The Spotlight

In this inaugural episode of Dark Matters Spotlight Backstage, host Craig Rebman discusses the intricacies of the mortgage ecosystem with Mike Russell from Total Expert. They explore the importance of product and pricing in the mortgage industry, the transition to customer relationship management, and the integration with the Empower platform. The conversation delves into the role of AI in marketing and customer retention, highlighting the innovative features of Total Expert's platform and the positive reception of AI technology among consumers. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of partnerships in enhancing the mortgage experience.

In this episode of The Spotlight, host Wes Horbatuck and Jake Vermillion discuss the evolving landscape of marketing within the mortgage industry, focusing on the role of More Champions in helping loan officers succeed. They explore Jake’s unique approach to marketing, emphasizing authenticity and partnership over traditional sales tactics.The discussion also delves into the impact of AI on the mortgage industry, highlighting the importance of human touchpoints in an increasingly digital world.

In this episode of The Spotlight, Wes Horbatuck interviews Justin Demola, the president of Lenders One, discussing the cooperative’s 25-year journey, its evolution, and the value it provides to its members. They explore the changing member profile, innovations in services, and the importance of community in the mortgage industry. Justin emphasizes the need for streamlined processes to enhance borrower experiences and reduce costs, while also highlighting the cooperative’s commitment to education and member engagement.

In this episode of The Spotlight, host Wes Horbatuck interviews Sue Woodard, discussing the evolving landscape of lender technology relationships, the challenges of technology adoption, and the importance of measuring ROI beyond just cost savings. They explore the balance between automation and personal touch in customer interactions and emphasize the critical role of data strategy in future-proofing businesses in the mortgage industry.

In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast, host Wes Horbatuck speaks with Ruth Lee, president, and founder of Big Think, about the evolving landscape of mortgage banking and the impact of technology, particularly AI, on the industry. They discuss how AI can empower operational teams, enhance personalization in lending, and improve decision-making through predictive analytics. Ruth emphasizes the importance of adapting to technological advancements to remain competitive and the need for a strategic approach to leveraging data for profitability.

In this episode of The Spotlight, host Wes Horbatuck sits down with Clayton Collins, founder and CEO of HousingWire Media. They delve into Clayton’s fascinating journey from banking to acquiring HousingWire, highlighting the critical role of efficiency and technology in transforming the mortgage industry. The conversation also explores the importance of understanding your target audience and leveraging your strengths in marketing. Additionally, they discuss the transformative potential of AI and its implications for the future of the mortgage sector. Tune in for insights that could reshape your approach to the industry!

In this episode of The Spotlight, host Wes Horbatuck speaks with Mike Fratantoni, chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), about the current economic landscape affecting the mortgage industry. They discuss the recent trends in mortgage rates, the dynamics of mortgage origination volume, the challenges lenders face in maintaining profitability, and the critical role of technology in navigating these challenges. The conversation also touches on the industry’s morale and the outlook for the future, especially as the MBA annual conference approaches.

In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast, Wes Horbatuck interviews Peter Benjamin, the president of ACUMA, about the future of credit unions and the upcoming ACUMA conference. They discuss the history of ACUMA and its focus on education for credit union mortgage professionals. They also talk about the importance of community and collaboration within the credit union space. Peter emphasizes the need for credit unions to embrace technology while staying true to their core values.

In this must-watch episode of “The Spotlight,” Vikas Rao, the new Deputy Chief Product Officer at Dark Matter Technologies, dives deep into the future of mortgage tech. Discover how automation, task-based workflows, exception-based processing, and advanced APIs can drastically reduce your loan origination costs while boosting client engagement. Don’t miss these game-changing insights!

In this episode of the Spotlight, Wes Horbatuck interviews Kyla Scanlon who is best known for conducting human-centric economic analysis and conversations about various topics including the housing market, AI, consumer sentiment, and the economy. They discuss the impact of consumer sentiment on economic outcomes, the need for more affordable housing and the challenges in the housing market, the potential role of AI in the real estate industry, and the importance of transparency and media literacy in shaping consumer sentiment. Kyla shares her process of generating ideas through movement and visualizing concepts through drawing. She also shares anecdotes and special details about her book ‘In This Economy’.

Do you have AI F.O.M.O and not know where to start? The future of AI is bright, but it can be difficult to know where and how to begin. In our latest Spotlight podcast episode, Wes Horbatuck talks with Dark Matter’s Brian Swanson about the limitations of current AI and the exciting new direction the field is headed. This episode explores the crucial role social sciences like psychology and sociology will play in unlocking AI’s true potential. Discover how AI can move beyond technical solutions and begin to understand human behavior, ushering in a new era of intelligent machines.

In this episode of The Spotlight, we delve into the heart of innovation within the mortgage industry with Melissa Langdale, the President and COO of The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC). Fresh off of their TMC Mane Event, Melissa shares invaluable insights on leveraging AI and technology to revolutionize the mortgage process, enhance operational efficiency, and significantly lower costs of origination. From the profound impact of AI in document processing to the strategic use of technology for competitive advantage, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the future of mortgage lending. Join us as we explore the transformative solutions shaping the industry and how TMC’s collaborative community is leading the charge towards a more efficient, inclusive, and technologically advanced mortgage ecosystem.

Integrations in mortgage tech are rarely simple—but the right partners make them easier. In this episode of The Spotlight, we sit down with Erin Wester, VP of Product Management at Optimal Blue, to explore how collaboration drives better solutions for lenders. Erin shares how Optimal Blue’s API-first strategy has connected hundreds of clients and 70+ tech vendors, bringing pricing transparency and efficiency to loan origination systems like Empower®. She also gives us an insider’s perspective on the evolution of the PPE platform—including new features like location-based pricing incentives—and where artificial intelligence fits into the future of secondary marketing.

Building tech just for the sake of it doesn’t cut it. In this episode of The Spotlight, Dark Matter’s Chief Product Officer Stephanie Durflinger shares how our team evaluates when to build, when to integrate, and how to separate true innovation from industry noise. With 15 years of experience at ICE Mortgage Technology and Ellie Mae, Stephanie explains why focusing on real value for lenders and borrowers is the key to guiding Dark Matter’s product direction—and how partnerships and open ecosystems play a role in shaping the future of mortgage technology.

In our debut episode, we unpack the maxim: “AI won’t replace your job, but someone with AI will.” Dark Matter Technologies has been working with AI and machine learning for over a decade, with a clear focus on enhancing—not replacing—human capabilities. Host Wes Horbatuck sits down with Blake Gibson, EVP & General Counsel, to discuss how Dark Matter takes a unique approach by blending technology, science, and legal expertise to create safe, efficient, and compliant solutions. From Empower LOS to AIVA virtual assistants, Blake explains how we’re building “guardrails” into AI to automate repetitive tasks, free up human decision-making, and ensure lenders can operate with confidence.