Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered

AI can make real estate agents faster, more efficient, and better prepared; but it can't replace the expertise, judgment, relationships, and responsibility that come with being a licensed real estate professional. James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson sit down with Mark Hall, president of Atlanta Communities, for a conversation about leadership, training, technology, and why real estate remains a people business. Drawing on his eight years in the Marine Corps, including service during the Gulf War, Mark explains why confidence comes from preparation and why attending training isn't the same thing as actually training for the situations agents face every day. They also explore how Mark helped lead an independent brokerage with more than 2,100 agents and approximately $4 billion in sales volume, why Atlanta Communities has maintained the same split structure since 2009, and how agents should approach AI without losing sight of the fundamentals. Mark's message is simple: AI is a tool, not a substitute for your real estate license. When the noise gets louder, agents still need to do what has always driven this business; build relationships, develop their skills, work their sphere, and talk to people. Connect with Mark on LinkedIn - Facebook and online at markhallatlanta.com Check out Atlanta Communities on LinkedIn - YouTube - Instagram - Facebook and online at atlcommunities.com. Subscribe to Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered?sub_confirmation=1 To learn more about becoming a sponsor of the show, send us an email: [email protected] You asked for it. We delivered. Check out our new merch! https://merch.realestateinsidersunfiltered.com/ Follow Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered Podcast on Instagram - YouTube, Facebook - TikTok. Visit us online at realestateinsidersunfiltered.com. Link to Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered Link to Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/realestateinsiderspod/ Link to YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered Link to TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@realestateinsiderspod Link to website: https://realestateinsidersunfiltered.com This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative. https://twobrotherscreative.com/contact/ The views and opinions expressed on Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered are those of the hosts and guests in their personal capacities and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of AGNT, Inc., eXp Realty, LLC, NextHome, Inc., or any of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, or directors.

You could have 20 years of experience, hundreds of transactions, and a reputation as one of the best real estate agents in your market. But if AI can't find evidence of it online, none of that experience may matter when a consumer asks who they should hire. James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson sit down with Bobby Kerr, founder of LOC8, for a masterclass on how real estate agents can become more visible in Google and AI search. Bobby explains why experience alone won't make ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, or other AI tools recommend you. And why agents need to actively build the digital signals that establish their expertise, authority, and trust. From optimizing your Google Business Profile and collecting stronger reviews to creating hyperlocal content and building profiles across trusted real estate platforms, Bobby lays out a practical foundation agents can start implementing immediately. They also break down blogging, social media, AI-generated content, Google's recency bias, and why getting specific about your niche could make the difference between being recommended and being ignored. Your experience still matters. But you have to make sure the internet knows about it. Connect with Bobby on LinkedIn - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube - TikTok or email [email protected] or call 239.268.3852 Learn more about LOC8 on LinkedIn - Facebook - X or online at loc8mybusiness.com. The industry is evolving. The question is: will your business evolve with it? Join us at Zillow Unlock 2026 and be part of the conversation shaping what comes next. Register today at unlockconference.com and use code REIU20 for 20% off your ticket*. *Code can be used on all full priced passes leading up to the event and cannot be combined with any other discounts. Subscribe to Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered?sub_confirmation=1 To learn more about becoming a sponsor of the show, send us an email: [email protected] You asked for it. We delivered. Check out our new merch! https://merch.realestateinsidersunfiltered.com/ Follow Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered Podcast on Instagram - YouTube, Facebook - TikTok. Visit us online at realestateinsidersunfiltered.com. Link to Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered Link to Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/realestateinsiderspod/ Link to YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered Link to TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@realestateinsiderspod Link to website: https://realestateinsidersunfiltered.com This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative. https://twobrotherscreative.com/contact/ The views and opinions expressed on Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered are those of the hosts and guests in their personal capacities and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of AGNT, Inc., eXp Realty, LLC, NextHome, Inc., or any of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, or directors.

Real estate has spent years talking about transactions, market share, disruption, technology, and growth. But somewhere along the way, did the industry lose sight of the people at the center of it? James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson sit down with philosopher, speaker, and longtime real estate industry veteran Matthew Ferrara for a wide-ranging conversation about why he believes real estate is at risk of losing its soul. Matthew explains why professionals want more than a full wallet, they want a full heart and a sense that the work they do actually matters. They explore how division and tribalism are reshaping the industry, why leaders should be hard on problems but soft on people, and what it would take to rehumanize real estate. The conversation also tackles some of the industry's biggest debates, including consumer data, private listings, real estate portals, transparency, and whether disruption has become more important than collaboration. Ultimately, Matthew argues that the path forward starts by returning to the human equation and focusing on the people already within your sphere of influence. Subscribe to Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered?sub_confirmation=1 To learn more about becoming a sponsor of the show, send us an email: [email protected] You asked for it. We delivered. Check out our new merch! https://merch.realestateinsidersunfiltered.com/ Follow Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered Podcast on Instagram - YouTube, Facebook - TikTok. Visit us online at realestateinsidersunfiltered.com. Link to Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered Link to Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/realestateinsiderspod/ Link to YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered Link to TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@realestateinsiderspod Link to website: https://realestateinsidersunfiltered.com This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative. https://twobrotherscreative.com/contact/ The views and opinions expressed on Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered are those of the hosts and guests in their personal capacities and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of AGNT, Inc., eXp Realty, LLC, NextHome, Inc., or any of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, or directors.

The middle of the real estate industry is disappearing. According to Nick Schlekeway, founder and CEO of Amherst Madison, the agents who survive won't be the ones blending in, they'll be the ones who become essential. James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson sit down with Nick to unpack the philosophy behind his upcoming book, The Essential Agent, and why "average is invisible" has become the defining idea behind his approach to real estate. Nick shares lessons from his time as a Division I football player, Boise firefighter, real estate agent, and brokerage founder, including why preparation is a competitive advantage, why successful people need a "rookie mentality," and how leading by example creates stronger organizations. They also explore the danger of becoming disposable to your clients, why agents need a clearly defined value proposition, and the mistake Nick believes held him back early in his career: trying to find new things to say to the same audience instead of taking a proven message to more people. Links mentioned in the episode: Motiversity: https://www.youtube.com/@motiversity The Essential Agent Book: https://nickschlekeway.com/presale/ Connect with Nick on LinkedIn - Instagram - Facebook - YouTube and online at nickschlekeway.com. Learn more about Amherst Madison on Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - YouTube and online at amherst-madison.com. The industry is evolving. The question is: will your business evolve with it? Join us at Zillow Unlock 2026 and be part of the conversation shaping what comes next. Register today at unlockconference.com and use code REIU20 for 20% off your ticket*. *Code can be used on all full priced passes leading up to the event and cannot be combined with any other discounts. Subscribe to Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered?sub_confirmation=1 To learn more about becoming a sponsor of the show, send us an email: [email protected] You asked for it. We delivered. Check out our new merch! https://merch.realestateinsidersunfiltered.com/ Follow Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered Podcast on Instagram - YouTube, Facebook - TikTok. Visit us online at realestateinsidersunfiltered.com. Link to Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered Link to Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/realestateinsiderspod/ Link to YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered Link to TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@realestateinsiderspod Link to website: https://realestateinsidersunfiltered.com This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative. https://twobrotherscreative.com/contact/ The views and opinions expressed on Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered are those of the hosts and guests in their personal capacities and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of AGNT, Inc., eXp Realty, LLC, NextHome, Inc., or any of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, or directors.

At 21 years old, Debbie De Grote became the number one Century 21 agent in Los Angeles and Orange County and number three in the nation. Her secret wasn't a revolutionary marketing strategy. It was five hours of lead generation every single day. James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson sit down with Debbie, CEO and co-founder of Forward Coaching, to unpack the discipline, routines, and accountability that separate top real estate agents from everyone else. Debbie shares how she built a business producing as many as 156 transactions a year as a solo agent, what she learned during 13 years with the Mike Ferry organization, and the lessons she's gained from more than 100,000 private coaching calls. From prospecting and follow-up to emotional intelligence and coaching, this conversation gets to the heart of why knowing what to do isn't enough. Success comes from consistently doing the work. Links mentioned during the episode: Forward Coaching Negotiations Course: info.forwardcoaching.com/podcast How I Built It Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spanx-sara-blakely/id1150510297?i=1000396023160 Connect with Debbie on Facebook - LinkedIn Learn more about Forward Coaching on Facebook - LinkedIn - Instagram and online at forwardcoaching.com Subscribe to Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered?sub_confirmation=1 To learn more about becoming a sponsor of the show, send us an email: [email protected] You asked for it. We delivered. Check out our new merch! https://merch.realestateinsidersunfiltered.com/ Follow Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered Podcast on Instagram - YouTube, Facebook - TikTok. Visit us online at realestateinsidersunfiltered.com. Link to Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered Link to Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/realestateinsiderspod/ Link to YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered Link to TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@realestateinsiderspod Link to website: https://realestateinsidersunfiltered.com This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative. https://twobrotherscreative.com/contact/ The views and opinions expressed on Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered are those of the hosts and guests in their personal capacities and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of AGNT, Inc., eXp Realty, LLC, NextHome, Inc., or any of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, or directors.