Videos

Get ready to kick off Season 4 of The MikedUp Show with an unmissable live stream featuring Stanley C. Middleman, Founder and CEO of Freedom Mortgage Corporation—one of the largest and fastest-growing full-service mortgage companies in the country. In this premiere episode, titled “Seeing Around Corners: Achieving Success in Life,”…

Join Mike Kelleher and Michael Zau for a dynamic live stream conversation with Greg Sher, an influential mortgage executive and 2024 HousingWire Vanguard winner. Greg’s storied career spans from launching his own correspondent lending operation to spearheading the growth of NFM Lending’s Influencer Division, Recruiting, and Marketing arms. He’s also…

In this compelling installment of The MikedUp Show, hosts Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau welcome Steven Plaisance, a transformational mortgage banking executive whose 35+ years in the industry have been fueled by a genuine passion for people, servant leadership, and strategic innovation. Aptly titled “Ambassador of Advocacy,” this episode goes…

Turning Advocacy Into Action

It’s time for a deep dive into MBA’s Independent Mortgage Bankers Conference 2025 (IMB25)—and your hosts, Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau, are back to share all the game-changing highlights on this latest episode of The MikedUp Show! Recorded right after the biggest annual gathering of IMBs in Austin, Texas, this…

In this special MikeDrop episode of The MikedUp Show, hosts Mike and Mike take you on a lively tour of the fix & flip landscape—complete with “Caddyshack” references, tongue-in-cheek jabs at country club culture, and a clear path to unlocking lucrative origination opportunities. They’re joined by the incomparable Shelley Duffy,…

The mortgage industry is rapidly evolving, and as we step into 2025, it’s clear that purchase transactions will dominate the landscape. In this dynamic MikeDrop episode, we distill the key takeaways from our conversation with Terry Aikin, Managing Director at MGIC Mortgage Insurance, into bite-sized, actionable insights. With over 38…

When wildfires hit Los Angeles, you don’t have to navigate the insurance maze alone. Courtney Thompson highlights the California Department of Insurance website as a must-visit hub: insurance.ca.gov. Here, you’ll find step-by-step guides on filing claims, documenting your losses, and more. Instead of sifting through random sites for answers, you…

After a major fire, payment relief can be a lifeline. Courtney Thompson underscores the value of forbearance, which pauses or reduces your mortgage payments while you sort out insurance claims. This can buy you time to handle immediate needs—like finding temporary housing or repairing damage—without worrying about an upcoming mortgage…

Your mortgage servicer is the company you send payments to each month, and they’re your top priority after a wildfire. As Courtney Thompson explains, these servicers must follow specific guidelines in disaster situations. By contacting them, you can find out about forbearance or other payment relief options suited to your…

Los Angeles homeowners impacted by the recent wildfires often expect immediate offers of help. However, no one will simply call with a ready-made solution—you have to take the first step. Courtney Thompson stresses the importance of proactive communication with your mortgage servicer and insurance company. These are the parties who…

This week’s MikeDrop episode captures the essence of a powerful and inspiring conversation with Stephen Moye, Senior Loan Officer and Sales Manager at New American Funding. Known for his outstanding achievements—including recognition as a Scotsman Guide Top Loan Originator and Mortgage Executive Magazine Top 1% Originator—Stephen brings a wealth of…

The final MikeDrop of the year is here, and it’s a special one! Join us for Year Rewind Part 2, where we revisit some of the most impactful moments from The MikedUp Show in 2024. This Mortgage Decrypt episode is a carefully curated collection of insights, advice, and inspiration from…

n this week’s MikeDrop, Eddy Perez, CEO of Equity Prime Mortgage, delivers a concise and compelling message for mortgage professionals as they prepare to face 2025. Using the metaphor of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Eddy challenges viewers to stop "playing reindeer games" and instead embrace their unique strengths to lead…

It’s been an unforgettable year for The MikedUp Show and our MikeDrop episodes. As we enter the home stretch of 2024, we’re bringing you a special Year Rewind: Part 1, highlighting the best moments and insights from some of this season’s top guests. In this action-packed episode, we revisit the…

In this dynamic MikeDrop recap, we distill the key highlights from our full conversation with Jim Clapp, Chief Lending Officer at Assurance Financial. With decades of experience and a deep understanding of the mortgage industry, Jim delivers actionable insights for navigating the current transformative period in lending. We spotlight Jim’s…

In this week’s MikeDrop episode, we sat down with James Dwiggins, CEO of NextHome Inc. and the co-founder of the groundbreaking app Rayse, to dive into the evolving real estate landscape and explore how agents can thrive in a competitive market. With over two decades of experience revolutionizing real estate,…

Dive into the fascinating world of residential transition loans, more commonly known as fix-and-flip mortgage loans, in this week's episode of Mortgage Decrypt. Hosted by Michael Zau, this episode unpacks everything you need to know about this niche mortgage product designed to help investors purchase, renovate, and quickly sell properties.…

In this week’s MikeDrop episode, we feature a powerful conversation with Leora Ruzin, Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) and Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP), who brings over 15 years of experience, knowledge, and passion to the mortgage industry. Leora is the Founder of Ruzin Creative, LLC, and is widely recognized for her…

In this week’s MikeDrop, we’re condensing an insightful conversation with John Toohig, Managing Director at Raymond James and a distinguished leader in the world of whole loan trading. John joined us after the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) National Convention in Denver, Colorado, bringing with him both an optimistic outlook and…

In this week's special MikeDrop episode, we capture key highlights from our interview with Keith Canter, CEO of First Community Mortgage. Keith, with his 25+ years in the mortgage industry, shares his journey from starting as an independent mortgage banker to leading a respected nationwide lender that values people and…

This week on The MikedUp Show, we sit down with Keith Canter, CEO of First Community Mortgage (FCM), a mortgage industry leader known for combining growth with a commitment to people. Keith shares invaluable insights into the journey of evolving from a small mortgage brokerage to one of the most…