

Power House
HousingWire
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 9, 2025 • 38min
Bridging the LO/C-suite gap with TLOP’s Dustin Owen
Today on Power House, Zeb Lowe chats with Dustin Owen, mortgage veteran, SVP of Growrth at Lower and the host of The Loan Officer Podcast. After joining the industry in 2004, Dustin went from funding over 100 units annually to managing seven branches with $70 million in monthly production.
Dustin joins us today to talk about why an “opt-out” model should be the future of AI adoption in mortgage lending. He also talks about leadership’s role in retention and solving the disconnect between executives’ wants and LOs' needs.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
Dustin's career trajectory and achievements in mortgage
How AI is revolutionizing mortgage lending, with examples like UWM's AI, “Mia”
The disconnect between executives' enthusiasm for AI and loan officers' practical concerns
Strategies for loan officer retention, including creating a supportive work environment
The future of mortgage lending and the role of AI in transforming the industry
Related to this episode:
Dustin Owen | LinkedIn
TLOP
Lower Mortgage
HousingWire | YouTube
Enjoy the episode!
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 4, 2025 • 29min
New name, same Fairway with Haley Parker
This week on Power House, Diego sits down with Haley Parker, the CMO of the recently rebranded Fairway Home Mortgage. With 25 years in the industry and over a decade at Fairway, Haley has a unique perspective on the intersection of mortgage and leadership.
Haley talks about Fairway’s recent rebranding and how maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit has always been key to Fairway's growth. She also talks about her secret weapon for recruiting and the fine balance between organic growth and M&A. Haley will be joining us on stage at the upcoming HousingWire MBS Summit (previously the HousingWire IMB Summit), alongside Fairway’s Jon Tobias and Rick Schnautz.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
How Haley Parker's personal motivations drive her success at Fairway
The significance of Fairway's culture in recruitment and retention
Insights into Fairway's rebranding to Fairway Home Mortgage
Marketing strategies focused on simplicity and efficiency
The balance between organic growth and M&A for cultural fit
The importance of connection and community in the mortgage industry
What to expect from Fairway at the upcoming Mortgage Banking Summit
Related to this episode:
Registration | HousingWire Mortgage Banking Summit 2025
Fairway Independent Mortgage
Haley Parker LinkedIn
HousingWire | YouTube
Enjoy the episode!
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 28, 2025 • 22min
When mortgage meets AI with Ruby Zabran
On this week’s sponsored episode of Power House, Zeb Lowe, HousingWire’s Senior Director of the Content Studio, chats with Rudy Zabran, the COO of Consolidated Analytics, to do a deep dive into AI’s role in mortgage, specifically when it comes to automation and data normalization.
Rudy discusses his role in transforming Consolidated Analytics into a 700-employee powerhouse, the transition to a data-first mortgage approach, aligning technology with company culture, and insights on the build vs. buy dilemma in AI technology.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
How Rudy ended up in mortgage after a career in fashion
The role of fractional components in automation and AI
The specific challenges and opportunities present in adopting AI in mortgage
The importance of aligning AI tools with a company’s culture and goals
Rudy's hands-on approach to staying connected with industry challenges
Related to this episode:
Rudy Zabran | LinkedIn
Consolidated Analytics
HousingWire | YouTube
Enjoy the episode!
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 21, 2025 • 25min
Advocacy in action with the American Property Owners Alliance
This week on Power House, Diego Sanchez chats with Colin Allen, Executive Director of the American Property Owners Alliance (APOA), about their housing advocacy efforts in Congress through digital and grassroots efforts. Before his role at APOA, Colin spent over a decade working on housing legislative efforts at the National Association of Realtors.
He discusses the impact of the recent boost in the state and local tax deduction (SALT) cap and shares how initiatives like the More Homes on the Market Act and the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act tackle the housing crisis by boosting supply and making homeownership more accessible.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
How the APOA is tackling housing supply issues with innovative solutions like the More Homes on the Market Act and the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act.
The role of federal and local partnerships in driving meaningful change for homeowners.
How grassroots advocacy is reshaping the legislative landscape for property rights.
The impact of recent tax reforms on homeownership and the broader housing market.
Strategies to support first-time homebuyers through financial education and awareness initiatives.
Related to this episode:
Colin Allen | LinkedIn
American Property Owners Alliance Announces Executive Director Appointment
American Property Owners Alliance
HousingWire | YouTube
Enjoy the episode!
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 19, 2025 • 17min
Creating “a place to call home” with Radian’s Elizabeth Emmons
In this sponsored episode of Power House, Diego chats with Elizabeth Emmons, the Chief Marketing Officer of Radian, to give a behind-the-scenes look into Radian’s vision for affordable and sustainable homeownership.
Elizabeth tackles the challenges and misconceptions around the home-buying process and explains how Radian's wide range of products, from mortgage insurance to real estate services, all work together to support home buyers.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
Why private mortgage insurance is a game-changer for first-time buyers
How Radian's diverse offerings support a holistic approach to homeownership
The role of trust and collaboration in building lasting customer relationships
Why breaking down homeownership barriers is more urgent than ever
Radian's vision for the future is all about creating possibilities for a place to call home
Related to this episode:
Radian
Elizabeth Emmons | LinkedIn
HousingWire | YouTube
Enjoy the episode!
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 14, 2025 • 22min
Turning NIMBY to YIMBY with Wendover’s Jonathan Wolf
This week on Power House, Diego chats with Jonathan Wolf, the CEO of Wendover Housing Partners, about affordable housing — specifically in their local Florida market — and how they’re working to combat pervasive NIMBYism.
Jonathan also dives into Wendover’s recent legislative victories on the affordable housing front and the role of major employers like Universal and Comcast in tackling NIMBYism.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
Why collaboration with employers is essential to overcoming NIMBY challenges
How Wendover Housing Partners plans to double its community management in the next two years
The importance of integrating services like healthcare and education into affordable housing communities
The potential for replicating Wendover's successful model nationwide
Jonathan's insights on engaging mortgage and real estate executives in affordable housing initiatives
Related to this episode:
Jonathan Wolf | LinkedIn
Wendover Housing Partners
HousingWire | YouTube
Enjoy the episode!
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 7, 2025 • 53min
Mastering mortgage with top originator Matt Weaver
This week on Power House we have a special interview that we recorded live at the G13 Assembly back in May, between HousingWire’s Senior Director of the Content Studio, Zeb Lowe and Matt Weaver, the nation's top loan originator in 2023.
Matt answers some of the top questions from lenders and originators across the nation, including how to avoid complacency, how to properly script yourself, how to handle buyer objections and much more!
Here’s what you’ll learn:
How Matt maintains his top ranking in a competitive market
The role of a scripted process in delivering consistent results
Strategies for training agents to handle buyer objections effectively
The importance of creating "wow" moments to boost referrals
Insights into the future of AI in the mortgage industry and the value of mentorship
Related to this episode:
Matt Weaver | LinkedIn
CrossCountry Mortgage
HousingWire | YouTube
Enjoy the episode!
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 31, 2025 • 27min
Everywhere all at once: Automating engagement with Ryan Young
In this sponsored episode of Power House, Diego sits down with Ryan Young, the CEO and Co-Founder of Fello. Ryan shares his transition from a professional chef to leading the number one real estate team in Ohio, and how trying to solve the pain points of that team led him to create Fello.
Ryan talks about how Fello is revolutionizing real estate and mortgage sectors by turning stagnant databases into usable, dynamic assets using AI-driven automated processes. This approach not only enriches CRM data but also identifies valuable prospects, sets appointments, and much more. Tune in to learn how to harness the full potential of your data and stay ahead in the digital age.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
How Ryan Young transitioned from a professional chef to leading Ohio's top real estate team
Why solving his team's challenges led Ryan to create Fello
How Fello revolutionizes real estate and mortgage sectors by transforming stagnant databases into dynamic assets
What sets Fello apart with its AI-driven automated processes that enrich CRM data and identify valuable prospects
Inside Fello’s approach to setting appointments and maximizing data potential in the digital age
Related to this episode:
Fello
Ryan Young | LinkedIn
Marketing automation is the future — and Fello wants to help | HousingWire
HousingWire | YouTube
Enjoy the episode!
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 24, 2025 • 41min
The future of housing is in your own backyard with Samara CEO
This week on Power House, Diego sits down with Mike McNamara, the co-founder and CEO of Samara, a company that focuses on building pre-fab housing products and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Originally born inside the Airbnb space, Samara is trying to revolutionize housing by providing flexible living spaces that serve a diverse set of needs, from generating rental income to accommodating multi-generational families.
Mike talks about how ADUs might be an unexpected solution to some of our housing shortage problems, especially in dense areas like California. He also talks about what the future looks like for diverse households and the community work that they’re doing to help wildfire victims in Southern California.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
Why backyard ADUs are becoming the go-to option for housing flexibility and supplemental rental income
How Samara handles the entire ADU process in as little as 7 months
What sets Samara apart from other traditional prefab builders
Why California’s zoning laws have helped ADUs take off, and what other states can learn from that
Inside Samara’s $15M initiative to donate homes to wildfire survivors
Related to this episode:
Samara
Getting Smart on ADUs with Samara’s Mike McNamara
Samara | LinkedIn
HousingWire | YouTube
Enjoy the episode!
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 17, 2025 • 34min
The secret to scaling success with Justin Bailey
Today on Power House, Diego sits down with Justin Bailey, the CEO of Realty Executives Associates. Founded in 1977, the firm quickly grew in the East Tennessee market and now has over 1,000 agents. As a fourth-generation realtor, Justin shares how his time in the nonprofit world helped shape his leadership style and why relational leadership remains central to his approach even as REA continues to scale.
Justin walks through his journey to brokerage CEO, highlighting the challenges of scaling from 50 to 1,000 agents and the systems necessary to support sustainable growth. He also shares his views on Clear Cooperation, the role of the MLS, and what he sees as a turning point for NAR under its new CEO, Nykia Wright.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
How nonprofit values shaped Justin’s leadership in real estate
What it takes to scale a brokerage while preserving culture and connection
Why creating a strong core leadership team is critical in large firms
How identity and self-awareness impact leadership effectiveness
Why Justin is optimistic about NAR’s direction under Nykia Wright
Related to this episode:
Nykia Wright looks to lead NAR into the future
Justin Bailey | LinkedIn
Realty Executives
HousingWire | YouTube
Enjoy the episode!
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices