Ep 79: New Hires & the Training Process

Kelly Zitlow is our guest in this episode of the Building Bigger Lives podcast. Kelly has developed the “Sunshine Warrior” community, movement, and podcast. Kelly shares her personal journey and the origins of the "Sunshine Warrior" concept, which evolved from a source of comfort during her mother's battle with cancer into a trademarked brand focused on positivity and support. She discusses her own challenges as an introvert, particularly her struggles with public speaking, and how she overcame them through determination and practice. Kelly also shares insights about her parents' contrasting personalities and her vision for the mortgage industry's future, emphasizing the importance of embracing personal identity while adapting to technological changes. Kelly emphasizes that the Sunshine Warrior movement is not about death or tragedy but about lifting people up in challenging times, and she recently launched a podcast to spread this message further. 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  

Clayton Collins, CEO of Housing Wire, shares his career journey from financial services to acquiring the company in 2016, driven by his family's background in housing and his passion for working with entrepreneurs. He outlined Housing Wire's transformation from a print magazine to a digital media company, including strategic acquisitions and expansion into new segments while emphasizing the importance of providing timely and accurate information to housing professionals. The discussion covered the company's approach to media and events, highlighting their role in fostering relationships and serving as a neutral platform in the housing ecosystem, with a focus on continuous improvement and strategic growth. 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, Kathryn and Michael discuss the role of AI in personal and professional development, exploring how AI tools like ChatGPT can enhance creativity, productivity, and problem-solving. Kathryn shares her experiences using AI for tasks such as summarizing podcasts, creating meal plans, and generating content ideas, while Michael highlights how AI can serve as a creative companion and a tool for capturing and analyzing information during coaching sessions. They emphasize the importance of asking strategic questions to leverage AI effectively and encourage listeners to reflect on how AI can support their unique needs and skills. The episode concludes with plans for future discussions on AI's evolving role. 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

Joe Bob Thompson, a former client and long-time friend of Michael, shares his life story on the podcast. Growing up in a small, rural town in northeast Texas, Joe faced challenges due to his unique name, which led to fights in the 5th grade. Despite this, he developed thick skin and learned to stand up for himself. Joe attributes his positive outlook to his mother and stepfather, who were significant influences in his life. He shares insights on positivity, team leadership, and the importance of integrating personal passions into professional roles, drawing from his experiences in football, music, and his current role at Movement Mortgage. The episode highlights Joe's creative approach to leadership and his commitment to serving others through his work. He emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with positive, energetic people and carrying that positivity through life's challenges. 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 discuss the importance of thoughtful hiring and proper training for new hires. They emphasize the need to assess current team capacity and productivity before deciding to hire, suggesting that addressing inefficiencies and considering technology or outsourcing solutions may be more beneficial. When hiring is necessary, they advise creating a clear job description, understanding the priority of tasks, and evaluating the cost-benefit of different solutions. They stress the importance of regular industry trend monitoring to stay informed about technology and outsourcing options. 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

Ryan Grant, President of Neo, shares his personal and professional journey in the mortgage industry, including his background growing up in a small rodeo town near Yosemite, and his transformation into a more visionary leader through experiences in competitive sports and business. The discussion explores Ryan's leadership style, emphasizing his approach to decisive action, team empowerment, and continuous learning, while highlighting his journey from being results-focused to prioritizing team growth and development. He expresses his passion for redefining the mortgage industry and providing value in his role, reflecting on his nearly 20 years of experience as a mortgage professional. Ryan's conversation with Kathryn and Michael touches on his introverted nature, the importance of a growth mindset in the housing industry, and his commitment to fostering a culture of learning and adaptability. 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 Building Bigger Lives, Kathryn and Michael discuss the concepts of “The Let Them Theory, ” a book by Mel Robbins, focusing on the natural human desire to control others and the challenges that arise when others resist this control. They explore how this theory applies to various aspects of life, including work and personal relationships, and how recognizing and addressing these control issues can lead to more effective communication and collaboration. The discussion highlights the importance of letting go of control and embracing different perspectives, with Kathryn sharing how she has implemented these ideas in her work and personal life. 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  

This episode features Tony Blodgett, EVP of retail sales at New American Funding, reflecting on his career journey from loan originator to executive leadership while discussing his experiences with Clubhouse and podcasting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tony shares insights about his approach to leadership, personal branding, and the challenges of transitioning from a top-producing loan officer to a non-producing executive role, while also discussing his recent lifestyle changes including quitting alcohol. The conversation concludes with Tony's predictions about the future of the mortgage industry, emphasizing the importance of digital transformation and personal branding for loan officers, and his advice for adapting to industry trends and changes. 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 attended the Mortgage Mastermind Summit in Las Vegas, where he and Ken Perry from Knowledge Coop presented a unique interview-style session on redefining winning in various aspects of life, contrasting with the typical sales-focused presentations. Michael highlighted the value of networking and authentic connections at industry events, and mentioned upcoming events including a Todd Duncan seminar co-branded with Momentum Builder in Dallas this fall. 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 Building Bigger Lives, Geoff Zimpfer shares his experience in the mortgage industry and discusses the importance of platform building and training others. Geoff shares his background, including his experience as a sales trainer with Tony Robbins and his transition into the mortgage industry in 2003. He explains that the inspiration for his book "Disrupt or Die" and his Mortgage Marketing Institute came from his desire to help others succeed in the mortgage industry by sharing his knowledge and experiences.  He emphasizes the value of leveraging unique skills, creating value through education, and maintaining a beginner's mindset when teaching. Geoff also stresses the significance of adaptability in the face of industry changes, encouraging professionals to embrace new technologies while staying true to their authentic selves and maintaining strong referral relationships.   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