The Level Up Loan Officer Podcast

Cornerstone Capital Bank
  • 5.0 (2)
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Discover transformative conversations and powerful insights to elevate your mindset, business, and life. Join hosts Kelly & Jay on a journey of growth and inspiration—let’s level up together!

  1. May 26

    How Top LOs Are Using AI to Become Unstoppable

    AI is everywhere right now, and most loan officers are either overwhelmed by it or ignoring it entirely. Kelly Zitlow and Jay Crowell cut through the noise and share exactly how top producers are putting AI to work without losing what makes them irreplaceable to clients. Listen in as they break down Jay's "not-to-do list" framework for reclaiming your time, why emotional intelligence is still your sharpest competitive edge, and what responsible AI use actually looks like when client data is on the line. Plus, get a clear 90-day action plan for where to start this week. This is the AI conversation built specifically for loan officers.

    12 min

  2. May 12

    Want to Be Unstoppable in Any Market? Try This Mindset Shift

    In today's shifting mortgage landscape, the key to thriving isn't waiting for rates to drop. It's redefining your strategy now. If you're a loan officer feeling stuck or unsure of your next moves in a market where traditional tactics fall short, this Season 2 premiere reveals how to break through with purpose and proactive action. Walk away with the mindset shifts and tools that can transform you from reactive to unstoppable, regardless of economic waves. Kelly Zitlow and Jay Crowell, top-producing loan officers turned executive leaders, share: How the best in the business are winning todayWhy serving your community with intention beats chasing market timingHow the right tools and relationships build a pipeline that holds up in any marketIf you're ready to leave behind waiting games and start leading with purpose and strategy, this episode is your blueprint. Learn how the most successful loan officers are building lasting relationships today that will pay dividends tomorrow, and why a heart of service combined with the right tools is your secret weapon for sustained success.

    11 min
  3. Taming the Lizard Brain: How Top Leaders Set Boundaries

    Feb 26

    Taming the Lizard Brain: How Top Leaders Set Boundaries

    Ever had your emotions sabotage your leadership? Here's how to manage them and turn them into your greatest strength. Kelly and Jay dive deep into the emotional side of leadership and how our feelings can either drive or derail us, especially in high-stress industries. Jay gets real about using anger as fuel for years, why setting boundaries before you explode is critical, and the importance of staying connected to your "why." If you've ever let frustration take the wheel or struggled to stay present, this episode gives you the tools to recognize when emotions are about to derail you and how to redirect that energy productively.

    9 min
  4. From Terrified to 30% Growth: The Education & Video Marketing Strategy That Works

    Feb 24

    From Terrified to 30% Growth: The Education & Video Marketing Strategy That Works

    In this episode of Level Up Loan Officer, Kelly reveals the networking strategy that grew her business by 30% in a single year no cold calling required. If prospecting feels uncomfortable or inauthentic, this one's for you. Kelly breaks down exactly how she used education and video marketing to build real relationships with real estate agents, grow her database, and create consistent, lasting results. From teaching state-certified classes to sending weekly video updates for over a decade, she shares the system she's been quietly running since 2013 and why it works. The real secret isn't the tactic. It's the discipline to keep going before the results show up.

    5 min
  5. Why Leaders Who Ask for Feedback Get Better Results (And How to Do It)

    Feb 19

    Why Leaders Who Ask for Feedback Get Better Results (And How to Do It)

    In this essential leadership episode of Level Up with Kelly and Jay, they dive deep into the often uncomfortable topic of feedback and how mastering it can transform your team dynamics. If you've ever struggled to get honest feedback from your team or wondered why your coaching isn't landing, this conversation will change how you lead. Jay reveals his systematic approach to leadership and shares why asking your team what they need from you is the secret to being heard when you need to give them feedback. Kelly and Jay unpack how to handle team members who say "everything's fine" when it's not, the biblical formula for handling conflict productively, and why most workplace problems spiral out of control (and how to stop it). Learn the art of "tell me more," how to sit with uncomfortable feedback without reacting, and why your team is a reflection of yourself. This episode is packed with practical frameworks for leaders at any level who want to build trust, improve communication, and create an environment where honest feedback flows both ways.

    10 min
  6. The 18-Second Rule That Changes How You Handle Conflict

    Feb 17

    The 18-Second Rule That Changes How You Handle Conflict

    In this deeply personal episode of Level Up with Kelly and Jay, they tackle the messy reality of human connection: what happens when emotions cloud judgment, how to handle moments when you feel let down, and why the stories we tell ourselves can be toxic or transformative. Kelly shares her journey from dismissing compliments to learning how to receive praise with grace, while Jay reveals why his family never says "sorry" and instead asks for forgiveness (and why that two-way conversation changes everything). Learn about the 18-second chemical rush that drives emotional responses, why you need the courage to speak from your heart even in business settings, and how to stop making up stories when a text doesn't land right. From handling transparency moments to sitting with someone's pain, this episode is packed with practical wisdom on navigating relationships authentically. Whether you're struggling to accept compliments, need to apologize but fear rejection, or want to connect more deeply with your team and clients, this conversation will shift how you show up in every relationship.

    13 min
  7. You Create Your Own Weather: The Mindset that Beats Burnout

    Jan 14

    You Create Your Own Weather: The Mindset that Beats Burnout

    In this raw and inspiring episode of Level Up with Kelly and Jay, Jay opens up about how he's stayed resilient through years of market challenges while others have burned out around him. If you've ever felt exhausted, unmotivated, or questioned whether you can keep going in this industry, this conversation is for you. Jay shares the powerful lesson his dad learned from a college professor: "You create your own weather." Learn how to control your internal temperature regardless of external circumstances, why your identity can't be tied to production numbers, and the daily practices that keep you locked into your purpose when everything around you feels difficult. From affirmations and prayer to five-year planning and avoiding comparison traps, this episode is packed with practical tools to help you recalibrate, stay consistent, and build the legacy you want—not just the income you need. Plus, Jay reveals why he doesn't open certain emails and how modeling work ethic for his kids fuels his daily discipline.

    11 min
  8. Stop Talking, Start Listening: How to Guide Clients in a Challenging Market

    Jan 13

    Stop Talking, Start Listening: How to Guide Clients in a Challenging Market

    In this episode of Level Up with Kelly and Jay, they break down why your scripted approach is costing you clients and reveal the conversational framework that builds trust and closes deals in challenging markets. Forget the scripts and loan officer monologues—Kelly and Jay share how to have real, high-trust conversations that uncover your clients' true motivations. From navigating buyer fatigue to combating misinformation about rates and timing, they show you how to help clients get past the noise and focus on their actual goals. Learn how to use tools like Mortgage Coach to educate (not just quote), when to bring in down payment assistance programs, and how to ask the one question that stops "I'll wait and save" objections in their tracks. Plus, hear a real success story of a client who was told to wait a year but closed right after Christmas instead.

    10 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

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Discover transformative conversations and powerful insights to elevate your mindset, business, and life. Join hosts Kelly & Jay on a journey of growth and inspiration—let’s level up together!

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