The Amber Stitt Show · 2026-01-13 · 12 min
Key moments - from our scoring
Substance score
33 / 100
Five dimensions, 20 points each
Maryam Rasouli shares her journey from mortgage banking to becoming a successful insurance professional, starting during the 2008 financial crisis when she was introduced to the industry by her broker. She credits the insurance industry with saving her life and her family's, which drives her passionate commitment to recruiting and mentoring new talent into the field. Recently completing the NEFA Lily Class - a six-month leadership program - Rasouli has deepened her understanding of industry challenges and her role within NEFA and WIFS (Women in Insurance and Financial Services). Her newly released book, The Life Game, aims to reshape the perception of life insurance professionals, addressing the identity crisis many face when entering the field. Rasouli emphasizes that the industry needs more talent, regardless of age or background, and that anyone with the right coaching and mentorship can succeed. For business operators and insurance professionals seeking to understand recruitment strategies, leadership development, and the changing dynamics of the insurance industry, this episode provides actionable insights on building confidence and creating pathways for new professionals.
She was laid off from her mortgage banking job during the 2008 financial crisis and was introduced to the insurance industry by her broker as an alternative career path.
The Lily Class is a six-month NEFA leadership program that helped Rasouli develop self-reflection, interpersonal skills, and deeper commitment to the industry while working through personal challenges.
The Life Game is an industry-specific book designed to change how people perceive life insurance professionals and products, inspired by Rasouli's desire to give insurance professionals confidence in their rightful place in the financial world.
She recommends seeking mentorship through NEFA, remaining a student of the business through continuous learning, and focusing on the mission rather than commission, as success follows when you prioritize protecting clients.
She advocates for membership in NEFA (National Financial Advisors Association) and WIFS (Women in Insurance and Financial Services) as essential resources for mentorship, professional development, and industry advocacy.
Our reviewer’s read on each dimension, with quotes from the episode.
The episode relies heavily on motivational platitudes ('if I can do it, anybody can do it,' 'focus on the mission, not the commission') and personal anecdotes rather than actionable insights or novel frameworks. There is minimal substantive content about how the insurance industry actually works, business mechanics, or operational lessons that a B2B operator could apply beyond generic mentorship advice.
if I can do it, anybody can do it
focus on the mission, not the commission, because when you focus on the mission, the commission will follow
The conversation recycles extremely common insurance industry talking points: the need for mentorship, retention challenges in the first two years, attracting young talent, and the importance of mindset. There is no contrarian thinking, first-principles analysis, or fresh perspective; the guest simply reinforces conventional wisdom already saturated in the industry.
Seek mentorship. NFA is a great place where you can find the right mentorship
there's a lot of data that newly licensed insurance agents quit the first two years
Maryam Rasouli appears to be an accomplished insurance professional and MDRT qualifier who has built a business and is now authoring a book on the subject. However, the transcript provides no details on revenue scale, team size, specific achievements, or comparative standing in the industry that would establish her as a top-tier practitioner. Her credentials are modest and the conversation treats her as a peer rather than an exceptional operator.
amazing business owner, MDRT qualifier for many years
I'm a fan of you. I follow you
The episode is almost entirely devoid of concrete numbers, named examples, data points, or specifics. There are no metrics on revenue, client acquisition costs, team composition, market conditions, or even details about the book being promoted. The only specificity is that the guest started in 2008 and completed a six-month course called the Lily class, which is minimal.
I started during recession. The best year, right? 2008
The first two years when you enter the industry is the most important two years because there's a lot of data that newly licensed insurance agents quit the first two years
The host asks soft, affirming questions with minimal follow-up depth or challenge. Questions are primarily setup prompts ('tell us about your book,' 'what advice do you have?') rather than genuine probes into how things actually work, obstacles faced, or testing claims. The interviewer frequently validates rather than interrogates, and there is no productive tension or disagreement.
I want to celebrate some things you have going on
I like that. Well, Miriam, you just completed your first podcast, so we didn't have to say that
Computed from the transcript - who did the talking, and the words that came up most.
Send us Fan Mail You are going to be glad you met Maryam Rasouli, a tenacious business owner and longtime MDRT Top of the Table, who found her calling in the insurance industry after a life-altering layoff during the 2008 real estate industry collapse. In this inspiring episode, Maryam dives deep into her journey - from embracing radical change during the 2008 recession to leading with purpose and giving back to the community that helped her thrive. She shares the mindset shifts, mentorship experiences (shoutout to NAIFA and WIFS!), and personal growth that fueled both her career and her new book, "The Life Game." If you’ve ever questioned your ability to pivot, push through hard times, or find meaning in your work, Maryam’s story will help you realize: “If I can do it, anybody can do it.” We talk about building resilience, finding your path, and why the mission matters more than the commission. Get ready to take action and discover what’s possible for yourself! ️ To watch this episode: To
Transcribed and scored by The B2B Podcast Index.
Speaker A: I believe that this industry saved me. It saved my life, and it saved my entire family's life.
Speaker B: Interesting.
Speaker A: And that is why I'm so passionate. And I always say, if I can do it, anybody can do it.
Speaker C: Hello and welcome to Pathways E3, a special edition of Pathways with Amber stitt. The Pathways E3 podcast were recorded with special guests who were attending and collaborating at the NFA E3 conference in Newport Beach, California in September 2025. Let's join the conversation.
Speaker B: We are live at NA E3, and I have my friend Miriam, who is an amazing business owner, MDRT qualifier for many years, and that's how we met. So I usually get to go on vacation and support our fellow colleagues. And we just have fun, celebrate. You might dance a little more than me, and that's okay. You always looks so good. And I'm excited that we could spend some time before we head back out of the conference. I want to celebrate some things you have going on, but I think before we do, I want to set the tone for the why behind your business. And so you and I have talked about how we want to pull more people in. They talk about kind of pulling people up into the business, and then you've been working really hard on that. So let's talk about what brought you in and how important it is to bring others with us into the business.
Speaker A: Absolutely. First of all, thank you so much for having me here today. This is my first podcast with you. And, um, I know you, and I'm a fan of you. I follow you. So I want to thank you for everything you do for us for our industry.
Speaker B: So that's sweet. Thank you.
Speaker A: I love you. You know, sis, and thank you for having me. My journey is very interesting because I started during recession. The best year, right? 2008.
Speaker B: Might as well just go ahead, give it a go, right?
Speaker A: Exactly. Before that, I was in a loan business and in the mortgage business. Ye. And I was a W2, and life was good. I was making good income. But then when the economy collapsed, I got laid off. And that was very painful. As I always say, it's worse than getting dumped in the relationship. And I was introduced to the insurance industry by my broker.
Speaker B: Cool.
Speaker A: And I embraced the journey. Was it easy? Absolutely not. Especially the first few years. It was very tough. Many times I wanted to quit, but I made it. I always say God loves me because I don't know how I made it the first few years, but I did. And my why is that? Is like giving back. And today at this conference, we talked so much we heard about it. How the industry needs more people.
Speaker B: Yeah.
Speaker A: Right. How a lot of professionals are getting ready to retire. And this is one of the industries that's. It is the hottest industry. To my opinion.
Speaker B: Yeah. And says it's like there's not a ton of competition because of some of this misrepresentation of the industry. Potentially. But.
Speaker A: Yeah.
Speaker B: And it's interesting because it's not like you grew up with others around you doing this.
Speaker A: No.
Speaker B: You had someone believe in you.
Speaker A: Yes.
Speaker B: And that's partly why you want to give back.
Speaker A: Is Absolutely.
Speaker B: Going from loans. And I, I mean I kind of did the same thing, but I wasn't even in sales. I wouldn't even do sales. I was a loan processor because I was so scared to be in sales. And then 2008, so I'm scrambling to find something. Go work in the front desk for a real estate law firm.
Speaker A: Yeah.
Speaker B: Playing it safe. I'm not smart enough to run a business so I'm going to go do that.
Speaker A: Yeah.
Speaker B: But you had someone pull you in
Speaker A: and just think about it like going from W2 to 1099 completely. That's really, really scary. And that's what happen.
Speaker B: Yeah.
Speaker A: You know, 2008, you know, do you
Speaker B: think there's a little bit anyone could be coachable? Can anyone kind of come into this if they really want it? There's some tenacity there.
Speaker A: But absolutely. I think this industry, it's not that complicated. And if you make it simple, if you have the right coaching, if you have the right mentorship, anybody can become a rock star. And we need more leaders. We need more leaders in this industry. Young people. When I say young, I'm not talking about age. Right. So because I do have insurance professionals, professionals that work with in their 60s and ah, their top producers.
Speaker B: Yeah.
Speaker A: So young and hard. We need more young individuals that embrace this industry.
Speaker B: And I think some of the initiatives that you and I are a part of, like wifs, we focus on like pulling more women in. But I think now we're like, we need to pull talent, period.
Speaker A: Talent. Absolutely.
Speaker B: We need more. And it's not just about female. Like, of course we support that because that's, you know, an initiative of ours, but really bringing more people to the table and that mentorship.
Speaker C: Thank you for joining us on this episode of Pathways. Please consider giving us a like and subscribing to the channel.
Speaker B: Your support goes a long way towards
Speaker C: helping us bring you more compelling content. Remember, let's take action together now. Let's jump back into the conversation.
Speaker B: You just graduated from something that was helpful. Right. So you just celebrated that. So you can share that a little bit. That would be nice.
Speaker A: Yes, absolutely. The Lily class. Right. It's part of nefa. And I personally didn't know about nafa. You know, for many years being in the industry, I didn't know about wfs and I became a member of NAFA just because somebody asked me to.
Speaker B: A salesperson asked you to do that?
Speaker A: Uh, yes.
Speaker B: But I thought it was just for
Speaker A: insurance and I was being polite.
Speaker B: Yeah. I didn't know that there were all the resources in the legislative action. So it's like. Yeah.
Speaker A: And I believe that anybody that's in the industry should be part of NIFA and WFS because you know, this is the organization for our industry. And going through the Lilly class and all the.
Speaker B: I heard it's quite like serious, intimate. You guys get really into the. Not the weeds but like it's a hardcore. It's like very serious.
Speaker A: Yeah, absolutely. My journey was when I took the class as a six months course and I was going through some challenges, personal challenges and I was growing in my business and it helped me in both ways, even personally personal, my relationship to my sister.
Speaker B: Okay.
Speaker A: And to understand how to, you know, work with people. Not just people like your clients.
Speaker B: Yeah.
Speaker A: But also the people around you. They'll love you. And you know, listening to more to understand, not to be understood because I come from a uh. You know, my journey was not the easiest. Right. You know, I'm always like doer. Right. Just get it done. Just do it the way I say. But it's good to sometimes to I guess self reflection. Got it. And understand people. So the course really helped me and also my commitment to NEFA and what it means to be part of mayfa. It became m more real. And what I want to do, I want to definitely serve because I believe that this industry saved me. It saved my life and it saved my entire family's life.
Speaker B: Interesting.
Speaker A: And that is why I'm so passionate. And I always say if I can do it, anybody can do it.
Speaker B: She's not giving herself enough credit. But I do agree, like you can get in here with the right training. Mentorship.
Speaker A: Absolutely.
Speaker B: And I like that you did some of this mentorship for yourself in the middle of something that you're giving back with this, a new book. So.
Speaker A: Oh yes.
Speaker B: It's like a perfect transition though because you're giving yourself a little fuel, food and for the soul sounded like that'll help you really promote this new Journey. Because being an author, it's a new thing. You have to have confidence to tell everyone that I have something for you and be proud of that. So I think this is perfect timing. So let's talk about that new book. And so what was the origin story behind that or the passion for writing it?
Speaker A: Yeah. So thank you. For me, this book, it's very exciting but very. Also scary.
Speaker B: Yeah.
Speaker A: Uh, because it's. My first book is industry specific and my mission with this book is to change the perception of how people look at the life insurance product, but also the life insurance professional. I believe that, uh, too often we are overlooked or misunderstood.
Speaker B: Just in general.
Speaker A: In general. Yeah. Yeah. And that creates an identity crisis for the professional. And I went through that coming in the industry in 2008 and through all the struggles that I went through. You know, I didn't know that I have a space in this financial world. So I wrote this book. It's a guidance and the strategies that I use, but more importantly, to give that confidence to the insurance professional that you have a rightful place in this financial world. And what we do, it matters and we protect people. Right.
Speaker B: Uh, sometimes when the revenue's not where you want it to be or you're not really sure how to grow the team, different things. It can feel hard to trust yourself knowing that like, you're supposed to be doing this for others.
Speaker A: Absolutely, absolutely. So the name of the book is the Life Game.
Speaker B: I didn't know the name. Yeah.
Speaker A: Yes. And I was inspired just because I want to give back and I want to create that confidence that what we do is very important.
Speaker B: Okay. Um, so we're gonna link that. First chapter's available.
Speaker A: Yes.
Speaker B: On your beautiful website. So we'll make that available. So as we wrap up our episode, I like a little action. Take action execution. I'll say. But if someone's listening and we wanna do like little maybe digestible something that they could really implement. Do you have any advice if you want someone, and then maybe it's not to be a, ah, financial planner or be in the business, but just in general to move forward. What do you want people to try to do today as they hang up and finish the podcast?
Speaker A: Let me first start with saying this. You know, the first two years when you enter the industry is the most important two years because there's a lot of data that newly licensed insurance agents quit the first two years. And number one, the industry needs you. Okay. Seek mentorship. NFA is a great place where you can find the right, you know, you need to find that home and you can find the right mentorship. Be a student of a business. Right? Always willing to learn and learn more. You can never stop learning. And I would say focus on the mission, not the commission, because when you focus on the mission, the commission will follow.
Speaker B: Oh, that's good. I like that. Well, Miriam, you just completed your first podcast, so we didn't have to say that. But I think it's kind of fun because until we do this, you know, then you can check it off the list. I think it's important. But this is going to be a great way to have people meet you. So I'm so excited we could do this, and then they can look forward to your book.
Speaker A: Thank you, Amber. Like I said, I'm a big fan and I really appreciate what you do.
Speaker B: Same for you, honey.
Speaker A: Thank you.
Speaker B: Glad we could do this. Thank you.
Speaker C: Thank you for joining us for this special edition of Pathways E3, recorded at the NAFA E3 conference in Newport Beach, California. Join us for more insightful conversations with the experts and leaders of their industries. Until next time, keep taking action on your unique path.
How AI Can Supercharge Your Life, Career, & Business with Lisa Mont-Ros46 / 100
Escape News Overload: Kira Shishkin's News Concierge Solution to Media Bias & Agenda50 / 100
Transforming Grief into Healing: Marcia Earhart's Mission Behind The Sterling Rose Sanctuary55 / 100
From Shoebox Memories to AI Conversations: Preserving Legacies with Miles Spencer54 / 100
Impactful Podcast Strategies for Success: Dan Levy's Expert Guide for Beginners52 / 100