I Love Mortgage Brokering

What’s the fastest way to fail as a new broker—and what’s the one move that could save you? In this no-punches-pulled episode, Ron Butler lays out what’s really happening in the mortgage industry right now—and what new brokers must do to survive it. We cover everything from tech disruption and lender consolidation to why generalist brokers are getting crushed. If you’re building a mortgage busines...

What if your struggle to focus isn’t a flaw—but a signal that you need better scaffolding to succeed? If you’ve got ADD (or think you do), you’re not alone—especially in the mortgage space. In fact, entrepreneurs are 5–7x more likely to have ADHD than the general population. In this solo episode, I walk through 5 tools that have helped me manage my focus and show up with energy and clarity. This i...

What happens when you scale fast—but realize the business you’ve built no longer fits your life? Joline Cloutier went from helping her husband with files part-time to funding 260 deals a year—just the two of them. But after burnout, a move to the cottage, and taking over the business solo, she knew something had to change. In this episode, Joline shares how she’s rebuilding her business with bette...

What if the fastest way to grow your mortgage business isn’t learning more—but finally fixing what’s holding you back? Most mortgage events are packed with speakers who don’t broker and ideas you’ll never use. That’s why we created Broker Talks—a different kind of event built by brokers, for brokers. In this episode, I walk through the real reason we launched Broker Talks, the framework that guide...

What if the pressure to be the expert for everyone is what’s holding you back the most? Alisha Manning spent years behind the scenes underwriting over a billion dollars in mortgages for top producers—until burnout and addiction forced her to hit pause and rebuild everything. In this honest, powerful episode, she shares how working 12+ hour days led to personal collapse—and how recovery, clarity, a...

What if the biggest threat to your long-term success is the way you’re prioritizing today? In this episode, I break down a powerful mental trap called hyperbolic discounting— a hidden habit where we consistently choose short-term rewards over long-term gains. From skipping important business projects to clients picking bad mortgage terms for a lower rate today, this bias shows up everywhere. I’ll...

How do inflation trends south of the border shape the mortgage rates your clients get here in Canada? In this episode, I sit down with mortgage expert Dave Larock to unpack how U.S. inflation is impacting Canadian fixed rates—and what brokers should be watching as we head into a volatile rate environment. Dave’s insight helps you make sense of the data, explain it clearly to clients, and offer adv...

Are you building your mortgage business on solid systems—or flying blind? In this episode, I share a simple 4-question test that reveals exactly how organized (or disorganized) you are—and what that means for your business. Inspired by a private lender’s “French Fry Test,” I break down the broker equivalent. If you can’t answer these questions in under 60 seconds, you’re leaving money on the table...

What if you could eliminate discovery calls, attract ideal clients, and build trust—before you ever pick up the phone? In this episode, I sit down with Taylor Atkinson, a former helicopter mechanic turned mortgage broker, who’s built a $5M pipeline by doing things differently. Taylor shares how launching a local podcast helped him skip the discovery call phase, attract high-quality clients, and fi...

What if your biggest growth strategy is actually the thing that’s holding your business back? In this episode, I break down the most common mistake new (and even seasoned) brokers make: saying yes to every deal, every partner, and every opportunity. It’s a fast track to burnout—and a slow road to profitability. I’ll show you what top producers do differently: how they get clear on who they serve,...

How does an introverted ex-underwriter become a top-producing broker doing 300 deals a year—without spending a dime on advertising? Farhan Mahmood went from sleeping in coffee shops to building a thriving mortgage business purely by referral. In this episode, he opens up about the hard-won lessons behind his quiet rise, including how he built trust, set boundaries, and learned to say no—without sa...

If you moved to a new city with no clients, no contacts, and no brand—how fast could you build a six-figure mortgage business? In this episode, I walk you through exactly what I’d do to build a six-figure mortgage business from scratch—starting today. No leads, no partners, no past clients—just a clear plan, a laptop, and a willingness to work. Whether you’re new, switching markets, or stuck and n...

What if the most scalable way to grow your mortgage business isn’t more partners—but more ownership? In this episode, I sit down with Greg Williamson—a broker, entrepreneur, and former tech exec—who’s building a mortgage business from scratch after selling multiple companies. Greg is making a $150K bet on a new model that’s less reliant on realtors and more focused on long-term client relationship...

What if the best way to grow your mortgage business was sitting in your Facebook friends list? Jim Pearson didn’t need ads or fancy automation to generate leads—just a spreadsheet, some well-written DMs, and a little courage. In this episode, he breaks down exactly how he turned 500 direct messages into 20 legit mortgage leads, and how he’s using tools like TextExpander to scale his communication...

What if the secret to unforgettable client and partner relationships is how (and when) you give—not what you spend? In this episode, I break down how to give referral and client gifts that actually land. Not the generic gift basket or logo mug—but thoughtful, timely gestures that create real emotional impact. Inspired by a story of one realtor’s donut drop that led to a $1M+ client, we dive into h...

How do you go from zero to $10 million in funded mortgages in your first year—without a database, brand, or past clients? Thom Brow left a successful career in craft beer sales and started fresh as a mortgage broker. One year later, he’s built a $10M business from scratch— powered by focused prospecting, referral presentations, and his own custom-built AI tools. If you're early in your career or n...

What would happen if you stopped building someone else’s brand—and started building your own? Justin Chausse went from running a landscaping business, to funding 185 files a year at a bank, to building a thriving mortgage business as a broker. In this episode, he shares why he left the bank (despite a six-figure signing bonus offer), how he overcame the fear of going independent, and what he learn...

What if your 15-page business plan is doing more harm than good? In this episode, I break down why traditional business plans fail—and what to do instead. I share the “Plan Like Bezos” approach we teach in our workshops, including how to build a flexible, focused 12-month strategy that fits on a single sticky note. If you’ve ever written a business plan and never looked at it again, this episode w...

What if you could build a thriving mortgage business without being tied to your desk—or even your address?   This is a repost from episode 544, where I sat down with Sara Keller from Guild Mortgage, who funds over 200 mortgages a year while living and working on the road in her van.   We break down how she told her referral partners, the tech stack that keeps her business humming from anywhere, an...

What if there’s a better way to grow your mortgage career—one that fits your strengths, not just what others are doing?   In this episode, I break down the five distinct paths I’ve seen brokers use to build successful mortgage businesses. Each path comes with its own pros, cons, and hidden traps, and choosing the right one can save you years of wasted effort. We’ll cover: Banker to Broker – Why le...

What if the smartest way to grow your mortgage business isn’t hiring more people—but building better tools and better habits? In this episode, I talk with Richard De Chevigny—a mortgage broker who built his own AI-powered systems to automate follow-ups, generate content, and show clients smarter mortgage comparisons. But this isn’t just a tech story. Richard also shares his personal transformation...

What if being new to the business is actually your biggest advantage? In this episode, I share four key insights from coaching some of the most motivated rookies in our brokerage. These brokers are finding ways to win—even in a tough market—not because they know everything, but because they take action and stay coachable. From beating out seasoned brokers, to booking realtor meetings that actually...

What if the real power move in your mortgage business isn’t scaling up—but stepping back? In this episode, I sit down with Dominique Gonthier—a former military officer turned mortgage broker who built a business funding 250 deals a year, then deliberately cut that number in half to focus on family, fitness, and freedom. We dive into how he transitioned from realtor to broker, built an efficient te...

What if offering more options is actually hurting your conversions? In this episode, I dive into the psychology of choice overload—and how it’s quietly costing mortgage brokers deals every week. We love to say we offer clients choice. But when people are overwhelmed, they freeze. I’ll walk through the science behind it, plus three ways this shows up in your business (and how to fix it). If you’ve...

What happens when you hit burnout in a business you used to love? In this raw and honest episode, Scott talks with Jasmine Findlay, a mortgage broker who rebuilt her business—and herself—after hitting a wall in 2023. Jasmine opens up about her journey through burnout, sobriety, and rediscovering what success truly means. You’ll learn: Sobriety & Self-Awareness – Why Jasmine quit drinking and h...