Life Chat: Recent Episodes
EMC National Life
Many people’s first introduction to life insurance is through their employer. While having life insurance through work is a good option, it often isn’t enough coverage for the average person.
On our latest episode of Life Chat, we sit down with Kirt Till, EMC Life business development consultant, and Jennifer Wallace, agent with Swallows Insurance, to discuss how workplace benefits open the door to individual life sales. By meeting employees where they already are, we can turn awareness into action and benefits into lasting financial security.
Buying life insurance at a young age can mean lower costs, more options, and peace of mind knowing your future is protected long before you need it. Life insurance doesn’t need to be complicated and is a great tool to help set your future self up for success.
Listen to our most recent episode where we sit down with Kirt Till, EMC Life business development consultant, and Tyler Pettit, agent with Diebold Insurance, and discuss why people should buy life insurance while they are young to protect their future.
We live in a world where everything is online, instantaneous, and made for convenience. It's easy to forget that life insurance, at its core, is a human business. In this episode, we are joined by agent Zach Lint and representative Kirt Till to share why working with real agents is important. From uncovering needs a website might miss to delivering on promises when families need it most, we discuss how to keep insurance human.
2025 was packed with incredible conversations about life insurance and relationships. In this episode, we’re sharing the biggest takeaways from the past year.
Every episode reminded us that strong relationships aren’t just good business—they’re the foundation of everything we do. So, consider this your ultimate recap of 2025. Let’s dive into the top conversations that shaped the year!
Whether you're a seasoned agent or just starting out, understanding the underwriting process—and how it is evolving—is essential to helping your customers succeed.
In this episode of Life Chat, Anna Coleman and Laura Timmins sit down with Traci Davis and Eric Storey from the EMC Life underwriting team. They dive deep into how underwriting has changed over the years and what we can expect in the future. This episode is packed with helpful information to help you continue improving lives through life insurance.
In this episode of Life Chat, hosts Laura Timmins and Anna Coleman from EMC Life are joined by Kelsey Spencer and Amie Crawford from GRAIL, the company behind the groundbreaking Galleri® multi-cancer early detection test. Together, they explore how this simple blood test can detect signals for more than 50 types of cancer often before symptoms appear. This episode highlights how innovation and strong relationships are transforming the future of life insurance and wellness.
When life takes an unexpected turn, the claims process can feel overwhelming. In this episode of Life Chat, we pull back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes. Join hosts Anna Coleman and Laura Timmins as they sit down with Steve Brown, VP of Underwriting & Claims, and Denelle Short, Senior Claims Administrator at EMC Life.
You’ll hear:
- Why relationships matter in claims and how empathy makes a difference.
- How EMC Life ensures fast and fair payouts.
- Heartfelt stories about how lives were changed by unexpected benefits.
- Plus, how charitable contributions can make an impact beyond the policy.
Whether you’re an agent, policyholder or just curious about how life insurance claims really work, this episode offers a candid look at compassion, compliance and the human side of life insurance.
Listen now and discover why relationships truly matter.
This episode of Life Chat, part of EMC Life's Relationships Matter campaign, highlights the importance of exceptional customer service in the life insurance industry. Hosted by Anna Coleman and Laura Timmins, the episode features Steve Fox, Customer Experience Supervisor, and Steve Miller, Life Sales Consultant, as they discuss how building trust and strong relationships drive business growth and generates referrals.
It's our 40th episode and it's a big one. EMC and EMC Life have teamed up to take Life Chat on the road to Michigan. Join Brian Dimmick and Kirt Till as they talk to Michigan Big I leadership and agents attending the conference. Our guests share intriguing real-life stories, valuable client relationship advice and trends they see impacting the industry. Don’t miss this special episode.
Guests
(0:49) Aaron Vorce – Commercial Client Manager – Van Wyk Risk Solutions
(8:23) Pat Green – COO – Core Insurance Group
(10:04) Tom Sokol – Agency Principal – First Independent Agency
(16:28) Barbara Walker – President – Big I Michigan
(20:42) Jared Burkhart – CEO – Big I Michigan
(31:47) Amy Bobel – SVP MI & OH – Keystone Insurers Group
(37:31) Ron Devers – Business Development Executive – PMCA Insurance Services
(43:44) Andrew Ceo – Co-Founder and VP Sales – Hemlock Insurance Group
(48:33) Monique Colizzi – Business and Risk Management Instructor – Wilson Talent Center
Longevity is key to building strong relationships. When customers feel valued and cared for, they are less likely to switch providers—resulting in higher retention rates. Join Brian Dimmick, EMC Territory Management Consultant, alongside Kirt Till and Patrick Murphy from the EMC Life Sales Team, as they share valuable insights on maintaining customer loyalty in a competitive market.
The life insurance industry relies heavily on trust. Customers need to feel confident that their advisor will have their best interests at heart, act ethically and handle their finances with care. Strong relationships built on empathy, transparency and reliability are essential for fostering this trust. Join Gary Hoeger, Life Sales Specialist with EMC Life, and Erin Dop, agent with Fullenkamp Insurance, as they discuss the importance of fostering trust with customers.
Offering your customer a variety of products can increase customer retention and enhance customer value by addressing multiple insurance needs in one place. To help guide our discussion we have invited Kirt Till, Business Development Consultant with EMC Life, and Missy Creel, Territory Management Consultant at EMC. Join us to learn how adding life insurance to your portfolio provides complete coverage for your customers and insures them every step of the way.
No two life insurance needs are the same. Each individual and family has unique circumstances and financial plans. Join Steve Miller, life sales consultant, as he provides helpful tips on how to approach your customers about life insurance and picking the right product that fits their needs.
Relationships matter in the life insurance industry and building strong relationships with customers is the cornerstone of success. However, there are elements of life that present challenging conversations.
Life insurance deals with a sensitive topic—death. People are naturally hesitant to discuss such a personal matter with someone they don't trust or feel comfortable with. Strong relationships create a safe space for open and honest conversations about needs, anxieties and goals. Join us as Lanae Strovers from the National Funeral Directors Association provides important information on how to approach this topic and offers useful tips which will result in a positive experience for you and your customers.
Visit EMCLifeRelationships.com to learn more. If you have any ideas or questions for future podcast episodes, please email us at lifechat@emcnl.com.
This is the final episode in our 2023 agent education campaign, Healthy Life, where we are striving to improve lives through balance and wellness. Thank you to all our guests that joined us for the podcast and taught us how to live a well-rounded life. In this episode, we go back in time and highlight the best moments of each wellness topic. We hope you enjoyed following along in this journey of finding harmony and balance in your lives.
To learn more about each wellness category, please visit our microsite at EMCHealthyLife.com for podcast episodes, articles, social media and more. If you have any ideas or questions for future podcast episodes, please email us at lifechat@emcnl.com.
Spiritual wellness involves finding purpose, meaning, and connection in life. Enlighten yourself with our latest podcast episode featuring special guest Lily Allen-Duenas, yoga instructor with Power Life Yoga and founder of the Wild Yoga Tribe.
Intellectual wellness is a state of being, inspiring curiosity within yourself and the world around you. Rebecca Cloud, adult services librarian with the Des Moines Public Library, encourages listeners to try new things and be open to new ideas. Her passion for learning sparks a desire to spend time on our own intellectual wellness, creating balance and harmony in our lives.
This episode is part of our Healthy Life campaign where we are striving to improve lives through balance and wellness. Visit our microsite at www.EMCHealthyLife.com for podcast episodes, articles, social media and more. If you have any ideas or questions for future podcast episodes, please email us at lifechat@emcnl.com.
Environmental wellness invokes a respect for nature and other environments, such as our home and workspaces, which in turn benefit our health and well-being. For this episode on environmental wellness, we interviewed Danny Nielsen, photographer and videographer for Wake County in Raleigh, North Carolina. With a background in environmental science, Danny has a passion for nature and the world around him. Join life insurance advocates Anna Coleman and Laura Timmins as they discuss with Danny practical ways that we can incorporate environmental wellness while creating harmony and balance in our own lives.
This episode is part of our Healthy Life campaign where we are striving to improve lives through balance and wellness. Visit our microsite at www.EMCHealthyLife.com for podcast episodes, articles, social media and more. If you have any ideas or questions for future podcast episodes, please email us at lifechat@emcnl.com.
Social wellness is the ability to relate to and connect with other people in our world. This month’s wellness topic introduces us to Nathan Beacom and the Lyceum Movement. Drawing on a history over 150 years old, The Lyceum Movement hosts social, festive events that explore the big ideas of art, philosophy, history and more. In an age where so much of our life is consumed by the anxiousness of online life, Nathan is creating spaces where neighbors can slow down, meet face to face, and have better conversations. Join Nathan along with life insurance advocates Laura Timmins and Anna Coleman from EMC National Life as they delve into the world of social wellness.
This episode is part of our Healthy Life campaign where we are striving to improve lives through balance and wellness. Visit our microsite at www.EMCHealthyLife.com for podcast episodes, articles, social media and more. If you have any ideas or questions for future podcast episodes, please email us at lifechat@emcnl.com.
Resources
- National Institutes of Health; Social Wellness Toolkit
- The Lyceum Movement
- How Is Modern Media Changing Us?
- How Digital Technology is Changing Us
- Seeing Our Neighbors as Fully Human
This month, we're focusing on the occupational component of total wellness. Occupational wellness is the ability to achieve a balance between work and leisure in a way that promotes health, a sense of personal satisfaction and is financially rewarding. Join Ceyda Nazli, a wellness specialist from EMC, and life insurance advocates Laura Timmins and Karly O’Connor-Pelz from EMC National Life as they discuss practical ways to enhance your occupational wellness.
This episode is part of our Healthy Life campaign where we are striving to improve lives through balance and wellness. Visit our microsite at www.EMCHealthyLife.com for podcast episodes, articles, social media and more. If you have any ideas or questions for future podcast episodes, please email us at lifechat@emcnl.com.
Physical wellness is key to maintaining a high quality of life. Positive physical health habits can help decrease your stress, lower your risk of diseases and increase your energy. Learn how to get moving and increase your knowledge by joining Kiley Huber, a senior wellness specialist from EMC, and life insurance advocates Anna Coleman and Laura Timmins from EMC National Life.
This episode is part of our Healthy Life campaign where we are striving to improve lives through balance and wellness. Visit our microsite at www.EMCHealthyLife.com for podcast episodes, articles, social media and more. If you have any ideas or questions for future podcast episodes, please email us at lifechat@emcnl.com.
This episode of Life Chat focuses on emotional wellness and mental health awareness. Join Brianna Sink the Make It OK Coordinator from the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative along with Anna Coleman and Laura Timmins from EMC National Life. The trio discusses helpful tips, valuable resources and ways to enhance mental health awareness.
Mental Health Resources:
- Iowa's Healthiest State Initiative, Make It OK
- Make It OK
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Mindspring Mental Health Alliance
- Mental Health America
- NAMI
- National Institutes of Health, Emotional Wellness Toolkit
- Question, Persuade, Refer Training
- Mental Health First Aid Training
Financial wellness is the ability to identify your relationship with money and skills in managing resources. Join Cam Torstenson and Kirt Till as they discuss where to start to secure your financial future and how to begin making financial choices that allow you to enjoy your life.
Throughout 2022, we discussed ways to simplify life insurance for the average consumer. Join our panel of experts as we highlight some of our best tips.
Workplace life insurance fills a need, helps attract and retain employees and utilizes a simple process. Join our life insurance team as they breakdown key elements of offering workplace life insurance.
This episode is part of our Simplify Life Agent Education Campaign. Visit our microsite at emcsimplifylife.com for videos, podcast episodes, articles, social media and more. If you have any ideas or questions for future podcast episodes, please email us at lifechat@emcnl.com.
How do you help your clients discover and cover their life insurance needs? Join Steve Miller, Kirt Till and Karly O'Connor-Pelz as they explain how to go about selecting the right amount of coverage.
When should your clients look at purchasing life insurance? As soon as possible. Life Sales Representative Gary Hoeger explains that the sooner you talk to your clients about life insurance, the sooner they can protect their financial future and the financial security of their loved ones.
There’s a common misconception that life insurance is too expensive. In this episode, we discuss affordability of life insurance and the best opportunities to purchase.
I have insurance through work is a common response when inquiring about life insurance; however, is it enough coverage? Join us as we discuss the pros and cons of different life insurance options.
Times are changing and we’ll discuss how the life insurance industry is adapting to a virtual environment. Join us to learn more about processes that can assist you with your life insurance needs.
Final expenses are the ultimate reason for having life insurance. Join us as we discuss how to be prepared for unforeseen events.
Paying off debt is a familiar situation for most people. Join us to learn how life insurance can help ease the financial burden for your clients.
Life events provide great opportunities to talk about life insurance. Do you have clients who are new homeowners or looking to purchase a new home? Join us as we discuss life insurance needs and options. This is the third episode in a series of topics on life stages.
Life events provide great opportunities to talk about life insurance. Do you have clients who are new parents or expecting to be soon? Join us as we discuss the need for life insurance. This is the second episode in a series of topics on life stages.
For the first time, your client has someone else relying on their income. Life insurance lays a foundation for their future together. Join us as we discuss life insurance and marriage.
Special guest Kevin Lund, Senior VP of Policy & Technology Administration, joins Rob and Kirt to discuss the positive impacts of emerging technology in the life insurance industry.
In a new episode of Life Chat, Rob and Kirt delve into data gathering and needs analysis to determine how much coverage your client actually needs.
Myths about life insurance can make or break a sale. In this episode of Life Chat, we dispel common misconceptions that can keep life insurance out of your client's portfolio.
Life insurance agents deal with products daily, but clients may be unfamiliar with the terminology and have numerous questions. Let us help you anticipate potential inquiries as we answer Marketing Communications Coordinator Anna Nielsen’s questions as she jumps into the life insurance industry.
In this episode of Life Chat, EMCNL Chief Marketing Officer Cam Torstenson explains how data analytics can help insurance agencies more effectively market and sell life insurance to their clients.
The insurance industry is built on relationships. In this episode of Life Chat, we discuss building bridges with your clients.
It’s Q&A time at Life Chat! In today’s episode, we answer questions from you, our loyal listeners. We discuss term vs perm and accelerated processes.
Life opportunities abound with your P&C clients! In today’s podcast, we discuss ways to find opportunities for life coverage with your commercial clients.
Join us for an exclusive look at how EMC National Life is managing risk during the COVID-19 pandemic with Mark Unkrich, Senior VP of Underwriting & Claims.
In a special COVID-19 episode, the Sales Team discusses how to conduct business in this ever-changing environment.
There are almost 3 billion people on social media worldwide, but how do we keep them engaged? In this episode of Life Chat, special guests Karly O’Connor and Anna Nielsen from EMCNL's Marketing Communications Team are here to answer all our burning social media questions.
Objections are always part of the discussion when it comes to life insurance products. In this episode, we explore client concerns as it relates to the purchase of life insurance.