Best Insurance Pro Blog Podcasts (2025)

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Why SPIAs Make More Sense 36:26

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2d ago36:26

36:26

In this episode, we break down the significant changes Secure Act 2.0 brought to single premium immediate annuities (SPIAs). You'll learn how the new rules allow SPIA income to count toward satisfying your required minimum distributions. This change makes SPIAs substantially more attractive from a tax perspective. We walk through recent research th…

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The Strategic Website: How Blogs Build Trust and Landing Pages Drive Action | Ep. 40 18:30

6d ago18:30

18:30

Many independent insurance agency websites exist, but very few actually work. In this solo episode, Amanda Yaniz breaks down one of the most common sources of confusion in agency marketing: the difference between blogs and landing pages, and why each plays a critical role in long term growth. This conversation focuses on how blogs build trust, supp…

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Imperfect Execution, Solid IUL Results 26:10

10d ago26:10

26:10

In this episode, we walk through a real 10-year-old indexed universal life insurance policy that didn't follow the original plan. You'll see actual results from a policy where the owner paid about 41% less in premiums than planned and made sporadic payments throughout each year instead of sticking to a schedule. We break down the numbers to show yo…

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Do Indexed Products Rob You Blind? 27:21

17d ago27:21

27:21

Ever wondered if insurance companies are pocketing the difference between what the market returns and what your indexed product credits? We break down exactly how indexed universal life and indexed annuities actually work behind the scenes. You'll learn how insurance companies divide your premium into three distinct buckets: guarantees, operational…

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The Missing Wealth Management Tool 37:54

24d ago37:54

37:54

You've probably noticed that life insurance rarely comes up in wealth management conversations. When it does, it's usually dismissed with vague rules about income levels or net worth thresholds that don't actually mean anything. We think that's a problem worth addressing. In this episode, we explore why cash value life insurance deserves a seat at …

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Income Now or Income Later 31:41

1M ago31:41

31:41

Income Now or Income Later You've probably wondered whether life insurance or annuities make more sense for your retirement income strategy. This episode breaks down the key differences between these two approaches and helps you understand when each one works best. We explore why life insurance is like a "crockpot" that needs time to develop - typi…

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From SWOT to SOAR: Building a Business Plan You'll Stick With in 2026 | Ep. 39 17:46

1M ago17:46

17:46

Episode 39 takes a practical look at business planning for independent agents. Amanda, Kelsey, and returning guest Christine Lee walk through how to evaluate your past year, choose the right planning framework, and turn vague ambitions into SMART goals you can actually measure. They explore how tools like SWOT and SOAR help identify opportunities, …

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Kyle Busch IUL Lawsuit Breakdown 41:49

1M ago41:49

41:49

You've probably heard about NASCAR driver Kyle Busch's lawsuit against Pacific Life over indexed universal life insurance policies that didn't perform as promised. We break down exactly what went wrong and why this case matters for anyone considering IUL insurance. You'll discover the specific policy design mistakes that led to this multi-million d…

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Lock In Guaranteed Income Now 29:19

1M ago29:19

29:19

Current annuity features offer some of the best income benefits we've seen in years, but this opportunity may not last much longer. In this episode, we explain why today's annuities can provide guaranteed lifetime income that would require a 20% annual return in the stock market to match. We discuss how recent interest rate changes have brought bac…

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Retirement Without Permission 38:00

2M ago38:00

38:00

You've been told that maxing out your 401(k) is the key to a secure retirement. But what happens when you're 52, hate your job, and have a million dollars locked away that you can't touch without massive penalties? We explore the hidden trap that catches millions of Americans who concentrate too much wealth in retirement accounts. You'll discover w…

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Forty Year IUL Return Probabilities 31:49

2M ago31:49

31:49

When someone asks you about the average rate of return for indexed universal life insurance, you'll discover that average is actually a meaningless number. You need to understand the probability of hitting specific rates of return to make accurate projections about what might happen with your IUL policy. In this episode, we analyze 40 years of S&P …

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The Real Whole Life Insurance Candidates 32:01

2M ago32:01

32:01

You've probably heard the standard advice about who should buy whole life insurance: ultra-conservative investors who've maxed out their 401k and IRA contributions. The financial industry often treats cash value life insurance as a last resort for people with nowhere else to put their money. We challenge that conventional wisdom in this episode. Yo…

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Insurance Prospecting Strategies: How to Nurture Leads That Aren't Ready to Quote | Ep. 38 24:24

2M ago24:24

24:24

Not every prospect is ready to quote, but that doesn't mean you should stop the conversation. In this episode of Licensed to Talk Insurance, Amanda, Kelsey, and guest Christine Lee explore how independent agents can nurture insurance prospects until the timing is right. Learn how to separate suspects from true prospects, organize your sales pipelin…

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Maximizing Cash Through Paid-Up Additions 36:39

2M ago36:39

36:39

You want to build cash value with whole life insurance, but you're not sure how paid-up additions actually work. This episode breaks down the fundamentals of paid-up additions riders and why they're essential for cash accumulation. We explain the difference between having a PUA rider and actually using it effectively. You'll learn why a policy buil…

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IUL Policy Survives Twelve Year Test 35:11

3M ago35:11

35:11

This episode examines real-world data from a 12-year-old indexed universal life insurance policy. We track how the policy performed despite significant changes to its original parameters. The case study reveals insights about IUL resilience and flexibility. The policy started with a 12% cap rate and 2% floor on the S&P 500. Over the 12 years, the c…

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Life Insurance Hits Forty-Two Year High 36:18

3M ago36:18

36:18

The life insurance industry just hit its strongest growth in over four decades. We break down the latest LIMRA data, which shows a 13% premium increase and 17% policy growth in Q2 2025. Cash value policies are driving this surge, not term insurance. Index universal life sales increased 21% year-over-year, while whole life sales grew 8% and variable…

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Rethinking Whole Life Insurance Safety 35:14

3M ago35:14

35:14

You've probably heard that whole life insurance is the "safe" choice while indexed universal life insurance is "risky" and volatile. This episode challenges that conventional wisdom with actual data and real-world examples. We break down why this oversimplified risk-reward framework misses important details about how these products actually perform…

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Premium Financing: Not the Magic Solution 36:15

3M ago36:15

36:15

You've probably heard premium financing pitched as a smart way to buy large life insurance policies without the hefty upfront costs. In this episode, we break down why this strategy often leads to expensive disappointments and mounting lawsuits. We examine recent court cases that show how premium financing arrangements can spiral out of control whe…

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IUL Index Allocation Strategies Analyzed 30:18

4M ago30:18

30:18

If you own indexed universal life insurance or you're considering buying it, you've probably looked at all the index options and wondered which one to choose. In this episode, we dive deep into the data to answer that question with empirical analysis rather than guesswork. We examine the two most common index options available across IUL contracts:…

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AI and Content Creation: Standing Out in a Copy-Paste World | Ep. 37 25:27

4M ago25:27

25:27

From blog posts to landing pages, more agencies are experimenting with AI for marketing. In this episode, Amanda Yaniz and Kelsey Concklin Ramsey share the pros, cons, and cautions of AI-generated content. Discover why your voice still matters, how to avoid common mistakes, and the strategies that will help you stand out in a marketplace flooded wi…

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Why Life Insurance Expenses Don't Matter 31:02

4M ago31:02

31:02

Are you obsessing over life insurance expenses and expense ratios? You might be focusing on the wrong thing. In this episode, we explain why expenses in life insurance policies matter far less than you think. We break down the difference between expense ratios and load fees, and why neither should be your primary concern when evaluating life insura…

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Defining Your Ideal Client: Lessons from 30 Years in Insurance with Mike O’Donnell |Ep. 36 26:18

4M ago26:18

26:18

In this special three-year anniversary episode of Licensed to Talk Insurance, Amanda and Kelsey sit down with Mike O’Donnell, Vice President at Chicagoland SIA and Producer at Concklin Insurance Agency. With over 30 years of industry experience, Mike shares why clearly defining your ideal client is one of the most important steps to growing a profi…

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Can AI Replace Life Insurance Agents? 35:19

4M ago35:19

35:19

Are you wondering if AI will make insurance agents obsolete? We put artificial intelligence to the test with four real-world insurance scenarios to see if it could handle the job. From simple term life quotes to complex cash value life insurance strategies, we wanted to know if AI could truly replace human expertise. You'll discover how AI performe…

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Term vs Whole Life: Wrong Question 30:21

5M ago30:21

30:21

You've probably heard the debate about whether term or whole life insurance is "better" and wondered which side is right. In this episode, we explain why you're asking the wrong question entirely. Comparing these two types of insurance based on premium alone will lead you to the wrong conclusion every time. We'll show you why term and whole life in…

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Life Insurance is Popular Now 30:54

5M ago30:54

30:54

You'll discover why life insurance is experiencing remarkable growth in 2025, with industry-wide sales up 8% year over year. We break down the latest statistics from LIMRA showing which types of life insurance are leading the charge, including indexed universal life at 11% growth and variable universal life with an impressive 41% increase. You'll l…

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Are Volatility Controlled Indices Worth It? 31:27

5M ago31:27

31:27

Are volatility controlled indices (VCIs) just another insurance industry gimmick, or do they actually benefit you as a policyholder? In this episode, we break down these increasingly popular index options found in indexed universal life insurance and indexed annuities. You'll discover what VCIs are, why insurance companies love them, and whether th…

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2025 Whole Life Insurance Company Review 36:09

5M ago36:09

36:09

Looking for the right whole life insurance company in 2025? We break down the major players in the participating whole life insurance market and discuss what makes each one unique. You'll learn which companies excel at cash accumulation and which ones focus more on providing affordable permanent death benefits. We cover over a dozen companies inclu…

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Finding Your Niche: The Smart Path to Sustainable Growth | Eps. 35 24:43

5M ago24:43

24:43

Choosing a niche can set your agency apart, but how do you pick the right one? In this episode, Amanda and Kelsey unpack how to identify profitable, sustainable niche markets based on your interests, carrier appetite, geography, and competition. From leveraging past experience to using passion projects as growth engines, they share real-life exampl…

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Whole Life Insurance Design Options 30:34

5M ago30:34

30:34

You face a critical decision when designing whole life insurance: optimizing for death benefit or maximizing cash value accumulation. These two objectives sit on opposite ends of the spectrum, and trying to balance them often means you don't accomplish either goal effectively. We break down the fundamental trade-offs you need to understand before p…

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Life Insurance MEC Myths Debunked 33:43

6M ago33:43

33:43

You've probably heard about Modified Endowment Contracts (MECs) and wondered what all the fuss is about. Many people fear creating a MEC with their life insurance policy, but they don't really understand what it means or how it happens. In this episode, we break down the history behind MECs and why they were created in the first place. You'll learn…

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Bad Years Don't Destroy IUL 29:16

6M ago29:16

29:16

You've probably heard criticism about index universal life insurance and its overly optimistic projections. We tackle this head-on by examining what really happens when your IUL policy doesn't perform as expected in those crucial early years. We break down three realistic scenarios using actual numbers and assumptions. You'll see how a policy perfo…

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Unlocking Generational Wealth-Whole Life Insurance Secrets 34:05

6M ago34:05

34:05

Are you tired of hearing the same old debate about term versus whole life insurance? In this episode, we cut through the noise and reveal why whole life insurance might be the wealth preservation tool you've been overlooking. We explore how successful business owners and high earners use life insurance to protect their assets from market volatility…

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Investing in Education that Actually Grows Your Agency 23:00

6M ago23:00

23:00

Not all learning is created equal. In this episode, Amanda and Kelsey sit down with Christine Lee, Agency Growth Coach at Chicagoland SIA, to break down the difference between checking the CE box and making strategic professional development investments. From designations like CIC and SBCS to marketing training, video creation/editing, and social m…

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Infinite Banking: Strategy or Sales Gimmick? 49:08

6M ago49:08

49:08

In this episode, we dive deep into infinite banking to answer the burning question: is it a legitimate financial strategy or just a clever way to sell whole life insurance? You'll discover what infinite banking actually is, how it works, and why it's become such a polarizing topic in the financial world. We break down the good aspects of infinite b…

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Retirees Need Annuities 33:06

7M ago33:06

33:06

Modern retirement is facing a critical challenge. While baby boomers have largely avoided financial disaster, their success relies heavily on pensions – a benefit that's rapidly disappearing. You'll discover why the next generation of retirees faces a fundamentally different landscape. We dive into the stark numbers behind retirement funding. Pensi…

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Life Insurance as Your Secret Retirement Risk Management Tool 39:25

7M ago39:25

39:25

Planning for retirement involves more than just saving money in a 401(k). Your retirement "portfolio" includes all the assets that will support you when you stop working - from investment accounts to real estate to part-time income. But these assets face serious risks that could derail your retirement plans. In this episode, we explain how life ins…

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Turning Tension into Trust — Handling Unhappy Clients Like a Pro | Ep. 33 29:03

7M ago29:03

29:03

Even the best agencies face unhappy clients. The real test is how you handle them. In this episode, Amanda Yaniz and Kelsey Concklin Ramsey dive into the why behind client dissatisfaction, how to respond with empathy and professionalism, and the proactive habits that keep frustration at bay. You’ll learn communication strategies, and reputation man…

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Overfunding Policies for Wealth Building 29:40

7M ago29:40

29:40

Life insurers are asset managers with a primary focus on growing your relatively small premium dollars into a significant death benefit. They invest prudently to protect themselves from loss when it's time to pay claims. Over many years, this conservative approach to growing assets can work to your advantage. When you put an "overfunded" policy in …

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Double Your Retirement Income 32:27

8M ago32:27

32:27

Ever wonder if Americans truly believe stocks are the best way to save for retirement? In this episode, we examine surprising survey data that challenges common investment industry assumptions. We explore where Americans prefer to put their long-term savings and why many avoid the stock market altogether. We examine why financial freedom isn't nece…

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Income vs. Account Balance Retirement 34:58

8M ago34:58

34:58

Do you believe stocks are the best investment for retirement? Our data might surprise you. Recent surveys show only 27% of Americans prefer stocks for long-term savings, with real estate and cash following closely at 24% and 21%, respectively. We explore why many Americans avoid the stock market, citing volatility, intimidation, and beliefs that th…

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Indexed Universal Life and Its Reset Magic During Downturns 27:57

8M ago27:57

27:57

Wonder how your IUL policy behaves during market volatility? In this episode, we unpack how Indexed Universal Life insurance performs in today's unpredictable market conditions. You'll discover why IUL isn't actually buying market exposure and how it creates a unique value proposition during economic downturns. Learn about the annual reset feature …

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Guaranteed Income in Uncertain Times 28:09

8M ago28:09

28:09

In this episode of the Insurance Pro Blog Podcast, hosts Brandon Roberts and Brantley Whitley dive into the resilience of the life insurance industry during periods of market volatility and geopolitical tension. You'll learn why life insurance companies remain stable even when other financial sectors struggle, and how they've weathered previous eco…

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The Art of Rejection: How to Hear No and Keep Moving Forward | Ep. 32 23:47

8M ago23:47

23:47

Rejection is part of the job, but it doesn’t have to derail your day—or your goals. In this episode, Amanda, Kelsey, and special guest Jenny McNulty dive into the mindset shifts and sales strategies every agent needs to stay motivated when the answer is no. From understanding your close ratios to setting realistic expectations, and following up wit…

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Life Insurance: The Ultimate Market Buffer 31:35

8M ago31:35

31:35

Life Insurance: The Ultimate Market Buffer When market volatility strikes, your retirement plans can take an unexpected hit. In this episode, we discuss how life insurance serves as a non-correlated asset during uncertain economic times. We explore why diversification outside traditional market investments matters, especially for those approaching …

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Bad Ideas with Life Insurance 33:43

9M ago33:43

33:43

In this episode, we dive into problematic life insurance schemes that have led to lawsuits. We examine how premium financing - originally designed for high net worth individuals seeking death benefits - was repurposed as a risky retirement strategy for people who didn't need it. You'll learn about a recent lawsuit involving complex tax schemes pair…

1
Whole Life's Unbeatable Tax Advantages 34:13

9M ago34:13

34:13

In this episode, you'll learn about the tax advantages of whole life insurance that make it a powerful financial tool. Discover how whole life insurance offers tax-deferred growth, tax-free access to cash value, and income tax-free death benefits without complex financial maneuvers. Explore how these features compare to other investment options lik…

1
Tapping Your Policy for Retirement Income 28:55

9M ago28:55

28:55

In this episode, we tackle a common question: Can you really use life insurance cash value for retirement income? We explore how permanent life insurance policies can provide a stable income source that isn't subject to market volatility. You'll learn the practical differences between withdrawals and loans from your policy and why most retirees don…

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Why Your Insurance Origin Story Matters More Than You Think | Ep. 31 17:24

9M ago17:24

17:24

Every insurance agent has a story—but are you telling yours? In this episode of Licensed to Talk Insurance, Amanda and Kelsey dive into the power of an authentic origin story and how it can help agents build trust, differentiate themselves, and connect with clients on a deeper level. From stumbling into the industry to making it a lifelong career, …

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Is Whole Life Insurance a Good Hedge Against Tariffs? 31:46

9M ago31:46

31:46

Are you wondering how to protect your assets during economic volatility? In this episode, we explore whether whole life insurance and other cash value life insurance products can serve as effective hedges against tariffs and market turbulence. We discuss three key benefits these insurance products offer during volatile times: stable retirement inco…

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Whole Life's True Performance Revealed 33:26

10M ago33:26

33:26

You've heard the claims about whole life insurance, but what's the reality? In this episode, we dive into the actual performance data from our book of business spanning over 10 years. We reveal that whole life policies have averaged a 5% year-over-year growth in cash value. We explain why whole life insurance performance often exceeds expectations …