The CRE Connection · Samy Soussan

In this episode of the CRE Connection Podcast , Samy sits down with Shaya Sonnenschein , President at AANDAR Capital Advisory , for a deep conversation on commercial real estate finance, capital advisory, relationships, technology, and the future of the industry. Shaya shares his unexpected path into real estate, starting from a creative background in design, marketing, and publishing before being...

What does a college radio DJ, a Blackstone investment banker, and a retail real estate developer have in common? In this case — they're all the same person. In this episode, we sit down with Justin Levine, founder of JAL Strategic Holdings, to unpack one of the more unconventional paths we've seen in CRE. Justin shares how a lifelong obsession with music — from vinyl crates in high school to DJ se...

In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Connection Podcast , we sit down with Logan Freeman , former NFL athlete turned powerhouse broker, developer, and entrepreneur. Logan shares his remarkable transformation - from navigating a tough childhood and the demands of professional sports to becoming a respected leader in the commercial real estate space. 💡 What you’ll learn in this episode: Ho...

Rockstep Capital's Andy Weiner shares his transformative journey from the retail world to spearheading a successful real estate investment company. Raised in the bustling environment of Weiner's Stores in Houston, Andy's early days in his family's clothing business equipped him with a deep understanding of retail markets. He recounts his strategic pivot to real estate, where he initially focused o...

Join us as we sit with Beth Azor , widely known in the commercial real estate world as "The Canvassing Queen." Beth shares her incredible journey from growing up in a real estate family in Wisconsin to becoming a leading expert in retail leasing and property ownership in Florida. Beth reveals how her passion for connecting with people and helping businesses grow led her to transition from resident...

💼 The LP’s Playbook: Strategic Investing with Aleksey Chernobelskiy 💼 Curious how to become a smarter, more strategic real estate investor? 🎧 In our latest episode of the Commercial Real Estate Connection Podcast , we feature Aleksey Chernobelskiy, an entrepreneur and LP advisor who shares weekly insights to help Limited Partners level up their investment game. Prior to founding his own busines...

Join us as we explore the fascinating world of commercial real estate with our special guest, Garrett Lepow, a key player in acquisitions and investor relations at KM Realty. In this episode, Garrett shares his early passion for real estate, sparked in middle school and solidified by a high school internship with a Houston syndicator. Discover how KM Realty focuses on the niche market of unanchore...

Today, we're exploring the fascinating crossroads of marketing and commercial real estate with the insight of Shannon Bedinger and Ashlyn Wooten, both at the helm of their own marketing firms. As we navigate their stories, you'll hear about Shannon's leap from architecture to marketing and her ascent to the role of Chief Marketing Officer at Midway, along with Ashlyn's evolution from real estate a...

Step into the world of commercial real estate mastery as we welcome Bob Knakal, a visionary whose journey from a sports-loving New Jersey kid to a real estate behemoth is a playbook of ambition and strategy. Bob's candid discussions about his ascent within the industry, which includes pioneering success at Massey Knakal with an astounding $23 billion in sales, are more than just numbers—they're a...

In our latest episode, we take a fascinating journey with Ola Dantis, who made a courageous leap from a corporate analyst to a successful real estate entrepreneur. Ola shares his story, the highs and lows of navigating the world of entrepreneurship, and the invaluable role mentorship played in his journey. From Nigeria and England to the US, from corporate comfort to the dynamic world of commercia...

Ever wondered how an innovative mindset can transform communities and reshape the commercial real estate industry? Join us for a chat with Uri Man, CEO and founder of the Lagoon Development Company, who has done just that. Uri's extensive experience spans over two decades, starting with the Related Group in Miami and leading to the pioneering vision of Lagoon Development. Listen to Uri's insightfu...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Jason Baker, co-founder and principal of Baker Katz, where we explore his remarkable 25-year career dedicated to the Houston retail market. Listen in as Jason shares his personal journey, from growing up in a real estate family to becoming a leader tenant rep. He gives us a behind-the-scenes look at his role, the importance of a good partnership in the i...