Advertise on podcast: Agent Rise Podcast

One month you're crushing it. The next, you're starting over from scratch, wondering what happened to all that momentum. If you've been in real estate for any length of time, you know this roller coaster — and you've probably assumed the fix is just working harder. In this episode, Neil shares a talk he recently gave live in Destin, Florida, breaking down exactly why so many agents stay stuck in this cycle — and it's not a lack of effort. It's that most agents don't actually know what "the work" is, so they chase an overwhelming menu of tactics, compare themselves to what everyone else is doing, and burn out doing a little bit of everything instead of the right things consistently. Neil walks through the simple framework behind every real estate business — lead generation, matchmaking, and servicing — and the three pillars (Sphere, Chase, and Attract) that make up lead generation. You'll see why picking tactics that are congruent to your personality and lifestyle matters more than copying what other agents do, and how a simple weekly day-blocking rhythm turns a plan into consistent action. Neil also gets personal, sharing what a two-year, cross-country RV trip taught him about happiness, outcomes, and why detaching from the result of any single day or deal is what actually makes consistency sustainable. If you're ready to stop starting over and build a business — and a life — that doesn't run you, this episode is the place to start.

Most agents chase every tactic someone tells them they have to do — YouTube, client events, networking, more content — and burn out chasing results that never quite come. Returning guest Mindi Kessenich, a Madison, WI agent with a thriving referral-based business and a growing new construction specialty, joins Neil to unpack what actually changed her business: quitting the tactics that didn't fit who she was. Mindi gets specific — the newsletter she almost lost her audience with before she found her own voice in it, the client events she stopped running because her heart wasn't in them, and the moment she realized most builders didn't actually value her expertise, which pushed her toward an underserved opportunity: educating new construction buyers instead. She also opens up about the years she saw clients as nothing more than commission checks, and the mindset shift that turned that around. This episode is a real case study in what happens when you stop performing a version of "successful agent" that isn't you, and start building every part of your business — your content, your niche, your relationships — around who you actually are. Whether you're in a slow season, feeling burned out by shiny-object marketing, or just sensing that something about your business doesn't quite fit, this conversation will give you a clear, honest look at what it takes to build a business you actually love.

Every other piece of real estate software fights to own the listing, the CRM, or the compliance file — and quietly left the heart of the deal untouched. So two brothers built the tool nobody else did. In this episode, Neil sits down with Garrett and Timothy Carr — a practicing agent doing around $20M a year and his brother, a systems guy from the roofing world — who built Deedible to solve the transaction chaos most agents just accept as the cost of doing business. But the reason this conversation matters goes beyond any one tool. Garrett makes a case that stuck with Neil: anyone who can close 15 deals a year can close 80. What breaks agents isn't the volume — it's the chaos. Your reputation and your sanity are the real ceiling, and systems are how you raise it. They dig into which systems to implement first, how client transparency kills the late-night panic calls, why so much real estate software misses (it's built from the outside, not by people living the deal), and where AI genuinely helps versus where it's just hype. It's grounded, practical, and honest — with a bonus detour into Garrett's #1 best-selling book on purpose and resilience. Whether or not you ever try what they built, there's something here for you. Learn more at deedible.com.

There's a free tool sitting right in front of every real estate agent that decides whether they get found online — and almost nobody is using it well. In this episode, Neil sits down with Bobby the Google Guy, a certified Google Business Profile expert who works exclusively with real estate agents. Bobby's message is a reversal of what most agents believe: AI didn't make your Google Business Profile less important — it made it the front door. ChatGPT, Gemini, and other AI models now decide which agents to recommend by reading trust signals from Google, Yelp, Bing Places, and the Better Business Bureau. And they only surface one, two, or three agents. If you're not one of them, you're invisible. The good news: it's free, and the competition is asleep. Bobby breaks down the exact, repeatable work that gets you found — keyword-rich reviews earned consistently, hyperlocal content that marks you as a community expert, and treating your profile as a living platform instead of "set it and forget it." He even shares how a brand-new agent outranked a 25-year veteran by doing this well. Bobby also built a free resource for Agent Rise listeners: the GBP & A.I. Visibility Checklist — 40 points that decide whether Google and the AI engines recommend you. Text GOOGLE to 833-500-1135 to get it sent to your phone.

Green Bay Greg has AI running through his entire business — ranking on Google, a mobile app, tools listening to every call. And he'll tell you straight up: none of it will save you. In this episode, Neil sits down with Green Bay Greg, one of the most tech-savvy agents in the business and the leader of a 14-agent independent brokerage doing over 450 transactions a year. Here's the twist: more than half of those deals still come from past clients and sphere, built on a decade of consistency, client events, and doing the mundane work most agents avoid. Greg is the rare tech expert who argues the tools aren't the point. AI is only valuable when it makes you a more efficient version of an agent who's already mastering the fundamentals — the calls, the matchmaking, the follow-up, the real customer service. Layer tech on top of that, and you become impossible to catch. Skip the fundamentals and buy tools to avoid them, and you get smoked. If you've ever felt behind on AI or buried in shiny objects, this episode is permission to double down on what actually works — and proof, from the most advanced tech agent Neil knows, that the fundamentals still win. If you want a business that's clear, consistent, and congruent with who you are, this one's for you.

There are roughly 21,000 real estate agents in the Houston area alone. Ronda Ross isn't competing with a single one of them. In this episode, Neil sits down with Ronda, a Houston-based broker who built her entire business around new construction — not by chasing individual listings, but by becoming the person builders can't run their business without. Ronda now controls close to 700 homes across multiple developments, and she walks through exactly how that happened, starting with one accidental listing and a habit most agents skip: real communication. Rhonda shares how she moved from representing single builders to representing entire developments, why she brings a project-management mindset (borrowed from her background in oil and gas) into every relationship, and why understanding things like water planning, permits, and zoning makes her indispensable rather than replaceable. If you've ever felt like "just another agent" in a crowded market, this episode makes the case that your background — whatever it is — might be the exact differentiator you've been overlooking. You'll learn: How to position yourself with builders instead of competing for buyers The front-end knowledge that sets new construction agents apart Practical first steps to start building builder relationships this week What buyer's agents consistently get wrong in new construction deals Rhonda also shared the actual slide deck from her talk at Real Estate Distilled, breaking down her entire builder strategy. Text RONDA to 833-500-1135 to get your copy. If you want to build a niche that compounds instead of a business that resets every month, this one's for you.

Matt DeFede hasn't made a single cold call in his real estate career — and you still can't Google his town without seeing his name. In this episode, Neil sits down with Matt, a former art director and creative director (WebMD, JP Morgan, the original AdWords) who brought his 30-year design background directly into real estate, building a marketing machine that dominates Nutley, New Jersey. Matt walks through his entire system: billboards, full-page print ads, a permission-based direct mail calendar, a hand-designed monthly newsletter, and more than 15 hyperlocal Facebook groups (one with over 13,000 members). He explains how he uses ChatGPT not to write content, but as a creative critique partner — an extra set of eyes on his designs. He also breaks down the mindset behind it all: staying in your zone of genius, refusing tactics that don't feel congruent, and knowing the difference between being the "favorite" and being "the fool." This episode is a rare, unfiltered look inside a real, working marketing operation — not theory, but an actual screen-share of the tools, tactics, and daily habits behind it. If cold calling and door knocking have never felt like "you," this conversation shows what's possible when you build your business around what you're actually good at. Whether you're a creative agent looking for permission to lean into your strengths, or you just want fresh, unconventional marketing ideas to steal, this episode delivers both.

Jacqui Luberto didn't interview at a single brokerage before getting her license — she walked in, handed it to the front desk, and asked, "What's my next step?" Ten years later, she's sold over 100 homes a year, built and led her own brokerage, and become a six-time "Best Agent in Destin" winner — almost entirely through sphere of influence and B2B relationships. No cold calls. No door knocking. Not once. In this conversation, Neil Mathweg digs into the real reason Jacqui's business works: she never tried to be someone she's not. From a stranger's question at a mastermind event that reframed her entire career, to the "collaborate, not compete" philosophy that built her brokerage culture, to a $50 pop-by that turned into a $250,000 referral chain, Jacqui breaks down what it actually looks like to build a business that's congruent with who you are. She also opens up about losing 55 pounds using the exact same mindset that built her business: stop overcomplicating it, pick one non-negotiable, and commit completely. It's proof the principle isn't a real estate tactic — it's how change actually works, in any part of your life. If you've ever felt like the "salesy" strategies everyone recommends just don't fit who you are, this episode will give you permission to build it your own way — and show you it can still work.

What does it actually look like to build a real estate business you love — from scratch, without cold calling, as a self-described introvert who hides from cameras at family parties? Eddie Brady went from government employee to full-time agent in December 2021 with half the income he needed. Today he helps 2–3 families relocate to Maryland every single week, largely through a YouTube channel he almost lost forever. In this episode, Eddie and Neil Mathweg break down the entire journey — the YouTube strategy that grew his GCI from $100K to $200K to $300K year over year, the Black Friday morning he woke up to find his channel completely deleted, and the Instagram funnel he built in response. You'll learn Eddie's batching system, his "never excited to record" mindset, why your email list matters more than your follower count, and how the Three Pillar Plan creates momentum that compounds over time. If you've been putting off YouTube because you don't feel ready — this episode is your permission slip.

What if you never had to buy another lead again? Greg Chaplain built a 13-agent team in Virginia Beach that closed over 400 transactions a year — surpassing $100M in annual volume — entirely through referrals and relationships. No Zillow. No ad spend. No lead gen platforms. In this conversation with Neil Mathweg, Greg unpacks the system behind the results: the B2B networking strategy rooted in his corporate background, the single question he asks every business owner he meets, and why most agents confuse word-of-mouth with actually working by referral — a distinction that changes everything. You'll also hear the story of a co-marketing campaign with a local HVAC contractor that generated 50–75 new clients, how Greg speaks the language of military and medical communities to unlock referrals nobody else sees, and why calling your database gets easier the moment you have something valuable to give. Whether you're a new agent trying to get traction or a team leader looking to scale without buying leads, this episode is the blueprint. 🎧 Hit subscribe and build a business you love.

Most real estate agents are approaching AI completely wrong — and it's costing them. In this episode of the Agent Rise Podcast, Neil Mathweg sits down with AI expert Eirik Rorvig to unpack what's really happening with AI in real estate and how agents can actually use it to get ahead in 2026. While many agents are chasing shortcuts, automations, and flashy tools, the real opportunity lies in something much deeper: thinking better, learning faster, and making stronger decisions. AI isn't just a productivity tool — it's a thinking partner that can elevate how you approach your business. You'll learn why most agents are misusing AI, the tools that are actually worth paying attention to, and how to use AI to sharpen your judgment instead of replacing your work. If you want clarity, confidence, and a real competitive edge moving forward, this episode is a must-listen.

Every real estate agent hears this: "We're not ready yet." And for most agents, that's where the deal slowly disappears. In this episode of the Agent Rise Podcast, Neil Mathweg talks with real estate leader Barry Jenkins about the follow-up strategy that turns "not ready" leads into future clients. Barry shares the scripts, mindset, and systems his team uses to nurture relationships months before people actually move. You'll learn how to ask better questions, build stronger conversations, and position yourself as a trusted advisor long before the transaction happens. Barry also explains the math behind prospecting, why most agents misunderstand lead conversion, and how even new agents can generate momentum through open houses and intentional follow-up. If you've ever struggled with leads that say "maybe later", this episode will give you a clear roadmap for turning those conversations into closings. Links: Barry Jenkins Instagram  Barry's Book – Too Nice for Sales Agent Rise Summit

Most real estate agents are chasing leads. Very few are becoming professionals worth hiring. In this episode of the Agent Rise Podcast, Neil Mathweg sits down with Steven Ross — author of Doors Open When You Knock — to unpack what 125,000 door knocks taught him about discipline, trust, and professional identity. This isn't a conversation about marketing hacks or social media tricks. It's about commitment. It's about building real relationships. And it's about simplifying your business instead of complicating it. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by follow-up systems, lead generation pressure, or the constant noise of the industry, this episode will challenge you to rethink your approach. The difference between amateurs and professionals? Commitment to simple actions. If you're ready to build a business rooted in trust, clarity, and consistency — this one is for you.

Most real estate agents attend conferences with high hopes — and leave with big ideas that never get implemented. In this episode of the Agent Rise Podcast, Neil Mathweg sits down with Scott Hack, broker-owner in Louisville, Kentucky and founder of Real Estate Distilled, to break down the conference strategy that actually grows your business. Scott shares why conferences often fail to create real change, and what top agents do differently to turn events into long-term growth. They unpack the importance of intentional networking, implementation days, accountability, and community — and why relationships often matter more than the content on stage. This conversation is especially powerful if you've ever: Felt motivated after a conference but struggled to follow through Attended sales-heavy events that didn't deliver real value Wanted clearer systems, better connections, and sustainable growth If you want to stop consuming ideas and start implementing what actually works, this episode will change how you approach conferences forever.

Most real estate teams don't fail because of lead flow. They fail because of onboarding, retention, and leadership gaps. In this episode of the Agent Rise Podcast, I'm joined by Marissa Canario, who spent nearly seven years helping build one of the largest expansion team networks inside Keller Williams. We dig into what really causes teams to plateau—and how to fix it before burnout, turnover, or frustration takes over. This conversation is for agents and team leaders who: Feel maxed out but hesitant to build a team Have a team that's stuck, disengaged, or leaking talent Want to scale without sacrificing culture, freedom, or sanity Marissa breaks down why onboarding is the foundation of everything, how leadership changes at each stage of growth, and what it actually takes to build teams that last in today's market. Chapters: [00:00] Why Most Real Estate Teams Plateau [02:10] Marissa's Path to Building Mega Teams [06:00] The Hidden Cost of Poor Onboarding [10:45] Why Retention Starts on Day One [14:30] 30-60-90 Day Plans That Actually Work [18:40] Why Lead Flow Isn't the Real Problem [22:15] Who Should Own Lead Conversion on a Team [26:30] The Right First Hire for Growing Teams [30:45] When (and When Not) to Expand Markets [35:40] Accountability vs Control in Team Leadership [39:50] Helping Burned-Out Agents Scale the Right Way [44:20] Final Advice for Team Leaders Feeling Stuck