Inspired By

NMP 40 Under 40 honoree Alex Rozhansky shares how determination, long hours, and a tight-knit group of peers helped him build early momentum in the mortgage industry. From solving the toughest loan files to mentoring new teammates and earning trust from top referral partners, Alex reveals what it takes to stand out—even in a challenging market.

Mortgage consultant John Pavlakovic shares how he turned personal resilience and strong relationships into a top-producing career at Prosperity Home Mortgage. In this Inspired By 40 Under 40 spotlight, Pavlakovic reflects on the mentors who shaped his path, his bold leap from Wells Fargo, and why communication after closing is the key to long-term success.

Mortgage leadership, mentorship, and industry transformation take center stage as Inspired By features Amorette “Mo” Hernandez, Growth Architect at CMS Mortgage. In this powerful Women of Inspiration episode, Mo shares how she rose from admin to top producer, why she champions an "ecosystem" over silos, and how her mentorship style empowers others to thrive — professionally and personally.

In this episode, McGowan Mortgages’ branch manager Derek McGowan unpacks his journey from grinding through 580-credit-score loans to topping NEXA’s national leaderboard. McGowan reveals the sports-driven mindset, client-first playbook, and scaling strategies — newsletter, speaking gigs, onboarding game plans — that power his growth even in a down market.

Mortgage industry success, loan officer training, and VA/FHA lending take center stage as top-100 originator Phil Crescenzo — branch manager at Nation One Mortgage in Charleston, SC — reveals how he climbed from cold-call telemarketer to national standout over a 25-year career. Phil walks listeners through the pivotal five-year milestones that shaped his production strategy, the “why” behind his relentless work ethic, and the empathetic leadership tactics now powering record VA and FHA closings in a difficult market.

Private lending marketing leader Erica LaCentra, CMO of RCN Capital, joins the Inspired By podcast’s Women of Inspiration series to reveal how she scaled mortgage marketing from a one-woman show to a 15-person powerhouse while steering the brand through market shocks. We dig into her playbook for crisis communication, product pivots, mentorship, and balancing new motherhood with C-suite demands — offering actionable insights for anyone in real-estate finance or marketing.

In this episode, Mike Brennan, President of Nationwide Mortgage Bankers, shares his journey in the mortgage industry, emphasizing the importance of building relationships, community service, and mentorship. He discusses the creation of NMB Cares, a foundation aimed at giving back to communities, and reflects on his personal growth and the significance of understanding one's 'why' in life and business.

Mortgage industry entrepreneur Michael Smith, owner of Okmulgee Mortgage Company in Macon, Georgia, joins Inspired By to reveal how a hyper-local brand, cutting-edge tech, and a servant’s heart can disrupt the mortgage broker channel. He retraces a remarkable journey — from VA streamline specialist and community-bank exec, to cross-country weapons-transport driver (and survivor of a 130 mph motorbike crash), to launching a lean, customer-centric brokerage and the turnkey Mortgage Systems USA platform that empowers other professionals to originate loans.

Brock Cassidy, Chief Revenue Officer at Newzip and one of NMP's 40 Under 40, shares the story of his dynamic rise in the mortgage and real estate industries. From his formative years at Rocket Mortgage to innovative work at EasyKnock and now driving growth at Newzip, Cassidy explains how being a relationship-first leader has shaped his career. He dives into the value of trust, the importance of doing your job well, and the long-term power of partnerships. Plus, he talks about co-hosting "REALFridays," a podcast that's quickly become a go-to industry voice.

In this episode, Adam Cohen — CFO and COO of Asset Based Lending and a 40 Under 40 honoree — dives into the principles that have guided his career: human connection, calculated risk, and relentless curiosity. Cohen explains how automation can enhance efficiency but not replace empathy, and how fostering a culture of ownership and dialogue keeps his team forward-thinking. He shares personal stories, from college wake-up calls to reinventing workflows through self-taught macros, all underscoring his belief that innovation begins by asking “why” — and that people are still at the heart of great business.