On this episode, we sit down with Steve Thomas — a veteran mortgage executive, Navy officer, and now the visionary behind FutureWave Finance, a newly launched minority-owned national correspondent lender. With nearly 30 years in residential mortgage, capital markets, and inclusive financial leadership, Steve brings a perspective rooted in innovation, community empowerment, and bold transformation.

From his early days at Fannie Mae and Countrywide to leading roles at CastleOak Securities and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, Steve’s journey is a masterclass in leadership through changing market tides. Now, as CEO and President of FutureWave, he’s building a company aimed at addressing the next great shift in lending: from a rate-driven market to a product-driven one.

In this episode, we explore:

• How FutureWave Finance is designing the next-gen correspondent model

• What it takes to lead during market shifts, downturns, and reinvention

• The lasting impact of capital markets experience in retail innovation

• Steve’s take on DEI, supplier diversity, and what real inclusion means in lending

• Lessons from a career that spans Wall Street, government-backed institutions, and the Navy

• The strategic shift toward product-focused lending, and why it matters more now than ever

With deep insights into liquidity strategy, pricing execution, and economic change, Steve outlines what lenders need to thrive — not just survive — in today’s mortgage environment.

Meet the Guest:
Steve Thomas is the President & CEO of FutureWave Finance, a new national correspondent lender. Previously, he served as Senior Managing Director at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, where he led mortgage capital markets and co-directed the bank’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion. He has held senior roles at CastleOak Securities, Fannie Mae, and Countrywide, and began his professional journey as a Naval Officer. Steve is also a Board Member and Treasurer of Mercy Housing Lakefront, advancing affordable housing and economic equity.

Episode Sponsors

• Mortgage Connect: A leading national mortgage services provider delivering customized solutions that elevate the consumer experience across the mortgage life cycle. mortgageconnectlp.com

• Aidium: Modern CRM and mortgage growth platform helping lenders close more deals by turning pipeline chaos into clarity. thinkaidium.com

• Floify: The industry's leading point-of-sale system, helping loan officers streamline workflows and elevate borrower satisfaction. floify.com

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This week on the show, we sit down with three of the most compelling voices in the mortgage industry—Rick Roque, Brock Cassidy, and Jeremy Potter—who together host the influential weekly show REALFridays. In this dynamic conversation, we unpack the intersection of leadership, media, and strategy, diving into the insights that only come from three decades of combined mortgage, fintech, and proptech experience.

Jeremy Potter, founder of Next Belt Strategies, brings a legal and regulatory edge to the table, shaped by years working in compliance, policy, and strategic leadership roles across the lending ecosystem. His experience spans Norcom Mortgage, Rocket Companies, and now his own firm, where he advises on regulatory clarity, strategic transformation, and housing opportunity through thought leadership and advisory work.

Brock Cassidy, currently Chief Revenue Officer at Newzip, shares his journey from Rocket Mortgage to the cutting edge of referral and agent matching platforms. With deep knowledge of fintech integrations and lender partnerships, Brock outlines how Newzip helps mortgage professionals grow purchase business through high-quality real estate relationships in all 50 states—without competition from portals.

Dr. Rick Roque is a respected banker, technologist, and strategic advisor, bringing decades of leadership in M&A, growth strategy, and industry education. With speaking credits from over 50 mortgage conferences and a prolific publishing career, Rick shares how his vision for consumer-focused innovation has helped hundreds of lenders scale profitably.

We explore the challenges and opportunities of building a relevant media presence in lending, how a weekly show like REALFridays shapes influence and opens doors, and why staying consistent with your message, voice, and content is key to long-term credibility.

You’ll hear:

• What it takes to sustain a podcast and build brand authority

• How to convert a content platform into real business opportunities

• Why YouTube is the most underutilized channel in the mortgage world

• Advice for originators and lenders looking to use media for growth

• Behind-the-scenes of REALFridays: how the trio collaborates and stays real

This episode is more than just podcast talk—it’s about leadership, authenticity, and finding your place in a rapidly evolving industry. Whether you're a loan officer, broker, executive, or aspiring thought leader, this conversation will give you real strategies to stand out.

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Mortgage Connect – A leading national mortgage services provider delivering a full suite of solutions to support the entire mortgage lifecycle. Visit www.mortgageconnectlp.com

• Aidium – CRM built for high-performance mortgage teams. Simplify workflows, connect with leads, and drive more business. Visit thinkaidium.com

• Floify – A powerful point-of-sale platform built to streamline the loan process for borrowers and LOs alike. Learn more at www.floify.com

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Todd Feager, Co-Founder of Haven Home Equity, to explore how lenders and borrowers alike can harness the untapped power of home equity. With over 23 years in the mortgage industry, Todd brings a deep, hands-on understanding of what today’s consumers actually need—especially in the evolving consumer-direct lending landscape.

At Haven, Todd has helped pioneer a structured and strategic approach to using home equity, designed not just to pull out cash—but to build long-term financial stability. This episode centers on what Todd calls “The Haven Framework”, a tri-fecta strategy that focuses on three essential outcomes:

1. Cash-Out Reserves – Creating liquidity for emergencies, life expenses, or future investments.

2. Lower Total Monthly Debt Payments – Combining higher-interest debt into more manageable mortgage-based solutions.

3. Shortened Mortgage Terms – Helping borrowers pay off their homes faster and smarter.

This conversation goes beyond generic advice. Todd offers real-world insight into how loan officers can reframe conversations with borrowers—from selling rates to creating strategic equity plans that maximize both immediate relief and long-term impact. He shares the mindset, tools, and scripting that Haven loan officers use to help clients move from uncertainty to clarity—often in a single call.

Whether you're a lender looking to modernize your offering, or a borrower trying to understand your best path forward, this episode will leave you with tactical takeaways and a renewed sense of what's possible in home equity lending.

Key themes:
– How to succeed in a consumer direct environment
– Making home equity work for borrowers in a high-rate market
– Building scalable lending strategies that actually deliver value
– What it means to offer advice-driven lending—not just products

Brought to you by our sponsors:
Mortgage Connect
Aidium
Floify