For this month’s mortgage industry vibe check, we’re just holding on for dear life. Jim and Alayna discuss the precipice of conference season, the transition into the spring market, and how that’s changing things for mortgage tech.

2026 has been a whirlwind so far. It’s the end of February, but it feels like we’ve done a full year’s worth of work already. Jim and Alayna take a moment from their busy schedules to tell us about new products, plans for growth, and how LodeStar knocks conference season out of the ballpark.

This week it’s “What Grinds My Gears,” the monthly segment where Jim and Alayna vent their frustration on a topic of their choosing. This month, Jim wants to talk about the common assertion, “Renting is throwing your money away.” With the current administration eager to prevent us from being “a nation of renters,” the issue of renting is due for a conversation.

This week, it’s all about slowing down the process. In an age of rapid productivity, Cal Newport’s book ‘Slow Productivity’ made an impression, not only on Jim, but on Alayna and Tim.

How can LOs differentiate themselves in the current market? For this month’s Mortgage Industry Vibe Check, Jim and Alayna discuss how lenders can find their niche. Also, some thoughts on conference season, and how lenders and vendors can find harmony in shared goals.

We’re ending January 2026 with the LodeStar update segment—except this month has something special… LodeStar is unveiling a new feature powered by AI which has already saved our clients tons of money. Listen to the episode to find out more!

This week on the Full Disclosure Podcast, it’s time for “What Grinds My Gears,” when Jim and Alayna vent their frustrations. Up for discussion: New Years Resolutions, why they fail, and whether snow is a good thing or a bad thing.

This week we’re back to Jim’s book club, our regular segment on the Full Disclosure Podcast where we get to hear what Jim is reading lately and how it’s affected business at LodeStar and SettleWise.

It’s officially 2026, and Jim and Alayna are kicking off a new year of the Full Disclosure podcast with a brand-new mortgage industry vibe check.