You've Just Become so Human.

In this episode of Embrace Talks, Trisha Roberts sits down with Christina Shaw, a 26-year agency owner from New York, to talk about how social media, authentic storytelling, and strong referral relationships can transform the way insurance agents grow their businesses. Christina shares how she moved away from the exhausting cycle of internet leads and built a referral-driven agency by developing genuine relationships with realtors, lenders, attorneys, and other professionals. They discuss why social media doesn’t have to be complicated or perfectly polished, how Instagram Stories can help keep you top of mind, and why showing the real person behind your business can strengthen your brand. Christina also opens up about navigating major personal and professional challenges, learning to pivot during difficult market conditions, and focusing on what you can control. Whether you're an insurance agent trying to grow your digital presence or a business owner looking for a more authentic way to connect with your audience, this conversation is packed with practical encouragement and actionable ideas. In this episode: • Building an agency through referrals instead of purchased leads • Creating relationships with realtors and referral partners • Using Instagram Stories strategically • Building a personal brand without oversharing • Why authentic content often performs better than polished content • Staying consistent without spending hours creating content • Using personal stories to connect with your audience • Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable • Pivoting when the insurance market changes • Focusing on what you can control CHAPTERS 00:00 — Welcome to Embrace Talks 00:35 — Meet Christina Shaw: 26 Years as an Agency Owner 00:45 — Building a $14M Referral-Based Agency 01:15 — Breaking Away From the Internet Lead Hamster Wheel 02:30 — Building Realtor & Referral Partner Relationships 03:50 — Creating Connection Through Social Media 04:15 — What to Share If You’re a Private Person 04:47 — Why Instagram Stories Are So Powerful 06:00 — Staying Top of Mind Without Constantly Selling 06:45 — Keeping Social Media Simple & Consistent 07:47 — Your Content Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect 09:03 — Vulnerability, Storytelling & Becoming More Human 09:31 — Christina’s #1 Social Media Advice: Just Start 10:50 — Growth Happens Outside Your Comfort Zone 11:15 — Pivoting Through Challenges in the Insurance Industry 12:36 — Focus on What You Can Control 13:10 — Turning Challenges Into Opportunities & Purpose 13:45 — Final Thoughts & Where to Connect With Christina *Embrace Talks* brings together insurance professionals, leaders, and industry experts to share experiences, strategies, and ideas designed to help professionals grow their businesses, strengthen their leadership, and make a greater impact. 🎙️ *Embrace Talks*