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Dismantling the Status Quo, One Episode at a Time.
The MLO Project is THE podcast for loan officers and industry professionals who are ready to evolve. We’re here to disrupt the old guard, break free from outdated norms, and deliver insights that actually matter.
Hosted by mortgage industry veterans Jason Frazier & Michael McAllister, The MLO Project promises No fluff. No clichés. Just real talk, fresh ideas, and actionable takeaways to elevate your career and the industry.
The MLO Project is presented by Empower LO
41 Episodes
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Send us a text In this special in-person episode of The MLO Project, Frazier and Michael sit down with Florida broker and First Coast Mortgage co-founder Jason Kindler, live from Idaho at the High Table mastermind. It’s a no-fluff conversation about leadership, building efficient operations, crushing limiting beliefs, and redefining what’s possible for mortgage companies heading into 2026. Kindler opens up about his personal and professional journey, including surviving the crash, getting sob...
Send us a text “Strike Rate, Stale Leads, and Regret” In this unfiltered episode of The MLO Project, Frazier and Michael go off the rails (and the map) with a fiery breakdown of one of the most neglected goldmines in the mortgage business: your damn database. Coming off the Accelerate session at Fuse, the guys break down why strike rate conversations are a no-brainer, why most LOs fumble their past client relationships, and why assuming someone else isn’t talking to your past client is the bi...
Send us a text In this high-energy episode of The MLO Project, Frazier and Michael come in hot fresh off AIME’s Fuse 2025, breaking down lessons, laughs, and the unexpected win of a 7:00 a.m. breakout session that packed the room. Michael shares the behind-the-scenes story of his first “legit” Fuse experience, the vibes-only navigation system through the Gaylord Opryland, and why his High-Level Blueprint session had brokers buzzing before the sun came up. This isn’t another tech talk — it’s a...
Send us a text Abdel Khawatmi didn’t just show up—he dropped a masterclass. From building a consumer-direct and partner-driven hybrid model, to running multiple AI-driven systems, to scaling a team while still showing up like a true operator, this episode is everything The MLO Project is about. Abdel breaks down exactly how he tracks every KPI in his business, uses social media as a brand amplifier (not a direct lead source), integrates AI like Fireflies, ChatGPT, Gamma, and Mortgage Coach t...
Send us a text After months of build-up, calendar mishaps, and playful trash talk, Luke Shankula finally joins Frazier and Michael on The MLO Project. This episode delivers on all fronts: insights, shade, real talk on AI, marketing, lead gen, and why most loan officers are misusing the tools that should be helping them win. The trio dives into why AI isn’t a magic wand, how bad sales habits get amplified by tech, and how Luke’s transition from “Loans on Demand” to marketing fundamentals is re...
Send us a text Episode Overview Hammer joins the MLO Project for what might be their most offensive (and honest) episode yet. From lock advice to social media strategy, Hammer breaks down what's actually working in today's market - and what's complete garbage. Key Topics Covered: The Rate Game (And Why You're Playing It Wrong) The Emotional Side of Home Buying Business Development Reality Check Social Media Strategy That Actually Works The Consistency Factor The Hard Truth About Discipline Co...
Send us a text Proactivity in Loan Origination: Stop Obsessing Over Rates In this episode of The MLO Project, hosts Frazier and Michael emphasize the importance of focusing on proactive, everyday actions over obsessing about fluctuating loan rates. They argue that industry success hinges on maintaining consistent communication with clients, having solid systems and processes in place, and focusing on long-term relationships rather than reacting to rate changes. Through lively discussion and ...
Send us a text In this episode of the MLO Project, hosts Frazier and Michael discuss the impact of media sensationalism, particularly focusing on a recent headline by HousingWire that inaccurately suggested that Equity Prime Mortgage (EPM) could no longer originate FHA loans. The hosts emphasize the importance of reading beyond headlines and understanding the broader implications of clickbait on both individual behavior and the mortgage industry. They also urge listeners to maintain focus on ...
Send us a text In this episode of the MLO Project, Frazier and Michael dive into the importance of community in the mortgage industry and announce the launch of MLO Hub - a new platform designed specifically for mortgage professionals to connect, learn, and grow together. The Community Problem Why Facebook groups aren't cutting it for professional growthThe challenge of siloed communities in the mortgage industryHow social media distractions hurt productivityThe need for focused, professional...
Send us a text Empowering Loan Officers with HighLevel CRM Solutions In this episode of the MLO Project, hosts Frazier and Michael dive deep into the benefits of using HighLevel CRM for mortgage professionals. They discuss the value of HighLevel as a single platform for managing leads, marketing, and daily workflows, aiming to make it the number one CRM in the mortgage industry. They also introduce HL4 (HighLevel for Mortgage Pros), a comprehensive support community for loan officers using H...
Send us a text In this episode of the MLO Project, Michael and Frazier are joined by special guest Darren "DC" Copeland, owner and founder of Summit Lending. The discussion covers a range of topics including overcoming obstacles, the importance of being coachable, and leveraging AI and modern marketing tactics to stay ahead. DC shares his insights from over 22 years in the mortgage industry, emphasizing the need for discipline, planning, consistent efforts, and the importance of personal bran...
Send us a text In this episode of the MLO Project, hosts Frazier and Michael dive deep into the topic of failure. They share personal stories of significant setbacks, exploring how these experiences have shaped their professional lives and perspectives. Frazier recounts the collapse of his business relationships and the subsequent reputational damage that forced him to rebuild from the ground up. Similarly, Michael shares his experience of getting expelled from college and the life-changing e...
Send us a text In this episode of the MLO Project, Frazier and Michael discuss the importance of loan officers niching down to maximize their expertise and business opportunities. They hit on common misconceptions about limiting income potential by focusing on a niche market. They share personal experiences and insights on how becoming an expert in a specific area can lead to broader business opportunities and industry recognition. Michael also touches on Empower LO's journey from being...
Send us a text In this episode of the MLO Project, hosts Frazier and Michael introduce exciting news about their new initiative, High Level for Mortgage Pros 2.0. The main discussion revolves around the top five essential marketing automations for mortgage professionals, emphasizing the importance of consistent follow-up and personalization. The five key automations include instant lead response, abandoned application reminders, pre-approval follow-up, Google review requests, and a long-term ...
Send us a text In this episode of The MLO Project, Michael sits down with Chris Lamm—a mortgage veteran out of Redding, California—for a raw, real-world conversation about what it takes to thrive in this business over the long haul. Chris shares how he broke into the game at 17, how he weathered the 2008 crash, and what’s kept him leveling up ever since. They dive into the gritty stuff—balancing work and family, the mental edge coaching provides, and why relationships still beat algorithms. C...
Send us a text In this episode of The MLO Project, Frazier and Michael discuss one of the most underutilized lead-gen strategies in the mortgage industry right now: webinars. They dive into how mortgage pros are using webinars to go direct-to-consumer, generate warm leads, and build real authority—without cold calling or spending a fortune. With tools like HighLevel making automation and follow-up simple, this isn’t just theory—it’s working in the field. They also preview an upcoming live web...
Send us a text In this episode of The MLO Project, Frazier and Michael McAllister go coast-to-coast—from Idaho to Georgia—to break down what’s really happening with Google Ads in the mortgage game. They tackle rising ad costs, how AI is changing search behavior, and why most LOs are wasting money on outdated strategies. If you’re not using long-tail keywords and thinking about conversions before clicks, you’re already behind. They also dive into the future of AI-powered ad platforms—and how t...
Send us a text In this episode of The MLO Project, Frazier and Michael take a flamethrower to the myths holding mortgage pros back. Think you need to wear a suit to be taken seriously? Wrong. Think only extroverts win? Nope. Think social media doesn't bring in deals? That’s outdated thinking. This episode is about killing the cookie-cutter advice that’s still floating around and replacing it with what actually works—authenticity, creativity, and confidence in your own style. Whether you're br...
Send us a text In this episode of The MLO Project, Frazier and Michael get real about the shift happening in the mortgage industry—and what it means for your mindset. They spotlight how newer loan officers, unchained from the “way it used to be,” are taking massive action and winning. Meanwhile, seasoned pros stuck in old habits are falling behind. The hosts break down why mindset resets are no longer optional and how experienced LOs can pivot to stay relevant and competitive. They also refle...
Send us a text In this episode of The MLO Project, Frazier and Michael dive into one of the biggest blind spots in the mortgage industry—tech adoption. They unpack why buying great tools isn’t enough if no one actually uses them. From top-down leadership buy-in to having internal champions (especially top producers), they share what it really takes to make tech stick in your company. The hosts also drop practical advice on how to keep momentum, create peer accountability, and leverage online ...
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