
Agency Freedom
Agency Freedom Podcast exists to help insurance agency owners and sales professionals make the jump from the captive world to the independent side of the industry. We then equip you in every topic imaginable to help you dominate your market once you’re FREE. We deliver authentic, actionable and audacious content and hard-hitting interviews from the best former captives in the country. Make your Freedom Jump with Agency Freedom Podcast.
Latest episodes

Jun 28, 2024 • 49min
E159: Brandon Rondon On Empathic Leadership
In this episode, James talks with Brandon Rondon, Owner of Rondon Insurance Services. To learn more about Rondon Insurance Services, visit https://www.rondonins.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed.Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedomEmail us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better.Key Topics:
Transition from MMA to insurance
Approach to sales and client relationships
Insights on leadership and team building
Effective use of feedback within teams
Strategies for personal and professional growth
The role of constructive criticism in development
Integrating new technologies and systems in business operations

Jun 21, 2024 • 53min
E158: Sandra Gebhardt On Knowing Yourself And Your Strengths
In this episode, James talks with Sandra Gebhardt, an Online Marketing Strategist. To learn more about Sandra Gebhardt Digital Marketing, visit https://sandragebhardt.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed.Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedomEmail us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better.Key Topics:
Sandra's entry into the insurance industry and transition to marketing
Importance of personal branding in marketing
Using organic social media to enhance business growth
Tips for optimizing marketing strategies and community involvement
Benefits of a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer
Challenges faced by insurance agents and strategies for success

Jun 14, 2024 • 49min
E157: Patrick Murakami On Uncomfortable Innovation
In this episode, James talks with Patrick Murakami, Owner of Uprise Unlimited Coaching and Consulting. To learn more about Uprise Unlimited Coaching and Consulting, visit https://upriseunlimited.net. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed.Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedomEmail us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better.Key Topics:
Patrick's family military background and its impact
Overcoming personal challenges
Career transition from call centers to owning an insurance agency
Utilizing social media and AI in business growth
Patrick's approach to customer relationships and service
Leveraging Facebook groups for community and business development
Innovations in using ChatGPT for business efficiency and client engagement

Jun 7, 2024 • 42min
E156: Tyler Woodall On Delivering Agency Aid
In this episode, James talks with Tyler Woodall, Founder of Agency Aid. To learn more about Agency Aid, visit https://agency-aid.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed.Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedomEmail us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better.Key Topics:
Tyler's entry and evolution in the insurance industry
Transition to agency ownership and adoption of VAs during COVID
Challenges of managing an insurance agency and solutions through VAs
Development of a comprehensive training program for VAs
Decision process and execution of selling his insurance agency
Use of remote talent in the insurance industry
Overview of Tyler's current business, Agency Aid, and its offerings

May 31, 2024 • 41min
E155: Syd Roe On AgencyOne And Big Orange
This is the final of three episodes recorded live in New Orleans at Accelerate presented by NetVu and Vertafore.In this episode, James talks with Syd Roe, Director, Agency Marketing at Vertafore. To learn more about Vertafore, visit https://www.vertafore.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed.Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedomEmail us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better.Key Topics:
Syd Roe's career journey from family insurance agency to Vertafore
The creation and mission of AgencyOne at Vertafore
Challenges and solutions for integrating various tech products in insurance
The role of data and technology in the future of insurance agencies
The importance of offering choice and independence in insurance technology
How Vertafore’s Orange Partner Program supports integration and choice for agencies
Syd's philosophy on leadership and work culture in the tech industry

May 24, 2024 • 31min
E154: Raution Jaiswal On Navigating The CRM Game
Recorded live on location at Accelerate 2024 in New Orleans, LA.In this episode, James talks with Raution Jaiswal, Founder of InsuredMine. To learn more about InsuredMine, visit https://www.insuredmine.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed.Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedomEmail us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better.Key Topics:
InsuredMine’s emphasis on serving larger agencies with a minimum of 10 seats to deliver more significant value
Noteworthy adoption among top agencies, with 14 out of the top 50 using InsuredMine
Flexible platform configurations allow customization to fit diverse agency workflows
Upcoming CRM 2.0 features include advanced deal predictability and enhanced data integration
Continuous enhancements driven by user feedback, aiming for 600-700 new features annually
Future focus on AI and natural language processing to improve usability and data handling

May 17, 2024 • 44min
E153: Chris Cline On Legacy and Technology
In this episode, James talks with Chris Cline, the Executive Director of the Agents Council for Technology with Big I. To learn more about Agents Council for Technology with Big I, visit https://www.independentagent.com/act. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed.Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedomEmail us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better.Key Topics:
Introduction to Chris Cline and his role as Executive Director of the Agents Council for Technology with Big I
The Big I’s national model and its impact on State Chapters
Chris Cline's diverse career journey
The inception and evolution of technology in insurance
Impact of relationships and networking in the industry
Future of the Agents Council for Technology and its role in enhancing industry collaboration
Chris' perspective on personal and professional growth

May 10, 2024 • 41min
E152: Niki Henley On Winning In The Hard Market
In this episode, James talks with Niki Henley, Owner of Extra Mile Insurance Solutions. To learn more about Extra Mile Insurance Solutions, visit https://www.extramileins.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed.Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedomEmail us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better.Key Topics:
Niki shares her early career path and rapid shift to agency ownership
Importance of technology and automation in scaling insurance operations
Utilization of social media and video for market leadership
Strategies for navigating hard market conditions effectively
Emphasis on education and learning within the insurance field
Challenges and opportunities of running an agency in a competitive environment

May 3, 2024 • 47min
E151: Interviewing The RiskWell Exec Team (Part 2)
In this candid and revealing conversation, James interviews the three most senior members of the RiskWell team. This special two-part episode gets into origin stories, and personal anecdotes and goes deep into how RiskWell operates in the marketplace.To learn more about RiskWell, visit https://www.riskwell.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed.Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedomEmail us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better.Key Topics:
Implementing structured processes in insurance
Specialization and scalability in business operations
Leveraging past experience for better client relationships
Adapting services to client needs and service improvement
Enhancing team dynamics and communication
Strategies for future growth and maintaining client relationships

Apr 26, 2024 • 45min
E150: Interviewing The RiskWell Exec Team (Part 1)
In this candid and revealing conversation, James interviews the three most senior members of the RiskWell team. This special two-part episode gets into origin stories, and personal anecdotes and goes deep into how RiskWell operates in the marketplace.To learn more about RiskWell, visit https://www.riskwell.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed.Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedomEmail us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better.Key Topics:
Introduction of the Executive team at RiskWell and their roles in the agency
Reflections on the growth and evolution of the podcast from its early episodes
The challenges and advantages of working remotely and the dynamics it brings to the team
Insights into the culture of innovation and willingness to experiment within the agency
Discussion on the impact of personal growth on professional development within the company
Exploration of the unique management style and team interactions at RiskWell
Plans and visions for the future of RiskWell and its continued evolution