Starting a brokerage in a market where desk fees run $25K-30K and the average home sells for $300K? That's exactly what Josh Ries is doing in South Dakota—and he's using lead generation systems that cut costs by 78% to do it. Josh didn't set out to become a managing broker. He was consulting on lead generation for teams and brokerages when opportunity knocked. Now he's building a cloud-based brokerage from the ground up in a small market dominated by legacy franchises, and he's doing it with zero agents on day one. This episode breaks down the unglamorous reality of starting from scratch: building systems before recruiting a single agent, defining your value proposition in a sea of sameness, and using targeted digital marketing to attract mid-level producers ready to scale. Katie and Josh dig into the consultative approach that builds relationships instead of burning through leads, why providing value when people don't need you is the only strategy that matters, and how to leverage custom audiences and retargeting to stay omnipresent without being obnoxious. Key Topics: Why you need rock-solid systems before you recruit your first agent (or hire your first assistant) How to identify your ideal avatar and speak directly to their pain points instead of bragging about your stats The shift from authority-based marketing to value-based lead generation—and why people don't care about your awards anymore Using custom audiences, retargeting, and social funnels to stay top of mind without spending a fortune Transitioning from digital nurture to in-person relationships (and why leads die between steps) The difference between transactional selling and consultative relationship building—and which one compounds over time Why cutting your cost per acquisition by 78% starts with knowing your business numbers Whether you're building a team, recruiting for a brokerage, or just trying to grow your solo business, this episode will challenge you to think about growth differently. Stop chasing. Start providing value. Let people come to you when they're ready. Your move: Apply this same framework to your database. Are you providing so much value when people don't need you that when they do, there's no question who they're calling? If not, it's time to rebuild your foundation. Learn more about joining the Next Level Agents community at https://nextlevelagents.com/exp/ ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠⁠

When we look at someone making and posting great content, we tend to overlook one thing. They all had that first crappy post or clumsy video. It doesn’t become polished overnight - it goes through a ton of iterations until it looks amazing. You don’t see the 100 steps the content creator had to go through - the period of being bad at it first, figuring it out, learning new things and applying them.  Most people will never get to great because they aren’t willing to go through this part of the process. They are afraid of looking silly and afraid of the discomfort of looking like they don’t know what they’re doing. They don’t want to screw up in order to do it better next time.  The journey of getting better as a business owner, and a person for that matter, involves a lot of humbling moments, learning curves, curiosity and a ton of improvements. As soon as we become okay with that, we unlock our next level of growth. We’re ultimately in the self-improvement business disguised as a real estate business. How do we commit to constant growth and improvement? Today, fellow Phoenix agent, Angela Gordon talks about how she’s growing her business by improving herself.  Key Points   Give fear a seat at the table, not a vote One of the things that holds us back from taking action is the fear of not getting results or looking silly. Fear is a natural response to trying something new. We can still have the thoughts, but we don’t have to give them power by not taking action. Give fear and doubt a seat at the table, but you don’t have to give them a vote.  How to handle the results lag of real estate As agents whose business results often lag behind the action we take, we don’t have the benefit of instant gratification. If we let our emotions control the day-to-day of our business and what we do, we can easily get off track. We have to believe that as long as we’re doing the right things, business will be okay, even if we don’t see the results right away.  You’re not in the business of selling houses If you’re a business owner, you’re really in the self-development business especially if you’re working with the public and dealing with customers/clients. Working on yourself is your number 1 job because if you don’t overcome your BS, you’ll never get to where you want to go.  How to tap into your creativity  One of the most powerful things we can do is be more creative. It benefits us in so many aspects of our business. But how do we lean into creativity and get ourselves into a creative space? By getting out of our usual routines, taking a break from work and getting out of our element. Whatever our hamster wheel is, we have to step off it to get those creative juices flowing.  The power of curiosity  Curiosity and the ability to be uncomfortable are some of the most powerful qualities a person can possess. Most people aren’t willing to try something different, but even if you discover that the new hobby wasn’t for you, you still get to learn something about yourself, and that’s great if you want to keep growing.  Guest Info Angela is an investor and top 4% real estate agent in Arizona who focuses on the east valley cities. With an emphasis on cultivating community, connecting people and supporting local businesses. Angela is also committed to personal development, constant improvement and building a life on being your authentic self. Follow ⁠@angelagordon_⁠ on Instagram.  CTA ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠

Profit - it’s the whole entire point that we run businesses. For such a critical, and even fundamental topic, agents will talk about everything else but whether or not they are making a profit, and there’s a reason.  Staying on top of your numbers requires a scary level of maturity. Whatever financial decision we make has an impact on the bottom line, and that level of responsibility is so uncomfortable, we’d rather avoid it altogether. It’s the equivalent of stepping on the scale and knowing we have to make lifestyle changes to take care of our health.  If we ran a publicly traded company, every decision would need to be justified to a board, a CFO, and a whole horde of people. In real estate, we can get away with not doing that, but it’s something we must force on ourselves if we really do want to be profitable.  How do we overcome the Fear of Finding Out? What’s so powerful about getting in rooms with smart people?  Chris Bowers and I continue our deep dive conversation on real estate, curating relationships and the power of masterminds.  Guest Info Chris Bowers is a Realtor, Investor and owner of the Bowers Team, and the host of The agentXcel podcast. Chris has been in real estate for over 16 years, but he has been an entrepreneur since his teens. Today, Chris and his wife run a successful team selling over 140 units with half of those being Chris’ personal production. He has also built a solid rental portfolio that continues to grow to this day.  Follow ⁠@chrisbowers_realestate⁠ on Instagram and listen to agentXcel on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ or ⁠Spotify⁠.   CTA ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠

In real estate, being a broker is the ultimate dream we’re taught to aspire to, but for most people, it’s a nightmare. If you put the ego and bragging rights aside, you’ll find that most brokers aren’t happy.  They work 80+ hours a week, get very little time with their families, and at the end of the day, have very little to show for it financially. People often say a restaurant is one of the worst businesses to own, but a real estate brokerage isn’t all that different if you really dig into the numbers.  What if we could aspire to a business model that gave us freedom, leverage and more money? What if you could do away with the things that make owning a brokerage so difficult? Mitch Riback did just that and created a model that allows owners to keep more income, have less overhead and responsibility over agents and way more freedom.  You could go from working 80+ hours a week to 30 hours, and sell more homes with less headaches. Ultimately, what most “successful” brokers don’t tell you is how much they hate what they run. By taking a different approach, you can sign up for a business, and not a trap. Today, I’m joined by the Realtor, coach, speaker and author of The Big Lie: Are You On the Real Estate Hamster Wheel? Mitch talks about what drove him to build a different business and how it’s allowed him to pour into what truly matters.  People think working 80+ hours a week is a badge of honor, it’s a badge of stupidity. -Mitch Ribak  Guest Info Mitch Ribak is a Realtor, Broker, Coach, Speaker and author of The Big Lie: Are you on the Real Estate Hamster Wheel? Most Successful Realtors, Team Leaders and Brokers never truly build a business, they build a crappy job. Mitch teaches agents and brokers how to create a business that not only increases their profits, but also creates a life of freedom. To get the book, get ⁠https://a.co/d/1T0qWAt⁠ or send an email to ⁠Mitch@mitchrealty.com⁠.  CTA ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla

In a good market, the gap between great agents and average agents is virtually non-existent - it’s anyone’s game. When the market turns, the gap between the good and the great becomes so wide, it’s the difference between earning money and leaving the business entirely. Doubling your business in a down market is possible, but it’s not by chance.  You and your team have to be so different that sellers believe you’re the only way they can get top dollar for their home.  That comes down to marketing - the best marketers won’t just outlast the market, they’ll win outright. The market assumes your ability based on your visibility - so we have to win the conversation before we even get into the room with the seller.  The wealthy are paid for their expertise, the lowest paid are compensated for their time. How do we position ourselves as experts? How do we use marketing to craft the unique home selling offer that makes domination automatic?  Curtis Johnson shares the key strategy to winning in this market.  Guest Info Curtis runs a highly successful real estate team at The Curtis Johnson Team Powered By eXp Realty having sold nearly 5,000 residential homes in Arizona and a BILLION Dollars in Volume. The Wall Street Journal ranked his Team as one of the Top 50 out of 1.2 million REALTORS in America. He is one of the most connected and sought after real estate minds in the business. He and his team were singled out as a finalist in Inman's Most Innovative Real Estate Teams in 2018. His extensive knowledge of the real estate market makes him an in demand speaker and real estate expert. He constantly analyzes current market conditions and trends to stay one step ahead of others in the field. Curtis holds several advanced professional designations including GRI, ABR and CRS. Curtis has been featured nationally on the cover of REALTOR Magazine, prominently in CNN Money Magazine as well as interviewed locally on virtually every TV station and newspaper. Curtis and his selling system have been featured on the 60 Minutes equivalent in several countries internationally.  Follow ⁠@curtisjohnsonrealestate⁠ on Instagram.  CTA ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠

What if your best income year came from working fewer hours, not more? Nolan Rucker just closed out 26.5 million in sales—his most profitable year ever—and he did it while taking more vacations, building serious leverage, and never showing half his listings in person. While the industry's hitting back-to-back 30-year lows in transaction volume, Nolan's proving that the old playbook is completely broken. In this episode, we break down the systems, mindset shifts, and tactical strategies that allowed Nolan to increase his dollar-per-hour while actually working less. From turning away nightmare clients to building a social media presence that generated 3 million views in 10 weeks, this conversation challenges everything you think you know about what it takes to win in real estate right now. Key Topics Covered: Why calculating your dollar-per-hour (not just your GCI) changes everything about how you approach your business The counterintuitive strategy of turning away clients and how it actually leads to more (and better) business How to build leverage in your business without needing a massive team The listing appointment strategy that positions you as a leader instead of an order-taker Why Nolan hasn't met 10 of his clients in person (and why they're still giving him referrals) The green screen video strategy that built 3 million views in 10 weeks using just 20 minutes a day How to maximize internet leads by turning them into lifetime clients instead of one-off transactions Why peace of mind has ROI and how operating from abundance instead of scarcity attracts better opportunities The importance of surrounding yourself with people who think bigger than you do If you're grinding 60-hour weeks and still not hitting your income goals, this episode will make you rethink everything. Because the agents winning right now aren't working harder—they're working smarter. And they're willing to challenge every assumption about how real estate "should" work. Ready to level up your business with coaching, community, and mentorship from agents who are actually winning in today's market? Learn more about Next Level Agents and how to join eXp Realty at https://nextlevelagents.com/exp/ ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠⁠

You're working hard. Answering emails, jumping on calls, sitting in meetings, grinding through your to-do list. But at the end of the day, can you actually name what you accomplished that moved the needle? Here's the brutal truth most agents don't want to hear: staying busy is just structured procrastination. High performers don't do everything—they get ruthless about the right things. Every single day. In this solo episode, Kevin breaks down five core productivity principles from a powerful conversation led by his business partner and Place co-founder, Ben Kinney. These aren't hacks. They're standards. The kind of standards that separate agents who stay busy from agents who actually build something meaningful. KEY PRINCIPLES COVERED: 1. The Power List - Your daily win conditions (not a massive to-do list) 2. Why multitasking is a liability, not a skill 3. Time boxing - Protecting your best work with discipline 4. The two-minute reset - Clearing mental clutter immediately 5. Energy stacking - Matching work to your biology, not fighting it If you've ever ended your day exhausted but unclear on what you really achieved, this episode will challenge how you operate. You'll learn how to stop reacting and start leading yourself with focus and structure. Ready to stop being busy and start actually winning? Take the seven-day challenge Kevin lays out in this episode and watch what changes when you lead yourself with discipline. Want to join a community of agents committed to reaching their next level? Learn more at https://nextlevelagents.com/exp ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠⁠

You just spent thousands on a conference ticket, flights, hotel, and meals. Four days away from your business. And when you get home, you've got a notebook full of notes you'll never implement and zero measurable ROI. If this sounds familiar, you're doing conferences wrong—and you're not alone. In this powerhouse panel discussion, Katie DeWitt, Brandon Snyder, and Carly Peterson break down exactly how to extract maximum value from conference attendance. With hundreds of conferences between them, they've made every mistake, learned every lesson, and cracked the code on turning conferences from expensive vacations into strategic business investments. This isn't theory. This is the exact playbook our team uses to ensure every dollar and every minute spent at conferences generates real returns. You'll learn why most agents waste money, how to avoid the biggest traps, and what to do instead to actually move your business forward. If you're planning to attend any conference in 2026, listen to this episode first. It could save you thousands and transform how you approach professional development. KEY TAKEAWAYS: - Why you must pick ONE focus area for each conference (and how the firehose of information drowns unfocused agents) - The one-page rule that eliminates useless note-taking and maximizes implementation - How to use technology to stay present while capturing information (recording, transcription, AI summaries) - The strategic networking approach that builds referral partnerships instead of just collecting business cards - Why buying anything at a conference is almost always a mistake (and how to avoid shiny object syndrome) - The hidden ROI of staying at the main hotel (and why cheap hotels kill networking opportunities) - What to actually pack and what to leave behind (plus the critical items that save you when bags get lost) - How to leverage social media for real relationship building instead of business card exchanges - The brutal truth about conference economics: if you can't afford to go, don't go - Why implementation at the event beats taking notes for later (and how to close the gap between learning and doing) Whether you're a conference veteran or planning your first major industry event, this episode gives you the complete blueprint for maximizing ROI, avoiding costly mistakes, and coming home with partnerships and systems that actually transform your business. Stop treating conferences like reunions. Start treating them like strategic investments. ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠

What separates top-producing real estate agents from those who struggle? It's not talent, market conditions, or even how hard you work. It's momentum. And most agents are accidentally killing their own without even realizing it. In this solo episode, host Kevin Kauffman breaks down the exact blueprint top producers use to create and protect unstoppable forward motion, especially heading into the slowest season of the year. This isn't theory or motivation—it's the tactical, daily habits that compound into more listings, more contracts, and more closings. You'll discover why consistency beats intensity every single time, how to eliminate the gap between thought and action, and the simple systems that make momentum automatic instead of exhausting. Whether you're ending the year strong or scrambling to recover, this episode gives you the framework to build momentum that carries you straight through Q1. KEY TAKEAWAYS: - Why momentum (not motivation) is the real driver of sustained success - The power of a daily minimum standard and how to set your non-negotiable baseline - How tracking your activity turns effort into proof, proof into confidence, and confidence into action - The habit stacking technique that makes new disciplines automatic - Why reducing friction and decision fatigue protects your energy for income-producing activities - How to stay in motion even when it's imperfect—because messy action beats no action - The difference between lone wolf agents and plugged-in producers who use accountability as fuel - How to protect your momentum when life interrupts (and why momentum is easier to maintain than rebuild) Stop waiting to feel ready. Stop waiting for perfect conditions. The agents who build momentum now are going to dominate in January, February, and March while everyone else is scrambling to restart. This episode shows you exactly how to get, and stay, in motion. Ready to take your business to the next level? Learn more about joining a community of agents who are building unstoppable momentum at nextlevelagents.com/exp. ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠

Tim Rist closed 170 units in a year, led a team of twelve, and was flying everyone to Maui to celebrate. Then 2020 hit, and he lost everything—his marriage, millions of dollars, and the entire empire he'd spent his twenties building. But this isn't a story about failure. It's about what happens when you realize the ladder you've been climbing is leaning against the wrong building, and you choose to rebuild with wisdom instead of insecurity. In this raw conversation with host Katie DeWitt, Tim gets brutally honest about the chip on his shoulder that drove impressive results but also created chaos. He breaks down the difference between building a business on ego versus collaboration, why ravenous hustle isolates you, and what sustainable growth actually looks like when you're still ambitious. If you've ever felt like you're running from something instead of building toward something, this episode will challenge everything you think you know about success in real estate. Key Themes: Why ego is the biggest threat to scaling your business and how to unsubscribe from it The three prices every seller needs to understand (and why most agents are too scared to present them) How daily prospecting, price watching, and process expertise justify your commission when photos and MLS listings don't Why capping your personal production might be the smartest growth strategy The difference between building a pedestal and building a platform for others What it takes to go from surviving to creating sturdy shoulders for others to stand on Ready to build a real estate business that doesn't require you to sacrifice everything else? Learn more about the systems, culture, and collaboration that make sustainable growth possible at nextlevelagents.com/exp. ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠

Drowning in marketing to-do lists? Posting consistently but getting zero traction? You're not alone, and you're not broken. The problem isn't that you're not doing enough. It's that you're chasing tactics without strategy. In this episode, Kevin Kauffman sits down with Sarah Heeter, owner of Podfox Media and the producer behind Next Level Agents for seven years, to cut through the noise around online marketing. They break down why most marketing strategies fail, how to build one that actually works for your business, and when it's time to stop adding platforms and start going deep on what matters. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure to be everywhere online, this conversation will give you permission to subtract and the framework to focus on what moves the needle. Key Topics Discussed: Why everyone telling you what you "should" be doing is selling you that thing (and how to filter the noise) The critical difference between sales activities and marketing activities (and when to use each) The one question that changes your entire content strategy: who are you actually talking to? Why your just-listed posts are doing basically nothing for you (and what creates real connection instead) How to pick the right platform based on who you are, not what's trendy The three questions that determine whether your marketing will work or waste your time Building workflows that make consistency feasible instead of exhausting When podcasting makes sense for your business (and when it absolutely doesn't) How to show up authentically without worrying about appealing to everyone Biggest Takeaway: Marketing isn't about being everywhere. It's about showing up consistently where your people actually are, as yourself. Get clear on who you're serving, what they care about, and what you want to build. Everything else is just noise. Take Action: Stop trying to do all the things. Answer these three questions and build your strategy from there: Who are you talking to? (Get specific) What do you want them to get from your content? What do you want to get out of it? Where those three things overlap is where your content should live. Ready to take your business to the next level? Visit nextlevelagents.com/exp to learn more about joining the Next Level Agents community. Thinking about starting a podcast? Sarah is hosting Podcast Launch Prep Week December 8-12, 2025. Five days, $99, and you'll walk away with your title, launch strategy, and six months of content planned. Learn more at podfoxmedia.com. Connect with Sarah Heeter: - Website: podfoxmedia.com - Podcast Launch Prep Week: December 8-12, 2025 (podfoxmedia.com/launch-prep-week)  - Instagram: instagram.com/sarahkheeter ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠

Think growing a brokerage means chasing agents with better commission splits? Think again. Bruce Hardie grew a region from 3,000 agents to 10,000+ over 15 years. Today he operates three brokerages with 500 agents across Spokane, Yakima, and Bend—and he's not recruiting anyone. He's attracting them. In this conversation with Katie DeWitt, Bruce breaks down the counterintuitive strategies that built his empire: why agents don't join for culture or training, how the Be-Do-Have framework flips conventional wisdom upside down, and why celebrating production instead of profit is killing your business. If you're tired of chasing talent, burned out from grinding for volume with no profit, or stuck wondering why your vision isn't attracting the people you want—this episode will change how you think about building a real estate business. Key Topics Covered Why attraction beats recruitment every single time The Be-Do-Have framework that drives all growth Why real estate celebrates the wrong metrics (and what to measure instead) How to generate 700-800 buyer calls per week from just 16 listings The listing ad strategy that eliminates buyer objections before they happen Why 82% of homebuyers only interview one agent (and what that means for you) Building a vision big enough to contain other people's dreams The difference between experiential benefits and observable leadership How AI and virtual assistants scale your content without losing authenticity Why team models have higher profit margins than brokerage models The Six D's that guarantee 4 million+ home sales every year How to identify and articulate your business standards when scaling The yellow legal pad moment that changed Bruce's entire trajectory Takeaways You don't need more recruitment scripts. You need to become someone worth joining. Bruce's commitment to helping 10% of his agents become millionaires isn't motivational fluff—it's a strategic vision that attracts ambitious talent who want to build wealth, not just close deals. Stop chasing commission splits and start building leaders. Stop celebrating production and start measuring profit. Stop waiting for perfect market conditions and start positioning yourself for your unfair share of the 8 million transaction sides happening every year. The agents who figure this out in the next 24 months will dominate the next decade. The ones who keep grinding will burn out. Ready to build a business that attracts instead of chases? Let's make it happen. Listen now and discover how to scale without the hustle. Want to take your real estate business to the next level? Visit nextlevelagents.com/exp to learn how Next Level Agents can help you build the business and life you actually want—with coaching, community, and the strategies that top performers use to dominate their markets. Don't just work harder. Work smarter. Work with us. ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠

You're stuck. Revenue is flat. Growth feels impossible. So what do you do? You add more—more lead sources, more tools, more processes, more hustle. But what if "more" is exactly what's killing your momentum? In this solo episode, Kevin breaks down a framework from his business partner Chris Juarez that flips the entire growth conversation on its head: addition by subtraction. It's counterintuitive, uncomfortable, and might be the most important shift you make this year. In this episode, Kevin covers: Why complexity is the hidden tax killing your productivity, speed, and clarity The Steve Jobs playbook: how cutting 350 products down to 10 tripled Apple's revenue in three years Where you're running "350 products" in your business disguised as lead sources, tools, and processes The STRIP framework: a five-step system to simplify, trim, refocus, integrate, and purge what's holding you back The 30-day subtraction sprint challenge to identify and remove what's in your way The agents who win in this market aren't the ones doing the most things. They're the ones doing the right things with relentless focus. So what do you need to remove that's in your way? Ready to simplify and scale your real estate business? Learn more about the Next Level Agents community and discover how eXp Realty can support your growth at nextlevelagents.com/exp LINKS MENTIONED: Next Level Agents Events: nextlevelagents.com (check out the events tab for virtual and in-person mastermind information) ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠

Think you need to be an extrovert to close $20 million a year? Think again. Darren Ricketts scored 4% on his behavioral assessment for "mega agent"—literally the worst possible job match. This year he'll close over $20 million in Eugene, Oregon, running a lean operation with one other agent and two admins. In this episode, Katie DeWitt sits down with Darren to unpack how he built a dominant real estate business as a 6'8" introvert who doesn't cold call, came from IT, and works entirely within his natural wiring instead of fighting against it. This conversation covers: Why your personality isn't your problem—your system is, and how to build around your actual strengths instead of forcing someone else's playbook The database management strategy that maintains a 1-in-3 lead conversion ratio when most agents need 20 leads to close one deal How to systematically work your B and C leads instead of constantly chasing new business (including a real example of a $125K lead that became a $390K sale 18 months later) The "orphan client" strategy that doubles your database from every transaction you close Why the top producers are always terrified their business is about to fall apart—and how that fear fuels better systems The exact follow-up formula that keeps past clients engaged every two weeks without manual effort Why working from home is probably killing your production (and what to do about it even if you can't afford an office) When to hire your first assistant: not when you can afford it, but when your business actually needs it If you've ever felt like you're not extroverted enough, not "salesy" enough, or not flashy enough to make it big in real estate, this episode will completely reframe how you think about building sustainable, high-volume production. Key Quote: "Everybody on my team knows their number one job is to help me have more conversations with people. End of list." This is real talk from an agent doing real volume. No fluff. Just systems, psychology, and uncomfortable truths about what it actually takes to dominate in this industry. ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠

You can scale to 53 agents across five states and still be trapped in a business you built with your own hands. David Queen learned this lesson the hard way, through weight gain, physical pain, and the sinking realization that he'd become a prisoner to his own success. This episode isn't about fitness tips or motivational fluff. It's about the uncomfortable truth most agents refuse to confront: your business is only as strong as the foundation it's built on. And that foundation is you. David dropped 65 pounds in eight months, but what he gained was far more valuable: clarity on what it actually takes to build sustainable success in an industry that glorifies burnout. He stopped accepting excuses disguised as explanations. He embraced temporary imbalance to create permanent capacity. He rebuilt himself so he could show up as the leader his business actually needed. If you're carrying stress, anxiety, physical discomfort, or just a nagging sense that you're sacrificing too much of yourself for your production goals, this conversation will challenge everything you think is inevitable about your situation. Key Themes: Why physical transformation teaches business lessons nothing else can The myth of balance and why strategic imbalance is required for mastery How to stop accepting decline as inevitable and start controlling what you actually can Why confidence isn't separate from strategy—it IS your strategy The real cost of building a business that requires you to be someone you don't want to be How delayed gratification in fitness translates directly to sustainable business growth Why self-leadership is the only leadership that actually matters The Bottom Line: The one thing no market downturn, difficult client, or team challenge can ever take from you is your commitment to becoming the best version of yourself. Everything else you're trying to build depends on that foundation being solid. Stop chasing the next tactic and start building the capacity to execute on the tactics you already know work. The next level doesn't start with a new system. It starts with you deciding you're worth the investment. Ready to discover what your next level actually looks like? Learn more about joining a community of agents who refuse to accept mediocrity at nextlevelagents.com/exp ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠

What if the secret to selling luxury real estate to out-of-state buyers wasn't about being everywhere—but about being somewhere specific, with killer video content that does the traveling for you? Tristan O'Grady sells an average of $100 million annually in Hilton Head's luxury market, with an average sale price around $2 million. But here's what makes his story different: 80% of his buyers have never set foot on the island before seeing his videos. In this episode, guest host Katie DeWitt sits down with Tristan to break down how he's built a 70-agent team under the Coast brand at eXp, expanded into five separate "legs" of leadership, and used strategic video marketing to turn California movie producers and out-of-state buyers into multi-million dollar clients—all while maintaining that physical office space matters, even in a virtual brokerage world. Key Insights from This Episode: The exact video strategy that generated a $20M commission windfall from one luxury listing Why "boutique local branding" crushes national chain recognition in sophisticated markets How to scale to 150+ agents in your downline without drowning in day-to-day management The leverage model that lets you sell $100M personally while building empire simultaneously Why setting appointment-only office hours solves 99% of agent questions before they're asked The truth about growing talent vs. recruiting proven performers (and when to do each) This isn't about working harder. It's about working smarter—with video that travels for you, systems that scale without your constant attention, and the guts to invest in physical space when everyone else is going fully virtual. Ready to build your own Coast-style empire? Learn more about the eXp opportunity and Next Level Agents community at https://nextlevelagents.com/exp/ About Next Level Agents: Next Level Agents is the podcast for real estate agents who are done with mediocrity and ready for massive growth. Hosted by Kevin Kauffman, we bring you strategies, mindset shifts, and behind-the-scenes access to top performers who are breaking barriers and building empires. Whether you're looking to scale your team, master luxury markets, or leverage the eXp model to its fullest potential—this is where agents come to level up. ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠

You crushed it as a solo agent. Closed deal after deal. Made more money than you ever imagined. So you started a team—and everything fell apart. Sound familiar? In this episode, Kevin sits down with Matt Smith, a team leader who sold 74 homes his first full year in real estate and now leads 40 agents closing 700 deals annually across three Missouri locations. But the journey from top producer to successful team leader nearly destroyed him multiple times. Matt doesn't hold back. He reveals why most agents build teams for completely wrong reasons, why your ego is the biggest obstacle to scaling, and the three critical growth ceilings that trap even successful team leaders. This conversation will challenge everything you think you know about leadership, team building, and success in real estate. Key Topics Covered: Why being great at sales doesn't make you great at leadership The ego problem that keeps top producers stuck as beginner leaders Three critical sticking points that prevent teams from scaling How to transition from leading salespeople to leading leaders Why personal responsibility is your ultimate superpower The investment paradox: what if you pour everything into people and they leave? How the speed of the leader determines the pace of the pack Why you need to stop playing the victim and accept full responsibility Building a culture so strong that top talent never wants to leave About Matt Smith: Matt Smith leads the Matt Smith Team at eXp Realty, operating across three locations in Missouri including Lake of the Ozarks. After selling 74 homes in his first full year (2014), he started his team in 2016 and has grown it to 40 agents projected to close 700 deals this year while maintaining 20% market share in his primary marketplace for seven consecutive years. Matt is also a coach helping other team leaders break through growth ceilings and co-hosts the Built For More podcast with Dustin Runyon. ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠

Your communication skills are either making you money or costing you deals. There's no in-between. In this episode, we sit down with powerhouse Ari Jakobov, who's closed $100 million in sales in just four years by mastering the one skill most agents ignore: strategic communication. Ari breaks down the exact frameworks, tonality shifts, and questioning strategies that have helped him build a team of 23 agents, grow a 50-agent eXp organization, and secure multi-million-dollar listings—even in the most competitive markets. This isn't theory. It's tactical, immediately actionable, and designed for the chaos of real-world real estate conversations. In this episode, you'll learn: The five-minute energy shift that helps you show up confident and dialed in before every high-stakes conversation The six types of questions every top producer uses to guide prospects to reveal their problems out loud (so you never have to "pitch" again) Why result-based thinking closes more deals than process-based thinking—and how to flip the script immediately The power of identity framing (and how Ari used it to turn a hostile expired seller into two listings worth $10+ million) Pattern interrupts that break through the mental gatekeeper and keep cold calls from ending in two seconds How tonality creates authority, builds rapport, and disarms objections without sounding salesy The follow-up framework that trains prospects to actually want to hear from you Why top producers practice communication skills for 45 minutes every single day (and why you should too) If you've ever lost a deal because of how you said something—or didn't say it at all—this episode will change how you approach every conversation from here on out. Ready to level up your communication and start winning more deals? Learn more about joining a community of agents committed to mastery at https://nextlevelagents.com/exp/ Your turn: What's one communication tactic you're going to implement this week? Let us know—tag us on Instagram or LinkedIn and share your takeaway from this episode. Subscribe to Next Level Agents so you never miss a strategy, and check out our events tab at nextlevelagents.com to find our next virtual or in-person mastermind. Let's keep this momentum rolling. ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠

What does it take to move an entire brokerage—160 agents strong—to a completely new platform in just four weeks? Trust. Conviction. And a willingness to make fact-based decisions that put your people first, even when it's uncomfortable. LeAnne Weathers did exactly that. She evaluated the opportunities her agents were missing, made a decision based on data instead of ego, and executed with total conviction. The result? Almost all of her agents followed her to eXp Realty, not because she convinced them, but because she'd spent years building the kind of trust that makes radical change possible. In this episode, LeAnne breaks down: • Why she spent sleepless nights worrying about reactions that never came • How to make massive decisions based on facts instead of feelings • What her agents were missing that she couldn't provide as an independent brokerage • Why she calls eXp a "platform" instead of a brokerage (and why that distinction matters) • How to execute with speed without sacrificing thoughtfulness • The "all gas, no brakes" leadership style that separates transformers from maintainers • Why recruiting (yes, the hard R) solves almost every business problem when done with integrity This episode isn't just for brokerage owners. It's for anyone leading a team, making big decisions, or wondering how to build the kind of trust that makes people follow you into uncertainty. If you've ever avoided making a move because you were worried about offending someone or upsetting the status quo, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what real leadership actually looks like. Ready to explore what's possible with eXp? Learn more at https://nextlevelagents.com/exp/ ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠

Curtis Johnson has been running a real estate team for 26 years. He's sold 200+ homes annually for 23 consecutive years straight. Hit 100 million in production this year. And he's got a message that might make you uncomfortable: You're not struggling because the market is hard. You're struggling because you're distracted. Most agents are trying to do everything. Open houses one day. Expired calls the next. Door knocking. Social media. AI experiments. Crypto on the side. No depth. No mastery. No results. Curtis breaks down why picking two or three activities and going deep is the only path to consistent production. But here's where it gets uncomfortable: He also explains how high price points are hiding your lack of work ethic. Agents selling 8-10 homes a year feel successful because commissions are fat. Drop prices back to pre-inflation levels and half of you would be broke. You're not great. The market is just carrying you. This conversation is packed with hard truths about focus, credibility, reverse engineering your goals, and why most agents are building noise instead of results. Key themes we cover: The two-to-three rule: Why trying more than three lead generation activities guarantees you'll fail How to build credibility before you amplify your brand through social media and AI Why you should reverse engineer from your goal backward instead of from where you are forward The honest truth about teams versus building an EXP organization in today's market What it actually takes to lead something significant and why most people aren't willing to pay the price Why high home prices are masking incompetence across the industry How to know if you're scattered or strategic with your daily activities If you're tired of dabbling and ready to dominate, Curtis lays out exactly what separates producers from pretenders. No fluff. No BS. Just 26 years of battle-tested wisdom. Ready to stop being distracted and start building something real? Learn more about joining a community focused on mastery at nextlevelagents.com/exp. ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠