Episodes

Episode 53: The Five Ps of Brokerage Success with Jeremy Millar Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager, featuring special guest Jeremy Millar, CEO of Amarlo. In this episode, Jonathon and Tommy are joined by Jeremy Millar for a deep dive into what it really takes to transition from being a solo loan officer to running a profitable, scalable brokerage. Broker Buzz – The best tools for automating rate and market updates to realtor partne...

If you’ve ever thought, “I can do it better myself” or “It’s just easier if I handle it,” this conversation is likely to hit home. Samantha Shelton sits down with Irene Duford, founder of Loan Team Training and a nationally recognized trainer with 26 years in the mortgage industry. Together, they dive into the one thing that holds so many high-performing women back: our own inner critic. Irene gets real about the self-talk that keeps us stuck, the fear of delegating, and why our instinct to be...

Episode 52: AI, Root Access, and Protecting the Broker Channel Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager. In this episode, Jonathon and Tommy tackle the trends and tools dominating the mortgage space, from AI-powered lead gen to the timeless value of human connection. Broker Buzz – How to balance AI bots and in-house ISAs for maximum lead conversion without losing the personal touch. – Why speed to lead and conversion metrics must drive ...

Episode 51: Infrastructure, Relentless Sales, and Building What Scales Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager, and featuring special guest Michelle Berman-Mikel, author of The Black Line and creator of Beyond the Method This episode brings a powerful guest to the table for a deep-dive discussion on accountability, structure and what it truly means to be relentless in this industry. Broker Buzz – Navigating non-QM files with gaps in rental ...

Ever feel like a great processor is the secret weapon you’re missing? In this episode, Molly Meeker sits down with Kathy Dey, Director of Operations at Apex Processors, for a straight talk conversation about the power of partnership between loan officers and processors. Kathy brings over 30 years of mortgage experience, from telemarketing second mortgages in the ‘90s to running a team of 60+ elite processors today. She pulls back the curtain on what really makes a loan team click: clear commun...

Episode 50: Basel III, Capital Rules, and What It Means for Brokers Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager Episode 50 marks an important milestone for the Broker Power-Up podcast, and instead of shifting focus inward, Jonathon and Tommy turn their attention to an issue that has the potential to significantly impact the broker community. Broker Buzz – Breaking down the proposed Basel III mortgage capital rules and how they could affect ...

Episode 49: The 20-Year Strategy, Sharper Hustle, and Getting Back on Track Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager Broker Buzz – Proving child support payments when funds are distributed through state-issued debit cards and the paying party is uncooperative. – Best practices when working with third-party processors and why a structured intake form prevents confusion. – How to exclude temporary medical leave from 1099 income calculatio...

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 ...

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...