AIME Podcast Network

Episode 83: PRIORITIZE Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager. In this episode, Jonathon and Tommy continue the five-part framework series with PRIORITIZE. They break down how to work backwards from your income goals, why money-making activities have to come first, and how a clear plan turns chaos into a manageable day. Broker Buzz – Where to look for financing on shipping container home projects, including who to call for large-scale investor deals. – Whether a prepayment penalty can be waived on a refinance, and why signed contracts can be very difficult to undo. – How to find HUD consultants by state and zip code for 203k loans, and why building a relationship with one makes the whole process easier. Sales Training | PRIORITIZE Most loan officers start every month at zero and stress about whether they will make it. Instead, Jonathon recommends looking at the year as a whole, working backwards from what you intend to make, and prioritizing your day around the money-making activities that will take you to where you want to go. Tommy adds a masterclass in personal prioritization, explaining the conscious spending plan he and his wife use, how they divide yearly expenses into monthly buckets, and how he builds a daily checklist for his team every morning. No singular person can do everything. So decide what moves the needle, build a plan around it and let the rest wait. Story Time | Perseverance  The fortune cookie this week promises that your success will be a testament to your perseverance. Jonathon reflects on growing up as a millennial with instant gratification and why the successful people he studies all say the same thing. They simply did not quit. Tommy shares how he has stepped away from doom scrolling and rediscovered long-form games and hobbies that reward patience instead of dopamine. Success is not about speed. It is about staying in the game long enough to win. Listen wherever you get your podcasts Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes every week HUD Consultants: https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/f17cnsltdata.cfm #MortgageBroker #SalesTraining #Prioritize #TimeManagement #HUDConsultant #203kLoan #OneTimeClose #PrepaymentPenalty #ShippingContainerHomes #Perseverance #HousingMarket #RealEstate #Lending #BrokerCommunity #MortgageIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #BrokersAreBest #BrokerPowerUp #AIME #Podcast #Network The post Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 83 appeared first on AIME.

Episode 259 Host: Marc Summers (AIME’s Founding President) Guest: Laura Ray (Loan Originator at Liberty Mortgage) This week’s episode features Laura Ray, who spent most of her career in construction and water damage before finding her way into mortgages in 2016. Now a loan originator at Liberty Mortgage, Laura shares how she built her business on genuine relationships, why she still takes notes on index cards, and how she’s shifting her focus to recruiting and training the next generation of loan officers. She also reflects on her experience at FUSE in Austin and the reminder that the touch points that built your business are worth keeping. Key Takeaways: – Why taking the time to listen to clients builds trust that lasts. – The importance of staying involved in every loan from start to finish. – How she’s training green loan officers by giving them structure and a method. – Why technology and AI are tools to enhance, not replace, human connection. – The value of FUSE and the reminder to get back to the basics that built your business. Golden Nugget: “My first several conversations with clients don’t even involve interest rate. I want to know about them. I want to know why they want to buy a house, what their concerns are, what their fears are. That’s how you build trust.” Subscribe to Broker to Broker on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Join AIME: aimegroup.com/membership #RelationshipBuilding #ClientExperience #LoanOriginator #MortgageAdvice #WomenInMortgage #FUSE2026 #LibertyMortgage #BrokerToBroker #MortgageTech #BrokersAreBest #AIME #Podcast #Network The post Broker to Broker Podcast: Laura Ray – Ep. 259 appeared first on AIME.

Episode 82: The Reset Button Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager. In this episode, Jonathon and Tommy kick off a five-week framework for managing your day, starting with RESET. They discuss emotional regulation, why reactive selling kills your business, and the physical and mental routines that help them reset after a difficult conversation. Broker Buzz – How HomeStyle renovation loans work, including the general contractor, appraisal, and escrow draw process. – Whether a VA borrower can buy before they sell when they have no funds until the equity from their sale comes through. – What to do when a borrower claims they have nothing official from the IRS for their installment agreement, and why a phone call to the IRS may be the only path. Sales Training | RESET RESET is about emotional regulation. Jonathon shares that during the early years of his career, each time a deal went south, it would send him into a spiral. Now he has a gameplan. From the punching bag, to expressing it through writing, he’s found ways to emotionally regulate and level out. Tommy shares his routine for decompressing, staying active, and turning frustration into actionable items for the team. While it’s true that you rarely control what happens to you, it’s up to you how quickly you reset. Story Time | Discover Your Passion for Teaching  The fortune cookie this week promises you will discover your passion for teaching and education. Jonathon reflects on how AIME’s backbone is built on coaching and sales training, and why teaching others forces you to stay sharp in your own craft. Tommy shares how he trains his team by treating the old way as a starting point, not a rulebook, and how he learns from them every day. When you teach, you grow. And the people who serve others the most are the ones who get the furthest. Listen wherever you get your podcasts Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes every week #MortgageBroker #SalesTraining #EmotionalRegulation #Reset #HomeStyleRenovation #VABuyBeforeYouSell #IRSInstallmentAgreement #Teaching #Coaching #HousingMarket #RealEstate #Lending #BrokerCommunity #MortgageIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #BrokersAreBest #BrokerPowerUp #AIME #Podcast #Network The post Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 82 appeared first on AIME.

What if the key to growing your business wasn’t chasing numbers, but building a foundation that actually supports you as a human? In this episode, Melissa Rifai sits down with Sarah Engstrom, owner of Oasis Mortgage Group, to talk about her journey from loan officer assistant to brokerage owner. Sarah spent the first 20 years of her career with the same company before a pivot forced her to take a leap. She gets candid about the fear of leaving, the stress of building something new while still producing, and the moment she realized she could do things her own way. She opens up about the coaching that changed her perspective, why she starts her day with stillness before opening her inbox, and how she crafted a business around referrals, repeat clients, and genuine human connection. She also shares the story behind Lend4Good, her incredible program that has donated over one hundred thousand dollars to animal rescues, which you can learn more about and support here: https://www.lend4good.com/ Subscribe to our channel and join the movement! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. #WMN #WomenInMortgage #Authenticity #BrokerOwner #ReferralBusiness #Lend4Good #WomenInLeadership #Empowerment #BrokersAreBest #AIME #Podcast #Network #MortgageJourney The post Women’s Mortgage Network Podcast: Episode 33 appeared first on AIME.

Episode 81: Conference Season Takeaways Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager. In this episode, Jonathon and Tommy wrap up the conference season with honest takeaways from a full year of events. They discuss what loan officers actually want to hear, why rate talk falls flat, and what conference organizers should stop doing. Broker Buzz – Whether the forty year mortgage is actually coming, and why the math makes it a terrible idea for most borrowers. – How to finance two attached townhomes under a single deed, including why treating it as a two unit property may be the better path. – How to handle borrowers who take forever to send documents and then complain about delays, including the 24-hour expectation script that works. Sales Training | Set Document Expectations Upfront When a borrower takes forever to send documents and then complains about the timeline, the problem usually starts at the beginning. Jonathon shares the script he uses after the loan is written. He congratulates the client, tells them the easy part is over, and asks them to grab a pen and paper. He explains that underwriting appointments are scheduled and he needs documents within 24 hours. Then he mutes the phone and waits. If they say yes, he sends a text and email recapping exactly what they agreed to. If documents are late, he calls and asks what he can do to help. Set the expectation clearly, confirm the commitment, document it in writing, and follow up with kindness and accountability. Story Time | Active Cooperation and Collaboration  The fortune cookie this week calls for active cooperation in teamwork and collaboration. Jonathon shares a lesson from his mentor, who taught him that the two weakest forms of leadership are fear and competition, while the two strongest are cooperation and collaboration. Tommy connects it to AIME’s Pathway meeting and the weekly marketing co-working sessions where the team collaborates on branding, signage, and new podcast ideas. Getting people from different backgrounds aligned on a common goal can be hard, but it is the most powerful form of leadership. Listen wherever you get your podcasts Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes every week #MortgageBroker #SalesTraining #ConferenceSeason #Leadership #FortyYearMortgage #TwoUnitProperty #DocumentCollection #ActiveCooperation #Collaboration #Community #HousingMarket #RealEstate #Lending #BrokerCommunity #MortgageIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #BrokersAreBest #BrokerPowerUp #AIME #Podcast #Network The post Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 81 appeared first on AIME.

Episode 80: The WMN and VA Summits Debrief Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager. In this episode, Jonathon and Tommy take you behind the scenes of Fuse 2026, shining a spotlight on some of the best moments from the WMN and VA Summits and explaining what it takes to build an event of this scale. Broker Buzz – Which lead sources are actually worth the investment, including early funnels, live transfers, NerdWallet, and more. – Resources for passing the NMLS exam, including MLO Force and how to reach Nathan Knottingham directly. – Whether a self-employed borrower with only one year of tax returns can qualify for FHA or conventional, and the specific stipulations that make it possible. Fuse 2026 Debrief | The WMN and VA Summits The WMN Summit was standing room only this year, with a waiting list and an unforgettable denim and diamonds theme. The VA Summit brought hard hitting education, including Gay Veale’s powerful story about sacrificing time with her son to serve. Jonathon and Tommy break down the amount of work that goes into navigating 1200 people through the hotel efficiently and adapting the space to fit the AIME experience. It’s a unique look behind the scenes and serves as an effective reminder that these summits are built with intention and are only getting better. Story Time | Be on the Alert for New Opportunities  Jonathon reflects on spending a full day with his father for the first time in years, and how his relationship with his dad has deepened in his thirties. Tommy shares his own renewed connection with his father and the joy of getting out to sporting events with his wife. Opportunities aren’t always business deals. Sometimes they’re just moments with the people who matter most. Listen wherever you get your podcasts Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes every week #MortgageBroker #Fuse2026 #WMNSummit #VASummit #LeadGeneration #NMLSExam #MLOForce #SelfEmployedIncome #FHA #ConventionalLoan #HousingMarket #RealEstate #Lending #BrokerCommunity #MortgageIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #BrokersAreBest #BrokerPowerUp #AIME #Podcast #Network The post Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 80 appeared first on AIME.

In this week’s special episode, Samantha Shelton talks with Carol Pope, Andrea Nemetz, and Meghan Sarbo about their experience at the WMN Summit during Fuse 2026. They get honest about the nerves of walking into a room where you don’t know anyone, the way women tend to pick themselves apart on video, and why showing up as yourself is the real superpower. They also share the challenge that stuck with them and why the connections made in this community are the whole point. If you have ever been on the fence about showing up, this is the episode for you. Subscribe to our channel and join the movement! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. #WMN #WomenInMortgage #FuseRecap #Community #Authenticity #WomenInLeadership #Empowerment #BrokersAreBest #AIME #Podcast #Network #MortgageJourney The post Women’s Mortgage Network Podcast Special: Fuse 2026 Recap appeared first on AIME.

Episode 79: Know Thy Numbers Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager. In this episode, Jonathon and Tommy break down Know Thy Numbers, a framework for tracking the five metrics that tell you exactly where your business is succeeding and where it is falling apart. They also debrief on Fuse 2026 and why this year felt different for the AIME team. Broker Buzz – How to handle VA appraisal payments upfront, including the compliance requirements and who carries the risk. – Whether a borrower can change jobs before closing on a conventional loan without a pay stub, and the specific Fannie Mae guidelines for future income. – Whether to reach out on a Sunday evening when a purchase contract comes in, and why the answer is almost always yes. Sales Training | Know Thy Numbers Jonathon walks through five metrics that give you a complete picture of your business. Jonathon explains how each metric points to a specific problem, from communication issues to weak follow-up, and why most loan officers are guessing instead of measuring. If you do not know your numbers, you are guessing. And guessing is not consistent enough to reliably grow your business. Story Time | You Will Look Back on This Moment and Smile  Jonathon and Tommy take turns imagining where they will be a year from now, with Fuse in Denver, the podcast past one hundred episodes, and the AIME community stronger than ever Tommy shares that this was the first year he truly felt like part of the community, with members approaching him just to talk. The work can be challenging at times, but the moments are worth it in the end. One year from now, you will smile at what you built. Listen wherever you get your podcasts Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes every week Link to referenced guidelines available here: https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.3-03/employment-offers-or-contracts #MortgageBroker #KnowThyNumbers #SalesTraining #Fuse2026 #FuseDebrief #VAAppraisal #FutureIncome #FannieMaeGuidelines #SundayCalls #RateLock #HousingMarket #RealEstate #Lending #BrokerCommunity #MortgageIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #BrokersAreBest #BrokerPowerUp #AIME #Podcast #Network The post Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 79 appeared first on AIME.

Most loan officers have a production plan. Very few have a career blueprint. But what if that’s the difference between burning out and building something that lasts? Megan Marsh brings over eighteen years of experience, including eight years as a top producer and building her own brokerage from the ground up. On this week’s episode, Laura Brandao sits down with Megan, Founder of CoLab Lending, to talk about why leaders tend to avoid career conversations and how fear keeps loan officers from being honest about their goals. Megan gets practical about the questions to ask, the three projects per quarter rule, and why breaking big goals into bite sized action steps is the only way to make real progress. She also opens up about the role ancillary income played in her own life and why being transparent with her team about it changed everything. If you have ever felt stuck, burnt out, or unsure of what comes next in your career, this episode will give you the framework to start building your own blueprint. Subscribe to our channel and join the movement! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. #WMN #WomenInMortgage #CareerBlueprint #CareerPathing #Leadership #MortgageLeadership #WomenInLeadership #Empowerment #BrokersAreBest #AIME #Podcast #Network #MortgageJourney The post Women’s Mortgage Network Podcast: Episode 32 appeared first on AIME.

Episode 258 Host: Marc Summers (AIME’s Founding President) Guest: Jason duPont (Chief Strategy Officer at NEXA Mortgage) This week’s episode features Jason duPont, a thirty-year mortgage veteran who started as a broker, spent time in retail, built and sold his own brokerage, retired early, and found his way back to the business he loves. Now the Chief Strategy Officer at NEXA Mortgage, Jason shares his perspective on growth, alignment, and why the broker channel is the best place for loan officers and consumers alike. He also discusses NEXA’s partnership with AIME as the first enterprise account and what it means for the industry. Key Takeaways: – Why purchase business is the foundation of a recession-proof career. – How NEXA’s volume-based model allows them to pass more back to loan officers. – Why alignment and shared vision matter more than competition. – The importance of being yourself and being vulnerable when building a team. Golden Nugget: “It’s always what’s best for the loan officer, and that in turn helps the consumer. If everyone in our channel took that mindset, we’d be at forty percent market share before we know it.” Subscribe to Broker to Broker on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Join AIME: aimegroup.com/membership #NEXAMortgage #BrokerGrowth #PurchaseBusiness #MarketShare #MortgageLeadership #BrokerChannel #JasonduPont #BrokerToBroker #MortgageTech #BrokersAreBest #AIME #Podcast #Network The post Broker to Broker Podcast: Jason duPont – Ep. 258 appeared first on AIME.