Episodes

Ever wonder what it’s really like to work with family in the mortgage business? In this episode of the Women’s Mortgage Network podcast, Michelle Chretien sits down with Shelby Vinson from Windsor Mortgage for a genuine conversation about the beautiful chaos of building a career alongside the people you love. Shelby gets real about the highs, the challenges, and the hilarious moments that come with mixing board meetings and family dinners. From her start as the “Director of First Impressions” ...

Episode 48: FHA Clarity, Decision Fatigue, and Leading With Certainty Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager Broker Buzz How FHA treats unfinished renovations and what must be completed before closing. Using gift funds correctly on FHA purchases and how sourcing impacts underwriting. When a borrower can switch loan programs midstream without resetting timelines. Managing appraisal conditions without letting them derail borrower confi...

Episode 242 Host: Marc Summers (AIME’s Founding President) Guest: Sean Grapevine (Vice President of Product Strategy at UMortgage) This week’s episode features Sean Grapevine, who went from restaurant kitchens to leading product strategy at UMortgage. Join Marc and Sean as they break down the true role of a CRM, what the road to get to this point looked like for Sean, and why consistency is the true driver behind lasting growth. Key Takeaways: Why CRMs should focus on the “who” and “why”, no...

Episode 47: Assumptive Language, Cleaner Conversations, and Controlling the Moment Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager Broker Buzz – When K-1 income can be used without full business tax returns and how ownership percentage affects self-employed status. – How FHA streamline base loan amounts are calculated when buy down funds are applied at payoff. – Refinance options for borrowers stuck in high-interest hard money fix-and-flip loa...

In this episode, Kim Clancy sits down with April Hurley of MS Lending to have a heartfelt conversation about the power of local community, intentional living, and how to build up a mortgage business that serves your life. April shares how a chance encounter at the Women’s Mortgage Network Summit sparked the creation of her own local support group, Mortgage Women of Mississippi, and why building genuine, face‑to‑face relationships has been the key to her resilience and success. She opens up abo...

Episode 46: Better Refi Conversations, Smarter Practice, and the Power of “So What” Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager Broker Buzz – Who can pay for a second appraisal on an FHA flip and why managing expectations upfront matters. – When PMI can actually be removed on conventional loans and why principal paydowns are not always automatic. – Tools and strategies brokers are using to compare refinance options without overwhelming cli...

Episode 241 Host: Marc Summers (AIME’s Founding President) Guest: Doug Liska (CEO of Nextdoor Lending) This week’s episode features Doug Liska, CEO of Nextdoor Lending. With over 20 years in the industry, Doug shares his path from bank teller to Quicken Loans leader, to founding and scaling Nextdoor Lending, through its acquisition by NerdWallet. Key Takeaways: Transitioning from Quicken Loans leadership to founding Nextdoor Lending. Building a culture focused on producer success and relati...

Episode 45: Bandwagon Selling, Broker Confidence, and Leading With Enough Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager Broker Buzz Using projected rental income on FHA duplex purchases and how lease agreements impact qualification. Handling name changes before closing and when an AKA can solve identification issues. Why adjustable rate mortgages are pricing higher than fixed rates and how banks and credit unions approach ARMs differently. ...

In this episode, Laura Brandao welcomes Tanya Blanchard, President of Madison Chase Academy and creator of the transformative program Six Months to Six Figures. With over two decades in real estate and lending, Tanya brings a powerful message of growth with intention, combining strategy, heart, and hustle that serves your life, not the other way around. Tanya opens up about her personal journey into the mortgage industry as a newly divorced mother, the moment her daughter reminded her why she ...

Episode 240 Host: Marc Summers (AIME’s Founding President) Guest: Holly Niemeier (Mortgage Loan Originator at Nexa Mortgage) This week’s episode features VIP member Holly Niemeier, who went from touring with rock bands to building a prolific mortgage business centered on DSCR and investor lending. With over 20 years in the industry, including a decade at Caliber and now as a high-producing broker, Holly shares her unconventional journey and the focused strategies that now allow her to close 20...

Episode 44: Planning Backwards, Protecting Your Time, and Building Real Strength Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager Broker Buzz Whether a second mortgage can be excluded when a non-borrowing family member has been making the payments. What brokers need to know about the trigger lead changes, enforcement timelines, and what is actually changing. How FHA appraisals treat non-working items like garbage disposals and gas fireplaces, a...

Episode 43: Cold Calling Confidence, Using AI Wisely, and Selling From Clarity Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager Broker Buzz How to approach cold calling with the right mindset and build confidence through repetition. Practical ways brokers can leverage AI today without risking client data or overcomplicating their workflow. Financial planning advice for commission-based brokers, including how much cash to keep accessible during s...

Episode 239 Host: Marc Summers (AIME’s Founding President) Guest: Russell Petty (Founder of Broker Marketplace) In this special demo-style episode, Russell Petty returns to roll up his sleeves and show loan officers exactly how to move beyond basic ChatGPT. Through live screen sharing, he reveals a suite of powerful AI tools that have the ability to transform how you learn, market, automate, and scale your business. Key Takeaways: – Use Google’s Notebook to create audio/video lessons & othe...

Episode 42: Taking Chances, Holiday Momentum & Playing the Long Game Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager Broker Buzz How DSCR loans held in LLCs can impact future DTI calculations. Navigating unusual property conditions under FHA guidelines. Properly documenting IRS payment plans without slowing a deal down. Sales Pitch Training | Winning When Others Slow Down Jonathon shares a powerful holiday season framework focused on momentu...

Episode 238 Host: Marc Summers (AIME’s Founding President) Guest: Russell Petty (Founder of Broker Marketplace) This week’s Broker to Broker podcast features A.I. strategist and former broker-owner Russell Petty, who delivers a masterclass on integrating artificial intelligence into your brokerage. Russell moves far beyond basic ChatGPT uses, revealing how broker-owners can harness advanced A.I. for deep market research, automated system building, and creating unmatched value for loan officer...

Episode 41: Staying Focused, Leading with Confidence, and Planning for the Year Ahead Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager Broker Buzz – How to handle listing agents who deal in absolutes and question non-local lenders. – Navigating cash-out refinances on homes held in a trust. – What brokers need to know about H.R. 3206 and why AIME is pushing back against mandatory title requirements. Sales Pitch Training | Emotion Out, Execution...

In this episode, Laura Brandao sits down with Terri Davis, VP of Product at Cotality, to explore her four decades of experience across the mortgage industry. Terri has worked in processing and underwriting, mortgage insurance, automated underwriting at Fannie Mae, and now product innovation, giving her a perspective that is exceedingly rare in today’s climate. Terri shares the pivotal leaders and moments that shaped her career, the power of raising your hand for new opportunities, and the impor...

Episode 237 Host: Marc Summers (AIME’s Founding President) Guest: Troy Molitor (President and CEO of Molitor Financial Group) This week’s Broker to Broker podcast features Troy Molitor, who shares how he built a thriving business centered on consistency, communication, and genuine connection. With more than two decades in the mortgage industry, Troy breaks down how brokers can create momentum through simple daily actions, build trust with both clients and partners, and use mindset as a strate...

Episode 40: Business Losses on FHA, Webinar Strategy & Mastering Your Refi Pitch Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager Broker Buzz – How FHA underwriters treat business losses and why a simple CPA letter of dissolvement can solve the issue. – Why webinars are rarely the best move for new lead generation and how one-on-one video calls and evergreen YouTube content create stronger, more consistent conversion. – The easiest way to build...

Episode 39: Navigating FHA Challenges, Nurse Bonuses & The DEP Framework Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager Broker Buzz When clients want a second FHA loan, what really qualifies as an exception and how to push back responsibly. Handling shift bonuses for new nurses and understanding what underwriters can and cannot count as income. Rate and term refinancing right after closing and managing early payoff risk while keeping clients ...

Episode 236 Host: Marc Summers (AIME’s Founding President) Guest: Matt Oliver (Loan Originator at Lund Mortgage Team) This week’s Broker to Broker podcast features Matt Oliver from Lund Mortgage, who shares how he built a thriving direct-to-consumer model, maintained a strong referral network, and created long-term success through consistent database management and client relationships. With over 20 years in the business, Matt breaks down the practical steps brokers can take right now to win...

In this episode, Gabi Wiartalla (Kind Lending) sits down with Kenzie Hammock, a former retail LO who recently made the leap into the wholesale channel. Together, they unpack what it feels like to step into a new professional world, the learning curve that comes with it, and the moments that helped Kenzie find her footing and confidence. Kenzie opens up about navigating the transition, trusting herself in unfamiliar territory, and discovering a supportive community that encourages growth and aut...

Episode 38: Joining Bigger Brokerages, Extenuating Circumstances & The Power of Introductions Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager. Broker Buzz – What to know before leaving your own brokerage to join a larger shop. – Why “extenuating circumstances” rarely apply after bankruptcy and how to have the right conversation with clients who may not be ready yet. – The truth about 50-year mortgage notes, why they’re drawing attention, and h...

In this heartfelt episode, Ashley Miller (Empire Home Loans) welcomes Mikaila Browning, a newly licensed mortgage professional who’s already making an impact with her openness and authenticity. Mikaila shares her journey of leaving a long-term career, facing unexpected change, and finding her calling in the mortgage industry. She opens up about the challenges of balancing motherhood with building a new career, the lessons she’s learned about perseverance and faith, and how community and mentors...