The Academy Presents podcast

What’s the real cost of not structuring your real estate deals the right way?   In this episode, tax advisor Brandon Hall joins Angel to unpack complex but crucial considerations for structuring real estate investments—especially when working with partners, using retirement accounts, or dealing with late-stage investors. They explore topics like capital contributions, equity dilution, partial asse...

What’s the real reason most people can’t qualify for real estate professional tax status? In this episode, Brandon Hall breaks down one of the most misunderstood areas of tax law for real estate investors: Real Estate Professional Status (REPS). He explains what it really takes to meet the IRS requirements, why many investors get it wrong, and how short-term rentals provide a unique workaround to...

Are you missing out on thousands in tax savings because your accountant doesn’t speak “real estate”? In this expert-led episode of The Academy Presents: Real Estate Investing Rocks, Angel welcomes CPA and tax strategist Brandon Hall, who specializes in helping real estate investors navigate complex tax rules. Brandon breaks down the passive activity loss rules, explains why depreciation can be a p...

How does self-doubt affect your ability to lead, and what role does your team play in lifting you through it? In this honest and raw episode, Angel and Andy McMullen reflect on the emotional ups and downs of raising capital, the importance of transparency in leadership, and the mental health challenges that many entrepreneurs silently face. The conversation covers how supportive teammates can shif...

Can being honest about your discomfort become the most strategic move you make for your team? In this candid conversation, Angel and Andy McMullen unpack how self-awareness, team dynamics, and transparency can make or break a project. They reflect on the power of recognizing when you’re not the right person for the job—and why that's not a weakness, but a strength. From reshaping team roles to opt...

What happens when your real estate team is built on friendship but lacks the right mix of skills, and how do you fix it before it breaks everything? In this episode, Angel welcomes real estate investor and developer Andy McMullen for a deep dive into team dynamics, communication, and the reality of partnerships in the multifamily and build-to-rent space. Andy reflects on two decades of lessons lea...

What if you could build a profitable Amazon business that behaves more like a franchise than a hustle? In this episode, Angel Talks with Neil Twa, founder of Voltage Digital Marketing, about building scalable and sellable Amazon FBA businesses. Neil walks through his strategy of treating e-commerce like a systemized business rather than a side gig, mentoring clients to generate profit within six m...

How can you turn someone else’s best-selling product into your million-dollar brand without reinventing the wheel or running ads? In this episode, Neil Twa shares how everyday entrepreneurs are quietly building high-profit Amazon businesses by launching familiar products with a twist. Instead of inventing something new, they're using data to identify trends, improve on existing products, and ride...

What if your last Amazon purchase could be your next income stream? Most people use Amazon to buy. Neil Twa teaches how to use it to sell—and not as a hobby, but as a serious, profitable business. In this episode, he outlines how e-commerce, particularly using Amazon's FBA system, can become a long-term asset, not just side income. Neil explains how to think like a seller instead of a consumer, id...

What if your next investment could grow from the ground—literally?   In this episode, Mason Moreland discusses the surprising potential of vineyard investments in Texas. Mason shares the innovative highwire trellising system his team adapted from the West Coast, how economies of scale and mechanization are reshaping agriculture, and why understanding vineyard development is crucial for long-term r...

What if Texas could lead America’s next wine boom? Most people don’t associate Texas with wine, but Mason Moreland thinks that’s about to change. In this episode, Mason explains how he’s leveraging tech, scale, and experience in traditional real estate to disrupt an overlooked segment of the Texas wine industry. He walks through how his team is reducing operational costs in vineyards, creating aff...

What if the next big opportunity in real estate has nothing to do with buildings—and everything to do with grapes? In this episode, Angel sits down with Mason Moreland, founder of Texas Vine Country, to explore an unconventional path in real estate investing: vineyard syndication. Mason shares how he moved from a background in biology and environmental consulting into building and managing wine gr...

Taxes can feel like an endless burden, but did you know that IRS tax debt has an expiration date? In this episode, Carlos Samaniego breaks down the often-misunderstood world of tax debt expiration, installment agreements, and IRS mistakes that could work in your favor. He compares tax resolution to medical diagnosis, emphasizing the importance of understanding your full financial picture before ta...

What happens when you've been avoiding IRS letters for years and suddenly realize you need help? Today, Angel and enrolled agent Carlos Samaniego discuss the fear many people experience when dealing with the IRS and tax debt. Carlos shares valuable insights about the various options available to taxpayers who owe money to the IRS, including installment agreements, currently not collectible status,...

What happens when a tax expert starts by confessing their tax nightmare? In this eye-opening episode of "The Academy Presents Real Estate Investing Rocks," host Angel welcomes Carlos Samaniego, an Enrolled Agent (EA) who specializes in helping people resolve their IRS problems. Carlos shares his remarkable personal journey from tax evader to tax expert, revealing how his eight-year battle with unr...

Investing in real estate isn’t just about finding a property—it’s about choosing the right market. In this episode, Camilla Jeffs shares how to evaluate markets based on cash flow, appreciation, job diversity, landlord laws, and government incentives. Learn how to align your investments with your financial goals and maximize returns.   [00:01 - 04:00] Cash Flow vs. Appreciation Coastal markets fav...

What makes self-storage a recession-proof investment? Self-storage stands out as a resilient asset class that thrives in both economic booms and downturns. In this episode, Camilla Jeffs breaks down why self-storage remains in demand, the pros and cons of commercial real estate asset classes like retail, office spaces, and multifamily properties, and key strategies for diversification. She shares...

Many investors start with single-family homes, but is that the best way to build wealth? In this episode, Angel welcomes Camilla Jeffs, a seasoned real estate investor, to discuss the transition from single-family properties to commercial real estate. Camilla shares her journey from DIY landlord to general partner in large multifamily and assisted living investments. She breaks down the key differ...

In this episode of the Teacher's Alternative Income Podcast , Angel Williams sits down with Alexandria Breshears, founder of Private Lending Lessons, to explore the often-misunderstood world of private lending. Alexandria reveals how this collaborative approach to real estate financing benefits both lenders and borrowers, while sharing practical insights on risk management, deal structures, and bu...

How can private lending help investors build wealth without the stress of property management? Angel sits down with Alexandria Breshears, a private lender and educator, to break down the fundamentals of private lending. Alexandria explains how it differs from hard money lending, the key protections lenders need, and why it’s an attractive option for investors looking for passive income. She also s...

Investing in real estate can be a game-changer, but how do you do it strategically? In this episode, Angel sits down with Michael Drew, a real estate investor and property management expert, to break down the process. They discuss the power of vertically integrated real estate investing, how to scale a portfolio efficiently, and why action beats endless research. Michael shares real-life examples...

What if financial freedom meant working on your own terms? Many people assume that financial security requires trading time for dollars, but what if there was another way? In this episode, Angel and Michael Drew dive into the realities of wealth-building, breaking free from traditional employment, and setting up financial safety nets. They discuss the importance of multiple income streams, the val...

What’s holding you back from true passive income in real estate? Many investors struggle with balancing cash flow, scalability, and vacancy risks in real estate. Michael Drew, founder of Real Estate Done For You, shares how he transitioned from stock market trading to real estate investing, managing over 1,100 properties. He breaks down the systems and strategies that make single-family rental inv...

What makes self-storage a recession-proof investment? Self-storage has become one of the most resilient and lucrative asset classes in real estate. But what makes it so unique? In this episode, Angel Williams sits down with Joe Downs to uncover the strategies behind self-storage investing, pricing models, and why major players manipulate the market. They also discuss how generational shifts impact...

What if your next investment move was hiding in plain sight? When Joe Downs received an unexpected email about self-storage investing, he had no idea it would completely change his business trajectory. From buying distressed second mortgages to building a thriving self-storage empire, Joe shares his journey of pivoting during tough times, navigating industry shifts, and uncovering hidden opportuni...