BigMikeFund

In this eye-opening episode of the BigMikeFund Podcast, Big Mike explores Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) with expert Matt Middendorp. Recorded during the holiday season, they break down how ESOPs serve as a powerful exit strategy for business owners—preserving control, legacy, and community impact while rewarding employees with retirement ownership. Matt explains the mechanics: creating […]

On this episode of the BigMikeFund Podcast, Big Mike sits down with Jack Martin, co-founder of 52TEN Partners, to break down why mobile home parks remain one of the most resilient asset classes in real estate. Jack explains how shrinking supply, strong demand, and affordability drive consistent performance across market cycles. The conversation covers rent […]

In this episode of the BigMikeFund Podcast, Big Mike chats with Delta Captain James Reeman from a sunny Hawaii layover. Drawing parallels between high-stakes fighter pilot missions and savvy investing, James shares aviation’s “threat brief” for risk mitigation—identifying pitfalls, prepping contingencies, and debriefing lessons to avoid repeats. From commanding F-16s and a Space Force squadron […]

Join Big Mike for a deep dive into resilient multifamily investing and life’s bold pivots with Gino Barbaro, co-founder of Jake & Gino, a real estate education platform. With a self-funded portfolio exceeding 1,800 doors and $350M in assets under management—mostly in Tennessee—Gino transformed from a New York pizza shop owner to Florida-based family man, […]

In this episode of the BigMikeFund Podcast, Big Mike sits down with Lancelot Lennard, a dynamic real estate and mortgage broker from Florida’s Daytona area. Recorded in December 2025, they dive into the evolving Florida real estate market, including softening values, rising construction costs, and the impact of DeSantis’ proposed property tax cuts for primary […]

Join Big Mike for a no-holds-barred chat with Mike Stohler, Navy veteran, former commercial airline pilot, and co-founder of Gateway Private Equity Group. With a battle-tested portfolio of over 150 value-add units—from multifamily gems scooped during the 2008 crash to boutique hotels in the U.S. and beyond—Mike embodies the grit of turning setbacks into seven-figure […]

Join Big Mike in a new episode with Chris Miles, founder of Money Ripples and author of The Work Optional Blueprint. Chris, a former Wall Street advisor who retired at 28, shares his journey from millionaire to welfare during the 2008 recession, rebuilding his wealth twice by 39. Discover how to achieve “work optional” freedom—passive […]

In this episode of the BigMikeFund Podcast, host Mike Zlotnik (Big Mike) sits down with real estate powerhouse Chris Prefontaine, Chairman and Founder of Smart Real Estate Coach®. Chris is a 4x best-selling author, Forbes Business Council Member, and a 3-time Inc. 5000 Honoree who has led one of the nation’s fastest-growing companies. With more […]

Join Big Mike for a powerhouse chat with Matt Aitchison, CEO and founder of Imagos Hospitality Group, boutique hoteler, and commercial real estate investor extraordinaire. A UCSB alum turned top-1000 residential sales team builder, Matt flipped and wholesaled hundreds of homes before pivoting to a diverse CRE portfolio—hotels, medical offices, retail centers, and more. Also host of the top-ranked Millionaire Mindcast podcast and founder of the Wise Investor Collective mastermind, Matt shares his journey from a $106K first flip at 21 to snagging game-changing deals like a $1.06M Oklahoma shopping center (at $12/sq ft) and a 100% financed mobile home park.

Dive into creative financing hacks, spotting seller motivation, value-add upside, and the stamina needed for one transformative deal a year—plus tips on negotiating TJ Maxx leases and dodging 1031 pitfalls.

In this episode of The Big Mike Fund Podcast, host Mike Zlotnik sits down with Dwan Bent-Twyford, affectionately known as The Queen of Short Sales™ and host of The Most Dwanderful Real Estate Podcast Ever. Dwan Bent-Twyford, America’s Most Sought-After Real Estate Investor™, started as a broke single mom who had just been fired from […]