The Production Playbook with Matt Miale

Description: In Episode 4 of the Client Experience Podcast, Deb Ortega (Director of Events & Community Relations) joins Bennett Forrest to share how The Miale Team curates memorable experiences for clients before, during, and long after the real estate transaction. They break down: • How we carefully vet and partner with top vendors • What goes into planning VIP client events • How we raised o...

James Shaw — BOLD Coach & founder of Pivot Shift Ahead — joins us on the Leadership & Personal Development Series to talk process over outcome , real‑world mindset, and how to thrive in any market. James went from fired TV producer to real estate coach and community builder — and the biggest lesson he teaches is simple: 👉 Focus on the process every day, and the results will come over time...

In this episode of the Leadership and Personal Development series, we sit down with Anna Kilinski, regional director for the Southeast region at Keller Williams and founder of a powerhouse real estate team in Atlanta. Anna shares her journey from burnout to building intentional culture, her unshakable mindset around growth and grit, and why real estate  saved her life. Whether you're in real e...

What if real estate wasn’t about winning this year —but building a career that fits your life? In this Leadership & Personal Dev. episode, Wendy Papasan shares how she went from a $15,000 first-year goal to building wealth, teams, and multiple businesses—without sacrificing her family, health, or sanity. This conversation hits on: ✅ Slow, intentional growth ✅ Team > solo hustle ✅ Seasons...

Matt Miale sits down with Heather Caine —broker/owner, entrepreneur, and founder of Style to Design —to unpack the real leadership lessons behind building big: taking the deals others avoid, creating standards, leveraging systems, and running toward fear instead of away from it. Heather also breaks down how Style to Design helps agents create vision for buyers and sellers through design-forward ma...

In this episode of The Production Playbook with Matt Miale , we’re joined by Kaleo Kina for a grounded conversation on leadership, personal growth, and showing up with clarity and intention. Kaleo shares insights drawn from real experience — not theory — including how strong leadership is built over time, why consistency matters more than intensity, and how staying aligned with your values impacts...

Our latest Client Experience episode is packed. Deb and I break down the results of this year’s Turkey Drive, and wow… our community showed up in a huge way. 🦃💛 Shelton + West Hartford combined: 181 turkeys donated $3,700+ raised (which Connecticut Foodshare can turn into THOUSANDS of meals) Joined by the President of CT Foodshare , the Mayor of West Hartford , mascots, local businesses, and ton...

The Simple System That Built 65% Market Share — Susan Lombardo’s Playbook What does it take to go from zero experience to 65% market share in multiple neighborhoods? This week on The Production Playbook – Leadership & Personal Development Series , Matt Miale sits down with Susan Lombardo (Atlanta, GA) — former catastrophe insurance adjuster turned dominant real estate force. Susan breaks down:...

Matt Miale welcomes Sarah Reynolds — CEO of the powerhouse EmpowerHome Team — for a candid, high-energy deep dive into leadership, scale, motherhood, health, and building a business that genuinely empowers people. Sarah explains how she went from helping her mom’s small real-estate business to running a multi-state organization closing more than 2,000 transactions a year and on pace for $1.1B in a...

In this quick follow-up to our Turkey Drive kickoff episode, Bennett Forrest sits down with Miale Team agent Shane Mason to share exciting news: This year, our Annual Turkey Drive is expanding to Shelton! Shane breaks down the need in Fairfield & New Haven Counties, why the expansion matters, and how local partner Marketplace Kitchen & Bar stepped up to host a second drop-off location. If...

Marine veteran, entrepreneur, and high-performance coach Neal Conlon joins Matt Miale for a powerful conversation on mindset, resilience, and personal growth. Neal shares his journey from the mailroom at Guggenheim Partners to the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies — and why he kept walking away to pursue purpose over prestige. Together they explore how ego complicates success, why every problem...

We’re kicking off the Client Experience Playbook ! Bennett Forrest and Deb Ortega sit down to talk about what makes The Miale Team’s approach to community and client care so unique — from hosting ballgames and local events to organizing their annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive in partnership with Connecticut Foodshare. They cover what “client experience” truly means, why giving back is built into th...

In this episode, Matt sits down with Jennifer Henry — a powerhouse real estate coach, speaker, and leadership mentor known for developing agents into confident, service-driven professionals. Jen shares the mindset shifts, standards, and personal disciplines that separate average agents from impact-driven leaders . You’ll hear real talk on accountability, ownership, emotional resilience, and how to...

Matt and Kori reflect on their nearly 10 years in business together, the personal and professional bond they've built, and why it's important newer team members hear stories from agents like Kori. Kori is one of the longest-tenured and highest-performing agents on the team, and in this interview, she shares her journey from paralegal to powerhouse real estate agent. Key Themes: 1. Early Ca...

Bennett Forrest has worn many hats—ESPN broadcast pro, investor, top-producing buyer’s agent, and now podcast producer for The Miale Team. In this episode, Matt Miale sits down with Bennett to revisit how it all started, the missteps, the aha moments, and the gritty cold calls that shaped his real estate career. We talk about: ✅ Why real estate  isn’t  a get-rich-quick business (and what new agen...

From Olympic bronze medalist to TV anchor to mental health advocate,  Margaux Farrell  has mastered the art of reinvention—and the courage it takes to slow down, let go of perfection, and find joy in the everyday. In this powerful conversation, she opens up about burnout, imposter syndrome, high-performance pressure, and redefining success on your own terms. Margaux’s story is packed with real tal...

In this episode of the Agent Interview Series, Matt Miale sits down with Joe Dabkowski, a standout leader and top-producing agent on The Miale Team. Joe opens up about his journey from competitive hockey player and coach to building a successful real estate business. He shares the mindset, habits, and systems that shaped his career — from launching with zero debt and two Zamboni-driving jobs, to b...

Kristan Cole  shares a jaw-dropping story of resilience, vision, and no-excuses leadership. In this powerful episode, Matt Miale welcomes one of the industry’s most influential leaders for a vulnerable, no-BS conversation about: ✅ Growing a business in the face of adversity ✅ Building wealth through preparation and consistency ✅ The path from survival → success → significance → transformation...

In this episode of the Agent Interview Series, we sit down with Dan Leyden , a top-producing agent, investor, and property management entrepreneur based in Stamford, Connecticut. Dan’s journey is anything but typical — from lobster traps and maple syrup in Western Massachusetts to property flipping and investment strategies in Fairfield County. He shares the lessons learned from his early investme...

In this episode of the Agent Interview Series, we sit down with Erin Burnap — a former Pampered Chef director turned top-producing real estate agent. Erin opens up about her path from corporate finance to direct sales to finding her passion in real estate. She shares what it was like breaking into the industry during the chaos of the post-COVID housing market, how her background in sports and lead...

In this kickoff episode of the Leadership and Personal Development Series, we sit down with Gene Arant, a seasoned real estate leader and team builder with over two decades of experience. Gene shares his insights on cultivating a winning team culture, balancing personal growth with professional development, and the key leadership lessons he’s learned along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned agent...

In the very first episode of the Agent Interview Series , Matt Miale sits down with Erin Anderson to talk about what it really takes to thrive in real estate — from early mentorship lessons to treating the business like a full-time job. Erin shares how radical ownership shaped her mindset, how she navigates tough moments, and why showing up with intention is the secret to long-term success. Whethe...