The Real Estate Sessions

Breaking the Cycle: Bill Risser's Journey through Health Challenges Bill Risser shares a personal and reflective monologue in episode 405 of the Real Estate Sessions podcast, highlighting the importance of staying connected with clients in the real estate industry. Drawing on his own experiences with health challenges over the years, he discusses the six-year cycle of significant health events in...

Rachel Kilmer, a rising star in the real estate world, shares her journey from sports journalism to becoming a top agent at ReeceNichols Real Estate in Kansas City. With a background that includes a passion for sports and a knack for engaging content creation, Rachel highlights the importance of authenticity in marketing, especially through video. She emphasizes that if creating video content feel...

Matthew Rathbun emphasizes the critical need for real estate professionals to adapt to the evolving landscape shaped by consumer preferences and technological advancements, particularly in the face of AI and aggregator platforms like Zillow and Homes.com. With nearly 25 years in the industry, he shares insights on how agents can leverage these changes to better serve their clients and remain compe...

Jack Miller, CEO and president of T3 Sixty, shares valuable insights on the evolving landscape of the real estate industry, emphasizing the crucial need for real estate professionals to redefine their roles as trusted advisors rather than mere salespeople. He discusses the importance of building relationships within communities and highlights how a strong personal network can significantly enhance...

Join Bill Risser as he revisits a compelling conversation with Stefan Swanepoel, a leading figure in the real estate industry, originally aired in August 2020. The episode delves deeply into Stefan's diverse background, including his journey from Kenya to becoming a prominent real estate consultant and author. Stefan shares insights on the challenges and opportunities facing the real estate market...

Don't Quit Before the Magic Happens: Megan's Inspiring Story Megan Farrell Nelson's narrative intertwines personal and professional growth, illustrating the intricacies of navigating the real estate landscape while overcoming significant life challenges. Starting her journey in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Megan was initially on the path to becoming an educator. However, her life took a turn when she m...

Weathering Change: Julie Lawrence's Transition from News to Real Estate Julie Lawrence, a former meteorologist turned real estate agent, shares her unique journey in the real estate world on the Real Estate Sessions podcast. With nearly four years of experience at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services in Tampa Bay, Julie emphasizes the rewarding nature of helping clients transition to their new homes,...

Lauren Toppins, founder and broker of Cherrywood Real Estate, emphasizes the importance of advocating for oneself in the competitive real estate industry. With a unique background as an attorney, Lauren shares her journey from law to real estate, highlighting how her legal expertise informs her approach to helping agents thrive. The conversation explores her commitment to fostering a family-friend...

Building a Bullseye: The Art of Cultivating Your Key Connections Sean Carpenter emphasizes the importance of building relationships and maintaining meaningful connections in the real estate industry. He introduces the concept of a "bullseye," which represents the 20 key individuals in one's life who are invested in their success, advocating for a focused, personal approach to networking. Throughou...

Jackie Semero Tate emphasizes the crucial role of relationships in the real estate industry, highlighting that agents are essentially small business owners. With over 20 years of experience, Jackie shares her journey from aspiring ballerina to successful realtor and coach. She discusses the importance of work-life balance, sharing her personal struggles and the transformative steps she took to pri...

Matthew Rathbun shares insights on the evolving landscape of real estate, emphasizing the importance of adapting to consumer needs and technological advancements. He highlights how aggregators like Zillow and homes.com have filled gaps that the real estate industry neglected, urging agents to embrace change rather than resist it. With nearly 25 years of experience, Rathbun discusses his unique bac...

Debbi DiMaggio's journey through real estate is one of passion, adaptability, and dedication to excellence. Originating from Piedmont, California, she has built a formidable career in real estate alongside her husband, Adam, and their son, Chase. One of the core philosophies that drives the DiMaggio Beta Group is the idea that luxury is about the service provided, not just the price point. This et...

Jorge Guerra is a seasoned veteran in the real estate industry, having founded Real Estate Salesforce, a brokerage based in Coral Gables, South Florida, at the young age of 26. With nearly 25 years of experience under his belt, Guerra's perspective on real estate salesforce is shaped by his belief in simplicity, consistency, and relationship-building. He views technology as a tool that should be c...

I've known John Bjorlie for nearly 25 years. 4 years ago, john was diagnosed with terminal cancer. John has chosen to stop aggressive treatments, focusing instead on a "Die Happy Tour" to reconnect with friends and loved ones, embracing quality of life over the length of it. Despite his prognosis, John remains positive and content, surprising even his hospice doctor with his acceptance and joy in...

Stas Matias, a seasoned professional with nearly 14 years of experience, is the broker-owner of Erin Catron & Company Real Estate, a boutique brokerage in Punta Gorda, Florida. Having transitioned from a background in criminal justice, Stas emphasizes the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in building a successful real estate career. He advocates for new agents to invest in edu...

Nick Krautter is the author of "The Golden Handoff," a highly recommended book in the real estate industry that focuses on facilitating smoother transitions between newer and retiring agents. In his work, Krautter addresses the critical issue of setting up agents for retirement, emphasizing the importance of connecting retiring agents with adopting agents before retirement to maintain strong clien...

Tiea Vincent, the Owner/Broker of Next Level Real Estate and Property Management, brings 21 years of experience to the real estate business and actively engages with Florida Realtors on advocacy efforts. Initially from a rural part of Tennessee, Tiea values work-life balance but is deeply committed to expanding her company's portfolio. Drawing on her extensive experience, Vincent highlights the co...

Sammy DeStefano, seamlessly transitioned into the real estate business, building on his extensive experience in sales since the age of 19. His move was driven by the promising growth and myriad opportunities within the real estate sector, further inspired by his family's own relocation experiences and his professional background at a luxury car dealership. As a dedicated real estate agent with Rus...

Joe Rand, an author and seasoned real estate expert, has significantly shaped modern practices in buyer agency with his profound insights and extensive experience. On The Real Estate Sessions podcast, where he has appeared over 20 times, Joe discusses the evolution of buyer agency, noting the industry's initial seller-centric focus and the major shifts in compensation dynamics that began in the la...

Bill Risser's Real Estate Sessions podcast, which began in 2015, has grown remarkably over nine years, featuring nearly 400 episodes that delve into the stories of real estate professionals. Initially focused on how guests entered the real estate industry, the podcast has evolved to include in-depth interviews with established and emerging leaders. Bill Risser reflects on the history of the Real E...

Mary-Anne Gillespie's journey is a testament to resilience and determination, starting from her early days exploring open houses in Montreal with her mother, to becoming a standout figure in real estate. Initially flourishing in Ottawa's tech industry as the youngest vice president of sales at a software marketing company by age 22, she felt an unshakable sense of unfulfillment. This prompted her...

Dionne Malush, co-owner of Realty One Group, Gold Standard in Pittsburgh, brings nearly 25 years of invaluable experience to the real estate industry. Initially uninterested in owning a real estate company, Malush was captivated by the innovative branding and marketing strategies of Realty One Group, particularly its disruptor model offering a 100% commission plan. She emphasizes the cyclical natu...

Michael LaFido, a seasoned professional with nearly 25 years of experience in the real estate business, has significantly impacted the luxury real estate market. With his competitive spirit honed from a background in college football, LaFido has become a leading specialist and author in the field. His book, "Secrets of Top Luxury Agents," released in May 2024, quickly became a bestseller, with 26...

Today, our guest spoke nationally about marketing for luxury properties and even created a luxury designation offered to interested realtors. Michael LaFido, a real estate consultant and top-producing realtor for the past twenty years, is joining us. Michael shares his insights into the high-end luxury market and how it has been crucial to his success. In this episode, join Michael and me as we di...

The Real Estate Sessions podcast, hosted by Bill Risser, offers a treasure trove of almost 400 episodes that delve into the journeys and strategies of prominent figures and rising stars in the real estate industry. Celebrated for its diverse voices and valuable insights, the podcast has become a go-to resource for those looking to understand the intricacies of the real estate world. Bill Risser, w...