Competitive Edge Podcast

In this episode of the Competitive Edge Podcast, Brian Covey sits down with Simply Home founder and CEO Sean Miku, who has built a real estate organization of over 1,200 agents across 22 states in just a few years.

Sean unpacks how he’s simplifying real estate for consumers and agents, why big portals are making the home search more confusing, and his vision for hybrid brick‑and‑mortar “Home Stores” where buyers can immersively shop and close on homes from anywhere.

They dive into leading a large, distributed team through wars, rate shocks, and the NAR settlement era, why human connection beats automated drip campaigns, and how to use AI as an empowering tool instead of replacing yourself with it. Sean also breaks down his recruiting machine that uses Claude, data, and personalized outreach to attract high‑quality agents daily.

If you’re in real estate, mortgage, or any commission-based business and you want to grow a team, recruit better people, and stay relevant in an AI-driven world, this conversation is packed with practical, real-world plays you can implement now.

TIMED HIGHLIGHTS

1:02 – The original vision: Making real estate simple for agents and consumers

1:42 – How big portals are hurting buyers and adding complexity

3:27 – Hybrid brokerage model and the “Home Store” immersive shopping vision

5:11 – Leading 1,200 agents in 22 states during wars, rates, and noise

6:13 – What consumers really care about vs industry “bubble” conversations

8:21 – AI’s influence, MIT study, and why blind trust in AI is dangerous

10:29 – How Sean actually uses AI (Claude, Fixer, automation, reporting)

12:03 – Scaling from 4 agents to 1,200 and changing the market‑expansion avatar

15:12 – Lessons from starting at zero: presence, pace, and missing the moments

16:22 – Boundaries, burnout, and leading a workaholic‑friendly culture responsibly

18:17 – Why 700,000 agents left the business and what top agents are doing differently

19:28 – Human connection vs commission breath: staying top of mind the right way

21:13 – The trap of “AI replacing you” and why tech clones won’t beat real humans

22:31 – Being a visible, present CEO and the impact of showing up in markets

25:22 – Sean’s weekly call cadence to keep a pulse on agents and the market

27:38 – Reading the housing market: rates, wars, and pent‑up demand

28:07 – The “new” skills agents need are actually the old, forgotten ones

29:39 – Phone calls, tonality, and delivering hard news the right way

31:04 – AI, delusion, and why some people lose touch with reality

31:28 – Recruiting for culture, blacklisting bad fits, and raising the bar

34:32 – Building an AI‑powered recruiting engine (Claude + data + GoHighLevel)

37:05 – From cold outreach to warm conversations and 90% close rates

38:09 – “Is now a good time to buy?” Sean’s investor‑minded framework

40:16 – Learning to be a CEO vs a manager and hiring entrepreneurial operators

42:29 – From best‑kept secret to going public: Simply Home’s next chapter

BRIAN COVEY:

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In this episode of the Competitive Edge Podcast, Ray Higdon shares his powerful journey from massive business success and new age practices to a supernatural encounter that led him to Christ.

Ray and Brian break down how faith now drives Ray’s decisions, how he rebuilt his business approach around prayer and wisdom, and the practical sales and marketing frameworks he uses to help entrepreneurs stop chasing and start closing with confidence.

Whether you’re in mortgage, real estate, entrepreneurship, or sales of any kind, this conversation will challenge how you think about money, purpose, content, and calling.

1:37 The “before and after” Ray: success on paper but something missing

2:45 Abusive upbringing, therapy, hypnosis, and two years of daily meditation

3:06 The Nashville connection and the first “I see a big vision for you and God”

4:50 The shocking public prayer at a networking event and the fork in the road

7:07 Accepting Christ on November 14, 2022 and waking up “different”

8:04 The “apology to God” livestream and 50,000 views in a day

8:54 People worldwide waking up at night to pray for Ray

10:00 Early church hurt and the “if you die right now” phone call

12:36 Religion vs relationship: praying with God, not to a distant God

13:40 Turning every major and minor decision over to prayer

15:06 What changed in business once faith became the foundation

18:34 Losing millions, the wilderness season, and praying for wisdom over results

20:36 God’s guidance in tough business calls and sales team decisions

21:36 Closing a new age sales team, then leading the leader to Christ a year later

23:24 The real mistake most people make in sales

23:52 You’re not in the plumbing/AC/mortgage business; you’re in the marketing business

28:03 Sales 101: focus on their problem, not your product’s features

29:30 Turning “it’d be nice” into “it’s not optional” in a sales conversation

33:23 Applying this to mortgage and real estate: rate vs real needs

35:02 Why you shouldn’t try to close every single person

36:59 Protecting your reputation by saying no, even when they have money

38:26 The key question: how will we know this is a successful transaction?

39:28 Becoming known online instead of a “best kept secret”

40:33 Defeating AI copycats with real stories and real results

41:10 Why you should sometimes work for free to build case studies

43:52 Create content people would consider paying for

44:17 Newsletter and content filter: would they pay to get this?

44:47 Would Ray change anything if he could go back?

46:12 Discovering that money alone doesn’t fix the emptiness

47:18 Getting “crushed” after finding Christ and what God revealed

48:24 The nightly self-bullying pattern God broke off

49:27 How God uses “fielding drills” to work on your weak spots

51:44 Faith as the ultimate personal development journey

51:48 Final encouragement: seasons, obedience, and letting God guide decisions

BRIAN COVEY:

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when you stop chasing success and start building something real?

In this episode of Competitive Edge, guest Chans Weber shares his journey from a struggling financial advisor to the founder of a multi-million dollar digital marketing company. He dives into the power of authenticity in business, the role of mentorship in accelerating growth, and how leveraging personal branding, especially through video, can set you apart in a crowded market. Chans also delivers a bold perspective on the future, warning of AI’s massive disruption to the workforce and emphasizing the urgent need for entrepreneurs to adapt, pivot, and stay ahead of rapidly evolving technology.

This conversation is a wake-up call for anyone serious about staying competitive because those who embrace change will lead, and those who don’t risk being left behind.

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BRIAN COVEY:

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https://instagram.com/thebriancovey

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-covey/

https://www.tiktok.com/@thebriancovey

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Competitive Edge Podcast, Brian Covey sits down with Simply Home founder and CEO Sean Miku, who has built a real estate organization of over 1,200 agents across 22 states in just a few years.

Sean unpacks how he’s simplifying real estate for consumers and agents, why big portals are making the home search more confusing, and his vision for hybrid brick‑and‑mortar “Home Stores” where buyers can immersively shop and close on homes from anywhere.

They dive into leading a large, distributed team through wars, rate shocks, and the NAR settlement era, why human connection beats automated drip campaigns, and how to use AI as an empowering tool instead of replacing yourself with it. Sean also breaks down his recruiting machine that uses Claude, data, and personalized outreach to attract high‑quality agents daily.

If you’re in real estate, mortgage, or any commission-based business and you want to grow a team, recruit better people, and stay relevant in an AI-driven world, this conversation is packed with practical, real-world plays you can implement now.

TIMED HIGHLIGHTS

1:02 – The original vision: Making real estate simple for agents and consumers

1:42 – How big portals are hurting buyers and adding complexity

3:27 – Hybrid brokerage model and the “Home Store” immersive shopping vision

5:11 – Leading 1,200 agents in 22 states during wars, rates, and noise

6:13 – What consumers really care about vs industry “bubble” conversations

8:21 – AI’s influence, MIT study, and why blind trust in AI is dangerous

10:29 – How Sean actually uses AI (Claude, Fixer, automation, reporting)

12:03 – Scaling from 4 agents to 1,200 and changing the market‑expansion avatar

15:12 – Lessons from starting at zero: presence, pace, and missing the moments

16:22 – Boundaries, burnout, and leading a workaholic‑friendly culture responsibly

18:17 – Why 700,000 agents left the business and what top agents are doing differently

19:28 – Human connection vs commission breath: staying top of mind the right way

21:13 – The trap of “AI replacing you” and why tech clones won’t beat real humans

22:31 – Being a visible, present CEO and the impact of showing up in markets

25:22 – Sean’s weekly call cadence to keep a pulse on agents and the market

27:38 – Reading the housing market: rates, wars, and pent‑up demand

28:07 – The “new” skills agents need are actually the old, forgotten ones

29:39 – Phone calls, tonality, and delivering hard news the right way

31:04 – AI, delusion, and why some people lose touch with reality

31:28 – Recruiting for culture, blacklisting bad fits, and raising the bar

34:32 – Building an AI‑powered recruiting engine (Claude + data + GoHighLevel)

37:05 – From cold outreach to warm conversations and 90% close rates

38:09 – “Is now a good time to buy?” Sean’s investor‑minded framework

40:16 – Learning to be a CEO vs a manager and hiring entrepreneurial operators

42:29 – From best‑kept secret to going public: Simply Home’s next chapter

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What happens when life changes overnight and you have no control over it?

In this episode of Competitive Edge, Brian Covey unpacks the critical distinction between what we can control and what we cannot, emphasizing the two paths people typically take: resisting change with frustration, or leaning into it with an opportunistic mindset. 

Throughout the episode, he dives into practical strategies including identifying daily actions that compound into long-term success, adopting an “athlete mindset,” and sharpening key areas like positioning, communication, and preparation. 

While change is inevitable, how you respond defines your trajectory - making this episode an opportunity for true separation and breakthrough in your life.

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How do top mortgage producers simplify their tech and stand out in a noisy, AI-driven market?

In this episode of The Competitive Edge, Brian Covey is joined by Michael McAllister - founder, tech strategist, and a transformative voice in the mortgage CRM space. Together, they unpack how top producers are simplifying tech stacks, mastering high-performance habits, and leveraging AI tools like GoHighLevel to scale smarter, not louder. Michael shares powerful insights on team building, recruiting with real value, and how to cut through the noise in today's fast-moving mortgage world.

If you're a loan officer, team leader, or recruiting talent, this conversation is your tactical playbook for 2026 and beyond.

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Visibility is the new currency in today’s market, and the leaders who understand how attention works will dominate the next decade.

In this episode of Competitive Edge, host Brian Covey sits down with Leo Pareja, CEO of one of the fastest-growing real estate companies in the world, to break down the evolution of content, leadership, and personal brand in the AI era. Leo shares his journey from top-producing agent to leading a global organization and explains why the shift from traditional social media to “interest media” is changing how professionals attract attention, build trust, and grow their businesses. But this conversation goes beyond algorithms and content strategy. Leo also opens up about the realities of leadership, the importance of showing up for your family, and how successful leaders build sustainable careers without sacrificing the moments that matter most.

If you want to understand where attention is going, how to build a brand that lasts, and what it really takes to lead in today’s digital economy, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

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Are you building a brand for yesterday’s internet, or tomorrow’s discovery engine?

In this episode of Competitive Edge, Brian Covey sits down with branding strategist John Seroka to unpack one of the biggest shifts happening in the mortgage industry today: the move from traditional SEO and social visibility to AI-driven discoverability, challenges leaders to use AI as an assistant, not a replacement, and to double down on authentic, human-driven messaging that educates deeply and builds credibility.

They dive into the risks of “invisible revenue loss” when your brand isn’t legible to AI, the importance of conducting a brand insight assessment, and why relying entirely on AI for content creation can lead to what John calls “trained dementia.”

For loan originators, executives, and marketing teams, this conversation is a wake-up call: the future of discoverability is already here. The question is, will your brand be trusted and recommended, or overlooked and left behind?

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are you building real equity in your business, or just chasing the next deal?

In this episode of Competitive Edge, Brian Covey sits down with Eric Levin, founder of Model Match, to break down what it truly takes to win in today’s market. From humble beginnings in a small cubicle to leading a powerhouse mortgage team, Eric shares how mindset, consistency, and predictable leadership habits create long-term success.

If you’re serious about sustainable growth and becoming a more intentional leader, this episode will challenge you to think bigger and execute smarter. Lean in, take notes, and ask yourself: where can you create more equity starting today?

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if AI doesn’t replace you, but someone using AI does?

In this episode of Competitive Edge, Brian Covey sits down with entrepreneur and AI innovator Luke Shankula to unpack what’s really happening in marketing, content creation, and business growth right now.

Luke shares how growing up in Ecuador shaped his grit and adaptability and how that mindset led him to go all-in on AI before most people were paying attention. Together, they break down practical ways loan officers, real estate agents, and business owners can leverage AI to save time, scale smarter, and stand out.

But here’s the twist: the real edge isn’t automation: it’s authenticity. The human stories, the reps, the willingness to show up imperfectly is what builds trust and drives results.

If you want tactical insight on using AI the right way while staying true to who you are, this one’s for you.

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BRIAN COVEY:

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.