The Performance Mindset Show

Growth can expose cracks once covered. In this episode, Amy talks with Melissa Franks, Founder of On Call COO and fractional COO, about what changes when a company can no longer rely on its founder to make every decision. Drawing on 20 years in corporate leadership, from administrative assistant to COO of a $350 million business, Melissa explains why founders stall after early success. She shares...

What if the next chapter of success is measured by what a community can grow? In this episode, we talk with John Rivers, founder of 4Roots Farm and 42 Acres and chairman of 4 Rivers, about turning business experience into service. Rivers reflects on leaving daily leadership at 4 Rivers, recognizing where his strengths fit, and trusting others to lead. He traces 4Roots’ roots to local food insecuri...

Most people think a mortgage is just a rate and an approval, but Aaron Marsh, Founder of Marsh Lending, shows how financing can become a core part of a wealth strategy. We talk about how growing up in a real estate family shaped Aaron’s approach, why he built a firm around relationships instead of one-off transactions, and how he uses lending structures to support a client’s long term goals rather...

Built to last companies rarely happen by accident. We talk with Phil Calandrino, Founder & Attorney at Forward Law Firm and Amy’s husband, about what nearly three decades of advising business owners has taught him about turning a business into lasting wealth. Phil explains why execution usually matters more than having a brand-new idea, how process and delegation separate an owner with “a good...

What if the arts are about far more than entertainment? Theresa Smith-Levin, Founder and Executive Director of Central Florida Vocal Arts, sees the arts as a powerful way to build connection, confidence, and community. We explore how her organization has expanded access to arts education and performance opportunities while growing into a lasting community presence. Theresa shares lessons on leadin...

In this episode, we introduce you to Christi Ashby, founder and publisher of Orange Appeal, and her perspective on local media, leadership, and Orlando’s growth. We hear how a childhood love of magazines led to a women-focused publication launched in 2008 as the economy collapsed and how small businesses and nonprofits helped keep the magazine alive. Christi shares how she earns reader trust, choo...

Longtime investors do not win because they find magical properties; they win because they choose the right people, think clearly, and stay patient through every cycle. We talk with Joel Kraut, Founder of BRRRR Loans and author of 7 Steps to Financial Freedom, about why real estate is more about partners, discipline, and emotional resilience than cap rates and quick flips. Joel shares hard lessons...

Success under pressure is never accidental. It is built through preparation, integrity, and a commitment to doing the right thing when the stakes are highest. In this episode, we sit down with Mark O'Mara, Founder and Lead Attorney of O'Mara Law Group, to explore how more than four decades in the legal profession have shaped his approach to leadership, decision-making, and long-term success. Mark...

Building a successful business takes more than ambition. It requires long-term thinking, trusted relationships, and strategic decisions that create lasting value. We have a conversation with Dan Hilken, Regional Market President at Seacoast Bank, to discuss the lessons he's learned from working with small and medium-sized businesses through decades of economic cycles. Dan shares why resilient busi...

What makes a company stand out when everyone is competing for attention? Courtney Ettus is Chief Marketing Officer of REsimplifi, Inc., and a respected voice in commercial real estate, brand strategy, and leadership. In this episode, she shares why trust, consistency, and authenticity matter far more than marketing tactics in today's crowded marketplace. Drawing on a career spanning fashion, globa...

A failed family retail business, a changing industry, and a willingness to think differently became the foundation for a career built on discipline, adaptability, and long-term value creation for Andy Weiner. Andy is the Founder and CEO of RockStep Capital, and on this episode, we talked about what it takes to invest successfully through multiple market cycles while staying committed to a clear st...

Commercial real estate is often portrayed as a business built on connections, confidence, and instant success. But for C’jon Armstead, the journey started with uncertainty, cold calls, and a willingness to show up every day, even when the results were not immediate. In this conversation, we explore how discipline, consistency, and long-term thinking helped him transition from philanthropy and sale...

Commercial real estate is rarely a straight line, and Brittany Megrath’s journey proves it. From professional ballet dancer and Las Vegas showgirl to founder of a national commercial real estate brokerage, Brittany built M Square Commercial by leaning into reinvention, discipline, and a willingness to specialize where others stayed broad. We explore how Brittany carved out a niche representing STN...

Faith, discipline, and identity are not formed in a single moment. They are built through the quiet, consistent decisions we make every day. In this conversation with Michael Walker-Thomas, educator, author, poet, and mentor, we explore how purpose is discovered and shaped over time through mindset, faith, and intentional living. Michael reflects on his journey from a young writer who used poetry...

What if the biggest driver of your career growth isn’t just the work you do, but how you’re known for it? In this episode, we sit down with Andy Storch, author, speaker, and career and personal brand strategist, to unpack the powerful connection between brand ownership, career progression, and life design. We explore the idea that personal brand is not about self-promotion or social media presence...

Strategy, trust, and brand are no longer separate pillars in commercial real estate, they’re deeply interconnected, and Reid Bennett has built his career at that intersection. In this conversation, we explore how he has differentiated himself in a crowded CRE landscape by combining thoughtful deal strategy with a consistent and authentic personal brand. Reid shares a key shift in mindset: success...

Agriculture remains one of the most important yet often misunderstood industries in the United States. Behind the farms, ranches, and food systems that sustain communities is a complex business environment that requires thoughtful planning, strategic leadership, and strong legal guidance. Amanda Perry Carl, Founder of Florida Agricultural Law, has built her career helping agricultural businesses n...

Most careers in commercial real estate stall not from lack of talent, but because no one explains how advancement actually works. In this episode, we sit down with Marcy Moneypenny, Founder of The Moneypenny Collective, to talk candidly about what it really takes to move from strong execution to sustained senior-level influence in CRE. Marcy draws on more than three decades inside institutional co...

In this episode, we sit down with Jackie Hirsch, founder of Crowne Atlantic Properties, to unpack where business value, exit strategy, and real estate decisions truly intersect. Drawing on nearly three decades of advising owners through sales and valuations, Jackie brings a grounded, experience-first lens to how businesses are actually priced and why “valuation” and “value” are not the same thing....

The Performance Mindset Show helps business owners, leaders, and investors make better decisions without the noise, hustle culture, or transactional thinking. Hosted by commercial real estate advisor, investor, and author Amy Calandrino, each episode blends real-world strategy with the mindset required to execute. You’ll hear honest conversations with high-performing entrepreneurs, executives, cre...

In this episode, we sit down with Gabe Einhorn, founder of VryfID and PRAYS, to unpack why trust is becoming harder to establish, and more essential, across real estate transactions. Drawing from his early experience in NYC commercial real estate, Gabe explains how brokers and landlords still rely on fragmented, unverified documents, even as AI makes it easier than ever to fabricate proof of funds...

On this episode of the Performance Mindset Show, Amy sits down with her friend, Sarah Grafton, co-founder of Grafton Wealth Advisors, a leading, independent financial advisory firm grounded in family values and client service. She is the visionary behind Winter Park Fashion Week, co-founder of the Park Avenue District, and a champion of local business and community excellence. Sarah is one of Wint...

On today’s Performance Mindset Show, Amy sits down with Paul Twyford, co-founder of Winter Park Distilling Company in Winter Park, Florida. Winter Park Distilling Company is the first legal craft distillery in Winter Park, and Paul is one of Florida’s pioneers in authentic small-batch spirits. He is also a long-time community builder who believes in the magic of Winter Park, which comes from its r...

Today’s episode of the Performance Mindset Show features Brandon Avedikian, founder of Aspire Commercial, a Houston-based boutique brokerage built on innovation, integrity, and strategic advisory. Brandon has completed more than 450 transactions totaling over $155 million. He launched Aspire in 2023 to bring a fresh, modern approach to commercial real estate. In addition to his successful brokerag...

On today’s episode of the Performance Mindset Show, Amy welcomes back Tommy Brachey, founder of Key Real Estate Consulting and Advisor, Vice President for eXp Commercial. Based in Dallas, Texas, Tommy specializes in pairing deeded mineral properties with 1031 exchanges, self-directed IRAs, and solo 401(k) plans. He partners with real estate brokers, 1031 qualified intermediaries, family offices, f...