Origination Boost

The day before Faith Mikita's closing was supposed to fund, her lender went dark. Escrow could not reach him either. The file died, and the elderly woman buying the home had nowhere to go. That was years ago and Faith still brings it up, because it is why she now asks every lender she works with for one thing. It is not a big ask. It takes about ten seconds, and she says most loan officers ne...

What do you do on a day when the ten-year is at its highest since 2003 and you still have to walk into the office and lead a team? Mandi is joined by Meinoh Kim of loanDepot, who she first interviewed a year ago for the Origination Boost book. They recorded this one on a genuinely bad rate day and they say so in the first two minutes instead of pretending otherwise, which is most of why the conver...

When rates are the only thing anyone wants to talk about, where is the business actually coming from?   Mandi is joined by three of the top originators at Premier Mortgage Resources: Shawn Parker in Lee's Summit, Missouri, Jacy Pool in Twin Falls, Idaho, and Rob Nino in Hollister, California. Three markets, three different books of business, and 25 years in the chair for Shawn.   Rob's b...

What makes an agent send you every deal when a dozen other lenders are asking for the same business? Mandi is joined by Jacy Pool, Branch Manager at Premier Mortgage Resources, for a coaching session on building great agent relationships. Eleven years in, Jacy built her business in a market of 56,000 people, where reputation travels fast and you don't get many chances to get it wrong. Jacy sh...

What separates the loan officers who simply know the business from the ones who consistently rise to the top? Mandi sits down with John Bianchi, Executive Vice President and Chief Production Officer at Premier Mortgage Resources, to talk about the habits, relationships, and leadership principles that drive long-term success. Drawing from his experience as a top-producing originator and production...

What actually moves mortgage rates, and why can the headlines be so misleading? Mandi sits down with David Dysert, PMR’s Chief Capital Markets Officer, to break down the forces shaping today’s mortgage market, from Treasury yields and inflation to AI, housing demand, and economic uncertainty. David shares what loan officers should be watching, where he sees opportunity in a challenging market, and...

What makes a loan officer stand out in a crowded industry? Trevor Carlson joins Mandi to talk about finding your niche, building trust, and creating a business that people remember. Trevor shares how specializing helped shape his career and why he ultimately went all-in on reverse mortgages. They dive into the misconceptions surrounding reverse lending, how to educate clients without “selling” the...

Mandi sits down with top-producing loan officer Matt Kuglin to talk about what it takes to build a business that lasts. From growing strong Realtor relationships and building the right team to staying productive during slower seasons, Matt shares the strategies and mindset that have helped him grow year after year. They also talk about avoiding burnout, investing in coaching, what Matt would do if...

What does it take to succeed when the market feels unpredictable? According to this week's guest, it starts with focusing on what you can control. In this episode of Origination Boost , Mandi Feely Swain sits down with mortgage industry legend Barry Habib to discuss the habits, mindset, and strategies that have fueled decades of success. From building a business one conversation at a time to...

What separates top performers from everyone else? A commitment to never stop learning. In this episode of Origination Boost , Mandi Feely Swain sits down with mortgage educator and entrepreneur LaDonna Lockard to discuss the power of professional development, overcoming adversity, embracing AI, and why continuous education is essential for long term success in today's mortgage industry. Wheth...

In this episode, Mandi Feely-Swain sits down with Joe Wilson, founder of Social Coach, to uncover what separates loan officers who simply post from those who truly win on social media. Joe shares why consistency matters more than perfection, how meaningful engagement builds referral relationships, and why authentic, organic content often outperforms paid promotion. They also discuss capturing atte...

What does lasting success look like when the paycheck is not the only measure? Mandi Feely-Swain sits down with mortgage veteran Maralee Jensen to reflect on her remarkable 40-year career, from part-time receptionist to top-producing originator and business owner. They discuss leading with integrity, building relationships that span generations, developing financial literacy at home, and staying p...

Success in mortgage doesn't happen overnight. In this episode of Origination Boost, Mandi sits down with top producer Laura Witte, Founder, Owner, and Loan Officer with Truth and Lending, to talk about her journey in the industry, the lessons she's learned along the way, and what it really takes to build a lasting career. From navigating challenges and growing through experience to stayi...

In this episode of Origination Boost , Mandi sits down with Lindsay Nance of Movement Mortgage to discuss the mindset and habits that have fueled her success. From starting in collections and foreclosures to becoming a top producing loan officer and team leader, Lindsay shares how determination, consistency, and meaningful relationships have shaped her career.

In this episode of Origination Boost , Mandi sits down with Julie Lapham , a seasoned mortgage professional with more than 24 years of experience, to discuss what truly drives long term success in the industry. Julie shares her journey from advertising into mortgage lending and explains why genuine relationships, trust, and serving others have been the foundation of her business. From creating las...

In this episode of Origination Boost, host Mandi Feely-Swain sits down with David Dysert , Director of Secondary Marketing at PMR, to unpack the economic forces driving today's mortgage market. From inflation and Treasury yields to Federal Reserve policy and global events, David breaks down why mortgage rates don't always follow the headlines and what loan officers need to understand to...

 In this episode of Origination Boost, host Mandi Feely-Swain sits down with Jonah Abraham  to discuss his journey from the automotive industry into the mortgage business. Jonah shares how growing up in a mortgage family shaped his career path, why he believes loan officers should act as trusted advisors, and the lessons he's learned as a top producer. From work-life balance and personal grow...

 In this episode of the Origination Boost Podcast, host Mandi Feely-Swain sits down with Katie Pastor Trinidad , a top-producing loan officer whose business was built on relationships, education, and service. Katie shares how focusing on first-time homebuyers, down payment assistance programs, and creating meaningful connections helped her grow a thriving referral-based business without relying on...

In this episode, Mandi Feely-Swain sits down with Crystal Gilbert of Premier Mortgage Resources, Dominique Love of American Pacific Mortgage, and Kellie Allen of Legacy Lending Team to discuss the power of collaboration in an industry often viewed as competitive. From building personal brands on social media to creating meaningful connections with clients and referral partners, this conversation e...

This week on the Origination Boost Podcast, Mandi sits down with Steve Carter to talk about what it really takes to survive and grow in the mortgage industry over the long haul. From getting thrown straight into the fire during the recession years to leading branches from the front, this episode is packed with real lessons from nearly two decades in the business. 

 In this episode of the Origination Boost Podcast, Mandi sits down with “The Risties” — Cristi Moore and Kristi Graham Scott — to talk about the real habits behind long term success in the mortgage industry. From accountability partners and friendly competition to overcoming burnout, resetting goals, and building meaningful relationships, this conversation is packed with honest insight for loan of...

 In Episode 22 of the Origination Boost Podcast, Mandi Feely-Swain sits down with PMR loan officer Jonathon Steele to talk about building momentum in a tough market through consistency, relationships, and showing up before you feel ready. From starting as an LOA to growing his business through social media, networking, and daily discipline, Jonathon shares the mindset shifts and habits that helped...

Most loan officers don’t plateau because of the market, rates, or competition. They plateau because of what they do every day. In this episode of the Origination Boost Podcast, Mandi Feely-Swain sits down with Meinoh Kim to break down the real reasons so many originators stay stuck and what it actually takes to break through. From inconsistent habits to avoiding uncomfortable conversations, this i...

In this episode of Origination Boost, Mandi sits down with top-producing branch manager Mark Jones to break down what it actually takes to win in today’s market. From leveraging AI for content and efficiency to building an authentic personal brand that attracts clients, Mark shares real strategies that are working right now. They dive into why consistency beats perfection, how to stand out with or...

You don’t need a perfect flyer, a new strategy, or another marketing idea, you need consistency. In this episode of Origination Boost, Mandi Feely Swain sits down with Lane Lowry, National Sales Manager at Premier Mortgage Resources, Marine Corps veteran, and long-time top producer known for his relationship-first approach to sales.  With years of experience in the mortgage industry and a reputati...