Up 2 Speed

Hosted by Lytespeed Learning

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May 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Up to Speed - Your ultimate podcast destination designed to rev up your insurance industry knowledge! This exciting journey is brought to you by Lytespeed Learning, guided by your seasoned host, Samantha Tradelius. In the face of constant change, staying informed and ahead of the curve is essential. That’s why Up to Speed has assembled a line-up of industry professionals and latest real-time insights. We’re geared up to accelerate your learning experience and fully equip you with the tools to turbocharge your business. Staying in the know about the latest products and services has never been more critical. But the exciting part doesn’t end there! Many of our upcoming episodes offer more than just learning. With Up to Speed, you also stand a chance to earn Continuing Education credits for your personal growth. For more information, visit Lytespeed.net Gear up for an enriched learning experience whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started in the industry. Let’s join hands and navigate the speed lane of insurance wisdom together with Up to Speed.

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40 recent

May 29, 2026Episode 4150 min

California Insurance Commissioner Candidate Ben Allen: Fixing California’s Insurance Crisis After Devastating Wildfires

Interview 7 of 7: Our Final California Insurance Commissioner Candidate Conversation This week, LyteSpeed Learning and the American Agents Alliance conclude our California Insurance Commissioner Candidate Series with California State Senator Ben Allen. Over the past several weeks, we have had the opportunity to sit down with each candidate seeking to become California’s next Insurance Commissioner and discuss the issues impacting consumers, insurance professionals, businesses, and carriers across the state. In this final interview, Senator Allen shares his perspective on some of the most pressing challenges facing California today, including: • The California insurance crisis • Homeowners insurance availability and affordability • Wildfire risk and mitigation efforts • Proposition 103 and regulatory reform • FAIR Plan sustainability and reform • Insurance rates and market stability • Consumer protection and claims accountability • The future of California's insurance marketplace This series was built with a simple goal: education. Not endorsements. Not politics. Just meaningful conversations that provide direct access to the candidates and their ideas for addressing the challenges facing California's insurance market. Thank you to all seven candidates who participated in this series and helped create a more informed dialogue around one of the most important issues affecting Californians today. #CaliforniaInsurance #InsuranceCommissioner #BenAllen #CaliforniaInsuranceCommissioner #InsuranceIndustry #HomeownersInsurance #WildfireInsurance #InsuranceAgents #Prop103 #FAIRPlan #InsuranceRegulation #LyteSpeedLearning #AmericanAgentsAlliance

May 15, 2026Episode 4045 min

California Insurance Commissioner Candidate Meet Robert Howell

LyteSpeed Learning and the American Agents Alliance continue this exclusive series introducing the candidates running for California Insurance Commissioner. In this episode, we sit down with Robert Howell to discuss the future of California’s insurance marketplace and the growing challenges facing consumers, agents, and carriers across the state. Howell shares his perspective on California’s insurance crisis, including affordability, carrier availability, wildfire exposure, regulation, and consumer protection. He discusses his priorities for improving market stability while ensuring consumers have access to coverage. We also discuss: Proposition 103 and its impact on the market California homeowners insurance challenges Wildfire mitigation and catastrophe risk Insurance affordability and market competition Claims handling and consumer transparency The future of insurance regulation in California This series is designed to educate insurance professionals, agents, and consumers on the issues shaping the future of insurance in California. 🎧 Subscribe for more interviews with every candidate running for California Insurance Commissioner.

May 7, 2026Episode 3920 min

California Insurance Commissioner Candidate Jane Kim | Affordable, Available, Accountable Insurance for California

Meet Jane Kim explores her run for California Insurance Commissioner, focusing on affordability, availability, and fair claims handling. Jane discusses improving department management to speed rate approvals, protecting consumers under Prop 103, and bringing agents, industry, and advocates together. She outlines priorities including expanding low-cost nonprofit auto insurance, investing in risk-reduction programs for climate-driven disasters, and pursuing healthcare initiatives for children, while emphasizing transparency and faster, fairer claim payouts. Jane Kim for Insurance Commissioner

May 7, 2026Episode 3852 min

California Insurance Commissioner Candidate Steven Bradford | Inside His Vision to Fix California’s Insurance Marketplace

This week meet Steven Bradford, a former state senator and candidate for California insurance commissioner, outlines his vision to stabilize the insurance market. He discusses modernizing Prop 103, speeding up rate approvals, improving claims handling, and fostering collaboration between carriers, agents, regulators, and communities. Key topics include reducing delays in rate review, depopulating the FAIR Plan, using catastrophe modeling and mitigation incentives, strengthening forest and land management, and increasing transparency and consumer education. Steven Bradford for California State Insurance Commissioner

April 29, 2026Episode 3755 min

California Insurance Commissioner Candidate Merritt Farren | Risk, Reform, and What Comes Next

This week meet Merritt Farren, as he shares about his personal wildfire loss, business and legal background, and why he’s running for California insurance commissioner. The episode covers market availability, affordability, Prop 103 and rate-making, forward-looking catastrophe models, the intervener process, and claims handling—highlighting Farron’s proposals for streamlining regulation, encouraging innovation, and creating a state-backed "Cal Reinsure" authority to remove catastrophic fire risk from insurers. Farren emphasizes community safety standards, faster claims payouts, tort reform concerns, and the need for a more competitive, technology-driven insurance marketplace to protect consumers and rebuild communities. Merritt Farren for California Insurance Commissioner 2026

April 28, 2026Episode 3657 min

California Insurance Commissioner Candidate Stacy Korsgaden | Insurance Crisis, Prop 103 & Reform Plan

LyteSpeed Learning and the American Agents Alliance continue this exclusive series introducing the candidates for California Insurance Commissioner. In this episode, we sit down with Stacy Korsgaden, a longtime Farmers Insurance agent, to discuss the current state of California’s insurance market and why she’s running. Korsgaden shares her perspective on the insurance crisis, including carrier market exits, the growth of surplus lines, and increasing wildfire risk. She also discusses how her industry experience shapes her approach to regulation and consumer protection. We cover key issues impacting California today: Proposition 103 and its role in the market The rise of surplus lines insurance California’s FAIR Plan challenges Wildfire mitigation and risk management strategies The balance between regulation and market stability Korsgaden also outlines her proposed priorities: Faster rate approval timelines Creating a new division to attract admitted carriers Depopulating the FAIR Plan Strengthening wildfire mitigation through coordination at all levels Addressing fraud and exploring tort reform Expanding licensing and education to better serve consumers 🔗 Learn more about her campaign: https://stacyforinsurancecommissioner.com 🎧 This series is built to inform and educate insurance professionals, agents, and consumers on the future of California’s insurance landscape.

April 22, 2026Episode 351 hr 1 min

California Insurance at a Crossroads: Patrick Wolff on Fixing the Market

This week we sit down with candidate Patrick Wolff as he outlines why he’s running for California Insurance Commissioner, drawing on his insurance and finance experience and pledging to refuse corporate gifts. He argues for stronger market-conduct regulation, faster rate reviews, and more competition to benefit consumers. The episode dives into Prop 103, the intervener process, wildfire mitigation and incentives for homeowners, use of forward-looking models and telematics with privacy protections, claims handling, and proposals to increase transparency like insurer report cards. Patrick Wolff for Insurance Commissioner

December 8, 2025Episode 3431 min

Selling Your Agency: How to Maximize Value and Find the Right Partner with Harrison Brooks

In this episode, we sit down with Harrison Brooks of Reagan Consulting, one of the industry’s leading experts in insurance agency M&A, valuation, and perpetuation planning. Harrison breaks down exactly what agency owners need to know before selling, merging, or taking on a partner in today’s competitive marketplace. We dive into the latest acquisition trends, what buyers are really looking for, and how agencies are valued using EBITDA, profitability metrics, and revenue quality. Harrison explains the difference between specialty vs. diversified books, why clean data and strong financial reporting directly impact valuation, and how to position your firm for top-tier offers. You’ll also learn about common deal structures—cash, stock, earnouts, minority investments—plus key considerations around tax strategy, timing your exit, due diligence prep, and choosing the right buyer based on culture, resources, and long-term goals. Whether you’re planning to sell in six months or six years, this episode gives you a clear roadmap to maximize value, avoid pitfalls, and confidently navigate the M&A process. Get in touch with Harrison here: harrison@reaganconsulting.com Reagan Consulting - Insurance Consulting | M&A Advisory | Capital Raise | Perpetuation Planning | Valuation

November 22, 2025Episode 3331 min

Built to Last: Ending Burnout in Insurance

This week on Up2Speed, we sit down with Chelsy Bell Carpenter for a powerful conversation about burnout in the insurance industry. We break down the latest insurance burnout statistics, explore the root causes of burnout for insurance agents and brokers, and discuss how agency leadership, workplace culture, and personal accountability directly impact mental health and performance. Chelsy shares practical, actionable habits—including nervous-system regulation techniques, stress-management tools, improving workplace communication, and building daily discipline tied to personal purpose—that insurance professionals can start using today to reduce overwhelm and prevent burnout. A free three-part resilience cohort launching January 27, designed to help insurance professionals, agency owners, and team leaders rebuild resilience, restore balance, and create long-term, sustainable success. Chelsy Bell Carpenter | Recovery and Resilience for High-Stakes Professionals

November 6, 2025Episode 3229 min

Covered California Explained: What 2026 Changes Mean for You

Today we breakdown Covered California and the Affordable Care Act changes for 2026, explaining how federal subsidy cuts are raising premiums and who is most affected. They cover California’s $190 million relief plan, eligibility brackets, open enrollment dates, enrollment tools, and practical advice for consumers and agents on checking income, choosing plans, and avoiding surprises at tax time.