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.