Mining for Gold
Perspectives on life, mortgages and real estate.
Episodes
Elevating Real Estate from Transactional to Transformational: The Julie Towne Story
On this episode of Mining for Gold, Jason LaBelle, Vice President of Mortgage Lending at Guaranteed Rate Affinity, sits in for Matt, and he and Jon are joined by award-winning Coldwell Banker Real Estate Agent Julie Towne. Jason and Julie have worked together often, and the two of them talk to Jon about Julie's creative approach to the real estate industry. She discusses her background prior to ge
Building Influence Through Connection: The Andy Burton Story
On this episode of Mining for Gold, Jon and Matt are joined by Andy Burton, the owner and publisher of BeLOCAL Chicago Loop Magazine and the Chicago, DuPage, and North Shore editions of Real Producers. The three discuss the evolution of Real Producers and the role the magazine plays in the larger platform of connecting real estate professionals throughout the Chicagoland area. They talk about how
Alignment, Intentional Living, and Redefining the Real Estate Experience: The Samantha De Maria Moore Story
On this episode of Mining for Gold, Jon sits down with real estate professional, yoga instructor, and wellness coach Samantha De Maria Moore. Samantha talks about the combination of what used to be two separate parts of her life and how lessons about health and wellness help both buyers and sellers in the sometimes daunting world of real estate. Samantha also discusses awareness of self as well as
Precision, Personality, and Practice: The Jeffrey Marks Story
On this episode of Mining for Gold, Jon and Matt are joined by Jeffrey Marks, a leading Chicagoland real estate attorney with Busse & Busse, to talk about Jeffrey's success as a high-volume attorney and how his work ethic and philosophy mesh so well with that of the Goldman Group. The three discuss Jeffrey's background as a video game producer prior to his law career and how the lessons learned fr
Rewards, Loyalty, and the Future of Consumer Engagement: The Andrew ‘Newms’ Newman Story
On this episode of Mining for Gold, Jon and Matt are joined by Andrew Newman, Vice President of FinTech Sales at Wildfire Systems, to announce the launch of the new savings and rewards program Rate Rewards. Andrew talks about the continuing evolution of digital marketing and how customer loyalty programs offer value to providers and consumers alike. The three discuss the partnership between Guaran
Resilience in Real Estate: Leadership, Health, and Growth
On this episode of Mining for Gold, Jon and Matt sit down with their longtime friend Joe Gerber, Broker Associate and Managing Partner of the Gerber Diaz Group at Baird & Warner. Joe shares the journey that led him to a career in real estate, and the three discuss how Joe's history underpins his motivation and success. Joe talks with Jon and Matt about the value of partnership and a curated team,
2026 Trends
On this episode of Mining for Gold, Matt and Jon sit down together to talk about what to expect for the coming year in their three favorite areas: life, mortgages, and real estate. They talk about the likely trajectory for interest rates this year as well as the factors beyond the rates that impact mortgage lending and the real estate market. They also examine ways that they continue to innovate t
Making Renovations Work for You
On this episode of Mining for Gold, Jon and Matt start off the new year talking with Joe Daly, Director of Specialty Products at Guaranteed Rate Affinity, to talk about renovation loans and the value they can offer to both buyers and lenders.Joe describes how the help of a renovation loan specialist makes the complicated-seeming experience easier for all involved. The group also discusses how reno
End of Year Thoughts
On this episode of Mining for Gold, Matt and Jon wrap up the year with topics at the top of the their minds regarding the three pillars of the podcast: life, mortgages, and real estate. They discuss interests rates, the state of the real estate market, family health challenges, and more.From the whole team at Mining for Gold, thank you to everyone for a great year! We wish you all a festive holida
Putting Humanity in Human Resources
On this episode of Mining for Gold, Matt and Jon sit down with their good friend Marina Bokserman, a chief human resources officer, or as Jon likes to say, a "churro." Marina talks about her experiences, challenges, and road to success as a human resources professional and the particulars of the role specific to the mortgage lending industry.The group discusses the hardships and rewards of a leade
The Foundation of Fortune: Insuring What Matters Most
On this episode of Mining for Gold, Matt and Jon sit down with Scott Mikkelsen, Vice President of Mikkelsen, Kelly, & Kip Insurance, to talk about what it really means to "insure what matters most." Scott shares the family roots behind his third-generation independent agency and how his team takes a consultative, relationship-first approach to protecting clients' homes and families.The conversatio
How Vital is Your Real Estate Attorney?
On this episode of Mining for Gold, Matt and Jon sit down with Chicago real estate attorney Dean Lurie of Stone, Pogrund & Korey. They dig into what makes Dean's "concierge-style" approach to closings stand out and why having a great attorney can make or break a deal.The trio tackles everything from tricky condo regulations and HOA lawsuits to how Dean's calm, creative problem-solving keeps transa
Social Media Savvy: LinkedIn Expert Jared Gibson
On this episode of Mining for Gold, Matt and Jon talk with Jared Gibson, LinkedIn expert and co-founder of Outworks. They discuss their experience working with Outworks and the importance, process, and challenges of including a social media strategy in online branding efforts. Matt and Jon also share their exploration of the social media landscape, and Jared outlines the hows, whys, and rewards of
Sam Hollis: Goldman Group's Next Level Marketing
On this episode of Mining for Gold, Matt and Jon talk with their new marketing director, Sam Hollis. They explore Sam's path to joining Guaranteed Rate Affinity, what made him the right fit for the team, and the fresh perspective he brings to the table. The conversation is filled with mutual excitement as the trio reunites professionally, sharing their top priorities and how their life experiences
It Starts with a Plan - GRA CMO Vinod Jotwani
In this week's episode, Matt and Jon sit down with Vinod Jotwani, Chief Marketing Officer at Guaranteed Rate Affinity. Vinod shares details about his career journey, his role as CMO, and why putting loan officers first is central to his marketing philosophy. He discusses the unique value loan officers bring to the marketing team, the importance of learning from them, how AI is reshaping the market
Mike Huff: Baseball and Benevolence
In this episode of Mining for Gold, Jon and Matt sit down with former Major League Baseball player Mike Huff to explore his path from childhood to the big leagues. Mike shares insights from his time playing professional baseball, including his unique experience training basketball legend Michael Jordan for his brief baseball career. He opens up about the personal reasons that brought him back to C
Building the Goldman Group Brand
In this episode of Mining for Gold, Jon and Matt are joined by Rob Johnson, Emmy Award-Winning former TV anchor and current President of Rob Johnson Communications, who's now playing a key role behind the scenes of their brand. Rob shares insights from his decades-long career in television, why he chose to pivot after leaving the industry, and what drew him to collaborate with Jon and Matt. Togeth
Getting to Know Jon and Matt: The Voices Behind Mining for Gold
In this episode of Mining for Gold, Jon and Matt take a step back from the usual format to share a more personal side of their journey. They open up about how each of them found their way into the mortgage business and what inspired them to stay. From early beginnings to unexpected opportunities, they reflect on the paths that led them to where they are today.Listeners will also get an inside look
People, Price, Product: The Latest Real Estate Trends
In this episode of Mining for Gold, Jon and Matt sit down with Anne DuBray, a top-producing real estate broker at Coldwell Banker with nearly 40 years of experience and over $1 billion in career sales. Anne shares insights from her remarkable journey in Chicago's North Shore market, including why being selective with mortgage lenders matters, how building the right team has fueled her long-term su
Realizing the Importance of Real Estate in Your Portfolio
In this episode of Mining for Gold, Jon and Matt sit down with Kim and Brett Suchy, the CEO and COO of Cornerstone Asset Management Group, LLC. Together, they explore the current market’s volatility, discuss how a home purchase fits into an individual's overall financial strategy, and highlight the vital roles that communication and accountability play in building lasting client relationships.Jon'
The Latest Employee Benefit
In this episode, Jon and Matt are joined by special guest Vic Lombardo to explore the Employee Mortgage and Real Estate Benefit Program, a cost-free offering that companies can provide to their teams. Vic breaks down how this program supports employees throughout every stage of the home-buying process.Listeners will learn how the program not only eases one of life's biggest financial decisions but
Adapting Your Business in a Tumultuous Market
Bob Burns, Regional VP of Coldwell Banker, joins Jon and Matt in the first episode of Mining for Gold. They discuss how the real estate industry and mortgage business have changed over the last few years, what they’ve done to grow their businesses in a tumultuous market, why referrals are so important, and much more.
