Todd Bookspan and Deborah Byrd break down five marketing shifts mortgage pros, Realtors, and entrepreneurs need in 2026 to stay visible, trusted, and top of mind. Learn how to build proof assets AI can verify, strengthen local credibility, and create content that drives real conversations, not random reach.

Welcome back to Season 3 of the WINNOW Podcast with Todd Bookspan and Deborah Byrd.

In this episode, we reset what it means to "win now" in 2026, with five shifts that are changing how buyers choose who to trust, who to call, and who gets remembered.

You'll learn:

1. Google became a "no-click" engine, and AI now answers the question before the website gets the visit.

2. Why your strategy must shift from "more posts" to a library of brand assets that humans and AI can understand.

3. How buyers still choose humans, but they decide faster because they can verify you across ChatGPT, Gemini, social platforms, and reviews.

4. Why trust is emotional, not informational, and how compassion and clarity create influence.

5. How constant notifications are crushing focus, productivity, and recall, and what to do about it.

6. If you sell for a living, lead a team, or rely on referrals, this episode is your new baseline for visibility, communication, and focus.

Key topics and phrases covered:

AI Overviews, no-click Google, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), Search Everywhere Optimization, trust-based selling, referrals, social proof, Google reviews, productivity, deep work, distractions, and communication clarity.

Todd Bookspan, CEO and Founder of Win By Noon, and Deborah Byrd, CEO of Plug and Play SM are joined by Melanie Deziel, the renowned Founder of StoryFuel. Melanie shares her insights and experiences. As an expert in the field of storytelling and content marketing, Deziel dives into the importance of effective storytelling for businesses and brands. She emphasizes the need to craft narratives that resonate with audiences and create meaningful connections. Deziel also discusses her journey as an entrepreneur, highlighting the challenges she faced and the lessons she learned along the way. This engaging conversation offers valuable advice and inspiration for anyone looking to harness the power of storytelling in their professional endeavors.

Logan Mohtashami joins Todd Bookspan, CEO & Founder of Win By Noon, and Deborah Byrd, CEO of Plug And Play SM on this episode of the Win Now Podcast.

Logan Mohtashami is a housing data analyst, financial writer, and blogger covering the U.S. economy specializing in the housing market and also the Lead Analyst for HousingWire.

Mohtashami's astute analysis of economic data and years of direct lending experience allows him to present a unique, informed, and unbiased perspective on the financial markets.

What are WRAPS when we talk about creative finance?

Creative Finance strategies will be some of the most useful ways to get deals coming in 2023 and beyond!

You should understand all possible creative strategies!

Denise Donoghue AKA: @themortgagenerd joins the Win Now Podcast. Denise and Deborah Byrd will break down their recent trip to New York where they attend the "Exactly What to Say Certification," by best selling author Phil M. Jones.

YouTube Guru & Real Estate Agent, Levi Lascsak, will be our guest on the Win Now podcast with Todd Bookspan and Deborah Byrd!!

If you are a real estate agent or even a loan officer looking for ways to generate leads while leveraging YouTube, then don't miss this LIVE interview!!!

Levi and his business partner, Travis Plumb, were brand new to Real Estate and went from selling ZERO homes in 2020 to launching their first YouTube video at the end of 2020 (December 5th).... closing their first 2 deals by April 2021, and... by the end of 2021, they generated the following through their "Passive Prospecting" Formula:

- 690 Leads
- 64 Transactions
- 9.2% Conversion
- $33,533,000 Volume
- $1,006,000 Commissions

Learn how with this episode.

We talk about creative financial solutions to help more clients with Pace Morby, founder of Subto.com. Pace is a self-made real estate magnate and educator in the real estate world who has acquired millions of dollars in property investments across the United States through his Morby Method.

He is the host of the popular A&E show "Triple Digit Flip" and lives in Phoenix with his wife, Laura, and kids.