Real Smart

On this episode of RealSmart , Spencer sits down with Pouya Abdi, founder & CEO of Parallel Acquisitions, to discuss building a luxury retail real estate platform from the ground up. Pouya shares his approach to spotting opportunities before the market does, reimagining iconic Los Angeles retail destinations, and why relationships, local expertise, and a willingness to take calculated risks remain...

What does it take to shape the future of a city? In this episode of Real Smart , Spencer talks with Bryan Eck, Executive Director of Land Use & Planning for USC Real Estate & Asset Management. From helping to craft the vision for Downtown Los Angeles to reinventing signage on the Sunset Strip and planning for USC's future, Bryan offers a thoughtful perspective on how cities evolve, why great publi...

On this episode of Real Smart, Spencer Kallick sits down with Dan Palmieri and Nick Angelich of Sierra Ridge Capital to discuss launching a real estate investment platform in today's uncertain market. Drawing on experience from firms like KKR, Northwood Investors, and CIM Group, they share their outlook on real estate, fundraising, entrepreneurship, and the importance of relationships in building...

In this episode of Real Smart , Spencer speaks with Culver City Planning and Development Director Mark Muenzer about how the city has become a standout example of getting housing built at a time when development often takes years to move forward. Mark explains how Culver City has embraced state housing mandates, streamlined approvals, and taken a problem-solving approach that turns plans into prog...

How do top trial lawyers stay calm under pressure — and help leaders make smarter decisions when the stakes are highest? In this episode of Real Smart, Spencer sits down with Alan Hearty, Chair of Allen Matkins' Century City Litigation Department, for an inside look at how to win (and prevent) high-stakes real estate and business disputes. Watch now.

Host Spencer Kallick sits down with Eddie Prosser — Principal and Head of Credit at Thorofare Capital — for a look at what really separates disciplined lenders in volatile markets. From his time doing FDIC bank resolutions and distressed workouts to today's transitional real estate loans, Prosser breaks down the "Plan B" mindset, where the next wave of opportunity may surface (including office-bas...

In this episode of Real Smart, Spencer speaks with Josh Feffer, a geotechnical engineer and owner and principal at Feffer Geological Consulting. They discuss the critical role of geotechnical engineering in real estate development, including site assessments, historical research, drilling, and soil testing to ensure land stability and compliance with municipal codes. Josh walks us through the hist...

In this episode, we sit down with Katie Horak, principal at Architectural Resources Group, to discuss the role of historic architects and consultants. Katie walks us through the process of identifying historic properties, the importance of early consultation, and the balance between preservation and development in Los Angeles, including projects like SurveyLA, as well as her leadership and teachin...

In this special New York edition of Real Smart , Spencer Kallick sits down with Jared Freede, executive vice president at CBRE, to discuss the resurgence of Manhattan's office market and what's really driving return-to-office momentum. Jared shares insights on building long-term client relationships, leading at a high level, and why Class-A office space is tightening fast. It's a candid conversati...

In this episode of Real Smart, host Spencer Kallick sits down with Bill Tagliaferri, president of BIG Outdoor, to explore how out-of-home signage has evolved from simple billboards into immersive urban experiences. Bill shares his unconventional path into the industry, BIG Outdoor's growth across iconic markets like Times Square, Sunset Boulevard, and Santa Monica, and the complex real estate, zon...

On this episode of Real Smart , we speak with Jennifer Hanlon, vice president of real estate and development at VEG ER for Pets, one of the fastest-growing emergency veterinary care companies in the country. Jennifer discusses how VEG's open-concept model is reshaping emergency care and the real estate strategy behind its rapid national expansion.

David Mirharooni, principal of Brickstar Capital, shares his journey from growing up in an immigrant family to becoming a Beverly Hills-based real estate investor, specializing in commercial retail and hospitality properties. David emphasizes the importance of networking and community involvement, and he talks about his creative use of adaptive leasing strategies. He also shares his take on curren...

This episode features architect Shawn Gehle, co-founder of the Los Angeles architecture and design studio OFFICEUNTITLED, as he discusses his background, the firm's philosophy, and the evolution of its work. He reflects on his firm's emphasis on hands-on creativity, material exploration, and close client collaboration, as well as its rapid growth from small residential projects to large mixed-use...

Loren Witkin, CEO of Citadel EHS, explains how his company adds value and drives strategy by identifying environmental, health, and sustainability risks early in the real estate development process. He goes on to explain why it's so difficult to build in California, how to work successfully with state and local governments, and the importance of everyone trying to solve project challenges together...

Zachary Streit, Founder and President of Priority Capital Advisory, discusses how he's getting deals done in one of the toughest real estate markets in years. He shares how he built one of the fastest-growing boutique capital advisory firms in the country, closing over $600 million in transactions in under two years, and how his team delivers creative, highly structured financing solutions when tr...

Spencer Kallick sits down with Ari Shaeps, Construction Law partner at Allen Matkins, for a deep dive into what's really driving construction costs, how "what's market" is determined, and why a well-negotiated contract is the key to real estate success. Ari shares how he negotiated billion-dollar stadium deals in under 60 days, brings unmatched institutional knowledge from coast to coast, and unpa...

Jason and Steven Somers, brothers and co-founders of Crest Real Estate, share how they built the largest permitting and entitlement firm in Los Angeles. They discuss trends in LA development, how the city is adapting post-wildfires, and the launch of Case Study 2.0, a new housing recovery initiative for fire-impacted communities. From managing thousands of active projects to launching new offices...

In this episode of Real Smart , Spencer Kallick sits down with Kevin Donner, Executive Vice Chairman at Newmark, to explore the evolving capital markets landscape and how to navigate a market defined by uncertainty. Kevin shares insights from decades at firms like Eastdil, Goldman Sachs, and Cushman & Wakefield — and opens up about rebuilding his life and home in the Palisades after the devastatin...

In Real Smart's inaugural episode, Spencer B. Kallick interviews Mike Longo, senior vice president - capital markets at CBRE. Mike shares insights about tariffs and the direction of industrial development. He also explains his leadership philosophy and approach to developing business partnerships.