In this episode, John Kitchens and Jay Kinder unpack the real reason most agents are struggling in 2025: they don’t understand marketing. From identifying “have-to” sellers to the hidden power of new construction funnels, this conversation is a masterclass in how agents must shift their mindset and skillset to thrive.

Jay pulls back the curtain on what’s working right now in lead generation, direct mail, and social positioning—and how to build authority at scale without burning out. If you're doing fewer than 2 deals a month, this is the wake-up call you need.

Whether you're looking to rebuild your pipeline, reignite your referral business, or finally master social media strategy, this episode gives you the blueprint.

• Why marketing—not selling—is the survival skill for 2025

• How most agents confuse busy work with real business

• The direct connection between marketing mastery and freedom

• Why obsessed marketers dominate even in tough markets

• How to spot “have-to” sellers vs. “want-to” time-wasters

• Why the best agents are educators, not chasers

• Why new construction remains the best listing funnel

• How to position builder incentives as buyer solutions

• Real-world examples from agents winning this strategy

• How to use KCM, Altos, and real-time MLS data to educate at scale

• Becoming the “daily market update” voice for your community

• Why trust-based content outperforms any paid ad

• The winning formula: Teach + Consistency + Frequency

• Why showing up every day creates unfair top-of-mind awareness

• Real examples of content that builds inbound momentum

• Why most agents fail at mailers (and how to fix it)

• The real play: saturation + frequency + a dog-whistle offer

• How “guaranteed offer” language still pulls in high-quality sellers

• Building omnipresence with the right messaging

• Why personalization wins over generic branding

• Case study: the “I’ve got your postcards wallpapered” moment

• What agents get wrong with their ads and postcards

• How to build trust through education, not persuasion

• “If you confuse, you lose”—why clarity beats cleverness

• HoneyBadgerNation.com – Resources, community, and training

• Keeping Current Matters (KCM) – Data-backed market insights

• Altos Research – Real-time market trends

• 100M Leads / 100M Offers by Alex Hormozi – Marketing fundamentals

• Dan Kennedy No B.S. Books – Direct response marketing masterclass

• CHSA & CHBA Systems – Increase trust and perceived value with every deal

• Alex Pox YouTube Channel – A+ new construction strategy model

• Predictable Success by Les McKeown – Discover your leadership archetype
  
  

"It’s not the best agent who wins—it’s the best marketer." – John Kitchens

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this no-fluff masterclass, John Kitchens sits down with industry titan Kyle Whissel to break down the five essential keys to scaling a high-performance real estate team in 2025. From running a billion-dollar operation to managing 100+ agents, Kyle shares the exact frameworks, tools, and leadership mindset that separate scalable success from burnout.

Whether you're looking to build your first team or scale past $500M, this episode delivers the blueprint—straight from someone who’s doing it now.

Key #1: Mindset and Leadership

• Why loving people is a non-negotiable for leaders

• The real reason most team leaders fail

• How to shift from agent to visionary CEO

Key #2: Business Operating Systems (EOS)

• Why EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) changed everything

• The difference between an org chart and an accountability chart

• How Kyle’s integrator filters ideas and prevents chaos

Key #3: Processes and Training

• How to use Trainual to scale knowledge and create repeatability

• Why every process should have a name (e.g., "The Whissel Way")

• The system for capturing daily huddles and onboarding at scale

Key #4: Standards and Accountability

• The hard truth: expectations without enforcement are just suggestions

• Why Kyle fires agents—even top producers—who don’t meet standards

• What a “real” production standard looks like (and why most don’t have one)

Key #5: Recruiting and People Strategy

• How Kyle brings on 10 agents a month—and only keeps 4

• Why most agents get cut in the first 60 days

• Focusing on the top 20% to create a cascade of leadership across the org

• Traction by Gino Wickman

• Trainual – SOPs + LMS platform

• EOS – Entrepreneurial Operating System

• TheWhisselWay.com – Courses, resources, referrals

• Follow Kyle on Instagram: @kylewhissel
  

Scaling a real estate business in 2025 requires more than hustle—it demands leadership, structure, and relentless standards. Kyle Whissel lays out the five pillars that can help any team go from local to legendary.

“The system runs the business. People run the system.” – Kyle Whissel

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this episode, John Kitchens, Jay Kinder, and Al Stasek bring the heat with a jam-packed, no-guest session that dives deep into where the real estate industry is headed—and what it takes to stay ahead. From the truth behind commission lawsuits to the rapid evolution of AI in marketing, the guys pull back the curtain on what real leaders are doing in 2025 to stay relevant, profitable, and highly valuable in a noisy world.

They also unveil details for the 10th annual Rock the Spectrum and Agent to CEO event in Cleveland—and why it's the most high-impact, can't-miss event for top agents in the Honey Badger Nation.

Rock the Spectrum & Agent to CEO 2024

• Official dates announced: September 24–25 in Cleveland

• Why last year’s Agent to CEO event set a new standard—and how 2024 is leveling up

• VIP access, exclusive music performances, and community like never before

The Big Commission Lie

• Debunking the myth that 6% was ever a standard commission

• Why the lawsuit headlines were misleading—and what the real data says

• How agents can confidently defend their value without racing to the bottom

The Rise of the Tribe

• Why tribalism and community are shaping business decisions more than ever

• How values, alignment, and culture are driving real estate migration patterns

• Why small, intimate events are outperforming large conferences in 2025

Owning the Problem = Owning the Market

• Lessons from StoryBrand: stop being the hero, start being the guide

• Why clarity of your client’s problem positions you as the authority

• How to dominate your niche by solving one thing better than anyone else

AI-Powered Consumer vs. Agent Authority

• The #1 complaint from modern consumers: “I know more than my agent”

• Why agents must evolve past templates and become true expert advisors

• CHSA/CHBA’s role in restoring trust, value, and leadership in the transaction

Marketing to One Person at Scale

• How to use ChatGPT to profile the ideal buyer persona for every listing

• Why one-to-one relevance at scale is the new gold standard in lead gen

• Real-world examples of AI creating high-converting, hyper-specific marketing strategies

The AI Collaboration Opportunity

• How collaboration—not resistance—is the agent’s advantage with AI

• Why service, proactivity, and personal touch will never go out of style

• The real key: becoming the expert on what consumers don't know they need yet

The Future of CHSA/CHBA in an AI World

• Why the foundational principles of CHSA/CHBA matter more than ever

• How to adapt the system for today's AI-powered buyer and seller landscape

• Why process, preparation, and personalization win every time

• HoneyBadgerNation.com – Tickets, merch, CHSA/CHBA, Honey Badger of the Month

• StoryBrand by Donald Miller – Framework for owning a problem and guiding clients

• The AI-Driven Leader – Must-read for agents, brokers, and team leaders in 2025

• The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni – Recommended foundational read

• CHSA & CHBA Systems – Learn how to increase perceived value and authority in every deal

• Honey Badger Nation Legacy Merch – New drops available now
  
  

"If you own the problem, you own the market." – John Kitchens

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this episode, John Kitchens, Jay Kinder, and Albie Stasek dive into the shifting dynamics of today’s real estate landscape—from team growth and agent migration to California’s wildfire devastation and Zillow’s evolving influence. With no guest this week, the conversation gets real as the guys dissect the core trends impacting the industry right now.

They explore how pain, opportunity, and leadership are reshaping the way agents and teams make decisions. Plus, they tackle a major emerging trend: team mergers and mega team expansion. Is this the next wave or a cultural clash waiting to happen?

This is a must-listen for team leaders, broker-owners, and agents looking to future-proof their business in 2025 and beyond.

The Real State of Agent Movement

• Why top-producing agents and influential teams are migrating to eXp.

• What’s really motivating these moves: pain, opportunity, or timing?

• How the last two years of slowdown created a demand for more consistent systems.

Team Mergers and the Rise of Mega Teams

• Why teams are starting to merge—and whether this is smart growth or a culture crisis.

• Real-life lessons from failed mergers and what leaders need to know before joining forces.

• The importance of Patrick Lencioni’s The Motive and choosing outcome over ego.
  
  

Zillow Flex and the New Real Estate Game

• How top operators like Kyle Whissel are dominating markets through Flex.

• Why Flex is like the new REO playbook: low-margin leads, high-lifetime value.

• What most teams miss when they chase short-term profits over long-term positioning.

The California Wildfire Crisis

• A firsthand breakdown of how fires are reshaping real estate on the West Coast.

• Long-term implications for inventory, insurance, and population migration.

• Why rents and premiums are about to spike—and who might be heading to Texas or Florida.
  
  

Leadership Voids and the Agent Exodus

• Why agents are leaving legacy brands and mom-and-pop brokerages in droves.

• The silent killer: lack of leadership, vision, and meaningful direction.

• How today’s best leaders are creating followership by removing ego and casting vision.
  
  

Motivation, Vision & What Really Drives Production

• The truth about why agents plateau: financial comfort and a weak “why.”

• What Elon Musk’s obsession teaches us about drive, discipline, and mission.

• Why the pack moves at the pace of the leader—and how to lead by example.
  
  

• The Motive by Patrick Lencioni – Must-read before attempting a team merger

• Elon Musk Biography – Referenced for insights on obsession and vision

• Zillow Flex Model – Discussed as the modern equivalent of REO strategy

• Verne Harnish’s Top Book Lists – Recommends reading Elon multiple times

• CHSA/CHBA Systems – Mentioned as essential frameworks for consistent deals

• HoneyBadgerNation.com – Access to leadership tools, agent training, and systems

• EXP Nasdaq Event – Company news update (happening July 21st)

Leadership matters now more than ever. Whether you're merging a team, leading through market uncertainty, or just trying to find your edge—clarity, culture, and consistency will define your success.

If you’re ready to lead at a higher level, create a scalable business, and stop grinding without a strategy, now’s the time to plug into proven systems and surround yourself with leaders who’ve been there.

“When the gate of the mind is open, the better way is clear.” – Jay Kinder

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this reflective and forward-focused episode, John Kitchens and Al Stasek dig deep into how to architect a truly impactful and fulfilling life as we move into the second half of the decade. Recorded on New Year’s Eve, this powerful conversation explores what it means to live with intention, harness AI without losing authenticity, and build businesses (and lives) that align with our truest values.

They unpack lessons from Patrick Bet-David’s 2025 Planning framework, the story of Wally Pipp, the power of morning gratitude, and how to define your version of the perfect day. Whether you're feeling stuck, striving for more clarity, or ready to crush 2025, this episode is a must-listen reset.

Thinking Long-Term: The 2030 Vision

• How to use decade-thinking to drive better daily decisions.

• Why asking "What won't change?" is more valuable than asking "What will?"

• AI as a team member, not a threat—how the consumer, not the tech, is evolving fastest.

The Wally Pipp Lesson: Show Up Every Day

• The iconic story of how missing one day changed baseball history forever.

• Why consistency and mental resilience are the keys to long-term success.

Building Emotional Fitness & Awareness

• The hidden cost of mental distractions: How much of your year are you losing?

• Developing self-awareness through daily journaling and gratitude habits.

The Perfect Day Exercise

• How to uncover your core identity and build a life around it.

• Why your perfect day includes work—and how that shapes your business goals.

• Use it as a decision-making filter for who you spend time with and what you say yes to.

Soft Skills, Conflict Resolution & Leadership

• The 10 must-have CEO skills, and why conflict resolution is the one that amplifies them all.

• The link between hard conversations and improved persuasion, sales, and leadership.

Mind Your Own Business: Boundaries and Emotional Intelligence

• How to set non-negotiable boundaries to protect your peace and productivity.

• Letting go of what others think and staying anchored in your own values.

• Why “Calm is Contagious” is a leadership mantra for the next decade.

• How morning gratitude can reset your emotional center daily.

• The value of not just setting goals—but building the inner process that supports them.

• Perfect Day Exercise by Frank Kern

• Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell

• Choose Your Enemies Wisely by Patrick Bet-David

• Crucial Conversations (book)

• The Conflict Resolution Playbook

• CoachKitchens.ai

• Journaling tools: The Five-Minute Journal, custom gratitude planners

• Patrick Bet-David’s 2025 Planning Session Recordings

“You want to get better at sales, leadership, and marketing? Start by mastering conflict resolution.” — John Kitchens

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this powerhouse episode, John Kitchens, Jay Kinder, and Al Stasek are joined by industry icon Spring Bengtzen for a transparent and high-energy conversation about growth, mindset, and rebuilding success from scratch. Spring opens up about her bold move from Real to eXp Realty, what it takes to start over in the face of massive competition, and the mindset shifts that keep her moving toward a 10,000-agent goal.

From navigating co-sponsorship, to launching value-based ecosystems and leveraging powerful communities, Spring shares exactly how she's using transparency, consistency, and authenticity to build a sustainable rev share organization—and have a lot of fun doing it.

Whether you're leading a team, building a downline, or just trying to level up your business, this episode delivers powerful truths and tactical insights you won't hear anywhere else.

The Power of Starting Over with Intentionality
Spring shares how she made the gutsy move to rebuild her organization from scratch at eXp—despite already achieving high-level success. Her secret? “I’m not special. I’m just willing to do the work.”

Why Co-Sponsorship is a Game-Changer
Discover how eXp's new co-sponsorship model is flipping the script on collaboration, removing silos, and creating exponential growth for agent partners.

Build Around Value, Not Hype
Spring breaks down how to reverse-engineer real value into your rev share org through events, content, coaching, and branding that amplify your agents—not your ego.

From 0 to 10,000 Agents: The Blueprint
Learn the infrastructure Spring is building—from hiring staff to hosting onboarding teams—to drive long-term exponential growth. “My strategy is to find 25 running mates and help them grow. If they grow, I grow.”

Authenticity, Transparency, and Grit
Spring doesn’t sugarcoat the journey. She shares the highs, the slow weeks, and the mental firepower required to stay the course when results don’t come overnight.

Lessons from Burn Recovery to Boardroom
A life-changing accident at 20 shaped Spring’s mindset. Her powerful story of choosing to live and lead with purpose provides a moving backdrop to her relentless drive in business today.

• How Spring used live events to launch her personal brand.

• Why most agents are “running on outdated mental software.”

• The secret to balancing ambition, leadership, and marriage.

• Why competition is accelerating innovation in real estate models.

• Sisu Platform – Agent performance tracking + coaching software

• Honey Badger Nation – honeybadgernation.com

• CoachKitchens.AI – AI-powered real estate platform

• 29,029 Everest Challenge – Endurance and mindset training

• Upgrade by William Lam – Mindset + identity rewiring program

“I’m not special—I’m just willing to do the work.” – Spring Bengtzen

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥