In this episode, we welcome James Duncan, a recognized leader in mortgage marketing who was honored as a “Marketing Leader” by HousingWire in 2022. James Duncan is the Founder and Chief Marketing Strategist at Caelum Advisers—an agency specializing in helping mortgage executives build resilient, growth‑focused marketing systems.

James shares how to modernize your marketing strategy, avoid common tech traps, and align your brand to drive real ROI—without losing the personal touch your clients expect. You'll also hear James share how to use AI in a way that supports your team, and why human connection remains a competitive advantage for maximum ROI.

If you’re a loan officer or marketing leader looking to stay ahead of the curve while staying authentic, this episode is for you.

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In today’s episode of Mortgage Marketing Radio, we’re tossing out the old networking playbook and redefining what real connection looks like in today’s noisy, tech-heavy world. I'm joined by Lindsey Meyer, Jen Peachman, and Philip Mancuso, three of the 25 authors behind the new book Rethink Everything You Know About Networking.

This isn’t about business cards, small talk, or shallow connections. It’s about authenticity, intentionality, and using education and human value as your lead strategy.

We’ll explore how to create a ripple effect through small, meaningful actions, and why vulnerability is one of the most underrated tools in your business toolkit.

1. Intentional networking beats passive presence – Showing up with purpose and a clear message builds trust faster than any cold pitch.
2. Lead with value, not expertise – You don’t need to be a subject matter expert; you just need to offer useful, relevant insights people care about.
3. Vulnerability is a connection multiplier – When you're willing to share your real story, you invite others into a deeper, more lasting relationship.

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Connect with Philip Mancuso

Want to double your Realtor referrals without chasing, cold-calling, or paying for leads?

See how Travis Newton grew his production by $40 million!

Check Out myAgent Classes Here

Connect With Geoff

📸 Connect on Instagram

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In this episode, we dive deep into how to build, hire, and grow an effective mortgage team with guest expert Irene Duford, a veteran in the mortgage industry who has coached over 1,000 loan officers, team leads, and branch managers.

You’ll learn when to start hiring, what your first role should be, how to define the job before you put up the ad, and exactly how to leverage personality profiling tools like the DISC assessment to avoid the costliest hiring mistakes.

The conversation starts with the common pain point: loan officers trying to “do it all” alone, juggling lead generation, underwriting, processing, and closingwhich leads to burnout, inconsistent pipelines, and stalled growth. Irene explains that once you’re closing around five loans a month, it’s time to seriously think about adding support.

Key takeaways for this episode:

1. Know when to hire – Once your team is doing ~5 loans/month and you’re wearing too many hats, it's time to hire.
2. Define the role first – A clear job description, process, and expectations reduce hiring drag and frustration.
3. Use behavioral profiling – Tools like DISC, and values assessments help match candidates to roles and avoid costly hiring mistakes.

Whether you’re a solo loan officer looking to build your first team or a branch manager ready to optimize your hiring process and team structure, this episode is packed with actionable advice on hiring the right person, building systems, and creating a high‑performing mortgage team.

Connect with Irene on LinkedIn

Follow Irene on Instagram

Want to double your Realtor referrals without chasing, cold-calling, or paying for leads?

See how Travis Newton grew his production by $40 million!

Check Out myAgent Classes Here

Connect With Geoff

📸 Connect on Instagram

💼 Connect on LinkedIn

📹 Subscribe on YouTube

SAY THANKS

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify