The Noble Agent

Thomas Stein
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship

Noble Agents is the podcast for health insurance brokers and general agents who care about more than short-term sales. If you're committed to serving Main Street businesses, building long-term client trust, and mastering the level-funded health insurance model, you’ve found your people. Hosted by Tom Stein, CEO of American Trust Administrators (ATA), Noble Agents brings you real conversations with top brokers and general agents who are creating sustainable growth — not through gimmicks, but by aligning with values, delivering results, and fighting back against a system that often forgets the small employer. Each episode runs about 25 minutes and gives you: Actionable insights on selling, structuring, and servicing level-funded health plans Proven strategies from experienced GAs and advisors in the trenches Trust-building tools to grow your book without selling your soul Real-world stories from brokers who are changing lives — not just collecting commissions Whether you're an independent broker looking for a playbook, a general agent seeking inspiration for your downline, or just tired of being fed recycled carrier talking points, this podcast is your new weekly essential. 🎯 Topics include: Level-funded vs. fully insured strategies Small group health insurance best practices Stop-loss corridors and surplus structures Compliance and transparency trends Marketing for brokers, general agents, and TPAs Training your producers with Level Funded University ➡️ Bonus: Every listener gets access to The Noble Agent’s Guide to Level Funding when they signup to for the weekly incites. Let’s rebuild this industry from the inside out — one level-funded plan at a time.

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    Why P&C Brokers Are Winning in Level Funding | Brian from Local Edge

    In this episode of The Noble Agent’s Guide, we sit down with Brian from Local Edge to explore why some of the best future level-funded brokers may already be sitting inside the P&C world. Brian brings a unique perspective coming from the personal lines and commercial P&C insurance space into self-funded and level-funded health plans. The conversation uncovers the crossover skills most brokers completely overlook — especially around underwriting, relationship-building, expectation-setting, and long-term client trust. Key topics include: Why level-funded plans shocked Brian coming from traditional insuranceThe “aha moment” of surplus checks and money returning to employersHow incentives change behavior in healthcare spendingWhy underwriting discipline matters in both P&C and health insuranceThe massive opportunity P&C brokers are missing in group healthWhy relationship-driven brokers outperform transactional agentsHow top producers educate instead of simply quotingWhy trust and curiosity matter more than spreadsheetsThe similarities between high-value P&C underwriting and self-funded health plansHow level-funded plans become a financial tool for business owners One of the strongest themes throughout the episode: The best brokers are not chasing transactions. They are building long-term relationships around trust, education, and service. Brian also shares: Lessons from handling inbound insurance sales at scaleWhy door-to-door and boiler-room salespeople often become elite producersHow great brokers set underwriting expectations upfrontThe importance of referrals and relationship flywheelsWhy business owners want one trusted advisor across all insurance needsThe crossover opportunity between commercial P&C and employee benefits Memorable takeaway: “Insurance is the many paying for the unlucky few.” If you’re a broker trying to understand where the industry is headed — and why relationship-first advisory work matters more than ever — this episode delivers practical insight from both the P&C and employee benefits worlds. Guest: Brian — Local Edge Topics Covered: Level fundingSelf-fundingP&C insuranceUnderwritingGroup healthBroker relationshipsClient trustReferral systemsCommercial insuranceEmployee benefitsSurplus checksSales psychology Episode 8 | Season 1 #LevelFunding #SelfFunding #InsuranceBroker #EmployeeBenefits #PNCInsurance #GroupHealth #BrokerStrategy #Underwriting #HealthcareCosts #NobleAgentsGuide

    25 min

  2. May 26

    Service First Wins: Why Great Brokers Never Truly Lose | Brian BD Insurance

    In this episode of The Noble Agent’s Guide, we sit down with Indiana-based broker Brian Dusenberry to unpack what separates transactional insurance agents from long-term trusted advisors in the level-funded and self-funded world. Brian has spent decades in partially self-funded and self-funded health plans, and this conversation dives deep into how transparency, service, and long-term relationship building completely change the insurance business. Key topics include: Why self-funding changes how employers think about healthcare spendingThe moment business owners finally “see where the money goes”Why level funding continues accelerating in small group marketsHow brokers provide value even when they don’t win the caseThe importance of underwriting transparency and employer educationWhy the best brokers think in decades instead of commissionsThe difference between a “job mentality” and a “career mentality”Why retention is built through service, not pricing spreadsheetsHow elite brokers use communication without overwhelming clientsWhy AI won’t replace relationship-driven insurance advisors One of the most powerful moments in the episode: Brian explains that he never truly loses a case: “Either I win, or I learn.” That mindset becomes the foundation for long-term success in employee benefits. The conversation also explores: Why service-heavy brokers create lifetime clientsThe residual nature of insurance and building recurring incomeThe crossover between military discipline and long-term brokerage successWhy small-group health insurance creates unusually stable recurring revenueThe importance of becoming a trusted resource rather than a quote machineHow referrals are built through honest advisory work Memorable takeaway: “The groups that leave usually don’t leave because of service. Life changes around them. If you serve deeply enough, they often come back.” Brian also shares his perspective on: The future of AI in insuranceWhy brokers must commit to insurance as a careerWhat characteristics signal future top producersWhy “people people” often win long-termHow self-funded plans create visibility that fully insured plans never provide If you’re a broker trying to build a real long-term career in employee benefits, level funding, and self-funded health plans — this episode is packed with practical wisdom from someone who has already lived it. Guest: Brian of BD Insurance Topics Covered: Level fundingSelf-fundingSmall group health plansBroker retentionClient serviceUnderwritingInsurance careersResidual incomeHealthcare transparencyBroker mindsetReferral systemsEmployee benefits Episode 9 | Season 1 #LevelFunding #SelfFunding #InsuranceBroker #EmployeeBenefits #BrokerStrategy #HealthcareCosts #ResidualIncome #SmallBusiness #Underwriting #NobleAgentsGuide

    29 min

  3. May 18

    The Truth About Level Funding: What Most Brokers Still Don’t Understand | Jason Powers

    In this episode of The Noble Agent’s Guide, we sit down with Jason Powers of Legacy Brokers to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in employee benefits: level funding. Jason has spent decades in the self-funded and level-funded space helping brokers and employers navigate the real mechanics behind these plans — beyond the marketing language. This conversation goes deep into: Why “level funded” is mostly a marketing termThe dangerous differences between carrier-model and true self-funded plansWhy many brokers are selling self-funded plans without even realizing itThe importance of guardrails, accommodation, advance funding, and surplus ownershipHow incentives change when carriers control surplus dollarsWhy underwriting still matters in a post-ACA worldThe difference between transactional brokers and consultative advisorsHow great brokers think about risk, curiosity, and long-term client relationshipsWhy self-funding isn’t the answer — but the conduit to finding the answer One of the biggest takeaways: Self-funding doesn’t lower costs by itself. It creates visibility. And visibility is what allows employers to finally manage healthcare spend intelligently. Jason also shares: How the industry has changed from “self-funding is dangerous” to mainstream adoptionWhy the best brokers ask better questionsHow AI and instant quoting can create shallow advisory workThe “company credit card” analogy for self-funded health plansWhy curious brokers consistently outperform transactional ones If you’re a broker trying to understand the future of level funding, stop-loss, and self-funded strategy — this is a foundational conversation. Guest: Jason Powers Legacy Brokers Topics Covered: Level funded vs self-fundedStop loss and accommodationSurplus ownershipFixed costs vs claims liabilityBroker incentivesUnderwritingCost containmentConsultative sellingSmall group self-fundingCarrier-model plans Episode 7 | Season 1 #LevelFunding #SelfFunding #HealthInsurance #EmployeeBenefits #StopLoss #BrokerStrategy #HealthcareCosts #InsuranceBroker #NobleAgentsGuide

    43 min

  4. Mar 19

    How Great Brokers Set the Table: Byron Gilroy on Level Funding, Underwriting, and Trust

    In this episode of The Noble Agent, Tom sits down with Byron Gilroy, a veteran of the small group health market with nearly three decades of experience serving independent brokers in Texas. This is a practical conversation for brokers who want to get better at serving Main Street employers, especially those crossing over from Medicare, ACA, or fully insured group health into the level-funded space. Byron breaks down the real-world habits that separate strong brokers from average ones: setting the table correctly in the first meeting, getting the census right the first time, explaining the process clearly, and building trust through honest conversations instead of hype. If you are a broker trying to understand how to position level funding the right way, avoid messy quoting situations, and create longer-term retention with clients, this episode is full of hard-earned wisdom. In this episode, we cover:The biggest mindset shift brokers face when moving from Medicare or ACA into group healthWhy the first business-owner meeting matters so muchHow to identify the employer’s real pain point before you quote anythingWhy census accuracy can make or break the quoting processHow participation and employer contribution work together in small groupWhy many young brokers lose the sale during the process instead of at the closeHow to properly explain timelines, underwriting, renewals, and expectationsWhy level funding is about more than just monthly premiumHow claims funds, deductibles, and stop-loss structure affect long-term renewal strategyWhy honest brokers win more trust, more retention, and more business over timeThe difference between speed, technology, AI, and real human judgment in underwritingByron’s simple definition of what insurance actually is Why this episode mattersToo many brokers try to rush to a quote before they have done the discovery work. Byron explains why that mistake creates confusion, weakens trust, and causes deals to fall apart later in the process. He also shares how disciplined brokers can slow down, ask better questions, and build better cases from the start. This episode is especially valuable for: independent brokersemployee benefits advisorsgeneral agentsbrokers new to level-funded health plansproducers moving from Medicare into the small group market If you want to become the kind of broker who serves deeply, explains clearly, and builds long-term relationships in the level-funded space, this conversation will help. Connect the dotsLevel funding is not just about getting a lower premium. Done correctly, it is about transparency, claims discipline, better renewal strategy, and building a plan that gives business owners a real chance to win over time. Enjoying the show?If this episode helped you, share it with another broker who is trying to better serve Main Street employers through transparent health plans. Like, subscribe, and follow The Noble Agent for more conversations on level funding, broker development, underwriting, and how independent brokers can build lasting value in the small group market.

    51 min

  5. 12/19/2025

    Thinking in the 5th Dimension: Why Level Funding Wins

    Welcome to Houston. In this episode of The Noble Agents, Tom sits down with Ralph Weber— best-selling author, and a 29-year benefits veteran with one of the most unique origin stories in the industry: former air traffic controller and commercial pilot. Ralph explains why benefits is a lot like air traffic control—you’re not just managing what’s in front of you. You’re managing time, incentives, and the “wind” that pushes behavior inside the plan. That “5th dimension” lens leads to a powerful breakdown of why most brokers stop too early (“just raise the deductible”) and how that approach can create a death spiral in fully insured markets. From there, the conversation gets practical and blunt: Why ACA small-group rules changed the game—and accelerated level fundingHow level funding is really about funding the maximum exposure (not gambling on claims)Why Ralph calls it a “Refund Health Plan” (and why that framing matters)How actuaries price expected claims vs. “umbrella” protection—and where refunds come fromWhy “points lower today” can cost you incumbency and stickiness tomorrowThe hidden incentives behind medical loss ratio and why fully insured premiums tend to keep climbingWhy true insurance is for unknown risk—and how health insurance got distortedMilton Friedman’s simple framework: mine vs. yours—and why it explains the difference between renting a plan and owning one If you’ve ever struggled to explain level funding clearly—or you’ve felt the market shifting under your feet—this episode will give you language, metaphors, and a mindset that makes the whole thing click. To connect with Ralph: FixMyBenefitsNow.com

    32 min

  6. 12/19/2025

    Welcome to Boise: Servant Leadership, Sales Cycles, and Serving Main Street in the Mountain West

    Welcome to Boise. In this episode of The Noble Agents, Tom sits down with a four-person roundtable from the Mountain West to talk about what’s really happening in the Northwest benefits market—and how great brokers are still winning the old-fashioned way: relationships, service, and staying close to the client. Together, they break down the real difference between selling large groups and Main Street, and why the sales cycle isn’t just about rates—it’s about trust, timing, and being present when the moment comes. This conversation covers: Why a 500+ life prospect can be a two-year relationship buildWhy small groups move fast when benefits become loss mitigation (“my employees are leaving”)How Boise’s growth is creating opportunity—and raising standardsThe broker’s job as a translator between employer reality and insurance complexityWhy account managers are the hidden intelligence system (hearing what employees won’t tell the owner)How to surface unmet needs (ancillary, voluntary benefits, and real employee pain points)Why the referral ask is also a performance barometer: “If they won’t refer you, something’s off.”What the market is doing with hybrid enrollment (in-person + Teams + recordings) and why it’s not either/or anymoreWhat they look for in new producers: drive + relationship-building + service mentality And it closes with a fun cocktail-party question: “What actually is insurance?” You’ll hear three different answers—each pointing to the same truth: insurance is a safety net, peace of mind, and a tool that lets families and businesses keep moving without risking ruin. If you’re a producer, an account manager, or a Main Street operator trying to build something that lasts—this one will hit home. Get out there. Fight for your clients. Build something beautiful. Main Street is coming back.

    37 min

  7. 12/19/2025

    Insurance as a Bridge: Risk, Trust, and the Long Memory of Main Street

    In this episode of The Noble Agents Podcast, Tom sits down with Tim, a second-generation insurance professional who has been in the business since 1991, to explore what the industry has forgotten—and what it desperately needs to remember. The conversation begins with a look back at “deductible funding,” a precursor to modern level-funded plans, and why keeping risk—and upside—closer to the employer has always been the quiet engine of innovation in benefits. From there, the discussion widens into something deeper: the philosophy of insurance as a proxy for trust, and why America’s willingness to take risk has always been tied to its ability to insure it. Tim shares stories from his Irish family history, the parallels between insurance and maritime trade, and why insurance—though never flashy—has quietly enabled nearly everything that moves in a modern economy. The episode also dives into today’s real challenges: consolidation, technology overwhelm, generational gaps in brokerage, and why small Main Street brokers are being squeezed not by incompetence—but by complexity. You’ll hear why: Insurance is not about spreadsheets—it’s about listeningLevel funding works when truth is spoken in advanceRelationships still outperform automationHandwritten notes beat email blastsYoung brokers burn out when they skip discoveryEmployers don’t just buy benefits—they fund livelihoodsInsurance is the bridge that lets people act without risking ruin Tim also shares timeless wisdom from the brokers who came before us, the influence of Zig Ziglar, and why perseverance, curiosity, and service still win—year after year. This is a wide-ranging, honest conversation about risk, responsibility, and the quiet nobility of doing the hard work well. If you believe insurance is more than a product—if you see it as a calling—this episode is for you.

    35 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

Noble Agents is the podcast for health insurance brokers and general agents who care about more than short-term sales. If you're committed to serving Main Street businesses, building long-term client trust, and mastering the level-funded health insurance model, you’ve found your people. Hosted by Tom Stein, CEO of American Trust Administrators (ATA), Noble Agents brings you real conversations with top brokers and general agents who are creating sustainable growth — not through gimmicks, but by aligning with values, delivering results, and fighting back against a system that often forgets the small employer. Each episode runs about 25 minutes and gives you: Actionable insights on selling, structuring, and servicing level-funded health plans Proven strategies from experienced GAs and advisors in the trenches Trust-building tools to grow your book without selling your soul Real-world stories from brokers who are changing lives — not just collecting commissions Whether you're an independent broker looking for a playbook, a general agent seeking inspiration for your downline, or just tired of being fed recycled carrier talking points, this podcast is your new weekly essential. 🎯 Topics include: Level-funded vs. fully insured strategies Small group health insurance best practices Stop-loss corridors and surplus structures Compliance and transparency trends Marketing for brokers, general agents, and TPAs Training your producers with Level Funded University ➡️ Bonus: Every listener gets access to The Noble Agent’s Guide to Level Funding when they signup to for the weekly incites. Let’s rebuild this industry from the inside out — one level-funded plan at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Thomas Stein
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Thomas Stein
  • Show Website
    The Noble Agent