The LO Down Mortgage Podcast

House Hacking Mastermind | How to Buy a Home With Low Money Down & Lower Your Monthly Payment In this episode of The LO Down Mortgage Podcast, we host a live House Hacking Mastermind with loan officers and educators who are actively using house hacking to help buyers overcome affordability — and build long-term wealth. House hacking is one of the most powerful (and misunderstood) strategies in...

Building a High-Performance Mortgage Business Through Intentional Systems Episode Overview Cameron Budzius breaks down exactly how he built a thriving mortgage business by replacing hustle with strategy. This isn't about working harder—it's about being intentional with every activity, every day. What You'll Learn The One-to-Many → One-to-One Framework Cameron reveals his dual approach to relations...

The LO Down Mortgage Podcast | Chris Armbruster: Building a Scalable Mortgage Business Through Systems & Accountability Episode Overview Chris Armbruster breaks down how he built consistent growth in the DFW market by focusing on structure, intentional execution, and relationship leverage—not chasing shiny objects. Key Takeaways The First 10 Seconds Win or Lose the Deal Agents refer 3 lenders—...

Leadership Over Volume | How Environment Shapes Success in Mortgage with Susie Cheatham In this episode of The LO Down Mortgage Podcast, host Connor Bartley sits down with Susie Cheatham, a seasoned mortgage leader, former top producer, and coach who believes that environment matters more than strategy, tech, or products. Susie shares her unconventional journey into mortgage—from an underwriting i...

How to Buy a Home for $1,000 | House Hacking Strategies for First-Time Buyers & Loan Officers In this episode of The LO Down Mortgage Podcast, host Connor Bartley sits down with Danielle Anderson, a Colorado-based loan officer and nationally licensed house hacking specialist known for her bold promise: “I help you buy a home for $1,000.” Danielle breaks down how house hacking helps first-time...

In this episode of The LO Down Mortgage Podcast, Connor Bartley sits down with Shelley Kennagh, a high-performing loan officer who has built a reputation for consistency, professionalism, and trust in a challenging market. Shelley shares how she approaches mortgage lending with a long-term, relationship-first mindset—focusing on clear communication, strong follow-up, and setting expectations early...

This episode breaks down what it takes to succeed as a loan originator in today’s market. Key points include: • Career Growth: Krista Eiden shares her journey from assistant to originator, stressing the value of learning every role in the mortgage process for long-term success. • High-Volume Experience: Insights on why starting in fast-paced environments builds skills and adaptability. • Database...

In this episode of The LO Down Mortgage Podcast, Ashlee Cameron breaks down what it actually takes to build trust, consistency, and long-term success as a modern loan officer. Ashlee shares how she approaches borrower education, why proactive communication is the cornerstone of her business, and how she partners with real estate agents by solving problems before they show up. She dives into mindse...

Beyond the Lunch & Learn - Hosting Events Agents Actually Love Description: Tired of hosting lunch-and-learns that nobody shows up to? This panel discussion reveals how top-producing loan officers are using events to generate real pipeline, build authority, and create lasting agent partnerships—without relying on free sandwiches and boring PowerPoints. Host Geoff Zimpfer (Mortgage Marketing Ra...

In this episode of The LO Down Mortgage Podcast, Adrian Hall shares the mindset, strategies, and personal philosophy that helped him grow from a dissatisfied processor to a top-producing, human-first mortgage professional and branch leader. Adrian reveals how his background in processing gives him a technical edge, why treating people like humans (not transactions) is the foundation of his busines...

In this episode of The LO Down Mortgage Podcast, host Connor Bartley sits down with Noelle Jacquot, a top-producing loan officer from Lincoln, Nebraska, who's built a standout business through communication, consistency, and creativity. Noelle shares her journey from struggling with discipline and experiencing the dreaded "peaks and valleys" of inconsistent production to becoming known for her mas...

The LO Down Mortgage Podcast w/ John Thomas — Mastering One-to-Many Marketing, WOW-Level Client Experience & High-Level Problem Solving In this episode, Connor sits down with John Thomas, a nationally recognized top producer, sales leader, and arguably one of the industry’s best educators on one-to-many mortgage marketing. John built his business on delivering high-value homebuyer seminars, ag...

The LO Down Mortgage Podcast — Jarad Brown: From Firefighter to Top 20% Loan Officer In this episode of The LO Down Mortgage Podcast, host Connor Bartley sits down with Jarad Brown, a former firefighter who transformed his life and career to become one of the most trusted and high-performing loan officers in the business. Jarad shares how a mentor took a chance on him when he was rolling nickels t...

How One Loan Officer Turned 6 Months of No Closings into a Thriving Referral Business” In this episode of The LO Down Mortgage Podcast, Connor Bartley sits down with veteran loan officer Mark Anderson, whose career began with nine months of zero production and evolved into a thriving, relationship-driven mortgage business. Mark shares how he rebuilt from scratch, why open houses were the turning p...

In this episode of The LO Down Mortgage Podcast, host Connor Bartley sits down with top-producing loan officer Daniel Solis, who went from burnt-out car salesman to respected originator and industry thought leader. Daniel reveals how starting his career in mortgage operations shaped his technical expertise, his 30%+ “loan save” rate, and why he believes leadership—not tools—is the biggest gap in m...

How a 25-Year-Old Doubled His Mortgage Production Every Year | Benjamin VandenBrink Description Benjamin VandenBrink started his mortgage career before finishing college - and he's been doubling his production every single year since. From running a 75-account landscaping business in college to becoming one of St. Louis's rising loan officers, Benjamin shares the exact strategies he's using to sca...

From 18M to 30M+ in One Year: The Zero Reluctance Strategy | Mike Bertarelli Description Mike Bertarelli went from $18M to over $30M in personal production in a single year - and he credits it all to one thing: zero reluctance. In this episode of The LO Down Mortgage Podcast, Mike breaks down the exact mindset shifts and systems that transformed his business after transitioning from consumer direc...

In this episode of The LO Down Mortgage Podcast, host Connor Bartley sits down with Tom Seaman, a top-producing loan officer and coach who’s redefining what balance, leadership, and consistency look like in the mortgage business. Tom shares how he built a career that’s both wildly successful and deeply fulfilling — one that doesn’t burn him out. He opens up about his daily structure, the disciplin...

The LO Down Mortgage Podcast — Featuring Dakotah Kutz: Building a $30M Business Through Intentional Relationships and Relentless Drive In this episode, host Connor Bartley sits down with Dakotah Kutz, one of the mortgage industry’s fastest-rising producers. In just six years, Dakotah has gone from a single mom with no mortgage experience to a top producer closing over $30 million annually — all th...

The LO Down Mortgage Podcast — Featuring Dakotah Kutz: Building a $30M Business Through Intentional Relationships and Relentless Drive In this episode, host Connor Bartley sits down with Dakotah Kutz, one of the mortgage industry’s fastest-rising producers. In just six years, Dakotah has gone from a single mom with no mortgage experience to a top producer closing over $30 million annually — all th...

From High School Math Teacher to Top Producer — How Aaron Benton Built a 7-Year Streak of Growth In this episode of The LO Down Mortgage Podcast, host Connor Bartley talks with Aaron Benton, a former high school math teacher turned top-producing loan officer, who has grown his mortgage business every single year since entering the industry just seven years ago. Aaron shares how his background in e...

After more than 30 years in the mortgage business, Deborah Criddle proves that longevity in this industry isn’t about doing things the same way—it’s about constantly evolving. In this episode of The LO Down Mortgage Podcast, host Connor Bartley sits down with the Idaho-based “Mortgage Queen” to discuss how she’s built a decades-long career on adaptability, empathy, and fearless problem-solving. De...

In this episode of The LO Down Mortgage Podcast, host Connor Bartley sits down with Sarah Cox, a 20-year mortgage veteran and the first female Hispanic President of the Fort Worth Mortgage Bankers Association. Sarah shares her journey from starting as a receptionist in 2002 to becoming a respected leader known for creating a clear, stress-free, and highly personalized mortgage experience. She open...

In this episode of The LO Down Mortgage Podcast, host Connor Bartley sits down with Amber Moser, a rising star in the mortgage world whose journey from healthcare to home loans is as inspiring as it is insightful. Amber shares how being laid off as a physical therapy assistant led her to discover a new calling—helping families achieve homeownership through education and empowerment. Drawing from h...

In this episode of the LO Down Mortgage Podcast, host Connor Bartley interviews John Pyne, a seasoned mortgage professional who shares his unique journey into the industry, starting from a young age. John discusses the importance of building trust with clients, the value of authenticity in relationships, and how consistent communication can lead to repeat business. He emphasizes the shift from inc...