Episodes

Nov. 22, 2025

Episode 303: Scale Like Never Before

Scaling an agency requires clarity, intentionality, and the courage to focus on what truly drives growth. In this episode, I share the mindset and systems used by top independent insurance agencies to compress time, eliminate...
Nov. 1, 2025

Episode 302: Unleash Your Team’s Secret Weapon to Scale Your Business with Ashley Harwood

The most powerful advantage in your agency might not be what you think—it’s understanding how your people work best. In this episode, I sit down with Ashley Harwood, entrepreneur, national speaker, and author of Move Over Ext...
Oct. 11, 2025

Episode 301: How Your Team Takes Ownership For Their Agency Role with Joel McKinley

The fastest-growing agencies aren’t just built on strategy—they’re powered by accountability. In this episode, I sit down with Joel McKinley, our Director of Accountability at UPP and a 20-year U.S. Army Ranger veteran, to ta...
Sept. 27, 2025

Episode 300: Lead Your People to Greatness and More Money with Natty Lewis

True leadership isn’t about tasks—it’s about unlocking the greatness inside your people. In this episode, I talk with Natty Lewis, an entrepreneur who has built and sold seven companies and now leads Ascend EQ, helping agenci...
Sept. 13, 2025

Episode 299: Roadmap to AI Freedom and Success with Daniel Metcalf

The agencies that will win in the future are the ones embracing AI today—and Daniel Metcalf is laying out the roadmap. In this episode, I talk with Daniel about how generative AI and automation are transforming independent in...
Aug. 23, 2025

Episode 298: Smart Agents, Smarter Back Office with Chris Paradiso

The smartest agencies aren’t just selling insurance—they’re reimagining how every back-office process works. In this conversation with Chris Paradiso, I explore how he’s using AI and automation to transform his agency’s opera...
Aug. 9, 2025

Episode 297: Easier Money in Your Bank Account with Ray Huang of Canopy Connect

The fastest way to lose a prospect is friction, and Ray Huang is helping agents eliminate it for good. In this episode, I sit down with Ray, Head of Growth at Canopy Connect, to explore how their insurance data intake platfor...
July 12, 2025

Episode 296: Your Online Presence

Diving into the crucial topic of why you MUST monitor your online presence. From branding essentials to cutting-edge tools, Mike shares invaluable tips to help you enhance your brand identity and consistency. He recommends Do...
June 28, 2025

Episode 295: Building an AI-First Agency with Erik Jensen

The future isn’t coming—it’s already here, and it’s AI-first. In this powerful conversation with Erik Jensen, I uncover what it really takes to build an agency from the ground up with automation, bots, and agentic AI at the c...
June 14, 2025

Episode 294: Accelerating the Speed of Trust with Ryan Hanley

When trust becomes your agency’s fastest growth lever, the game changes—and Ryan Hanley is here to prove it. In this episode, I talk with Ryan about his journey from agency owner to tech innovator and how his new venture, Lin...
May 31, 2025

Episode 293: Harnessing AI for Growth with Daniel Metcalf

When a speaker leaves an entire room buzzing, you know they’re onto something powerful—and that’s exactly what happened when Daniel Metcalf shared his insights at our Grand Mastermind. In this episode, I finally got him behin...
May 10, 2025

Episode 292: 70% FREE Time Efficiency for Your Team with Carl Ziade of Gaya.ai

When quoting time drops from ten minutes to two, you don’t just save time—you transform how your agency operates. In this episode, I sit down with Carl Ziade, co-founder of Gaya.ai, to explore how his lightweight AI solution ...
April 26, 2025

Episode 291: AI Coworkers for Your Agency with Vishal Rohra

When someone on stage says your bots are already outdated, you sit up and listen—and that’s exactly what happened when I heard Vishal Rohra speak. His message about AI coworkers being the future of independent insurance agencies wasn’t just compelling,...
April 12, 2025

Episode 290: Power of Three Book Unleashed

Sometimes, one sentence from someone you love can shape your destiny. In this special episode, I share the deeply personal story behind my new book, The Power of Three. Inspired by a message from my late father,
March 22, 2025

Episode 289: AI – Tech and More – NO Decision is a Decision with Rob Bowen

Twenty years ago, I was figuring out how to go paperless, and today, technology is revolutionizing our industry—but too many agencies are still stuck in the past. My guest, Rob Bowen, founder of Patriotic Insurance Group, has embraced automation,
March 8, 2025

Episode 288: Preparation is Separation

Success in the independent insurance business isn’t about luck but preparation. In this episode, I take you back to 1998, when I started my agency from scratch. Long hours, early mornings, and sacrifices were the norm,
Feb. 22, 2025

Episode 287: Get Your Clients Front Door Open with Austin Moorhead

Automation can be a game-changer—or a nightmare—if not done right. In this episode, I chat with Austin Moorhead, founder of Lava Automation, a firm specializing in marketing automation and streamlined client acquisition.
Feb. 8, 2025

Episode 286: High Performing Agency Teams with Laura Hicks

Ever wondered how top-performing insurance agencies attract and retain the best talent? Laura Hicks dives deep into the secrets of building unstoppable teams in our latest episode! Laura, a renowned trainer, speaker, business consultant,
Jan. 25, 2025

Episode 285: The BIGGEST of your Big 3 Marketing Strategies

Guest host Joel McKinley puts Mike Stromsoe in the hot seat for an in-depth exploration of insurance agency acquisitions. Mike delves into his extensive experience, highlighting how acquisitions form a critical part of a three-pronged strategy to grow ...
Jan. 11, 2025

Episode 284: How to Actually Get Shitake Done with Joel McKinley

2025 is the year to actually get shitake done! I’m your host, Mike Stromsoe, and today, alongside Joel McKinley, we’re diving deep into the life-changing power of accountability and how you can get it done in your business and personal life.
Dec. 28, 2024

Episode 283: Imagine….12/31/2025

Imagine closing out 2025 feeling like you’ve just lived the most incredible year of your life. That’s exactly what we’re working on in this episode. I’ll guide you through an exercise to set a crystal-clear vision for the future,
Dec. 14, 2024

Episode 282: 7 Doors Niche to Leads Multiple 7 Figures with Russ Castle

Continuing our series featuring cover agents from Rough Notes Magazine, I welcome Russ Castle to the show. Russ is a third-generation insurance broker and a dedicated member of the Unstoppable Profit Producers.
Nov. 23, 2024

Episode 281: Solving Their Problem Leads to 4X Profits with Jesse Parenti

In today’s episode, I have the incredible honor of talking with Jesse Parenti, the founder of $1,000,000 Niche Masters and a true trailblazer in the insurance industry. Jesse has made remarkable strides in specialized markets,
Nov. 9, 2024

Episode 280: Food, Faith and Family Leads to Shawsome with Susan Shaw

Welcome listeners to another heartwarming episode, I’m excited to continue highlighting the Top 3% high-achieving agents from our UPP circle, who have also graced the cover of Rough Notes magazine. Today, we have a truly inspiring story to share with y...