Laugh, Lend and Eat

What does the future of mortgage lending really look like? In this episode, Matthew Gallant of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) joins Fobby Naghmi for a wide-ranging conversation that’s equal parts insightful and entertaining. They dig into: Why the broker vs. banker debate is evolving What the MBA actually does behind the scenes The real story behind trigger leads and industry advocacy Why...

This episode of Laugh, Lend, and Eat is a wild ride of insights, banter, and blindfolded truth-telling as I dive headfirst into the "Ask Fobby Anything" hot seat. No topic is off-limits and no question goes unanswered (well... almost none). With guest host and returning favorite Justin Neal joining us from Minnesota, we chop it up about leadership myths, flip phones, the evolution of AI in the mor...

In this high-energy episode, Fobby welcomes back Liz “Get Sh*t Done” Short and Lindsey Meyer to talk about their new collaborative book, Rethink Everything You Know About Networking. Together, they explore how networking has evolved far beyond suits, business cards, and surface-level connections. Liz and Lindsey share how their friendship and professional collaboration led to this project — one th...

In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat , Fobby Naghmi sits down with Jeremy Potter , founder of Next Belt Strategies and one of the most forward-thinking voices in mortgage technology, to talk about courage, innovation, and how to navigate an industry that’s evolving faster than ever. Jeremy and Fobby dive into what it truly means to innovate responsibly — moving fast enough to stay relevant, bu...

Non-QM mortgages are no longer a niche product or a “last resort.” They’re a $100 billion market in 2025 — and if you’re not paying attention, you’re leaving massive opportunities on the table. In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat , Fobby sits down with a powerhouse panel of Non-QM experts: Lisa Schreiber – SVP, eRESI Mortgage David Porter – VP Correspondent Lending, Vista Point Mortgage Mike...

On this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat , Fobby welcomes Brad Springer and Jeff Springer , the founders of RatePlug , to explore how they turned a simple idea—embedding real-time mortgage payments into MLS listings—into a nationwide platform serving hundreds of thousands of agents. From 2003 flip phones and carbon-paper loan apps to AI-powered buyer portals , Brad and Jeff share how they overcame...

We’re debuting a new format on Laugh, Lend & Eat —welcome to Laugh, Lend & Scoop: Mortgage News Update. Our newest team member, James Kleinmann , founder of The Mortgage Scoop , joins Fobby and Justin Neal to bring insider mortgage news and fresh perspectives every episode. In this first edition, we cover: Dual Compensation / Dual Licensing Why more real estate agents are pursuing mortgage...

In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat, Fobby sits down with Jodi Hall , President of The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), to explore what it truly means to leave a mark on the mortgage industry. Jodi shares her journey from starting out as an account executive with nothing but a phone book and a product manual, to leading one of the industry’s most collaborative trade organizations. She explains w...

Money is more than math—it’s mindset. In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat, Fobby sits down with Dana Georgiou, Brooke Lapides, and Dee Zimmerman, co-authors of Rethink Everything You Know About Financial Literacy for Teens. Together, they unpack how to make money simple, visual, and empowering for the next generation. The conversation explores the “bucket system” (savings, needs, wants, chari...

What happens when a mortgage recruiter with an MBA also happens to be a stand-up comedian? You get lessons in persistence, humor, and resilience that every loan officer, recruiter, and leader can relate to. In this episode, I sit down with Justin Neal , MBA — VP of Recruiting at Summit Mortgage Corp. Justin blends his professional career in mortgage recruiting with a passion for comedy, and the ov...

In this special Laugh, Lend & Eat episode, Fobby sits down for his first on-air conversation with the leadership of InGenius since they acquired his recruiting platform, SIMPL. Jeff Walton, CEO of InGenius , and Varant Herculian , Head of Customer Success, join the mic to talk about how the mortgage recruiting landscape is shifting — and what it takes to lead through change. They dive into: Je...

In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat, Fobby sits down with Fatima Khan — one of LinkedIn’s top emerging creators — to break down what it really takes to build a personal brand on LinkedIn. Forget posting for the sake of posting; Fatima shares her strategic approach to branding that attracts opportunities instead of chasing them. From her journey as a job seeker in a new country to becoming a r...

In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat, Fobby Naghmi is joined by Linda Thomas, SVP of Retail Sales at AnnieMac Home Mortgage, for a real, grounded conversation about what it means to lead with integrity—especially in a business that often confuses performance with leadership. From her early days in title work to building teams in new markets, Linda has led by one core principle: do the right th...

Fobby Naghmi sits down with Wes Costello , EVP of Sales Operations at AnnieMac, for a high-energy conversation about Appraisal Assurance —a new way to help buyers write stronger offers by eliminating the uncertainty of appraisal contingencies. If you’re in lending or real estate, this episode breaks down exactly how Appraisal Assurance helps qualifying buyers lock in mortgage insurance pricing , e...

You won’t believe where this business plan was written... Here’s a hint: it wasn’t in a boardroom. This week on Laugh, Lend & Eat , I sat down with Divine — an artist, entrepreneur, and former inmate who built a plan for his life while serving an 84-month sentence. Before he ever launched a business, stepped on a stage, or mentored others… he was sitting in a cell, writing out a new story for...

On this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat , Dana Georgiou— The Lending Luminary —pulls no punches. She argues that most financial education is outdated, ineffective, and downright dishonest with the people who need it most: teens. If the mortgage industry wants to build a better future, it starts with telling the truth. Raw, real, and packed with wisdom—this one hits different. About Dana Georgiou...

Are you ready to lead — or just pretending to? In this no-holds-barred episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat , Fobby and Maddi sit down with Kristi Straw — leadership expert, founder of Lighthouse Consultants, and author of Unicorn Leader — to expose the brutal truth about leadership in 2025. The days of command-and-control leadership are over. In today’s world, connection beats control, authenticity b...

What if retirement wasn’t the end of your impact—but the beginning of a new kind of leadership? In this heartfelt episode, Fobby reconnects with longtime friend and mortgage veteran Dave Baer , who started in the business in 1977 and made the decision to retire after a profound personal shift. Dave opens up about his sister’s battle with brain cancer—and how that moment changed his definition of s...

This isn’t your average mortgage industry chat. In this high-impact episode, Diego Sanchez , President of HousingWire , joins Fobby for a raw, unfiltered conversation on the real forces shaping the mortgage business in 2025. From AI and servicing dominance to the truth about signing bonuses, nothing is off-limits. Whether you’re a loan officer looking for your edge or a leader planning next year’s...

In this deeply personal and power-packed episode, Fobby sits down with his longtime friend and mortgage industry veteran, Kevin DeLory , Chief Lending Officer at EPM. What unfolds isn’t just a leadership lesson — it’s a masterclass in authenticity, resilience, and real connection . Kevin and Fobby reflect on their 12-year friendship, which started at Carrington Mortgage in 2012 when both were rebu...

In this episode, Joe Arroyo dives into the power of mindset in mortgage and real estate, emphasizing how professionals must evolve to succeed in 2025. He and Fobby discuss recruitment, leadership, and the challenges loan officers face in an ever-changing market. Joe shares his insights from years of experience in strategic hiring and talent development , offering golden nuggets for mortgage profes...

The industry is shifting—with rising rates, unpredictable inventory, and evolving borrower expectations —so how do mortgage professionals stay ahead? In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat , host Fobby Naghmi sits down with Liz Short , owner of Short Solutions , to discuss how mortgage pros can embrace change, refine their strategies, and turn challenges into opportunities . Liz shares her persp...

In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat , host Fobby Naghmi sits down with Wes Costello of AnnieMac to dive deep into a Cash2Keys is a revolutionary homebuy program that's more than just a mortgage . With today's competitive market, homebuyers are facing relentless bidding wars, multiple rejected offers, and uncertainty in securing their dream home. Cash2Keys changes the game by turning buyers in...

Episode Summary: In this lighthearted yet insightful episode, Fobby and Maddie navigate through technical difficulties, real estate market updates, personal reflections, and even moments of grief. From discussing interest rates and market shifts to sharing personal losses, the episode captures the highs and lows of both life and the mortgage industry. Key Discussion Points: Technical Difficulties...

In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat , host Fobby Naghmi sits down with Taylor Allgyer , a producing branch manager , to break down one of the most misunderstood topics in the mortgage industry —the P&L (Profit & Loss) model . Taylor shares his firsthand experience transitioning into a P&L model , the rewards and risks , and how he navigated the decision to move his branch . If you...