Real Returns

How can your investments create both financial return and meaningful community impact?   Entrepreneur and investor Alpesh Parmar joins the Real Returns podcast to share how a layoff in 2009 sparked his journey into real estate—and why impact now drives every decision he makes. Alpesh discusses his evolution from buying turnkey rentals to investing in mobile home parks and RV parks, emphasizing how...

What if the greatest investment lesson comes not from success, but from failure? In this episode, Gavin J Gallagher, real estate veteran and host of Behind the Facade, shares his journey from a starry-eyed architect to the developer of a 40-acre award-winning business campus—and the brutal fall that nearly ended it all. He opens up about the crash of 2008, losing his family home, the weight of fin...

Can revitalizing distressed properties solve America's affordable housing crisis? Kurt Byers, Head of Business Development at New Western, discusses the impact of investing in affordable housing. New Western operates the largest real estate investment marketplace in the country, connecting investors with distressed properties that need rehabilitation. Kurt explains how local investors are helping...

Ever wondered how to create passive income without the headaches of traditional real estate? In this episode of the Real Returns podcast, Andrew and Dan welcome Mark Podolsky, known as "The Land Geek," who shares his journey from miserable investment banker to successful land investor. Mark reveals his unique business model of buying raw land at deep discounts and selling it with owner financing t...

What makes mobile home parks a powerful investment for impact? Real estate investor and entrepreneur Kevin Bupp joins the show to share his journey into mobile home park investing and how it combines strong financial returns with meaningful social impact. As the founder and CEO of Sunrise Capital Investors, Kevin has spent over 25 years in real estate, building a portfolio of mobile home communiti...

What does it take to transform neglected properties into thriving communities? Real estate investor Ed Mathews joins the show to share how his journey from Silicon Valley to real estate investing led to a business focused on impact. As the founder of Clark Street Capital, Ed has built a reputation for revitalizing properties, improving resident retention, and mentoring aspiring investors. In this...

How can resilience, purpose, and thoughtful investments shape a legacy of impact? In this special season recap, Andrew and Daniel revisit the inspiring moments and lessons learned from their diverse lineup of guests. From combating adversity in real estate to driving innovation in venture capital and nonprofit sectors, this episode highlights stories of triumph, purpose, and the drive to make mean...

What does it take to build businesses that last centuries and truly fuel human flourishing?   In this episode of the Real Returns Podcast, Andrewt and Dan welcome Kirk Botula, Chief Strategy and Operations Officer at InnovationWorks. Kirk shares his journey through technology commercialization, his views on the role of business in human flourishing, and the critical interplay between economic impa...

How can you create wealth, make an impact, and transform communities without displacing the people within them?   This episode of The Real Returns Podcast dives into the transformative journey of John Casmon, a real estate entrepreneur and consultant with over $125 million in multifamily assets. Hosted by Andrew Reichert and Daniel Croce, the conversation uncovers John's approach to value-add inve...

What if the secret to transforming an entire industry lay hidden on a napkin?   In this inspiring episode, Damion Lupo, an experienced entrepreneur and creator of FrameTec, shares his journey of resilience, innovation, and impact. With over 70 companies to his name, Damion reveals his lessons on turning failures into stepping stones, the importance of learning over winning, and the transformationa...

What does it take to shift mindsets and create lasting societal impact?   In this episode, Evan Feinberg from Stand Together shares how the organization is transforming approaches to societal challenges. By prioritizing community-based empowerment and bottom-up solutions, Stand Together helps reshape cultural paradigms surrounding issues like poverty, addiction, and education. Feinberg highlights...

How does overcoming adversity shape the mindset of a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist?   In this episode of Real Returns, Zain Jaffer, a dynamic entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, joins Andrew and Danto share his remarkable journey from a challenging upbringing to selling a company for $780 million. Zain reflects on the hardships he faced, including growing up with the wrong rol...

What is true financial freedom and how can it go beyond just wealth?   In this episode, Dave Wolcott, founder and CEO of Pantheon Investments, dives deep into what true wealth and freedom mean. Dave shares his journey from a Marine Corps captain to a leading figure in the investment world, revealing the ultra-wealthy's strategies to achieve financial success and holistic freedom. He emphasizes the...

How does early-stage venture capital shape not only the success of startups but also the future of industries?   This week, Andrew and Daniel are joined by Michael Cardamone, CEO and Managing Partner of Forum. Michael discusses the impact of early-stage venture capital, the importance of investing in diverse founders, and the potential societal impact of the startups they support. He delves into t...

What happens when you decide to give your way out of debt, and can such radical actions lead to not just financial recovery, but also a life of impactful investing?   In this episode of the Real Returns Podcast, Andrew and Daniel sit down with Paul Moore, a seasoned real estate investor, author, and fund manager, who shares his incredible journey from being $2.5 million in debt to financial freedo...

How do diverse perspectives shape impactful decision-making in business and investing?   In this season four recap of the Real Returns podcast, hosts Andrew and Dan reflect on a successful season filled with insightful conversations with various industry leaders. They discuss the importance of diverse perspectives, and impactful decision-making, and share personal anecdotes and lessons learned fro...

Have you ever considered what lies beyond the traditional investment routes that could potentially accelerate your financial growth?   This week, Andrew and Dan dive into a fascinating conversation with real estate mogul Lane Kawaoka. Lane, an expert in multifamily real estate investments and syndications, shares his journey from a disillusioned engineer to controlling over $2 billion in assets. H...

How does sustainable investing reshape the landscape of traditional investing and benefit both our planet and portfolios?   In this episode, Sam Adams, CEO of Vert Asset Management and a dedicated advocate for sustainable investing, delves into the nuances of ESG metrics in real estate and their broader implications on the financial markets. Sam discusses the challenges and opportunities in mainst...

What does it really mean to make an impact in the startup world through venture capital investments? In this enlightening episode, host Andrew converses with Zach Malone, a partner at Magarac Venture Partners, about the nuanced role of impact in venture capital. They delve into how strategic investments not only aim for high returns but also foster significant societal and economic benefits. The d...

How can investing in a laundromat not only provide financial freedom but also make a significant impact on local communities?   In this episode of the Real Returns podcast, Jordan Berry shares his remarkable journey from being a pastor to becoming a laundromat owner and industry expert. Despite initial struggles and financial losses, Jordan persevered and transformed his business, learning valuabl...

Can a blend of education and technology truly transform real estate into a bastion of safety and respect? In this riveting episode of the Real Returns podcast, Sabrina Osso, founder, and CEO of Osso Safe, shares her compelling journey from personal adversity to pioneering a business focused on ensuring homes are safe and respectful environments. Through a detailed discussion on the integration of...

How can a simple idea of renting out unused spaces revolutionize the storage industry and significantly impact individuals and communities?   In this episode, Joseph Woodbury, the founder and CEO of Neighbor.com, shares the fascinating story behind his nationwide self-storage marketplace. This discussion unveils how Neighbor.com is revolutionizing the self-storage industry by turning idle space in...

How can we find more purpose and meaning in work and life? Denny Boyle has pursued this question from his career as a bank exec building a fintech practice to now, building up people as a professional coach. He shares his journey spanning over two decades in Silicon Valley into executive coaching. Denny provides insights into achieving alignment in investing and in life, emphasizing playing the lo...

How can leaders and investors rethink "impact" to take a more thoughtful, long-term approach? Lisa Slayton,CEO and founder of Tameem Partners, joins hosts Andrew Reichert and Daniel Croce to challenge conventional notions of impact, examining how short-term, reactionary approaches often cause unintended harm. They discuss the important inner work leaders must do to cultivate self-awareness and gro...

In this season recap episode, hosts Andrew and Dan reflect on key insights from conversations with each guest over the past season. They discuss takeaways around investment discipline, the importance of experts and mentors, building flat organizational structures, raising capital ethically, leaving a legacy through estate planning, and impact investing to help refugees. This episode serves as a re...