IA Forward

IA Forward

Shane Tatum and Tonya Lied

Episodes 308
Avg. Duration 25m
Activity Highly Active
Since Feb 2022
Latest Episode Mar 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
93%
Hosting
feeds.buzzsprout.com

About This Podcast

The Independent Insurance Agency Playbook: The insurance business is all about playing an infinite game. Shane, Tonya, Mike, and Robby discuss how to play the long-term game of being a successful agent and creating a culture of freedom for yourself.

Learn more at www.integrapartnernetwork.com

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Recent Episodes

S1E306 Hire Your Weakness, Scale Your Strength

Mar 03, 2026 41m

Growth isn’t about hiring more of you. It’s about building an agency that works without you. One of the most misunderstood growth decisions in independent agencies is hiring yourself versus hiring…

S1E305 Random Revenue Versus Profit: Being A Strategic Dabbler

Feb 24, 2026 52m

For years, Shane has said don't dabble. Now, he is saying, "Do it smart." We discuss the difference between reckless dabbling and strategic expansion, and why being an informed dabbler may be the…

S1E304 If Don't Tell Your Story, Someone Else Will

Feb 17, 2026 47m

Silence creates assumptions, and assumptions spread fast. In this four-year anniversary episode, we discuss how perception forms in the absence of communication, and if you don’t define who you are,…

S1E303 Turning Connections into Clients

Feb 10, 2026 43m

If you’re tired of chasing quotes and ready to build a book of business through connection, this episode will change how you think about growth. We discuss how to “get your competition fired” without…

S1E302 What Independent Agents Should Expect From a Network

Feb 03, 2026 54m Transcript

Choosing the right agency network can shape your agency’s growth, profitability, and long-term success, but most agents are only looking at how many carriers they get and the commission split. We're…

S1E301 Can Agency Owners Really Take a Vacation?

Jan 27, 2026 49m

Agency owners are constantly told they need to take time off. But when your name is on the door, your clients are calling, and claims don’t pause for beach trips, what does “time off” actually look…

S1E300 Not Viral, Just Consistent: What We've Learned About Agency Ownership in 300 Episodes

Jan 20, 2026 54m Transcript

We’re celebrating 300 episodes the only way we know how: with real talk, a little chaos, and the lessons that actually matter when you’re building an agency. We didn’t get here because something went…

S1E299 Say No Without Going Broke

Jan 13, 2026 1h 6m Transcript

You've heard people say "you can’t write everything for everyone," but you also still have to pay the light bill. We break down how to focus on profitability, how agents “drift” into lines they never…

S1E298 Say No to the Noise (And Yes to the 20%)

Jan 06, 2026 39m Transcript

The 80/20 rule isn’t new in business, but most agency owners are still drowning in the wrong 80%.  We discuss how the Pareto Principle shows up in agency life: service overload, monoline accounts,…

S1E297 Resolutions or Results: The New Year Reality Check

Dec 30, 2025 47m Transcript

New Year’s resolutions sound great until reality hits. This episode discusses why most resolutions fail, what actually leads to results, discipline over motivation, planning for obstacles, and why…

S1E296 Welcome To The Week When Nobody Gets Anything Done

Dec 23, 2025 42m

We are taking a step back from the holiday to-do lists, to discuss why clarity and intention matter more than urgency as we prepare for 2026. This episode isn’t about strategies or checklists, but…

S1E295 Where AI Helps and Where Customers Say No

Dec 16, 2025 54m Transcript

Everyone’s talking about AI, but customers aren’t convinced it's in their best interest. This episode explores where AI improves the insurance experience, where it raises red flags, and what agency…

S1E294 Creating the Profit Portfolio: How Many Carriers Are Enough?

Dec 09, 2025 48m

One of the most misunderstood decisions independent agency owners face is building a carrier portfolio that actually supports profitability and scale. We discuss how top-performing agencies use a…

S1E293 Cloning Yourself: Building An Agency That Runs Without You

Dec 02, 2025 21m

Shane and Tonya explore what it truly means to “clone yourself” through systems, people, and AI. From documenting what’s in your head to empowering team members to make confident decisions, they…

S1E294 Don’t Waste the Last Six Weeks: Making the Most of Thanksgiving to New Year

Nov 25, 2025 57m

As the holidays ramp up, most agency owners quietly hit pause and tell themselves, “We’ll circle back after the first of the year.” Shane and Tonya challenge that mindset and discuss how to use the…

S1E291 Beyond 10X Hype: A Real-World Take on Growth and Chaos

Nov 18, 2025 42m

In a world obsessed with 10X growth, Shane and Tonya ask, what does scaling really mean for independent agency owners? They discuss achievement culture, the chaos that comes with growth, and how real…

S1E290 Turning Sales into Sustainability: The Accounting Mindset for Agency Owners

Nov 11, 2025 41m

Most agency owners love selling, but dread accounting. Shane and Tonya tackle the side of agency ownership that doesn’t always come naturally to sales-driven entrepreneurs, and break down the basics…

S1E289 The Shutdown Showdown: When Politics Hit Your Agency

Nov 04, 2025 28m

When Washington stalls, Main Street feels the impact. Shane and Tonya discuss how a government shutdown ripples through independent insurance agencies. They also draw parallels between political…

S1E288 Building Trust Without the Label

Oct 30, 2025 32m

In the independent channel, freedom isn’t just a philosophy, it’s your competitive edge. Shane and Tonya unpack the recent sale of Trusted Choice, what it reveals about branding, autonomy, and the…

S1E287 Ask Shane: Tough Questions, Honest Answers

Oct 21, 2025 30m Transcript

Every once in a while, we put Shane in the hot seat, and this time, the questions don’t hold back. From navigating what to do when a top producer plateaus, to handling tricky referrals and ownership…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does IA Forward have?

IA Forward has published 308 episodes since February 2022, covering topics in Business, Entrepreneurship.

Is IA Forward still active?

IA Forward is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 25m.

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