Best Kendra Rommel Podcasts (2025)

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2025 in Review with Kevin Kim: Defaults, Discipline, and What Comes Next 15:09

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6d ago15:09

15:09

In this solo wrap-up episode, Kevin Kim reflects on key trends and challenges the private lending industry faced in 2025 while sharing predictions and recommendations for 2026. From increased borrower fraud and rising defaults in major markets to the growth of in-house servicing and securitization opportunities for independent lenders, Kevin explor…

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From Regulation to Resilience: How CMA Champions California Lenders 1:27:01

1M ago1:27:01

1:27:01

In this episode of Lender Lounge, host Kevin Kim sits down with Brad Laddusaw of SNL Capital Group and Brock VandenBerg of Talamar Financial for a dynamic discussion on the realities of private lending in California. Both guests bring unique perspectives—Brad as the President of the California Mortgage Association (CMA) and Brock as a seasoned fund…

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S5E11 | The Benefits of Balance Sheet Lending featuring Wes Carpenter 1:12:16

2M ago1:12:16

1:12:16

Wes Carpenter, Managing Partner at Stormfield Capital, joins Kevin Kim in this episode of Lender Lounge. With a background in multifamily investing and over a decade in private lending, Wes shares the unique story of building Stormfield into a contrarian, institutional-grade lender. Unlike many of its peers, Stormfield operates as a true balance sh…

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S5E10 | From Fighting to Funding with "Sam" Sarkis Chivitchian 1:06:19

3M ago1:06:19

1:06:19

"Sam" Sarkis Chivitchian is the founder and CEO of Secured Capital Lending, a direct private lending firm specializing in private money and hard money loan products — including fix and flip, construction loans, DSCR, commercial bridge, land loans, and asset-based financing. With over 20 years of experience in real estate and finance and more than 1…

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S5E9 | Wall Street Wisdom: Insights From Charlie Woo 1:04:08

5M ago1:04:08

1:04:08

Charlie Woo, President of Fidelity Bancorp Funding, joins Kevin Kim in this episode of Lender Lounge. With a deep background in investment banking and a pivotal role in past industry-shaping transactions, Charlie shares why he moved from Wall Street to private lending. Fidelity Bridge Loans focuses on small-balance bridge loans for commercial real …

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S5E8 | The (Unofficial) Roast of Kevin Kim 1:28:27

6M ago1:28:27

1:28:27

In this special pre-Captivate episode of Lender Lounge, Fortra Law Partners Kevin Kim, Jennifer Young, and Nema Daghbandan trade industry insights, leadership philosophies, and plenty of jabs in a no-holds-barred "roast" of their own. Set against the backdrop of Captivate 2025, this episode blends serious economic forecasting with personal stories …

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Cultivating Success Through Connection with Kendra Rommel 56:22

8M ago56:22

56:22

Kendra Rommel, co-founder of Futures Financial, joins Geraci Partner Jen and Geraci Attorney Nichole for a special "She-Shed" takeover episode of Lender Lounge. Kendra shares her unconventional path from retail to mortgage lending, her early operations experience, and the strategic decisions behind launching Futures with her partner David Rosenberg…

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Live from Renovo's Top Gun 1:05:34

10M ago1:05:34

1:05:34

Kevin Kim hosts a special episode of Lender Lounge on location at Renovo Financial's Top Gun Event in Los Angeles. Joined by Paul Shaughnessy, a top originator at Renovo, and Kevin Werner, CEO of Renovo Financial, the discussion delves into Renovo's culture of employee investment, relationship-driven lending, and long-term growth strategy. The gues…

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When A Cardinal Appears 54:44

10M ago54:44

54:44

In this episode of Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim, Briana Hildt, CEO and Founder of Cardinal Capital Group, joins the show to share her remarkable journey in private lending. From starting in asset management to becoming one of Massachusetts' leading private lenders, Briana discusses how she transitioned from a loan broker to launching and scaling he…

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A League of Their Own - Guimont Capital 1:13:40

1y ago1:13:40

1:13:40

In this episode of Lender Lounge, Kevin Kim interviews Daniel Guimont, CEO of Guimont Capital, and Kirsten Lundell Koester, the company's Chief Legal Officer, at their Bellevue office. Daniel and Kirsten share Guimont Capital's journey from its roots as Las Vegas Loans to becoming a diversified lender focused on high-value, diverse projects across …

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Live At CAPTIVATE 1:30:53

1y ago1:30:53

1:30:53

Kevin Kim hosts a live episode of Lender Lounge from the Captivate Conference at the Encore Hotel in Las Vegas. Joining him are industry veterans Evan Stone, CEO of Champions Funding and Chairman of Community Savings, Dustin Wells, President of Dominion Financial Services Wholesale, and Dave Orloff, CEO of American Heritage Lending. This discussion…

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Don't Mess with Texas, Michael Hoffman - Longhorn III 55:52

1y ago55:52

55:52

In this episode of Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim, Mike Hoffman, CEO and President of Longhorn Investments, joins Kevin to share his journey into private lending and the growth of Longhorn Investments. Starting from a background in law with no real estate experience, Mike stumbled into the world of hard money lending during the 2008 financial crisis.…

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"Constructive Conversation"- with Ben Fertig, President of Constructive Capital 1:04:37

1+ y ago1:04:37

1:04:37

In this episode of Lender Lounge, Kevin Kim welcomes back Ben Fertig. Ben is the founder and President of Constructive Capital, the leading national capital provider for DSCR Rental Loans and Residential Transitional Loans (RTL or Fix and Flip Loans). Prior to Constructive, Ben led Credit and Asset Management at Finance of America Commercial; and, …

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First to Market: A Conversation with John Beacham, TOORAK Capital Partners 1:25:10

1+ y ago1:25:10

1:25:10

The Lender Lounge is pleased to host a special guest speaker series. Leading up to our next season, we have John Beacham of Toorak Capital Partners as our guest for an open conversation about his career and success. John Beacham, CEO of Toorak Capital Partners, joins Kevin Kim for a special episode of Lender Lounge, produced in collaboration with t…

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Kevin Kim Answers Private Lending FAQs + Season 4 Recap 34:15

2y ago34:15

34:15

In this concluding episode of Season 4, Kevin Kim reflects on the insights gained from our guests and addresses common questions from our listeners, particularly those new to private lending. Kevin discusses licensing for private lenders, emphasizing the variation in requirements across states and the importance of compliance and understanding secu…

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A Conversation with Beth O'Brien, Encore Finance 58:18

2y ago58:18

58:18

Beth O'Brien, a dynamic leader and innovator in the private lending industry, joins Kevin Kim on this episode of Lender Lounge. With her rich background in law, real estate, and securitization, Beth currently spearheads Encore Finance Capital. Her journey encompasses an impressive trajectory from working at renowned institutions like Goldman Sachs …

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A Conversation with Adham Sbeih of Socotra Capital 1:05:28

2y ago1:05:28

1:05:28

Adham Sbeih is an exemplary leader in the private lending industry. As CEO of Socotra Capital, he has built the company to a team of 33 and roughly $500 million in capital distributed across four funds, positioning it as a dynamic lender and trusted partner for their clients. In this episode, Kevin Kim and co-host Nema Daghbandan sit down with Adha…

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Ask a Private Lending Risk-Taker: Demystifying Fund Creation | Brock VandenBerg & Matt Podesto 57:17

2y ago57:17

57:17

In this episode, Kevin Kim engages in a dynamic conversation with Matt Podesto and Brock VandenBerg, two successful private lenders who have taken the leap into fund management. From the early days of local hard money lending to the influx of institutional capital and white label programs, our guests provide valuable insights into the changing land…

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A 2024 Crystal Ball Conversation with Geraci Leadership 21:49

2y ago21:49

21:49

The leadership at Geraci LLP collectively has decades upon decades of private lending industry experience. For this episode, Kevin asked Geraci's seasoned professionals to offer their foresight into the private lending industry for 2024 – what does the industry need to know as we head into the new year? Kevin and the Geraci team explore anticipated…

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Ask a Private Lending Marketer: Mastering Your Brand | Erica LaCentra & Rocky Butani 1:03:35

2y ago1:03:35

1:03:35

For this episode, our host Kevin Kim welcomes industry experts Erica LaCentra and Rocky Butani for a deep dive into the nuanced world of private lending marketing. They highlight the importance of industry conferences and share insights on how emerging companies and entrepreneurs can smartly use marketing to stand out in a crowded field. With a foc…

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A Conversation with Ray Mathoda, Anchor Loans 1:05:16

2y ago1:05:16

1:05:16

Ray Mathoda is a seasoned CEO, social entrepreneur, and passionate visionary who now leads the charge at Anchor Loans, a lending giant with more than $13 billion in loans funded to date. Her upbringing in India, passion for genomics, identity as a member of the Desi LGBTQ+ community, and vast professional experience all give her a unique perspectiv…

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A Conversation with Bill Tessar, CV3 Financial Services 1:03:36

2y ago1:03:36

1:03:36

William J. Tessar is one of private lending's most successful and inspiring leaders. From founding four companies in the conventional space to spearheading the remarkable success of Civic Financial Services, his journey offers invaluable insights to those new or veteran in private mortgage lending. Today, at the helm of CV3, Bill is recreating the …

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Ask a Private Lending Leader: Navigating Company Culture | Kevin Werner & Greg Hebner 1:09:15

2+ y ago1:09:15

1:09:15

Step into the Lender Lounge as Kevin Kim leads a conversation between two of the private lending industry's best: Kevin Werner, CEO of Renovo Financial, and Greg Hebner, Managing Director at Arixa Capital. From building a reputation for their companies as desirable workplaces to the intricacies of hiring top-notch talent and truly understanding cli…

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Special Summer Edition: A Conversation with a Lending Titan | Arvind Mohan, Kiavi 52:33

2+ y ago52:33

52:33

Join Arvind Mohan, CEO of Kiavi (formerly LendingHome), as he peels back the curtain for a glimpse into the lending giant and delves into the industry. Discover Kiavi's ambitious plans for rehab projects and urban construction, their dedication to data-driven customer service, and their strategies for building a stronger lending portfolio. Hear fro…

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Resiliency Through Diversification | Ben Fertig, Constructive Loans 1:04:33

3y ago1:04:33

1:04:33

In the season 3 finale of Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim, Kevin interviewed Ben Fertig, the President and Co-Founder of Constructive Capital - a leading name in the private lending space and a reputable provider of DSCR loans. Ben shared about the genesis of Constructive and delved into his unique perspective on the private lending industry. With the…

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Carole Baskin on the Power of a Positive Mindset 52:55

3y ago52:55

52:55

Carole Baskin (@carolebaskincat) is the founder and CEO of Big Cat Rescue. She also runs a real estate business managing 100+ volunteers and interns from around the world and 10 staff and contractors. With her non-profit running for over 30 years, she has become an internationally renowned activist for the care and protection of big breed cats. You…

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Leigh Brown on Cultivating Identity and Creating Value 1:05:47

3y ago1:05:47

1:05:47

Leigh Brown (@leighthomasbrown) is Broker/Owner of One Community Real Estate®️ in Concord/Charlotte, NC and an outspoken advocate and coach. Honing her strengths and pushing through the fears that she had in the early days of her career, Leigh shares her perspective on what brings value to a business and how she measures her success. Kendra and Lei…

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Greg Salo on Innovation and the Power of Passion for Leadership 56:16

3y ago56:16

56:16

Greg Salo is the Co-Founder of Young Nails Inc. (@youngnailsinc), a professional nail care manufacturing company for over 24 years leading in industry innovation and education as well as exporting to over 40 countries worldwide and distributing domestically to over 3,000 stores. Listen in as Kendra and Greg discuss his family's journey of building …

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Secret Sauce | Jeff Tesch, RCN Capital 1:04:28

3y ago1:04:28

1:04:28

In this episode, Kevin sat down with Jeff Tesch, founder and CEO of RCN Capital, to discuss his professional journey and the growth of his company. From a local operation to a national lender, RCN has seen tremendous success over the years. Listen in to learn more about Jeff's story and the meaning behind the name "RCN."…

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Swapping War Stories | Tom and Steven, Geraci LLP 1:08:30

3y ago1:08:30

1:08:30

In this special episode, we are joined by two of Geraci Law Firm's esteemed attorneys, Tom Hajda and Steven Ernest. Both men wear many hats (literally) in their roles as private lending attorneys and bring a wealth of experience and unique perspectives to the table. Tune in to hear their insights and advice.…

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Leading By Example | Tricia Mitchell, Archwest 57:44

3y ago57:44

57:44

For this episode, Kevin interviewed Tricia Mitchell, Archwest Capital's President and COO. Tricia dove into how she started as an intern fresh out of law school and worked her way up to becoming the President and COO of Archwest. She discussed the company's strategy of starting out small and focusing on methodical growth over the years and emphasiz…

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Diversification is Key | Mark Jury, Sortis 1:15:05

3y ago1:15:05

1:15:05

For this episode, Kevin interviewed Mark Jury with Sortis. Mark discussed the details of Sortis' business and how they are servicing private lenders as an advisor. He also gave perspective on the current market conditions and his take on institutional investors in private lending.By Kevin Kim

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Profitable Business Verticals | Keith Lind, Acra Lending 53:57

3y ago53:57

53:57

For this episode, Kevin interviewed Keith Lind, CEO of Acra Lending. Keith talked about working at Bear Stearns and his journey to becoming Acra's CEO. Keith also discussed his perspective on the private lending industry and how he views the housing market at large.

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Game Changer | Paul Rahimian, Parkview Financial 1:11:02

3y ago1:11:02

1:11:02

For this episode, Kevin interviewed Paul Rahimian, who has become a household name in the construction business, at Parkview Financials' headquarters in West Los Angeles. Paul emphasized how he has remained true to his original thesis of creativity and capital preservation, even as he now competes with institutional lenders across the U.S.…

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Lend to Live | Beth Johnson & Alex Breshears, Flynn Family Lending / Lend2Live 1:03:41

3y ago1:03:41

1:03:41

For this episode, Kevin interviewed Beth Johnson and Alex Breshears to talk about their newest book, Lend2Live, and the story behind the book. The three discussed the industry's dislocation, the importance of small, local lenders, and the difference between "private money lending" and "hard money lending / private lending."…

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Altruistic Entrepreneur | Eddie Wilson, AAPL 1:17:49

3y ago1:17:49

1:17:49

For this episode, Kevin interviewed Eddie Wilson, CEO of AAPL and Think Realty. Kevin learned more about Eddie's personal life, such as his passion for operations, turning businesses around, and choosing businesses that serve a higher purpose. Eddie discussed what he has done to grow AAPL's footprint and how he installed the grassroots advocacy tha…

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Investing in "Personnel" Assets | Justin Ehrlich, Churchill Real Estate 1:06:20

3+ y ago1:06:20

1:06:20

For this episode, Kevin interviewed Justin Ehrlich, the founding partner at Churchill Real Estate. Kevin learned more about Churchill's history as an NPL buyer and how they came to be an asset manager and capital provider to the private lending industry. Justin also dove into the story behind Churchill's meteoric rise.…

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Pragmatic Mindset | Jennifer McGuinness, Invigorate Finance 1:07:32

3+ y ago1:07:32

1:07:32

For this episode, Kevin interviewed Jennifer McGuinness, President of Invigorate Finance. Kevin had a great time learning about Jennifer and how her mortgage career was actually a series of "accidents." Invigorate Finance is a unique private lending business that serves both the consumer and business purpose lending arenas; Jennifer discusses the r…

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Operational Efficiency | Lisa Alberti and Mark Roberts, Western Alliance Bank 1:02:54

3+ y ago1:02:54

1:02:54

*NOTE: This episode was recorded in June 2022.* Kevin was delighted to finally interview Mark Roberts and Lisa Alberti from Western Alliance Bank, a company that has become an integral part of the private lending industry. In this episode, Kevin talks to Mark and Lisa about the bank's history, their backgrounds, and their bank's philosophy on lende…

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Reliable Capital | Ray Sturm, AlphaFlow 1:02:05

3+ y ago1:02:05

1:02:05

For this episode, which was recorded during the market volatility of May 2022, Ray Sturm and Kevin sat down and discussed AlphaFlow's thesis from a technology standpoint, their philosophy when it comes to solving their customer's challenges, and having discipline when it comes to an ever-changing market.…

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Special Mini Episode | Ruby Keys, Geraci LLP 7:44

3+ y ago7:44

7:44

We're dropping this mini episode in your feed to give some insight into Captivate, Geracicon's upcoming private lending event. Kevin is joined by Ruby Keys, Geraci's event extraordinaire, to discuss why it is a perfect opportunity for our listeners. Listen in to learn about the event's capital-raising theme, nationwide attendee presence, and succes…

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The Greatest Asset | Ryan Craft, Saluda Grade 1:08:57

3+ y ago1:08:57

1:08:57

*NOTE: This episode was recorded in May 2022.* For this episode, Kevin interviewed Ryan Craft, Founder and CEO of Saluda Grade. He learned about Saluda's investment philosophies when it comes to private lenders, their criteria when selecting portfolio companies, and Ryan's perspectives on where things are going and should go in the private lending …

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Passionate Visionary | Trixy Castro, Aureus Finance Group 1:05:00

3+ y ago1:05:00

1:05:00

*NOTE: This episode was recorded in May 2022.* We are kicking off Season 3 with none other than Trixy Castro, founder and CEO of Aureus Finance Group. We were honored to sit down with this industry legend in person and learn more about Trixy and her history as an entrepreneur founding Genesis Capital and Hudson Marshall in the early days of private…

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Renaissance Man | Dennis Baranowski, Geraci LLP 1:10:13

3+ y ago1:10:13

1:10:13

In this season's final episode, Kevin sits down with his partner Dennis Baranowski, aka The Beard, aka The Wise One. Although he's a partner in the Banking & Finance division of Geraci, Dennis' skills extend to litigation, foreclosure, TCPA, and even bankruptcy. Dennis ultimately led Kevin through his career journey that resulted in his partnership…

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The Importance of Data | Sharon Koh, 1839 Asset Management LLC 1:09:04

4y ago1:09:04

1:09:04

In this episode, Kevin sits down with Sharon Koh with 1839 Asset Management. We learned about the evolution of 1839's history in the space and Sharon's views on the industry's trend toward DSCR. We also learned about their long history in the industry working with lenders since before the "boom" in 2016. As an asset manager for life companies, Shar…

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Deliberate Decisions | Michael Schumacher and Chris Meinhardt, Enact Partners 1:02:00

4y ago1:02:00

1:02:00

In this episode filmed at Geraci's Irvine office, Kevin interviews Michael Schumacher and Chris Meinhardt from longtime client Enact Partners. He learned about Michael's unique perspective as a construction lender and how he utilizes his experience as a developer, city councilman, and lender to evaluate trends in the market and underwrite quality l…

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A True Family Office | Huy Do, PrideCo Capital 1:04:46

4y ago1:04:46

1:04:46

For this episode, Kevin sat down with Huy Do, managing partner at PrideCo Capital, during the California Mortgage Association Fall Seminar. Everybody in the industry knows Huy, but very few know the story behind PrideCo or Huy's background. They talked about PrideCo's decision to jump into the private lending sector, Huy's excitement about the indu…

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Competitive Advantage | Dalton Elliott, Lima One Capital 1:09:22

4y ago1:09:22

1:09:22

For this episode, Kevin sat down with Dalton Elliott at Lima One Capital. Dalton shared the tale of the founding of Lima One, discussed its growth, and discussed its recent acquisition by MFA. This was a very informative episode on learning how to grow and scale quickly. Their focus on training and culture, combined with their obsession with growth…

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Private Lending OG | Beth O'Brien, CoreVest 1:24:53

4y ago1:24:53

1:24:53

This time, Kevin sat down with the inimitable Beth O'Brien, Founder of CoreVest Finance. During this amazing episode, Kevin learned about Beth's "maniacal obsession" with being a true cradle-to-grave lender starting in 2011. Over the past ten years, CoreVest has achieved significant growth, $12B in origination, with multiple securitizations under t…

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Phil Treadwell on Finding Purpose and the Importance of Failure 49:38

4y ago49:38

49:38

Phil Treadwell is a 17-year mortgage industry veteran and podcast host of The Mortgage Marketing Expert podcast. Kendra and Phil discuss the necessary steps one must take to find purpose and fulfillment in everyday life. Listen in as they discuss everything from the mortgage industry to Phil’s personal journey and the failures it took to get to whe…