The Insurance Buzz

Michael and Courtney Weaver
  • 4.9 (126)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

The Insurance Buzz shares top tips for Insurance Agents on how to maximize their entrepreneurial journey. Sales training tips, mindset, and motivation and learn from some of the best in the industry and experts in the field as they share what they have done to be successful as an Insurance Agent.

  1. 3H AGO

    429. The Burnout Trap most Life Insurance Agents fall into with Jim Ruta

    Inconsistent production? It’s not motivation — it’s visibility. LIVE Thursday at Noon CT See how top agencies prove accountability on every call. 👉 Register: Save My Seat Watch the full episode on YouTube: HERE What’s in this episode: If you feel like you’re working harder than ever… but not breaking through — this episode will hit home. Hall of Fame speaker and industry legend Jim Ruta joins Michael to break down the real reason most life insurance agents burn out — and why it has nothing to do with leads, scripts, or AI. It’s belief. It’s consistency. It’s mastering fundamentals when everyone else is chasing shortcuts. If you’re serious about becoming an icon in your marketplace instead of just another producer, this conversation will reset your standard. [00:00] Why Most Agents Never Become Professionals [02:00] The Difference Between Average and Awesome [03:00] Nobody “Needs” Life Insurance [08:00] The Elevator Myth in Sales [10:00] Why Agents Throw Away 9 Out of 10 Leads [12:00] The ICON Protocol Explained [18:00] Consistent Conversations = Consistent Results [22:00] The Self-Canceling Mortgage Question [26:00] Why Top Advisors Don’t “Close” [29:00] Stop Selling — Start Solving BOOK A DEMO– Agency Coach AI Learn More: Let's Chat The first 24/7 AI sales coaching platform built for insurance pros. Real-time grading, role plays, and coaching that help producers close more deals. TEXT MICHAEL DIRECTLY Have a question or want to talk to Michael directly? It’s really him, not a robot. Text “BUZZ” to (816) 727-7610 FREE 7-Day Demo – Weaver Sales Academy Try it: CLICK HERE Tools + Free Resources https://www.weaversa.com Connect with Michael Online LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelweaverwsa YouTube: @michaelweavertraining Facebook: facebook.com/themichaelweaver Instagram: @michaelweaver

    34 min

  2. 3D AGO

    428. 7% to 23% Close Rate: The Small Change That Made It Happen

    Join us LIVE on February 18th at 12:00 PM CT Overcoming Price Objections in Life Insurance Conversations Don’t let price slow your Q1 momentum. 🎯 Reserve your seat now: SAVE MY SPOT Watch the full episode on YouTube: HERE What’s in this episode: If your team is quoting but not closing, this episode is going to challenge you. One agency went from a 7% close rate to 23% in a week and a half. No new leads. No new scripts. No new hires. Just one behavioral shift: accountability. In this solo episode, Michael breaks down why most agency owners think they have a training problem — when they actually have a standards problem. If your producers aren’t consistently asking for the sale, and no one is checking, you don’t have a closing strategy… you have hope. This episode is about installing real accountability without micromanaging — and how “the checker gets what the checker checks” can dramatically increase production in your office. If you want to grow in 2026, start here.  [00:00] From 7% to 23% — What Actually Changed  [01:00] When Hard Work Isn’t the Problem  [02:00] The “Assume the Sale” Close Explained  [03:00] Why They Only Audited the Final Question  [04:30] The Real Reason Production Jumped  [06:00] Accountability vs. Micromanagement  [07:30] How Higher Close Rates Build Confidence  [09:00] Installing a Culture of Measured Standards  [10:30] The Growth Decision Agency Owners Must Make BOOK A DEMO– Agency Coach AI Learn More: Let's Chat The first 24/7 AI sales coaching platform built for insurance pros. Real-time grading, role plays, and coaching that help producers close more deals. TEXT MICHAEL DIRECTLY Have a question or want to talk to Michael directly? It’s really him, not a robot. Text “BUZZ” to (816) 727-7610 FREE 7-Day Demo – Weaver Sales Academy Try it: CLICK HERE Tools + Free Resources https://www.weaversa.com Connect with Michael Online LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelweaverwsa YouTube: @michaelweavertraining Facebook: facebook.com/themichaelweaver Instagram: @michaelweaver

    11 min

  3. FEB 12

    427. 100-App Months: What These Two Producers Do Differently — And What They Expect From Their Agents

    Join us LIVE on February 12th at 1:00 PM CT How Accountable Is Your Insurance Agency—Really? 🎯 Save your seat now: JOIN HERE Watch the full episode on YouTube: HERE What’s in this episode: What separates average producers from the ones hitting 40… 50… even 100 apps in a month? It’s not better leads. It’s not luck. And it’s not some secret script no one else has. In this episode, Michael and Courtney sit down with two high-producing agents from the Burke’s Agency who are executing at a high level right now. Waldis has hit Century Club — 100 apps in a single month. Abe consistently produces 30–50 items monthly with zero prior sales experience. So what are they doing differently? They break down: Why culture drives production more than comp plansWhat “CEO of your desk” really meansHow healthy competition builds winnersWhy reinventing the wheel during a slump makes it worseHow to rebuild your funnel after vacationThe power of active listening to increase items per householdThe 1% daily growth rule that compounds into elite production They also get real about struggles. Bad months. Empty funnels. Mental dips. And exactly how they work through it without blaming leads, the market, or their carrier. If you’re a producer who wants more consistency, more control, and bigger months — this episode gives you the blueprint. Discipline. Process. Ownership. That’s what creates 100-app months. BOOK A DEMO– Agency Coach AI Learn More: Let's Chat The first 24/7 AI sales coaching platform built for insurance pros. Real-time grading, role plays, and coaching that help producers close more deals. TEXT MICHAEL DIRECTLY Have a question or want to talk to Michael directly? It’s really him, not a robot. Text “BUZZ” to (816) 727-7610 FREE 7-Day Demo – Weaver Sales Academy Try it: CLICK HERE Tools + Free Resources https://www.weaversa.com Connect with Michael Online LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelweaverwsa YouTube: @michaelweavertraining Facebook: facebook.com/themichaelweaver Instagram: @michaelweaver

    35 min

  4. FEB 9

    426. What Top Talent Expects From Insurance Agencies in 2026

    Join us LIVE on February 12th at 1:00 PM CT How Accountable Is Your Insurance Agency—Really? 🎯 Save your seat now: JOIN HERE Watch the full episode on YouTube: HERE What’s in this episode: Hiring feels harder than ever—and it’s not your imagination. In this episode, Michael and Courtney Weaver unpack what today’s top insurance talent expects when they walk into an interview: compensation, growth, flexibility, leadership, and alignment. This isn’t theory. It’s firsthand insight from real hires, real comp decisions, and real leadership lessons you can apply immediately. [00:00] Why hiring top talent is harder than ever [02:00] How compensation expectations have changed [03:30] Why $96K base didn’t shock applicants [06:30] The real base pay threshold for quality hires [08:00] The danger of over-selling the opportunity [09:45] Setting gritty, honest expectations [12:30] What growth really means to high performers [14:30] Creative benefits beyond salary [16:30] Selling the vision, not the job [18:00] Why micromanagement repels talent [19:30] Remote work and flex schedules explained [21:00] Letting great people improve your systems [23:00] Leadership vulnerability and hiring smarter BOOK A DEMO– Agency Coach AI Learn More: Let's Chat The first 24/7 AI sales coaching platform built for insurance pros. Real-time grading, role plays, and coaching that help producers close more deals. TEXT MICHAEL DIRECTLY Have a question or want to talk to Michael directly? It’s really him, not a robot. Text “BUZZ” to (816) 727-7610 FREE 7-Day Demo – Weaver Sales Academy Try it: CLICK HERE Tools + Free Resources https://www.weaversa.com Connect with Michael Online LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelweaverwsa YouTube: @michaelweavertraining Facebook: facebook.com/themichaelweaver Instagram: @michaelweaver

    26 min

  5. FEB 5

    425. The Interview Process That Eliminates 90% of Bad Insurance Hires

    BOOK A DEMO– Agency Coach AI                                                                                       Learn More: Let's Chat                                                                   Watch the full episode on YouTube: HERE What’s in this episode: Hiring doesn’t fail because of a lack of applicants—it fails because most agencies make the process too easy. In this episode, Michael and Courtney break down the exact interview framework they used to eliminate over 90% of unqualified candidates and hire two top-tier sales professionals—without wasting time. You’ll hear real numbers, real drop-off data, and the step-by-step hiring process that filters for character, consistency, and follow-through before you ever get on a call. If you’re tired of bad hires, ghosting, and constant turnover—this episode is your blueprint. [00:00] Why the hiring process should be difficult [01:00] The #1 people problem agency owners face [02:10] The multi-step hiring framework overview [04:20] 105 applicants → what happens next [05:00] The assessment step that eliminates 75% [06:40] Why video interviews matter [08:50] Red flags that disqualify candidates instantly [10:00] Who actually shows up to interviews [11:20] From 105 applicants to 2 hires [12:45] Why hard upfront = easy long-term [14:30] Character vs skill in hiring [16:10] Final hiring advice for agency owners BOOK A DEMO– Agency Coach AI Learn More: Let's Chat The first 24/7 AI sales coaching platform built for insurance pros. Real-time grading, role plays, and coaching that help producers close more deals. TEXT MICHAEL DIRECTLY Have a question or want to talk to Michael directly? It’s really him, not a robot. Text “BUZZ” to (816) 727-7610 FREE 7-Day Demo – Weaver Sales Academy Try it: CLICK HERE Tools + Free Resources https://www.weaversa.com Connect with Michael Online LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelweaverwsa YouTube: @michaelweavertraining Facebook: facebook.com/themichaelweaver Instagram: @michaelweaver

    20 min

  6. FEB 2

    424. A Wake-Up Call Every Insurance Agent Needs: Health, Stress & Sustainable Success

    🚨 LAST DAY 🚨 30 in 5 starts tomorrow! If life insurance feels random, this fixes it for your entire office. 👉 https://www.weaversa.com/30in5 Watch the full episode on YouTube: HERE What’s in this episode: One moment can expose what’s been out of alignment for years. In this episode of The Insurance Buzz, Michael and Courtney Weaver sit down with 20-year insurance veteran Brandon Hanson to talk about a health scare that forced a full reset—personally and professionally. Brandon shares how ignoring his health showed up in his leadership, patience, hiring decisions, and agency performance. This conversation covers personal responsibility, sustainable success, smarter hiring, leadership clarity, and how agents should be thinking about leverage and AI heading into 2026. [00:00] The health scare that forced a wake-up call [01:00] Introducing Brandon Hanson and his 20-year career [02:00] The parking lot collapse that changed everything [04:00] “I am the business” — why separation doesn’t work [06:00] Slowing down and reassessing priorities [07:30] Tracking health to regain energy and focus [10:00] Burnout, overdrive, and warning signs agents ignore [12:30] How health affects patience and communication [14:00] Confidence, presence, and leadership energy [15:00] The customer who hit a bear [17:00] The $3 problem and learning empathy with clients [20:00] Stop copying other agencies’ playbooks [22:00] Unicorn hires and leadership responsibility [26:00] Advice for agents heading into 2026 [28:00] Smarter hiring: leverage over headcount [31:00] Defining success instead of hoping for it [32:00] Using AI for health, communication, and efficiency [35:00] Where AI helps—and where humans still matter [38:00] Delegating repetitive work to AI [40:00] Final thoughts on health, leadership, and longevity FOLLOW & CONNECT WITH BRANDON HANSON Want to connect with Brandon or follow along with his journey? 📸 Instagram: Personal 🏢 Instagram: Agency BOOK A DEMO– Agency Coach AI Learn More: Let's Chat The first 24/7 AI sales coaching platform built for insurance pros. Real-time grading, role plays, and coaching that help producers close more deals. TEXT MICHAEL DIRECTLY Have a question or want to talk to Michael directly? It’s really him, not a robot. Text “BUZZ” to (816) 727-7610 FREE 7-Day Demo – Weaver Sales Academy Try it: CLICK HERE Tools + Free Resources https://www.weaversa.com Connect with Michael Online LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelweaverwsa YouTube: @michaelweavertraining Facebook: facebook.com/themichaelweaver Instagram: @michaelweaver

    43 min

  7. JAN 29

    423. HIGHLIGHT: Saying This Kills Life Insurance Sales – What to Say Instead

    🚀 FREE LIVE WEBINAR —TODAY 4X Your Life Insurance Production Learn how top producers multiply submitted premium without feeling pushy or salesy. 👉 Save your seat: HERE 🔥 30 in 5 Challenge 30 life policies. 5 days. One repeatable system for your entire office. 👉 Starts Feb 3rd: SAVE MY SEAT Watch the full episode on YouTube: HERE What’s in this episode: Most agents don’t lose life insurance sales because of objections. They lose them because of one sentence they say too early. In this highlight episode, Michael Weaver breaks down what kills momentum in life conversations—and the exact language shift that turns shutdowns into engaged, emotional conversations with homeowners. If you sell P&C, service accounts, or quote homeowners, this is a must-watch. [00:00] You are the professional—why control of the conversation matters [01:00] The sentence that instantly kills life insurance sales [02:00] Why explaining “life insurance” too early creates resistance [03:00] The Mortgage Payoff Protector question that opens the door [04:00] How to get a “yes” without talking features or benefits [05:00] The two follow-up questions that create emotional buy-in [06:00] Using this approach on service calls with homeowners [08:00] Pivoting correctly during P&C new business conversations [10:00] Why this instantly increases death benefit and premium size [12:00] Turning mortgage conversations into true income protection BOOK A DEMO– Agency Coach AI Learn More: Let's Chat The first 24/7 AI sales coaching platform built for insurance pros. Real-time grading, role plays, and coaching that help producers close more deals. TEXT MICHAEL DIRECTLY Have a question or want to talk to Michael directly? It’s really him, not a robot. Text “BUZZ” to (816) 727-7610 FREE 7-Day Demo – Weaver Sales Academy Try it: CLICK HERE Tools + Free Resources https://www.weaversa.com Connect with Michael Online LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelweaverwsa YouTube: @michaelweavertraining Facebook: facebook.com/themichaelweaver Instagram: @michaelweaver

    13 min

  8. JAN 26

    422. How an Agent wrote 36 Life Apps in a Week With a New Team

    🚨 LAST DAY — SAVE $200 🚨  The 30 in 5 Challenge is closing Early Bird access tonight. If writing 30 life policies in 5 days sounds aggressive — good. This is daily coaching, live role play, proven talk tracks, and a system your team can execute immediately.  👉 Last Day to Save $200: SAVE MY SPOT Watch the full episode on YouTube: HERE What’s in this episode: Most agents wait until everything feels “stable” before pushing life insurance. That mindset is costing you production. In this episode, Anthony Hunt breaks down how he led from the front and wrote 36 life applications in one week — while rebuilding his team, managing turnover, and personally running appointments. This is a raw, real conversation about leadership, pressure, mental resilience, and what actually creates momentum when things aren’t perfect. If you’re serious about scaling life production, this episode is required listening. [00:00] Why being an insurance professional actually matters [01:00] Anthony Hunt becomes the 30 in 5 GOAT (three-peat winner) [02:00] The real numbers: 105 policies and $105K in premium [03:00] Why Anthony almost skipped this 30 in 5 Challenge [04:30] Running two offices with a brand-new team [10:00] Losing key team members and still going all-in [14:00] Leading from the front: closing 30+ apps personally [18:00] Mental health, leadership, and regulating emotions [22:00] Why asking for help is a strength — not a weakness [26:00] Leaders set the emotional tone of the agency [30:00] Pressure is a privilege [40:00] Why self-talk determines your ceiling [43:00] Who’s watching your back when you sleep [45:00] Final leadership lessons for agents in tough seasons BOOK A DEMO– Agency Coach AI Learn More: Let's Chat The first 24/7 AI sales coaching platform built for insurance pros. Real-time grading, role plays, and coaching that help producers close more deals. TEXT MICHAEL DIRECTLY Have a question or want to talk to Michael directly? It’s really him, not a robot. Text “BUZZ” to (816) 727-7610 FREE 7-Day Demo – Weaver Sales Academy Try it: CLICK HERE Tools + Free Resources https://www.weaversa.com Connect with Michael Online LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelweaverwsa YouTube: @michaelweavertraining Facebook: facebook.com/themichaelweaver Instagram: @michaelweaver

    47 min
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4.9
out of 5
126 Ratings

About

The Insurance Buzz shares top tips for Insurance Agents on how to maximize their entrepreneurial journey. Sales training tips, mindset, and motivation and learn from some of the best in the industry and experts in the field as they share what they have done to be successful as an Insurance Agent.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael and Courtney Weaver
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    424
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Insurance Buzz
  • Show Website
    The Insurance Buzz

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