This episode welcomes an industry original—Khash Saghafi, founder and CEO of Liberty Home Mortgage—to unpack why, even after 25 years in lending, he still believes “It is always a great day.”

Khash isn’t just known for his longevity—he’s built a reputation as the problem solver for homebuyers, whether they have perfect credit or have been turned away elsewhere. His direct-lender model specializes in conventional, VA, FHA, and USDA purchase loans across 45 states, plus rehab, debt consolidation, and options for hard-to-document borrowers.Liberty's core values reflect Khash’s leadership philosophy: Empowering People First. The company fosters a workplace built on open communication, adaptability, initiative, collaboration, and work–life balance—all designed to keep innovation alive while prioritizing well-being.

Khash’s reach extends beyond transactions. With over 800 videos and a loyal YouTube following, he’s created a home-buying headquarters that educates and inspires a broad audience—making the market smarter, one video at a time.

• Why mornings still matter, even in a career that has spanned decades.
  What does “It is always a great day” mean to someone who’s built from the ground up?

• How Liberty handles the toughest cases.
  Conventional, VA, FHA, USDA, debt consolidation—Khash’s team makes the near-impossible happen.

• Culture over everything.
  Liberty’s values aren’t just words—they guide decision-making, innovation, and trust across the organization.

• Why Khash built his brand on education.
  He shares how his YouTube channel became an authentic outreach tool—not just for leads, but for clarity, learning, and connection.

• Advice for emerging leaders.
  From navigating tough deals to building a culture of empowerment, Khash lays out actionable insights for anyone building or scaling in mortgage.

Whether you’re a borrower, originator, or industry leader, this episode gives you practical wisdom from someone who’s still excited to get started each day—NO matter how long he’s been doing it.

• Mortgage Connect delivers a full suite of mortgage services built on innovation and customer focus. Visit https://www.mortgageconnectlp.com

• Aidium powers mortgage professionals with smart CRM solutions that simplify lead management and drive more business. Visit https://www.thinkaidium.com

• Floify streamlines the loan process end-to-end with digital tools that boost efficiency for Realtors, borrowers, and lenders. Visit https://www.floify.com

In this inspiring and refreshingly candid conversation, we step into the shoes of Mariana Martinez, a student-athlete turned mortgage industry insider, whose career journey began as an intern at Easy Mortgage App and evolved into a pivotal role managing operations for the Mike’d Up Show. Born in Mexico and thriving at Texas Christian University, Mariana didn’t follow the typical corporate ladder — she leapt into the deep end of a bootstrap tech startup and learned to swim fast.

From navigating the uncertainty of her first internship to balancing athletics, academics, and professional responsibilities, Mariana shares the real, unfiltered experiences of a Gen Z professional entering an industry often associated with older generations. She opens up about the cultural adjustments, mindset shifts, and personal growth moments that shaped her journey — from overcoming a devastating athletic injury to learning how to thrive under the leadership of driven, unconventional mentors.

Listeners will hear Mariana’s perspective on:

• Taking risks early — saying “yes” before you’re ready and growing into the role.

• The pros and cons of working in a fast-moving, high-expectation startup vs. a traditional internship.

• Lessons from athletics that translate to mortgage teams — teamwork, resilience, and handling change.

• Communicating with industry titans as a young professional without letting the titles intimidate you.

• What Gen Z looks for in mortgage companies — and how leaders can make their organizations attractive to the next wave of high performers.

• Leveraging internships as a launchpad for confidence, career clarity, and even graduate school.

This episode is more than a career story — it’s a guide for leaders who want to connect with young talent, for students wondering how to break into competitive industries, and for anyone who believes fresh perspectives are the fuel for innovation.

Mortgage Connect – A national mortgage services provider offering a full suite of solutions for the mortgage, finance, and real estate industries. Learn more: https://www.mortgageconnectlp.com

Aidium – A next-generation CRM platform built for mortgage professionals, designed to streamline workflows, nurture leads, and close more loans. Learn more: https://www.thinkaidium.com

Floify – The leading point-of-sale solution that simplifies the mortgage process for lenders, borrowers, and real estate agents through secure document management and automated workflows. Learn more: https://www.floify.com

This week on the podcast, we welcome Kate Amor, Senior Vice President and Head of Enterprise Products at Guaranteed Rate, to talk about leadership, trust, and building connection in an industry where relationships are everything.

Kate’s career started right out of college as a mortgage loan officer—a role that gave her firsthand experience in understanding the challenges borrowers face and the deep importance of earning trust at every step. Over time, she advanced into operations, risk, credit, and capital markets, eventually landing in product strategy and development. Today, she leads Guaranteed Rate’s loan product strategy nationwide, shaping the offerings that thousands of loan officers use to serve their clients every day.

But Kate’s story is about more than just products and processes—it’s about building trust that lasts. She shares how she uses authentic leadership, resilience, and energy as her professional “superpower” to inspire those around her and rally teams behind big initiatives. Her bright spark, as she calls it, creates momentum and helps transform obstacles into opportunities for growth and connection.

In this episode, we dive into:

• How trust and authenticity form the foundation of meaningful client and team relationships.

• The power of resilience and mindset in navigating change and evolving housing market cycles.

• Kate’s three pillars for women in mortgage: know yourself, find your tribe, and take inspired action.

• Why leadership isn’t about hierarchy—it’s about empowering others and leaving lasting impact.

• How Guaranteed Rate’s approach to innovation and enterprise products helps create a better experience for both borrowers and loan originators.

Kate also opens up about pivotal moments in her career, from early days of learning the business on the front lines to stepping into executive leadership. She talks about how to show up as your authentic self, the importance of surrounding yourself with people who lift you up, and why success is ultimately about empowering others to improve their lives, their communities, and the ecosystems we serve.

If you’re looking for inspiration on how to grow your career, lead with authenticity, and build relationships that stand the test of time, this episode is one you don’t want to miss.

• Mortgage Connect: Delivering customized solutions across the mortgage lifecycle with best-in-class service and innovative technology. Visit https://www.mortgageconnectlp.com

• Aidium: Helping mortgage professionals thrive with intuitive, modern CRM tools built to manage leads, nurture relationships, and close more deals. Visit https://www.thinkaidium.com

• Floify: A leading point-of-sale platform designed to streamline the mortgage process, from application to closing, making lending faster and easier for everyone. Visit https://www.floify.com