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.
42episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
What Kentucky House Bill 568 Means for Public Adjusters with Jack Hanks - Episode 170
Mar 1800:38:15Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, host Galen Hair is joined by veteran public adjuster Jack Hanks to discuss a controversial piece of legislation that could dramatically reshape the public adjusting industry. Kentucky Kentucky House Bill 568 proposes sweeping changes, including a freeze on new public adjuster licenses, a strict 5% fee cap, and limitations on what adjusters are legally allowed to do during the claims process. Galen and Jack break down what the bill does, why it could make it nearly impossible for public adjusters to operate profitably, and how similar legislation could spread to other states. Highlights: • What Kentucky House Bill 568 actually proposes • Why a 5% fee cap could eliminate most public adjusting work • How freezing licenses would prevent new adjusters from entering the profession • The impact these changes could have on homeowners and policyholders • Why small insurance claims would become nearly impossible to represent • How legislation like this often spreads from one state to another • The growing tension between insurers and claims advocates • Why industry professionals must monitor legislation in their own states • The importance of industry unity and raising professional standards • What it means to truly "level up" and protect the future of the profession Episode Resources: • Connect with Jack Hanks • https://unitedclaimsprofessionals.org/ • Connect with Galen M. Hair • https://insuranceclaimhq.com • hair@hairshunnarah.com • https://levelupclaim.com/
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Your Biggest Business Limitation is Your Mindset with Randy Gage - Episode 169
Mar 1100:33:11Tap to summarizeSuccess isn't just about strategy — it's about mindset. In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, Galen Hair sits down with bestselling author and global speaker Randy Gage to talk about the deeper forces shaping entrepreneurial success. Highlights • From jail at 15 to global prosperity expert • Why personal responsibility is the turning point for success • The concept of the "prosperity operating system" • How media and culture program limiting beliefs • The difference between critical thinking and contrarian thinking • Why every entrepreneur has a "zone of genius" • How AI is eliminating hours of work for founders • The importance of building a self-managing business • Why working for money limits your freedom • Creating a life of holistic prosperity Episode Resources: • Connect with Randy Gage • https://randygage.com/ • Connect with Galen M. Hair • https://insuranceclaimhq.com • hair@hairshunnarah.com • https://levelupclaim.com/
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Why Most Businesses Aren't Actually Valuable with Rafael Pinho, CPA - Episode 168
Mar 400:29:41Tap to summarizeMost business owners have no idea what their company is really worth. They chase revenue, watch their bank balance, and assume growth equals value — until it's time to sell. In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, Galen Hair sits down with Rafael Pinho, CPA and co-founder of TD Pinho Advisors, to break down how founders can turn financial data into real, transferable business value. Rafael explains why top-line growth doesn't equal valuation, how owner dependency destroys exit potential, and why clean books, strong operating agreements, and a trusted advisory team are non-negotiable if you want options. Highlights: • What "transferable value" really means • Why revenue growth alone doesn't increase valuation • The investor's three priorities: predictability, growth, and risk mitigation • How a bad operating agreement can destroy deal value • The dangers of owner dependency • Why most founders never check the value of their biggest asset • Clean books vs "tax return accounting" • Separating revenue from real profitability • How delegation increases enterprise value • Why great leaders work themselves out of a job Episode Resources: • Connect with Rafael Pinho • https://tdpineadvisors.com/ • Connect with Galen M. Hair • https://insuranceclaimhq.com • hair@hairshunnarah.com • https://levelupclaim.com/
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The Hidden Legal Risks Killing Small Business with Matthew Fornaro - Episode 167
Feb 2500:24:47Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, host Galen Hair sits down with business attorney Matthew Fornaro, a commercial litigation and business law attorney who left Big Law to help small and mid-sized businesses prevent legal disasters before they start. Matthew shares what business owners get wrong about contracts, compliance, and professional budgeting—and why DIY agreements, AI-generated contracts, and "take it or leave it" commercial leases are ticking time bombs. He also breaks down the mindset shift required to treat your business like a profession—not a hobby—and why proactive legal strategy is always cheaper than reactive litigation. Highlights: • Why Big Law overstaffing creates hidden inefficiencies • The danger of AI-generated and DIY contracts • Common red flags in commercial leases • Why small businesses must budget for legal professionals • Proactive vs reactive legal strategy • How to build loyalty and long-term client relationships • Managing compliance before enforcement actions begin • Representing lawyers as clients (and why some can't turn it off) • Integrating AI responsibly into a law firm • What it really means to level up as a business owner Episode Resources: • Connect with Matthew Fornaro • https://fornarolegal.com • Connect with Galen M. Hair • https://insuranceclaimhq.com • hair@hairshunnarah.com • https://levelupclaim.com/
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Most Contractors Don't Know Their Real Profit with Sonny Grappone - Episode 166
Feb 1800:31:54Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, Galen Hair sits down with Sonny Grappone, co-founder of Precision Accounting Consulting, to break down how contractors and small business owners can gain financial clarity through job costing, strategic tax planning, and fractional CFO guidance. Highlights: • Why 70–80% of contractors don't know their true profit margins • The difference between bookkeeping and strategic financial planning • How job costing can dramatically increase profitability • Why relying on your bank balance is dangerous • The real risks of workers' comp and insurance audits • How wellness tax programs can reduce payroll tax burdens • When it's time to hire a fractional CFO • Why alliances and strategic partnerships create long-term growth Episode Resources: • Connect with Sonny Grappone • https://www.pivotandedge.com/about/ • Connect with Galen M. Hair • https://insuranceclaimhq.com • hair@hairshunnarah.com • https://levelupclaim.com/
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Building Teams That Fit Your Company's Culture with EA Clarke - Episode 165
Feb 1100:31:20Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, host Galen Hair sits down with EA Clarke, founder of Pivot + Edge, to unpack why most hiring strategies fail—and how storytelling, culture alignment, and employer branding can completely change the way companies attract and retain talent. Highlights: EA Clarke's background in startups and high-growth companies Why traditional recruiting models are broken Employer branding and storytelling as a hiring strategy Hiring people who run toward opportunity, not away from problems The true cost of bad hires across sales, marketing, and leadership Culture fit vs. resume fit How Pivot + Edge attracts aligned talent through storytelling The role—and limits—of AI in modern recruiting Ghost hires, identity swaps, and hiring fraud risks Building trust and alignment in the hiring process What it really means to "level up" recruiting Episode Resources: Connect with EA Clarke https://www.pivotandedge.com/about/ Connect with Galen M. Hair https://insuranceclaimhq.com hair@hairshunnarah.com https://levelupclaim.com/
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The Marketing Strategy Lawyers Forget with Dennis "DM" Meador - Episode 164
Feb 400:29:09Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, host Galen Hair sits down with Dennis "DM" Meador, owner of the Legal Podcast Network, to break down how professionals—especially attorneys—can escape commoditization, build real authority, and attract better clients through strategic podcasting. With decades of experience in legal marketing and positioning, DM explains why many professionals struggle with being reduced to price comparisons and how authority-based content shifts conversations from "How much do you charge?" to "How do I work with you?" He shares why podcasting is one of the most powerful evergreen marketing tools available, how it outperforms short-term ad spend, and what it takes to create content that drives trust and long-term results. Highlights: Dennis Meador's entrepreneurial journey and marketing background Why attorneys and professionals are being commoditized The real reason prospects ask "how much" first Authority positioning vs. PPC and paid lead generation What an "authority podcast" actually is How podcasting builds trust before the first call Evergreen marketing vs. disposable ad spend Making podcasting simple, scalable, and sustainable Production value, storytelling, and entertainment in modern content Episode Resources: Connect with Dennis "DM" Meador https://www.thelegalpodcastnetwork.com/about Connect with Galen M. Hair https://insuranceclaimhq.com hair@hairshunnarah.com https://levelupclaim.com/
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How Lawyers Avoid Ethics Complaints with Matthew Carlyon - Episode 163
Jan 2800:29:26Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, host Galen Hair sits down with Matthew Carlyon, attorney at Insurance Claim HQ, to explore the intersection of ethics, communication, and effective case management in property insurance claims. Matthew brings a rare perspective to the conversation, drawing from his background as a former State Bar ethics prosecutor, insurance defense attorney, and now policyholder advocate. Together, Galen and Matthew break down why communication failures—not legal mistakes—are the number one reason attorneys face disciplinary complaints, and how simple systems can prevent major problems. This episode dives deep into what ethical advocacy actually looks like in practice, why legal writing and storytelling matter more than courtroom theatrics, and how consistent file management protects both clients and professionals. Whether you're an attorney, public adjuster, or claims professional, this conversation offers practical guidance on operating with integrity while delivering strong results. Highlights: Matthew Carlyon's path from fiction writing to law and legal ethics Why most ethics complaints stem from poor client communication The importance of touching every case at least every two weeks How documentation protects attorneys and firms Legal writing as storytelling—and why it wins cases Lessons from prosecuting attorney misconduct for the State Bar Ethical advocacy vs. cutting corners in property claims The impact of climate change on Midwest property claims Systems that reduce chaos and increase accountability What "leveling up" really means in a legal career Episode Resources: Connect with Galen M. Hair https://insuranceclaimhq.com hair@hairshunnarah.com https://levelupclaim.com
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Why Most Businesses Fail at PR (And How to Fix It) with Austin Holmes - Episode 162
Jan 2100:29:54Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, host Galen Hair sits down with Austin Holmes, CEO of Signal Raptor and President of Publicity for Good, to break down how storytelling, earned media, and authentic communication help businesses stand out in an increasingly noisy, AI-driven world. Austin shares how his background in the military shaped his leadership and communication style, why most business owners struggle to build trust at scale, and how PR can be transformed from a vague expense into a predictable growth tool. From scaling a seven-figure PR agency while raising a family on the road to building systems that replace "hope-based PR," this conversation delivers a practical, no-fluff framework business owners can apply every day. Highlights · Austin Holmes' journey from military leadership to scaling PR companies · Why authenticity and storytelling are essential in modern marketing · How AI has increased noise—and why story cuts through it · Turning your customer's story into a trust-building asset · Why "hope-based PR" doesn't work for growing businesses · Earned media vs influencers vs advertising: what actually matters · How Austin grew his company more than 50x with mentorship and systems · Building a business while traveling full-time with a growing family · Why systems—not hustle—create sustainable growth · Breaking down the COMPARE framework for business communication · The importance of omnipresence across platforms · Using earned media as third-party validation · How relationships and engagement drive long-term visibility · Preparing your brand for AI and LLM-based search · Austin's definition of leveling up: never settling and always growing Episode Resources · Connect with Austin Holmes · https://signalraptor.com · https://publicityforgood.com · Connect with Galen M. Hair · https://insuranceclaimhq.com · hair@hairshunnarah.com · https://levelupclaim.com/
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How to Build a Scalable Business Investors Want to Buy with Marie Torossian - Episode 161
Jan 1400:27:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, host Galen Hair sits down with Marie Torossian, CPA, former CFO, and founder of The Profit Lab, to discuss how business owners can scale smarter, increase valuation, and build systems that attract investors. Marie explains why true business modernization goes far beyond technology and into mindset, leadership, and financial strategy. She breaks down value-based pricing, financial projections, process documentation, and why clean financials are non-negotiable for growth, private equity interest, and long-term scalability. This conversation is packed with practical insights for firm owners and entrepreneurs who want to reduce owner dependency, create predictable growth, and build a business that can operate—and sell—without chaos. Highlights: Marie Torossian's journey from CPA and CFO to scaling strategist Why modernization is about mindset—not just tech stacks How value-based pricing increases profitability and confidence Common financial red flags that hurt valuation Why clean books are essential before scaling The role of financial projections in strategic growth What investors look for in scalable businesses Systems and processes that reduce owner dependency Identifying chaos vs. structure inside your organization Leadership habits that drive long-term growth What it really means to "level up" as a business owner Episode Resources: · Connect with Marie Torossian · https://marietorossiancpa.com · Connect with Galen M. Hair · https://insuranceclaimhq.com · hair@hairshunnarah.com · https://levelupclaim.com/
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