It’s May, men’s mental health month, and our newest CREB® Cast episode features Derek Thistle. After a 17-year career with the Calgary Police Service and struggling with his mental health, Derek earned his real estate license during medical leave and ultimately committed to the switch from cop to CREB®. 

In this conversation, he breaks down how policing skills such as communication, de-escalation, an investigative mindset, stress tolerance, and deep neighbourhood knowledge have translated into client trust, sharper negotiations and safer showings. 

Derek also talks candidly about the “golden handcuffs” of policing, shifting definitions of success, and why real estate wins through empathy, relationships, and consistent follow-up. 

If you need immediate mental health support, Distress Centre Calgary provides free, 24/7 crisis support by phone, text, or chat at 403-266-HELP (4357). This includes the Suicide Crisis Helpline 9-8-8.

Resources for mental health support and addiction in Calgary: https://www.calgary.ca/social-services/mental-health/resources.html

In this episode of CREB®Cast, Sam Randhawa interviews broker-owner and former CREB® President, Greg Houston, who shares his 1972 start in real estate, early experiences and the launch of his own brokerage. 

Greg reflects on market booms and busts, the oil embargo and early-80s crash, and how real estate investing helped him build stability. He discusses serving on the Calgary Real Estate Board, including as president in 1989, industry changes from paper listings to modern tech, and the need to be discerning amid AI and misinformation.  

Highlights include his long-term ownership philosophy, community involvement, and being the first donor to the CREB® REALTOR® Community Foundation.

This CREB®Cast episode breaks down the proposed change to Bylaw 6.4, which addresses board composition ahead of the member vote at the AGM happening on Tuesday, April 28 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at CREB® Campus and online.

Mariangela Avila, Chair of the Governance Standing Committee (GSC)  and Shelagh Krause, Director Liaison for the GSC, explain the current limits at the board level—no more than two directors from one brokerage and three from one franchise may serve on the board—and the proposal to increase those caps by one (to three and four) to better reflect today’s brokerage environment. 

Members can access AGM materials, including additional proposed bylaw amendments, by clicking here.

In this episode of CREB® Cast, host Sam Randhawa sits down with former CREB® Board Chair Lorna Hamm.

In this interview, Lorna talks about a 38-year real estate career, how technology reshaped the business, and why volunteering at CREB® can fast-track your network, influence, and understanding of how decisions get made. 

Lorna shares a candid take on real estate as “a way of life,” balancing family, flexibility, and being on call—plus memorable stories from the field. 

The conversation also spotlights Lorna’s pivotal role in launching Calgary’s Children’s Cottage, a crisis nursery providing up to 72 hours of safe care for kids when parents are in crisis, and her continued community leadership in retirement.

Former CREB® president and lifelong member Jim Moore joins Sam Randhawa in the latest episode of CREB®Cast. 

Jim, who spent 25 to 30 years with the Board and 40 years in real estate, shares his journey from owning Dairy Queens, apartment buildings, and buying houses to leaving a brokerage during a double-digit mortgage-rate era and receiving an unexpected bank offer.

After a major heart attack changed everything, Jim poured his energy into the Calgary Dream Centre, tracing its roots back to childhood mission work and explaining how a former hotel on Macleod Trail became the beginning of what has grown to 48 properties, 371 clients, and 80 staff. 

Discover CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie’s unexpected journey into economics, her passion for real estate, and how she navigates the intricacies of the housing market. 

Gain valuable perspectives on market trends, the importance of localized data, and the human impact of real estate decisions. This is the perfect episode for REALTORS® looking to deepen their understanding and leverage expert insights for their clients' success.

Join us as host Sam Randhawa welcomes Christian Twomey, the former Chair of the Board of Directors and current Chair of the CREB® REALTOR® Community Foundation. 

In this episode, Christian shares insights into his dynamic 25-year career and unforgettable client experiences. 

The conversation takes a riveting turn as Christian recounts a harrowing personal story about experiencing a “widowmaker” heart attack, which only has a 12 per cent survival rate.

With 47 years of experience in real estate, CREB® REALTOR® Horace A. Rowe shares his dynamic journey from England to Calgary, detailing his early struggles, multiple jobs, and eventual success in real estate. 

Learn about the importance of fostering client relationships, the value of persistence, and tips on market analysis, all peppered with engaging personal anecdotes. Whether you're a new REALTOR® or an experienced one, Horace's story provides invaluable insights and motivation to thrive in the real estate industry.

Mathew Said Morley, the 2024 T.W.H. REALTOR® of the Year, discusses his extraordinary 20-year real estate journey, including personal stories of overcoming a life-changing heart condition that steered him away from firefighting and into real estate. 

Mathew also offers invaluable advice to new REALTORS®, emphasizes the importance of empathy and genuine service, and reflects on the evolving landscape of the real estate industry. 

Tune in to be inspired by Mathew’s dedication, resilience, and commitment to making a meaningful difference in both his professional and personal life.

Join us on this episode of CREB®Cast as we sit down with Sunil Mall, broker for Urban Real Estate and recipient of the 2024 Glenna Marshall-Roth CREB® Rookie Volunteer of the Year Award. 

In this conversation, Sunil shares his journey of getting into real estate straight out of high school, following in his father's footsteps, and establishing himself in the industry for the past 16 years.  

Learn about his passion for commercial real estate, the challenges he's faced, and his invaluable advice for new REALTORS®. Sunil also discusses his involvement with CREB® as the Chair of the Connecting Members Standing Committee and the importance of giving back to the community. Don't miss this insightful conversation!