In Episode 126 of the Agent Boost Podcast, Mike sits down with his best friend and fellow agency owner Seth Cottle, founder of Alchemy Health Plans, for a candid conversation about what it actually takes to build a thriving insurance agency in one of the most challenging markets the industry has ever seen.Seth spent years working at Comcast while quietly building his book of business on nights and weekends before going all in on insurance. He shares exactly how he made that transition, why it worked when it doesn't work for most agents, and how that same work ethic became the foundation for everything he teaches his agents at Alchemy today.This episode goes deep on the concept of the diverse, dynamic agent, why you can no longer survive as a Medicare-only or ACA-only agent, how to properly layer products without overwhelming your team, and why the agencies that built their entire book around one product line are the ones getting wiped out right now. Seth and Mike also break down income-producing activities, the real reason agents lose momentum and leave the industry, and what a new agent's first 90 days should actually look like.If you're a new agent trying to shortcut your path to success, a seasoned broker looking to diversify, or an agency owner trying to build something that lasts this episode is essential listening.---**Chapters**00:00 Welcome & Introducing Seth Cottle of Alchemy Health Plans01:06 How Mike & Seth Met & Seth's Path from Comcast to Agency Owner06:11 Building on the Side First — The Right Way to Make the Jump10:03 Income-Producing Activities — What Actually Moves the Needle12:39 The Hoodie Agent — How One Part-Timer Outsold Everyone15:44 You Can't Be a One-Trick Pony — Diversification Is Survival20:02 How Seth Layers Products & Trains Agents from Day One27:48 Agency Value & Why Diversification Determines What You're Worth33:55 Medicare Advantage Benefits Are Drying Up — The Ancillary Opportunity Is Now35:08 Seth's Advice for New Agents — Burn the Boats & Go All In---💻 Website: [www.agentboost.com](https://www.agentboost.com)💰 Get Contracted: https://agentboost.com/get-contracted👨🏼‍🎓 Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/606332946546184/📬 Our Weekly Newsletter: https://agentboost.com/subscribe-to-our-newsletter/

In Episode 125 of the Agent Boost Podcast, Mike sits down with Jeff, who just returned from the CMS Annual Marketplace Meeting in Baltimore, to break down everything brokers and agents need to know heading into this fall's open enrollment season.This episode covers the real state of ACA in 2025, from what CMS leadership actually thinks about brokers, to breaking news about the three-way call finally going away, to a full carrier-by-carrier forecast for the coming open enrollment. Jeff shares firsthand intel from inside the CMS building, including what was discussed at the large agency roundtable that rarely gets talked about publicly. Mike adds his predictions on which ACA carriers are going big, why bronze plans and HSAs are about to become dominant, and why he believes the ACA market won't truly stabilize until 2028.The conversation also digs into the very real pressure brokers are facing, overlapping Medicare AE and ACA OE deadlines, new consent form regulations, 75% QLE verification requirements, and the ongoing question of whether big tech is trying to eliminate brokers altogether. Plus, Dan and Jeff break down why 50% of agents have left the industry over the past two years and the two types of agents who are already gone.If you're an ACA agent, a Medicare broker trying to cross-train, or an agency owner trying to set your team up for the most challenging open enrollment in years, this episode is essential listening.---**Chapters**00:00 Welcome & CMS Meeting Overview00:33 Inside the CMS Building in Baltimore03:31 ICHRA Update — Why It Still Isn't Working07:34 Dan's Canada Healthcare Story & What It Reveals About ICHRA09:14 Jeff's AI Panel at CMS — HIPAA, ChatGPT & What's Allowed12:01 Is CMS Trying to Eliminate Brokers?15:07 CMS Leadership Is Pro-Broker — Here's What They Actually Said17:18 Fraud vs. Real Brokers — Why They Keep Getting Lumped Together19:00 2.8 Million Ghost Enrollments & $20 Billion in Fraud Cleaned Up22:22 Large Agency Day — The NPN Problem Nobody Is Solving Fast Enough24:45 BREAKING: The Three-Way Call Is Going Away Before Open Enrollment27:51 Open Enrollment Shortened to Nov 1–Dec 31 (And Why That's a Problem)29:31 Medicare AE and ACA OE Running at the Same Time32:35 Mike: 50%+ of ACA Clients May Need a New Plan This Fall33:06 Bronze Plans & HSAs Are About to Explode — Here's Why33:50 75% QLE Verification — What It Means for Your Book of Business34:41 The Utah AI Data Center Story (Kevin O'Leary vs. All of Utah)38:16 ACA Was the Wild Wild West — How Far We've Come39:06 New CMS Consent Form Rules Coming — What You Need to Know40:45 What Every Broker Should Be Doing Right Now Before OE42:30 Go Health Files Chapter 11 — The End of the Churn & Burn Era44:08 Why You Need the Right FMO Heading Into This Open Enrollment47:48 Carrier Predictions: Oscar, Ambetter, United, CSSC & Who's Out50:27 Short-Term Medical Growth & When the ACA Market Finally Stabilizes51:49 50% of Agents Have Left the Industry — Who's Gone and Why54:26 ACA Spammers & Bad Actors Getting Eliminated55:01 Final Thoughts & What's Coming for Agent Boost---💻 Website: [www.agentboost.com](https://www.agentboost.com)💰 Get Contracted: https://agentboost.com/get-contracted👨🏼‍🎓 Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/606332946546184/📬 Our Weekly Newsletter: https://agentboost.com/subscribe-to-our-newsletter/

In Episode 124 of the Agent Boost Podcast, Dan and Mike sit down with Nate Brown, National Vice President of Sales at Agent Boost, to talk about what actually makes great Medicare agents stand out in today’s market.This episode dives into leadership, relationship-building, training, diversification, compliance pressure, and why the insurance industry is becoming harder for average agents to survive in. Nate shares lessons from years in the field, what younger agents are missing, and why long-term trust still matters more than flashy marketing or shortcuts.The conversation also covers how the Medicare industry is evolving, the increasing pressure agents are facing, and why the next generation of successful brokers will need to become more dynamic, adaptable, and relationship-focused than ever before.If you're building an insurance business, growing an agency, or trying to become a better producer, this episode is packed with practical insights and honest conversations about what it takes to win long term.---# Chapters00:00 Welcome Back & Introducing Nate Brown01:19 Nate Brown Joins Agent Boost03:42 Building Relationships in Medicare Sales06:18 Why Old School Agents Still Win09:11 The Difference Between Great Agents & Average Agents12:44 Training, Leadership & Building Better Teams16:30 What’s Changed in Medicare Sales20:12 The Industry Is Getting Harder24:08 Why Diversification Matters More Than Ever28:40 Compliance, Pressure & Industry Challenges33:17 What Younger Agents Need To Understand38:22 Building Trust With Clients Long Term43:10 Why Relationships Still Matter Most48:36 The Future of Medicare Agents53:02 Final Thoughts & Advice For Agents---💻 Website: www.agentboost.com💰 Get Contracted: https://agentboost.com/get-contracted👨🏼‍🎓 Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/606332946546184/📬 Our Weekly Newsletter: https://agentboost.com/subscribe-to-our-newsletter/