Epic Spotlight Podcast

Epic Mortgage Website: Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086

Facebook: EpicMortgage1885086

Epic Mortgage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/

“The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mortgage-Guide-Secure-Best/dp/1956220631

YouTube: Epic Spotlight

Email: dante@epic.mortgage

The 9 states that Epic Mortgage is licensed in are: Illinois/Indiana/Michigan/Colorado/Maryland/Virginia/Florida/Georgia/Texas

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Allen Kopelman: Building Resilient Businesses from Hospitality to Fintech Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

A great product isn’t enough if customers don’t pay and nobody knows how to sell it. Allen Kopelman shares why cash flow, sales planning, and operational know-how matter at every stage of business.

In this episode, Dante and Allen discuss:

Adapting to AI, automation, and changing technology
Identity theft, fraud prevention, and document security
Managing business overhead, leases, and payment collection
Sales strategy, marketing, and visibility in AI-powered search
Cross-training, work ethic, career development, and the value of practical skills

Key Takeaways:

Embrace new technology, but understand its capabilities, limitations, and costs before building your business around it.
Monitor your credit and protect your personal and business information against identity theft.
Develop a clear sales strategy and payment collection process before launching a product or service.
Cross-train employees so teams can adapt, work more efficiently, and keep operations running smoothly.
Build valuable skills, develop expertise, set realistic expectations, and aim to overdeliver.

“I always say, overdeliver and underpromise.” - Allen Kopelman

About Allen Kopelman: Allen Kopelman is a fintech entrepreneur, payments industry expert, and Founder & CEO of Nationwide Payment Systems, with over 20 years of experience in payment processing and financial technology. He helps businesses across various industries reduce transaction costs, streamline operations, and implement scalable payment solutions. Through innovative pricing strategies, advanced technology, and personalized service, Allen promotes transparency and efficiency in payment processing. He also hosts B2B Vault: The Biz-to-Biz Podcast, where he explores business growth, fintech innovation, and the future of commerce.

Connect with Allen Kopelman:

Website: https://allenkopelman.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allenkopelman/

Connect with Dante Royster:

Epic Mortgage Website: Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086

Facebook: EpicMortgage1885086

Epic Mortgage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/

“The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mortgage-Guide-Secure-Best/dp/1956220631

YouTube: Epic Spotlight

Email: dante@epic.mortgage

The 9 states that Epic Mortgage is licensed in are: Illinois/Indiana/Michigan/Colorado/Maryland/Virginia/Florida/Georgia/Texas

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Dr. Debra Dupree: Turn Difficult Conversations Into Opportunities Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

Small, unspoken concerns can grow into major conflicts. Learn how pausing, listening, and asking about another person’s perspective can help turn difficult conversations into a path forward.

In this episode, Dante and Dr. Debra discuss:

Small concerns and escalating conflict
Emotional drivers and the brain’s threat response
Active listening and leadership communication
Emotional intelligence, hiring, and workplace culture
Preparing for difficult conversations

Key Takeaways:

Unaddressed concerns can grow into larger conflicts; raising them early creates a chance to understand what’s really at stake.
When tension rises, a pause and a few deep breaths can help restore space for clearer thinking.
Listening to understand, not simply preparing a response, helps people feel heard and reveals perspectives you might otherwise miss.
Effective hiring looks beyond technical ability to consider emotional intelligence, mindset, values, and organizational culture.
Before a difficult conversation, clarify what you fear, what matters to you, and what outcome you hope to reach.

“We don't listen to understand; we listen to respond.” - Dr. Debra Dupree

About Dr. Debra Dupree: Dr. Debra Dupree, The MINDSET Doc®, is a workplace conflict and leadership expert with more than 30 years of experience in dispute resolution, leadership coaching, and workplace interventions. Using a neuroscience-based approach, she helps organizations address harassment, discrimination, workplace conflict, and mental health challenges while fostering psychological safety, respect, and inclusion. She served for 20 years as a Senior Mentor Mediator with the Department of the Navy and has developed leadership programs including Manager-as-Mediator® and Self-as-Mediator®. A TEDx speaker, international trainer, author, and thought leader, Dr. Dupree also hosts the podcasts Decoding the Conflict Mindset and Hot Topics in the Workplace: When Medical Conditions Flare Up, sharing practical strategies for healthier and more compassionate workplaces.

Connect with Dr. Debra Dupree:

Website: https://relationships-at-work.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debradupree/

Connect with Dante Royster:

Epic Mortgage Website: Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086

Facebook: EpicMortgage1885086

Epic Mortgage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/

“The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mortgage-Guide-Secure-Best/dp/1956220631

YouTube: Epic Spotlight

Email: dante@epic.mortgage

The 9 states that Epic Mortgage is licensed in are: Illinois/Indiana/Michigan/Colorado/Maryland/Virginia/Florida/Georgia/Texas

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Eliene Augenbraun: How Truth Survives When Everyone Has a Microphone Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

We see thousands of headlines, posts, and AI-made clips every day, so how do we know what to trust? Dr. Eliene Augenbraun explains why facts alone rarely change minds, and how context, familiarity, trusted relationships, and interpretation shape what people believe.

In this episode, Dante and Eliene discuss:

Competing narratives and how they shape belief
The personal influence model and social media algorithms
Science as interpretation and Kuhn's scientific revolutions
How media technology changed, from signal fires to online video
AI's risks and uses in science and medicine

Key Takeaways:

The information environment shapes what people believe and what feels true to them. Messages that cross both sides of a divide and make sense within both narratives can help build peace.
We trust what's familiar, and what's familiar spreads through the people we already trust. Modern algorithms are built on this.
Science doesn't hand us final answers. It gives the best current explanation, and that explanation can be overturned when the exceptions pile up.
AI can produce useful insights, but it can also carry biases from the data it's trained on and make mistakes that are difficult to catch because the output sounds so convincing.
Read one in-depth article a day, and vary your sources.

“Everybody could understand it. You just have to find decent sources and read it and ask questions, and, you know, everybody's smart enough. There's nothing. Scientists are no smarter than anybody else. They're just more patient.” - Eliene Augenbraun

About Eliene Augenbraun: Eliene Augenbraun, D.O., Ph.D., is an award-winning journalist, educator, multimedia producer, and science communicator with more than three decades of experience at the intersection of science, medicine, education, and media. A physician and Ph.D. biologist, she has led multimedia initiatives and produced science and health content for organizations including Scientific American, Nature, MIT, Forbes, and leading academic institutions. She co-founded ScienCentral, a pioneering science news organization, and has helped make complex scientific topics more accessible through storytelling, video, podcasts, and digital media. She also teaches medical communications at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine and mentors medical and nursing students. Her work has received numerous national and international awards for excellence in science journalism and communication.

Connect with Eliene Augenbraun:

Profile: https://www.forbes.com/health/author/eliene-augenbraun/

Portfolio: https://www.sciencentral.net/video

Connect with Dante Royster:

Epic Mortgage Website: Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086

Facebook: EpicMortgage1885086

Epic Mortgage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/

“The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mortgage-Guide-Secure-Best/dp/1956220631

YouTube: Epic Spotlight

Email: dante@epic.mortgage

The 9 states that Epic Mortgage is licensed in are: Illinois/Indiana/Michigan/Colorado/Maryland/Virginia/Florida/Georgia/Texas

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Dante Royster: The Part of Success Nobody Warns You About Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

What if you make it financially but lose something emotionally? Dante Royster looks back on three powerful conversations and runs an honest self-audit on what success is really costing us.

In this episode, Dante discusses:

Financial success vs. real fulfillment
Your calendar as a reflection of your values
Emotional masks and hidden struggles
Listening vs. just hearing
Redefining the scoreboard and building a legacy

Key Takeaways:

Money is a tool, not a destination. Reaching your number doesn't guarantee peace, fulfillment, or a close family.
Want to know what you really value? Look at your calendar, not at what you say.
Winning the game is not the same as realizing you've been playing the wrong one. Keep auditing which game you're in.
"I'm good" is rarely the whole truth. Real connection needs safe spaces, and sometimes it means asking "How are you?" a second time.
Hearing is just noise. Listening builds the relationships that shape our happiness, our health, and the legacy we leave.

“Maybe legacy isn't people remembering what you've accomplished. Maybe it's people remembering how they felt when they were around you.” - Dante Royster

About Dante Royster: Dante Royster is a veteran mortgage broker, podcast host, and author of The Ultimate Mortgage Guide, committed to transforming lives through financial literacy and homeownership empowerment. Since launching his career in 2002, Dante has guided countless individuals through the complex world of real estate finance, always grounded by the values instilled in him by his parents’ unwavering support and wisdom.

After weathering the turbulence of the 2007 real estate crash, Dante founded Full Court Services, gaining a firsthand education in resilience and strategic reinvention. Today, he leads as the founder of Epic Mortgage, a relationship-driven brokerage dedicated to putting people before paperwork. Licensed across multiple states as a Regional Mortgage Broker, he’s on a mission to make homeownership not just accessible, but deeply understood.

Dante also hosts the Epic Spotlight podcast—a platform where real estate, mindset, and personal growth intersect. Through candid conversations and expert insights, he equips listeners with the tools to build wealth, make smart decisions, and lead empowered lives.

Whether coaching clients through the mortgage process, authoring impactful guides, or sparking transformation through his podcast, Dante Royster is a trusted voice in a noisy industry—and your partner in building something epic.

Connect with Dante Royster:

Epic Mortgage Website: Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086

Facebook: EpicMortgage1885086

Epic Mortgage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/

“The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mortgage-Guide-Secure-Best/dp/1956220631

YouTube: Epic Spotlight

Email: dante@epic.mortgage

The 9 states that Epic Mortgage is licensed in are: Illinois/Indiana/Michigan/Colorado/Maryland/Virginia/Florida/Georgia/Texas

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Julienne Ryan: The Gift of Listening in a World That Won't Stop Talking Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

We've never had more ways to communicate and never felt further apart. This conversation unpacks why and what it actually takes to connect again.

In this episode, Dante and Julienne discuss:

Communication vs. genuine connection
Hearing versus listening
Vulnerability as a leadership trait
Communicating under stress and crisis
Storytelling, authenticity, and the 68-draft book

Key Takeaways:

More communication channels haven't produced more connection; they've produced more places to lose each other.
Hearing is reacting to noise while writing your own script; listening is being present without projecting yourself onto the other person.
Two prompts do most of the work in any conversation: "Tell me more" and "Give me some context."
The strongest leaders admit what they don't know, ask for help, and show up without making false promises. Vulnerability and honesty can build stronger connections than trying to appear like you have all the answers.
Waste time to save time. Rushing conversations and jumping to conclusions creates the nightmare you were trying to avoid.
Listening costs nothing, and its ripple effects are usually invisible; the person you heard out may not snap at someone else two minutes later.

“I think listening is about waiting and not filling it with your own voice.” - Julienne Ryan

About Julienne Ryan: Julienne B. Ryan began her professional career at age five through TV commercials, where she learned early lessons like “the teamsters always eat first,” her Social Security number, and how to endorse checks for bank deposit. She later studied psychology to better understand people, conducting her “fieldwork” across various professional roles and navigating countless mergers, reorganizations, and downsizing initiatives. After earning a graduate degree from an Ivy League school, Ryan transitioned into Talent Management, where she used creativity, storytelling, humor, and even snacks to motivate teams despite limited resources. Over time, she discovered that her greatest strength was not applying fancy theories or traditional HR practices, but connecting with people through stories and humor. Encouraged by those she worked with, Ryan shifted her focus toward storytelling and continues to help people find their “true selves in the world of work.” She is also a guest contributor to The Procurement Foundry, LifeBlood, Women in Media, Blended Pledge, and the global storytelling community.

Connect with Julienne Ryan:

Website: https://jryanpartners.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julienneryan/

Connect with Dante Royster:

Epic Mortgage Website: Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086

Facebook: EpicMortgage1885086

Epic Mortgage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/

“The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mortgage-Guide-Secure-Best/dp/1956220631

YouTube: Epic Spotlight

Email: dante@epic.mortgage

The 9 states that Epic Mortgage is licensed in are: Illinois/Indiana/Michigan/Colorado/Maryland/Virginia/Florida/Georgia/Texas

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Dr. Suzanne Lachmann: Healing Invisible Wounds from Firefighters to Heartbreak Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

From 9/11 firefighters to everyday heartbreak, Dr. Suzanne Lachmann shares raw, practical insights on managing trauma in a world that’s more connected and more emotionally isolated than ever.

In this episode, Dante and Dr. Suzanne discuss:

Talking through trauma vs. numbing, distraction, and avoidance
9/11 firefighters, group processing, and cohesive trauma narratives
Stoicism, “I’m fine” culture, and societal expectations of strength
Breakups, heartbreak, and grief as serious forms of trauma
Limits of AI in therapy and the irreplaceable role of human connection

Key Takeaways:

Talking about painful experiences repeatedly, until they lose some of their emotional charge, is one of the most effective ways to reduce trauma’s power.
Trauma is highly individual, shaped by personality, upbringing, biology, identity, and life history, so there is no universal timeline or formula for healing.
Breakups and heartbreak can be as devastating as other major losses and should be treated as real trauma, not minimized or rushed through.
In a distracted, time-starved, screen-driven culture, one of the greatest gifts you can offer someone in pain is focused, uninterrupted time and genuine presence.
AI may offer useful general guidance, but it cannot replicate the depth of individualized understanding that comes from knowing a person's unique history, experiences, and emotional world.

“But the most important thing that you can do in trauma is to continue to talk about it, to talk about it to the point at which it starts to dilute its power.” - Dr. Suzanne Lachmann

About Dr. Suzanne Lachmann: Dr. Suzanne Lachmann is a licensed clinical psychologist, trauma expert, author, and nationally recognized mental health thought leader. Based in New York, she specializes in trauma, grief, relationships, resilience, and personal growth. Since the aftermath of 9/11, she has served as a consulting psychologist for the FDNY, supporting firefighters and first responders through trauma, loss, and recovery. Her expertise has been featured in TIME, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, and Cosmopolitan. Through her clinical practice, writing, and speaking, Dr. Lachmann advocates for authentic human connection and helps individuals and leaders build resilience and emotional well-being in an increasingly complex world.

Connect with Dr. Suzanne Lachmann:

Website: https://www.drsuzannel.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannelachmannpsychologist/

Connect with Dante Royster:

Epic Mortgage Website: Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086

Facebook: EpicMortgage1885086

Epic Mortgage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/

“The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mortgage-Guide-Secure-Best/dp/1956220631

YouTube: Epic Spotlight

Email: dante@epic.mortgage

The 9 states that Epic Mortgage is licensed in are: Illinois/Indiana/Michigan/Colorado/Maryland/Virginia/Florida/Georgia/Texas

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Paul Hutchinson: Building Billions, Fighting Trafficking, and Redefining True Wealth Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

He built a multibillion-dollar real estate fund, lived a life of extraordinary wealth, then redirected his skills and resources toward undercover child rescue operations. In this episode, Paul Hutchinson reveals how his definition of “wealth” and purpose radically changed.

In this episode, Dante and Paul discuss:

Building and selling an anxiety/trauma recovery business
Co-founding Bridge Investment Group and the power of vision and teams
Undercover child rescue operations and the moment that changed everything
Intuition, integrity, and choosing the right partners
Healing trauma, plant medicine, and redefining true wealth and purpose

Key Takeaways:

Vision and team-building can outweigh technical expertise when creating large-scale business success.
True impact often comes when wealth is treated as a tool for service rather than a finish line.
Intuition, “listening with the heart”, can be a powerful strategic advantage in both business and life.
Paul explores how unresolved trauma and subconscious patterns can influence behavior, and why meaningful change requires addressing deeper roots.
Dissolving the illusion of separation from others leads to greater compassion, a redefined sense of wealth, and a more purpose-driven legacy.

“We're never going to fix it pulling children out of hell. We've got to pull the hell out of humanity.” - Paul Hutchinson

About Paul Hutchinson: Paul Hutchinson is a successful entrepreneur, investor, humanitarian, and international speaker whose work has impacted millions worldwide. He is the founder of the Child Liberation Foundation, leading efforts to protect thousands of children from trafficking and personally conducting over 70 rescue missions across 15 countries. He served as the primary investor and Executive Producer of Sound of Freedom, helping raise global awareness about child trafficking. Beyond humanitarian work, Paul built and sold a mental health company for $20 million and co-founded Bridge Investment Group, which grew to over $20 billion in assets under management. Today, he inspires global leaders through transformational retreats, keynote speeches, and his work on conscious leadership, entrepreneurship, and creating positive impact.

Connect with Paul Hutchinson:

Website: https://liberating-humanity.com/, https://childliberation.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulhutch/

Connect with Dante Royster:

Epic Mortgage Website: Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086

Facebook: EpicMortgage1885086

Epic Mortgage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/

“The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mortgage-Guide-Secure-Best/dp/1956220631

YouTube: Epic Spotlight

Email: dante@epic.mortgage

The 9 states that Epic Mortgage is licensed in are: Illinois/Indiana/Michigan/Colorado/Maryland/Virginia/Florida/Georgia/Texas

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

You're Building Wealth Backwards with Dante Royster Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

What if you’ve been building wealth backwards? In this episode, Dante Royster explores why building yourself comes before building your portfolio, and how redefining wealth around fulfillment, relationships, freedom, and purpose can change the way you approach success.

In this episode, Dante discusses:

Personal development as the foundation of wealth
Learning, curiosity, and “failure as tuition”
Comfort vs. discomfort and embracing the grind
Redefining wealth: fulfillment, relationships, and time
Generational wealth, wisdom, and legacy

Key Takeaways:

Lasting wealth is built on personal growth, discipline, resilience, and curiosity, rather than on income, assets, or net worth alone.
Discomfort is often a signal of growth; staying too comfortable can quietly limit your potential and your options.
Mistakes and losses are not just setbacks; they are “tuition” that teaches you what not to repeat and where to refine your strategy.
Wealth without meaningful relationships, purpose, and internal fulfillment is incomplete, no matter how large the portfolio becomes.
True financial freedom includes emotional freedom: not tying your worth to money, other people’s opinions, or the next big achievement.

“The goal isn't simply to become wealthy. The goal is to become someone capable of creating wealth without losing your health, your happiness, your relationships, and your family, and your integrity.” - Dante Royster

Connect with Dante Royster:

Epic Mortgage Website: Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086

Facebook: EpicMortgage1885086

Epic Mortgage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/

“The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mortgage-Guide-Secure-Best/dp/1956220631

YouTube: Epic Spotlight

Email: dante@epic.mortgage

The 9 states that Epic Mortgage is licensed in are: Illinois/Indiana/Michigan/Colorado/Maryland/Virginia/Florida/Georgia/Texas

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Debra Sunderland: From Winning at All Costs to Leading with Consciousness and Purpose Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

A high-achieving entrepreneur and elite cyclist nearly lost her life—only to discover she’d been climbing the wrong mountain. In this episode, Debra Sunderland shares how a devastating accident transformed her definition of success and leadership.

In this episode, Dante and Debra discuss:

Achievement-driven identity and constant winning
The cycling accident and second-chance awakening
Unconscious beliefs, ego, and the amygdala
Trust, ownership, and building high-performing cultures
Inner work, emotional intelligence, and redefining success

Key Takeaways:

Building a life around constant achievement and winning can create deep anxiety, conditional identity, and transactional relationships, even when everything looks “successful” on the outside.
A crisis or life-altering event can become a powerful wake-up call, forcing a shift from survival and performance to purpose, presence, and genuine fulfillment.
Unconscious beliefs such as “I’m not enough” and “I don’t have enough” can quietly drive control, micromanagement, defensiveness, and cultural dysfunction.
Truly thriving organizations are built when leaders invest in people, create clear agreements, foster ownership instead of mere accountability, and choose trust over control.
Joy and peace are inner states that cannot be supplied by titles, money, or wins; they flow from doing the inner work, feeling emotions fully, and consciously choosing who you want to become.

“My life was spared to wake you up to yours.” - Debra Sunderland

About Debra Sunderland: Debra Sunderland is a nationally recognized business leader, entrepreneur, and conscious leadership coach with experience across wealth management, technology, architecture, engineering, construction, banking, marketing, music, and healthcare. Through Sunderland Coaching, she has worked with organizations including Curi Capital, UBS, PNC Bank, SESAC, and Mars, helping leaders and teams achieve meaningful transformation. Her work has been featured by Crain’s Chicago Business, the Chicago Tribune, Fox News, ABC, NBC, and CBS.

After surviving a life-altering cycling accident in 2013, Debra’s perspective on success, purpose, and fulfillment was forever changed. Today, as a certified Conscious Leadership Coach, emotional intelligence expert, and Enneagram practitioner, she helps CEOs, founders, and teams develop greater self-awareness, accountability, collaboration, and joy while building healthier organizations.

Connect with Debra Sunderland:

Website: https://www.sunderlandcoaching.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debrasunderland/

Connect with Dante Royster:

Epic Mortgage Website: Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086

Facebook: EpicMortgage1885086

Epic Mortgage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/

“The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mortgage-Guide-Secure-Best/dp/1956220631