#688: Why Most Agents Stay Stuck (And How to Break Free Fast)
John Kitchens Coach Podcast | Life. Coaching. Real Estate.
Release Date: 06/05/2025
John Kitchens Coach Podcast | Life. Coaching. Real Estate.
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Episode Overview In this episode, John Kitchens, Jay Kinder, and Al Stasek dive deep into what it really takes to shift from agent to CEO in today’s unpredictable market. From revisiting hard-earned lessons with Kyle Whissel to calling out the rise of unethical listing practices, this episode pulls no punches. The guys break down why operating systems, high standards, and the right mindset are the foundation for scaling—and why most agents fail when they avoid the hard truths. They also unveil major updates on the Agent to CEO 2024 experience in Cleveland, including VIP...
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Episode Overview In this episode, John Kitchens and Jay Kinder unpack the real reason most agents are struggling in 2025: they don’t understand marketing. From identifying “have-to” sellers to the hidden power of new construction funnels, this conversation is a masterclass in how agents must shift their mindset and skillset to thrive. Jay pulls back the curtain on what’s working right now in lead generation, direct mail, and social positioning—and how to build authority at scale without burning out. If you're doing fewer than 2 deals a month, this is the wake-up...
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Episode Overview In this no-fluff masterclass, John Kitchens sits down with industry titan Kyle Whissel to break down the five essential keys to scaling a high-performance real estate team in 2025. From running a billion-dollar operation to managing 100+ agents, Kyle shares the exact frameworks, tools, and leadership mindset that separate scalable success from burnout. Whether you're looking to build your first team or scale past $500M, this episode delivers the blueprint—straight from someone who’s doing it now. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Key #1: Mindset and Leadership...
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Episode Overview In this episode, John Kitchens, Jay Kinder, and Al Stasek bring the heat with a jam-packed, no-guest session that dives deep into where the real estate industry is headed—and what it takes to stay ahead. From the truth behind commission lawsuits to the rapid evolution of AI in marketing, the guys pull back the curtain on what real leaders are doing in 2025 to stay relevant, profitable, and highly valuable in a noisy world. They also unveil details for the 10th annual Rock the Spectrum and Agent to CEO event in Cleveland—and why it's the most high-impact, can't-miss event...
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Episode Overview In this episode, John Kitchens, Jay Kinder, and Albie Stasek dive into the shifting dynamics of today’s real estate landscape—from team growth and agent migration to California’s wildfire devastation and Zillow’s evolving influence. With no guest this week, the conversation gets real as the guys dissect the core trends impacting the industry right now. They explore how pain, opportunity, and leadership are reshaping the way agents and teams make decisions. Plus, they tackle a major emerging trend: team mergers and mega team expansion. Is this the next wave or a...
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Episode Overview: In this powerhouse episode, John Kitchens, Jay Kinder, and Al Stasek are joined by industry icon Spring Bengtzen for a transparent and high-energy conversation about growth, mindset, and rebuilding success from scratch. Spring opens up about her bold move from Real to eXp Realty, what it takes to start over in the face of massive competition, and the mindset shifts that keep her moving toward a 10,000-agent goal. From navigating co-sponsorship, to launching value-based ecosystems and leveraging powerful communities, Spring shares exactly how she's using transparency,...
info_outlineEpisode 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, mindset shifts, strategic planning, and how to leverage AI to not just survive but scale faster than ever.
Whether you're trying to get unstuck or push from six to seven figures, this episode is loaded with real talk, powerful frameworks, and tactical advice that will challenge you to think — and act — bigger.
Key Takeaways:
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Belief drives momentum: Without belief in your vision, everything else collapses. Your level of belief determines your level of action — if belief fades, momentum dies.
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Environment is a growth hack: Who you surround yourself with either fuels or fractures your belief system. Success leaves clues — proximity matters more than ever.
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Momentum is math: It’s not luck. It’s tracking the leading indicators — like quality conversations per day — and understanding what fuels your flywheel.
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Boat anchors must go: Identify the habits, people, and distractions weighing you down. Understand the true cost of inaction and commit to cutting what no longer serves you.
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Results > Education: People don’t want another course; they want a problem solved. Whether selling homes or recruiting agents, the offer must deliver a clear, desired outcome.
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Strategic Planning every 90 days: Escape overwhelm and pivot faster by installing a 90-day strategic cycle. If you’re stuck, your next breakthrough will come from clarity and prioritization, not hustle.
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AI is your leverage tool: Learn how Jay and the team use ChatGPT, Grok, and custom GPTs to automate communication, summarize meetings, and enhance follow-up without sacrificing personalization.
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Master marketing, not just cold calls: Outbound is dying. The best online marketers will outpace the best cold callers. Build inbound systems that attract and convert.
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Customer-focused, not competitor-obsessed: Stop worrying about the competition. Winning businesses obsess over solving customer problems — and that’s where domination happens.
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Sustainability over short-term wins: Systems, processes, and retention-focused strategies ensure you’re building something that lasts beyond today’s market conditions.
Resources Mentioned:
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Clarity Report — Get clear on the biggest constraints holding your business back.
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Honey Badger Award Nominations — Nominate a leader driving impact.
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JohnKitchens.Coach — Access coaching, masterminds, and resources to scale your business.
"Belief drives everything. When belief dips, so does momentum." - Jay Kinder
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