Episodes

Reflecting on 2024: Lessons from the Real Estate Trenches Sean Carpenter joins Bill Risser for the final episode of the Real Estate Sessions podcast in 2024, focusing on effective business planning for the upcoming year. They discuss the importance of reflecting on the past year to set meaningful goals and avoid the pitfalls of simply pursuing success without a clear direction. Carpenter emphasizes the need to be honest with oneself during the planning process, encouraging agents to evaluate the...

Mary-Anne Gillespie, CEO of Red Apple Coaching, shares her dynamic journey from homelessness to becoming a leading figure in real estate coaching. She emphasizes that less than 7% of realtors can excel in both sales and operations, highlighting the importance of having systems in place to support success. Mary-Anne's high-energy approach is evident as she discusses the necessity of investing in coaching and systems, urging new agents to prioritize these elements over chasing leads. Through her p...

Breaking the Cycle: Bill Risser's Journey through Health Challenges Bill Risser shares a personal and reflective monologue in episode 405 of the Real Estate Sessions podcast, highlighting the importance of staying connected with clients in the real estate industry. Drawing on his own experiences with health challenges over the years, he discusses the six-year cycle of significant health events in his life and how these experiences have shaped his perspective. Bill emphasizes the critical nature ...

Rachel Kilmer, a rising star in the real estate world, shares her journey from sports journalism to becoming a top agent at ReeceNichols Real Estate in Kansas City. With a background that includes a passion for sports and a knack for engaging content creation, Rachel highlights the importance of authenticity in marketing, especially through video. She emphasizes that if creating video content feels like a chore, agents should focus on their strengths instead. Rachel discusses her successful stra...

Matthew Rathbun emphasizes the critical need for real estate professionals to adapt to the evolving landscape shaped by consumer preferences and technological advancements, particularly in the face of AI and aggregator platforms like Zillow and Homes.com. With nearly 25 years in the industry, he shares insights on how agents can leverage these changes to better serve their clients and remain competitive. Rathbun discusses the importance of authenticity in building relationships and the necessity...

Jack Miller, CEO and president of T3 Sixty, shares valuable insights on the evolving landscape of the real estate industry, emphasizing the crucial need for real estate professionals to redefine their roles as trusted advisors rather than mere salespeople. He discusses the importance of building relationships within communities and highlights how a strong personal network can significantly enhance business success. Throughout the conversation, Jack stresses the necessity for agents to clearly ar...

Join Bill Risser as he revisits a compelling conversation with Stefan Swanepoel, a leading figure in the real estate industry, originally aired in August 2020. The episode delves deeply into Stefan's diverse background, including his journey from Kenya to becoming a prominent real estate consultant and author. Stefan shares insights on the challenges and opportunities facing the real estate market, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and strategic thinking. The discussion also highlights ...

Don't Quit Before the Magic Happens: Megan's Inspiring Story Megan Farrell Nelson's narrative intertwines personal and professional growth, illustrating the intricacies of navigating the real estate landscape while overcoming significant life challenges. Starting her journey in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Megan was initially on the path to becoming an educator. However, her life took a turn when she moved to North Carolina for a teaching job but quickly realized the limitations of her salary. Follow...

Weathering Change: Julie Lawrence's Transition from News to Real Estate Julie Lawrence, a former meteorologist turned real estate agent, shares her unique journey in the real estate world on the Real Estate Sessions podcast. With nearly four years of experience at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services in Tampa Bay, Julie emphasizes the rewarding nature of helping clients transition to their new homes, particularly those escaping colder climates. She discusses her background growing up in the suburbs ...

Lauren Toppins, founder and broker of Cherrywood Real Estate, emphasizes the importance of advocating for oneself in the competitive real estate industry. With a unique background as an attorney, Lauren shares her journey from law to real estate, highlighting how her legal expertise informs her approach to helping agents thrive. The conversation explores her commitment to fostering a family-friendly culture in her company, where education and support are paramount. With 62 agents and a focus on ...

Building a Bullseye: The Art of Cultivating Your Key Connections Sean Carpenter emphasizes the importance of building relationships and maintaining meaningful connections in the real estate industry. He introduces the concept of a "bullseye," which represents the 20 key individuals in one's life who are invested in their success, advocating for a focused, personal approach to networking. Throughout the conversation, Sean shares insights from his extensive speaking engagements across the country,...

Jackie Semero Tate emphasizes the crucial role of relationships in the real estate industry, highlighting that agents are essentially small business owners. With over 20 years of experience, Jackie shares her journey from aspiring ballerina to successful realtor and coach. She discusses the importance of work-life balance, sharing her personal struggles and the transformative steps she took to prioritize her health and family while still thriving in her business. Jackie advocates for new agents ...

Matthew Rathbun shares insights on the evolving landscape of real estate, emphasizing the importance of adapting to consumer needs and technological advancements. He highlights how aggregators like Zillow and homes.com have filled gaps that the real estate industry neglected, urging agents to embrace change rather than resist it. With nearly 25 years of experience, Rathbun discusses his unique background in emergency medicine and law enforcement, which shaped his empathetic approach to real esta...

Debbi DiMaggio's journey through real estate is one of passion, adaptability, and dedication to excellence. Originating from Piedmont, California, she has built a formidable career in real estate alongside her husband, Adam, and their son, Chase. One of the core philosophies that drives the DiMaggio Beta Group is the idea that luxury is about the service provided, not just the price point. This ethos permeates their business practices, ensuring every client, whether a CEO or a school teacher, re...

Jorge Guerra is a seasoned veteran in the real estate industry, having founded Real Estate Salesforce, a brokerage based in Coral Gables, South Florida, at the young age of 26. With nearly 25 years of experience under his belt, Guerra's perspective on real estate salesforce is shaped by his belief in simplicity, consistency, and relationship-building. He views technology as a tool that should be carefully evaluated and implemented by brokers, only if it significantly contributes to the industry....

I've known John Bjorlie for nearly 25 years. 4 years ago, john was diagnosed with terminal cancer. John has chosen to stop aggressive treatments, focusing instead on a "Die Happy Tour" to reconnect with friends and loved ones, embracing quality of life over the length of it. Despite his prognosis, John remains positive and content, surprising even his hospice doctor with his acceptance and joy in the face of mortality, determined to live fully and leave a legacy of kindness and compassion. Time...

Stas Matias, a seasoned professional with nearly 14 years of experience, is the broker-owner of Erin Catron & Company Real Estate, a boutique brokerage in Punta Gorda, Florida. Having transitioned from a background in criminal justice, Stas emphasizes the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in building a successful real estate career. He advocates for new agents to invest in education through the GRI program and stresses the practical application of their acquired knowledge. Commi...

Nick Krautter is the author of "The Golden Handoff," a highly recommended book in the real estate industry that focuses on facilitating smoother transitions between newer and retiring agents. In his work, Krautter addresses the critical issue of setting up agents for retirement, emphasizing the importance of connecting retiring agents with adopting agents before retirement to maintain strong client relationships. The second edition of his book introduces the concept of partial handoffs, a strate...

Tiea Vincent, the Owner/Broker of Next Level Real Estate and Property Management, brings 21 years of experience to the real estate business and actively engages with Florida Realtors on advocacy efforts. Initially from a rural part of Tennessee, Tiea values work-life balance but is deeply committed to expanding her company's portfolio. Drawing on her extensive experience, Vincent highlights the complexities of managing rental properties and underscores the importance of balancing regulations wit...

Sammy DeStefano, seamlessly transitioned into the real estate business, building on his extensive experience in sales since the age of 19. His move was driven by the promising growth and myriad opportunities within the real estate sector, further inspired by his family's own relocation experiences and his professional background at a luxury car dealership. As a dedicated real estate agent with Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty for the past four and a half years, Sammy emphasizes the criti...

Joe Rand, an author and seasoned real estate expert, has significantly shaped modern practices in buyer agency with his profound insights and extensive experience. On The Real Estate Sessions podcast, where he has appeared over 20 times, Joe discusses the evolution of buyer agency, noting the industry's initial seller-centric focus and the major shifts in compensation dynamics that began in the late eighties. He emphasizes the critical importance of securing buyer agreements and adapting to the ...

Bill Risser's Real Estate Sessions podcast, which began in 2015, has grown remarkably over nine years, featuring nearly 400 episodes that delve into the stories of real estate professionals. Initially focused on how guests entered the real estate industry, the podcast has evolved to include in-depth interviews with established and emerging leaders. Bill Risser reflects on the history of the Real Estate Sessions podcast, which he has been hosting for nine years. He started the podcast to explore ...

Mary-Anne Gillespie's journey is a testament to resilience and determination, starting from her early days exploring open houses in Montreal with her mother, to becoming a standout figure in real estate. Initially flourishing in Ottawa's tech industry as the youngest vice president of sales at a software marketing company by age 22, she felt an unshakable sense of unfulfillment. This prompted her to pivot towards real estate, where her tenacity led her to approach the city's top agent to launch ...

Dionne Malush, co-owner of Realty One Group, Gold Standard in Pittsburgh, brings nearly 25 years of invaluable experience to the real estate industry. Initially uninterested in owning a real estate company, Malush was captivated by the innovative branding and marketing strategies of Realty One Group, particularly its disruptor model offering a 100% commission plan. She emphasizes the cyclical nature of real estate and the challenges agents face during market downturns, advocating for a shift in ...