The Loan Officer Podcast
This show makes the boring FUN! Imagine if Joe Rogan and Dave Ramsey had a baby. That’s this show! These guys teach the sh*t they don’t teach in school. Their goal is to simplify topics that range from personal finance, purchasing real estate & obtaining home loans to being a successful mortgage originator, running a business and finding success as a sales professional. The mission is simple; to invite you into the room where it happens. They strive to teach you how to create opportunities even when it can be a struggle to get your foot in the door...
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Mastering Real Estate: Four Essential Lessons for Investors and Flippers | Ep. 16
<p>In this episode of The DO Show, host Dustin Owen draws on more than two decades of hands-on experience in real estate investing and the mortgage industry to share invaluable, hard-earned lessons with his audience. Speaking candidly to both newcomers just starting their investment journey and seasoned investors looking to sharpen their strategies, Dustin breaks down four foundational principles that are crucial for long-term success: buy right, protect your margin, use debt wisely, and always manage risk. He delves into each principle with real-world examples and personal anecdotes, illustrating how these core concepts have shaped his own career and...
The Power of Personal Branding: Lessons from Neel Dhingra's Mortgage Journey | Ep. 600
<p>In this episode of The Loan Officer Podcast, host Dustin Owen sits down with Neel Dhingra at Mortgage Con 2026 for an in-depth and inspiring conversation. Neel opens up about his transformative journey, detailing how he went from feeling stuck and unfulfilled as a traditional loan officer to becoming one of the mortgage industry’s most recognized content creators and influential thought leaders. He shares candid insights into the challenges he faced early in his career, including moments of self-doubt and the struggle to stand out in a crowded market.</p> <p> </p> <p>Neel discusses the pivotal role that per...
From Loan Officer to Robot: Navigating the Future of Mortgage Careers | Ep. 599
<p>In this episode of "The Loan Officer Podcast," hosts Dustin Owen and John Coleman, joined by producer Karina Mojica, deliver an engaging blend of humor, real-world stories, and valuable industry insight. The episode kicks off with Dustin sharing highlights from his recent travels, including keynote speeches at major mortgage conferences and memorable encounters with industry leaders. He reflects on the fast-paced changes sweeping through the mortgage sector, emphasizing how technology, automation, and artificial intelligence are transforming everything from loan processing to client communication.</p> <p> </p> <p>Despite these advancements, the hosts stress that emotional intelligence, strong interpersonal skills, a...
The Best Strategies for Scaling Your Loan Origination Business Intentionally | Ep. 15
<p>In this episode of The DO Show, Dustin Owen shares hard-earned insights on intentionally scaling a loan origination business. Drawing from over 20 years of hands-on experience in the mortgage industry, he explains why crucial mindset shifts, operational thinking, clear processes, thorough documentation, and disciplined use of time are essential for achieving sustainable, long-term growth. Owen challenges common misconceptions about what it takes to expand a business, warning against the pitfalls of relying solely on personal effort or charisma to drive results. Instead, he emphasizes the necessity of building robust systems and repeatable frameworks that enable true scalability, allowing a...
Lessons Learned from a $1 Billion Business Partnership Journey | Ep. 598
<p>In this episode of the Loan Officer Podcast, host Dustin Owen sits down with Mike Smalley, a top-producing mortgage originator and former college baseball pitcher, for an in-depth and engaging conversation. Together, they reflect on Mike’s athletic background and how the discipline, teamwork, and competitive spirit he developed on the baseball field have contributed to his impressive career in the mortgage industry.</p> <p> </p> <p>Mike shares the story of his journey to surpassing $1 billion in career mortgage volume, highlighting the dedication, perseverance, and strategic thinking required to achieve such a milestone. The discussion delves into the 17-ye...
Can 401(k)s and 529 Plans Solve the Housing Crisis? | Ep. 597
<p>In this episode of the Loan Officer Podcast, hosts Dustin Owen and Laura Zuluaga, joined by producer Karina, kick things off with a lively recap of Laura’s recent trip to a New England Patriots playoff game. Laura shares her firsthand experience of the electrifying atmosphere at the stadium, from the pre-game tailgating festivities to the nail-biting moments on the field, while Dustin and Karina chime in with playful banter and questions about her favorite highlights and the fan culture she witnessed. After some lighthearted conversation, the hosts transition to the main focus of the episode: answering a series of...
How to Leverage AI and Automation for Explosive Growth in Mortgage Production | Ep. 596
<p>In this episode of the Loan Officer Podcast, host Dustin Owen sits down with Abdel Khawatmi, a top-producing mortgage loan officer based in New Jersey, for an in-depth conversation about success in the modern mortgage industry. Abdel shares his inspiring journey, detailing how he made the transition from a career in law to becoming a leading figure in the mortgage business. He explains the pivotal role that leveraging advanced systems, automation, and artificial intelligence played in rapidly scaling his business, resulting in a remarkable 30% increase in loan volume and an impressive 175% surge in overall profitability.</p> <p>Throughout the...
Why Hire a Virtual Assistant? Because Doing Everything Yourself is So Last Year! | Ep. 595
<p>In this episode of "The Loan Officer Podcast," host Dustin Owen interviews Juan Carlos Barreneche, a former top-producing realtor who now runs a successful staffing agency. Juan Carlos shares his inspiring journey from aspiring doctor to real estate standout, and now to helping mortgage and real estate professionals scale their businesses with virtual assistants.</p> <p>Dustin and Juan Carlos discuss the importance of time management and how delegating tasks to virtual assistants can free up time for business owners to focus on what matters most. They talk about building strong teams and overcoming growth challenges in the mortgage...
Stop Waiting: The Real Cost of Delaying Your Home Purchase
<p>In this episode of "The DO Show," mortgage expert Dustin Owen takes a deep dive into the popular advice often given to homebuyers: to "just wait" for the perfect time to purchase a home. Dustin challenges this conventional wisdom by highlighting the pitfalls of waiting on the sidelines, such as missing out on valuable opportunities, losing precious time, and potentially delaying important life milestones like starting a family, building equity, or settling into a community.</p> <p>He explains that while it’s natural to want to time the market perfectly, the reality is that predicting market highs and lo...
Agentic Agents & AI Tools Every Loan Officer Needs for 2026 | Ep. 594
<p>D.O. sits down with Legendary Mortgage President Mike Fitzpatrick for an in-depth conversation about technology and AI in the mortgage industry. Fitzpatrick shares his personal career journey from humble beginnings to leading a thriving mortgage division, including the pivotal role of operational mentors, leveraging social media, and how positivity drives success.</p> <p>Loan officer looking for a new place to call home? 👉 https://specials.lower.com/tlop </p> <p>D.O. and Mike dive into the future of lending, highlighting the rise of agentic agents and automation, crucial advice for loan officers, and specific AI tools already tra...
