Connected Conversations In Insurance

Connected Conversations In Insurance

Connected Conversations in Insurance – A Canopy Connect Podcast Welcome to Connected Conversations in Insurance, the podcast by Canopy Connect where we dive into the stories, strategies, and technology shaping the future of the insurance industry. Each episode, we sit down with top agents, industry leaders, and innovators to discuss the challenges they face, the solutions they’ve found, and how they’re streamlining their processes to better serve clients.

Episodes

November 18, 2025 39 mins

Consumer Permissioned Data: The Future of Insurance Verification | Connected Conversations

In this episode of Connected Conversations in Insurance, host Ray Huang interviews Tolga Tezel, CEO of Canopy Connect. They explore the origins and evolution of Canopy Connect, a platform that uses consumer permission data to streamline insurance verification. Learn about the company's journey, the impact of accurate data, and how their so...

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David Carothers on Building a Successful Insurance Agency | Connected Conversations

In this episode of Connected Conversations in Insurance, host Nick Berry welcomes David Carothers of Florida Risk Partners. David, known for his diverse experiences and deep commitment to his family, shares his journey from retail to insurance, highlighting his transition and success in middle market commercial insurance. The discussion delves into D...

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Charles McDade's Origin Story & Success in Insurance In this episode of Connected Conversations in Insurance, host Ray welcomes Charles McDade, owner of McDade Insurance Brokerage Group. Charles shares his unique journey into the insurance industry, marked by resilience and a sprinkle of spite, eventually leading to the establishment of his own agency. They discuss the importance of relationships with carriers, the value of...

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Building a Bold Insurance Brand with Ciara Gravier In this episode of the Connected Conversations in Insurance podcast, host Nick Berry sits down with Ciara Gravier, the founder of The Bunker Insurance and Risk Management. Ciara shares her 20-year journey in the insurance industry, her experiences with rebranding, and the challenges of building a boutique commercial insurance agency in South Florida. The conversation dives into the...

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Steve Anderson on Embracing AI in Insurance & Overcoming Tech Frustrations | Connected Conversations

In this episode of the Connected Conversations in Insurance podcast, host Ray Huang of Canopy Connect welcomes Steve Anderson, an experienced insurance professional, co-founder of Catalyit, and author of The Bezos Letters. Steve shares his journey in the insurance industry, his firsthand experiences with early tech solutions, and...

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Mariah Gates on Automating Insurance Agencies & Embracing Tech | Connected Conversations

In this episode of the Connected Conversations in Insurance podcast, host Nick Berry from Canopy Connect interviews Mariah Gates, founder of Accelerated Automation. Mariah discusses her journey from an insurance agent to a tech consultant, highlighting her use of CRM tools like Agency Zoom to revolutionize operations. She shares insights on ...

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Davie Holt on Virtual Employees in Insurance Industry | Connected Conversations

In this episode of Connected Conversations in Insurance, host Nick Berry welcomes Davie Holt, president of Virtual Intelligence. Davie shares insights on the role of virtual employees (VEs) in the insurance industry, addressing common misconceptions and emphasizing the importance of proper training and integration. The conversation covers best practices ...

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Leveraging Social Media for Insurance: A Conversation with Matt Layson

In this episode of 'Connected Conversations in Insurance,' host Ray Huang interviews Matt Layson, an insurance advisor and operations manager at Calrose Insurance. They discuss Matt's journey to becoming an insurance agent, his family's long-standing presence in the industry, and his pivot from being a professional musician to focusing on insuranc...

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Landry Fields on AI's Transformative Impact on the Insurance Industry | Connected Conversations


In this episode of the Connected Conversations in Insurance podcast, host Nick Berry from Canopy Connect welcomes Landry Fields, the founder and CEO of Nova Insurance. They discuss the integration of AI in the insurance industry, the potential to streamline operations, and the future possibilities for AI-assisted services. Landry ...

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Winning on Social Media: Strategies for Insurance Agents with Nicholas Sakha | Connected Conversations

In this episode of the Connected Conversations in Insurance podcast, host Nick Berry of Canopy Connect engages in an insightful dialogue with Nicholas Sakha, owner of a fast-growing Allstate Insurance Agency. Nicholas shares his inspiring journey from banking and pizza delivery to successfully running a $22 million insurance agency...

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Kevin Spann on Modernizing the Insurance Industry & The Power of Community | Connected Conversations

In this episode of the Connected Conversations in Insurance podcast, host Ray Huang of Canopy Connect welcomes Kevin Spann, a seasoned insurance professional and owner of five Allstate Insurance agencies in Queens, New York. Kevin shares his journey from a life underwriter trainee to agency ownership, emphasizing the importance o...

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Connected Conversations in Insurance: Embracing Technology and Marketing StrategiesJoin Nick Berry and Heath Shearon, the 'Mayor of Insurance Town,' in this insightful episode of Connected Conversations and Insurance. They discuss the apprehensions of insurance agents towards technology, the evolution and current trends in InsureTech and marketing, and the importance of understanding what technology fits best for your agenc...

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Discovering Passion Through Insurance and Gardening: A Conversation with Michael Overstreet | Connected ConversationsIn this episode of Connected Conversations and Insurance, host Nick Berry talks with Michael Overstreet, the CMO of Heritage Insurance Agency and creator of the 'gardening nerd' YouTube channel. Michael shares his unique journey into insurance, his transition to a CMO role, and the importance of creating enga...

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How Mastering Niches and Content Marketing Can Transform Your Insurance AgencyIn this episode of Connected Conversations and Insurance, host Nick Berry interviews Ron Wadley, founder of Insurance for Texans, about his insurance agency's transformation and success. Ron explains how his agency shifted from primarily personal lines to a dominant commercial line focus, revealing the strategies and decisions that led to this change. The...

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Boosting Insurance Sales with LeadForce360: An Interview with Founder Kelby Steele

In this episode of Connected Conversations on Insurance, Ray Huang from Canopy Connect sits down with Kelby Steele, founder of LeadForce 360, to discuss efficient lead generation and sales automation for insurance agencies. Kelby shares detailed insights into how LeadForce 360 automates and streamlines the recruiting, sales, and service processes in t...

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Unlocking SEO and Local Search: Tips for Insurance Agents with Chris LangilleIn this episode of Connected Conversations in Insurance, host Nick Berry sits down with Chris Langille, founder of Advisor Evolved, to discuss the dynamic landscape of SEO and local search for insurance agencies. Chris delves into the complexities of Google's ever-changing algorithms, the impact of AI on organic search results, and the importance of a well...

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In this episode, Nick Berry sits down with Austin Moorhead from Lava Automation to discuss the power of virtual assistants (VAs) and remote hiring in the insurance industry. They dive into the challenges agencies face when integrating offshore staff, from workflow creation to hands-on training and communication.

Austin breaks down common misconceptions about VAs and explains how they can handle unlicensed tasks, freeing up licensed...

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In this episode ofConnected Conversations in Insurance, Nick Berry sits down with Roberto Salinas to explore the transformative role of AI in the insurance industry. Roberto introduces Gail, an AI tool developed by Lula to streamline customer interactions and enhance agency efficiency. Originally built to manage Lula’s high volume of customer calls, Gail is now helping insurance agencies optimize their workflows without replacing h...

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How to Supercharge Your Insurance Lead Gen with Contests | CJ Hutsenpiller

In this episode, Nick sits down with CJ Hutsenpiller, a second-generation insurance agency owner, to discuss a game-changing lead generation strategy: using contests!

If you’re tired of low-quality leads from vendors and want a more effective way to build your client base, this is the episode for you.CJ shares why contests work wonders for lead generation, ho...

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Podcasting for Impact – Insights from James Jenkins

In this episode of Connected Conversations in Insurance, we sit down with James Jenkins, host of the Agency Freedom Podcast and founder of RiskWell Insurance, to discuss his journey into podcasting and the strategies that have made him successful. James shares how he initially resisted starting a podcast but ultimately found it to be a powerful platform for sharing his transition f...

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