The Real State

Most people think of their apartment as a home. But if you live in a co-op, condo, HOA, or shared residential building, you are also part of a business, one with budgets, vendors, reserves, repairs, insurance, board politics, and financial decisions that can directly affect your monthly costs and property value. In this episode of The Real State , Alex Norman and Jamie Blond sit down with Tina Lar...

In this episode of The Real State Podcast , Alex Norman and Jamie Blond look at the changing movie theater experience and ask whether going to the movies can ever feel magical again. For decades, movie theaters were more than places to watch films. They were social rituals, date nights, family outings, teen hangouts, mall anchors, and shared cultural experiences. From popcorn and multiplexes to fi...

In this episode of The Real State Podcast , Alex Norman and Jamie Blond sit down with DJ Carroll, entrepreneur, investor, author, business strategist, and creator of the AI platform Alli. DJ shares his journey from starting a lawn care business at 18 to building and selling companies, investing in real estate, owning 70+ rental units, and helping entrepreneurs sharpen their sales, systems, and min...

In this episode of The Real State Podcast , Alex Norman and Jamie Blond welcome back Philipp Willigmann, Founder of u-path, former CSO at Vontier Ventures, and a leader working at the intersection of strategy, venture capital, partnerships, ecosystem design, and real-world deployment. Philipp first joined the show in 2021 to discuss the future of mobility. He now returns with a broader perspective...

What makes a city great? In this episode of The Real State Podcast, hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blond unpack a BBC-driven debate about America’s top cities and the battle for the next spot behind New York and Los Angeles. With Chicago long treated as the default #3, they challenge the assumptions and make the case that Miami’s growth, global pull, and economic momentum may be reshaping the ranking...

As 2026 begins, hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blond slow things down to reflect on the conversations that mattered most in 2025 on The Real State Podcast . Rather than revisiting headlines or trends, this year-end episode focuses on the ideas, stories, and debates that stayed with them long after the microphones were turned off. In this special Year in Review, Alex and Jamie revisit four standout ep...

What do the spaces where we play as children teach us about belonging, confidence, and opportunity? In this episode of The Real State , Alex Norman and Jamie Blond sit down with Honorata Gręczykowska , an urban designer living and working in Barcelona whose research focuses on how the design of everyday spaces influences behavior, mobility, and social dynamics. Drawing from years of work across Eu...

In From Success to Significance: The Second Mountain Mindset, Alex Norman and Jamie Blond unpack why the goals that drive us early in life often stop feeling satisfying and how that shift can open the door to purpose, community, and contribution. Inspired by David Brooks’ The Second Mountain, they share personal stories of career peaks, loss, reinvention, and the moment when achievement gives way...

Is the club era over or just evolving? In “Club Collapse,” Alex and Jamie trace the arc from Studio 54 to bottle service and today’s experience-driven mega clubs, then dig into why many are shuttering and what’s rising in their place. They cover cost inflation, $150–$200 entry fees, festival trade-offs, and the growing pull of destination party spots. You’ll hear why restaurants with “show” vibes...

Restaurant Week started as a short, clever fix in 1992 and grew into month-long “deals,” yet the math has changed. Hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blond unpack how food costs, rent, and wages climbed while drinking declined, why $60 prix fixe dinners still land at $300 with drinks and fees, and how seasonality and loud, rushed dining rooms erode the experience. With anecdotes from Miami and New York p...

In Tourism Revolt: The Fight to Reclaim Cities from Mass Travel , Alex Norman and Jamie Blond explore how the explosive growth of global tourism is fueling backlash in cities like Barcelona, New York, Mexico City, Tokyo, and Miami. From Airbnb bans and disappearing neighborhoods to squirt-gun protests and soaring housing costs, they unpack how mass travel is reshaping local life—for better and wor...

In this powerful episode of The Real State Podcast , co-hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blond dive into the story of Rashmi Airan—a former lawyer whose path to the American Dream came crashing down when she was federally indicted for real estate fraud. Rashmi shares the raw truth of her journey, from prison to personal rebirth, and introduces her RISE Process™ (Reframe, Identify, Surrender, Evolve), a...

In this episode of The Real State , Alex and Jamie explore the real state of inclusion with special guest and co-author Garrett Mayersohn to celebrate the launch of Boundless: Real Stories and Practical Strategies for Inclusive Living . Together, they dive into the stories and strategies behind designing spaces that remove barriers for people of all abilities. From Alex’s personal caregiving journ...

In Trading Suits for Stories , Alex and Jamie share their personal journeys of leaving behind traditional careers in Wall Street and advertising to embrace the unpredictable world of creativity. They dive into the mindset shifts, hilarious missteps, and unexpected inspirations that fueled their transitions into writing, acting, DJing, and authorship. From pandemic pivots to finding the courage to...

In this episode of The Real State , we uncover the truth about short-term rentals with Christina Robinson, real estate entrepreneur, educator, and self-made superhost. From house-hacking her first property while working a 9-to-5, to managing a portfolio of vacation rentals in South Florida, Christina walks us through the highs, lows, and total myths of the short-term rental game. We dig into: Why...

In this episode of The Real State , Alex and Jamie ask the question that feels more relevant than ever: Does anyone actually read anymore? From the joys of childhood encyclopedias and comic books to the digital reading habits of today, the duo takes a thoughtful (and hilarious) trip down literary memory lane. They discuss fiction vs. nonfiction, the decline of attention spans, the rise of audioboo...

In this episode of The Real State Podcast , we dive into the high-stakes world of transitional lending —the financial glue that keeps real estate projects moving forward. Our guest, Ian Glaser , partner at BridgeInvest , shares how private lending is fueling Miami’s booming skyline and beyond, financing everything from adaptive reuse projects to large-scale mixed-use developments. Join hosts Alex...

The Real State Podcast – Miami Weather: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly Looking for an entertaining and insightful take on real estate, urban living, and how it all affects your daily life? The Real State Podcast is your go-to destination for the latest trends in real estate, city living, and everything in between! In this episode, hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blond dive into the unpredictable dra...

Join us on this flavorful journey as we dive into the growing wine culture in Miami with special guest Alexa Ferra, Director of Marketing at the Perez Art Museum Miami, wine blogger at Alexa’s Wine Diary , and podcaster of Pouring Over Pages . In this episode, we explore how Miami’s burgeoning wine scene intertwines with the city's arts culture, attracting new residents and fostering a sense of co...

In this episode of The Real State Podcast , "Senior Living Redefined: Brandon Schwab on the Future of Compassionate Care" , hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blond explore the evolving landscape of senior living with Brandon Schwab, founder and CEO of Shepherd Premier Senior Living (SPSL). Brandon shares his journey into the senior care industry, inspired by personal experiences and a desire t...

In this engaging episode of The Real State , Alex Norman and Jamie Blonde dive into the fascinating intersection of location, culture, and driving behavior. How does traffic reflect a city’s personality? Why does driving in Miami feel like a chaotic cultural blend, while Los Angeles drivers seem to embrace gridlock as a way of life? From New York’s honking culture to the symphony of horns in India...

In this insightful episode of the Real State Podcast , hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blond explore the contrasts and unique attributes of everyday life in Tokyo, Japan. Alex, fresh from a visit to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, shares observations on Japanese culture, from the intricate urban design and orderliness of Tokyo's streets to the culture of respect and meticulous architectural details that defi...

In this episode of the Real Estate Podcast , titled "Designing Decisions: How Places Shape Our Choices", hosts Alex and Jamie delve into the fascinating world of how our surroundings influence the decisions we make every day, often without us even realizing it. The episode kicks off with a deep dive into social and behavioral design, explaining how strategic choices in the design of publ...

In this episode of the Real State Podcast, hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blond dive into the intriguing intersection of geography and attraction. Joined by digital wellness expert Anya Pechko, the discussion explores how location—whether it's a bustling city like New York or a laid-back destination like Miami—shapes who we're drawn to and why. Discover the historical roots of attraction, the role of...

In this episode of The Real State Podcast, hosts Alex and Jamie dive into the complexities and nuances of the modern airport experience, particularly during peak travel seasons like summer and events such as the Paris Olympics and the Euro Cup. The discussion spans various aspects of airport logistics, comparing regional differences, and sharing personal travel tips. Key Points: Historical Context...