In this no-holds-barred episode of The Way with Dino Katsiametis, mortgage entrepreneur Chris Piro shares his remarkable journey—from nearly becoming a chef to leading a multi-state mortgage firm and closing over $150 million a year.

Chris reveals how cold-calling shaped his success, why discipline creates true freedom, and how he built a client base of 94,000 by staying relentlessly consistent. From his days in retail banking to launching Searchlight Lending, Chris brings real talk on what it takes to grow, scale, and stay sane in the mortgage industry.

- How cold calls, coffee meetings, and shoeboxes of business cards built his empire
- Why brokers should stop chasing shiny objects and double down on what works
- The exact routines, marketing systems, and CRM tactics Chris uses to generate business on autopilot
- Plus: the mindset shift every $20M loan officer needs to scale past the plateau

Whether you’re just starting out or trying to break past your ceiling, this episode delivers the real roadmap to going big in the mortgage world—without burning out.

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

In this powerful episode of The Way, Dino Katsiametis sits down with Brian Covey—former professional soccer player turned mortgage executive and leadership coach—for a deep dive into the mindset, faith, and strategy that fuel high-performance business.

Brian shares his journey from the soccer field to becoming a top producer and respected leader in the mortgage world. They talk about building stamina—in sports and business—overcoming self-doubt, leading with integrity, and why faith and gratitude are Brian’s greatest business tools.

Listeners will discover:

• Why mental toughness and discipline are non-negotiables for entrepreneurs
• How Brian scaled from solo producer to leader of elite mortgage teams
• The impact of personal branding, coaching, and doing the hard things first
• Tactical advice for new and struggling loan officers
• Why being known beats being the best—and how to become both

Whether you're in real estate, lending, or leadership, this episode will give you the clarity and courage to level up your business and life.

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

In this unfiltered and inspiring episode of The Way with Dino Katsiametis, mortgage leader, content creator, and industry veteran Alec Hanson shares his incredible journey—from closing $85M in loans in his first year to becoming a driving force at LoanDepot. Alec opens up about his early insecurities, lessons from the 2008 financial collapse, and how building authentic relationships—and a personal brand—changed his career trajectory.

🔍 In this episode, Alec breaks down:

• His rise from loan assistant to top producer and executive
• How content creation became a game-changer for recruiting and influence
• Lessons from losing everything in the housing crash
• The mindset shift from ego to servant leadership
• Why connection > perfection when it comes to social strategy
• How originators can leverage content to grow their referral networks
• What he’d do today if dropped in a new market with nothing but his knowledge

This is a must-listen for loan officers, leaders, and anyone in mortgage looking to stay relevant, make an impact, and future-proof their business.

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