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.

In this episode, we sit down with Tyler Slesk of Gold Star Financial, one of NMP’s 40 Under 40 honorees, to explore the mindset and values that have fueled his early success. Tyler discusses his journey into mortgage lending, and the pivotal moments that shaped his approach — including the role of mentorship, the discipline of consistent effort, and the importance of education in serving clients. He opens up about his philosophy of embracing discomfort for growth, cultivating long-term relationships, and narrowing focus to deepen impact. With authenticity and humility, Tyler offers a blueprint for building a career — and life — of meaning and momentum.

In this episode, Bethany Williams Woodward from Dark Matter Technologies shares her journey in the mortgage technology industry, discussing her role in developing innovative data-driven solutions and the importance of AI readiness. She emphasizes the need for understanding customer needs and the intersection of data and practical application in creating tools that enhance the mortgage process. Bethany also reflects on her vision for the future and the importance of empowering others in their professional journeys.