Learn how Brady Thomas grew his Volume by 45% without Cold Calling.

Stop being a "transaction taker" and start building Referral Gravity. Learn the exact framework Brady Thomas used to grow his business by 45% year over year and fund $180M in 2025 while the rest of the Mortgage industry was stuck with high interest rate fatigue.

Brady Thomas breaks down how he went from transaction taker to value creator while also moving from California to Boston in a down market and growing his business substantially.

This episode reveals his three pillars of Referral Gravity so you can stop chasing business and start attracting referrals: Transactional Clarity, Authority, and Operational Leverage.

If you want to rise above the grind and be the CEO of your business, this episode is your masterclass.

Talking Shift episode Insights:

Referral Partners don't refer people, they refer problems:
Position yourself as the specific solution to their biggest headaches.

• Create your Niche in a commoditized Mortgage Industry:
  How to be seen by your Realtors so you are the exact person they refer.
• Stop being impressive, start being relatable:
  People connect with your "messy" human moments, not polished posts.
• Be the CEO of your Business:
  Stop being a product and start being the strategy that helps your clients and referral partners.

00:00 Introduction to Brady Thomas and His Success

02:56 Falling Back in Love with the Business

06:08 The Shift from Transactional to Value-Based

08:57 Finding Your Voice in Content Creation

11:50 Building Trust Through Authenticity

15:06 The Long Game of Marketing and Connection

17:38 Leveraging AI and Insights for Growth

20:59 The Importance of Curiosity and Continuous Learning

29:48 The Importance of Personal Branding

33:38 Building Referral Gravity in Business

34:07 Understanding the Mortgage Landscape

38:34 Creating Clarity in Referrals

41:55 Establishing Authority and Thought Leadership

47:19 Operational Leverage for Sustainable Growth

50:18 Finding Purpose in Business

Today's Guest:

Brady Thomas, Guest: An elite producer and owner at LaSalle Mortgage who grew his business by 45% year-over-year in a down market. He is a master of digital branding and systems-driven growth, moving $180M in volume through building referral gravity, not cold calls.

👉Brady’s Instagram

👉LaSalle Mortgage

Craig Davis, Host: A leader’s leader, executive coach, and speaker with 20 years in the mortgage business, Craig is a Stage 3 cancer survivor with a mission to help busy leaders get unstuck, reduce stress, and Make Shift Happen in life and business.

👉Coach Craig Davis

👉Craig’s LinkedIn

👉Craig’s Instagram

Check out Talking Shift on all your favorite platforms.

🎙️ The Talking Shift Podcast
👉 Apple | Spotify | YouTube

If you enjoy this podcast, please support it by liking, subscribing, and sharing with someone who needs to hear it.

The most sophisticated tech ever, AI, is now table stakes.
But AI is not the threat.

On this episode of Talking Shift, Craig sits down with Eric Post, founder and CEO of Huzi.ai to get into the truth that many leaders are missing.

The real disruption isn’t competitors using AI better than you.

It’s the AI powered consumer who’s already informed, researched, and confident.

Knowledge is no longer valuable when everyone has access to super intelligence.

So what is the advantage?
Humanity.
Efficiency
Leverage

Eric and Craig dig into the perspectives that help shape how to use AI so your humanity always remains forward, and connected to your clients:
• Why knowledge is no longer your value
• How the AI powered consumer is using AI instead of search
• Why authority without humanity is forgettable
• How leaders move from being “smart” to being trusted

AI is raising the bar, and it’s happening fast, faster than any technology in history.

The future belongs to those who know how to pair AI intelligence with human wisdom.

Listen in if you’re a CEO, a branch manager, a sales originator, or entrepreneur who wants to stay keep up with a world that’s changing fast.

And the great news, it’s not too late!

This conversation will break down the barriers of AI and get you excited about incorporating it into your business, and life.

00:00 Introduction to AI and Humanity

01:42 The State of AI Development

05:12 The Shift from Search to Conversation

07:09 SEO vs. AEO and GEO

10:02 Building Authority in the AI Era

12:15 The Rise of Content and Niche Markets

16:23 The Race for Efficiency vs. Memorable Experiences

18:36 From Knowledge Workers to Wisdom Workers

24:39 Creating Human Connections in a Digital World

27:42 The Importance of Stillness in a Fast-Paced World

29:23 Finding Your Genius Zone

31:37 The Power of Human Connection

35:41 Personal Development Through Adversity

39:15 Embracing Immersion and Curiosity

41:27 The Birth of Who's He: Empowerment Through AI

47:26 Closing the Gaps in AI Understanding

54:40 The Future of AI and Humanity

-AI is not making the industry easier; it's raising the bar.

-The biggest threat to industries is the AI-powered consumer.

-SEO is still important, but AEO and GEO are the future.

-Creating memorable experiences is key in a commoditized market.

-Human connection is essential in business and can be the difference between life and death.

-Curiosity and resourcefulness are vital skills in the AI era.

-AI can help individuals grow in ways they never thought possible.

Craig Davis, Host: A leader’s leader, executive coach, and speaker with 20 years in the mortgage business, Craig is a Stage 3 cancer survivor with a mission to help busy leaders get unstuck, reduce stress, and Make Shift Happen in life and business.

👉Coach Craig Davis

👉Craig’s LinkedIn

👉Craig’s Instagram

Check out Talking Shift on all your favorite platforms.

🎙️ The Talking Shift Podcast
👉 Apple | Spotify | YouTube

If you enjoy this podcast, please support it by liking, subscribing, and sharing with someone who needs to hear it.

"Common sense is the one thing that trumps everything else.".

Dino grew up in the restaurant business, learning at an early age that success isn't about complex algorithms, it's about being a good human, discipline, and crisscrossing cheese in the kitchen to save time when cooking in the restaurant. Today, as the CEO of Ethos Lending, he’s disrupting a multi-billion dollar Mortgage industry and building something Mortgage Advisors want to retire at.

In this episode of Talking Shift, Craig and Dino dive deep into why the traditional mortgage model is outdated, how AI is driving impact, and why as an entrepreneur you have to “burn the boats” to build a legacy.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The "Restaurant Rule" for Business: Why giving away a "free drink" was more powerful than anything else.
• The M.U.M. Framework: How to turn your book of business into a “Mortgages Under Management” asset that is helping Loan Officers retire when ready.
• AI as a CEO Tool: Why Dino wakes up at 4AM building an AI powerhouse to serve his business and increase the asset value of his Loan Officer’s Mortgages Under Management.
• The Shift in Perspective: Why your perspective is the only thing standing between you and a million-dollar year.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Who is Dino? The CEO with a different "ethos".
• 06:47 – Lessons from the Greek restaurant: Counting change and crossing cheese.
• 09:20 – The "Distraction" Technique: Managing client anxiety.
• 17:01 – Why Dino stopped "hunting" for loans to build a legacy.
• 22:52 – Explaining M.U.M. (Mortgages Under Management) .
• 38:49 – Waking up at 4:00 AM for the AI revolution.
• 49:43 – The one word every leader needs: Perspective.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Dino Katsiametis is the CEO and Founder of Ethos Lending. With 28 years in the industry, Dino is a visionary leader focused on transforming loan officers into advisors. He is the pioneer of the MUM model and host of
The Way
podcast.

🌐 Ethos Lending
🌐 The Way Podcast
🌐 Dino's LinkedIn

ABOUT THE HOST

Craig Davis is an Executive Coach, Keynote Speaker, and host of
Talking Shift
. A valued leader in the mortgage industry and cancer survivor, Craig helps high-performers get out of the grind, reduce stress, and succeed on purpose.

🌐Ascend Xperience
🌐Craig’s LinkedIn

Check out Talking

Craig Davis, Host: A leader’s leader, executive coach, and speaker with 20 years in the mortgage business, Craig is a Stage 3 cancer survivor with a mission to help busy leaders get unstuck, reduce stress, and Make Shift Happen in life and business.

👉Coach Craig Davis

👉Craig’s LinkedIn

👉Craig’s Instagram

Check out Talking Shift on all your favorite platforms.

🎙️ The Talking Shift Podcast
👉 Apple | Spotify | YouTube

If you enjoy this podcast, please support it by liking, subscribing, and sharing with someone who needs to hear it.

Most people are seeking motivation to succeed.

But that is not the answer to success.

On this episode of Talking Shift, Michelle Berman-Mikel and Craig Davis dig into how to drive momentum when the motivation wears off.

It’s not hacking into social media algorithms, going viral, or just using AI.

It is one intentional action.

Done daily.

No excuses.

It’s your “Your Black Line.”

Michelle shares how committing to a single daily prospecting habit led to 38 percent year-over-year growth in her business; even amidst personal loss and being stuck. It was going back to her Black Line.

This conversation is about leadership, entrepreneurship, prospecting successfully, and doing the work.

If you're not prospecting then your calendar isn’t filling up, your pipeline becomes unpredictable, and your business stagnates.

This episode will show you about the Black Line that builds success and how to prospect successfully on social media, leverage relationships, and grow your business.

When you listen to the full episode, and ask yourself one honest question:

What is the one thing you must do every day to move your business forward?

00:00 Introduction and Excitement for the Book

02:58 Reflecting on Growth and Achievements

05:46 The Impact of Personal Challenges on Professional Growth

08:57 The Black Line Concept: Origin and Meaning

12:03 Discipline vs. Motivation in Achieving Success

15:04 The Importance of Consistency and Focus

17:47 Leveraging Relationships for Business Growth

20:48 The Methodology Behind Prospecting Success

23:59 Building Genuine Relationships Through Prospecting

28:16 The Entrepreneurial Spirit and Calendar Management

30:36 Building Authentic Social Presence

33:10 Challenging the Algorithm Obsession

35:12 The Importance of Movement and Discipline

37:43 Identity and Leadership as a Black Line

40:01 Defining Your Daily Discipline

42:41 Setting Boundaries for Personal and Professional Growth

About the Hosts

Michelle Berman-Mikel | Speaker, Author & Podcast Host

Michelle Berman-Mikel is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, author of
The Black Line
, and founder of Berman Media PD. Creator of Beyond The Method™, she helps entrepreneurs, mortgage, and real estate professionals turn social media into a powerful prospecting tool—focused on connection, credibility, and real business growth. She also hosts
The Coffee & Questions
podcast, interviewing top leaders on high performance and strategy.

Craig Davis | Executive Coach, Keynote Speaker & Host of Talking Shift

Craig Davis is an Executive Coach, Keynote Speaker, and host of the
Talking Shift
podcast, helping busy leaders escape the grind and

Craig Davis, Host: A leader’s leader, executive coach, and speaker with 20 years in the mortgage business, Craig is a Stage 3 cancer survivor with a mission to help busy leaders get unstuck, reduce stress, and Make Shift Happen in life and business.

👉Coach Craig Davis

👉Craig’s LinkedIn

👉Craig’s Instagram

Check out Talking Shift on all your favorite platforms.

🎙️ The Talking Shift Podcast
👉 Apple | Spotify | YouTube

If you enjoy this podcast, please support it by liking, subscribing, and sharing with someone who needs to hear it.

Ken Perry joins Craig Davis for a conversation that goes far beyond business. We dive into the early moments that shaped his path, the bold decision to walk away from a successful career as an AE, and the drive that pushed him to build Knowledge Coop from the ground up. Ken breaks down the mindset behind taking risks, the importance of knowing your strengths, and how he has harnessed his super power of connecting deep research with humor as a foundation to helping the good guys win in Mortgage.

Ken and Craig Talk Shift about leadership, developments in AI, ADHD, and entrepreneurship. Ken shares stories from the mortgage industry, the challenges he saw years ago and how those experiences shaped his mission to impact the Mortgage Industry.

This episode is packed with insight and humor. If you’re growing a business, leading a team or finding your next move, this conversation will fire you up. Check it out and let’s Talk Shift!

00:00 Introduction to Ken Perry and His Journey

05:57 The Entrepreneurial Mindset and Growth

11:43 The Importance of Finding Your Genius Zone

17:12 Navigating the Risks of AI

32:31 Exploring AI Tools and Their Evolution

38:08 The Importance of Authenticity in AI

43:36 Navigating Authority vs. Authenticity in AI

49:47The Future of AI and Its Societal Impact

Talking Shift is on all your favorite platforms:
🎙️ talkingshiftwithcraig.com
👉 @Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-shift/id1835827708
👉 @Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3FrnO79RfhkMc2iSQN14KM?si=ec1af3e7c1884863
👉 @YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TalkingShiftwithcraig

If you enjoy this podcast, please support it by liking, subscribing, and sharing.

Craig Davis, Host: A leader’s leader, executive coach, and speaker with 20 years in the mortgage business, Craig is a Stage 3 cancer survivor with a mission to help busy leaders get unstuck, reduce stress, and Make Shift Happen in life and business.

👉Coach Craig Davis

👉Craig’s LinkedIn

👉Craig’s Instagram

Check out Talking Shift on all your favorite platforms.

🎙️ The Talking Shift Podcast
👉 Apple | Spotify | YouTube

If you enjoy this podcast, please support it by liking, subscribing, and sharing with someone who needs to hear it.

What is happening in the Credit Reporting market with the changing models, pricing, and how can this become an opportunity for lenders? Jump into this episode and find out!

Welcome to another episode of Talking Shift with Craig. In this conversation, Craig Davis sits down with Shelley Leonard, CEO of Xactus, and Greg Holmes, Chief Revenue Officer of Xactus. They take us inside the shifts in the mortgage and credit space, especially with the new FICO direct model hitting the market fast.

This episode brings much needed clarity for originators and leaders throughout the mortgage and housing industry given the industry shifts, FICO direct model, Vantage score, and much more. Shelley and Greg give a clear breakdown of the new credit reporting landscape and what FICO direct really means, why costs are changing, and how Xactus is delivering strategies to increase flexibility and the borrower experience, giving their clients a competitive edge.

Summary
Shelley and Greg talk about why lenders need more choices and how that ultimately will benefit the consumer. They explain how the direct model increases flexibility and competition, and with data insights, there is opportunity to increase the borrower experience.

Key Takeaways
• We feel responsible for giving lenders every option they need.
• One size does not fit all.
• Competition and flexibility keep the market healthy.
• Lenders can compete more effectively with more choices.
• Diversity in needs requires diversity in solutions.
• Competition pushes innovation.
• Flexibility drives satisfaction and stronger performance.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Xactus and Industry Challenges
02:13 Understanding the Current Credit Landscape
05:46 The Credit Reporting Ecosystem Explained
11:09 FICO Direct Model. What It Means
13:20 Cost Implications of the New FICO Model
17:35 Navigating Competition and Market Changes
21:13 Xactus and the Future of Flexibility
24:00 Leading Through Change
29:57 Strategic Insights for Lenders
35:27 Turning Change Into Opportunity
42:06 The Future of Credit and Technology

Talking Shift is on all your favorite platforms:
🎙️ talkingshiftwithcraig.com
👉 @Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-shift/id1835827708
👉 @Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3FrnO79RfhkMc2iSQN14KM?si=ec1af3e7c1884863
👉 @YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@T

Craig Davis, Host: A leader’s leader, executive coach, and speaker with 20 years in the mortgage business, Craig is a Stage 3 cancer survivor with a mission to help busy leaders get unstuck, reduce stress, and Make Shift Happen in life and business.

👉Coach Craig Davis

👉Craig’s LinkedIn

👉Craig’s Instagram

Check out Talking Shift on all your favorite platforms.

🎙️ The Talking Shift Podcast
👉 Apple | Spotify | YouTube

If you enjoy this podcast, please support it by liking, subscribing, and sharing with someone who needs to hear it.

Rene Godefroy Resilience from Haiti to the National Stage

This episode is something special. I sat down with my guest Rene Godefroy, a man whose story defines resilience, vision, and the power of declaring your destiny before anyone else believes in it. From the villages of Haiti to speaking on national stages, his journey is a reminder that you never have to wait for permission to pursue the life you were created for.

We begin with Rene's story as he was left behind in his Haitian village at nine months old. Rene opens up about how relationships shaped his resilience, how Port au Prince transformed his path, and how dreaming of America lit a fire that carried him into purpose. Learn about the power of mindset, belief, gratitude, and resilience.

This conversation is raw, empowering, and deeply human. If you’ve ever questioned your worth, your dreams, or your ability to rise above your circumstances, this episode will meet you exactly where you are.

Key Takeaways
I am not waiting for people’s permission
Declare what you want boldly
Mindset is the foundation of every success story
Resilience helps you rise after every setback
Goal setting is the roadmap to momentum
Empower yourself to take action
Confidence begins within you
Break free from the permission mentality
Your vision creates your direction

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to a Powerful Journey

02:47 The Impact of Abandonment

08:47 Resilience and the Role of Relationships

18:47 A New Life in Port-au-Prince

32:50 Dreaming of America and the Power of Vision

34:56 Seizing Opportunities in Unexpected Situations

37:08 Mindset and Manifestation: Creating Your Reality

39:53 The Journey of an Immigrant: Overcoming Challenges

45:38 Resilience and the Power of Positive Influence

48:13 The Importance of Sharing Your Story

59:18 The Gift of Sharing: Purpose and Impact

Shout Outs:

• https://www.renegodefroy.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/renegodefroy/

Talking Shift is on all your favorite platforms:
🎙️ talkingshiftwithcraig.com
👉 @Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-shift/id1835827708
👉 @Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3FrnO79RfhkMc2iSQN14KM?si=ec1af3e7c1884863
👉 @YouTube: https://w

Craig Davis, Host: A leader’s leader, executive coach, and speaker with 20 years in the mortgage business, Craig is a Stage 3 cancer survivor with a mission to help busy leaders get unstuck, reduce stress, and Make Shift Happen in life and business.

👉Coach Craig Davis

👉Craig’s LinkedIn

👉Craig’s Instagram

Check out Talking Shift on all your favorite platforms.

🎙️ The Talking Shift Podcast
👉 Apple | Spotify | YouTube

If you enjoy this podcast, please support it by liking, subscribing, and sharing with someone who needs to hear it.

If you are a mortgage professional looking to adapt and thrive, this is a must-listen episode. It's published and ready for you now!

Join Craig Davis and the legendary Abdel Khawatmi (aka The Mortgage Gorilla) as they dig into the fast-moving landscape of the mortgage industry and how successful leaders are balancing education, technology, and human connection to build success.

Abdel shares his powerful, client-first strategies for integrating AI and building systems-based origination that always prioritizes the client relationship. This episode provides a roadmap for professionals ready to adapt, automate, and act.

Key Takeaways from The Mortgage Gorilla:

• The leaders who are crushing it are adapting, automating, and acting.
• Education leads first in building client relationships.
• Integrating AI enhances efficiency and reduces costs, but must be balanced with personal touch.
• Understanding the client's 'why' is key to building lasting relationships.

Jump to Specific Topics:

00:00 Introduction to the Mortgage Gorilla

01:11 Insights from the Sales Mastery Conference

03:32 Adapting to Change in the Mortgage Industry

06:53 Building Relationships and Communication

10:22 The Importance of Human Connection

12:11 Time Management and Team Structure

18:24 Integrating AI into Business Processes

23:56 Leveraging Technology in Client Interactions

24:43 Balancing Modernization with Personal Touch

27:33 Understanding Client Communication Preferences

29:41 Enhancing Client Engagement through Technology

31:08 The Importance of Relationship Building

32:45 Creating Infrastructure for Client Education

34:49 Leadership in the Mortgage Industry

36:55 Cost Efficiency through AI and Technology

40:06 Addressing Margin Compression with Innovation

43:28 Controlling Client Relationships for Better Outcomes

Craig Davis, Host: A leader’s leader, executive coach, and speaker with 20 years in the mortgage business, Craig is a Stage 3 cancer survivor with a mission to help busy leaders get unstuck, reduce stress, and Make Shift Happen in life and business.

👉Coach Craig Davis

👉Craig’s LinkedIn

👉Craig’s Instagram

Check out Talking Shift on all your favorite platforms.

🎙️ The Talking Shift Podcast
👉 Apple | Spotify | YouTube

If you enjoy this podcast, please support it by liking, subscribing, and sharing with someone who needs to hear it.