The MLO Project

Send us Fan Mail After months of build-up, calendar mishaps, and playful trash talk, Luke Shankula finally joins Frazier and Michael on The MLO Project . This episode delivers on all fronts: insights, shade, real talk on AI, marketing, lead gen, and why most loan officers are misusing the tools that should be helping them win . The trio dives into why AI isn’t a magic wand, how bad sales habits ge...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Overview Hammer joins the MLO Project for what might be their most offensive (and honest) episode yet. From lock advice to social media strategy, Hammer breaks down what's actually working in today's market - and what's complete garbage. Key Topics Covered: The Rate Game (And Why You're Playing It Wrong) The Emotional Side of Home Buying Business Develo...

Send us Fan Mail Proactivity in Loan Origination: Stop Obsessing Over Rates In this episode of The MLO Project, hosts Frazier and Michael emphasize the importance of focusing on proactive, everyday actions over obsessing about fluctuating loan rates. They argue that industry success hinges on maintaining consistent communication with clients, having solid systems and processes in place, and focusi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the MLO Project, hosts Frazier and Michael discuss the impact of media sensationalism, particularly focusing on a recent headline by HousingWire that inaccurately suggested that Equity Prime Mortgage (EPM) could no longer originate FHA loans. The hosts emphasize the importance of reading beyond headlines and understanding the broader implications of clickbait on...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the MLO Project, Frazier and Michael dive into the importance of community in the mortgage industry and announce the launch of MLO Hub - a new platform designed specifically for mortgage professionals to connect, learn, and grow together. The Community Problem Why Facebook groups aren't cutting it for professional growth The challenge of siloed communities...

Send us Fan Mail Empowering Loan Officers with HighLevel CRM Solutions In this episode of the MLO Project, hosts Frazier and Michael dive deep into the benefits of using HighLevel CRM for mortgage professionals. They discuss the value of HighLevel as a single platform for managing leads, marketing, and daily workflows, aiming to make it the number one CRM in the mortgage industry. They also introd...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the MLO Project, Michael and Frazier are joined by special guest Darren "DC" Copeland, owner and founder of Summit Lending. The discussion covers a range of topics including overcoming obstacles, the importance of being coachable, and leveraging AI and modern marketing tactics to stay ahead. DC shares his insights from over 22 years in the mortgage ind...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the MLO Project, hosts Frazier and Michael dive deep into the topic of failure. They share personal stories of significant setbacks, exploring how these experiences have shaped their professional lives and perspectives. Frazier recounts the collapse of his business relationships and the subsequent reputational damage that forced him to rebuild from the ground up...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the MLO Project, Frazier and Michael discuss the importance of loan officers niching down to maximize their expertise and business opportunities. They hit on common misconceptions about limiting income potential by focusing on a niche market. They share personal experiences and insights on how becoming an expert in a specific area can lead to broader business op...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the MLO Project, hosts Frazier and Michael introduce exciting news about their new initiative, High Level for Mortgage Pros 2.0. The main discussion revolves around the top five essential marketing automations for mortgage professionals, emphasizing the importance of consistent follow-up and personalization. The five key automations include instant lead response...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MLO Project , Michael sits down with Chris Lamm—a mortgage veteran out of Redding, California—for a raw, real-world conversation about what it takes to thrive in this business over the long haul. Chris shares how he broke into the game at 17, how he weathered the 2008 crash, and what’s kept him leveling up ever since. They dive into the gritty stuff—balancin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael discuss one of the most underutilized lead-gen strategies in the mortgage industry right now: webinars. They dive into how mortgage pros are using webinars to go direct-to-consumer, generate warm leads, and build real authority—without cold calling or spending a fortune. With tools like HighLevel making automation and follow...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael McAllister go coast-to-coast—from Idaho to Georgia—to break down what’s really happening with Google Ads in the mortgage game. They tackle rising ad costs, how AI is changing search behavior, and why most LOs are wasting money on outdated strategies. If you’re not using long-tail keywords and thinking about conversions befor...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael take a flamethrower to the myths holding mortgage pros back. Think you need to wear a suit to be taken seriously? Wrong. Think only extroverts win? Nope. Think social media doesn't bring in deals? That’s outdated thinking. This episode is about killing the cookie-cutter advice that’s still floating around and replacing...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael get real about the shift happening in the mortgage industry—and what it means for your mindset. They spotlight how newer loan officers, unchained from the “way it used to be,” are taking massive action and winning. Meanwhile, seasoned pros stuck in old habits are falling behind. The hosts break down why mindset resets are no...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael dive into one of the biggest blind spots in the mortgage industry—tech adoption. They unpack why buying great tools isn’t enough if no one actually uses them. From top-down leadership buy-in to having internal champions (especially top producers), they share what it really takes to make tech stick in your company. The hosts...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael recap their time at the TAG Conference in Atlanta—sharing big takeaways, personal reflections, and a few laughs along the way. From standout moments with speakers like Dr. Jordan Peterson and Braden Shaw to real conversations about what’s working (and what’s not) in the mortgage industry, this one’s packed with insight. The...

Send us Fan Mail In this high-energy episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael "Hot Sauce" McAllister cut through the noise to reveal what actually separates elite loan officers from everyone else grinding it out in the mortgage trenches. They break down the non-negotiable traits that every top producer shares—laser focus, decisive action without second-guessing, and communication...

Send us Fan Mail In this special in-person episode of The MLO Project , recorded live at Fulcrum Studio in Eagle, Idaho, Frazier and Michael break down what it really takes to attract and support great loan originators. They cover why your recruiting pitch must match your reality, how authentic culture beats hype, and why modern branding and marketing aren’t optional anymore. Whether you’re trying...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerhouse episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael sit down with mortgage leader, speaker, and coach Brian Covey for a raw conversation on what it really takes to lead, inspire, and win in today’s mortgage market. Fresh off his move to CrossCountry Mortgage , Brian opens up about leadership, personal branding, and the power of storytelling to build trust and long-...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael welcome a special guest—Michael’s wife and business partner, Kimberlee McAllister —for a candid, funny, and insightful conversation about building a business and a marriage at the same time. Together, they unpack what it’s like running Empower LO , navigating roles, boundaries, and balancing life in the fast-paced mortgage w...

Send us Fan Mail See It. Track It. Win It. The Power of Visualization in the Mortgage Game In this high-energy episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael break down a game-changing principle for originators: what gets visualized and tracked gets improved. They dive into how using dashboards, tracking daily activities, and focusing on leading measures (the stuff you control) instead of just l...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael McAllister get brutally honest about why most loan officers waste money on marketing —and how to flip that script. They kick things off with some laughs, then dive into real stories of marketing fails, breaking down how poor time management, lack of follow-through, and shiny object syndrome sabotage results. Their message? M...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael break down why HighLevel is hands down the best CRM platform for loan officers today. They dive into the powerful features that make HighLevel a game-changer, from its scalability for growing teams to its flexibility with tech integrations. Sharing real-world insights from their own experiences, they show how HighLevel strea...

Send us Fan Mail AI Isn’t the Future..It’s Already Here! In this episode of The MLO Project , Frazier and Michael dive into how AI is completely changing the game for content creation in the mortgage world—and why you can’t afford to ignore it. They break down real strategies for using tools like ChatGPT and Claude , from crafting better prompts to building custom GPTs for creating content that ac...