AIME Podcast Network

What if the key to growing your business wasn’t chasing numbers, but building a foundation that actually supports you as a human? In this episode, Melissa Rifai sits down with Sarah Engstrom, owner of Oasis Mortgage Group, to talk about her journey from loan officer assistant to brokerage owner. Sarah spent the first 20 years of her career with the same company before a pivot forced her to take a leap. She gets candid about the fear of leaving, the stress of building something new while still producing, and the moment she realized she could do things her own way. She opens up about the coaching that changed her perspective, why she starts her day with stillness before opening her inbox, and how she crafted a business around referrals, repeat clients, and genuine human connection. She also shares the story behind Lend4Good, her incredible program that has donated over one hundred thousand dollars to animal rescues, which you can learn more about and support here: https://www.lend4good.com/ Subscribe to our channel and join the movement! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. #WMN #WomenInMortgage #Authenticity #BrokerOwner #ReferralBusiness #Lend4Good #WomenInLeadership #Empowerment #BrokersAreBest #AIME #Podcast #Network #MortgageJourney The post Women’s Mortgage Network Podcast: Episode 33 appeared first on AIME.

Episode 81: Conference Season Takeaways Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager. In this episode, Jonathon and Tommy wrap up the conference season with honest takeaways from a full year of events. They discuss what loan officers actually want to hear, why rate talk falls flat, and what conference organizers should stop doing. Broker Buzz – Whether the forty year mortgage is actually coming, and why the math makes it a terrible idea for most borrowers. – How to finance two attached townhomes under a single deed, including why treating it as a two unit property may be the better path. – How to handle borrowers who take forever to send documents and then complain about delays, including the 24-hour expectation script that works. Sales Training | Set Document Expectations Upfront When a borrower takes forever to send documents and then complains about the timeline, the problem usually starts at the beginning. Jonathon shares the script he uses after the loan is written. He congratulates the client, tells them the easy part is over, and asks them to grab a pen and paper. He explains that underwriting appointments are scheduled and he needs documents within 24 hours. Then he mutes the phone and waits. If they say yes, he sends a text and email recapping exactly what they agreed to. If documents are late, he calls and asks what he can do to help. Set the expectation clearly, confirm the commitment, document it in writing, and follow up with kindness and accountability. Story Time | Active Cooperation and Collaboration  The fortune cookie this week calls for active cooperation in teamwork and collaboration. Jonathon shares a lesson from his mentor, who taught him that the two weakest forms of leadership are fear and competition, while the two strongest are cooperation and collaboration. Tommy connects it to AIME’s Pathway meeting and the weekly marketing co-working sessions where the team collaborates on branding, signage, and new podcast ideas. Getting people from different backgrounds aligned on a common goal can be hard, but it is the most powerful form of leadership. Listen wherever you get your podcasts Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes every week #MortgageBroker #SalesTraining #ConferenceSeason #Leadership #FortyYearMortgage #TwoUnitProperty #DocumentCollection #ActiveCooperation #Collaboration #Community #HousingMarket #RealEstate #Lending #BrokerCommunity #MortgageIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #BrokersAreBest #BrokerPowerUp #AIME #Podcast #Network The post Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 81 appeared first on AIME.

Episode 80: The WMN and VA Summits Debrief Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager. In this episode, Jonathon and Tommy take you behind the scenes of Fuse 2026, shining a spotlight on some of the best moments from the WMN and VA Summits and explaining what it takes to build an event of this scale. Broker Buzz – Which lead sources are actually worth the investment, including early funnels, live transfers, NerdWallet, and more. – Resources for passing the NMLS exam, including MLO Force and how to reach Nathan Knottingham directly. – Whether a self-employed borrower with only one year of tax returns can qualify for FHA or conventional, and the specific stipulations that make it possible. Fuse 2026 Debrief | The WMN and VA Summits The WMN Summit was standing room only this year, with a waiting list and an unforgettable denim and diamonds theme. The VA Summit brought hard hitting education, including Gay Veale’s powerful story about sacrificing time with her son to serve. Jonathon and Tommy break down the amount of work that goes into navigating 1200 people through the hotel efficiently and adapting the space to fit the AIME experience. It’s a unique look behind the scenes and serves as an effective reminder that these summits are built with intention and are only getting better. Story Time | Be on the Alert for New Opportunities  Jonathon reflects on spending a full day with his father for the first time in years, and how his relationship with his dad has deepened in his thirties. Tommy shares his own renewed connection with his father and the joy of getting out to sporting events with his wife. Opportunities aren’t always business deals. Sometimes they’re just moments with the people who matter most. Listen wherever you get your podcasts Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes every week #MortgageBroker #Fuse2026 #WMNSummit #VASummit #LeadGeneration #NMLSExam #MLOForce #SelfEmployedIncome #FHA #ConventionalLoan #HousingMarket #RealEstate #Lending #BrokerCommunity #MortgageIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #BrokersAreBest #BrokerPowerUp #AIME #Podcast #Network The post Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 80 appeared first on AIME.

In this week’s special episode, Samantha Shelton talks with Carol Pope, Andrea Nemetz, and Meghan Sarbo about their experience at the WMN Summit during Fuse 2026. They get honest about the nerves of walking into a room where you don’t know anyone, the way women tend to pick themselves apart on video, and why showing up as yourself is the real superpower. They also share the challenge that stuck with them and why the connections made in this community are the whole point. If you have ever been on the fence about showing up, this is the episode for you. Subscribe to our channel and join the movement! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. #WMN #WomenInMortgage #FuseRecap #Community #Authenticity #WomenInLeadership #Empowerment #BrokersAreBest #AIME #Podcast #Network #MortgageJourney The post Women’s Mortgage Network Podcast Special: Fuse 2026 Recap appeared first on AIME.

Episode 79: Know Thy Numbers Hosted by Jonathon Haddad, AIME’s Chairman & CEO, and Tommy Golightly, AIME’s Marketing Manager. In this episode, Jonathon and Tommy break down Know Thy Numbers, a framework for tracking the five metrics that tell you exactly where your business is succeeding and where it is falling apart. They also debrief on Fuse 2026 and why this year felt different for the AIME team. Broker Buzz – How to handle VA appraisal payments upfront, including the compliance requirements and who carries the risk. – Whether a borrower can change jobs before closing on a conventional loan without a pay stub, and the specific Fannie Mae guidelines for future income. – Whether to reach out on a Sunday evening when a purchase contract comes in, and why the answer is almost always yes. Sales Training | Know Thy Numbers Jonathon walks through five metrics that give you a complete picture of your business. Jonathon explains how each metric points to a specific problem, from communication issues to weak follow-up, and why most loan officers are guessing instead of measuring. If you do not know your numbers, you are guessing. And guessing is not consistent enough to reliably grow your business. Story Time | You Will Look Back on This Moment and Smile  Jonathon and Tommy take turns imagining where they will be a year from now, with Fuse in Denver, the podcast past one hundred episodes, and the AIME community stronger than ever Tommy shares that this was the first year he truly felt like part of the community, with members approaching him just to talk. The work can be challenging at times, but the moments are worth it in the end. One year from now, you will smile at what you built. Listen wherever you get your podcasts Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes every week Link to referenced guidelines available here: https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.3-03/employment-offers-or-contracts #MortgageBroker #KnowThyNumbers #SalesTraining #Fuse2026 #FuseDebrief #VAAppraisal #FutureIncome #FannieMaeGuidelines #SundayCalls #RateLock #HousingMarket #RealEstate #Lending #BrokerCommunity #MortgageIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #BrokersAreBest #BrokerPowerUp #AIME #Podcast #Network The post Broker Power-Up Podcast: Episode 79 appeared first on AIME.