July 2026 – Zombie Advisor

Building Better Client Relationships Through Insurance and Customer Service with Ian Davy (Ep. 13)

By ZombieAdvisor | July 21, 2026

Insurance isn’t just about comparing prices. It’s about understanding what could happen when life doesn’t go as planned.

How do you choose coverage that actually protects you? What kind of service matters when you’re dealing with a major claim instead of a routine question?

In this episode, James Knapp welcomes Ian Davy, Agent at State Farm, to discuss how meaningful customer relationships are built through communication, education, and ongoing reviews instead of one-time transactions. Ian shares how he entered the insurance industry, why his team focuses on catastrophic risk rather than small inconveniences, and how proactive conversations help clients prepare for life’s unexpected events.

Together, they also explore responsiveness, long-term client care, and why answering the phone still makes a lasting difference.

Key takeaways:

How cold calling helped build communication skills and opened the door to an insurance career
Why reviewing catastrophic risks matters more than focusing only on premium costs
How regular client reviews help keep insurance aligned with changing life circumstances
Why responsiveness and consistent communication strengthen long-term client relationships
How customer service extends beyond answering questions to helping clients make informed decisions
And more!

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Connect with Ian Davy:

About Our Guest:

Ian Davy is a State Farm Agent based in the Twin Cities, serving individuals and families across Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Since opening his agency in 2013, he has built his business around proactive communication, thorough risk management, and long-term client relationships. Ian is passionate about helping people understand the difference between everyday inconveniences and catastrophic risks, believing that insurance should be an ongoing conversation rather than a one-time transaction. He also enjoys mentoring his team, developing future leaders, and creating a customer experience centered on responsiveness, education, and trust.

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Tax Planning Beyond the Numbers with Greg Carlson (Ep. 12)

By ZombieAdvisor | July 7, 2026

Taxes often get the spotlight in financial decisions, but they’re rarely the only factor that matters.

How do you balance tax efficiency with family goals, business transitions, lifestyle preferences, and long-term planning without letting one consideration dominate every decision?

In this episode, James Knapp sits down with Greg Carlson, Tax Partner with Boyum Barenscheer, for a conversation about business succession, entity structure, tax planning, and family decision-making. Greg shares how he found his way into accounting, why creativity plays a role in tax strategy, and how thoughtful planning can improve outcomes for both buyers and sellers.

They also explore estate planning considerations, charitable giving opportunities, business transitions, and why personal priorities often matter more than reducing taxes.

Key takeaways:

How business entity selection can influence taxes during operations and eventual ownership transitions
Why buyer and seller goals should guide transaction planning before tax strategies are considered
A real example where minor structural changes created substantial federal income tax savings
How charitable giving strategies may create favorable outcomes when coordinated with tax planning
Why family, community, healthcare, and lifestyle often outweigh tax considerations in retirement
And more!

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Connect with Greg Carlson:

About Our Guest:

As a CPA focused on estate and trust planning for high-net-worth individuals and families, Greg Carlson helps clients preserve wealth, reduce complexity, and plan for the efficient transition of assets across generations. His work extends beyond compliance, providing strategic guidance on the financial, tax, and structural decisions that contribute to a lasting legacy.

At Boyum Barenscheer, Greg collaborates closely with estate attorneys, investment advisors, and family offices to develop coordinated, tax-efficient strategies tailored to each client’s goals and values. His experience includes sophisticated trust planning, business succession strategies, charitable giving planning, and estate tax mitigation.

Clients value Greg’s ability to bring clarity, precision, and discretion to complex planning matters. He recognizes that estate and trust planning is about more than financial outcomes. It is about families, values, and responsible stewardship across generations. His goal is to help clients move forward with confidence, knowing their plans are both financially sound and aligned with the legacy they hope to leave behind.

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