Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim
The podcast that gives an exclusive look beyond the title of private lending industry leaders.
Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim
Latest Episode
Building The Future of Private Lending featuring Linda Hyde
Linda Hyde, President of the American Association of Private Lenders (AAPL), joins Kevin Kim to kick off Season 6 of Lender Lounge. In this episode, Linda shares her journey from leading a call center to spearheading one of the most influential organizations in private lending. She reflects on transforming AAPL from a niche “good old boys club” into a national platform for ethics, education, and advocacy in the industry. The conversation explores the association’s evolution, grassroots legislative efforts, and its commitment to building a more inclusive, accountable private lending community. Linda also offers a behind-the-scenes look at AAPL’s growth, upcoming initiatives, and her personal leadership philosophy.
Building The Future of Private Lending featuring Linda Hyde
Linda Hyde, President of the American Association of Private Lenders (AAPL), joins Kevin Kim to kick off Season 6 of Lender Lounge. In this episode, Linda shares her journey from leading a call center to spearheading one of the most influential organizations in private lending. She reflects on transforming AAPL from a niche “good old boys club” into a national platform for ethics, education, and advocacy in the industry. The conversation explores the association’s evolution, grassroots legislative efforts, and its commitment to building a more inclusive, accountable private lending community. Linda also offers a behind-the-scenes look at AAPL’s growth, upcoming initiatives, and her personal leadership philosophy.
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Meet the Host
Kevin Kim, Esq.
Kevin Kim is a Partner with Fortra Law and leads the firm's corporate & securities practice. His expertise lies in fund formation, private placements, and other securities offerings for private lenders, real estate developers, and investors of all sizes. Kevin and his team have advised and prepared hundreds of securities offerings including mortgage funds, structured debt offerings, real estate syndications, crowdfunding offerings, EB-5 projects, and Qualified Opportunity Funds. Kevin's passion lies in serving his clients as a pragmatic advisor focusing on real world solutions.
Kevin is also a nationally recognized expert in mortgage fund formation. Kevin is the lead instructor for the American Association of Private Lender’s Certified Fund Manager courses, where he teaches mortgage fund managers throughout the United States on fund management and securities laws.
Kevin hosts the podcast Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim, where he interviews industry leaders, friends, and colleagues in the private lending space to learn what makes them tick.
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Recognitions
Previous Episodes
Game Changer | Paul Rahimian, Parkview Financial
For this episode, Kevin interviewed Paul Rahimian, who has become a household name in the construction business, at Parkview Financials’ headquarters in West Los Angeles. Paul emphasized how he has remained true to his original thesis of creativity and capital preservation, even as he now competes with institutional lenders across the U.S.
Lend to Live | Beth Johnson & Alex Breshears, Flynn Family Lending / Lend2Live
For this episode, Kevin interviewed Beth Johnson and Alex Breshears to talk about their newest book, Lend2Live, and the story behind the book. The three discussed the industry’s dislocation, the importance of small, local lenders, and the difference between “private money lending” and “hard money lending / private lending.”
Altruistic Entrepreneur | Eddie Wilson, American Association of Private Lenders
For this episode, Kevin interviewed Eddie Wilson, CEO of AAPL and Think Realty. Kevin learned more about Eddie’s personal life, such as his passion for operations, turning businesses around, and choosing businesses that serve a higher purpose. Eddie discussed what he has done to grow AAPL’s footprint and how he installed the grassroots advocacy that allowed AAPL to defeat legislation such as the Florida licensing bill.
Investing in “Personnel” Assets | Justin Ehrlich, Churchill Real Estate
For this episode, Kevin interviewed Justin Ehrlich, founding partner at Churchill Real Estate. Kevin learned more about Churchill’s history as an NPL buyer and how they came to be an asset manager and capital provider to the private lending industry. Justin also dove into the story behind Churchill’s meteoric rise.
Pragmatic Mindset | Jennifer McGuinness, Invigorate Finance
For this episode, Kevin interviewed Jennifer McGuinness, President of Invigorate Finance. Kevin had a great time learning about Jennifer and how her mortgage career was actually a series of “accidents.” Invigorate Finance is a unique private lending business that serves both the consumer and business purpose lending arenas; Jennifer discusses the reasons for this strategy and her philosophy of diversification and pragmatism in approaching her business.
Operational Efficiency | Lisa Alberti and Mark Roberts, Western Alliance Bank
*NOTE: This episode was recorded in June 2022.*
Kevin was delighted to finally interview Mark Roberts and Lisa Alberti from Western Alliance Bank, a company that has become an integral part of the private lending industry. In this episode, Kevin talks to Mark and Lisa about the bank’s history, their backgrounds, and their bank’s philosophy on lender finance and line of credit. Lisa also discusses the new networking group, Women in Private Lending, and the impact a group like this will have on women in this space.
Reliable Capital | Ray Sturm, AlphaFlow
For this episode, which was recorded during the market volatility of May 2022, Ray Sturm and Kevin sat down and discussed AlphaFlow’s thesis from a technology standpoint, their philosophy when it comes to solving their customer’s challenges, and having discipline when it comes to an ever-changing market.
Special Mini Episode | Ruby Keys, Fortra Law
We’re dropping this mini episode in your feed to give some insight into Captivate, Geracicon’s upcoming private lending event. Kevin is joined by Ruby Keys, Geraci’s event extraordinaire, to discuss why it is a perfect opportunity for our listeners. Listen in to learn about the event’s capital-raising theme, nationwide attendee presence, and success stories from past years (including Kevin’s!).
Captivate will take place August 21-23, 2022 at the Encore at Wynn in Las Vegas, NV.
More info and registration can be found at our website: https://geracicon.com/captivate
The Greatest Asset | Ryan Craft, Saluda Grade
*NOTE: This episode was recorded in May 2022.*
For this episode, Kevin interviewed Ryan Craft, Founder and CEO of Saluda Grade. He learned about Saluda’s investment philosophies when it comes to private lenders, their criteria when selecting portfolio companies, and Ryan’s perspectives on where things are going and should go in the private lending space. His views on future success in private lending was especially enjoyable. Ryan stressed that diversification in strategy, obsession with customer service, and entrepreneurialism will be some of the key features of the private lenders that dominate in the coming years.
Passionate Visionary | Trixy Castro, Aureus Finance Group
*NOTE: This episode was recorded in May 2022.*
We are kicking off Season 3 with none other than Trixy Castro, founder and CEO of Aureus Finance Group. We were honored to sit down with this industry legend in person and learn more about Trixy and her history as an entrepreneur founding Genesis Capital and Hudson Marshall in the early days of private lending. We learned all about her new vision for Aureus, including how she approached her re-entry into the market after taking a few years off. Trixy has achieved so much in the industry yet maintains a level of entrepreneurialism and excitement about private lending and what it stands for.
2025 in Review with Kevin Kim: Defaults, Discipline, and What Comes Next
In this solo wrap-up episode, Kevin Kim reflects on key trends and challenges the private lending industry faced in 2025 while sharing predictions and recommendations for 2026. From increased borrower fraud and rising defaults in major markets to the growth of in-house servicing and securitization opportunities for independent lenders, Kevin explores how lenders can adapt to shifting conditions. He also emphasizes operational discipline, compliance, and technology adoption—including blockchain and AI—as essential strategies for staying competitive in the year ahead.
From Regulation to Resilience: How CMA Champions California Lenders
In this episode of Lender Lounge, host Kevin Kim sits down with Brad Laddusaw of S&L Capital Group and Brock VandenBerg of TaliMar Financial for a dynamic discussion on the realities of private lending in California. Both guests bring unique perspectives—Brad as the President of the California Mortgage Association (CMA) and Brock as a seasoned fund manager. They explore topics such as the complexities of lending regulation in California, the role and value of CMA in advocacy and education, the evolution of loan products, and the importance of industry collaboration. The episode offers candid insights into the challenges, nuances, and opportunities in one of the country’s most tightly regulated yet influential lending markets.
The Benefits of Balance Sheet Lending featuring Wes Carpenter
Wes Carpenter, Managing Partner at Stormfield Capital, joins Kevin Kim in this episode of Lender Lounge. With a background in multifamily investing and over a decade in private lending, Wes shares the unique story of building Stormfield into a contrarian, institutional-grade lender. Unlike many of its peers, Stormfield operates as a true balance sheet lender with no structural leverage or loan sales, holding over $750 million in AUM. Wes discusses the evolution from syndicating hard money deals to launching a fully audited, institutional fund, highlighting their focus on durability, disciplined underwriting, and investor-first principles. The conversation covers market shifts, the rise of securitization, and the long-term outlook for residential and commercial lending.
From Fighting to Funding with “Sam” Sarkis Chivitchian
“Sam” Sarkis Chivitchian, founder and CEO of Secured Capital Lending, joins Kevin Kim in this episode of Lender Lounge. With over 20 years of experience in real estate and finance and more than 1,200 transactions closed, Sam shares how he transitioned from traditional mortgage lending to building a trusted private lending platform. Secured Capital Lending specializes in private money and hard money loans, including fix and flip, construction, DSCR, commercial bridge, land loans, and asset-based financing.
Sam discusses the evolution of hard money lending, the role of institutional capital, and how discipline, quality, and calculated risk drive success in today’s market. Drawing on his experiences as a real estate broker, fund manager, developer, former UFC fighter, and National Judo Champion, he explains how the principles of martial arts and entrepreneurship inform his approach to investing, lending, and building a business.
Wall Street Wisdom: Insights From Charlie Woo
Charlie Woo, President of Fidelity Bancorp Funding, joins Kevin Kim in this episode of Lender Lounge. With a deep background in investment banking and a pivotal role in past industry-shaping transactions, Charlie shares why he moved from Wall Street to private lending. Fidelity Bridge Loans focuses on small balance bridge loans for commercial real estate with an emphasis on multifamily and business-purpose residential properties. Charlie discusses the firm’s strategic balance between retail and institutional capital, their selective growth into DSCR and construction lending, and the evolving role of capital markets in the sector. The conversation also addresses underwriting discipline, the impact of rising rates, and Fidelity’s vision for long-term, flexible growth.
The (Unofficial) Roast of Kevin Kim
In this special pre-Captivate episode of Lender Lounge, Fortra Law Partners Kevin Kim, Jennifer Young, and Nema Daghbandan trade industry insights, leadership philosophies, and plenty of jabs in a no-holds-barred “roast” of their own. Set against the backdrop of Captivate 2025, this episode blends serious economic forecasting with personal stories from the trio’s time building Fortra Law. From market expansion and DSCR strategies to parenting styles, grumpiness, and what it means to be a good older sibling (or not), the episode gives listeners an unfiltered, funny, and refreshingly honest look behind the scenes. Whether you’re here for private lending predictions or to find out why Kevin doesn’t say “good morning,” this one’s not to be missed.
“Cultivating Success Through Connection” with Kendra Rommel
Kendra Rommel, co-founder of Futures Financial, joins Geraci Partner Jen and Geraci Attorney Nichole for a special “She-Shed” takeover episode of Lender Lounge. Kendra shares her unconventional path from retail to mortgage lending, her early operations experience, and the strategic decisions behind launching Futures with her partner David Rosenberg. The conversation explores balancing personal life and business, building a resilient team, lessons in partnership, and the importance of remaining adaptable in an ever-changing private lending market. Kendra’s story reveals the grit, vulnerability, and mindset required to build a private lending business from the ground up.
Live from Renovo’s Top Gun
Kevin Kim hosts a special episode of Lender Lounge on location at Renovo Financial’s Top Gun Event in Los Angeles. Joined by Paul Shaughnessy, a top originator at Renovo, and Kevin Werner, CEO of Renovo Financial, the discussion delves into Renovo’s cultur
e of employee investment, relationship driven lending, and long term growth strategy. The guests highlight Renovo’s commitment to local market expertise, continuous learning, and a high performance team culture that drives their success. Insights into client relationships, the importance of local market presence, and future ambitions for Renovo make this a compelling episode