Why Small-Town America Gets Left Behind After Disasters
Release Date: 08/07/2025
Real Talk: You’re Allowed to Breathe This Week
Real Talk with Leigh Brown
This Christmas, give yourself the gift of rest and reflection. In this episode, I’ll share a gentle reminder to give yourself permission to rest and reconnect with what matters most. Hit play and let this be your permission slip to unplug, breathe, and look up. Key takeaways to listen for A reality check on real estate hustle culture and the fear of missing out What Christmas really means for those who feel broken or behind How rest, joy, and purpose are connected in your personal and business life The Star of Bethlehem and why you need to look up more A reminder that you are...
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Squatter Solutions & The Power of Real Estate on TV with Suzanne Rocha
Real Talk with Leigh Brown
Behind closed doors, real estate isn’t always what it seems. Leigh sits down with TV expert Suzanne Rocha in an in-depth conversation about how media exposure has shaped her dynamic real estate career. Listen in for real stories, smart strategies, and the kind of conversation you’ll definitely remember. Key takeaways to listen for Why some sellers prefer no signs, no open houses, and full privacy The art of choosing referral partners How to gain trust with high-net-worth clients who “know everything” What is a professional squatter and how do they remove unwanted guests? What...
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The Silent Data War in Real Estate and How Agents Can Win with Robert Arauco
Real Talk with Leigh Brown
Zillow says you’re their client, but did you ever agree to that? In today’s episode, Robert Arauco pulls back the curtain on how real estate data is being sliced, sold, repackaged, and leveraged against both consumers and REALTORS®. He and Leigh dig into what agents must understand about the new data battlefield, how to protect your clients’ privacy, and why owning your tech is the new competitive edge. Key takeaways to listen for One simple habit to use the tech you already pay for The problem with Zillow, Redfin, and who owns your clicks Can AI follow Fair Housing rules and...
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AI Will Never Replace a Great Negotiator with Tim Burrell
Real Talk with Leigh Brown
Strong negotiation is still a human game, even in an AI-powered world. In this episode, Tim Burrell breaks down how the rise of digital communication and artificial intelligence is reshaping real estate negotiation, for better and worse. From smart prompts to smarter relationships, he explains why tech can boost your prep, but only empathy and emotional intelligence close the deal. Listen in to learn how to lead with people skills while staying tech-savvy! Key takeaways to listen for Why AI can’t replace emotional intelligence in real estate The negotiation missteps agents still make...
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Housing Truths They Don’t Want You Asking About
Real Talk with Leigh Brown
Leigh Brown pulls back the curtain on the headlines shaping America’s housing crisis. From 50-year mortgages and exploding insurance costs to hedge funds, foreign land ownership, and eroding property rights, she breaks down what’s really driving prices and why “solutions” from banks and politicians might be making things worse. If you’re serious about homeownership, investing, or just keeping the American Dream alive, this Real Talk is a must-listen. Key takeaways to listen for Why a 50-year mortgage boosts demand and pushes prices up, not down How cheap-payment culture traps...
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The REALTOR® Who Refused to Quit: Michael Zinskie’s Story
Real Talk with Leigh Brown
After facing a life-altering health crisis, Michael Zinskie found himself starting over, personally and professionally. With raw honesty and a touch of humor, he shares how vulnerability, community, and sheer persistence helped him rebuild both his confidence and his business. Tune in for a conversation that might just shift how you think about success, support, and second chances. Key takeaways to listen for Why real estate success requires community, not isolation How seizures, fear, and medication almost took Mikey out of the business The power of showing up and letting others help...
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The Silent Trap of 50-Year Fixed Mortgages
Real Talk with Leigh Brown
Is a 50-year mortgage really a step toward affordable housing or just a longer path to debt? In this rapid-fire solo episode, I’ll break down why this proposed fix might cause more harm than good. Hit play to rethink what “affordable” really means. Key takeaways to listen for Why 50-year mortgages are more about appearances than true affordability How policy changes can unintentionally inflate home prices What debt "ownership" really looks like over five decades Resources mentioned in this episode Connect with Leigh Please subscribe to this podcast on your...
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The Conversation REALTORS® Aren’t Allowed to Have, But Must | With Leigh Brown & Notorious ROB
Real Talk with Leigh Brown
What happens when two of real estate’s most outspoken truth-tellers stop tiptoeing and start saying the quiet part out loud? Buckle up. Leigh Brown and Rob Hahn dive into the conversations the industry avoids—crime, public safety, fair housing realities, failing cities, the MLS shake-up, and what it really means to be a REALTOR® in a post-settlement era. This crossover episode from Under All Is The Land is raw, unfiltered, and guaranteed to challenge the way you think about your role, your industry, and your duty to the communities you serve. If you care about the future of real...
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Estate Planning: Legal Tips Families Need To Know with Atty. Lin Wang
Real Talk with Leigh Brown
Estate planning isn’t just about money, it’s about protecting the people you love. In this episode, we sit down with Atty. Lin Wang for a candid conversation about what really happens when families don’t plan ahead. From trusts and guardianship to the hidden costs of probate, you’ll walk away with questions you didn’t know you needed to ask. Listen in to uncover what’s at stake and what you can still do about it. Key takeaways to listen for Reasons probate can be more costly than most people realize What really drives family conflict after someone dies The key difference...
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The Long Road Home for a Vietnam Veteran with Mike Stubbs
Real Talk with Leigh Brown
Mike Stubbs went to war at 18 and came back with medals, scars, and stories most never hear. In this episode, he opens up about a moment that changed his life and the decades-long mission that followed, plus we’ll shed light on the parts of military service that don’t make the history books. Listen in for a raw, real conversation that honors courage, connection, and the fight to be remembered. Key takeaways to listen for What the Purple Heart really means Why Mike volunteered for Vietnam and what happened the day he was shot The story behind Mike’s Silver Star and how it was...
info_outlineSmall towns don’t just recover slower after disaster—they’re often forgotten altogether. In this episode, Leigh Brown exposes the deep inequalities she’s witnessed firsthand in Western North Carolina’s long road to recovery. From government red tape to rising property taxes, this is a raw look at what happens when working-class communities are pushed to the margins.
Key takeaways to listen for
- Why disaster relief often favors urban areas over rural ones
- The hidden financial toll of rebuilding for low-income, generational homeowners
- How property tax hikes after disaster can force people off their land
- The overlooked role of elitism in disaster planning and recovery
- Why preserving small-town economies and culture is essential to America’s future
Resources mentioned in this episode
Are you ready to make a difference? Go to https://www.patriotrelief.org to learn more.
Connect with Leigh
Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app at https://pod.link/1153262163, and never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting https://leighbrown.com. DM Leigh Brown on Instagram @ LeighThomasBrown.