The Brutally Honest Loan Officers: The Unfiltered Mortgage Minds

James Hackman’s Cold Call Success

In this episode of “The Brutally Honest Loan Officers: The Unfiltered Mortgage Minds,” Derick and Stephen sit down with James Hackman, a rising star in real estate who skyrocketed to success after getting licensed in 2021. James shares how his fearless approach to cold calling landed him a $3 million deal and the strategies he uses to stay consistent and motivated in a competitive industry. From building rapport with clients to overcoming rejection, James offers invaluable insights for anyone looking to level up their real estate game. Don’t miss this inspiring story of grit, determination, and making things happen!

Goals for 2025 – Write It, Achieve It!

In this reflective and forward-focused episode of The Brutally Honest Loan Officers: The Unfiltered Mortgage Minds, Derick Brown and Stephen Brock dive into the power of goal-setting just days before the new year. They explore why writing down your goals can increase your chances of success by 42%, backed by compelling research. The duo shares their own wins and lessons from 2024, including Stephen’s goal reflections and Derick’s journey of building diverse referral partnerships.
Whether it’s crushing professional milestones, improving personal habits, or leveling up in 2025, this episode provides actionable tips to turn aspirations into achievements. Tune in for inspiration, accountability hacks, and a brutally honest roadmap to start the new year strong.

2025 Mortgage Market Forecast: What Every Homebuyer and Loan Officer Should Know

n this episode of The Brutally Honest Loan Officers: The Unfiltered Mortgage Minds, Derick and Stephen take out their crystal ball to forecast the mortgage landscape for 2025. From economic shifts and interest rate trends to housing inventory and homebuyer demand, they tackle the key factors shaping the industry. Will rates stabilize? Will inventory challenges ease? What trends should loan officers and homebuyers prepare for? Tune in to hear their brutally honest insights, predictions, and strategies to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market.

Mastering the Chaos: Inside the Life of a Transaction Coordinator with Kerry Stafford

In this episode of The Brutally Honest Loan Officers: The Unfiltered Mortgage Minds, we’re joined by the one and only Kerry Stafford —  founder of Paperchain Transactions, and the ultimate transaction coordinator (T.C.) powerhouse. From managing deadlines to taming paperwork madness, Kerry shares how she keeps real estate deals on track and agents sane.
Hosts Derick and Stephen dig deep with Kerry on what it really means to be a T.C., how she balances it all, and how modern technology is shaping the future of real estate transactions. Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes of a smooth homebuying experience? This episode pulls back the curtain.
Kerry also spills on wild transaction stories, offers advice for agents and homebuyers alike, and reveals the one thing people always get wrong about her role. Whether you're an agent, a buyer, or just love a good behind-the-scenes industry breakdown, this episode is for you.
Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the best in the business

Christine Wilson: The Catalyst for The Brutally Honest Loan Officer Podcast

In this episode of The Brutally Honest Loan Officer Podcast, Stephen Brock and Derick Brown welcome the incredible Christine Wilson—a mentor, coach, and the inspiration behind this very podcast! Christine has been a dedicated Mortgage Advisor with The Mortgage Firm for over 17 years, growing her business across multiple states and earning over 1,000 5-star reviews.
As a Master Coach and leader in the mortgage industry, Christine shares how she helped Stephen and Derick launch the podcast during their time in her coaching program. She also dives into her journey, favorite client success stories, and advice for thriving in a challenging market. Whether you're a loan officer, realtor, or just looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with wisdom and laughs.
Tune in to hear how Christine's coaching sparked a partnership that’s still growing strong!

Don’t Delay Your Closing: How to Avoid Homebuying Pitfalls

In this episode of The Brutally Honest Loan Officers, Derick and Stephen tackle the critical factors that can derail your home closing—and how to sidestep them. From financial missteps and appraisal challenges to title issues and documentation delays, they share insider tips to keep your homebuying journey on track. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, this episode is packed with practical advice to ensure a smooth and timely closing. Don’t let avoidable mistakes cost you your dream home—tune in now!

Gratitude in Life and Business: A Thanksgiving Special

Welcome to a heartfelt episode of The Brutally Honest Loan Officer Podcast! With Thanksgiving around the corner, Stephen and Derick dive into the power of gratitude in life, work, and the ever-evolving mortgage industry.
In this episode, they share personal reflections on thankfulness—family, health, and the relationships that make the grind worthwhile. From meaningful client connections to exciting opportunities for growth, this conversation will inspire you to embrace a mindset of gratitude in every aspect of your journey.
Don’t miss this chance to pause, reflect, and celebrate the things that truly matter. Like, subscribe, and share your own reasons to be thankful—we’re grateful to have you here!

Time Blocking Secrets: Master Productivity as a Loan Officer!

Struggling to stay productive and end your day feeling accomplished? In this episode of The Brutally Honest Loan Officer Podcast, we’re diving deep into time blocking—the ultimate tool to organize your day, crush your goals, and create balance in your life.
💡 What you’ll learn:
How to create a "perfect week" tailored to your personal and professional goals
The importance of color-coding your calendar for clarity and focus
Strategies to balance family, work, and prospecting effectively
Real-world examples of how Stephen and Derek use time blocking to maximize success
Whether you're a loan officer, real estate agent, or anyone looking to boost productivity, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you succeed.

From Agent to COO: Jonathan Lickstein on Building Real Estate Success

In this episode of The Brutally Honest Loan Officer Podcast, Stephen Brock and Derek Brown sit down with Jonathan Lickstein, COO of LoKation Real Estate. Jonathan shares his unconventional journey from the Caribbean to COO, insights into building a solid support team in real estate, and tips for preparing your business for 2025. From busting industry myths to sharing personal stories of resilience, this episode is packed with wisdom for anyone in the real estate industry. Tune in to learn how to build a winning team that ensures client satisfaction and long-term success.

Top 10 Mortgage Myths Debunked: What You Need to Know!

Are you navigating the mortgage process and unsure what's fact or fiction? In this episode of The Brutally Honest Loan Officers Podcast, we debunk the top 10 mortgage myths that could be holding you back. From the belief that you need 20% down to misconceptions about pre-approvals and student loans, we set the record straight so you can move forward with confidence. Don't let misinformation keep you from achieving homeownership!