From Cold Calls to Perfect Timing: Mike Simon on Agent Brief, Growth, and Energize

From Cold Calls to Perfect Timing: Mike Simon on Agent Brief, Growth, and Energize

In this episode of Hanging With The Hoopers, Andrew goes solo and sits down with Mike Simon, the founder of Agent Brief and a returning FNF Energize Conference sponsor. Mike isn’t just another vendor in the title space…he’s one of the few people building real tech that actually supports what title sales is supposed to be about…relationships, consistency, and showing up at the right moment with real value. Mike’s career runs deep…Realogy, Keller Williams, Coldwell Banker (including leading Coldwell Banker International Franchising)…then a pivot into prop tech where one core idea hit him hard… Most people use real estate data the wrong way. They use it to look backward…who closed with who…who “stole” what…who’s on what deal. And Mike’s take is simple…there’s no sales opportunity in historical data. So Agent Brief was built around something different… Identify actionable moments in time…so title reps can stop making “checking in” calls…and start making timely, value-driven touches that actually build trust. In this conversation, we get into • Mike’s path from big real estate leadership roles to building a product company • Why he believes most title reps misuse data…and what they should do instead • The core Agent Brief philosophy…timing + accuracy + consistency • “Relationships aren’t a moment in time…they’re moments over time” • Why cold calls fail…and how to turn outreach into value instead of spam • Mike’s leadership lesson…humility, accessibility, and listening at scale • His take on AI…why automation isn’t the goal…and why relationships still win • Why Energize matters…and why he keeps coming back • The question he wants every title leader to ask him at Energize “You want to grow…how does Agent Brief help me do that?” If you’re heading to Energize, go find Mike…press the flesh…talk growth…talk timing…and walk away with a cleaner strategy for building relationships that actually convert. 00:00 Intro and Mike’s impact on title sales 00:39 Vegas vs Maryland weather 01:20 The Richmond road trip and Mike’s vision 01:40 Mike’s background…Realogy, KW, Coldwell Banker 03:33 Why historical data doesn’t create sales opportunity 04:33 The Agent Brief mission…actionable moments in time 05:06 “Relationships are moments over time” 07:37 Why “checking in” is a useless outreach strategy 10:09 Leadership lesson…humility and accessibility 15:42 Mike’s AI take…support humans, don’t replace relationships 21:43 Why Mike keeps sponsoring Energize 26:20 The one question Mike wants at the table 28:10 One word Mike’s team would use to describe him 28:41 Closing…and yes…another Baltimore to Richmond car ride Hanging With The Hoopers explores the Attitude of Leadership through real conversations with industry builders, operators, and role models. Connect on LinkedIn and share what hit you from this episode. #HangingWithTheHoopers #HoopX2 #AttitudeOfLeadership #SparkThought #InspireAction #Leadership #Podcast ⏱️ Timestamps🎧 About Hanging With The Hoopers

From a $200K Wire Fraud case to founding CertifID: Tyler Adams on Trust, Fraud Prevention, and Energize

In this sponsor spotlight episode of Hanging With The Hoopers, Andrew goes solo and sits down with Tyler Adams, Co Founder of CertifID, one of the most trusted names in wire fraud prevention for the real estate and title industry. Tyler’s story is one of those “how did this even happen” pivots… from Fortune 500 consulting and building tech alongside First American… to getting a call from a close friend who’d just lost $200,000 to wire fraud. That moment became the spark. What started as a prototype and a few t shirts at ALTA turned into a platform that’s now helping title agencies protect buyers, sellers, lenders, and their own businesses from fraud that keeps getting smarter. In this conversation, we dig into what’s changing right now…and why the stakes are higher than most people realize • How Tyler went from tech consulting to building in title…and helping create Endpoint • The real story behind the $200K fraud loss that launched CertifID’s mission • Why fraud prevention went from “nice to have” to “non negotiable” • The shift from prevention to workflow…how modern tools can make closings faster and safer • Why underwriters are no longer bailing people out…and what that means for agency owners • Tyler’s leadership framework inside a fast growing company…trust, curiosity, and listening • Why Energize in January matters…the Monday of the year mindset • What CertifID is building next…beyond fraud prevention, into smarter automation and transaction efficiency If you’re heading to FNF Energize (Maryland or Virginia), stop by the CertifID table and ask the question Tyler wants everyone asking in 2026 “How are you becoming more than fraud prevention…and what can you streamline for us next?” 00:00 Intro and why Tyler’s on the show 02:06 Tyler’s path…consulting, BCG Digital Ventures, and title’s evolution 04:52 The $200K fraud loss that changed everything 07:55 When CertifID really launched…and why the early years were tough 10:26 The mindset shift…multivitamin vs Advil 12:50 The negligence conversation…and why the market is tipping 14:07 Leadership lessons while building in the fraud world 20:18 Why Tyler loves Energize in January 23:00 What CertifID is building next…payoff ordering, integrations, streamlined workflows 24:42 One word Tyler hopes his team would use to describe him 26:15 Closing and 2026 vision Hanging With The Hoopers explores the Attitude of Leadership through real conversations with industry builders, operators, and partners. Connect on LinkedIn and share what hit you from this episode. #HangingWithTheHoopers #HoopX2 #AttitudeOfLeadership #SparkThought #InspireAction #Leadership #Podcast ⏱️ Timestamps🎧 About Hanging With The Hoopers

30 Years Protecting Title Agencies: Michelle Blanco on Insurance, Fraud, and Leadership | FNF Energize

On this FNF Energize sponsor spotlight episode of Hanging With The Hoopers, Andrew sits down with Michele Blanco… one of the most trusted and respected insurance voices in the title industry. With nearly 30 years of experience supporting title agencies, Michele has seen every evolution of risk firsthand… from the early days of bonds and E&O to today’s reality of wire fraud, cyber exclusions, and increasingly sophisticated bad actors. In this conversation, Andrew and Michele dig into what title agency owners really need to understand right now • Why wire fraud has become the single biggest threat facing title agencies • How insurance carriers have changed coverage and exclusions over time…and why many losses are no longer covered • What cyber insurance actually covers (and what it doesn’t) • The critical role of verification, documentation, and third-party fraud prevention platforms • How AI and deepfake technology are beginning to show up in real-world fraud attempts • Why “trust but verify” is no longer optional in today’s closing environment • Leadership lessons from decades of working alongside stressed, frustrated, high-responsibility business owners • How empathy, listening, and calm leadership matter when people are facing six-figure losses Michele also shares why she continues to sponsor FNF Energize year after year… and why the conference stands out as more than just tactics or sales advice. It’s about becoming a better business owner, a better leader, and a more trusted professional in an increasingly complex industry. If you’re attending Energize, stop by Michele’s table. Even if you’re not shopping for insurance… she’s someone every title professional should know, trust, and have in their corner. 00:00 Welcome and Energize sponsor spotlight 02:48 Michele’s 30-year journey supporting the title industry 06:08 The rise of wire fraud and modern threats 08:51 AI, deepfakes, and the future of fraud 10:39 What insurance really covers…and what it doesn’t 13:32 Verification, documentation, and third-party protection 16:49 Leadership lessons from working with stressed business owners 20:29 Why Michele continues to sponsor Energize 22:15 What conversations she hopes to have at Energize 24:25 Books, balance, and lifelong learning 26:01 Where to connect with Michele • Find Michele Blanco on LinkedIn • Learn more through her Title Department at Norman Spencer Hanging With The Hoopers is a leadership-focused podcast exploring the real conversations behind business growth, risk, and decision-making across the real estate, mortgage, and title ecosystem. Subscribe for more Energize sponsor spotlights and industry conversations that actually matter. ⏱️ Timestamps🔗 Connect with Michele🎧 About Hanging With The Hoopers

From Tech to Trusted Partner: Sam Chawkat on Cybersecurity in Title | FNF Energize

On this FNF Energize sponsor spotlight episode of Hanging With The Hoopers, Andrew sits down with Sam Chawkat from Dynamic Network Solutions... a long time listener and first time guest of the podcast.Sam’s story is classic IT in the best way... started in tech at 15, went from government projects to building a real company from a basement, and scaled Dynamic into a 45 plus person team operating across multiple states... with deep roots in the title and mortgage world.In this conversation, Andrew and Sam get into what matters right now for title company owners, ops leaders, and anyone responsible for protecting a business in a fast changing landscape• Why AI is making phishing more believable and more dangerous... not just misspelled “obvious” scams anymore• How fraud is evolving through AI written emails, cloned landing pages, automation agents, and even voice AI• The real #1 cybersecurity threat for small and mid sized businesses... and why your staff is also your biggest asset• Why once a year training is not enough anymore... and how simulated phishing builds real muscle memory• A real world story of a client avoiding a $150,000 theft by using the “trust but verify” process• Leadership lessons from growing a business... relationships, communication, calculated risk, and working on the business instead of in it• How Dynamic approaches IT differently... enterprise grade solutions without enterprise grade pricing, with a heavy focus on employee experience and client experienceSam also breaks down what a smart IT review cadence looks like... what should happen annually, what data should be visible monthly, and why every owner needs a provider who will talk policy, training, and business process... not just hardware upgrades and tech speak.If you’re coming to FNF Energize Maryland, Sam will be there in person. Stop by, ask about AI driven fraud trends, phishing simulations, and what your team should be doing right now to stay protected without breaking the bank.Timestamps00:00 Welcome and Energize sponsor spotlight00:35 Sam’s background... starting IT at 15 and scaling Dynamic04:02 Why title and mortgage became Dynamic’s roots05:28 Enterprise grade IT without enterprise pricing06:42 How AI is changing phishing and fraud tactics10:49 Training, reinforcement, and the $150K save story14:53 Leadership lessons... people, risk, and client experience24:12 How often to audit IT security and systems29:33 Why Dynamic is sponsoring Energize Maryland31:13 Final thoughts and what to ask Sam at the conferenceConnect with Sam and Dynamic Network Solutions• Find Sam Chawkat on LinkedIn• Learn more about Dynamic Network Solutions at Energize MarylandConnect with Hanging With The Hoopers• Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, growth, and the real estate trifecta• Follow Andrew and Tim on LinkedIn for more Energize sponsor spotlights and conference content

From Transactions to Partnerships – How Angela Saiz & Toni Carroll Lead with Trust | FNF Energize

What does relationship banking, fraud prevention, and real leadership have to do with the Energize Conference? Everything. In this episode of Hanging with the Hoopers, Andrew Hooper sits down with Angela Saiz and Toni Carroll from Capital Bank to unpack why they continue to sponsor FNF Energize year after year…and why this event matters so much to the title industry right now. Angela shares her journey from Yellow Pages advertising to becoming one of the most trusted connectors in the title and banking world. Toni breaks down what she’s seeing on the front lines of wire fraud, check fraud, and positive pay, and why too many businesses still don’t understand the risks. Together, the conversation hits on: • Why personal relationships still win in banking • How fraud has evolved…and what title companies must do now • Leadership lessons that hold up in any market • Why “do what you say you’re going to do” still matters • And why Energize is designed to reset your mindset at the start of the year This isn’t hype. It’s a real conversation about growth, protection, leadership, and partnership…and why Energize creates space for the conversations our industry actually needs. 🎯 About Energize Energize is an early-year conference built for title professionals, attorneys, lenders, and industry leaders who want practical insight, meaningful connection, and momentum heading into the year. 🤝 Proud Sponsor: Capital Bank Capital Bank partners with title professionals nationwide, offering relationship-driven banking, fraud protection tools like positive pay, and a team that understands how money really moves in this industry. If you’re attending Energize this year…come find Angela and Toni…and be ready to talk leadership, fraud prevention, and yes…your most memorable concert of all time. 00:00 Introduction and welcome 00:03 Angela Saiz’s journey from Yellow Pages to banking 00:06 Toni Carroll’s path through title, underwriting, and banking 00:09 Wire fraud, check fraud, and positive pay explained 00:12 Leadership lessons that actually hold up 00:15 Why Capital Bank keeps sponsoring Energize 00:18 Final thoughts and Energize momentum Chapters (YouTube-friendly)