IA Forward
The Independent Insurance Agency Playbook: The insurance business is all about playing an infinite game. Shane and Tonya discuss how to play the long-term game of being a successful agent and creating a culture of freedom for yourself.
Episodes
As the holidays ramp up, most agency owners quietly hit pause and tell themselves, “We’ll circle back after the first of the year.” Shane and Tonya challenge that mindset and discuss how to use the six weeks from Thanksgiving to New Year to your advantage. They talk micro adjustments vs. massive overhauls, why rhythm beats resolutions, how to rethink “thinking time” as real work, and ways to set 2026 up for progress over perfection...
In a world obsessed with 10X growth, Shane and Tonya ask, what does scaling really mean for independent agency owners? They discuss achievement culture, the chaos that comes with growth, and how real progress is forged in discomfort. This episode is key to growing smarter, not just faster.
Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.
Most agency owners love selling, but dread accounting. Shane and Tonya tackle the side of agency ownership that doesn’t always come naturally to sales-driven entrepreneurs, and break down the basics that turn chaos into clarity. Learn how clean financials protect your agency’s value, when to bring in a CPA, and why consistent review (not fancy software) is the real key to building a lasting asset.
Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork...
When Washington stalls, Main Street feels the impact. Shane and Tonya discuss how a government shutdown ripples through independent insurance agencies. They also draw parallels between political gridlock and the realities of running an agency, where leadership, accountability, and transparency make all the difference. Whether you’re near a military base, rely on commercial accounts, or simply want to prepare your agency for uncerta...
In the independent channel, freedom isn’t just a philosophy, it’s your competitive edge. Shane and Tonya unpack the recent sale of Trusted Choice, what it reveals about branding, autonomy, and the true power of local trust, and how owning your name, your brand, and your client relationships can build a stronger, more sustainable agency than any national label ever could.
Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.
Every once in a while, we put Shane in the hot seat, and this time, the questions don’t hold back. From navigating what to do when a top producer plateaus, to handling tricky referrals and ownership conversations, this "Ask Shane" episode digs into the real challenges agency owners face every day. Tonya and Shane explore growth, culture, communication, and the hard choices that come with building a business.
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Premiums keep climbing. Customers are tired. Agents are exhausted. So how do you keep client loyalty when everyone’s feeling the pressure? Shane and Tonya break down how to play defense for your book, turn frustration into understanding, and prove why the independent advisor still wins.
Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.
The hard market isn’t just hitting premiums, it’s hitting people. Shane and Tonya discuss what burnout really looks like for overwhelmed frontline teams and exhausted agency owners. They share strategies for rebuilding capacity, keeping your best people, new perspectives, and practical ideas.
Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.
Independent agents just scored a major win! The personal lines market share for the IA channel has grown nearly $20 billion in the last four years. Shane and Tonya break down what this momentum means for agency owners, why consumers are choosing local advisors over call centers, and why personal lines are creating stability and resilience for independent agencies.
Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.
Nike’s iconic Just Do It has shifted to Why Do It, but what does that mean for independent agency owners? Shane and Tonya break down Nike’s pivot, the risks of fixing what isn’t broken, and why asking “why” may be the most important step in building an agency that’s truly yours.
Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.
How do you communicate effectively when your clients and staff can span generations? Traditionalists trust paper, Boomers want a phone call, Gen X prefer bullet-point emails, a millennial seeks collaboration, and Gen Z has a s video-first mindset. Shane and Tonya break down what each generation values and explore how agency owners can adapt without losing efficiency.
Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.
Some people thrive on the thrill of landing the next account, others excel at deepening relationships and growing existing business, and some focus on building systems that attract opportunities. Shane and Tonya explore how these different approaches to selling impact agency growth, what to watch out for when hiring, and why your first team addition might not need to sell at all.
Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.
Shane and Tonya discuss what it means to pivot with purpose, and why embracing change isn’t risky when it’s rooted in strategy. Whether you're an agency owner stuck in the daily grind, a producer ready to lead, or someone clinging to what you've built out of fear of losing it, this conversation will challenge the way you think about growth, reinvention, and leadership. Because sometimes, the smartest move isn’t staying th...
What happens when a Division I athlete spends her summer interning in the insurance world? You get a fresh, insightful look at how Gen Z views our industry. Shane and Tonya talk with Campbell Bagshaw, University of Kansas softball player and Integra’s summer intern, to talk about what surprised her, what agency owners need to know about Gen Z, and why she thinks athletes are built for insurance. From marketing and communication to ...
Headlines say rising insurance premiums are crushing the American dream of homeownership. But is insurance really the problem? Shane and Tonya discuss FHA loans, skyrocketing costs, and why insurance keeps getting blamed for issues created elsewhere. This conversation tackles affordability, financial reality, and the vital role independent agents play in helping clients see the truth behind the clickbait.
Learn more at IntegraPartn...
What if one bill could change how you do business overnight? Shane and Tonya discuss the Insurance Regulatory Reform Act, federal legislation that has very real consequences for independent agents. From the threat of dual regulation to the risk of losing speed and flexibility, this episode dives into why the fight to keep insurance oversight at the state level (and out of Washington) matters now more than ever. They explore the pol...
Drawing inspiration from baseball great Derek Jeter, Shane and Tonya discuss how focusing on daily consistency, foundational systems, and small wins can create powerful long-term momentum. Whether you're building a personal lines powerhouse or scaling your team, showing up, doing the work, and building on base hits can take your agency further than any one home run ever could.
Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.
Beaux Pilgrim of IA Blueprint joins Shane and Tonya to discuss how virtual assistants are transforming independent insurance agencies, including better documentation, improved retention, and freeing up producers to actually produce. If you’re overwhelmed, understaffed, or just tired of doing it all yourself, this episode will change the way you think about building your team.
Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.
Charles Specht, host of the Millionaire Insurance Producer podcast, joins Shane and Tonya to discuss how independent agents can win bigger with commercial insurance through his unique “quoting is for the weak” approach to pre-prospecting, micro-niching and messaging.
Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.
Shane and Tonya sit down with Retail Director Tara Graham to share real-world lessons from inside the Integra “lab.” From evolving service roles and managing change to improving customer experience and boosting team morale during a hard market, the conversation gets honest about what’s worked—and what hasn’t. Whether you’re running solo or managing a growing team, you’ll walk away with practical takeaways and tested ideas to streng...
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