Most mortgage leaders won’t struggle in 2026 because of interest rates, regulation, or technology.

They’ll struggle because they fail to evolve how they lead people.

In the Season 7 premiere of Laugh, Lend & Eat, the conversation challenges conventional thinking around leadership, retention, and AI in the mortgage industry. Instead of chasing trends or blaming the market, this episode focuses on the behaviors, decisions, and blind spots that will separate leaders who thrive from those who fall behind.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

Why traditional management approaches are breaking down

The hidden cost of ignoring retention

How leadership behavior impacts stability and growth

Why coaching and mentorship matter more than control

The real role of AI in exposing value—not replacing people

The mindset shift required to lead confidently into 2026

Key Leadership Insights

As markets tighten, leadership gaps become obvious. The episode draws a clear line between managers who react and leaders who build systems that work. It explores why organizations focused only on recruiting often struggle with turnover, burnout, and inconsistency—and why long-term growth requires clarity, accountability, and trust.

AI Isn’t the Threat—Weak Leadership Is

AI is framed as a tool for leverage, training, and clarity. Used well, it amplifies strong leadership. Used poorly, it exposes the absence of direction, culture, and authentic value.

Notable Quotes from the Episode

“Managers blame people. Leaders fix processes.” — Fobby Naghmi

“Retention is harder than recruiting—but it’s where real growth happens.” — Justin Neal

“AI doesn’t replace people; it exposes who actually brings value.” — Ginger Bell

“Fear is irrelevant and unhelpful.” — Eleni Theodorakis

Why This Episode Matters

2026 will reward leaders who build people, not just pipelines.

Those who fail to adapt will feel it first—in retention, trust, and performance.

This episode sets the tone for Season 7 with honest leadership conversations rooted in experience, accountability, and long-term thinking.

Follow Laugh, Lend & Eat on Spotify for more conversations on leadership, mortgage lending, and what it really takes to grow in changing markets.

For the final episode of Season 6, we close out an incredible year with someone who has always brought her own rhythm, truth, and energy to the show—Raquel Boras. No longer in the mortgage industry yet more impactful than ever, Raquel steps in with a message that directly challenges how we connect, communicate, and lead.

This episode centers around one powerful question:

What does Gen Z really want from us?

From her upcoming documentary "I Hear You Gen Z" to her experiences traveling across 13 states in an RV, Raquel shares a raw and revealing look into what young people are thinking, feeling, and expecting from the adults in their lives—and why so many professionals are missing the mark.

It’s the perfect way to end a season focused on adaptation, authenticity, and leadership.

Standout Moments

• A Gen Z teen telling Raquel: “Stop posting brain rot. We want real advice.”

• The emotional weight of watching early cuts of her documentary.
• Stories from her cross-country RV journey filming nearly 30 young adults.
• The reminder that authenticity is the actual brand
• Humor around honey diets, RV life, and who still does Gen X dance moves.

About Raquel Boras

Raquel is a storyteller, mentor, and filmmaker helping bridge the gap between generations. Her documentary I Hear You Gen Z explores what young people truly think—and what they want from the adults around them. Formerly in the mortgage space, she now leads with creativity, heart, and a commitment to authentic voices.

Final Reflection

If this season has taught us anything, it’s that leadership isn’t about knowing all the answers—it’s about connecting with the people who need us most. And as Raquel reminds us, Gen Z isn’t waiting for us to entertain them. They’re waiting for us to lead them.

Season 6 ends with clarity, conviction, and a challenge:

Be the adult they can trust. Be the voice they want to hear.

See you in Season 7.

In this breakdown, Fobby Naghmi and Justin Neal cut through the noise and unpack what the numbers actually say. We look at today’s foreclosure activity side-by-side with the peak of the housing crisis, revealing a very different—and far less frightening—story than the headlines suggest.

Drawing from decades of front-line mortgage leadership and data trends, Fobby and Justin explain how foreclosure filings, delinquencies, and REO levels compare to historical norms. Their insight makes sense of the market pressure points without the hype, giving real estate pros the clarity they need to guide clients with confidence.

If you want to understand the real trajectory of the housing market—not just the viral headlines—dive into the full conversation. You’ll walk away with perspective, data, and a grounded view you can use in your business today.

In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat, Fobby brings on one of the most respected voices in housing research, Kristin Messerli, to tackle a problem the mortgage industry can’t afford to ignore:

👉 Loan officers are losing Gen Z homebuyers — fast.
👉 And most LOs don’t even realize it’s happening.

Gen Z is the most educated, tech-native, socially connected generation in history — yet they’re also the most overwhelmed, distrustful, and financially anxious buyers the housing market has ever seen.

Kristin breaks down exactly why Gen Z is walking away from traditional lenders, where they’re getting their information instead, and the specific strategies LOs must adopt right now to win these buyers back before it’s too late.

This episode is a blueprint for any mortgage professional who wants to stay relevant in 2025 and beyond.

Top Takeaways for Mortgage Pros:

• Gen Z homebuyers trust individuals, not institutions. The days of automatic credibility are over.
• Education only works when paired with emotional validation.
• If buyers feel overwhelmed, they shut down. LOs must simplify, not complicate.
• AI is now part of the homebuying journey. The smartest LOs integrate it.
• Consistency outperforms charisma. Showing up regularly matters more than being perfect.
• You can absolutely win Gen Z — but only if you adapt.

About Our Guest — Kristin Messerli

Kristin Messerli is a nationally recognized researcher and speaker specializing in consumer psychology, generational trends, and financial behavior.

She is the author of the NextGen Homebuyer Report, founder of FirstHome IQ, and a leading voice on the emotional and behavioral realities shaping today’s homebuyers.

In this segment, Fobby sits down with James Kleimann, Editor of the Mortgage Scoop, to tackle two of the most talked-about trends shaking the mortgage industry right now.

👉 The 50-Year Mortgage: Real Solution or Just Noise?

Everyone’s buzzing about it, but does a half-century loan actually fix affordability?

Fobby and James break down:

Who it might help (and who it won’t)

• Why the idea exploded online

• The implications for securitization and regulation

• Why affordability can’t be solved by simply adding 20 more years to a loan

• A sharp, straight-talk look at the reality behind the headline.

👉 Dual-Licensed Realtors: Innovation or Compliance Nightmare?

James shares insights from his recent reporting on agents who are becoming both the Realtor and the LO.

Together, they explore:

• Why some companies are pushing this model

• Whether agents can realistically handle both roles

• The compliance risks no one is talking about

• How compensation structures are being pitched

• And whether this is the “future of lending” — or a shortcut with long-term consequences

🔥 Why This Conversation Matters

Both topics reveal big shifts happening in the mortgage landscape.

Fobby and James cut through the hype with clarity, humor, and real industry perspective.

If you want the unfiltered truth about where the business is heading, you’ll want to hear this.

Mortgage innovator Aleyna Groves joins Fobby Naghmi to share how she’s reshaping operations through Groves IQ—a platform turning 30 steps into 3 clicks.

From her early real estate lessons to building scalable systems and smarter AI integrations, Aleyna reveals what adaptability, leadership, and manifestation truly mean in today’s mortgage world.

00:00 – Opening Monologue & Season 6 Finale Intro
02:30 – Meet Aleyna Groves: From Broker to Builder
06:10 – How Groves IQ Was Born & the Problem It Solves
10:45 – Breaking the Hire–Fire Cycle with Smart Tech
15:20 – Integrations with LendingPad and UWM
19:00 – Where AI Belongs (and Where It Doesn’t)
23:15 – Mindset, Manifestation & Leadership Lessons
28:00 – What’s Next for Groves IQ and Final Thoughts

“What you think, what you feel, what you say — you can make it happen. You’re your own creator, and you’re the only one who sets your own limits.” — Aleyna Groves

🌐 grovesiq.com
💼 LinkedIn – Aleyna Groves

What does the future of mortgage lending really look like?
In this episode, Matthew Gallant of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) joins Fobby Naghmi for a wide-ranging conversation that’s equal parts insightful and entertaining.

They dig into:

• Why the broker vs. banker debate is evolving

• What the MBA actually does behind the scenes

• The real story behind trigger leads and industry advocacy

• Why networking isn’t chasing — it’s teaching

• How personal branding and education can help you grow your gravity

• Why smarter hiring (not just more hiring) is what IMBs need in 2025 and beyond

You’ll also hear about Matthew’s experience co-authoring the Amazon best-seller Rethink Everything You Know About Networking — and what it really takes to create meaningful industry connections.

From brisket to breakout sessions, and cigars to strategy, this episode blends laughs with leadership lessons you won’t want to miss.

📚 Resources Mentioned:

• Rethink Everything You Know About Networking – Available on Amazon

• Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) – mba.org

This episode of Laugh, Lend, and Eat is a wild ride of insights, banter, and blindfolded truth-telling as I dive headfirst into the "Ask Fobby Anything" hot seat. No topic is off-limits and no question goes unanswered (well... almost none). With guest host and returning favorite Justin Neal joining us from Minnesota, we chop it up about leadership myths, flip phones, the evolution of AI in the mortgage industry, and even sticky situations involving jars of honey.

Whether you're in the mortgage game or just curious about the blend of comedy, candor, and career wisdom, this one has it all. Plus, you’ll hear the story behind my mall business card hustle in the '80s and the surprising guest that left a lasting impression on me. Buckle up—this is not your typical Q&A episode.

⏱️ Episode Highlights

[1:32] – Kicking things off with awkward intros and a new co-host audition
[4:40] – Debunking the biggest myth in mortgage leadership
[10:58] – The ‘87 business card story and the evolution of building relationships
[17:50] – Why LinkedIn is my daily ritual for nurturing connections
[22:15] – My strategy for cutting through the noise on social media
[29:36] – Would I trade in my iPhone for a flip phone? Spoiler: not a chance
[36:20] – Who surprised me most as a guest on the podcast and why
[42:00] – Rapid-fire: Coffee or tea, beach or mountains, QR codes or biz cards?
[47:45] – AI in mortgage by 2030: What the future (likely) holds
[55:30] – Can a man survive solely on honey? Justin may be finding out…

🔗 Links & Resources

• Learn more about Laugh, Lend, and Eat: www.laughlendandeat.com

💬 Enjoyed This Episode?

If you got a laugh, a lesson, or a little inspiration out of today’s episode, don’t forget to rate, follow, and leave a review. Share it with someone who needs a break from the boring and a dose of real talk.

In this high-energy episode, Fobby welcomes back Liz “Get Sh*t Done” Short and Lindsey Meyer to talk about their new collaborative book, Rethink Everything You Know About Networking.

Together, they explore how networking has evolved far beyond suits, business cards, and surface-level connections. Liz and Lindsey share how their friendship and professional collaboration led to this project — one that challenges the myths around networking and celebrates real human stories of connection, courage, and community.

From LinkedIn relationships to live events, from organizing 20+ contributors to pre-launch marketing buzz, this episode reveals the behind-the-scenes story of how a book about networking turned into a movement.

Notable Quotes

“Anything worth doing deserves a little buzz.” – Liz Short
“Until someone says no, why not try?” – Lindsey Meyer
“It’s not a transaction. It’s a relationship. And the best ones turn into friendships.” – Fobby Naghmi
“Forget the business cards — just wave hello.” – Lindsey Meyer

Key Takeaways

1. Forget the Old Playbook
Networking isn’t about business cards or awkward handshakes — it’s about authentic human connection. Everyone networks, whether they realize it or not.

2. The Power of Collaboration
Lindsey and Liz turned an idea into a reality by bringing together 20+ contributors, proving that when networkers collaborate, magic happens.

3. Buzz Matters — Before the Launch
Liz explains why everything needs pre-launch buzz: “Only a third of your audience ever sees your best post, so you have to repeat the message.”

4. Stories That Stick
Lindsey highlights powerful stories from authors like Catherine Keaton Flanagan, Aaron Hurt, and Sasha Stare — reminding us that networking often begins with simple acts of courage and kindness.

5. A Movement in Motion
The duo is already thinking beyond the book — from a Rethink Everything RV tour to a Rethink podcast that will feature stories from across the “Rethink” family of authors.

Key Moment

When Fobby says the words “This isn’t a how-to book — it’s a forget-everything-you-know book,” the tone of the entire conversation shifts from professional to personal. It’s not about learning new tricks; it’s about remembering what matters — people.

This episode reminds us that the most powerful form of networking isn’t about collecting contacts — it’s about building community.

“We don’t need more business cards. We just need more hellos.”

In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat, Fobby Naghmi sits down with Jeremy Potter, founder of Next Belt Strategies and one of the most forward-thinking voices in mortgage technology, to talk about courage, innovation, and how to navigate an industry that’s evolving faster than ever.

Jeremy and Fobby dive into what it truly means to innovate responsibly — moving fast enough to stay relevant, but smart enough to stay compliant. Together, they explore how mortgage companies can adapt to AI without losing control of the process or the human touch that defines great lending.

• Adapting to AI intentionally: Building frameworks and documentation to avoid the operational and compliance disasters that come from rushing in too fast.

• AI as a profitability engine: Why artificial intelligence is the first real tool in years that’s adding margin back to lenders’ bottom lines.

• The consolidation wave: How technology and efficiency are accelerating a shakeout — not by logos, but by talent, productivity, and adaptability.

• Responsible innovation: What it means to lead with purpose, clarity, and courage in a tech-driven lending world.

  
  

  Memorable Quotes:

• Jeremy Potter: “There’s a big difference between intent and outcome. The intent of a rule or a tool may be clear, but how it plays out in real life is often very different.”

• Jeremy Potter: “We’ve already thrown enough spaghetti at the wall in this industry. Responsible innovation means slowing down, being intentional, and making sure technology actually delivers value instead of just burning money.”

• Fobby Naghmi: “AI is the first tangible thing I’ve seen in years that truly puts money back into a lender’s pocket — and if you don’t start moving today, you’re already behind.”

💡 Key Takeaway:
The mortgage industry doesn’t need to fear AI — it needs to understand it. The future will reward those who are bold enough to adapt and disciplined enough to innovate responsibly.