The Brutally Honest Loan Officers: The Unfiltered Mortgage Minds

About The Brutally Honest Loan Officers: The Unfiltered Mortgage Minds

”The Brutally Honest Loan Officers” is a refreshingly candid podcast hosted by two seasoned mortgage lenders, Stephen Brock NMLS 1926015 and Derick Brown NMLS 1640146, from The Mortgage Firm. This podcast cuts through the jargon and complexity of the mortgage industry, offering unfiltered insights and straightforward advice. Each episode delves into the often-overlooked aspects of mortgage lending, from navigating market trends to understanding credit scores. Our hosts bring their extensive experience and a touch of humor to demystify the mortgage process for consumers and realtors alike. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned investor, or a real estate professional seeking to enhance your knowledge, this podcast is your go-to source for honest, actionable mortgage wisdom. Join us as we break down the walls of the lending world, one truth at a time. The Mortgage Firm NMLS 189233 Equal Housing Lender CONSUMERS WISHING TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST A MORTGAGE BANKER OR A LICENSED MORTGAGE BANKER RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATOR SHOULD COMPLETE AND SEND A COMPLAINT FORM TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF SAVINGS AND MORTGAGE LENDING, 2601 NORTH LAMAR, SUITE 201, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78705. COMPLAINT FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S WEBSITE AT WWW.SML.TEXAS.GOV. A TOLL-FREE CONSUMER HOTLINE IS AVAILABLE AT 1-877-276-5550. THE DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS A RECOVERY FUND TO MAKE PAYMENTS OF CERTAIN ACTUAL OUT OF POCKET DAMAGES SUSTAINED BY BORROWERS CAUSED BY ACTS OF LICENSED MORTGAGE BANKER RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATORS. A WRITTEN APPLICATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE RECOVERY FUND MUST BE FILED WITH AND INVESTIGATED BY THE DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO THE PAYMENT OF A CLAIM. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECOVERY FUND, PLEASE CONSULT THE DEPARTMENT’S WEBSITE AT WWW.SML.TEXAS.GOV.

Publisher

Stephen Brock and Derick Brown

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 Dec 2023

Latest episode

26 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

146 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   26 Oct 2026

   Mortgage Horror Stories: Real Deals That Almost Died (And How We Saved Them)

   Just in time for Halloween, Stephen and Derick share the scariest things that can happen to a mortgage deal — and how to fight back. Lenders denying loans three days before closing over income verification. Appraisals coming in low. Credit score requirements jumping overnight during COVID. Houses that can’t get insured because of old roofs or bad plumbing. Debt-to-income ratios blowing up at the last minute. They cover the creative fixes too — escrow holdbacks, trusts to season funds, rapid rescores, and DSCR loans — while being honest that some deals can’t be saved and require the buyer to step back, fix their situation, and try again.

2. 

   21 Oct 2026

   You’re Sitting on Equity. Should You Actually Use It

   American homeowners are collectively sitting on $35 trillion in equity — but having it and knowing what to do with it are two different things. Stephen and Derick break down how home equity actually works, the three ways to access it (HELOC, home equity loan, cash-out refinance), and the real scenarios where using it makes sense — debt consolidation, home renovations, and buying an investment property. They also cover the low-rate dilemma: why a HELOC or home equity loan is often smarter than a cash-out refi if you locked in a 3% mortgage. The throughline: equity is a tool, not free money — and the wrong move can put your house at risk.

3. 

   12 Oct 2026

   Rates Are Up. Here’s How Smart Buyers Can Fight Back.

   Mortgage rates are up — and Derick and Stephen aren’t here to sugarcoat it. Higher rates hurt affordability, and some buyers who qualified a few months ago don’t qualify today. But giving up isn’t the only option. This episode breaks down four strategies smart buyers can use right now: seller credits (which can be more powerful than a price reduction), permanent rate buydowns, temporary buydowns, and adjustable-rate mortgages. The goal isn’t to pretend rates aren’t high — it’s to show that an experienced loan officer’s job is to find the structure that still makes the deal work, even when the market isn’t cooperating.

Who has been a guest on The Brutally Honest Loan Officers: The Unfiltered Mortgage Minds

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Derick Boswell
• Ricky Smith
• Jessica Smith

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 41 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

59

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

60

Contact The Brutally Honest Loan Officers: The Unfiltered Mortgage Minds

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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• 

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• 

  Loan Officer Marketing with Chris Johnstone

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