Closing Market Weekly

Don’t forget to pre-order my book, Relentless Excellence. Learn more at philliphogan.com

In this solo episode of Closing Market Weekly, Phillip Hogan continues sharing the inspiration behind his upcoming book, Relentless Excellence, focusing on one powerful chapter: disruption. Phillip explains how becoming a “disruptor” is not always about innovation for attention, but often about survival, leadership, and responsibility—especially during moments of crisis.

Drawing from his experience leading Signing Services of America through the COVID-19 pandemic, Phillip walks listeners through a period marked by fear, uncertainty, and sudden operational change. While many businesses paused or shut down, he made the decision to pivot—rethinking systems, workflows, and expectations in order to protect clients, preserve jobs, and keep the company moving forward.

Phillip shares how that pivot strengthened trust within his team and deepened professional relationships across the organization. He explains why leadership during disruption requires more than strategy—it requires staff buy-in, clarity of vision, and genuine respect for the people executing the work. When employees feel valued, he notes, they are far more willing to align with difficult goals and carry them through.

The episode also highlights lessons Phillip learned from mentors earlier in his career, including the idea that businesses must always evolve to survive—and that leaders are ultimately responsible for guiding that evolution.

This conversation offers a real-world look at how disruption, when guided by values and people-first leadership, can become a defining moment for growth rather than collapse.

Tune in now to learn how pivoting with purpose builds stronger teams, protects businesses during uncertainty, and turns crisis into long-term momentum.

Highlights of the episode:

00:15 – Why disruption matters

01:20 – Defining a disruptor

01:40 – COVID business uncertainty

02:55 – Entering survival mode

03:35 – Strengthening team relationships

04:10 – Protecting jobs during crisis

05:45 – Staff buy-in importance

06:25 – Goals and objectives alignment

07:35 – Valuing employees

08:10 – Crisis leadership execution

09:10 – Mentor’s business lesson

10:15 – Writing the book

11:00 – Final reflections

#LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #BusinessDisruption #ProactiveLeadership #FounderJourney #ServiceBusiness #TeamCulture #OperationalExcellence #LegacyThinking

In this solo episode of Closing Market Weekly, Phillip Hogan shares the deeper inspirations behind his first book, Relentless Excellence, and the people and experiences that shaped the values he lives and leads by today. From his parents and extended family to mentors and early supporters, Phillip reflects on how excellence is formed through relationships, guidance, and service over time.

Phillip opens by honoring his parents and encourages listeners to cherish time with their own families, recognizing how deeply parents influence who we become. He explains how multiple generations in his family contributed to the values explored in his book, and how watching sacrifice, commitment, and unity firsthand created a foundation that stayed with him throughout his life and career.

The episode also highlights the role of mentorship, including the leaders who helped shape Phillip’s first business and the individuals who believed in his ideas before they became reality. He shares how support, trust, and accountability can change the trajectory of a person’s life and business when given at the right moment.

Phillip goes on to discuss another major influence: his service in the United States Navy, where he developed a lifelong commitment to serving others. That mindset, he explains, guided his decision to build service-based companies and shaped how he defines leadership, purpose, and success.

This episode offers a personal look at how excellence is built through family, mentorship, service, and intention. Tune in now to learn how values are passed down, how support systems shape opportunity, and why living a life of service remains at the core of long-term leadership.

Highlights of the episode:

00:25 – Why this book was written

01:00 – Honoring parents and family influence

01:55 – Generational values and inspiration

02:25 – Introducing his first mentor

03:05 – Support behind his first business

04:35 – The impact of unexpected opportunities

05:10 – Service in the U.S. Navy

05:45 – Why service became a lifelong value

06:30 – Building service-based companies

07:05 – Defining success through helping others

07:50 – Who the book is for

08:45 – Parents shaping career decisions

09:20 – Where to learn more about the book

10:00 – Final reflections

#LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #ServiceLeadership #BusinessMindset #FounderJourney #MentorshipMatters #FamilyValues #OperationalExcellence #LegacyThinking

In this solo episode of Closing Market Weekly, Phillip Hogan shares the inspiration behind his upcoming book, Relentless Excellence, and the real experiences that shaped his approach to business long before he ever became a CEO. Growing up in a household where both parents were entrepreneurs, Phillip was exposed early to sacrifice, discipline, and what it truly takes to build something meaningful from the ground up.

Phillip reflects on watching his parents divide roles, commit fully to their businesses, and operate in complete alignment. Through years of working alongside them, he learned that entrepreneurship often requires giving up short-term comfort in exchange for long-term opportunity. Those lessons, embedded early in life, later became the foundation for how he built and led his own companies.

The episode centers on one principle that continues to define Phillip’s leadership style today: proactive communication. He explains how his father taught him to anticipate problems before they happen, think strategically about risks, and take action early rather than reacting when things fall apart. This mindset, Phillip shares, became a major driver of growth and stability in his service-based business.

This episode offers a grounded look at how leadership is formed through observation, sacrifice, and daily habits—not titles. Tune in now to learn why proactive thinking creates stronger teams, better client relationships, and more resilient businesses.

Highlights of the episode:

01:00 – Introducing the book and family influence

02:05 – Growing up with two entrepreneur parents

02:45 – Learning sacrifice through example

03:40 – How his parents divided roles and stayed aligned

04:00 – The lesson of proactive communication

05:00 – Blending the roles of son and employee

05:50 – Long-term benefits of early business exposure

06:35 – Why proactive thinking prevents business crises

07:35 – Applying proactive communication in service businesses

08:35 – Building client relationships through anticipation

09:20 – The “third relationship” of business partners

10:00 – Final reflections and where to learn more

#LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #ProactiveLeadership #BusinessMindset #FounderJourney #ServiceBusiness #FamilyBusiness #OperationalExcellence #LegacyThinking

In this solo episode of Closing Market Weekly, Phillip Hogan shares the inspiration behind his upcoming book, Relentless Excellence. Long before titles, companies, or career plans, Phillip was learning excellence through family, teamwork, and example.

Drawing from his upbringing in an entrepreneurial household, Phillip reflects on growing up around his parents’ businesses in the 1960s and 70s—where children weren’t spectators, they were participants. Through listening, observing, and working alongside family, he absorbed lessons about accountability, standards, and people that would quietly shape his leadership years later.

The episode explores how leadership is often learned unconsciously. By watching how teams are built, how employees are treated, and how expectations are set, excellence becomes a habit rather than a goal. Phillip breaks down why building teams, valuing people, and creating environments where others choose to contribute are foundational to sustainable growth.

This episode is a reminder that excellence isn’t something we decide to pursue later in life—it’s layered over time. And if you’re leading people today, there’s a good chance you’re drawing from lessons you didn’t even know you were learning. 

Tune in now to learn how early experiences shape leadership, and why teams matter more than titles.

Highlights of the episode:

01:20 – Early exposure to entrepreneurship

02:15 – Working in family businesses as a child

03:00 – Lessons that stay dormant for years

04:25 – Commitment, standards, and doing things the right way

05:05 – Learning how teams are built

05:45 – Hiring, managing, and valuing people

06:30 – Leadership instincts showing up later in life

07:45 – Why people choose environments, not just pay

09:10 – Value-driven leadership and team culture

10:35 – Connecting family lessons to business growth

11:30 – Closing thoughts and where to learn more

#LeadershipDevelopment #TeamBuilding #Entrepreneurship #ValueDrivenLeadership #BusinessGrowth #LegacyThinking #FounderMindset #OperationalExcellence

In this solo episode of Closing Market Weekly, Phillip Hogan continues the story behind his journey as a creator, entrepreneur, and emerging author. Building on the previous episode, Phillip shares how an unexpected podcast invitation sparked the idea that ultimately became his first book, Relentless Excellence: A Story of Family, Business Building, and Value Leadership.

Phillip walks listeners through the moment a simple guest conversation turned into a deeper reflection on legacy, impact, and doing something new later in life. He opens up about the decision to write the book, the discipline required to see it through, and what it took to commit fully to a project he had never attempted before—at age 68.

The episode also dives into Phillip’s upbringing in Hempstead, Long Island, where community, accountability, and shared responsibility shaped his understanding of excellence from an early age. Through vivid stories of neighbors, family values, and collective effort, Phillip explains how those early experiences laid the foundation for the leadership principles he carries into business today.

This episode is both personal and practical—connecting family, community, entrepreneurship, and long-term thinking. It serves as an invitation for listeners to reflect on their own legacy, the environments that shaped them, and the power of saying “yes” to opportunities that start with a simple conversation.

Tune in to hear how Relentless Excellence came to life, why community still matters, and how leadership is often built long before a business ever begins.

Highlights of the episode:

00:25 – Announcing Relentless Excellence

01:10 – How a podcast invite sparked the book

02:20 – Deciding to write at 68

03:15 – Commitment and discipline required

04:25 – Growing up in Hempstead, Long Island

05:10 – Community values and shared excellence

06:00 – Neighbors as extended family

07:05 – Lessons from collective effort

08:10 – How early environments shape leadership

09:20 – Invitation to join the book community

10:10 – Closing reflections and next steps

#ClosingMarketWeekly #RelentlessExcellence #LeadershipJourney #EntrepreneurStory #BusinessLegacy #CommunityValues #MortgageIndustry #SigningServicesOfAmerica #PersonalGrowth #LifeLessons

In this episode of Closing Market Weekly, Philip Hogan sits down with Genie McGee, a retirement mortgage specialist with over 23 years of experience in the reverse mortgage industry. Currently with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, Genie has dedicated her career to helping homeowners aged 62 and older use housing wealth strategically to create more secure, flexible, and dignified retirements.

Philip and Genie unpack how reverse mortgages actually work—cutting through decades of myths, fear, and misinformation. Genie explains why a reverse mortgage is simply a mortgage with a delayed payment, how it differs from traditional financing, and why it can be a powerful planning tool when used proactively instead of as a last resort.

The conversation goes deeper into real-world scenarios: widows facing income loss, families struggling with long-term care costs, heirs worried about losing the family home, and retirees who want to downsize or relocate without taking on monthly mortgage payments. Genie shares emotional client stories, including a powerful example of an 80-year-old homeowner who used a reverse mortgage to finally choose a home she loved and reclaim her independence.

They also cover the four core qualifications for reverse mortgages, estate planning considerations, how heirs are protected, and why education—not urgency—is the key to making the right decision. Throughout the episode, Genie emphasizes empathy, long-term planning, and aligning financial tools with real human needs.

Tune in to gain a clear, honest understanding of reverse mortgages—and why, when used correctly, they can transform retirement outcomes for homeowners and their families.

Highlights of the episode:

01:15 – Guest intro: Genie McGee

05:30 – Purpose-driven work & retirement impact

06:10 – Who is (and isn’t) a good fit

07:25 – What a reverse mortgage really is

08:45 – Reverse vs traditional mortgage

11:15 – Education over urgency

12:45 – Widows & income loss realities

13:25 – What happens to heirs

15:05 – Estate planning importance

17:10 – Family involvement decisions

18:30 – Long-term care cost realities

20:20 – Reverse mortgage qualifications

22:00 – Success story: choosing freedom at 80

25:35 – When reverse mortgages aren’t ideal

27:40 – Ongoing client support

28:15 – Tough client conversations

29:35 – How to contact Jeannie

31:15 – Closing remarks

Connect with Guest:

Website: https://www.fairway.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geniemcgee/

#ReverseMortgage #RetirementPlanning #HousingWealth #FinancialEducation #ClosingMarketWeekly #SeniorFinance #EstatePlanning #MortgageIndustry #RetirementStrategy #RealEstateClosings

In this solo episode of Closing Market Weekly, Phillip Hogan steps away from the interview format to share the story behind the podcast itself. Phillip reflects on how the show began, what it took to get comfortable behind the microphone, and how an unexpected journey as a podcast guest ultimately led to launching his own platform.

Phillip walks listeners through the early days of 2024, when he began appearing as a guest on other podcasts to market Signing Services of America. He opens up about the discomfort, nerves, and steep learning curve that came with those first recordings—and how persistence and repetition turned anxiety into confidence. What started as a marketing experiment quickly became a powerful vehicle for connection, education, and growth.

The episode also breaks down the meaning behind the name Closing Market Weekly, explaining how Phillip’s experience in the mortgage industry and his Caribbean roots shaped the show’s identity. From choosing the name and cadence to creating the logo and assembling the production team, Phillip offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a podcast from the ground up.

Looking ahead, Phillip shares what’s next for the show and his broader vision, including upcoming projects and the release of his first book, Relentless Excellence: A Story of Family, Business Building, and Value Leadership. This episode is both a reflection and a roadmap—highlighting consistency, decision-making, and staying rooted in what you know as the foundation for long-term impact.

Tune in now to hear how Closing Market Weekly evolved from an idea into a growing platform—and what’s ahead as the show moves into its next chapter.

Highlights of the episode:

00:19 – Why this episode is different

00:45 – Podcast guest beginnings

01:29 – Early discomfort on camera

02:10 – Learning to swim fast

02:55 – Repurposing content strategy

03:29 – Encouragement to host

04:13 – Decision to move forward

04:28 – Naming the podcast

05:18 – Meaning of “Market”

06:34 – Choosing a weekly cadence

06:52 – Creating the logo

07:45 – 19 episodes milestone

08:02 – Looking ahead to 2026

08:19 – Becoming a published author

08:50 – Relentless Excellence book

09:33 – Gratitude to the audience

#ClosingMarketWeekly #PodcastJourney #EntrepreneurStory #MortgageIndustry #LeadershipDevelopment #ContentCreation #BusinessGrowth #RelentlessExcellence #SigningServicesOfAmerica

In this episode of Closing Market Weekly, Phillip Hogan sits down with November 2025’s Notary of the Month, Elizabeth Turcotte. After spending over 20 years in the restaurant industry, Elizabeth transitioned into notary work and quickly became known for her professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to exceptional service. Phillip explores her journey into loan signing work, how TikTok unexpectedly inspired her career shift, and the mindset that earned her this recognition.

Elizabeth shares real stories from the field — from homeowners requesting her specifically, to driving over 100 miles to ensure a signing could happen on time. She opens up about learning state laws, mastering acknowledgments and jurats, and building reliable systems that prevent errors during high-volume signing periods. Her experiences highlight the flexibility, preparation, and problem-solving skills required to succeed as a notary signing agent.

Phillip and Elizabeth also discuss the role notaries play in the closing process, why accuracy matters, and how notaries can position themselves for more work — including multistate commissions and joining trusted networks. Elizabeth closes the episode by sharing her contact information and encouraging aspiring notaries to take consistent action and stay committed to learning.

Tune in to hear the real-world challenges and rewards of notary work from someone who goes above and beyond for every signer.

Highlights of the episode:

01:30 – November 2025 Notary of the Month: Elizabeth Turcotte

03:30 – Why notaries play an important role in authentication

04:40 – What sets Elizabeth apart as a notary

05:00 – Experiences that made her proud of her work

06:00 – Creative accommodations during signings (campgrounds, job sites, cars)

07:00 – Challenges notaries face today

10:00 – Elizabeth’s process for accuracy and consistency

11:20 – Systems that prevent missed signatures

12:00 – Working with signers in unique environments

12:40 – Being prepared for unexpected situations

13:10 – What Notary of the Month means to Elizabeth

14:00 – How notaries can qualify for the award

15:00 – How to contact Elizabeth

15:30 – Closing remarks

Connect with Guest:

Email: [email protected]

#NotaryOfTheMonth #NotaryLife #RealEstateClosings #LoanSigningAgent #ClosingMarketWeekly #SigningServicesOfAmerica #NotaryCommunity #ProfessionalNotary #RealEstateProfessionals #ClosingIndustry

In this episode of Closing Market Weekly, Phillip Hogan sits down with technology sales leader Shane Palladino, Enterprise Account Executive at Secured Signing. With years of experience supporting digital transformation across legal, title, and financial organizations, Shane explains how remote online notarization (RON) has rapidly evolved from a pandemic necessity into a secure, scalable solution reshaping the closing experience.

Phillip and Shane walk through the real differences between e-sign and digital signature, how PKI technology protects against fraud, and why authentication in RON is often more secure than traditional in-person notarizations. Shane shares how deepfake threats are driving advanced identity verification — including the platform’s newest AI-driven fraud detection features.

They dive into the practical side too: What onboarding looks like for notaries, why training matters, top compliance risks companies overlook, and the industries adopting RON fastest. Shane also offers his prediction for the next five years as legislation and the real estate ecosystem catch up to consumer convenience.

Tune in to learn how digital trust, security, and convenience are rapidly becoming the new standard in closings — and why the smartest notaries are getting ahead now while the demand curve is still early.

Highlights of the episode:

01:00 – Guest intro

02:40 – Entering tech sales

04:30 – SaaS explained

06:15 – Why Secured Signing

09:10 – Pandemic adoption shift

12:00 – RON authentication layers

14:30 – Deepfake threat response

17:20 – Notary fraud awareness

19:05 – Support & onboarding

21:00 – Free notary training

22:50 – Compliance blind spots

24:10 – Industries adopting RON

26:05 – Future of RON

30:20 – How to contact Shane

33:00 – Final advice for notaries

Connect with Guest

:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/securedsigningron/

#RemoteOnlineNotarization #DigitalSecurity #ComplianceMatters #RealEstateTechnology #ClosingMarketWeekly #EClosing #DigitalSignatures #NotaryLife #LegalTech #FutureOfClosings

In this episode of Closing Market Weekly, Phillip Hogan sits down with digital growth strategist Marilyn Jenkins, founder of MJ Media Group and Law Marketing Zone. With a career spanning back to the 1990s, Marilyn has helped law firms and service-based businesses scale to multi-seven-figure revenue using SEO, paid ads, reviews management, database reactivation, and Google Business Profile optimization.

Phillip and Marilyn trace her journey from building websites in the early internet era to becoming a trusted advisor to attorneys—an industry she chose specifically because many consumers find lawyers intimidating and hard to approach. Marilyn breaks down how digital marketing makes firms more visible, more human, and easier to trust through strategic content, reviews, and consistent online activity.

Together, they unpack the evolution of marketing from websites to Google search to today’s AI-driven landscape. Marilyn explains how large language models change the way people search (“full questions instead of keywords”), why service-based businesses must adapt their content, and how AI is reshaping discoverability across the web.

They dive deep into the Google Business Profile, clarifying what it is, why every business needs it, how to claim it, and how reviews + responses dramatically impact visibility. Marilyn gives practical steps on photos, hours, categories, verification, and maintaining a trustworthy online presence—highlighting why ignoring GBP is essentially leaving money on the table.

Tune in now to learn how digital strategy, consistent presence, and AI-aware content can help any business stand out—and how Marilyn built a career helping firms outrank, outshine, and outperform their competition.

Highlights of the episode:

01:00 – Guest intro: Marilyn Jenkins

04:10 – Early days in digital marketing

06:00 – Working with attorneys

07:20 – Making law firms approachable

08:00 – Client visibility success case

09:00 – Marketing as investment

10:00 – Google vs. AI evolution

12:00 – How AI reads your content

13:00 – What Google Business Profile really is

15:00 – Reviews and replies

18:00 – Holiday hours & trust signals

20:00 – Why every business needs GBP

21:00 – Marilyn’s books

21:20 – How to reach Marilyn

Connect with Guest:

Website: https://mjmediagroup.co/

https://lawmarketingzone.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilynjenkins/

#DigitalMarketing #GoogleBusinessProfile #SEO #AIForBusiness #ServiceBusinesses #LawFirmMarketing #OnlineVisibility #ClosingMarketWeekly #SmallBusinessGrowth #ClientAcquisition