The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast

Shayla Gifford

What if the mortgage business could be more simple and fun? What if you could double and triple and quadruple your results with less complexity and less stress – and without the sales roller coaster?  I'm Shayla Gifford and this is The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast. If you're a loan officer looking to sharpen your skills, grow your pipeline, and get fired up – you're in the right place. We bring you interviews with top performing loan officers, my personal insights, and success stories from within my Catalyst Coaching community. I've spent my entire career as a loan officer and helping loan officers. So I know you, I've been you. And now – I want to help you master your craft, dominate the mortgage game, and build a life and business that thrives. So...are you ready to be a Rainmaker? Let's do this!

  1. 4d ago

    The Hot Seat with Art Shalomov & Tanya Brown

    What if you could sit in on a real coaching call and hear exactly what’s keeping another Rainmaker stuck? Hey there, Rainmakers! Today, I’m pulling back the curtain and letting you inside two real one-on-one coaching conversations with Art Shalomov and Tanya Brown, two students in my Catalyst coaching program. This is The Hot Seat. No polished interview. No prepared answers. Just real loan officers bringing me the real stuff happening inside their businesses—and us coaching through it together. Art came to me overwhelmed by all the things he thought he needed to do to stand out. We unpack the mindset shift that helped him rediscover his confidence, lean into being a trust builder, and double down on a simple relationship strategy that has him on pace to nearly double his production. Then Tanya gets in the hot seat with a completely different challenge: building the habit of prospecting. She knows she’s good at it when she does it, but staying consistent while serving clients and running her business is another story. We break down what’s working, what keeps pulling her away, and how to protect the Rainmaker activities that actually grow the business. As you listen, I want you coaching yourself right alongside Art and Tanya. Because their challenges may look different from yours, but there’s a good chance something said in these hot seats is exactly what you need to hear. Key Insights Your greatest differentiator might be the trust you build, not another productStop trying to be someone else and double down on what makes you great.Sales is a numbers game, so keep filling the top of your funnel even when business gets busy.Prospecting works when you protect it instead of waiting until you feel motivated to do it.You don’t have to do everything to grow your business. You have to consistently do what matters most.Ask yourself what you would bring to the hot seat because that may be exactly where your next breakthrough begins. Are you ready to make it rain? Let’s do this! Guest Links Art Shalomov Website: https://crosscountrymortgage.com/phoenix-az-4639/arthur-shalomov/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artshalomov/ Tanya Brown Website: https://preferredrate.com/loan-officer/tanya-brown/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyabrown14/ PLUS! Do you want to be in the Hot Seat?Got a sales challenge, mindset block, leadership question, or growth decision you’re wrestling with? Send Shayla your question by video, audio, or in writing, and it could be featured in an upcoming Hot Seat episode. Submit your question: https://kprpwoltlbp.typeform.com/to/WC24kOIK Submit a question: https://kprpwoltlbp.typeform.com/to/WC24kOIK Take my Sales Archetype Quiz: https://quiz.shaylagiffordcoaching.com/ Nominate someone to be on the podcast: https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/ Connect with Shayla: https://www.instagram.com/shaygiff/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayla-gifford-3019396/ Show Links: https://shaylagifford.com/ https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/ https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/ Guild Mortgage: https://www.guildmortgage.com/

  2. Sep 2

    From Recovery to Rainmaker: How Anne Solano Rebuilt Her Life and Mortgage Business

    What happens when you stop trying to look like a loan officer—and start showing up fully as yourself? Hey there, Rainmakers! Anne Solano went from losing everything and rebuilding her life in recovery to becoming one of the most exciting new loan officers I’ve watched enter this business. In her first full year, Anne closed 42 loans with 25 different Realtors referring her business. And she didn’t do it with some complicated sales strategy. She showed up relentlessly, built genuine relationships, found difficult loans other people didn’t want, shared her wins, and became known as someone who genuinely gives a damn. In this episode, we break down how Anne built momentum so quickly, why doing the hard work upfront protects your reputation, and what happens when you stop hiding your weirdness and bring your full energy into every room. Key Insights Consistency and genuine curiosity can outperform a perfect sales pitch.Find the deals other loan officers avoid and become known for solving them.Do the work upfront so your pre-approvals are as strong as possible.Share your wins so Realtors understand exactly what you can solve.Bring value, energy, and something memorable every time you walk into a room.Stop hiding what makes you different. Being fully yourself might be your greatest advantage. Are you ready to make it rain? Let’s do this! Guest links: Website: https://www.lendwithanne.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lendwithanne/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-solano/ If you liked what you heard, leave me a five-star review and tell me what hit home for you! PLUS—if you’re done chasing the next shiny idea and want real, proven strategies that actually move the needle, then it’s time to join my free weekly newsletter, Rainmaker Insider. Every week, I share one key lesson from my billion-dollar career in mortgage lending—from sales psychology and leadership to mindset and systems that create true freedom. No fluff. Just real-world insights that help you close more deals and lead with confidence. Subscribe now at shaylagifford.com and start leading like the Rainmaker you’re meant to be! Submit a question: https://kprpwoltlbp.typeform.com/to/WC24kOIK Take my Sales Archetype Quiz: https://quiz.shaylagiffordcoaching.com/ Nominate someone to be on the podcast: https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/ Connect with Shayla: https://www.instagram.com/shaygiff/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayla-gifford-3019396/ Show Links: https://shaylagifford.com/ https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/ https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/ Guild Mortgage: https://www.guildmortgage.com/

  3. Aug 26

    83 | Using This Simple System Tripled My Mortgage Business with Brendan Williams

    Hey there, Rainmakers! Brendan Williams is proof that you don’t have to become someone you’re not to build an incredible mortgage business. He’s not living on social media, chasing endless coffee meetings, or reinventing his strategy every six months. He created a simple system around relationships, calls, follow-up, and organization—and kept showing up. In this episode, Brendan breaks down the system that helped take his production from $20 million in 2024 to $43 million in 2025, with nearly $60 million in his sights for 2026. We unpack his exact theme days, how he organizes hundreds of agent relationships, why he still makes the calls when he doesn’t feel like it, and how mastering the actual craft of lending gave him undeniable confidence. But what I love most about Brendan’s story is how freaking simple it is. There’s no magic script or shiny new strategy here. There’s discipline, organization, belief, and a willingness to keep doing the work long enough for the results to catch up. If you’ve been questioning your strategy because your business hasn’t popped yet, hear this: you might not need another plan. You might need to stay committed to the one you already have. Key Insights Consistency beats constantly searching for the next strategy.Call reluctance doesn’t disappear. You learn to move through it because you believe in the value you provide.Every new relationship gets tracked, categorized, followed up with, and placed into a repeatable system.Simple Salesforce lists tell Brendan exactly who to call next, so prospecting never depends on motivation.Money-making activities happen first before the rest of the day gets consumed by files.Becoming exceptional at the craft of lending gave Brendan confidence to prospect from a place of service.You don’t need someone else’s business model. You need a program you believe in enough to execute consistently. Guest links: Website: https://guildmortgage.net/brendanwilliams Are you ready to make it rain? Let’s do this! If you liked what you heard, leave me a five-star review and tell me what hit home for you! PLUS—if you’re done chasing the next shiny idea and want real, proven strategies that actually move the needle, then it’s time to join my free weekly newsletter, Rainmaker Insider. Every week, I share one key lesson from my billion-dollar career in mortgage lending—from sales psychology and leadership to mindset and systems that create true freedom. No fluff. Just real-world insights that help you close more deals and lead with confidence. Subscribe now at shaylagifford.com and start leading like the Rainmaker you’re meant to be! Submit a question: https://kprpwoltlbp.typeform.com/to/WC24kOIK Take my Sales Archetype Quiz: https://quiz.shaylagiffordcoaching.com/ Nominate someone to be on the podcast: https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/ Connect with Shayla: https://www.instagram.com/shaygiff/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayla-gifford-3019396/ Show Links: https://shaylagifford.com/ https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/ https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/ Guild Mortgage: https://www.guildmortgage.com/

  4. Aug 19

    From Scared to Unstoppable: The Shift That Took Me From 2 Loans to $22M with Amy Roe

    What if the breakthrough you’re waiting for is on the other side of your fear? Hey there, Rainmakers! Amy Roe closed just two loans in her first eight months as a loan officer. She questioned herself, froze at networking events, and wondered if she’d made a huge mistake. But she kept showing up. That persistence took her to 34 transactions in 2024, then 49 transactions and $22 million in 2025. In this episode, Amy and I break down the shift that changed her business: owning her value, finding her people, tracking the activities that matter, asking for business, and learning to stay uncomfortable long enough to grow. This is what happens when raw ambition finally gets focus, structure, accountability, and a plan. Key Insights Why “Why not me?” became the mindset shift Amy needed.How five quality conversations created focus and momentum.Why knowing your value changes how you show up with referral partners.How Amy turned networking from terrifying into one of her greatest strengths.Why tracking your activity keeps one bad day from becoming three bad weeks.How to recognize when your growth means it’s finally time to hire. Guest Links Website https://mortgage.bankofcolorado.com/#/loan-officers/amy.roe@bankofcolorado Instagram: https:/www.instagram.com/amyroe_lends Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550299592859 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amy-roe-7306ab75 Don't wait! Register for the FREE 5-Week Sales Challenge at https://www.ShaylaGifford.com Submit a question: https://kprpwoltlbp.typeform.com/to/WC24kOIK Take my Sales Archetype Quiz: https://quiz.shaylagiffordcoaching.com/ Nominate someone to be on the podcast: https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/ Connect with Shayla: https://www.instagram.com/shaygiff/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayla-gifford-3019396/ Show Links: https://shaylagifford.com/ https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/ https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/ Guild Mortgage: https://www.guildmortgage.com/

  5. Aug 12

    The FREE 5-Week Sales Challenge Every Loan Officer and Realtor Needs

    What if the business you're praying for is already sitting inside the relationships you have today? Hey there, Rainmakers! If you've ever said, "I'm just not a salesperson," this episode is for you. I hear it every single week from incredible loan officers and real estate agents. You're amazing at serving people. Your clients love you. You know your craft. But when it comes to consistently growing your business, putting yourself out there feels uncomfortable. You don't want to cold call. You don't want to chase strangers. And honestly—you shouldn't have to. That's exactly why I'm inviting you to my FREE 5-Week Sales Challenge. In this episode, I share the mindset shifts and simple relationship strategies that have helped me build my business and coach countless mortgage professionals into becoming true Rainmakers. I'll walk you through how to leverage the people who already know, like, and trust you, how to ask for meaningful introductions without feeling salesy, and why tracking your activity is the fastest way to build confidence. If you're ready to stop waiting for referrals and start intentionally creating them, this challenge was built for you. The challenge begins August 26, and over four weeks we'll work together to build stronger habits, stronger relationships, and a stronger business. Key Insights Sales is about expanding trust, not chasing strangers.The "Who Do You Know Who?" script that makes asking for help feel natural.The Triangle of Trust creates warm introductions that open doors.Your attitude and daily activity determine your momentum.Tracking your conversations builds confidence and consistency.Business growth belongs to people willing to take action. Register for the FREE 5-Week Sales Challenge at https://www.ShaylaGifford.com Are you ready to make it rain? Let's do this! Submit a question: https://kprpwoltlbp.typeform.com/to/WC24kOIK Take my Sales Archetype Quiz: https://quiz.shaylagiffordcoaching.com/ Nominate someone to be on the podcast: https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/ Connect with Shayla: https://www.instagram.com/shaygiff/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayla-gifford-3019396/ Show Links: https://shaylagifford.com/ https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/ https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/ Guild Mortgage: https://www.guildmortgage.com/

  6. Aug 5

    Building a Mortgage Business That Doesn’t Own You with Tasha Hastings

    What’s the point of building a successful mortgage business if you don’t have a life left to enjoy it? Hey there, Rainmakers! My good friend Tasha Hastings has spent 13 years building something so many loan officers want: a thriving mortgage business that doesn’t own her. She’s a top producer, a wife, a present mom of three, and a leader who has been incredibly intentional about protecting what matters most. In this episode, we talk about taking over the business her mom built, going all in on a builder relationship when the demands felt relentless, and staying true to the fundamentals when the market got hard. Tasha is proof that you don’t have to chase every shiny object to grow. Sometimes the answer is to keep showing up, serve people incredibly well, and play the long game. Key insights: Build your business around the life you actually want to live.Great communication and relentless follow-up still win in every market.Leadership means protecting your team publicly and coaching them privately.The boring disciplines are often the exact things that make you extraordinary.You don’t need endless referral partners when you deeply serve the right ones. PLUS: If you're ready to stop waiting for business and start creating it, join me for my FREE Sales Attack Challenge, starting Tuesday, August 26. I'll give you the exact system, trackers, scripts, and live coaching my team uses to create consistent momentum. This is a live-only experience—no recordings will be available. Save your spot now at ShaylaGifford.com - before registration closes! Guest links: Website: https://branches.guildmortgage.com/nv/sparks/tasha-hastings-403-rrnse.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secordhastingsteam Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/secordhastingsteam Are you ready to make it rain? Let’s do this! Submit a question: https://kprpwoltlbp.typeform.com/to/WC24kOIK Take my Sales Archetype Quiz: https://quiz.shaylagiffordcoaching.com/ Nominate someone to be on the podcast: https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/ Connect with Shayla: https://www.instagram.com/shaygiff/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayla-gifford-3019396/ Show Links: https://shaylagifford.com/ https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/ https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/ Guild Mortgage: https://www.guildmortgage.com/

  7. Jul 29

    79 | Mastering The Ask: How This New LO Closed $4M with Jannette Gomez

    What happens when a brand-new loan officer stops overthinking and starts running the plays? Hey there, Rainmakers! Jannette Gomez left a 13-year career as a dental hygienist because she knew she was capable of more. Just 14 months into the mortgage business, she closed a $4 million month by staying hungry, asking for help, and doing the work most people avoid. In this episode, we break down exactly where her business came from: open houses, cold calls, and the 10-10-10 strategy that became her biggest source of closed loans. This is proof that you don’t need years of experience to create momentum—you need the right support, a willingness to learn, and the discipline to actually run the plays. Key Insights Consistency beats complexity when you are building from zero.Open houses can create relationships that compound into real business.The 10-10-10 strategy turns your existing network into warm opportunities.One introduction can create an entire chain of referrals.You do not have to know everything to win. You have to run the plays. Are you ready to make it rain? Let’s do this Guest links: Guild Mortgage: https://branches.guildmortgage.com/nv/reno/jannette-gomez-800-rrjgom.html?__cf_chl_tk=P78bIE.nE.zun_tXs9Y1Avfnvuj4bRy527JKv4AAKIE-1784813196-1.0.1.1-KgL74bhxKSd2G4_k8tfCXo3IIkZSVQbLSRYwnfIi2_w! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jannettegomez_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jannette.bak.7/ If you liked what you heard, leave me a five-star review and tell me what hit home for you! PLUS—if you’re done chasing the next shiny idea and want real, proven strategies that actually move the needle, then it’s time to join my free weekly newsletter, Rainmaker Insider. Every week, I share one key lesson from my billion-dollar career in mortgage lending—from sales psychology and leadership to mindset and systems that create true freedom. No fluff. Just real-world insights that help you close more deals and lead with confidence. Subscribe now at shaylagifford.com and start leading like the Rainmaker you’re meant to be! Submit a question: https://kprpwoltlbp.typeform.com/to/WC24kOIK Take my Sales Archetype Quiz: https://quiz.shaylagiffordcoaching.com/ Nominate someone to be on the podcast: https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/ Connect with Shayla: https://www.instagram.com/shaygiff/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayla-gifford-3019396/ Show Links: https://shaylagifford.com/ https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/ https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/ Guild Mortgage: https://www.guildmortgage.com/

  8. Jul 22

    Going All In: How I Got to $33M In 3 Years with Mike Bertarelli

    Hey there, Rainmakers! Mike Bertarelli walked away from consumer direct after closing $125 million in production and stepped into retail with zero referral relationships and no magic bucket of leads. Three years later, he closed 111 loans for $33 million in production and built a team of seven loan officers. In this episode, Mike and I break down what actually drove that growth: going all in, building confidence before you have all the proof, staying relentlessly visible, and turning every transaction into an opportunity to build your network. Because nobody is coming to hand you the business you want. You have to stop hesitating, believe you are the right person for the job, and go take your shot. Key insights: The difference between players and pretenders is the space between idea and execution.Every transaction creates an opportunity to earn your next referral relationship.Confidence starts with believing you are capable and that you care more! Consistent communication can become your competitive advantage.You do not need permission to grow faster than anyone expects.Define what going all in looks like, then give it everything you have. Are you ready to make it rain? Let’s do this! Guest links: Website https://naf.com/mikebertarelli Instagram: instagram.com/mikebertarelli Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.bertarelli/ If you liked what you heard, leave me a five-star review and tell me what hit home for you! PLUS—if you’re done chasing the next shiny idea and want real, proven strategies that actually move the needle, then it’s time to join my free weekly newsletter, Rainmaker Insider. Every week, I share one key lesson from my billion-dollar career in mortgage lending—from sales psychology and leadership to mindset and systems that create true freedom. No fluff. Just real-world insights that help you close more deals and lead with confidence. Subscribe now at shaylagifford.com and start leading like the Rainmaker you’re meant to be! Submit a question: https://kprpwoltlbp.typeform.com/to/WC24kOIK Take my Sales Archetype Quiz: https://quiz.shaylagiffordcoaching.com/ Nominate someone to be on the podcast: https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/ Connect with Shayla: https://www.instagram.com/shaygiff/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayla-gifford-3019396/ Show Links: https://shaylagifford.com/ https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/ https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/ Guild Mortgage: https://www.guildmortgage.com/

4.9
out of 5
70 Ratings

About

What if the mortgage business could be more simple and fun? What if you could double and triple and quadruple your results with less complexity and less stress – and without the sales roller coaster?  I'm Shayla Gifford and this is The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast. If you're a loan officer looking to sharpen your skills, grow your pipeline, and get fired up – you're in the right place. We bring you interviews with top performing loan officers, my personal insights, and success stories from within my Catalyst Coaching community. I've spent my entire career as a loan officer and helping loan officers. So I know you, I've been you. And now – I want to help you master your craft, dominate the mortgage game, and build a life and business that thrives. So...are you ready to be a Rainmaker? Let's do this!

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