In this episode of the Built Different Podcast, Avo sits down with Dr. Alicia Naser, board certified behavior analyst and Founder and CEO of The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology. Dr. Naser works with elite performers including NHL players, professional athletes, and executives, using behavioral science to build repeatable mental skills under pressure.

They break down a simple but powerful idea: mindset is a behavior. Your thinking patterns directly shape your actions, your performance, and your results. Dr. Naser explains why "being positive all the time" is not the answer, and why the real goal is emotional stability and quick emotional recovery, especially when setbacks hit.

You'll learn tactical tools like the "penalty box" reset for intrusive thoughts, how to ask the question "How is what I'm doing right now helping me," and why the brain needs proof. Dr. Naser shares why high performers build a written evidence list of wins, results, and impact to prevent catastrophizing.

They also connect these concepts to real estate and entrepreneurship: deals fall apart, personalities clash, and outcomes can flip fast. The advantage is not avoiding adversity, it's training for it before it arrives. Dr. Naser closes with what she'd focus on with a top 1 percent agent: self awareness, communication and delivery, empathy, curiosity, and learning not to take everything personally.

Follow Avo Awanesian

IG: @avosellsaz | FB: @avo.awanesian | TikTok: @avo_sells_az

Follow Dr. Alicia Naser

IG: @doctoralicianaser | TikTok: @alicianaser | Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alicianaser

In this episode of the Built Different Podcast, Avo sits down with Kimberly Banks, a Scottsdale All-Stars Under 40 award recipient & relationship first Realtor who's building her business through genuine community, consistent rooms, and creative events that actually feel fun.

Kimberly shares her path from working with the Arizona Department of Health during COVID, leading a Spanish speaking team, to taking the leap into real estate in late 2022. She opens up about starting with zero sales background, why partnering with her 25 year veteran business partner Eric changed her learning curve, and what it really takes to become "salesy without being salesy."

A big theme of the conversation is BNI, how Kimberly got turned down at first, why the right chapter vibe matters, and how the givers gain mindset helped her build a trusted vendor bench while doubling her business. She also breaks down her newest lead generating passion project, a monthly cooking club that turns food into connection, plus her upcoming "Green on the Green" putting event designed for philanthropy, fun, and networking.

They close with practical reminders on social media confidence, rebranding, and why simply saying hi to people can change your life.

Follow Avo Awanesian

IG: @avosellsaz | FB: @avo.awanesian | TikTok: @avo_sells_az

Follow Kimberly Banks

IG: @k.b.luxury | FB: @kimberlyangelabanks | TikTok: @kimbanksss

In this episode of the Built Different Podcast, Avo sits down with Cody Dodge, a 24 year old Georgia realtor wrapping up his first year in real estate with 20 transactions and roughly $9M in volume. What makes Cody's story stand out is not just the numbers, but the decision behind them.

Cody shares how he walked away from a comfortable construction project management role to go all in on real estate with no safety net. They unpack the fear, pressure, and clarity that comes when you remove Plan B and force yourself to figure it out. Both Avo and Cody open up about cashing out savings, betting on themselves early, and why that discomfort became the fuel that drove their work ethic.

The conversation dives deep into why most new agents fail, how treating real estate like a real job changes everything, and why showing up every day matters more than talent. Cody breaks down the exact pillars driving his first year success including sphere, social media, and outbound prospecting, while calling out the shiny object syndrome that keeps most people stuck.

They also discuss speed of implementation, why overthinking kills momentum, and the hats, haircuts, tattoos framework that helps separate reversible decisions from life changing ones. Cody explains why he decided to join eXp so early in his career, how environment and proximity to high performers accelerates growth, and what it means to choose being a small fish in a bigger room.

The episode wraps with a powerful conversation about leverage, building a scalable business, and preparing for life changes with a baby on the way. This is a raw and honest look at what it really takes to bet on yourself, stay uncomfortable, and build something that actually lasts.

Follow Avo on Instagram: IG: @avosellsaz

Guest: Cody Dodge IG/Tiktok: @codydodgere

In this episode of the Built Different podcast, Avo sits down with Mason Ottersberg, a former professional off road dirt bike racer who is now charging hard in real estate during his first year.

Mason shares how racing shaped his mindset through structure, discipline, and learning how to suffer for a bigger goal. He breaks down what training looked like at a high level, why race day pressure felt like his paycheck, and what changed in the industry that made him rethink his long term future.

The conversation pivots into Mason's fast start in real estate, including how he got licensed in June 2025 and generated a deal his first week from simply posting on social media. Mason explains the power of networking, building value, and plugging into the right opportunities early, including working with a developer across multiple projects and managing several lead sources at once.

Avo and Mason get real about the identity shift from athlete to professional, the fear that comes with handling other people's money, and how mentorship, faith, and a new mission helped Mason get grounded again.

They also trade real world stories from the trenches, including a triple ended trailer trade in deal, a fraud land listing, and the emotional highs and lows of big commissions that never close. Mason closes by sharing his 2026 goals and why systems, leverage, and staying consistent will be the difference.

Follow Avo on Instagram: IG: @avosellsaz

Guest: Mason Ottersberg IG/FB/Tiktok: @masonottersberg

In this episode of Built Different, Avo sits down with Lex Orosco, the number one agent in San Jose, California, with over $500M closed. Lex breaks down the exact work habits that built his business, including sending up to 50,000 mailers a month, writing 100 to 150 addressed envelopes daily, and treating every phone call like it could be worth $25,000 to $100,000.

Lex shares why direct mail is not a quick win and how most agents quit right before the payoff. He explains why handwritten envelopes are outperforming every door direct mailers right now, plus what he's learned from testing different response paths. A major theme is simple but brutal: marketing only works if you are elite on the phone and can convert calls into appointments. The conversation also goes deep on listing psychology, why Lex now speaks less and listens more in appointments, and how calm confidence beats "commission breath" every time.

Finally, Lex unpacks how he built a 75 agent group without taking team splits, using role plays, group chat, and weekly accountability to raise everyone's production and build a massive organization.

His closing advice hits hard: stop chasing the title, focus on effort, and let the results show up as a side effect.

Follow Avo: IG @avosellsaz

Guest: Lex Orosco Instagram: @lex_sells_homes Website: www.lexsellshomes.com

In this episode of the Built Different podcast, Avo sits down with Mike Dardin, CEO of a logistics company doing over $75 million in annual sales. Mike shares his real, unfiltered journey from starting at the ground level of the produce and transportation industry to building and scaling a massive operation without a college degree. This conversation pulls back the curtain on what entrepreneurship actually looks like once the numbers get big.

Mike breaks down why most entrepreneurs fail long before they ever hit real scale, and it has nothing to do with talent or work ethic. They dive deep into delegation, control issues, trust, hiring mistakes, and the lies founders tell themselves that keep them stuck. Mike explains how trying to do everything yourself caps your growth, why trusting your team is non negotiable, and how letting go was the turning point in his business.

The conversation also covers the realities of being a CEO, including cash flow stress, payroll pressure, forecasting in volatile markets, and the weight of responsibility that comes with leading a large team. Mike shares how he manages stress through intense daily training, racing cars, and embracing risk as part of who he is both in business and life.

This episode is a must listen for entrepreneurs who want to scale, operators who feel trapped by their business, and anyone who believes success only comes through a traditional path. Mike's story proves that starting at the bottom, learning the business from the inside out, and executing relentlessly can outperform any shortcut.

Follow Avo: IG @avosellsaz

Guest: Mike Dardin IG @mikedardin Website: www.dardinilogistics.com

In this episode of the Built Different Podcast, I sit down with my good friend and mentor Chris Bowers for a raw, high level conversation about what actually drives high performers and why most people stay stuck.

Chris opens up about the seasons of life and business and how he is constantly shedding skin to become the next version of himself. He explains how he views real estate like a football field with different roles, different levels, and different seasons, and why growth requires knowing when to evolve.

We also get real about intensity. Chris does not do surface level conversations, and he shares why urgency, conviction, and truth are at the core of how he leads even when it feels uncomfortable.

We dive deep into money and financial discipline, including Chris's life by design system where he tracks a few core metrics daily and uses them as a scoreboard to determine when to push harder. He breaks down the biggest financial mistakes he sees high earners make, including lifestyle creep, consumer debt, and chasing what looks good instead of what actually builds freedom. Chris also shares the story of how his mom completely transformed her life by getting out of debt, buying everything in cash, and teaching him money principles early, lessons that shaped how he saves, invests, and gives today.

We also talk about leadership and what separates people who want more from those who actually go get it. Chris explains how quickly he can spot winner versus victim energy, why excuses shut down momentum, and why proximity to the right people matters more than almost any strategy. This is a conversation about speed, accountability, honesty, and building a life your future self will thank you for.

If you are tired of feeling behind, stuck, or almost there, this episode will challenge you in the best way.

Host: Avo Awanesian Instagram: @avosellsaz

Guest: Chris Bowers Instagram: @chrisbowers_realestate

In this episode of the Built Different podcast, Avo sits down with top producing solo agent Nolan Rucker for a real conversation about growth, competition, and building a business without losing your life in the process.

Nolan shares how he accidentally fell into real estate after studying kinesiology, quickly scaled through a high volume listing team, and became obsessed with efficiency, skills, and finding the fastest path to the top one percent.

Avo and Nolan unpack their friendly competition as two solo agents both nearing thirty million in production and how that push has fueled both of them. They talk honestly about relying heavily on sphere and referrals, realizing how much potential they were leaving on the table, and how a conversation with their mentor led them to attack the discomfort they had avoided. That sparked their new ninety minute daily lock in sessions focused on prospecting and pipeline building, which immediately generated new opportunities and momentum.

The two dive into why environment matters and how their collaborative crew functions like a team without the splits, giving them community, accountability, and shared standards while allowing each agent to run their own business. Nolan also breaks down how he protects his time, sets boundaries, and delivers high level service without overcommitting himself, which has helped him maintain balance in both life and business.

They wrap with Nolan's definition of success, how he reverse engineers his income and lifestyle goals, and the simple principle guiding him now. Stop wasting time. He shares how eliminating distractions, being intentional with his days, and staying present have created more fulfillment and more results.

This episode is a powerful look at what it takes to grow, evolve, and operate at a high level while staying true to yourself.

Connect with Avo Awanesian: Instagram: @avosellsaz

Connect with Nolan Rucker: Instagram: @nolanrucker

Facebook: Nolan Rucker

TikTok: Nolanrucker10

Welcome to the very first episode of The Built Different Podcast.

Before I bring on guests and spotlight other high performers, I wanted to start with my own journey...

In this solo episode, I share my story from being first generation born in the U.S. & raised by immigrant parents with nothing but grit and work ethic… to getting lost in the wrong crowd, using and selling drugs in my teens… to making the hardest decision of my life to change everything.

You'll hear how I got clean, rebuilt my life, met my wife who helped save me, and discovered my natural gift for sales. From call centers to car sales to corporate tech, I found success but not fulfillment. I even lied about having a college degree just to get a shot at corporate tech sales… and somehow turned that opportunity into a leadership and training career.

Then came the leap that changed everything: I cashed out my 401k. I went all in on real estate. No backup plan.

Year one was a grind with inconsistent income. Year two brought momentum. Year three? Just under $30 million closed as a solo agent and top 1% agent in Arizona.

This episode is about adversity, transformation, betting on yourself, refusing to quit, and what being "built different" truly means.

This podcast is for the entrepreneurs, the grinders, the dreamers, and anyone who knows they're meant for more.

If you're trying to level up mentally, personally, and professionally, this show is for you.

DM me to connect!

IG - @avosellsaz