REL Freedom Podcast

Matthew Ricciardella is Founder and CEO of Crystal View Capital, a private equity real estate firm specializing in value-add manufactured housing communities and self-storage across the U.S. With over 20 years of experience and more than $1 billion in transaction volume, Matt has built a vertically integrated platform overseeing $650M+ in assets across multiple funds. He shares what it really take...

What if everything you've been told about building wealth is only part of the story? Dr. Dipesh Sitaram was a practicing dental surgeon who discovered that even a high-income career wasn't enough to create true financial freedom. Instead of relying solely on traditional investments like stocks and retirement accounts, he began building a multi-million-dollar portfolio through private rea...

What if you stopped waiting until retirement to start living? Chris Larsen, founder of Next-Level Income, made it his mission to achieve financial freedom after losing his father at a young age and his best friend at just 18. While building a successful career in medical device sales, Chris quietly built a real estate portfolio, starting with his first rental property at age 21 with less than $3,0...

What would it take for you to walk away from a guaranteed pension… and bet on yourself instead? F ormer United States Navy Chief Petty Officer Tim Kelly made one of the boldest decisions of his life: leaving the military four years before retirement eligibility to pursue true financial freedom through real estate, mindset, and high-performance living. After spending 15 years leading under pressure...

What does it take to lead at the highest level—in both the military and luxury real estate? Shaun Guardanapo is a Marine Corps veteran and Managing Broker of The Agency Reno. He shares with us how discipline, leadership, and strategic thinking helped him rise to the top 1% of real estate producers in one of the fastest-growing luxury markets in the country.  With more than $100 million in career s...

Mathew Owens is a CPA, real estate investor, and founder of OCG Capital. He shares with us the strategies behind building a real estate empire that spans more than 1,500 units, over 1,000 home flips, and more than $500 million in loans to investors. Matt has also raised over $200 million in private capital, giving him a unique perspective on what separates successful investors from those who strug...

What happens when a firefighter working 24-hour shifts decides to build a future through real estate? Thomas St. John, founder of North Corp Capital, who also worked part of his career as a mailman, shares hear how he went from serving his community to building a successful multifamily investment company with over 20 years of experience in the trenches of real estate.  Starting with his first dupl...

What if smarter property management—not just buying more properties—was the real key to financial freedom? Cameron Tope is the founder of Emerson Property Management, and also a real estate investor and entrepreneur who used rental properties to break free from the unpredictability of the oil and gas industry.  After seeing firsthand how unstable the corporate world could be, he began building a r...

We take you behind the scenes of our latest multifamily apartment acquisition—a 128-unit building we closed on for $6.6M—and break down every step of the deal: how we found and financed the property, the due diligence, the negotiation process, the renovation strategy, and the property's future. We share the numbers, projected challenges, and value-add opportunities that made this investment w...

Bree Hartman was a successful gym owner, but after attending a self-storage conference, she decided it was time to jump in with both feet into real estate. In her first 12 months she acquired 2 self-storage facilities, and operates across Sacramento, Louisiana, Tennessee, the Carolinas, and the Sunbelt States. She is also the founder of Self Storage School, where she helps investors and W2 employe...

What if you could build a $60M real estate portfolio without syndications, big money, or insider connections? James Gleeson shares how he went from buying his first rental at 21 to owning 400+ units—using simple, repeatable strategies like BRRRR and value-add investing in his own backyard of St. Louis.  He breaks down the real lessons, mistakes, and mindset shifts that helped him scale. Now mentor...

What does it really take to build multi-million dollar wealth through real estate - and keep it growing? Willie Mandrell is a self-made real estate investor, broker, coach, and author who has been involved in over $200 million in transactions. From buying and selling to brokering and mentoring, Willie has seen every angle of the game - and he’s here to share what actually works. Known for his expe...

Are you ready to buy your first investment property but don’t know where to start? We break down a step-by-step guide for beginner real estate investors to find, analyze, and secure their first rental property. You’ll learn how to define your investing goals, pick the right market, secure financing, and discover deals using MLS, off-market listings, and local networking. We cover essential tips fo...

What does it take to stand out in one of the most competitive real estate markets in the world—and actually make it fun to learn about? David Cinelli is one of Canada’s top 1% Realtors®, HGTV co-host, and a trusted advisor with nearly 20 years of experience helping clients navigate the ever-changing real estate landscape. Known for his charisma and clarity, David has a rare ability to break down c...

What does it really take to build an 8-figure business… and survive the crashes along the way? Tom Dunkel is a battle-tested entrepreneur who’s spent nearly 30 years in the trenches of business. He’s built two 8-figure companies, lost six, and raised over $50 million across multiple asset classes. Tom doesn’t just talk about success—he’s lived the full spectrum of wins, setbacks, and hard-earned c...

Jay Conner is a seasoned real estate investor who transformed his business by walking away from traditional bank financing and mastering the art of private money. After starting out in 2003 relying on banks—bringing large down payments, paying hefty fees, and signing personal guarantees—Jay found himself stressed and controlled by lenders. Everything changed after the 2008 market crash when his ba...

Leo Young is the Founder and Managing Partner of Cornell Communities, who has led over $75 million in real estate transactions and built a portfolio of more than 500 manufactured housing units. Leo shares his journey from becoming the #1 regional salesperson at Tesla to launching and scaling his own real estate firm focused on acquiring and turning around affordable housing communities. As a first...

Tim Woodbridge is a mobile home park investor whose journey proves that bold action can completely change the trajectory of your life. After spending years working long shifts as a nurse, Tim had a mindset shift after reading Rich Dad Poor Dad—and instead of just thinking about investing, he took action. Within a year of discovering mobile home parks, and with very little capital, he purchased his...

Alex E. Edwards didn’t wait for permission to succeed — he rewrote the rules. After purchasing his first multifamily property in his early twenties, he went on to build a multimillion-dollar real estate company and become the founder of Thumbprint Realty, now the largest Black-owned brokerage in New England. But Alex’s impact goes far beyond transactions. As a TEDx speaker and author of Mortgage B...

Mike Cobb, CEO of ECI Developments and author of How To Buy Your Home Overseas & Get It Right The First Time, explores what it really takes to live—and invest—abroad successfully. More than 25 years ago, Mike saw the gap between people dreaming about retiring on a beach and actually making it happen, so he set out to build thoughtfully planned communities across Latin America, including Belize...

Ashley Romiti serves as Founder and President of GCA1031, who specializes in helping long-term real estate investors navigate the often-overlooked side of investing: the exit. With nearly 15 years in commercial real estate underwriting and advisory, Ashley saw too many retiring landlords and business owners sitting on highly appreciated assets, facing management fatigue and major tax exposure—with...

Gil Vaisman is the founder and CEO of Go ADU Construction, a Los Angeles–based design-build firm redefining how homeowners approach Accessory Dwelling Units and garage conversions. With an unconventional background as a professional picture editor in Hollywood, Gil brings a storyteller’s attention to detail and clarity to an industry often plagued by confusion, surprise costs, and poor communicati...

John Collins is on a mission to help renters break the rent cycle and achieve homeownership with little to no money down. With nearly four decades of experience in real estate and sales, John found his true calling in homebuyer education, teaching everyday renters how to use grants and down payment assistance programs to buy homes they never thought were possible. Through his initiative, Own The R...

John Knowlton is an entrepreneur, investor, and former pastor who has built his life and career around one core belief: better thinking leads to better outcomes. His bi-vocational journey spans building a wealth management firm that grew to over $1 billion in client assets—allowing him to retire at 51—while also serving as a pastor, teacher, and jail chaplain, where he saw firsthand how mindset sh...

Loodmy Jacques is a real estate entrepreneur who has built a standout, system-driven business in South Florida by blending high-touch service with modern technology. Originally from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, he moved to the U.S. in 2004 and, through determination and the guidance of strong mentors, grew his career into The Jacques Real Estate Team, now serving clients across Palm Beach, Broward, and...