Beach Road Banter - The Outer Banks Podcast

We talk about investing on the Outer Banks, North Carolina as well as introduce those who live and work to make this such an incredible coastal community.

"We Are Not Broken" Allison Brown OBX Local And Life Coach Shares How To Handle Adversity And Thrive | #40 11/07/2025

"We Are Not Broken" Allison Brown OBX Local And Life Coach Shares How To Handle Adversity And Thrive | #40 Some conversations stay with you, and this one will. Allison Brown has a calm, grounded way of talking about things most of us struggle to face including loss, change, and learning to trust ourselves again. She’s a life coach, mentor, and spiritual guide, as well as a wife, mom of three, and active member of the Outer Banks community. With a background in psychology from UNC Chapel Hill and advanced training in Jungian life coaching, she combines psychology, spirituality, and neuroscience to help people live into wholeness after hardship. After the sudden passing of her mother, Allison began asking the bigger questions: Who am I? What really matters? How do you keep going when life falls apart? Those questions led her to a new chapter focused on helping others heal through self-awareness and compassion. She shares the practices that helped her like journaling, long beach walks, and learning that “you’re not broken, you’re just human.” Together we talk about what it means to live with awareness, to lead with compassion, and to keep showing up as yourself no matter what’s happened before. It’s one of those conversations that reminds you how strong people can be, and how healing often starts right where you are. In This Episode: [00:28] Allison Brown is here to talk about resilience, loss, and personal growth. [03:11] Allison opens up about the loss of her mother and how it led her to question identity, purpose, and meaning. [04:05] She talks about earning her psychology degree from UNC Chapel Hill and studying spiritual formation. [05:13] We discuss the importance of self-reflection and why it’s rarely taught to kids or adults. [06:00] Allison recalls the tragic accident that changed her life and her family forever. [07:44] We reflect on the Outer Banks community’s remarkable support during her father’s recovery. [09:14] Allison shares how long walks on the beach became part of her healing journey. [09:50] She discovers Jungian life coaching and the message that “you’re not broken.” [10:25] Reading her mother’s journals revealed patterns of people-pleasing and self-doubt. [11:18] Allison decides to align her inner and outer life and show up authentically. [12:08] We talk about parenting, ego, and gaining perspective later in life. [13:38] Allison shares how she learned to start each day with self-care and journaling. [14:27] She walks through her daily practice for grounding and reconnecting with purpose. [15:15] We talk about how empathy and listening can change relationships. [16:59] Discussion about tools like StrengthsFinder and the Enneagram for personal insight. [17:57] Allison explains how Carl Jung’s ideas, shadow work, and neuroscience shape her coaching. [19:14] We talk about how early conditioning and childhood patterns still affect adult behavior. [20:05] Allison shares why emotional triggers can be powerful teachers. [21:05] She explains how she structures her coaching work with individuals and teams. [22:14] We discuss the growing acceptance of counseling and coaching, especially among men. [23:01] Allison describes how her business grew through word-of-mouth and local book clubs. [23:49] She reflects on the joy of watching clients experience breakthroughs. [26:05] Allison’s biggest realization: you’re not broken — you’re whole and human. [27:00] Learning to accept anger, sadness, and imperfection in ourselves and others. [28:05] Finding grace and understanding for parents, kids, and life’s messy moments. [28:20] We talk about the power of the Outer Banks and how daily beach walks bring clarity. [29:18] Allison reflects on quiet, phone-free moments and the peace they bring. [30:00] Teaching emotional awareness to her kids through open, honest conversations. [31:37] Letting children grow through struggle and self-discovery. [32:12] Allison shares what she loves most about life on the Outer Banks like the beach and connection. [33:22] We talk about technology, parenting, and staying present in real life. [35:02] Lessons learned through heartbreak and challenges and letting our kids do the same. [36:03] Closing thoughts on gratitude, purpose, and what it means to live fully each day. Resources: /episode/index/show/5654a8d3-58bb-480b-9e36-476b4af51c51/id/38859980

Business Leader, Wife, Mom And Top Real Estate Broker, Sarah Spencer | #39 10/24/2025

Business Leader, Wife, Mom And Top Real Estate Broker, Sarah Spencer | #39 There’s something about the Outer Banks that stays with you. It’s not just the beaches or the slower pace, it’s the feeling that people here are building something meaningful. They work hard, raise families, and find ways to stay close to the coast no matter what life brings. Sarah Spencer has done all of that and more. She’s managed to grow a thriving career while staying grounded in the place she loves most. Sarah is a longtime real estate broker, business owner, and community leader who’s spent nearly thirty years helping shape the local market. She built Keller Williams OBX, now home to about 80 agents, into one of the area’s largest and most respected brokerages. What really stands out is how she leads with a focus on people, teamwork, and doing things the right way. Her approach to culture, training, and shared success has made her business a reflection of her values, not just her accomplishments. We dive into how it all started from waiting tables in college, falling in love with the Outer Banks, and finding her path in real estate. She shares what she’s learned along the way, what she wishes she’d done sooner, and how she keeps her priorities straight when life gets busy. It’s an honest, grounded look at what it means to build a business, raise a family, and stay connected to what matters most. In This Episode: [01:58] Sarah Spencer shares her long career in real estate. [02:45] Conversation about balancing business ownership and family life. [03:28] Thoughts on teamwork, community, and the positive culture in Outer Banks real estate. [04:26] Sarah credits her husband and business partner for shared success. [05:19] Insights on building a strong team and not focusing on rankings or titles. [06:03] How Sarah first came to the Outer Banks and what drew her back. [07:19] The story of meeting her husband while waiting tables on the island. [08:15] The biggest lesson Sarah wishes she’d learned earlier—investing sooner. [09:47] Reflections on how younger generations view homeownership and passive income. [11:11] Comparing the housing market then and now, and how it’s changed over time. [12:06] Why having clear exit plans matters for real estate investments. [13:30] A conversation about parenting, education, and helping kids find their own path. [15:04] Sarah reveals her next big goal: creating a new beachside office for Keller Williams OBX. [17:15] Thoughts on competition in real estate and how collaboration leads to success. [18:29] How trust and teamwork helped build lasting business partnerships. [20:23] The story behind how Keller Williams OBX began and what it took to make it work. [22:46] Sarah credits mentors and team members who helped the brokerage grow. [22:53] Keller Williams OBX now includes around 80 agents serving the Outer Banks market. [25:04] Advice on staying positive, learning from rejection, and keeping perspective. [26:03] Guidance for new agents on confidence, emotional resilience, and communication. [27:26] How the market has shifted since COVID and what agents must learn now. [28:49] The importance of honesty and managing tough client conversations. [30:11] Reflections on negotiation, mindset, and lifelong learning in real estate. [31:28] Why ongoing training and coaching are central to the Keller Williams OBX culture. [33:22] How agents can find their own path instead of following a single model. [34:22] Discussion on the rise of social media and influencers in real estate. [35:09] Thoughts on authentic connection and two-way conversations with audiences. [35:55] Sarah describes her perfect day off—relaxing on the sand while her family surfs. [36:33] Closing thoughts on balance, family, and what makes the Outer Banks feel like home. Resources: /episode/index/show/5654a8d3-58bb-480b-9e36-476b4af51c51/id/38774170