Building Bigger Lives

Hosted by Michael Regan & Kathryn Pedersen

Business Entrepreneurship Health Fitness

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Episodes

125

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

The Building Bigger Lives Podcast is co-hosted by Michael Regan & Kathryn Pedersen. Each episode is designed to help housing industry professionals navigate significant changes and find better flow between their personal & professional lives. The podcast features guests and topics rooted in real-world experiences + practical advice. Tune in, follow, and feel free to share!

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60 recent

June 10, 2026Episode 12424 min

Ep 124: The Role of the Trainer

In this episode of The Building Bigger Lives Podcast, Michael and Kathryn discuss the role of a trainer in leadership, expanding on a previous podcast episode about the four roles of leaders. They explore the mindset, skill set, and tool set needed for effective training, emphasizing the importance of designing systems and frameworks, using visual aids like PowerPoint and Excel, and adapting to online training platforms. Kathryn shared examples from her teaching experience, including the use of interactive activities and chat functions to enhance learning. The conversation highlights the need for trainers to be comfortable learning new teaching methods, using appropriate tools, and seeking feedback to continuously improve their effectiveness. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

June 3, 2026Episode 12331 min

Ep 123: What We've Changed our Minds About

In today's episode, Michael Regan and Kathryn Pedersen discuss the importance of changing one's mind in response to innovation and personal growth. They explore how innovation, whether driven by technology or process improvements, often forces individuals to reassess their approaches in business and personal relationships. The hosts share examples of how they've adapted to changes over the years, including embracing online loan applications, shifting hiring philosophies toward attitude over experience, and adopting more authentic business and personal styles. They also discuss the impact of social media on business relationships and the evolving perspective on health as a lifestyle rather than just a means to an end. The conversation concludes with an example of making small environmental changes to reduce frustration, encouraging listeners to consider what minor adjustments they could make to improve their situations. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

May 27, 2026Episode 12223 min

Ep 122: The Building Champions Experience

This episode of The Building Bigger Lives Podcast features Michael Regan, Kathryn Pedersen, and Greg Harkavy discussing the Building Champions Experience (BCE), an immersive coaching event returning in September 2026 after a seven-year hiatus. Greg, an original coach and co-owner, explained that BCE was created in 2008 as a structured experience focused on three elements: reflect, connect, and plan, designed to help professionals slow down and think deeply about their lives and leadership. Michael and Kathryn share their personal experiences from previous BCE events, describing how the beautiful Sunriver location created the perfect atmosphere for reflection and planning. Greg highlights that the event attracts diverse thought leaders from various industries and offers new frameworks around self-leadership, team effectiveness, and organizational impact, with breakouts allowing participants to choose specific focus areas. The discussion emphasizes how BCE provides an opportunity for participants to recast their visions and plans based on life's changing seasons, offering a strategic break from routine that can help prevent the "drift" in personal and professional development. For more information or to sign up for the Building Champions Experience: https://www.buildingchampions.com/bce Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

May 20, 2026Episode 12120 min

Ep 121: Mentorship or Sponsorship?

In this episode of The Building Bigger Lives Podcast, Kathryn and Michael discuss the distinction between membership and sponsorship in leadership development, based on a HousingWire session Kathryn attended. They define mentorship as providing guidance and advice through a formal or informal relationship, while sponsorship involves actively advocating for someone's advancement or opportunities, particularly in decision-making settings where the sponsor is not present. Kathryn explains that while mentorship is commonly discussed, sponsorship offers a more impactful way for women to support each other in leadership roles. She provides practical examples of sponsorship in the mortgage industry context, including referring clients to specialists and advocating for team members to take on projects. The conversation emphasizes that effective sponsorship requires building trust and being willing to put one's reputation on the line, while also encouraging listeners to proactively create advocates for themselves by understanding their unique value proposition and seeking feedback from respected colleagues. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

May 13, 2026Episode 12027 min

Ep 120: Extrovert, Introvert... or Otrovert?

In today's episode of The Building Bigger Lives Podcast, Michael and Kathryn discuss the newly coined term "otrovert," introduced by psychiatrist Dr. Rami Kaminski, which describes individuals who are independent thinkers and excel at one-on-one connections but feel disconnected from groups and resist groupthink. They explore how otroverts differ from introverts and extroverts, noting that while introverts gain energy from alone time and extroverts from group settings, otroverts are defined by their lack of need to belong to groups rather than by how they're drained or energized by people. The conversation also connects these personality types to the DISC assessment, with otroverts potentially aligning with high S (people-oriented but one-on-one focused) and high C (task-focused and preferring alone time) styles, while ambiverts might correspond to high D (able to toggle between tasks and people). Michael and Kathryn provide practical advice for managing and working with otroverts, emphasizing the importance of recognizing their unique contributions as independent thinkers and allowing them space to avoid group activities while still feeling valued as part of the team. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

May 6, 2026Episode 11928 min

Ep 119: HousingWire Gathering 2026 Review

In this episode of The Building Bigger Lives Podcast, Michael Regan and Kathryn Pedersen discuss their reflections on the HousingWire Gathering in Austin, Texas. They highlight key takeaways from various speakers, including Jason Mitchell from the top independent real estate group, who emphasized the importance of bringing value to agents to retain talent. Kathryn and Michael also discuss insights from Scott Turner, Secretary of HUD, who addressed regulatory costs impacting home purchases, and Ron Leonard, CEO of CCM, who stressed the strategic importance of managing a balance sheet. They note the industry's aging agent demographic, with 71% of agents selling zero homes last year, and discuss how AI and technology are creating efficiencies rather than replacing human roles. The event's focus on networking and relationship-building was praised, with the next gathering scheduled for April in Frisco, Texas. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

April 29, 2026Episode 11831 min

Ep 118: Book Club - Free to Focus

In this episode of the Building Bigger Lives Podcast, Michael Regan and Kathryn Pedersen discuss Michael Hyatt's book "Free to Focus." They explore key concepts from the book, including the importance of stopping to evaluate priorities, protecting energy rather than just time, and using a productivity compass to focus on tasks in the "desire zone." The discussion covers Hyatt's five levels of delegation and the Eisenhower priority matrix as practical tools for leaders to improve focus and productivity. Kathryn shares how implementing these concepts helped her organize her work week and make better use of her energy. The hosts emphasize the book's relevance for reevaluating priorities in the current environment and encourage listeners to consider reducing distractions by managing notifications on their devices. Michael shares his experience with the book, which he discovered in 2019 after being impressed by Hyatt's previous work on "Living Forward." He found the book valuable for its tactical tools and practical implementation strategies, which he could share with clients. The discussion highlights Michael's positive impression of the book and his plans to incorporate it into his client work and roundtables. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

April 22, 2026Episode 11718 min

Ep 117: HousingWire Gathering Preview

In this episode of the Building Bigger Lives Podcast, Michael and Kathryn preview the upcoming HousingWire Gathering 2026 event in Austin, Texas, scheduled for April 27-30. They discuss their positive experiences from previous years, highlighting the event's unique format where HousingWire journalists focus on drawing out stories from guests rather than typical sales-focused presentations. Key speakers mentioned included Ron from Cross Country Mortgage, who is expected to share insights on recent M&A activity, and Nakia Wright from NAR. The hosts emphasize the event's balanced representation of real estate and lending industry leaders, noting how it provides valuable perspective on long-term strategic thinking rather than quarterly performance. They also discuss the benefits of in-person networking and learning from both CEO-level speakers and high-performing industry professionals. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

April 15, 2026Episode 11626 min

Ep. 116: From Loan Officer to Mortgage Advisor

In this episode of the Building Bigger Lives Podcast, Michael Regan and Kathryn Peterson discuss the distinction between loan officers and mortgage advisors in the housing industry. They explore how titles impact customer perception and the importance of asking thoughtful questions to build trust and provide value beyond transactional services, particularly focusing on the titles "mortgage advisor" and "loan officer." They highlight how these titles impact consumer perception and search behavior, especially in the context of AI-driven queries. The conversation begins by exploring the origins and implications of these titles, with Kathryn sharing her experience working in both banking and independent mortgage settings. The discussion aims to help listeners consider how they position themselves when interacting with consumers, particularly in the context of mid-year planning and script development. The conversation highlights how mortgage advisors focus on long-term relationships, ongoing support, and understanding clients' goals and concerns, differentiating themselves from traditional loan officers who operate more as order-takers. The hosts emphasize that mortgage advisors help clients navigate complex decisions while maintaining professional relationships that can evolve into personal connections, positioning themselves as trusted advisors rather than transaction facilitators. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

April 8, 2026Episode 11525 min

Ep 115: The Post Closing Experience

In this episode, Kathryn Pedersen and Michael Regan discuss client touch points and post-closing experiences in the mortgage industry. Kathryn shares how she received a request from an insurance agent about the systems she uses for client follow-up, which inspired this podcast episode. They explore the importance of maintaining personal connections with clients beyond the initial loan process, including regular check-ins at key milestones like the first payment, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-closing. The conversation covers strategies for setting up these touch points early in the client relationship and asking meaningful questions during initial consultations to identify future follow-up topics. Kathryn emphasizes starting small by implementing one or two specific touchpoints at a time rather than overwhelming oneself with multiple new systems, and stresses that these proactive approaches help build long-term client relationships while maintaining a personal touch even during busy periods. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage