Podcast
Level Up Claims
Hosted by Galen Hair · EN
The Level Up Claims Podcast brings you real conversations with the leaders, builders, and disruptors shaping the property damage, restoration, and insurance-claims world. Each week, we dig into the strategies, systems, and mindset needed to grow, whether you're a contractor, public adjuster, attorney, or anyone working in the claims ecosystem.
From business growth and leadership to industry trends, complex losses, tech, and entrepreneurship, we spotlight the people who refuse to settle and are pushing the industry forward. No fluff. No sales pitches. Just actionable insight from those who've lived it.
If you're ready to think bigger, operate smarter, and level up your impact, you're in the right place.
35episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Building Operations that Survive the Storm with Ashley Bickford - Episode 183
1w ago00:33:32Tap to summarizeThis special episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast was recorded live at the 2026 Level Up Claims Summit. While most businesses focus on marketing and growth, few talk about what happens after the leads arrive. In this candid conversation, Galen Hair sits down with Insurance Claim HQ COO Ashley Bickford to pull back the curtain on the operational challenges that come with catastrophe events, rapid growth, acquisitions, and scaling a modern claims organization. Highlights: · Why intake is often the first thing to break during a CAT event · The operational mistakes that nearly derailed growth · Building SOPs and training systems that scale · How Insurance Claim HQ uses AI without replacing people · Improving client communication and accountability · Solving referral tracking and attribution challenges · Creating operational leverage before the next storm hits · Lessons learned from acquiring another law firm's assets · Why growth exposes problems instead of solving them · How to identify and eliminate bottlenecks before they become crises Episode Resources: · Connect with Ashley Bickgord · abickford@hstalaw.com · Connect with Galen M. Hair · https://insuranceclaimhq.com · hair@hairshunnarah.com · https://levelupclaim.com/
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What Does It Mean To You To Level Up - Compilation - Vol. 6 - Episode 182
2w ago00:15:22Tap to summarizeAs we ready for the new year, tune into this special episode of the "Level Up Claims Podcast" with host Galen Hair, featuring powerful insights from industry experts. Whether it's embracing technology, enhancing personal growth, or championing justice, find out what it truly means to "level up." Perfect for anyone in the storm restoration industry ready to embrace new challenges! Highlights Continuous learning. Building potential. Keep moving forward. The importance of self-discovery. Tackle daily challenges. Holistic problem solving. Maintaining personal goals. Take community action. Growing business value. Taking a step back. Staying curious and intentional. Episode Resources Connect with Galen M. Hair https://insuranceclaimhq.com hair@hairshunnarah.com https://levelupclaim.com/
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The Authority X-Factor: Why Authenticity Beats AI with Kelly Schuknecht - Episode 181
3w ago00:28:25Tap to summarizeIn a world flooded with AI-generated content, standing out has never been harder; or more important. This week on the Level Up Claims Podcast, Galen Hair sits down with Kelly Schuknecht, founder of Two Mile High Marketing, author of Unlocking Your Authority X-Factor, and a leading expert in thought leadership, personal branding, and visibility strategy. Highlights: · Why expertise alone isn't enough to build influence · The difference between personal branding and thought leadership · How to identify your "Authority X-Factor" · Why authenticity matters more than ever in the age of AI · The right way to use AI when writing a book · Lessons learned from rapidly scaling a business · How to create sustainable visibility through speaking, podcasting, and content creation · Building systems that support long-term growth Episode Resources: · Connect with Kelly Schuknecht · https://kellyschuknecht.com/ · Connect with Galen M. Hair · https://insuranceclaimhq.com · hair@hairshunnarah.com · https://levelupclaim.com/
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Why You Lost The Client After The Pitch with Bradley Rausch - Episode 180
May 2700:32:56Tap to summarizeMost businesses obsess over getting the next client… but completely neglect what happens after the sale. In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, Galen Hare sits down with Bradley Rausch, founder of Level Up Influence, to break down why onboarding, client success, referrals, and retention are the real profit multipliers most companies ignore. Highlights: · Why your onboarding process determines long-term profitability · The "first 72 hours" framework every business should build · How to engineer referrals instead of hoping for them · Why most companies ask for referrals at the wrong time · The difference between clients becoming assets vs liabilities · How AI can improve client success without adding headcount · The emotional mistakes businesses make after the sale · Building low-friction systems that scale Episode Resources: · Connect with Bradley Rausch · https://www.bradleyrausch.com/ · Connect with Galen M. Hair · https://insuranceclaimhq.com · hair@hairshunnarah.com · https://levelupclaim.com/
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The Future of Property Claims Starts Here - Level Up Claims Summit 2026 Preview - Episode 179
May 2000:25:48Tap to summarizeThe 2026 Level Up Claims Summit is almost here — and in this special episode, Parker Logan flips the script by putting Galen Hair in the guest seat. From AI and tech stacks to appraisals, legislation, documentation standards, and industry consolidation, Galen breaks down the pressures contractors, public adjusters, restoration professionals, attorneys, and claims leaders are facing right now — and why getting the right people in the same room matters more than ever. The Level Up Claims Summit takes place Friday, June 12th, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana, with intentionally limited seating and a focus on actionable insight, meaningful networking, and real conversations. Highlights: · Why the summit was originally created · The "50/50 model" balancing claims education and business strategy · Why there's no exhibit hall or pay-to-play speaking · The biggest threats facing the property claims industry · How AI is changing workflows and operations · Why most companies are underestimating what's coming · What serious operators are doing differently · Why the summit is intentionally small and exclusive · The live AI assistant demonstration happening at the event · What attendees should expect to leave with Episode Resources: · Connect with Galen M. Hair · https://insuranceclaimhq.com · hair@hairshunnarah.com · Claim your tickets now! · https://levelupclaim.com/
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Leadership is the Real Retention Problem with Traci Austin - Episode 178
May 1300:28:55Tap to summarizeThis week on the Level Up Claims Podcast, Parker sits down with leadership strategist, speaker, and HR expert Traci Austin to talk about one of the biggest hidden problems in the trades and claims industry: leadership. Why do good employees really leave? Is turnover actually a labor problem… or a leadership problem? Traci breaks down the hard truths about accountability, toxic work environments, retention, and why avoiding difficult conversations slowly destroys teams. Highlights: · Why turnover is usually a leadership issue · The real reason employees quit · Accountability starts with clarity · How poor communication creates resentment · The difference between "hard" and "honest" conversations · The 5 drivers of employee engagement · How great leaders retain top talent · Practical leadership advice for contractors, adjusters, and business owners Episode Resources: · Connect with Traci Austin · https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/ · Connect with Galen M. Hair · https://insuranceclaimhq.com · hair@hairshunnarah.com · https://levelupclaim.com/
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Scaling Your Business Without Breaking Your Systems with Rob Broadhead - Episode 177
May 600:38:47Tap to summarizeMost companies don't fail because of bad technology—they fail because they're using the wrong technology, the wrong way. In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, host Parker Logan sits down with technology strategist and RB Consulting founder Rob Broadhead to break down what's really holding businesses back. With over 30 years of experience, Rob has seen firsthand how "simple" tech projects spiral into expensive bottlenecks—and how the right systems can unlock serious growth. Highlights: Why most tech projects fail (and how to avoid becoming one) The hidden danger of "scaling chaos" in growing claims businesses Build vs. buy: how to make the right call on software solutions The real reason your systems feel disconnected—and how to fix it Why faster isn't always better when it comes to automation How AI can improve claims accuracy (and where it can get you in trouble) The importance of fallback systems when tech inevitably breaks Red flags that signal your business needs a tech overhaul How small teams can compete with big tech using smarter systems Why great vendors should challenge your decisions—not just sell to you Episode Resources: · Connect with Rob Broadhead · https://rb-sns.com/ · https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbroadhead/ · Connect with Galen M. Hair · https://insuranceclaimhq.com · hair@hairshunnarah.com · https://levelupclaim.com/
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What Drives Your Business's Value? with Dave Bookbinder - Episode 176
Apr 2900:28:42Tap to summarizeMost business owners think they know what their company is worth. They don't. In this episode, Galen sits down with Dave Bookbinder—business valuation expert, author, and corporate finance executive—to break down what drives value… and why most owners are looking at the wrong metrics. Highlights: · Why valuation is about the future—not the past · The shift from tangible assets to intangible value · Why your people are your biggest asset (but rarely counted) · The concept of "Return on Individuals" · How toxic employees can destroy value faster than you think · Where AI helps—and where it completely falls short · Why execution risk matters more than your projections Episode Resources: · Connect with Dave Bookbinder · https://newroi.com/ · https://www.linkedin.com/in/davebookbinder/ · Connect with Galen M. Hair · https://insuranceclaimhq.com · hair@hairshunnarah.com · https://levelupclaim.com/
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The Real Role of AI in Creative Work with Sam Ryan - Episode 175
Apr 2200:28:15Tap to summarizeMost businesses don't have a marketing problem — they have a workflow problem. In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, Sam Ryan, CEO and co-founder of Flocksy, breaks down how companies can scale high-quality creative work without the headaches of hiring, freelancers, or bloated agencies. Highlights: · Why most businesses fail to scale creative work · The shift from freelancers to subscription-based creative teams · How to structure workflows so creative actually gets done · The right way to use AI (without losing quality) · Why soft skills matter more than technical skills in today's market · How to reduce friction and get more output with less effort · The power of recurring tasks and "set-it-and-forget-it" workflows · Why connection and human creativity still win in an AI world Episode Resources: · Connect with Sam Ryan · https://flocksy.com/ · Connect with Galen M. Hair · https://insuranceclaimhq.com · hair@hairshunnarah.com · https://levelupclaim.com/
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Stop Hustling, Start Thinking with Drew Thompson - Episode 174
Apr 1500:28:40Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, Galen Hair sits down with Drew Thompson, founder of Signal & Scale, to unpack what it really takes to perform at a high level in today's AI-driven world—without burning out. Drew shares how he scaled and sold his agency, how AI is completely reshaping operations, and why most entrepreneurs are thinking about "hustle" all wrong. Highlights: How Drew scaled a service-based business by becoming a "problem seeker" Why overcommunication and client experience drive organic growth Practical ways to use AI tools to save time and increase output (even for free) The real difference between motion vs. momentum in hustle culture How AI can act as a second brain for decision-making and clarity The "Four Burners Theory" and how AI is changing the game Why being present—not just productive—is the ultimate competitive advantage Drew's philosophy behind Permission to Laugh and using humor to build resilience Episode Resources: · Connect with Drew Thompson · https://www.signalandscale.ai/ · Connect with Galen M. Hair · https://insuranceclaimhq.com · hair@hairshunnarah.com · https://levelupclaim.com/
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