Accelerate Your Growth: Inside the Podcast Driving Agent Success
In an industry built on relationships, The Accelerator by Hagerty is where connection meets expertise. Hosted by Hagerty insurance leaders, John Gessner and Bryant Kolle, this podcast dives into what truly moves the needle for insurance agents and brokers serving the collector car and enthusiast markets.
Each episode explores the stories, lessons, and real-world insights behind the business of protecting automotive passion - from the evolving world of private risk management to the art of confidence in client relationships, from market intelligence and claims strategy to the community roots of boutique agencies.
The conversations are candid, the takeaways are actionable, and the guests, ranging from thought leaders to front-line practitioners, bring a depth of experience you can use right away.
If you’re ready to grow your business in one of the most emotionally charged, loyal, and dynamic corners of insurance, The Accelerator is your on-ramp.
Listen and subscribe: The Accelerator by Hagerty
Episode 1 — Why Confidence Is Your Best Asset in Business and Sales with Lydia Fenet
Auctioneer, author, and confidence coach Lydia Fenet opens the series with lessons from her time commanding rooms at Christie’s and beyond. She shares how to cultivate confidence in yourself, your message, and your value to clients.
“Confidence isn’t arrogance—it’s clarity. It’s knowing what you bring to the table.” – Lydia Fenet
“When you walk into a room believing you can help, people feel it.” – Bryant Kolle
It’s an energizing kickoff that reminds listeners why presence and purpose matter in every interaction.
Episode 2 — From Million-Dollar Wrecks to Lifetime Clients: Lessons from the Claims Team
What happens when the unthinkable happens to an insured's prized vehicle? Leaders from Hagerty’s claims department, Lee Meeler, Jeff Mullenix, and David Herbert share the moments that tested their teams, and what every agent can learn from those experiences.
“The claim is the moment you prove everything you’ve ever promised.” – Lee Meeler
“A good claim story travels. Clients tell it, agents use it, and it builds a reputation that money can’t buy.” – John Gessner
This one’s equal parts business insight and emotional storytelling.
Episode 3 — When Disaster Strikes Classic Cars: CAT Claims at Hagerty
This short, special episode steps into the field with Hagerty’s claims team as they respond to wildfires, floods, and hurricanes. The stories are raw, real, and surprisingly hopeful - showing how care and communication define Hagerty’s difference when things go wrong.
“We’re not just restoring cars; we’re restoring trust.” – David Herbert
It’s an inside look at how expertise and empathy turn catastrophe into confidence.
Episode 4 — Building Boutique Success: Community, Cars, and Culture with Dana Acabbo and Carrie Keller
When Dana Acabbo and Carrie Keller left the corporate insurance world to start Make the Switch Insurance, they did it with one mission: to serve clients with authenticity and joy. This conversation explores how culture and community drive business - especially when your clients are fellow enthusiasts.
“Our clients know we get them. That’s what makes this space different - you can’t fake passion.” – Dana Acabbo
“The business grows when the community grows. That’s the magic.” – Carrie Keller
Their story proves that heart, humor, and connection are still unbeatable growth strategies.
Episode 5 — Market Stability, Car Values, and the Rise of Younger Enthusiasts with Brian Rabold
Collector car values tell a story, and Brian Rabold, Hagerty’s VP of Automotive Intelligence, has spent his career interpreting it. In this episode, he breaks down what’s driving today’s market: the steady rise of ‘90s cars, generational turnover, and the cultural shift that’s redefining what it means to be a collector.
“We’re seeing stability return to the market, but the conversation is changing. Millennials and Gen Z buyers are driving enthusiasm in entirely new directions.” – Brian Rabold
“Agents who speak the language of values—and valuation—can become their clients’ most trusted advisors.” – Bryant Kolle
It’s a masterclass in reading the road ahead and positioning your agency for long-term relevance.
Episode 6 — Elevating Standards in Private Risk with Diane Delaney
As the CEO of the Private Risk Management Association (PRMA), Diane Delaney brings clarity to the changing expectations of high-net-worth clients. She and the hosts dig into how the best advisors are adapting to a new risk landscape—where everything from cyber to collector assets demands specialized knowledge and empathy.
“We’re not just talking about insurance anymore. We’re talking about lifestyle, legacy, and confidence.” – Diane Delaney
“Agents who understand private risk are building not just portfolios, but partnerships.” – John Gessner
Delaney’s insights are a reminder that the future of success lies in collaboration, education, and elevating service beyond the transaction.
Episode 7 — Behind the Numbers – How Product and Underwriting Power Hagerty’s Advantage
This episode takes listeners behind the scenes of Hagerty’s underwriting and product engine with guests Sabrina Wheaton (Senior Director of Underwriting & State Farm Operations) and Kennen Choiniere (Director of U.S. Auto Product Management). With transparency uncommon for carrier-agent conversations, they explain why premium stability, state-by-state considerations, and endorsement flexibility matter, and how agents can use that knowledge to build trust and differentiate in the collector space.
“Our pricing isn’t guesswork—it’s calibrated risk and trusted relationships.” – Sabrina Wheaton
“Agents who understand the engine behind the policy are the ones clients lean into.” – Kennen Choiniere
The conversation digs into how product filings work, what “risk-based pricing” means in specialty auto, and how “straight-through processing” is reshaping service expectations. For agents who want to move from transactional to consultative, this episode gives a blueprint for elevating their product conversations and reinforcing their value proposition.
Episode 8 — Tuning the Frequency: How Mindset Powers Agent Success with Toby Brazwell
In this episode, the hosts sit down with Toby Brazwell — musician, author, coach and Farmers District Leader — to unpack how mindset, emotional intelligence, and identity shape performance for insurance agents. By connecting the rhythms of creative work with the cadence of sales and client relationships, Toby delivers a fresh lens on how agents can tap into authenticity, resilience and purpose.
“We either win or we learn. There’s never been a better time to learn than now.” – Toby Brazwell “If you can change your perspective, you can find your power.” – Toby Brazwell
Toby’s story stretches beyond insurance-industry platitudes: it shows how shifting the inner narrative - from “I’m trying to close a deal” to “I’m guiding a client’s story” - elevates everything that comes after. For agents looking to differentiate in the enthusiast and collector car niche, this episode offers both inspiration and practical habits you can implement now.
Episode 9 — Saying 'Yes' More and Scaling the Future of Hagerty Insurance with Jeff Briglia, President of Insurance at Hagerty
In the last episode of 2025, John and Bryant sit down with Jeff Briglia, Hagerty’s President of Insurance, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, growth, and what’s next for the Hagerty insurance business. Grounded by personal stories, this episode blends strategy with humanity.
Jeff unpacks what truly differentiates Hagerty: a deep understanding of the auto enthusiast mindset, an investment-heavy approach to claims and service experiences, and products built around emotional value - not just actuarial tables. He also outlines his vision for the next few years, centered on modernizing experiences, expanding eligibility, and a simple but powerful mantra: say yes more.
“As good as we are, insurance is complicated. I want the experience - for customers and agents - to be simpler, faster, and easier.” – Jeff Briglia
The conversation also zooms in on Hagerty’s agent and broker partners, reinforcing their critical role in protecting high-value households and delivering year-round peace of mind. For agents and brokers focused on growth in the enthusiast and collector vehicle space, this conversation offers both reassurance and momentum: Hagerty is evolving, listening, and building toward a future where saying yes is easier than ever.
Drive Further with Every Episode
Each conversation on The Accelerator is designed to spark ideas, challenge your approach, and keep you connected to the best minds in automotive risk and enthusiast culture.
If your clients love cars, these stories will help you speak their language and grow your business while doing it.
Listen and subscribe: The Accelerator by Hagerty on Apple Podcasts
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