On this week’s The Big Picture, Natalie Alexander, President and CFO of Willow Bend Mortgage, joins the show for a candid conversation on leadership, market dynamics, and the evolving playbook for independent mortgage banks. With more than a decade helping guide Willow Bend’s growth, Natalie brings both financial discipline and a people-first perspective to a rapidly shifting lending environment.

We dig into conditions in the Dallas–Fort Worth housing market, including builder incentives and competitive pressures, and tackle bigger-picture issues like rising credit report costs, consolidation trends, and the role of servicing in long-term strategy. The conversation also explores the underrepresentation of women in IMB leadership and what meaningful progress looks like, along with the opportunities and challenges tied to AI adoption across mortgage operations. It’s a grounded, forward-looking discussion on how independent lenders can stay competitive while staying true to their culture.

On this week’s The Big Picture, Bob Broeksmit, President and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation on the forces shaping mortgage banking right now. From reflections on industry leadership and legacy to insights coming out of the MBA Independent Mortgage Banking Conference, Bob offers a candid look at where the industry stands and what’s rising to the top of the priority list.

We dig into the ongoing debate around proposed credit score changes, the regulatory and political dynamics influencing housing policy, and how administrative actions differ from legislative reform. The conversation also touches on MBA’s advocacy efforts around affordability, condo insurance, loan officer compensation, servicing rules, and RESPA. With decades of experience and a clear view from Washington, Bob brings thoughtful context and practical perspective to the issues lenders and servicers are navigating today.

On this week’s The Big Picture, Vishal Garg, Founder and CEO of Better.com, joins Robbie (and later Rob) Chrisman for a wide-ranging conversation on technology, leadership, and the future of home buying. Vishal shares his personal journey from growing up in India to building one of the most closely watched digital mortgage platforms in the U.S., and how firsthand frustration with legacy lending systems led him to rethink how mortgages should work.

We dig into how AI is reshaping mortgage operations, what “human as an exception” really means in practice, and how lenders can better meet borrowers where they are. From lessons learned scaling Better to predictions for what the mortgage process could look like by 2030, Vishal offers a candid, forward-looking perspective on innovation, adaptability, and what it will take to modernize housing finance in the decade ahead.

On this week’s The Big Picture, Erin Dee, Chief Operating Officer of Interlinc Mortgage and President of the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association, joins the show to unpack the policy debates and market shifts shaping housing and lending right now. With deep experience across operations, capital markets, and advocacy, Erin brings a grounded, operator’s perspective on what’s actually happening behind the headlines.

We dig into the administration’s approach to housing affordability and supply, the growing influence of state-level advocacy, and ongoing debates around credit scoring, broker compensation, and regulatory priorities. From CFPB updates to the evolving competitive landscape, Erin offers clear, practical insight on how lenders and associations can navigate change and where the industry should be focused as the next chapter takes shape.

On this week’s The Big Picture, Ron Leonhardt, Founder and CEO of CrossCountry Mortgage, joins the show for a candid conversation on building scale, navigating cycles, and leading through uncertainty. From launching CCM in Cleveland more than two decades ago to growing it into one of the nation’s top retail lenders, Ron shares the principles and decisions that have fueled long-term success in a notoriously volatile industry.

We dig into how lenders can compete in down markets, why diversification and servicing matter more than ever, and how shifting policy and regulatory proposals could reshape the housing landscape. With a people-first leadership philosophy and a clear-eyed view of today’s market realities, Ron offers practical insight on culture, strategy, and what it takes to thrive when conditions get tough.

On this week’s The Big Picture, Scott Weintraub of MQMR joins the show to break down the rapidly shifting compliance landscape facing mortgage lenders today. A veteran compliance and risk expert, Scott brings a clear-eyed, practical perspective on how regulatory priorities are evolving and what lenders should actually be paying attention to as oversight increasingly moves beyond Washington D.C. and into the states.

We dig into the changing role of the CFPB, the rising influence of state regulators, and the real-world implications of proposals like restrictions on institutional homebuyers. The conversation also tackles the growing use of AI and automation in mortgage operations, like where the risks lie, where the opportunities are real, and how lenders can stay compliant without crushing their cost structure. It’s a grounded, no-spin discussion designed to give mortgage leaders the context they need to make smarter decisions right now.

On this week’s The Big Picture, Mike Metz of VIP Mortgage joins the show to discuss which issues are impacting housing and mortgage. A longtime operator with a systems-level view of the business, Mike brings a reflective, practical perspective on what trends actually matter and which narratives may deserve a second look as the industry closes out the year.

We step back to revisit themes that continue to surface across lending, operations, and leadership, digging into under-discussed shifts, recurring debates, and lessons worth carrying forward. It’s a thoughtful, candid discussion about where the mortgage industry has been, what’s resonating right now, and how leaders can better position themselves for what comes next.

On this week’s The Big Picture, James Dwiggins, Co-CEO of NextHome and one of the most outspoken voices in real estate today, joins the show to break down the seismic shifts reshaping the industry. A third-generation real estate entrepreneur and founder of the tech platform Rayse, James brings a data-driven, no-fluff perspective on everything from buyer-agent compensation to the future of brokerage models in a post-settlement world.

We dig into what the next two years could look like for agents, lenders, and consumers, why the industry’s “middle” may be shrinking, and how technology and transparency will define the winners of the next cycle. With his trademark clarity and candor, sharpened through years of leading a 600-office franchise and hosting Real Estate Unfiltered, James offers a forward-looking, highly practical conversation about where real estate is headed and what leaders should be preparing for right now.

On this week’s The Big Picture, Mike Yu, co-founder and CEO of Vesta, joins the show to unpack the future of mortgage technology and why the loan origination system is finally getting its long-overdue overhaul. An early product leader at Blend turned fintech founder, Mike shares how years spent building mortgage infrastructure inspired him to take on one of the industry’s toughest challenges: creating a true end-to-end, next-generation LOS designed for the digital age.

We explore how AI and modern platform design can simplify complex workflows, reduce friction across processing, underwriting, and closing, and ultimately improve both lender efficiency and borrower experience. From scaling Blend into a major banking partner to raising more than $55 million for Vesta from top venture firms, Mike offers a candid look at what it takes to modernize legacy systems and a big-picture perspective on how infrastructure innovation will shape the next decade of lending.

On this week’s The Big Picture, Diane Yu, co-founder and CEO of TidalWave, joins the show to talk about how AI is transforming the mortgage experience from the inside out. A veteran technologist and former CTO of Better, Diane has built one of the industry’s most innovative platforms with SOLO™, TidalWave’s AI-powered solution that streamlines loan origination while expanding access to homeownership.

We explore how automation can create both efficiency and inclusion, the real-world potential of AI in mortgage operations, and what it takes to build technology that lenders trust and borrowers love. From her early success co-founding FreeWheel (acquired by Comcast for $400 million) to leading a new wave of fintech innovation, Diane brings sharp insight and big-picture perspective on the future of AI, housing, and human connection.