Podcasts about re max

What do a Marine, SWAT leader, entrepreneur, CEO, bestselling author, investor, and podcast host all have in common? In this episode, you'll find out... because they're all the same person. This week, Mitch sits down with Adam Contos, former CEO of RE/MAX Holdings and host of the Start With A Win podcast, for a conversation about success, purpose, reinvention, and why your best chapter may still be ahead of you. Adam's career has taken some fascinating turns. From law enforcement to entrepreneurship to leading one of the world's most recognized real estate brands, he's learned that while the titles may change, the mission often stays the same: build trust, solve problems, and help people move forward. Whether you're early in your career, navigating a transition, or wondering what's next after achieving significant success, Adam offers practical wisdom for creating momentum, finding purpose, and building a life you don't need to retire from. And perhaps most importantly... He shares why the next big breakthrough often starts with one small win. Read the full shownotes here: https://mitchmatthews.com/458

Send Us A MessageIn this Quick Wins Series episode, Brian and Mark deliver a quick-hit strategy for agents grinding through a slow market: the playbook isn't broken, the transaction pool just shrank. They make the case that when your production dips for market reasons, the move isn't to overhaul your business but to double down on the fundamentals and keep pouring into your people. The agents who outlast the ones pulling back are the ones who win when the market turns.Featured Quote: "Perseverance is where people go from an average real estate agent to a mega producer just by outlasting those that maybe are being skeptical and are pulling back."What You Will LearnWhy the fundamentals of winning in real estate haven't changed, even after three tough yearsHow to tell the difference between a market-driven slowdown and a strategy that's actually brokenWhy doubling down beats overhauling your business when production dips for market reasonsHow to read the transaction math (four million today versus the six to seven million the market should support) and what it means for your pipelineWhy staying consistent with your sphere now is what pays off when the market changesHow "outlasting" the agents who pull back becomes your competitive edgeThe opinions on this podcast are the hosts and guests involved and not in any way a reflection of RE/MAX or anyone else in the industry.Listen to the Podcast on these PlatformsApple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-real-estate-standards/id1574549987Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZKLmFIFvx1UjSwL4jOTVzSocial Media and Contact InformationWebsite: https://www.raisingrealestatestandards.comLink Tree:  https://linktr.ee/raisingrealestatestandards

How does a real estate powerhouse and two-time Survivor competitor master the art of leading under pressure and thriving in high-stakes scenarios? Dive into the mindset and strategies of Quintavius Burdette, who's conquered the boardroom and the island, as he shares his secrets to planning, prioritizing, and executing under challenging conditions. Discover how to reset and recharge daily, manage a bustling real estate portfolio with a young family, and stay laser-focused on your goals. If you're ready to level up your leadership and personal discipline, this Start With a Win episode with Adam Contos is your game plan for winning.Quintavius “Q” Burdette is a high-performing real estate leader, former Division I athlete, and nationally recognized reality TV competitor known for his relentless drive and competitive edge.  Originally from Senatobia, Mississippi, Q grew up in a large family where he developed the grit and discipline that would define his success. He went on to compete in both football and track at Ole Miss before taking a bold leap into real estate.Today, he's a top-producing RE/MAX agent, leading a high-volume business and earning a reputation for hustle and results. Many also recognize Q from his standout appearances on Survivor, where his fearless, strategic mindset made him one of the most talked-about contestants.  Whether in business or competition, Q lives by a simple principle: bet on yourself, stay adaptable, and never back down from a challenge.00:00 Intro02:42  Leadership Lessons…07:20 Don't have time, you sure?11:10 Everyone, Needs to be able to set this…15:40 How to compete every day!19:30 How do you want your story?21:30 Mindsets and Systems to be the best!26:39 To grow your business you must know this!!!29:50 Oh it has changed…===========================Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:

It's Fed Day, and the real estate industry is fighting for control. In Episode 365 of This Week in Real Estate, we're going live on one of the biggest housing market days of the month: the Federal Reserve's latest rate announcement. Mortgage rates, buyer demand, affordability, home prices, and market confidence are all tied to what the Fed says next, and we'll be watching the announcement as it hits near the end of the show. But the Fed is only one part of the story. This week, we're breaking down a wild set of real estate headlines that all point back to one major question: who controls the housing market now? We'll cover the growing tension inside NAR, Inman's new advisory council featuring leaders from Zillow, Compass, and HomeServices, the latest twist in the Zillow, Compass, MRED, and CoStar legal fight, and why eXp says the off-MLS listing debate keeps leaving out the buyer. We'll also dig into Google's nationwide real estate listing rollout and what it could mean for agents, brokerages, portals, and listing visibility. If Google becomes a bigger home search destination, what happens to Zillow, Realtor.com, Homes.com, MLSs, and the broader real estate portal ecosystem? Plus, Bed Bath & Beyond is acquiring Fathom Holdings in a $53.8 million deal, and we're looking at the SEC filing tied to the REAL and ReMax transaction. Was the mysterious "Party C" possibly eXp? We'll talk through what the filing says, what it does not say, and why brokerage consolidation may be one of the most important trends agents are underestimating. Then we'll shift to the housing market itself. Record home prices, elevated mortgage rates, weaker purchase demand, rising contract cancellations in former hot seller's markets, and new signs that buyers may be reemerging. Is this finally a housing market turning point, or are affordability issues still keeping buyers stuck on the sidelines? Join Ray Ellen for tWiRE Episode 365 as we unpack the biggest real estate news, housing market trends, mortgage rate updates, private listing battles, portal wars, brokerage consolidation, and the Fed's latest interest rate decision. What do you think matters most for the housing market right now: the Fed, mortgage rates, Google entering listings, Zillow's off-MLS fight, or buyers pulling back? Drop your take in the live chat or comments. Subscribe for sharp, no-fluff real estate news and housing market analysis every week. #HousingMarket #MortgageRates #RealEstateNews

What should you prioritize when buying a house? Abby Cribbs of May Group Realtors breaks down the most common home buyer questions and the answers that actually make a difference.In this video, Abby Cribbs of May Group Realtors at RE/MAX of Grand Rapids answers the most common questions she gets from home buyers: what to prioritize when buying a house, why pre-approval matters before you start shopping, how to understand closing costs, the difference between needs vs. wants, what the hardest part of buying a home really is, and exactly what to do (and not do) during showings. Whether you're a first-time buyer or returning to the market, this is a practical guide to navigating the process with confidence.Who is this video for?This is especially helpful for first-time home buyers, anyone who's felt overwhelmed by the process, or buyers who want to go in prepared.Video Chapters0:00 — Introduction0:25 — What to prioritize when buying a house0:53 — Get pre-approved before you start shopping1:25 — Learn the purchase process upfront1:50 — Understanding closing costs2:30 — Needs vs. wants: making your list2:58 — The hardest part of buying a home3:33 — What to do (and not do) at showings4:21 — Final advice & next stepsIf you're thinking about buying a home and have questions, reach out. Our team would love to help guide you through the process.

Watch the Youtube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_xkJn-XmVE   Join My Vancouver Realtor Team https://www.thealigngroup.ca/join-our... Real Broker just announced an $880 million acquisition of ReMax while EXP Realty sits with $124.5 million in cash and zero debt and if you are a real estate agent evaluating both brokerages that financial contrast alone tells you something important before you ever look at the compensation models. This video does a complete side by side comparison across commissions and caps, revenue share depth, co-sponsorship architecture, icon versus elite agent programs, technology, specialized divisions, global reach, and healthcare access for agents in both Canada and the United States. In Canada EXP agents spend less to qualify for icon and receive more stock back than Real Broker agents do under the elite path and EXP revenue share runs seven tiers versus five with no production floor no dilution and a willable income structure Real Broker cannot match. EXP operates in 29 countries versus Real Broker's two and processed more than twice the transactions in 2025 with 440,163 closed sales representing $194 billion in volume. If you are evaluating your brokerage options in 2026 this is the most complete and honest comparison available before you make one of the most important business decisions of your career.

James Harris built his real estate career from scratch after relocating from the UK to Los Angeles. His latest venture is Breezy, an AI tool for real estate agents designed to reduce the administrative load that eats into most agents' days. Breezy recently raised a $10 million pre-seed round led by Ribbit Capital with participation from Fifth Wall, DST Global, and others. Over the past decade he's closed more than $6 billion in luxury residential sales across Beverly Hills and the Platinum Triangle, and appeared on Bravo's Million Dollar Listing LA for seven seasons spanning over nine years before stepping away to focus on his next chapter. He also hosts Rise Above the Ranks, where he talks through the practical side of the business: negotiation, discipline, and how to build something that lasts.(2:11) - What Proptech Gets Wrong About Real Estate Agents(6:49) - Realtor Painpoints(8:54) - What is Breezy(13:32) - Why Now(16:26) - Real Estate Agent & Founder Resiliency(18:31) - Brand, Distribution & Early Traction(21:42) - AI Agents Enhance and/or Replace Real Estate Agents(24:20) - First Mover Advantage(26:36) - What Parts of Real Estate Will Be Human-driven in 3-5 years(28:24) - The Power of Data & Workflow Platforms(29:16) - What Changes in Real Estate Over the Next 2-3 Years?(30:49) - Collaboration Superpower: The Founder Entrepreneur

As AI changes how consumers search for homes and choose agents, are real estate professionals adapting fast enough to stay relevant? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Laura Jean Ranneklev. Laura Jean Ranneklev is the broker owner of RE/MAX Welcome Home, a marketing expert, and one of Northeast Florida's top performing real estate leaders. In this conversation, she shares her journey of opening a brokerage during a challenging market, navigating major industry changes, and embracing emerging technology to create opportunities for agents and clients alike.   Laura dives deep into the growing impact of artificial intelligence in real estate, explaining how agents can use AI powered tools, blogging, video marketing, and hyperlocal content to build stronger brands and generate more business. She also discusses leadership, agent development, luxury marketing, and why staying involved with agents on a daily basis is critical for long term success. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, leave a review, and share this conversation with a real estate professional looking to leverage AI, marketing, and leadership to grow their business.   HighlightsTop of FormBottom of Form 00:00–04:30 RE/MAX Transition, Real Merger & Brokerage Growth Choosing RE/MAX RE/MAX–Real Merger Franchise Launch Brokerage Rebranding Technology Evaluation 04:31–09:32 AI's Impact on Real Estate & Business Strategy ChatGPT & Claude AI Marketing Tools Business Strategy Prompt Engineering Future of AI 09:33–23:14 Marketing, Lifestyle Selling & Hyperlocal Content Lifestyle Marketing Buyer Avatars Video Content Blogging & SEO Hyperlocal Branding 23:15–35:42 Laura's Journey into Real Estate & Leadership Philosophy Move from New York Real Estate Career Start Brokerage Experience Agent Mentorship Leadership Development 35:43–42:00 Technology, Agent Support & Building a Modern Brokerage Agent Coaching Brokerage Culture RE/MAX Technology Real Integration Leadership by Example 42:01–01:09:20 Market Expertise, Farming & Client-Centered Selling Market Timing Durbin Crossing Success Geographic Farming Personal Branding Client Education     Quotes: "If you would've asked me what's the one thing that motivates me right now, I would say AI." – Laura Jean Ranneklev "It really gets to know your personality, and then it's amazing the ideas that come back." – Laura Jean Ranneklev "I think being a leader that's involved, a leader that leads by example, is very important." – Laura Jean Ranneklev "It's not enough. If you're not going to use the tools that it can do, then it's just a static page." – Laura Jean Ranneklev   To contact Laura Jean Ranneklev, learn more about her business, and make her a part of your network, make sure to follow her website.   Connect with Laura Jean Ranneklev! Website: https://www.REMAXwelcomehomeFL.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stjohnsflrealtorlaurajean/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stjohnsflrealtorLAURAJEAN/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NorthFloridaRealEstate   Connect with me! Website: toprealtorjacksonville.com   Website: toprealtorstaugustine.com    SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW as we discuss real estate excellence with the best of the best.   #RealEstateExcellence #RealEstate #LauraJeanRanneklev #RealEstateExcellence #REMAX #REMAXWelcomeHome #RealEstateMarketing #AIForRealtors #ArtificialIntelligence #LuxuryRealEstate #BrokerOwner #RealEstateLeadership #RealEstateTechnology #HyperlocalMarketing #ContentMarketing #VideoMarketing #BloggingStrategy #FloridaRealEstate #StJohnsCounty #AgentSuccess #RealEstateGrowth #DigitalMarketing

Brock Ciochetti from the Edmonton Disc Golf Association hangs out with Tom Gazzola and Matt Iwanyk talking about the Edmonton Elks game at Commonwealth Stadium, the Edmonton Riverhawks opening up their season tonight at Remax and the release of Canada's squad for the World Cup. Plus the boys talk disc golf and whatever else their conversation takes them to. The EST Hangout is presented by Sentinel Storage!

The Real / Remax Merger could reshape real estate as we know it, let's break it down...   Connect with Founders Club Host Oliver Graf on Instagram: @OliverGraf360   Oliver Graf sits down with real estate mergers and acquision veteran Wayne Einhorn to break down the massive Real + RE/MAX merger and what it means for the future of brokerages, agents, and the housing industry. With over 40 years of experience in real estate, brokerage ownership, mergers, acquisitions, and consulting, Wayne shares his unfiltered perspective on industry consolidation, shrinking agent counts, brokerage profitability, and where the market is heading next.   Do me a solid and…   Leave a 5 star review!   Find me on Instagram: @OliverGraf360   Founders Club TikTok: @FoundersClubPodcast   Subscribe to my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/c/OliverGrafTV   Get on my VIP email list and get new episodes of Founders Club straight to you inbox: http://eepurl.com/g_L2Ev   Book me to speak: https://olivergraf.tv/speaking   Book a 1-on1 coaching session: https://calendly.com/olivergraf360/vip   ► JOIN OUR NATIONWIDE REAL ESTATE TEAM: https://www.100commissionrealestate.com

Book a strategy call: https://bit.ly/3Neh4huLearn more about Carbon Collective: https://calendly.com/jkrealtorexp/wolfpack-discovery-call-cloneCRM / Lofty partnership: https://calendly.com/jkrealtorexp/ccloftyThe real estate industry is changing fast.Brokerages are consolidating. AI is moving into the daily workflow of agents. MLS rules, private listings, and lawsuits are raising new questions around inventory access, consumer transparency, and how agents protect their value.And a lot of agents are about to get blindsided because they are still trying to run their business like it's 2019.In this video, I'm sharing where I've been, what we've been building behind the scenes, and why I believe the future of real estate belongs to agents who combine relationships, systems, collaboration, and responsible technology.While I've been quieter on content, the business has not slowed down. We closed the largest transaction of my career — a $2.1M sale in Platt Park here in Denver — refined Carbon Collective, launched our Diamond Call for top producers, partnered with Lofty on a CRM solution, and started building Prop AI to help agents responsibly automate the admin side of their business.We also break down major industry shifts, including brokerage consolidation, eXp's acquisition of NextHome, Real's announced agreement to acquire RE/MAX, and the growing legal battles around private listings, MLS access, and consumer transparency.The point is not that AI replaces agents.The point is not that one brokerage model wins everything.The point is that agents need to stop chasing every shiny object and start building real operating systems for their business.AI will not fix a broken real estate business. It will just help you break it faster.If you are a real estate agent trying to grow, scale, protect your client relationships, use AI responsibly, understand brokerage consolidation, and build a business that actually works, this channel is built for you.Subscribe for more real estate agent strategy, AI tools for agents, CRM systems, brokerage model breakdowns, eXp Realty updates, Carbon Collective conversations, and practical business-building strategy for serious agents.Chapters0:00 — Industry shift1:10 — Why I stepped back2:35 — Production update3:45 — Tool overload5:12 — Carbon Collective7:12 — CRM discipline9:11 — Prop AI11:05 — Brokerage consolidation14:26 — Private listing battles15:57 — Future of agents18:19 — Channel direction

Welcome to our monthly feature Unpopular Real Estate Opinions with Chris Linsell. In this episode Chris breaks down why most agents are invisible to AI and introduce the concept of citation density, becoming the obvious answer across multiple platforms, from .gov/.edu sites to reviews, news, and social. They share specific strategies for agents to create question-driven content, earn high-value citations, and shift from basic AI prompting to AI publishing that actually gets surfaced by models like ChatGPT and Gemini. DJ and Chris also unpack the implications of the RE/MAX and Real acquisition, what accelerating consolidation means for agent mobility and leverage, and why building a strong, independent personal brand and AI voice guide is now essential to stay relevant and differentiated in the years ahead. Please check Chris' profile on LinkedIn. If you'd prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!  This episode is brought to you by Real Geeks and Courted.io.

Thinking about moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan? Before you load up the moving truck, there are a few things nobody tells you until it's too late. Ross Bacon with May Group Realtors at RE/MAX of Grand Rapids shares the honest picture of what life in Grand Rapids is actually like — and what to expect before you make the move.⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERSIntroduction (0:00)Michigan Is a Title State (0:22)Grand Rapids Traffic (1:27)Getting In and Out — GRR Airport (3:01)Rethinking Your Commute Math (4:33)Closing Thoughts (6:34)What No One Tells You About Moving to Grand RapidsMoving to Grand Rapids is one of the best decisions you can make — but there are a few things that trip up almost every newcomer, and knowing them ahead of time makes all the difference.Michigan Is a Title StateIf you're relocating from an attorney state like Georgia, New York, Massachusetts, or South Carolina, you're used to having a lawyer at the closing table. Michigan works differently. Here, a licensed title company handles your closing — no attorney required. The process is smooth and efficient, but it will feel different than what you're used to. Lean on your real estate agent and get comfortable with your title company early.Grand Rapids Traffic Is Not What You ThinkComing from Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, or any major metro? You're about to experience something genuinely surprising. Grand Rapids runs on a sensible grid system, highway access actually works, and the entire metro area is compact enough to cross in 20 to 25 minutes on a normal day. Locals will warn you about the 28th Street corridor on a Saturday. They mean well.Rethink Your Commute MathThis is the one that catches almost every out-of-towner off guard during the home search. In a big metro, 30 to 40 minutes from work lands you in a nice suburb. In Grand Rapids, 30 to 45 minutes from downtown could put you in a completely different county. Think in miles, not minutes. A 10- to 20-minute commute here still gives you access to a huge portion of the metro — and that range can get you a four-bedroom home with a backyard on a quiet street, something that simply does not exist at that price point in most American cities.Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)GRR is Michigan's second busiest airport, handling more than four million passengers a year with nonstop service to over 30 destinations. It is also in the middle of a major transformation — Project Elevate, a $500 million+ investment that includes a newly expanded Concourse A and a $135 million terminal enhancement project. GRR is the first small-hub airport in the United States to implement a consolidated baggage inspection system. You are not driving to Detroit to catch a flight.Grand Rapids is growing fast. And now you get to grow with it.

In this episode, Hailey escapes to the Northwoods—a region where sparkling lakes, towering pines, and welcoming communities set the stage for countless kid-friendly experiences! If you're planning a weekend getaway or hoping to make this beautiful area your home, you'll find endless opportunities for family fun! And if you fall in love with the Northwoods lifestyle, RE/MAX Property Pros is ready to help you find the perfect home near all these community treasures. The Bobber is brought to you by Something Special from Wisconsin: https://www.somethingspecialwi.com/ Read the blog here: https://discoverwisconsin.com/family-fun-in-the-northwoods-activities-and-places-kids-will-love/ Elmer's Fun Park: https://elmersfunpark.com/; Kartway: https://rockingwstables-kartway.com/kartway/; Northwoods Zip Line Adventure Tours: https://www.facebook.com/NorthwoodsZipLine/; Bearskin State Trail: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/bearskin; Wildwood Outdoor Adventures: https://www.facebook.com/WildwoodOutdoorAdventureWOA/; Pirates Hideaway: https://www.eagleriverpirates.com/; Torpy Park & Beach: https://www.minocqua.org/listing/torpy-park-and-beach/3750/; Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo & Safari: https://wildwoodwildlifepark.com/; Eagle Falls Adventure Golf & Laser Tag: https://eaglefallsadventuregolf.com/; Northwoods Children's Museum: https://northwoodschildrensmuseum.com/; The Corner Store: http://www.thecornerstoresayner.com/; Scheer's Lumberjack Show: https://scheerslumberjackshow.com/;  The Bobber: https://discoverwisconsin.com/the-bobber-blog/ The Cabin Podcast: https://the-cabin.simplecast.com. Follow on social @thecabinpod Shop Discover Wisconsin: shop.discoverwisconsin.com. Follow on social @shopdiscoverwisconsin Discover Wisconsin: https://discoverwisconsin.com/. Follow on social @discoverwisconsin Discover Mediaworks: https://discovermediaworks.com/. Follow on social @discovermediaworks RE/MAX Property Pros: https://www.northwoodspropertypros.com/. Follow on social @northwoodspropertypros

Watch the Youtube video here:   Join My Vancouver Realtor Team https://www.thealigngroup.ca/join-our... One of the biggest deals in real estate history just got announced. Real Brokerage is acquiring ReMax for $880 million, creating a combined organization of over 180,000 agents, and whether you are at ReMax, EXP, or anywhere else, this deal has implications for your business that most agents are not thinking about clearly enough. The deal is funded almost entirely by debt against just $159 million in projected annual EBITDA, and before this announcement, ReMax Holdings had a market cap of just $140 to $190 million, which means the market had already rendered its verdict on where the traditional franchise model was heading. In this video, we break down what the deal actually costs, what it means for the 145,000 ReMax agents sitting in uncertainty right now, why the traditional franchise model is under real structural pressure in 2026, and where EXP Realty sits with 83,000 agents, zero debt, and $124.2 million in cash while the rest of the industry spends hundreds of millions catching up to what EXP figured out in 2009. If you are a real estate agent evaluating your brokerage right now, this is the most important industry conversation happening, and this video gives you the full honest breakdown.

Thinking about selling your home? Here are 5 proven tips to get your home ready to sell — and you can start before you even meet with a Realtor.What This Video CoversIn this video, Josh May of May Group Realtors at RE/MAX of Grand Rapids walks you through 5 actionable steps every home seller should take before listing. From decluttering and depersonalizing your space to detailed touch-ups, deep cleaning, and knowing when to bring in a professional — these strategies help your home appeal to more buyers and sell for more money. No major renovations required.Who This Is ForThis is for homeowners thinking about selling in the next 6 to 12 months who want to get ahead of the process and avoid last-minute stress. Whether this is your first time selling or your fifth, these tips work in any market.Timestamps0:00 — Introduction0:21 — Tip 1: Declutter your home1:04 — Tip 2: Depersonalize your space1:37 — Tip 3: Detailed improvements2:16 — Tip 4: Deep clean2:49 — Tip 5: De-stress with a professionalIf you found this helpful, hit subscribe — I post new real estate tips every week. Ready to talk about selling your home? We'd love to help. Book a free consultation using the link below, and let's get your home ready for the market.SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWLKp_rEg77NKMFthOTVeiw?sub_confirmation=1 Contact us now:Call or Text: (616) 330-2555Email: info@marketgr.comMore from Group Realtors:Website

Send Us A MessageMost real estate agents are expected to be skilled negotiators, yet receive zero training in this critical area—the very skill that disappoints clients most according to NAR surveys. This episode tackles the fundamental gap between expectation and reality in real estate negotiations, presenting a collaborative approach that transforms adversarial "take, take, take" dynamics into win-win solutions that actually close dealsFeatured Quote: "Most people think negotiating is take, take, take. Actually, if you find out what's really critically important to the other person and you give that to them, they're going to close. It makes your life so much simpler because all the negotiations after the preliminary one come together much more gracefully."What You Will LearnCollaborative negotiation strategies that focus on problem-solving rather than adversarial positioningThe asymmetry principle - finding low-cost concessions that provide high value to the other partyWhy empathy remains irreplaceable even as AI tools become more sophisticated in real estateHow to identify what truly matters to the other party beyond just price considerationsThe critical difference between distributive (fixed pie) and collaborative negotiation approachesPractical tools and resources for developing genuine negotiation skills in your practiceFuture-proofing your value by mastering human connection skills that AI cannot replicateThe opinions on this podcast are the hosts and guests involved and not in any way a reflection of RE/MAX or anyone else in the industry.Listen to the Podcast on these PlatformsApple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-real-estate-standards/id1574549987Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZKLmFIFvx1UjSwL4jOTVzSocial Media and Contact InformationWebsite: https://www.raisingrealestatestandards.comLink Tree:  https://linktr.ee/raisingrealestatestandards

Flat-fee brokerages are in your market right now, and they are telling your potential sellers they can save thousands without you. Most real estate agents have no idea how to respond — and that is exactly where listings are lost. In this episode, Tim and Julie Harris break down the complete playbook for defeating discount and limited service brokerages without cutting your commission. Drawing on their own experience as top-producing ReMax agents in Columbus, Ohio — where the number one listing broker in the entire market was a flat-fee operator — Tim and Julie share the exact system that made discount brokers irrelevant in every competitive listing situation. You will learn why calling them "discount" brokers is the wrong move and what to say instead, how to expose the real business model behind flat-fee listings using MLS data, and how to use the Flexible Fee Commission Structure to remove a discount broker's only competitive advantage before the seller ever asks. You will also learn the advanced FSBO strategy that turns the Flexible Fee into a near-instant listing conversion, why FSBOs statistically net 8 to 12 percent less when they go it alone, and how the pre-listing package acts as a silent salesperson so that listing appointments become 15-minute walkthroughs ending in a signed contract. This is the kind of training that separates surviving agents from listing agents with real leverage and predictable income. The pre-listing pack, the Flexible Fee structure, the scripts, and the full seven-step listing process are all available inside Premier Coaching. Agents who align with Tim and Julie at eXp Realty through the Libertas group receive Premier Coaching and approximately $43,000 in additional benefits at no extra cost. Free training: HarrisRealEstateDaily.com Coaching: PremierCoaching.com Join eXp + Libertas: WhyLibertas.com/Harris Text Tim Direct: 512-758-0206 Opinions are my own and not the views of eXp Realty.

Episode 360: Zillow Sues Compass, Private Listings Explode & the Housing Market Gets Weird The private listing war just went nuclear. On today's episode of This Week in Real Estate, we're breaking down Zillow's new federal lawsuit against MRED and Compass, a case that could reshape the future of MLS data, private listing networks, portal power, brokerage strategy, and consumer access to housing inventory. Zillow claims MRED and Compass are working together to restrict listing data access and force Zillow to promote private listings, while the broader industry is already locked in a battle over who controls the future of home search. And Zillow isn't the only player making moves. We'll also dig into the growing "brokerage boardroom drama" across the industry, including the launch of Cotality's Broker Listing Exchange with Keller Williams and HomeServices of America on board. The new BLX platform gives brokerages a centralized way to manage listing data, pre-market activity, and distribution across MLSs, portals, and partners. Then we're looking at another major brokerage shakeup: eXp World Holdings acquiring NextHome and pushing toward a new multi-platform model. Add in Real Brokerage, Compass, Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, Rocket, RE/MAX, Anywhere, Keller Williams, and HomeServices, and the pattern is clear: the biggest names in real estate are racing to control platforms, listings, data, agents, and consumer attention. We'll also break down what the latest Q1 earnings from Real, Compass, Zillow, and Realtor.com reveal about where the real estate industry is heading. Real Brokerage reported major year-over-year growth before announcing its RE/MAX acquisition, Compass posted strong results following the Anywhere deal, Zillow saw big growth in mortgages and rentals, and Realtor.com has now posted six straight quarters of revenue growth in a sluggish housing market. Then we shift to the housing market itself, where the data is giving mixed signals. Pending home sales hit their highest level in nearly four years, buyer demand is showing signs of life, and home prices posted their biggest increase in over a year. But higher mortgage rates are still weighing on buyers, affordability remains brutal, and the buyer advantage that defined much of the market may already be starting to shrink. And finally, we'll talk about one of the strangest future housing stories of the week: tiny AI data centers potentially coming into American homes. Is this the next weird intersection of real estate, energy, AI infrastructure, and household income? Or just another tech idea looking for a place to land? Today's show is packed with real estate lawsuits, private listings, MLS drama, brokerage consolidation, platform wars, mortgage rates, home prices, buyer demand, housing affordability, and the future of how homes are bought and sold. No fluff. No fear-mongering. Just real talk about what's happening in real estate right now. Topics we're covering: Zillow sues MRED and Compass over private listings The fight over MLS data, PLNs, and listing access Cotality launches Broker Listing Exchange with KW and HomeServices eXp acquires NextHome Real, Compass, Zillow, and Realtor.com earnings Brokerage consolidation and platform wars Pending home sales hit a multi-year high Buyer leverage starts to shrink Home prices rise again Mortgage rates keep buyers under pressure Tiny AI data centers inside homes? Subscribe for weekly real estate news, housing market updates, mortgage rate conversations, agent strategy, brokerage analysis, and the stories shaping the future of the industry.

Grand Rapids gets all the attention, but the best places to live in West Michigan might actually be just outside of it. In this video, Josh May with RE/MAX of Grand Rapids breaks down 4 hidden gem communities within 45 minutes of Grand Rapids that more people should be talking about.*VIDEO CHAPTERS*Introduction (0:00) Rockford, Michigan (1:06) Saugatuck, Michigan (2:22) Greenville, Michigan (3:21) Ada, Michigan (4:24) Big Takeaway (5:25)*Michigan's Hidden Gems: Cool Cities Beyond Grand Rapids*When people start researching a move to West Michigan, Grand Rapids is almost always the starting point. It makes sense. It is the second-largest city in Michigan and has a lot going for it. But what a lot of people discover after digging a little deeper is that some of the most desirable places to live in the entire region are the smaller communities just outside of it.In this video, we highlight four communities that consistently surprise people with how much they offer.*Rockford, Michigan* sits about 15 to 20 minutes north of Grand Rapids and has one of the most authentic small-town feels in all of West Michigan. The entire downtown is built around the Rogue River, making it walkable, connected, and genuinely enjoyable to spend time in. Local restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and the Riverwalk trail system make Rockford the kind of place where people actually live in their community. It also has strong schools and a good mix of home styles and price points.*Saugatuck, Michigan* is a completely different experience, and that is exactly the point. Located about 40 minutes west along the Lake Michigan shoreline, Saugatuck is defined by its coastal feel, vibrant art scene, and the kind of lifestyle that makes it feel like a permanent vacation. Oval Beach is one of the best beaches in the state, and the downtown is filled with galleries, shops, and waterfront character. For buyers who put lifestyle above everything else, Saugatuck is worth serious consideration.*Greenville, Michigan* is about 30 minutes northeast of Grand Rapids and has become a go-to for buyers who want more home for their money. Larger lots, more square footage, and lower price points make Greenville attractive to people who are feeling priced out of closer-in communities. Beyond the value story, Greenville has a growing downtown, riverfront parks along the Flat River, and a strong local community that keeps people rooted there long-term.*Ada, Michigan* has transformed significantly over the past several years into one of the most sought-after areas in West Michigan. The village has been redeveloped with intention, featuring a walkable downtown anchored by the Ada Hotel, alongside luxury homes, private wooded settings, and gathering spaces that feel high-end without being cold. Ada sits just minutes from Grand Rapids, making it the ideal option for someone who wants privacy, upscale living, and easy access to the city all at once.Whether you are drawn to Rockford's river town walkability, Saugatuck's lakefront lifestyle, Greenville's space and affordability, or Ada's luxury and community, there is a version of West Michigan built for how you want to live. You do not have to be in Grand Rapids to have an incredible life here.

Real estate is getting louder, messier, and more complicated, but underneath all the noise, the Portland market is showing real momentum. In this episode of the Portland Real Estate Podcast, Steve Nassar and Joe Fustolo break down a spring season that showed up early, with buyers writing offers, listings getting renewed attention, and agents feeling a level of activity that has been harder to find over the past few years. Mortgage rates, cash buyers, low-rate "golden handcuffs," and plain old life events all come into play as the conversation gets into what is actually moving buyers and sellers right now. One of the biggest debates in real estate also takes center stage: private listings. Is restricted inventory really better for sellers, or does it give big companies more control over buyers, agents, and market visibility? With Real Brokerage buying RE/MAX and Compass buying Anywhere Real Estate, mega-mergers raise another question. Do bigger brokerages mean better service, or just more culture clashes, debt pressure, and disruption? Steve and Joe also share practical advice for working agents, including unauthorized showings, strong day-one offers, open house scheduling, key transfers, and video instructions for complicated listings. The bigger picture is hard to miss. The market is gaining traction, the industry is consolidating, and the rules around access, inventory, and professionalism are getting more important than ever. This episode brings a real-world look at Portland's spring momentum, the fight over listing control, and what agents are dealing with on the ground.   Key Takeaways Spring activity arrived early, with buyers writing offers, listings getting renewed attention, and agents feeling busier than they have in years. Mortgage rates near 6% appear to be the psychological threshold that could bring more buyers and sellers back into motion. Economic headlines can slow some people down, but buyers and sellers with real housing needs are still moving forward. Low-rate "golden handcuffs" are still a factor, but some homeowners are beginning to adjust to today's rate environment. Inventory is up, giving buyers more negotiating room and putting more pressure on sellers to price correctly. Overpriced listings are sitting longer, especially when sellers fail to adjust to current buyer expectations. Mega-mergers are reshaping the industry, with Real Brokerage buying RE/MAX and Compass buying Anywhere Real Estate. Bigger brokerages may gain influence, but large acquisitions can also create culture clashes, debt pressure, and agent uncertainty. Private listings and coming-soon inventory are becoming one of the biggest fights in real estate. Restricted inventory may benefit big brokerages more than buyers or sellers by keeping more business inside their own ecosystem. Private listing strategies can fragment the market and make it harder for buyers and agents to see all available inventory. Limited exposure can hurt sellers if a home is not seen by the full pool of potential buyers. Unauthorized showings are a serious professionalism issue because they damage seller trust. Even vacant homes require proper showing procedures because there may be alarms, repairs, tests, occupants, pets, or other access concerns. Strong day-one offers can work, but they need to give the seller a real reason to stop showings. Being the first offer can help because sellers often give that first serious offer the most attention. Video showing instructions could help agents understand complicated listings, especially acreage, luxury homes, shops, gates, alarms, and hidden features. Key transfers should be simple, secure, and convenient, with the key ideally available at the property after recording. Open house scheduling can create confusion when private showings overlap with public open houses. MLS and listing mistakes can spread quickly to third-party sites, making careful proofreading more important than ever.   Connect with Joe Soldera Properties Joe on LinkedIn   Connect with Steve Steve's Team at Premiere Property Group Steve on LinkedIn   Listen to The Portland Real Estate Podcast on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  

Did you know there is a castle for sale in Anacortes!? Check it out here as Dave Juhl from ReMax tells us all about it!

In this episode, we dive deeper into what's actually working in social media marketing for realtors right now. What actually works vs. what's cringy.We also unpack a major industry shake-up: Real buying RE/MAX. What does this move mean for brokerages, agents, and the future of real estate brands?Plus, a surprising stat that's shaping today's market—4 out of 10 homebuyers in 2026 are getting help with their down payment. We explore what's driving this trend, how it impacts affordability, and what realtors should be doing to better serve this growing segment.Submit your questions for Jay and Ryan to answer on the podcast here!

Nick and Dan unpack Real Brokerage's acquisition of RE/MAX and argue the market reaction tells the real story, RMAX trading ~30% below the headline $13.80 deal value and REAX selling off signals investors aren't convinced the combination creates shareholder value. They frame it as two stressed models trying to solve each other's problems: RE/MAX needs modernization, Real needs distribution, but both are operating in a transaction recession (US existing-home sales at 30-year lows, CREA forecasting just 1% volume growth in 2026). The bigger thesis: we hit "peak Realtor" in 2022, and the brokerage subscription model, where agents are the customer, not just the labour, is starting to unwind in a Pareto-distributed industry full of net losers. Closes on the innovation paradox: brokerages need AI to retain agents, but not so much AI that consumers start questioning why they need the intermediary at all. EDMONTON MULTIPLEX EVENT Try it NordVPN risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Use our code "realestate" to get 4 extras months from a 2 years plan Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | BMO Global Asset Management LISTEN AD FREESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Slovenský trh je malý, fragmentovaný a extrémne náročný na škálovanie. Jan Hrubý, CEO REMAX pre Česko, Slovensko a Ukrajinu, otvorene hovorí o tom, prečo české firmy často rastú rýchlejšie, prečo na Slovensku chýbajú silní hráči a čo robí z nášho trhu jednu z najťažších podnikateľských disciplín v regióne. Real talk o tom, že bez systému, disciplíny a výkonu sa dnes biznis robiť nedá. O rozdiele medzi improvizáciou a profesionalitou, o poškodených kategóriách, nízkych bariérach vstupu a o tom, prečo kvalita sama o sebe nestačí. Aj o tom, ako sa buduje výkonový mindset, prečo úspech nemá skratku a prečo konzistencia stále poráža talent. Moderátor Tomáš Török je spoluzakladateľ firmy BizBuilders, kde s tímom skúsených ľudí z marketingu tvorí biznis-marketingové stratégie vychádzajúc z dát a trendov, orientované na ambíciu, konkrétne ciele a výsledky.

Episode 359: Is the MLS Becoming the Market of Last Resort? The private listing war just got louder. This week on tWiRE: This Week in Real Estate, we're breaking down one of the biggest questions facing the real estate industry right now: who controls access to listings, and what happens if the MLS is no longer the center of the housing market? Gary Keller is warning that private listings could turn the MLS into a "market of last resort", Zillow and Realtor.com are teaming up to share pre-market listings, MLS competition and consolidation may be heating up nationwide, and the Real Brokerage acquisition of RE/MAX is looking less like a surprise and more like the result of years of pressure on the old brokerage model. And that's just the industry side. We're also digging into what buyers and agents need to know as mortgage rates hit their highest level in a month, first-time buyers start pulling back again, down payment help becomes a major part of the 2026 housing market, remodeling growth slows, and homeowners begin pushing back on AI data centers in their neighborhoods. This is a loaded week in real estate, and we're cutting through the headlines to talk about what actually matters for agents, buyers, sellers, brokers, and investors. This week, we're talking about:

National real estate company mergers are generating more noise than they probably deserve — and Brian Icenhower is here to cut through it. In this episode, Brian gives agents, team leaders, and broker/owners the straight talk on what's really driving deals like the Real/REMAX acquisition, what it means on the ground, and where the smart opportunity lies for those already positioned to take it. In this episode, you'll learn: Why national real estate company mergers are motivated by shareholders — and what that means for agents who feel uncertain right now How the stock market responded to the Real/REMAX deal and what that reaction actually signals Why the "better tech" narrative that always follows these mergers rarely holds up — and why most agents don't use those systems anyway What unique competitive challenges REMAX brokerage owners may now face in markets where Real already has a presence Why cold-calling agents from acquired companies right now is the wrong move — and what you should be doing instead How to recruit through industry disruption if you've been building relationships the right way Why revenue-share company growth works the way it does — and what makes it succeed or fail market by market About Brian Icenhower: Brian Icenhower is a nationally recognized real estate coach, trainer, and founder of Icenhower Coaching & Training (ICT). A former broker and agent with decades of experience, Brian has coached thousands of real estate professionals across North America on production, leadership, recruiting, and business growth. He is the host of The Brian Icenhower Podcast and the mind behind therealestatetrainer.com. If this episode gave you a clearer picture of what these mergers mean — and where the real opportunity is — subscribe to The Brian Icenhower Podcast so you never miss an episode. Head to therealestatetrainer.com to read the full blog version of this topic, and follow ICT on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for daily coaching content. #RealEstatePodcast #BrianIcenhowerPodcast #RealEstateMergers #RealVsREMAX #RealEstateCoaching #RealEstateRecruiting #BrokerOwner #TeamLeader #RealEstateBusiness #RealEstateIndustry #ICT #IcenhowerCoaching   Book a FREE coaching call: http://CoachCallFree.com Enroll in our online courses: http://www.IcenhowerInstitute.com Sign up for coaching: http://www.IcenhowerCoaching.com Sign up for an Agent Management Portal: http://AgentManagementPortal.com Join the fastest growing Facebook Group for Top Producers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/REagentRoundTable

Discovering Your BEST Colors and Style Upgrades for Your Closet and Home with Color and Style Consultant, Carla Gasser (Episode 292)   Romans 12:2 NLT “Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”   *Transcription Below*   Carla Gasser is a Christian author, speaker, and certified color/style consultant known for helping women connect faith with everyday life, focusing on spiritual and inner beauty through decluttering the soul. Based in Ohio, she's the author of The Beauty of an Uncluttered Soul, speaks at women's events, teaches Bible studies, and offers personal style guidance, encouraging authenticity and grace in messy, real-life situations.   Carla's Website   Thank You to Our Sponsor: The Sue Neihouser Team   Questions and Topics We Cover: Will you walk us through exactly what you do during a color analysis?  What are your best tips for: Make-up, jewelry color, print options, and general styling tips? Now that we have this information, how can we begin to edit and curate our closet?   Other Savvy Sauce Episode Mentioned: 134 Fashion Meets Faith with Shari Braendel 251 Wintering and Embracing Holy Hygge with Jamie Erickson   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:12)   Laura Dugger: (0:12 - 1:47) Welcome to the Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   Thank you to the Sue Neihouser team for sponsoring this episode. If you're looking to buy or sell a home this season, make sure you reach out to Sue at 309-229-8831. Sue would love to walk alongside you as you unlock new doors.   Carla Gasser is my guest today. Not only is she a color and style consultant, but she's also an author and a Bible teacher. We're going to discuss some very practical ways that you can discover what colors are uniquely best for you and then learn also how you can incorporate those into your closet and into your home. I have been wanting to do an episode like this for such a long time.   During undergrad, I was able to minor in fashion merchandising and even got to study abroad in Europe with a group of about 50 people. It was so exhilarating, and I've just always been drawn to topics like this one. In addition, what excites me about today is the way that Carla will talk about beauty both inside and out.   I can't wait to share this conversation with you. Here's our chat. Welcome to the Savvy Sauce, Carla.   Carla Gasser: (1:48 - 1:51) So, great to be with you today, Laura. Thanks for inviting me.   Laura Dugger: (1:51 - 1:59) Well, I am just absolutely fascinated by your work. So, can you explain a little bit more of what you get to do?   Carla Gasser: (1:59 - 3:36) Sure. If we're talking about the outer beauty part of my business, I was trained as a certified color analysis and style consultant by Sheri Brandel, who's the owner, founder, and CEO of Style by Color. What I love most about that training is that we're independent contractors.   So, I was able to take that certification and everything I knew and already incorporated it into what my ministry was. My ministry for the past 20 years is talking about how God makes us beautiful from the inside out. But I've always had this struggle because I've loved fashion, and I've loved dressing, and I've loved outer beauty as well, which is something that God created, right?   So, a couple of years ago after I did the certification, I kind of incorporated it, and it was easier than I thought because God is the author of beauty. God is beauty. So, because I'm a Bible study teacher and I love digging into God's word, I just focused more on that.   And my book and my Bible study is called The Beauty of an Uncluttered Soul. So, those two things just ended up meshing beautifully for me. And it also helped me reach out to a wider audience, women who are interested about outer beauty and fashion and style and color and design, but they're looking for something more, and I could provide that for them too.   So, it's been wonderful. I mean, I've really enjoyed it.   Laura Dugger: (3:36 - 3:51) Well, it's such a unique pairing. And I think, is there anything you'd want to elaborate on for us as believers, as Christians? Why does it matter, both internal and external beauty?   Right.   Carla Gasser: (3:51 - 6:00) I'm speaking about this next week, and I've been starting to incorporate this in when I speak because the world has distorted beauty, right? And they have hijacked it, and they have made it into something that God never designed it to be. But if we look at the other side of it, the church, I feel, sometimes has over-spiritualized inner beauty to the exclusion of outer beauty.   So, I was caught in that tension, and I think many believing women are, well, outer beauty is shallow, inner beauty is spiritual, right? And I say it's not either or, it's and both, right? That if God created the sunsets, and all the beautiful flowers, and the things that make us post these images on Instagram of his natural beauty, then God cares about beauty.   And I love it when it says he created them in Genesis, and it was very good. The only time he uses very good is when he's talking about humans, man and woman. He created them very good.   If you go back to the Hebrew word of very good, it's tov, and it means beautiful. So, when I speak to women, I say, we are going to stop right now, and we are going to say, I was created beautiful. And a lot of women don't say that, can't say that, are afraid to say that.   And I'm here to say yes, and it's okay to express that. And I don't stand up there saying, you have to look like me, or dress like me. I want you to discover your unique style, your unique beauty.   You know, it's not a one size fits all. It's not like, well, this is the trend, so you've got to wear it. I don't want to put any more pressure on women.   I want to free women to embrace their God-given beauty, if that makes sense.   Laura Dugger: (6:01 - 6:12) Absolutely. Well, and one of the ways you do that is through color analysis, but can you walk us through like exactly what you do during a color analysis meeting?   Carla Gasser: (6:12 - 13:55) Color analysis is having a moment, isn't it? And what I'm finding is either if you're my age or older, and I'm in my late fifties, you remember seasonal color analysis, right? And when I start talking color analysis, those women will say to me, well, in the eighties, I was a winter, I was a spring, I was a summer, right?   And what am I now? And then if you talk to my daughter's generation, like twenties and thirties, they're hearing seasonal color analysis come back to, but they're watching it on Instagram and TikTok. And they're like, well, I'm a cool summer.   I'm a neutral winter. And I'm like, what is going on? This is confusing.   So, Sherry Brandel, like I said, the owner and founder of Style by Color was one of the first people who was trained in Color Me Beautiful, the seasonal color system. So, she knows it inside and out. And what she decided to do was to take the tenets, the basics of the seasonal color system, but expand it.   So, we don't, you're not going to walk out of a color analysis telling people you're a winter. We have six unique codes, and our codes are more illustrative of what you are. So, I'm a clear, okay?   There's warm, there's soft, there's cool, there's deep, and there's light. And what we're doing, and I can show a cute little chart here that helps, what we're doing is we're basing it on the seasonal color system, but we're actually giving you more colors. Because what we're doing when I say you're a soft, I am taking the softer colors, palettes, tones, and hues of summer and fall and giving them to you.   So, the other thing that we do that other systems don't do, we take into account your hair. In many of these systems or color analysis appointments, you'll see them put a white cap over a woman's head and just look at her face. We're like, what?   Your hair has so much to do with your overall coloring. I mean, I know it's hard for you to do this but imagine me platinum blonde. Wouldn't I look totally different if I was platinum blonde and this very dark hair I have?   So, we take into account your hair color. And what we're doing is we're doing tonal color analysis, meaning I am looking at your major color dominant characteristics. Like I just said, your hair color, your eye color, your skin tone.   And now I'm not trying to determine whether you're cool or warm or neutral. That got the Color Me Beautiful system into like 24 color codes because they took every season and they broke it down like six ways and it became complicated and crazy. What we're doing is I'm comparing my skin tone to my hair to my eyes.   And we give you a rating of one to five, meaning, and it's really good if we're both on camera here, people are going to see this right away. I'm a five. I am the highest contrast level.   Can we know why? I've got really dark hair and really light skin and light eyes. So, I'm a five.   Now we look at you. You're not a five. You are a lower contrast level because your hair and your skin tone when you turn are pretty similar.   And your eyes kind of are in the middle there. So, I would put you at a three or a two. And that contrast level helps me determine your color code.   Not only that, it helps me determine what prints and patterns you should wear, what jewelry you should wear. I mean, what makeup you should wear? So, that is how we differ.   And I feel that learning the tonal part of this and understanding contrast level was a game changer for me. And that's what I teach my clients. That once you know that it's easy for me to put you in a color code.   I also use these capes behind me that help during a color analysis. But I also do things like I, you know, use patterns. You know, this is a high contrast level pattern.   So, this is going to look good on someone like me, black and white. If I put a black and white on you, you're going to look like a floating head. It's not cohesive.   But what you're going to look better in is something like this because this is medium contrast. Okay, so we do that. We also talk about pop colors.   Everybody, you know, will say, well, don't take red away from me. Red's my favorite color. Don't take blue away from me.   I wear blue all the time. I'm like, I'm not taking hardly any colors away from you. What I'm teaching you is when you go into a store and you want to know what red, well, my red and your red are very different, right?   So, I'm not taking red away from you. I'm just trying to guide you towards the right red. I'm not taking pink away from you.   Oh, one color code I do. Pink away from you. I'm just telling you, you know, I need this pink.   This is my pink, right? That's my yellow. So, that's what we do.   We break it all down. When I do mini color analysis, I'm usually in a boutique and I love working with boutique owners because then I can help people shop right after. But it's a 15-minute quick appointment.   I give you digital downloads of your colors. Like I said, every color codes gets 35 plus colors. And if you have them on your phone, when you're out shopping, you're scrolling and going, oh, I can use this.   Oh, I can use this. Not only in our digital collection, we give you the trending colors twice a year for fall and winter and spring and summer. Because we both know that colors, you know, have moments, right?   Pantone picks their color of the year, which happens to be white this year, which I'm like, that's a little counterintuitive because I don't know that white's a color, but anyways, it's a neutral. So, you have them on your phone and then you can decide and they update. I also have color cards for old school people like me that want the physical representation, and we sell those as well.   And you can put those in your purse, and you can use them. But I tell people, use them for your nail color, use them for your makeup, use them even when you're decorating your home. A lot of people gravitate to the colors that they look good in, and you can use them in other ways or even pairing colors together.   How do we do that? So that is a mini one. And in that one, I'm just giving you your best neutrals, your colors to avoid, your jewelry choices.   But when you come to my home and I do do it, I have a studio in my home, it's an hour and a half to two hour and we go through it all. You know, we go through it all. When I go into your closet, that's a whole different thing.   And I do ask that people have a color analysis before I do a closet edit. Because once we know your colors, then organizing your closet, creating and curating a capsule wardrobe becomes so much easier.   Laura Dugger: (13:57 - 14:08) Okay, we'll have to follow up on that. But first, I'm just so curious, which color person does not get pink, the warm, warm, warm.   Carla Gasser: (14:08 - 17:23) So, those are people usually with Auburn red hair, you know, they're in that category. So, they get all the spices. And they're the opposite of someone like me, like I can't wear anything with like a gold, yellow undertone.   You know, I can't really wear orange, the orange, I have one orange in my palette, believe it or not, but it's super bright. It's not an orange I probably would wear. One of the comments that someone made to me that said they were afraid to get a color analysis because they thought I would take too much away from them.   Right? They would I would take away their favorite colors; I would tell them they don't look good in things they look good in. Most people, it's so interesting, because sometimes when you come to my home, I ask you to bring some clothes with you, like bring something that everyone says when you walk in a room, wow, you look great in that.   And bring something that you don't ever reach for in your closet, because you're not sure of. And people are closer than they think to knowing their, their right colors. Sometimes I kind of shake them up a bit.   But I give them so much that some people say, well, I can't possibly wear all these colors. There's 36 colors here. And I try to tell people focus on your neutrals, because people have different neutrals, right?   Focus on your neutrals and then add one to two pop colors per season. Because if you try to wear every color in there, that you know, your closet is going to be very cluttered and very overwhelming. But it really helps you declutter and focus because there are stores I walk into now that I literally make one loop and I walk right back out.   Because they're all these light colors and palettes and warm tones. And I call it cafe latte dressing that you would look gorgeous in. But for me, so why would I waste my time in that store?   Right, I walk in real quick. And I've taught women how to shop, right? Because how many of us were taught how to shop, we go in, we go to the sale rack, we go in, we look for something that's trending, we go in, and we bring it home.   And we stand in front of our closet every morning and say what, I have nothing to wear. Right? I have nothing to wear because our closets are full of things that don't match with each other, that we don't feel good in, that we might have bought because we thought it was a deal.   But we don't know if they look good on us. We don't know if they work on our body shape. We don't know how to put them together with what we already have.   So, less really is more. I'm not trying to get people to go out and spend thousands of dollars on a whole new wardrobe. I ask, especially in a closet edit, we're going to work first with what you have.   And then you might have to go out and buy one or two key pieces. But really my last closet edit, she had to buy three things at the end. That was it.   To make over, we talked about, we ended up making her at least 35 different outfits with what she already had and going out and buying three pieces. That was it.   Laura Dugger: (17:24 - 20:14) We'll come back shortly after a brief message from our sponsor. With over 28 years of experience in real estate, Sue Neihouser of the Sue Neihouser team is a RE-MAX agent of Central Illinois, and she loves to walk alongside her clients as they unlock new doors. For anyone local, I highly recommend you call Sue today at 309-229-8831.   And you can ask her any real estate questions. Sue lives in Central Illinois and loves this community and all that it has to offer. When unlocking new doors with her clients, Sue works hard to gain a depth of understanding of their motivations and dreams and interests in buying and selling their home.   And then she commits to extensive market research that will give them confidence in their decision. Sue truly cares for each of her clients and the relationship she forms with each family along the entire home buying or selling process. This was absolutely our experience when we worked with Sue and her team.   The house that we desired at the time was actually not even on the market, but Sue had a connection and was able to ask those homeowners if they would be willing to sell. She was timely in her response as she walked us through this whole process, and she helped us sell our home with the right offer coming in hours after it was listed. We kept saying she's thought of everything, and Sue's continued generosity was astonishing.   I remember one afternoon after we had settled into our new home and she was knocking on the door dropping off a goodie bag for our family that came from the local bakery. Our daughters also loved getting to know Ms. Sue as she assisted us in finding truly our dream home. So, whether you're looking to buy a home for the first time or looking to upgrade or downsize or making the big decision to move to an assisted living from your home of many years, Sue will be there to help you navigate the big emotions and ensure the process is smooth and stress-free and that the new doors to be unlocked are ready and waiting for more memories to be made.   So, call her today at 309-229-8831 or visit her website at sueneihouser.com. Thanks for your sponsorship.   Okay, so that also makes me curious when you talk about the colors that you put together.   Yes. Do you use a color wheel, or do you have any practical ways that we can learn how to put different colors together in our home or in our closet?   Carla Gasser: (20:14 - 22:34) Right, that goes back to the contrast level that we talked about, and it also goes back to body shape. So, contrast level is can you wear, you know, high contrast prints or outfits? Like I can wear black and white.   Would I tell you to do that? Probably not. So, when you know what your contrast level is, that not only informs your prints, your patterns, your colors, it informs your outfits.   Here's a quick tip about dressing for your body shape. All right, we talk about inner column versus outer column. So, if you carry your weight in your belly and this is a, you know, I always tell women when I'm speaking to them, place your hands on the one area of yourself that you wish you could camouflage, right?   And some of us go to our hips. Some of us, we all have it, right? But if that is your area, your belly is your area, and I like to camouflage it.   What you want to create is an inner column. How do you create an inner column? So, if you were looking at my outfit right now, an inner column would be that this blue here, I would wear the same color pants.   I've got an inner column. And then I put this jacket over it because when you look at that inner column, there's no waist definition. There's no, it's just an inner column.   It makes me look taller. It makes me look thinner. It, you know, draws the eye up to the face.   We always want to draw the eye up to the face. Now, if your problem area is more your hips and you want to camouflage that, but you've got a smaller waist, then you do an outer column. Whereas with me, again, I keep the blue shirt. I tuck it in, but I wear black pants because black and black.   So, those are just two quick little tips that people could take away based on, you know, an inner column also works well for people who are large chested, who want to kind of camouflage this part, you know, who have kind of a roundness here and outer column again, works for people who also maybe have a more of a pear shaped or, um, not only pear shaped, but like an hourglass figure, an outer column would work better for, does that help?   Laura Dugger: (22:34 - 22:53) Does that make sense? This is so helpful. And I'm wondering, are there any principles that apply to everyone specifically?   I mean, even thinking first when it's summer and when somebody has a tan or when they naturally start graying, how does that work? Does their color change?   Carla Gasser: (22:54 - 25:38) Yes, it does. It does. And we can customize color decks and color codes.   So, I have a few women who are transitioning to gray. They're not there yet, but they're in between. So, what I'm going to do is pull out from their deck, anything that is yellowing or has that warmer undertone and keep her in the cool until, and I also say to people, if you come to me and like you're this one day and you say, Carol, I'm going to go red.   I'm going to be a redhead. I will color code you again for free because that's how much I believe in the system. And that's how much I believe your hair matters for your color code.   So, if you change your color code and you're my color and you say, you know, I'm going to go platinum. Yeah. I just think it'll be fun. Come back. We will. So, you're right.   Your hair has a lot to do with it now in terms of tanning, right? Same thing. I would probably just direct you.   I wouldn't change your color code. I would just direct you to certain colors in your, in your color code more than others. If you're darker or lighter, does that make sense?   That does that's helpful. So, it's perfectly customizable. And that's the whole thing about when I tell people, when I have you as a client, you can go around and tell your friends and brag that you have a stylist because you do, you know, you can text me, you, I get a lot of texts from dressing rooms, women standing there in the mirror, taking the picture, going Carla, does this work?   Does this not work? Do these shoes work? That's what I'm here for.   I want an ongoing relationship. I don't like, I mean, I do one and dones. Okay.   If I'm in a boutique or something and you come in from out of town, you can still contact me. I do virtual, I do, you know, all these kinds of things, but I love having a client as an ongoing relationship because you might change your body, change your season of life, change. You were working now you're not, or you're going back to work, and you haven't been working.   All those things affect what you're going to wear and how you're going to wear and where you shop. I just had a woman who, you know, broke her foot and she's in a boot and she is so upset about this because we just did her closet edit. We just started thinking, well, what shoes should I wear?   So, we've been working together to modify her outfits. We've been working together to get her to a place where she still feels comfortable, but she has to wear this boot. Okay.   We can work around that. We can do that. You know, and I have people who go on vacation.   I have no idea what to pack for vacation. I could only have a carry on. We're going to create a capsule wardrobe for your vacation.   We can do that.   Laura Dugger: (25:39 - 26:09) It is crazy to think of how much this plays into our lives every day. And so, once you learn this, I think it can save you time and money. I'm also thinking of one other principle.   We always hear about the little black dress, but the funny thing is black is the absence of all colors. So, I remember studying that black near the face, even if that's in your palette, that that's not recommended. So, I'd love to hear your thoughts on that, Carla.   Carla Gasser: (26:09 - 28:18) Yes. I would say black near the face only works for a few of us. You're right.   And I'm one of them, right? Because of this high contrast, but I still like to break it up with color myself. I have an interesting story for you.   I had a friend who really, she should not wear black by her face at all. She is a soft color code. She got invited to a wedding and everyone had to wear black.   She freaked out. I just got my colors done. What am I going to do?   I have to go to this. I said, first of all, we have to respect the bride and groom. Yes.   This is what you want and whatever. What we did, though, is we bought her a huge, chunky leopard necklace. It broke it up and she bought leather leopard shoe shoes and wore the black.   So, there are ways. And I say to people, when I take away black from you and you have all these black clothes at home, I'm like, I don't want you to donate everything to goodwill, but we're going to think of ways to break this up. And one of the ways we break it up near the face is a larger necklace, a scarf, a third piece like this, a vest or a cardigan.   There are ways to do it without going home and saying, oh my word, I have to throw everything away. And then I'll try to redirect those people. Okay, now that you know your neutrals are no longer black, there are a lot of other great neutrals out there.   Dark brown, gray, navy. So, now when you go shopping, don't throw all your black away, but start incorporating other neutrals into your wardrobe that are softer for you and work better for you. And like you asked before, too, are there some colors that everyone can wear?   And I would, I could give you one. There's a couple, but one color that is kind of the universal color that everybody has in about the same shade is teal. It's kind of the couch you're sitting on.   If I read it correctly in your, on the video, teal is kind of a universal color. So, that's something.   Laura Dugger: (28:19 - 28:21) I had no idea. I love that.   Carla Gasser: (28:22 - 28:22) Yeah.   Laura Dugger: (28:22 - 28:35) And have you ever even studied the psychology related to colors? For instance, how we can perceive people differently when they are dressed in their best color?   Carla Gasser: (28:36 - 30:08) No, I haven't personally studied that, but I have seen women. Like I just got a testimony the other day, I was asking some of my clients, like, what would you say? And I had this young mom who said, you know, it wasn't low self-esteem that kept me dressing this way.   It was apathy. And I thought that was a really strong word. And she walked into church and she actually sings at church.   So, she's up on stage and we just talked about a few tweaks and she's like everybody said something to me after. And they said, “You sang louder, you were glowing, you were shining.” And she goes, “I felt I didn't do anything different, but just wear what we talked about and changed my clothes.”   So, I do think people notice, I think that there is a radiance that comes from within. Not only are you more confident, but I do think again, it highlights your face. And when your face is highlighted, people are attracted to that, you know?   And I always make a big point when I'm out and about doing my grocery shopping, going to the drugstore, going to the post office, and I see someone wearing the right color. I don't tell her I'm a color now. I don't go through all that.   I just said, you know, you look fabulous in that color. And I'm like, give me a big smile if they're not smiling. And they're just like, well, who is this woman?   I go, and they walk out like two inches taller.   Laura Dugger: (30:09 - 31:30) When was the first time you listened to an episode of The Savvy Sauce? How did you hear about our podcast? Did a friend share it with you?   Will you be willing to be that friend now and text five other friends or post on your socials anything about The Savvy Sauce that you love? If you share your favorite episodes, that is how we continue to expand our reach and get the good news of Jesus Christ in more ears across the world. So, we need your help.   Another way to help us grow is to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts. Each of these suggestions will cost you less than a minute, but it will be a great benefit to us. Thank you so much for being willing to be generous with your time and share.   We appreciate you. Well, I love that you've mentioned Sherri Brandel because she's the one who founded Style by Color, but she was also a previous guest on The Savvy Sauce. So, I'll make sure and link to her fantastic episode.   And I love her testimony. But with you, Carla, at Style by Color, do you ever keep records of the percentage of people who make up each category, or have you even noticed patterns of which ones are most or least common? Yes.   Carla Gasser: (31:31 - 33:10) I think it depends on where you live because when we get all together for consultants, because we do have continuing education, I'm part of their professional development program. So, I'm trained every month in something new, like whether it's hair or makeup or trends or just different things. But we get together once a year for our conference and we talk about where we live.   It seems to me, and I live in Northeast Ohio, kind of between Cleveland and Akron, a lot of the women in my area seem to be softs. There's a lot of soft. I do a lot of soft.   Very rarely do I do someone like me. Now, if you go down, I think in my family, I'm Italian. Most of my Italian relatives are deeps, not as clear as me because they have more of the olive skin.   For some reason, I got this very light skin. I do tan, but I don't tan on my face for some reason. You notice my arms are darker than my face.   So, I do think it kind of runs that way, kind of where you live and maybe a little bit by ethnicity or background. However, I have said to people, because we do this tonal color analysis, there can be people who are clear that don't look exactly like me because what am I doing? I'm comparing their hair to their skin, to their eyes.   I'm not comparing them to me. So, I think that's what makes this unique and makes it very customizable for people. Yes.   Laura Dugger: (33:11 - 33:19) Makes sense. Okay. And this may sound a little overly dramatic, but how have you seen this process improve someone's life?   Carla Gasser: (33:20 - 35:30) Oh, wow. I wish I could read you. I mean, I have some testimonials here that I was just looking through last night and to get prepared for this.   One person said, when I looked at my closet, I felt overwhelmed. I kept buying new things, but none of them seemed to solve my problem. So, many great pieces, but never seemed to be able to pull things together.   Carla came to the rescue. Her instructions on preparing for a meeting were concise and clear. And our 90-minute session flew by.   By the time we were finished, I was feeling so excited about all the new possibilities. Now I find it so easy to step into my closet, a place that once scared me. Take a quick look and decide what to wear for any occasion.   Before, I just had my colors for shopping, but now I have the missing piece of fabric and fit and how to put it all together. So, that's one of them. Another one said thanks for being such an encouragement to me, for showing me how to dress.   And so, I feel beautiful. I'm thankful that I've never struggled with self-esteem the way many women do. But for me, I had become very apathetic, knowing I could probably do better, but not really caring or getting frustrated when I tried, when I tried didn't work the way I thought it should.   You have helped me to see what many times I've picked close to the right colors or I've settled for good enough when I could have added pieces to make it beautiful. Thank you for listening and obeying what God asked you to step out into this vocation to make women feel beautiful from the inside out. You've been a blessing.   So, I do think it has changed women. I have had women say I spend less money. I spend less time.   I feel more confident at work. I feel more confident like she said at church, you know, being in front of someone. So, yeah, I think it makes a measurable difference in people's lives.   If they apply it, you know, I think there are women who are one and done that come in, they just want to know what their colors are, and they walk out and you know, but even that does add something to your life, I think. So, yes, I do think it makes a difference. It's definitely personally made a difference in my own life.   Laura Dugger: (35:31 - 35:35) So, anything you'd want to elaborate on that how it's made a difference in your own life.   Carla Gasser: (35:36 - 38:10) I think I had gotten into kind of similarly to the testimonial I just read of someone of just, you know, not caring. You know, I had four kids at home. I was running everywhere.   I wanted what was comfortable. I wanted what was quick. And what happened was I had gotten into this really gray phase, not realizing that the gray was really reflecting how I was feeling on the inside.   And after I was, I went to a speaker's convention, because I'm also a speaker and Sherry actually did my colors. She was at this event. And so, I met her in person, and we have become great friends since I came home and I started changing it and I have three boys and a girl.   Who do you think noticed that I was changing before? It was my boys. And my one son said to me, “I love that you're wearing brighter colors.   It reminds me of when I was younger, that you always wore colors like that when I was little. Like I always remember my mom showing up and she was in and he goes, and you haven't done that in a long time. And I thought there's something more like we were talking before about the psychology.   I would also feel like it was a spiritual thing too, for me that I had kind of just settled in a lot of ways. And I think women think that they're hiding in bigger clothes or in drab colors because they don't want to be seen or they don't feel their worth or they have shame, they have regret, they have all these things. And I used to also when I would dress up and go places, have you ever had people say to you, why are you so dressed up?   Why are you wearing that? And it would make me shrink. It would make me feel awful.   Like I'm not trying to show you up. I'm not trying. I just, this is what I like to wear.   And I changed that total attitude around. And we would go out with the group of women. They're like, there you are, Carlo.   What are you wearing that for? And I said, you know what? I'm your fancy friend.   Call me your fancy friend. I'm going to dress up like your fancy friend. And when we go places, this is what I feel like.   And I said, and if you want to wear sweats, I don't care. That's what makes you comfortable. That makes you feel good about yourself.   But I feel like sometimes we dress for other women and other people before we dress for ourselves.   Laura Dugger: (38:11 - 39:13) Well, that's really good. And even how you mentioned there's a spiritual component. I think of Jesus teaching on so many object lessons and that he would use something external to talk about the internal spiritual condition.   And it reminds me of another guest, Jamie Erickson, who wrote the book on holy Hygge, just on that concept of our inner life will be reflected outwardly as well. And last piece, just with the psychology, I do remember one thing with the psychology of color, just that when somebody is in their best palette, that we naturally trust them more. And so, it's just unique, all the things that we're probably unaware of, but this really does matter.   Absolutely. And so then beyond just our clothing, can you share some more of your best tips? I'm thinking makeup and jewelry, colored print options, and just your general styling tips.   Carla Gasser: (39:14 - 43:53) I think one other demonstration that I do a lot, too, that I do with women is I think we undervalue the importance of accessories, that you could take a very simple outfit and change it up with accessories. And it's not buying more clothes. It's just taking things off, adding things.   And so, I went to a women's group here in town and I wore a basic jumpsuit. And I told them, this is how I would wear this jumpsuit if I was just running out and about. And I put tennis shoes on.   I put a simple necklace on, simple handbag, one out. And they're like, great. I said, okay, now I'm going to meet some friends for lunch.   Same jumpsuit. Put sandals on, put a little cardigan on, put a thicker necklace on. So, I was teaching them, you could take one outfit and style it three to four or five different ways just by accessories.   So, that's one tip. I would say don't neglect or overlook accessories. The other thing is, know what accessories work for your frame.   If you've ever seen a woman who's like 5'10", wearing a purse this big, it doesn't work. Likewise, someone who's 5'2", wearing one of those huge canvas tote bags, you've got to match your accessories to your frame. Right?   So, if you're, you know, 5'2 and under, your accessories need to be more delicate and smaller to fit you. Likewise, like someone was saying, but, you know, I love those statement necklaces that you wear. And I'm only five, you know, my mom is tiny.   She's only like 5'1", 5'2". And I'm like, what you can do if you want to achieve that effect is layering your necklaces. They're all tiny and delicate.   But if you put three of them together, you're giving the illusion of having something more, but it's not overpowering you, something like that. So, I think those two tips that women, you know, can overlook is accessorize. And one tip that Sherry gave that revolutionized it for me, and I didn't believe her when she first told me this tip, and yet she stands by it.   And now I stand by it. When we were growing up, my mom said that your shoes must match your purse or your handbag. That was a rule, right?   Sherry does not believe in that rule. She says your shoes must match your hair. So, I thought about that because I wear all different color shoes, but I had gone to a wedding that summer and I wore a red dress to the wedding.   It's one of my best colors, right? But that was the time when those nude shoes were really popular. You know what I'm talking about?   They were kind of patent and nude, and they were, you know, rounded toe, high heel. And I thought, well, I'm not going to the prom. So, I'm not going to buy red shoes, right?   I need to buy a neutral shoe to go with a red dress. So, I went back and looked at a picture of myself in that red dress standing next to my husband in those shoes. And it looked like I was floating.   I took that dress on, but again, I put black shoes on, and I took a picture of myself and I put them side by side because I needed proof. I need visual proof. Totally different look.   Because what she says is when you're wearing all one color, a lot of times one color and outfit, your shoes and your hair frame your outfit. And I can show you picture after picture where it works. And when I speak to women, I put those pictures up there and they're like, and I'm like, I know, isn't that crazy.   And she also says your handbag should match your hair, your everyday handbag. Nine times out of 10, I asked this question, if I gave you $500 and you could go buy a really nice designer handbag, what color would you buy? 75 to 80% of women say what?   Probably black, black, right? They all say black. And then I'll show them pictures of how much better a woman looks pulled together when her everyday handbag, that doesn't mean you can't wear a pink handbag or, you know, to spice up your outfit.   If it's part of your accessory look, that's not saying that, but your everyday standard handbag that you're going to invest money in, that's going to be with you for several years should match your hair.   Laura Dugger: (43:54 - 44:04) Wow. That is so interesting to me. And I think it would be fun to do pictures, the before and after, and just see that sometimes those visuals are helpful.   Carla Gasser: (44:04 - 44:12) They help a lot, but you'll start noticing it now or go online and start looking. I'll tell the women to do that and they'll, they'll be blown away.   Laura Dugger: (44:13 - 44:21) Well, and now that we do have all of this information, how can we begin to edit or curate our closet?   Carla Gasser: (44:23 - 47:24) So, when I do a closet edit, I do give them some homework to do before I get there. And I ask them to go through their closet and do, um, for three to four things. First thing is pull out anything that you're going to donate or consign.   Okay. If you haven't worn it in two years, if it's stained, if it's, you know, that might be a throwaway, but you're going to make those piles, give away, throw away, and then maybe consign if it's something really good. And, you know, this is also based on first having a color analysis.   Like I said before, if you don't have a color analysis, it's very hard for me to go into your closet. Okay. So, that's one thing you do next thing.   We pull up anything that is seasonal from your closet. If you're not wearing it now, because you live where I live and you're not wearing sleeveless or shorts or whatever, put that in a bin, put it away. The other thing is put away a trendy.   Okay. Skinny jeans were a thing, and everybody loved their skinny jeans. Do I think skinny jeans might come back?   They might, if they, if you still like them, if they still fit you, put them in a bin, put your trending kind of clothes, long cardigans aren't in right now. How many long cardigans do you have? You probably have five, you probably have six and you probably love them.   It's okay. I'm not telling you to throw them away, put them in a bin and we're going to store those someplace else. So, there are certain things that you could start doing.   The other thing that I think is very helpful is I line my closet up with my neutrals first, and then my colors, you know, white, black and gray and Navy are my neutrals. I lined those up. Then I start lining up my colors and my patterns.   So, I think that's a very helpful way because, you know, putting outfits together becomes a lot easier because I pick a neutral, I pick a pattern, I pick a color, you know, kind of like you're probably too young for animals where the kids had to match the tags. When we were little, it was like, we went to the store and there was a, you know, a clothing line called grant or animals. And like, you match the monkey with the monkey, the monkey had on the top, the tag was like a monkey and the tag in the bottom.   There you go. There's your clothes. So, I mean, there are systems.   I also love boutiques. And I'm noting that noticing this more about boutiques that are color coded. There's a boutique in my town that you walk in, and she's got all the beige and neutral colors here.   She is all black and white here. She has all her blues here. And wow is easy to shop when they do that for you.   And I think that's coming back. I'm seeing that more, like I said, in independently owned boutiques. I don't think you're going to find that as much.   But even I went into the loft the other day and they had their clothes kind of in a color. So, that I think helps too. That helps a lot.   Laura Dugger: (47:25 - 47:37) That's a great tip for organizing our closet. And is there any edit that you would want to make to our makeup bag or addition that you just think everybody should try?   Carla Gasser: (47:39 - 48:58) We work with a company that does lipstick and lip gloss by color code. And it's called Lipstick Boss Beauty. And I sell that as well.   And I think women underestimate the power of a lip. Now, because I'm so pale, I absolutely need it. You know what I mean?   But even for people who aren't pale, she sells them by color code. And I have samples with me, and I always have women try it on. And they are so surprised at how it brings the look together.   You know, I know a lot of women are intimidated by a lot of makeup, eye makeup, whatever. But I say if you put on a lip gloss, a good foundation and blush and mascara, you don't have to worry about the rest if you're not into it. If you're into it, great, go.   But I also said when you go to Sephora or Ulta or even your local drugstore that has a lot of good makeup that you probably can use, bring your colors with you. That will help you pick out a blush. That will help you pick out a lip color.   But yeah, I think women totally underestimate just a simple lip gloss, tinted lip gloss or lipstick. I think it really pulls things together.   Laura Dugger: (48:59 - 49:11) And I love, I love that idea and just all of your offerings. So, if anybody wants to give this a try, can you share more about the resources that you have available?   Carla Gasser: (49:12 - 51:51) Yeah, I would think that the best place I would send them to is my website, which is just my name, www.carla, with a C, Gasser, G-A-S-S-E-R. And on there, there's a page that has all of my services. And one of the things on there that I keep telling women to take advantage of, you could book a free 15-minute consultation with me.   I do that for everyone. If you just don't even know where to start, and you're like, I just want to learn more. I just want to know how I could do this.   Also, my first client ever was from Canada, virtually. When I first got, you know, she had followed me for my faith resources and all of that. And when she saw I got certified, she reached out to me, and I can do virtual appointments.   If you send in your photo to me, we have a whole system of plugging it in and working through it. And we put a whole presentation, I create a customized presentation for you, and I send it to you. But we talk like this, but you know, I take your photo and I put it into kind of capes like this, but they're digital.   And we see, and so yes, but I would start with looking at my page and then booking that free 15-minute consultation to just ask me, you know, where do I start? What do you offer? And everything's listed there.   So, I also, if you want to be part of my email list, you could sign up online on that same page and you get access to a free style personality quiz. Because style personality, we talked about it a little bit earlier that you don't have to dress like me. We have four style personalities that we kind of curate, but I created a quiz so that you can kind of answer these questions and figure out, oh, I lean more towards this.   And once we do that, then I can tell you more what places to shop because I'm not going to send someone who is more of a casual, a natural chic to a Chico's. That doesn't fit their style. They would probably go to J.   Joe, you know? So, it's kind of that kind of a thing. So, that's just a fun little freebie that I give away if you want to sign up.   And my email list, I usually, my newsletter goes out almost every Tuesday or Wednesday with different tips. I give you links to things. I give you examples.   I'm really good about showing you pictures of things. We talk about trends. We talk about all kinds of things. So, yeah. And that's just free to be part of my newsletter.   Laura Dugger: (51:52 - 52:11) That is incredible. We will certainly link to all of that in the show notes for today's episode, which you can find on your podcast platform. Or if you go to thesavvysauce.com under show notes, you can find all of the links for today's episode. And are you willing to share, what are those four? Did you say personality?   Carla Gasser: (52:12 - 53:39) Yes. One is called natural chic. The next one is called classic modern.   The third one is style fashionista. And the fourth one is creative original. So, I ask you a ton of questions based on like, what do you feel comfortable in or what fabrics you like?   And based on that, you add up, you know, kind of, and if you're mostly A's, you're this, if you're mostly B's, you're this, C's, D's. So, it just helps you. Because again, I think that is a missing piece for a lot of women.   They don't know what their style is. And so, they look at someone like, oh, I love that. But why doesn't that look good on me?   I go, well, does it feel like you? Well, if it doesn't feel like you, then that's why you're not comfortable in it. You know?   And like I said, you know, I like to push the envelope a little bit more. I am not going to be, you know, a classic modern. I am more of a style fashionista or creative original.   I mean, I found this, this is like an old, in a boutique in Italy of all places. If you see, it's kind of like got these raw edges because they took a man's old suit jacket, cut it, and then put all these pearls on it. I mean, you're not going to find that.   And not every person wants to wear something like crazy as that, but I love it. You know? So that's my personality.   But someone else is just like, I just love silk and linen and good cotton. And I like to feel comfortable. Great. I can recommend tons of clothes for you and tons of places to shop.   Laura Dugger: (53:40 - 53:43) I love that. Well, and I think that piece is so fun.   Carla Gasser: (53:43 - 53:44) Thank you.   Laura Dugger: (53:44 - 54:09) And it's so great to see how you dress everything to your personality and you reflect beauty inside and out. But Carl, I think you may already be aware we're called the Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge or insight. And so, as my final question for you today, what is your Savvy Sauce?   Carla Gasser: (54:11 - 55:06) I would say my Savvy Sauce is allowing God to transform me from the inside out and make me beautiful. I love the clothes. I love the fashion and the colors.   I've talked to you about it for over an hour. I could keep talking about it. It is a passion of mine, but if there was a secret Savvy Sauce to that, it would be inviting God in to transform me and make me beautiful from the inside out, because there are a lot of beautiful people out there, right?   But if they're not reflecting God's beauty, then we're missing it. And when I want people attracted to me, it's so that I can share with them the hope that's within, not so I can tell them where to get the best shirt or wear the best color. I want to ultimately bring them the hope of Jesus.   That's why I do it. So, that's my Savvy Sauce.   Laura Dugger: (55:07 - 55:40) Well said, Carla. You are a beautiful woman with a beautiful combination of giftings. I just love that you're a Bible teacher and a color analysis or consultant.   And that's in addition to the many other roles that you hold. But practical chats really do help us to live intentionally. And you've done that for us today.   So, thank you for sharing your fascinating career with us. I love your expertise and I really enjoyed getting to host you. So, thank you for being my guest.   Carla Gasser: (55:40 - 56:05) And thanks for doing what you're doing. I love stuff like this. This is great.   And it's bringing women together. And like you said, it's giving them that practical knowledge that we all need and can look for. There's so many places that you can go to, and not all of that knowledge is uplifting or leading you in the right direction.   So, I'm thankful for people like you who do what you do as well. So, thank you.   Laura Dugger: (56:05 - 59:22) Thank you. Appreciate that. One more thing before you go.   Have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you.   But it starts with the bad news. Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own.   So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved. We need a savior. But God loved us so much.   He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him. That is good news.   Jesus lived the perfect life we could never live and died in our place for our sin. This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished if we choose to receive what he has done for us.   Romans 10 9 says that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. So, would you pray with me now? Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place.   I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you. Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity.   In Jesus name we pray. Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me, so me for him.   You get the opportunity to live your life for him. And at this podcast, we're called the Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned.   So, you ready to get started? First, tell someone. Say it out loud.   Get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it.   You can start by reading the book of John. Also, get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.   We want to celebrate with you too, so feel free to leave a comment for us here if you did make a decision to follow Christ. We also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process. And finally, be encouraged.   Luke 15:10 says, "in the same way I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." The heavens are praising with you for your decision today. And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with.   You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.  

Co-hosts Tony and Ryan dug DEEP into their archives and share the second interview they ever conducted as volunteers for the Library of Congress. It was February of 2003 when they interviewed Frank DeCicco Jr., who served as a waist gunner in B-17s during WW2.Join us as Frank recalls providing first aid to wounded airmen on his bomber, demonstrates how our P-38s and P-51s protected the bomber stream, and the gruesome story of combat in the 8th Air Force over Europe.Support the show

On this episode, I sat down with Max Kats to talk about the pending possibility of a national MLS, what the REAL acquisition of RE/MAX means overall and for independent brokerages, how much longer do agents have, ADHD and so much more. Our Partners:Mosaik: Your sidekick for streamlining operations to empower you as an agent and run a fully transparent process that brings your buyer and seller into the transaction with you. Let mosaik.io take your business to all-new heights! Schedule a consult today!StackWrap: If you are a broker or team leader and want to consolidate your tech stack into one easy-to-use platform to maximize your agents' adoption and usage of the tools you provide, check out StackWrap now by going to www.stackwrap.comJared James Academy: If you are an agent, a broker, or a team leader who knows your agents would benefit from ongoing training with Jared James, did you know you could join Jared James Academy for as little as $99/month? Visit jaredjamestoday.com/academy to learn more about your options for individuals, teams, and brokerages. We can't wait to have you in our community!

In this episode, Simon Belanger joins Daniel Foch for a live macro discussion covering some of the biggest stories in Canada and the U.S. They start with Real Brokerage’s proposed acquisition of RE/MAX, breaking down the deal structure, why RE/MAX shares are trading below the headline offer price, and what the market may be signalling about dilution and the real estate industry. They also discuss Canada’s new Canada Strong Fund, whether it really qualifies as a sovereign wealth fund, and the risks of governments trying to balance commercial returns with politically strategic investments. The conversation touches on government-backed investments in strategic industries, comparisons with U.S. policy under Trump, and the challenge of measuring success when national interest and market returns may eventually conflict. The episode wraps up with a look at the latest Bank of Canada and Federal Reserve decisions, the risk of sticky inflation from higher energy prices, the possibility of stagflation, and why both central banks may be stuck in wait-and-see mode until the data gives them a clearer path forward. Tickers of Stocks Discussed: RMAX, REAX, INTC, MP, LAC, TMQ, X, BAM, SPY, XIU Watch the full video on Our New Youtube Channel! Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us Fan MailReal Brokerage just acquired RE/MAX for $880 million — and if you think this is just another corporate merger, you're missing what's actually happening to the real estate industry in 2026.In this episode, Gary Pickren breaks down what Real's acquisition of RE/MAX means for every real estate agent, whether you're at a major franchise, an independent brokerage, or considering where to hang your license next. This isn't just about two companies combining. It's about who controls the listings, the agent data, and the consumer relationship going forward.What you'll get from this episode:Why Real targeted RE/MAX and what the $880M price tag tells you about where brokerage power is shiftingHow mega-mergers like this one are destroying the traditional franchise model — and what replaces itWhat South Carolina real estate agents need to understand about technology, brand, and independence in a consolidating marketHow to position yourself so you're not caught on the wrong side of this industry shiftIf you're a South Carolina REALTOR or real estate broker trying to make sense of where this industry is heading, this is required listening.Don't forget to like us and share us!Gary* Gary serves on the South Carolina Real Estate Commission as a Commissioner. The opinions expressed herein are his opinions and are not necessarily the opinions of the SC Real Estate Commission. This podcast is not to be considered legal advice. Please consult an attorney in your area.    

Dan Oneil joins The Broke Agent and Jason Cassity to discuss how to get AI to sound exactly like you when making content, how to use Loom AI, and the recent announcement of Real to acquire REMAX.

The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg break down the major industry-shaking news of the week: Real Brokerage acquiring RE/MAX, and what that means for brokerage consolidation, valuation logic, and the future competitive landscape. They then dive into the far bigger strategic battle unfolding between Compass, MLSs like MRED, and portals like Zillow. The discussion centers on private listings, MLS policy fragmentation, and whether the industry is heading toward a full-scale "team vs team" conflict over control of listing data. The episode explores how MLS consolidation, broker strategy, and consumer expectations are colliding—and whether this moment forces the industry into a decisive power struggle. Key Takeaways Real Brokerage acquires RE/MAX A surprising buyer shakes up expectations around consolidation. The valuation gap raises questions about deal structure and long-term strategy. Consolidation is accelerating The deal reinforces a broader trend: bundling, scale, and platform expansion are becoming central to survival. Compass vs Zillow dynamic is escalating The industry is increasingly splitting into competing camps, with MLSs, brokerages, and platforms aligning strategically. MRED move reframes MLS power Opening the door for national listing distribution and cross-MLS participation could shift how MLS boundaries function. Agent behavior is the wild card Whether agents actually join additional MLSs (even if subsidized) will determine how impactful these strategies become. Data control = power The core conflict is about who controls listing visibility—MLSs, brokerages, or portals—and how that affects consumers. Potential "war" scenario If tensions escalate, outcomes could include rule changes, platform retaliation, or a forced industry reset that determines who ultimately sets the rules. Connect with Rob and Greg Rob's Website  Greg's Website  Watch us on YouTube Our Sponsors: Cotality  Notorious VIP The Giant Steps Job Board    Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios

Real Brokerage is buying RE/MAX in an $880 million deal, and the real estate industry may never look quite the same. This week on This Week in Real Estate, we're breaking down one of the biggest brokerage stories in years: Real Brokerage's planned acquisition of RE/MAX. Is this a brilliant consolidation play? A tech-forward brokerage swallowing one of the most recognizable legacy brands in real estate? Or a sign that scale is becoming the only way to survive the next chapter of the housing market? Real CEO Tamir Poleg called the RE/MAX acquisition "the perfect match," but the industry reaction has been anything but quiet. Agents, brokers, franchise owners, and industry veterans are already debating what this means for agent splits, franchise models, revenue share, tech platforms, global brokerage scale, and the future of traditional real estate brands. And that is just where today's show starts. We're also digging into the private listing fight that refuses to go away. Compass is back in the spotlight as questions swirl around private exclusives, while MRED expands its Private Listing Network nationwide with Compass as the first major brokerage to join. The industry keeps saying it wants transparency, but more and more companies are building systems around controlled access, private inventory, and strategic exposure. Then we shift into the housing market, where the spring season is sending some seriously mixed signals. Home price growth appears to be stalling nationally, more sellers are putting homes on the market, mortgage rates are rising again, the Fed is expected to hold rates steady, and buyers are somehow still trickling back into the market. So what is really happening? Are we watching a healthier spring market take shape, or are buyers and sellers just trying to adjust to a high-rate, high-cost, low-affordability environment? We'll also cover HUD's rollback of fair housing guidance around crime stats and school ratings, and why agents need to understand the difference between providing information and creating risk. Today we're talking about:

In this episode of the TNT Business Podcast, we break down one of the biggest shakeups in real estate, Real Brokerage's surprising $880M acquisition of RE/MAX, and what it signals for the future of the industry. From rapid consolidation and tech-driven disruption to MLS strategy and consumer impact, we cover the trends every agent needs to understand right now.Joined by special guest Joseph Klosik, a Real Estate Consultant / Operating Principal / Coach at Keller Williams Realty, we dive into the clash of business models, what this means for agents on the ground, and where real estate is heading next. Don't miss this timely and insight-packed conversation.

Un cambio siempre mueve cosas… y también genera preguntas.En este episodio conversamos sobre la adquisición de REMAX por parte de The Real Brokerage y lo que esto significa para toda la red.Hablamos sin rodeos: qué está pasando, por qué se está dando este movimiento y cómo puedes leerlo desde la oportunidad, no desde la incertidumbre.Porque cuando entiendes el contexto, puedes avanzar con más seguridad.

Today's show is sponsored by The Cost Segregation Guys. If you own investment real estate and haven't looked seriously at cost segregation, you could be leaving significant tax savings on the table. The Cost Segregation Guys help investors accelerate depreciation, improve near-term cash flow, and make more efficient use of capital, all without changing the underlying asset. In a business where preserving cash matters, that's worth paying attention to. If you're interested in learning more, click on the link in the show notes and you'll be able to connect with them directly, and qualify for a discount because you came from the show.  https://costsegregationguys.com/estateespressopodcast/--------------Today, we're looking at a major headline in the brokerage world, the acquisition of RE/MAX for approximately $880 million, and more importantly, what this means, not just for agents or shareholders, but for residential clients and real estate investors.--------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

RE/MAX just got acquired, and this could reshape the entire real estate industry.In this powerful episode of the People Not Titles Podcast, host Steve Kaempf breaks down one of the biggest real estate stories of 2026: the acquisition of RE/MAX by The Real Brokerage, and what it means for agents, investors, and homebuyers, especially in the Chicago market.But that's not all.We go deep into the latest Chicago real estate market trends, including rising home prices, declining inventory, and the growing challenges faced by first-time buyers. If you're wondering whether now is the right time to buy, invest, or wait this episode gives you real, unfiltered insights.Inside this episode:• The RE/MAX acquisition explained (what's really happening behind the scenes)• Chicago housing market data (March 2026 update)• Why home prices keep rising despite market uncertainty• The truth about buyer struggles and affordability• Private listing networks are they helping or hurting buyers?• Real estate industry consolidation and what it means for YOUWhether you're a real estate agent, investor, or someone planning to buy your first home in Chicago or anywhere in the U.S., this episode delivers actionable insights you won't hear anywhere else.Full episodes available at:[www.peoplenottitles.com](http://www.peoplenottitles.com)About the Podcast:People, Not Titles is hosted by Steve Kaempf and is dedicated to highlighting the success principles of top professionals in real estate and business. Our mission is to help you grow, think differently, and win in today's competitive market.Follow & Connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplenottitlesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/peoplenottitlesTwitter: https://twitter.com/sjkaempfSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1uu5kTv00:00 – Breaking News Intro (RE/MAX Shock)00:20 – Why This Deal Matters (Quick Hook Insight)01:15 – RE/MAX Acquisition Explained05:40 – Real Brokerage vs Traditional Model08:30 – Industry Consolidation Trends (Big Picture)11:20 – Chicago Market Overview (March 2026)15:10 – Home Prices Rising: What's Driving It?18:30 – Buyer Struggles & Affordability Crisis22:00 – Mortgage Rates & Demand Reality24:30 – Private Listings Controversy Explained28:00 – National Housing Market Trends31:00 – Final Thoughts & Market Predictions33:00 – Viewer Questions & Closing Thoughts

Plus: Real Brokerage shares fall after agreeing to acquire Re/Max. And Domino's Pizza stock drops after a fall in first-quarter profit. Katherine Sullivan hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. An artificial-intelligence tool assisted in the making of this episode by creating summaries that were based on Wall Street Journal reporting and reviewed and adapted by an editor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-hosts Tony and Ryan dug DEEP into their archives and share the second interview they ever conducted as volunteers for the Library of Congress. It was February of 2003 when they interviewed Frank DeCicco Jr., who served as a waist gunner in B-17s during WW2.Join us as Frank recalls providing first aid to wounded airmen on his bomber, demonstrates how our P-38s and P-51s protected the bomber stream, and the gruesome story of combat in the 8th Air Force over Europe.Support the show

In Episode 206 of the Know Your Sh*t podcast, Josh Cadillac sits down with Amy Lessinger, former President of RE/MAX and performance strategist, to break down what it really takes to stop living by default—and start building a life and business by design.Amy introduces the concept of the “irreversible step”—the moment where you make a decision, take action, and fully commit without looking back. The conversation dives into why most people stay stuck, how fear disguises itself as comfort, and why real transformation only happens when you remove the option to retreat.They explore the mindset of top-performing agents, the difference between focus and distraction, and how elite producers leverage their time to scale results. Amy also breaks down why discipline—not motivation—is the real separator, and how telling yourself the truth is the first step toward real change.This episode is a powerful conversation about ownership, standards, and making the decisions that permanently change your trajectory.

Co-hosts Tony and Ryan dug DEEP into their archives and share the second interview they ever conducted as volunteers for the Library of Congress. It was February of 2003 when they interviewed Frank DeCicco Jr., who served as a waist gunner in B-17s during WW2.Join us as Frank recalls providing first aid to wounded airmen on his bomber, demonstrates how our P-38s and P-51s protected the bomber stream, and the gruesome story of combat in the 8th Air Force over Europe.Support the show

Send Us A MessageMost sellers leave money on the table because they don't know which improvements actually pay off - and which ones are a waste of time and budget. Carley Mann breaks down the room-by-room, dollar-for-dollar approach to getting a home market-ready this spring, from the three surfaces you need to declutter to the exact ROI on a fresh coat of paint. Plus, Brian announces the launch of Carley's new RRES series, First Impressions, covering the design and aesthetic side of real estate.Featured Quote: "You're going to spend, let's say, $7,500 to repaint your whole interior, but you're going to get a $10,000 return on that. So that to me is well worth the investment."What You Will LearnThe three surfaces to declutter in every room before listing (floors, countertops, walls)Why area rugs can shrink your rooms in listing photos — and when to put them backThe top three renovations that deliver the highest return on investmentHow to handle the "what if the buyer doesn't like my choices" objection on new flooringWhy pricing strategy matters more than prep work when speed is the priorityA low-maintenance plant recommendation that keeps your front entry looking fresh all seasonHow early you should start working with your agent before a target list dateThe opinions on this podcast are the hosts and guests involved and not in any way a reflection of RE/MAX or anyone else in the industry.Social Media and Contact InformationWebsite: https://www.raisingrealestatestandards.comLink Tree:  https://linktr.ee/raisingrealestatestandards

Keith Roberts is a transformational speaker and leadership expert. Notably, he is the founder of digital agency Zenman, where he spent 24 years creating innovative solutions for global brands like Frontier Airlines, RE/MAX, and the Lumineers. Keith shares lessons from his entrepreneurial journey and how those experiences shaped his approach to leadership and personal growth. As the creator of the OAK Journal and author of "The Eternal Flame," Keith brings his expertise in business strategy and personal development to help entrepreneurs at every stage.  Links: Keith's Website: https://keithrobertsiii.com The OAK Journal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theoakjournalmethod/ Keith's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zenman42/

This week on the show, agent and team leader Jeremy Byers steps in as a guest host, bringing real-world experience and insight to the conversation. Jeremy shares practical advice for new agents, from what actually matters in your first year to the mindset it takes to build a sustainable real estate career.The guys dive into a major industry headline—Zillow partnering with RE/MAX, Keller Williams, and Berkshire Hathaway to roll out “coming soon” listings from the MLS—and what this could mean for agents, buyers, and the future of how homes are marketed.Finally, the conversation also shifts to UofL basketball, breaking down the current state of the program, Mikel Brown being out for the first weekend of games, and what fans can expect moving forward.Submit your questions for Jay and Ryan to answer on the podcast here!

The listing wars just hit a new level. Zillow rolled out Zillow Preview, teaming up with major brokerages including Keller Williams, RE/MAX, HomeServices of America, Side, and United Real Estate to push pre-market listings into public view on Zillow and Trulia, while insisting the product will operate alongside its Listing Access Standards. Then eXp answered with its own pre-marketing syndication deal across Realtor.com, Homes.com, and ComeHome.com. This week, we break down what this means for agents, sellers, portals, transparency, private inventory, and the future of listing distribution. We're also digging into why more sellers are testing the market before going fully live, and whether this "pre-market" phase could actually increase supply or just create a new battlefield in the portal wars. Redfin says giving sellers room to test pricing and demand before full launch could boost inventory by 6% to 12% in some markets, while industry leaders are already warning this latest Zillow move should be a serious pulse check for the business. On top of that, we tackle one of the week's most uncomfortable stories for the industry: a Florida seller reportedly used ChatGPT, a flat-fee MLS, and an attorney to sell a home without a listing agent and close in just five days. We'll talk about what that does and does not mean for real estate agents, and where human value still matters when consumers start experimenting with AI-driven transactions. Then we zoom out to the broader market: NAR's response to new executive orders aimed at housing affordability and mortgage lending, a hotter inflation backdrop pushing expectations for the next Fed cut further out, refinance demand getting crushed as rates jump, pending home sales rising 1.8% in February, and fresh signs that geopolitical uncertainty is starting to mess with consumer confidence around major purchases like homes and cars. If you want real talk on Zillow Preview, pre-market listings, private inventory, mortgage rates, housing affordability, Fed policy, pending home sales, AI in real estate, and what it all means for agents, buyers, and sellers, this is the episode for you. Join us live every Wednesday, 12 PM CST!

Titus 3:3-8 NIV “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”   *Transcription Below*   Hunter Beless is an author of several children's books including Read It, See It, Say It, Sing It! and Amy Carmichael: The Brown-Eyed Girl Who Learned to Pray. She is also a Bible teacher, co-author of Titus: Displaying the Gospel of Grace and the founder of Journeywomen Ministries, which empowers women to live out their faith through deep commitment to their local church. Hunter hosts the Journeywomen Podcast, sharing resources and insightful conversations with women of faith. She and her husband, Brooks, have four beautiful children, whom Hunter homeschools. You can find her on Instagram @hunterbeless, or at https://www.hunterbeless.com/books. Journeywomen Podcast   Thank You to Our Sponsor: The Sue Neihouser Team   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and subscribing to this podcast!   Questions and Topics We Cover: 1. What rhythms have been most profitable to you (spiritually, relationally, physically, and productively?)  2. In your own home, how have you intentionally helped your children know and love God through Scripture?  3. How is the Gospel useful for not only salvation, but also sanctification?   Similar Episodes from The Savvy Sauce: 16 Reflecting Jesus in Our Relationships with Rach Kincaid 57 Implementing Bite-Size Habits That Will Change Your Life with Author, Blogger, Podcaster, and Speaker, Kat Lee 150 Brain Science and Spiritual Abundance with Ken Baugh 166 Journey from Empty to Well Nourished Soul with Gretchen Saffles  207 Cultivating Character in Our Children with Cynthia Yanof Special Patreon Release Wholehearted Quiet Time with Naomi Vacaro 267 Apologetics with Ray Comfort 274 Holy Spirit Stories and Fruit and Ways to Identify His Guidance in Our Lives with Margaret Feinberg   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”   Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:11)   Laura Dugger: (0:12 - 1:16) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   Thank you to the Sue Neihouser Team for sponsoring this episode. If you're looking to buy or sell a home this season, make sure you reach out to Sue at 309-229-8831. Sue would love to walk alongside you as you unlock new doors.   My guest for today is Hunter Beless, and you may recognize her as the founder of Journey Women Ministries. She's also a podcaster and an author of multiple books, including this recent one, Jesus Loves You More. Hunter is going to share today about all things discipleship.   Here's our chat. Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Hunter.    Hunter Beless: (1:17 - 1:23) Thank you so, much for having me. I just love the concept of this show, and I'm excited to be here with you today.    Laura Dugger: (1:23 - 1:56) Well, I've been looking so, forward to getting to chat with you. You've been on my list for years, so, I'm thankful this worked out. And even, it may have been years ago, but I heard you publicly share that you had chosen to put your faith in Christ in elementary school, I believe. But then as you transitioned into high school, you were open about then choosing to pursue the ways of the world. So, will you just speak to that experience and talk to that teenage girl who's currently facing some similar temptations?    Hunter Beless: (1:56 - 6:39) Oh, that'd be such a privilege to get to speak to any young woman who is in a situation like this. I often think, like, if I would have just had one older friend who was encouraging me in the Lord, who would be willing to testify to God's grace in her life, and who would reach back and try and help me just to continue walking in the grace that he had extended to me through his son, like, I wonder if it would have gone differently for me, Laura. But, you know, the Lord did save me at a young age, and I lived fervently for him, loved God's word, even from a young age.    And I remember, like, seeing groups of people that I wanted to like me, and wanting so, desperately to be accepted by them. But knowing that when I opened the pages of scripture, the Holy Spirit brought conviction to my heart in a way that would not allow me to act in accordance with the things that these groups were doing, in order to be approved of by them. And so, I thought to myself, "Well, maybe I'll just stop reading my Bible so, much." This is about eighth or ninth grade. And, you know, then I won't feel a sense of conviction when it comes to, like, these behaviors that I know I need to, you know, adapt to, in order to be approved of by the people that I deemed, you know, significant. And so, I set my Bible aside.    And it's a really sad story. I mean, as I continued to spend time outside of God's word, I would still go to church with my family and things like that on Sunday mornings. But I just began to look less and less like a follower of Christ, and more and more like the world. And eventually, you know, I spent my entire duration of my high school years doing that. And I have to tell you; I just went back to my 20-year high school reunion. And there was a girl that I saw there. And she told me what a jerk I was in that season of my life. And it was such a wonderful thing to be reminded of what it looks like for me to not be walking in the Spirit, but to be walking in the flesh. And to really have to reckon with, that is what it looks like to be walking like the world.    And I just told her, I said, "You know what, you're completely right." I said, "I was." I was totally looking out for my good and not for the good of others. I was absolutely living for myself and not for the Lord. But by God's grace, when it came time for my senior year of high school, he allowed me to get to the end of myself. And you would have thought, like, looking back, I had the resume, I had the 4.0, I had the salutatorian status, I was the president of my high school senior class. You would have thought, this girl's crushing it. But I had never been more anxious, more depressed, more insecure, more selfish, obviously, as testified to by the girl that I just referenced, than I was in that season of my life.    And I remember I had a youth pastor who had just come into our church. And he said, "Hey," he said, "How's your time in the word looking?" And I said, "Well, I could either lie, or I could tell the truth." And I said, "You know, it's looking pretty, pretty bleak." And he said, "I just want to challenge you to get back in God's word." And at the same time, my dad had a tragic accident. It was a near death accident. And I was kind of reckoned with the brevity of life as a senior in high school. And I cried out to the Lord. And I said, "God, if you really are who you say you are, would you show me who you are through your word?"    And that sparked, Laura, this passion for God's word. And it allowed me then to see the difference in my own life, what it looks like for Hunter to be walking without listening to the voice of God, and what it looked like for Hunter to have her face in her Bible, and to seek to live by God's word. And I tell you what, I probably don't look nearly as impressive by the world's standards. But the joy and the peace, and really just the transformation that the Lord has accomplished in my life through his word, is something that I cannot stop testifying to. And I just cannot encourage women enough, like if you are wrestling with the flesh, to get into God's word, because God works by the power of the Holy Spirit through his word in the lives of his people. And so, that's why really this whole passion has just overtaken my life for God's word.    Laura Dugger: (6:40 - 6:59) Wow, that is incredible to hear that transformation, because God did it, and God can do it again. And God can do it for each one of us listening. But you are so passionate about discipling others. Can you first tell us, what were some of the significant ways that you've been discipled?    Hunter Beless: (7:00 - 10:07) Yeah, well, I went to college, and that was the first time that I had ever really had someone seeking to do spiritual good in my life, outside of my parents. And really, even with my parents, like, you know, sitting down intentionally studying the word, that wasn't a part of our family culture. And so, when I went to college, there was a girl, her name was Meredith. And I remember, she sat down, and she taught me how to read my Bible, for really the very first time. I remember being confronted with some of the truths of scripture, Laura, and I'm like, "That's in the Bible? That disrupts me. Like, I didn't know that, you know?" And so, it was such a wonderful time, just of really kind of being confronted with my own theological ideas from my, you know, lack of ability and time to really understand the message of the text, you know, and then to really reevaluate that and be conformed to the text and to allow it to conform me. So, Meredith had a significant influence in my life in how to study the Bible.    And then I had an older woman named Joyce, who at the time, I believe, was in her late 40s, maybe early 50s. And I just remember, Joyce found out that I began to memorize scripture. So, somewhere along the way, I realized, like, this book is so, significant that I need to start, you know, hiding scripture away in my heart. Some of that was just watching my own grandmother and seeing the way that the Lord had used scripture in her own life. And realizing, like, wow, if my grandmother has these truths hidden away in her heart for this season, and she had dementia, I need to start hiding scripture away in my heart, too. So, Joyce and I really, we started up a group on scripture memory.    And I'll never forget the first time I met her, she said, "Hey, I heard you're starting to memorize Ephesians." I never finished. But she said, "Let's hear it." And so, she just opened up her Bible. And I just started quoting Ephesians. And one of Joyce's coined phrases that at the time I didn't realize was actually scripture itself, she would hold the Bible out in front of me. And she would say, "Hunter, this is no empty word for you, but your very life." And she had so many phrases like that, that I didn't even realize at the time, because I was pretty biblically illiterate, that were the words of scripture themselves. That's Deuteronomy 32:47. And Joyce really embodied that message for me, that scripture is that man doesn't live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. And so, watching her just live with her face in her Bible, proverbially speaking, and seeking to meditate on its truths and live by those day in and day out really transformed who I am even today. And she gave me a picture of what I'd like to look like years down the road.    So, I've had various mentors, but those are some of the first. And the Lord definitely used them in significant ways to do spiritual good in my life.    Laura Dugger: (10:08 - 10:36) And I don't know what kind of life those women lead if they're in public or more private disciplines, but their faithfulness, you just see the impact how it ripples out to bless generations. And even you, Hunter, you're leading this incredible ministry, where you disciple others through helping women know and love God through his word. So, will you share how you ended up getting to do this awesome work that you get to do today?    Hunter Beless: (10:37 - 15:41) Oh, well, the beginnings of this, you would not have thought were awesome. And in fact, you and I were just chatting, and I still am recording out of my closet. And really, it's all just been an overflow of what the Lord has been doing in my own life. And I did feel like along the way, I just, I began to just love learning from older women. And I do think that's a biblical, like scriptural kind of practice. You look at Titus 2, you see the older women are to teach the younger women what is good. I was a younger woman who loved learning from older women. And so, I had this, over the years, this just long list of women who had invested in me who had, you know, testified to God's grace in their life, who had taught me the scriptures.    And when my husband Brooks and I were in the military, we found ourselves on post. And just due to the transiency of a military lifestyle, the churches around military installations tend to be a little bit tired, sometimes depleted, because people in the military are moving so, frequently. So, it's hard, right, to have continuity to see people through in their discipling process and all of that. And so, I really missed those mentors that I'd had from college, and the year after college, after coming into marriage. And so, I thought to myself, like, man, I want the other women. I was also interfacing with either believers or non-believers who really had never been discipled. And I thought, man, I just wish I could get you with Joyce, or I wish I could get you with Meredith. I wish I could connect you, you know, with X, Y, or Z woman from the past couple of years.    And so, I thought, I also simultaneously was listening to a lot of podcasts because I was super lonely. Just because, you know, moving into a new culture, and then my husband was gone at least 50% of the time for training or deployment. And so, I'd be walking along the military installation listening to like sermon audio, like John Piper or Timothy Keller or whatever. And I thought, man, I wish that there was a conversational podcast about theology for women that would just be more warm and kind of like what we're doing right now. And my husband was like, "Well, you should start it." And so, I just started with the women who had mentored me. If you go back to the very beginning of the podcast, it's truly like my college roommates. It's my mentors from Pine Cove Christian Camps where Brooks and I met.    And I think I just by God's grace, the podcasting network was so, small at the time. I remember Journey Women landed in the number two spot right behind Joel Osteen whenever the thing launched. And so, then from there, it just gave the podcast some notoriety, which is what then allowed, you know, some of the names that you would recognize to reach out and to say, "Hey, you know, could we come on the podcast?" And at the time, I had no knowledge of, you know, how to market people marketing books or any of that Bible studies, etc. And yeah, it was a really fun season, actually, because it was pre-COVID. And you know, people weren't used to doing a whole lot online. And so, had some really, really fun conversations. And along the way, the Lord has helped me to hone in more of a vision of what I'm doing. Because at first, it was just like, let's get in the closet and have like fun, intentional conversations that I could share with my girlfriends or with maybe the military spouse that I'm meeting on the playground that I may never see again, you know.    And then along the way, people started even wanting to donate to the podcast and different things like that. And I thought, I really need to have a clearer aim. And so, now, you know, over the past eight years, the Lord has given us this mission to help women know and love God through his word, to find their hope in the gospel and to invest deeply in their local churches as they go out on mission for the glory of God. And some of that came and Laura, I'm sure you face this from women really seeking out discipling online, and us realizing we can't disciple you. Like, we cannot come alongside you and help you to grow in godliness, you know, but we can do that via the interwebs. But the degree to which we're able to do that is super-duper limited. And so, what does it look like for us then to equip women so, that then they would be encouraged to seek out fellowship in the local church, and to be investing their time, energy and talents in the local church. And so, that's become kind of our resounding gong at Journey Women over the years, just because we really do believe that ministry happens best in the context of the local church. And that's something that the Lord has validated through seeing women reaching out online and realizing like, hey, we could never, you know, provide what they need. But God in his grace has given us the local body that is able to do that.    Laura Dugger: (15:42 - 19:08) So, well said, because this is a great place that we can meet people anytime what is most convenient for them with a podcast. But then also, so, that's great for sowing seeds. But there's nothing that replaces that embodied relationship. And it just makes me think of God that he created us that way. And he knew it because Jesus even being embodied, little baby sent to earth, so, nothing replaces that. And, Hunter, I just I love hearing about your public ministry and the way the Lord has blessed and grown it.    And now a brief message from our sponsor. With over 28 years of experience in real estate, Sue Neihouser of the Sue Neihouser Team is a RE/MAX agent of Central Illinois, and she loves to walk alongside her clients as they unlock new doors. For anyone local, I highly recommend you call Sue today at 309-229-8831. And you can ask her any real estate questions. Sue lives in Central Illinois and loves this community and all that it has to offer. When unlocking new doors with her clients, Sue works hard to gain a depth of understanding of their motivations and dreams and interests in buying and selling their home. And then she commits to extensive market research that will give them confidence in their decision. Sue truly cares for each of her clients and the relationship she forms with each family along the entire home buying or selling process. This was absolutely our experience when we worked with Sue and her team. The house that we desired at the time was actually not even on the market, but Sue had a connection and was able to ask those homeowners if they would be willing to sell. She was timely in her response as she walked us through this whole process, and she helped us sell our home with the right offer coming in hours after it was listed. We kept saying she's thought of everything. And Sue's continued generosity was astonishing. I remember one afternoon after we had settled into our new home, and she was knocking on the door dropping off a goodie bag for our family that came from the local bakery. Our daughters also loved getting to know Miss Sue as she assisted us in finding truly our dream home.    So, whether you're looking to buy a home for the first time, or looking to upgrade or downsize, or making the big decision to move to an assisted living from your home of many years, Sue will be there to help you navigate the big emotions and ensure the process is smooth and stress free, and that the new doors to be unlocked are ready and waiting for more memories to be made. So, call her today at 309-229-8831 or visit her website at sueneihouser.com. And that is sueneihouser.com. Thanks for your sponsorship.   I'd also love to hear a little bit more about your personal life. So, what does a day in the life look like for Hunter Beless?    Hunter Beless: (19:09 - 21:25) Well, I think if somebody joined me in a day in a life, in this season, Laura, I feel like I'm too busy. I have committed to too much. And so, what it looks like practically, it's going to be a lot of time running from this or that event and just trying to do the things that I committed to before or some of the other things that the Lord has allowed in my life came to fruition. But just leaning into him for the grace that I need moment by moment, you know, and trusting that he is the same and that he has provided all of the grace that I need. His grace is sufficient for me, you know, as I'm running errands and facing the temptation to feel anxious or overwhelmed that, you know, I think it's Luke 12, where it's talking about how I can't even add a moment, not even the smallest amount of time to my life by worrying. So, I'm just going to entrust all of this to the Lord.    So, for me, I wonder how many women are listening to this and that they can relate to this because I talked to various people who they don't have a podcast, but they don't have the same work as me, but they feel that same temptation towards anxiety and the feelings of overwhelms that we all face, you know, and yeah, I think my life probably looks a lot like many of y'all's. And for me, it's just the constant meditation on scripture and just rehearsing the truths of God's word that are never changing, even in the midst of my ever-changing and chaotic circumstances. So, it doesn't seem to change even if I do a better job, which I could have done, planning my schedule or, you know, prayerfully considering the commitments that I made, but just resting and knowing that he is unchanging and that he is ever-present and that he is all-knowing and that he has provided everything that I need and his son.    So, that is what it looks like. Every day looks different, but again, leaning into the truths of God's word, meditating on those truths, rehearsing those truths over and over, and resting in the grace that the gospel provides. That's the thing that never changes.    Laura Dugger: (21:27 - 22:06) And I love that overview because if we look from the outside, you're homeschooling, you run this ministry, you have a podcast, and you're cooking healthy recipes for your family, but I'm sure do you also have weekly patterns? Because to me, it's a stewardship issue. You've been faithful with little, it sounds like, so, he has given you the opportunity to be faithful in much, and it's a season of much where you've written books and produced all this content. So, do you have a system in place or rhythms throughout the week that have helped you live that full, abundant life?    Hunter Beless: (22:06 - 24:19) Yeah, that's a really good question. Obviously, the weekly rhythm that we always start with is worshiping with the saints on Sunday. I look forward to that like no other. And we are in a church that the Lord is just so, gracious to have provided a pastor who prioritizes the preaching of the word and who is consistently proclaiming the gospel from the pulpit. And so, Laura, on the weeks where I feel like I have been so, busy that I have not spent the time in God's word that I would desire, just the recognition that going to church on a Sunday is such a blessing to get to receive God's word. And so, there have been many times that I just show up and I'm just like, "Thank you, Lord." Thank you for the provision of your word. Thank you for the provision of the body of Christ. And so, Sundays are just like a non-negotiable for us. We go to church on Sundays. And then, you know, we have various things. My kids are actually homeschooled on two days out of the week or three days out of the week. And then, they go to school two days. So, we do like a university model is what it's called. And so, on the three days that they are home, I am full tilt homeschooling, doing everything home-related.    And in fact, I have had to learn that part of their education is also helping care for our home. And so, we really see it as a team effort to keep the home, like, tidy and running and functioning well, so that we can, you know, spend as much time in it as we do, like, with happy hearts. And then, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I typically am in this closet working while the children are at school. Saturdays, we rest together as a family. We spend a lot of time outdoors. I also make bread regularly. And I think there's something liturgical for me about making bread. And, like, when everything else feels, like, a little bit chaotic and out of my control, the beauty of just doing a simple task like making bread to provide food for my family and nourishment is something that really brings me great joy. So, Saturdays are also bread-making days. And then, the week begins again. That is awesome.    Laura Dugger: (24:19 - 24:41) I love hearing that. And it makes me curious to go even a little bit further. I'll give you a few categories, but I'd love to hear what rhythms in these categories have been most profitable to you. So, when you think of it spiritually, physically, relationally, and just productively, how you stay creatively fresh.    Hunter Beless: (24:41 - 28:24) Yeah. You know, spiritually for me, and I'm a mother of, like, young children, right? So, my kids are ranging from age 11 to age 3. I would say we're still in a season in which sleep is a little bit unpredictable, particularly in those early waking hours. But I do my very best to try and get in God's Word first. And that is not because I want to check it off the list, but because I need the people in my home and beyond. So, really trying to just orient myself rightly to the truths of God's Word first thing is huge. I also do try to work out. So, that gets to the physical piece. I neglected working out for many years. I actually, hilariously, was a personal trainer when we were back in the military. And that was kind of my gig while Brooks was gone. And so, I know how to work out, and I enjoy working out. But with the children, it has been a difficult thing for me to prioritize. But just this last year, I got, this is the most, like, basic thing ever. I got a Peloton. I bought it secondhand off of Marketplace. And it has just been a wonderful way for me to sweat and exercise my body first thing in the morning without, you know, really requiring a whole lot. I don't have to leave the house. I don't have to go outside or anything, because Brooks does travel quite a bit still for work. And so, I try to ride the Peloton. Doesn't always happen. Happens less than it does, than I want for it to, but it does help.    And then, yeah, relationally is really, that's a really good question. I think one thing that the Lord has blessed me with, having lived a season of extreme transiency, right? So, we did eight years of military. And then, we did two years at, you know, university where Brooks got his MBA. And now, we're in our first, like, what we would call, like, a civilian kind of location, where he's got his first civilian job. We're almost 15 years deep into marriage now. And so, all of the friendships that I made along those eight years of moving almost annually. I think we moved, like, six or seven times in eight years. Yeah, just trying to maintain those relationships. I only have one or two from each duty station, but I love using Voxer or Voice Memo to keep in touch with people who have known me for, you know, a longer time. And that's just one thing that's really fun. I have to be careful not to let that overtake my time on my phone, but I do love to keep in touch with old friends. And they are some of the friends that the Lord has used just really to help me navigate the various challenges that we face, right, in life and relationally in marriage and all of that.    So, anyways, and relationally in marriage, Brooks and I were really just relishing in the friendship that God has given us with one another. I don't think it's been easy over the years, especially with all of the transiency and all of the deployments and all of the many moves that we've faced. But God has really just given us a true appreciation for one another. And to begin to see now, 15 years into marriage, that the differences that He has given each of us are a gift to help us be conformed into the image of His Son. So, that's some of it, spiritually, physically, relationally. Did I miss anything?    Laura Dugger: (28:25 - 28:32) Just even productively as you're creating content, how do you stay creatively inspired and fresh?    Hunter Beless: (28:33 - 30:55) Yeah, I love, my friend Gretchen Stoffels has a lot of wonderful things to say about this. She talks a lot about producing from the overflow and not the undertow. And that's ministered to me over the years. I find a lot of times when I am not creatively fresh, it's either because I'm overproducing or because I'm not honestly spending, most of what I do is all revolving around God's Word. So, it's like if I'm not spending time in God's Word and allowing myself to just be struck anew with truths from the text, then what do I have to share? So, that helps me too in knowing when am I overcommitted? Because if I don't have time then to be relishing in God's Word, not for the sake of producing something, but just like you said, just being struck and wonder by who God is, then I really need to reevaluate the commitments that I'm making and slow things down a bit. And so, that's kind of what has helped me to protect that time with the Lord so that then I would have something to offer others.    And I don't just think about it in terms of producing a podcast or writing a book or sending out a newsletter. I mean, honestly, even with the children, this has been something that I've been thinking about for the last six to eight months. If I want them to understand how God's Word informs all of life, then I need to be with my face in my Bible because who is it that they spend the most time with, right? All throughout their life. Like, it's me. And so, I get to then help them realize like, oh, here is how Scripture applies to all these different circumstances. But if I don't spend time in God's Word, then I've got nothing to give. And I have a friend who was a missionary actually in a remote country with the IMB. And I asked her, I said, "How did you ever evangelize with people in this remote context from this different religion and all of this?" And she said, "You know what, I just had to be so, filled up with God's Word that that's what came out." And I think about that all the time. So, when I'm feeling dry, I'm like, "Oop, oop, that's a good sign. I need to go back to God's Word."    Laura Dugger: (30:56 - 31:07) I love that. And let's go there then in your own home. How have you intentionally helped your children to know and to love God through Scripture?    Hunter Beless: (31:09 - 33:52) This is going to sound really selfish, but, you know, this whole endeavor, right, I've realized the significance of God's Word in my own life. And so, I'm constantly thinking, Laura, like, how am I going to get into God's Word? You know, like, that's, it sounds selfish. But if I really believe that I need God's Word for all of life, I'm going to have to figure out how am I going to get that in. And then it's wonderful because I get to bring the children along in that. So, maybe that's just like a fresh take on it, right? Because we're always thinking as mothers, like, how can we be investing in our children more heavily in all of these things? And I think those are good and right desires. Obviously, Deuteronomy speaks to that. You know, we're supposed to teach our children diligently the ways of the Lord. But I think it's just so refreshing when we come to the text as learners, as co-learners. And so, for me, I'm just always thinking, like, how can we learn together who God's Word is? How can we worship the Lord together in our home?    And then it helps me see those times, right, when you are offering instruction to the children, when you are being intentional about, you know, for us, we do, like, catechesis, for example, which is a series of questions and answers just to help disseminate doctrinal truths and help the children learn, like, here are, you know, foundational doctrine of the Christian faith. Then I'm not just like, "Okay, who is God? You know, God is the Spirit." I'm, like, thinking about the things that we're learning in a way where I also am seeking to learn as well. And I think that just gives a posture of humility, too. Like, as a parent, where it's not like, "You gotta learn your Bible verse this week, kid." You know, it's like, "We get to, we get to, look, we get to learn God's Word together, you know?" And then that helps them understand the joy of learning God's Word. And it also gives them a very real picture of a parent who's being transformed by the truths of God's Word. What better witness is there? And so, really, I've stopped seeing it as, "Hey, here's our time," you know, which we do have.    And practically, for us, a lot of that happens around the table because I've realized that, like, when children are well-fed, when they have something to do with their hands, they may be a little bit more prone to, like, have open ears, ready to hear, you know, instruction. But we do have those rhythms kind of in place, but I don't want it to be relegated to those rhythms. I want it to be all of life. I want us to understand it doesn't just mean we're gonna sit here over breakfast and do our Bible reading for the day. This is something that is really going with us through the day because we need it not just for this moment, but for all of life.    Laura Dugger: (33:53 - 35:38) You draw so much wisdom there, and I think especially that it's not an either-or, having that set-aside rhythm and time, or just hoping it'll be incorporated into all of life. But it's both.   I want to make sure that you're up to date with our latest news. We have a new website. You can visit thesavvysauce.com and see all of the latest updates. You may remember Francie Henrichsen from Episode 132, where we talked about pursuing our God-given dreams. She is the amazing businesswoman who has carefully designed a brand-new website for Savvy Sauce Charities, and we are thrilled with the final product, so, I hope you check it out. There you're going to find all of our podcasts, now with show notes and transcriptions listed, a scrapbook of various previous guests, and an easy place to join our email list to receive monthly encouragement and questions to ask your loved ones, so, that you can have your own practical chats for intentional living. You will also be able to access our donation button, or our mailing address, for sending checks that are tax-deductible, so, that you can support the work of Savvy Sauce Charities and help us continue to reach the nations with the good news of Jesus Christ. So, make sure you visit thesavvysauce.com today.   Even going back to the heart of this conversation of discipleship, Hunter, how do you think the local church, and especially older women in the community, can play a vital role in encouraging young people to love Scripture?    Hunter Beless: (35:40 - 39:34) You know, I love this question, and I just, I cannot overemphasize the value of older women who love God's Word in the church enough. You know, I think in the culture, we're hearing and seeing that, you know, it's not good to grow old. I mean, that's being perpetuated by all of the Instagram ads that we receive, and by seeing shiny faces that look like they haven't aged one bit. And I'm like, "No, God's Word says that women, older women in particular, have tremendous value in the family of God." And so, I think I want older women just to realize, like, we need you. And in fact, no one is exempt. No woman is exempt from the Titus 2 mandate to teach the younger women what is good. And how do we know what's good? Well, we know God alone is good. And because God is good, we know His Word is good. And if you don't have any clue, like how to reach back and invest in the next generation, I have great news for you. All you need is God's Word.    So, I mean, the littlest learners, the children in the community, I think they are the most gracious recipients of anybody in our community, you know, just when it comes to God's Word. And so, look for ways that you can encourage the younger people in your sphere of influence, in your local church, with God's Word. And often I think that just starts with maybe even meditating on one verse. You know, it can be that simple. Or for me, one way that I want to encourage, you know, the children in my life with God's Word is by identifying ways that I see God working in their lives and naming it. I mean, how encouraging would that be if an older saint in the church said, "Hey, you know, I don't know, my oldest daughter's name is Hadley. Hey, Hadley, like, I see God working in you. You are showing kindness, you know, to the other children in the church. Thank you so much for that. And I'm just praising God for the work he's doing in your life," you know.    But I think in order for them to do that, right, they have to be willing to be inconvenienced by being around the children. And we just had a sermon on this, a wonderful sermon from the book of Mark about Jesus saying, "Let the little children come to me." And so, I think just realizing that Jesus himself, right, he was unbothered. He delighted in the presence of children. So, I think in our older age, you know, especially after you have young kids and you've done all of your time, you know, investing in the next generation in that way, just realizing that there is value in serving in kids' ministry or children's ministry in the church and just getting around the children to be able to give yourself the opportunity to know them in a way where you can meet them with the truths of God's Word. It could also be just having younger families in your home. And I know that can be such an inconvenience. I mean, we're a hot mess. We are so chaotic. And I know, you know, you even have to consider the breakables. Like, you got to protect those, you know, when we come into the house. But figure out, like, what does hospitality look like where we can welcome in younger children, the families with younger children in the home, seek to encourage the parents. I mean, truly, Laura, what else are we doing here? Like, we have been given two things. We have been given the mission of evangelizing and discipling. And that message is the same.    At the heart of both of those things is the gospel. The gospel is for salvation and for sanctification. And so, if you're an older person in the church, keep meditating on the gospel. Keep, you know, seeking to disseminate the truths of the gospel to everybody around you. And remember, the littlest of these, I think, are the most eager learners. And it's such a great opportunity.    Laura Dugger: (39:36 - 39:52) Goodness, I love that. And as you say, disseminate these truths of the gospel for both salvation and sanctification. Can you even share clearly what is that gospel that applies to everyone?    Hunter Beless: (39:53 - 43:58) Oh, yes. I mean, this is the good news that I continually am rehearsing over and over and over again. I think for me, you know, I realized as a young child that the gospel was for salvation, right? That I love the Titus 3. You know, I just wrote this Bible study on Titus with Courtney Docter. If you don't have, like, a great comprehensive kind of gospel text that you've got in your back pocket, I think Titus 3:3-7 is a wonderful text to commit to memory. It says, "So, we are sinners." Romans 3:23. You know, we were created by God to glorify him. And yet, we have chosen to glorify ourselves. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." So, we too were once foolish. I think it's easy to see that when you really think about your life. You know, like, even me testifying to my life in high school. We too were once foolish. There's no getting around that. But we too, let me see, where am I now? "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us," "not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy," So, how does he save us? Well, he sent his son, Jesus. When did the kindness of God our Savior appear? Well, it appeared over 2,000 years ago. In a stable in Bethlehem. When, like you said, God sent his son to live a perfect life. And then he gave his life on the cross so, that we might have right relationship with God. He saved us. Not by works of righteousness, but according to his mercy, "By the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit."    So, when, and by the way, he rose from the grave. Let's see, is that in here? I don't know. But let's see. That one's not in this particular gospel text of Titus 3:3-7. But we know that from the gospels, right? That Jesus Christ died on the cross. And that he rose again three days later. Overcoming death. So, that we too might not have to experience eternal death. We get to experience eternal life. When we turn from our sin and trust in him. And that's when that washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit happens. We're filled with the spirit. He's poured out his spirit on us. Verses 6 and 7 says, "whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." And so, I think part of what it looks like for us to live with that hope of eternal life. Is to constantly be reflecting upon who we were apart from Christ. Who we are in Christ. And who we will be when we one day see Christ again. Face to face. And so, that for me is what it looks like. Just to relish in the gospel. To remember the gospel.    Even when I was talking earlier, Laura, about feeling overwhelmed. The temptation for me then is to feel down on myself. And to wrestle with shame. Because I've over committed, right? But I'm rehearsing the truths of the gospel to myself in that moment. And saying, "Okay. Yes, could I have planned my schedule better? Yes, could I have done all these things? But you know what? I, by God's grace, get instead to rest in the grace that the gospel provides for me in this moment. Knowing that with all these various responsibilities, I am not going to be executing them perfectly. But he has perfectly accomplished my salvation on the cross. And so, I can rest in his son. Knowing that my salvation is not based on my perfect performance. But on the performance of Christ." And that then again helps me then to relish in the gospel. To remember the gospel, like I said, is not just for that moment of salvation or justification. When we're saved from our sins and made right with God. But it's also for every moment of every day. Because we need it all the time. At least I do.    Laura Dugger: (44:00 - 44:20) Yes, absolutely. And I think we can hear that or repeat that so, often. But I love how you unpack it. Because especially for those who have been saved. When they rely on the gospel for sanctification. Can you give any more examples of what that looks like? Specifically for sanctification after the salvation?    Hunter Beless: (44:21 - 46:35) Yeah. I think it's just coming to a greater understanding of our desperate need for Jesus. And then as we rely on him more wholly. I think we're conformed even more into the image of his son. Just after that gospel hymn in Titus 3. Verse 8 says, "The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works." So, what is sanctification? Well, sanctification is growing in godliness. Or said another way, it's growing in good works. Right? So, we're not saved because of our good works. We're saved by the gospel so, that then we can produce good works. By God's grace. That's the sanctification process. And so, how does that happen? Well, verse 8 tells us, "The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things." What does it want us to insist on? It wants us to insist then on the contents of the gospel from Titus 3:3-7. So, we need to, in order to grow in our ability to do good to others. What do we do? We insist on the gospel.    And how does that work? Well, when I am feeling, again, overbooked, overwhelmed. And somebody comes into my life that needs service. If I'm functioning by the world's wisdom, what am I going to say? "You know what? I just don't have the margin for that. I can't do that. I need to protect my time." But if I'm looking at the gospel, what do I see? Well, I see what Christ died for me. Was that act of service self-protective in any way? No. So, what does it look like for me then to lay down my life for the good of another? And that's how the gospel then informs our living in such a way that we begin to grow by God's grace, not by our own effort, in godliness. So, I think that's how the sanctification process kind of works itself out.    Laura Dugger: (46:35 - 46:54) Thank you so much for sharing that. And you've taught us already so, much in this time together. But you've also written a book recently for children. Can you tell us a little bit more about it and share the lasting truths that you want to impart to children who get to read or listen to your book?    Hunter Beless: (46:55 - 49:47) Yeah. I think it started for me with really thinking about what are those kinds of scriptural, biblical truths that I want to offer to the children in these everyday moments like we've been talking about. My son, I already shared, he's been struggling with sleep for the last year or so,. And he'll come tumbling down the stairs in the middle of the night. And my initial reaction to that is to want to say, "It's okay. Mommy's here." Right? And that's true. And I do think that offers some temporal comfort. And it is a good thing for a mother to be present in the time of a child's need. But thinking more deeply, I began to say, "Buddy, God is with you. You have no need to fear." And the reason for that is because I started thinking about, well, what if mommy wasn't here? What if I wasn't able to be here? And some of that came just from having lost my own father in the last few years to cancer spontaneously. And just thinking, like, what are the lasting truths that I then want to impart to my children when I'm no longer able to be present? So, it is true. It's comfort that mommy is here in your time of need. But also, even when mommy's not able to be here, remember, God is with you always.  And it's been such an encouragement for me then to even see him, like, on the playground and his little buddy will get hurt. And he'll turn and he'll tell his buddy, like, "It's okay. God's with you." You know what I'm thinking? "That's so, good. Like, this is the kind of stuff that I want to be just ingrained within the children so, that their initial reaction is, 'It's okay. God is with me.'" Similarly, the message that is repeated throughout the book is, "Jesus Loves You More". And that was really instigated from one of my children requesting for me to say over and over again this popular phrase that we've all heard, "I love you to the moon and back." And I started thinking, like, "Okay, that's true. I do. I love you to the moon and back. I love you to the, you know, mountaintop and to the ocean floor. I love you as far as the east is from the west. But there is one who loves you even more than I ever could. And in fact, when my love fails you, His never will." And so, I wanted to get that.    If there's one message that I want my kids to know, it's that. It's that Jesus loves them so, much that he went all the way to the cross at Calvary and gave his very life so, that they could be made right with God. So, that's the message that I hope kids will take away from the book. I do hope that it inspires parents to think about what are those lasting truths that they want to impart to their kids. And I hope it equips them then to be able to share what I believe as Christian parents is the most important message we could ever give.    Laura Dugger: (49:48 - 49:54) I just want to acknowledge too, I'm so, sorry for the sudden loss of your father in recent years.    Hunter Beless: (49:55 - 50:19) Well, thank you. Yeah, it's, you know, my kids were just saying as we were hiking this last weekend, they're like, "We miss puppy." But we're like, I'm at a point now where I did go through many years of grief, missing him, you know, all of this. But just relishing in the fact that he's in the presence of the Lord Jesus. And I am just so grateful because he's in a much better place. So, I'm looking forward to the day that I get to join him there. Amen.    Laura Dugger: (50:20 - 50:28) Well, Hunter, you've already given us so much, but where can we go to continue being discipled by you after this conversation?    Hunter Beless: (50:30 - 51:14) Well, if you like conversations like this, you know, I infrequently show up at Journey Women. We used to do a weekly show and then it turned to bi-weekly and now we're seasonal. But I do love having conversations just like this. And I hope that, you know, just as our conversation today, I hope it encourages women just to get together, like you said, with women in their local context to open up God's word. And just to go deeper, relationally, conversationally, to come together around the truths of God's word. You've asked such great questions, Laura. And I think take some of these questions and ask your friends and see where the Lord guides those conversations. I think that'll just be such a blessing. It's been a blessing to meet and chat with you today.    Laura Dugger: (51:15 - 51:32) Well, I've loved every minute. And you may already be familiar that we're called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge or insight or discernment. And so, as my final question for you today, Hunter, what is your Savvy Sauce?    Hunter Beless: (51:34 - 52:28) Oh, you try to nail me down to something practical. It's funny, Laura, because I feel like I resist practical. And I'm not sure what it is about me that resists practical other than maybe sometimes I felt like bound in by people's practical advice. Does that make sense? And so, for me, here's my practical advice. My practical advice is to allow all of your practices or your practicals to be informed by the principles of the text. So, allow the principles of scripture to inform your practice. And that's not very practical, but I think the only practical way you can do that is to get your face in your Bible and to really seek to know and love God through his word. And then he will certainly help inform your practice.    Laura Dugger: (52:30 - 56:34) I think that's actually more practical than you realize. That is wonderful. And Hunter, your joy and your laugh are just contagious. And you're clearly gifted from the Lord as a clear, articulate communicator. And it blesses so, many people in so many generations because you are able to filter in the truth and then communicate it in a way that's able to be received. So, it's been so encouraging to sit under your teaching and be inspired to take this out and to hopefully begin in our home. But also, those good works, as we're called as older women, too. None of us are exempt, as you said. So, I've just thoroughly enjoyed being with you. Thank you for being my guest. Thank you so much for having me. It's been so fun.   One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a savior, but God loved us so much. He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.   That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life. We could never live and died in our place for our sin.   This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished. If we choose to receive what he has done for us, Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   So, you pray with me now. Heavenly father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you.   Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus name we pray.   Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me. So, me for him, you get the opportunity to live your life for him.   And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you're ready to get started.   First, tell someone, say it out loud, get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it.   You can start by reading the book of John. Also get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.   We want to celebrate with you too. So, feel free to leave a comment for us here. If you did make a decision to follow Christ, we also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process.   And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “in the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.   And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

International speaker, real estate leader, and coaching expert Ben Fairfield breaks down why consistency beats intensity in today's real estate market and how agents can build scalable, predictable businesses by shifting from a salesperson to a business owner mindset.Drawing from a 21-year career holding executive roles at major brands like Keller Williams, eXp Realty, and RE/MAX, Ben explains why agents struggle with productivity, how to audit lead sources for maximum return, and the critical importance of clarity, accountability, and belief in leadership.This pre-recorded episode reveals how to identify productivity leaks, protect your schedule for dollar-producing activities, and future-proof your business against shifting markets and AI by becoming a hyper-local market authority. If you feel stuck in your production or overwhelmed by shiny object syndrome, this conversation delivers a practical, no-fluff roadmap for creating sustainable success and lasting relationships.Here's what you will discover in this episode…•Why consistency beats intensity and how to avoid agent burnout•The essential mindset shift from salesperson to business owner•How to audit your lead sources and double down on what actually works•The three critical elements every agent needs: clarity, accountability, and belief•How to identify common productivity leaks and build foolproof follow-up systems•Why relationships and hyper-local expertise will future-proof your business against AIJUMP TO THESE TOPICS00:00 –