Live Let Thrive Podcast

I built one dashboard in Claude — and it now runs my whole rental business.MEETUP THIS FRIDAY: Come kick it with us at the STR/MTR Meetup — Chicken N' Pickle in Grand Prairie, 6–9 PM. Grab your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/strmtr-m...In this solo episode, Myka pulls back the curtain on the exact AI setup running her short-term and midterm rental business — live on screen. Watch the Claude dashboard pull her P&L straight from QuickBooks and manage her nightly pricing through PriceLabs, all from one chat window.You'll also see the pricing calculator that keeps her midterm rentals filled (the 33% monthly discount math — $3,600 in high season vs $2,700 in the slow season), why she prices VRBO 30–50% higher than Airbnb, why she's going back to Hostfully so Claude can plug straight into her PMS through the API, the Mac Mini about to become her 24/7 employee, how she's training her VA to manage AI agents ("agents take shortcuts — you have to retrain them"), the one prompt that finds the automations hiding in your everyday workflow, and the line she brought home from the Ai4 conference in Vegas: "AI can only rise to the IQ level of its operator."CHAPTERS0:00 Intro: A Solo AI Episode0:38 "I Know What AI Is — But How Does It Relate to Me?"1:16 How AI Secured My Midterm Rentals1:55 Why I'm Going Back to a PMS (Hostfully + Claude)2:41 The Dashboard: P&L, QuickBooks & PriceLabs3:05 "AI Can Only Rise to the IQ of Its Operator"4:18 Live Demo: The Pricing Calculator6:31 Why I Price VRBO 30-50% Higher Than Airbnb7:41 Automate Anything Repetitive + The Mac Mini8:24 Teaching My VA to Manage AI Agents10:13 Don't Get Left Behind on AI11:18 My Stack: Claude ($100/mo) vs ChatGPT ($20/mo)11:53 The Timeshare Bot That Earns While I Sleep12:27 The One Prompt That Finds Your AutomationsConnect with us:➡️Myka (Sharebnb): http://www.sharebnb.com➡️Steven (Argest Rentals): http://www.ArgestRentals.com➡️Try PadSplit: https://www.padsplit.com/hosts?referr...➡️Entrepremarriage:    / @entrepremarriage  ➡️Linktree: https://linktr.ee/liveletthrive#ai #claudeai #airbnb #shorttermrentals #midtermrentals #realestateinvesting #aiautomation #pricelabs #airbnbhost #liveletthrive #realestate #aitools #passiveincome #proptech #airbnbpricing

Are we watching 2008 happen again in slow motion?

MEETUP THIS FRIDAY: STR/MTR Meetup at Chicken N' Pickle, Grand Prairie — Aug 21, 6-9 PM. Food, networking, pickleball with Myka & Steve. Grab your ticket: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/strmtr-meetup-chicken-and-pickle-6-9-pm-tickets-1997616112567

In Episode 347 of Live Let Thrive, Myka and Steve break down why the DFW housing market is flashing 2008 signals: flips sitting unsold above their hard-money loan floors, foreclosures starting, bond markets at 2007 levels, and the 18-year crash cycle landing right on 2026.

They also explain why they're both getting OUT of the Airbnb arbitrage business — offloading 1-2 bedroom units as travel nurse demand disappears, while 4+ bedroom houses stay booked solid with work crews (one 6-bed duplex is booked through March by a fiber crew). Plus: the "5 paid-off houses will change your life" math, working backward from a $20K/month cash flow number, the Shaq strategy for W-2 investors, PadSplit's insurance gap (and new coverage options from Steadily and HostGuard), why Texas property taxes are the #1 deal killer ($14,000 protested down to $5,000), the ADU two-for-one play, and the mom-and-pop investors now building AI data centers.

Big news: Myka is officially a licensed Texas real estate agent, signed with a brokerage, with MLS access — and he's building the investor-friendly agent playbook out loud.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
1:37 AI Data Centers: The New Investor Play?
5:08 Where to Find Midterm Rental Guests
8:47 The 4-Bedroom Sweet Spot
11:40 Why We're Quitting Airbnb Arbitrage
16:00 PadSplit's Insurance Gap
20:09 How Many Houses Is Enough?
24:43 The Shaq Strategy
27:15 Investing in D-Neighborhoods
29:50 Crash Watch: DFW Is Slowing Down
33:28 Myka's License + Brokerage News
37:41 Investor-Friendly Agents Win
46:43 Property Taxes Kill Texas Deals
49:02 The ADU Two-for-One Play
56:25 Pull Up Friday: Chicken N' Pickle Meetup

Interested in professional management or consulting?
Connect with Myka and Steve through their respective management firms:
Myka (Sharebnb): http://www.sharebnb.com➡️Steven (Argest Rentals): http://www.ArgestRentals.com
Sign up for PadSplit with Steve's link and get a free 1 on 1 PadSplit strategy call with Stevie Stacks! https://www.padsplit.com/hosts?referral=94AD509A

Check out Myka's Podcast: Entrepremarriage – Building wealth without losing the marriage
https://www.youtube.com/@Entrepremarriage

Click our Link Tree for Podcast News!
https://linktr.ee/liveletthrive

#airbnb #shorttermrentals #midtermrentals #padsplit #realestate #liveletthrive #realestateinvesting #housingmarket #housingcrash #airbnbarbitrage #dfwrealestate #texasrealestate #costsegregation #adu #realestateagent

It's been a while, but Myka and Stevie are back and getting the band back together with special guest Mikey B for Episode 346!

Tune in as the crew catches up on a packed episode covering:

• Myka and Stevie breaking down the real estate game, from owner-financed property wins to the realities of getting a real estate license.

• A deep dive into the co-living space, exploring PadSplit strategies, managing guest expectations, plumbing realities, and handling local neighborhood pushback.

• The truth about the FIFA World Cup and how shifting market trends and declining rents are impacting short-term and mid-term rentals.

• Practical insights on leveraging AI and automation to streamline property management and guest communication

Interested in professional management or consulting?Connect with Myka and Steve through their respective management firms:➡️Myka (Sharebnb): ⁠www.sharebnb.com⁠➡️Steven (Argest Rentals): ⁠www.ArgestRentals.com⁠Sign up for PadSplit with Steve’s link and get a free 1 on 1 PadSplit strategy call with Stevie Stacks!⁠https://www.padsplit.com/hosts?referral=94AD509A⁠Check out Myka’s Podcast: Entrepremarriage – Building wealth without losing the marriage https://www.youtube.com/@EntrepremarriageClick our Link Tree for Podcast News!⁠https://linktr.ee/liveletthrive⁠#airbnb #airbnbhost #shorttermrentals #BRRRR #realestate #turo #homeaway #VRBO #corporatehousing #shareeconomy #podcasts #podcast #liveletthrive #realestateinvesting #airbnbsuperhost #airbnbpodcast #sharebnb #liveletthrivepodcast #biggerpockets #shorttermrentals #directbookings #directbooking #bookdirect

It’s been a long time since Myka and Steve caught up on the podcast, and they have a lot to talk about.
In Episode 344 of Live Let Thrive, the guys dive into everything from AI-powered real estate tools and creative financing strategies to wild PadSplit stories, insurance claim wins, and the latest updates on the World Cup booking craze.
They discuss:
➡️ Using AI to improve pricing and revenue management
➡️ Creative financing, subject-to deals, and seller financing
➡️ Real estate investing strategies in today’s market
➡️ A $44,000 insurance claim success story
➡️ PadSplit profits, challenges, and unforgettable tenant experiences
➡️ World Cup booking expectations vs. reality
➡️ Building wealth through real estate and smart leverage
➡️ Why access to MLS data can be a game changer
🎧 Tune in and see if this hidden side hustle could be your next move
Interested in professional management or consulting?
Connect with Myka and Steve through their respective management firms:
➡️Myka (Sharebnb): ⁠www.sharebnb.com⁠
➡️Steven (Argest Rentals): ⁠www.ArgestRentals.com⁠
Sign up for PadSplit with Steve’s link and get a free 1 on 1 PadSplit strategy call with Stevie Stacks!
⁠https://www.padsplit.com/hosts?referral=94AD509A⁠
Check out Myka’s Podcast: Entrepremarriage – Building wealth without losing the marriage
https://www.youtube.com/@Entrepremarriage
Click our Link Tree for Podcast News!
⁠https://linktr.ee/liveletthrive⁠
#airbnb #airbnbhost #shorttermrentals #BRRRR #realestate #turo #homeaway #VRBO #corporatehousing #shareeconomy #podcasts #podcast #liveletthrive #realestateinvesting #airbnbsuperhost #airbnbpodcast #sharebnb #liveletthrivepodcast #biggerpockets #shorttermrentals #directbookings #directbooking #bookdirect

In another solo episode, Stevie Stacks takes the mic to discuss the unglamorous side of growing a real estate empire. While managing a portfolio of 60 units, Stevie was put to the test when his key team member took a week off, proving that a business is only as strong as the systems left behind.

Stevie dives into the "Ewing Effect" in business—how a team can actually find new strengths when a top performer is away—and shares his personal experience jumping back into the daily grind of drafting leases and managing inquiries.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• The Systems Reality Check: Why "boring" processes are the only way to scale without burning out.

• Tech & Hardware: Stevie’s take on the current Mac Mini shortage, the power of using AI to professionalize listing photos, and why he is moving away from high-maintenance smart locks in favor of reliable manual keypads.

• The PadSplit Pivot: How Stevie is filling rooms in record time in transit-lite cities like Arlington and his strategy for furnishing a 6-room property for under $3,000 using recycled gear and savvy Amazon finds.

• Lessons from the Past: A look back at Stevie’s first major eviction and how facing that "worst-case scenario" removed the fear of growing his business.

• New Acquisitions: The details of a recent "Subject-To" deal and how he's turning a new property into a high-cash-flow corporate rental.

Whether you are managing one unit or sixty, this episode is a deep dive into the grit, technology, and operations required to thrive in the modern rental market.

Work With UsInterested in professional management or consulting?Connect with Myka and Steve through their respective management firms:➡️Myka (Sharebnb): ⁠www.sharebnb.com⁠➡️Steven (Argest Rentals): ⁠www.ArgestRentals.com⁠Sign up for PadSplit with Steve’s link and get a free 1 on 1 PadSplit strategy call with Stevie Stacks!⁠⁠https://www.padsplit.com/hosts?referr...⁠Check out Myka’s Podcast: Entrepremarriage – Building wealth without losing the marriage ⁠   / @entrepremarriage  ⁠Click our Link Tree for Podcast News!⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/liveletthrive⁠⁠

⁠#airbnb⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#airbnbhost⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#shorttermrentals⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#BRRRR⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#realestate⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#turo⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#homeaway⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#VRBO⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#corporatehousing⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#shareeconomy⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#podcasts⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#podcast⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#liveletthrive⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#realestateinvesting⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#airbnbsuperhost⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#airbnbpodcast⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#sharebnb⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#liveletthrivepodcast⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#biggerpockets⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#shorttermrentals⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#directbookings⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#directbooking⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#bookdirect

In another solo episode, Stevie Stacks takes the mic to discuss the unglamorous side of growing a real estate empire. While managing a portfolio of 60 units, Stevie was put to the test when his key team member took a week off, proving that a business is only as strong as the systems left behind.

Stevie dives into the "Ewing Effect" in business—how a team can actually find new strengths when a top performer is away—and shares his personal experience jumping back into the daily grind of drafting leases and managing inquiries.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• The Systems Reality Check: Why "boring" processes are the only way to scale without burning out.

• Tech & Hardware: Stevie’s take on the current Mac Mini shortage, the power of using AI to professionalize listing photos, and why he is moving away from high-maintenance smart locks in favor of reliable manual keypads.

• The PadSplit Pivot: How Stevie is filling rooms in record time in transit-lite cities like Arlington and his strategy for furnishing a 6-room property for under $3,000 using recycled gear and savvy Amazon finds.

• Lessons from the Past: A look back at Stevie’s first major eviction and how facing that "worst-case scenario" removed the fear of growing his business.

• New Acquisitions: The details of a recent "Subject-To" deal and how he's turning a new property into a high-cash-flow corporate rental.

Whether you are managing one unit or sixty, this episode is a deep dive into the grit, technology, and operations required to thrive in the modern rental market.

Work With UsInterested in professional management or consulting?Connect with Myka and Steve through their respective management firms:➡️Myka (Sharebnb): ⁠www.sharebnb.com⁠➡️Steven (Argest Rentals): ⁠www.ArgestRentals.com⁠Sign up for PadSplit with Steve’s link and get a free 1 on 1 PadSplit strategy call with Stevie Stacks!⁠https://www.padsplit.com/hosts?referr...Check out Myka’s Podcast: Entrepremarriage – Building wealth without losing the marriage    / @entrepremarriage  Click our Link Tree for Podcast News!⁠https://linktr.ee/liveletthrive⁠

#airbnb⁠ ⁠#airbnbhost⁠ ⁠#shorttermrentals⁠ ⁠#BRRRR⁠ ⁠#realestate⁠ ⁠#turo⁠ ⁠#homeaway⁠ ⁠#VRBO⁠ ⁠#corporatehousing⁠ ⁠#shareeconomy⁠ ⁠#podcasts⁠ ⁠#podcast⁠ ⁠#liveletthrive⁠ ⁠#realestateinvesting⁠ ⁠#airbnbsuperhost⁠ ⁠#airbnbpodcast⁠ ⁠#sharebnb⁠ ⁠#liveletthrivepodcast⁠ ⁠#biggerpockets⁠ ⁠#shorttermrentals⁠ ⁠#directbookings⁠ ⁠#directbooking⁠ ⁠#bookdirect

In this episode, Stevie Stacks shares the "un-glamorous" side of arbitrage, specifically a major plumbing disaster and the frustration of being denied insurance coverage for lost revenue. He also explains his shift toward PadSplits, converting 3-bedroom houses into 6-unit properties and using "cloud-based" key systems to streamline operations.

➡️ Insurance & Maintenance: Managing a pipe burst and the reality of insurance denials for plumbing issues.

➡️ PadSplit Conversions: Transforming a 3-bedroom home into a 6-unit rental, featuring a garage conversion.

➡️ Creative Financing: Buying properties via owner financing and "subject-to" deals to bypass traditional banks.

➡️ AI Tech Hacks: Using ChatGPT for listing photo touch-ups and Walmart kiosks for digital key backups.

➡️ Rental Grade Success: Furnishing a 6-unit property for under $3,000 with "rental grade" items.

➡️ Operations: Implementing lockboxes with spare batteries and tools to prevent midnight lockouts.

➡️ Market Strategy: Prioritizing consistent corporate leases over the gamble of World Cup short-term bookings.

🎧 Tune in and see if this hidden side hustle could be your next move

Interested in professional management or consulting?

Connect with Myka and Steve through their respective management firms:

➡️Myka (Sharebnb): ⁠www.sharebnb.com⁠

➡️Steven (Argest Rentals): ⁠www.ArgestRentals.com⁠

Sign up for PadSplit with Steve’s link and get a free 1 on 1 PadSplit strategy call with Stevie Stacks!

⁠https://www.padsplit.com/hosts?referral=94AD509A⁠

Check out Myka’s Podcast: Entrepremarriage – Building wealth without losing the marriage

https://www.youtube.com/@Entrepremarriage

Click our Link Tree for Podcast News!

⁠https://linktr.ee/liveletthrive⁠

#airbnb #airbnbhost #shorttermrentals #BRRRR #realestate #turo #homeaway #VRBO #corporatehousing #shareeconomy #podcasts #podcast #liveletthrive #realestateinvesting #airbnbsuperhost #airbnbpodcast #sharebnb #liveletthrivepodcast #biggerpockets #shorttermrentals #directbookings #directbooking #bookdirect

What if your next income stream is hiding in plain sight? 💸

This week new episode of Live Let Thrive, Steve sits down with vending machine entrepreneur Matthew Thompson for a conversation that started as a simple consultation—but turned into a masterclass on building a profitable vending machine business.

Matthew breaks down how he went from learning everything on “YouTube University” to owning and scaling vending locations, sharing real insights on what actually works (and what doesn’t). From choosing the right machines and locations to understanding pricing, customer behavior, and profit margins—this episode is packed with practical gems.

Whether you’re in Airbnb, mid-term rentals, PadSplit, or just looking for another income stream, this conversation might open your eyes to a whole new opportunity.

Matthew walks through:

→ How Matthew got started in vending machines

→ Why turnkey locations matter (and how to evaluate them)

→ The importance of data, pricing, and customer demand

→ Card readers, profit margins, and hidden costs

→ Best-selling products and trends (energy drinks, snacks, and more)

→ Mistakes to avoid when starting out

→ Building generational wealth through business

If you’ve ever thought about starting a side hustle—but didn’t know where to begin—this episode gives you a real, practical look at what it takes.

Matthew Thompson w/

Legacy Vending LLC.

Phone: 682-215-3939

Email: [email protected]

For Consulting or assistance with your vending journey whether you are just starting, think about starting, or already have started and need some assistance with all aspect when it comes to Starting and Scaling a Vending Business

Needing help with locations, pricing, purchasing machines, and anything operational, mechanical.

Matthew also has a Party and Event rental business named StarPoint Events. StarPoint Events offer quality chairs, tables, and tents for rent. Balloon Arch and other balloon services are also offered. Partnered with Summer Washington both are ready to provide all event rental needs. Please check them out at their user friendly website at starpointeventsco.com

Name: StarPoint Events

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 469-629-6225

Website: starpointeventsco.com

🎧 Tune in and see if this hidden side hustle could be your next move

Work With Us

Interested in professional management or consulting?

Connect with Myka and Steve through their respective management firms:

➡️Myka (Sharebnb): ⁠www.sharebnb.com⁠

➡️Steven (Argest Rentals): ⁠www.ArgestRentals.com⁠

Sign up for PadSplit with Steve’s link and get a free 1 on 1 PadSplit strategy call with Stevie Stacks!

⁠https://www.padsplit.com/hosts?referral=94AD509A⁠

Check out Myka’s Podcast: Entrepremarriage – Building wealth without losing the marriage

https://www.youtube.com/@Entrepremarriage

Click our Link Tree for Podcast News!

⁠https://linktr.ee/liveletthrive⁠

#airbnb #airbnbhost #shorttermrentals #BRRRR #realestate #turo #homeaway #VRBO #corporatehousing #shareeconomy #podcasts #podcast #liveletthrive #realestateinvesting #airbnbsuperhost #airbnbpodcast #sharebnb #liveletthrivepodcast #biggerpockets #shorttermrentals #directbookings #directbooking #bookdirect

What if your next income stream is hiding in plain sight? 💸This week new episode of Live Let Thrive, Steve sits down with vending machine entrepreneur Matthew Thompson to break down how he built a vending business while working a full-time job.This wasn’t a planned interview—it started as a simple conversation… but the value was too good not to share.Matthew walks through:→ how he got started with zero experience→ why “turnkey” matters when you’re a beginner→ the real numbers behind vending locations→ how to balance a demanding career while building a business→ the mindset and discipline it takes to create generational wealthIf you’ve ever thought about starting a side hustle—but didn’t know where to begin—this episode gives you a real, practical look at what it takes.It’s not just about vending machines… it’s about ownership, consistency, and building something that grows beyond you.🎧 Tune in and see if this hidden side hustle could be your next moveWork With UsInterested in professional management or consulting?Connect with Myka and Steve through their respective management firms:➡️Myka (Sharebnb): ⁠www.sharebnb.com⁠➡️Steven (Argest Rentals): ⁠www.ArgestRentals.com⁠Sign up for PadSplit with Steve’s link and get a free 1 on 1 PadSplit strategy call with Stevie Stacks!⁠https://www.padsplit.com/hosts?referr...Check out Myka’s other Podcast: Entrepremarriage – Building wealth without losing the marriage https://www.youtube.com/@EntrepremarriageClick our Link Tree for Podcast News!⁠https://linktr.ee/liveletthrive⁠#airbnb #airbnbhost #shorttermrentals #BRRRR #realestate #turo #homeaway #VRBO #corporatehousing #shareeconomy #podcasts #podcast #liveletthrive #realestateinvesting #airbnbsuperhost #airbnbpodcast #sharebnb #liveletthrivepodcast #biggerpockets #shorttermrentals #directbookings #directbooking #bookdirect

Welcome back to Live, Let, Thrive, the podcast for everything related to Airbnb, the shared economy, and real estate investing. In this solo episode, Stevie Stacks reflects on the importance of building a reliable team and shares a high-stakes story from his early days that changed his perspective on property management.In this episode, we discuss:Weathering the Storm: How a strong team and proactive winterization saved his Texas properties during a recent ice storm.The Power of Systems: A throwback to a stressful night at the hospital that taught Stevie why he could no longer be the "bottleneck" in his business.The Leap to Full-Time: Stevie shares his real-time math on health insurance costs and why he’s considering a leave of absence from his 9-5 to focus on growing from 50 to 100 units.New Ventures: A sneak peek into upcoming episodes about the world of vending machine investing.Work With Us Interested in professional management or consulting? Connect with Myka and Steve through their respective management firms: Myka (Sharebnb): www.sharebnb.comSteven (Argest Rentals): www.ArgestRentals.comCheck out Myka’s Podcast: Entrepremarriage – Building wealth without losing the marriageClick our Link Tree for Podcast News!https://linktr.ee/liveletthrive#airbnb #airbnbhost #shorttermrentals #BRRRR #realestate #turo #homeaway #VRBO #corporatehousing #shareeconomy #podcasts #podcast #liveletthrive #realestateinvesting #airbnbsuperhost #airbnbpodcast #sharebnb #liveletthrivepodcast #biggerpockets #shorttermrentals #directbookings #directbooking #bookdirect