What happens when a fourth-generation mortgage pro, mom, mentor, and now published author decides to rethink everything she knows about networking, technology, and building trust in financial services?

In this episode of the FinTech Hunting Podcast, host Michael Hammond sits down with Lindsay Meyer—a trailblazer in the mortgage space who’s redefining what it means to lead with heart and innovate with purpose.

Together, they unpack:

Why Lindsay believes the future of lending lives at the intersection of innovation and connection

The power of human-first networking in a digital world

How to turn a simple LinkedIn message into a 5 minute call that builds true relationship

Why 39% of professionals fail at follow-up—and how you can fix that today

The story behind her new book: Rethink Everything You Know About Networking

Cutting-edge AI tools like Groves IQ and how they’re reshaping the mortgage experience

The importance of mentorship, legacy, and showing up authentically in your career

If you're a mortgage professional, fintech leader, or growth-minded marketer looking for real talk, real strategy, and real transformation, this episode will move you—and maybe even change how you approach your next connection.

Subscribe now, and don’t miss what might be the most heartfelt and thought-provoking episode of the year.

Welcome to a game-changing episode of The FinTech Hunting Podcast — filmed LIVE with Josh Friend, CEO and Founder of Insellerate, one of the mortgage industry’s true AI pioneers.

🏆 Named an AI Innovator by Progress in Lending and winner of Top Demo at the Digital Mortgage Conference, Josh joins host Michael Hammond to unveil how AI is transforming loan officer performance, predictability, and profitability like never before.

In this riveting conversation, Josh breaks down:

• 💡 How Insellerate’s AI platform “Athena” listens to 200,000+ hours of calls to coach loan officers at scale—helping them close more loans with greater empathy.

• 🔍 Why Athena predicts loan closings with 89.4% accuracy on the first call—and what that means for lenders battling margin compression.

• 🤖 AI voice agents that speak intelligently with borrowers, schedule callbacks, and prequalify leads before loan officers even log in.

• ❤️ How AI is making human connection and empathy more scalable than ever.

• ⚙️ The rise of low-code, no-code, and now “vibe code” AI tools that are revolutionizing development, efficiency, and deployment across financial services.

🚀 Whether you’re a C-suite executive, mortgage tech innovator, or lending professional, this episode will reshape the way you think about AI in lending.

Josh also teases upcoming Insellerate AI workshops at MBA Annual—giving attendees a firsthand experience with real-world AI tools that are redefining what’s possible in mortgage operations.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• Athena’s “Deal Possibility Score” shows lenders exactly which leads are likely to close.

• AI isn’t replacing empathy—it’s amplifying it.

• Mortgage sales can now scale intelligently without sacrificing human touch.

• Every lender can now access the “NFL-level game film” analysis that top producers rely on.

📅 Want to meet Josh at MBA Annual?
👉 Visit www.insellerate.com to book a demo or schedule your meeting.

In this powerful episode of the Fintech Hunting Podcast, host Michael Hammond welcomes back Eloise Schmitz, CEO and Co-Founder of LoanNEX, for a must-listen conversation on the critical role non-QM and non-agency lending plays in today’s mortgage market.

🎙️ What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why non-QM lending has shifted from optional to essential for lenders seeking growth in 2025
• How to equip loan officers with the tools to confidently offer and close more non-agency loans
• The real meaning behind "If you can't see it, you can't sell it" — and how to make that visibility actionable
• The importance of tech stack augmentation vs. replacement to improve workflows
• How LoanNEX’s new in-system exception management is revolutionizing the non-QM pricing process
• What to expect from Eloise’s expert panel at MBA Annual 2025 in Las Vegas
• Why transparency, trust, and innovation are the keys to thriving in today’s lending landscape

💡 Whether you're a mortgage lender, capital markets leader, tech vendor, or loan officer, this episode is your guide to unlocking new volume opportunities, driving profitability, and winning in the evolving mortgage ecosystem.

🗓️ Event Mentioned:
Catch Eloise Schmitz live at MBA Annual 2025 on October 20th at 3 PM (Las Vegas). Don’t miss the panel: “Why the Non-Agency Market Is a Must for Your Success.”

Is your mortgage business leaving money on the table? In this powerful episode of the FinTech Hunting Podcast, tech innovator and AI evangelist Tim Nguyen, Founder & CEO of BeSmartee, returns with a game-changing conversation on application abandonment—the overlooked metric that could be silently draining your profits.

Hosted by industry expert Michael Hammond, this episode unpacks:

• Why the “camel business” analogy defines the mortgage industry

• The hidden impact of low app-start-to-submit conversions

• How just a 10% improvement in application conversion can generate 14% more top-line revenue

• Whether the root problem is tech, people, or process—and how to fix it

• What lenders must start measuring today to survive the next market shift

• Real advice on simplifying borrower journeys for better profitability

• How BeSmartee customers are winning by using data to eliminate friction

Plus: Tim drops some surprising truths about what loan officers should stop doing with online applications—and how to turn every borrower interaction into a closed loan.

Where to catch BeSmartee next:
Tim shares where his team will be this conference season—including MBA Annual, ACUMA, and an exclusive AI Summit in Dana Point.

Whether you're a lender, tech executive, or loan officer focused on growth, this episode will shift how you think about profitability, process, and performance.

Don't just ride the next wave in mortgage lending—be ready to drink the water first.

Subscribe to FinTech Hunting for weekly interviews with the biggest minds in mortgage, fintech, and financial services.

Want to learn more about how BeSmartee is solving the abandonment gap? Connect with Tim at [email protected]

Is the mortgage industry ready to break free from the status quo?

In this episode of the FinTech Hunting Podcast, Michael Hammond sits down with Raveen Phifer, founder and CEO of She Mortgage Consultants, to unpack the real challenges—and opportunities—facing lenders today.

From rising rates to the myth vs. reality of AI, Raveen brings an unfiltered perspective on:

• Why lenders must think beyond short-term fixes when evaluating technology

• The biggest roadblocks keeping borrowers from the seamless experience they demand

• How her team helps lenders vet vendors and cut through the noise of “AI hype”

• Why people—not just platforms—still matter in a tech-driven world

• Where the balance lies between automation and the irreplaceable human touch

Whether you’re a lender, vendor, or mortgage professional, this conversation will challenge how you think about digital transformation, competitive advantage, and the borrower experience.

Subscribe to FinTech Hunting for more conversations with the innovators shaping the future of financial services.

In this energizing episode of the FinTech Hunting Podcast, host Michael Hammond sits down with the unstoppable Dalila Ramos — industry-leading recruiter, founder of Love & Tacos Media, and social media powerhouse — for a candid conversation on the real state of recruiting, branding, and marketing in mortgage and fintech.🎤 What’s inside this episode?How NAMMBA felt like a “family reunion” and why that matters more than everThe real reason recruiting ramps up in Q4 (and why Dalila hates the word "recruiting")What LOs must do to stop being invisible in AI search and socialWhy being “Googleable” beats having the flashiest websiteThe power of video: from mascara tears to unfiltered truthBehind-the-scenes sneak peek at our Pop-Up Video Studio coming to MBA Annual in Las Vegas!💡 Whether you’re a loan officer, marketing pro, fintech founder, or just love real talk from real people who get it, this one’s for you.👀 Watch to learn:How to future-proof your brand with AI + GEO strategiesWhy social media is your new credibility currencyWhat makes an event video go viral (hint: it’s not perfection)🎥 Bonus: Hear how Dalila and Michael are bringing MBA Annual to you — 50+ videos, raw conversations, real people.🔗 Links & Shoutouts:🎯 Special thanks to sponsorsGridBase – Smart automation, real solutionsNationwide Property & Appraisal Services – Trust. Technology. Transparency.📍 Catch the Pop-Up Video Studio: Fountainbleu, Las Vegas | Oct 19–22📩 Want to be featured? Message Dalila or Michael on LinkedIn for your invite!If this episode inspired you, like, comment, and subscribe.

In this no-holds-barred episode of the FinTech Hunting Podcast, host Michael Hammond sits down with the unstoppable Lady Jen Du Plessis—a billion-dollar producer, 3x podcast host, speaker, and coach—to challenge the status quo in the mortgage and lending industry.

🔥 From the “blame game” and the dangers of being casual in your business, to leveraging AI, mastering your voice, and standing out in a crowded market, Lady Jen doesn’t hold back.

🚫 Tired of being busy but not productive?
🚫 Wondering if AI is just another passing trend?
🚫 Feeling like your business is stuck in neutral?

🎙️ Then you need to hear this conversation.

In this episode:

• Why “busy” is not the badge of honor you think it is
• How to stop being “on demand” and become in demand
• What every loan officer needs to know about early AI adoption
• Why mastering your voice, not just your scripts, is the new competitive edge
• How Lady Jen uses AI tools like ChatGPT (aka “Gigi”) to stay visible, relevant, and influential
• The true cost of hiding in this industry—and how to break through

💡 Learn how to build a brand that’s built to last, use AI as your 24/7 marketing partner, and create a life and business by design—not default.

Here is the link for the Masterclass Registration Page:

https://go.jenduplessis.com/mortgage-mastery-masterclass-registration

👑 About Lady Jen Du Plessis:
Top 1% originator turned national speaker and coach, Lady Jen helps professionals elevate their leadership, communication, and results. She's the host of Mortgage Lending Mastery, the longest-running podcast in the mortgage space.

✅ Connect with Lady Jen:
Website: https://www.jenduplessis.com
Masterclass Registration: [Insert Link Here]
Instagram & LinkedIn: @LadyJenDuPlessis

The mortgage and financial services industries are at a crossroads—caught between the pull of tradition and the push of AI-driven innovation. In this FinTech Hunting episode, host Michael Hammond sits down with marketing powerhouse Kelly Yale, Fractional CMO and innovation leader at Octo Strategies, to unpack the seismic shifts redefining mortgage marketing.

From the myth of social media as a silver bullet to the art of building real community at scale, Kelly shares her proven frameworks for blending personal branding with enterprise consistency—and why the smartest lenders are leaning hard into relationship automation.

You’ll discover:

• How to balance authenticity and technology without losing the human touch.

• Why AI isn’t replacing loan officers, but it will reshape their work, compensation, and competitive edge.

• Practical steps to build long-term relationships that convert, even in a crowded market.

• The critical skill sets marketing teams need in 2025—and why adaptability matters more than any single tool.

Whether you’re a mortgage executive, lender, marketing leader, or loan officer, this conversation will challenge your thinking and equip you to thrive in the new era of lending.

What if one of the biggest threats to your mortgage pipeline isn’t rates—but insurance?

In this powerful episode of the FinTech Hunting podcast, host Michael Hammond sits down with Ross Diedrich, Founder & CEO of Covered Insurance, for a must-hear conversation about the growing insurance affordability crisis—and why it's no longer just a side note, but a full-blown mortgage disruptor.

🛑 Deals are dying.
💥 Borrowers are blindsided at the closing table.
📉 DTIs are imploding due to insurance premiums.

Ross pulls back the curtain on how rising costs, carrier exits, and mid-cycle changes are quietly sabotaging originations and servicing—and what lenders and servicers must do now to regain control.

🔍 You’ll learn:

• Why 15–20% of deals in some markets are falling through due to insurance

• How to move insurance earlier in the mortgage lifecycle to prevent fallout

• What originators and servicers can do TODAY to turn insurance friction into a competitive advantage

• How Covered is embedding proactive, borrower-first solutions into leading mortgage platforms

💬 “You don’t need to be an insurance expert—you just need the right partner at the right time.” – Ross Diedrich

If you're a lender, LO, servicer, or tech partner looking to protect your pipeline and serve borrowers better, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss.

👉 Listen now and subscribe for more FinTech insights that matter.

In this powerful episode of the FinTech Hunting Podcast, host Michael Hammond sits down with Greg Sher, Managing Director at NFM Lending and founder of the #AllOfUs movement. Greg is a tireless advocate for housing fairness, a social media trailblazer, and one of the industry’s most forward-thinking voices.

We dive into:

👉 Greg's takeaways from The Gathering and the rise of new voices in the industry
👉 The transformative power of YouTube for loan officers and why short-form video may be fading
👉 How AI and agentic automation are reshaping the mortgage experience
👉 A candid conversation on Fed policy, fiscal responsibility, and the generational impact of national debt
👉 Why lender-vendor relationships need more heart—and less “spray and pray”
👉 The inspiration and mission behind the #AllOfUs movement

🔥 BONUS: Greg unveils an exclusive opportunity for originators to join a YouTube pilot led by mortgage influencer Kyle Seagraves.

If you're in mortgage, real estate, or fintech—and want to stay ahead of where the industry is headed—this is an episode you can't afford to miss.

🔗 Connect with Greg Sher on LinkedIn
📬 Want to master YouTube marketing? DM Greg to apply for the pilot program
🎧 Subscribe for more FinTech Hunting episodes

#FinTechHunting #MortgageMarketing #GregSher #YouTubeForLenders #AgenticAI #HousingAdvocacy #AllOfUsMovement #LoanOfficerBranding #FintechPodcast #AIInLending