What the M

The 46th episode of “What the M” features Kent McPhail and Stephen Hladik with a year-end wrap up of 2024.  Check it out to find out what happened (and didn't happen!) in the default servicing industry in 2024, and what Kent and Steve predict is next to come in 2025!  *************************************************** A huge thank you to our Season 3 sponsor, Black Dome Services. Black Dome...

The 45th episode of “What the M” features  Matt Watson, President of LegalFee Consultants, LLC and Jenny Lee, Senior Consultant for LegalFee Consultants, LLC.  Today’s episode is about a challenge many law firms face daily: the managing of their invoicing processes, hidden costs of inefficiencies in those processes, and how their companies seek to unlock revenue for firms through smarter billing p...

The 44th episode of “What the M” features Matt Reilly, Business Development Specialist at Stonecrest Financial. Matt received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture. He moved into the mortgage industry working with Empire Mortgage, Inc. Since 2009, he has been with Stonecrest Financial, where he works in an alternative investment group and asset management, focused on real estate lending and dist...

The 43rd episode of “What the M” features James "Jim" Lee, President and CEO of Susquehanna Polling & Research, Inc. and Owner of the Bartlett Group.    Susquehanna Polling and Research (SP&R) is a nationally recognized survey, research, and polling firm headquartered in Pennsylvania. Founded in 2000, SP&R includes a team of research associates with more than 50 years of comb...

The 42nd episode of “What the M” features Gary Seitz, Chapter 7 Panel Trustee in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  Gary graduated with his J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1986. While obtaining his law degree, he studied at the Shanghai Law Research Institute in the Peoples Republic of China and the Betham House Faculty of Laws of the U...

The 41st episode of “What the M” features Kent McPhail, Senior Partner of McPhail Sanchez, LLC. In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Kent’s law firm, McPhail Sanchez, What the M co-host Stephen Hladik interviewed Kent about his mentors, motivation, and milestones. Listen in to hear about the family, friends, teachers, and colleagues whose life lessons have inspired Kent and truly made a diffe...

The 40th episode of “What the M” features the return of Rick Sharga and Daren Blomquist. In the first 2 seasons of What the M, Kent and Steve were fortunate enough to interview an incredible roster of talented professionals about their insights and predictions for the default servicing industry. To kick off season 3, they have brought in two experts to talk about economics and housing trends: are...

The 39th episode of “What the M” features ALL of our wonderful season two guests! Welcome to the season 2 finale of What the M! This season, Kent and Steve have interviewed amazing, thoughtful, and brilliant guests. Each guest has been uniquely qualified to speak about different aspects of the default servicing industry, and has provided valuable information to What the M’s listeners. Each guest i...

The 38th episode of “What the M” features Jodi Gaines, Chief Executive Officer at Claims Recovery Financial Services (CRFS).  Jodi began her career as an insurance claims clerk at Anchor Mortgage Services in 1989, where she became enamored with the mortgage servicing industry. In 2002, she created CRFS- a company which has since grown to over 600 employees- at her kitchen table. In 2019, Jodi left...

The 37th episode of “What the M” features Joe Culver and Jeff Pinard.  This week, we zigged instead of zagged! Typically, What the M does not focus episodes on state-specific issues; however, the current regulatory environment in New York merits a departure from our usual format.  In this episode, we address the current legislative impact on statutes of limitation, the overall foreclosure environm...

The 36th episode of “What the M” features Steve Paton, CEO of Universal Component Lender Services (UCLS).  Steve has a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and Finance from Sacramento State University. He has held senior leadership positions at JP Morgan Chase, Marix Servicing, Carrington Mortgage Services, and SingleSource Property Solutions. He then founded Distinguished Mortgage Serv...

The 35th episode of “What the M” features Cesar Hernandez, CEO of Agility 360.  Cesar received his Bachelor of Science from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, and has now been in the mortgage and default servicing industry for nearly three decades. He began his career as an Asset Manager at Goldman Sachs. He then became the Chief Administrative Officer and Board Memb...

The 34th episode of “What the M” features Courtney Thompson, Executive Vice President and Head of Servicing at CMG Financial.  Courtney has a BA from Western Michigan University and a JD from Michigan State University. She began her career at  Maddin Hauser Roth & Heller, PC. She has been in the mortgage and default servicing industry for over 19 years and was the SVP of Servicing at Flagstar...

The 33rd episode of “What the M” features Renardo “Rick” Hicks from Eckert Seamans, LLC.   Rick received his BA in Government from Hamilton College, his JD from Northeastern University, his LLM from Temple University. Rick also holds honorary Doctorate degrees from Allen University, Central Pennsylvania College, Morris Brown College, and Turner Theological Seminary. Prior to joining Eckert Seamans...

The 32nd episode of “What the M” features Mark Calabria. Mark is an author, advisor, economist, and the former Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).  Mark received his BA in Economics, as well as his PHD in Economics, from George Mason University. He then worked as a Senior Staff Member for the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. From 2009 to 2017, he was the D...

The 31st episode of “What the M” features Jason Myers, Vice President of Business Development at MCS (Making Communities Shine).  MCS is a nationwide property services provider working across commercial properties, single-family rentals, and the property preservation industry.  Jason received his BS in Advertising and Public Relations from Texas Christian University (Go Horned Frogs!) and began hi...

The 30th episode of “What the M” features the Honorable Annette M. Rizzo.  Judge Rizzo was gracious enough to drop by to discuss mortgage foreclosure mediation programs, how the model was developed for courts, the success rates seen by these programs, and how the model program spread throughout the United States. Judge Rizzo served as a Judge in the First Judicial District of the Commonwealth of P...

The 29th episode of “What the M” features Brooke Sanchez, Managing Partner of McPhail Sanchez, LLC. With Kent out of the office, his law partner, Brooke Sanchez (literally) stepped up to the mic! Brooke is not only the Managing Partner of McPhail Sanchez, LLC, she is also the firm’s Managing Bankruptcy Attorney. Naturally, Steve was eager to pick her brain about current bankruptcy trends, rule cha...

The 28th episode of “What the M” features internationally renowned author and speaker Erik Qualman. Erik stopped by “What the M” to discuss his latest book, The Focus Project , and how it can help leaders, lawyers, and anyone else who struggles with prioritizing their to-do list! Erik has written numerous other books including Socialnomics , Digital Leader , and What Happens in Vegas Stays on Yout...

The 27th episode of “What the M” features Jesse Randall, COO of Black Dome Services, LLC.  This episode focuses on the topic of property preservation in relation to mortgage servicing industry, as well as its interplay with handling defaulted mortgages. Since Black Dome is one of the fastest-growing property preservation companies in the country, Jesse was the perfect person to interview!  Jesse a...

The 26th episode of “What the M” features Kent McPhail.  Happy Holidays from all of us here at What the M! Steve is a little under the weather this week, but he and Kent both wanted to send this message out to thank the listeners for all of your support, and to wish you a very happy and safe holiday season!  ************************************************* A huge thank you to our Season 2 sponsor...

The 25th episode of “What the M” features Allen Chapman, Executive Vice President with Hub International.  HUB International is a leading insurance brokerage company that provides employee benefits, business, and personal insurance products and services. Allen graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi (Go, Golden Eagles!) where he received his BS in recreational therapy. Allen has been...

The 24th episode of “What the M” features Emily Chavarriaga, Jackie Vazquez, and Rosalie Escobedo. Happy Thanksgiving from What the M! Kent and Steve wanted to drop in and thank all of the listeners for your support. It's been a great first year for the podcast and we look forward to many more!  For this week's holiday episode, Kent and Steve flash back to one of What the M's most p...

The 23rd episode of “What the M” features Daren Blomquist, Vice President of Market Economics at Auction.com.  Daren began his career as a reporter for the Daily News Tribune, where he focused on county government and courts. He then moved on to Realty Trac, where he rose from Customer Service Representative to Director of Marketing Communications, focusing on mortgage trends nationwide. In 2012,...

The 22nd episode of “What the M” features Alicia Stewart, Assistant Vice President at BSI Financial Services. Alicia has over 20 years of experience in the default servicing industry. She began her career as an AVP with Fay Servicing. She then worked for Penny Mac Loan Services as a Business Analyst. From there, she became an AVP of Default Operations for Rushmore Loan Management Service, before t...