A new year is the perfect time to rethink what “success” actually looks like.

Kara Whitman shows how top producers can scale production past $100M without sacrificing their family, their energy, or their enjoyment of the business.

A multi-year Scotsman Guide Top 40 originator and one of the highest-producing consumer-direct loan officers in the country, Kara has built a career defined by sustained performance, not short-term wins.

With over a decade in the business and years leading production at a national lender, she is known for her ability to combine volume, service, and life balance at the highest level.

Her approach centers on mastering the fundamentals, simplifying complex decisions for borrowers, and creating a client experience that is memorable, consultative, and built on trust.

In this Batting 1,000 conversation, Dale Vermillion and Kara break down what truly separates elite loan officers from the rest—and why “rate” is rarely the deciding factor.

They cover:

‣ Why consistency is the real secret behind sustained top performance

‣ How to take control of the rate conversation and shift it to value

‣ The role of relationships in building a scalable, referral-driven business

‣ Practical strategies for managing high volume without sacrificing service

‣ How to win at work while still winning at home

If you’re looking to produce more, convert better, and build a business that lasts, this episode offers a clear, experience-tested framework from one of the industry’s most accomplished performers.

Social media doesn’t have to be about posting more or going viral.

Michelle Berman-Mikel explains how mortgage and real estate professionals can use social media to prospect, build relationships, and generate consistent business.

A nationally recognized keynote speaker and author of The Black Line, Michelle is the founder of Berman Media PD. As the creator of Beyond The Method™, she helps mortgage and real estate professionals turn social media into a true prospecting engine by focusing on leverage and utility rather than vanity metrics.

Her work centers on the psychology behind connection, teaching practical systems for building credibility, deepening relationships, and generating business online without gimmicks or trend chasing.

In this Batting 1,000 conversation, Dale Vermillion and Michelle break down what actually works on social media today and why most professionals approach it the wrong way.

They cover:

‣ Lessons learned swimming the mile as a Division I athlete and how that discipline translates to business

‣ The story behind her book, The Black Line

‣ The most common social media mistakes mortgage and real estate professionals make

‣ Why leverage matters more than virality when it comes to online prospecting

‣ Practical tools for converting conversations into real business

If social media feels like something you should be doing but have never seen results from, this episode provides a clear and practical framework for making it work.

Save 20 percent on Michelle’s program, including her Drivers and Levers tool → https://michelle-berman.mykajabi.com/offers/n67Bi93J/checkout?coupon_code=BTM20

Or schedule a free 30 minute strategy call → https://calendly.com/bermanmedia/strategycall

Buy your copy of The Black Line by Michelle Berman-Mikel → https://a.co/d/dTQxMcn

Owen Lee has spent nearly three decades shaping the mortgage industry. Owen is the CEO of Success Mortgage Partners, Vice Chair of the Mortgage Bankers Association, and a relentless advocate for lenders and borrowers alike. And in this episode, he joins Dale to unpack what’s next for lending—including leadership, technology, and legislation.

From building a billion-dollar company to fighting for industry-wide reforms, Owen shares the principles that have guided his success—and how they can help you thrive amid rapid change. He explains why honesty is the foundation of strong leadership, how to create partnerships that elevate both sides, and why technology must enhance human relationships, not replace them.

They also dig into the biggest forces reshaping the industry, from AI and automation to looming regulatory shifts, and the wins MBA has delivered on Capitol Hill that every mortgage professional should know.

In this episode, Dale and Owen dive into:

‣ Why truth-telling is the cornerstone of effective leadership

‣ How to build partnerships that drive exponential growth

‣ What it takes to balance technology with trust in a digital age

‣ The biggest legislative wins (and looming battles) facing lenders

‣ Why involvement — not passivity — is the key to shaping the industry’s future

If you’re serious about leading well, scaling sustainably, and staying ahead of what’s coming next, this is a conversation you can’t afford to miss.