Episode 76: The Online Troll, Mr. Fuse, and Protecting Your Mindset Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager. In this episode, Jonathon and Tommy tackle the growing challenge of protecting your mindset in a world designed to keep you distracted. They discuss the Online Troll and Mr. Fuse video series coming to Fuse 2026 and why the loudest voices on social media are rarely the ones worth listening to. Broker Buzz – Whether retail closings are smoother than broker closings, and why managing expectations matters more than the channel. – Why more leads are asking for soft pulls instead of full pre-approvals, and how AI is changing the way borrowers prepare. – The best VoIP services for separating business from personal calls, including Zoom VoIP. Sales Training | Protect Your Mindset  Jonathon shares the inspiration behind the Online Troll and Mr. Fuse video series. This industry is full of noise, people in ivory towers, and social media personalities who aren’t actually writing loans. Your job is to stay focused on what genuinely matters. Tommy adds that these social media platforms are not designed to make you happy. They are designed to keep you engaged. Anger keeps you on the platform longer than joy. So, remember to be very cautious about what you put into your mind. It has the power to dictate your day, your business, and your life. Story Time | Go Where There Is No Path and Leave a Trail  The fortune cookie this week delivers a message about forging your own path. Jonathon reflects on his family history, his father leaving Syria at eighteen with no English, and his wife’s ancestors moving west in the seventeen hundreds to claim land that did not exist yet. Tommy connects it to leadership and the courage to challenge “the way we have always done it.” You do not have to follow the path in front of you. You can build a new one. But you have to be willing to take the first step. Listen wherever you get your podcasts Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes every week #MortgageBroker #SalesTraining #SocialMedia #Mindset #Fuse2026 #OnlineTroll #MrFuse #SoftPulls #VoIP #ZoomVoIP #RetailVsBroker #HousingMarket #RealEstate #Lending #BrokerCommunity #MortgageIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #BrokersAreBest #BrokerPowerUp #AIME #Podcast #Network The post Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 76 appeared first on AIME.

It’s time to leave a conference with more than just notes and short-term inspiration. What if you could walk out with a carefully crafted plan to help find synergy between your life and business? In this special episode of the WMN Podcast, Kirstie MacArthur hosts a powerful conversation with Kim Clancy, Ellen Petry Leanse, and Erin Bradley about the upcoming WMN Soulful Success Summit and the benefits of seeing it first-hand. They dive into why traditional conferences leave women feeling energized but overwhelmed, the neuroscience behind burnout, and what it really takes to build a sustainable, fulfilling career without sacrificing your well-being. Kim shares the vision behind creating an event focused on implementation, not just information. Ellen explains the physiological and neurological reasons why the “hustle harder” model doesn’t work for women’s brains and bodies. And Erin gets real about her own experience with burnout and how she learned to build a life she doesn’t need a vacation from. Subscribe to our channel and join the movement! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Secure your tickets to all of AIME’s upcoming events: https://aimegroup.com/fuse-2026/ https://aimegroup.com/fuse-2026/wmn-at-fuse/ https://aimegroup.com/events/wmn-soulful-summit/ #WMN #SoulfulSummit #WomenInMortgage #Wellness #WorkLifeHarmony #BurnoutRecovery #WomenInLeadership #Empowerment #BrokersAreBest #AIME #Podcast #Network #MortgageJourney The post Women’s Mortgage Network Podcast Special: Soulful Success Summit appeared first on AIME.

Episode 256 Host: Marc Summers (AIME’s Founding President) Guest: Jason Kindler (President of First Coast Mortgage Funding) This week’s episode features Jason Kindler, a 25-year mortgage veteran who started as a broker, moved to retail, and came back to the broker channel with a fresh perspective. Jason shares why independence was the catalyst for his return, how brokers can successfully compete with builder financing, and his simple approach to AI that anyone can implement. He also discusses his coaching philosophy and why focusing on your strengths beats forcing a one-size-fits-all approach. Key Takeaways: – How to build relationships with builders and compete with their incentives. – The hybrid model: combining retail support with broker freedom. – Why the broker community’s willingness to share sets it apart from retail. – The value of FUSE and immersing yourself in the community. Golden Nugget: “Figure out what you want AI to solve for you. If there’s something in your week that you hate doing, AI can probably do it for you.” Subscribe to Broker to Broker on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Join AIME: aimegroup.com/membership #RetailToBroker #BuilderBusiness #Independence #AIForMortgage #BrokerCommunity #FUSE2026 #FirstCoastMortgage #BrokerToBroker #MortgageTech #BrokersAreBest #AIME #Podcast #Network The post Broker to Broker Podcast: Jason Kindler – Ep. 256 appeared first on AIME.

Episode 75: Behind the Curtain for Fuse 2026 Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager. In this milestone episode, Jonathon and Tommy pull back the curtain on everything coming to Fuse 2026 in Austin, Texas. They share behind the scenes details on breakout sessions, swag, a guest bartender, a lassoing cowboy, the return of the podcast booth, and a truck giveaway courtesy of Cake. Broker Buzz – The top three things loan officers value most in a processor, including communication, problem solving, and daily file touches. – How to help a client who lost their home in a fire and wants to buy a new one before the insurance claim is finalized, including the risks of carrying two payments. – Whether a borrower with rolling lates can refinance, and why investors will run in the opposite direction. – How to navigate the Safe at Home program for victims of domestic violence, including what documents are needed and who must be notified. Fuse 2026 Sneak Peek  Jonathon and Tommy share a behind the scenes look at what is coming to Fuse. The breakout submission process drew more than 59 applicants this year, with 28 of them selected to present. The hotel is already over seventy percent full and expected to sell out. The marketing team is in full crunch mode, designing signage, swag, and photo ops that will make Fuse feel bigger and more immersive than ever. Tommy also reveals the story behind his caffeine-fueled sixty six podcast recordings last year and promises to pace himself this time. Fuse is not just an event. It is a community built by brokers for brokers. And this year is going to be the biggest one yet. Story Time | The Fortune You Seek Is in Another Cookie “The fortune you seek is in another cookie.” Jonathon interprets it as a reminder that sometimes what you are chasing is not what you actually need. Tommy adds a Mario reference about Princess Peach being in another castle. Consistency is king, but knowing when to pivot is just as important. Listen wherever you get your podcasts Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes every week #MortgageBroker #Fuse2026 #SalesTraining #BrokerCommunity #SafeAtHome #ProcessorTips #DisasterReliefMortgage #RollingLates #HardMoney #HousingMarket #RealEstate #Lending #MortgageIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #BrokersAreBest #BrokerPowerUp #AIME #Podcast #Network The post Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 75 appeared first on AIME.

What if the key to building a thriving mortgage business wasn’t chasing agents, but genuinely connecting with people? In this episode, Gabi Wiartalla sits down with Alexa DePaolo to talk about her journey from the reception desk to producing at a high level, why she made the switch from retail to broker, and how she built a business where over 60% of her opportunities come directly from her database. Alexa gets real about the fear of cold calling, why she refuses to chase realtors, and how women can build business in a way that feels natural, through connection, not transactions. She also opens up about the guilt so many working moms face, why she had to schedule family time on her calendar, and how she learned to set boundaries without apology. If you have ever struggled with picking up the phone, felt stuck in retail, or wondered how to scale without burning out, this episode is packed with practical advice straight from the heart. Subscribe to our channel and join the movement! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. #WMN #WomenInMortgage #BrokerLife #OrganicGrowth #DatabaseMarketing #WorkingMom #WomenInLeadership #Empowerment #BrokersAreBest #AIME #Podcast #Network #MortgageJourney The post Women’s Mortgage Network Podcast: Episode 29 appeared first on AIME.

Episode 74: The Pendulum Sale Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager. In this episode, Jonathon kicks off a six-week long crash-course that’ll be breaking down Jonathon’s top sales strategies. Broker Buzz – Whether a parent can buy a primary residence for a college student without putting them on the loan, and why the “kiddie condo” rule has changed. – The best tools for managing business finances, including QuickBooks. – Whether Vantage scores are worth adding to credit reports, and why “heads we win, tails we tie” applies here. Sales Training | The Pendulum Sale  When a client pushes back, most salespeople either give up or get defensive. Jonathon does neither. He agrees first. Agree, reinforce, swing, reframe, and ask. When a client says they do not want to refinance because they just closed eight months ago, he says “I completely understand. I would be hesitant too. But the market has changed, and if I can show you a meaningful break-even point, would it make sense to at least look?” That is the pendulum in action. Your clients are going to resist. That is their job. Your job is to keep the conversation swinging long enough to present an option that actually helps them. Story Time | A Small Decision Will Open a Door  Jonathon connects this week’s fortune to the micro-decisions he has been making around health, diet, and sleep. Tommy shares a small decision of his own, trying new stretches to combat the effects of sitting all day. Big results do not come from big moments. They come from small decisions made consistently over time. Listen wherever you get your podcasts Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes every week #MortgageBroker #SalesTraining #PendulumSale #ObjectionHandling #KiddieCondo #QuickBooks #RampCard #VantageScore #FICOScore #CreditReports #SmallDecisions #HousingMarket #RealEstate #Lending #BrokerCommunity #MortgageIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #BrokersAreBest #BrokerPowerUp #AIME #Podcast #Network The post Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 74 appeared first on AIME.

Jonathan Haddad’s story took him from bartending at Buffalo Wild Wings to standing tall as the CEO of AIME, but the real story comes from the women who helped shape him into the person he is today. Molly Meeker sits down with Jonathon for a conversation that goes far beyond mortgages. He opens up about the women who shaped him, including his grandmother and great grandmother, whose resilience taught him what it really means to never be a victim. He shares his journey from bartending to becoming a top producing loan officer and leading AIME. They dive into why community matters, the power of accountability, and what AIME and WMN are doing to help loan officers thrive in any market. If you have ever wondered what it takes to build a career with purpose, this conversation will leave you inspired, challenged, and ready to take action. Subscribe to our channel and join the movement! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Get your tickets to upcoming events below: https://aimegroup.com/fuse-2026/ https://aimegroup.com/fuse-2026/wmn-at-fuse/ https://aimegroup.com/events/wmn-soulful-summit/ #WMN #WomenInMortgage #AIME #Leadership #Resilience #BrokerLife #SoulfulSummit #WomenInLeadership #Empowerment #BrokersAreBest #Podcast #Network #MortgageJourney The post Women’s Mortgage Network Podcast Special – Molly Meeker & Jonathon Haddad appeared first on AIME.

Episode 73: Six Sales Strategies to Win Every Deal Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager. In this episode, Jonathon opens up his playbook and shares six of his top sales strategies for controlling conversations and closing more loans. He breaks down how to approach different client personalities and why the right question changes everything. Broker Buzz – Whether 1099 loan officers should obtain separate E&O insurance, and why protecting your company is non-negotiable. – How to expand a one-man shop to bring on other loan officers, including the importance of building standards and checking state regulations. – The best tools for recording and transcribing borrower calls and why recording calls is a sign of professionalism, not trust issues. Sales Training | Six Strategies to Control Any Conversation  Jonathon shares six of his top ten sales strategies, each designed for a different client personality. There is a strategy for the shopper who wants to negotiate, another for the proud homeowner who needs validation, and one for the ChatGPT client who thinks they already know everything. There is also a way to build momentum before you even present a loan and a method for shining light on the problem instead of the product. If you are losing deals, it is not because your product is wrong. It is because your conversation needs to change. Story Time | A Journey of Personal Growth  The fortune cookie this week promises a journey of personal growth. Jonathon reflects on the opportunities that have come his way recently and why growth requires commitment, not just intention. Tommy adds that everyone is on a personal journey, but not everyone is growing. The message is simple. Personal development is not passive. It is a choice you make every single day. Listen wherever you get your podcasts Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes every week #MortgageBroker #SalesTraining #SalesStrategies #PendulumSale #HousingMarket #RealEstate #Lending #BrokerCommunity #MortgageIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #BrokersAreBest #BrokerPowerUp #AIME #Podcast #Network The post Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 73 appeared first on AIME.

What if one decision you make today could give you more choices tomorrow, even during life’s most unexpected and difficult moments? In this episode, Laura Brandao sits down with Celeste Sierra, better known as Your Mortgage Geek, for a deeply personal and powerful conversation about preparation, resilience, and the freedom that comes from planning ahead. Celeste has nearly thirty years of experience in the mortgage industry and is passionate about helping clients build wealth through real estate. But her story goes far beyond mortgages. She shares how a decision she made five years ago to plan for retirement ended up giving her the freedom of choice when she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer earlier this year. She opens up about her journey, from the shock of diagnosis to researching alternative treatments and using the living benefits from her policy to fund her care. She also talks about why she chose to share her story publicly and what she hopes other women will take away from her experience. Subscribe to our channel and join the movement! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. #WMN #WomenInMortgage #FreedomOfChoice #Resilience #LivingBenefits #FinancialPlanning #WomenInLeadership #Empowerment #BrokersAreBest #AIME #Podcast #Network #MortgageJourney The post Women’s Mortgage Network Podcast: Episode 28 appeared first on AIME.

Episode 255 Host: Marc Summers (AIME’s Founding President) Guest: John McLaughlin (Broker & Owner of McLaughlin Mortgage) This week’s episode features John McLaughlin, who started in real estate as a top 1% agent before transitioning into the mortgage space. After two years in retail lending, John made the jump to the broker channel and hasn’t looked back. He shares how he built his tech stack from the ground up, why treating realtor partners as valuable assets is key to long-term success, and how the Brokers Are Best community has been instrumental in his growth as a broker owner. Key Takeaways: – How the retail experience pushed him toward the broker channel. – Treating realtor partners as valuable assets, not just transaction facilitators. – The value of community and why the Brokers Are Best Facebook group is a must-join. – Why tech stack fragmentation is a challenge and how AI can bring clarity. – Why getting control of your calendar is the first step to getting control of your business. Golden Nugget: “Coming from retail, your world is your little bubble. In the broker channel, you need something, ask. Someone will step in and help out. You will always learn something by asking a question.” Subscribe to Broker to Broker on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Join AIME: aimegroup.com/membership #RetailToBroker #TechStack #RealtorRelationships #MortgageBroker #CommunityMatters #BrokerLife #JohnMcLaughlin #MortgageTech #BrokersAreBest #AIME #Podcast #Network The post Broker to Broker Podcast: John McLaughlin – Ep. 255 appeared first on AIME.