Broker to Broker Podcast | Episode 218: “Challenge & Make It Make Sense” with Bryan Atwood

Host: Mark Summers (Founding President, AIME)

Guest: Bryan Atwood (Broker/Owner, Atwood Mortgage)

Episode Description:

In this powerhouse episode, Mark Summers sits down with Bryan Atwood, a sixth-generation real estate pro turned broker/owner of Atwood Mortgage, to unpack his jaw-dropping journey from zero lending experience to building a thriving brokerage in just four years.

🔍 Key Takeaways:

✅ From Realtor to Broker: How Bryan’s real estate roots exposed the lending gaps hurting agents—and why he bet on the broker channel to fix them.

✅ “Make It Make Sense”: Bryan’s mantra for challenging norms—from VA loan myths to underwriting hurdles—and why asking “why” saves deals.

✅ Realtor Trust Hacks: Why Bryan never cold-calls agents—and how educating them on lender blind spots (like appraisal myths) wins business.

✅ AIME’s Role: How Bryan leveraged AIME Academy, VIP escalations, and the Brokers Are Best community to fast-track his success.

✅ FUSE 2025 Teaser: Bryan’s advice for retail LOs eyeing the broker channel: “Why limit your options when you can customize solutions?”

🔥 Perfect for: Brokers, retail LOs considering the switch, and anyone tired of the “this is how it’s always done” mentality.