The MLO Project

Send us Fan Mail In this high-energy episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael "Hot Sauce" McAllister cut through the noise to reveal what actually separates elite loan officers from everyone else grinding it out in the mortgage trenches. They break down the non-negotiable traits that every top producer shares—laser focus, decisive action without second-guessing, and communication...

Send us Fan Mail In this special in-person episode of The MLO Project , recorded live at Fulcrum Studio in Eagle, Idaho, Frazier and Michael break down what it really takes to attract and support great loan originators. They cover why your recruiting pitch must match your reality, how authentic culture beats hype, and why modern branding and marketing aren’t optional anymore. Whether you’re trying...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerhouse episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael sit down with mortgage leader, speaker, and coach Brian Covey for a raw conversation on what it really takes to lead, inspire, and win in today’s mortgage market. Fresh off his move to CrossCountry Mortgage , Brian opens up about leadership, personal branding, and the power of storytelling to build trust and long-...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael welcome a special guest—Michael’s wife and business partner, Kimberlee McAllister —for a candid, funny, and insightful conversation about building a business and a marriage at the same time. Together, they unpack what it’s like running Empower LO , navigating roles, boundaries, and balancing life in the fast-paced mortgage w...

Send us Fan Mail See It. Track It. Win It. The Power of Visualization in the Mortgage Game In this high-energy episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael break down a game-changing principle for originators: what gets visualized and tracked gets improved. They dive into how using dashboards, tracking daily activities, and focusing on leading measures (the stuff you control) instead of just l...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael McAllister get brutally honest about why most loan officers waste money on marketing —and how to flip that script. They kick things off with some laughs, then dive into real stories of marketing fails, breaking down how poor time management, lack of follow-through, and shiny object syndrome sabotage results. Their message? M...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael break down why HighLevel is hands down the best CRM platform for loan officers today. They dive into the powerful features that make HighLevel a game-changer, from its scalability for growing teams to its flexibility with tech integrations. Sharing real-world insights from their own experiences, they show how HighLevel strea...

Send us Fan Mail AI Isn’t the Future..It’s Already Here! In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael dive into how AI is completely changing the game for content creation in the mortgage world—and why you can’t afford to ignore it. They break down real strategies for using tools like ChatGPT and Claude , from crafting better prompts to building custom GPTs for creating content that ac...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MLO Project , Jason Frazier and Michael McAllister break down a major shift in the mortgage game— winning business happens long before the application. They dive into the concept of the pre-funnel ecosystem and why loan officers must start showing up before buyers are ready. From breaking down consumer barriers to building trust and authority through platfor...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MLO Project , host Michael sits down with Bryce Gonser , a mortgage powerhouse out of Eagle, Idaho, who closed over 300 loans and $130 million in volume last year. But Bryce didn’t start in lending—he started as a performance coach , and he’s brought that same mindset into building a scalable, relationship-driven mortgage business. Bryce shares how he went a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael dig into one of the biggest shifts in the mortgage industry right now: AI integration. From AI agents to automated consumer engagement, they break down how this tech is already changing the way leads are generated and converted. But here’s the catch— automation can’t replace connection. The hosts explore how to keep the huma...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael break down what most loan officers get wrong when working internet leads—and how to fix it. They dive into the real challenges of online lead generation, from setting the right expectations to understanding the mindset of the consumer on the other side of the click. Spoiler: it’s not just about getting leads—it’s about speed...

Send us Fan Mail Are you playing the game, or are you letting the game play you? Rocket’s acquisition of Redfin isn’t just big news—it’s a heaping dose of reality.  In this episode, Frazier and Michael break down what this means for the mortgage and real estate industry and why the key to surviving this shift is getting to consumers first. The competition is heating up, and those who fail to innov...

Send us Fan Mail Too many people try to fit in when standing out is what makes you unstoppable. In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael McAllister dive into the power of embracing your differences , inspired by Jonathan Haddad’s session at a recent Scottsdale event. Your quirks, your neurodivergence, your unique way of thinking—they’re not flaws. They’re your edge. They share pers...

Send us Fan Mail Want to build a mortgage business that thrives—no matter the market? Jen Conley is proof that it’s possible. In this episode, Frazier sits down with Jen, a powerhouse mortgage pro from Southern Ohio, to unpack her game-changing approach to direct-to-consumer marketing and how she uses radio storytelling to connect with clients. Jen gets real about the ups and downs of the industry...

Send us Fan Mail Texting your leads and clients? You better know the rules. In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael break down the complex world of TCPA and A2P messaging compliance. They cover why express written consent is a must, the risks of non-compliance, and how loan officers can text responsibly without getting hit with fines. Too many LOs are winging it when it comes to t...

Send us Fan Mail UWM just shook up the wholesale platform game, and we are going to talk about it. In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier, and Michael dive into UWM’s big partnership with Sphere LOS and what it really means for mortgage brokers.  They break down how Sphere stacks up against Arrive, LendingPad, and other LOS platforms , what this means for competition in the market, and wheth...

Send us Fan Mail The #1 question in the mortgage world: What’s the best CRM? The real answer? Most loan officers are using them WRONG. In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael break down why CRMs always seem to disappoint—and it’s not the software’s fault. Too many LOs expect a CRM to fix their business when it should be the other way around. Here’s the truth: Your CRM won’t save y...

Send us Fan Mail RESPA compliance, huh! What is it good for? Absolutely.... In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier, and Michael break down a hot LinkedIn article from Greg Sher on RESPA reform and why pushing for change might be riskier than you think. Frazier’s been in the trenches as a former mortgage company co-owner and compliance consultant, and he knows how this game is played. Michael...

Send us Fan Mail Grant Cardone. The 10X Rule. Love him or hate him, there’s no denying the dude sparks reactions. In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael McAllister dive into the firestorm that erupted after their email about the book. Some people loved it. Others? Not so much. Success isn’t about who says it but what you take from it. The best lessons often come from unexpected p...

Send us Fan Mail In the first episode of the MLO Project podcast by Empower LO, hosts Frazier and Michael McAllister introduce the show's mission and dive into a candid discussion about the mortgage industry. Most loan officers are chasing the wrong numbers. The industry is flooded with misleading stats, but what are the REAL indicators of success? Conversations, engagement, and understanding...