This week on the podcast, we welcome Kate Amor, Senior Vice President and Head of Enterprise Products at Guaranteed Rate, to talk about leadership, trust, and building connection in an industry where relationships are everything.

Kate’s career started right out of college as a mortgage loan officer—a role that gave her firsthand experience in understanding the challenges borrowers face and the deep importance of earning trust at every step. Over time, she advanced into operations, risk, credit, and capital markets, eventually landing in product strategy and development. Today, she leads Guaranteed Rate’s loan product strategy nationwide, shaping the offerings that thousands of loan officers use to serve their clients every day.

But Kate’s story is about more than just products and processes—it’s about building trust that lasts. She shares how she uses authentic leadership, resilience, and energy as her professional “superpower” to inspire those around her and rally teams behind big initiatives. Her bright spark, as she calls it, creates momentum and helps transform obstacles into opportunities for growth and connection.

In this episode, we dive into:

• How trust and authenticity form the foundation of meaningful client and team relationships.

• The power of resilience and mindset in navigating change and evolving housing market cycles.

• Kate’s three pillars for women in mortgage: know yourself, find your tribe, and take inspired action.

• Why leadership isn’t about hierarchy—it’s about empowering others and leaving lasting impact.

• How Guaranteed Rate’s approach to innovation and enterprise products helps create a better experience for both borrowers and loan originators.

Kate also opens up about pivotal moments in her career, from early days of learning the business on the front lines to stepping into executive leadership. She talks about how to show up as your authentic self, the importance of surrounding yourself with people who lift you up, and why success is ultimately about empowering others to improve their lives, their communities, and the ecosystems we serve.

If you’re looking for inspiration on how to grow your career, lead with authenticity, and build relationships that stand the test of time, this episode is one you don’t want to miss.

• Mortgage Connect: Delivering customized solutions across the mortgage lifecycle with best-in-class service and innovative technology. Visit https://www.mortgageconnectlp.com

• Aidium: Helping mortgage professionals thrive with intuitive, modern CRM tools built to manage leads, nurture relationships, and close more deals. Visit https://www.thinkaidium.com

• Floify: A leading point-of-sale platform designed to streamline the mortgage process, from application to closing, making lending faster and easier for everyone. Visit https://www.floify.com

This week on the show, we’re diving into a conversation that connects leadership, capital markets, and representation in mortgage finance. Our guest, Deborah (Deb) Jones, Senior Vice President and Director of Mortgage Secondary and Capital Markets at Citizens, brings over 21 years of experience guiding clients and organizations through one of the most dynamic industries in financial services.

Deb’s career spans multiple housing and economic cycles, giving her unique insight into how mortgage markets shift with interest rates, housing inventory, and national economic trends. As the Head of the Mortgage Bankers Association Secondary and Capital Markets Committee, Deb has been a voice for balanced growth, informed policy, and inclusion in an industry that directly affects millions of homeowners.

In this episode, we cover:

• Where mortgage capital markets are headed in 2024 and beyond – including what rising and falling interest rates could mean for borrowers and lenders alike.

• How inventory shortages and affordability challenges are reshaping mortgage strategies and why underserved markets face unique pressures.

• Why representation matters in leadership and capital markets, and how diversity of thought and experience leads to stronger, more resilient organizations.

• Deb’s professional journey – from building a referral-based client business to leading at the executive level.

• Lessons learned from past market cycles and what today’s professionals can take from them.

Deb also shares why she believes 2024 will be a transition year for the industry and why we may see strategic refinancing for recent high-rate loan vintages. She explains how she and her peers view opportunities for borrowers, lenders, and investors as the market adjusts, and why 2025 might look like a “new normal” for purchase markets.

This conversation is not just about numbers and forecasts – it’s about people, opportunity, and inclusion in one of the most important sectors of the economy. Whether you’re a loan officer, capital markets professional, mortgage leader, or someone simply curious about what drives home financing in America, this episode gives you insights you can put to work right now.

About Our Sponsors

• Mortgage Connect: Delivering customized solutions across the mortgage lifecycle with best-in-class service and technology. Visit https://www.mortgageconnectlp.com

• Aidium: Helping mortgage professionals thrive with intuitive, modern CRM tools built to manage leads, nurture relationships, and close more deals. Visit https://www.thinkaidium.com

• Floify: A leading point-of-sale platform designed to streamline the mortgage process, from applicatio...

This week, we sit down with Andrew Panagos, President of GO Mortgage, for a no-fluff, high-insight conversation on what it really takes to lead a modern mortgage company in today’s shifting landscape. With a career that spans powerhouse brands like Fairway, PHH, Deutsche Bank, and H&R Block Mortgage, Andrew brings over two decades of cross-channel experience—retail, wholesale, direct-to-consumer—and a deep operational mindset grounded in systems, scale, and strategic precision.

As the head of GO Mortgage, Andrew is steering a lean, performance-focused machine. But what sets him apart isn’t just his resume—it’s his ability to zoom in on execution without losing sight of people and vision. From managing billion-dollar pipelines to shaping sales, fulfillment, and servicing workflows, Andrew has lived the grind and seen what separates the good from the great.

In this episode, we get into:

• ️ How Andrew built and scaled multi-billion-dollar lending operations without sacrificing speed or service.

• Why compliance isn’t just a checkbox—but a strategic lever for innovation and market trust.

• Leadership lessons learned from a career leading massive teams and navigating changing markets.

• Tech adoption in mortgage: where it works, where it fails, and how to keep it practical.

• Recruiting the next generation of mortgage talent and building a team that outperforms.

• The case for process, systems, and a “no heroics” culture in high-volume lending.

• What the future of the mortgage industry looks like through Andrew’s lens.

With his background as a Six Sigma Black Belt and Harvard Business School alum, Andrew offers a unique blend of performance engineering and leadership wisdom. Whether you're in the trenches of originations or making executive decisions about growth and tech stack, this episode gives you an inside look at what operational excellence looks like at the top.

About Andrew Panagos:
President of GO Mortgage. Former leadership roles at Fairway, PHH, NOIC, Deutsche Bank, Servion Group, and more. Specializes in building scalable mortgage platforms, managing $4B+ pipelines, and leading with precision and people-first execution.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:

• Mortgage Connect: A national mortgage services provider offering end-to-end solutions with a focus on compliance, innovation, and customer service.

• Aidium: The all-in-one CRM built exclusively for mortgage professionals. Automate workflows, boost productivity, and close more loans—with less chaos.

• Floify: A leading point-of-sale platform that streamlines the loan process for LOs, borrowers, and real estate agents. From application to closing, it’s mortgage simplified.

On this episode, we sit down with Steve Thomas — a veteran mortgage executive, Navy officer, and now the visionary behind FutureWave Finance, a newly launched minority-owned national correspondent lender. With nearly 30 years in residential mortgage, capital markets, and inclusive financial leadership, Steve brings a perspective rooted in innovation, community empowerment, and bold transformation.

From his early days at Fannie Mae and Countrywide to leading roles at CastleOak Securities and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, Steve’s journey is a masterclass in leadership through changing market tides. Now, as CEO and President of FutureWave, he’s building a company aimed at addressing the next great shift in lending: from a rate-driven market to a product-driven one.

In this episode, we explore:

• How FutureWave Finance is designing the next-gen correspondent model

• What it takes to lead during market shifts, downturns, and reinvention

• The lasting impact of capital markets experience in retail innovation

• Steve’s take on DEI, supplier diversity, and what real inclusion means in lending

• Lessons from a career that spans Wall Street, government-backed institutions, and the Navy

• The strategic shift toward product-focused lending, and why it matters more now than ever

With deep insights into liquidity strategy, pricing execution, and economic change, Steve outlines what lenders need to thrive — not just survive — in today’s mortgage environment.

Meet the Guest:
Steve Thomas is the President & CEO of FutureWave Finance, a new national correspondent lender. Previously, he served as Senior Managing Director at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, where he led mortgage capital markets and co-directed the bank’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion. He has held senior roles at CastleOak Securities, Fannie Mae, and Countrywide, and began his professional journey as a Naval Officer. Steve is also a Board Member and Treasurer of Mercy Housing Lakefront, advancing affordable housing and economic equity.

Episode Sponsors

• Mortgage Connect: A leading national mortgage services provider delivering customized solutions that elevate the consumer experience across the mortgage life cycle. mortgageconnectlp.com

• Aidium: Modern CRM and mortgage growth platform helping lenders close more deals by turning pipeline chaos into clarity. thinkaidium.com

• Floify: The industry's leading point-of-sale system, helping loan officers streamline workflows and elevate borrower satisfaction. floify.com

Subscribe now to get every insight, every strategy, and every guest dropping knowledge to move the industry forward.

This week on the show, we sit down with three of the most compelling voices in the mortgage industry—Rick Roque, Brock Cassidy, and Jeremy Potter—who together host the influential weekly show REALFridays. In this dynamic conversation, we unpack the intersection of leadership, media, and strategy, diving into the insights that only come from three decades of combined mortgage, fintech, and proptech experience.

Jeremy Potter, founder of Next Belt Strategies, brings a legal and regulatory edge to the table, shaped by years working in compliance, policy, and strategic leadership roles across the lending ecosystem. His experience spans Norcom Mortgage, Rocket Companies, and now his own firm, where he advises on regulatory clarity, strategic transformation, and housing opportunity through thought leadership and advisory work.

Brock Cassidy, currently Chief Revenue Officer at Newzip, shares his journey from Rocket Mortgage to the cutting edge of referral and agent matching platforms. With deep knowledge of fintech integrations and lender partnerships, Brock outlines how Newzip helps mortgage professionals grow purchase business through high-quality real estate relationships in all 50 states—without competition from portals.

Dr. Rick Roque is a respected banker, technologist, and strategic advisor, bringing decades of leadership in M&A, growth strategy, and industry education. With speaking credits from over 50 mortgage conferences and a prolific publishing career, Rick shares how his vision for consumer-focused innovation has helped hundreds of lenders scale profitably.

We explore the challenges and opportunities of building a relevant media presence in lending, how a weekly show like REALFridays shapes influence and opens doors, and why staying consistent with your message, voice, and content is key to long-term credibility.

You’ll hear:

• What it takes to sustain a podcast and build brand authority

• How to convert a content platform into real business opportunities

• Why YouTube is the most underutilized channel in the mortgage world

• Advice for originators and lenders looking to use media for growth

• Behind-the-scenes of REALFridays: how the trio collaborates and stays real

This episode is more than just podcast talk—it’s about leadership, authenticity, and finding your place in a rapidly evolving industry. Whether you're a loan officer, broker, executive, or aspiring thought leader, this conversation will give you real strategies to stand out.

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Mortgage Connect – A leading national mortgage services provider delivering a full suite of solutions to support the entire mortgage lifecycle. Visit www.mortgageconnectlp.com

• Aidium – CRM built for high-performance mortgage teams. Simplify workflows, connect with leads, and drive more business. Visit thinkaidium.com

• Floify – A powerful point-of-sale platform built to streamline the loan process for borrowers and LOs alike. Learn more at www.floify.com

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Todd Feager, Co-Founder of Haven Home Equity, to explore how lenders and borrowers alike can harness the untapped power of home equity. With over 23 years in the mortgage industry, Todd brings a deep, hands-on understanding of what today’s consumers actually need—especially in the evolving consumer-direct lending landscape.

At Haven, Todd has helped pioneer a structured and strategic approach to using home equity, designed not just to pull out cash—but to build long-term financial stability. This episode centers on what Todd calls “The Haven Framework”, a tri-fecta strategy that focuses on three essential outcomes:

1. Cash-Out Reserves – Creating liquidity for emergencies, life expenses, or future investments.

2. Lower Total Monthly Debt Payments – Combining higher-interest debt into more manageable mortgage-based solutions.

3. Shortened Mortgage Terms – Helping borrowers pay off their homes faster and smarter.

This conversation goes beyond generic advice. Todd offers real-world insight into how loan officers can reframe conversations with borrowers—from selling rates to creating strategic equity plans that maximize both immediate relief and long-term impact. He shares the mindset, tools, and scripting that Haven loan officers use to help clients move from uncertainty to clarity—often in a single call.

Whether you're a lender looking to modernize your offering, or a borrower trying to understand your best path forward, this episode will leave you with tactical takeaways and a renewed sense of what's possible in home equity lending.

Key themes:
– How to succeed in a consumer direct environment
– Making home equity work for borrowers in a high-rate market
– Building scalable lending strategies that actually deliver value
– What it means to offer advice-driven lending—not just products

Brought to you by our sponsors:
Mortgage Connect
Aidium
Floify

What does it take to lead one of America’s largest independent mortgage banks in today’s market—and still put the customer at the center of it all?

In this episode of MikeDrop, we sit down with Justin Messer, the President and CEO of Prosperity Home Mortgage, to unpack the leadership mindset, technology strategy, and service-first culture that’s redefining the mortgage experience from the inside out.

With more than 15 years of mortgage leadership experience, Justin has seen the evolution of the industry from multiple vantage points—from his early roles at Quicken Loans (now Rocket Mortgage) to building out Prosperity’s executive team. Now as CEO, he brings a modern, customer-focused lens to lending—balancing innovation with service, growth with stability, and speed with trust.

Prosperity by the Numbers:

• Licensed in 49 states + DC

• 500+ Mortgage Consultants across the country

• $25 billion funded between 2021–2022

• A subsidiary of HomeServices of America, the largest real estate company by closed units in the U.S.

Under Justin’s leadership, Prosperity has made bold moves to remain at the forefront of tech-enabled lending while never losing sight of the personal touch that makes home financing human. In 2024, the company was ranked #1 in customer satisfaction in J.D. Power’s U.S. Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study—testament to a leadership style rooted in empathy, experience, and relentless pursuit of excellence.

• How Justin went from the University of Michigan to the top seat of a national mortgage bank

• What “customer-first” really means in a world of automation and algorithms

• Lessons from his time at Rocket Mortgage and The Long & Foster Companies

• What it takes to lead through market shifts, rate changes, and economic uncertainty

• The power of communication, transparency, and culture in building great mortgage teams

Justin also talks candidly about what’s next for Prosperity, and how he’s preparing his team not just for the next quarter—but for the next generation of homebuyers.

Sponsored by:

• Mortgage Connect – End-to-end solutions for the nation’s top mortgage lenders.

• Aidium – The CRM that powers your pipeline and your relationships.

• Floify – The industry-leading point-of-sale platform trusted by lenders nationwide.

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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 breathes it—from grassroots advocacy to C-suite leadership. His journey is a masterclass in mission-driven business, and this episode captures his voice, vision, and unwavering belief in economic empowerment through homeownership.

With more than two decades in mortgage and financial services, Jeremy brings serious depth to the conversation. He has led everything from originations and community development to coaching, business growth, and launching inclusive lending platforms. His work is grounded in one truth: homeownership is the cornerstone of generational wealth. And for families too often left behind by traditional lending, Jeremy is on a mission to change that.

As President of Mortgage at Southern Bancorp—a nationally recognized Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI)—Jeremy is blending margin and mission with powerful results. Under his leadership, the bank is reshaping access to credit, expanding community lending, and earning accolades like the 2024 MBA Leadership Award for Market Outreach Strategies.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What "legacy lending" really means in today’s world

• How to scale impact without sacrificing integrity

• The role of community banks and CDFIs in building generational wealth

• Lessons from launching FirstBank Forward and InQlusion Mortgage Capital

• Why representation, accessibility, and advocacy still matter in housing

• What the next generation of mortgage leaders needs to hear

Jeremy also breaks down the mindset behind his high-performance culture, his advice to lenders in today’s market, and how anyone in the housing industry can do more on purpose.

If you care about equity, homeownership, and real solutions that work—this is the conversation to hear. Whether you're a loan officer, housing advocate, executive, or just passionate about building a better system, Jeremy's leadership and vision are unmatched.

Sponsored by:

• Mortgage Connect

• Aidium

• Floify