AIME Podcast Network

By AIME Podcast NetworkBusiness Non-Profit

AIME Podcast Network episodes

August 24Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 75
Episode 75: Behind the Curtain for Fuse 2026
Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager.
In this milestone episode, Jonathon and Tommy pull back the curtain on everything coming to Fuse 2026 in Austin, Texas. They share behind the scenes details on breakout sessions, swag, a guest bartender, a lassoing cowboy, the return of the podcast booth, and a truck giveaway courtesy of Cake.
Broker Buzz
– The top three things loan officers value most in a processor, including communication, problem solving, and daily file touches.
– How to help a client who lost their home in a fire and wants to buy a new one before the insurance claim is finalized, including the risks of carrying two payments.
– Whether a borrower with rolling lates can refinance, and why investors will run in the opposite direction.
– How to navigate the Safe at Home program for victims of domestic violence, including what documents are needed and who must be notified.
Fuse 2026 Sneak Peek
Jonathon and Tommy share a behind the scenes look at what is coming to Fuse. The breakout submission process drew more than 59 applicants this year, with 28 of them selected to present.
The hotel is already over seventy percent full and expected to sell out.
The marketing team is in full crunch mode, designing signage, swag, and photo ops that will make Fuse feel bigger and more immersive than ever. Tommy also reveals the story behind his caffeine-fueled sixty six podcast recordings last year and promises to pace himself this time.
Fuse is not just an event. It is a community built by brokers for brokers. And this year is going to be the biggest one yet.
Story Time | The Fortune You Seek Is in Another Cookie
“The fortune you seek is in another cookie.”
Jonathon interprets it as a reminder that sometimes what you are chasing is not what you actually need. Tommy adds a Mario reference about Princess Peach being in another castle. Consistency is king, but knowing when to pivot is just as important.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts
Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes every week
#MortgageBroker #Fuse2026 #SalesTraining #BrokerCommunity #SafeAtHome #ProcessorTips #DisasterReliefMortgage #RollingLates #HardMoney #HousingMarket #RealEstate #Lending #MortgageIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #BrokersAreBest #BrokerPowerUp #AIME #Podcast #Network
The post Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 75 appeared first on AIME.
34 min
August 20 Women’s Mortgage Network Podcast: Episode 29
What if the key to building a thriving mortgage business wasn’t chasing agents, but genuinely connecting with people?
In this episode, Gabi Wiartalla sits down with Alexa DePaolo to talk about her journey from the reception desk to producing at a high level, why she made the switch from retail to broker, and how she built a business where over 60% of her opportunities come directly from her database.
Alexa gets real about the fear of cold calling, why she refuses to chase realtors, and how women can build business in a way that feels natural, through connection, not transactions.
She also opens up about the guilt so many working moms face, why she had to schedule family time on her calendar, and how she learned to set boundaries without apology.
If you have ever struggled with picking up the phone, felt stuck in retail, or wondered how to scale without burning out, this episode is packed with practical advice straight from the heart.
Subscribe to our channel and join the movement!
Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
#WMN #WomenInMortgage #BrokerLife #OrganicGrowth #DatabaseMarketing #WorkingMom #WomenInLeadership #Empowerment #BrokersAreBest #AIME #Podcast #Network #MortgageJourney
The post Women’s Mortgage Network Podcast: Episode 29 appeared first on AIME.
52 min
August 17Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 74
Episode 74: The Pendulum Sale
Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager.
In this episode, Jonathon kicks off a six-week long crash-course that’ll be breaking down Jonathon’s top sales strategies.
Broker Buzz
– Whether a parent can buy a primary residence for a college student without putting them on the loan, and why the “kiddie condo” rule has changed.
– The best tools for managing business finances, including QuickBooks.
– Whether Vantage scores are worth adding to credit reports, and why “heads we win, tails we tie” applies here.
Sales Training | The Pendulum Sale
When a client pushes back, most salespeople either give up or get defensive. Jonathon does neither. He agrees first. Agree, reinforce, swing, reframe, and ask.
When a client says they do not want to refinance because they just closed eight months ago, he says “I completely understand. I would be hesitant too. But the market has changed, and if I can show you a meaningful break-even point, would it make sense to at least look?” That is the pendulum in action.
Your clients are going to resist. That is their job. Your job is to keep the conversation swinging long enough to present an option that actually helps them.
Story Time | A Small Decision Will Open a Door
Jonathon connects this week’s fortune to the micro-decisions he has been making around health, diet, and sleep. Tommy shares a small decision of his own, trying new stretches to combat the effects of sitting all day.
Big results do not come from big moments. They come from small decisions made consistently over time.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts
Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes every week
#MortgageBroker #SalesTraining #PendulumSale #ObjectionHandling #KiddieCondo #QuickBooks #RampCard #VantageScore #FICOScore #CreditReports #SmallDecisions #HousingMarket #RealEstate #Lending #BrokerCommunity #MortgageIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #BrokersAreBest #BrokerPowerUp #AIME #Podcast #Network
The post Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 74 appeared first on AIME.
22 min
August 13 Women’s Mortgage Network Podcast Special – Molly Meeker & Jonathon Haddad
Jonathan Haddad’s story took him from bartending at Buffalo Wild Wings to standing tall as the CEO of AIME, but the real story comes from the women who helped shape him into the person he is today.
Molly Meeker sits down with Jonathon for a conversation that goes far beyond mortgages. He opens up about the women who shaped him, including his grandmother and great grandmother, whose resilience taught him what it really means to never be a victim.
He shares his journey from bartending to becoming a top producing loan officer and leading AIME. They dive into why community matters, the power of accountability, and what AIME and WMN are doing to help loan officers thrive in any market.
If you have ever wondered what it takes to build a career with purpose, this conversation will leave you inspired, challenged, and ready to take action.
Subscribe to our channel and join the movement!
Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Get your tickets to upcoming events below:
https://aimegroup.com/fuse-2026/
https://aimegroup.com/fuse-2026/wmn-at-fuse/
https://aimegroup.com/events/wmn-soulful-summit/
#WMN #WomenInMortgage #AIME #Leadership #Resilience #BrokerLife #SoulfulSummit #WomenInLeadership #Empowerment #BrokersAreBest #Podcast #Network #MortgageJourney
The post Women’s Mortgage Network Podcast Special – Molly Meeker & Jonathon Haddad appeared first on AIME.
41 min
August 10Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 73
Episode 73: Six Sales Strategies to Win Every Deal
Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager.
In this episode, Jonathon opens up his playbook and shares six of his top sales strategies for controlling conversations and closing more loans. He breaks down how to approach different client personalities and why the right question changes everything.
Broker Buzz
– Whether 1099 loan officers should obtain separate E&O insurance, and why protecting your company is non-negotiable.
– How to expand a one-man shop to bring on other loan officers, including the importance of building standards and checking state regulations.
– The best tools for recording and transcribing borrower calls and why recording calls is a sign of professionalism, not trust issues.
Sales Training | Six Strategies to Control Any Conversation
Jonathon shares six of his top ten sales strategies, each designed for a different client personality.
There is a strategy for the shopper who wants to negotiate, another for the proud homeowner who needs validation, and one for the ChatGPT client who thinks they already know everything. There is also a way to build momentum before you even present a loan and a method for shining light on the problem instead of the product.
If you are losing deals, it is not because your product is wrong. It is because your conversation needs to change.
Story Time | A Journey of Personal Growth
The fortune cookie this week promises a journey of personal growth. Jonathon reflects on the opportunities that have come his way recently and why growth requires commitment, not just intention. Tommy adds that everyone is on a personal journey, but not everyone is growing. The message is simple.
Personal development is not passive. It is a choice you make every single day.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts
Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes every week
#MortgageBroker #SalesTraining #SalesStrategies #PendulumSale #HousingMarket #RealEstate #Lending #BrokerCommunity #MortgageIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #BrokersAreBest #BrokerPowerUp #AIME #Podcast #Network
The post Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 73 appeared first on AIME.
31 min
August 06 Women’s Mortgage Network Podcast: Episode 28
What if one decision you make today could give you more choices tomorrow, even during life’s most unexpected and difficult moments?
In this episode, Laura Brandao sits down with Celeste Sierra, better known as Your Mortgage Geek, for a deeply personal and powerful conversation about preparation, resilience, and the freedom that comes from planning ahead.
Celeste has nearly thirty years of experience in the mortgage industry and is passionate about helping clients build wealth through real estate. But her story goes far beyond mortgages. She shares how a decision she made five years ago to plan for retirement ended up giving her the freedom of choice when she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer earlier this year.
She opens up about her journey, from the shock of diagnosis to researching alternative treatments and using the living benefits from her policy to fund her care.
She also talks about why she chose to share her story publicly and what she hopes other women will take away from her experience.
Subscribe to our channel and join the movement!
Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
#WMN #WomenInMortgage #FreedomOfChoice #Resilience #LivingBenefits #FinancialPlanning #WomenInLeadership #Empowerment #BrokersAreBest #AIME #Podcast #Network #MortgageJourney
The post Women’s Mortgage Network Podcast: Episode 28 appeared first on AIME.
32 min
August 04Broker to Broker Podcast: John McLaughlin – Ep. 255
Episode 255
Host: Marc Summers (AIME’s Founding President)
Guest: John McLaughlin (Broker & Owner of McLaughlin Mortgage)
This week’s episode features John McLaughlin, who started in real estate as a top 1% agent before transitioning into the mortgage space.
After two years in retail lending, John made the jump to the broker channel and hasn’t looked back. He shares how he built his tech stack from the ground up, why treating realtor partners as valuable assets is key to long-term success, and how the Brokers Are Best community has been instrumental in his growth as a broker owner.
Key Takeaways:
– How the retail experience pushed him toward the broker channel.
– Treating realtor partners as valuable assets, not just transaction facilitators.
– The value of community and why the Brokers Are Best Facebook group is a must-join.
– Why tech stack fragmentation is a challenge and how AI can bring clarity.
– Why getting control of your calendar is the first step to getting control of your business.
Golden Nugget:
“Coming from retail, your world is your little bubble. In the broker channel, you need something, ask. Someone will step in and help out. You will always learn something by asking a question.”
Subscribe to Broker to Broker on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.
Join AIME: aimegroup.com/membership
#RetailToBroker #TechStack #RealtorRelationships #MortgageBroker #CommunityMatters #BrokerLife #JohnMcLaughlin #MortgageTech #BrokersAreBest #AIME #Podcast #Network
The post Broker to Broker Podcast: John McLaughlin – Ep. 255 appeared first on AIME.
30 min
August 03Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 72
Episode 72: Reverse Engineering Success with Michelle Mikel
Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager, featuring special guest Michelle Mikel, author of The Black Line and creator of Beyond The Method.
In this episode, Jonathon and Tommy are joined by returning guest Michelle Mikel for a conversation about reverse engineering your business, building a prospecting process that actually works, and why the path to success is rarely a straight line.
Broker Buzz
– Whether a conventional loan can close with a DACA borrower whose documents have expired, and why the lender’s guidelines matter more than the title company’s flexibility.
– FHA guidelines for employment gaps due to childbirth and infant care, including the return to work rule and potential waiting periods.
– How to handle a divorce scenario where the ex-spouse stopped paying the mortgage, including the importance of the divorce decree timeline.
Sales Training | Reverse Engineering Your Business
Michelle shares how she reverse engineered her swimming career to become a top competitor, and how that same process now drives her business.
She explains her Drivers and Levers framework, starting with identifying what you actually need booked on your calendar, then using a personal or professional connection as the bridge, then crafting the message itself, and finally projecting ninety days out.
Most people do not lack ambition. They lack a path to follow.
Story Time | October Will Be a Month of Happiness
The fortune cookie this week looks ahead to October with a promise of joy and contentment. Jonathon connects it to the post-Fuse recovery period and his commitment to staying focused on health. Michelle shares that October will be two months after her return to the speaking circuit. Tommy plans to celebrate with a Penguins game and a hiking trip.
This episode is a great reminder for us all. Rest is NOT a reward. It’s the cost of staying in the game.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts
Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes every week
#MortgageBroker #ReverseEngineering #SalesTraining #Prospecting #HousingMarket #RealEstate #Lending #BrokerCommunity #MortgageIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #BrokersAreBest #BrokerPowerUp #AIME #Podcast #Network
The post Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 72 appeared first on AIME.
45 min
July 28Broker to Broker Podcast: Joseph Dionne – Ep. 254
Episode 254
Host: Marc Summers (AIME’s Founding President)
Guest: Joseph Dionne (Managing Partner at appli Home Loans)
This week’s episode features Joseph Dionne, who took a job out of college as a real estate assistant and built it up into a thriving mortgage brokerage. It wasn’t always easy!
His turning point came after a car accident left him with a broken back and a choice to make. Let the injury define him or push past every limitation being placed on him. Joseph shares how ultra marathon training taught him discipline, consistency, and the importance of surrounding himself with people who pour into him.
Key Takeaways:
– How applying ultra marathon discipline to business creates sustainable success.
– Why you have to reach out to your team, not just be available when they need you.
– The importance of being the “I know a guy” person so clients call you for more than just mortgages.
– Why structure and planning matter more than hustle alone.
Golden Nugget:
“You can’t fake dedication. If you don’t consistently do the boring stuff, you go from being at your peak to being the guy on the sidelines who can’t get off the couch.”
Subscribe to Broker to Broker on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.
Join AIME: aimegroup.com/membership
#LeadershipMindset #Discipline #MortgageBroker #ScalingYourBusiness #UltraMindset #RelationshipBuilding #appliHomeLoans #BrokerToBroker #MortgageTech #BrokersAreBest #AIME #Podcast #Network
The post Broker to Broker Podcast: Joseph Dionne – Ep. 254 appeared first on AIME.
33 min
July 27Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 71
Episode 71: How Many Questions Are You Asking?
Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager.
In this episode, Jonathon and Tommy challenge listeners to think about the questions they are asking, both in sales conversations and in life. Jonathon shares a stat he learned on a recent Mortgage Morning Call that might make you rethink how you engage with prospects.
Broker Buzz
– Whether a fix and flip on a HUD property with a one year right of redemption is worth pursuing, and why red flags are everywhere.
– FHA guidelines for employment gaps due to childbirth and infant care, including the return to work rule and potential waiting periods.
– What to do when a 4506-C is rejected despite everything being correct, and why having the client pull their own transcripts is often the fastest fix.
Sales Training | Ask More Questions
The average man asks only 1.7 questions on a first date. Jonathon texted his wife to ask how many he asked on theirs. Her answer: easily twenty five. The difference is curiosity. If you are struggling to connect with prospects, ask yourself how many questions you are actually asking.
Record your calls, tally them up, and watch what happens when you stay curious.
Story Time | Your Monday Mindset Will Attract Opportunities
How you start your week sets the tone for everything that follows. Tommy uses Mondays to plan his entire week and prioritize what actually matters. Jonathon had a follow up to a major meeting scheduled for Monday right after reading this fortune. Plan ahead, stay focused, and watch opportunities find you.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts
Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes every week
#MortgageBroker #SalesTraining #AskMoreQuestions #Curiosity #HousingMarket #RealEstate #Lending #BrokerCommunity #MortgageIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #BrokersAreBest #BrokerPowerUp #AIME #Podcast #Network
The post Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 71 appeared first on AIME.
26 min

About AIME Podcast Network

From the publisher's feed

Home to Broker to Broker, Broker Power-Up, and The Women’s Mortgage Network Podcasts. The AIME Podcast Network is the wholesale industry’s go-to hub for unfiltered strategies, high-energy sales…