Mortgage Tech Intelligence: A Blue Sage Solutions Podcast

Episode 11: Erin Wester, Chief Product Officer of Optimal Blue

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

In this In this episode of the Mortgage Tech Intelligence podcast, host Dee Khullar interviews Erin Wester, Chief Product Officer at Optimal Blue. Erin discusses the latest innovations in mortgage technology, including AI-driven products like the Virtual Economist and Ask OB. The conversation covers how these tools are transforming capital markets, automating workflows, and empowering lenders to make faster, smarter decisions.

Episode 10: Melissa Langdale, Founder & CEO of Praxis Lending Solutions

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Mortgage Tech Intelligence podcast, host Joey McDuffee interviews Melissa Langdale, founder and CEO of Praxis Lending Solutions. With over 20 years of experience in mortgage lending, Melissa shares her journey in the industry, the challenges lenders face today, and the impact of AI on mortgage operations. The conversation covers the importance of governance in AI, the need for comprehensive policies, and the future trends in mortgage lending, emphasizing the need for lenders to adapt to changing market conditions and technology advancements.

Episode 9: Julienne Joseph, SVP of Single Family Programs at DC Housing Finance Agency

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Mortgage Tech Intelligence podcast, host Dee Khullar speaks with Julienne Joseph, a prominent advocate for housing policy and access to homeownership. Julienne shares her journey from loan officer to chief of staff at HUD, discussing the lessons learned from the 2008 housing crisis, the importance of engaging communities in policy-making, and the challenges faced by first-time home buyers today. The conversation also explores innovative solutions for down payment assistance, the impact of student loan debt on homeownership, and the need for collaboration across the housing ecosystem to expand access to homeownership.

Episode 8: Ross Diedrich, Founder & CEO at Covered Insurance

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 11:00:00 -0500

In this episode of Mortgage Tech Intelligence, Ed Furbee interviews Ross Diedrich, CEO of Covered Insurance, about the integration of homeowners insurance into the mortgage origination process. Ross shares his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges faced in the insurance industry, and how Covered simplifies the insurance shopping experience for borrowers. The conversation also covers the importance of automation, the partnership with Blue Sage and Prime Lending, and the future of embedded insurance in financial services.

Episode 7: Steve Octaviano, CTO at Blue Sage Solutions

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 11:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Mortgage Tech Intelligence podcast, host Lucas Mast speaks with Steve Octaviano, CTO of Blue Sage Solutions, about the intersection of technology, innovation, and security in the mortgage industry. Steve shares his journey into mortgage technology, the importance of balancing day-to-day operations with long-term vision, and the critical role of security in handling sensitive data. They discuss the challenges of data security, best practices for CTOs, and the transformative potential of AI and automation in mortgage lending. The conversation also covers future trends in cloud strategy and integration, providing valuable insights for industry professionals.

Episode 6: Diego Sanchez, President of HW Media

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Mortgage Tech Intelligence podcast, host Dee Khullar speaks with Diego Sanchez, president of HousingWire, about the evolving landscape of the mortgage and housing industry. They discuss Diego's career journey, current trends in the housing market, and the importance of a holistic approach to housing. The conversation also covers the role of technology and AI in reducing friction in the mortgage process, as well as key takeaways for industry professionals. Diego shares insights on HousingWire's recent acquisition of Builders Daily and the upcoming events that aim to bring together various sectors of the housing industry.

Episode 5: Tina Kosur, Head of PMO at Blue Sage Solutions

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Mortgage Tech Intelligence podcast, host Ed Furbee interviews Tina Kosur, head of the Project Management Office at Blue Sage Solutions. Tina shares her extensive experience in the lending industry and discusses the critical role of project management in successful technology implementations. She outlines the importance of adaptability in methodologies, the significance of the first 90 days of implementation, and the key performance indicators used to measure success. Tina also addresses common risks in implementations and emphasizes the need for strong communication and collaboration to mitigate these risks. The conversation concludes with insights into future opportunities for the Blue Sage PMO and the importance of standardized solutions in the lending process.

Episode 4: Joey McDuffee, VP of Sales and Marketing at Blue Sage Solutions

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Mortgage Tech Intelligence, host Ed Furbee interviews Joey McDuffee, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Blue Sage Solutions. They discuss the importance of modernizing loan origination systems (LOS) to enhance lender operations and borrower experiences. Joey shares insights on the challenges lenders face when transitioning from outdated technology, the strategies Blue Sage employs to ensure smooth implementation, and the significant improvements in customer experience achieved through their technology. The conversation also touches on future trends in mortgage technology, including the role of AI, and how Blue Sage is adapting to serve lenders of all sizes.

Episode 3: David Aach, COO of Blue Sage Solutions

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Mortgage Tech Intelligence, host Ed Furbee and David Aach, COO of Blue Sage Solutions, discuss the critical questions lenders should consider before signing a mortgage tech contract. They explore the challenges posed by outdated technology, the importance of cloud-native solutions, and the evolving needs of mid-market lenders. The conversation emphasizes the significance of data ownership, security, and the necessity for lenders to test technology before making a commitment. David shares insights on the trends in mortgage technology and the risks associated with legacy systems, providing valuable takeaways for lenders looking to future-proof their operations.

Episode 2: Andy Badstubner, CIO of First Community Mortgage

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Mortgage Tech Intelligence, Ed Furbee interviews Andrew Badstubner, CIO of First Community Mortgage, discussing the challenges and innovations in the mortgage industry. Andy shares insights on leading digital transformation in a legacy-heavy industry, the importance of fostering a culture of innovation, and the role of technology, particularly AI and loan origination systems, in shaping the future of lending. He emphasizes the need for companies to be prepared for rapid growth and the strategic integration of technology in all aspects of the business.

Episode 1: Dee Khullar, Head of Marketing at Blue Sage Solutions

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 10:00:00 -0400

In the inaugural episode of Mortgage Tech Intelligence, host Ed Furbee introduces Dee Khullar, the Head of Marketing at Blue Sage Solutions. The conversation explores the intersection of mortgage lending and technology, focusing on the innovative strategies and people driving change in the industry. Dee shares insights on building a marketing function from the ground up, the importance of customer engagement, and the strategic approach to conferences and partnerships. The episode emphasizes the need for collaboration across teams and the value of taking risks in marketing leadership. Dee also discusses the future vision for Blue Sage and offers personal career advice, concluding with a fun note about her favorite song.

Trailer

Tue, 27 May 2025 14:00:00 -0400

Hosted by Ed Furbee of Blue Sage Solutions, Mortgage Tech Intelligence is the go-to podcast for professionals in mortgage lending and financial technology. In this short trailer, get a sneak peek into what you can expect from future episodes.