Connected Conversations In Insurance

Canopy Connect

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.

  1. 11/18/2025

    Connected Conversations in Insurance | Tolga Tezel

    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 solutions are transforming industries like insurance, automotive, and mortgage lending. Tolga shares insights on building a company focused on positive societal impact and discusses the importance of integrating high-quality data with AI and other tools to improve customer service and operational efficiency. 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome 00:36 Tolga Tezel's Journey to Canopy Connect 02:12 The Birth of Consumer Permission Data0 3:43 Challenges in the Insurance Industry 05:04 Building Canopy Connect07:11 Expanding Canopy Connect's Reach 12:54 Use Cases Beyond Insurance 20:46 Mortgage and Lending Solutions 30:29 ITC Conference Insights 39:00 Conclusion and Season Finale

    40 min

  2. 11/11/2025

    Connected Conversations in Insurance | David Carothers

    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 David's entrepreneurial approach, his creation of the 'Killing Commercial' community, and the unique 'Producers in Paradise' event, emphasizing the importance of relationships and innovation in the insurance industry. Tune in to learn more about David's perspective on building a successful insurance agency and the impact of technological advances like AI on the industry. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:45 Personal Background and Values 02:17 Challenges and Family Life03:58 Career Journey into Insurance 10:15 Starting and Growing Florida Risk 15:43 Technology and Innovation in Insurance 21:47 The Importance of Vendor Relationships 22:28 Producers in Paradise: A Unique Event 23:36 The Value of Informal Networking 26:04 Experiential Marketing and Relationship Building 27:50 The Evolution of Producers in Paradise 33:11 The ROI of Relationships 38:43 The Origins and Growth of Producers in Paradise 40:48 Connecting with David Connected with David: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrcarothers/ Killing Commercial: https://killingcommercial.com/davidcarothers/

    42 min

  3. 11/04/2025

    Connected Conversations in Insurance | Charles McDade

    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 joining an agency network, and the challenges of navigating a hard market. Charles also talks about his recent election to the board of the Independent Insurance Agents of Houston, making history as its first African American member. The episode concludes with a fun, superhero-themed discussion, exploring which heroes embody the qualities of an insurance agent. Charles also provides insights into his tech stack and emphasizes the importance of balancing AI with human connections. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:42 Meet Charles McDade 02:11 Charles' Insurance Origin Story 04:04 Starting McDade Insurance 04:53 Joining Premier Group Insurance 08:01 Challenges with Small Carriers 09:25 Historic Board Election 15:11 Superhero Fun 20:46 Tech Stack and Innovations 25:31 Final Thoughts and Sign Off Connect with Charles: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesmcdade/ Website: https://www.mcdadeins.com/

    29 min

  4. 10/28/2025

    Connected Conversations in Insurance | Ciara Gravier

    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 significance of branding and how creating a memorable and bold brand can differentiate an agency in a competitive market. Tune in for insights on branding, marketing strategies, and overcoming industry challenges.00:00 Introduction to Connected Conversations00:45 Meet Ciara: Insurance Veteran01:30 Challenges in the Florida Insurance Market06:24 The Importance of Branding in Insurance06:54 Lessons Learned from Rebranding10:30 Successful Insurance Brands12:23 Branding vs. Brand: Key Differences16:09 Visual Identity and Target Audience17:41 Bold Visuals and Presentation Style18:52 The Power of Color in Branding20:02 Standing Out in the Insurance Industry22:51 Effective Use of Social Media Channels24:08 The Importance of Authentic Content27:41 Learning and Improving Content Creation32:43 Connecting and Modernizing Insurance Agencies Connect with Ciara: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bunkeryourrisk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ciaragravier/ The Bunker: https://www.bunkeryourrisk.com/

    34 min

  5. 10/21/2025

    Connected Conversations in Insurance | Steve Anderson

    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 his insights on embracing AI in the insurance sector. He discusses the common frustrations agencies face with tech adoption, the importance of risk-taking, and the transformative potential of AI. Steve also provides practical advice for agencies looking to start leveraging AI to improve efficiency and stay competitive. Tune in for valuable insights on technology, AI strategy, and the future of the insurance industry. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:55 Steve Anderson's Journey into Insurance 01:51 Early Technology Adoption in Insurance 02:43 Consulting and Technology Evolution 04:46 Challenges in Technology Adoption 12:13 The Role of AI in Insurance 14:04 Practical AI Tools for Agencies 22:21 Overcoming Resistance to AI 26:16 Future of AI in Agency Management 28:00 Final Thoughts and Recommendations 29:53 Closing Remarks and Contact Information Connect with Steve Anderson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevetn/ The Bezos Letters: https://thebezosletters.com/ Website: https://steveanderson.com/about/ Canopy Connect: https://www.usecanopy.com/agencies

    31 min

  6. 10/14/2025

    Connected Conversations in Insurance | Mariah Gates

    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 the challenges and benefits of adopting automation in the insurance industry, including client education, organizational efficiency, and the importance of personalized communication. Mariah also emphasizes the significance of change management and flexible communication methods to enhance customer and staff experience. Tune in for valuable tips on implementing technology to streamline insurance business operations. 00:00 Introduction to the Insurance Industry 00:22 Meet Mariah Gates: From Insurance Agent to Tech Consultant 00:42 The Birth of Accelerated Automation 01:40 Life in Idaho: Technology and Lifestyle 02:31 Challenges and Solutions in the Insurance Industry 04:33 Implementing CRM and Automation in Agencies 11:42 Best Practices for Technology Adoption 18:41 The Importance of Client Education and Personal Touch 32:15 Final Thoughts and Contact Information Connect with Mariah: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariah-gates-61459b277/ Accelerated Automation: https://acceleratedautomation.net/Canopy Connect: https://www.usecanopy.com/agencies

    33 min

  7. 10/07/2025

    Connected Conversations in Insurance | Davie Holt

    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 for hiring VEs, the challenges and benefits of outsourcing service tasks, and the broader economic factors driving the adoption of VEs. Davie also discusses how Virtual Intelligence ensures cybersecurity and compliance while providing high-quality staffing solutions to insurance agencies. Tune in to learn about the human element of virtual employees and how they can enhance efficiency and growth in insurance operations. 00:00 Introduction and Initial Frustrations 00:39 Guest Introduction: Davie Holt 02:05 Reframing Virtual Employees 04:58 Economic Realities and Outsourcing 09:18 Challenges and Misunderstandings in the Industry 13:14 Best Practices for Hiring Virtual Employees 24:17 Addressing Staff Concerns and Misconceptions 26:16 Overcoming Objections to Virtual Employees 26:49 The Economics of Labor in Agencies 28:07 Maximizing Efficiency with Virtual Employees 28:42 The Role of AI in Insurance29:17 Challenges in Agency Operations 29:49 The Importance of Automation 31:49 Real-World Examples and Case Studies 33:15 The Future of Virtual Employees 38:37 Ethical and Practical Considerations 47:53 Conclusion and Contact Information Connect with Davie Holt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davieholt/Virtual Intelligence: https://virtualintell.com/Canopy Connect: https://www.usecanopy.com/agencies

    52 min

  8. 09/30/2025

    Connected Conversations in Insurance | Matt Layson

    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 insurance. Matt shares insights on his social media strategy, specifically his use of TikTok and Instagram to educate the public and improve his communication skills. Despite initial challenges, his dedication to creating engaging and informative content has paid off, winning him clients and followers. They also touch on the importance of translating complex insurance jargon into plain English and the benefits of consistency in content creation. Matt offers practical advice for agents looking to start their own social media ventures, emphasizing simplicity, persistence, and the broader value of improved communication. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:55 Matt Layson's Origin Story 03:53 Agency Overview and Focus 06:28 The Journey into Video Content 15:09 Content Creation Process 23:55 Handling Feedback and Trolls 26:10 Advice for Aspiring Content Creators 29:20 Conclusion and Contact Information Connect with Matt Layson: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@matthewlayson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlayson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CalRoseIns CalRose Insurance: https://calroseins.com/CalRose on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calroseinsurance

    31 min
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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.

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