Join Michael Neef every week on Mondays as he interviews professionals in and around the Mortgage Industry. Our goal is to talk about the challenges that Loan Officers and other business leaders face every day, and ways to overcome those challenges to improve your business.
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Building Genuine Connections in Business - A Chat with Christopher Griffith

In this weeks motivational episode, Christopher Griffith shares profound insights on infusing personal essence into the professional realm, underscoring the pivotal role of genuine connections in business growth and success. Navigating through personal anecdotes and professional wisdom, Griffith eloquently articulates the importance of accountability, empathy, and open communication in leadership. His honest reflections reveal a path to resiliency and innovation, emphasizing that at the heart of every successful business are the personal relationships and trust built over time. This discussion not only provides valuable lessons on overcoming business challenges but also serves as a testament to the power of staying true to oneself while ambitiously chasing professional goals.

Guest

Christopher Griffith

Senior Loan Officer
Listen to This Episode
EP
51

Building Genuine Connections in Business - A Chat with Christopher Griffith

In this weeks motivational episode, Christopher Griffith shares profound insights on infusing personal essence into the professional realm, underscoring the pivotal role of genuine connections in business growth and success. Navigating through personal anecdotes and professional wisdom, Griffith eloquently articulates the importance of accountability, empathy, and open communication in leadership. His honest reflections reveal a path to resiliency and innovation, emphasizing that at the heart of every successful business are the personal relationships and trust built over time. This discussion not only provides valuable lessons on overcoming business challenges but also serves as a testament to the power of staying true to oneself while ambitiously chasing professional goals.
Host

Michael Neef

CEO, Loan Officer & Father
Guest

Christopher Griffith

Senior Loan Officer

Nathan Nottingham's Approach to Authentic Mortgage Advice: Stories that Stick

In this weeks episode of "Conversations with a Recovering Loan Officer," Michael Neef interviews Nathan Nottingham, an entrepreneur with deep ties to the loan and real estate sectors. Nathan discusses his journey from Salem, Oregon, to North Texas, where he helped found Vetted VA, aimed at helping veterans understand their VA benefits through education. Michael and Nathan also talk about the role of humor in learning and marketing, touching on the "rule of three" for making messages memorable. Additionally, Nathan highlights the importance of serving veterans with integrity through Vetted VA, building a trusted community among professionals and veterans. This episode celebrates service, education, and community in the mortgage and real estate world.

Guest

Nathan Knottingham

Listen to This Episode
EP
50

Nathan Nottingham's Approach to Authentic Mortgage Advice: Stories that Stick

In this weeks episode of "Conversations with a Recovering Loan Officer," Michael Neef interviews Nathan Nottingham, an entrepreneur with deep ties to the loan and real estate sectors. Nathan discusses his journey from Salem, Oregon, to North Texas, where he helped found Vetted VA, aimed at helping veterans understand their VA benefits through education. Michael and Nathan also talk about the role of humor in learning and marketing, touching on the "rule of three" for making messages memorable. Additionally, Nathan highlights the importance of serving veterans with integrity through Vetted VA, building a trusted community among professionals and veterans. This episode celebrates service, education, and community in the mortgage and real estate world.
Host

Michael Neef

CEO, Loan Officer & Father
Guest

Nathan Knottingham

Jason Frazier on the Art of Connection: Beyond Tools and Tactics

In this week's episode, we sit down with the always insightful Jason Frazier, exploring the profound connection between personal values and professional success. With his signature blend of honesty and humor, Jason dismantles the conventional wisdom around marketing tools and tactics, urging us instead to focus on the core of what makes marketing truly effective: authenticity and connection. Through a series of candid anecdotes and a reflection on his own career, Frazier highlights the common pitfalls of focusing solely on tools without a clear understanding of how to wield them effectively. This conversation is not just about marketing; it's a heartfelt dialogue on finding your voice, understanding your audience deeply, and building relationships that transcend the transactional. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on how integrity and persistence pave the way to lasting success. Join us as we uncover the honest path to growth with Jason Frazier, leaving you inspired to refine your marketing strategy with a focus on what truly matters.

Guest

Jason Frazier

Listen to This Episode
EP
49

Jason Frazier on the Art of Connection: Beyond Tools and Tactics

In this week's episode, we sit down with the always insightful Jason Frazier, exploring the profound connection between personal values and professional success. With his signature blend of honesty and humor, Jason dismantles the conventional wisdom around marketing tools and tactics, urging us instead to focus on the core of what makes marketing truly effective: authenticity and connection. Through a series of candid anecdotes and a reflection on his own career, Frazier highlights the common pitfalls of focusing solely on tools without a clear understanding of how to wield them effectively. This conversation is not just about marketing; it's a heartfelt dialogue on finding your voice, understanding your audience deeply, and building relationships that transcend the transactional. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on how integrity and persistence pave the way to lasting success. Join us as we uncover the honest path to growth with Jason Frazier, leaving you inspired to refine your marketing strategy with a focus on what truly matters.
Host

Michael Neef

CEO, Loan Officer & Father
Guest

Jason Frazier

Beyond Loans with Ginger Bell: Navigating Marketing Labyrinths

In this insightful episode of "Conversations with a Recovering Loan Officer," Michael Neef sits down with the dynamic and multi-faceted Ginger Bell. With humor and openness, they delve into the future of AI in marketing, its burgeoning role in streamlining business processes, and the profound opportunities AI presents across various industries. Ginger, with her vast experience, reflects on the evolution of jobs and candidly shares personal anecdotes, including her son's career in social media management for globally recognized gaming franchises. Together, Michael and Ginger discuss embracing new technologies and how they've personally navigated through the shifts in marketing, content generation, and the importance of personal branding. Tune in as these industry veterans ponder the unpredictable tide of technology with optimism and an honest confession - we are just scratching the surface of AI's potential.

Guest

Ginger Bell

Listen to This Episode
EP
48

Beyond Loans with Ginger Bell: Navigating Marketing Labyrinths

In this insightful episode of "Conversations with a Recovering Loan Officer," Michael Neef sits down with the dynamic and multi-faceted Ginger Bell. With humor and openness, they delve into the future of AI in marketing, its burgeoning role in streamlining business processes, and the profound opportunities AI presents across various industries. Ginger, with her vast experience, reflects on the evolution of jobs and candidly shares personal anecdotes, including her son's career in social media management for globally recognized gaming franchises. Together, Michael and Ginger discuss embracing new technologies and how they've personally navigated through the shifts in marketing, content generation, and the importance of personal branding. Tune in as these industry veterans ponder the unpredictable tide of technology with optimism and an honest confession - we are just scratching the surface of AI's potential.
Host

Michael Neef

CEO, Loan Officer & Father
Guest

Ginger Bell

In Step with Chelsea Gardner: Crafting Authenticity in Digital Marketing

In today's captivating exchange with Chelsea Gardner, we delve into the transformation of loan officers into social media savants. Chelsea, the virtuoso behind Sea Gardener Marketing, shares her wisdom on using social media to amplify one's professional voice. The conversation with Michael Neef unravels the intricacies of effective content creation and the power of authenticity in social media presence. Chelsea's approach is refreshingly straightforward—she advises focusing on one platform and leveraging AI tools, like ChatGPT, to create content that resonates with a carefully selected audience. As they explore the nuances of personal branding and content strategy, it becomes clear that consistency is king in the digital marketing realm. Chelsea emphasizes the necessity of infusing your unique characteristics into every post while also being unafraid to embrace imperfections, which she believes adds a relatable touch that today’s audience craves. Whether you’re a seasoned loan officer or just dipping your toes into the world of mortgages, this episode offers a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to amplify their digital footprint without losing their personal touch. Prepare to be inspired, to learn, and maybe even to laugh as you tune in for this enlightening conversation—where the takeaway couldn't be clearer: in the rapidly shifting sands of digital marketing, authenticity and strategy go hand in hand.

Guest

Chelsea Gardner

Listen to This Episode
EP
47

In Step with Chelsea Gardner: Crafting Authenticity in Digital Marketing

In today's captivating exchange with Chelsea Gardner, we delve into the transformation of loan officers into social media savants. Chelsea, the virtuoso behind Sea Gardener Marketing, shares her wisdom on using social media to amplify one's professional voice. The conversation with Michael Neef unravels the intricacies of effective content creation and the power of authenticity in social media presence. Chelsea's approach is refreshingly straightforward—she advises focusing on one platform and leveraging AI tools, like ChatGPT, to create content that resonates with a carefully selected audience. As they explore the nuances of personal branding and content strategy, it becomes clear that consistency is king in the digital marketing realm. Chelsea emphasizes the necessity of infusing your unique characteristics into every post while also being unafraid to embrace imperfections, which she believes adds a relatable touch that today’s audience craves. Whether you’re a seasoned loan officer or just dipping your toes into the world of mortgages, this episode offers a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to amplify their digital footprint without losing their personal touch. Prepare to be inspired, to learn, and maybe even to laugh as you tune in for this enlightening conversation—where the takeaway couldn't be clearer: in the rapidly shifting sands of digital marketing, authenticity and strategy go hand in hand.
Host

Michael Neef

CEO, Loan Officer & Father
Guest

Chelsea Gardner

Up Close with Grant Simon: Navigating Real Estate with Heart and Hustle

In this week's episode, we get real with Grant Simon, peeling back the curtain on the life of a real estate coach who's more about substance than sales pitches. Grant spills the beans on his teaching philosophy—true to his no-nonsense style, it’s not about self-promotion but rather passionately helping others snag that next deal. He walks us through his "Core Four" strategy, emphasizing the importance of offering realtors actionable content, not just information. Ever the straight shooter, he confesses to pinching wisdom from an old quote about implementation being the hurdle, not information. We get a laugh when Grant promises bicep curls for his sins if he misses the gym, and, without missing a beat, he schools us on sticking to a schedule (although we threw his off!). Dive into this episode for some no fluff, all stuff talk with the man who practices what he preaches, even if he admits he's still got a ways to go. Let's grab a notepad and get ready to plan our path to greatness with Grant Simon – because in his words, "if you wanna be great, plan it".

Guest

Listen to This Episode
EP
46

Up Close with Grant Simon: Navigating Real Estate with Heart and Hustle

In this week's episode, we get real with Grant Simon, peeling back the curtain on the life of a real estate coach who's more about substance than sales pitches. Grant spills the beans on his teaching philosophy—true to his no-nonsense style, it’s not about self-promotion but rather passionately helping others snag that next deal. He walks us through his "Core Four" strategy, emphasizing the importance of offering realtors actionable content, not just information. Ever the straight shooter, he confesses to pinching wisdom from an old quote about implementation being the hurdle, not information. We get a laugh when Grant promises bicep curls for his sins if he misses the gym, and, without missing a beat, he schools us on sticking to a schedule (although we threw his off!). Dive into this episode for some no fluff, all stuff talk with the man who practices what he preaches, even if he admits he's still got a ways to go. Let's grab a notepad and get ready to plan our path to greatness with Grant Simon – because in his words, "if you wanna be great, plan it".
Host

Michael Neef

CEO, Loan Officer & Father
Guest

Keeping It Competitive: Evan Wade’s Take on Mortgage Strategies

In this weeks episode, we delve deep with Evan Wade, exploring the dynamic changes sweeping through the mortgage industry. Evoking his keen insights and experiences at the helm of Epic OS, Evan dissects the challenges of maintaining customer loyalty in an ecosystem dominated by lead aggregators such as Zillow and Realtor.com. Through a focused lens, he underscores the necessity of nurturing a robust database of past clients and the art of mastering referrals. Evan goes beyond the traditional scope, illuminating the emerging trends where loan officers diversify their services, transforming into insurance agents and creating synergistic joint ventures. We tackle the question of how local providers can compete against tech giants and the quintessential value of community presence in a digital-first world. So buckle up to discover the future of home financing with our guest, Evan Wade, in this must-listen episode!

Guest

Evan Wade

Listen to This Episode
EP
45

Keeping It Competitive: Evan Wade’s Take on Mortgage Strategies

In this weeks episode, we delve deep with Evan Wade, exploring the dynamic changes sweeping through the mortgage industry. Evoking his keen insights and experiences at the helm of Epic OS, Evan dissects the challenges of maintaining customer loyalty in an ecosystem dominated by lead aggregators such as Zillow and Realtor.com. Through a focused lens, he underscores the necessity of nurturing a robust database of past clients and the art of mastering referrals. Evan goes beyond the traditional scope, illuminating the emerging trends where loan officers diversify their services, transforming into insurance agents and creating synergistic joint ventures. We tackle the question of how local providers can compete against tech giants and the quintessential value of community presence in a digital-first world. So buckle up to discover the future of home financing with our guest, Evan Wade, in this must-listen episode!
Host

Michael Neef

CEO, Loan Officer & Father
Guest

Evan Wade

Harnessing the Power of Social Media with @CoachKyleDraper

In this weeks episode, we dive deep into a conversation with @CoachKyleDraper, a seasoned social media coach and author of 'Rethink Everything You Know About Social Media'. Kyle shares the details of his upcoming 90-day bootcamp aimed at transforming perceptions and fear around video content production. Kyle's audacious goal is to guide participants in creating over 100 videos in 90 days, encouraging the development of a strong habit for video creation. He also talks about the potential of using video as a powerful tool for communication and the impact it can have on your 2024. Additionally, Kyle discusses his book, revealing its availability on Amazon and the upcoming audio version. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to harness the power of social media or someone simply keen to learn more about video content creation, this episode is not to be missed! Tune in to get inspired and equipped to crush your goals with video content in 2024.

Guest

Kyle Draper

Listen to This Episode
EP
44

Harnessing the Power of Social Media with @CoachKyleDraper

In this weeks episode, we dive deep into a conversation with @CoachKyleDraper, a seasoned social media coach and author of 'Rethink Everything You Know About Social Media'. Kyle shares the details of his upcoming 90-day bootcamp aimed at transforming perceptions and fear around video content production. Kyle's audacious goal is to guide participants in creating over 100 videos in 90 days, encouraging the development of a strong habit for video creation. He also talks about the potential of using video as a powerful tool for communication and the impact it can have on your 2024. Additionally, Kyle discusses his book, revealing its availability on Amazon and the upcoming audio version. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to harness the power of social media or someone simply keen to learn more about video content creation, this episode is not to be missed! Tune in to get inspired and equipped to crush your goals with video content in 2024.
Host

Michael Neef

CEO, Loan Officer & Father
Guest

Kyle Draper

Navigating Market Volatility with Bobby Davidowitz

In this insightful conversation, we delve into the mind of Bobby Davidowitz, a seasoned professional in the real estate and mortgage industries. Bobby shares his unique perspective on navigating market volatility, emphasizing the significance of maintaining a positive and opportunistic mindset amidst the unpredictability. He inspires with a compelling narrative about the power of unwavering faith in business, likening it to a persistent treasure hunt. Bobby encourages professionals to deepen their industry knowledge, to innovate, and to add value in ways that set them apart from their counterparts. This discussion with Bobby Davidowitz is not only enriching but also serves as a beacon of guidance for those striving to excel in today's dynamic market landscape.

Guest

Bobby Davidowitz

Listen to This Episode
EP
43

Navigating Market Volatility with Bobby Davidowitz

In this insightful conversation, we delve into the mind of Bobby Davidowitz, a seasoned professional in the real estate and mortgage industries. Bobby shares his unique perspective on navigating market volatility, emphasizing the significance of maintaining a positive and opportunistic mindset amidst the unpredictability. He inspires with a compelling narrative about the power of unwavering faith in business, likening it to a persistent treasure hunt. Bobby encourages professionals to deepen their industry knowledge, to innovate, and to add value in ways that set them apart from their counterparts. This discussion with Bobby Davidowitz is not only enriching but also serves as a beacon of guidance for those striving to excel in today's dynamic market landscape.
Host

Michael Neef

CEO, Loan Officer & Father
Guest

Bobby Davidowitz

The Power of Authenticity in Business: Insights from Shane Kidwell

In this conversation, we delve into the insightful world of Shane Kidwell, a dynamic entrepreneur who transformed from a fireman to a business tycoon. Kidwell's story is a riveting journey, punctuated by ambition, resilience, and success. Throughout the discussion, Kidwell shares his unique perspective on overcoming imposter syndrome and the importance of authenticity in business. He stresses the value of asking questions and learning as key to personal and professional growth. Kidwell also shares practical advice for those looking to enhance their business ventures and reach the next level of success. Above all, his narrative is a testament to the power of consistency, commitment, and authenticity.

Guest

Shane Kidwell

Listen to This Episode
EP
42

The Power of Authenticity in Business: Insights from Shane Kidwell

In this conversation, we delve into the insightful world of Shane Kidwell, a dynamic entrepreneur who transformed from a fireman to a business tycoon. Kidwell's story is a riveting journey, punctuated by ambition, resilience, and success. Throughout the discussion, Kidwell shares his unique perspective on overcoming imposter syndrome and the importance of authenticity in business. He stresses the value of asking questions and learning as key to personal and professional growth. Kidwell also shares practical advice for those looking to enhance their business ventures and reach the next level of success. Above all, his narrative is a testament to the power of consistency, commitment, and authenticity.
Host

Michael Neef

CEO, Loan Officer & Father
Guest

Shane Kidwell

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Your support helps us do what we do, and a percentage of the profits that come from co-designed gear will go to the guest that we worked with!

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Want to show your support for the show? Pickup our 100% cotton logo t-shirt.

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In Episode 2, Ryan Ehler had a great quote: "Lead With Value and the Loans Will Come", get our mug to remind yourself daily to focus on value

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The Team

Michael Neef
Host
Trevor Livingston
Show Manager
Matt Doud
Blog Post Editor
Hasib Sakil
Video Editor
Kate Lillian
Blog Post Writer

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