The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast

Shayla Gifford
  • 4.9 (69)
  • Careers

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. 6d ago

    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/

  2. 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/

  3. 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/

  4. 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/

  5. 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/

  6. 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/

  7. Jul 15

    How to Create Opportunity in a "Slow" Market

    What do the best loan officers do when business gets harder? They don't wait for opportunity. They learn how to create it. Hey there, Rainmakers! Every loan officer goes through seasons where business feels harder than it should. Markets shift. Buyers hesitate. Referral partners get quieter. This conversation isn't about pretending those seasons don't exist—it's about learning how the best Rainmakers continue creating opportunity anyway. I'm joined by Laura Witte, Georgia's #1 female loan originator and one of the top 1% of mortgage originators in the country. Over the past 25 years, she's built a 100% referral-based business, closed more than $1 billion in career loan volume, and stayed true to one mission: helping more families achieve homeownership. Laura shares the beliefs, habits, and practical strategies that helped her rise from an underdog with no formal education to one of the mortgage industry's most respected leaders. If you're ready to stop waiting for the market to change and start creating opportunities of your own, this episode is for you. Key Insights Create opportunity by seeing possibilities others overlook.Diversify your pipeline instead of waiting on one source of business.Your beliefs shape your actions—and ultimately your results.Build relationships through generosity, trust, and consistent service.The best Rainmakers don't wait for opportunity. They create it. Are you ready to make it rain? Let's do this! Guest links: Truth and Lending: https://www.truthandlending.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthandlending/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-sosa-rocha-witte-1852a32/ 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 8

    How Loan Officers Can Build a Brand That Converts with Laura Kane

    What if the reason your marketing isn't working has nothing to do with how or what you post... and everything to do with the feeling you're creating? Hey there, Rainmakers! When most loan officers think about marketing, they jump straight to social media, videos, newsletters, or the next shiny strategy they saw at a conference. I've been there too. In fact, my natural instinct is to move fast, execute immediately, and build the airplane in the air. But over the last six years, one person has continually challenged me to slow down, think deeper, and create with intention. In this episode, I sit down with my Senior District Marketing Manager, Laura Cane—the brilliant mind behind Catalyst, this podcast, our website, and so much of the experience you've come to know from my brand. Laura shares what she calls the Experience Equation, a simple framework that has completely transformed how I think about marketing, leadership, and creating meaningful connections. Whether you're launching a podcast, teaching classes, building a networking group, or simply trying to become more visible online, this conversation will help you stop chasing everyone else's ideas and start building a brand that truly reflects who you are. Because great marketing isn't about being everywhere. It's about creating an experience people never forget. Key Insights: Marketing isn't about creating content. It's about creating a feeling.Every memorable brand begins with intentional design before it ever reaches visibility.Ask yourself who you're serving, why you're serving them, and how you want them to feel before you launch anything.Urgency creates inconsistency. Clarity creates confidence.If your marketing doesn't feel authentic to you, you won't stay consistent long enough to see results.The strongest relationships are built between the big moments through thoughtful follow-up and consistent communication. Guest Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauracmacleod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauracmacleod/ 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/

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4.9
out of 5
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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!

Information

  • Creator
    Shayla Gifford
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    84
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Shayla Gifford
  • Show Website
    The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast

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