Power House

Latest Episodes:

Steve Ozonian on AI, Rocket’s big bet and the future of housing May 19, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Power House, Diego Sanchez sits down with Steve Ozonian for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of housing, mortgage, title, and proptech.

Drawing on decades of leadership experience across companies like LendingTree, loanDepot, and Williston Financial Group, Ozonian explains why AI and data will shape the next era of real estate — while warning that fragmented infrastructure remains one of the industry’s biggest obstacles.

The discussion explores Rocket Companies’ expansion strategy, MLS fragmentation, private listings, fraud risks, and the growing importance of title companies in an increasingly digital environment. Ozonian also shares his perspective on leadership, succession planning, and why local agents still hold enormous influence despite rapid technological change.

This episode is about the next phase of housing: combining technology, AI, and trusted human relationships into a more connected consumer experience.

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The Power House podcast brings the biggest names in housing to answer hard-hitting questions about industry trends, operational and growth strategy, and leadership. Join HousingWire’s Zeb Lowe every Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.

Carter Malloy: Why better land data is the foundation of better housing supply May 14, 2026

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On this sponsored episode of Power House, Zeb Lowe sits down with Carter Malloy to discuss why better land data may be one of the most important and overlooked pieces of solving the housing supply crisis.

Malloy explains how his experience in land investing exposed a major industry problem: builders, developers, and investors were still making massive decisions using fragmented systems, outdated information, and hyper-local knowledge. That challenge eventually led to the creation of Acres, a platform designed to bring transparency, speed, and intelligence to land acquisition and development.

The conversation explores how better visibility into zoning, infrastructure, ownership, and growth patterns can help bring housing to market more efficiently. Malloy also breaks down the difference between AI hype and AI that actually creates operational value, arguing that the real opportunity lies in combining high-quality geospatial data with intelligent systems capable of analyzing land-use variables at scale.

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PennyMac’s mortgage playbook and how to scale over time May 12, 2026

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LIVE from Austin, Texas at The Gathering, this conversation with David Spector, Chairman and CEO of PennyMac, is all about timing, scale, and playing the long game in a consolidating mortgage market.

Spector walks through the company’s pivot from a purely organic growth mindset to a strategic acquisition of Cenlar—not as a change in philosophy, but as a response to reality. Building subservicing from scratch would’ve taken years. Buying scale? Immediate impact. The move accelerates PennyMac’s position in servicing while setting the stage for deeper investment in technology.

But this isn’t just an M&A story—it’s a culture story. Spector makes it clear: deals don’t fail because of numbers, they fail because of people. His approach flips the script—don’t force culture down, build alignment across. Integration, in his view, is about listening, not dictating.

Zoom out, and the bigger strategy comes into focus: convergence. Production and servicing are no longer separate lanes—they’re one ecosystem. That’s why PennyMac is physically consolidating teams (like in Dallas) and operationally aligning around recapture—owning the customer relationship from first loan to refinance.

And then there’s AI. Not hype—execution. Spector is pushing a decentralized model where business leaders own efficiency, supported by embedded AI talent. No “big bang” transformation—just constant iteration: build, deploy, refine. Over and over.

Through it all, the thesis is simple: in a market where margins are tight and capacity is high, efficiency wins. PennyMac isn’t betting on rates to save the business—they’re building a model that works no matter where rates go.

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Are we there yet? The end of innovation in mortgage and real estate May 07, 2026

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In this solo episode of Power House, Zeb Lowe explores the possibility that housing is moving out of the innovation era and into the predictive turn.

For years, the industry has focused on speed, automation, and better user experience. But perhaps the next real competitive advantage is no longer innovation. It’s calibration. In a business built on forecasts, probabilities, and expectations, the professionals who win will be the ones whose instruments are closest to reality.

The episode explores why housing has always been a prediction business, how AI is changing the way borrowers gather information, and why human interpretation matters more than ever in high-stakes financial decisions. Zeb also offers practical guidance for loan officers, agents, and executives looking to improve forecast accuracy, communicate uncertainty more clearly, and build trust in a market increasingly shaped by predictive tools.

At its core, this episode is about a simple idea: in the next phase of housing, accuracy will matter more than speed.

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Educate, Empower, Elevate: Laura Brandao’s Leadership Blueprint Apr 30, 2026

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On this episode of Power House, Zeb Lowe sits down with Laura Brandao to discuss the mindset, habits, and leadership principles that help mortgage professionals win in any market cycle.

Brandao shares the philosophy that shaped much of her career growth: saying yes to opportunities before the full path is clear. She explains why curiosity, momentum, and adaptability are critical in an industry where conditions can change quickly.

The conversation also explores the daily disciplines behind long-term success — structured routines, consistent communication, and building cultures centered on education, trust, and accountability.

From recruiting and team development to leadership at scale, Brandao offers practical insight for professionals looking to grow their influence and build something that lasts.

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The business of access: LaTasha Waddy on leadership, the future of NFM, and inclusive lending Apr 23, 2026

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On this episode of Power House, Zeb Lowe sits down with LaTasha Waddy to discuss leadership, homeownership, and the future of mortgage lending.

Waddy shares her path from real estate law to leading NFM Lending, and why her first priority as president has been listening to the people closest to the work. She also discusses Lucas Home Loans, a mission-driven effort focused on expanding access to homeownership through lending, education, and technology.

The conversation explores why financial literacy may be a bigger barrier than credit access, the difference between mentorship and sponsorship, and how lenders must become more intentional about attracting the next generation of talent.

This episode is about playing the long game: building people, widening opportunity, and strengthening the future of homeownership.

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People-first leadership in mortgage Apr 16, 2026

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In this episode of Power House, Zeb Lowe sits down with Patty Arvielo to discuss leadership, mentorship, and the role mortgage executives play in shaping the future of the industry.

Arvielo shares how she leads at scale by humanizing leadership — meeting people where they are, understanding different perspectives across teams, and taking full accountability when things break down. She explains how the culture at New American Funding was intentionally built over time, drawing inspiration from customer-first organizations like Zappos.

The conversation also covers her advocacy work in Washington and why mortgage professionals need a stronger voice in regulatory decisions that directly impact borrowers. Arvielo highlights her Thrive and Lead mentorship program and her commitment to developing the next generation of leaders, particularly women in mortgage.

From navigating market cycles to building durable teams, this episode offers practical insight for professionals focused on long-term impact and leadership.

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Patty Arvielo on leadership, housing access, and industry change Apr 14, 2026

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In this episode of Power House, Zeb Lowe sits down with Patty Arvielo to discuss her journey from a teenage data entry clerk at TransUnion to one of the most influential leaders in mortgage.

Arvielo shares how she learned every layer of the business early on and ultimately built New American Funding into a nationally recognized lender. What began as a business opportunity to better serve Latino homebuyers evolved into a long-term mission to expand access to homeownership for underserved communities.

The conversation also explores the realities of today’s housing market, from supply constraints and affordability challenges to the outsized role of local policy in shaping outcomes. Arvielo breaks down her leadership philosophy of putting people over profits, and why protecting culture, even at the expense of production, has been central to building a durable organization.

This episode offers a candid look at leadership, advocacy, and what it takes to create lasting impact in housing.

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Process over hustle: Building a high-performance team Apr 09, 2026

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In part two of this conversation, Matt Weaver breaks down the systems, structure, and discipline required to build a high-performing mortgage team.

He explains how scripted processes and clear standards create consistency, enable delegation, and allow teams to scale—even in flat or declining markets. Central to his approach is the “single lane” strategy, where each team member focuses on what they do best while eliminating distractions that limit production.

The discussion also covers the difference between branch and team models, the role of mentorship, and why staying aligned with a defined purpose drives long-term success.

For originators and leaders looking to improve performance and build scalable teams, this episode offers a practical playbook grounded in real-world execution.

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Back to Finish the Mission: Mike Detwiler on the Future of Mortgage Manufacturing Apr 07, 2026

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In this episode of Power House, HousingWire CEO Clayton Collins speaks to Mike Detwiler about his return to the industry as CEO of Mortgage Cadence more than a decade after selling the company to Accenture, offering a rare perspective on how mortgage technology has evolved and where it’s headed next.

Detwiler reflects on founding Mortgage Cadence in 1999 and his early vision of “manufacturing mortgages” through data, workflow, and automation. Now, with AI, intelligent automation, and advanced analytics reshaping the landscape, he argues the industry is at another inflection point.

The conversation explores the competitive LOS market, the rise of new technology entrants, and Mortgage Cadence’s growth strategy with PartnerOne. Detwiler also shares leadership insights from his experience as a founder and investor, emphasizing team empowerment and long-term thinking.

Looking ahead, he connects technology innovation to a broader challenge: restoring confidence in homeownership for the next generation.

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