In this episode of Work Hard, Play Hard, and Give Back, Mike Litzner sits down with Sandra Caruso, Regional Manager of the Mount Sinai and Wading River offices for Coldwell Banker American Homes. Sandra shares what it really takes to lead 100+ agents across two distinct markets, how her experience as an agent shapes her leadership style, and why understanding people, not just transactions, is the foundation of long-term success. The conversation also goes inside the brand new Mount Sinai offi...

Thank you for listening Stay connected with us: Facebook: facebook.com/cbamhomes Instagram: instagram.com/cbamhomes Twitter: twitter.com/cbamhomes LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cbamhomes Visit our website: cbamhomes.com Interested in a career in real estate? Join our team: careers.cbamhomes.com Need to get licensed? New York Real Estate Salesperson Classes: resnys.com/77-hr-new-york-real-estate-salesperson-classes-cb/

In this episode of Work Hard, Play Hard, and Give Back – A Real Estate Podcast, host Michael Litzner sits down with Lyndsey Gallagher, Chief Financial Officer of Coldwell Banker American Homes, to talk about what it’s really like leading in a family-run company that’s been growing strong for nearly four decades. Lyndsey shares how she went from answering phones in the office as a teenager to managing the financial operations that power more than 1,000 agents and 100 employees. She talks about...

Meet Richie Krug Jr. & Taleen Krug, the husband-and-wife powerhouse behind the RTK Realty Group at Coldwell Banker American Homes (East Meadow). In this episode, Mike digs into the exact habits and systems that fuel their growth: color-coded shared calendars, rigorous CRM discipline, clear “ops vs. outreach” roles, and a content-first social strategy that actually converts. We also get personal—raising kids, phone-free dinners, pickleball, and how community service (Trunk-or-Treat, f...

Top agent John Gandolfo joins host Mike Litzner to unpack the routines, product knowledge, and client care that power more than a thousand home sales. He shares the disciplined pipeline that turns leads into listings, contracts, closings—and lifelong referrals—plus the “bedside manner” that keeps transactions calm and informed. You’ll hear waterfront specifics (bulkheads, floating docks, ramps, tides), flood insurance realities, and why equal treatment at every price point matters. John also ...

Thinking about getting your real estate license or curious about what it really takes to succeed in the industry? In the Season 2 finale of Work Hard, Play Hard, and Give Back – A Real Estate Podcast, we sit down with Michael Aharoni, Branch Manager of the Coldwell Banker American Homes Farmingdale office and certified instructor for the Real Estate School of New York State (RESNYS). With a unique blend of in-the-field expertise and classroom insight, Michael breaks down the process of gettin...

In this episode of Work Hard, Play Hard, and Give Back – A Real Estate Podcast, Mike Litzner sits down with Vinnie DiOrio, Branch Manager at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, to shed light on the modern mortgage process. From his early career with the New York Islanders to building a client-first approach in lending, Vinnie shares his insights on: How the mortgage industry has evolvedAppraisal waivers and competitive offer strategiesThe importance of face-to-face consultationsCommon p...

In this inspiring episode, host Mike Litzner sits down with Christine Dato, a top agent at Coldwell Banker American Homes in Hicksville, to discuss her unique path in real estate—starting not once, but twice. Christine shares the challenges she faced as a young agent, why she stepped away from the industry, and what ultimately brought her back with renewed confidence and purpose. From navigating today’s fast-paced market to building trust with clients and giving back to her Long Island commun...

In this episode of Work Hard, Play Hard, and Give Back – A Real Estate Podcast, host Mike Litzner sits down with Dan Jacuzzi, President and Broker/Owner of The Select Group — one of the top 50 brokerages in the U.S. With over 70 offices spanning six states and both Century 21 and Coldwell Banker brands, Dan brings a wealth of insight into leadership, growth, luxury real estate, and the future of the industry. From his start in a 9-agent office to managing over 1,700 agents, Dan shares strateg...

In this episode of Work Hard, Play Hard, and Give Back – A Real Estate Podcast, host Mike Litzner sits down with Barbara Mullaney and team members Katy Myers and Peggy Elliott of The Barbara Mullaney Team — one of the top-producing teams on Long Island. From building a business on referrals to mastering the unique dynamics of the Long Beach and Barrier Islands market, the conversation dives deep into: The evolution from solo agent to successful teamHonest, data-backed pricing strategiesFlood ...

In our next episode, host Mike Litzner sits down with Tony Briguglio, Broker of Record for Coldwell Banker Commercial AMH, aka “The King of Commercial,” for an unfiltered look at the world of commercial real estate. From navigating cap rates and SBA loans to spotting undervalued assets and closing deals with national tenants—Tony shares expert insights that every investor, agent, and entrepreneur should hear. Thank you for listening Stay connected with us: Facebook: facebook.com/cbamhomes...

In this episode of Work Hard, Play Hard, and Give Back - A Real Estate Podcast, we sit down with Jim McKenna Sr. and Jim McKenna Jr., the dynamic father-son duo behind The Jims Team in Northport, NY. With decades of combined experience, they share: ✅ How they built a thriving real estate business together ✅ The challenges and rewards of working as a family ✅ Their success in both residential resale and new construction ✅ The importance of client-first service and community involvement ✅ How g...

In this episode of Work Hard, Play Hard, and Give Back - A Real Estate Podcast, we sit down with David Marine, Chief Marketing Officer of Anywhere Brands, the parent company behind Coldwell Banker, Century 21, ERA Real Estate, and Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. With over 22 years of experience in real estate marketing, David shares his incredible journey from creating the first digital listing presentation to pioneering social media in the industry by launching the first-ever Facebook ...

What does it take to turn a life-changing decision into a 20-year real estate career? This week on Work Hard, Play Hard, and Give Back – A Real Estate Podcast, we sit down with Marie Asher, a dedicated Real Estate professional who went from being a nurse to one of Massapequa Park’s most trusted realtors. Marie shares: ✅ Her “aha” moment that helped her breakthrough in year two ✅ Why mentorship & continuous learning are crucial for success ✅ How building rel...

🎙 Season 2 is Here! We’re kicking off Season 2 of Work Hard, Play Hard, and Give Back - A Real Estate Podcast with none other than Sheila McKenna Olsen! With over 30 years in real estate, Sheila has seen it all—from shifting markets to major industry changes. In this episode, we cover: 🏡 The biggest changes in real estate over the last 30 years ⚖️ How the NAR lawsuit & MLS changes impact real estate agents 💡 The importance of negotiation & agent training in today’s market 📱 Why social...

In the Season 1 finale of "Work Hard, Play Hard, and Give Back," host Mike Litzner sits down with his long-time business partner and co-owner of Coldwell Banker American Homes, Tom Gallagher. With over 36 years of working together, they delve into the secrets behind their enduring partnership and how they've built an incredible company from a small real estate office to a leading firm in the industry. They discuss balancing financial acumen with building close relationships, the importance o...

In Episode 9 of "Work Hard, Play Hard, and Give Back," host Mike Litzner sits down with top agent Luis Cardenas from our Hicksville office. Luis shares his inspiring journey from immigrating to the United States from Venezuela at age 13 to becoming a successful real estate agent and U.S. citizen. He discusses how his family motivateshim to excel and how he balances traditional and digital marketing, including unique video marketing strategies that help him stand out in the competitive real es...

Valerie Rosenblatt, a top agent at Coldwell Banker American Homes, shares her inspiring journey from an art and design major to a powerhouse in real estate. Valerie opens up about the grit and dedication required to excel in the industry, debunking the myth of real estate as an easy career. Listen as she details her relentless pursuit of market trends from Queens to Montauk and her strategic insights into breaking into new construction through trust and relationship-building with builders. U...

What if the key to success in real estate is continuous learning and adaptation? Join us as we welcome Deb Asher, Director of Business Development for Coldwell Banker American Homes, to share her wealth of experience and insights on the importance of education in the real estate industry. Deb delves into the Academy at American Homes, an education platform offering a wide range of sessions featuring managers, attorneys, vendors, and real estate professionals. She also discusses the role of te...

What does it take to steer a real estate company through turbulent market conditions? Learn from Kate Conquest, National Vice President at Coldwell Banker, as she shares her extraordinary journey from an 18-year-old secretary to a national vice president. Discover the strategies and insights that helped her navigate the market changes of 2006-2007 and the severe downturn of 2007-2009. Kate's compelling narrative is filled with resilience, strategic acquisitions, and the highs and lows of runn...