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What does it look like to serve families beyond the real estate transaction? In this Beyond Real Estate conversation, Meredith Fogle talks with Valerie Upham, a San Diego real estate professional with more than 22 years of experience and founder of the Aging Parent Network. Valerie shares how her work with older adults and families grew from real estate into a broader service focused on downsizing, trust and estate sales, probate, home safety, senior living resources, and difficult family conversations. She explains why families should talk about wishes, power of attorney, safety, finances, and housing before a crisis—and how agents can stay in discovery long enough to understand the real problem a client needs solved. Valerie also discusses choosing a niche, building a service-centered business, her upcoming book about conversations with aging parents, and her goal of connecting families with trusted resources nationwide.

In this Beyond Real Estate episode, special guest Dan Williams — broker and head coach of the Williams Group at Keller Williams Realty in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, leader of a 13-agent team averaging roughly 270 transactions and $70M in annual volume, former 30-year pastor, and author of Live Today Well: A Journey to Life Without Regret — joins Meredith to talk about building a real estate business by design, not by default. Dan’s ministry background shaped a people-first approach to production: everyone is fighting a battle, numbers alone don’t satisfy, and success measured only by units and GCI can quietly cost the relationships and life the business was meant to support. Together they dig into how agents — especially during fall business-planning season — can reverse the usual planning order: start with the life you want, then reverse-engineer the money and production required to fund it. Meredith and Dan also unpack presence vs. the myth of perfect balance, time-blocking and weekly reflection, the “rocks in the backpack” problem of overcommitment, how to say a thoughtful no, and practical first steps to realign when you’ve drifted — including Dan’s online assessment and coaching mindset. They close with who Live Today Well is for (from grandkids to agents in their 20s/30s making decisions that echo decades later) and tease a future conversation on leverage. 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why building by design starts with the life you want — not last year’s unit count ✅ How a people-first mindset from ministry becomes a competitive advantage in real estate and team leadership ✅ Signs you’re chasing production at the expense of what actually matters ✅ How to use time-blocking and a weekly look-back so the “silent” priorities don’t suffer most ✅ Why presence beats the myth of perfect work-life balance ✅ A practical script for a thoughtful “no” that protects your best yes ✅ First steps to realign when you’ve piled too many rocks in the backpack ✅ How Live Today Well and danwilliams.life (assessment + book) can help agents live intentionally without regret This episode is for real estate professionals — and anyone building a high-output career — who wants success without waking up lonely at the summit. 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts! 🔔 Subscribe to So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent for more Beyond Real Estate conversations with innovative thinkers, entrepreneurs, authors, speakers, and experts whose ideas can help you build a better business — and a better life. #BeyondRealEstate #RealEstatePodcast #LiveTodayWell #ByDesignNotDefault #RealEstateSuccess #TeamLeadership #KellerWilliams #WorkLifeBalance #Presence #BusinessPlanning #RealEstateCoach #DanWilliams #MeredithFogle #SoYouWantToBeARealEstateAgent

In this Beyond Real Estate episode of So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent, host Meredith Fogle sits down with speaker, author, coach, and longtime fitness professional Renée Arn for a conversation about a transition that eventually comes for all of us: What happens when the life that once defined you begins to change - and you have the opportunity to decide who you want to become next? After more than two decades as a personal trainer and coach, Renée experienced her own profound turning point when divorce and an empty nest arrived in the same season. Beneath the roles she had spent years filling, she found herself confronting a question many women encounter in midlife: Who am I now? What began as a season of rebuilding ultimately became Renée's mission. Today, she helps women reclaim purpose, strength, identity, and vitality in midlife—and challenges the idea that this stage of life should be defined primarily by loss, aging, or limitation. In this deeply personal conversation, Meredith and Renée explore the enormous opportunity hidden inside reinvention. They talk about navigating perimenopause and menopause, beginning—or beginning again—with fitness at any age, rebuilding an identity after years of caretaking, and discovering a purpose that belongs to you rather than simply to the roles you play for other people. Renée also shares the unusual practice that became an important part of her own healing: rucking, or walking while carrying weight. What began as physical training became a powerful metaphor and practice for resilience—learning to carry weight physically while discovering a different way to carry it emotionally. And the conversation goes deeper. Drawing from Renée's years of advocacy for survivors of abuse, they explore healing after trauma, rebuilding self-worth and agency, and why women who have experienced controlling or abusive relationships deserve compassion rather than judgment about how they stayed, left, or survived. 🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How to rediscover who you are when familiar roles and identities begin to change ✅ Why it's never too late to become physically stronger or begin a fitness journey ✅ How movement can support emotional resilience, clarity, and healing ✅ Why purpose doesn't have to be something you discovered at 25 ✅ How women can rebuild identity and self-worth after loss, transition, or trauma ✅ How community and connection can make reinvention less lonely Whether you're navigating a major transition yourself or simply beginning to wonder what you want the next chapter of your life to look like, this episode offers a powerful reminder: you are allowed to become someone new. Midlife isn't simply about adjusting to what's changing. It can be about discovering what's possible.

In this Beyond Real Estate episode of So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent, Meredith Fogle sits down with Lauren Kerschen, founder and team leader of DFW’s Finest Real Estate Group, to explore what happens when you build a real estate team with a bigger mission: not simply producing more transactions, but developing better agents and elevating the level of professionalism they bring to their clients. Lauren shares how she is intentionally building a team where mentorship, transparency, collaboration, and professional development are part of the value proposition. Rather than fearing that developing great agents will eventually cause them to leave, she believes in making the value of the team so tangible that successful agents understand exactly what they gain by being part of it - and how she’s using AI to help make that vision possible. 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Lauren’s strategy for developing great agents - and how to avoid eventually losing them ✅ How to create a culture of  mentorship, transparency, and collaboration  ✅ How to use AI to build practical tools, presentations, and systems  ✅ What it takes to build a sustainable real estate career instead of living through feast-or-famine cycles This episode is for agents, team leaders, and entrepreneurs who believe technology should make people better - not simply make businesses faster - and who want to think differently about what a modern real estate team can become.

In this Beyond Real Estate episode, special guest, Laureen Knudsen, former Fortune 1000 Chief Transformation Officer, Top 100 Women in Tech honoree, and author of the forthcoming Becoming Essential: The Proven Plan to Reinvent Your Career in the Age of Disruption, to tackle a question every real estate professional should be asking: As AI becomes capable of doing more of what we do, what makes us essential? After spending 30 years leading transformation inside major organizations, Laureen developed The Essential Professional Method™, a process designed to help people identify, articulate, and prove the value they bring beyond their job title or the tactical work they perform. Her premise is especially relevant to real estate, where AI can already write marketing copy, analyze data, automate follow-up, create content, and perform tasks that once differentiated agents. But Laureen argues that your value was never simply the tasks you perform. In this conversation, Meredith and Laureen explore the idea of Professional Identity - the unique combination of knowledge, skills, human capabilities, judgment, experience, and problem-solving ability that makes your contribution distinctly yours. They apply Laureen's methodology directly to the real estate profession and examine how agents can use AI not as something to fear, but as a tool that creates more space for the distinctly human value great agents provide. 🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How to identify the value you bring that exists beyond your job title or daily tasks ✅ What "Professional Identity" means and why it becomes more important as AI transforms work ✅ How real estate agents can distinguish between work AI can automate and the human capabilities clients truly value ✅ How The Essential Professional Method™ can help agents articulate and demonstrate their value more clearly ✅ Why AI disruption may create opportunity for professionals willing to evolve with it ✅ How to move from fearing technological change to intentionally using it to strengthen your career ✅ Why judgment, relationships, problem-solving, and human capabilities may become increasingly valuable as tactical work becomes easier to automate This episode is for real estate professionals—and anyone navigating a rapidly changing career—who wants to stop asking, "Will AI replace me?" and start asking the far more useful question: "How do I become increasingly essential?"

In this Lessons in Success episode of So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent, host Meredith Fogle welcomes back returning guest, husband, and business partner Chris Fogle, for an honest conversation about one of the most important - and often overlooked. -skills in real estate: knowing which listings to take...and which ones to walk away from. Drawing from years of experience working with sellers and managing hundreds of transactions, Chris shares the lessons he's learned about identifying potential challenges before they become costly mistakes. From unrealistic pricing expectations and seller motivation to communication styles and commitment levels, he explains the red flags every listing agent should recognize before signing the listing agreement. Chris also shares practical strategies for setting expectations, asking better questions during the listing consultation, and protecting both your time and your reputation by making smart business decisions from the very beginning. 🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ The biggest red flags to watch for before accepting a listing  ✅ How to identify sellers who may become difficult clients later  ✅ Questions every listing agent should ask during the consultation  ✅ How to set expectations that lead to smoother transactions and happier clients  ✅ When it's better to walk away from a listing—and why saying "no" can strengthen your business  ✅ The lessons Chris has learned from both successful and challenging listings Whether you're a brand-new agent or an experienced listing specialist, this episode will help you make smarter listing decisions, avoid unnecessary stress, and build a healthier, more profitable business.

In this Lessons in Success episode of So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent, host Meredith Fogle sits down with Kera Baggot, a rising star in the Pikes Peak region of Colorado Springs, whose success story proves that extraordinary results come from consistent action, strong systems, and a willingness to grow through life's challenges. Kera shares the pivotal lessons that helped her transition from balancing two careers to taking the leap into real estate full-time. She opens up about navigating personal challenges while continuing to move her business forward, the role coaching has played in accelerating her growth, and the systems that keep her focused on the activities that matter most. Kera also reveals the mindset shift that helped her become comfortable on video, sharing the simple but powerful self-talk that transformed one of her biggest fears into one of her greatest business-building tools. 🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How coaching can accelerate growth, build confidence, and create accountability  ✅ The systems and daily habits that create consistent real estate success  ✅ How to stay focused on your business while navigating personal challenges  ✅ What it takes to confidently transition from a dual career into real estate full-time  ✅ The simple mindset shift that makes creating video content dramatically easier  ✅ Why consistency—not perfection—is the key to long-term momentum  ✅ How intentional action compounds into extraordinary results over time This episode is perfect for agents who are ready to stop waiting for the "right time," embrace growth, and build a business that thrives through every season of life.

In this Lessons in Success episode of So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent, host Meredith Fogle sits down with professional home stager Carrie Halterman, whose expertise has helped hundreds of homes stand out, sell faster, and command stronger offers. Carrie takes listeners behind the scenes of the staging process, sharing what today's buyers are really looking for, why staging is one of the highest-return investments a seller can make, and how agents can position every listing to make an unforgettable first impression. From simple updates that dramatically increase perceived value to the most common staging mistakes agents and sellers make, Carrie offers practical advice that every listing agent can put into practice immediately. Whether you're marketing a luxury property or a first-time seller's home, this conversation will change the way you think about preparing homes for the market. 🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode:  ✅ Why professionally staged homes consistently outperform unstaged homes  ✅ The biggest staging mistakes that cost time and money  ✅ Simple, budget-friendly improvements that make the biggest impact  ✅ How staging influences buyer psychology and perceived value  ✅ Staging tips every listing agent should know  ✅ Best practices for preparing listings before professional photography and showings Whether you're a new agent or a seasoned listing specialist, this episode will give you practical strategies to help your listings stand out, attract more buyers, and sell for more money.

In this Lessons in Success episode of So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent, host Meredith Fogle sits down with Jason Shrank, a new agent just seven months into his real estate career whose rapid rise is turning heads for all the right reasons. Jason shares how he embraced one of the most important principles in real estate success: getting comfortable being uncomfortable. From leaning into opportunity instead of avoiding it to mastering the conversations that create trust and momentum, Jason breaks down the mindset and systems that helped him gain traction at a pace few agents achieve this early in the business. You’ll hear how he’s generating business through authentic, organic conversations, building consistent opportunities through a highly intentional open house system, and developing the skillsets needed to sustain long-term growth—not just short-term wins. Jason also opens up about balancing a growing business with life as a father of young children, and why staying engaged in his community has become a key part of both his success and fulfillment. 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why getting uncomfortable is the gateway to rapid growth in real estate  ✅ How Jason creates business through natural, relationship-based conversations  ✅ The open house strategies helping him generate consistent opportunities  ✅ The skillsets new agents must develop quickly to stay in momentum  ✅ How community involvement creates visibility, trust, and connection  ✅ What balancing family life and a fast-growing business really looks like  ✅ Why leaning into opportunity changes everything This episode is perfect for new agents looking for proof that fast success is possible—and for experienced agents who want a reminder that momentum comes from courage, consistency, and conversation.

In this Lessons in Success episode of So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent, host Meredith Fogle sits down with Amy Swanson, luxury specialist and top-producing agent in the Westport, Connecticut market, whose journey into real estate began with a bold leap: leaving behind a completely different career and relocating from London to the United States to start over. Amy shares how she built momentum in an unfamiliar market, the pivotal role open houses played in launching her business, and how mentorship helped accelerate her growth and confidence early in her career. She also breaks down one of the defining strategies behind her market dominance today: a highly intentional newsletter and community-content approach that keeps her consistently visible, relevant, and top of mind. From starting from scratch to becoming a recognized luxury agent in one of the country’s most competitive markets, Amy’s story is a masterclass in reinvention, consistency, and strategic relationship-building. 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How Amy transitioned from a completely different career into luxury real estate  ✅ What it was like starting over after relocating from London to the U.S.  ✅ Why open houses became the launchpad for her early success  ✅ The power of mentorship and learning from experienced agents  ✅ How Amy uses newsletters and local content to dominate mindshare in her market  ✅ Why consistent visibility creates long-term trust and referrals  ✅ The systems and habits that helped her grow a luxury-focused business This episode is perfect for agents who are building from scratch, entering a new market, or looking for smarter ways to stay consistently visible and connected.

In this Lessons in Success episode of So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent, host Meredith Fogle welcomes back fan-favorite Rose Anderson, whose career trajectory has accelerated in a big way since her first appearance on the show. Rose returns with fresh wins, new confidence, and a behind-the-scenes look at what’s driving her rapid success. She shares how she’s creating opportunities in today’s market, the conversion strategies that are helping her turn conversations into clients, and the tools and systems she’s using to keep her pipeline full. You’ll also hear how Rose is embracing AI-powered tools to work smarter, create better follow-up, stay visible, and gain an edge in a competitive market. From mindset to momentum, this episode is packed with tactical ideas and real-world lessons from an agent who is clearly finding her stride. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Rose is creating opportunities instead of waiting for them Her top conversion strategies for turning conversations into closings The tools and systems she’s using to keep her pipeline active How Rose is using AI to generate content, follow up faster, and stay top of mind The mindset shifts that helped her move from self-doubt to real momentum  What’s working right now for agents who want to grow fast in a shifting market This episode is perfect for agents who want practical strategies, modern tools, and proof that consistent action still creates extraordinary results.

In this episode, Meredith sits down with Alyssa Marquez, a top-producing agent serving both the San Antonio, TX and Fort Lauderdale, FL markets, whose career is redefining what’s possible when strategy, mentorship, and innovation come together. A multi-year Thirty Under 30 award winner, Alyssa shares how she built her business with intention - starting with strong mentorship, recognizing when it was time to step into her own leadership, and expanding her vision beyond a single market. You’ll hear how she developed a powerful investor-focused strategy, transitioned from serving investors to becoming one herself, and scaled her business across two distinct markets. Alyssa also reflects on the lessons she learned while building and leading a team, the mindset required to think bigger, and how approaching real estate as both an agent and an investor can completely change the way you operate.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How Alyssa leveraged mentorship to accelerate her early success  ✅ The signs it’s time to step out on your own and grow into leadership  ✅ Lessons learned while building and scaling a real estate team  ✅ How to develop and attract an investor-focused client base  ✅ The shift from agent to investor - and what to think about first  ✅ Strategies for successfully expanding into multiple markets This episode is perfect for agents who are ready to think bigger, expand their opportunities, and approach real estate as a long-term wealth-building business

In this Lessons in Success episode of So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent, host Meredith Fogle sits down with Kim Braunstein, a top-producing agent in Florida’s Treasure Coast, whose success story is a powerful example of what’s possible when you build a business rooted in authenticity, communication, and consistency. Kim shares how she successfully transitioned into a new market as a transplant—and how she built traction quickly by staying true to her values and focusing on what actually drives results. From leveraging open houses to building meaningful relationships, she breaks down the practical strategies that helped her grow a thriving business in a competitive environment. She also offers an honest look at working in business with family, the role mindset plays when business gets “bumpy,” and why your database is the single most important asset you have. Throughout the conversation, one theme remains constant: success is built on trust, and trust is built through authentic, client-centered service. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How to successfully break into a new market as a transplant  ✅ Why open houses remain one of the most powerful lead-generation tools  ✅ How to communicate effectively to build trust and convert opportunities  ✅ What it takes to work successfully with your spouse or family in business  ✅ Why your database is the lifeblood of your real estate business  ✅ How to evaluate whether you’re at the right brokerage for your growth  ✅ Why mindset is everything—especially when business gets challenging  ✅ How authenticity creates long-term success and stronger client relationships This episode is perfect for agents who want to grow a business that’s both high-performing and deeply aligned with who they are.

In this Lessons in Success episode of So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent, Meredith sits down with Don Hill, entrepreneur and creator of Top Producers Nation, a platform built to connect high-performing real estate agents with the tools, strategies, and community they need to succeed at the highest level. Don shares his journey from early sales in college to building a business centered around supporting top producers - and the patterns he’s observed from working with agents who consistently perform at a high level. You’ll learn what separates agents who stay stuck from those who gain traction quickly and sustain long-term momentum. He also breaks down the mindset shifts required to move past self-limiting beliefs and step into a higher level of performance, along with his powerful 4 C’s framework for success, a practical structure agents can apply immediately to their business. 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ The common traits and habits Don sees in top-producing real estate agents  ✅ How to get into traction quickly—and what actually sustains momentum  ✅ The mindset shifts required to break through self-limiting beliefs  ✅ Don’s 4 C’s framework for success—and how to apply it in your business  ✅ Why community, environment, and proximity matter more than most agents realize  ✅ How to position yourself for consistent growth in any market This episode is perfect for agents who are ready to move from inconsistent effort to focused execution - and build real momentum in their business.

In this episode of So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent, host Meredith sits down with Jen and Geoff Tackney, a husband-and-wife real estate team serving Orange County, California, whose journey from separate careers in mortgage and construction to building a thriving collaborative business during the 2009 recession is a masterclass in resilience and long-term strategy. Jen and Geoff share how they combined their complementary skill sets to navigate one of the most volatile housing markets in history, and how their commitment to geographic farming and community presence became the foundation of their success. You’ll learn why they believe long-term market dominance comes from consistent service, local visibility, and authentic relationships. The Tackneys also unpack their “generosity first” philosophy, explaining how small acts of service, local event sponsorships, and consistent community involvement compound over time into high-value referrals. They reflect on leadership lessons learned while running a team, highlighting the importance of clear expectations, strong systems, and maintaining a growth mindset in an ever-changing market. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The geographic farming habits that create long-term dominance (and why consistency beats “quick wins”)What “generosity first” marketing looks like - ideas for small acts, local sponsorships, and community presence that compound into referralsHow to turn community service and events into high-trust relationships (without feeling salesy)Leadership lessons from running a small, nimble team: clear roles, clear expectations, better executionHow to stay adaptable and growth-minded in any market