Episodes

Value in mortgage is not just about rate.

It is about trust.
It is about communication.
It is about execution.
It is about whether the inside of the company is strong enough to deliver what the outside is promising.

In this episode of The MikedUp Show, Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau sit down with Kevin Peranio, Chief Lending Officer and partner at PRMG, for a conversation about leadership, customer experience, accountability, and what it really means to lead with value in today’s mortgage ma...

Some leaders are prepared for the role before the title arrives.

In this episode of The MikedUp Show, Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau sit down with LaTasha Waddy, President of NFM Lending, for a conversation about leadership, timing, responsibility, and what it takes to guide a major mortgage organization through a changing market.

LaTasha brings more than two decades of experience across legal affairs, corporate finance, contract management, regulatory compliance, and executive leadership. B...

Not everything with automation is AI.

And not every “AI tool” is actually changing the business.

In this episode of The MikedUp Show, Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau sit down with Quinton Harris, Chief Growth and Strategy Officer at Texana Bank Mortgage, for a straight conversation about what mortgage leaders are getting right and wrong when it comes to AI, growth, and strategy.

Quinton brings more than two decades of mortgage experience to the table. Since entering the business in 2002, he ...

What happens when the loan officer stops waiting for the tech stack and starts building the workflow themselves?

In this episode of The MikedUp Show, Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau sit down with Brandon Durham for a conversation about a major shift happening inside the mortgage industry.

The old question was simple.

Do you buy the technology or build it yourself?

But now there is a third answer.

The producer.

Top loan officers are no longer just using the tools handed to them. They are s...

Season 5 of The MikedUp Show starts with a conversation that cuts straight into what mortgage leaders need to be thinking about right now.

Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau sit down with Rick Roque, CMB of NFM Lending, for a direct conversation about where the mortgage industry is headed, what leaders need to stop ignoring, and why waiting for rates to come down is not a strategy.

This is not another episode about AI replacing people.

This is about what happens when AI, data, borrower expectat...

Darryl Caffee, Senior Vice President at Webster Five, joins Mike’d Up to discuss what it really takes to build a long-term career in mortgage and why most professionals misunderstand the path early on.

With a background spanning law, operations, collections, and executive leadership, Darryl brings a full-cycle perspective on lending that goes beyond production and into performance, policy, and purpose.

Key topics in this episode:

• Why saying yes early in your career creates more opportunity ...

Tom Davis, Chief Sales Officer at Deephaven Mortgage, joins Mike’d Up to break down one of the most overlooked opportunities in today’s market: equity.

With over $30 trillion in tappable home equity and the majority of borrowers locked into sub-5% rates, the traditional refinance-driven playbook is no longer enough. In this episode, Tom explains why the next phase of mortgage growth will be driven by second liens, Non-QM products, and deeper engagement with the clients loan officers already hav...

In this episode of Miked Up, we sit down with Patty Arvielo, CEO & Co-Founder of New American Funding, to break down the mindset, systems, and leadership philosophy behind building one of the largest mortgage companies in the country.

From starting as a loan processor to leading a national powerhouse, Patty shares what it really takes to evolve from employee to entrepreneur—and why most originators never make that leap.

This is not about rates.
This is not about products.
This is about how you...

In this episode of Miked Up, we sit down with Brent Houston, Chief Operations Officer at ARDRI and a founding member of the organization, for a deep conversation about leadership, innovation, and building a mortgage platform designed for the future.

With more than 30 years of experience across mortgage banking, real estate, portfolio lending, and asset management, Brent Houston represents a rare blend of traditional mortgage expertise and entrepreneurial vision. His career has been defined by i...

Income calculation has always been one of the biggest friction points in mortgage lending.

Commission income.
Variable income.
Self-employed borrowers.
Rental income.
Part-time and multi-job scenarios.

One miscalculation can derail an approval, delay a closing, or trigger a costly repurchase risk.

In this episode, we sit down with Jim Carroll of Partners Bank to break down everything originators and leaders need to know about Fannie Mae’s new Income Calculator — and why it may fundamentally c...

In this episode of The Mike’d Up Show, we sit down with Joseph V. Scorese — nationwide direct private lender, senior account executive at Park Place Finance, real estate investor, educator, and host of the Creative BRRRR Strategies Podcast.

Joe has funded over $100 million in DSCR, fix-and-flip, and asset-based loans — and he’s doing 35–50 units per month in a market where most loan officers are still trying to “figure out” non-QM.

But here’s what makes this conversation different:

This isn’t...

In this episode of Miked Up, we sit down with Adam Mason, President of Gershman Mortgage’s Residential Division, for a powerful conversation on what it really takes to build a mortgage company that lasts.

Titled “Mortgage Across Decades,” this episode explores how a generational independent mortgage bank stays competitive, profitable, and culturally strong in an industry defined by cycles, regulation, and rapid change.

Adam’s journey is anything but typical. Trained as a real estate attorney, ...

In this episode, Jeremy Davis, President of Mortgage at Southern Bancorp, breaks down why the future of customer acquisition in lending is built on connection first and conversion second. As the leader of the mortgage division for one of the nation’s oldest and largest Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Jeremy is redefining how lenders expand responsibly while staying grounded in mission.

Southern Bancorp hired Jeremy following a nationwide search, tasking him with expanding ...

Ed Powell, SVP & Licensed Regional Manager, Angel Oak Solutions | NMLS #407491
Customer acquisition in today’s mortgage market is no longer about volume alone—it’s about precision, trust, and meeting borrowers where they actually are. In this episode, we sit down with Ed Powell, Senior Vice President and Licensed Regional Manager at Angel Oak Solutions, to unpack what consumer direct lending really looks like when it’s done right.

Licensed across more than 25 states, Ed Powell has built a reput...

In this episode, we sit down with Eddy Perez, CMB, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Equity Prime Mortgage (EPM), for a direct and timely conversation about leadership, accountability, and what it will take to win in the mortgage industry as we move toward 2026. This is not a discussion about surviving the market—it’s about eliminating excuses, building durable businesses, and leading with clarity when conditions get harder, not easier.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Eddy oversees all core fun...

In this episode, we sit down with Erin Dee, Chief Operating Officer at InterLinc Mortgage, to talk about what it really takes to scale revenue in today’s mortgage environment—and why strong teams and disciplined operations matter more than ever.

With more than 20 years of mortgage industry experience, Erin has built a reputation as an operator who knows how to turn complexity into clarity. Her career spans nearly every corner of the business, including underwriting, operations, technology, capi...

In this episode, we sit down with S. John Murray, a mortgage professional whose career spans more than four decadesand reflects a rare combination of longevity, discipline, and deep commitment to people over transactions. With over 41 years in mortgage banking and more than 10,630 families served, John’s work represents what long-term success in lending actually looks like when it’s built on trust, consistency, and community impact.

John specializes in mortgage planning as a tool for long-term ...

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Matthew Patterson, the President of First Alliance Home Mortgage and one of the industry’s most grounded and quietly influential leaders. Matthew’s path is not the typical decades-long climb—his rise has been marked by rapid advancement, authentic leadership, and a commitment to building teams that put the borrower first.

Before taking the helm at First Alliance Home Mortgage, Matthew held leadership roles at Draper & Kramer Mortgage Corp, Rate, Superior...

In this episode, we sit down with one of the most respected operators in modern mortgage banking — James Hecht, the newly appointed CEO of OneTrust Home Loans. With more than 30 years of executive leadership across the largest and most influential lending institutions in the country, James brings a rare combination of operational discipline, strategic clarity, and vision for what sustainable growth looks like in today’s market.

Hecht’s career spans some of the most transformational chapters in ...

In this week’s episode of MikedUp, we go inside the engine room of one of the nation’s most successful mortgage brokerages — C2 Financial — with its President, David Temko. Known for his sharp vision, leadership discipline, and deep understanding of financial systems, David has helped solidify C2 Financial’s position as the #1 Mortgage Broker in America, driving innovation that blends technology, trust, and long-term value for loan officers and borrowers alike.

As President, David oversees all ...

In this powerful episode of MikedUp, we sit down with Jon Prussel, the President of City First Mortgage LLC, for a candid and deeply human conversation about resilience, leadership, and second chances. Jon’s story is not just about building a business — it’s about rebuilding oneself. From navigating personal and professional lows to steering one of Florida’s most respected mortgage firms, Jon’s journey is a testament to what it means to rise, rebuild, and redeem.

City First Mortgage, founded in...

In this week’s episode of MikedUp, we’re getting behind the curtain of mortgage operations with Rob Jewett, the Chief Operating Officer of NewFed Mortgage Corp and one of HousingWire’s Tech Trendsetters. Known for streamlining processes and integrating innovative technology, Rob has reimagined what mortgage operations can look like in a digital-first world.

From AI-driven automation to real-time borrower communication and mobile loan origination, Rob has built systems that “unkink the hose” — r...

In this episode of MikedUp, we sit down with Gene Thompson, a mortgage leader whose story is built on loyalty, grit, and an unwavering belief in serving people—without exception. After 16 years of dedication to InterLinc Mortgage, Gene is now the majority owner of the company, stepping into a new era of leadership rooted in authenticity, accountability, and long-term impact. But this isn’t a corporate takeover story—it’s a leadership journey.

Gene started at InterLinc in 2007 during one of the ...

In this episode of MikedUp, we sit down with Paul Diamond, a leader who represents resilience, integrity, and staying power in mortgage banking. With more than three decades in the mortgage industry, Paul has built a reputation for leading with values before volume, standing firm during market cycles, and building a people-first culture that still drives results today. As President and CEO of Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation (DRMC) and Immediate Past President of the Illinois Mortgage Ba...