Ep 105: How to Set a Theme For Your Plans

In this episode of The Building Bigger Lives Podcast, Kathryn and Michael discuss the importance of choosing a clear and focused theme for business planning, emphasizing how themes help align team members and guide decision-making processes. They explore various strategies for developing and simplifying themes, including collaborative approaches and visual representations, while highlighting the distinction between personal identity and goals.  Michael explains that a theme helps create focus and alignment among team members by ensuring everyone is heading in the same direction. He suggests that the theme should reflect the desired outcome of the year and can be captured in one to five words. The discussion emphasizes the value of a clear theme in eliminating confusion and excuses, and in rallying team energy towards shared goals. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

Today's episode of The Building Bigger Lives podcast features Michelle Berman-Michael, a national keynote speaker and business strategist who helps professionals use social media for revenue-generating connections. Michelle is the founder of Beyond the Method, a platform that helps mortgage and real estate professionals use social media for revenue-generating connections. She discusses her approach to social media strategy, emphasizing that success comes from making less content but focusing on meaningful connections through storytelling and emotional resonance. This helps entrepreneurs start each month in the black and experience the compound effect of their efforts. Michelle shares how her father's influence shaped her work ethic and approach to business, and explains that her coaching focuses on helping clients overcome resistance to social media by shifting their focus from metrics to actual business outcomes. The conversation explores how storytelling and vulnerability create trust with audiences. Michelle concludes by sharing her 2026 focus on setting clear boundaries while balancing her roles as a mother, wife, and business owner. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

In this episode of the Building Bigger Lives Podcast, Kathryn and Michael discuss strategies for a successful start to the new year, emphasizing the importance of reviewing personal priorities before delving into professional planning, setting clear goals, and maintaining a vision aligned with your values. They explore various planning tools and frameworks, including focus plans, quarterly reviews, and the Core 4 framework, to help individuals achieve their objectives while maintaining balance. Michael highlights the value of a life plan review to align personal and professional goals, using a GPS analogy to illustrate how setting a clear direction can lead to better decision-making and fulfillment. They also touch on the need to adapt life plans as personal circumstances and relationships evolve. The discussion concludes with insights on utilizing downtime effectively, as they encourage listeners to embrace margin in their schedules. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

In today's episode of the Building Bigger Lives Podcast, Jamie Zeitz, a top 1% mortgage originator from Jacksonville, Florida, shares his career journey and approach to the industry, highlighting his focus on impact, growth, and excellence through non-traditional strategies and his background in college athletics. He discusses his personal development routine and mindset training, emphasizing the importance of mental and emotional preparation for his demanding work. He discusses the influence of his father, an entrepreneurial man who ran a cinema. Jamie shares his experience with teaching continuing education classes and his role as a certified trainer for John Gordon. Jamie also shares insights about his community initiative "Elevate the Elite" and his journey as an educator, concluding with his plans for future growth and fulfillment through teaching and coaching. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

In this episode of the Building Bigger Lives podcast, Michael and Kathryn talk about the importance of getting away, sharing their experiences with coordinating trips around family schedules and school breaks. They offer tips and tricks gleaned from their experiences visiting various destinations, including South Korea and New York. They discuss the benefits of using a large calendar to visualize and plan for extended trips. Kathryn describes how she and her husband, Todd, decide on destinations based on their interests and their children's locations. She mentions a recent trip to South Korea to visit their daughter, Kayla, which was influenced by Kayla's presence there. They emphasize the value of authentic local experiences and cultural immersion. The conversation concludes with discussions about planning group travel experiences, and the importance of leaving room for spontaneity, while encouraging listeners to prioritize creating memorable experiences through travel. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

In this episode of the Building Bigger Lives Podcast, Kathryn and Michael celebrate the 100th episode of the podcast, reflecting on its evolution from a small-town entrepreneur concept to its current format and discussing their decade-long collaboration in coaching. They highlight how the podcast adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly through Kathryn's embrace of Clubhouse as a creative platform. They share memorable moments from various guests and recording experiences. Looking ahead, they are excited to keep their authentic, unscripted approach while exploring new formats and technological advancements, with gratitude to their team and sponsors for their success. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

In this episode of the Building Bigger Lives podcast, Kathryn and Michael talk EMAIL! This episode is full of email management tips, tricks, and productivity hacks. They explore strategies for managing email effectively, including time blocking, creating boundaries, and implementing a three-bucket system for categorizing emails based on urgency and importance. They also offer recommendations for improving email efficiency through organization, automation, and alternative communication tools. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

Liz Reese joins Kathryn and Michael in this episode of the Building Bigger Lives podcast.  They discuss her 22-year career in mortgage, where she emphasizes her role as a mortgage advisor who provides personalized advice and leverages her real estate investing experience to help clients make informed decisions. Her career journey began unexpectedly in real estate after starting with a degree in horticulture, and she shares her approach to building authenticity on social media while maintaining a consistent posting schedule. Liz highlights the importance of her work in shaping financial futures, particularly for vulnerable populations, and discusses her strategies for supporting real estate agents through social media and client consultations. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

Michael and Kathryn explore strategies for making team meetings more effective and meaningful, discussing the importance of preparation, clear roles, and active participation. They emphasize the value of in-person meetings for building culture and fostering better connections, while also addressing the challenges of virtual meetings. The conversation covers various aspects of meeting management, including time management, agenda setting, and accountability, with a focus on improving productivity and collaboration within organizational contexts. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

Kathryn and Michael welcome Dino Katsiametis to the podcast, where he shares his 28-year career in the mortgage industry and his vision to transform the sector. Dino discusses his early entrepreneurial experiences working in his father's restaurants, learning valuable lessons about customer service and personal growth. He describes his father's journey from dishwasher to food and beverage manager, emphasizing the importance of seeking wisdom from others and stepping away to gain perspective. Dino's father's success in the hotel business, where he was recognized for his leadership and ability to connect with people, inspired Dino's own pursuit of excellence and desire to leave a legacy in the mortgage industry. He discusses his leadership evolution from focusing on production to building a people-centered business, including his semi-retirement approach and development of innovative business models. Dino outlines his vision for Ethos Lending, focusing on treating clients and staff with respect and creating a partnership-based company culture, while highlighting his commitment to high moral character and people-focused leadership. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage