Level Up Claims

Hosted by Galen Hair

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Episodes

200

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

The Level Up Claims Podcast brings you real conversations with the leaders, builders, and disruptors shaping the property damage, restoration, and insurance-claims world. Each week, we dig into the strategies, systems, and mindset needed to grow, whether you're a contractor, public adjuster, attorney, or anyone working in the claims ecosystem. From business growth and leadership to industry trends, complex losses, tech, and entrepreneurship, we spotlight the people who refuse to settle and are pushing the industry forward. No fluff. No sales pitches. Just actionable insight from those who've lived it. If you're ready to think bigger, operate smarter, and level up your impact, you're in the right place.

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60 recent

October 21, 2026Episode 20133 min

Accountability Without Clarity Is Just Irritation ft. Chrissy Myers - Episode 201

What happens when your business grows, pressure builds, and the problems you've been ignoring become impossible to avoid? On this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, Galen Hair sits down with Chrissy Myers, third-generation business owner, CEO of AUI and ClarityHR, and author of Reluctantly Resilient , to discuss the leadership challenges that can make or break a business. In this episode: Why accountability starts with clear expectations How pressure and growth expose weaknesses in your business When caring about an employee becomes an obstacle to good leadership How to have difficult conversations before problems escalate Chrissy's "Pause, Perceive, Proceed" framework Why resilience is more than just pushing through What it really means to level up as a leader Reach out to us! Connect with Chrissy Myers https://chrissymyers.com/ Connect with Galen M. Hair https://insuranceclaimhq.com hair@hairshunnarah.com https://levelupclaim.com/

October 14, 2026Episode 20032 min

The Midwest Is Becoming the New Tornado Alley: What It Means for Property Claims with Tina Nabhan - Episode 200

A former firefighter, paramedic, and assistant fire chief, Tina brings an emergency-response mindset to property claims. She explains how systems, documentation, continued education, and honest communication help her team navigate complicated claims while setting realistic expectations for homeowners who may be facing the most difficult experience of their lives. In this episode, they discuss: Why Tina sees the Midwest becoming a new tornado hot spot How catastrophe losses affect communities unfamiliar with widespread destruction What happens when carriers issue small payments, deny claims, or refuse another inspection Why public adjusters need strong documentation and legal support How emergency-response protocols translate to managing property claims Why realistic expectations matter when recovery can take years How claims professionals can support clients without sacrificing their own well-being Why continued education and better systems make a difference What it means to be a steady leader when everything around you is chaotic Reach out to us! Connect with Tina Nabhan linkedin.com/in/tina-nabhan-05a476231 Connect with Galen M. Hair https://insuranceclaimhq.com hair@hairshunnarah.com https://levelupclaim.com/

October 7, 2026Episode 19928 min

Build Relationships Before You Need Them with Ronnie Cantin - Episode 199

Ronnie Cantin joins Galen Hair for a conversation about relationship-building, trust, business development, and why genuine connections matter so much in the property claims industry. In this episode: Why relationships should be built before you need them How Ronnie approaches networking without making it transactional Why trust takes time How to build relationships during a slow hurricane season Expanding your network beyond your local market Why sharing your hobbies and personality can make you more memorable The difference between genuine relationships and "fake love" Why being a straight shooter can build more trust Where AI fits into relationship-based business development Why the human side of business still matters Reach out to us! Connect with Ronnie Cantin https://insuranceclaimhq.com/attorneys/ronnie-cantin-iii/ Connect with Galen M. Hair https://insuranceclaimhq.com hair@hairshunnarah.com https://levelupclaim.com/

September 30, 2026Episode 19830 min

AI Is Done Being Your Assistant, It's Becoming the Employee with David Pourquery - Episode 198

AI has spent the last few years helping people do their jobs faster. The next phase is different. What happens when AI doesn't just recommend what to do, but actually does the work? David Pourquery joins Galen Hair to talk about the shift from AI assistant to autonomous AI operator. David built GROAS after teaching himself Google Ads while running e-commerce businesses, eventually turning a basic Google Ads tool into an autonomous platform designed to manage campaigns without constant human intervention. In this episode: How David went from private equity to building an AI company Why he started with e-commerce and Google Ads How GROAS evolved from a simple SaaS tool into autonomous AI The difference between AI recommendations and AI actually doing the work Why David believes businesses are moving toward buying outcomes , not software Where the human element still matters Why customer success managers remain important even in an autonomous AI business What happens when AI starts replacing traditional agency work Why software engineering may be one of the first major areas disrupted Why anything done on a computer may be increasingly exposed to automation What business owners can do today to prepare for AI agents How AI could change CRM and sales management Why David chose to bootstrap instead of raise venture capital The lessons he brought from venture capital and private equity What it means to keep leveling up in an AI-driven world Reach out to us! Connect with David Pourquery https://groas.com/ Connect with Galen M. Hair https://insuranceclaimhq.com hair@hairshunnarah.com https://levelupclaim.com/

September 23, 2026Episode 19729 min

You Grew the Business. So Why Do You Have Less Freedom? with Kenneth Kollasch - Episode 197

Growing a business is supposed to create more freedom. So why do so many owners end up working more, making more decisions, managing more problems, and carrying more of the business on their shoulders? Kenneth Kollasch joins Galen Hair to break down the difference between growing a business and actually building one that lasts. Kenneth is a third-generation entrepreneur, certified business coach, former franchise operator, author, and creator of the Small Business Flight Plan. His approach focuses on giving growing businesses the systems, structure, and leadership needed to scale without everything continuing to run through the owner. More revenue doesn't necessarily mean more freedom. Highlights: Why growing revenue and building a lasting business aren't the same thing How systems transformed Kenneth's family's business Why experienced employees should help build the systems How to turn employee knowledge into repeatable processes Why businesses need to think about the future when hiring How owners can begin "duplicating themselves" inside the company Creating intentional budgets for experimentation and reinvestment Why business growth can create more chaos instead of more freedom Kenneth's annual decision-making calendar How to get the important decisions out of your head Why too many systems can create bureaucracy How quickly employees can realistically adopt new processes Why business owners need to account for the learning curve What it means to build a business that lasts Reach out to us! Connect with Kenneth Kollasch https://kennethcoaches.com/ Connect with Galen M. Hair https://insuranceclaimhq.com hair@hairshunnarah.com https://levelupclaim.com/

September 16, 2026Episode 19632 min

Stop Being the Hero: How to Lead People Right with Josh Troche - Episode 196

What happens when the person who knows how everything works suddenly walks out the door? A growing business can look successful on the outside while quietly depending on undocumented processes, individual employees, and systems that were never built to scale. Josh Troche joins Galen Hair to talk about what happens when growth exposes those weaknesses, and what leaders can do about it. From documenting critical processes to building trust with employees, Josh explains why great leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about creating an organization where people know what to do, know when to ask for help, and have a leader willing to remove the obstacles in their way. In this episode: Why growth can expose broken business systems The danger of having one person who knows how everything works Why processes need to evolve as companies grow How documenting processes protects a business when employees leave Why leaders should focus on removing obstacles, not doing everyone's job The simple leadership question: "How can I help?" How to create an environment where employees actually ask for help Why trust takes years to build and seconds to destroy Why difficult conversations need to happen early and often The 1% improvement mindset that keeps businesses moving forward Reach out to us! Connect with Josh Troche https://www.pedalstomperproductions.com/ Connect with Galen M. Hair https://insuranceclaimhq.com hair@hairshunnarah.com https://levelupclaim.com/

September 9, 2026Episode 19537 min

When a Public Adjuster Blew the Whistle on Hurricane Ian with Shaun Markwardt - Episode 195

What happens when an insurance adjuster realizes the estimates he's working on are being changed without his knowledge? For Shaun Markwardt, better known as the Claims Cowboy , that moment changed everything. After more than 20 years on the insurance side, including time as both a staff and independent adjuster, Shaun says Hurricane Ian exposed practices he could no longer ignore. He ultimately left the insurance industry, became a public adjuster, and began using his experience to educate policyholders and mentor others in the claims profession. Highlights: The Hurricane Ian experience that changed Shaun's career What happens when an estimate is changed under an adjuster's name Why Shaun believes documentation and audit trails matter The story behind the "Claims Cowboy" His three core values: integrity, hard work, and grit Why new public adjusters need a financial bankroll How to avoid burnout in the claims industry Shaun's advice: Don't take anything in this business personally Why Shaun still has hope for the future of the profession Reach out to us! Connect with Shaun Markwardt https://claimscowboy.com/ Connect with Galen M. Hair https://insuranceclaimhq.com hair@hairshunnarah.com https://levelupclaim.com/

September 2, 2026Episode 19429 min

The Subconscious Habits in the Way of Business Growth with Dr. Joseph Drolshagen - Episode 194

What if the biggest obstacle to growing your business isn't your competition, your strategy, or the market, but the beliefs and subconscious patterns influencing your decisions every day? On this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast , Galen Hair sits down with business growth coach and author Joseph Drolshagen to explore the hidden patterns that cause entrepreneurs and leaders to self-sabotage, stay stuck, and settle for less than what they actually want. Highlights: Why successful people can still unconsciously self-sabotage The subconscious programming influencing up to 85% of our results, according to Joseph How Joseph turned down the opportunity to take over a million-dollar construction company Why alignment should come before strategy How other people's experiences can become limiting beliefs of our own Why entrepreneurs often need to throttle back instead of work harder How small, individualized habits can create lasting change The "blue moments" and unexpected opportunities that can emerge from alignment Why the ultimate goal isn't just more revenue, but making business fun and exciting again Reach out to us! Connect with Joseph Drolshagen https://www.josephadrolshagen.com/ Connect with Galen M. Hair https://insuranceclaimhq.com hair@hairshunnarah.com https://levelupclaim.com/

August 26, 2026Episode 19339 min

The Hidden Cost of Hustle: How Leaders Avoid Burnout Without Losing Their Edge with Ian Michael Cedar - Episode 193

Success is supposed to create freedom. So why do so many successful leaders feel more trapped than ever? On this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast , Galen Hair sits down with executive coach and former Broadway tour producer Michael Ian Cedar to talk about the hidden cost of ambition, burnout, leadership, and what it takes to build a successful career without losing yourself along the way. Highlights: Why "I'll be happy when..." can become a dangerous way to live The surprising connection between Broadway performers and high-performing executives Why presence is foundational to better leadership How sensitivity and empathy can make you a stronger leader—not a weaker one Why your people shouldn't feel like interruptions to your day The difference between maximum energy and optimum energy Michael's airplane analogy for avoiding burnout What it really means to level up

August 19, 2026Episode 19223 min

Are YOU The Bottleneck in Your Business? with Alane Boyd - Episode 192

What happens when the founder becomes the person holding everything together? In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, Galen Hair sits down with serial entrepreneur and workflow automation expert Alane Boyd , who built a social media agency to 600 clients and 125 employees before selling the company in 2018. Alane shares the systems and mindset shifts that helped her build a business that could scale without relying on one person to keep everything moving. In this episode: Why founders struggle to let go How to start documenting your business processes Why project management should encompass your entire company Using AI and automation to eliminate repetitive work How better systems can improve employee satisfaction and retention Identifying hidden revenue leaks Why adding more people isn't always the answer The difference between growing and scaling Getting out of your own way as a leader Episode Resources: · Connect with Alane Boyd · https://www.alaneboyd.com/ · Connect with Galen M. Hair · https://insuranceclaimhq.com · hair@hairshunnarah.com · https://levelupclaim.com/