Episode 18: The Wagners - A Proud Family of Professional Insurance Agents

In this episode, we mixed it up a bit.  Instead of interviewing one neighbor, I am actually interviewing three neighbors. You may have seen these amazing neighbors on the cover and feature article in the “Meet your Neighbors” section of the March 2020 edition of the 12 Oaks Living Magazine, or getting their cajun, low-country boil on at the 12 Oaks, Club’s Mardi Gras Party, or hosting the end of Summer Slam at the Pond. One of these neighbors is also responsible for the daily “pee in your pants jokes” on the 12 Oaks Community Facebook page.  We also talk about insurance, relationships, jokes, hockey, sports cars, and of course Frozen 2.  

Ryan Wagner is a 3rd generation State Farm Agent. Ryan was born and raised in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.  Ryan is a trivia extraordinaire, enjoys playing golf, and is an avid runner. Katrina Wagner is the owner of Goosehead Independent Insurance Agency.  She was born and raised in Capac, Michigan.  At the age of 27, Katrina was a Dale Carnegie Instructor for seven years.  She has also been a music minister since 1995. Their daughter Ellorie started kindergarten this year and is all things Frozen 2. She can often be found cruising the neighborhood in her sports car. 

It was  great “Hangin’ Out with the Wagners.” They are a blast and a very special family.    

In This Episode:

• [03:19] Welcome Ryan, Katrina, and Ellorie Wagner. They are our 17th “P” in the pod[cast]. 
• [04:49] We have all come to love Ryan’s “pee in your pants” jokes on the 12 Oaks Community Facebook page.  
• [07:21] Ellorie, their soon to be six-year-old daughter loves all things Frozen 2 and driving her sports car around the neighborhood.   
• [08:45] Katrina had a great childhood and is one of three strong and capable girls. She is the baby of the family.  
• [09:21] Katrina shares all about growing up on a dirt road and riding around on her banana seat bike. Her parents were amazing gardeners and taught them to live by the earth. 
• [10:47] After high school she went to Japan as an exchange student. She shares this experience and it was a life-changing experience.  
• [13:13] Wendell connected with Katrina because he is also the baby of the family.  His mom was a major seamstress.  
• [13:49] Ryan had a unique early childhood experience living in a foster care home. 
• [15:24] Ryan learned how to skate and his parents signed him up for a hockey league at age 5.  He played hockey all the way through high school.  He played baseball for most of high school as well.  
• [17:32] Katrina shares about her new blog on Instagram called The Pretend Food Blog.  She started the blog to be a tourist in her own town.  
• [19:31] Ryan shares about the half marathon where he got to run out of the tunnel at Lambeau Field.  He was so proud of this accomplishment because he is not a natural long-distance runner.     
• [21:21] He has his eyes and feet set on conquering the Annual Walt Disney World half-marathon. 
• [22:01] Hard work, persistence, and giving back are Ryan’s top values.  Katrina shares the importance of investing in yourself and others.  
• [24:46] Katrina shares about the importance of being aware of what the people in your life need even if they can’t say it and showing up for them.   
• [26:34] Ryan shares about the hard work he put in at his first job at the golf club and how after a rough year it finally paid off. 
• [29:53] Ryan joined the Kiwanis Club and later became president.  
• [32:21] Ryan actually tried to avoid the insurance field at first, but then he realized the power of helpin