Real Returns

Welcome to the Real Returns podcast, where we learn how real investments can make a real impact. Join your hosts, Andrew and Dan, as they share stories and interview business leaders on how real estate and other forms of investment can create meaningful change for individuals and communities around the world.

S9E6 - Stephanie Puryear Helling | Why The Best Teams Build Instead of Fix 10/15/2026

S9E6 - Stephanie Puryear Helling | Why The Best Teams Build Instead of Fix In this episode of Real Returns, Andrew sits down with Stephanie Puryear Helling, an international keynote speaker, executive coach, author, and founder of SPH Services. After more than 20 years leading learning and development inside a global multifamily organization, Stephanie explains why the best teams are built on strengths instead of fixes, and how tools like DISC, CliftonStrengths, and The Five Dysfunctions of a Team show leaders what’s really happening inside their companies. She and Andrew also get into employee engagement, where AI fits in, and a new faith-inspired leadership certificate for property management. Timestamps: 00:00 - Cold Open: Building Teams Around Strengths 00:46 - Meet Stephanie Puryear Helling 02:42 - Why Assessments Matter 04:58 - CliftonStrengths: Strengths Over Weaknesses 06:49 - Building Teams With Complementary Strengths 08:14 - Seeing Culture Change Inside Organizations 11:33 - The Employee Engagement Gap 14:25 - Connecting Purpose To Daily Work 15:53 - AI And The Future Of Work 18:10 - A Faith-Inspired Leadership Certificate 20:28 - How To Reach Stephanie “Our best opportunity for performance improvement, both personally and within organizations is to focus on our strengths and actually work on honing them even more.” — Stephanie Puryear Helling Connect with Stephanie: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/spuryearhelling Website: shedoesntshrink.com — For more insights on purposeful investing, subscribe to Real Returns on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-returns/id1642761377 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tx0jOW8J1h3xsEWLuVPzm YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@realreturns — Subscribe to our monthly 'Investin on Purpose' newsletter: http://www.realreturnspodcast.com Want to see your question answered on the show? Submit a question via our Q&A form: https://forms.gle/Fy9E6H7BTpzhGPueA — Invest alongside our team with Birgo Heartland Multifamily Fund V, targeting resilient Midwest workforce housing markets: https://birgo.com/fundv?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=s9e6_stephaniehelling&utm_content=fund_v Reiturn® is Birgo’s new platform* bringing real estate investing to everyday investors, not just accredited ones, with a minimum for the public of $1,000. *The equity crowdfunding round to own a share of the Reiturn® platform is live at https://invest.reiturn.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=s9e6_stephaniehelling&utm_content=reiturn_raise /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/43312024

S9E5 - Isaac Carter | Lead the Market, Don't Chase It 10/07/2026

S9E5 - Isaac Carter | Lead the Market, Don't Chase It In this episode of Real Returns, Andrew sits down with Isaac Carter, CEO of Contollo Consulting, a technology entrepreneur with more than 25 years in data architecture, software, and business transformation. Isaac explains why founders who lead with their own voice stand out in an AI-saturated market, and how free 10-minute interviews with 62 founders at DFW Startup Week doubled as market research. He and Andrew also get into why leading with value beats leading with the ask. Timestamps: 00:00 - Cold Open: Henry Ford Didn't Invent The Car 00:38 - Meet Isaac Carter 01:37 - From Staffing To Founder-Led Go-To-Market 04:29 - Does AI Content Help Or Hurt Founders 06:26 - What 62 Founders Revealed At DFW Startup Week 09:13 - How To Ask Customers The Right Questions 11:35 - Why Knowing Is More Than Half The Battle 14:29 - Why Messaging Matters More Than The Product 16:27 - Making The Customer The Hero 18:49 - Lead With Value, Not The Ask 21:42 - How To Reach Isaac "AI cannot help you feel connected. But humans can." - Isaac Carter Connect with Isaac: Website: contollo.net — For more insights on purposeful investing, subscribe to Real Returns on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s9e5-isaac-carter-lead-the-market-dont-chase-it/id1642761377?i=1000793728080 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0fE2P8YTPPbaw5mxQm3A6A?si=4LTj78czQhOb_CkCbvSS3Q — Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: http://www.realreturnspodcast.com Want to see your question answered on the show? Submit a question via our Q&A form: https://forms.gle/Fy9E6H7BTpzhGPueA — Invest alongside our team with Birgo Heartland Multifamily Fund V, targeting resilient Midwest workforce housing markets: https://birgo.com/fundv?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=s9e5_isaaccarter&utm_content=fund_v Reiturn® is Birgo's new platform* bringing real estate investing to everyday investors, not just accredited ones, with a minimum for the public of $1,000. *The equity crowdfunding round to own a share of the Reiturn® platform is live at https://invest.reiturn.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=s9e5_isaaccarter&utm_content=reiturn_raise /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/43215823

S9E4 - Vicky Schiff | Private Credit and Loan to Cost Investing 09/30/2026

S9E4 - Vicky Schiff | Private Credit and Loan to Cost Investing In this episode of Real Returns, Andrew sits down with Vicky Schiff, CEO and founder of Avrio Clean Fund and a serial entrepreneur who has co-founded six firms over three decades in real estate. Vicki breaks down how private credit actually works, from senior loans and stretch senior proceeds to the debt yield math lenders use to protect their basis. She and Andrew also dig into why the recent private credit "exodus" headlines are mostly a corporate credit story, how construction cost overruns and rate hikes have squeezed multifamily borrowers, and how Avrio's PACE financing ties sustainability improvements to better loan economics. Timestamps: 00:00 - Cold Open: When A Loan Goes Underwater 00:48 - Welcome And Meet Vicki Schiff 02:40 - What Private Credit Actually Is 05:02 - Senior Loans, Stretch Senior, And Mezzanine 06:30 - Loan To Cost, Loan To Value, And Debt Yield Explained 09:24 - Why Borrowers Choose Private Credit Over A Bank 13:38 - The Private Credit "Exodus" Headlines, Explained 15:57 - How Construction Costs And Rate Hikes Sink A Deal 18:21 - Where The Opportunity Is Now 21:08 - PACE Financing And The Double Bottom Line 24:55 - How To Connect With Vicky - "Somebody makes a loan to build a multifamily asset. That multifamily asset is supposed to be worth that $120 million that I just mentioned to you. But when it's built, it's worth 90, and it didn't cost 100, it cost 110, because construction costs went up." — Vicki Schiff Connect with Vicky: LinkedIn: Avrio CleanFund: - For more insights on purposeful investing, subscribe to Real Returns on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s9e4-vicky-schiff-private-credit-and-loan-to-cost-investing/id1642761377?i=1000792460825 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ewFDu5pBg1VgdSCoulWOb?si=pCj3QMtSQ-iwd3KebFnDZA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0leuW-VglFE — Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: http://www.realreturnspodcast.com Want to see your question answered on the show? Submit a question via our Q&A form: https://forms.gle/Fy9E6H7BTpzhGPueA — Invest alongside our team with Birgo Heartland Multifamily Fund V, targeting resilient Midwest workforce housing markets: https://birgo.com/fundv?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=s9e4_vickyschiff&utm_content=fund_v Reiturn® is Birgo's new platform* bringing real estate investing to everyday investors, not just accredited ones, with a minimum for the public of $1,000. *The equity crowdfunding round to own a share of the Reiturn® platform is live at https://invest.reiturn.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=s9e4_vickyschiff&utm_content=reiturn_raise /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/43098938

S9E3 - Joe Cardosi | The Four Ps of Specialty Pharmacy 09/23/2026

S9E2 - Kevin Morris | Crowdfunding Capital in the Modern World 09/16/2026

S9E2 - Kevin Morris | Crowdfunding Capital in the Modern World In this episode of Real Returns, Andrew sits down with Kevin Morris, founder of Atlas Rd, who has helped raise over $350 million in capital across his own companies and the businesses he now advises. Kevin traces the evolution of equity crowdfunding from a fallback for companies that could not raise anywhere else to a tool blue chip brands are choosing on purpose, and makes the case for why a cap table of 10,000 small investors can be a bigger asset than a single VC check. He and Andrew also get into the work they are doing together on Reiturn, Birgo's platform built to bring real estate investing to everyday investors. Timestamps: 00:00 - Cold Open: The Math Behind Crowdfunding's Reach 00:47 - Meet Kevin Morris 02:05 - From Deloitte To CFO To Capital Raising 06:35 - How The JOBS Act Opened The Door 09:40 - Blue Chip Companies Embracing Equity Crowdfunding 12:15 - A Tough Market Pushes Founders To Crowdfunding 15:00 - Trend Or Permanent Shift In Capital Raising 17:30 - Why 10,000 Investors Beat One VC 19:45 - Impact: Access, Cheerleaders, And Growth 21:10 - Building Reiturn With Birgo 22:50 - How To Reach Kevin "I view having this many investors as something that's really going to help propel your business over time. And you have 10,000 cheerleaders. What's better than that?" — Kevin Morris Connect with Kevin: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kevin-morris-30510b16 Website: atlas-rd.com - For more insights on purposeful investing, subscribe to Real Returns on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-returns/id1642761377 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tx0jOW8J1h3xsEWLuVPzm YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjlzrIn04Ee4iBPE7kEUBjg/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=1 Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: - Invest alongside our team with Birgo Heartland Multifamily Fund V, targeting resilient Midwest workforce housing markets: https://birgo.com/fundv?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=s9e2_morris&utm_content=fund_v Reiturn® is Birgo's new platform bringing real estate investing to everyday investors, not just accredited ones, with a minimum for the public of $1,000. The equity crowdfunding round to own a share of the Reiturn® platform is live at https://invest.reiturn.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=s9e2_morris&utm_content=reiturn_raise /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/42920152

S9E1 - Jay Parsons | What the Data Actually Says about Rental Housing 09/09/2026

S9E1 - Jay Parsons | What the Data Actually Says about Rental Housing In this episode of Real Returns, Andrew sits down with Jay Parsons, a rental housing economist, advisor, and podcaster who helps investors and other stakeholders make sense of what's actually happening in apartments and single-family rentals. Jay pulls back the curtain on the data behind today's multifamily market, from where institutional capital is and isn't looking, to why the national affordability conversation gets the real story wrong. He and Andrew also get into migration patterns within a single metro, the flight to quality reshaping renter demand, and where the next decade of returns will actually come from. Timestamps: 00:00 - Cold Open: Migration Back To Local Markets 00:53 - Meet Jay Parsons 02:46 - Why Execution Now Matters More Than Ever 04:58 - Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, And Cleveland Fly Under Radar 07:57 - The Flight To Quality Among Renters 10:01 - Migration Patterns Within A Single Metro 11:57 - Solving The Affordable Housing Shortage 15:54 - Rethinking The National Affordability Narrative 20:16 - Why The Next Cycle Is About NOI 22:34 - How To Reach Jay "If you take out that population, we do not have an affordability crisis in the U.S. on a national level." — Jay Parsons Connect with Jay: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jay-parsons-a7a6656 Website: jayparsons.com — For more insights on purposeful investing, subscribe to Real Returns on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Apple Podcasts: [link pending] Spotify: [link pending] YouTube: [link pending] — Subscribe to our NEW monthly newsletter: http://www.realreturnspodcast.com Want to see your question answered on the show? Submit a question via our Q&A form: https://forms.gle/Fy9E6H7BTpzhGPueA — Invest alongside Birgo in Birgo Heartland Multifamily Fund V, targeting resilient Midwest workforce housing markets: https://birgo.com/fundv?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=s9e1_jayparsons&utm_content=fund_v Reiturn® is Birgo's new platform bringing real estate investing to everyday investors, not just accredited ones, with a minimum for the public of $1,000. – The equity crowdfunding round to support and own a share of Reiturn® is live now at invest.reiturn.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=s9e1_jayparsons&utm_content=reiturn_raise /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/42846000

S8E9 - Season 8 Recap 06/24/2026

S8E8 - Afif Ghannoum | Building Trust in the World of Supplements 06/10/2026

S8E8 - Afif Ghannoum | Building Trust in the World of Supplements In this episode of Real Returns, Andrew sits down with Afif Ghannoum, founder and CEO of CPG Radar, a platform that uses big data and AI to help consumer brands accelerate innovation in the supplement space. Afif pulls back the curtain on how the supplement industry actually works, from the brands getting it right to the ones cutting dangerous corners, and explains why the data behind what you put in your body matters more than most people realize. He and Andrew also dig into the 85/15 principle, the hidden challenge of AI hallucinations in CPG data, and where the science on ingredients like peptides and creatine gummies actually stands. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: Real Returns Season 8 01:07 - Meet Afif Ghannoum 01:30 - Supplement industry boom: $72.9B and growing 03:35 - What impact really means in CPG 05:00 - The 85/15 principle explained 06:29 - Omega-3s, fish oil, and the AI data normalization problem 09:32 - Quality, purity, and what's really in your supplements 14:02 - How to spot a trustworthy brand 16:55 - The rise of TikTok brands and ingredient shortcuts 18:13 - Peptides, postbiotics, and the science vs. hype gap 20:20 - Creatine gummies: consumer demand vs. real efficacy 23:28 - How to reach Afif "Many supplements are not cheap, but I will tell you, there is really something about you kind of get what you pay for. That's why anytime you see whether it's a private label product or like a super value brand...if you're seeing everyone else is like $30, $40 and these guys are $9.99...you got to do the math." — Afif Ghannoum Connect with Afif: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afifghannoum/ Website: cpgradar.com — For more insights on purposeful investing, subscribe to Real Returns on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-returns/id1642761377 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tx0jOW8J1h3xsEWLuVPzm YouTube: youtube.com/@realreturns — Subscribe to our NEW monthly newsletter: http://www.realreturnspodcast.com Want to see your question answered on the show? Submit a question via our Q&A form: https://forms.gle/Fy9E6H7BTpzhGPueA /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/41599480

S8E7 - Hisham Albahar | Logistics and Geopolitics in the Middle East 05/27/2026

S8E7 - Hisham Albahar | Logistics and Geopolitics in the Middle East In this episode of Real Returns, Andrew sits down with Hisham Albahar, CEO of three logistics companies operating in the UAE and GCC region. Hisham shares a candid firsthand account of running a logistics business in the middle of an active conflict, how supply chain disruption rippled across an entire region, and why he believes scale and consolidation are the keys to modernizing a fragmented, century-old industry. He and Andrew also discover they're running nearly identical playbooks toward the same billion-dollar goal! Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: Real Returns Season 8 01:07 - Meet Hisham Albahar 01:23 - How Andrew and Hisham connected through YPO 03:15 - Living and working through conflict in Dubai 05:24 - Media perception vs. reality on the ground 06:40 - Supply chain disruption: Strait of Hormuz and airport closures 08:44 - Why logistics is invisible until it breaks 10:02 - Touching people's lives through delivery 11:15 - AI in logistics: WhatsApp bots, route optimization, and dev efficiency 14:15 - Buying and consolidating logistics companies 15:43 - The 2030 vision: a billion in assets under management 18:24 - Economies of scale and the 1+1=4 principle 19:49 - How to reach Hisham "Throughout the Strait of Hormuz, you have Jebel Ali, which is one of the largest ports in the region, you've got the Qatar ports, you've got the Kuwaiti ports, you've got the Bahraini ports. So, all of those countries have been heavily impacted." — Hisham Albahar Connect with Hisham: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hisham-albahar-1755a824/ — For more insights on purposeful investing, subscribe to Real Returns on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tx0jOW... YouTube: / @realreturns — Subscribe to our NEW monthly newsletter: http://www.realreturnspodcast.com Want to see your question answered on the show? Submit a question via our Q&A form: https://forms.gle/Fy9E6H7BTpzhGPueA /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/41439165

S8E6 - Mary Fearon | Bringing Purpose to the Employee Experience 05/13/2026

S8E6 - Mary Fearon | Bringing Purpose to the Employee Experience In this episode of Real Returns, Andrew sits down with Mary Fearon, Founder and CEO of OnPrpose, a leadership and communications firm built on the belief that stories change people and people change the world. Mary makes the case that the staggering employee disengagement crisis isn't a people problem, it's a culture problem; and shares what it actually looks like to help leaders reconnect their teams to purpose, identity, and the work that matters. Timestamps: 00:00 - Opening Segment 00:43 - Welcome & Guest Introduction 01:34 - What Mary Is Building: Connected Organizations 03:24 - More Connected Than Ever, Yet More Isolated 05:27 - Gallup's Record-Low Engagement Numbers, and Why It's Not Surprising 07:58 - How Do You Actually Define Purpose? 10:41 - Why Stories Are the Engine of Change 12:21 - What About the Skeptic? Meeting People Where They Are 13:26 - The Factory Story: Proof That Everyone Wants to Contribute 18:20 - AI and the Rise of the "Hard Soft Skill" 21:36 - Where to Follow Mary's Work 22:05 - Closing Segment "No amount of stuff you add onto the heap —the benefits, the volunteer days, the better salaries — matter at all if we don't address the person's mindset as they walk through the door." — Mary Fearon Connect with Mary: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-fearon-45515b22/ Website(s): OnPrpose: https://onprpose.com/ maryfearon.com: https://maryfearon.com/ Instagram: @MaryMFearon — For more insights on purposeful investing, subscribe to Real Returns on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-returns/id1642761377 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tx0jOW8J1h3xsEWLuVPzm YouTube: / @realreturns — Subscribe to our NEW monthly newsletter: http://www.realreturnspodcast.com Want to see your question answered on the show? Submit a question via our Q&A form: https://forms.gle/Fy9E6H7BTpzhGPueA /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/41272425

S8 E5 - Dr. Dinakar Golla | A Plastic Surgeon's Take on Investing 04/29/2026

S8 E5 - Dr. Dinakar Golla | A Plastic Surgeon's Take on Investing In this episode of Real Returns, hosts Andrew Reichert and Dan Croce sit down with Dr. Dinakar Golla, a Pittsburgh-based plastic surgeon, entrepreneur, and venture investor. Dinakar shares how a pivotal mentor in medical school redirected his career, how he transitioned from practicing medicine to building a diversified investment portfolio, and why he believes aligning incentives is the key to fixing American healthcare. Timestamps: 00:00 Opening segment 00:40 Welcome back; NFL Draft in Pittsburgh 00:57 Meet Dr. Dinakar Golla 01:48 Growing up in Pittsburgh 02:22 The plan to become a cardiac surgeon 03:36 A mentor changes everything 04:32 His mentor passes two days after matching 05:11 Mentorship reflections from Andrew and Dan 06:52 Leaving the university to build his own practice 08:33 The thrill of building from scratch 09:25 Transition from success to significance 10:04 Getting into alternative investing 11:38 Investment philosophy and LP lessons 13:38 Healthcare technology and the impact opportunity 14:13 America's most expensive healthcare system 14:45 Rewarding outcomes, not usage 16:11 Patients must own their care 17:05 Andrew's cancer story; misaligned incentives 17:46 The dialysis example 19:21 Next five years; venture and legacy 20:48 Launching a Pittsburgh healthcare venture fund 21:34 Involving his kids in investing 22:09 Dan and Andrew's closing takeaways 23:21 Where to connect with Dr. Golla 23:37 Outro "I think the key to [fixing healthcare] is that it has to be value-based. If it's getting to be 20% of GDP and we're just not getting really good outcomes, that's a bad thing." — Dr. Dinakar Golla Connect with Dr. Golla: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinakar-golla-27b2151b Website: gollaplasticsurgery.com - For more insights on purposeful investing, subscribe to Real Returns on YouTube. YouTube: https://youtube.com/@realreturns — Subscribe to our NEW monthly newsletter: http://www.birgo.com/realreturns Want to see your question answered on the show? Submit a question via our Q&A form: https://forms.gle/Fy9E6H7BTpzhGPueA /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/41062530

S8 E4 - Julie Hanners | Improving Lives Through Real Estate at Scale 04/15/2026

S8 E3 - Patrick Colletti | The "Refounder" Mindset 04/01/2026

S8 E3 - Patrick Colletti | The "Refounder" Mindset In this episode of Real Returns, host Andrew Reichert is joined by Patrick Colletti, who shares the mindset required to revitalize organizations at any stage. From scaling Net Health to serve over 34,000 healthcare facilities to his current role as an executive advisor and adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon, Patrick discusses the discipline of "refounding" and what it means to be a "running partner" to today's leaders. After stepping into a near-bankrupt startup where the money was gone and the entire staff had been fired (leaving only Patrick and one partner) he embarked on a journey to transform a broken business into a thriving one with over 600 employees, inspiring him to teach others how to do the same. Timestamps 0:00 – The Cycle of Trust: Building risk-taking "muscles" through vulnerability. 0:44 – Guest Intro: Meet Patrick Colletti, CEO advisor and author of Refounder. 1:09 – Patrick’s early career and the 90-day ultimatum at a failing startup. 1:53 – Winning vs. Not Losing: The psychology behind taking on "impossible" challenges. 3:50 – Why fixing something broken is a unique leadership discipline. 5:30 – Empowering every level of an organization to think like a founder. 7:15 – From Zero to a Billion: Patrick’s journey advising founders through massive scale. 9:37 – Lessons from scaling Net Health from 2 to 600 employees. 10:10 – Why focusing on "highly engaged teammates" beats focusing solely on EBITDA. 12:06 – Building culture through authentic vulnerability and employee storytelling. 16:51 – How Birgo used "TED talks" (including a memorable one on crocheting) to build trust. 18:05 – Growth on Purpose: Developing a "white belt mentality" in leadership. 19:51 – The Next Chapter: Teaching at Carnegie Mellon and planting seeds for next-gen leaders. 20:46 – The Dinner Stories: A unique method for fast-forwarding trust between strangers and polarized groups. 26:01 – Closing "Authentic vulnerability creates trust, which then allows us to create risk-taking muscles so that we can take bigger and maybe more important risks together." — Patrick Colletti - Refounder (Book): https://refounder.com/ The Dinner Stories: https://www.thedinnerstories.com/ Analog Sunday: https://www.analogsunday.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-colletti/ - For more insights on purposeful investing, subscribe to Real Returns on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-returns/id1642761377 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tx0jOW8J1h3xsEWLuVPzm YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@realreturns⁩ — Subscribe to our NEW monthly newsletter: www.birgo.com/realreturns Want to see your question answered on the show? Submit a question via our Q&A form: https://forms.gle/Fy9E6H7BTpzhGPueA /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/40696450

S8 E2 - Adam Taki | Vertical Integration and Arithmetic Risk 03/18/2026

S8 E2 - Adam Taki | Vertical Integration and Arithmetic Risk In this episode of Real Returns, host Andrew Reichert sits down with Adam Taki, President of Actlien Holding Inc. and a specialist in the complex world of tax sale certificates. A disciplined investor with a background in "arithmetic risk," Adam is on a mission to navigate high-barrier niches where perceived risk often scares away the competition, but the numbers tell a much more stable story. Adam shares why his tax-lien investing strategy is similar to bonds, explains why his company is vertically integrating by launching its own plumbing division, and offers a unique perspective on the Tyler v. Hennepin Supreme Court decision that upended the tax foreclosure industry. Timestamps: 00:00 - Opening Segment 01:40 - Scaling through Vertical Integration: Why Actlien is starting a plumbing division 03:20 - Why building is better than buying in 2026 05:25 - Tax Liens 101 08:45 - Geographic Strategy: Navigating the complexities of the NY and NJ markets 11:30 - The Institutional Shift: Trends in single-family residential ownership 14:15 - The Social Impact of Tax Liens: Extending credit to save homes from foreclosure 18:30 - Tyler v. Hennepin: How a landmark Supreme Court ruling changed the industry 22:15 - Arithmetic vs. Perceived Risk: Adam’s philosophy on finding niche opportunities 23:30 - Closing Segment "At the end of the day, the thing that we're investing in looks and smells like a bond more than it ever has." — Adam Taki — Connect with Adam: LinkedIn: / adamtaki Website: https://actlien.com/ — For more insights on purposeful investing, subscribe to Real Returns on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tx0jOW... YouTube: / @realreturns — Subscribe to our NEW monthly newsletter at https://www.birgo.com/realreturns. Want to see your question answered on the show? Submit a question via our Q&A form: https://forms.gle/Fy9E6H7BTpzhGPueA /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/40526020

S8 E1 - Greg Furer | Why Having a Plan for Your Money is the Key to Wealth 03/04/2026

S8 E1 - Greg Furer | Why Having a Plan for Your Money is the Key to Wealth In the season eight premiere of Real Returns, hosts Andrew Reichert and Dan Croce sit down with Greg Furer, founder of Beratung Advisors and the TeachPassion Summit. A visionary in the financial planning space, Greg is on a mission to solve the "Cheesecake Factory" problem of finance, where too many choices lead to decision paralysis, by shifting the focus from selling products to providing life-changing advice. Greg shares his provocative philosophy on inheritance, why he plans to leave "no money" to his daughter, and offers a profound distinction between "Success" and "Excellence" that changed how he viewed his personal and professional goals. Timestamps: 00:00 - Opening Segment 01:05 - Welcome to Season 8! 02:30 - Meet Greg Furer: The "Aspiring Accountant" turned Financial Planner 04:15 - The Cheesecake Factory Problem: Why too much information leads to paralysis 07:10 - Advice vs. Assets: Why Beratung Advisors leads with planning, not products 10:45 - The 2026 Tax Cliff: Preparing for the "One Big Beautiful Bill" 13:20 - Bonus Depreciation & Real Estate: What’s changing for investors? 16:05 - Strategic Generosity: 529 Plans and the "Above the Line" Deduction 19:15 - Success vs. Excellence: Measuring yourself against your calling 21:40 - The "No Inheritance" Philosophy: Why cash without core values is foolish 24:30 - TeachPassion Summit: Equipping leaders to scale their impact 26:15 - Closing Segment "Success is when you measure yourself outwardly against somebody else. Excellence is when you measure yourself inwardly against the person that God's called you to be." — Greg Furer - Connect with Greg: LinkedIn: Website(s): | - For more insights on purposeful investing, subscribe to Real Returns on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-returns/id1642761377 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tx0jOW8J1h3xsEWLuVPzm YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjlzrIn04Ee4iBPE7kEUBjg - Want to see your question answered on the show? Submit a question via our Q&A form: /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/40308830

S7 E9 - Insights and Impact from Season 7 of Real Returns 12/31/2025

S7 E8 - Sasha Bernier | Diversification & The Rise of Industrial Outdoor Storage 12/23/2025

S7 E8 - Sasha Bernier | Diversification & The Rise of Industrial Outdoor Storage Is your investment strategy diversified enough to withstand the next market cycle? 🔄 In this episode of Real Returns, host Andrew Reichert sits down with Sasha Bernier, Managing Partner at Hestia Holdings and Partner at Cheltenham Enterprises. With a career spanning private equity, credit hedge funds, and law, Sasha shares his "tactical" approach to real estate and why he believes the most resilient returns are found in the niches most investors overlook. Sasha reveals the specific "home run" deal in Florida that moved from an 8% cap rate to a 5.75% cap rate simply by securing a credit tenant, and why he’s doubling down on Industrial Outdoor Storage (IOS) as the next institutional frontier. From navigating the Great Financial Crisis to identifying the "impaired assets" that will hit the market in 2026, Sasha provides a masterclass in disciplined investing. Learn how a holistic approach, incorporating meditation and mentorship, drives professional success, why the most impactful investment you can make is "betting on the jockey" through independent sponsors, and how Sasha is building a legacy for the next generation. Timestamps: 00:00 - Opening Segment 00:55 - Meet Sasha Bernier: From Law School to Real Estate Titan 02:00 - Lessons from the Great Financial Crisis: The Power of Patient Capital 04:55 - The 2021 Peak: Why Discipline Beats Speculation 07:05 - Why Industrial Outdoor Storage (IOS) is the New Frontier 08:15 - Case Study: The 10,000 Sq Ft Florida IOS "Home Run" Deal 10:30 - Market Predictions for 2026: Distressed Assets and Opportunity 11:45 - Investing for Impact: Mentoring Independent Sponsors 13:50 - Building Legacy: Lessons from Mentors and the Next Generation 15:05 - The Most Significant Win: The Decision to Spin Out 16:10 - Lightning Round: The Shawshank Redemption and Meditation 17:35 - Closing Segment Key Quote: "When we find…independent sponsors that don't have capital, and we can help them with that capital to grow and become stronger and then build their own wealth. For us, that’s impactful." - Sasha Bernier Connect with Sasha: LinkedIn: Website: Subscribe to Real Returns wherever you listen to podcasts for more insights on impactful investing and alternative asset strategies. LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND LEAVE US A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, YouTube, or whatever platform you listen on. Thank you for tuning in, and Stay Tuned for the next episode COMING SOON! /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/39492230

S7 E7 - Mike Morawski | Creating Wealth & Impact Through Multifamily Investing 12/12/2025

S7 E7 - Mike Morawski | Creating Wealth & Impact Through Multifamily Investing S7 E7 - Creating Wealth & Impact Through Multifamily Investing Is your mindset holding you back from making your first (or next) big real estate deal? In this episode of Real Returns, hosts Andrew Reichert and Dan Croce sit down with Mike Morawski, a 30-year real estate veteran and author of the Amazon bestseller "Multifamily Investment Secrets," to explore his journey from general contractor to operating over 8,000 multifamily units using creative financing strategies that most investors think are impossible. Mike is also the founder of My Core Intentions, where he helps investors build wealth and create financial freedom by implementing strategic investment and asset management practices. Mike reveals how he's bought everything from 4-unit buildings to 400-unit apartment complexes with little to no money down, the distressed 65-unit deal where the seller held a position at zero interest for 10 years, and why every multifamily investment impacts three distinct groups that most investors completely overlook. From coaching a corporate refugee who scaled to 800+ units in five years to helping a widowed chiropractor build a "$100K club" of investors, Mike shares his philosophy on intentionality, the limiting beliefs that keep investors stuck at their current level, and why changing your story is the first step to changing your results. Learn how win-win deal structures create community-wide impact, why consistent daily action beats occasional heroic effort, and what Mike discovered about himself after losing everything in 2008 and rebuilding into someone who now helps others avoid the same mistakes. Timestamps: 00:00 - Opening Segment 01:35 - Meet Mike Morawski: 30-Year Real Estate Veteran 02:05 - The Three Ways Real Estate Creates Impact 04:25 - Case Study: The 65-Unit Distressed Property Creative Deal 06:40 - The Three Groups Every Multifamily Deal Impacts 08:10 - My Core Intentions: Why Intentionality Beats Goals 11:05 - The Biggest Misconception: Creative Financing "Can't Be Done" 12:10 - Changing Your Story to Change Your Results 13:40 - Success Story: Small Builder to 171-Unit Developer 14:00 - From 46 Units to 800+ Units in 5 Years 16:15 - The $100K Club Strategy for Raising Capital 17:40 - Losing a $100M Company and the Comeback That Followed 18:25 - Lightning Round: Christmas Vacation, Pasta, and Joe Dispenza 21:20 - How to Connect with Mike 21:50 - Closing Segment Key Quotes: "I've bought 4-unit to 400-unit apartment complexes and everything in between using creative financing structures... people have a mindset that it can't be done." - Mike Morawski Connect with Mike Morawski: - Subscribe to Real Returns wherever you listen to podcasts! For more insights on impactful investing and alternative asset strategies, visit our website to learn more about creating real returns through real estate. LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND LEAVE US A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, YouTube, or whatever platform you listen on. Thank you for tuning in, and stay tuned for the next episode. /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/39387595

S7 E6 - Vishal Gupta | Why Every Hiring Mistake Made Me Better 11/26/2025

S7 E6 - Vishal Gupta | Why Every Hiring Mistake Made Me Better What happens when a number-crunching engineer discovers his biggest mistakes all have one thing in common? In this episode of Real Returns, hosts Andrew Reichert and Dan Croce sit down with Vishal Gupta, tech entrepreneur and former CEO of Seclore, to explore his 25-year journey from IIT Bombay to building global cybersecurity companies serving clients like American Express, GM, and Aramco across 35 countries. Vishal reveals why angel investing became his most expensive hobby, the critical transition from engineering logic to leadership empathy, and how holding onto the wrong people too long taught him more than any success ever could. From raising capital to landing contracts bigger than funding rounds, Vishal shares his investment philosophy centered on three filters: people you enjoy working with, technology with transformative potential, and impact that matters. Learn why AI will make people more important (not less), how saving 5-7% of global manufacturing waste could reshape entire industries, and what gets Vishal energized every morning about making the digital world a safer place for everyone, especially the elderly vulnerable to cybercrime. Timestamps: 00:00 - Opening Segment 01:00 - Vishal's Background: From IIT Bombay to Global Tech Entrepreneur 02:55 - The Expensive Hobby of Angel Investing 04:00 - The Biggest Lessons: Every Mistake Was About People 05:15 - Why Hiring Mistakes Are Getting More Expensive in the AI Era 07:10 - From Engineer to Leader: Logic to Empathy 09:00 - Why People Problems Don't Follow Engineering Formulas 10:10 - Investment Criteria: People, Technology, Impact 13:00 - Real Impact Examples: Manufacturing Waste and Cybersecurity 15:50 - Making the Digital World Safer 17:00 - Lightning Round: Customer Contracts as Funding, Ethiopian Food, and Sleep 20:10 - Content Recommendations and Young Entrepreneur Energy 22:10 - Closing Segment Key Quote: "I went from a number crunching engineer to, I would say, a pretty people oriented leader..." - Vishal Gupta Connect with Vishal Gupta: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiguptaji/ Subscribe to Real Returns wherever you listen to podcasts! For more insights on impactful investing and alternative asset strategies, visit our website to learn more about creating real returns through real estate. LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND LEAVE US A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, YouTube, or whatever platform you listen on. Thank you for tuning in, and stay tuned for the next episode. /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/39184715

S7 E5 - Liran Gabbay | How AI Is Transforming Multifamily Asset Management 11/12/2025

S7 E5 - Liran Gabbay | How AI Is Transforming Multifamily Asset Management How does an AI expert from an intelligence background solve multifamily's data burnout problem? In this episode of Real Returns, hosts Andrew Reichert and Dan Croce sit down with Liran Gabbay, CEO and co-founder of Muvan AI, to explore how he's revolutionizing multifamily asset management through artificial intelligence. Liran reveals the Monday morning report that changed everything, why asset managers deserve better than buried Excel spreadsheets, and how his platform is giving finance professionals back the jobs they were actually meant to do. From an elite intelligence unit to building an AI co-pilot for real estate operators, Liran shares his journey of turning burnout into breakthrough, why the real threat isn't AI replacing jobs but not having AI to help you succeed, and how maintaining culture while scaling from 6 to 20+ employees remains his biggest challenge. Learn how Muvan AI is transforming reactive data analysis into proactive insights, building a customer community that shares best practices, and why making work fun isn't just a nice-to-have; it's the foundation of lasting impact. Timestamps: 00:00 - Opening Segment 01:00 - Liran's Background and Introduction to Muvan AI 03:00 - From Intelligence to Real Estate Technology 04:45 - The Problem: Paper-Based Systems in a Digital Age 05:50 - The Genesis Story: One Ugly Excel Sheet 08:10 - AI as Empowerment, Not Replacement 09:50 - Getting Asset Managers the Jobs They Deserve 12:10 - The Joy of Building: People and Product 15:05 - Scaling While Having Fun 17:00 - Lightning Round 20:00 - Closing Segment Key Quote: "My biggest challenge as a CEO is to keep the same culture that got us from zero to six, from six to 12, from 12 to 20 without missing anyone on the road." - Liran Gabbay -- Connect with Liran Gabbay: LinkedIn: https://il.linkedin.com/in/liran-gabbay-proptech-muvan Website: Muvan.ai Subscribe to Real Returns wherever you listen to podcasts! For more insights on impactful investing and alternative asset strategies, visit our website to learn more about creating real returns through real estate. LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND LEAVE US A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, YouTube, or whatever platform you listen on. Thank you for tuning in, and stay tuned for the next episode. /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/39007820

S7 E4 - Omar Khan | Dollar Cost Averaging with Multifamily Real Estate 10/29/2025

S7 E4 - Omar Khan | Dollar Cost Averaging with Multifamily Real Estate How does a CFA from Canada build an $800 million multifamily empire in Texas? In this episode of Real Returns, hosts Andrew Reichert and Dan Croce sit down with Omar Khan, founder and managing partner of Boardwalk Wealth, to explore his fundamentals-first approach to multifamily investing. Omar reveals why he compares real estate acquisition strategy to dollar cost averaging in the stock market, his philosophy on bringing "a gun to a knife fight" through supply-starved market selection, and how his firm has taken over 1,800 distressed units in the last 16 months. From escaping Canada's high tax burden to building a 5,000-unit portfolio across the Sunbelt and Midwest, Omar shares the importance of timing, diversification, and why treating residents (not tenants) with respect isn't just good ethics—it's good business. Learn how tax efficiency through distressed acquisitions can deliver $2-3 of depreciation for every dollar invested, and why the attributes that get you to success aren't the same ones that keep you there. Timestamps: 00:00 - Opening Segment 01:35 - Omar's Background and Introduction to Boardwalk Wealth 03:30 - The Genesis: From CFA to Real Estate Entrepreneur 06:40 - The First Deal: 138 Units in Jacksonville 08:40 - Building a Company vs. Just Doing Deals 10:35 - Tax Efficiency and the Canadian Tax Burden 12:05 - Advanced Tax Strategies in Distressed Acquisitions 12:20 - Stakeholders and Impact: A Three-Legged Stool Approach 15:10 - Fundamentals-First Philosophy: Supply-Starved Markets 18:05 - The Importance of Timing and Dollar Cost Averaging 20:10 - Lightning Round Key Quotes: "A lot of real estate, like a lot of life is timing. " - Omar Khan "What gets you from poverty to success is not the same set of attributes that keeps you successful." - Omar Khan -- Connect with Omar Khan: Website: boardwalkwealth.com Recommended Book: Towers of Debt - The story of the Reichman family Subscribe to Real Returns wherever you listen to podcasts for more insights on impactful investing and alternative asset strategies. Visit our website to learn more about creating real returns through real estate and alternative investments. -- LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND LEAVE US A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, YouTube, or whatever platform you listen on. Thank you for tuning in, and Stay Tuned for the next episode COMING SOON /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/38823860

S7 E3 - Dr. Michael Johnson | Intellectual Property as an Asset Class 10/15/2025

S7 E3 - Dr. Michael Johnson | Intellectual Property as an Asset Class How does a PhD student turn university research into a $20M exit? In this episode of Real Returns, host Andrew Reichert sits down with Dr. Michael Johnson, President of the New Jersey Innovation Institute and former biotech CEO, to explore intellectual property as an often-overlooked asset class. Michael reveals his journey from graduate student to successfully commercializing a Rutgers spin-out that worked with all top 20 pharma companies on critical drug discovery programs including COVID-19 and Zika virus treatments. Discover why universities have become America's primary source of breakthrough innovations, how the venture studio model is solving the "founder problem" in New Jersey, and practical strategies for investors looking to gain exposure to IP-based ventures. From PFAS testing technology to defense manufacturing, Michael shares the realities of bridging the gap between academic research and commercial products—and why patience is the secret ingredient to innovation. Timestamps: 00:00 - Opening Segment 01:20 - Michael's Non-Linear Journey from PhD to CEO 06:05 - Intellectual Property: The Constitutional Asset Class 08:00 - How the Venture Studio Model Works 10:50 - The Rutgers Spin-Out Story: From Students to $20M Exit 13:15 - The Current State of University Funding and Innovation 16:00 - Where Innovation Actually Happens 18:35 - Academia vs. Private Sector: Who's Really Innovating? 20:20 - How Investors Can Access IP Opportunities 22:15 - Lightning Round Key Quotes: "Intellectual property is what keeps the country moving forward" - Dr. Michael Johnson "To make one investment, you have to look at a thousand companies." - Dr. Michael Johnson "We've done a bad job of actually doing innovation for Americans. When you think of pharma, you think of six and seven figure drugs that nobody can afford." - Dr. Michael Johnson -- Connect with Dr. Michael Johnson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-johnson-ph-d-6839b724/ New Jersey Innovation Institute: njii.com Michael's Book: 1percentdad.com -- Subscribe to Real Returns wherever you listen to podcasts for more insights on impactful investing and alternative asset strategies. Visit our website to learn more about creating real returns through real estate and alternative investments. -- LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND LEAVE US A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, YouTube, or whatever platform you listen on. Thank you for tuning in, and Stay Tuned for the next episode COMING SOON /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/38590080

S7 E2 - Travis Chappell | The ROI of Investing in Yourself 10/01/2025

S7 E2 - Travis Chappell | The ROI of Investing in Yourself How does someone with an unaccredited Bible degree generate six figures by age 23 and build a podcasting empire? In this episode of Real Returns, hosts Andrew Reichert and Dan Croce sit down with Travis Chappell, podcaster, entrepreneur, and investor, to explore his unconventional journey from door-to-door sales to podcast empire. Travis reveals why he believes Gen Z and millennials must "earn their way to retirement" rather than save their way there, his philosophy on creating value before asking for compensation, and how investing in yourself can deliver 10x returns compared to traditional investments. From growing up in a religious cult to living in Las Vegas, Travis shares the mindset shifts and strategies that helped him build wealth through relationships, skills, and scalable side hustles. Timestamps: 00:00 - Opening: The Value-First Philosophy 02:45 - Travis's Background: From Cult to College 06:15 - The Podcasting Journey Begins 07:20 - Why Earning Beats Saving for Wealth Building 11:00 - The Problem with Traditional Financial Advice 14:00 - Adding Value to Your Current Job 16:20 - Side Hustle Strategy and Scalability 20:45 - Investing in Yourself: The Ultimate ROI 22:15 - AI and Future-Proof Skills 26:50 - Principles vs. Platforms 28:25 - Lightning Round Key Quotes: "People think they get paid for their time, but they don't. We all get paid for the value we bring to the marketplace. Bar none. That's it." - Travis Chappell "You are the number one investment you should be making and you're the only investment that you can make that will always have a return." - Travis Chappell "We have to earn our way to retirement. We're not gonna be able to save our way to retirement." - Travis Chappell -- Connect with Travis Chappell: Podcasts: "Travis Makes Money" (daily) and "Travis Makes Friends" (weekly) Instagram: @TravisChappell – Subscribe to Real Returns wherever you listen to podcasts for more insights on impactful investing and wealth building strategies. Visit our website to learn more about creating real returns through real estate and alternative investments. -- LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND LEAVE US A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, YouTube, or whatever platform you listen on. Thank you for tuning in, and Stay Tuned for the next episode COMING SOON /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/38425660

S7 E1 - Grant Cardone | Real Estate Strategy & Bitcoin 09/10/2025

S7 E1 - Grant Cardone | Real Estate Strategy & Bitcoin What does it take to disrupt a $4 trillion industry while building generational wealth? In this episode of Real Returns, host Andrew Reichert sits down with Grant Cardone, founder of Cardone Capital and New York Times bestselling author, to explore his journey from a $3,000 single-family home investment to managing $5 billion in assets. Grant shares his revolutionary approach to merging Bitcoin with institutional-quality real estate, his prediction that rents will double in 15 key markets over the next decade, and why he believes the REIT industry is ripe for disruption. From overcoming addiction to building an empire, Grant reveals the mindset and strategies behind creating lasting impact through real estate investing. Timestamps: 00:00 - From Louisiana to Real Estate Empire 02:30 - The $200 Cash Flow That Changed Everything 04:45 - Why Single Family Failed & Multifamily Won 07:25 - Converting Fiat Cash Into Real Assets 09:05 - The Bitcoin + Real Estate Strategy Explained 11:30 - 15 Markets Where Rents Will Double 14:40 - The $4 Trillion Debt Problem Nobody's Talking About 17:45 - Why Insurance Is Killing Real Estate 19:20 - Legacy & Disrupting the REIT Industry 22:55 - Lightning Round: Personal Wins & Growth Key Quotes: "When it's right, it's so obvious. You don't have to explain it. You don't have to sell it." - Grant Cardone "Real estate never corrects until there's a debt problem." - Grant Cardone -- Connect with Grant Cardone: Website: https://www.cardonecapital.com Search "Grant Cardone" online for social media and content – Schedule a call with our investment team: https://www.birgo.com/capital/contact Connect with Birgo Capital on LinkedIn for more market insights: / birgocapital Visit our website to learn more about High-Quality Recession Resistant Assets for the Everyday Investor -- LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND LEAVE US A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, YouTube, or whatever platform you listen on. Thank you for tuning in, and Stay Tuned for the next episode COMING SOON /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/38164585

Insights and Impact from Season 6 of Real Returns 06/11/2025

Insights and Impact from Season 6 of Real Returns What does it take to create a lasting impact in real estate while staying grounded through personal and professional challenges? In this special season finale of Real Returns, hosts Andrew and Daniel reflect on the highlights of Season 6 and share the most meaningful lessons from eight diverse guests. From affordable housing innovation and sustainability to land investing and financial education for kids, this episode explores the values behind real estate decisions—and the people who are pushing the industry forward. With transparency, humor, and a deep sense of purpose, Andrew and Daniel unpack what they’ve learned from leaders who combine mission with execution. [00:01 - 04:53] Reflecting on Resilience The importance of enduring life's unexpected challenges while leading a purpose-driven business. Why Birgo Properties uses the rhino as a symbol for thick-skinned perseverance. The significance of learning from failure and coming back stronger. [04:54 - 08:17] Rethinking Sustainability with Ed Matthews Lessons from workforce housing projects that incorporate solar panels. Why true impact often requires upfront capital and a long-term mindset. What makes sustainability viable in real estate despite geographical challenges. [08:18 - 12:27] Ownership, Community & Mobile Home Parks Kevin Bup’s unique approach to mobile home park investing and community building. Creating ownership mindsets even when tenants don’t own the property. The need to prioritize shared spaces and resident-driven improvements. [12:28 - 16:00] | Raw Land & Real Value with Mark Podolsky Exploring land as an underutilized asset class. The link between passive income and personal freedom. Comparing land with gold—and why productivity matters. [16:10- 20:43] | Global Impact, Kids’ Finance & Future Leaders Lessons from Gavin Gallagher’s rise, fall, and rise again in Irish real estate. Alpesh Parmar’s children's finance book and the importance of early financial literacy. Insight into next-gen leadership with Arun Gupta and Alicia Hill. Key Quotes: “Life throws torpedoes at you, and you just have to be able to withstand them.” - Andrew Reichert “There’s a false dichotomy between doing good for society and making money” - Daniel Croce Visit our website to learn more about High-Quality Recession Resistant Assets for the Everyday Investor -- LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND LEAVE US A REVIEW on , , , , or whatever platform you listen on. Thank you for tuning in, and Stay Tuned for the next episode COMING SOON /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/36947030

Community Impact in Affordable Housing | Alecia Hill 05/28/2025

Community Impact in Affordable Housing | Alecia Hill What does it take to invest in real estate without compromising affordability for working families? In this episode, Andrew and Daniel welcome Alecia Hill, Vice President and Portfolio Manager at FCP, to discuss her work in the affordable and workforce housing sector. Alecia shares how FCP approaches impact investing through long-term affordability preservation, essential housing, and resident services, proving that it’s possible to generate returns while addressing the housing crisis. With a background spanning policy, community development finance, and real estate, Alecia explains how her interdisciplinary experience shapes her investment philosophy. She also opens up about career transitions, mentorship, and why institutional capital is increasingly interested in this often-overlooked housing segment. [00:01 - 06:30] The Missing Middle What defines the gap in the U.S. housing market Why 60–80% AMI households are underserved The significance of “essential housing” in today's economy [06:31 - 12:26] Balancing Impact and Returns How FCP integrates resident services with real estate What a preservation-focused investment strategy looks like Why holding assets longer can improve community outcomes [12:27 - 18:58] Understanding Affordability with Data Why long-term business planning must consider AMI growth What tools help align rents with target demographics How CRA-aligned frameworks keep affordability in check [18:59 - 24:06] Capital, Policy, and Execution What kind of capital partners align with impact goals Why policy knowledge is critical in real estate finance What institutional interest signals about this sector [24:07 - 29:08] Mentorship and Growth Paths What Alecia's nontraditional path—from the arts to real estate—reveals about reinvention Why mentoring early career professionals is a priority How global perspectives are shaping her personal growth Connect with Alecia! Key Quotes: “We believe in the asset class as a sound investment, but have the benefit of being able to do well while doing good.” - Alecia Hill “You don’t get where you’re going alone. I want to be that resource for someone the way others were for me.” - Alecia Hill Visit our website to learn more about High-Quality Recession Resistant Assets for the Everyday Investor -- LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND LEAVE US A REVIEW on , , , , or whatever platform you listen on. Thank you for tuning in, and Stay Tuned for the next episode COMING SOON /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/36741945

Aligning People, Purpose, and Profit | Arun Gupta 05/14/2025

Aligning People, Purpose, and Profit | Arun Gupta How would your career choices change if doing good for society and doing well financially weren’t opposites? In this episode, Arun Gupta, CEO of NobleReach and author of Venture Meets Mission, joins Andrew and Dan to talk about bridging the gap between venture capital, public service, and societal change. Drawing from his experience in private equity, academia, and government collaborations, Arun explains how the narrative around public vs. private sector careers is outdated—and how his organization is building pathways for the next generation to serve and lead. He unpacks how Noble Reach is placing top tech talent in government roles, partnering with entrepreneurs to commercialize federally funded research, and reshaping how universities teach service and innovation. [00:01 – 05:00] Mission Meets Capitalism The importance of steering capitalism toward public good How venture capital can be applied to solve societal challenges Why profit and purpose aren't mutually exclusive [05:01 – 10:33] Solving the Talent Gap in Public Service The need to make government service more prestigious for young people Why respect from peers matters more than compensation The significance of reframing public service as a career enhancer [10:34 – 15:18] From Research to Market How federally funded research can be commercialized through partnerships Why operation-style collaboration between sectors should be normalized The importance of giving research more “at-bats” instead of shelving it [15:19 – 20:33] Measuring Impact, Not Just Intent The importance of tracking scholar placement and career progression What success looks like for research commercialization Why academic curriculum reach matters in changing perspectives [20:34 – 24:28] Rebuilding Trust Through Dual Citizenship How creating dual-sector citizens fosters long-term civic engagement The importance of treating public servants with dignity Why understanding both worlds can reduce distrust and stereotypes Connect with Arun! Key Quotes: “This isn’t about doing good or doing well. It’s about how we point capitalism toward solving societal problems.” - Arun Gupta “We need more dual citizens—people who understand both the public and private sectors—because it’s easy to demonize what you’ve never been part of.” - Arun Gupta Visit our website to learn more about High-Quality Recession Resistant Assets for the Everyday Investor -- LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND LEAVE US A REVIEW on , ,, , or whatever platform you listen on. Thank you for tuning in, and Stay Tuned for the next episode COMING SOON /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/36556390

Impact Investing with Heart: Building Community-Focused Real Estate Investments | Alpesh Parmar 04/30/2025

Impact Investing with Heart: Building Community-Focused Real Estate Investments | Alpesh Parmar How can your investments create both financial return and meaningful community impact? Entrepreneur and investor Alpesh Parmar joins the Real Returns podcast to share how a layoff in 2009 sparked his journey into real estate—and why impact now drives every decision he makes. Alpesh discusses his evolution from buying turnkey rentals to investing in mobile home parks and RV parks, emphasizing how he balances ROI with what he calls ROT: Return on Time. He also shares the story behind co-authoring Growing the Money Tree for Kids, a book that turns financial concepts into digestible lessons for children. Whether you're wondering how to invest out of state, why impact matters in real estate, or what it looks like to teach your kids about money, this episode delivers. [00:01 - 05:24] Laid Off and Leveling Up The significance of not having passive income when crisis hits. Why Alpesh gravitated toward real estate despite no background in investing. What led him to begin exploring other income streams before narrowing his focus. [05:25 - 10:16] Real Estate Without Borders The importance of turnkey providers in starting out. Why he shifted from buying single-family homes to larger multifamily deals. The need for strong partnerships and local teams in remote investing. [10:17 - 15:27] Measuring More Than ROI What ROT (Return on Time) means in practice. The importance of aligning investments with personal values. Why his mobile home park turnaround is his proudest achievement. [15:08 - 20:48] Building Real Community What a strong property manager can do to maintain community connection. Why social events like potlucks build more than just rapport. The significance of creating ownership pride among residents. [20:49 - 24:30] Teaching Kids to Grow Money Trees The need for simplified, relatable financial education for children. Why involving kids in writing made them grasp financial concepts. What the book covers—from stocks to silver coins—and how it became a resource. Connect with Alpesh! https://moneytreebooks.com/ Key Quotes: “Before, it was all about ROI. Now, it’s also about the kind of impact I can make through that investment.”- Alpesh Parmar “Now I won't invest in stocks like cannabis or alcohol. If I don't believe in it, I won't fund it.” - Alpesh Parmar Visit our websiteto learn more about High-Quality Recession Resistant Assets for the Everyday Investor -- LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND LEAVE US A REVIEW on,,,, or whatever platform you listen on. Thank you for tuning in, and Stay Tuned for the next episode COMING SOON /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/36363950

Turning Challenges into Opportunities: An Impactful Real Estate Journey | Gavin Gallagher 04/16/2025

Turning Challenges into Opportunities: An Impactful Real Estate Journey | Gavin Gallagher What if the greatest investment lesson comes not from success, but from failure? In this episode, Gavin J Gallagher, real estate veteran and host of Behind the Facade, shares his journey from a starry-eyed architect to the developer of a 40-acre award-winning business campus—and the brutal fall that nearly ended it all. He opens up about the crash of 2008, losing his family home, the weight of financial ruin, and ultimately, how he found clarity, purpose, and resilience. This episode is about more than real estate. It's about navigating identity, ego, and rebuilding from rock bottom. [00:01 – 05:30] | Skyscrapers and Spark • How early exposure to new environments can spark lifelong ambition • Why recognizing financial upside can influence career shifts • The importance of aligning skills with opportunity for long-term growth [05:31 – 10:20] | Turning Trash into Treasure • What it takes to manage complexity in large-scale redevelopment • Why phased development with committed tenants reduces risk • The significance of hands-on learning in shaping leadership [10:21 – 15:44] | From Celtic Tiger to Collapse • Why market cycles matter more than individual skill • How ego can cloud judgment during financial success • The importance of risk awareness even in bullish markets [15:45 – 21:25] | Rebuilding from Ruin • Why taking ownership is the first step to recovery • The significance of mindset, relationships, and energy when money is gone • How perspective changes when you focus on what remains instead of what's lost [21:26 – 28:11] | Purpose After Pain • The importance of mental health awareness in high-stress industries • Why family and values must anchor your work in difficult seasons • How sharing your story can offer others a path forward Connect with Gavin! https://www.instagram.com/gavinjgallagher/?hl=en Key Quotes: "The banks took the house, but they couldn’t take my experience, my network, or my energy." – Gavin J Gallagher "I remember thinking, I may be losing everything, but I’m not going to lose myself." – Gavin J Gallagher Visit our websiteto learn more about High-Quality Recession Resistant Assets for the Everyday Investor -- LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND LEAVE US A REVIEW on,,,, or whatever platform you listen on. Thank you for tuning in, and Stay Tuned for the next episode COMING SOON /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/36182940

Transforming Vacant Homes: Impact Investing in Affordable Housing | Kurt Byers 04/02/2025

Transforming Vacant Homes: Impact Investing in Affordable Housing | Kurt Byers Can revitalizing distressed properties solve America's affordable housing crisis? Kurt Byers, Head of Business Development at New Western, discusses the impact of investing in affordable housing. New Western operates the largest real estate investment marketplace in the country, connecting investors with distressed properties that need rehabilitation. Kurt explains how local investors are helping revitalize communities by purchasing vacant homes, renovating them, and selling them at price points accessible to first-time homebuyers. The conversation explores the mechanics of these investments, the current market conditions, and the social impact of bringing distressed properties back to life. [00:01 - 05:00] Revitalizing Communities One House at a Time New Western operates as a marketplace connecting investors with distressed properties Approximately 3-4 million vacant homes in the US need substantial repairs Investors typically bring properties back to market at 20% below median price points [05:01 - 10:54] The Mechanics of Distressed Property Investment Most properties appeal to first-time homebuyers looking for turnkey starter homes Older inventory in northeastern cities often requires significant rehabilitation New Western operates in approximately 40 markets across the country [10:55 - 15:23] Financing Rehab Projects and Market Dynamics Investors typically use cash, hard money, or private money to purchase properties Currently about 65% of investors are flipping properties within 3-6 months New Western requires investors to physically inspect properties before purchase [15:24 - 19:47] The Impact of Local Investors vs. Corporate Buyers Many investors are "mom and pop" operations doing just a few projects per year Investors take on significant risk to rehabilitate severely distressed properties New Western carefully balances acquisition volume with investor capacity [19:48 - 22:38] Personal Growth and Professional Evolution Kurt transitioned from speech pathology to real estate business development He emphasizes proactive problem-solving without waiting for instructions Kurt uses AI tools to educate himself on various aspects of the real estate industry Connect with Kurt! Website: Key Quotes: "Our biggest strength is our investors because they're the ones that really fuel the projects in the marketplace." - Kurt Byers "Everyone thinks everyone should own a home, but it's not everyone's best interest at that time to always own. Sometimes renting is best." - Kurt Byers Visit our website to learn more about High-Quality Recession Resistant Assets for the Everyday Investor -- LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND LEAVE US A REVIEW on , ,, , or whatever platform you listen on. Thank you for tuning in, and Stay Tuned for the next episode COMING SOON /episode/index/show/rrpod/id/35978570

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