The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast

Hard seasons don’t stop you — they reveal who you’re becoming.
Stephanie Johnston’s story is one of leadership under pressure. A 20-year loan officer, former collegiate athlete, and mom of three, she faced a brutal market shift, a major production drop, and a second breast cancer diagnosis while caring for a newborn. She fell from #1 to $63M — then chose to rise.
In this episode, Stephanie shares how she entered the builder space, rebuilt trust one relationship at a time, and climbed back to close 309 transactions for $138M. This is about standards, commitment, and showing up when it’s hardest.
Key Insights
Business is earned one relationship at a time
The builder space demands discipline, clarity, and availability
Commitment creates confidence
Hard seasons reveal your standards
Leadership shows up when it would be easier to step back

Guest Links
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniejohnstonmortgage/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/stephmortgage

Website:
https://www.sfmc.com/loan-officer/stephaniejohnston/

Are you ready to make it rain? Let’s do this!

If you liked what you heard, leave me a five-star review and tell me what hit home for you!
PLUS—if you’re done chasing the next shiny idea and want real, proven strategies that actually move the needle, then it’s time to join my free weekly newsletter, Rainmaker Insider.
Every week, I share one key lesson from my billion-dollar career in mortgage lending—from sales psychology and leadership to mindset and systems that create true freedom. No fluff. Just real-world insights that help you close more deals and lead with confidence.
Subscribe now at shaylagifford.com and start leading like the Rainmaker you’re meant to be!

Connect with Shayla:
Shayla on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shaygiff/

Shayla on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayla-gifford-3019396/

Show Links:
Shayla's Website:
https://shaylagifford.com/

The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast:
https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

The Catalyst Coaching Community:
https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/

Guild Mortgage:
https://www.guildmortgage.com/

What if abundance in mortgage wasn’t about working longer or harder?
In this episode, I sit down with Frank Ruzicka, a 39-year producing loan officer who has built a business that doesn’t panic when markets shift or rates spike. Frank isn’t chasing trends. He’s built something durable — rooted in relationships, trust, coaching, and a deep belief that abundance beats scarcity every single time.
We talk about what it really takes to stop living in Groundhog Day as a loan officer. From stepping away for two full weeks without his business falling apart, to building an investor niche through relationships, to staying coachable and hungry in every season — this conversation is about creating a mortgage career that supports your life, not consumes it.
If you’re tired of rebuilding every cycle, reacting to rates, or running on fumes, this episode will challenge you to think differently about leverage, longevity, and what true mortgage abundance actually looks like.
Key Insights
Abundance is built when you trust your systems and relationships instead of operating from fear.
Relationships compound over time and protect you through every market cycle.
Niches don’t create success. Commitment and consistency inside the niche do.
Coaching keeps you relevant, grounded, and growing in every season of your career.
A sustainable mortgage business should give you freedom, not anxiety.
Are you ready to make it rain? Let’s do this!

Guest Links:
Frank on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankruzicka/

Frank on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/frank.ruzicka/?hl=en

Frank at Guild Mortgage:
https://branches.guildmortgage.com/mo/chesterfield/francis-ruzicka-122-cnfr.html

If you liked what you heard, leave me a five-star review and tell me what hit home for you!
PLUS—if you’re done chasing the next shiny idea and want real, proven strategies that actually move the needle, then it’s time to join my free weekly newsletter, Rainmaker Insider.
Every week, I share one key lesson from my billion-dollar career in mortgage lending—from sales psychology and leadership to mindset and systems that create true freedom. No fluff. Just real-world insights that help you close more deals and lead with confidence.
Subscribe now at shaylagifford.com and start leading like the Rainmaker you’re meant to be!

Connect with Shayla:
Shayla on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shaygiff/

Shayla on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayla-gifford-3019396/

Show Links:
Shayla's Website:
https://shaylagifford.com/

The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast:
https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

The Catalyst Coaching Community:
https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/

Guild Mortgage:
https://www.guildmortgage.com/

You don’t need more tools or tactics. You need to master these 3 skills — and execute.
Hey there, Rainmakers!
I love salespeople. I love entrepreneurs. I love people willing to bet on themselves for a limitless future. And I also know this truth — when we get stuck, drift, or stall, it’s almost always because of fear or overwhelm.
This market can feel chaotic. Rates move. Buyers freeze. Everyone wants your attention, your content, your responsiveness. And suddenly you’re trying to be a marketer, a technician, a prospector, and everything in between. In this episode, I bring you back to simplicity — the kind that creates control instead of burnout.
I break down the three skill sets every Rainmaker must master to grow in any market. These are the fundamentals that took me from reactive chaos to intentional momentum — and they still work today. When you focus here, everything else starts to fall into place.
Key Insights
Booking the appointment is the first priority and the gateway to growth.
Every face-to-face conversation is an interview you must intentionally win.
Great meetings require preparation, structure, and purpose.
Losing deals usually means the interview was never truly won.
Momentum dies when there is no clearly defined next step.
Proactive chaos beats reactive chaos every single time.
Two hours a day of intentional green time can change everything.

Are you ready to make it rain? Let’s do this!

If you liked what you heard, leave me a five-star review and tell me what hit home for you!
PLUS—if you’re done chasing the next shiny idea and want real, proven strategies that actually move the needle, then it’s time to join my free weekly newsletter, Rainmaker Insider.
Every week, I share one key lesson from my billion-dollar career in mortgage lending—from sales psychology and leadership to mindset and systems that create true freedom. No fluff. Just real-world insights that help you close more deals and lead with confidence.
Subscribe now at shaylagifford.com and start leading like the Rainmaker you’re meant to be!

Connect with Shayla:
Shayla on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shaygiff/

Shayla on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayla-gifford-3019396/

Show Links:
Shayla's Website:
https://shaylagifford.com/

The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast:
https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

The Catalyst Coaching Community:
https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/

Guild Mortgage:
https://www.guildmortgage.com/

What if the reason realtors don’t call you back has nothing to do with the market—and everything to do with your focus and conviction?
Hey there, Rainmakers!
In this episode of The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast. I sat down with James Carmody, a top-producing loan officer in Southern California who closed $70M while recovering from a devastating ski accident that took away his ability to drive—and forced him to slow down, in ways that changed everything.
We unpack why most loan officers struggle with call reluctance, inconsistent referrals, and radio silence from agents—and why the fix isn’t more scripts or more events. James shares how focus, belief, and a money-first mindset helped him earn real loyalty from realtors in one of the most competitive markets in the country. From A and B lists to Money-Making Mondays, whale hunting, and a two-step close, this episode is packed with real-world strategy you can use immediately.
If you’re tired of chasing agents, wondering why your calls go unanswered, or craving deeper partnerships that actually produce, this episode will challenge you to stop being liked—and start being chosen.
Key Insights
Focus creates freedom when distractions are removed.
Call reluctance disappears when you believe you help people make money.
A and B lists beat chasing everyone with no strategy.
Realtors respond faster when conversations are about their paycheck.
Whale hunting requires patience, conviction, and a two-step close.
Education beats rate quotes with sophisticated partners.
Discipline at home creates confidence at work.

Guest Links
Synergy One Lending
https://s1l.com/loanofficer/jamescarmody/

James on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescarmody/
James on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thejamescarmody/?hl=en

Are you ready to make it rain? Let’s do this!

If you liked what you heard, leave me a five-star review and tell me what hit home for you!
PLUS—if you’re done chasing the next shiny idea and want real, proven strategies that actually move the needle, then it’s time to join my free weekly newsletter, Rainmaker Insider.
Every week, I share one key lesson from my billion-dollar career in mortgage lending—from sales psychology and leadership to mindset and systems that create true freedom. No fluff. Just real-world insights that help you close more deals and lead with confidence.
Subscribe now at shaylagifford.com and start leading like the Rainmaker you’re meant to be!

Connect with Shayla:
Shayla on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shaygiff/

Shayla on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayla-gifford-3019396/

Show Links:
Shayla's Website:
https://shaylagifford.com/

The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast:
https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

The Catalyst Coaching Community:
https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/

Guild Mortgage:
https://www.guildmortgage.com/

Hey there, Rainmakers!
This episode is a real behind-the-scenes look at the system I teach for sustainable mortgage growth — and why it actually works in real life. I brought Allison Larson back because she’s living proof that you don’t have to choose between massive production, leadership, motherhood, and peace.
In the last two years, Allison has grown her production by over 40 percent, built a thriving team, crossed $250 million as a branch, had two babies, and still goes home at four o’clock. We break down the systems, playbooks, and mindset shifts that removed stress from her business instead of adding more pressure.
We also get real about loan officer burnout, why “winging it” creates emotional exhaustion, and how documented systems calm your nervous system, your team, your clients, and your referral partners. If you want mortgage growth without living in survival mode, this episode will change how you think about your business.
Key Insights
Stress is not the cost of success. It’s a symptom of missing systems.
If clients keep calling after hours, something wasn’t explained earlier.
Checklists eliminate emotion and create confidence at scale.
You don’t need to be every agent’s lender to grow. You need to fill the right gap.
Business conversations build trust faster than being “the nice one.”
Permission-based follow-up removes fear and strengthens relationships.
Growth feels lighter when the process is clear and repeatable.

Guest Links:
My Offer Ready:
https://myofferready.com
Allison on Insta:
https://www.instagram.com/allisonlarsonloans

Allison on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-larson-87a19030/

Guild Mortgage:
https://branches.guildmortgage.com/mn/edina/allison-larson-425-apalar.html

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFGWN3FvJP46PZ9YkrZ6S7w

Are you ready to make it rain? Let’s do this!

If you liked what you heard, leave me a five-star review and tell me what hit home for you!
PLUS—if you’re done chasing the next shiny idea and want real, proven strategies that actually move the needle, then it’s time to join my free weekly newsletter, Rainmaker Insider.
Every week, I share one key lesson from my billion-dollar career in mortgage lending—from sales psychology and leadership to mindset and systems that create true freedom. No fluff. Just real-world insights that help you close more deals and lead with confidence.
Subscribe now at shaylagifford.com and start leading like the Rainmaker you’re meant to be!

Connect with Shayla:
Shayla on...