The Captain Curt Show

What if you could invest in boutique hotels without running the hotel ? In this episode of The Hotel Investor Playbook , host Michael Russell sits down with Curt Marker—private jet captain, real estate investor, and CEO of Captain Capital—to break down how Curt became a co-GP on a $10M, 130-room boutique hotel in the Smoky Mountains without managing staff or daily operations. They walk through the...

What if the hardest part of real estate wasn’t finding deals — but raising the money? In this episode, Stella Han (@hellastellah) explains why traditional capital raising is fundamentally broken for small operators — and how a new model is quietly reshaping how founders, creators, and real estate investors raise capital. After losing $55,000 on her first raise, Stella built a platform designed to...

What if you could build a $20 million real estate development business without quitting your W2 job?  Gaurang Gala did exactly that—working full-time as a commercial banker while raising capital, rezoning land, and developing over $92 million in assets across seven projects.  His story proves that strategic patience and understanding the math can turn dirt into generational wealth. He took a deal...

What if 70% of real estate investors are unknowingly leaving millions of dollars on the table? In this episode, Jeff Hiatt , founder of MSC Cost Segregation Consultants , breaks down how cost segregation has helped over 26,000 clients save more than $5 billion — using strategies that have existed in the tax code since 1986. This conversation goes far beyond theory and into how serious investors ac...

What if one real estate deal paid you more than 20 years in your profession? In this episode, Wayde Elliott , founder of Store It , shares how a career-ending injury forced him to walk away from dentistry — and how a series of failures eventually led him to build a self-storage portfolio worth over $50 million. This conversation dives deep into beliefs, risk, and what it really takes to pivot into...

What do you do when your business is bleeding $800,000 a month and your life is unraveling with it? In this episode, Brady McDonald (@brady.mcdonald84) reveals how a devastating financial collapse, identity crisis, and dependence on alcohol pushed him into the darkest chapter of his life — and how he fought his way out through faith, discipline, and extreme physical challenge. Here’s what you’ll l...

What if the dream of flight could fund an entire industry? Brandon Martini, co-founder and CEO of Stratus Financial, turned a small flight school into a $100 million private credit machine that helps pilots take off — literally. He shares how he pitched Wall Street on an industry they’d never heard of, raised capital without VC money, and built a culture rooted in trust and transparency. Here’s wh...

What if your money could work harder, and last longer, outside the banking system? In this episode, Colin Yurcisin (@colinyurcisin) explains how he went from credit entrepreneur to Bitcoin miner, building a multimillion-dollar ecosystem around financial sovereignty. He reveals how to leverage Bitcoin for tax advantages, build long-term wealth, and escape inflation’s slow drain on your savings. Her...

What happens when success nearly destroys you? In this episode, Blake Anthony Carter and Jeremy Courtney open up about the darkest season of their business — how a $30,000-per-month loan nearly bankrupted them and what it took to fight their way back. From couch-surfing to managing 100+ short-term rentals, their story is a masterclass in grit, integrity, and redemption. Here’s what you’ll learn: T...

What if your version of “success” isn’t even yours? Brian Luebben (@brianluebben), author and founder of Action Academy, reveals how he walked away from a $250K job to build a life defined by purpose and freedom. He now teaches thousands how to buy businesses, replace their income, and design their ideal life — not someone else’s. Here’s what you’ll learn: The mindset shift that separates the 1% f...

What happens when you take the discipline of an athlete and apply it to real estate? In this episode, Owen Evans (@theowenevans), hotel owner, operator, and former gym coach, shares how he transformed a fitness mindset into a high-performing real estate career. From running a gym to managing boutique hotels, Owen breaks down the parallels between health, leadership, and wealth building — and the s...

What if you could launch your business with half a million dollars—without touching your savings or giving up equity? In this episode, Jack McColl (@jackmccoll), founder of Credit Stacking and author of Credit Stacking: Accelerate Financial Freedom with Business Credit , reveals the system he used to unlock $500K in zero-interest funding. He explains how entrepreneurs can use business credit to sc...

What does it take to turn a $5 pair of shades into a $90 million eyewear empire? In this episode, Chase Fisher (@chasefisher), founder of Blenders Eyewear, opens up about the early grind, the viral moments, and the lessons behind scaling one of America’s most exciting lifestyle brands. From surf coach to CEO, his story is one of creativity, conviction, and courage in the face of burnout and big de...

What if the key to financial freedom wasn’t more hours worked—but smarter assets owned? In this episode, Alexio Barbara (@cashflowalexio), commercial broker at Bridge Point Realty Inc., reveals how he went from a lifeguard stand in Oceanside to building a multifamily portfolio worth $18M. He shares the wins, lessons, and mindset shifts that helped him escape the rat race and build lasting wealth....

What if the only thing separating a struggling business from massive revenue was a smarter sales system? In this episode, Dacoda Londhair (@dacodalondhair), founder of Speed2Close, unpacks the proven methods for generating leads, running profitable ads, and closing sales at the highest level. He also highlights the overlooked connection between health and sales performance—why staying sharp physic...

On The Captain Curt Show , host Curt Marker asks a big question: Is flipping houses dead in today’s market? To unpack it, he’s joined by Austin Cole , a San Diego real estate investor who has flipped 75+ houses with his father while also building rentals and Airbnb income streams. This episode dives into: Is flipping still profitable in 2025? The truth about margins, ARVs, and market timing Contra...

In this solo episode of The Captain Curt Show , I take you back to 2015 when I was making just $48,000 a year as an airline pilot and decided to take the leap into real estate. With only $17,500 in savings, an FHA loan, and a little help from my in-laws, I bought my very first property—a duplex in Vista, California—that completely changed my financial future. I break down step by step how I: Negot...

Is Airbnb Already Dead? The Truth About managing your own property Airbnb isn’t what it used to be. With rising competition, stricter regulations, and guests demanding hotel-quality experiences, the days of casual “hobby hosting” are over. So where does the real opportunity in hospitality investing lie? In this episode of The Captain Curt Show , Curt Marker sits down with Evan Rundle , founder of...

What if you could turn 50 views into millions—without chasing trends or losing your authenticity? In this episode, Captain Curt sits down with Brandon Fortino, founder of Short Form Pros, who went from filming high school promo videos to helping founders and creators dominate their industries through content. From Jakarta to running a high-output media agency in San Diego, Brandon unpacks the exac...

What if your exit wasn’t the end—but the beginning of your best investments? In this episode, Captain Curt sits down with his coworker and longtime friend Nathan Leathers, a business owner who successfully exited his company and turned his profits into a growing Section 8 real estate portfolio. Nathan’s journey is proof that you don’t need to chase trends—you just need a plan, patience, and the gu...

What if the easiest deals are the ones no one else is even looking at? In this episode, Captain Curt sits down with Cole Ruud-Johnson, a real estate wholesaler who built a $20M+ off-market empire from cold calls, consistent follow-up, and creative seller conversations. He’s the founder of Easy Button Real Estate and leads a fast-growing community on Skool called Off Market Method. They get into th...

What if the pursuit of success is what’s holding you back? In this episode, Captain Curt sits down with Kassidy Warren, a San Diego-based investor and podcast host who built a $13M real estate portfolio starting with a $35 Airbnb listing. But after years of hustle, construction chaos, and ignoring his health, Kassidy hit burnout—and realized he’d built a business he no longer loved. They unpack re...

What if losing everything was exactly what you needed to gain perspective—and purpose? In this episode, Captain Curt sits down with Mike Morawski, a Chicago-born investor who’s controlled over $450M in real estate, served 8 years in federal prison, and came out more focused than ever. Mike’s now a coach, author, and founder of My Core Intentions—helping others build short-term cash flow and long-t...

What if you could build generational wealth—starting in your own backyard? In this episode, Captain Curt sits down with Chris Luna, a San Diego-based real estate developer who turned a single ADU project into over 45,000 sq ft of active development. From flipping houses to scaling multifamily deals, Chris unpacks the exact mindset, mentorship, and community that helped him grow fast and build smar...

What if your doctor actually knew your goals — and helped you live longer to reach them? In this episode, Captain Curt sits down with Dr. Adam Silberman, a functional medicine expert specializing in longevity, to unpack what truly drives optimal health. They go deep on blood work, burnout, stress, sleep, hormone health, and what it really takes to feel your best in your 40s and beyond. Dr. Adam sh...