Episodes

  • From Just Do It to Why Do It: What Nike’s Change Means for Independent Agency Owners
    Sep 23 2025

    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.

    IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

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    32 mins
  • Paper, Texts, or FaceTime: Bridging Communication Gaps
    Sep 16 2025

    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.

    IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

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    36 mins
  • Chasing New Business and Cultivating Clients
    Sep 9 2025

    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.

    IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

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    27 mins
  • What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
    Sep 2 2025

    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 the same. It’s making the right kind of change.

    IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

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    32 mins
  • Pitching Gen Z Perspectives with Campbell Bagshaw
    Aug 26 2025

    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 career potential and workplace culture, this episode is packed with new perspectives.

    IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

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    34 mins
  • Buying Dreams, Blaming Insurance: FHA Loans Under the Microscope
    Aug 20 2025

    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.

    IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

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    37 mins
  • The Legislation That Could Change Your Agency and Why It Matters
    Aug 12 2025

    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 politics, the ripple effects, and break it all down in a way that makes sense (and maybe even makes you want to pick up the phone and call your senator).

    IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

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    30 mins
  • Building Your Agency Like Jeter Played Ball
    Aug 5 2025

    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.

    IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

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    29 mins