Episode 424 - Celebrating a Decade of Real Estate Storytelling - Ten Year Anniversary of The Real Estate Sessions Podcast
This podcast episode serves as a reflective commemoration of my ten-year journey with the Real Estate Sessions, emphasizing the importance of authentic storytelling in the real estate industry. I share insights garnered from over 400 episodes, highlighting how the narratives of individuals, rather than mere industry jargon, have enriched our discussions. This episode also revisits poignant moments from my personal life, particularly the influence of my dear friend John Bjorlie, who has faced terminal illness with extraordinary grace and resilience. His experiences have imparted invaluable lessons about empathy, connection, and the significance of savoring life's moments. As I transition into the next phase of this podcast, I express my intention to slow the pace of episodes while I embark on writing a memoir that captures the essence of friendship and the profound impact of shared experiences.
In a poignant reflection on the past decade, Bill Risser, the host of the Real Estate Sessions podcast, shares his insights on the transformative power of storytelling within the real estate sector. With nearly 25 years of industry experience, Risser has dedicated the last ten years to uncovering the narratives that shape the lives of real estate professionals, emphasizing the importance of human connection over transactional dialogue. His journey began in 2015 with the aim of understanding podcasting, yet it evolved into a platform that celebrates the intricate tapestry of personal stories, highlighting the resilience and creativity that define the industry. Risser's commitment to authenticity is evident as he recounts how he has avoided superficial marketing tactics, instead opting for deep, meaningful questions that elicit the true essence of his guests’ experiences.
Throughout the episode, Risser revisits significant moments from the podcast's history, including memorable interviews that have left a lasting impact on both him and his audience. He reflects on the lessons learned from guests such as Joe Rand and Sean Carpenter, who have shared insights that extend beyond real estate, touching on themes of relationships and personal growth. Risser's emphasis on the human element serves as a reminder that the stories of triumphs, setbacks, and reinventions are what resonate most with listeners, offering them valuable lessons in empathy and connection that transcend the confines of the real estate industry.
As the podcast enters its next phase, Risser announces a new direction that prioritizes depth over frequency, signaling a commitment to crafting a memoir that delves into his personal experiences with his friend John Bjorlie. This narrative will explore the profound lessons of joy, resilience, and the human spirit in the face of adversity, reinforcing the idea that the bonds we forge and the stories we share are what truly matter. Risser's reflections on his decade-long journey with the podcast underscore the significance of consistency, integrity, and the power of listening, reminding us all of the importance of walking alongside each other through life's challenges.
Takeaways:
- The podcast celebrates ten years of storytelling in the real estate industry and beyond.
- Bill Risser emphasizes the importance of genuine narratives over industry jargon in his interviews.
- Listeners appreciate the podcast for its depth, connection, and emotional resonance rather than mere tactics.
- The 'Die Happy Tour' serves as a significant reflection on living fully and finding joy amid adversity.
- In transitioning to season 11, the podcast will shift to a slower pace to allow for deeper storytelling.
- Consistency, integrity, and the power of questions have emerged as vital lessons from a decade of podcasting.
00:00 - Untitled
00:03 - Introduction to the Podcast
00:35 - Celebrating a Decade of Real Estate Sessions
02:12 - Reflecting on a Decade of Podcasting
02:42 - John's Journey: Embracing Life Amidst Terminal Illness
04:31 - Transitioning to a New Era
04:46 - A Memoir of Friendship
You're listening to the Real Estate Sessions and I'm your host, Bill Risser. With nearly 25 years in the real estate business, I love to interview industry leaders, up and comers and really anyone with a story to tell.It's the stories that led my guests to a career in the real estate world that drives me in my 10th year and over 400 episodes of the podcast. And now I hope you enjoy the next journey. Hi everybody. Welcome to episode 424 of the Real Estate Sessions podcast.As always, thank you so much much for tuning in. Thank you so much for telling a friend. I'm celebrating 10 years of this podcast, the Real Estate Sessions podcast.It started August 1, 2015 and this Friday will be August 1, 2025. Where did the time go?Look, when I launched the Real Estate Sessions In August of 2015, my aim was not to chase trends really, it was just to get a sense for how to run a podcast.But as I got going, I decided to try to figure out how to preserve real stories full of nuance and failure and reinvention and creativity and courage across nearly 420 episodes by mid-2025. That mission remains with each conversation.I've prioritized human backstories over industry buzzwords, CEOs who once sold vacuum cleaners, CCOs who once led bands, and leaders who quietly changed their communities. From day one, I avoided flashy marketing talk. Instead, I asked curious questions. What turned that idea into action? What setback shaped you?That approach unlocked stories, listeners tell me still resonate. Stories about grit, connection, and transformation. By season nine, we'd surpassed 400 episodes, each a fragment of real estate's cultural tapestry.Special episodes include the Season 10's A Journey Through 10 Seasons, where I recently revisited 20 guests whose stories helped define the show and whose lessons echo beyond property. Notable interviews included Joe Rand's spontaneous ranting and raving. I still laugh thinking about recording those interviews.Sean Carpenter on building relationships, solving problems and having fun. Something every agent should embrace. And as my 10th anniversary with the podcast crept closer, I tended to go off on some other angles. Right?Like episode 405 was a deeply personal solo monologue. I shared my six year curse, my cycle of major health events since west nile fever in 2006 and colon cancer in 2012 and melanoma in 2024.Reflecting on what endurance taught me about empathy, presence and connection, I also referenced how my longtime friend John Bjorlie continues to teach me about joy and resilience. Speaking of John, he's been a part of my story for nearly 25 years. Four years ago, he was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer.I've shared this before, but rather than limp along, John chose something extraordinary, a Die Happy Tour, a way of reconnecting with old friends and family, celebrating life instead of mourning its end. I actually chronicled that tour with episode 400. Basically, he's reframed cancer as an invitation to spread joy.He surprised people, tipped generously, hosted celebrations, even attending his own wake. It became more than a personal journey. It became a testament to living fully on one's own terms.In episode 419, I shared on air updates as John entered hospice care. He described when his oncologist said, I'm firing myself, signaling the shift from trying to cure to comfort care.Even in decline, John found solace in golf outings with friends, favorite restaurants, and gentle humor. And these episodes weren't just updates. They became living lessons in how we can and should respond to mortality.John has shown me that blessing others, savoring smaller rituals, and honoring shared history matter deeply. Reviews over the years echo a consistent message. People tune in not for tactics, but to connect, to hear truth, complexity, and heart.In Real Estate I've been humbled by some messages like this isn't just a real estate podcast, it's a place to learn what matters. In 2019, the show received the Inman Innovator Award, an industry nod that validated the value of depth over flash.So what have 10 years of running a podcast taught me? This journey has reinforced a few truths. Consistency builds trust, integrity amplifies voice, and persistence endures when ego subsides.I've learned more from questions than answers and from listening more than speaking. But looking ahead, I see a slowdown. As I transition into season 11 and beyond, I'm planning something different. I'm slowing the podcast down.Instead of weekly episodes, expect maybe one a month. Why? Because I'm writing.I'm crafting a memoir centered on 25 years of friendship with John Biorle, detailing not just his Die Happy Tour, but every ride, every conversation, every round of golf that shaped the narrative of connection between us. It's a story that transcends industry, geography, or career.It's about love, mortality, resilience, and what it means to walk alongside someone through triumph and fading light. Thank you so much for listening, for learning, and for walking this path with me.
