The CEO1440 Show

The Trigger Bill Won’t Save You — But This Will | With Jeff Londres, Co-Founder of Stikkum

Everyone’s cheering about the new Trigger Bill — but let’s be real… it doesn’t stop the big players from watching your clients.
While small brokers celebrate, Rocket, Mr. Cooper, and Chase are still inside the castle walls, tracking borrower behavior before most brokers even realize their client’s back in the market.
In this episode of The CEO1440 Show, Jeff Londres, Co-Founder of Stikkum breaks down how to fight back—using the same behavioral data that powers billion-dollar lenders.
We cover:
What the Trigger Bill actually changes (and what it doesn’t)
How the big banks still know when your client’s credit is pulled
The exact moment to re-engage before they apply somewhere else
How to protect your database and stop silent EPOs before they happen
If you’re tired of being reactionary and ready to get ahead of your next deal—this one’s for you.
Want to see how Stikkum can protect your book? Book a demo (link in bio)   https://stikkum.io/brokerbuilder/ and get 50% off the setup fee.
#CEO1440 #MortgageBrokerBuilder #Stikkum #TriggerBill #MortgageTech #ClientRetention #LoanOfficerLife

Chris Smith (The Conversion Code) Talks Mortgages, Marketing & The Future of Lead Conversion

Chris Smith — bestselling author of The Conversion Code, co-founder of Curaytor, and one of the top marketing minds in real estate — joins The CEO1440 Show to talk about how loan officers and agents can finally stop chasing leads and start building a brand that attracts them.
Chris has helped companies like dotloop (acquired by Zillow for $108M) and built Curaytor into an Inc. 500 SaaS powerhouse, growing it to eight figures in annual recurring revenue using the exact blueprint from The Conversion Code.
In this episode, we break down The Mortgage Conversion Code — what actually converts in 2025 — and why top producers are winning with content, systems, and brand, not cold calls and rate sheets.
 What You’ll Learn
Why brand is your real funnel — and how most LOs ignore it
How to help agents (instead of begging for business)
Facebook ad plays that actually convert listings to leads
The “CMA-a-thon” concept every LO should steal
Why doing things that don’t scale is the secret to scaling
How to turn clients into long-term referral sources
Why different is better than better — and how to make that your brand strategy
About Chris Smith
Chris Smith — also known as Conversion Chris — is a bestselling author, digital marketing expert, and speaker.He co-founded Curaytor, an Inc. 500 company helping real estate and mortgage professionals master lead generation and conversion.Before that, he served as a C-level executive at dotloop, helping lead its $108M acquisition by Zillow.
Chris has spoken at NYU, HubSpot INBOUND, and events with Gary Vaynerchuk, and his book The Conversion Code is required reading in marketing courses at Johns Hopkins University. His work has been featured in Adweek, Forbes, and Fortune, and his mission is simple — to help professionals stop chasing leads and start attracting clients.
Connect with Chris Smith
Website: theconversioncode.com
The Conversion Code (Book): Amazon Link
Join His Email List: conv.codes/email
Join His SMS List: conv.codes/text
Instagram: @chris_smth
TikTok: @conversioncodechris
Twitter/X: @chris_smth
LinkedIn: Chris Smith on LinkedIn
Facebook: facebook.com/conversioncodechris
Join The Mortgage Broker Builder Community
Get the tools, scripts, and systems to scale your mortgage business with confidence.Join free: MortgageBrokerBuilder.com/youtube
Listen to More Episodes
Watch, listen, and learn from the top minds in mortgage and real estate: 🎙️ The CEO1440 Show — Where Brand Meets Business.
#CEO1440 #ChrisSmith #ConversionCode #MortgageMarketing #MortgageBrokerBuilder #LoanOfficerLife #Curaytor #RealEstateMarketing #BrandOverLeads #MortgagePodcast

11,000 Seniors a Day = Untapped Deals. Reverse Mortgages Demystified | With Steve Wolf of V.I.P. Mortgage

Brokers: You’re sitting on reverse mortgage gold and not even looking.
Every single day, 11,000 Americans turn 65. Almost none of them are being pitched reverse mortgages. That’s insane when you realize most of them own homes, are sitting on massive equity, and are looking for options to improve their lifestyle without adding another monthly payment.    
So why are brokers ignoring this? Because too many still believe reverses are:
Confusing
Risky
Hard to close
Full of regulatory headaches
In this episode of The CEO1440 Show, I sat down with Steve Wolf (aka The Reverse Mortgage Wingman) from V.I.P. Mortgage to blow up those myths and show you how this misunderstood loan could add $20K+ to your quarterly income with just a few conversations.
Here’s what we cover inside:
Why brokers are sleeping on the biggest demographic shift in the market
How to start without extra licensing or certifications
What kind of borrower is the right fit (and who’s not)
Why reverse is the most regulated loan in the business—and why that’s a good thing
The entire process, simplified: from first convo to closing
How Steve acts as your personal closer + educator so you don’t need to know every detail
Steve has 50 years of mortgage experience, 20+ focused solely on reverse, and he’s still taking calls on Saturdays. This isn’t theory—this is a roadmap for adding high-margin deals to your pipeline while everyone else is chasing refis and rate shoppers.
If you’re serious about standing out in a crowded market, creating new income streams, and serving a massively underserved population, this episode is your playbook.
Connect with Steve:
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-wolf-1735a9161/
Phone 520-975-1900
Got questions about growing your business?
Join our free Mortgage Broker Builder community where brokers swap scripts, tools, and growth strategies.  Link in Bio
Or, schedule a call and we’ll look at what’s holding you back and build a simple plan to scale.
#CEO1440 #MortgageBrokerBuilder #ReverseMortgage #LoanOfficerLife #MortgageNiche #VIPMortgage #TheWolf #SeniorHomeLoans #BrokerTips

Why Loan Officers Don’t Need More Leads (They Need Predictive Analytics) | With Ethan Ewing of ProPair

What if more mortgage leads aren’t the answer?
In this episode of the CEO1440 Show, I sit down with Ethan Ewing, founder of ProPair, to break down why most loan officers are losing money chasing the wrong leads — and how predictive analytics flips the script.
We cover:
Why treating every lead the same kills conversions
How top producers use predictive analytics to close more with less
The truth about mortgage lead prioritization (and what most brokers get wrong)
How to build a CRM strategy that actually makes you money
If you’re a mortgage loan officer still relying on “first in, first out” lead handling, this episode will change how you work your pipeline.
Connect with Ethan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanewing/Check out ProPair: https://www.propair.ai/Join the Mortgage Broker Builder community:  https://app.themortgagebrokerbuilder.com/c/start-here
#CEO1440 #MortgageLeads #LoanOfficerLife #LeadConversion #MortgageMarketing #ProPair #PredictiveSales #MortgageTech

From Follow-Up to Follow-Through: Build a CRM That Actually Closes | With Deven Gillen of Hova Digital

Loan officers: Your company CRM is not going to save you.
This week I brought on Deven Gillen, founder of HOVA Digital, to talk about what’s actually working in marketing for mortgage pros—and what’s not.
Deven’s the real deal. He left a full-time job, started his own company, and now helps over 60+ loan officers build custom CRM systems designed to convert, not just “follow up.”
We broke down:
Why every LO needs to own their personal brand
How to use video to stay top of mind (and stop losing deals to forgetfulness)
The biggest mistakes LOs make when using CRMs
Why it’s not about doing “more”—it’s about doing the right things consistently
How to stop being just another drip campaign and start building connection
Deven’s not just a “CRM guy.” He’s a systems builder, a strategist, and he’s showing LOs how to scale without losing their voice or their time.
If your CRM feels clunky, lifeless, or like it belongs to your company more than it belongs to you—this is your episode. Let’s get your brand working for you.
You can check out what Deven’s doing at https://www.hovadigital.com/ — or message me and I’ll make an intro. He’s picky about who he works with, but if you’re ready to actually implement instead of “just thinking about it,” I’d highly recommend him.
#CEO1440 #MortgageMarketing #LoanOfficerLife #CRMforLOs #VideoMarketing #MortgageProspecting #MortgageBrokerBuilder #HOVA

Quilts to Closings: How Brenda Ratliff Reinvented Herself (and Her Business) | With Brenda Ratliff of Brick Financial Group

From quilting retreats to 100+ closings a year — Brenda’s story is wild.
My friend Brenda Ratliff ran a quilting empire (yes, quilting), became a little celebrity in her space, and then—walked away. Now she’s back in the mortgage game, quietly crushing 100+ deals a year, helping agents level up, and building something real again.
We talked:
Reinventing yourself
Closing a business (no one teaches this!)
Turning agents into consistent closers
Why being a REAL partner matters
Using AI to collapse time
What most LOs are still getting wrong
You want to win in 2025? Then start by listening to someone who’s done the hard things and STILL shows up.
Connect with Brenda on  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendaratliff/
#MortgageLife #RealEstatePodcast #BrokerBuilder #CEO1440Show #BrendaRatliff #MortgageTips #AgentGrowth #RealtorLife

The Smartest Mortgage Processor in the Room Isn’t Human: Meet Addy AI | With Michael Vandi of Addy AI

Loan officers, meet the AI tool that’s smarter, faster, and cheaper than your processor.
On this week’s episode of The CEO1440 Show, I sit down with Michael Vandi, founder of Addy AI, to break down how AI isn’t just “coming” for the mortgage industry—it’s already here. And if you’re not using it, you’re behind.
Addy isn’t a chatbot. It’s a fully agentic AI system that:
Scans and processes every doc from bank statements to gift letters
Flags income issues, missing docs, and inconsistencies—before you even look
Helps brokers retain business after close with post-funding AI engagement
Cuts down processing costs, boosts efficiency, and scales with you
 If you’re still spending 3 hours reviewing a file—or paying someone else to—you’re playing the wrong game.
Whether you’re a one-person shop or running a whole team, this episode is a masterclass in using AI to build a lean, modern, scalable mortgage machine.
Tag a loan officer or broker owner who needs to stop wasting time and start scaling.
Connect with Micahel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-vandi/
Check out Addy AI: https://addy.so/
#CEO1440 #MortgageTech #LoanOfficerTools #AddyAI #MortgageProcessing #MortgageBrokerBuilder #AutomationForLOs #MortgageEfficiency #FutureOfLending

What If You Could Clone Yourself & Make 1,000 Sales Calls a Day? You can with Helport | With Henry Do & Toby Song of Helport AI

What if I told you that you could duplicate yourself—and make thousands of sales calls a day?
Would you tell me I’m crazy?
Henry Do and Toby Song didn’t.
In fact, they built the machine that’s doing it right now… for loan officers like you and me.
Inside the episode:
How Helport’s AI assistant helps LOs talk like top producers—even if they’re brand new
Why outbound dialing still works when done right
How to build a 7-figure origination machine with data, AI, and VAs
Why mid-level LOs are in danger—and how to escape the squeeze
If you’ve got questions about Helport—or any other tech, tools, or widgets that could make your business run smoother—let’s talk.
Whether it’s CRMs, automations, AI, or just getting all the moving parts to work together so you can finally get your poop in a group, we’re here for it.
Hit up Mortgage Broker Builder—we love digging into this stuff and helping you put the puzzle together.
Connect with the guys on LinkedIn:
Henry Do: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrydo/
Toby Song: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobytailinsong/
Go visit Helport AI today: https://www.helport.ai/
#MortgageTech #AIForSales #LoanOfficerLife #BrokerMarketing #DataLeads #MortgageBrokerBuilder #CEO1440 #LoanOfficerCoaching #HelportAI

Not Just another Bridge Loan—Zoom Casa’s Buy Before You Sell is a Whole New Game | With Michael Ruiz

Most clients aren’t buying because they can’t sell.They’re sitting on equity. Paralyzed. Scared to list.
That’s where Zoom Casa steps in—and Michael Ruiz joins The CEO1440 Show to break it all down.
This is not your grandpa’s bridge loan. Zoom Casa gives you:
 A way to help clients buy before they sell
Access to equity up front
A second check after the home sells
Options for homes that need renovation, clean-up, or time
50-state availability—no licensing issues
And the best part? You bring this to your agent…
You win the relationship.
You get the deal.
You become the problem-solver they trust.
If you’ve ever lost a deal because the DTI didn’t work, or the seller was “waiting for rates to drop”—this episode is for you.
Connect with Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-ruiz-/
Check out Zoom Casa: https://zoomcasa.com/
#CEO1440 #ZoomCasa #BuyBeforeYouSell #BridgeLoanRevolution #RealEstateMarketing #MortgageBrokerBuilder #LoanOfficerLife #RealEstateHacks

You Don’t Have to Know Bridge Loans, Just Know You’re Losing to Them | With Peter Zomick of Arrival Home Loans

This isn’t a bridge loan—it’s a business generator.
Episode 23 of The CEO1440 Show is a breakdown of one of the most powerful tools you probably aren’t using: the Arrival Home Loans cross-collateral bridge loan.
So I brought back Peter Zomick, VP of Sales & Biz Dev at Arrival, to explain exactly how their modernized, private money bridge loan is helping loan officers and agents:
Let clients buy before they sell—without multiple loans or lowball offers
Solve for DTI issues, liquidity gaps, or last-minute conventional fallouts
Help buyers make non-contingent offers in low-inventory markets
Unlock cash from current equity—even before the home is listed
You can use this to save a deal, create more transactions, or simply not lose business you should be winning.
And you don’t need to be a bridge loan expert. Just be the one who knows it exists.
Tag a loan officer or real estate agent who needs to hear this.
Connect with Peter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-zomick-bba91811/
Check out Arrival Home Loans on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arrival-home-loans/
And watch FREE webinars on their YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@ArrivalHomeLoans/videos
#CEO1440 #BridgeLoanStrategy #RealEstateSuccess #MortgageBrokerBuilder #BuyBeforeYouSell #CrossCollateralLoans #LoanOfficerTools