CREDA Podcast: Inside CRE

In this episode, Chad Lavender, president of capital markets for North America at Newmark, breaks down today’s commercial real estate landscape, calling it a constructive market driven by strong debt liquidity and smarter capital. He explores recovery signals across asset classes – from tightening industrial supply to surging interest in retail, senior housing and data centers – while highlighting pricing trends and investor behavior. Lavender also unpacks challenges for developers, the rise of private credit, and the growing impact of AI on real estate demand, offering a grounded, forward-looking view on where opportunities lie. Recorded on April 13, 2026.

In this episode, Marc sits down with I.CON West keynote speaker, techno-economist and venture capitalist Leonard Brody to unpack the supercycle shaping today’s global economy. Drawing on 300 years of history, Brody explains how major shifts – often driven by technology – trigger waves of uncertainty, disruption and ultimately growth. He argues that AI is the defining force of this cycle, accelerating change faster than ever while reshaping work, society and geopolitics. Despite near-term volatility, Brody emphasizes that history points to long-term economic expansion. He also shares why critical thinking and pattern recognition are essential skills in a “post-truth” era – and how leaders can navigate disruption without falling behind. Recorded on April 2, 2026.

In this episode, Jordan Lott, president and CEO of family-owned Lake Washington Partners, shares how his firm blends industrial roots with diversified investments across multifamily and mixed-use, with a growing presence and perspective that extends nationally. He discusses the company’s long-term, family-driven strategy, disciplined approach in today’s high-rate environment, and outlook on the industrial and multifamily sectors. Lott also offers insights on navigating entitlement challenges, pairing data with experience in decision-making, and why patience and long-term thinking are key to succeeding in the next real estate cycle. Recorded on March 18, 2026.

Gina Baker Chambers, president of MCB Real Estate, joins us for this episode, discussing her transition from institutional investor to operator and MCB’s rapid growth to over $4 billion in assets, 22 million square feet across all sectors and holdings in 40 states. The firm has been in the headlines recently for its role in Baltimore’s resurgence, advancing major projects including the $1 billion redevelopment of Harborplace on the city’s Inner Harbor waterfront. Chambers emphasizes how trust, transparency and creative capital structuring are key to delivering complex projects like Harborplace, and shares MCB’s strategy of aligning investor returns with long-term community impact. Recorded on March 18, 2026.

In this episode, Marc sits down with Carleton Riser, president of Transwestern Development, for a deep dive into development strategy, market timing, and how capital is navigating today’s multifamily and mixed use landscape. Carleton reflects on lessons from past cycles – from the dot com bust to the Great Financial Crisis to COVID – and shares how those insights shape his decision making today. He breaks down the fundamentals driving successful projects, what investors are prioritizing, and how developers can position themselves for the next upcycle. Recorded on Feb. 18, 2026.

Joining us on our 50th episode of Inside CRE is Jonathan Martin, politics bureau chief and senior political columnist at POLITICO. A veteran of the New York Times and co-author of the bestseller “This Will Not Pass,” Jonathan has spent his career in the rooms where decisions happen and often where they fall apart. He joins NAIOP Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Aquiles Suarez to talk about the shrinking political center, pros and cons of term limits, and why the 2028 midterms will be “a reckoning” for both Democrats and Republicans. Recorded on Feb. 10, 2026.

In this episode, Marc sits down with longtime Hubbell Realty Company CEO Rick Tollakson to discuss four decades of leadership, growth and transformation in the real estate industry. Rick, also the author of the recently published book, “Think Bigger, Lead Better,” shares the origins of his “Eight to Great” leadership framework, the key market signals he watches, and how a stare down with a nun challenged him to think bigger. From fostering entrepreneurialism to mastering process improvement, he outlines the principles he believes successful developers need most. He closes with the legacy he hopes to leave: a culture rooted in continuous improvement, having fun and giving back. Recorded on Jan. 29, 2026.

In this conversation, 2026 NAIOP Chair Celeste Tanner, co-founder, president and chief development officer of Confluent Development, shares the leadership principles that have shaped her career in the collaborative world of commercial real estate. She discusses why stepping outside your comfort zone unlocks opportunity, how empowering experts leads to better decisions and details the “breakout evolutionary cycle” she sees ahead for CRE. She outlines her priorities as chair, including changing public perception of the industry and fostering connections between members across cities, states and provinces. She also lands a punchline about what happens when you put a developer, an architect and a contractor in a room. Recorded on Jan. 15, 2026.

On this final episode of 2025, NAIOP’s Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Aquiles Suarez joins the podcast to break down a historic year for commercial real estate policy. From the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” – securing permanent tax provisions like 100% bonus depreciation and the 20% pass-through deduction – to emerging priorities such as adaptive reuse and energy infrastructure, Suarez shares insights on what these wins mean for long-term stability and CRE investment. He also looks ahead to 2026, discussing the political dynamics shaping future legislation and why educating lawmakers remains a critical challenge. Recorded on Dec. 3, 2025.

Global strategist and AlphaGeo founder Parag Khanna joins Inside CRE to explore how demographics, geopolitics, climate risk and new infrastructure are reshaping North American real estate. From regionalization and the Great Lakes “New North” to migration trends, climate-adaptation opportunities and the industrial resurgence, Parag shares data-driven insights on the forces guiding long-term development decisions. Hear his take on what investors should consider – looking beyond last quarter’s cap rate – as they plan assets with 30-year horizons. Recorded on Nov. 24, 2025.