Episodes

When interest rates are rising, deals are falling through, and uncertainty dominates the headlines—what’s the smartest way to invest in commercial real estate? In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I’m joined again by real estate attorney and investor Steven Spierer to unpack how seasoned investors navigate volatility without losing their edge. With over 3,000 multifamily units under management and nearly five decades of legal experience, Steven shares what actually works when the ...

In this special crossover episode, I sit down with Steven Spierer—real estate attorney, investor, and host of TalkRadio1.com—for a wide-ranging conversation on the legal and strategic fundamentals behind real estate investing. Steven has been practicing law and investing in real estate for 47 years. In this episode, we explore the biggest pitfalls he’s seen investors make—and the timeless principles that separate smart operators from those who lose big. This is Part 1 of our conversation. Top...

This week on Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sat down with Richard C. Wilson, CEO of Family Office Club—the largest network of ultra-wealthy investors in the world. We got into everything—from how to actually reach family offices to why most people blow the pitch before they even get started. If you're raising capital, structuring CRE deals, or just want to understand how the wealthy think, this conversation is packed with value. 💡 In this episode, we cover: How Richard built the Family Of...

This week on Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with Ben Reinberg—CEO of Alliance CGC, creator of the Hard Asset Empire Blueprint, and author of Hard Assets and Hard Money for Hard Times—to break down what it really takes to build lasting wealth in today’s uncertain economy. In a time when liquidity is tightening and the market feels shaky, Ben shares why hard assets are the most reliable path to long-term stability—and how he built an empire by betting on tangible investments when othe...

What a conversation! In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with Zach Molzer—the 24-year-old developer who’s flipping a 100-year-old haunted hotel in the heart of Kansas City into 122 apartments, a rooftop cocktail bar, and over 20,000 square feet of amenity space. We get into: How Zach found and locked down the Aladdin Hotel dealThe 3-part process to qualify for state and federal historic tax creditsWhat it actually takes to raise millions from private investorsThe v...

In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sat down with Rafael Weiss, the founder and CEO of Sytes—the reverse marketplace that’s closing CRE deals faster (and cheaper) than anything we’ve seen before. You’ve heard of CoStar. You’ve heard of Crexi. But Sytes is doing what neither of them will: putting tenants first. Instead of landlords listing properties and hoping someone bites, Sytes lets tenants post exactly where they want to be—down to the corridor, intersection, and square foo...

This week on Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I chat with Carson Baird—industrial and land broker based in Southwest Florida and proud twin dad—to talk about the power of social selling in commercial real estate. Carson shares how his consistent presence on LinkedIn helped him break into a competitive market, close a $3.2M deal, and build a nationwide referral network—all while raising newborn twins. 🔑 What You’ll Learn: How Carson transitioned from entitlement work to brokerage Why posting on...

If you’re tired of cold calling, chasing leads, or feeling like your credibility is always on trial—this one’s for you. I sat down with author and CRE strategist Ed Winslow to talk about how he built an inbound lead machine using proof, positioning, and online authority. The same approach that got him featured on the front page of the New York Times—twice. 📌 This isn’t theory. It’s a playbook for brokers who want everyone to trust them before they even say a word. 👥 Who this episode is for: ...

This week on Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with Brittany Megrath, owner and principal broker at M Square Commercial, to dig into the evolving world of retail real estate and ground-up development. From fast-food drive-thrus to the explosion of Las Vegas, Brittany shares what’s working in retail, why land pricing is more critical than ever, and how developers are adapting to a high-cost, high-uncertainty market. Key Topics Covered: Why retail—especially service-based pad sites—is th...

This week, I sat down with Matt Buchalski—head of sales at OwnWell and founder of Deep Blue Capital—to talk about something that’s crushing a lot of investors right now: property taxes. Let’s be real—pricing peaked in 2022, but the tax assessments haven’t caught up. If you’re not actively appealing, you’re probably getting fleeced. Matt and I go deep on how he and the OwnWell team are using AI, machine learning, and real-time financials to fight back—and win. 💥 In this episode, we cover: Why ...

Want to sell a property and keep more of your profits instead of writing a massive check to the IRS? In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Chassidy Goolsby, a 1031 exchange expert who breaks down—plain and simple—how a 1031 exchange works, how investors can defer capital gains taxes, and why most people don’t learn the real rules until they’re already under the gun. Key Topics Discussed What a 1031 exchange is (explained like you’re in 5th g...

On this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I had the absolute pleasure of catching up with my friend, fellow mom, and one of the sharpest brokers I know—Amy Calandrino. She’s the founder of Beyond Commercial and just released her first book, From Perfect to Real. Amy and I talk about the pressure to always have it together in commercial real estate—and how admitting you're not okay can actually be your greatest turning point. In this episode, we get into: How a podcast, a keynote, and...

This week, I sat down with Rod Santomassimo, founder of the Massimo Group and one of the most influential voices in commercial real estate coaching. Rod has helped some of the biggest names in the business—including Bob Knakal—scale their income and sharpen their focus. I’m proud to say I’ve been working with Rod for over a year now, and his impact on my mindset and business has been game-changing. In this episode, we talk about: How Rod went from serial entrepreneur to launching the most respe...

This week, I sit down with Topher Stephenson, Head of Operations at Aspire Commercial and author of Chat CRE News—the leading newsletter on AI and tech in commercial real estate. In this episode, Topher breaks down how ChatGPT is becoming a secret weapon for brokers, operators, and owners looking to save time and scale smarter. What we cover: How Topher uses ChatGPT to create bios, draft property descriptions, and even write drone video scripts The difference between experimenting with AI and...

In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with Justin Ryder, a commercial real estate advisor, investor, and media creator based in Kentucky. Justin is the co-host of Sales Life, a new podcast redefining what it means to thrive in brokerage—with a focus on authenticity, consistency, and human connection. We talk about: 🚀 How content creation brought him repeat deals and long-term clients 🎯 Why consistency beats intensity in commercial real estate 📈 The ROI of media: From soc...

In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with Brent Bowers, land investor and founder of The Landsharks. After deployments and landlord headaches, Brent found a high-margin niche no one was talking about—flipping raw land for massive profits, building passive income, and ultimately, buying commercial properties with cash flow from dirt. 🏞️ We talk about: 🚀 How Brent turned $285 land deals into multi-million dollar flips 📦 Why seller-financed land is better than rental prope...

In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with Cory Zelnik, CEO and founder of Zelnik & Company. After building his career from walking Manhattan streets for $250 a week to negotiating multimillion-dollar leases, Cory is now one of NYC's leading retail leasing experts. We talk about: 🛍️ Why retail isn’t dead (and how luxury brands are thriving in NYC) 🤝 How to build lifelong client relationships (featuring CVS, Duane Reade, and Panda Express) ⏳ The secret to patience in deal...

Most women don't lack the ability—they lack the confidence and support to fully engage in real estate investing. In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva sits down with Liz Faircloth, co-founder of the Real Estate InvestHER community and host of the InvestHER Show podcast, to explore how women are reshaping the real estate investment landscape. 💡 We talk about: ✔️ Liz’s journey from a duplex to managing over 2,000 multifamily units ($150M+ in assets) ✔️ Powerful insights ...

If you’ve ever thought investing in real estate was only for insiders or people with massive portfolios — this episode is going to shift your mindset. Too many investors stay stuck in the stock market because they don’t know where to start with alternatives. Tom Dunkel is here to break it down. In this episode, we’re diving into why private real estate deals are more accessible than you think, how to build true diversification, and why now might be the perfect time to shift some capital out of...

Legacy. Strategy. Evolution. In this episode, I sit down with Jeffrey Rosenberg, President & CEO of Big V Property Group, to explore the pivotal lessons from over 80 years in the commercial real estate industry. What started with a corner grocery store in the 1940s is now a 50+ center, 14-state retail portfolio—anchored by some of the biggest names in the game. Jeffrey shares what it takes to not only survive but thrive in big box retail—and why the smartest operators are leaning into omnichann...

In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Bupp—founder of Sunrise Capital Investors and host of Real Estate Investing for Cash Flow—to unpack the real story behind mobile home parks, parking garages, and what it really takes to succeed in niche commercial real estate. We talk about: The Truth About Mobile Home Parks – Everyone says they’re low-maintenance, cash-flow machines. Kevin calls BS—and shares what it’s actually like to manage thousands of lots across the U.S. Parking Garages as a Power ...

You can’t build a successful real estate portfolio if you don’t understand the fundamentals first. That’s why strategy, stability, and tax advantages are key to long-term success. In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with Stewart Heath, CPA, CEO of Harvard Grace Capital, to dive deep into: 🔹 How Stewart Heath transitioned from CPA to real estate investor 🔹 The impact of the 2008 financial crisis & key lessons learned 🔹 Why medical office buildings are a hidden gem in co...

🔥 The Industrial Real Estate Revolution (And Why Cold Storage Is the Future) Industrial real estate has gone from being the “Rodney Dangerfield” of commercial real estate to one of the hottest asset classes. And this week, we’re talking to the man who’s been in the game for 40 years—Cliff Booth, Founder and Chairman of Westmount Realty Capital. In this episode, we break down: ✅ How industrial real estate became the hottest investment class ✅ Why cold storage is booming—and what’s driving ...

In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with Dave Wolcott, Founder and CEO of Pantheon Investments, to break down the unconventional wealth-building strategies used by the top 1%. Dave shares his journey from serving in the Marine Corps to becoming a successful investor and reveals how to achieve financial freedom beyond traditional stock market investments. We talk about: The Holistic Wealth Strategy – Why traditional financial advice won’t make you wealthy and the five p...