Insurance Shoptalk: Building an Agency People Want to Join — and Owners Want to Sell To
In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, Eric Stein sits down with Marc Duffy of Duffy Insurance to explore how a family-owned independent insurance agency can grow through acquisitions while maintaining its culture, personal service, and local identity. The conversation covers agency integration, technology and management systems, employee training, recruiting, producer incentives, and the different reasons […]
Insurance Shoptalk: AI vs. AI The New Battle Against Insurance Claim Fraud
In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, Eric Stein sits down with David Prejeant, Vice President of Client Relations at Alacrity Solutions, to discuss one of the fastest-growing challenges facing the insurance industry: AI-powered fraud. With more than two decades of experience in claims operations, property adjusting, catastrophe response, and commercial claims management, David shares firsthand […]
Insurance Shoptalk: Own Your Pipeline How Agencies Build True Marketing Independence
In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, Eric Stein sits down with Jake Cash, founder of CynrX Group and former marketing leader at GEICO, to discuss what insurance agencies need to do to grow in today’s rapidly changing marketing environment. Drawing from his experience managing large-scale insurance marketing campaigns and helping hundreds of agencies grow their […]
Insurance Shoptalk: Inside the Next Generation of Insurance Tech Stacks
In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein sits down with James Benham, founder of JBK and Terra, host of the InsureTech Geek Podcast, and a longtime technology leader in the insurance industry. James shares insights from more than two decades building software, claims systems, underwriting platforms, and automation tools for carriers, TPAs, MGAs, […]
Insurance Shoptalk: The Future of Insurance: AI, M&A, and What Agents Must Do Now
In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein sits down with Joe Zuk, an operating partner with Altamont Capital Partners, to discuss the future of insurance through the lens of private equity, underwriting, MGA strategy, and AI. Joe shares insights from his career across reinsurance, underwriting, corporate development, and insurance investing, while offering a […]
Insurance Shoptalk: The AI CSR: How Agencies Are Automating Calls, Claims & Renewals
In this episode of Insurance Shop Talk, host Eric Stein sits down with Francisco Lopes of Sonant to talk about how AI voice technology is transforming the way insurance agencies handle inbound and outbound calls. From quote requests and policy servicing to claims intake, billing questions, renewals, and cancellation follow-up, Francisco shares how agencies are […]
Insurance Shoptalk: New Revenue Stream for P&C Agents: Inside the ICHRA Opportunity
Healthcare costs are no longer just a line item — they’re a growing liability for employers. In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein sits down with Brandy Thompson, CEO of BenefitBay, to explore how ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements) is reshaping the way larger employers approach employee benefits. With renewal volatility, self-funded […]
Insurance Shoptalk: Scaling P&C Agencies Without Adding Headcount
Insurance agencies don’t just need more people — they need smarter operations. In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, Eric Stein sits down with Travis MacMillian of Xceedance to unpack how automation, AI, and strategic back-office support can completely transform the way property & casualty agencies operate. From policy checking and COI management to remarketing, loss […]
Insurance Shoptalk: Grow Your Book with a New Workers’ Comp Program in Ohio!
In this episode of Insurance Shop Talk, host Eric Stein introduces a game-changing workers’ compensation opportunity for P&C agents in Ohio and surrounding states. With Ohio’s monopolistic system long limiting agent participation, a newly approved Alternate Employer Organization (AEO) program now allows agents to earn ongoing commission while delivering meaningful cost savings and improved claims […]
Insurance Shoptalk: Recruiting Is Broken in Insurance Here’s the New Playbook
In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein sits down with Walter Sabrin of Venture Employer Services for a wide-ranging conversation on the realities of hiring, recruiting, and retaining talent in today’s insurance agency environment. Drawing on decades of experience, Walter breaks down why agencies should always be recruiting, how internal referral programs and […]