Power House

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The Power House podcast brings the biggest names in housing to answer hard-hitting questions about industry trends, operational and growth strategy, and leadership. Join HousingWire's Zeb Lowe every Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.

1 DAY AGO

Why mortgage marketing fails (Hint: It’s leadership)

In this episode of Power House, host Zeb Lowe sits down with mortgage marketing strategist Bri Lees to tackle one of the industry’s biggest tensions: how to create marketing that’s authentic, effective, and still compliant. Bri argues that bland mortgage marketing isn’t a creativity problem; it’s a leadership problem. When executive teams fail to define their compliance philosophy or brand identity, loan officers default to “safe” messaging that feels forgettable. With clear guardrails and alignment, she explains, companies can build marketing that feels human and differentiated without crossing regulatory lines. The conversation reframes compliance not as a creativity killer, but as a strategic constraint that, when clearly defined, can sharpen a brand’s message and strengthen trust. Related to this episode: Zeb’s LinkedIn Bri’s LinkedIn The Power House podcast brings the biggest names in housing to answer hard-hitting questions about industry trends, operational and growth strategy, and leadership. Join HousingWire’s Zeb Lowe every Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.

23 min
19 FEB

Trapped equity and the next mortgage opportunity

HousingWire brought leading housing economists and capital markets experts to Dallas for the Housing Economic Summit with one goal: translate charts and forecasts into what actually matters for professionals trying to close deals every day. In this episode, John Toohig of Raymond James breaks down whole loan trading—the buying and selling of unsecuritized mortgages—and explains why understanding liquidity on the back end is now just as important as originating the loan itself. As originators adjust to life after the 2021–2022 refinance boom, John outlines where the real opportunities are today: HELOCs, second liens, ARMs, and purchase loans—especially in a market full of “trapped equity.” He also explains why mortgage credit is historically clean (perhaps too clean), why banks are re-entering the ARM market, which loan types are hardest to sell in the secondary market, and what separates lenders who consistently move loans from those who struggle with due diligence. For originators, capital markets teams, and executives navigating 2026, this episode turns macro signals into actionable insight. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Whole loan trades are faster and simpler than securitization HELOCs and second liens represent major opportunity amid trapped equity Banks are returning — especially in ARMs Credit is extremely “clean,” perhaps tighter than necessary Organized files and disciplined underwriting drive repeat investor demand Related to this episode: John Toohig's Bio John Toohig's LinkedIn The Power House podcast brings the biggest names in housing to answer hard-hitting questions about industry trends, operational and growth strategy, and leadership. Join HousingWire’s Zeb Lowe every Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.

21 min
18 FEB

The Dane Cook window: How to win the AI land grab

In this solo Power House episode, Zeb Lowe breaks down a quiet but powerful shift happening in mortgage marketing: AI is becoming the place consumers go for recommendations, not just information. As traditional search behavior evolves, Zeb explains why loan officers and agents must think beyond SEO and start positioning themselves inside AI recommendation engines. He walks through the economic forces behind the shift, why early adopters have a finite window of advantage, and the practical steps professionals can take now to become the name AI suggests when buyers are ready to decide. If search is changing from browsing to delegating, this episode explains what that means and how to stay ahead of it. Download the AI Visibility Guide Related to the episode: Zeb Lowe's LinkedIn The Power House podcast brings the biggest names in housing to answer hard-hitting questions about industry trends, operational and growth strategy, and leadership. Join HousingWire’s Zeb Lowe every Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.

17 min
12 FEB

Why most content fails: How to create content people remember

Zeb Lowe sits down with Rick Grant to unpack why “more content” isn’t the answer and why clarity, authenticity, and narrative structure matter more than ever. They dig into what actually makes content stick, why audiences are tuning out polished but hollow messaging, and how brands can define thought leadership without sounding like everyone else. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: Good content is memorable and impactful. Stories are more effective than bullet points for retention. Simplifying messages helps break through content noise. Authenticity is key to effective communication. AI can be a valuable tool for content creation. Thought leadership is accessible to anyone passionate about their knowledge. Understanding your audience's journey is crucial for content strategy. Leverage personal experiences to craft unique narratives. The basic brand promise is foundational for effective messaging. Helping others is the best way to establish expertise. Related to this episode: Rick Grant's Linkedin The Power House podcast brings the biggest names in housing to answer hard-hitting questions about industry trends, operational and growth strategy, and leadership. Join HousingWire's Zeb Lowe every Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.

34 min
5 FEB

Diego Sanchez & Zeb Lowe: Inside HousingWire’s next chapter

In this episode of Power House, Diego Sanchez and Zeb Lowe discuss the transition of hosting responsibilities and Zeb’s perspective on where housing and mortgage conversations need to go next. Drawing on his background in origination and content creation, Zeb explains why storytelling, collaboration, and community matter more than ever in a crowded, fast-moving industry. The conversation explores HousingWire’s evolving content strategy, shifting generational attitudes toward homeownership, and the importance of education in addressing affordability challenges. They also unpack the role of AI in housing, making the case for technology as an amplifier of human judgment rather than a replacement, and why empowering teams with the right tools is key to productivity and engagement. This episode sets the tone for Power House’s next chapter: focused on people, perspective, and practical insight. The Power House podcast brings the biggest names in housing to answer hard-hitting questions about industry trends, operational and growth strategy, and leadership. Join HousingWire

29 min
29 JAN

What comes after automation and AI: Designing for the human in the age of the machine

In this special Power House episode, host Zeb Lowe previews the conversations coming to the show and unpacks a core challenge facing the industry today.As automation and AI continue to accelerate productivity, the industry’s cost problem isn’t a technology issue, but an economic one. He explains why human judgment, trust, and accountability have become the most valuable (and expensive) parts of the mortgage process, and what that shift means for leaders heading into 2026. The episode also offers a look ahead at upcoming Power House guests, setting the stage for conversations focused on building with intention, not reaction. The Power House podcast brings the biggest names in housing to answer hard-hitting questions about industry trends, operational and growth strategy, and leadership. Join HousingWire president Diego Sanchez every Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.

19 min
22 JAN

The long game of mortgage success: Leadership lessons from Anthony Casa

This week on Power House, Zeb Lowe sits down with Anthony Casa, President and CEO of UMortgage, for a candid conversation about what actually drives long-term success in the mortgage business. Anthony reflects on his decades in the industry, sharing why mentorship remains one of the most critical (and most overlooked) factors for loan originators. He explains how building early relationships with real estate agents compounds over time, why consistency matters more than short-term wins, and how earning trust is still the foundation of every successful career. The conversation also takes a personal turn as Anthony opens up about his own transformation, including sobriety and renewed focus on health and wellness, and how those changes reshaped his leadership style. He connects personal discipline to professional performance, arguing that sustainable success in mortgage lending starts with how leaders take care of themselves. Anthony and Zeb also dig into the industry’s structural shift from retail to broker channels, discussing why compensation, flexibility, and culture are driving that movement—and how marketing strategies must evolve to support it. This episode is a grounded look at mentorship, leadership, and why the long game still matters in mortgage. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: Why mentorship is essential for new loan officers How early agent relationships compound into long-term success What Anthony’s personal transformation taught him about leadership Why health and wellness matter in high-pressure careers How the broker channel is reshaping mortgage competition Why culture and autonomy attract top talent How marketing strategies should match individual sales goals Why consistency beats intensity over time How to succeed in today’s market conditions Why earning trust still matters more than tactics The Power House podcast brings the biggest names in housing to answer hard-hitting questions about industry trends, operational and growth strategy, and leadership. Join HousingWire president Diego Sanchez every Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.

41 min
15 JAN

Why first-time buyers don’t trust the system

This week on Power House, Clayton Collins sits down with Kristin Messerli to unpack one of the most persistent challenges in housing: why first-time homebuyers feel overwhelmed, underprepared, and increasingly distrustful of the financial system. They explore the role of education in bridging the knowledge and trust gap, emphasizing the importance of empowering loan officers to build relationships within their communities. The discussion also highlights the impact of the ambassador program and the goals for 2026, focusing on sustainability and advocacy in the housing market. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: Why first-time buyers often feel overwhelmed and uncertain How trust in lenders has declined over time Why education is the foundation of buyer confidence What loan officers need to become effective educators How ambassador programs strengthen community relationships Why financial literacy is missing from traditional education systems How personal stories help buyers see themselves as homeowners The sustainability challenges facing housing nonprofits Why advocacy matters for loan officers and their clients What the future of homeownership depends on Related to this episode: FirstHome IQ Kristin Messerli

24 min

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The Power House podcast brings the biggest names in housing to answer hard-hitting questions about industry trends, operational and growth strategy, and leadership. Join HousingWire's Zeb Lowe every Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.