
The Way with Dino Katsiametis
The Way with Dino Katsiametis is your ultimate resource for navigating entrepreneurship, balancing work and life, and leaving a lasting legacy in the mortgage business. Hosted by industry expert Dino Katsiametis, each episode features insightful interviews with top entrepreneurs, business leaders, and visionaries who share their journeys, secrets to success, and lessons learned along the way. Whether you’re looking to scale your business, lead with impact, or find harmony in your daily hustle, Dino and his guests provide the practical tools and inspiration you need to thrive. Tune in and discover The Way to elevate your life and career.
Latest episodes

Jul 15, 2025 • 58min
Building Mortgage Empires: Brian Hogben’s Bold Path to Success
In this inspiring episode of The Way with Dino Katsiametis, Canadian mortgage mogul Brian Hogben shares his incredible journey from aspiring rock star to the founder of Mission 35 Mortgages. Brian opens up about the lessons learned from starting with nothing, building a multi-branch brokerage, and navigating massive setbacks—including being abandoned by his team just as he launched his business. He and Dino discuss work-life balance, leadership, pouring into others, and how fear can be your greatest motivator. Whether you're stuck in your career or striving for the next level, this episode is packed with actionable insights and bold strategies for building wealth and purpose.Learn from Dino and join the team at https://ethoslending.com/

Jul 1, 2025 • 53min
Chris Piro on Hustle, Discipline, and Building a Bulletproof Pipeline of Mortgage Clients
In this no-holds-barred episode of The Way with Dino Katsiametis, mortgage entrepreneur Chris Piro shares his remarkable journey—from nearly becoming a chef to leading a multi-state mortgage firm and closing over $150 million a year.Chris reveals how cold-calling shaped his success, why discipline creates true freedom, and how he built a client base of 94,000 by staying relentlessly consistent. From his days in retail banking to launching Searchlight Lending, Chris brings real talk on what it takes to grow, scale, and stay sane in the mortgage industry.- How cold calls, coffee meetings, and shoeboxes of business cards built his empire- Why brokers should stop chasing shiny objects and double down on what works- The exact routines, marketing systems, and CRM tactics Chris uses to generate business on autopilot- Plus: the mindset shift every $20M loan officer needs to scale past the plateauWhether you’re just starting out or trying to break past your ceiling, this episode delivers the real roadmap to going big in the mortgage world—without burning out.Learn from Dino and join the team at https://ethoslending.com/

Jun 24, 2025 • 1h 1min
Mortgage Powerhouse Brian Covey on Faith, Focus & Scaling Your Business
In this powerful episode of The Way, Dino Katsiametis sits down with Brian Covey—former professional soccer player turned mortgage executive and leadership coach—for a deep dive into the mindset, faith, and strategy that fuel high-performance business.Brian shares his journey from the soccer field to becoming a top producer and respected leader in the mortgage world. They talk about building stamina—in sports and business—overcoming self-doubt, leading with integrity, and why faith and gratitude are Brian’s greatest business tools.Listeners will discover:Why mental toughness and discipline are non-negotiables for entrepreneursHow Brian scaled from solo producer to leader of elite mortgage teamsThe impact of personal branding, coaching, and doing the hard things firstTactical advice for new and struggling loan officersWhy being known beats being the best—and how to become bothWhether you're in real estate, lending, or leadership, this episode will give you the clarity and courage to level up your business and life.Learn from Dino and join the team at https://ethoslending.com/

Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 34min
Mortgage Leadership, Building a Personal Brand & Surviving the Crash with Alec Hanson
In this unfiltered and inspiring episode of The Way with Dino Katsiametis, mortgage leader, content creator, and industry veteran Alec Hanson shares his incredible journey—from closing $85M in loans in his first year to becoming a driving force at LoanDepot. Alec opens up about his early insecurities, lessons from the 2008 financial collapse, and how building authentic relationships—and a personal brand—changed his career trajectory.🔍 In this episode, Alec breaks down:His rise from loan assistant to top producer and executiveHow content creation became a game-changer for recruiting and influenceLessons from losing everything in the housing crashThe mindset shift from ego to servant leadershipWhy connection > perfection when it comes to social strategyHow originators can leverage content to grow their referral networksWhat he’d do today if dropped in a new market with nothing but his knowledgeThis is a must-listen for loan officers, leaders, and anyone in mortgage looking to stay relevant, make an impact, and future-proof their business.Learn from Dino and join the team at https://ethoslending.com/

Jun 10, 2025 • 60min
Greg Sher on Mortgage Mastery, AI Disruption & Why Leadership Must Evolve Now
In this powerhouse episode of The Way with Dino Katsiametis, Dino sits down with Greg Sher—mortgage executive, media powerhouse, and host of the One on One podcast—for a candid and forward-thinking conversation on the future of lending, leadership, and technology in the mortgage industry.Greg shares:His unique journey from sportscasting to mortgage industry leadershipWhy AI is more than a buzzword—and how it’s already changing originationThe importance of adaptability for loan officers and real estate agentsHonest takes on the NAR settlement and what it really means for your businessWhy voice, advocacy, and transparency are essential for the next-gen mortgage leaderThis episode is a must-listen for mortgage professionals who want to stay relevant, lead with impact, and win in the age of automation. Whether you're a seasoned executive or just starting out, Greg’s no-BS insights, bold predictions, and deep industry perspective will leave you inspired and equipped for what’s next.👉 Subscribe, share, and join us as we redefine the way lending should be done.Learn from Dino and join the team at https://ethoslending.com/

May 27, 2025 • 57min
Dominating the Mortgage Game — Tano Kapedani’s 200+ Loans per Year Strategy
In this powerhouse episode of The Way with Dino Katsiametis, we sit down with Tano Kapedani, CEO of EZ Fundings, who personally closes 200+ loans a year—even in tough markets. Tano shares the exact strategies that skyrocketed his production, from mastering product knowledge to turning bank turndowns into goldmines. Discover how he built one of the industry's top-performing brokerages and his no-BS approach to relationships, referrals, and real results. Whether you're a new LO or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with actionable insights that could transform your business.👉 Subscribe now and learn from one of the top 2% in the mortgage industry!Learn from Dino and join the team at https://ethoslending.com/

May 20, 2025 • 1h 31min
From Pastor to $100M Mortgage Pro: Sosi Avila’s Blueprint for Referral-Based Success
In this fascinating conversation, Sosi Avila, a former pastor and now a top mortgage advisor, reveals how he built a $100M mortgage business through the power of referrals and authentic relationships. He shares his journey from missionary work to mastering client trust and strategic gifting. Sosi discusses vital strategies for nurturing connections with realtors and emphasizes the importance of gratitude and effective systems in achieving growth. Packed with insights on client interactions and leveraging technology, this discussion is a treasure trove for anyone in the mortgage industry.

May 6, 2025 • 55min
Build a Referral Machine with John Farrell
Dino Katsiametis CEO of Ethos Lending sits down with John Farrell of US Bank—an “obnoxiously good” loan officer with decades of experience and a reputation for keeping it real. From humble beginnings and industry burnout to becoming a top producer in a highly competitive market, John shares how he built a thriving, referral-based business by focusing on relationships, authenticity, and adaptability. Tune in for tactical advice on social media, surviving market downturns, leveraging AI tools, and the one thing every new loan officer should prioritize. Whether you're in lending or any relationship-driven business, this episode is packed with nuggets that can transform your game.Learn from Dino and join the team at https://ethoslending.com/

Apr 22, 2025 • 1h 28min
From $0 to $1B: How Amir Syed Built a Mortgage Empire with Purpose, Process & People
Are you a mortgage broker looking to grow your production, scale your mindset, and build lasting client relationships? In this high-energy episode of The Way with Dino Katsiametis, we sit down with Amir Syed — top-producing loan officer, founder of Go Coaching, and billion-dollar mortgage expert — to unpack the exact mindset shifts, scripts, systems, and sales strategies that helped him build a billion-dollar business.From mastering the perfect 60-second phone call to breaking down the “Loan Officer Love Languages” and why your CRM isn’t enough without the right rituals, Amir drops gold for LOs who want to grow in a down market. Whether you're closing $5M or aiming for $100M+, this episode is packed with actionable tips that will elevate your production and your purpose.🔥 Topics include:The 3 barriers to growth for loan officersProspecting like a pro in today’s marketBuilding a high-performing team with systems that scaleHow to create your Pre-Work Ritual (PWR) to win the dayWhy loving on your clients is your biggest competitive edgeLearn from Dino and join the team at https://ethoslending.com/

Apr 15, 2025 • 54min
From Burned Out to Boss: How JJ Mazzo Found Freedom in the Mortgage Biz
What happens when you stop settling and start betting on yourself? JJ left a "good" job to chase something better—and built a thriving mortgage business in the process. Tune in to hear how he faced the fear, broke the rules, and made his own lane. No fluff, just real talk for anyone ready to level up. Learn from Dino and join the team at https://ethoslending.com/