Welcome to another episode of the Ladies In Lending podcast, with your host, Allison Johnston.

In this episode of the Ladies In Lending podcast, Allison Johnston, sits down with Shelley Leonard—President of Xactus and a trailblazer in both tech and mortgage.

Shelley shares how she went from entry-level programmer to president by embracing lateral moves, staying curious, and refusing to settle for comfortable.

You'll hear how she balances leadership with life, stays grounded in her purpose, and builds strong teams by leading with compassion and authenticity.

Her story is a masterclass in embracing growth, setting boundaries, and inspiring the next generation of women to lean into leadership with confidence.

Welcome to another episode of the Ladies in Lending podcast, with your host, Krista Russo.

In this episode of the Ladies in Lending podcast, Krista Russo sits down with Brenda Wyatt, a top 1% originator and senior mortgage advisor at La Salle Mortgage.

Brenda shares her inspiring journey from corporate finance to becoming a nationally ranked loan officer, all while staying grounded in service, legacy, and heart-led leadership.

You'll hear how her deep family roots in real estate shaped her mission to leave every client better than she found them—and why connection matters more than just closing the deal.

From community outreach to coaching the next generation, Brenda opens up about the power of collaboration, formalizing your systems, and leading with purpose.

She leaves us with a challenge every woman needs to hear: "Jump, and the parachute will appear."

Welcome to another episode of the Ladies In Lending podcast, with your host, Krista Russo.

In this episode of the Ladies In Lending podcast, your host, Krista Russo sits down with Carolina Vergara, Vice President of Sales at First Option, for an inspiring conversation about perseverance, boundaries, and the power of reinvention.

Carolina shares her story of immigrating from Colombia at 15, navigating a major culture shock, and finding her voice—and her path—in the competitive world of lending.

She opens up about burnout, motherhood, creating structure that actually allows for freedom, and the courage it takes to prioritize what really matters.

From building a loyal team to embracing vulnerability and shifting definitions of success, this episode is a must-listen for women striving to lead boldly and live fully.

Welcome to another episode of the Ladies in Lending podcast, with your host, Krista Russo.

In this powerful conversation, Krista sits down with producing branch manager Rachel Lester to unpack her incredible journey from economic development to mortgage leadership—through cancer, personal loss, and ultimately, a purposeful new mission.

Rachel opens up about navigating the lending world while surviving inflammatory breast cancer, grieving the loss of her daughter, and finding healing through action, advocacy, and service.

You'll hear how she built a thriving branch, honors her daughter's legacy through a heartfelt new project, and supports veterans with deep conviction and care.

This episode is a moving reminder that success isn't just about numbers—it's about grit, grace, and leading with purpose.

Welcome to another episode of the Ladies In Lending podcast, with your host, Krista Russo.

In this episode of the Ladies In Lending podcast, your host, Krista Russo, sits down with personal finance expert and author Lisa Chastain for a heartfelt and empowering conversation on money, mindset, and self-worth.

Lisa shares her powerful journey from financial rock bottom to becoming a sought-after money coach, author, and speaker—revealing how healing your relationship with money starts with healing yourself.

Together, they dive into identity loss, comparison culture, motherhood, and the unique challenges women face while building wealth and leading at home and work.

This episode is packed with honest insights, transformational mindset shifts, and practical encouragement to help women break through outdated money paradigms and define success on their own terms.

Welcome to another episode of the Ladies in Lending podcast, with your host, Krista Russo.

In this episode of the Ladies in Lending podcast, your host, Krista sits down with Rebecca Richardson, also known as The Mortgage Mentor, to talk about the power of authentic branding in today's mortgage space.

Rebecca shares how she went from on-the-job training to building an educational platform with over 770 videos and a loyal following by simply focusing on what buyers really need to know.

You'll hear her take on how to blend tech and human connection, why consistency is the only silver bullet, and how she's helped reshape the way loan officers think about video, branding and legacy.

Whether you're brand new or rebuilding, this is a masterclass in building something that lasts without burning out or losing who you are.

Welcome to another episode of the Ladies In Lending podcast, with your host, Krista Russo.

In this episode of the Ladies In Lending podcast, your host, Krista Russo, sits down with Jody Bruns, founder of the Divorce Lending Association and creator of the CDLP certification, for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation.

Jody shares how her personal journey through divorce inspired her to build a powerful platform that bridges the gap between lending and family law.

They unpack the critical—but often misunderstood—role mortgage professionals can play in the divorce process and how proper training can make a life-changing difference for both parties.

Jody and Krista explore the value of neutrality, the importance of strategy infused with empathy, and how women in lending can lead with both heart and purpose.

The episode closes with a moving discussion on Jody's new book Anchored in Faith, and the courage it took to bring faith and vulnerability into her business.

Krista Russo sits down with Shannon Conradi of Propy Inc. to explore how tech, service, and grit are transforming the title experience for loan officers and agents alike.

Shannon shares how Propy's AI-driven platform, 24/7 escrow access, and client gifting set a new standard for efficiency and connection in real estate.

She also opens up about her personal journey with epilepsy, the challenges she's overcome, and how those experiences fuel her passion for helping others.

Want to see what Propy can do for your business? Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn or email shannon@propy.com to schedule your free platform demo.