Advertise on podcast: The Walker Webcast

Willy was joined by Walker & Dunlop experts Aaron Appel, Kris Mikkelsen, and Ivy Zelman for a candid discussion on the state of the market and what lies ahead. Together, they examined how shifting interest rates are impacting commercial real estate valuations, financing, and transaction activity, the growing challenges surrounding multifamily debt maturities, and emerging opportunities across the housing and office sectors. They also explored the risks surrounding AI and data center investment, the disconnect between consumer sentiment and spending, and what changing market dynamics could mean for investors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For 300 episodes, Willy has asked the questions. Now, the tables have turned as award-winning journalist and New Yorker staff writer Evan Osnos takes over the interviewer’s chair and puts Willy in the hot seat, answering YOUR most-asked questions. In a candid and wide-ranging conversation, Willy reflected on the lessons he’s learned from building Walker & Dunlop, the risks that paid off—and the opportunities he wishes he hadn’t missed—the habits that keep him energized and curious, and what 300 conversations with some of the world’s most fascinating leaders have taught him. He also opened up about family, personal reinvention, AI and the future of work, Burning Man, whether he’d ever enter politics, and even the book he may one day write. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy was joined once again by Dr. Peter Linneman for the Most Insightful Hour in CRE, recorded at the 2026 Dominium Capital Partner Summit. With interest rates at 25-year highs and oil-driven inflation adding new uncertainty, what should commercial real estate investors do now? Willy and Peter unpacked why Peter believes rates will eventually come down, what owners facing near-term maturities should consider, and why disappearing concessions could signal a turning point for multifamily. They also explored the extraordinary flow of capital into data centers and why Peter believes the sector could eventually become overbuilt, the outlook for office, today’s shortage of equity capital, and where Peter would invest $100 million in commercial real estate right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy sat down with Chris Lee, Partner and President of KKR Real Estate. Three years after Chris last joined the Walker Webcast, where does he believe the commercial real estate market stands today? Willy and Chris discussed where KKR is deploying capital across credit and equity, opportunities created by the wave of multifamily maturities, and why today’s market demands a highly selective approach. They also explored conviction in senior housing, outlook for the office market, opportunities across Europe, and the impact of higher interest rates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a special episode of the Walker Webcast, recorded at the 2026 Zelman Housing Summit, Willy was joined by Sean Dobson, CEO of Amherst, a leading real estate investment and development firm. Sean explained why today’s housing market looks more expensive than before the Global Financial Crisis — but lacks the same catalyst for a crash. He and Willy also discussed the mortgage lock-in effect, single-family rentals, debt spreads, and the biggest macro risk Sean is watching: stagflation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy sat down with Paul Cheek, Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management, serial entrepreneur, AI strategist, and author of the new book, No One Works Here, for a conversation about AI, the future of work, and what it takes to build an AI-driven enterprise. They explored why AI is advancing faster than organizations can adapt, why leaders may be looking at AI ROI through the wrong lens, and why adopting AI tools and training alone isn’t enough to drive meaningful transformation. They also dove into Paul’s framework for deciding when AI should-and shouldn’t-do the work, why organizational redesign is essential to realizing AI’s potential, and how leaders can prepare their people and businesses for a future where humans and AI agents increasingly work together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy sat down with Steve Hills, former President and General Manager of The Washington Post and author of the forthcoming book, The Alpha Trap, for a conversation about leadership, transformation, ambition, and the hidden costs of success.   They explored how Steve helped transform The Washington Post from a newspaper into a digital-first technology company, what that experience can teach leaders navigating the AI revolution, and why vulnerability can be a powerful leadership strength. They also dove into The Alpha Trap and what Steve learned from interviewing more than 100 high achievers about the relentless pursuit of status and success, the difference between being admired and being truly known, and how to bring the same energy we invest in our careers to our relationships, health, purpose, and fulfillment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy sat down with Ivy Zelman, Executive Vice President and Co-Founder of Zelman, a Walker & Dunlop Company, for her latest read on the U.S. housing market and the forces that could reshape housing demand for years to come. They explored why Ivy believes the housing market may be more balanced than the prevailing shortage narrative suggests, how slowing population and household growth could change future housing needs, and what affordability, mortgage rates, and changing buyer behavior mean for today's market. They also dove into the growing number of young adults living at home, why Ivy sees stronger fundamentals in multifamily than for-sale housing, where she sees opportunities emerging across U.S. markets, and what Zelman's A Decade Divided research could mean for housing leaders planning for the next decade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy sat down with Liz Ann Sonders, Chief Investment Strategist at Charles Schwab and one of the most influential voices in finance, for a wide-ranging conversation on what’s driving markets today and what investors should be watching next. Willy and Liz Ann explored a changing investment landscape shaped by inflation, interest rate volatility, federal deficits, and shifting labor and housing markets. They also discussed AI’s growing impact, market rotations, and the increasingly blurred line between investing and gambling - including what it could mean for financial literacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a special episode of the Walker Webcast, recorded live at the 2026 Sun Valley Writers’ Conference, Willy was joined by New York Times reporter and bestselling author David Gelles. David’s book, Dirtbag Billionaire, explores the remarkable life of Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard—a reluctant entrepreneur who built an iconic brand while challenging conventional ideas about capitalism, consumption, and wealth. In his conversation with Willy, David unpacked the contradictions behind Chouinard and Patagonia, from its unconventional culture and environmental leadership to his extraordinary decision to give away ownership of the company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We featured a special keynote from Walker & Dunlop's Summer Conference with Aditya Sanghvi, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and leader of the firm's global real estate practice. Aditya cut through the AI hype to explain what today's breakthroughs actually mean for real estate. Drawing on McKinsey's work with leading organizations, he explored why so few companies are realizing meaningful value from AI, how "agentic AI" is transforming everything from leasing and maintenance to investment decisions, and why data—not technology—will be the defining competitive advantage. He also shared why this is ultimately a CEO-led transformation and what business leaders should do today to stay ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a special episode of the Walker Webcast, we featured an interview with Tom Nides, Vice Chairman of Strategy & Client Relations at Blackstone, with guest host Steve Hills, Author and former President & General Manager of The Washington Post, recorded live at Walker & Dunlop's 2026 Summer Conference.   Drawing on his experience spanning Wall Street, the White House, the State Department, and as U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Tom shared his perspective on the geopolitical forces reshaping today's global economy. Steve and Tom discussed the conflict in the Middle East, the future of U.S.-Israel relations, the evolving role of diplomacy and American leadership, NATO and China, the economic implications of AI, and what investors should be watching across commercial real estate, private credit, infrastructure, and data centers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We featured a conversation with four of the industry’s most influential voices to examine the forces reshaping housing in America. Recorded live at Walker & Dunlop’s Summer Conference, this panel was moderated by Ivy Zelman, Executive Vice President of Research & Securities at Walker & Dunlop, alongside panelists Steven DeFrancis, Founder and CEO of Cortland, Ryan Marshall, President and CEO of PulteGroup, Inc., and Dallas Tanner, President and CEO of Invitation Homes. As demographics, affordability, and migration continue to reshape housing demand, our panelists discussed where they're investing, the markets best positioned for long-term growth, the outlook for homeownership and rentals, and how AI, housing policy, and new development strategies could influence the industry's future. Neither Zelman, Ivy Zelman or her family own PHM or INVH stock. INVH is an investment banking client of Zelman Partners, LLC. Zelman has received compensation for products or services other than investment banking services. Zelman is a Walker & Dunlop company. Zelman Partners, LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC (Securities Investor Protection Corporation). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If today’s headlines leave you wondering what’s signal and what’s noise, don’t miss this special Walker Webcast featuring Willy’s opening remarks from Walker & Dunlop’s Summer Conference. In this timely keynote, Willy separates market noise from the data that matters, sharing his perspective on commercial real estate, housing fundamentals, consumer sentiment, immigration, interest rates, AI, and the multifamily recovery. He also examines why the labor market has remained resilient, what AI means for the future of business and real estate, and the key trends he believes will shape the industry over the next several years. Willy offers a practical framework for understanding where the market stands today—and where it's headed next. Slides: https://resources.walkerdunlop.com/file/2026_Summer_Conference_Willy_Presentation_Data_Slides_1/downloadp?email=digital Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy was joined by legendary footballer, Andriy Shevchenko, one of the greatest strikers of all time, Ukraine's all-time leading goal scorer, Ballon d'Or winner, former manager of the Ukrainian National Team, and one of his country's most influential global ambassadors. Together, they explored the latest developments from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the mindset required to perform under pressure, and the defining moments of Shevchenko's legendary career. They also examined the war in Ukraine, President Zelensky's leadership, the role of sport on the global stage, and Shevchenko's perspective on the future of both Ukraine and world football. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices