Bray Chats

Since 2014, Anthony has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Engel & Völkers Americas. The Hamburg-based real estate leader initially tapped him in 2010 to help establish its presence within California, where he was a top-producing industry leader. Closing approximately 400 real estate sales transactions—equaling half a billion dollars—his business acumen and commitment to customer satisfaction earned international acknowledgment from publications such as the Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times. His experience in the field helps him to understand and guide the wide-reaching network of advisors and license partners. He credits his success to a philosophy of exceptional personal customer service and the constant implementation of the most up-to-date systems for efficiency and comprehensive service.  

Special guest on the show today is Matt Ditzler. In addition to a wide net of experience in the residential real estate industry, Matt is also the Engel & Völkers Minneapolis commercial real estate expert. Hear his thoughts on the NAR Commission lawsuit settlement as well as current happenings in the commercial markets. 

Braychats wishes you a happy and safe Halloween! Tune in as we explain and breakdown the NAR lawsuits as they are currently happening in Kansas City.

BrayChats is BACK with an all new episode. Today we break down the whole Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift thing, whatever that is. In addition, we discuss out of control government spending and the current real estate trends. Enjoy!

The weather is heating up, and so is the real estate market. Hear about Lily's latest adventures in Italy, and a hilarious use of some new AI uses. We missed you! Welcome back.

In this podcast episode, Eli Johnson, a real estate advisor at Engel & Völkers Minneapolis, shares his experience of being a member of the Drum Corps International (DCI), a competitive marching band organization. He discusses how participating in DCI taught him valuable life lessons that have helped them in his career in real estate sales. Johnson highlights the importance of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance in both marching band and real estate sales. He talks about how being part of a DCI team taught him to work collaboratively with others towards a common goal, to prioritize time management, and to remain focused and dedicated in the face of challenges. Additionally, he will discuss how participating in DCI helped him develop strong communication and leadership skills, which have been essential in his role as a real estate advisor.

Need a local market update written for you? Stumped on writing a property description? Not sure how to apologize to your son for being late to his hockey game? ChatGPT has you covered, and will blow your mind! In fact, I asked GPT to write the following description. In 4 seconds, I had this to use for the show details: Chat AI is an artificial intelligence language model designed to interact with humans through natural language conversations. It makes use of machine learning and natural language processing techniques to understand human queries and generate appropriate responses. Chat AI can perform a wide variety of tasks including answering questions, providing recommendations, making predictions, generating text, and much more. It is used to develop chatbots, virtual assistants, and other conversational interfaces that can assist users in various domains such as customer service, healthcare, finance, education, and entertainment.

Tune in as mortgage guru, Bryan Meredith of Envision Capital gives his take on why the recent bank closures in Silicon Valley pushed mortgage interest rates lower, and what he predicts moving forward for the future of home loans.

Tune in as repeat guest Dustin Bruggman shares updates on his financial journey. Inspired by the teachings of David Ramsey, Dustin and his wife went from living a life in debt to being free, having two children and saving for the life they want to truly live. Be inspired, and gain some tips on improving your own financial health!

Feel the extreme excitement for Lily's passion around the MLB's new player rules for the 2023 season. Or, listen to how Billy Beane of the Oakland Athletic's along with Peter Brand changed the game forever, and gave all of us something to think about when trying to play the same game as our competition. 

Tune in as Lily Plunkett, one of the best marketing professionals in the residential real estate industry, breaks down the basics. What are the top three things a Realtor should be doing to get their name out in to their universe? Also, what grade does she give Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show? Listen now to find out!

Sit back and take a listen as Don Edam sits down with Geoff to discuss his start in the real estate industry, how his focus has changed and what it means to think 'vertically' in an often horizontal and 'transactional' profession.

To the loyal listeners of BrayChats..... After more than a year off, we are now launching in to a new abyss known as "The Contingency Podcast" with new co-host, Matt Ditzler. Check us out and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts beginning tomorrow, May 1st, 2020. Also, check us out on the web at www.contingencypodcast.com or on Instagram @contingencypodcast.  Although BrayChats may be coming to an end, the birth of the crazy cousin, CONPOD, is upon us.

Paul Stein ​is a ​co-founder of CloseSimple – the Pizza Tracker for Title. CloseSimple is a tech platform that helps title companies stand out by better communicating with their clients throughout the closing process.    Paul ​sat down with Geoff to share the story of how CloseSimple came to life, what it means to find success in a new industry, and the journey of jumping head first into entrepreneurship. ​Paul ​will share the original name of CloseSimple. Trust us, you don’t want to miss it! https://www.closesimple.com/

Because we can't get enough of these two, this week we are back with another episode of Back and Forth with Bray.  What will Geoff and Matt get in to this week? Listen and find out! 

After a little hiatus we are BACK with all new episodes of Bray Chats, kicking it off with our weekly fix of Geoff Bray and Matt Ditzler. A little Back and Forth with Bray to get September moving! 

Andrew Healy and Alex French founded Bizzy Coffee while climing the corporate ladder, running a group fitness company and training for a 24 hour obstacle race. They wanted to create a product that was healthy, energizing and convienient for their busy lives, insert Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Coffee. Bizzy Coffee for Busy People!  Geoff had a blast learning about Andrew and Alex's story and is now their newest customer, putting Bizzy Cold Brew in his smoothie every morning!  https://www.bizzycoffee.com/

Another episode of Back and Forth with Bray, Geoff and Matt Ditzler join us every other week to talk about any and everything! 

Registered and Licensed Dietitian Andrea pulled up a chair in our podcast studio with Geoff to talk about diet, nutrition, lifestyle and stress management! She even made Geoff open up about what he wants to work on within his own health and wellness.  Learn more about Andrea by visiting her website!  https://dietitianandrea.com/

Julie is an esteemed Minneapolis Business Coach who has been in the industry for 30 years as a co-founder of three businesses. She's skilled at helping business owners create and implement solid working plans for their companies and personal growth.    Julie joined Geoff in the studio to talk about business ownership, planning an exit strategy and more!    Learn more about Julie by visiting her website at Keyestrategies.com 

Give these two a mic and they'll talk about anything, including US currency! 

If you live in the Twin Cities, it's likely you've heard of Alchemy! Alchemy opened its doors in 2015 and has now opened four locations in Minnesota while working to open up their first location in Denver, Colorado. The Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Owner, Andrea Jones stopped by our podcast studio to share her passion for fitness, family and more!  Curious about Alchemy? Check out their website and stop in for a free week of classes! 

Calling all sports fanatics, Geoff and Matt go back and forth about one thing which drives Geoff crazy... sports teams that are not plural! Tune in to see if you can name all the sports teams they're referring to on today's episode of Back and Forth with Bray. 

From wedding and event planning to the court room, Wynee Reece joined us in the podcast studio to talk about how she transitioned from the event industry to becoming a lawyer. She has a passion for the creative industry and serves as a lawyer for creative entrepreneurs. She started The Creative’s Counsel as a way to make legal counsel accessible to creatives, makers and other small business owners.

Have you heard the expression "Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable"? Today's Soapbox Session is all about embracing the uncomfortable moments to excel at every situation in life! Geoff shares the article from Inc. and the 7 steps to help you get uncomfortable! 

We are taking a break from new Bray Chats episodes this week to give you an inside look into Geoff Bray. He was a guest on The Naked Agent a few weeks ago and we loved his interview so much we had to share it here! 

Bringing something new to Bray Chats this week introducing Back and Forth with Bray! Geoff invited Matt Ditzler, the host of The Naked Agent, back into the studio to discuss random topics on a regular basis. Get ready for some podcast host banter!  

On today's episode Geoff invited Katie Kurtz, designer and owner of Adorned Homes, into the podcast studio to talk about design trends, how she got started in the industry and how she feels about HGTV shows!  Have you been thinking about remodeling your house? Katie gives a few tips and tricks on what to fix first especially if you're thinking about selling! 

Bringing a little laughter to this week's episode, we had our fellow Minnetonka graduate Paul Lambert or as most people know him Meatsauce into the podcast studio. One of the hosts of The Power Trip morning show on KFAN tells us all about how he got his nickname, the major influences in his career and his Dave Matthews Band obsession.  Tune in and make sure to subscribe to our podcast today! 

What happens when you put two power house real estate advisors in one room? Magic, Pure Magic! On today's episode Geoff invited Matt Ditzler, fellow real estate advisor, into the studio to put him on the other side of the mic. Matt is the host of his own podcast, The Naked Agent, make sure to take a listen!  Geoff + Matt talked about real estate experiences, how to run a successful team and how Matt dreams of being in cirque de soleil. 

When entering the world of real estate you are never quite sure when your first transaction will happen or who you'll meet. Geoff tells us the story behind his FIRST time!    Never miss an episode Bray Chats - make sure you subscribe to know right away when it drops! 

What better day to have a psychologist stop by our studio than on the day of love? Dr. Rachel Allyn, also known as the Love Doctor, stopped by our studio on Valentine's Day to talk about how aspects of relationships; romantic and professional!  Dr. Rachel Allyn has a PhD from the California School of Professional Psychology and has spent years focusing on psychotherapy, along with getting certified in yoga. 

Darin Lynch, the founder and chief liberation officer of Irish Titan, joined us on today's episode of Bray Chats! From Iowa to Minnesota, he dabbled in corporate IT with a stop at Wilsons Leather and 2nd Swing Golf on his way to creating Irish Titan.  B1O2 - Business First, Online Second; how they run their business at Irish Titan, caring more about delivering business solutions than the latest digital fads. 

Because we can all use a little therapy, we invited not one but two psychologists to be on Bray Chats. We're kicking off our Spring mental health check with Anna Roth PhD RYT-500 is a holistic psychologist and Registered Yoga Teacher passionate about the integration of mind, body and spirit in mental health treatment. Her mission is to facilitate movement toward an integrative, strengths-focused, and compassionate treatment paradigm in healthcare today. Check in with Dr. Anna + Geoff's mini therapy session on Bray Chats today!

Coming off the heels of our three day conference in Seattle, Geoff sits down to share the amazing experience of Engel & Völkers Exchange. We are lucky to work for a company which hosts a conference unlike any we have experienced before, with many of our esteemed colleagues on panels, top notch speakers and an awards celebration at one of a kind venues!  Take a listen into why Geoff, along with the rest of us at #evmpls, are so passionate about this brand and company. 

This week we have a special episode for you - we turned the mic on the host of our show - Geoff Bray! We brought back one of our favorite guests Bill Svoboda to interview the man behind Bray Chats, our broker and co-owner of Engel & Völkers Minneapolis.   

From small town Iowa to the big city, Ryan Muhlbauer brings his passion and drive to every thing he does including owning two local businesses (EscapeMSP and Dogtopia of Bloomington). He sat down with Geoff to talk about pursuing passions, hard work and what happiness means to him. 

Derek Reed walked in our shop looking daper, as always, from head to toe in custom Balani clothing... out doing Geoff in style, which is hard to do.  Today's episode of Bray Chat dives into the fashion world, creating a true custom experience for the client and what it means to be bespoke. Learn how a Minnesota boy made his way to California to work in the fitness industry and now dresses some of the biggest names around the world! 

Jeff Erickson, or to many of us at Engel & Völkers Minneapolis, we know him has Profe Erickson. The newest principal of Minnetonka stopped by our studio on a snowy Monday to share the insights into being the man behind one of the top TEN high schools in Minnesota.  With the ability to inspire teachers, being at the forefront of technology and connecting with the students on their level Jeff has become one of the most beloved principals at Minnetonka.  "Change behaviors and the beliefs will follow."

A new year usually brings on resolutions and goals which could be as simple as cutting out caffeine, starting a workout trend or maybe working to discover a new passion. Have you ever thought about WHY you're doing what you do every day?  Today's episode of Bray Chats - Soap Box Session is about finding your WHY. 

They spend every day working together, growing a business alongside exceptional real estate advisors at Engel & Völkers, Geoff Bray sits down with his business partner and co-owner Lindsay Bacigalupo. After 13 years in real estate, she's still pursuing her passion helping people find their forever homes along with being a mom to four young girls.  Get to know Lindsay, how she and Geoff came to run a business together, and why she does what she does. 

Have you read any of Seth Godin's books? One of Geoff's favorite from last year was Linchpin, on this episode he's talking about the Lizard Brain which Seth refers to it in this book regarding fear vs anxiety. What do YOU fear?  Today's Soap Box Session is about facing fear, not pressing and how to head into the new year without allowing the unrealistic fears take over.  

On this episode of Bray Chats, Geoff sits down with Lunch McKenzie the Athletic Director of Concordia University to talk about how a kid without a college degree followed words of wisdom and his passions to where he is today.  "Its not about who you know but who knows you."

Our first episode into 2018 and we're thrilled about it! Nate Garvis, who was once the VP of Government Affairs and Senior Civic Officer at Target, is now one of the co-founders of Studio E.  Studio E is an experiential learning community designed to help leaders and institutions explore, launch and navigate ideas to create the future they desire.  Geoff and Nate cover a little bit of everything, including where the idea of Studio E came from, how habits get in the way of learning, the importance of learning your way forward and more!  Check out this episode and see what Studio E is all about in Minneapolis. 

Head coach of the Minnesota Gophers, Don Lucia, has embarked on his 19th season with the hopes of their 7th straight regular season conference championship! Don sat down with our entire shop at Engel & Völkers Minneapolis to share this story of life in Alaska, Colorado and now his 18 years with Minnesota.  "Be yourself in what you do."

Dr. Peter Gianforte is an Official Wellness Physician for USA Athletes. He brings the message of true natural health and Olympic level living back to his practice where he teaches his patients and the community to live to their optimal levels, free of medications and surgeries. He and his wife Dr. Natalie are the founders of a local health center, Minnetonka Family Chiropractic, where hundreds of families have come to find true health, new found hope, and ways to maximize their lives to the fullest potential. At Minnetonka Family Chiropractic they teach nutrition, lifestyle, detoxification and spinal correction classes that help families achieve maximum health from within. Pete sits down with Geoff on part 1 of our interview series about wellness and self care, along with being a small business owner in the world today. 

Geoff gets back on his soap box for some inspiration not only for real estate but for life, the rule of no regrets!