The BLITZ Break

The BLITZ Break - Episode 41 - (Guest) Ricky O’Neal

Episode 41 | The Blitz Break 🎙️ This week on The Blitz Break, Phil Rasmussen, Buzz Howard, Julie Shroyer, and Justin Ingolia sit down with Ricky O’Neal, real estate agent and certified Exactly What to Say guide, for a powerful conversation on communication, influence, and what actually builds trust in today’s market. Ricky breaks down why most professionals struggle not because they lack knowledge, but because they don’t practice what to say or how to say it. This episode is packed with practical frameworks and mindset shifts that can immediately elevate how you connect with clients. In this episode, we cover: 🗣️ What Exactly What to Say really means, and why words matter more than you think 🎯 The danger of “winging it” and why practicing your language is a game-changer ✨ “Charisma attracts, character retains”, and how to build both 🧠 The mindset of mega agents and high performers 🤝 Coaching vs. consulting vs. mentorship, and when each matters ❓ Leading with curiosity to better understand and deliver value 💡 Why connection is the new currency in business 🔺 The Curiosity Triangle: curiosity, empathy, and courage 📱 The biggest mistake in content creation: content before context 🔄 Changing perspectives instead of trying to change minds ⚡ Why simplification is the ultimate superpower Plus, a quick Mortgage Market Update from Buzz and a social media tip from Julie to help you stay relevant and top of mind. If you want to communicate more effectively, build deeper relationships, and stand out in a crowded market, this episode is a must-listen. 👉 Like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs to hear this. 💬 Drop a comment: What’s one phrase or question that’s changed the way you connect with people? Chapters 00:00:00 - Welcome & Introducing Ricky O’Neal 00:03:11 - What Is ’Exactly What to Say’? 00:05:35 - The Problem With Not Practicing What You Say 00:12:51 - Charisma Attracts, Character Retains 00:18:08 - The Mega Agent Mindset 00:25:54 - Coaching vs. Consulting vs. Mentorship 00:34:27 - Leading With Curiosity & Understanding Value 00:44:19 - Connection Is the New Currency 00:53:25 - The Curiosity Triangle: Curious, Empathy, Courage 01:01:07 - Content Before Context: The Biggest Mistake 01:02:23 - Changing Perspective, Not Minds 01:06:07 - Simplification Is the Superpower 01:10:39 - Closing Thoughts, Mortgage Update & Social Media Tip

The BLITZ Break - Episode 40 - (Guest) Leslie Reed

Episode 40 | The Blitz Break 🎙️ This week on The Blitz Break, Phil Rasmussen, Buzz Howard, Julie Shroyer, and Justin Ingolia are joined by Leslie Reed of RE/MAX Luxury for a conversation that blends market insight, personal story, and what it really takes to stand out in today’s real estate landscape. Leslie shares her unique upbringing, from Danville to Incline Village to Maui, and how her family’s deep roots in real estate shaped her career. The conversation takes a powerful turn as she reflects on the devastating Lahaina fire and the impact on the community she once called home. From there, the episode dives into the evolution of real estate and what agents must do to stay relevant in a shifting market. In this episode, we cover: 🔥 Leslie’s journey into real estate and rise as a top producer 🌺 A heartfelt conversation on the Lahaina fire and what was lost 🏡 Why staging is more important than ever, and how to position listings like a model home 🤖 AI in real estate, virtual staging, disclosures, and staying competitive 📉 Today’s market challenges: pricing, days on market, and why homes aren’t selling 📬 Old-school vs. new-school marketing: newsletters, social media, and what actually works 📱 The rise of social media agents and why exposure + expertise wins 💡 Real stories from the field: foreclosures, flips, and tough transactions 🤝 What makes a great lending partner and the foundation of long-term success This episode is a mix of heart, strategy, and real talk, a must-listen for agents, lenders, and anyone navigating today’s market. 👉 Like, subscribe, and share with someone in the industry. 💬 Drop a comment: What’s changed the most in your business over the last year? Chapters 00:00:00 – Welcome & Introductions 00:00:46 – Leslie’s Background 00:04:08 – The Lahaina Fire 00:08:10 – Into Real Estate 00:11:51 – Staging Strategy 00:10:35 – Market Conditions 00:19:45 – AI & Modern Listing Tools 00:30:10 – Agents Evolving 00:35:20 – Social Media & Younger Agents 00:39:38 – Foreclosure Stories 00:43:44 – Social Media Tip of the Day 00:46:56 – Market Update & Wrap-Up

The BLITZ Break - Episode 39 - (Guest) Tara Anaya

Episode 39 | The Blitz Break 🎙️ This week on The Blitz Break, Phil Rasmussen, Buzz Howard, and Justin Ingolia sit down with Tara Anaya, a top 1% producing branch manager with CrossCountry Mortgage and a nationally recognized top female originator by Scotsman Guide, for a powerful conversation on reinvention, resilience, and what it takes to stay elite in any market. After more than 30 years in the mortgage industry, Tara made a bold move, relocating from Crescent City to the Sacramento/Roseville area and rebuilding her business from the ground up. What followed is a masterclass in mindset, consistency, and relationship-driven growth. In this episode, we cover: 🔥 Reinventing your business in a brand new market, and starting from zero 🧠 The mindset of a top 1% producer, ignoring noise and focusing on what actually matters 🏡 How Tara has delivered over $4M in down payment assistance in 2025 through California programs 📚 Educating buyers and partners through classes, credit counseling, and long-term pipeline building 📊 Appraisal insights every agent and loan officer should understand 💡 Creative problem-solving, including a VA loan success story for an 18-year-old service member overseas 🤝 Building the right partnerships, and why not all business is good business 📱 Lead generation in today’s world, from TikTok and Instagram to an unforgettable Tinder success story 🤖 Why AI may be the biggest opportunity (and separator) for mortgage professionals moving forward Plus, Buzz’s Mortgage Minute, breaking down recent market movement, with a fun twist you won’t expect. This episode is packed with real strategies, bold thinking, and a clear message: top producers don’t wait for the market, they build through it. 👉 Enjoying the show? LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and share with someone ready to level up. 💬 Drop a comment: Could you rebuild your business from scratch in a new market? Chapters: 00:00:00 Intro & Episode Kickoff 00:00:19 Meet Tara Anaya: From Crescent City to Sacramento 00:07:35 Building a Business from Scratch in a New Market 00:13:30 Top 1% Mindset: Relationships Over Rate Shopping 00:17:53 Down Payment Assistance & Being a Specialist 00:23:15 Educating Buyers & Delivering Value Before the Transaction 00:25:32 Appraisal 101: What Every Agent Needs to Know 00:36:23 Going Above & Beyond to Close the Deal 00:41:43 Building the Right Partnerships 00:48:33 How Tara Got Into Mortgage & Life on the Rodeo Circuit 01:08:42 Creative Lead Gen: Social Media, TikTok & the Tinder Story 01:16:43 The Future of Mortgage: AI, Market Outlook & Staying Ahead 01:27:38 Mortgage Minute & Wrap-Up

The BLITZ Break - Episode 38 - (Guest) Aaron Ralls

Episode 38 | The Blitz Break 🎙️ This week on The Blitz Break, Phil Rasmussen, Julie Shroyer, and Justin Ingolia sit down with Aaron Ralls, a top 25 real estate agent in the Greater Sacramento region, eXp Realty leader, and former corrections officer turned entrepreneur. Aaron’s story is anything but typical. From spending over a decade in California prisons to being fired, fighting back, and rebuilding his life, he went on to launch one of the busiest barbershops in Sacramento County before ultimately going all-in on real estate. His journey is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and betting on yourself. In this episode, we dive into: 🔥 Aaron’s transition from corrections to entrepreneurship to top-producing agent ✂️ Building Lucky’s Barbershop into a local powerhouse before pivoting to real estate 🤝 Why abundance beats competition, and how collaboration fuels growth 🏡 The strategies that helped him break into the top 25 (referrals, open houses, and zero paid leads) 📦 Creative tactics like sending branded moving boxes before listing appointments 💡 How to win deals through authenticity, flexibility, and client-first thinking 🚀 Advice for new agents: stop overthinking, take action, and sharpen your skills 📊 Industry insights on brokerage shifts and why top producers will continue to dominate 💨 A deep dive into cigar networking and Aaron’s growing business mixers at Cigar City Lounge 📱 Julie’s social media tip: short, solution-based videos that actually convert This episode is packed with real-world strategies and a powerful reminder that success isn’t about guarding opportunities, it’s about creating more of them. 👉 Like, subscribe, and share with someone who’s ready to level up their business. 💬 Drop a comment: Are you operating from scarcity, or abundance? Chapters 00:00:00 Intro & Guest Welcome 00:02:27 Aaron’s Career in Corrections 00:03:54 Opening Lucky’s Barbershop 00:07:14 Transitioning to Real Estate 00:08:26 Abundance Mindset & Collaboration 00:19:46 Top 25 & Commitment to Constant Learning 00:33:25 Listing Appointment Strategies & Moving Boxes 00:37:57 Lessons Learned & Advice for New Agents 00:55:32 Industry Consolidations & the EXP Model 01:01:57 Qualifying Partners & Guarding Your Time 01:09:45 Cigars, Community & Networking 01:15:33 Social Media Tip & Wrap-Up

The Blitz Break-Episode 37

Episode 37 | The Blitz Break 🎙️ This week on The Blitz Break, it’s just Phil Rasmussen and Buzz Howard, no guests, just a real, unfiltered conversation about what it actually takes to win in today’s mortgage market. Building off recent episodes featuring powerful stories like Success Redefined, From Darkness to Redemption, and Break the Ceiling, Phil and Buzz reflect on the common thread of vulnerability, failure, and growth, and why those same principles apply directly to business. From there, the conversation turns to the reality of the 2026 market: too many loan officers are sitting back, waiting for rates to drop instead of building the habits, relationships, and systems that will separate them when the market shifts. In this episode, we cover: 📉 Why waiting on rates is the biggest mistake loan officers can make right now 🏁 The danger of competing on price, and why it’s a race to the bottom 📇 How to consistently deliver value to your database 365 days a year 🎉 Client appreciation events that actually drive connection (and results) 🤝 The impact of the Give Value Program in creating long-term client trust 📞 Overcoming call reluctance and breaking the “solo operator” mindset 🏡 Common homeownership misconceptions and how to educate your clients better 📊 Buzz’s weekly market update and what’s driving current rate volatility This episode is a clear reminder: the market doesn’t create top producers, their habits do. 👉 Enjoying the show? LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and share with someone who’s serious about leveling up. 💬 Drop a comment: Are you building relationships right now, or waiting on the market to change? Chapters 00:00:00 Intro & Welcome 00:07:16 Lessons from Guest Stories & Books 00:17:18 Why Social Media & Human Connection Matter 00:21:19 What Separates Top Loan Officers Today 00:26:13 Competing on Value, Not Price 00:32:15 Call Reluctance & Staying Connected to Clients 00:34:55 Client Events & Creating Real Value 00:43:00 The Give Value Program 00:49:55 Scale, Teamwork & Growing Market Share 01:01:25 Doubling Your Business in Any Market 01:05:02 Home Ownership Misconceptions 01:09:11 Fun Rapid Fire 01:12:23 Mortgage Market Update & Closing