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.

Non-QM mortgages are no longer a niche product or a “last resort.” They’re a $100 billion market in 2025 — and if you’re not paying attention, you’re leaving massive opportunities on the table.

In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat, Fobby sits down with a powerhouse panel of Non-QM experts:

• Lisa Schreiber – SVP, eRESI Mortgage

• David Porter – VP Correspondent Lending, Vista Point Mortgage

• Mike Perry – AnnieMac’s own Non-QM leader and architect of the “No Deal Left Behind” initiative

Together, they tackle the misconceptions, challenges, and future of Non-QM lending — and they don’t hold back.

• Why are less than 20% of loan officers adopting Non-QM, and what’s stopping the rest?

• With average 70% LTVs and 700+ FICOs, why is Non-QM still confused with subprime?

• If one-third of all loans require exceptions, how do you actually win them?

• Why do 50% of submissions come in poorly structured — and how do top lenders fix this?

• What does it mean for the industry that Non-QM is projected to hit $100B this year?

Key Takeaway: Non-QM isn’t a backup plan. It’s a business plan. If you want to grow volume, stand out to referral partners, and own a market niche, Non-QM may be the single biggest opportunity you’re ignoring.

Questions We Dig Into:

On this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat, Fobby welcomes Brad Springer and Jeff Springer, the founders of RatePlug, to explore how they turned a simple idea—embedding real-time mortgage payments into MLS listings—into a nationwide platform serving hundreds of thousands of agents.

From 2003 flip phones and carbon-paper loan apps to AI-powered buyer portals, Brad and Jeff share how they overcame fragmented MLS politics, scaled to 70+ platform integrations, and launched Afordal, a tool that lets buyers search for homes by true affordability (PITI) instead of sticker price.

Key topics include:

• The origin story of RatePlug and the challenge of integrating with multiple MLS systems

• Why Fobby believes “No business ever goes out of business because they don’t have enough business. They go out because they get too much and can’t keep the service level.”

• How Afordal filters listings by real monthly payment, bringing financing to the top of the funnel

• The role of AI in outbound nurturing and predictive buyer behavior

• The evolving relationship between real estate agents and loan officers in a tech-driven market

Whether you’re a loan officer, realtor, or tech enthusiast, this episode shows how innovation and service can grow side-by-side—and why the next wave of mortgage technology is already here.

We’re debuting a new format on Laugh, Lend & Eat—welcome to Laugh, Lend & Scoop: Mortgage News Update.
Our newest team member, James Kleinmann, founder of The Mortgage Scoop, joins Fobby and Justin Neal to bring insider mortgage news and fresh perspectives every episode.

In this first edition, we cover:

• Dual Compensation / Dual Licensing
  Why more real estate agents are pursuing mortgage licenses, what FHA and VA’s recent rule change means, and the roadblocks agents hit when taking the MLO test.

• Mortgage Bankers Association Update
  From a $2.3M operating loss to vendor buzz in Las Vegas, what MBA’s numbers and conference trends signal for the 2025 market.

• AI’s Impact on Lending & Journalism
  Where automation helps, where trust still requires humans, and how technology is reshaping everything from podcast production to loan officer roles.

Along the way:

• Beards, berets, and the story behind James’s signature 1930s-style reporter hat

• Fobby’s “Easy Pass” analogy for how technology quietly replaces jobs

• Justin’s take on why human connection still matters in big life decisions like buying a home

Why listen:
Real market insight, candid laughs, and a front-row seat to how mortgage lending is evolving—delivered by people who live it every day.

In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat, Fobby sits down with Jodi Hall, President of The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), to explore what it truly means to leave a mark on the mortgage industry.

Jodi shares her journey from starting out as an account executive with nothing but a phone book and a product manual, to leading one of the industry’s most collaborative trade organizations. She explains why focusing solely on loan counts misses the bigger picture, and why legacy, leadership, and relationships matter more than production numbers.

Listeners will hear Jodi’s insights on:

How TMC brings 200+ lenders and 70+ partners together for real collaboration and problem-solving.

Why adaptability is the cornerstone of leadership in today’s mortgage market.

The role of AI and automation in reshaping — but not replacing — the human side of mortgage lending.

Her personal story of trading the daily grind for life on a horse farm, and how it’s shifted her perspective on balance and leadership.

The worst “advice” she ever got in her career — and how it fueled her competitive spirit instead of holding her back.

Jodi reminds us that the true legacy of a leader isn’t measured in funded loans, but in the lasting impact on people, organizations, and the industry as a whole.

Money is more than math—it’s mindset. In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat, Fobby sits down with Dana Georgiou, Brooke Lapides, and Dee Zimmerman, co-authors of Rethink Everything You Know About Financial Literacy for Teens. Together, they unpack how to make money simple, visual, and empowering for the next generation.

The conversation explores the “bucket system” (savings, needs, wants, charity), the power of compound interest, and why confidence and curiosity are just as important as knowing the numbers. Along the way, the guests share their own mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips that work for kids, teens, and adults alike.

Whether you’re a parent trying to teach your kids, a teen starting your financial journey, or an adult looking to finally “get it right,” this episode will change the way you think about money.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why visual “buckets” make financial lessons easier for kids and teens

How compound interest can transform long-term financial health

The role of confidence and curiosity in financial literacy

How instant gratification culture blurs the line between wants and needs

Real-life mistakes (and lessons) from the authors’ own money journeys

Practical steps families can use to start financial conversations early

Guest Highlights:

Dana Georgiou – Author and advocate for simple, practical money lessons

Brooke Lapides – Award-winning author of Financial Fun from A to Z and co-creator of this new teen-focused book

Dee Zimmerman – Financial literacy coach helping families and parents build confidence with money

🎧 Listen now and rethink everything you know about money.

What happens when a mortgage recruiter with an MBA also happens to be a stand-up comedian? You get lessons in persistence, humor, and resilience that every loan officer, recruiter, and leader can relate to.

In this episode, I sit down with Justin Neal, MBA — VP of Recruiting at Summit Mortgage Corp. Justin blends his professional career in mortgage recruiting with a passion for comedy, and the overlap is more powerful (and entertaining) than you might expect. From handling ghosting to navigating rejection, Justin shares why adaptability and likability matter as much in recruiting as they do on stage.

👉 What you’ll hear in this episode:

The funny side of persistence — including Justin’s joke about using a burner phone just to get a candidate to pick up.

Ghosting in business — why it’s unnecessary, and how a simple “check back later” can go a long way.

Comedy and recruiting parallels — hustle, resilience, thick skin, and the importance of making people laugh.

Notable Quotes:

"Being likable goes a long way — on stage, in recruiting, and in loan officering." – Justin Neal (00:08:11)

"If you bomb, you’re gonna bomb — and you just gotta get back up again and go after the next one." – Justin Neal (00:10:09)

"Thirty-one years in the mortgage business, this is the first time a candidate has ever called me first." – Fobby Naghmi (00:14:12)

"Ghosting… it’s not necessary, right? People can just say, ‘Hey Justin, I’m gonna stay where I’m at. Let’s stay in touch. Give me a call in 6 months.’" – Fobby Naghmi (00:13:13)

From laughs to lessons, this episode is about more than recruiting or comedy — it’s about the art of connecting with people.

🔗 Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: Justin Neal, MBA – VP of Recruiting at Summit Mortgage