Episodes
Lending That Builds Legacy ft. Jeremy Davis
In this powerful episode of MikeDrop , we sit down with Jeremy Davis , President of Mortgage at Southern Bancorp, to explore what it really means to build legacy through lending. Jeremy doesn’t just talk housing; he lives and...
Figure FinTech ft. Michael Tannenbaum
In this episode, we sit down with Michael Tannenbaum, the new CEO of Figure Technology Solutions, for a conversation about career growth, smart leadership, and how new ideas are changing the way lending and finance work today...
Thrive and Lead ft. Patty Arvielo
In this powerful episode titled Thrive & Lead , we sit down with one of the mortgage industry’s most influential voices— Patty Arvielo , CEO and Co-Founder of New American Funding , and a beacon of leadership, resilience, and...
Call, Connect, Community ft. Alec Hanson
In this episode of The MikedUp Show, we dive deep into what it truly means to build lasting relationships in the mortgage world—one call at a time. Featuring Alec Hanson, CMO at loanDepot and one of the most outspoken voices ...
Reinventing Capital Markets ft. Jennifer McGuinness
In this powerhouse episode of The MikedUp Show, we dive deep into the evolving world of capital markets with none other than Jennifer McGuinness-Lubbert — a 25+ year mortgage banking veteran and the CEO of Pivot Financial. Je...
Warehouse Lines & Relationships ft. Chris Avery
Warehouse lines aren't just financing—they’re a foundation. In this compelling episode of The MikedUp Show, hosts Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau sit down with Chris Avery, Vice President and Relationship Manager at First Horizon Bank, to unpack the crucial intersection of warehouse lines of credi…
The New Focus: Residential Real Estate Investment Products ft. Ben Fe…
In today's fast-changing mortgage world, opportunity is shifting—and smart lenders are paying attention. On this episode of The MikedUp Show, hosts Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau are joined by Ben Fertig, President of Constructive Loans, to explore the rise of residential real estate investment p…
What It Takes To Build Mortgage Startups in 2025 ft. Jim Carroll
What does it really take to launch a mortgage company in today’s market? In this episode of The MikedUp Show, hosts Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau sit down with Jim Carroll, a seasoned mortgage professional and builder of operations from the ground up. With over two decades of experience across e…
Community Lending That Helps ft. Nikki Bialka
In this powerful episode of The MikedUp Show, hosts Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau are joined by Nikki Bialka, an unstoppable advocate for financial inclusion and the force behind Fifth Third Bank’s community lending initiatives. With a career rooted in mortgage, pipeline management, and operatio…
Seeking Longevity in Mortgage ft. Steven A Milner
What does it take to not only survive but thrive for over 45 years in mortgage banking? On this week’s episode of The MikedUp Show, hosts Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau sit down with industry legend Steven A. Milner, the Founder & CEO of US Mortgage Corporation—a company that’s been going strong …
Transform Lending Conversations ft. David Lykken
In this episode of The MikedUp Show, hosts Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau are joined by none other than David Lykken, CEO of Transformational Mortgage Solutions—a true industry legend, thought leader, and master of change. Together, they dive deep into what it means to not just talk about transfo…
The New Normal Of Mortgage ft. Rich Weidel
Welcome to another power-packed episode of The MikedUp Show, where we break down the evolving dynamics of the mortgage industry—one conversation at a time. This week, Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau are joined by Rich Weidel, CEO of Princeton Mortgage, for an unfiltered, insightful discussion on w…
Speaking Success : NAHREP & The Future ft. Alex Garza & Rick Guerrero
The mortgage industry is evolving, and if you’re not paying attention to the Hispanic homeownership movement, you’re missing out on the biggest opportunity in real estate. In this episode of The MikedUp Show, hosts Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau sit down with Alex Garza and Rick Guerrero, two pow…
Scaling Leadership : Delegation & Personal Brand ft. Owen Lee
Leadership isn’t just about holding a title—it’s about impact, influence, and the ability to scale your vision effectively. In this episode of The MikedUp Show, hosts Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau sit down with Owen Lee, CEO of Success Mortgage Partners, to talk about what it really takes to lea…
Expand Your Impact ft. Candice McNaught
Welcome back to The MikedUp Show for our second installment of Season 4! Hosts Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau sit down with Candice McNaught, an Executive Sales Leader with more than 16 years of experience in the financial sector and current SVP at Planet Home Lending. Candice’s track record for …
Seeing Around Corners ft. Stanley Middleman
Link to buy the book : https://amzn.oia.bio/ks235Find the 7 Principles here : https://postimg.cc/RNrn3WSTIn this Season 4 premiere of The MikedUp Show, hosts Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau welcome Stanley C. Middleman, Founder and CEO of Freedom Mortgage—one of the nation’s largest full-service m…
Ambassador of Advocacy ft. Stephen Plaisance
In this compelling installment of The MikedUp Show, hosts Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau welcome Steven Plaisance, a transformational mortgage banking executive whose 35+ years in the industry have been fueled by a genuine passion for people, servant leadership, and strategic innovation. Aptly ti…
IMB'25 Conference Breakdown with Mike & Mike
It’s time for a deep dive into MBA’s Independent Mortgage Bankers Conference 2025 (IMB25)—and your hosts, Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau, are back to share all the game-changing highlights on this latest episode of The MikedUp Show! Recorded right after the biggest annual gathering of IMBs in Aus…
Fix & Flip Loans (RTL) : Untapped Origination Opportunities ft. Shell…
On this electrifying audio episode of The MikedUp Show, hosts Mike and Mike shift into high gear, spotlighting the immense potential of fix & flip financing—complete with playful nods to “Caddyshack,” lively discussions about country clubs, and a comedic spin on how you, the mortgage originator, ca…
Lend Smart with Lend API ft. Timothy Li
In this episode of The MikedUp Show, we sit down with Timothy Li, the visionary founder and CEO of LendAPI, to explore how his groundbreaking platform is reshaping the banking and lending landscape. With over 20 years of experience in banking and technology and a track record of successful FinTech …
What If You Were Allowed Only Purchase Business in 2025? ft. Terry Ai…
What would the mortgage industry look like if loan officers were restricted to handling only purchase loans in 2025? In this eye-opening episode of The MikedUp Show, we sit down with Terry Aikin, Managing Director at MGIC and a seasoned expert with over 38 years in mortgage banking and insurance, t…
2025 Through A Top Originator's Lens ft. Stephen Moye
In this week’s compelling episode of The MikedUp Show, hosts Mike Kelleher and Michael Zau welcome Stephen Moye, Senior Loan Officer and Sales Manager at New American Funding. Stephen’s accolades speak for themselves: 2022 & 2024 President's Council Winner, Scotsman Guide Top Loan Originator for 20…
2025 Predictions : What Is Next? with Mike & Mike
Welcome to an exciting new episode of The MikedUp Show, where your hosts, Mike Kelleher and Michael Zau, dive into their bold predictions and strategic insights for 2025. As we close out 2024 and prepare for a new year of opportunities, this episode is your ultimate guide to staying ahead in the fa…
Take What Is Rightfully Yours in 2025 ft. Eddy Perez
In this engaging episode of The MikedUp Show, hosts Mike Kelleher and Michael Zau sit down with Eddy Perez, CMB, CEO and co-founder of Equity Prime Mortgage (EPM), to explore powerful insights into leadership, growth, and embracing change in the mortgage industry. Eddy Perez brings his expertise, p…