In this episode, we sit down with Hunter Bolling, a top 1% mortgage originator and team leader of the HB Mortgage Team powered by Edge Home Finance. With nine years in the mortgage industry and a background as a former American Dream TV host, Hunter has become one of the most recognized voices in modern real estate marketing.

Hunter shares how he built a high performing mortgage team, leveraged social media to grow his brand, and stayed ahead of the curve with technology and AI. We also dive into his innovative platform, Realtor Buddy, an AI tool designed to help real estate agents scale their business, improve client communication, and generate more opportunities.

If you are a mortgage broker, loan officer, real estate agent, or entrepreneur looking to grow in today’s competitive housing market, this conversation is packed with practical insights on leadership, marketing strategy, AI in real estate, and building long term relationships.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Hunter became a top 1% mortgage originator
• The power of social media in mortgage and real estate
• Using AI tools like Realtor Buddy to gain a competitive advantage
• Building a brand as a loan officer in today’s market
• Lessons from hosting American Dream TV
• Growing a mortgage team with intention and culture
• Serving homebuyers, agents, and veterans through education

About Hunter Bolling:
Hunter Bolling is a nationally recognized mortgage originator and the team leader of the HB Mortgage Team at Edge Home Finance. He is the creator of Realtor Buddy, host of HB’s Housing Huddle podcast, and a leader in real estate technology and marketing innovation. Hunter is passionate about empowering homebuyers, real estate agents, and veterans through education, relationships, and results.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and share with someone in the mortgage or real estate industry who needs to hear this.

In this powerful episode of Coaching with Chris, Chris sits down with Shayla Gifford, one of the most respected performance coaches and top producing mortgage leaders in the country.

With over 20 years in the industry and a billion dollar career, Shayla breaks down what it actually takes to scale a mortgage business without burning out.

This conversation goes far beyond surface level motivation. Shayla dives into the real mechanics of sales success, including why booking appointments matters more than being “easy to work with,” how to win the first five minutes of any meeting, and why every sales conversation must end with a clear next step.

She also shares hard earned insights on discipline, emotional maturity, tracking activity, and the mindset shifts loan officers need to succeed in 2026 and beyond.

Chris and Shayla also explore the difference between hustle and effectiveness, how self awareness impacts production, and why boring systems create extraordinary results.

If you are a loan officer, mortgage broker, sales professional, or leader looking to grow sustainably while staying aligned personally, this episode will challenge how you think about success.

Topics covered in this episode include:

Mortgage sales systems that actually work

How to book more appointments and control your calendar

Winning sales interviews in minutes, not hours

The role of mindset, discipline, and emotional growth in production

Why tracking activity changes everything

How top producers think about growth, pressure, and balance

What loan officers must do differently to win in 2026

Meet Shayla Gifford

Shayla Gifford is a Top 1% originator, performance coach, and the force behind a billion dollar mortgage business. She leads and coaches a nationwide team of over 75 mortgage professionals and hosts The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast. Shayla helps driven loan officers ditch burnout, master simple systems, and build businesses that support both success and freedom.

Connect with Shayla

Website: https://www.shaylagifford.com

Instagram: @shaygiff

Community: @10xwithcatalystcommunity

Podcast: The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast

Sign up for the 2/12/26 Mastery Class: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/yscqKQzkRoG7LY8Pp0tPDA#/registration

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Coaching with Chris for more real conversations with top performers in mortgage, sales, leadership, and personal growth. Like, comment, and share this episode with someone who is ready to level up their business and mindset.

This special episode flips the script.

Welcome to Coaching with Trev, a unique edition of Coaching with Chris where Trevor York steps into the host seat and interviews Chris Vinson. In this candid, high impact conversation, Trevor pulls back the curtain on the mindset, systems, and principles that have made Chris one of the most respected coaches and leaders in the mortgage industry

This episode goes far beyond tactics. Trevor challenges Chris in real time, stress testing sales strategies, database execution, leadership philosophy, culture building, stress management, and how to scale a business without sacrificing family or relationships.

Chris breaks down why the single most important skill in mortgage is learning how to ask, why your database should be treated like a portfolio, and how consistent execution beats any shortcut or cheat code. They dive deep into call reluctance, mental blocks, and why most loan officers already have everything they need to grow if they would just use it.

The conversation also explores what separates top producers from everyone else, including investing in yourself, being a lifelong student, building real accountability, and creating a culture where people want to win every day. Chris shares how he manages pressure, why progress reduces stress, and how strong leadership requires both truth and care.

One of the most powerful parts of the episode focuses on balance. Chris opens up about marriage, family, and intentional living, sharing how communication, calendars, and commitment make it possible to build a big career without losing what matters most.

In this episode, you will learn:
• How to add two or more deals per month without buying leads
• Why asking is the most powerful skill in sales
• How to turn your database into a true income producing portfolio
• How to overcome call reluctance and commission breath
• Why boring fundamentals create extraordinary results
• How top performers manage stress and rebound faster
• Why investing in yourself creates an unfair advantage
• How to build a culture of accountability people actually want
• How to grow a business without sacrificing marriage or family

If you are a loan officer, mortgage broker, sales leader, or business owner looking to grow production, sharpen your mindset, and build something sustainable, this episode is a must watch.

Subscribe for more real conversations that challenge how you think and help you grow faster.

Coaching with Chris, Coaching with Trev, Chris Vinson, Trevor York, mortgage coaching, loan officer sales, mortgage mindset, database marketing, mortgage leadership, loan officer growth, sales psychology, mortgage culture, investing in yourself

In this episode, Chris sits down with John and Joe from Mpire to talk about the real story behind building a modern mortgage company, why the entrepreneurial loan officer is winning, and what makes MortgageCon one of the most unique mortgage conferences in the industry.

You will hear how Mpire was created to be a home for the modern originator, with a focus on freedom, control, compliance, support, culture, and technology.

John shares why they built a “fast car,” handed loan officers the keys, and designed a model that lets originators build the business and lifestyle they want inside a compliant, high support structure.

Joe shares the behind the scenes story of launching MortgageCon, including how the event started, why it was built to be different, and how their hospitality mindset shaped the attendee experience. From early proof of concept to today’s immersive theme park style conference, this episode explains why MortgageCon is not a typical ballroom event and why attendees keep coming back.

This conversation also dives into what loan officers often miss when comparing retail vs broker, including the real reasons originators switch, what they want most, and how Mpire approaches support, tech, compensation, and culture in a way that keeps top producers engaged.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How Mpire grew and what the company is focused on in 2026

• Why support, control, pricing, compensation, technology, and culture matter most

• How MortgageCon started and why it was created to be different, not “better”

• What makes MortgageCon immersive, fast paced, and built for modern attention spans

• Why Mpire uses short, high impact speaking formats instead of slow panel sessions

• What the founders believe will shape the next era of the broker channel

• The personal mindset lessons that came out of 2025, including strength and perseverance

• What advice they would give themselves for 2026, including going fearlessly and rising to the challenge

MortgageCon details mentioned in the episode:Universal Orlando, early February 2026Tickets and event info: mortgagecon2026.com

If you are a loan officer, mortgage broker, or mortgage leader looking for a fresh approach to growth, culture, tech, and events, this is an episode you will want to watch and share.

Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. All loan subject to credit approval.

Mortgage Con, mpire mortgage, mortgage conference, mortgage broker event, loan officer conference, broker channel, mortgage technology, mortgage culture, loan officer coaching, coaching with chris, mortgage entrepreneurship, mortgage originator support

Welcome to 2026. In this episode of Coaching with Chris, Chris sits down with Elizabeth Cassidy, a high energy mortgage leader, Air Force veteran, VA loan specialist, and team builder who is passionate about serving veterans and helping homebuyers win in today’s market.

Elizabeth shares her real story of how she got into mortgages, including her pivot from teaching to real estate, then into mortgage lending in early 2020. From being told she would fail if she focused on VA loans in Central Florida, to becoming a top VA originator and building a high performing team, Elizabeth breaks down what actually drives growth in a purchase focused business.

This conversation is packed with practical advice for loan officers and mortgage brokers who want to scale production, improve conversion, and build relationships that create referrals for years.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How Elizabeth built her mortgage business through purchases, not refis

• Why relationships matter more than knowing every guideline

• How to grow a referral network with realtors, title, insurance, and inspectors

• What small tweaks helped her grow in 2025, including getting more selective with networking

• Why paying your team more can reduce turnover and improve performance

• How she tracks pre approvals and why improving pre approval conversion is her 2026 focus

• Why she lets her team write loans in their own names and how that strengthens culture

• How she uses social media and direct outreach to build partnerships fast

• What she wants to manifest in 2026, including speaking to real estate agents about VA loans

Elizabeth also shares a powerful personal reflection on recognition, gratitude, and what it means to lead in a way that impacts others even when you do not always hear the feedback.

If you are a mortgage broker, loan officer, or real estate agent who wants to better understand VA loans, build stronger relationships, and grow a purchase driven business in 2026, this episode is for you.

Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. All loans subject to credit approval.

Kenneth Travis is the President and CEO of Greenlight Mortgage, a modern, service-driven brokerage closing loans across East Texas. An 8-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Kenneth brings a mission-first mindset to the mortgage industry, specializing in VA loans and proudly serving fellow veterans and active-duty families.

In addition to leading Greenlight Mortgage, Kenneth serves as the Lender Partner Director for AIME (the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts), where he helps strengthen the independent broker channel by building powerful, strategic relationships between brokers and lender partners nationwide.

Outside of mortgages, Kenneth is a dedicated CrossFit athlete with a well-known passion for the plank...he’s actively training to break the world record for the longest plank. The same discipline, grit, and mental toughness he brings to training are the qualities that define his leadership, his business, and his commitment to the East Texas community.

In this episode of Coaching with Chris, host Chris Vinson sits down with Mylo Draven, Broker/Owner at Inclusive Lending, to talk about his unexpected journey from hairstylist to mortgage leader, lessons learned from building a business, and how authenticity and inclusion are shaping the future of the mortgage industry.

Mylo shares how a frustrating homebuying experience inspired his transition into mortgage lending, the challenges of moving from retail to brokerage, and what it really means to build an inclusive company that empowers both clients and loan officers. From mentorship to mindset, this episode dives deep into leadership, self-awareness, and how to find purpose in your career.

🎧 Topics Covered:

Mylo’s unconventional path into mortgage lending

Building Inclusive Lending and embracing authenticity

What 2025 taught him about balance, self-care, and leadership

How to generate leads through social media and connection

The importance of mentorship and being fearless in your career

Whether you’re a new loan officer, an experienced mortgage professional, or just someone looking for inspiration to grow personally and professionally, this episode will hit home.

Comment your favorite takeaway and tag a friend who should hear this story!

Mortgage podcast, Coaching with Chris, Mylo Draven, Inclusive Lending, Windsor Mortgage, broker owner, mortgage leadership, mortgage journey, real estate podcast, mortgage coaching, how to grow in mortgage, mortgage mentorship, social media for loan officers, mortgage broker success, mental health in mortgage, authenticity in business, mortgage industry 2026

Looking for the secrets top AEs use to help loan officers close more loans and grow in 2026? This episode breaks down what great Account Executives actually do for brokers behind the scenes.

In this Thanksgiving episode of Coaching with Chris, Chris Vinson sits down with Windsor Mortgage account executives Tiffanie, Eric, and Shelby to talk about what truly makes a great AE and how they help loan officers win more in 2026.

They share how they got into mortgage, the roles that prepared them to be AEs, and why they see themselves as an inner part of each loan officer’s team. The group covers how to clean up applications, avoid surprise conditions, and use your AE and underwriting help desk to get smoother approvals.

You will hear:

• Simple ways LOs can set loans up for success with clean apps, job history, and VOEs

• How Windsor AEs think about availability, problem solving, and advocacy for their brokers

• Why VIP lists, coaching, calendars, and power hour are non negotiables for 2026 growth

• How AEs and underwriters at Windsor collaborate to restructure tough files and get them closed

They wrap with why a broker should consider Windsor, what separates good AEs from great ones, and what loan officers should start doing now instead of waiting for January.

00:00 Thanksgiving intro and gratitude challenge01:00 Why this episode is all about great AEs02:10 Meet Windsor AEs Tiffanie, Eric, and Shelby03:10 How each AE got into mortgage06:40 Roles that prepared them to be strong AEs09:30 How LOs can set loans up for success in 202613:30 Goals and words of the year for 202621:30 What makes Windsor AEs different from other AEs27:00 How AEs help LOs grow production and stay out prospecting40:20 Calendars, power hour, and non negotiables for 202647:00 Why Windsor, how the AE team works behind the scenes53:00 Recent wins and examples brokers can learn from57:00 Final advice for planning 2026 and closing Thanksgiving send off

#CoachingWithChris #WindsorMortgage #AccountExecutive #MortgageBroker #LoanOfficerTips #WholesaleMortgage #MortgageAE #MortgageCoaching #PowerHour #VIPList #MortgagePlanning2026

In this episode of Coaching with Chris, host Chris Vinson sits down with award-winning mortgage leader Wade Betz to talk about building consistency, developing strong teams, and giving back to the broker community.Wade shares his inspiring journey from his early days breaking into real estate to becoming one of the most respected voices in the mortgage space. He and Chris discuss what it means to “lay bricks every day” — staying disciplined, producing at a high level, and leading with integrity even when the market shifts.

Together, they dive into:

✅ Transitioning from retail to the broker world and what that experience taught Wade

✅ The importance of mentorship and community in the mortgage industry

✅ How daily habits and routines drive success (including Wade’s simple but powerful weekly review method)

✅ Building long-term relationships with your team, and why turnover might say more about leadership than employees

✅ Highlights from AIME FUSE 2024 and what’s coming at MortgageCon 2025 at Universal Studios Orlando, complete with amazing speakers, industry insights, and after-hours fun at Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley

Wade also shares his excitement about winning an MVP Award at the Windsor Mortgage Hall of AIME Awards, reflecting on how collaboration and mutual support are key to elevating the industry.

💬 Want to connect with Wade?

Check out Winning with Wade or send him a DM. He’s always ready to help other mortgage professionals grow their business and mindset.

https://www.facebook.com/BetzWade

https://www.instagram.com/winningwithwade/

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to Coaching with Chris

01:00 – Wade’s journey into the mortgage world

04:00 – Lessons from switching from retail to broker

10:00 – Balancing risk and reward in business

18:00 – Building winning routines and habits

30:00 – Leadership, teamwork, and accountability

42:00 – Giving back to the industry

43:00 – MortgageCon 2025 preview + AIME FUSE recap

44:00 – Hall of AIME MVP win and closing thoughts

#MortgageCoaching #CoachingWithChris #MortgageBroker #AIMEFUSE #MortgageCon2025 #WadeBetz #ChrisVinson #BrokerCommunity #MortgageLeadership #WindsorMortgage #WinningWithWade #MortgageIndustry

Kimber White has nearly 40 years in the mortgage industry. He is Branch Partner at RE Financial Services and incoming President of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB). A nationally ranked Top 1% mortgage broker for the past five years, Kimber is recognized for his integrity, mentorship, and advocacy on behalf of brokers nationwide. His leadership continues to shape the future of mortgage finance through excellence, innovation, and industry advancement.Valerie Saunders is Chief Executive Strategist at the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) and Vice President of RE Financial Services, bringing over 30 years of leadership in advocacy, compliance, and industry growth. A past President of both NAMB and the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals, she has helped reform regulations, advanced consumer protections, and supported broker success nationwide. A nationally recognized speaker, educator, and award winner—including MPA Elite Women and Global 100—Valerie continues to drive meaningful change as a respected voice in the mortgage industry.