Coffee & Closings

In this episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan sits down with Jade Gluckin to talk about getting licensed at 20 years old, failing forward, and building a real estate career as a young single mom. Jade shares the mindset shifts that helped her succeed as an independent agent, why authenticity attracts the right clients, and how she’s balancing business, marriage, and a blended family. They also dive into parenting in the age of social media, affirmations for kids, and what it really takes to build something meaningful both at home and in business 

Coffee Highlight: Bean Traders – Breakfast Blend ☕

In this episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan sits down with Jon Currin, founder of Currin Outdoor Living, to talk about the journey from landscape architecture student to building a thriving design-build company rooted in faith, family, and purpose. Jon shares how mentorship, perseverance, and trusting God shaped both his business and his leadership, along with lessons on team building, navigating hard seasons, and creating outdoor spaces that foster real relationships. The conversation dives into entrepreneurship, fatherhood, stewardship, and the deeper meaning behind success—both in business and in life.

Coffee Highlight: Cultivate Coffee – Colombia Roast

In this episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan sits down with Jacob De Leon to talk about his journey from manual-labor jobs and CrossFit coaching to generating real estate clients within weeks of getting licensed. Jacob shares how community, discipline, and consistent action helped him build early momentum, along with lessons on social media, realistic transaction goals, and serving people well for long-term success. The conversation blends fitness, mindset, business growth, and the daily work it takes to win in real estate, all while enjoying the Porch Light Coffee – Columbia Blend

In this episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan sits down with Alejandra Cedeno, a new construction sales agent with D.R. Horton, to talk about finding your lane in real estate and playing the long game. Alejandra shares her journey from Rutgers University and moving south from New Jersey, working in traditional brokerage and as a real estate legal assistant, to ultimately finding her stride in new construction. They dive deep into what new construction is really like day-to-day, the pros and cons compared to general brokerage, commission structures, long hours, and career growth opportunities within large builders. The conversation also touches on rental investing, house hacking, CrossFit, family roots from Ecuador, and staying grounded while building a future in real estate—all while reviewing Chamberlain Coffee’s Social Dog Medium Roast.

In this episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan sits down with Daniel Gluckin, founder of the Gluckin Group, to talk about building a real estate brand by being yourself. Daniel shares his journey from DJ to REALTOR®, how “The Running Realtor” helped him stand out on social media, and why consistency and creativity matter more than perfection. They dive deep into content creation, team leadership, mistakes he made—and fixed—while building his team, and what it really takes to grow without losing your identity. The conversation also hits on fatherhood, work-life balance, and running your business instead of letting it run you—all while reviewing Black Rifle Coffee Company’s Spirit of 76 Medium Blend.

In this solo episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan Lines sits down with the mic to reflect on why the podcast started, what it’s become, and where it’s headed next. He shares his personal journey in real estate, lessons learned from 24 incredible guests, and why relationships—not transactions—are the foundation of a great business and a meaningful life. Ethan opens up about fatherhood, faith, goals for the year ahead, building community, and what it really means to be an exceptional agent, husband, and dad. The episode wraps with a candid coffee review of Kirkland House Blend and a call for listeners to help shape the future of the Coffee & Closings community.

In this episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan sits down with Mike and Shelly, the husband-and-wife founders of Peak City Coffee, to hear the story behind one of the Triangle’s most beloved specialty roasters. They share how a backyard hobby turned into a full-scale roasting business, the leap of faith to go all-in, and why sourcing specialty-grade beans and telling a story through coffee matters. The conversation dives deep into the roasting process, seasonal blends, entrepreneurship, family involvement, and building a brand rooted in community—all while tasting Peak City favorites like Full Steam, Whispering Pines, and Snow Camp.

In this episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan sits down with Sharon Gupton, longtime REALTOR® and current President of the Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS®. Sharon shares her decades-long journey through real estate, property management, sports marketing, and leadership, along with why communication, education, and ethics are what truly separate great agents from average ones. They dive deep into parenting and career balance, continuing education, the role of REALTOR® associations, and how to lead—and step away from leadership—with grace. All while enjoying Jubala Coffee’s Kinship Blend.

In this episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan sits down with Ryan Patty, a Raleigh-area REALTOR® who brings an incredible journey from the Pittsburgh Steelers sideline to the world of real estate. Ryan shares how his background in sports, recruiting, and operations shaped his discipline, mindset, and ability to build strong client relationships. The two dive into what makes a great agent great—availability, adaptability, negotiation skills, communication, and the drive to show up even when it’s inconvenient. They talk football, family traditions, competitiveness, market shifts, and growing a business through authenticity and consistency. All while reviewing Top of the Mornin Coffee’s Twilight Blend.

In this episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan sits down with Cory Sherman, a Durham-area REALTOR® with Keller Williams, to dive into the skills that truly matter in today’s market. Cory shares his journey from the beer and wine industry into real estate, closing over $75 million as a solo agent, and developing a powerful negotiation framework in partnership with leadership coach Dr. Sam Bear. They unpack why negotiations are more important than ever, how agents can handle conflict with confidence, the future of the industry, building a lean but mighty team, and how AI is transforming the way agents work. They also talk fatherhood, entrepreneurship, reinvention, and the honest highs and lows of being a full-time agent—all while enjoying Carolina Coffee Company’s Carolina Christmas Blend.