/

To get in touch with Melissa or Jeff, reach out below: 

• Melissa Stallings (click here)
• Jeff White (click here)

________________________________________________________________________

If you’re looking to reach out to HawkSoft, please email [email protected].

For more information on HawkSoft, visit:
https://www.hawksoft.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hawksoft
https://x.com/HawkSoft
https://instagram.com/hawkSoft

Music by AudioCoffee(Denys Kyshchuk): https://www.audiocoffee.net/

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, host Jeff White continues the three-part series on social media content creation with Emily Ellis of YMI Insurance. Emily walks the audience through YMI's content philosophy — community-first, face-forward, minimal insurance jargon — and shares campaigns that have worked best. She also gets candid about what flopped, why AI-generated content turns people off instantly, and why her best advice for any agency is the same thing she learned the hard way: just put your people in front of the camera.

Key Takeaways

• Nobody wants to see insurance on their social media. Lead with community, not coverage.
• Put your people in front of the camera. Faces build trust before a client ever calls.
• Authenticity can't be scheduled. Some of the best content happens on the spot.
• Collaborate with your community. Shares from local businesses reach audiences you'd never find alone.
• When something flops, learn and move on.
• Success isn't just metrics. Winning a chamber award or being recognized on sales visits count too.

Learn more about YMI Insurance:
https://ymiagency.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ymiinsurance
https://www.instagram.com/ymiinsurance/

To get in touch with Emily or Jeff, reach out below:

• Emily Ellis (click here)
• Jeff White (click here)

________________________________________________________________________

If you’re looking to reach out to HawkSoft, please email [email protected].

For more information on HawkSoft, visit:
https://www.hawksoft.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hawksoft
https://x.com/HawkSoft
https://instagram.com/hawkSoft

Music by AudioCoffee(Denys Kyshchuk): https://www.audiocoffee.net/

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives Podcast, Jeff White, HawkSoft's social media manager, kicks off a three-part series on social media content creation. Matt Larson, President of Cal Rose Insurance in Everett, Washington, joins the podcast to talk about his content strategy, advice for fellow agents and more. What started as a way to tell people he was "insurance guy" turned into a full content strategy that has generated real leads, built genuine community trust, and made him one of the most recognized independent agents in his market. Matt shares his platform-by-platform strategy, why engagement beats views every time, and how to generate content ideas from your own clients.

Key Takeaways

• You're going to be bad at first — accept it. Six months of consistent practice is the baseline.
• Phone, face, done. Don't buy gear until you've posted for a year.
• Stop trying to impress underwriters. Create content for your actual buyer.
• Engagement beats views every time. Vanity metrics don't pay commissions.
• Your best content ideas are already in your inbox. FAQs, weird client situations, misunderstood coverage concepts.
• Lurkers are real buyers. The people watching without ever liking may be your next best clients.

Follow Matt on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/matthew.layson.9
https://www.instagram.com/mattlayson/
https://www.tiktok.com/@matthewlayson

Learn more about CalRose Insurance:
https://calroseins.com/
https://www.facebook.com/calroseinsurance
https://www.instagram.com/calroseins

To get in touch with Matt or Jeff, reach out below:

• Matt Layson (click here)
• Jeff White (click here)

________________________________________________________________________

If you’re looking to reach out to HawkSoft, please email [email protected].

For more information on HawkSoft, visit:
https://www.hawksoft.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hawksoft
https://x.com/HawkSoft
https://instagram.com/hawkSoft

Music by AudioCoffee(Denys Kyshchuk): https://www.audiocoffee.net/

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives Podcast, host Michael Ley reconnects with Dominic Piccirillo and Stanley Meytin, co-founders of Elevate Teams, for an update since their last podcast appearance in March 2025. Elevate Teams has always been known for its rigorous pre-training model but the big news this time is Elevate Plus, a new offering that audits an agency's existing workflows, builds out SOPs, and trains the incoming VA on how the agency actually operates. Dominic and Stanley also get into their matchmaking philosophy, why low churn is the real proof point, their take on AI, and why the future of the independent agency is still built on relationships.

Key Takeaways

• Elevate Plus builds your SOPs before your VA starts. 
• Pre-training before placement changes everything. 
• Matchmaking keeps churn low. The right fit for both sides means nobody quits in two months.
• Delegate so you can focus on what only you can do. Sell and serve.
• Go talk to your clients. Proactive touchpoints build referrals before anything else does.
• The relationship game isn't going anywhere. 

Previous episodes featuring Elevate Teams:
Elevate Teams Pt. 1 - Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Elevate Teams Pt. 2 - Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Learn more about Elevate Teams:
https://elevateteams.io/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevate-teams/

To get in touch with today's guests, reach out below:

• Stanley Meytin (click here)
• Dominic Piccirillo (click here)
• Michael Ley (click here)

________________________________________________________________________

If you’re looking to reach out to HawkSoft, please email [email protected].

For more information on HawkSoft, visit:
https://www.hawksoft.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hawksoft
https://x.com/HawkSoft
https://instagram.com/hawkSoft

Music by AudioCoffee(Denys Kyshchuk): https://www.audiocoffee.net/

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, host Michael Ley sits down with Raution Jaiswal, founder and CEO of InsuredMine, for an update since the platform's last appearance in January 2024. What started as a CRM has evolved into what Raution calls a "system of intelligence" — a platform that sits on top of your AMS and helps agencies sell more, retain more, and understand their book of business at a level that wasn't possible before. Raution walks through several major AI developments, including Iva, an AI voice agent that takes and makes calls when your team is unavailable; a Claude MCP connector that lets agencies query their InsuredMine database in plain language; AI-drafted email responses with full customer context; and a deal-close predictability model for both new business and renewals.

Key Takeaways

• InsuredMine is a system of intelligence that sits on top of your AMS.
• Your customer didn't leave at renewal. They left months earlier — you just didn't know it yet.
• Iva answers and makes calls when your team can't. Every missed call becomes a deal card, not a missed opportunity.
• Ask your data anything. The Claude MCP connector lets you query your book of business in plain language.
• AI can now predict deal close probability. Both new business and renewals, based on patterns across the full customer lifecycle.
• Email drafting goes from an hour to ten minutes. InsuredMine drafts responses with full customer context, not just email context.

Previous episodes featuring InsuredMine:
InsuredMine Pt. 1 - Apple Podcasts and Spotify
InsuredMine Pt. 2 - Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Learn more about InsuredMine:
https://insuredmine.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/insuredmine/

To get in touch with today's guests, reach out below:

• Raution Jaiswal (click here)
• Michael Ley (click here)

________________________________________________________________________

If you’re looking to reach out to HawkSoft, please email [email protected].

For more information on HawkSoft, visit:
https://www.hawksoft.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hawksoft
https://x.com/HawkSoft
https://instagram.com/hawkSoft

Music by AudioCoffee(Denys Kyshchuk): https://www.audiocoffee.net/

In this episode of the IP podcast, Brad Boldt reconnects with Seth Zaremba, founder and CEO of b atomic, for an update on everything that's evolved since Seth's last appearance on the podcast in 2025. b atomic started as a push-button endorsement tool and has grown into a full AMS-integrated automation platform that plugs directly into HawkSoft. Seth walks through how Service Center works in practice — from vehicle changes that go from 15 minutes to 15 seconds, to fully automated personal lines remarketing that lands bind quotes inside HawkSoft 30 days before renewal.

Takeaways

• 15 minutes of processing now takes 15 seconds. The data's already in HawkSoft — b atomic just moves it.
• Automated remarketing lands inside HawkSoft 30 days before renewal.
• b atomic is 70% cheaper than a virtual assistant.
• AI is coming for your excuses, not your relationships. The independent agency of the future is relationship-first, processing-last.
• Everything becomes a case. Phone, email, HawkSoft — it all flows through Service Center at the lowest cost in the industry.

Previous episodes featuring Seth Zaremba:
b atomic Pt. 1 - Apple Podcasts and Spotify
b atomic Pt. 2 - Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Learn more about b atomic:
https://www.batomic.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/b-atomic-llc/

To get in touch with today's guests, reach out below:

• Seth Zaremba (click here)
• Brad Boldt (click here)

________________________________________________________________________

If you’re looking to reach out to HawkSoft, please email [email protected].

For more information on HawkSoft, visit:
https://www.hawksoft.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hawksoft
https://x.com/HawkSoft
https://instagram.com/hawkSoft

Music by AudioCoffee(Denys Kyshchuk): https://www.audiocoffee.net/

In this episode of the IP podcast, Brad Boldt reconnects with Torey Maerz, co-founder and CEO of ClientCircle, for an update on the platform since his last appearance on the podcast in 2024. What started in 2013 as an NPS and referral tool has grown into one of the most customizable marketing automation platforms in the independent agency space. Torey walks through what's new — including a HawkSoft client create integration, a fully customizable user interface, and a robust analytics dashboard that pulls historical data going back before an agency even became a ClientCircle customer. He also shares his measured, refreshingly honest take on AI, why ClientCircle was built on timeless business fundamentals rather than flashy technology, and why the most-used feature on the platform is still the one that asks your clients a single question: how are we doing?

Takeaways

• Tech should solve business problems, not just exist
• NPS is the most important feature they offer. If you're not using it, you're missing 80% of what the platform can do.
• Call your detractors. Most companies don't — and that's exactly why it works when you do.
• Customization is now built in, not bolted on. ClientCircle can be configured to fit any agency's workflow without writing new code.
• Fundamentals don't go out of style. Welcome new clients, recognize loyal ones, thank those who refer — that's been the foundation since day one.

Previous episodes featuring Torey Maerz:
ClientCircle Pt. 1 - Apple Podcasts and Spotify
ClientCircle Pt. 2 - Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Learn more about ClientCircle:
https://www.clientcircle.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/client-circle/

To get in touch with today's guests, reach out below:

• Torey Maerz (click here)
• Brad Boldt (click here)

________________________________________________________________________

If you’re looking to reach out to HawkSoft, please email [email protected].

For more information on HawkSoft, visit:
https://www.hawksoft.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hawksoft
https://x.com/HawkSoft
https://instagram.com/hawkSoft

Music by AudioCoffee(Denys Kyshchuk): https://www.audiocoffee.net/

In this episode of the IP Podcast, Brad Boldt sits down with Ray Huang, Vice President of Marketing at Canopy Connect, for an update on everything that's evolved with Canopy since Ray's last IP podcast appearance in 2024. Ray walks listeners through Policy Paste, a Chrome extension that auto-fills carrier forms with collected data; Deck Site, an AI-powered document intelligence tool that parses even 130-page commercial dec page packets into structured data; four flexible sharing paths that meet clients where they are; and a referral partner management feature for agencies working with dealerships, mortgage brokers, and other partners. He also previews what's coming next, including deeper CRM sync and robust reporting.

Takeaways

1. Carrier-connected data beats everything else. It comes straight from the source, not from memory.
2. Policy Paste fills carrier forms automatically. No more manually re-entering the same data twice.
3. Meet clients where they are. Four sharing paths mean no client gets left behind.
4. Don't Frankenstein your tech stack. One platform that integrates beats cobbling tools together.
5. Referral partner management is live. Track leads by partner, location, and individual sales rep.

Previous episodes featuring Ray Huang:
Canopy Connect Pt. 1 - Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Canopy Connect Pt. 2 - Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Learn more about Canopy Connect:
Book a demo
https://www.usecanopy.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/canopy-connect/

To get in touch with today's guests, reach out below:

• Ray Huang (click here)
• Brad Boldt (click here)

________________________________________________________________________

If you’re looking to reach out to HawkSoft, please email [email protected].

For more information on HawkSoft, visit:
https://www.hawksoft.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hawksoft
https://x.com/HawkSoft
https://instagram.com/hawkSoft

Music by AudioCoffee(Denys Kyshchuk): https://www.audiocoffee.net/

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives podcast, Brad Boldt reconnects with Ryan Mathisen, CEO and co-founder of GloveBox, for an update on everything that's changed since Ryan's last IP podcast appearance. Ryan breaks down GloveBox's four-step adoption playbook and walks through major new features including full white label branding, an embedded quoting marketplace, a new per-user pricing model, and Flows, a full CRM being built natively inside the product. He also shares his take on the AI frenzy and why the fundamentals of sales and service still win.

Takeaways

• GloveBox adoption starts with your website.
• Four simple steps can get you to 100% adoption. Website, hold recording, out-of-office replies, and the action menu.
• The new per-user model removes the pressure to scale fast.
• White label means your brand, not GloveBox's.
• Flows will let agencies run campaigns, pipelines, and live client messaging in one place.
• Run your race. Stop looking over the fence at AI, the basics still wins.

Previous episodes featuring Ryan Mathisen:  
GloveBox Pt. 1 - Apple Podcasts and Spotify
GloveBox Pt. 2 - Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Learn more about GloveBox:
https://glovebox.io/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/gloveboxapp/

To get in touch with today's guests, reach out below:

• Ryan Mathisen (click here)
• Brad Boldt (click here)

________________________________________________________________________

If you’re looking to reach out to HawkSoft, please email [email protected].

For more information on HawkSoft, visit:
https://www.hawksoft.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hawksoft
https://x.com/HawkSoft
https://instagram.com/hawkSoft

Music by AudioCoffee(Denys Kyshchuk): https://www.audiocoffee.net/

In this episode of the Insurance Perspectives Podcast, Brad Boldt sits down with two members of the HawkSoft leadership team: Jake Dunbar, Director of Product Support, and Greg Fish, Director of IT and Information Security. Together they pull back the curtain on one of HawkSoft's defining core values, Sense of Community. They trace its origins back to the early days of the company and explore what it actually looks like in practice. Jake shares how HawkSoft involved its own employees in writing the core values, and why those values have guided executive decisions ever since. Greg and Jake share personal stories that illustrate why, at HawkSoft, sense of community isn't a marketing tagline, it's how decisions get made.

Takeaways

• Core values mean nothing if they don't guide decisions. HawkSoft's core values were built collaboratively.
• Community includes employees, customers, vendors, and partners. It's not just the people inside the building.
• Two-minute wait times are a commitment, not a coincidence. HawkSoft invests in support because they mean it.
• Win-win isn't just a slogan. HawkSoft looks for ways to leave people better off.

For more information on HawkSoft's core values, visit:
https://www.hawksoft.com/about/core-values/

To get in touch with Jake, Greg, or Brad, reach out below:

• Jake Dunbar (click here)
• Greg Fish (click here) 
• Brad Boldt (click here)

________________________________________________________________________

If you’re looking to reach out to HawkSoft, please email [email protected].

For more information on HawkSoft, visit:
https://www.hawksoft.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hawksoft
https://x.com/HawkSoft
https://instagram.com/hawkSoft

Music by AudioCoffee(Denys Kyshchuk): https://www.audiocoffee.net/