The Insurance Dudes©

Hosted by The Insurance Dudes: Craig Pretzinger and Jason Feltman

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Episodes

808

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

The Insurance Dudes is a weekly podcast for independent and captive P&C insurance agency owners, hosted by Craig Pretzinger and Jason Feltman, covering lead generation, sales scripts, DISC-based hiring, producer training, recruiting, automation, and the KPI tracking that scales an agency past $10 million in premium. Craig and Jason ran their own agencies blind for years. No read on contact rates, quote rates, or close rates. Just grinding, and blaming the leads when production stalled. Then they started tracking the numbers that actually move revenue, and production jumped without adding a single hour to the week. That shift became this show: 800+ episodes on what actually runs an agency. Real-time vs aged lead economics, how many dials a day a producer should be making, scripts for the rate-increase objection, how to leave a captive carrier and go independent, how to run an agency on a 4-day week, and how to value and sell an agency when you're ready to exit. No theory, no motivational filler. Just the math and the systems that took two agencies to over $10 million in new annualized auto premium. If you're wearing every hat in your agency and ready to stop, this show is built for you. Website: theidudes.com Built from the show: TeleDudes for outsourced overseas dialers, TeamIQ for DISC-based hiring, LineShield for phone reputation, and Insurance Agency Trader for buying or selling an agency. New episodes every week. Subscribe, and let's sell some policies.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 19, 202655 min

The Hiring Mistake That Costs Visionary CEOs Their Best People with Mandy Keene

Shoot Us A Message! Hiring for insurance agencies requires a specific strategy to avoid turnover and protect your company culture. This episode covers the common hiring mistakes that lead visionary CEOs to lose their best talent and how to implement better agency systems for long term retention. Mandy Keene, a specialist in helping business owners align their team with their vision, joins us to discuss role fit and leadership. Learn how to identify the right candidates for your P&C agency and keep them engaged. If you are struggling with hiring or culture, check out TeamIQ to find the right role fit for your next producer. Connect with Mandy Keene : mandykeene.com/transformative-coaching Key Takeaways and Timestamps 00:00 - Why self-awareness is now a business necessity 01:59 - Mandy Keene’s path from bullied student to coach 04:14 - 25 years of coaching and using assessments 05:16 - What separates grounded high achievers from destructive ones 09:45 - Why misalignment creates struggle and suffering 11:29 - The penguin in the desert metaphor 14:14 - Jason’s turning point from proving to performing 18:14 - How calm and relaxed became the new standard 21:53 - What understand.me is and why Russell Brunson created it 25:20 - Why assessments reduce hiring risk 27:26 - Hiring by personality fit instead of hiring “more of you” 30:27 - Why sales hiring often goes wrong 32:08 - How assessments reduce interview and hiring BS 35:22 - Enneagram, DISC, and different entrepreneurial styles 40:30 - Why the “integrator” is often really two or three roles 44:43 - Visionaries need a manager so they can stay in the cave and create 47:57 - Why EOS is useful but oversimplified for many founders 50:04 - The rock star analogy for leadership and energy management 53:21 - The Beatles example: staying in the creative lane 56:34 - What to look for in sales and service roles 60:13 - How to keep top performers by meeting their top values 62:55 - Where to find understand.me The Insurance Dudes Resources Join the Agent Elite: https://www.skool.com/agentelite Best Seller: https://MillionDollarAgencyBook.com Insurance Dudes Files: https://blog.theidudes.com TeamIQ: https://teamiq.theidudes.com Telefunnel Lead Callers: https://theidudes.com ILB: https://insuranceleadbrokers.com Insurance Agency Trader: https://trader.theidudes.com If this helps, subscribe and hit the bell so you can catch every episode. Follow Us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinsurancedudes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-insurance-dudes-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insurancedudespodcast Support the show Hey there! Thank you for listening! We'd be SUPER GRATEFUL for a subscribe! And a review over on the Apple Podcasts would be incredible! Check out our newsletter, webinar, and some great Internet Lead tactics at The Insurance Dudes Homepage. We appreciate you! Craig Pretzinger & Jason Feltman The Insurance Dudes

August 12, 202657 min

How $500 Became a 50-Employee Insurance Empire

Shoot Us A Message! Struggling to grow when your best move feels too risky to make? We discuss how to scale a P&C agency from scratch. The episode focuses on the transition from a small startup to a 50 employee operation by implementing specific outbound dialing processes and hiring the right producers. Guest Dan Garzella, owner of The Garzella Group, explains his journey of building an agency empire starting with only 500 dollars. If you are looking to scale your outbound efforts and improve lead generation, check out TeleDudes / Telefunnel. Connect with Dan Garzella: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-garzella-87944510 Key Takeaways and Timestamps 0:00 Introduction to scaling a P&C agency 2:45 Starting an agency with 500 dollars 7:12 The reality of outbound dialing for growth 12:35 Hiring producers and building a 50 employee team 18:50 Systems for consistent lead generation 25:10 Managing agency valuation and long term scaling The Insurance Dudes Resources Join the Agent Elite: https://www.skool.com/agentelite Best Seller: https://MillionDollarAgencyBook.com Insurance Dudes Files: https://blog.theidudes.com TeamIQ: https://teamiq.theidudes.com Telefunnel Lead Callers: https://theidudes.com ILB: https://insuranceleadbrokers.com Insurance Agency Trader: https://trader.theidudes.com If this helps, subscribe and hit the bell so you can catch every episode. Follow Us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinsurancedudes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-insurance-dudes-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insurancedudespodcast Support the show Hey there! Thank you for listening! We'd be SUPER GRATEFUL for a subscribe! And a review over on the Apple Podcasts would be incredible! Check out our newsletter, webinar, and some great Internet Lead tactics at The Insurance Dudes Homepage. We appreciate you! Craig Pretzinger & Jason Feltman The Insurance Dudes

August 5, 202625 min

Why Your Agency Hiring Process Is Failing

Shoot Us A Message! Hiring Producers for P&C Agencies. In this episode, we discuss effective recruitment techniques for finding high performing talent in a competitive market. We break down the mechanics of role fit and how to screen for candidates who actually want to work. If you are looking to improve your hiring process, hiring producers, and team culture, check out TeamIQ. Key Takeaways and Timestamps 0:00 Introduction to hiring challenges 4:15 Why role fit is more important than experience 8:30 Screening for work ethic in the first interview 12:45 Creating a culture that attracts producers 18:20 Using assessments to find the right team members 24:10 Closing thoughts on recruitment strategy The Insurance Dudes Resources Join the Agent Elite: https://www.skool.com/agentelite Best Seller: https://MillionDollarAgencyBook.com Insurance Dudes Files: https://blog.theidudes.com TeamIQ: https://teamiq.theidudes.com Telefunnel Lead Callers: https://theidudes.com ILB: https://insuranceleadbrokers.com Insurance Agency Trader: https://trader.theidudes.com If this helps, subscribe and hit the bell so you can catch every episode. Follow Us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinsurancedudes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-insurance-dudes-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insurancedudespodcast Support the show Hey there! Thank you for listening! We'd be SUPER GRATEFUL for a subscribe! And a review over on the Apple Podcasts would be incredible! Check out our newsletter, webinar, and some great Internet Lead tactics at The Insurance Dudes Homepage. We appreciate you! Craig Pretzinger & Jason Feltman The Insurance Dudes

July 29, 202631 min

Mastering the Insurance Sale: Six Stages to Success

Shoot Us A Message! How to close more P&C deals in 6 steps. In this episode, we break down the six stages of every successful insurance sale. We explain how to move prospects through the funnel using consistent outbound dialing and proven lead generation strategies. Mastering these stages is essential for agency growth and maximizing your overall agency valuation. Improve your results with our outbound lead gen and dialing tools at Teledudes. Key Takeaways and Timestamps 0:00 The first stage of the insurance sales cycle 4:15 Why lead generation is the foundation of growth 8:30 Mastering the outbound dialing process 12:45 Strategies for moving prospects to the next stage 17:00 How to handle common sales objections 22:15 Final steps to closing the deal and improving retention The Insurance Dudes Resources Join the Agent Elite: https://www.skool.com/agentelite Best Seller: https://MillionDollarAgencyBook.com Insurance Dudes Files: https://blog.theidudes.com TeamIQ: https://teamiq.theidudes.com Telefunnel Lead Callers: https://theidudes.com ILB: https://insuranceleadbrokers.com Insurance Agency Trader: https://trader.theidudes.com If this helps, subscribe and hit the bell so you can catch every episode. Follow Us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinsurancedudes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-insurance-dudes-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insurancedudespodcast Listen to the Audio Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-insurance-dudes/id1451888095 Support the show Hey there! Thank you for listening! We'd be SUPER GRATEFUL for a subscribe! And a review over on the Apple Podcasts would be incredible! Check out our newsletter, webinar, and some great Internet Lead tactics at The Insurance Dudes Homepage. We appreciate you! Craig Pretzinger & Jason Feltman The Insurance Dudes

July 22, 2026Episode 80524 min

Mastering Lead Generation: Six Steps to Insurance Agency Success with iDudes Mailbag

Shoot Us A Message! Are your marketing efforts leaking money without delivering the growth you need? This episode dives into the real, behind-the-scenes challenges of running successful lead campaigns and how to fix the leaky buckets draining your budget. You’ll learn the six crucial stages to optimize, from sourcing reliable leads and managing cold calls to navigating carrier flags and discover how to fix broken systems that keep your agency stuck. We share their proven strategies to cut through the noise, avoid common pitfalls like inconsistent lead flow, and control your marketing like a well-oiled machine. Whether you're struggling with contact rates, dialing issues, or just want more for less, this episode reveals how to turn your marketing investment into predictable, scalable growth. Perfect for agents looking to upgrade their game and finally see measurable results from their efforts because with the right setup, you can make your marketing work for you, not against you. The Insurance Dudes Resources Join the Agent Elite: https://www.skool.com/agentelite Best Seller: https://MillionDollarAgencyBook.com Insurance Dudes Files: https://blog.theidudes.com TeamIQ: https://teamiq.theidudes.com Telefunnel Lead Callers: https://theidudes.com ILB: https://insuranceleadbrokers.com Insurance Agency Trader: https://trader.theidudes.com If this helps, subscribe and hit the bell so you can catch every episode. Follow Us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinsurancedudes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-insurance-dudes-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insurancedudespodcast Support the show Hey there! Thank you for listening! We'd be SUPER GRATEFUL for a subscribe! And a review over on the Apple Podcasts would be incredible! Check out our newsletter, webinar, and some great Internet Lead tactics at The Insurance Dudes Homepage. We appreciate you! Craig Pretzinger & Jason Feltman The Insurance Dudes

July 15, 2026Episode 80421 min

The Secret Sauce to Insurance Business Success with iDudes Mailbag

Shoot Us A Message! Think your agency has a lead problem? Most agencies aren’t losing sales because they bought the wrong leads, they’re losing because they’re not tracking the right numbers. In this episode, we break down the 3 metrics every P&C agency needs to scale with confidence: cost per sale, lifetime value, and payback period . When you know your numbers, you stop guessing, stop bleeding cash, and start building a real money machine. Better decisions. Better margins. Better growth. Ready to build a stronger, more profitable agency? 👇 Join the elite ranks of P&C agents. Sign up for Agent Elite today and get exclusive resources to grow your agency! The Insurance Dudes Resources Join the Agent Elite: https://www.skool.com/agentelite Best Seller: https://MillionDollarAgencyBook.com Insurance Dudes Files: https://blog.theidudes.com TeamIQ: https://teamiq.theidudes.com Telefunnel Lead Callers: https://theidudes.com ILB: https://insuranceleadbrokers.com Insurance Agency Trader: https://trader.theidudes.com If this helps, subscribe and hit the bell so you can catch every episode. Follow Us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinsurancedudes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-insurance-dudes-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insurancedudespodcast Support the show Hey there! Thank you for listening! We'd be SUPER GRATEFUL for a subscribe! And a review over on the Apple Podcasts would be incredible! Check out our newsletter, webinar, and some great Internet Lead tactics at The Insurance Dudes Homepage. We appreciate you! Craig Pretzinger & Jason Feltman The Insurance Dudes

July 8, 2026Episode 8031 hr 0 min

From Chaos to Order: The Insurance Journey of Andrew Engler

Shoot Us A Message! Most agencies aren’t losing growth because of price, they’re losing because of process. 👀 In this episode, we break down why the best P&C agencies win by building better systems, not just pushing harder. From producer accountability to closing more business, the real edge comes from creating a repeatable process that helps your team sell with confidence. We also dig into why chaos kills scale and how top agencies turn messy workflows into momentum. Ready to build a stronger, more profitable agency? 👇 Join the elite ranks of P&C agents. Sign up for Agent Elite today and get exclusive resources to grow your agency! The Insurance Dudes Resources Join the Agent Elite : https://www.skool.com/agentelite Best Seller : https://MillionDollarAgencyBook.com Insurance Dudes Files : https://blog.theidudes.com TeamIQ : https://teamiq.theidudes.com Telefunnel Lead Callers : https://theidudes.com ILB : https://insuranceleadbrokers.com Insurance Agency Trader : https://trader.theidudes.com If this helps, subscribe and hit the bell so you can catch every episode. Follow Us Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/theinsurancedudes LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-insurance-dudes-podcast Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/insurancedudespodcast Support the show Hey there! Thank you for listening! We'd be SUPER GRATEFUL for a subscribe! And a review over on the Apple Podcasts would be incredible! Check out our newsletter, webinar, and some great Internet Lead tactics at The Insurance Dudes Homepage. We appreciate you! Craig Pretzinger & Jason Feltman The Insurance Dudes

July 1, 202624 min

How Hiring Mistakes Drain Your Agency's Profits with iDudes Mailbag

Shoot Us A Message! Are bad hires quietly draining your profits? We discovered how the true cost of a failed team member can skyrocket to $74,000 in just six months and why neglecting this is crushing your growth. You'll learn the concrete numbers behind hiring mistakes, the cascading effects of turnover, and practical steps to build a pipeline of champions who keep delivering for your agency long-term. We break down the hidden expenses you’re paying: the opportunity costs, the lost revenue from underperformers, and the real value of a solid hiring process. We reveal a repeatable system for recruiting top-tier talent, assessing candidates objectively, and avoiding costly mistakes that bleed your bottom line. Plus, they share how the right team setup turns into a revenue machine, helping you hit bonuses and scale faster than ever. If you're tired of the revolving door and want to create a team that sticks, produces, and propels your agency forward, this episode is your blueprint. Learn to turn hiring from a headache into a strategic advantage because the right people make all the difference in your journey to scale. The Insurance Dudes Resources Join the Agent Elite: https://www.skool.com/agentelite Best Seller: https://MillionDollarAgencyBook.com Insurance Dudes Files: https://blog.theidudes.com TeamIQ: https://teamiq.theidudes.com Telefunnel Lead Callers: https://theidudes.com ILB: https://insuranceleadbrokers.com Insurance Agency Trader: https://trader.theidudes.com If this helps, subscribe and hit the bell so you can catch every episode. Follow Us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinsurancedudes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-insurance-dudes-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insurancedudespodcast Support the show Hey there! Thank you for listening! We'd be SUPER GRATEFUL for a subscribe! And a review over on the Apple Podcasts would be incredible! Check out our newsletter, webinar, and some great Internet Lead tactics at The Insurance Dudes Homepage. We appreciate you! Craig Pretzinger & Jason Feltman The Insurance Dudes

June 24, 202619 min

How 1% Improvements Lead to 40X Growth with iDudes Mailbag

Shoot Us A Message! How to teach and train a sales team effectively depends on consistency and repetition rather than one-off training events. We answer a mailbag question about the best way to develop producers and ensure agency growth. The episode breaks down why daily meetings are the core of a successful sales system and how they prevent the natural entropy of an agency. It covers the compounding effect of one percent daily improvements, the skeleton of a high-converting sales script, and how to meet prospects where they are to close more auto insurance leads. Join the Agent Elite community to access scripts and systems designed for scaling your agency. Key Takeaways and Timestamps 00:16 How to teach and train a sales team 01:00 Why daily meetings change the business 02:02 The gym analogy for agency consistency 05:27 Using the plane flight analogy for course correction 07:11 The law of entropy in a sales system 09:07 How one percent daily improvements lead to 40x growth 10:54 Breaking down the sales script and the opener 12:20 Understanding what the prospect actually wants 14:56 Why big carriers spend billions on specific marketing messages 15:42 Connection and rapport building techniques 17:00 Stacking coverages and benefits 17:43 Handling and isolating objections The Insurance Dudes Resources Join the Agent Elite: https://www.skool.com/agentelite Best Seller: https://MillionDollarAgencyBook.com Insurance Dudes Files: https://blog.theidudes.com TeamIQ: https://teamiq.theidudes.com Telefunnel Lead Callers: https://theidudes.com ILB: https://insuranceleadbrokers.comInsurance Agency Trader: https://trader.theidudes.com If this helps, subscribe and hit the bell so you can catch every episode. Follow Us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinsurancedudes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-insurance-dudes-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insurancedudespodcast Support the show Hey there! Thank you for listening! We'd be SUPER GRATEFUL for a subscribe! And a review over on the Apple Podcasts would be incredible! Check out our newsletter, webinar, and some great Internet Lead tactics at The Insurance Dudes Homepage. We appreciate you! Craig Pretzinger & Jason Feltman The Insurance Dudes

June 17, 202616 min

How to Hire A Players in a Tight Market

Shoot Us A Message! Think your agency has a lead problem? Think again. In this high-energy episode, we reveal how top agencies are slicing through chaos by upgrading their talent game. Discover why ditching the bottom tier can triple productivity, how clear standards keep A players engaged, and why investing more upfront saves headaches and boosts profits fast. Learn why hiring for attitude over cheap labor is the secret sauce to building a powerhouse team. We share real numbers, like paying $10 more an hour reducing turnover and skyrocketing sales and show you how to implement a success metric system that self-selects top performers. Plus, they drop insights on leveraging human connection to attract A players, so your agency thrives in any economy. Ready to build a stronger, more profitable agency? 👇 Join the elite ranks of P&C agents. Sign up for Agent Elite today and get exclusive resources to grow your agency! The Insurance Dudes Resources Join the Agent Elite: https://www.skool.com/agentelite Best Seller: https://MillionDollarAgencyBook.com Insurance Dudes Files: https://blog.theidudes.com TeamIQ: https://teamiq.theidudes.com Telefunnel Lead Callers: https://theidudes.com ILB: https://insuranceleadbrokers.com Insurance Agency Trader: https://trader.theidudes.com If this helps, subscribe and hit the bell so you can catch every episode. Follow Us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinsurancedudes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-insurance-dudes-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insurancedudespodcast Listen to the Audio Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-insurance-dudes/id1451888095 Support the show Hey there! Thank you for listening! We'd be SUPER GRATEFUL for a subscribe! And a review over on the Apple Podcasts would be incredible! Check out our newsletter, webinar, and some great Internet Lead tactics at The Insurance Dudes Homepage. We appreciate you! Craig Pretzinger & Jason Feltman The Insurance Dudes