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We started podcasting seven years ago. It seems a little crazy to me to write that. But our first foray into the podcasting began in early September 2012 with the Financial Procast. Here's the very first episode if you'd like to know what we sounded like when we recorded using whatever microphones we could find laying around the house.
Today, sadly, I announce that the Insurance Pro Blog Podcast is ending. I'll explain why and what is next for us at the Insurance Pro Blog.
Launching the Podcast
We started podcasting with the idea that we would take various topical financial stories and give people an industry insider's view on the subject. This was much easier than figuring out our own content for a podcast episode (I'll get to that in just a bit).
This worked for quite a while but we learned two things over the three years that we did it this way. First, there isn't always a lot of interesting financial related news to talk about. Second, we saw a lot more interest among our listeners whenever we recorded an episode that spoke to life insurance. That was never a very shocking observation.
Changing the Podcast
We decided in 2015 to change the podcast to the Insurance Pro Blog Podcast largely for the reasons I mentioned above. This led to a boom in listenership, which brought on a great deal of celebrating on our part.
But this also led to a much more demanding content creation process. Generating content on a consistent basis is tough. Especially when you chose to do it on your own. It's the number one reason bloggers very often seek out guest bloggers to fill in for them when they'd like to take time off.
The transition from a podcast that talked about topical events concerning personal finance to one where we had to generate educational, instructional, and interesting content was easy at first, but as the pool of subject matter shrank our job became a lot harder.
This, regretfully became obvious at times as content at the Insurance Pro Blog minimized and the Podcast itself lacked a bit in terms of expert execution. Some people called us out on it. We couldn't argue against their point. To me, there are few (if any) more disappointing and upsetting things you can face than fair harsh criticism.
Things Change
The aphorism “change is the only constant” is one of the truest. The lives both Brantley and I live today are vastly different than the ones we lived back in 2012. This is not a bad thing. But it unfortunately comes with the casualty of our podcast.
It's been a very fun and interesting ride, and it's sad to see it go. But this change also comes with interesting opportunity, so we'll wipe our tears with our hundred dollar bills and we'll probably be just fine.
We never truly figured out a way to quantify just how important the podcast was to our operation. We don't sell ads on the podcast like most podcasters. Instead we used it as a tool to further our brand and our pursuit to sell life insurance or information about life insurance (a.k.a. life insurance and life insurance accessories). So given the demands of producing the podcast and the demands that pull our time in different directions, the time has come to put it to bed.
Time to Focus on the Insurance Pro Blog
The one consistent feedback we received over the years was the love of our written content…or more correctly, the good written content. The deep dive stuff that uncovers the truth behind the things you think you know. Great topics like how the Rule of 72 really only works for a small band of possible returns, the difference between arithmetic and geometric average and why the investment industry loves to confuse them, and what your actual odds of achieving an 8% return is.
Moving forward I'm seeking to return to a regular schedule of producing similarly great written content. So while we must sadly announce the end of The Insurance Pro Blog Podcast, I do have the pleasure to announce exciting news about blog content that I'll now have time to produce.
I hate to see this go. I have learned a lot.I listened to you guys for years. I will missed you and I’ll hate not listening to you anymore.
Congratulations B&B and thanks for all the podcasts and articles. Selfishly, I’ll miss the weekly podcast, but I totally understand the “Labor of Love” and the finite topic of Whole Life.
A newcomer to your blog/podcast in 2019, I’ve consumed a lot of the content, and purchased a couple of your products. As you pointed out, you’ve educated your “competition” probably a lot more than the general public. I’d prefer to be a colleague and not a competitor (I’m geographically way out of your reach, and vice-versa, probably).
Maintaining a social media presence, gratuitously, has got to be a Labor of Love – I guess a Labor of Love turns into a Labor of Like, and eventually just Labor?
Anyway, thanks for all the wisdom and details – I am one who loves the geeking out on the subject. Best of luck with your new pursuits.
Brandon and Brantley,
My wife and I have been consistent listeners to your excellent podcast for the last several years. You managed to discuss very interesting topics about life insurance in a consistent manner. We are sure going to miss you.
Isis and Pedro Palicio
Hello Brandon and Brantley
I’ve followed your blog for several years, I think I’ve listened to almost all of your podcasts. I’ve worked in the life and health insurance industry all my life (claims and IT) and I can tell you that I learned more about life insurance and finance from your blog and podcasts than I did from all the insurance courses I’ve taken over the years. (I’m a FLMI, that shows how long I’ve worked in the life insurance industry).
I’m sorry to see the end of the podcasts, but I understand your reasons. Thanks for all the information you provided, and thanks for the hours of entertaining listening. I’ve learned a lot and really enjoyed the podcasts. I’m going to miss hearing from you guys every week.
Good luck in the future.
Say it ain’t so!
Thank you, Brandon and Brantley. Good luck with the IPB website! Your podcast and blogs have taken my knowledge of whole life planning to the next level. I’m now implementing cash value-rich policies with most all my clients. I have never been more fulfilled from my work and I’m truly inspired to get the truth out there!
Again, thank you for the years of dialogue. I will miss the Northeast Know-It-All and the Southern Charmer.
Hi incredible people,
This is the first time I am writing to you, to tell you how much I appreciate your written information. I have only listened to one of your podcasts (for want of time). But I read a lot of what you write – and it has been an incredible education. Thank you and please keep posting informative blogs so that you can educate a lot more people.
Thanks again.
I’m a life insurance nerd, and I’ve really enjoyed the podcast for the past year. Hate to see it end, but I understand. Hang in there and best of luck!
Thanks everyone for the comments! Now that more than five of you have commented on the Podcast everyone will know that we were lying about that all these years. 😉
Yes this was a very special podcast for people interested in Life Insurance. I’m an actuary and hearing your perspective was always very enriching, and hearing your passion was always inspiring. Thank you sincerely and I hope our paths cross!