In an industry obsessed with leads, rates, and automation, Justin Padron proves there’s a better — and more profitable — way to build a mortgage business.

In this episode of The Way, Dino sits down with Justin Padron of Neo Home Loans, a relationship-driven mortgage advisor producing nearly $70 million annually by focusing on community, collaboration, and long-term trust — not transactional shortcuts.

Justin breaks down how treating clients like family, building deep local relationships, and partnering strategically with real estate agents and financial planners creates a sustainable, referral-driven business — even in challenging markets.

This episode is a masterclass in old-school fundamentals executed at an elite level.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How Justin built a $70M mortgage business without chasing leads
• Why community presence beats national reach for long-term growth
• The exact team structure that allows Justin to scale without burnout
• How mortgage advisors can collaborate with financial planners and CPAs
• Why asking for introductions is more powerful than asking for referrals
• How to turn refinance savings into generational wealth conversations
• The biggest mistake loan officers make when trying to “do it all”
• How to hire your first team member (even if money feels tight)
• Why outbound phone calls still outperform modern lead strategies
• How to balance family, health, and business without sacrificing production

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Most businesses don’t fail because of bad products — they fail because they never build a scalable monetization and execution strategy.

In this episode of The Way, Dino sits down with mortgage industry veteran and tech founder Gino Fronti for a deep, no-hype conversation on how AI, agentic automation, and operating systems are fundamentally reshaping lending, sales, and modern businesses.

This isn’t about “using AI tools.”
It’s about learning how to operate inside an AI-powered business model — before the market leaves you behind.

Gino breaks down why traditional CRMs, SaaS tools, and bloated tech stacks are failing loan officers… and how a new generation of sales-centric operating systems is eliminating bottlenecks, reducing human error, and giving professionals their time back.

If you’re a mortgage advisor, entrepreneur, or business leader facing shrinking margins and increasing complexity, this episode is required listening.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why most businesses fail by focusing on products instead of monetization
• The difference between using AI and operating within AI
• What “agentic AI” really means — and why it changes everything
• How eliminating human bottlenecks increases volume without sacrificing customer experience
• Why applications are “where loans go to die” — and how conversation-first workflows convert better
• The future of CRMs, loan origination, and operating systems
• Why EQ will matter more than IQ in an AI-driven economy
• How automation can enhance human connection, not replace it
• What margins, subscriptions, and volume economics teach us about the future of business
• How mortgage professionals can stay relevant as knowledge becomes commoditized

Learn from Dino and join the team at https://ethoslending.com/

In this unforgettable episode of The Way with Dino Katsiametis, Dino sits down with internationally renowned motivational speaker and author Rene Godefroy, whose life began in extreme poverty in rural Haiti—abandoned as a baby, starving, ridiculed, and written off by everyone around him.

Rene’s story isn’t just inspirational—it’s a masterclass in resilience, gratitude, sales mindset, and execution.

From begging for food to detailing cars for $2…
From speaking broken English to keynote stages at major corporate events…
From being told “you’ll never make it” to helping millions overcome adversity…

This episode connects personal transformation directly to business performance, showing why gratitude, consistency, and implementation—not talent—separate average producers from elite performers.

If you work in sales, lending, entrepreneurship, leadership, or personal growth, this conversation will reset how you view rejection, opportunity, and success.

Key Takeaways & Discussion Points

• Why gratitude is the “key that unlocks the vault of abundance”
• How rejection actually creates momentum and clarity in sales
• The importance of auditioning every time you deliver a service
• Why consistency and implementation matter more than information
• How leaders can help others “see” possibility when they’re stuck
• Modeling success instead of reinventing the wheel
• Turning adversity into a competitive advantage in business
• Why America still offers unlimited opportunity—for those who act
• The mindset shift that transforms problems into profit
• How resilience is built by staying in the fight longer than others

Learn from Dino and join the team at https://ethoslending.com/

In this episode of The Way with Dino Katsiametis, executive coach and keynote speaker Craig Davis shares his remarkable journey from battling stage-three cancer to leading thousands as a “leader’s leader.” Dino and Craig dive deep into identity, mindset, and reinvention—discussing how to recover from career loss, rediscover purpose, and build businesses with heart and strategy. Craig reveals the frameworks he uses to help CEOs, branch managers, and mortgage professionals scale through clarity, leadership, and “faith plus grit.”

🎙️ Key topics:

• Overcoming adversity and redefining identity after cancer
• How to shift from success-chasing to purpose-driven leadership
• The difference between leaders and managers—and why both matter
• Strategic planning and building scalable “business blueprints”
• Coaching insights for originators who want consistent growth and authentic influence

👉 Tune in to learn how to build a thriving career, lead with integrity, and join the “Good Human Club.”

Learn from Dino and join the team at https://ethoslending.com/

In this episode of The Way with Dino Katsiametis, top 1% mortgage producer Abdel Khawatmi shares how faith, discipline, and artificial intelligence helped him achieve a 262% increase in net revenue. Dino dives deep into Abdel’s mindset and methods for scaling a modern mortgage business with purpose and precision.

You’ll Learn:

• How faith, family, fitness, and finance create true freedom
• The exact AI workflows Abdel uses to automate daily operations
• Proven systems that cut hours from the workday and boost ROI
• How to recruit, train, and empower loan officers through tech
• The secret to tracking and scaling referral business with analytics

🎧 #TheWayWithDinoKatsiametis #AIForBusiness #MortgageInnovation #FaithDrivenLeadership

👉 Tune in to learn how to build a thriving career, lead with integrity, and join the “Good Human Club.”

Learn from Dino and join the team at https://ethoslending.com/

In this inspiring episode of The Way with Dino Katsiametis, professional coach Michael Regan of Building Champions shares decades of insight on how to lead with purpose, balance work and life, and thrive in a rapidly changing mortgage industry.

Dino and Michael explore:

• The power of coaching and mentorship in transforming both business and personal growth
• Why AI is reshaping the mortgage industry—and how to adapt without losing the human connection
• How to avoid burnout and redefine success through clarity, balance, and discipline
• The importance of writing your own “life plan” to align your work, relationships, and purpose
• Lessons from Michael’s journey—from journalism to origination to full-time coaching—that prove fulfillment comes from helping others grow

This conversation isn’t just about mortgages—it’s about building bigger lives, stronger relationships, and a mindset that thrives through every season.

👉 Subscribe to The Way with Dino Katsiametis for more powerful conversations with top leaders who are redefining success in life and business.

Learn from Dino and join the team at https://ethoslending.com/

On this episode of The Way with Dino Katsiametis, John Donnelly, Executive Director of Sales at Service First Mortgage, shares how a 25-year journey in the mortgage industry—and a literal climb up Mount Kilimanjaro—taught him what it truly means to lead, grow, and serve.

Dino and John unpack the lessons behind lasting success:

• From call-center chaos to executive leadership—how grit builds greatness
• The power of servant leadership and creating impact beyond the paycheck
• Turning relationships into real results in today’s mortgage market
• How to find your “why” and keep climbing when business (and life) get tough
• Why systems, mindset, and integrity are the foundation of every top producer

If you’re a loan officer, entrepreneur, or leader searching for inspiration, strategy, and heart, this episode shows you how to rise higher—one intentional step at a time.

Learn from Dino and join the team at https://ethoslending.com/

In this powerhouse episode of The Way with Dino Katsiametis, top-producing mortgage advisor Marc Bui shares his no-BS journey from 19-year-old loan officer to one of the most trusted voices in the industry. From surviving the crash of 2008 to mastering the art of relationship-based lending, Marc dives into how mindset shifts, tactical follow-ups, strategic social media, and client-first communication transformed his business.

Marc and Dino talk shop about:

• The truth behind chasing leads vs. planting referral trees
• How to recession-proof your mortgage career
• The art of client retention (and pre-selling the refinance!)
• Why personal branding and post-close follow-up are game changers
• Real talk on social media burnout—and how to use it wisely

Whether you're a new LO or a seasoned pro looking to scale, this episode is packed with honest advice, smart strategies, and a whole lot of laughs.

Learn from Dino and join the team at https://ethoslending.com/