Empire Building

If you’re in a season where it feels like one more thing might break you, this conversation is for you. We’re sitting down with Jay Papasan, New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of The ONE Thing Company, for a candid look at what it means to lead when life doesn’t let up. Jay shares what the last several years have really looked like behind the scenes, and how those experiences shaped...

Ever look up and realize the bar has quietly dropped—then wonder how you fix it without crushing morale? We’ve been there, and in this episode, we walk through a simple, repeatable reset that brings standards back with clarity, care, and real ownership. We’re breaking down a five-step framework Sarah implemented in real time after noticing a massive performance gap across locations—same headcount,...

Some lessons shape us long before we ever call ourselves leaders. In this episode, we revisit the unexpected teacher who influenced a generation of women from living rooms across America: Judge Judy. What started as a nostalgic moment for Seychelle turned into a powerful reflection on how this fierce, unapologetic woman modeled agency, negotiation, boundaries, and integrity in a world where women...

Ever had a moment where someone casually says something—and it completely cracks open what you believed was possible? That’s exactly where today’s episode begins. We’re talking about the surprising, perspective-shifting stories that helped each of us realize: “I didn’t know I could do that.” We talk about the rules we thought we had to follow, the expectations we carried from childhood, and the “j...

If you’ve ever wondered why some people seem to unlock opportunities effortlessly while others feel stuck on an island, this conversation is for you. Today we’re joined by USA Today bestselling author and high-value relationships expert Selena Soo to unpack the core framework behind her new book Rich Relationships , and the truth that one rich relationship is more valuable than a hundred casual co...

If your listings are sitting—and the market feels slower than ever—you’re not alone. This week, we’re diving into a strategy that has helped Sarah’s team move hundreds of listings even in a real estate recession: the Online Broker’s Open. It’s a simple, scalable twist on an old-school tactic that gives sellers the feedback they need, restores trust, and gets homes sold. We break down exactly how t...

The holidays sneak up on all of us—especially when you're running a business, a household, and everything in between. So this week, we're giving you a gift: our 2025 list of favorite things, live from all four co-hosts together again. From bougie indulgences to simple basics that make life easier, we're sharing the products, tools, and little luxuries that truly made a difference for u...

Ever find yourself running from one task to another---dropping off packages, managing carpools, juggling emails---and wondering, "When did I become my own assistant?" In this episode, Wendy Papasan and Kymber Lovett-Menkiti dive deep into the exact moment you know it's time to hire a personal assistant and how doing so can transform your business…and your life. We explore what "buy...

Does the fear of failing quietly run your business plan? In this episode, Kymber Lovett-Menkiti and Tiffany Fykes open up about perfectionism, risk, and the stories we tell ourselves when something doesn’t go as planned—and how to turn all of it into fuel. As we head into business planning season, we talk about the very real questions that keep many women playing small: What if the launch flops? W...

What if your “happily ever after” had less to do with fairy tales and more to do with alignment? In this episode, Wendy Papasan and Seychelle Van Poole open up about one of the most powerful practices in their marriages and businesses—setting goals together. Whether you’re planning with your spouse, a life partner, or a business partner, this is your playbook for creating a shared vision that actu...

Ever wonder how you could serve 250+ buyers in a year and still make it home for dinner? We sit down with top buyer’s agent and sales leader Kari Wyrsch to unpack exactly how she does it. Kari shares the team-within-a-team model that skyrocketed production after merging with the Adam Graddy Real Estate Team, the simple tracking that tells you whether to fix a skill or a system, and the “be where y...

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the power of the P.A.U.S.E — a five-step blueprint designed to help leaders recharge before burnout takes over. From pausing with purpose to assessing and aligning your priorities, unplugging to reboot, streamlining your commitments, and re-engaging with energy, we’ll share practical strategies to create rhythms of rest that strengthen both your leadership and...

In this week’s episode of Empire Building, we’re diving into Part 2 of the 36 Touch Plan—focusing on social media, events, and calls that truly convert. From authentic storytelling on social platforms to hosting low-cost, high-impact client events, and mastering the power of a simple quarterly call, we’re breaking down exactly how to deepen relationships with your database. Whether you’re just sta...

Picture this: you’ve got an incredible database of people who know, like, and trust you—but you’re not tapping into it the way you should. That’s where the 36 Touch Plan comes in. In today’s episode, we’re diving into the foundation of building a business that thrives year after year: consistently nurturing your database. We’ll share how implementing this simple (but not always easy!) system compl...

What if just 30 minutes on your calendar could put real money back in your pocket? In this episode of Empire Building, we’re sharing more than 20 quick, tactical ways to make, save, and grow your money—at home and in your business. From canceling hidden subscriptions to finding unclaimed cash, we’ll show you how simple shifts can add up fast. We’ll also dive into strategies for maximizing your ban...

Money makes a lot of people squirm—but avoiding it is exactly what keeps us stuck. In this episode, we get honest about the six things that stop us from building wealth: ignoring our real numbers (especially debt), not tracking where money actually goes, letting fear or “I don’t know how” stall action, staying off-track when life happens, letting emotions drive investing decisions, and believing w...

Permission is a loaded word—especially for high-achieving women. In this conversation, we get honest about the invisible expectations we carry at home and at work, and how guilt and shame show up when we try to do it all. We talk about naming those expectations (“Who said you have to do it—and that way?”), asking for help without apology, and defining success by season. Sometimes winning is crushi...

Today’s buyers are cautious and well-informed, which means our role is to lead with clarity from the start. In this episode, we share practical ways to set expectations before a showing—doing the homework with the listing agent, previewing the neighborhood, and arriving prepared with disclosures, comps, and HOA info so clients can validate what they’ve already researched. During showings, we keep...

Today’s buyers aren’t rushing, feeling FOMO, or scrambling to beat the market—they’re facing more options, more uncertainty, and more hesitation than we’ve seen in years. Decision fatigue, interest rate weariness, and information overload are shaping how they think and act, and if you’re still treating them like the buyers of 2020, you’re already behind. In this episode, we break down today’s buye...

Picture this: you cross six figures in revenue…and take home two grand. Ouch. In this week’s conversation with business money coach Belinda Rosenblum of Own Your Money, we dig into the difference between having a business and actually owning it—especially your profit. Belinda shares how she went from barely breaking even to hitting a 40% margin in just one year, and the mindset shift that made it...

Back-to-school mornings don’t have to feel like chaos. In this episode, we share seven practical strategies to help families win the morning and the day. From carving out “you time” before the kids wake up, to prepping the night (and week) before, we’ve found simple routines that cut down on stress. Visual checklists keep kids on track, breakfast becomes grab-and-go, and a launch zone near the doo...

Ever feel like your to-do list is running you instead of the other way around? We’ve been there. In this episode, we’re talking about the shift every leader needs to make—from constantly reacting to the latest crisis to proactively creating the clarity your business and life need to grow. We’ll share how to spot when you’ve slipped into reactive mode, why it puts a lid on your leadership, and what...

Negotiating for sellers in today’s market means setting clear expectations, sticking to the facts, and never negotiating before you have an offer in writing. In this episode, we get tactical about guiding clients through every step—responding to buyer’s agents, presenting every option, and making sure the seller is truly empowered to make the best decision. We share the lessons we’ve learned about...

Negotiation is everything in real estate, and today we’re breaking down the core steps that make all the difference. We talk about why building real connections with everyone involved (even the other agent) gives you an edge, and how asking the right questions—and actually listening—leads to better results. We’re sharing the power of small counters, how to negotiate the whole package (not just pri...

Ever found yourself drowning in work and thinking, “I know I need help, but I’m scared to hire”? We get it. In this episode, we’re talking about how to recognize the signs that you need leverage—whether it’s at home or in your business—and how to approach getting help in a smart, strategic way. From physical and emotional warning signs to missed opportunities with your team, clients, and family, w...