Advertise on podcast: Next Level Agents: The Kevin & Fred Show - Interviews with the best and brightest minds in the real estate industry

Most leaders think they have a team problem. What they actually have is a communication problem — and there's a difference. In this solo episode, Kevin Kauffman breaks down why saying something once doesn't count as leadership, and what it actually takes for your message to land, move people, and create real change. If you've ever felt frustrated that your agents, your clients, or your team "just aren't getting it" — this one's for you. The problem probably isn't them. In this episode, Kevin covers: Why "I said it once" is the biggest lie leaders tell themselves The difference between people hearing you and people feeling you How to close the gap between clarity and conviction in your communication Why repetition isn't redundancy — it's a requirement of leadership The shift from asking "did I say that?" to asking "did it land?" What it means to lead clients, not just agents — and how this applies to you right now Ready to be part of a community where leadership like this is the standard? Come see what we're building at eXp and find out if Next Level Agents is the right fit for where you're headed: nextlevelagents.com/exp And check out our upcoming virtual and in-person masterminds on the events tab at nextlevelagents.com.

Most agents are trained to be fast — fast to respond, fast to solve, fast to give an answer. But Kevin Kauffman makes the case that speed might be costing you more than it's earning you. In this solo episode, Kevin breaks down the communication shift that separates average agents from the ones people actually want to follow. This one is practical, tactical, and honestly a little uncomfortable, because it means slowing down when everything in your training says speed up. If you're leading a team, working with clients, or trying to grow your business through recruiting, this framework will change how you show up in every conversation. In this episode, Kevin covers: Why jumping to your opinion first quietly kills your influence even when you're right The order of operations that high-level communicators use (questions → curiosity → understanding → opinion) Why understanding creates permission to lead and why authority, experience, and numbers don't A real-world listing appointment example: how to handle the seller who insists their home is worth $750K when the comps say otherwise How the same framework applies to recruiting conversations when an agent says "I'm thinking about staying where I'm at" The four-step framework: Clarify → Explore → Validate → Lead Why leadership isn't about having the right answers, it's about getting people to move If this episode fired you up and you're thinking about what it would look like to be part of a team that coaches, mentors, and actually invests in your growth, check out what we're building at eXp. Learn more at nextlevelagents.com/exp Want to catch us live? Head to the events tab at nextlevelagents.com for our upcoming virtual and in-person masterminds.

Most agents aren't losing because the market is bad. They're losing because their view of the market is distorted — and they don't know it. In this solo episode, Kevin Kauffman breaks down the psychology of misperception: why we default to worst-case thinking, how that drives bad decisions, and what it actually takes to see clearly in a chaotic market. This one hits different. It's not tactics. It's the foundation underneath every tactic — and if it's cracked, nothing else works. Key themes from this episode: Why the data says the world is improving — even when headlines say it's falling apart The "two types of people" trap that makes you misjudge your market, your clients, and your competition How blame creates the illusion of a simple explanation — and keeps you stuck Why urgency is the enemy of clear thinking and strategic action The difference between reacting to a moment and responding to a trend Why high performers aren't the fastest — they're the most consistent and the most accurate A simple playbook for slowing down and asking better questions when things feel chaotic If this episode made you think differently about how you're showing up in your business right now, that's the point. The agents who win long-term aren't the most emotional — they're the most clear. If you're ready to build that kind of business, come find out what Next Level Agents is all about. 👉 nextlevelagents.com/exp

You're busy. You're working hard. So why isn't your business growing the way it should? In this episode, Kevin Kauffman delivers the fifth and final truth in his Next Level Truths series — and it might be the most uncomfortable one yet. The problem isn't your market. It isn't your leads. It's the daily choice most agents don't even realize they're making. This one is short, focused, and built to hit. Kevin breaks down the hidden cost of staying comfortable, why burnout isn't from working too hard, and what separates high performers from everyone else grinding through the motions. Key themes from this episode: The difference between being busy and being effective — and why most agents confuse the two What "addicted to easy" actually looks like in your day-to-day business (hint: it's not laziness) Why organizing your CRM, watching training videos, and planning your week can all be forms of avoidance The comfort trap: how agents build businesses around what feels safe instead of what produces results Where burnout actually comes from — and it's not what most people think The single question to ask yourself before every task: "Is this easy, or is this effective?" Kevin's closing challenge: one uncomfortable action tomorrow to start building real momentum If this episode hit home, share it with another agent who needs to hear it. And if you're ready to build your business around what actually works — surrounded by people doing the same — learn more about what we're building at Next Level Agents.

Talent is overrated. There. We said it. In this episode of Next Level Truths, Kevin Kauffman breaks down one of the most misunderstood dynamics in real estate: why consistency will always outperform natural ability, and why most agents are chasing the wrong thing when they wait for motivation to show up before they take action. This is a short, focused episode, but don't let that fool you. The shift Kevin lays out here is one of the most practical reframes you can make in your business right now. If your results have been inconsistent, this is probably why. And the fix isn't complicated... it's just not easy. In this episode, Kevin covers: Why the "talent myth" keeps agents stuck and how to stop falling for it The real difference between discipline and habit — and why that distinction matters for your business Why operating from emotion is the #1 consistency killer The compound effect of daily action and what 90–180 days of consistency can actually produce How to stop asking "how do I get motivated?" and start asking the right question instead A simple, practical challenge to reset your habits starting this week If your business feels unpredictable right now, this episode is your starting point. Consistency isn't a personality trait — it's a choice. And the agents who make that choice every day are the ones building something that lasts. Ready to surround yourself with agents who are making that choice and building at the highest level? Learn more at nextlevelagents.com/exp.

Most agents have goals. Most agents have intentions. But intentions don't close deals — your calendar does. In this episode of the Next Level Truths series, Kevin Kauffman breaks down one of the most uncomfortable realities in real estate: your calendar is your actual business plan, whether you like what it says or not. If your days are filled with reactive tasks, random coffees, and administrative busywork, that's not bad luck — that's a choice. And the good news is, it's a choice you can change starting today. In this episode, Kevin covers: The "intention gap" — why there's a dangerous disconnect between what agents say matters and what actually shows up on their calendar Why top producers schedule their most important activities first, not last The four core activities that actually drive results in real estate (and why everything else is a distant second) The "protection principle" — how to guard your time blocks like a listing appointment you can't afford to lose Why "priority" is a singular word, and what that means for how you run your week A practical, no-fluff framework for building a calendar that reflects the business you actually want A simple 15-minute challenge to audit your last week and reset your focus going forward If your business isn't where you want it to be, the answer isn't a new strategy or a new tool. Open your calendar. That's where the truth lives. Ready to build a business — and a calendar — that actually gets you to the next level? Learn more about what we're building at nextlevelagents.com/exp.

Most real estate agents think leverage means hiring a team. Dave Zajdzinski built something different: a fully leveraged solo business that runs 8am to 8pm, seven days a week, across multiple time zones, while he's in Italy, France, or Maine. And real estate is his fifth priority. In this episode, Kevin Kauffman sits down with Dave to pull back the curtain on exactly how that system works, from the drip videos that generate listing appointments on autopilot, to the VA-managed CRM pipeline that moves buyers from first call to offer without Dave ever showing a house. If you've ever thought about hiring a virtual assistant but weren't sure how to make it actually work, this conversation is the one you've been waiting for. Key themes from this episode: Why 70% of first-time VA hires fail, and the two root causes nobody is addressing How Dave runs a real estate business as his fifth priority and still ranks near the top of his state in production The "airline model" for explaining your business structure to buyers (and why it closes them faster) How to build an irresistible offer drip sequence that makes ISA appointments easy to set The difference between leverage for growth and leverage for freedom — and why most agents need the second one first Dave's new "CRM Assist" product: seven-day-a-week buyer pipeline coverage for $750/month Why giving VAs culture and community is the missing piece most businesses skip entirely What it really costs to build an 8am–8pm system from scratch — and a smarter path to get there If this episode fired you up about what your business could look like with the right leverage in place, the next step is simple, head to nextlevelagents.com/exp to learn more about building your business inside a community that's already figured this out. Connect with Dave Zajdzinski: Website: leverageagent.org Phone: 480-332-6468 Event: 1-Day Marketing Audit Workshop Date: June 10, 2026 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Ticket price: $500 (use code KevinK for a free ticket) Details and registration: nextlevelagents.com (Events tab) Please leave us a review at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠⁠⁠

Most agents spend their careers chasing leads — buying them, testing new platforms, trying to crack the code. But the truth is, the highest-converting business in real estate isn't coming from strangers. It's already sitting in your phone. In this episode, Kevin Kauffman breaks down Next Level Truth #2: your database is your business. Not your CRM. Not your marketing plan. Not your brand. Your relationships. And if you shift the way you think about the people already in your world, it changes everything about how you build — and sustain — a real estate career. In this episode: Why chasing cold leads is costing you your most valuable long-term asset The difference between a storage system and a relationship system — and why it matters How trust shortens sales cycles, increases conversion, and drives referrals What real database nurturing actually looks like (hint: it's not email blasts) The "database flywheel" and how great agents build businesses that feed themselves Why playing the long game is your biggest competitive advantage A simple daily question that shifts your entire approach to prospecting If you're ready to stop chasing and start building, this one's for you. Learn more about what it looks like to grow your business inside a community that gets it at nextlevelagents.com/exp.

Most agents think they need more leads. Kevin Kauffman is here to tell you that's almost never the real problem. In the first episode of the new Next Level Truths series, Kevin breaks down one of the most recurring patterns he sees across agents at every level — and why fixing it doesn't require a new CRM, a new lead source, or a new strategy. This is a short, focused episode built around a single truth: leads don't create closings. Conversations do. If your business isn't where you want it to be right now, this one's going to hit differently. In this episode, Kevin covers: Why "I just need more leads" is the story agents tell themselves instead of facing the real issue The simple chain reaction that drives every single closing in real estate Why busy doesn't mean productive — and how to tell the difference The avoidance pattern behind why agents keep chasing new tools and systems How one team team closed 750 transactions in a small market by obsessing over one metric The 10-business-day challenge that could immediately shift the trajectory of your business If you're ready to stop spinning your wheels and start building real momentum, this episode is your reset button. Ready to find out what the next level actually looks like for you? Learn more about joining Kevin's team at nextlevelagents.com/exp. Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠⁠⁠

Andrew Ricks walked away from a doctorate-level career in physical therapy, sold his clinics, let his license lapse, and went all in on real estate — with a newborn at home and zero safety net. Less than two years later, he's closing four to five deals a month, landing $4 million listings, and building the kind of client relationships that generate referrals for years. This episode is for every agent sitting on the fence, keeping a backup plan "just in case," or wondering if it's too late to build something real. Andrew's story proves it's not about how long you've been in the game — it's about how seriously you take it from day one. In this episode, Andrew and EK dig into: Why removing optionality (burning the bridge on his PT career) was the move that unlocked his full commitment to real estate The early mistakes that taught him you can't outsource lead generation and expect results How he built a relationship-first client system using automations, personal follow-up, and strategic touches that keep clients connected long after closing Why chasing commissions early in your career is the slowest path to building a sustainable business The imposter syndrome that came with transitioning from medicine to real estate and how he pushed through it What it actually looks like to evolve from being a "realtor" to being a full-service advisor clients call for the next 10 years If you've been treating your real estate business like a side hustle or a fallback, this conversation is the gut check you didn't know you needed. Ready to build something that lasts? Learn more about what eXp and the Next Level Agents community can do for your business at nextlevelagents.com/exp. ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠⁠⁠

In today’s special episode of Next Level Agents, we’re putting our very own podcast producer, Sarah Heeter in the hot seat! As podcasting continues to explode, you’ve probably wondered if you need to start your own, what you would make your podcast about, and if you need to be a super tech nerd to launch. Sarah is here to answer these questions, and more, and provide a roadmap for turning your podcast idea into a reality.    Sarah Heeter is a full service podcast producer and strategic consultant. She is the host of Big Brave Business, a podcast about leadership and business ethics. Sarah loves to help people strategically launch, grow, and monetize podcasts in order to expand their audience, establish their expertise, and make more money.  Whether you want to build a deeper audience connection, establish your expertise, have great conversations about your passions, make money (or all the above), a podcast is an insanely powerful branding weapon. Having influence, and a strong know, like and trust factor in real estate is key. What accomplishes that more than a podcast?    Guest Info  Sarah K. Heeter transforms ambitious voices into influential platforms as CEO of Podfox Media, architect of 5,000+ episodes with millions of downloads worldwide. Her strategic guidance has launched multiple shows into the global top 1%, converting podcast success into bestselling books and thriving businesses. Host of Big Brave Business (top 2% globally), Sarah's expertise empowers creators to build authority platforms that convert listeners into revenue-generating communities.   Website: ⁠https://podfoxmedia.com Sarah’s podcast about podcasting: https://bigbravebusiness.com/listen Learn more about hosting your own podcast: ⁠Launchmyshow.com⁠ Follow Sarah on Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/sarahkheeter⁠ 

Most real estate agents are told the same lie: sell more, do more, hustle harder — and eventually, freedom will follow. But what if scaling your production is actually just scaling your stress? Kevin Kauffman gets real about the trap that catches even the top producers in the industry, and why the question you're asking about your business might be the very thing keeping you stuck. This episode is a mindset reset. Kevin breaks down the difference between transactions and ownership, hustle and duplication, and what it actually means to build something that pays you for decisions you made years ago — not the effort you're putting in today. In this episode: Why the top producers in real estate are often the least free — and what that tells us about how most agents are building their businesses The single question that changed everything for Kevin: "How does this work without me?" Transactions vs. ownership — and why restarting at zero every month is a choice, not a requirement Why your talent, charisma, and hustle don't scale — but simple, boring, repeatable systems do The compounding recruiting model: what it looks like to add one to two quality agents a month and build real leaders over time The identity shift that separates producers from builders — and why it's the hardest (and most important) move you'll make If you're done grinding for dollars that stop the moment you stop working, this episode is your next step. The game changes the moment you're no longer required for every dollar — and Kevin shows you exactly how to get there. Learn more about building with Next Level Agents at nextlevelagents.com/exp. ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠⁠⁠

You're working hard. Your calendar is packed, your phone doesn't stop, and by Friday you're completely wiped out — but your business doesn't feel like it moved an inch. That's not a hustle problem. That's a clarity problem. In this solo episode, Kevin Kauffman breaks down a framework — inspired by his friend and business partner Brian Gubernick — that separates agents who grind forever from agents who actually grow. It's called the energy audit combined with a leverage audit, and it's one of the most honest diagnostic tools you can run on your own business right now. What's covered: The difference between "true drains" and "growth discomfort" — and why mixing them up keeps your business stuck How to assign a dollar value to every task on your plate and what most agents discover when they do The "collision point" framework: how to identify what to eliminate, delegate, or automate immediately Why high performers design their week around $1,000/hour activities first — and fit everything else around that The Gary Keller principle Kevin learned early in his career: never let current business get in the way of new business A 30-minute challenge you can do this week to start reclaiming your time right now Ready to audit your week and build a business that actually grows? Learn more about what Kevin and the Next Level Agents crew are building at nextlevelagents.com/exp. Referenced in this episode: Brian Gubernick's No Days Off podcast: nodaysoff.com ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠⁠⁠

The market doesn't care about your excuses — and honestly, neither do the agents who are winning right now. In this episode, Kevin Kauffman and Erik Kelly get real about what's actually separating the agents who are thriving from the ones who are barely surviving, and it has nothing to do with interest rates or inventory. This one's a no-fluff, straight-talk conversation about consistency, mastery, mental health, and the kind of human connection that builds a business that lasts through every market cycle. If you've been waiting for the market to "get easier" before you go all in, this episode is going to challenge that thinking hard. What we get into: Why the market cycle is never the real problem — and what actually is The difference between agents who had their best year ever in 2024 and those who had their worst (hint: same market) Why waiting for rates to drop might be the trap you don't see coming The Tiger Woods and Paul Skenes approach to skill-building that most agents will never commit to Why 7 out of 10 agents didn't sell a single home last year — and the mindset shift that changes that How to consult instead of pitch, and why it's the communication skill that closes more deals The consistency principle that predicts your income better than any market report Mental health, human connection, and why going deeper in conversation might be the most underrated business strategy in real estate right now If this episode hit home, you're probably the kind of agent who's ready to stop waiting and start building — regardless of what the market is doing. That's exactly who we built Next Level Agents for. Learn more about what we're doing at eXp and how to plug in at nextlevelagents.com/exp. ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠⁠⁠

Most real estate training tells agents what to do. Bryon Ellington, Chief Learning Officer of eXp Realty, is building something different — training that actually gets agents into action, backed by real data from real producers who are crushing it right now. In this episode, Kevin Kauffman sits down with Bryon to go deep on eXp University's FastCap program, the Elite Solo Agent Mastermind, and a brand-new lead generation training series that interviewed dozens of top agents to find the repeatable systems behind their success. Whether you're brand new, relaunching, or ready to scale from $5M to $10M, there's a path being built specifically for where you are. What We Cover Why traditional new agent training fails — and what eXp did differently to build FastCap The data behind FastCap: how average completers rack up 3.6 appointments and 1.9 agreements in just six weeks How a partnership with Realty.com is putting live seller leads in the hands of brand new agents — and the results that followed Why 71% of agents did zero or one deal last year, and what the industry needs to do about it The open house strategy most agents are completely missing (hint: the open house isn't the event — it's the excuse) Four totally different door-knocking and open house approaches from top producers, and why all of them work The "10 ponds" lead generation framework that helps agents fish beyond the MLS What the Elite Solo Agent Mastermind offers experienced agents who feel overlooked at most brokerages Why the best training content doesn't come from the most successful agents — it comes from people just two or three steps ahead of you How to use Instagram Stories to document every transaction without ever turning the camera on yourself Ready to level up? Whether you're just getting started or scaling past your current ceiling, the tools are already built — and if you're with eXp, they're free. Plug in, do the work, and go get different. Explore the Lead Mastery Agent Playbooks mentioned in this episode: https://www.expuniversity.com/agentplaybooks Learn more about joining eXp and the Next Level Agents community: https://nextlevelagents.com/exp/ ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠⁠⁠