Laugh, Lend and Eat

Fobby Naghmi
  • 5.0 (5)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Laugh, Lend, and Eat is where business meets banter. Hosted by Fobby Naghmi the show explores mortgage lending, leadership, fintech, and sales—with a side of humor and food talk. Known for his ability to ask candid, thought-provoking questions, Fobby creates a space where guests open up and real insights shine through. It's smart, relaxed, and made for professionals who want to grow, lead, and laugh along the way.

  1. 3D AGO

    70% of your cost problem isn’t the market… it’s you.

    While you're blaming the market… others are quietly winning. So what do they see that you don’t? In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat, I sit down with Melissa Langdale, Founder & CEO of Praxis, to break down one of the hardest truths in the mortgage industry right now: 👉 It’s not the market 👉 It’s not the rates 👉 It’s not the volume It’s how you’re running your business. We get into: Why the mortgage process was never rebuilt — only layered over How lenders are spending millions on tech… and getting less efficient Where AI is misunderstood — and how it will actually expose you The real reason cost to originate keeps rising The difference between reactive vs proactive prospecting And why trust will always outperform technology This conversation isn’t theory. It’s what’s actually happening inside mortgage companies today. If you’re a loan officer, branch manager, or leader trying to grow in this market… This episode might make you uncomfortable. But it will also make you better.

    54 min

  2. MAR 17

    Recruit the Loan Officer | Mortgage Recruiting Game Show

    What happens when you turn mortgage recruiting into a game show? In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat, we take a real-world recruiting conversation and flip it into a live, unscripted challenge: Can a recruiter successfully recruit a loan officer… on the spot? No scripts.No prep.Just raw, real interaction. And what unfolds highlights one of the biggest problems in the mortgage industry today. Mortgage recruiting strategies that actually work (and don’t) Why most loan officer recruiting conversations fail The biggest mistakes recruiters make when pitching compensation, rates, and benefits How to recruit loan officers in today’s competitive mortgage market The psychology behind why loan officers switch companies Leadership and communication gaps in mortgage recruiting Real talk on mortgage industry culture and hiring practices Most mortgage recruiting fails because it feels like a pitch. Top recruiters don’t lead with: compensation plans basis points rates They lead with understanding. Because loan officers don’t leave companies for better pitches…They leave for better alignment. If you are: a loan officer a branch manager a mortgage recruiter a sales leader in the mortgage industry This episode will give you a fresh perspective on what actually works in recruiting today. Laugh, Lend & Eat is a mortgage industry podcast focused on real conversations around leadership, recruiting, sales, and growth. Hosted by Fobby Naghmi, the show blends humor with practical insights for mortgage professionals navigating today’s market. mortgage recruiting, loan officer recruiting, mortgage podcast, loan officer career, mortgage leadership, mortgage sales, recruiting loan officers, mortgage industry trends, branch manager mortgage, mortgage business growth, loan officer tips, mortgage hiring strategies

    49 min

  3. MAR 10

    The Mortgage Industry Doesn’t Have a Product Problem. It Has a Trust Problem.

    What if the biggest challenge facing the mortgage industry isn’t rates, guidelines, or loan products—but trust? In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat, Fobby Naghmi sits down with Kristin Messerli, Executive Director of FirstHome IQ, to unpack the growing trust and knowledge gap between the mortgage industry and the next generation of homebuyers. Drawing from the FirstHome IQ Impact Report, Kristin shares eye-opening research about how Millennials and Gen Z approach homeownership—and why many are delaying one of the most important financial decisions of their lives. The conversation explores why today’s buyers feel overwhelmed by financial information, why so few trust industry professionals to guide them, and why the future of mortgage professionals may depend less on selling loans and more on educating and advocating for consumers. They also discuss Kristin’s work bringing mortgage professionals to Washington through industry advocacy efforts, and why loan officers may play a critical role in shaping housing policy and rebuilding confidence in homeownership. If the industry wants to reach the next generation of buyers, it may need to rethink what it means to be a trusted advisor. In This Episode Why the mortgage industry is facing a growing trust crisisThe surprising financial literacy gap among younger buyersWhy information overload causes people to delay buying homesThe difference between selling mortgages and educating consumersWhy loan officers may need to become community educatorsThe role mortgage professionals can play in housing advocacy and policy Key Takeaways Trust is the real barrier. Many younger consumers don’t lack motivation to buy homes—they lack confidence in who to trust for guidance. Financial literacy is missing. A large percentage of Millennials and Gen Z never received meaningful education about mortgages or homeownership before entering the housing market. Education builds business. Mortgage professionals who lead with clear, simple financial education can build stronger relationships and long-term referral networks. Advocacy matters. Loan officers who engage in housing policy conversations can help ensure lawmakers understand the real barriers borrowers face. Sign up here: https://www.firsthomeiq.com/mbaadvocacy About the Guest Kristin Messerli is the Executive Director of FirstHome IQ, a nonprofit focused on improving financial literacy and empowering the next generation of homebuyers. She is widely recognized for her research on Millennial and Gen Z homebuyer behavior and works with lenders and industry leaders to rebuild trust through education and community engagement. Connect With Laugh, Lend & Eat Follow the show for more conversations with leaders across mortgage, real estate, and financial services who are shaping the future of the industry.

    49 min

  4. MAR 4

    Ask Fobby Anything: Recruiting, Leadership & Mortgage Truths

    Most mortgage companies are making the same leadership mistake — and it’s costing them millions. In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat, we flipped the script and let the guests, Gabe Gillen, Wes Costello, and our favorite mortgage comic, Justin Neal, ask the questions in a segment we call Ask Fobby Anything. What followed was a mix of hard truths, leadership lessons, recruiting insights, and a few unexpected personal stories along the way. We dive into a controversial topic many companies avoid: why top producers don’t automatically make great branch managers. The skill set that makes someone elite at production is often the opposite of what’s required to build and lead a team. But that’s just the start. We also unpack the recruiting strategy that actually works — making the candidate the hero of the story, not the company or the recruiter. It’s a simple shift that changes everything when you're trying to attract the right talent. Along the way, we explore a deeper leadership question: What’s more dangerous in business — fear or ego? The answer might surprise you. And because this is Laugh, Lend & Eat, the conversation also wanders into favorite foods, podcasts, movies you can’t stop watching, and what happens when you suddenly realize how much work your spouse actually does when you’re running the household alone. This episode is part leadership conversation, part industry therapy session, and part unscripted fun. If you're a loan officer, branch manager, recruiter, or sales leader, there’s something here that will make you think differently about growth, leadership, and the stories we tell ourselves in business. 🎧 Listen to the full episode of Ask Fobby Anything now.

    39 min

  5. FEB 16

    What the Kitchen Taught Chef JJ About People, Pressure, and Leadership

    What does a peanut butter and jelly sandwich have to do with leadership? In this episode, we sit down with James Beard Award–winning chef JJ Johnson to explore leadership lessons learned not in boardrooms—but in kitchens. From managing high-pressure teams to creating safe spaces for employees, Chef JJ shares how the chaos of a restaurant teaches what corporate environments often miss: leadership is about people, culture, and emotional intelligence. We dive into: Why kitchens build better leaders than offices The emotional side of big decisions—food, money, and life A vulnerable leadership mistake that changed everything What respecting culture really means in business Why food is never just food Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, creative, or just someone trying to lead better in your own life, this conversation will shift how you think about leadership. Because at the end of the day, you’re not managing files. You’re leading people. 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, money, culture, and the human side of success.

    44 min

  6. FEB 2

    The Real Reason Deals Are Stalling in This Market

    The one contingency killing real estate deals right now isn’t interest rates—it’s the home-sale contingency.In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat, Fobby Naghmi sits down with Nick Friedman, President of HomeLight, to explain why buyers are still losing bids even as mortgage rates come down—and how solutions like Buy Before You Sell are helping buyers win in today’s housing market.Nick breaks down how HomeLight helps buyers unlock home equity, remove the home-sale contingency, and compete like cash buyers without waiting to sell first. The conversation covers buyer psychology, loan officer challenges, AI in mortgage approvals, and why certainty matters more than rates when sellers are choosing offers.If you’re a home buyer, loan officer, or real estate agent looking for ways to win more deals, this episode explains what’s really stalling transactions—and how HomeLight helps move them forward.👍 Support the ChannelLike, comment, and subscribe for weekly conversations on lending, leadership, and winning in today’s real estate market.⏱️ Episode Timestamps00:00 – Why lower mortgage rates haven’t fixed the market02:10 – Why the refi boom still isn’t coming05:05 – The real deal-killer: home-sale contingencies07:40 – Why buyers lose bids even with strong financing10:20 – Buy Before You Sell explained14:10 – How HomeLight helps buyers win bids18:00 – Why HomeLight is not an iBuyer21:30 – The loan officer problem: DTI, timing, and stalled deals25:20 – Certainty vs uncertainty in real estate offers28:40 – AI’s role in mortgage approvals and risk assessment33:30 – Founder lessons: mistakes, pivots, and leadership38:00 – Real-world deal nightmares and what they taught HomeLight41:20 – What’s next for HomeLight and home equity solutions🔑 Keywords mortgage rateshousing market 2025buy before you sellhow to win a home bidhome sale contingencyHomeLightreal estate podcastloan officer strategiesbuyers losing offerscash buyer alternatives

    41 min

  7. JAN 28

    The Fed, Politics, and a 10% Credit Card Cap — This Could Wreck Your Mortgage Pipeline

    In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat, we break down what’s really driving today’s mortgage market—and why the headlines aren’t telling the full story. We talk mortgage rate volatility, political pressure on the Federal Reserve, and the proposed 10% credit card interest rate cap that could unintentionally shut millions of consumers out of credit. We also explore how uncertainty impacts buyer psychology, why some markets are holding steady, and whether this moment actually presents opportunity for prepared buyers. The conversation shifts into loan officer reality—when producers really make moves, why frustration beats timing, and what top performers think about transitions differently. We wrap with a candid leadership discussion on accountability, improvement, and why “perfect” is the wrong target in mortgages. If you’re a loan officer, leader, or mortgage professional trying to make sense of the noise and protect your pipeline, this episode delivers real-world perspective without the hype.

    48 min

  8. JAN 14

    Why Most Mortgage Leaders Will Struggle in 2026

    Most mortgage leaders won’t struggle in 2026 because of interest rates, regulation, or technology. They’ll struggle because they fail to evolve how they lead people. In the Season 7 premiere of Laugh, Lend & Eat, the conversation challenges conventional thinking around leadership, retention, and AI in the mortgage industry. Instead of chasing trends or blaming the market, this episode focuses on the behaviors, decisions, and blind spots that will separate leaders who thrive from those who fall behind. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Why traditional management approaches are breaking down The hidden cost of ignoring retention How leadership behavior impacts stability and growth Why coaching and mentorship matter more than control The real role of AI in exposing value—not replacing people The mindset shift required to lead confidently into 2026 Key Leadership Insights As markets tighten, leadership gaps become obvious. The episode draws a clear line between managers who react and leaders who build systems that work. It explores why organizations focused only on recruiting often struggle with turnover, burnout, and inconsistency—and why long-term growth requires clarity, accountability, and trust. AI Isn’t the Threat—Weak Leadership Is AI is framed as a tool for leverage, training, and clarity. Used well, it amplifies strong leadership. Used poorly, it exposes the absence of direction, culture, and authentic value. Notable Quotes from the Episode “Managers blame people. Leaders fix processes.” — Fobby Naghmi “Retention is harder than recruiting—but it’s where real growth happens.” — Justin Neal “AI doesn’t replace people; it exposes who actually brings value.” — Ginger Bell “Fear is irrelevant and unhelpful.” — Eleni Theodorakis Why This Episode Matters 2026 will reward leaders who build people, not just pipelines. Those who fail to adapt will feel it first—in retention, trust, and performance. This episode sets the tone for Season 7 with honest leadership conversations rooted in experience, accountability, and long-term thinking. Follow Laugh, Lend & Eat on Spotify for more conversations on leadership, mortgage lending, and what it really takes to grow in changing markets.

    50 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Laugh, Lend, and Eat is where business meets banter. Hosted by Fobby Naghmi the show explores mortgage lending, leadership, fintech, and sales—with a side of humor and food talk. Known for his ability to ask candid, thought-provoking questions, Fobby creates a space where guests open up and real insights shine through. It's smart, relaxed, and made for professionals who want to grow, lead, and laugh along the way.

Information

  • Creator
    Fobby Naghmi
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    225
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Fobby Naghmi
  • Show Website
    Laugh, Lend and Eat