Lessons From Last Time

Change is rarely something we choose. In this episode of Lessons From Last Time, Katie Shive shares how navigating seasons of unexpected change reshaped the way she thinks about resilience, work, and what truly matters. Naturally risk-averse and resistant to change, Katie explains how life experiences forced her to rethink control and adopt a mindset of radical acceptance, focusing on what she could influence and letting go of what she couldn’t. She reflects on recognizing burnout, making difficult career decisions, and rebuilding with greater clarity and intention. From personal growth to professional reinvention, Katie explores how hard seasons can become turning points.

In this micro-episode of Lessons From Last Time, Ken Perry breaks down what leaders get wrong about change and how to lead through it without losing your people. From major business case studies to brand reinventions closer to home, he shares practical insight on communicating the why, avoiding change fatigue, leading through resistance, and making tough decisions with a long-term lens. For leaders navigating growth in regulated, high-pressure environments, this is a sharp reminder that how you lead through change directly shapes company culture.

Client experience starts with perspective. In this episode of Lessons From Last Time, Mosi Gatling shares how understanding generational shifts, homeownership goals, and buyer psychology transforms the customer experience. As SVP of Strategic Growth & Expansion at New American Funding, Mosi continues originating loans to stay close to first-time home buyers and the realities they face. She challenges outdated messaging around “generational wealth” and explains why today’s buyers are motivated by lifestyle, flexibility, and what ownership can provide right now. From asking better questions to marketing homes differently, Mosi explores how leaders in mortgage and regulated industries can build trust, design meaningful client experiences, and meet people where they are.

In this micro-episode of Lessons From Last Time, Ken Perry reflects on why user experience sits at the center of sustainable growth. Leaders often refine strategy without seeing how customers and teams actually experience the work. Ken invites listeners to notice where confusion, friction, or misalignment quietly erode trust, and why intentional user experience is foundational to customer experience, leadership, and culture.

In the Season 4 premiere of Lessons From Last Time, host Ken Perry shares how the show is evolving this year. While the stories remain personal and honest, the focus shifts toward clearer leadership lessons and how to apply these real-world insights. Ken introduces the new monthly format and previews what’s ahead this season for leaders navigating culture, connection, and change.

In this episode of Lessons From Last Time, Navy SEAL veteran and sports minister Jake Roberts joins Ken to reflect on a life defined by service, resilience, and faith. From his time as a Navy SEAL officer to becoming a C12 chair, he examines the defining moments that helped him realize his life’s purpose as a leader. Jake discusses how his leadership experience was built by earning trust, communicating with focused intention, and developing people through mental and physical challenges. He explores the power of self-belief, sharing how mentors helped him recognize strengths he hadn’t yet seen in himself. He opens up about the transition from military to civilian life and rediscovering his connection to his faith that ultimately led him to his current mission–supporting leaders and helping kids find the light in life. This episode is a powerful reminder that growth begins when you step into discomfort with purpose.

In this episode of Lessons From Last Time, we sit down with real estate and mortgage veteran, Marine veteran, and founder of Huzi AI, Eric Post, for an unfiltered talk on his commitment to try anything, connecting people from all walks of life, and reinventing himself. Eric shares how he “burned the boats” and fully immersed himself in everything he did to achieve real learning and greatness. He opens up about traveling to over 200 riots across the country, being on the ground in D.C. on January 6th, and how documenting the chaos shattered his worldview, triggering a painful yet necessary period of personal rebirth and a quest for truth.

This episode of Lessons From Last Time features Barry Long, real estate broker, accessibility consultant and trainer, and co-founder of ABLE Environments, who recounts the life changing moment that reshaped his definition of strength, success, and fulfillment. After a motorcycle accident left him paralyzed, Barry transformed paralysis into purpose. Through humility and hard-earned wisdom, Barry reminds us that resilience and adaptability are just as necessary in one’s personal life as in their professional and that laughter is sometimes the best medicine. It’s a powerful conversation about creating opportunity where others see limitations, changing how we feel about asking for help, and seeing people for who they are instead of their abilities.

This episode of Lessons From Last Time with Don Goettling centers on resilience, leadership, and giving back to the mortgage industry. Don shares his 30+ year journey from motocross racer to leading a $1.5 billion regional team, and now to CEO and co-host of Momentum Builder and Sales Mastery. His story weaves together lessons from motocross, personal setbacks, and market downturns, showing how grit, purpose, and strong relationships fuel long-term success. At its core, the conversation highlights Don’s mission: to equip mortgage and housing professionals with the right tools, mindset, and community to not just survive the industry’s ups and downs, but thrive through them.

In this episode of Lessons From Last Time, mortgage leader Todd Williams shares how personal adversity and decades of industry experience have shaped his approach to life, mentorship, and building lasting impact. From redefining his own concept of success to raising the bar for those around him, Todd offers practical insights for anyone who wants to lead their life with excellence, integrity, and meaning.

Ken and Kirk dive deep into leadership with local coaching legend Jon Eagle, reflecting on how personal growth, faith, and mentorship transformed his approach to success. From early missteps to breakthrough moments, Jon shares how he learned to prioritize character over ego and relationships over results. Whether he's pushing athletes to play with heart or challenging coaches to lead with integrity, Jon reveals how true leadership begins by looking inward

In this special rerelease of Lessons From Last Time, we pay tribute to Fred Baldwin—a remarkable leader, mentor, and father. Joined by his son, Mike Baldwin, this episode offers a timeless conversation between two industry leaders whose values shaped both business and family. Fred’s legacy of integrity, hard work, and genuine care shines through as he and Mike reflect on leadership, legacy, and the power of treating people right. As we remember Fred, we invite you to revisit and carry forward the lessons he so generously shared.

In this episode, Pat Stone, Chairman and Founder of WFG National Title, shares how Stoic principles have shaped his journey from combat zones to boardrooms. Through stories of challenge and change over his 50-year career, Pat reveals how focusing on what you can control, cultivating empathy, and staying curious can turn adversity into wisdom.

In this episode, Justin Tucker, Chief Strategy Officer at WFG National Title, explores what it means to lead with curiosity. He shares how staying open to feedback, experimenting often, and asking better questions have shaped his approach to strategy and innovation. From his roots in title insurance to launching creative side projects like Pizza Illuminati, Justin reflects on building a career and culture driven by curiosity, connection, and continuous growth.

Our first guest of the season, Michelle Berman-Mikel, founder of Berman Media PD, shares how loss, self-doubt, and starting over gave her the clarity to build her business and life with purpose. Her story offers a roadmap for turning adversity into opportunity and persevering through life's hard moments.

Lessons From Last Time returns for Season 3 with Ken Perry and Kirk Faulkner reflecting on the shifts in the mortgage industry this year, takeaways from NMLS2025, and the rising importance of real, in-person connection to bridge the divide.

Lessons From Last Time presents a special throwback episode featuring our very own podcast host turned guest, Kirk Faulkner! Kirk dives deep into how challenging moments reveal true character and the invaluable lessons learned through personal failures and growth. "Difficult circumstances don't determine character; they reveal it. I've faced moments where challenges highlighted my shortcomings, but those same obstacles became opportunities for growth." Kirk also reflects on a pivotal leadership lesson from the pandemic: "Your team will remember how you acted in tough times."

As we wrap up the year, we’re bringing you the highlights that define 2024. From expert insights to game-changing strategies, this roundup features the moments that inspired, educated, and entertained

In this episode of Lessons From Last Time, we tackle the key steps to achieving homeownership. From navigating the challenges of the home-buying process and making smart financial decisions to leveraging down payment assistance programs and addressing disparities in homeownership, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Discover how to build generational wealth and take the first steps toward securing a brighter future for your family.

In this heartfelt episode of Lessons From Last Time, we explore profound life lessons with Kevin Petersen learned through personal struggles, resilience, and support. From navigating a challenging first year of marriage marked by heartbreaking family losses to reflections on childhood fears and the strength to persevere, this episode dives deep into the human experience.