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 business in 2025, this is required listeni...

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 isn’t a prescription—it’s what works...

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 better systems, a podcast, and more inte...

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 guides it, and how this format is helpin...

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, and better systems helped her come b...

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 share what it is, how to spot it, a...

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 advice that stands out in a sea of spe...

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 and working way harder than you sh...

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 filter out rate shoppers. He also exp...

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, what they say no to, and how that f...

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 sacrificing growth.

If you’ve ever fe...

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 need a reset, this is a simple, tact...

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 relationships and inbound lead generation. 

If ...

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 without burning out.

If you’re hesi...

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 how to make your gifts hit different...

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 need to get traction fast, Thom’s ap...

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 learned about earning more by doing less...

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 will show you a smarter way to plan,...

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, and how she continues to grow a refer...