What would you do if your future felt like a coin flip?

In this powerful episode of The Lofty Lender, Kyle Guldenpfennig (#TallMoneyMan) sits down with Zach Smith—loan officer, zookeeper, and son of Eric Smith, who recently shared his own journey with Huntington’s Disease. Zach opens up about what it’s like living with a 50/50 genetic chance of developing HD, how his uncle’s symptoms shaped his understanding of the disease, and the tough decisions he’s made around career, family, and financial planning.

From a red light incident that seemed like a joke at the time… to realizing it was something much more serious… to navigating whether or not to get tested himself—Zach’s story is one of courage in the face of uncertainty.

🎧 If you missed it, listen to Eric’s story in Episode 47 for full context.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Huntington's Disease

01:55 Family Experiences with HD

04:04 Education and Understanding HD

06:57 The Impact of Diagnosis

10:50 Future Perspectives on HD

14:52 Career Choices and HD

20:14 Testing and Family Planning

23:18 Financial Planning and Health Insurance

25:38 Courage and Family Dynamics

29:53 Community Involvement and Advocacy

31:18 Advice for Those Affected by HD

💙 Learn how to support HD awareness, get involved with local events, and why it’s more important than ever to live fully—even when the future is unknown.

➡️ Subscribe to The Lofty Lender and search #TallMoneyMan wherever fine podcasts are downloaded.

#HuntingtonsDisease #TheLoftyLender #TallMoneyMan #HDStrong #FacingTheFuture #ZachSmith #Podcast #MidwestFamilyLending #RareDiseaseAwareness #LiveFully

Buying a home is just the beginning — what comes next is where real ownership begins. In this episode of The Lofty Lender Homebuyer Education Podcast, Kyle Guldenpfennig (#TallMoneyMan) is joined by Charlie Chedester to unpack the real-life lessons of home maintenance. From the importance of seasonal checklists to the unexpected costs of skipped chores (spoiler: Kyle’s carpet regrets and a leaky water heater), this episode is packed with practical advice, personal stories, and laughs.

Learn why home inspections matter, what tasks to never ignore, and how to get ahead of maintenance in a market facing shortages and rising prices.

🎧 Tune in now to learn:

• Why maintenance beats repairs every time

• Common mistakes new homeowners make

• How to stay ahead of unexpected expenses

• Simple hacks for keeping your home in tip-top shape

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Home Maintenance

02:54 Understanding Home Inspections

05:30 The Role of Insurance and Warranties

08:13 Daily Maintenance Duties

11:07 Seasonal Maintenance Checklists

13:57 The Importance of Regular Cleaning

16:32 Final Thoughts on Home Maintenance

📲 Search The Lofty Lender with #TallMoneyMan wherever you listen to podcasts and don’t forget to subscribe!

In this episode of The Lofty Lender, Kyle Guldenpfennig—aka #TallMoneyMan—is joined by business partner Charlie Chedester to tackle some of the biggest myths first-time homebuyers believe.

From the dangers of house shopping without a pre-approval, to the false idea that owning a home is just like renting, to the myth that you can perfectly time the market, Kyle and Charlie break it all down with real stories, practical advice, and a little humor.

You’ll also get an update on current housing market trends, how rising interest rates are impacting buyers, and actionable steps to prepare for your first home purchase—without stress.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Homebuyer Education

02:10 Debunking First-Time Homebuyer Myths

06:00 Understanding Hidden Costs of Homeownership

07:28 Timing the Market: Myths and Realities

10:18 Current Market Trends and Strategies

14:55 Actionable Takeaways for First-Time Buyers

🎧 Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts.
💬 Got questions? Reach out to Kyle at 319-850-2435.
📲 Search The Lofty Lender and follow #TallMoneyMan for more!

In this deeply personal and courageous episode of The Lofty Lender, Kyle Guldenpfennig (#TallMoneyMan) sits down with his friend and colleague, Eric Smith, to share Eric’s journey with Huntington’s Disease (HD)—a rare, inherited brain disorder that impacts mood, movement, and mind. Eric opens up about the moment his family discovered the disease, his decision to undergo genetic testing, how he broke the news to his sons, and the emotional toll of knowing what lies ahead.

More than just a story of diagnosis, this episode is about family, strength, preparation, and hope. Eric is participating in clinical trials, advocating for awareness, and pushing for a better future—not only for his children, but for everyone impacted by HD.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Huntington's Disease

01:26 Eric's Personal Journey with HD

10:05 The Decision to Get Tested

17:41 Receiving the Diagnosis

23:27 Telling the Family

26:56 Coping with the Reality of HD

33:05 Maintaining a Positive Mindset

34:27 Advice for Those Affected by HD

39:28 Getting Involved and Raising Awareness

🎧 Listen in for an emotional, eye-opening conversation you won’t forget.

🔗 Learn more or get involved at HDSA.org
📍Visit us at MidwestFamilyLending.com > MFL Cares
🔍 Find more episodes by searching The Lofty Lender or following #TallMoneyMan wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of The Lofty Lender, Kyle #TallMoneyMan sits down with Murphy Boley of Re/Max Concepts, a Des Moines-area real estate agent who turned her psychology background into a secret weapon for success. From mastering client relationships to staging homes like a pro, Murphy shares how empathy, energy-matching, and social savvy help her serve buyers and sellers at every life stage.

Plus, we dive into fun personal stories—including the time her Labradors staged a snow mound jailbreak—and get her top advice for sellers in today’s more balanced market.

🎧 Tune in for laughs, insights, and powerful takeaways—whether you’re buying, selling, or just love a good story.

👇 Subscribe to The Lofty Lender and follow #TallMoneyMan wherever you get your podcasts!

Are you self-employed and wondering if you can qualify for a mortgage? You're not alone—and the good news is YES, you absolutely can. In this episode of The Lofty Lender, host Kyle Guldenpfennig (aka #TallMoneyMan) teams up with fellow mortgage pro Charlie Chedester to debunk common myths and share real-world strategies for self-employed borrowers. 💼🏠

Whether you're running a side hustle, freelancing full-time, or building your own business empire, this episode is packed with tips on:

• What documents you really need

• Why some lenders give bad advice (and how to avoid them)

• The difference between traditional and non-QM loan options

• How to work with your CPA to avoid mortgage roadblocks

• Real success stories from self-employed clients

It may not be easy, but it's 100% possible—with the right team on your side.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Self-Employment in Home Buying

02:30 Debunking Myths About Self-Employed Borrowers

05:28 Advocating for Self-Employed Clients

08:12 Exploring Unique Mortgage Products

11:02 Actionable Takeaways for Self-Employed Buyers

🎧 Subscribe now and listen wherever fine podcasts are downloaded.
📲 Watch the full episode on YouTube and follow #TallMoneyMan for more expert mortgage tips.

In this episode of The Lofty Lender, Kyle Guldenpfennig (#TallMoneyMan) sits down with Krisanne Colby, a former physical therapist turned top-tier real estate agent in Des Moines. Krisanne shares how her small-town Iowa roots and two decades in physical therapy helped shape her approach to real estate—centered on care, connection, and community.

From the challenges of switching careers to the joys of building lifelong client relationships, Krisanne’s story is packed with wisdom, inspiration, and plenty of laughs. Plus, she gives us the inside scoop on the Homeownership for Women (HOW) program, her favorite Des Moines hotspots, and her secret weapon for staying active and grounded.

Whether you're a first-time buyer, real estate enthusiast, or just love a good success story—you don’t want to miss this episode.

🎧 Search The Lofty Lender with #TallMoneyMan wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode of The Lofty Lender Podcast, host Kyle Guldenpfennig aka #TallMoneyMan, sits down with powerhouse Realtor Mariah Klemp, whose real estate journey started at just 8 years old with newspaper home plans and a big dream.

Now with over 12 years of real estate experience in both Minnesota and Iowa, Mariah shares how she turned childhood passion into a thriving business, why she believes in doing the right thing (always), and how she balances high-level hustle with healthy boundaries.

From first-time homebuyer tips, open house strategies, and DIY renovations to building trust with clients and protecting your peace — this episode is packed with value for both agents and homebuyers.

📍 Topics include:

• Breaking into real estate as a young agent

• Building client relationships that last

• Renovating a 100-year-old home

• Work-life balance in a 24/7 industry

• What truly sets a great Realtor apart in a competitive market

🎧 Subscribe and listen now to The Lofty Lender with #TallMoneyMan on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever fine podcasts are downloaded.

Credit score confusion? We’ve got you covered.
In this value-packed episode of The Lofty Lender podcast, Kyle Guldenpfennig aka #TallMoneyMan teams up with mortgage expert Charles Chedester to break down everything you need to know about credit scores, credit coaching (not credit repair!), and how to position yourself for mortgage success.

You'll learn:

> The 5 key factors that make up your credit score

> Why Credit Karma doesn't tell the whole story

> How timing your credit card payments can boost your score

> What NOT to do before applying for a mortgage

> Actionable credit tips for first-time buyers, investors, and move-up buyers

Whether you're starting your homebuying journey or looking to level up your financial game, this episode is loaded with insights you won't want to miss.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to The Lofty Lender wherever fine podcasts are downloaded.

📲 Follow Kyle on all platforms @TallMoneyMan

#CreditScoreTips #MortgageEducation#HomeBuyingTips #CreditRepair #TheLoftyLender #TallMoneyMan #FirstTimeHomebuyer#CreditKarma #FICOScore

Transparency is key when it comes to buying or selling ahome! In this episode of The Lofty Lender, Kyle Guldenpfennig (#TallMoneyMan) and Charlie Chedester dive into the importance of full disclosure—what buyers need to tell their lenders, what sellers must reveal about their property, and why honesty protects everyone involved.

From undisclosed side jobs to hidden foundation issues, webreak down real-life stories and explain how failing to disclose the right information can lead to legal trouble, loan delays, and major headaches. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, investor, or seller, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the real estate process smoothly.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to The Lofty Lender wherever fine podcasts are downloaded! #TallMoneyMan #RealEstate #MortgageTips