A bed behind a safe door shouldn’t feel extraordinary, yet for many families it is. We sit down with former MMA fighter and Fight for the Forgotten founder Justin Wren to unpack how land, water, and shelter form a chain that pulls people from survival to stability. Justin shares the turn from fighting people to fighting for people, and the practical steps his team uses to help communities secure land rights, drill wells, build homes, and launch livelihoods. His stories of sweat equity, trust, and dignity reveal a blueprint for real change that resonates far beyond the rainforest.

We connect those lessons to the challenges facing U.S. homebuyers: constrained inventory, rising costs, and a lending culture that can feel distant. Our conversation explores how credit unions can honor risk while rebuilding the human connection, using coaching, transparent pathways, and “hand up” models that reward effort and readiness. We talk candidly about perception, why community lenders get labeled as overly strict, and how consistent action and clear stories shift that narrative over time.

From a grandmother opening the door to her first bed to a vocational hub training carpenters and welders, Justin shows what happens when purpose meets persistence. The message for lenders, members, and neighbors is the same: action beats talk. Join us for a grounded, hopeful look at homeownership, community impact, and the everyday choices that open doors, literally and figuratively. If this conversation moves you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others find the show.

Sponsored by Xactus

The market didn’t get easier last year, so we sharpened our approach. We invited mortgage loan officer Allie Hager to discuss a year of stretching her skills, finding her voice at ACUMA's Make Your Mark Annual Conference in Denver, and transforming a 10-minute ACUMAx talk into a playbook for sustainable growth at a credit union. The big idea is bold and straightforward: grow where you’re rooted. Instead of chasing new logos or roles, Allie shows how to turn your current platform into a launchpad by doubling down on member trust, Realtor certainty, and workflows that make lending feel human again.

We walk through the realities of 2025 origination and the tactics that actually moved the needle: clean pre-approvals, proactive updates, and tech that removes friction without losing warmth. Allie shares her favorite moments from ACUMA's Annual Conference, including unexpected connections. She also opens up about ACUMAx. The prep, the nerves, and the momentum it created for a longer talk that blends mindset with execution. Along the way, we delve into why credit unions are uniquely positioned to excel in fairness, transparency, and local market knowledge.

If you’re a credit union leader, lender, or marketer looking for practical ways to grow when refis are thin and buyers feel stuck, this conversation delivers: better Realtor partnerships, member-first communication, and data-driven insight that keeps you relevant. We close with what’s ahead for 2026 VIEWpoint Regional Summits, community experiences, and a renewed commitment to collaboration over competition. Tune in, take notes, and tell us how you’re growing where you’re rooted this year.

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Sponsored by Polygon Research

Housing policy is moving, stalling, and evolving all at once, so we brought in policy analyst Joel Herberman, from Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, to cut through the noise. We begin with the Road to Housing Act, its removal from the defense bill, and how the House’s Housing for the 21st Century Act could still deliver meaningful reforms. From streamlined permitting to higher FHA loan limits and modern definitions that encompass modular and prefab, we identify the areas of genuine bipartisan overlap and the sticking points that will require genuine negotiation and a reliable legislative vehicle to support them.

We delve into small-dollar mortgages and the affordability conundrum. Joel explains how points-and-fees adjustments or competent pilots could make sub-$200,000 loans workable again in markets that need them most. Credit unions are well-positioned to lead in this area, filling the gap where commission-driven models often overlook low-balance loans. Tie that to modular and prefab growth, and you get a practical pathway to expand entry-level homeownership without compromising safety and soundness.

Then we turn to the CFPB leadership extensions, legal battles over funding, and what lenders should watch while the courts weigh in. The Bureau’s agenda isn’t disappearing, but timing and intensity may swing. We conclude with the January shutdown odds, what a partial funding landscape means for agencies, and a forward look at 2026: renewed GSE reform efforts, potential stock market movements, and a push for federal-level AI rules to avoid a 50-state patchwork. Throughout, we share practical steps for credit unions and mortgage teams to stay resilient with strong cash management, clear member communication, and model governance as AI matures.

If this helped you make sense of a chaotic policy map, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review so others can find it. What housing reform do you want Congress to prioritize next?

Sponsored by Loan Vision.