Life Insurance Academy Podcast

Welcome back to the Life Insurance Academy Podcast—today's episode is pure energy, real-life grit, and practical takeaways for any agent (especially new agents and new moms) who's trying to figure this business out. Roger sits down with Tori Haskell of Bronson Financial Group to unpack her journey from the automobile industry to life insurance—and what it actually took to go from "crying in the car between appointments" to building a thriving telesales business with the right systems, scripts, community, and support. In this episode, you'll hear: How Tori got started in insurance 8 months pregnant (and why she nearly quit early on) The turning point that came when she discovered leads + a real sales process Why transitioning from face-to-face to telesales requires a new skill set (and how to build it) The biggest difference between producing alone vs. winning with a team + culture Why you don't need to be a "big personality closer" to become a top producer What Tori learned at Life Insurance Academy Telesales Bootcamps—and why the room matters If you've been feeling stuck, isolated, or like you're losing your fire—this conversation will help you reset your mindset and get back on the path with a plan. ✅ Want coaching, scripts, and a real process? 👉 Check out the Life Insurance Academy Coaching Program: Enroll Here 📌 Connect with Tori Haskell: Instagram/Facebook/TikTok: @torihaskell Direct Line: (517) 936-1823 If this episode helped you, make sure to like, subscribe, and share it with an agent who needs encouragement (or a better system).  

If you've ever felt awkward, hesitant, or unsure at the close, this episode is for you. In this solo teaching episode of the Life Insurance Academy Podcast, Roger Short breaks down the most misunderstood moment in the sales process: the close. Here's the truth—closing isn't about pressure. It's about permission. When you lead with clarity and confidence, clients don't feel sold… they feel served. In this episode, you'll learn: Why "If you confuse, you lose" (and how clarity actually increases your close rate) How to set the table so clients know exactly what to expect (no surprises, no resistance) The psychology behind confident closing (hint: people buy emotionally, justify logically) A simple trial close framework that assumes agreement without pressure How to handle the "I want to think about it" stall with empathy and leadership The 3 biggest closing mistakes agents make—and how to avoid them Why confidence grows in the calm (and how silence actually helps you close) This episode ties together the first four fundamentals—belief, trust, stakes, and options—and shows you how they all lead naturally to a confident, peaceful close. As taught by Donald Miller: If you confuse, you lose. But clarity always wins. 🎯 If you want to close more business without sounding salesy, this is a must-watch. 👉 Subscribe to the Life Insurance Academy Podcast 👉 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode 👉 Comment below and tell us if you want more solo teaching episodes like this 👉 Share this episode with an agent who's ready to close with confidence and clarity  

If you've ever ended a "work day" and thought, "I was busy… but did I actually move the needle?" — this episode is for you. In this Life Insurance Academy Podcast, Zach and Chris break down what a winning day snapshot looks like for a high-producing final expense / telesales agent (especially working from home). No fluff. No hype. Just the daily standards that create consistent apps, consistent income, and consistent momentum. You'll learn the 5 non-negotiables top producers follow: Talk to seniors every day (conversations create skill + cashflow) Be a difference maker (principled sales process + control + trust) Follow up until they buy or die (respectfully… and relentlessly) Train on what moves the needle (objections, underwriting, products, tone/pacing) Guard your mind (home distractions, emotions, inconsistency, self-doubt) They also share real benchmarks (dials, conversations, presentations), plus a sample daily schedule to help you build structure that beats motivation every time. 🔥 If you're building a team, send this to an agent who needs help tightening up their daily activity — because results don't lie. ✅ Subscribe for weekly training + agent growth content 💬 Comment below: Which of the 5 areas do you need to tighten up this week? #LifeInsurance #FinalExpense #Telesales #InsuranceSales #SalesTraining #LifeInsuranceAcademy  

What happens when you leave a steady 17-year career… and step into a commission-only world with setbacks, doubt, and a whole new learning curve? In this episode of the Life Insurance Academy Podcast, we sit down with Brian Jackson—former deputy sheriff turned life insurance agent—to talk about the real transition: the mindset shift, the "part-time with full-time commitment" approach, and what it takes to keep moving forward when the early days are rough. We dig into: How Brian went from law enforcement to insurance (and why alignment at home matters) The "what if" trap (fear + regret) — and how to flip it into "what if it works?" Why conviction (not persuasion) is what makes business stick The power of raising the stakes by getting clients to talk about their family The role of community + bootcamps in building confidence, consistency, and production Brian's personal wake-up call: a massive heart attack at 38—and how it changed everything If you're a new agent (or you've been taking hits lately), this one is a reminder: it's hard… but it's worth it. 👇 Subscribe, drop a comment, and tell us where you are in your journey (new agent / rebuilding / scaling). Connect with Brian: Instagram: @abundantlifeins Facebook: Abundant Life Insurance Group TikTok: Abundant Life Insurance #LifeInsurance #Telesales #SalesTraining #InsuranceAgent #Mindset #LifeInsuranceAcademy  

Where there is no value, there is no price low enough. In this Life Insurance Academy Podcast episode, Roger breaks down one of the most misunderstood—and feared—parts of the sales conversation: money. If you've ever heard a client say "I want to think about it" or "That's too expensive", this episode will completely change how you hear (and handle) those objections. You'll learn: The 5 real reasons people don't buy (and why "no money" usually isn't the real one) Why price is rarely the problem—perceived value is How to confidently isolate and eliminate objections instead of chasing follow-ups The psychology behind money conversations in final expense vs. mortgage protection How to lead with empathy, clarity, and affordability—without discounting or apologizing Why great agents don't pressure… they guide This episode introduces The Money Dial—a practical framework to help clients connect price to purpose, move from hesitation to confidence, and make buying decisions that actually stick. If you want higher close rates, better persistency, and more confident money conversations, this is a must-watch. 👉 Take action: Before your next appointment, write down your three most common objections and script two empathetic clarifying questions for each. Practice them out loud. Lead with value—and watch your results change. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly training 👍 Like if this helped you 📤 Share this episode with an agent who needs to hear it

What if 2026 isn't just "new year hype"… but the year you build a system that forces results? In this Life Insurance Academy episode, Roger, Chris, and Zach recap the lessons of 2025 and map out a clear, executable game plan for 2026—starting with a story from the 2008 USA "Redeem Team" that every agent needs to hear: Kobe Bryant, 4:45 AM, and four words that change everything: "I got goals." Inside this episode, you'll learn: Why most goals fail (they're vague, vanity, and unsupported) The difference between dreaming and goal-setting (hint: a plan + daily action) A simple framework to build your 2026 plan: Vision → Math → Method → Metrics How to reverse-engineer your income/production goal into monthly, weekly, and daily targets The key inputs to track so you can control your outcome: dials, contacts, conversations, presentations, apps, premium, placement rate The 3 goals every agent needs: Production goal Process goal Personal development goal (pick skills that make you dangerous in 2026) A practical 30-day execution checklist to start strong and stay consistent 🔥 Free Resource: We also mention a Goal Setting Calculator you can download for free at https://lifeinsuranceacademy.org/agent-financial-journey-calculator/  to help you run the math and build your plan. ✅ Ready to stop "hoping" and start executing? Join the Life Insurance Academy coaching calls + get plugged into the community. 👉 Learn more at: LifeInsuranceAcademy.org CTA: If this episode helped you, like, subscribe, and comment "I GOT GOALS"—and tell us your #1 target for 2026.  

If you've ever felt like you're "winging it" on the phone, this episode is for you. In this Life Insurance Academy Podcast interview, Sydney Deshotel shares her journey from serving/bartending and working in a hospital to becoming a top-producing independent agent—and how everything changed when she discovered what most agents are missing: a repeatable sales process. Sydney opens up about: Walking into her first bootcamp feeling nervous, intimidated, and behind The "aha" moment when she learned to focus on who the client is protecting + why they filled out the form Why selling off "personality" alone is exhausting—and how structure creates confidence How community, daily training, and live dials help agents stop feeling alone and start thriving Her heart for helping new agents (especially women) find a culture that's healthy, supportive, and built to develop people If you're a newer agent, rebuilding, or ready to stop guessing and start improving your consistency—this conversation will hit home. Connect with Sydney: Instagram: sydney_deshotel Facebook: Sydney Kate Deshotel 👉  If this episode encouraged you, drop a comment to cheer Sydney on, like, subscribe, and share it with an agent who needs a better process (and a better room).

Families are depending on you—and the only thing standing between them and financial disaster is your ability to help them make a decision. In this episode, Chris and Roger break down the 5 real reasons people don't buy (and why "I want to think about it" is usually a smokescreen). If you're hearing the same objections over and over, this framework will help you identify what's actually happening, remove the barrier, and confidently guide clients to protect the people they love. In this episode, you'll learn: The 5 barriers behind almost every objection: No Trust, No Need, No Want, No Urgency, No Money How to build trust fast using authority + empathy (especially in telesales) Why "need" can't be created—only discovered and uncovered The 4 stakes questions that move a client from "need" to "want" (and "want" to urgency) How to avoid killing the close by making the end confusing or transactional How to handle affordability with dignity and still get the application Quick CTAs ✅ Drop a comment: Which barrier do you see most often—trust, need, want, urgency, or money? ✅ Share this episode with an agent who keeps hearing "Let me think about it." ✅ Subscribe for more training that helps you sell with clarity and confidence. https://lifeinsuranceacademy.org/   

Objections aren't killing your sales — misunderstanding them is. In this episode of the Life Insurance Academy Podcast, Roger Short breaks down why objections are not rejection, but signals of uncertainty, fear, and missing clarity. Top producers don't fear objections — they welcome them, because they know objections are part of the process, not a disruption to it. You'll learn: Why objections are emotional, not logical The three most common objections in life insurance sales — and what they really mean How to use internal-based questioning to guide prospects instead of pushing them How to reframe "no" into "not yet" — and lead it to a confident yes Why your role isn't to overcome objections, but to dissolve them through clarity and empathy This episode will change how you hear "I need to think about it," "It's too expensive," and "I already have coverage." If you want calmer conversations, higher trust, and more applications written — this is a must-watch. 🎧 Listen. Learn. Lead with confidence. 👉 Subscribe for more sales psychology, principled selling, and agent development 👉 Share this episode with an agent who struggles with objections

Our mind is STILL blown. 😳 In just 2.5 days, Elvir Bazdarevic from Modern Financial wrote $39,846 in annual premium, became the 2025 Ultimate Telesales Showdown Champion, and walked away with the belt 🏆 In this episode of the Life Insurance Academy Podcast, we unpack exactly how he did it — and how you can level up your telesales game without becoming a pushy, high-pressure closer. In this episode, you'll discover: How Elvir prepared a week in advance to hit the Showdown with insane momentum What it's like to compete in a room full of top telesales agents ringing the bell all day Why community and competition can help you shatter your own production ceilings The principled sales process Elvir uses to ethically move clients to a better place How he wrote 19 applications / 19 families in 2.5 days The mindset shifts that took him from emotional, frustrated agent… to calm, consistent, half-million-dollar producer 💰 How he helps agents go from struggling to keep anything on the books… to $40K–$50K+ a month issue paid Why "all leads suck" (and why that truth will actually set you free) How to use scripts, frameworks, and bootcamps to turn your own voice into a killer sales tool This isn't just about a belt. It's about: Serving families at the highest level Selling ethically with a principle-based process Plugging into a community that raises your standards, your activity, and your income   If you're a life insurance agent, watch this if: You feel stuck blaming leads, vendors, or markets You're tired of inconsistent weeks and emotional roller-coasters You want to learn telesales from someone quietly writing $500K+ in a year You're craving a proven framework, real coaching, and a room of people who actually push you higher   Work with Elvir / Modern Financial Want to connect with Elvir and learn more about his team, culture, and live coaching? 👉 Connect with Elvir on Facebook: Elvir Bazdarevic (you can also find him as "Elvis") 👉 Send him a DM and let him know you came from the Life Insurance Academy Podcast     Learn the Life Insurance Academy Sales Process Ready to plug into the principled sales process and community Elvir keeps talking about? 👉 Join Life Insurance Academy coaching & training: https://lifeinsuranceacademy.org/enroll/ 👉 Learn more about our Telesales Bootcamps & Ultimate Telesales Showdown: https://lifeinsuranceacademy.org/bootcamps/      👍 If this episode helped you: Hit LIKE SUBSCRIBE to the channel Drop a COMMENT with: "I'm in for that" if you'd come see Elvir train live at a future bootcamp Thanks for watching the Life Insurance Academy Podcast. Let's protect more families, build real businesses, and change legacies together. 💪

What would happen if you actually bet on yourself for one month? In this episode of the Life Insurance Academy Podcast, Roger sits down with Clark Stanley of Anchor Point – a brand-new dad and former corporate sales manager who just wrapped up the biggest month of his life: $101,000 in final expense AP 71 applications 25 days All while still making time for faith, family, and community But this conversation isn't just about big numbers. It's about the Principled Sales Process, the power of framework over scripts, and how the right community can completely change your life and your family's future. Clark embraced the Life Insurance Academy system, coaching, and became one of our best students. We watched him steadily grow his game from a struggling start to an industry top producer in less than 12 months.   In this episode, you'll hear: How Clark went from a safe corporate job with a newborn at home… to betting on himself and going all-in on life insurance Why his first few months were full of chargebacks, self-doubt, and "just trying to write anything" The principled sales framework that helped him: Stop chasing "perfect scripts" Find his own voice Raise his placement and persistency The story of Miss Shirley, an 86-year-old client whose day-one coverage paid out just days after Clark wrote the policy How one persistently called lead turned into more coverage and $200+/mo in savings for a family Why mindset, consistency, and community mattered more than any lead vendor or contract The real math behind: Leads (Caboom Leads) Investment (~347 leads) 12+ hour days 100k in a holiday month How Clark balances building a team, being a husband and dad, and staying in the trenches producing You'll also hear Clark shout out the people and organizations that shaped his journey: True Wealth (Mike & Jalen), Lasting Mark, Dana Nesen, Elvir Bazdarevic, Anchor Point, his brother Jack, his parents, and his faith in Jesus. If you're a new or struggling agent, or someone sitting in a corporate job wondering if there's more – this episode will challenge your beliefs, your goals, and your excuses.   🔔 If you're an agent, don't miss: Live training & bootcamps: https://lifeinsuranceacademy.org/bootcamps/ Learn the principled sales framework: https://lifeinsuranceacademy.org/ Connect with our community: https://lifeinsuranceacademy.org/enroll/   👉 Connect with Clark: YouTube: Life with Clark Stanley Email: clark@theanchorpointgroup.com Instagram: @clarkstanley_    @theanchorpointgroup If this episode encouraged you, drop a comment with your next big goal and share this with another agent who needs to hear it.

What happens when you stop chasing status and start building a family mission? 💥 In this episode of the Life Insurance Academy Podcast, Roger and Chris sit down with John & Jen Kennedy of Kennedy Wealth Strategies—a husband-and-wife team from Chattanooga who've turned life insurance, Medicare, and annuities into a family business grounded in faith, service, and legacy. You'll hear how John went from saying "no" to the industry for six years… to writing over $24K his first month, building a thriving Medicare vertical, and issuing over $5M in annuities from Jen's Medicare book alone—all while raising three kids who are in the journey with them. Along the way, the Kennedys share: 🎯 Why culture, mentorship, and aligned values matter more than high comp 💬 How to get spouse buy-in (and why peace at home is a business strategy) 🤝 The shift from status to service—and how it changed everything 💸 The simple, permission-based annuity question that opened the door to millions in production 🧭 How to cross-sell life & annuities from Medicare appointments without feeling "salesy" 🕒 Their red / yellow / green time strategy for protecting family time and building freedom 🥊 What it means to fight for your business and with your spouse instead of against them 📈 Their "irreducible minimum goals" for annuity, life, and Medicare growth If you've ever felt: Torn between family and building your business Stuck in a culture that doesn't fit your faith or values Unsure how to expand past a single product or vertical …this conversation will give you clarity, language, and a path forward. They build with their kids beside them, pray with clients in the office, and model what it looks like to build a business that funds a life, not just a lifestyle.     🔔 Subscribe to the Life Insurance Academy Podcast for more real conversations on sales, systems, culture, and building a life you're proud of. 💬 Tell us in the comments: What resonated most—spouse buy-in, culture over comp, or the permission-based annuity question? 📩 If you're an agent looking for mentorship, community, and proven systems, reach out to our team to learn more about partnering with Life Insurance Academy.

"Fear Is the Real Objection — And Most Agents Don't Even Know It." In this episode of the Life Insurance Academy Podcast, Chris and Zach break down the real reason most agents struggle to gain traction in this business: fear. Whether it shows up as procrastination, perfectionism, avoiding hard questions, talking too fast, over-explaining, apologizing for the price, or sounding like a script-reading robot… 👉 It all points back to fear. Fear of rejection. Fear of looking inexperienced. Fear of failing — or worse… fear of giving your best and still not winning. In this honest, hilarious, and highly practical conversation, you'll learn: ✅ The 7 "fear symptoms" that show up in your sales calls ✅ Why action—not confidence—is the cure for fear ✅ How to stop sounding nervous, robotic, or apologetic ✅ The mindset shift top producers make when talking about price ✅ Why slowing down your cadence instantly builds trust ✅ How to ask hard "stakes" questions without feeling awkward ✅ Why you must identify your fear if you want to overcome it If you've ever struggled with overthinking, avoidance, fast talking, or battling nerves… this episode will feel like a mirror. And a breakthrough. ✨ If you're in the fight right now — tired, nervous, learning, pushing — we're proud of you. Keep going. 👇 Drop a comment: Which "fear type" do you relate to most? 👇 Want coaching? Visit LifeInsuranceAcademy.org to join our Thursday morning sessions.  

What if you're sabotaging 90% of your sales in the first five minutes? Most agents spend all their energy perfecting scripts, word tracks, and closing lines… but they miss the one foundational element that makes everything else work: trust. In this episode, Roger Short breaks down the most essential sales fundamental that separates top producers from struggling agents — and shows you how to build trust fast through authority and empathy in every environment: 📞 Over the phone – when your voice is your handshake 💻 On Zoom – when your presence speaks louder than words 🏡 In person – when every detail communicates professionalism and care You'll learn: ✅ The first-five-minute mistakes that kill your sales ✅ How to combine authority and empathy so clients trust you quickly ✅ How to earn the right to lead your clients with confidence ✅ Why "trust isn't a step in your sales process — it's the atmosphere it lives in." If you want to close more sales, earn more referrals, and help more families, it starts with mastering trust. 👇 Drop a comment: What's one way you build trust early in your appointments?

From Uber shifts to building Legacy Wealth Academy: In this episode of the Life Insurance Academy Podcast, we sit down with Mark Cassara (Frisco, TX)—a financial strategist and educator who's grown an audience of 2M+ across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook— to unpack how short-form, value-first content can build trust, generate inbound leads, and fuel a thriving virtual practice focused on IULs, executive bonus plans, and retirement strategies. Mark shares: How he went from 3 jobs to full-time in 6–8 months—and then doubled his income year over year The content system (and cadence) that took him from 0 to 100K+ followers in months Why short-form "give, give, give" education beats hard selling Clear, plain-English explanations of IULs (upside potential, 0% floor, liquidity, and common pitfalls) Real-world client use cases: enhanced liquidity riders, premium deposit accounts, and executive strategies How he onboards agents with a social media bootcamp so they can win faster If you're an agent, leader, or entrepreneur who wants to build a pipeline without buying leads—and serve families with clarity and confidence—this one's for you.     🔗 Links & Resources 🧰 Free LIA Telesales Script: https://lifeinsuranceacademy.org/ 📱 Follow Mark: TikTok @MarkCassara | Instagram @MarkCassara.legacy | YouTube @MarkCassara 📩 Contact LIA: https://lifeinsuranceacademy.org/       ⚠️ Quick Note This video is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Products, riders, caps, floors, and crediting methods vary by carrier and policy design. Always review client suitability and consult carrier materials, compliance, and a licensed professional in your state.

Agents are failing for five simple, fixable reasons — and it's costing them sales. In this episode of the Life Insurance Academy Podcast, Roger Short and Chris Ball break down what's really holding agents back in telesales — and how to fix it fast. You'll learn how to: ✅ Master your script until it sounds natural ✅ Build confidence through competence ✅ Understand medications & underwriting basics ✅ Discover affordability before pricing ✅ Move confidently toward the application ✅ Practice your carrier apps like a pro These small changes create big wins — more confidence, more trust, and more closes. If you're tired of missing sales you should be winning, this one's for you. 👉 Download your free telesales script at lifeinsuranceacademy.org 👉 Join our weekly coaching calls for live training and Q&A 👉 Get in the room for our next Telesales Bootcamp 🎧 Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts 📺 Subscribe for weekly episodes and sales training 💬 Drop a comment: which of the 5 fixes hit home for you?  

From liquor-store owner to building one of the fastest-growing agencies in life, Medicare, and retirement—Michael Bond returns to share what changed in 2.5 years: going all in, stacking the right people, and building systems that keep 90%+ persistency even without the cheapest product. If you're in your first 0–24 months or considering the industry, this episode is your blueprint. What you'll learn Why "all in" beats "part-time dabbling" (and how to commit without burning out) Building a triple-threat agency: Life → Medicare → Retirement/Annuities The lead discipline that creates consistent weeks and real income How to keep clients (and referrals) with elite service and simple systems Turning team culture into production (shoutouts to Caroline, Melissa, Joel) Memorable lines "This business lets you sign the front of the check—not just the back." "Don't reinvent the wheel. Jump—your static line (system) will open." If this helped, hit 👍, subscribe, and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway—or your "all in" date. #LifeInsuranceAcademy #SerenityInsurance #MedicareSales #Annuities #InsuranceAgents #AgentTraining #Leads #Persistency #AllIn  

Unlock the "secret sauce" of consistent closes: tie-downs (aka micro-agreements). In this episode, we unpack how small, intentional yeses throughout your presentation create momentum, uncover misunderstandings early, and lead to a natural close—not a hard close. What you'll learn Why micro-agreements work: The psychology of agreement and Brian Tracy's law of incremental commitment. Where to use them: Rapport/CORE, stakes & urgency, education/presentation, budget framing, and the close. How to deliver them: Tone, timing, the power of the pause, and why consistency beats complexity. Real examples you can steal today: "That makes sense so far, right?" "You'd want this in place for your family, wouldn't you?" "Affordability is a priority for you, isn't it?" "If we find a plan that fits your budget and protects [NAMEs], you'd at least want to apply, right?" Analogies you'll remember Thermometer: keep "checking the temperature" so nothing goes cold. Tent tie-downs / trailer straps: secure each section so the whole sale doesn't blow away. Trail guide: move the fast, middle, and new learners together—everyone arrives at the summit. Try this challenge Add one simple tie-down to every section of your script this week and track them. Watch your confidence (and closes) climb. If this helped, subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite tie-down, and share with a teammate who needs more natural closes. #lifeinsurance #sales #telesales #closing #objectionhandling #LifeInsuranceAcademy  

In this episode of the Life Insurance Academy Podcast, Roger Short dives into one of the most overlooked keys to sales success: certainty. Have you ever left a client meeting knowing they should have said yes… but instead you heard, "I need to think about it"? The problem isn't the product, the carrier, or even the client—it's belief. ✅ Belief in the product ✅ Belief in the company ✅ Belief in yourself When you show up with conviction, your clients feel it. Certainty is contagious, and it's what transforms stalled conversations into life-changing decisions. In this episode, we'll unpack: Why belief is the missing piece in most sales conversations How to build unshakable conviction in what you sell The 3 levels of belief every agent must master How to transfer certainty so clients feel empowered to act This isn't just about selling policies. It's about protecting families, securing legacies, and fulfilling your calling as an agent. 🔔 Don't forget to subscribe to the Life Insurance Academy Podcast for weekly insights, strategies, and encouragement to grow your business and impact lives.