I Love Mortgage Brokering

685: The Real Reason You’re Stuck at 4–5 Deals a Month

What if you’re not stuck because of effort—but because of how you’re thinking about growth?
 
In this solo episode, I break down a real conversation I had with a broker who felt stuck at 4–5 files a month—and thought working harder was the only solution.
 
The truth is, it’s rarely a hustle problem. It’s almost always a structure, mindset, or focus problem. I share three key insights from that conversation that could unlock the next level of growth in your business—without burning you out in the process.
What We’ll Cover:
Growth ≠ More Headaches – Why believing more volume means more pain will sabotage your success.
Zone of Excellence vs. Genius – How doing what you’re “good at” can quietly drain your energy and cap your growth.
Stop Hiring Clones – Why you shouldn’t build your team around someone who does what you do.
How to Actually Train an Assistant – The daily huddle framework that keeps your team aligned and productive.
Fixing the Real Bottleneck – Why your team needs to bring solutions, not just problems—and how to coach that into them.
You’re not stuck because you’re lazy. You’re stuck because your current way of working has hit its ceiling. If you want more files without more chaos, you need new structure—and a better way to think about growth.
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
Subscribe to my email list, Peckford's Playbook
I Love Mortgage Brokering is in partnership with Ownwell. 
To see how top brokers are keeping clients engaged and generating leads from their database, visit ownwell.ca/scott.

684: The Broker-Lender-Broker Loop: What Tracie Barnes Learned on Both Sides of the Deal

What do you see differently when you’ve sat on both sides of the mortgage deal?
Tracie Barnes started as a mortgage broker, moved into the lender world, and then returned to brokering with fresh eyes and a new approach.
In this episode, she shares what she learned about how deals get funded, what underwriters really want, and how being on the inside changed how she serves clients—and builds her business.
If you’ve ever wondered what lenders are thinking behind the scenes, Tracie pulls back the curtain with practical insights and powerful takeaways.
What We Cover:
From Broker to Lender to Broker Again – Why Tracie made the jump (twice) and what she learned each time.
Inside the Lender’s Desk – What underwriters are really looking for—and what brokers misunderstand.
Fewer Files, Bigger Margins – How her model changed after working inside the lending world.
Trust Over Tactics – Why building relationships and being proactive creates smoother deals.
Keeping Clients Calm – How Tracie translates lender logic into confidence for clients.
Perspective changes everything. When you understand both sides of the deal, you can close with more clarity, confidence, and trust.
To connect with Tracie, check out the links below:
InstagramFacebookLinkedInhttps://www.brxmortgage.com/agent/tracie-barnes
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
Subscribe to my Email List (Peckford's Playbook)
I Love Mortgage Brokering is in partnership with Ownwell. 
To see how top brokers are keeping clients engaged and generating leads from their database, visit ownwell.ca.

683: Why Success Feels Like Betraying the People You Love

What if the reason you’re holding back isn’t fear of failure—but guilt about leaving others behind?
In this episode, I dig into one of the most surprising mindset blocks I’ve faced as a business owner: the belief that if I succeed too much, I’ll lose the people I care about.
This idea comes from The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks, a book I’ve read five times—and each time, it reveals something new. This time, it showed me how old loyalty patterns and hidden guilt were still shaping how I lead, grow, and show up.
If you’ve ever felt conflicted about leveling up, this episode will help you see what’s really going on—and what to do about it.
What We Cover:
Why Growth Feels Risky – The fear that success will cost you connection with friends, family, or your roots.
The Loyalty Trap – How childhood beliefs about “not outshining” others can follow you into business.
Replacing the Narrative – Why I used to believe I couldn’t grow my business and have a strong relationship.
Seeing the Pattern – How this hidden belief was still shaping my decisions in 2025.
What I Believe Now – A better story that allows growth, love, and leadership to coexist.
Success doesn’t have to mean separation. You can grow—and still stay grounded. But only if you choose the right story.
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
Subscribe to my email list, Peckford's Playbook
I Love Mortgage Brokering is in partnership with Ownwell. 
To see how top brokers are keeping clients engaged and generating leads from their database, visit ownwell.ca/scott.

682: My Top 3 Lessons from 2025

What if the biggest breakthroughs in your business aren’t found in new ideas—but in fixing what you already know is broken?
After taking a break from creating new content, I’m back with a reflection on three of the biggest lessons I learned in 2025—each one reshaping how I lead, market, and think as a broker and business owner.
Whether you’re managing a team, creating content, or just trying to stay in the game mentally, these lessons will help you refocus and build with more clarity in 2026.
I’m going to share:
Serving Who’s Already With You – Why I got distracted chasing new agents—and how I’m fixing it with concierge calls, better training, and focus on existing team support.
Reposting Works – The strategy that kept our podcast downloads and engagement up even when I wasn’t creating.
Mindset as the Multiplier – Why your internal dialogue matters more than your tactics—and how I use “frames” to keep my head straight under pressure.
Growth doesn’t always come from doing more. Sometimes it comes from slowing down, doubling down, and being honest about what’s really not working.
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
Subscribe to my Email List (Peckford's Playbook)
I Love Mortgage Brokering is in partnership with Ownwell. 
To see how top brokers are keeping clients engaged and generating leads from their database, visit ownwell.ca.

681: Rebuilding Mortgage Brokering: More Life, Less Ego - Joline Cloutier of The Money Buddha Podcast

What if the business you’re building is serving your ego, but not your actual life?
This episode will originally air on The Money Buddha Podcast on Thursday, hosted by Joline Cloutier, who we had on the recent episode 677 of the pod. We’re resharing this conversation here because it was too good not to.
Joline interviewed me about rebuilding a mortgage business after burnout, letting go of the hustle-for-hustle's-sake mindset, and how to create systems and content that match your energy, not your ego. It’s an honest, practical look at what it really takes to build a business that supports your life.
What We Cover:
Burnout at the Peak – What 260 files a year taught her about limits and sustainability.
Letting Go of the Hustle Persona – Why ego-driven growth nearly cost her everything.
Ditching Discovery Calls – How automation and self-booking freed up her time.
Content Without Comparison – Why she stopped forcing mortgage content and started being real.
The Money Buddha Podcast – How podcasting gave her a voice, platform, and purpose.
You don’t need a bigger business, you need a business that fits your life. Joline’s story is a blueprint for brokers who want to grow with intention, not ego.
To connect with Joline, check out the links below:
Instagram
Facebook
iconmortgages.ca/
The Money Buddha Podcast
 
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
Subscribe to my email list, Peckford's Playbook
I Love Mortgage Brokering is in partnership with Ownwell. 
To see how top brokers are keeping clients engaged and generating leads from their database, visit ownwell.ca/scott.
 

680: How to Turn 25-Second Messages Into $10 Million in Deals - Scott McCracken

What if the key to growing your mortgage business isn’t complicated—just consistent?
In this episode, I sit down with Scott McCracken, a former bank specialist who transitioned into the broker world and found a game-changing strategy hiding in plain sight: personalized 25-second video messages.
Scott reveals how he used short daily outreach—via DMs, calls, and voicemails—to generate over $10M in business. No fancy tech. No gimmicks. Just a phone, a clear message, and a commitment to showing up every day.
If you’re struggling to stay top of mind or looking for a repeatable system that actually moves the needle, this one’s for you.
What We Cover:
From Banker to Broker – Why Scott left the bank and how the broker channel opened up new opportunities.
Video DMs That Work – The exact 25-second script Scott used to reconnect with his network and generate leads.
Game of Phones – How turning prospecting into a competition changed everything for Scott’s consistency and mindset.
Planting Seeds That Pay Off – Why you shouldn’t worry about replies and what really matters in relationship-based sales.
Simple System, Massive ROI – How 4–5 hours of weekly prospecting turned into a $100K+ bump in commissions.
You don’t need more tools. You need more consistency. Show up daily with a clear message, and you’ll stay top of mind when it matters most.
To connect with Scott, check out his socials below:InstagramFacebookhttps://scottmortgageguy.ca/
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
Subscribe to my email list, Peckford's Playbook
I Love Mortgage Brokering is in partnership with Ownwell. 
To see how top brokers are keeping clients engaged and generating leads from their database, visit ownwell.ca/scott.

679: Specialize or Die: Ron Butler’s Brutal Advice for New Mortgage Brokers

What’s the fastest way to fail as a new broker—and what’s the one move that could save you?
In this no-punches-pulled episode, Ron Butler lays out what’s really happening in the mortgage industry right now—and what new brokers must do to survive it.
We cover everything from tech disruption and lender consolidation to why generalist brokers are getting crushed. If you’re building a mortgage business in 2025, this is required listening.
We’ll cover:
Why Volume Isn’t Enough – What it means when the market grows 56%—and you don’t.
The Tech Arms Race – How platforms like Nesto and Edison are quietly reshaping broker competition.
The Myth of Blockchain – Ron’s take on crypto, NFTs, and whether any of it matters in our space.
Specialize or Get Smoked – Why new brokers need to niche down yesterday.
The Harsh Truth About Lender Trust – What lenders are watching—and what they won’t tolerate.
This industry isn’t slowing down. Brokers who win the next five years will do it by specializing, focusing, and executing. Everyone else? They’ll be gone.
To connect with Ron, check out the links below:
Instagram
https://www.butlermortgage.ca/
 
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
Subscribe to my 3-2-1 Thursday Email
I Love Mortgage Brokering is in partnership with Ownwell. 
To see how top brokers are keeping clients engaged and generating leads from their database, visit ownwell.ca/scott.

678: Why I Treat My ADHD Like a Business Problem—Not a Mental Disorder

What if your struggle to focus isn’t a flaw—but a signal that you need better scaffolding to succeed?
If you’ve got ADD (or think you do), you’re not alone—especially in the mortgage space. In fact, entrepreneurs are 5–7x more likely to have ADHD than the general population.
In this solo episode, I walk through 5 tools that have helped me manage my focus and show up with energy and clarity. This isn’t a prescription—it’s what works for me. But if you’re constantly feeling distracted, overwhelmed, or underperforming, it might help you too.
We’ll Cover:
Morning Routine as Compass – Why I start each day with gratitude, goals, and reorientation—not just work.
Scaffolding Through Team – How an EA, a COO, and role clarity help keep me operating in my zone of genius.
Daily Exercise for Mental Reset – Why I work out after work to clear my head and show up better at home.
Sleep as a Performance Tool – Why good sleep beats any hack or productivity system, hands down.
Medication (and No Shame About It) – How going on a low dose of ADD meds helped me focus and show up better.
ADD isn’t a weakness—it’s wiring. With the right systems, team, and structure, it can be a strength. But don’t wing it. Build scaffolding that helps you thrive.
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
Subscribe to my 3-2-1 Thursday Email
I Love Mortgage Brokering is in partnership with Ownwell. 
To see how top brokers are keeping clients engaged and generating leads from their database, visit ownwell.ca.

677: What Scaling to 260 Deals Taught Her About Burning Out—and Owning Her Business - Joline Cloutier

What happens when you scale fast—but realize the business you’ve built no longer fits your life?
Joline Cloutier went from helping her husband with files part-time to funding 260 deals a year—just the two of them. But after burnout, a move to the cottage, and taking over the business solo, she knew something had to change.
In this episode, Joline shares how she’s rebuilding her business with better systems, a podcast, and more intention. If you're feeling the weight of growth without clarity, this episode will help you reset.
We’ll cover:
Scaling Without Staff – How she and her husband handled 260 files a year—just the two of them.
Burnout and Breaking Points – The cottage move that made her rethink how she wanted to work.
Podcast as a Platform – Why she launched a podcast and how it helped her connect and convert.
System Rebuild – Tools like Finmo, Gmail tags, and MyBrokerPro that support her new workflow.
Content Without Pressure – Why she rarely posts about mortgages—and still gets referrals.
You can grow fast—but make sure you’re growing in the right direction. Joline’s story is proof that stepping back can be the first step forward.
To connect with Joline, check out the links below:
Instagram
FacebookThe Money Buddha Podcast 
https://www.iconmortgages.ca/
 
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
Subscribe to my 3-2-1 Thursday Email
 
I Love Mortgage Brokering is in partnership with Ownwell. 
To see how top brokers are keeping clients engaged and generating leads from their database, visit ownwell.ca.
 

676: The #1 Reason You’re Stuck at $15M and the Event That Fixes It

What if the fastest way to grow your mortgage business isn’t learning more—but finally fixing what’s holding you back?
Most mortgage events are packed with speakers who don’t broker and ideas you’ll never use. That’s why we created Broker Talks—a different kind of event built by brokers, for brokers.
In this episode, I walk through the real reason we launched Broker Talks, the framework that guides it, and how this format is helping brokers solve their #1 constraint—whether it’s leads, people, or process.
If you’re stuck between $10M and $15M—or just want better ideas from people in the trenches—this is the event (and the episode) for you.
We’ll cover:
Why Traditional Conferences Fail – The problem with speaker-led events (and why we flipped the script).
The Triangle Framework – The simple tool we use to diagnose any broker bottleneck fast.
Real Talk from Real Brokers – Why Broker Talks is built on peer sharing, not stage presentations.
Idea Babies and Table Wins – How collaboration creates breakthroughs you won’t get from keynotes.
What Happens in the Room – Why just being there puts you ahead of 90% of brokers.
You don’t need another conference—you need a solution. Broker Talks is where serious brokers go to solve real problems, together.
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
Subscribe to my 3-2-1 Thursday Email
I Love Mortgage Brokering is in partnership with Ownwell. 
To see how top brokers are keeping clients engaged and generating leads from their database, visit ownwell.ca/scott.