The MLO Project

Frazier
  • 4.7 (32)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Dismantling the Status Quo, One Episode at a Time.  The MLO Project is THE podcast for loan officers and industry professionals who are ready to evolve. We’re here to disrupt the old guard, break free from outdated norms, and deliver insights that actually matter. Hosted by mortgage industry veterans Jason Frazier & Michael McAllister, The MLO Project promises No fluff. No clichés. Just real talk, fresh ideas, and actionable takeaways to elevate your career and the industry.The MLO Project is presented by Empower LO

  1. 2D AGO

    Poaching, Data Theft, and Why This Industry Is Broken | Ep. 57

    Send us Fan Mail This one gets heated. On this episode of The MLO Project, Frazier and Michael break down a real-world lawsuit involving loan officer poaching, data handling, and alleged email surveillance, and what it exposes about the mortgage industry. Spoiler: nobody looks clean. From loan officers forwarding borrower files… To lenders locking people out overnight… To shady transitions and broken trust… This episode pulls back the curtain on a problem the industry avoids: how deals, data, and relationships are handled when people move. Because this isn’t just about lawsuits. It’s about ethics, liability, and doing right by the borrower. What You’ll Learn  Who actually owns borrower data (legally vs emotionally)  Why transferring loan files between lenders is a massive liability  The real reason lenders clamp down when people leave  How “poaching” situations spiral into lawsuits  The hidden risks of using company devices for personal activity  Why this entire situation creates a lose-lose for everyone Real Talk Quotes  “You don’t own the borrower. You earned their attention.”  “That data legally does not belong to you.”  “Forwarding borrower info isn’t helping—it’s exposing everyone.”  “Consumers didn’t sign up for your internal drama.”  “This gives the entire industry a black eye.” Tactical Takeaways ✅ Never transfer borrower files without proper authorization ✅ Separate contact info from sensitive loan data ✅ Assume anything on a company device is visible ✅ Create a clean transition plan before leaving a lender ✅ Leaders should standardize how exits are handled ✅ Protect the borrower first—everything else is secondary The Big Idea The industry has created a broken system. Loan officers feel ownership… Lenders carry the liability… And borrowers get caught in the middle. Until there’s a clear, ethical standard for transitions, this cycle will repeat. And every time it does… trust erodes. Why This Episode Matters Consumers already don’t trust the mortgage industry. Situations like this make it worse. This isn’t just about who’s right or wrong in a lawsuit. It’s about raising the standard across the board:  Better leadership  Better processes  Better protection for borrowers Because if we don’t fix it… someone else will—through regulation. Powered By Empower LO DIFRNT Coaching Helping loan officers build real businesses without shortcuts, without chaos, and without cutting corners.

    38 min

  2. MAR 24

    Your Pipeline Shouldn’t Look Like a Science Project | Ep. 56

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Frazier and Michael break down one of the biggest silent killers in production: overcomplicated CRMs and bloated pipelines. 15 stages. Endless automations. “What if” scenarios everywhere. It feels productive. It’s not. This conversation cuts through the noise and shows you how to simplify your pipeline, clean up your CRM, and actually use your system the way it was meant to be used—to close more loans. Because here’s the truth: Complex systems don’t scale. What You’ll Learn  Why most loan officer pipelines are completely overbuilt  The real purpose of pipeline stages (and what they are NOT)  How to identify bottlenecks in your sales process instantly  Why “edge cases” should NOT become pipeline stages  The difference between leads vs. real opportunities  How poor pipeline hygiene is quietly killing your production Real Talk Quotes  “Complexity is the enemy of execution.”  “You built your system based on your feelings, not your data.”  “If you’re not willing to follow up, get it out of your pipeline.”  “This isn’t a high score game. More leads in your pipeline isn’t better.”  “Most of those ‘opportunities’ were never deals to begin with.” Tactical Takeaways ✅ Keep your pipeline to 5–8 stages max ✅ Build stages around actual drop-off points, not “what if” scenarios ✅ Use tags and custom fields, not extra stages, for edge cases ✅ Every opportunity should have a real follow-up scheduled ✅ If you wouldn’t follow up with them… remove them from the pipeline ✅ Clean pipeline = clear decisions = more closings The Big Idea Your CRM should give you clarity. If it gives you confusion, it’s broken. The goal is to build a system you actually use. Because the best pipeline is the one that helps you take action. Why This Episode Matters Loan officers everywhere are wasting time managing systems instead of generating revenue. They’re tweaking workflows… Building automations… Adding stages… And closing fewer deals. This episode flips that. It shows you how to simplify your process, eliminate noise, and focus on what actually drives results: conversations, follow-up, and execution. The MLO Project is EMPOWERED by: Empower LO

    37 min

  3. MAR 18

    The Internet Is Getting Dumber. Don't Get Dumber With It | Ep. 55

    Send a text This episode is a straight shot at the junk flooding your feed. Frazier and Michael break down the rise of fake engagement posts, real estate mastermind nonsense, AI generated garbage, and why too many people are getting pulled into content that has zero value. From ridiculous Facebook group drama to obvious bait posts and recycled AI takes, this conversation is all about protecting your attention and staying focused on what actually matters. The big takeaway: in a world full of slop, being real is your edge. If everyone else is sounding the same, posting the same, and chasing the same fake engagement, the opportunity is simple. Be human. Be useful. Be different. What You’ll Learn Why so many viral real estate and AI group posts are designed only for engagementHow fake controversy and bait posts are being used to push lead gen servicesWhy commenting on nonsense content only makes your feed worseThe danger of AI generated sameness in your brand and messagingWhy being more human, more clear, and more original matters now more than everReal Talk Quotes “Some of these posts are not real life. They’re just engagement clickbait.”“Don’t get sucked into wasting time on stuff that isn’t going to help your business.”“It’s never been more important to be a real human person and be great at what you do.”“Everyone’s posts are starting to look the same.”“Stop engaging with the slop.”Tactical Takeaways ✅ Not every post deserves your attention, your comment, or your outrage ✅ A lot of Facebook group content is built to bait engagement, not solve problems  ✅ AI can help your content, but if it strips out your voice, it hurts your brand  ✅ If your feed is full of trash, part of the problem is what you keep engaging with  ✅ The more the internet fills with sameness, the more authenticity becomes a competitive advantage Why This Episode Matters Too many mortgage and real estate pros are burning time on garbage content, fake arguments, and recycled AI nonsense instead of building trust, authority, and real relationships. This episode matters because attention is expensive now. If you waste it on junk, you lose twice. Once in the time you spent, and again in the quality of content the algorithm feeds you next. The pros who win in this environment won’t be the loudest. They’ll be the most real, the most useful, and the most recognizable. The MLO Project is EMPOWERED by: Empower LO

    19 min

  4. MAR 10

    Nothing Says “Helping Veterans” Like Steering & Kickbacks | Ep. 54

    Send us Fan Mail The mortgage industry is buzzing about one headline right now: Veterans United is being accused of steering and deceiving military veterans. In this episode, Frazier and Michael break down what the lawsuit actually says, what parts of it matter, and why loan officers should be paying attention. This conversation goes deeper than industry gossip. It touches on the ethics of VA loan marketing, potential RESPA violations, and the bigger issue of how veterans are treated within the mortgage system. The hosts also debate whether loan officers should talk about competitors publicly or if doing so only amplifies their brand. If you work with VA borrowers, this is a conversation you need to hear. What You’ll Learn Why Veterans United is facing accusations of steering and deception The RESPA Section 8 issue at the center of the lawsuit How referral kickbacks and real estate partnerships may play a role Why many loan officers have long been skeptical of Veterans United’s marketing The difference between competitor criticism and consumer education How VA-focused loan officers can use this moment to better serve veterans Real Talk Quotes “Veterans United is a marketing company that found a niche and exploited it.” “If you’re the biggest VA lender in the country, you better not also be the worst one.” “Don’t confuse VA loans with VU loans.” “Just because something generates leads doesn’t mean it delivers value.” “If you went to a calculator page and didn’t get a calculation… that’s not a calculator.” Tactical Takeaways ✅ If you specialize in VA loans, educate borrowers on how the process actually works ✅ Use industry headlines as conversation starters, not marketing gimmicks ✅ Understand RESPA referral rules if your business involves agent partnerships ✅ Focus on service and expertise instead of competing purely on brand recognition ✅ Build trust with veteran clients through transparency and education Why This Episode Matters VA loans are one of the most powerful benefits available to military veterans. When companies misuse marketing, misrepresent relationships with the VA, or create referral structures that may violate RESPA, it doesn’t just affect competitors. It affects the perception of VA loans themselves. For loan officers who genuinely care about serving veterans, this moment is a reminder that integrity and education matter more than aggressive marketing. Empower LO DIFRNT Coaching Community Broker Toolkit

    25 min

  5. MAR 4

    Attention, Traffic, Data. That's The Game Now. Are You Playing? | Ep. 53

    Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The MLO Project with Frazier & Michael McAllister... Compass pulled 500,000 listings from Zillow overnight. Redfin gets the inventory. Rocket gets the mortgage. And most loan officers are still asleep. Frazier and Michael break down the Compass, Redfin, and Rocket trifecta, what it actually means for your pipeline, and why the loan officers who have been building real relationships are going to be fine while everyone else scrambles. In This Episode: What the Compass and Redfin exclusive listing deal actually meansWhy Rocket doesn't need Redfin to be profitableThe real threat to your pipeline that nobody is talking aboutWhy your database is the only moat you have leftWhat separates the loan officers who will thrive from the ones who won'tResources Mentioned: Empower LO: https://empowerlo.comDIFRNT Coaching Community: https://difrntcoach.com/winBroker Toolkit: https://brokertoolkit.app/Connect With Us: themloproject@empowerlo.comLeave us a review and let us know what topics you want us to cover next.

    33 min

  6. FEB 24

    AI Isn't Taking Your Job. It's Taking Your Borrowers | Ep. 52

    Send us Fan Mail Look, we are going to piss some people off today. Good. That means we're doing our job. Michael and Frazier are coming in hot on this one, and if you've been spending your weekends hunched over a laptop vibe coding some custom AI tool you think is going to crush it in 2026, you need to hear this episode right now. Like, stop what you're doing and press play. Here's what went down. On February 5th, two new AI models dropped from OpenAI and Claude, and they weren't just updates. These were the first models where over 50 percent of the next version was written by the model before it. Read that again. AI is now building AI. And the pace of development just went from fast to absolutely insane. We're talking 12 to 14 days of growth cycles versus the 12 to 14 months you're used to seeing from normal tech. What does that mean for you as an originator? It means that whatever AI tool you're learning to build right now is probably going to be obsolete before you finish learning it. And the $497 course you signed up for to master it? Yeah, someone already blew that up with a new model release while the instructor was still recording module three. In this episode, Frazier and Michael break down: Why building your own AI tools right now as an originator is the wrong move, and what to do instead. The real threat AI poses to your business that nobody in the mortgage industry is talking about, and it has nothing to do with whether AI replaces loan officers. Why the blue ocean of teaching agents AI tools just turned red overnight, and where the next opportunity actually is. How Frazier's coaching clients are using a relevancy score system to cut through AI noise without wasting time or money. What Empower LO and the Broker Toolkit are building so that you don't have to, and why that matters for your bottom line. And yeah, we go there on the bigger picture too. When AI starts eliminating the jobs of the borrowers you're trying to serve, who is going to be buying homes? The loan officers who built real, trusted, human relationships are going to be fine. Everyone else is going to be fighting over scraps. This is not an anti-AI episode. We love AI. We use it every single day. This is a message to stop getting distracted by the shiny object and get back to the money making activities that actually build a sustainable business. Use AI. Don't let AI use you. New episodes every week. Leave us a review, tell a friend, and if you want to come on and argue with us about this, we are absolutely here for it. Let's go. Join us on MLO Hub.

    28 min

  7. FEB 17

    Did MortgageCon Just Change The Mortgage Event Game? (Again) | Ep. 51

    Send us Fan Mail Fresh off MortgageCon, Frazier and Michael break down what made this event completely different from the typical mortgage conference experience. From hosting the event inside Universal Studios to AI duels, practitioner-led sessions, and private park access, this wasn’t just another sit-in-a-ballroom event. It was immersive, high-energy, and packed with real, usable insights for loan officers who actually want to grow. But beyond the experience, the real value came from the content. The recurring themes were clear: don’t lose your humanity in an AI world, stop being a product pusher, and start showing up as a true advisor. This episode covers the biggest takeaways, standout speakers, and the lessons loan officers should actually implement instead of just taking notes and doing nothing. No fluff. No hype recap. Just real insights from a high-impact industry event. What You’ll Learn Why Mortgage Con stood out from traditional mortgage conferencesThe common theme across top speakers: humanity over automationHow storytelling and communication are becoming the new competitive edgeWhy practitioner-led content hits harder than theory and hypeThe role AI should actually play in your mortgage businessHow event environments impact learning, networking, and executionReal Talk Quotes “It’s still a mortgage event, but the experience changes everything.” “Don’t lose your humanity just because AI is getting louder.” “If you went to MortgageCon and didn’t get one takeaway, you chose not to.” “Stop being a rate pusher. Be the advisor.” “You invested the time and money. Now do something with what you learned.” Tactical Takeaways ✅ Focus on being a trusted advisor, not just a product or price salesperson ✅ Use AI to enhance communication, not replace human connection ✅ Create content that answers real client questions you get daily ✅ Authenticity attracts the right clients and repels the wrong ones ✅ Events only create ROI if you execute on what you learn ✅ Community and experience amplify retention of education and networking Want to Implement What You’re Learning? This episode is powered by Empower LO and HL4, where strategy, simplicity, and execution come together to help loan officers grow without unnecessary complexity.

    31 min

  8. FEB 3

    Real Talk About Paid Ads: Intent Beats Interruption. Every Time. | Ep. 50

    Send us Fan Mail Thinking about running paid ads in 2026? Pump the brakes. Frazier and Michael are breaking down the truth about paid advertising — what works, what doesn’t, and where most loan officers go wrong. Whether you’re sitting on a 30K marketing budget or barely spending $300 a month, this episode is a tactical deep dive into interruption vs. intent, social vs. search, and why Google still wins if you're serious about ROI. No fluff. No theory. Just straight talk on what actually drives deals — and what will drain your wallet. What You’ll Learn Why social media ads aren’t dead — but most of them are dumbThe difference between passive brand amplification and transactional lead genWhy low-cost leads are usually garbage (and what actually matters)How intent changes everything — and why interruption-based ads have a short fuseWhat to realistically budget for Google or social ads in 2026Real Talk Quotes “You don’t own the customer. You’re just renting attention.”“Lead cost means nothing if the leads suck.”“You’re never gonna get a CTC on your feelings.”“Intent-based leads wait for you. Interruption leads forget you.”“We can all get 50-cent leads. That’s not the flex you think it is.”Tactical Takeaways ✅ Expect to spend $1,500/month minimum if you want transactional ROI✅ Social media ads work best to amplify brand — not chase cold leads✅ Google Search ads are still the king of high-intent lead generation✅ YouTube & TikTok are the only social platforms with real search intent✅ If you’re not following up with automation, you’re burning money✅ Don’t run your own ads unless you want to waste time and budgetWhy This Episode Matters Most LOs are playing checkers when it comes to paid ads — this episode helps you play chess. Whether you’re doing consumer direct or trying to convert your social audience, you’ll learn where to invest, what to expect, and how to actually get deals from your dollars. Want Help Running Ads That Work? This episode is powered by Empower LO, the trusted team behind hundreds of top-producing LOs running scalable Google ad campaigns. Learn more at empowerlo.com

    38 min
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4.7
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

Dismantling the Status Quo, One Episode at a Time.  The MLO Project is THE podcast for loan officers and industry professionals who are ready to evolve. We’re here to disrupt the old guard, break free from outdated norms, and deliver insights that actually matter. Hosted by mortgage industry veterans Jason Frazier & Michael McAllister, The MLO Project promises No fluff. No clichés. Just real talk, fresh ideas, and actionable takeaways to elevate your career and the industry.The MLO Project is presented by Empower LO

Information

  • Creator
    Frazier
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The MLO Project
  • Show Website
    The MLO Project

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