ValuNation Podcast Recap – Season 1 Episode 0
In this introductory episode of ValuNation, hosts Charlie Johnson and Michael Schwartz from Nationwide Property & Appraisal Services welcome listeners into their brand-new podcast series. As self-described “regular guys from an AMC,” Charlie and Michael set the stage for future episodes, promising candid conversations, practical insights, and plenty of laughs about the appraisal, mortgage, and real estate industry.
🎧 Listen to the episode: Episode 0 on RSS
📍 Key topics: introduction, podcast goals, appraisal industry overview, real estate, mortgage basics
Who Are Charlie Johnson and Michael Schwartz?
Charlie Johnson, Vice President and Account Manager at Nationwide, and Michael Schwartz, an Outside Account Manager, introduce themselves as genuine industry professionals who admittedly have no previous podcasting or broadcasting experience. But they're not letting that stop them.
“Zero experience with this. Bear with us," Charlie jokes. "I promise we’re going to have a good time.”
With humor and authenticity, they establish an inviting atmosphere that aims to educate listeners on appraisal processes and mortgage industry insights without the usual industry jargon.
Why "ValuNation"?
The hosts chose "ValuNation" because they aim to build a community around understanding appraisals and mortgage lending. It's a playful nod to the importance of "value"—not just property value, but value in clear communication and honest advice within the mortgage industry.
Aiming to Clarify the Appraisal Industry
Charlie and Michael acknowledge that while the mortgage and real estate sectors are saturated with advertisements and countless professionals (real estate agents, mortgage lenders, etc.), there's still a notable gap in clear, understandable resources explaining the home-buying, refinancing, and appraisal processes.
“Everybody knows at least 12 realtors," Michael says, "but there really isn’t a manual clearly explaining the process of buying or refinancing a house.”
Their goal? To fill that gap with practical, straightforward explanations of what appraisers look for, how values are determined, and how borrowers can be more informed.
Topics They Plan to Cover
Throughout future episodes, Charlie and Michael plan to address:
- Common misconceptions about property appraisals
- How home values are truly determined by appraisers
- Mortgage industry insights and trends
- Differences between appraisal types and valuation products
- Practical advice for borrowers, lenders, and real estate agents
Keeping It Lighthearted, Approachable, and Real
Charlie and Michael emphasize that despite tackling important industry topics, they'll keep the podcast enjoyable and relaxed.
“We’ll have some laughs while doing it," Charlie assures listeners. "It's about having fun while shedding some light on industry topics and misconceptions."
TL;DR – Episode 0 Takeaways
- Charlie Johnson and Michael Schwartz introduce themselves as hosts, bringing real appraisal industry experience.
- "ValuNation" aims to build an informed, engaged community around property appraisal.
- Their goal is to clarify appraisal processes, mortgage basics, and real estate concepts without confusing industry jargon.
- Future episodes will address practical issues, common questions, and industry insights.
- Expect an approachable, humorous, and engaging podcast atmosphere.
📌 Subscribe & Follow for More Insights
Stay informed and entertained as you navigate the complexities of the appraisal and mortgage worlds with Charlie and Michael.
👉 Listen to all episodes: rss.com/podcasts/valunation
📸 Follow us: @valunationpodcast on Instagram