Minds of Mortgage

Episode 25 - It's Time for Mortgage Acclimation

I just had an incredible conversation with Coby Hakalir, VP of Mortgage and Ancillary Services at T360, and this episode of Minds of Mortgage is packed with insights you need to hear.

Coby brings a unique perspective – he's been in the mortgage industry since he was 19, back in 1997, so he's witnessed the entire evolution from traditional practices to today's tech-driven landscape. Wh...

Episode 24 - The Future of Mortgage Technology and Marketing: A Personal Conversation with Jake Vermillion

I've been doing this podcast for a while now, and every so often I get to sit down with someone who just gets it. That's exactly what happened when I had my friend Jake Vermillion on the show.

Jake is the CMO at Mortgage Champions, but what makes him really interesting is his story. He grew up in this business - literally. His...

E23 - Platform Integrations & Advanced Data

I had such a great time chatting with Kortney Lane-Schafers from MMI (Mobility Market Intelligence) on this tech-focused episode of Minds of Mortgage. Kortney has a fantastic background in mortgage technology, starting with her days at SureFire CRM and stumbling into the mortgage world through a friendship, before becoming a total tech guru.

We discussed how MMI evolved from Mobili...

Episode 22 - How to Build Mortgage Social Success

In this energetic episode of Minds of Mortgage, I sat down with Denise Panza, a dynamic loan officer from Naples, Florida, who has become a standout presence on LinkedIn. With 28 years in the mortgage industry, Denise brings a refreshing perspective on authenticity and relationship-building in an increasingly digital world. Her journey from a criminal justice student to a mortgage p...

Leadership, Legacy & the Power of Being Remarkable – Featuring Laura Brandao

In this must-listen episode of Minds of Mortgage, host Kelly Yale sits down with the unstoppable Laura Brandao, CEO of Lighthouse Advisors, powerhouse speaker, and fierce advocate for the mortgage industry. Together, they dive into what it takes to lead, inspire, and make waves in a business that doesn’t like change.

Laura opens up with her incredible ...

In this engaging episode of the Minds of Mortgage podcast, I talk to Eddy Perez, CEO of EPM Mortgage. Our conversation explores Eddy's journey from finance to founding his mortgage company 17 years ago, revealing how he's navigated multiple market cycles while maintaining an unwavering positive outlook.

Eddy shares his family's remarkable story, recounting how his father escaped Cuba by rowing a stolen boat to Miami and later built...

This week on The Minds of Mortgage Podcast, host Kelly Yale engages with Ashley Yarbinec, the Director of Member Relations for the Mortgage Bankers Association. Drawing from her extensive experience—starting as a loan processor and advancing to managing operations teams—Ashley provides valuable insights into the mortgage industry from both operational and leadership perspectives.

Their conversation delves into Ashley's journey in t...

There are many outstanding women in mortgage, but one who started fresh out of college in the CEO seat is a story I could have spent hours listening to!

In this engaging episode of Minds of Mortgage, I was delighted to talk to Christy Soukhamneut, Chief Lending Officer at University Federal Credit Union in Austin, Texas. After spending 25 years in Savannah, Georgia, Christy boldly moved to Austin for an opportunity that aligned per...

I am rarely a "fan girl," but when I had the opportunity to speak with someone like Mo, I felt genuinely grateful for women who are standing on business in the mortgage industry. This episode is a MUST LISTEN. The 30 minutes before and after the interview featured some of the most thought-provoking and honest conversations I've had in my mortgage career. I wish I could go back in time and work with Mo from the moment I entered this...

We are excited to kick off 2025 for Minds of Mortgage Podcast with an exceptional first guest—Liz Short, CEO of Short Solutions! Liz specializes in helping businesses and executives optimize their people, processes, and technology, focusing on personal branding and video marketing on social media. She challenged herself to become comfortable being uncomfortable, which has led her to embrace being in front of the camera. Liz is a pr...

I am a big fan of Taylor Stork, CMB, so it’s no surprise that one of my favorite episodes of Minds of Mortgage Podcast in 2024 features him. As the COO of Developer's Mortgage Company and President of the Community Home Lenders of America, Taylor brings his signature straightforward approach that podcast listeners have come to know and love, but with a personal twist.

What makes this episode special is how Taylor reveals the realit...

Looking to level up your mortgage leadership game? You won’t want to miss this week’s Minds of Mortgage podcast! Host Kelly Yale sits down with Scott Reese, SVP and Regional Manager at Rate, for a candid conversation about what really works in today’s market.

Scott’s story is fascinating - from his early days hustling in New Jersey to leading top-performing teams across multiple regions. But what makes this episode special is how h...

If you attended a Digital Mortgage event in the past decade, you may have thought, “Why hasn’t anyone combined these systems into one?” you, Amit Ghole, and I should be friends. Amit, the CEO of Inflooens, entered the mortgage industry as an outsider but brought extensive experience in Salesforce solutions from major corporations. His journey into mortgages began with his frustrating experience as a consumer when, over two decades,...

Welcome to another episode of the Minds of Mortgage podcast! Prepare for an honest and insightful conversation that could transform your mortgage business! I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Geoff Zimpfer, who has rightfully earned his nickname as the "Chief Truth Teller" of the Mortgage Marketing Institute. This isn’t your typical industry discussion.

We cut through the distractions and focus on what truly works in bu...

Today on the "Minds of Mortgage" podcast, we welcome Greg Sher! Greg, who is not only the Managing Director at NFM but also the visionary behind the "All of Us" movement, joined me fresh from our visit to the MBA conference in Denver.

You know those gloomy headlines we've all been seeing? Well, Greg spotted something different on the ground in Denver. He had this fantastic conversation with an industry veteran who completely change...

1. Anthony Casa’s Vision for UMortgage: Anthony discussed the journey that led him to create UMortgage after his previous success with Garden State Home Loans. His goal was to build a scalable mortgage business with a strong focus on training, development, and culture. He recognized that many mortgage companies allowed individual branches too much autonomy, leading to inconsistent practices. In contrast, UMortgage was designed to b...

In this episode of Minds of Mortgage, we're thrilled to focus on Joe Wilson, the innovative CEO and founder of Social Coach. Joe shares his deep understanding of the intersection between mortgages and social media, offering listeners an exclusive insight into how digital platforms can be leveraged for brand enhancement. Under Joe's leadership, Social Coach specializes in automating social media processes to maximize brand outreach ...

This week's episode spotlights Kayla Kallander, a visionary and trailblazer in the mortgage arena. With her distinctive talent for merging authenticity with social media savvy, Kayla shares insights on engaging audiences and bolstering brand growth effectively.

Known for her innovative approach, she crafts genuine content that captivates and cultivates trust and authentic relationships with clients. Her expertise provides invaluabl...

Technological advancements in an increasingly complex regulatory world drive a modern mortgage company. For mortgage companies aiming to scale and thrive, meeting these challenges head-on requires more than just a keen business sense—it demands robust legal expertise. This blog post explores why hiring a smart in-house legal team is beneficial and critical for mortgage companies with ambitious growth plans.

Today’s Minds of Mortgag...