On this week’s The Big Picture, Dustin Owen, veteran mortgage executive and host of The Loan Officer Podcast, joins the show to share what he’s seeing from the front lines of origination and where the industry goes next. As the co-founder of a $1 billion retail production operation and one of the most recognized voices in mortgage education, Dustin blends practical experience with a clear-eyed view of the challenges loan officers face today.

We dig into how technology, coaching, and market cycles are reshaping the role of the loan officer, why financial literacy is central to the industry’s future, and what it really takes to build a sustainable career in mortgage banking. With over a million annual downloads on his podcast and a career spanning top production, capital markets, and leadership, Dustin brings sharp insights and plenty of energy into a candid conversation about where the business is headed.

On this week’s The Big Picture, Ashlee Randall, SVP of Product Development and Strategy at Class Valuation, joins the show to talk appraisal modernization and the future of valuation technology. With more than 15 years of experience driving innovation in mortgage operations, Ashlee has become a leading voice on how lenders, borrowers, and appraisers can all benefit from smarter, more streamlined processes.

We dig into where the industry stands on UAD 3.6, the role of GSEs in shaping modernization efforts, and what lenders should expect as appraisal technology evolves. From policy shifts to practical adoption, Ashlee brings a candid perspective on how valuation is changing—and why the right innovations could unlock speed, accuracy, and better outcomes across the mortgage ecosystem.

On this week’s The Big Picture, Jennifer McGuinness, CEO of PIVOT Financial, joins the show to talk about capital markets, liquidity, and what it takes to build smarter, more resilient mortgage platforms. With more than two decades of experience across Wall Street and the mortgage industry, Jennifer has earned a reputation as one of the most innovative voices in the market.

We dig into her career journey before launching Pivot, which spans  from origination to servicing and legal, then to Deutsche Bank. She also has sat in hedge funds and REIT's,  in such capacities as the Head of the Deal Team for the 1st Hedge Fund Issuer of Residential Mortgage Backed Securities with a AAA rating, collateralized by newly originated loans, as well as  being instrumental in creating the single family rental asset class and DSCR loan programs. She also brought the first secondary market tradable 1st lien HELOC Product to market, removing the "old school" sweep account structure and designing a custom servicing structure. She’s redefining how nonbank lenders access funding and product diversity, while insulating risk. Jennifer shares her perspective on today’s secondary market, the role of securitization in expanding credit, and what the future of liquidity could look like for lenders of all sizes. It’s a sharp, practical conversation from someone who has been at the forefront of  housing for years.

On this week’s The Big Picture, Mark McArdle, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Relations, Public Policy and Stakeholder Engagement at Newrez, joins the show to share his perspective on housing policy, regulation, and what it all means for the mortgage market. With more than two decades of experience in government and financial services, including senior roles at the CFPB and U.S. Treasury, Mark brings a rare insider’s view on how policy gets made and how it impacts lenders and borrowers alike.

We dig into his years at the CFPB, from overseeing Qualified Mortgage rules to navigating mortgage policy through the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as his work at Treasury on TARP and foreclosure prevention programs. Now at Newrez, he talks about bridging the gap between policy and practice, and why regulatory clarity will be key to the industry’s future. It’s a thoughtful, candid conversation with one of housing finance’s most seasoned policy experts.

On this week’s The Big Picture, Kevin Peranio, Chief Lending Officer and Partner at PRMG, joins the show to talk lending, leadership, and how mortgage companies can adapt to today’s shifting market. From balancing technology and customer experience to keeping teams motivated through volatility, Kevin brings an inside look at what it takes to steer one of the industry’s fastest-growing lenders.

We dig into PRMG’s growth story, why accountability and innovation remain core to its culture, and what Kevin sees as the biggest opportunities for brokers and bankers alike. A four-time president’s cabinet member and national speaker, he offers candid insights on navigating cycles, modernizing lending, and leading with purpose in a rapidly evolving mortgage landscape.

On this week’s The Big Picture, Jim Parrott, former senior housing adviser in the Obama White House and current nonresident fellow at the Urban Institute and owner of Parrott Ryan Advisors, joins the show to cut through the noise on housing policy and the mortgage market. With deep experience shaping housing strategy at the highest levels of government, Jim brings a candid perspective on where policy is headed and what it means for lenders, borrowers, and the broader economy.

From the Fed’s cautious stance to the future of housing affordability and the regulatory debates shaping mortgage finance, Jim offers clear-eyed insights grounded in decades of experience inside Washington and beyond. Whether you’re trying to understand how today’s legislative fights could reshape tomorrow’s market or just want a sharper read on the policy landscape, this conversation delivers the kind of context only Jim can provide.

On this week’s Big Picture, Dave Savage, founder of Mortgage Coach and Chief Growth Officer at TrustEngine, joins Rob and Rich to talk about the future of advice in lending, financial literacy, and how technology is reshaping the role of originators. With nearly three decades in the business, Dave has interviewed more than 1,000 top producers and turned Mortgage Coach into the industry’s go-to platform for borrower education.

We dig into why he believes technology won’t replace loan officers, but those who master it will, and how data-driven insights can turn mortgage professionals into lifelong advisors. From tackling the financial literacy gap for first-time buyers to his work with FirstHome IQ, Dave shares his vision for empowering both consumers and originators alike and why having fun and playing loose may be the most underrated strategy in the industry.

On this week’s The Big Picture, Chase Gilbert, CEO and co-founder of Built Technologies, joins the show to talk with Rob and Rich about construction finance, housing and why Nashville’s skyline of cranes says a lot about where the market is headed. From billion-dollar stadium projects to the everyday challenges lenders and builders face, Chase breaks down how technology is reshaping one of the most old-school sectors of real estate.

We dig into how Built has helped financial institutions manage more than $400 billion in construction funding, what’s really driving demand in markets like Nashville, and why smarter, more transparent lending processes could be the key to unlocking housing supply. It’s a sharp, forward-looking conversation on construction, capital, and the future of housing finance.

Katie Sweeney, EVP of Broker Strategy & Advocacy at Rocket Mortgage, joins Rob and Rich on this week’s episode of The Big Picture as mortgage rates hit their lowest point in nearly a year, the trigger leads bill clears Congress, and bipartisan housing legislation gains momentum. She breaks down what these developments really mean, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how the trigger leads bill made it across the finish line and what’s next on the policy front.

Sweeney shares her perspective on who’s truly gaining ground in the current market—brokers, bankers, or depositories—and whether advocacy and technology are finally working in sync. Packed with insider insight and clear-eyed analysis, this episode delivers a timely read on the housing market’s shifting mood and the forces shaping its next chapter.

The Fed held steady again this week, sparking debate over whether it's strategic patience or just another missed layup. Rich and Rob break it all down with their usual mix of insight and exasperation—then tag in recurring guest (and unofficial capital markets therapist) Chris Bennett of Vice Capital Markets to make sense of the economic data flood.

From GDP and jobs to PCE and Powell’s carefully curated nothingburger of a statement, Chris walks us through what actually matters—and what it all means for mortgage rates. With over $1 trillion in MBS trades under his belt and a reputation for clarity in the chaos, Chris delivers the goods with his signature blend of sharp analysis, dry wit, and just enough existential dread to keep things interesting.