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How to Turn Things Around

Ninja Selling Podcast

Release Date: 04/30/2026

Navigating Crazy with Mike Staver show art Navigating Crazy with Mike Staver

Ninja Selling Podcast

Rob Nelson chats with Mike Staver, author of Navigating Crazy, to explore why modern life can feel overwhelming and how to stay grounded amid chaotic circumstances. Mike argues that the world isn't necessarily getting worse, but the pace, pressure, and constant demands on our attention have dramatically increased. The solution isn't eliminating the crazy; it's learning to navigate through it. Mike recommends focusing on what you can control, establishing clear boundaries, and anchoring decisions to your core values. He also explores anxiety as a prediction about the future, the importance...

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Connect and Communicate: The Fourth Cornerstone of Ninja Selling show art Connect and Communicate: The Fourth Cornerstone of Ninja Selling

Ninja Selling Podcast

In this episode, Eric Thompson interviews Larry Kendall about the fourth principle of Ninja Selling: Connect and Communicate. Larry explains that great communication begins with connection. The best communicators create a sense of trust through what he calls a "non-anxious presence," making the conversation about the other person rather than themselves. By asking thoughtful questions, listening deeply, and adapting to clients' communication styles, Ninjas help clients gain clarity and make confident decisions. The conversation explores the Platinum Rule, the importance of asking rather than...

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Turn 15 Conversations into 80 Closings show art Turn 15 Conversations into 80 Closings

Ninja Selling Podcast

Eric Thompson interviews Gavin Vargas of Windermere Group One in Richland, Washington, who shares the mindset and habits behind building an 80-plus transaction business in a market of just 65,000 people. After attending his first Ninja Installation at age 21, Gavin steadily built his business by committing to the Ninja system, and in 2026 is on pace for his first $100,000 month. Gavin credits his success to three things: mastering his mindset, maintaining consistent live flow, and treating everyone in his business as a relationship rather than a transaction. His goal is 15 live interviews per...

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The Power of Going All In show art The Power of Going All In

Ninja Selling Podcast

Eric Thompson interviews D.J. Farris of Nashville, Tennessee, who shares the mindset shift that led to his first $100,000 month after nearly 20 years in real estate. While D.J. had experienced success throughout his career, he realized he had never fully committed to becoming the best Realtor he could be. Instead, he viewed real estate as something temporary while waiting for “something bigger.” Everything changed at the beginning of 2026. Through Ninja 90 and coaching with Steve Mandelson, D.J. embraced a new identity, committed fully to his business, and eliminated distractions that...

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Where Books Find New Homes show art Where Books Find New Homes

Ninja Selling Podcast

Eric Thompson interviews Alexis Pinter of Albuquerque, New Mexico, who shares the relationship-building strategies that helped her achieve her entire 2026 income goal by mid-June. After 12 years in real estate and two and a half years of coaching with Tracy Peterson-Nienaber, Alexis has built a business centered on authentic live flow, creative client events, and meaningful personal touches. Her signature strategy is a quarterly book swap, where clients, friends, family, and community members gather around a shared love of reading. The event naturally attracts like-minded people, creates new...

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Take a Month Off Without Losing Momentum show art Take a Month Off Without Losing Momentum

Ninja Selling Podcast

In this episode, Eric Thompson interviews Sumina Bhatti of Austin, Texas, about how to take a truly restorative vacation without sacrificing your real estate business. Sumina shares a practical framework she has developed over years of travel, including trips lasting several weeks to several months, while maintaining strong client service and business momentum. The key is preparation. Sumina explains that successful time away begins with deciding what kind of trip you want to take: fully disconnected, partially working, or fully working from another location. Once that decision is made,...

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The Pickleball League That Built a $40 Million Business show art The Pickleball League That Built a $40 Million Business

Ninja Selling Podcast

Rob Nelson interviews Greg Roeder of Fort Collins, Colorado, who shares how he built a thriving real estate business by creating community around his passions rather than relying on traditional prospecting. A pivotal moment came when he invited a struggling homeowner to join a pickleball game, helping him realize he could offer more than real estate services—he could create meaningful connections. Greg began organizing what he calls strategic gatherings and signature events, including pickleball leagues, wellness events, coffee tastings, and other experiences that bring people together...

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Premium Service = Premium Fees show art Premium Service = Premium Fees

Ninja Selling Podcast

Eric Thompson interviews Cyndi Olmstead, owner of Consi Realtors in Oldsmar, Florida, about two powerful business strategies: networking like a Ninja and offering premium service for a premium fee. Cyndi shares how she built a thriving real estate business from scratch after relocating to Florida without an existing sphere. By intentionally immersing herself in networking groups and later refining her focus to the most productive relationships, she created a strong referral-based business and achieved her best year yet. A major component of Cyndi’s success is her innovative use of real...

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Obsessed with Results - the Ninja Installation Evolves show art Obsessed with Results - the Ninja Installation Evolves

Ninja Selling Podcast

In this bonus episode, Rob Nelson and Larry Kendall reflect on the evolution of Ninja Selling and announce a major change to Ninja training. Larry explains that The Group Real Estate served as the original testing ground for the systems that eventually became the buyer process, seller process, and Ninja Nine. A key theme is that most agents do not struggle because they lack knowledge. They struggle because they fail to consistently apply what they already know. While the Ninja Installation has long been praised as transformational, Ninja found that many agents needed additional accountability...

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Why Does Time Feel So Fast? show art Why Does Time Feel So Fast?

Ninja Selling Podcast

Rob Nelson and Peter Parnegg explore a question many people are asking: why does it feel like time is moving faster than ever? Rather than concluding that time itself has changed, they suggest that our perception of time has shifted because of how we spend our attention and energy. The conversation examines how distractions, obligations, and a lack of intentionality can create the feeling that life is speeding by. Peter reflects on how many professionals have become disconnected from where their time actually goes. He argues that the solution is not finding more time, but becoming more...

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Eric Thompson interviews Tammi Winbauer, a Bismarck, North Dakota Ninja, who shares how she turned her business around after a difficult stretch. At the start of 2025, Tammi was in a slump, dealing with personal challenges, low production, and a mindset focused on simply getting by. By the end of the year, she had dramatically reversed course, earning over $220,000 in the second half of the year and building strong momentum into 2026.

Tammi credits her transformation to recommitting to the fundamentals of Ninja Selling, especially her morning routine, mindset work, and consistent execution of the Ninja Nine. With her coach's support, she shifted from reactive behavior to a highly intentional, structured approach. Her daily routine now includes gratitude, affirmations, note writing, planning, reviewing her hot and warm lists, and proactively matching clients with opportunities.

A key theme is moving from “going through the motions” to deeper, more meaningful execution. Tammi emphasizes writing intentional notes, adding real estate reviews, and staying focused on abundance rather than scarcity. She also implemented clear boundaries in her schedule, which improved both her productivity and her quality of life.

Her story demonstrates that even after a downturn, a business can be rebuilt with purpose, discipline, and consistency. The shift from survival mode to intentional action created both stronger results and a more fulfilling life.

Key Takeaways

  • Turning a business around starts with shifting from reactive behavior to intentional daily structure
  • A consistent morning routine built on gratitude, affirmations, and planning creates a strong mindset foundation
  • Meaningful execution of the Ninja Nine drives results, not just going through the motions
  • Focusing on hot and warm lists daily creates proactive opportunities and strengthens relationships
  • Setting boundaries improves both business performance and personal well-being
  • Coaching provides clarity, perspective, and accountability that accelerates growth

Memorable Quotes

  • “I was trying to survive.”
  • “My business today is very on purpose.”
  • “There are different levels to doing the Ninja Nine.”
  • “I was going through the motions.”
  • “Who doesn’t like to be thought of?”
  • “You are so worth it.”

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