#678: The Agent to CEO Freedom Formula: How to Build the Business (and Life) You Actually Want
John Kitchens Coach Podcast | Life. Coaching. Real Estate.
Release Date: 05/13/2025
#688: Why Most Agents Stay Stuck (And How to Break Free Fast)
John Kitchens Coach Podcast | Life. Coaching. Real Estate.
Episode Overview: In this episode, John Kitchens together with Al Stasek and Jay Kinder tackle one of the most overlooked truths in real estate growth: sustainable momentum doesn’t happen by accident — it’s engineered. They break down the real levers that drive success — belief, environment, and systems — and show you how to harness them in a shifting real estate market. They unwrap why most agents stall out, how to identify the hidden “boat anchors” dragging you down, and why cutting them is the non-negotiable move if you want real growth. This is a deep dive into execution,...
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#687: How Fast Decisions Beat Perfect Plans with Kenny Truong
John Kitchens Coach Podcast | Life. Coaching. Real Estate.
Episode Overview: In this high-impact episode, John Kitchens welcomes Kenny Truong back to the podcast. Kenny leads a powerhouse team based in the Bay Area, and they dive deep into how his team not only survived but thrived through volatile markets, maintaining 90% retention of top producers and innovating with AI and tech to stay ahead. They unwrap why deeper relationships, authentic leadership, and smart execution are non-negotiable in today's market. Kenny shares his real-world insights on agent retention, the evolution of marketing and social media strategies, AI integrations for real...
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#686: The Productivity Fix: Calendar + 168 with Joel Perso
John Kitchens Coach Podcast | Life. Coaching. Real Estate.
Episode Overview: In this power-packed episode, John Kitchens is joined by Joel Perso for a real talk on one of the most underrated weapons in your business: your calendar. If you're feeling scattered, stuck in low-value activities, or just exhausted from chasing everything but achieving nothing—this conversation will snap you out of it. They dive into the mindset, frameworks, and daily habits that create momentum—not chaos. From the Productivity Pyramid to MVPs, the 168-Hour Rule, and the power of strategic thinking time, this episode is a masterclass in taking control of your time...
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#685: Big Moves, Big Freedom: Why Agents Are Fleeing to Better Models with Chuck Fazio
John Kitchens Coach Podcast | Life. Coaching. Real Estate.
Episode Overview: In this powerhouse episode, we welcome legendary broker Chuck Fazio to unpack the massive shifts happening in real estate brokerages today. With over 900 agents and $2 billion in annual production, Chuck shares the pivotal moment when he and his wife Angela left it all behind to join eXp—and why thousands are now following suit. They dig into the real reason 6,800 agents switched brokerages in Q1, why top producers are leading the migration, and what that means for the future of independent brokerages. Plus, the conversation takes a powerful turn into mindset,...
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#684: The Real CEO Blueprint: Build Leverage, Systems, and Freedom in 2025 with Gogo Bethke
John Kitchens Coach Podcast | Life. Coaching. Real Estate.
Episode Overview Originally recorded at the top of 2025, this episode marks the sixth year John Kitchens and Gogo Bethke have kicked off the year together and it’s their most powerful conversation yet. What started as a yearly pulse-check on social media has evolved into a masterclass on building a real estate business with true leverage, systems, and freedom. Gogo unpacks how she scaled her life and business by reclaiming her time, hiring before she was ready, and stacking multiple income streams. From tactical hiring moves to automation, marketing, and mindset, this episode is both a...
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#683: Mental Stamina Over Muscle: How Pros Win the Game You Never See with Jacob Newton
John Kitchens Coach Podcast | Life. Coaching. Real Estate.
Episode Overview In this episode of One Big Fire, John Kitchens and Al Stasek sit down with former NHL pro and elite mindset coach Jacob Newton. Jacob takes us on a journey from his humble beginnings in a small California desert town to the professional hockey stage, and ultimately into the world of mindset coaching. He unpacks how a lack of mental preparation kept him from sustaining his NHL career, and how the realization that "million-dollar legs need a million-dollar mindset" transformed not just his life, but the lives of the high performers he now coaches. This is a powerful conversation...
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#682: The $100M Portfolio Blueprint with Mark Zawaideh
John Kitchens Coach Podcast | Life. Coaching. Real Estate.
Episode Overview In this episode, John Kitchens sits down with seasoned investor Mark Zawaideh and strategic partner Curt Shewell to unpack what every real estate agent must understand about wealth, leverage, and building a portfolio that will lead you to true financial freedom. Mark shares how he scaled from broke agent to owning over 40 properties—and how one key mindset shift turned $600K in equity into $30M in assets. Together, they break down the dangerous myths agents believe about wealth, why owning a team is not a retirement plan, and how to start thinking like an investor starting...
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#681: Let Go to Grow: The Surprising Truth About Scaling Leadership with Jack Perry
John Kitchens Coach Podcast | Life. Coaching. Real Estate.
Episode Overview: In this insightful episode of the John Kitchens Coach Podcast, John sits down with Jack Perry, co-founder of The Perry Group, one of the fastest-growing real estate teams in Utah. Jack shares his journey from pastoring churches to leading a 175-agent team alongside his two sons—and how creating a culture of high standards, accountability, and authentic leadership has driven massive success. They explore how Jack leverages leadership through vulnerability, how ego almost got in the way of scaling, and why letting go was the key to leveling up. From social media authenticity...
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#680: How Real Estate Agents Can Use Huzi.AI to Win More Deals and Build Unstoppable Businesses with Eric Post
John Kitchens Coach Podcast | Life. Coaching. Real Estate.
Episode Overview: In this must-listen episode of the John Kitchens Coach Podcast, John sits down with Eric Post, Co-Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Huzi.AI, to unpack the seismic shifts AI is driving across the real estate industry and why traditional agents must evolve—or risk becoming obsolete. Together, they dissect the evolution of leverage in real estate—from hiring human assistants to virtual teams and now, AI-driven assistants that operate 24/7, enabling agents to scale, optimize, and dominate their markets. Eric reveals why the most dangerous disruption in real estate isn't...
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#679: From Tariffs to Team Culture: The Real Estate Power Moves Nobody’s Talking About with Tina Caul
John Kitchens Coach Podcast | Life. Coaching. Real Estate.
Episode Overview: In this dynamic episode of One Big Fire, John Kitchens brings together two of the most influential voices in real estate—Tina Caul and Al Stasek—for a powerful conversation that cuts through the noise and delivers actionable insights for agents, team leaders, and brokerage owners. The trio explores the impact of recent tariff pauses on new construction, Zillow’s surprising path to profitability (and what it really means for agents on the ground), and why culture is the often-overlooked X-factor that separates struggling teams from thriving empires. They also celebrate...
info_outlineEpisode Overview:
In this solo, high-impact episode, John Kitchens shares his presentation from the Seattle eXp Rally, diving deep into the journey from agent to CEO and the mindset, disciplines, and frameworks required to create lasting freedom—not just another job.
John outlines the critical trap most agents fall into—getting stuck on the transaction treadmill—and how to make the shift from survival and status to freeing yourself and building a legacy. Using his signature Agent to CEO Freedom Formula, John breaks down the 3 phases and 8 stages every agent must navigate to go from zero to multiple seven-figures, all while building a life by design, not default.
This is not theory—this is the exact process John and his clients have used to create sustainable businesses that thrive in any market conditions.
Key Takeaways:
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The 3 Levels of Entrepreneurial Thinking: Survival, Status, Freedom (and the trap most never escape)
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Why staying reactive is the real killer of your business
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The 3 Phases and 8 Stages of business growth—and how to identify exactly where you are right now
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How to move from chasing deals to building real momentum and a brand that attracts
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Why hiring the right talent (and letting go of the wrong roles) is the key to unlocking the CEO phase
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How to use the 8 Stages Roadmap to help yourself and others escape the grind and build your business empire.
Resources Mentioned:
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Download the 8 Stages Roadmap: agenttoceo.com/8stages
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Recommended Book: The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday
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Perfect Day Exercise by Frank Kern (Search on YouTube: “Frank Kern Perfect Day”)
Who Should Listen:
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Real estate agents ready to stop chasing deals and start building a business
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Team leaders and brokers who feel stuck in the transaction treadmill
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Entrepreneurs who want a clear, actionable path to freedom, wealth, and legacy
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Anyone wanting to upgrade their mindset from operator to CEO
“We don’t get to free ourselves by working harder—we earn it by becoming the person who leads differently.” - John Kitchens
Connect with Us:
- Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
- LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
- Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥