Episodes

In this insightful episode of The MikedUp Show, we sit down with Leora Ruzin, CMB, AMP, an experienced lending executive and the Founder of Ruzin Creative, LLC. Leora’s 15-year journey in the mortgage industry has been characterized by a steadfast commitment to professionalism, personal growth, and advocacy for responsible lending practices. With her unparalleled expertise in mortgage production, secondary marketing, compliance, underwriting, and a rich background in managing end-to-end operatio...

Join us on The MikedUp Show as we dive deep with John Toohig, Managing Director at Raymond James and head of the Whole Loan Trading Group. John brings years of expertise from the forefront of mortgage trading and portfolio management, sharing insights that blend historical analysis with forward-looking predictions. In this episode, John takes us behind the scenes at the 2024 Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Convention in Denver, discussing the industry’s shifting landscape and the impacts of i...

This week on The MikedUp Show, we sit down with Keith Canter, CEO of First Community Mortgage (FCM), a mortgage industry leader known for combining growth with a commitment to people. Keith shares invaluable insights into the journey of evolving from a small mortgage brokerage to one of the most respected mortgage lenders nationwide. With over 25 years of experience, Keith has steered FCM from its roots in the Southeast to a nationwide footprint, all while focusing on the development and potenti...

In this in-depth audio episode, Rudy Orman, Senior Vice President at NQM Funding, LLC, joins the show to explore one of the most crucial yet often overlooked segments of the mortgage industry: Non-QM lending. Rudy has a storied career in the mortgage industry, spanning over 35 years, during which he has worked with leading institutions like Goldman Sachs, HSBC, and Reliant Bank. His expertise in sales, product development, capital markets, and securitization gives him unparalleled insight into t...

In this insightful episode of The MikedUp Show, Mike Kelleher and Michael Zau sit down with Nick Pabarcus, a powerhouse in the mortgage industry with over 25 years of experience in wholesale and correspondent lending. As the Director of Sales at Logan Finance, Nick brings a wealth of knowledge from his previous roles at loanDepot, Stearns Lending, and Countrywide. His expertise in leadership, risk management, and mortgage banking is unparalleled, and he shares an in-depth look at the evolving la...

In this episode of The MikedUp Show, we sit down with John Hedlund, a distinguished leader in the mortgage industry with a career spanning over three decades. John has played a pivotal role in shaping the financial services landscape, leading some of the largest financial institutions and mortgage lenders in the United States. From his beginnings at the Royal Bank of Canada to founding AmeriHome Mortgage—one of the largest correspondent lenders in the country—John's journey is one of leadership,...

In this insightful episode of The MikedUp Show, we sit down with James Hooper, Senior Vice President and Production Manager with extensive experience in the financial and mortgage banking industries. James brings decades of leadership, expertise, and wisdom to the table, having started his career as a retail loan officer and growing into executive roles at top-tier banks and mortgage companies. His journey, from building and rebuilding mortgage companies to managing large-scale sales operations,...

In this insightful episode of The MikedUp Show, we sit down with Bill Lowman, the current Chairman and former CEO of American Pacific Mortgage (APM), to delve deep into the art of leadership, scaling a business, and fostering a culture that thrives even in the most competitive industries. With over two decades of experience at APM, Bill has been at the helm of one of the country’s largest independent mortgage banks, guiding it through unprecedented growth, industry shifts, and internal transform...

This week’s episode of The MikedUp Show is a special live recording from the New England Mortgage Bankers Conference, held from September 11-13, 2024, in Portsmouth, NH. Hosts Mike Kelleher and Michael Zau are joined by an impressive panel of industry leaders to discuss the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the mortgage space today. Featuring Rick Roque from RealTalk Fridays, Jeremy Potter from Next Belt Strategies, Brock Cassidy from NewZip, and Brian Vieaux from FinLocker, this epi...

In this episode of The MikedUp Show, we sit down with David Battany, the Executive Vice President of Capital Markets at Guild Mortgage, to unpack key trends and challenges that will define the housing industry in the years ahead. David’s 30+ years of experience give him unparalleled insight into how the mortgage market will evolve, especially as we look toward 2025. The housing crisis remains one of the most pressing issues in the country, and David discusses the role a new White House administr...

In this episode of The MikedUp Show, we delve into the essential aspects of homeownership with our special guest, Daniel Smith, the visionary founder of Keepingly. As the driving force behind this innovative platform, Daniel has dedicated his career to simplifying the complexities of managing a home. Keepingly isn't just another tool; it's a comprehensive solution designed to empower homeowners to make informed decisions about their most significant investment—their home.

Daniel's journey from ...

This week on The MikedUp Show, we’re honored to host Michael Brady, the Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer, and Chief Information Security Officer of LeaderOne Financial. With a rich background in operations, strategic planning, and business process improvement across multiple industries, Michael shares his unique insights into the evolving mortgage landscape. As the industry continues to transform with the integration of cutting-edge technologies like AI and advanced data analy...

In this week's episode of The MikedUp Show, we sit down with Jorge Campodonico, the driving force behind City Lending Inc., to uncover the secrets to his success in the mortgage industry. Jorge's journey is nothing short of remarkable, having immigrated to the U.S. at 19 with a vision and the determination to make it big. He shares how mentorship and hard work paved the way for him to rise from a loan officer to the COO of a thriving mortgage company.

Jorge dives into the strategies that have p...

In this week's episode of The MikedUp Show, Michael Kelleher delivers an emotionally charged exploration of failure and resilience through his personal story. Reflecting on his journey with the mortgage tech startup Easy Mortgage Apps, Michael provides an unfiltered account of what it's like to face entrepreneurial challenges head-on. From the early days of ambition to the harsh realities of the market, he shares the strategic missteps and tough decisions that shaped his path. His story is not j...

The MikedUp Show takes a personal turn as hosts Michael Zau and Mike Kelleher share their inspiring journey from humble beginnings on the Clubhouse app to the evolution of their podcast, through two seasons of MoreTalk Radio Show, culminating in the revamped MikedUp Show. This episode is a treasure trove of insights on building a successful talk show or podcast.

Join Michael and Mike as they unpack the tools, strategies, and unwavering dedication that have driven them to consistently produce en...

In this transformative episode of The MikedUp Show, we tackle one of the hottest topics in the real estate industry: Will buyers' agents become obsolete like travel agents?

Our guest, Dain Ehring, a distinguished FinTech leader with over three decades of experience, shares his unique insights on this pressing question.

With the NAR settlement going into effect on August 17th, the landscape for lenders and borrowers is about to change dramatically. Dain breaks down what this settlement means fo...

Get ready for an exciting episode of The MikedUp Show! This week, we're thrilled to welcome Chuck Iverson, a leading figure at Mason McDuffie Mortgage (Mason Mac), to share his expertise on navigating the ever-changing mortgage and real estate landscape.

In this dynamic one-hour conversation, Chuck delves into the critical importance of adapting to change in today's market. With his wealth of experience, he provides a bird's-eye view of the mortgage and real estate industry, offering insights t...

In the fourth episode of The MikedUp Show, hosts Mike Kelleher and Michael Zau sit down with Mike Mills, the dynamic host of The Texas Real Estate and Finance Podcast, one of the industry's top podcasts. This episode is a goldmine for loan officers navigating the complexities of the 2024 market. With the industry constantly evolving and traditional marketing methods becoming obsolete, Mills offers a fresh perspective on how to adapt and thrive.

Mike Mills shares his personal journey, detailing ...

In this episode of The MikedUp Show, hosts Mike Kelleher and Michael Zau sit down with Ryan Black from Black, Mann & Graham LLP. Known for his unique blend of approachability and professionalism, Ryan is a pivotal figure in the mortgage and real estate industry. His commitment to advocacy and regulation is making a significant impact, and his welcoming presence at industry conferences is helping to nurture the next generation of leaders.

Ryan's dedication to improving the mortgage industry thro...

In this episode of The MikedUp Show, hosts Mike Kelleher and Michael Zau welcome special guests Eric and Brad Blumberg, the innovative minds behind the AsterKey app. This groundbreaking mobile application is revolutionizing how individuals manage their financial data and documents. Imagine having the power to anonymize and update your financial information at your fingertips, essentially becoming your own credit agency. Whether you're a loan officer, lender, independent mortgage banker, new home...

We are looking for guests for Season 3 of The MikedUp Show
We are looking for more viewers
We are going on video
We are expanding our podcast to Apple
We are adding social media
We will be on YouTube live and Facebook
We are looking for more sponsors
We are looking for more anonymous sources we call birdies
We are looking for more loan officers to join and ask questions.