RAEdio Podcast

This conversation with Kristi Dubeau, Program Manager, Business & Productivity for NAIT Continuing Education, explores the educational roadmap to becoming a licensed REALTOR® in Alberta, discussing common misconceptions, the entrepreneurial nature of the profession, and the role of NAIT Continuing Education in providing necessary training. The episode delves into the importance of community connections, the challenges of the licensing process, and the personal traits that contribute to success in real estate. The conversation also addresses financial considerations and the support available for students pursuing this career path.

Takeaways

• Becoming a realtor requires starting your own small business.
• Community connection is crucial for realtors' success.
• The licensing process is challenging and requires motivation.
• Nate offers flexible online courses for aspiring realtors.
• Successful realtors are proactive and self-starters.
• Different specializations exist within real estate after the fundamentals course.
• Students need to manage their time effectively while studying.
• Support is available for students through discussion boards and one-on-one sessions.
• The course content is regularly updated to reflect industry changes.
• Understanding client needs is essential for success in real estate.

Website

• NAIT Continuing Education

Guest Links

• Becoming a rea

In this episode of the RAEdio Podcast, Mark sat down with Kaylen Como of A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections while at RAECON 2026 to explore what goes into an inspection and how the findings can help buyers make informed decisions. Whether protecting your investment or planning for ongoing maintenance, their conversation offers an approachable look at what buyers and homeowners should keep in mind with practical tips and expert advice for understanding your home's condition before purchase.

Key Topics

• Home inspection process and checklist
• Reading inspection reports and sorting repair priorities
• Misconceptions about home inspection results
• Key safety issues and how to identify them
• Importance of water management and grading
• Impact of materials like poly B piping and aluminum wiring
• Unexpected findings in new builds and DIY renovations
• How inspectors communicate findings to clients
• Tips for home buyers to prioritize repairs

Website

• A Buyer's Choice Home Inspections

Guest Links

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram

In this episode, Tim Parrish from Arc Surveys joins the podcast for a practical conversation about real property reports and the role they play in Alberta real estate. The discussion illuminates how an RPR gives everyone involved in a transaction a clearer picture of the land, the home, and the exterior improvements on a property, helping reduce uncertainty before conditions, compliance, or closing timelines become an issue. Tim also shares approachable guidance for buyers, sellers, and REALTORS® on how to talk about RPRs, what to do when concerns come up, and why addressing them early can make the process smoother for everyone involved.

Key Topics

• What a real property report shows and why it protects buyers
• How surveyors identify property boundaries
• When an existing RPR can still be used
• Updating an RPR after exterior property changes
• Common issues with fences, garages, and other encroachments
• Municipal compliance, variances, and encroachment agreements
• How unresolved RPR issues can affect a real estate transaction
• Why sellers should start the RPR process early
• Typical costs and practical uses of an RPR beyond a sale

Website:
Arc Surveys

Guest Links:
LinkedIn

In this episode, recorded live at RAECON 2026, Mark is joined by Rob and Beth Andress, founders of Street Safe Self Defense, for a candid conversation about the reality of REALTOR® safety. They discuss why traditional safety advice often falls short, how understanding behaviour and risk patterns can help prevent dangerous situations, and why REALTORS® need practical tools to feel confident protecting themselves while serving clients. The episode also explores Street Safe’s trauma-informed training approach and their new free Safety Hub designed to support agents before, during and after concerning interactions.
Content warning: This episode contains mention of violence and sexual assault.
 

Key Topics:

• Understanding the risks and behaviors that lead to violence
• The concept of niceness as a deception tactic in attacks
• Setting “boundaries” vs. creating a professional “fence”
• Why you should never lead the way during property showings
• Verbal strategies to avoid unsafe situations without damaging client relationships
• What to expect from Street Safe’s trauma-informed training sessions
• A new tool for agents: Street Safe for Agents Safety Hub

Website:
Street Safe Self Defence

In the third and final installment of our condo series, Mark is joined by Robert McLeod, President of McLeod Realty and Management, for a practical look at what buyers and sellers need to understand before entering the condominium market, including the importance of asking the right questions. Robert addresses common misconceptions about condo ownership, explores how Edmonton’s condo market has changed,  and emphasizes the significance of community in condominium living.
 
Takeaways

• How condominiums differ from freehold properties
• Why buying a condo is more like buying into a shared business than a property alone.
• How low condo fees can be misleading
• What condo documents can reveal 
• Putting a critical lens on a condo's bylaws, reserve fund, and any special assessments
• Restrictions buyers should watch for
• Tips for sellers to prepare before listing
• The importance of communicating with tenants during the sale process

Website:
McLeod Realty & Management Ltd.

In Part 2 of our condominium series, Michael Gibson returns to the RAEdio Podcast to take a closer look at the intricacies of condo ownership in Alberta and some recent legislative changes that affect bylaw enforcement,  construction concerns,  and more. The conversation also explores the importance of condo documents, informed decision-making, and knowing when an issue may have broader implications for an entire condominium community.

This episode provides general information and should not be considered legal, financial or insurance advice. Consult an appropriate professional about your circumstances.

Key Topics

• Alberta's Condominium Dispute Resolution Tribunal
• Voting reforms in condo governance
• Regulations for developers and disclosure requirements
• Impact of construction deficiencies and warranties
• Condo termination processes and implications
• Enforcement mechanisms for bylaws and fines
• Condo liens and chargebacks
• Condo fees and financial health

Website:
Miller Thomson LLP

Guest Links:
LinkedIn

Condominiums offer an accessible path to homeownership, but buying one means joining a shared ownership structure with its own finances, rules, and responsibilities. In the first episode of this three-part condo series, host Mark sits down with Michael Gibson, Partner at Miller Thomson LLP and a specialist in real estate and condominium law, to explain what condo ownership means in Alberta, and what buyers should understand before purchasing.

This episode provides general information and should not be considered legal, financial or insurance advice. Consult an appropriate professional about your circumstances.

Key Topics

• What is a condominium and how does it differ from owning a house
• History of condos in Canada and Edmonton's role
• Legal structure of condos and the condominium corporation
• Ownership rights and responsibilities of condo owners
• Role and responsibilities of the condo board
• Financial aspects: condo fees, reserve funds, and special assessments
• Legal risks and insurance considerations in condo ownership
• Important documents: condo bylaws, estoppel certificates, and disclosures

Website:
Miller Thomson LLP

Guest Links:
LinkedIn

In this episode of RAEdio, Mark sits down with clinical psychologist, author and global speaker Dr. Jody Carrington to explore how constant availability, digital noise and performance pressure affect our well-being. With practical advice tailored to those working in high-demand professions, Dr. Carrington explains why rest, connection and nervous-system regulation are essential to showing up at your best. She shares simple ways to reset during a busy day, set boundaries without sacrificing ambition and recognize resentment as a sign that something needs to change. The conversation ultimately returns to the power of human connection—and why being calm, present and fully engaged is one of the greatest human strengths.

Key Topics

• The human operating system has not been updated for modern demands.
• Prioritizing rest and downtime as a way to maintain well-being.
• Setting boundaries to prevent burnout.
• Resentment is a key indicator of boundary violations.
• Micro-dosing regulation can help manage stress.
• Home life balance is a myth; discipline is needed to manage work and personal life.

Website:
https://www.drjodycarrington.com/

Guest links:
LinkedIn
Unlonely Podcast with Dr. Jody Carrington

In this episode of the RAEdio Podcast, host Mark speaks with Kelley Keehn, financial educator and CEO of the Moneywise Institute, about the financial and emotional realities of homeownership. Kelley shares practical guidance on saving for a down payment, understanding affordability beyond what the bank approves, recognizing signs of overextension, using home equity wisely, and balancing mortgage repayment with other financial priorities—while reminding listeners that the right path depends on their goals, lifestyle and overall financial picture.

Key Topics

• Home ownership as emotional and financial journey
• Downpayment saving strategies including FHSA, TFSA, and RSP
• Signs you're ready to buy a home
• Psychology of home ownership and cultural differences
• How to pay off your mortgage early and build equity

Website:
Kelley Keehn
MoneyWise Institute

Guest Links:
LinkedIn

In this episode of the RAEdio Podcast, host Mark is joined by Dave Turnbull, President and Lead Energy Adviser of Enerspec Energy, to discuss how energy audits can help homeowners better understand their home’s energy efficiency, comfort and operating costs. Dave explains what happens during an audit and how tools like blower door tests and thermal cameras identify air leakage and insulation issues. This episode is a must-listen if you've ever wondered how an independent energy assessment can help homeowners prioritize upgrades and avoid unnecessary spending.

Key Topics:

• What an energy audit is and why homeowners may want one
• How EnerGuide ratings compare a home’s efficiency to today’s building code standards
• Why winter conditions can produce clearer audit results
• Common energy-efficiency concerns in older homes, additions, attics, windows and basements
• Questions buyers can ask to better understand a home’s future operating costs
• The connection between energy efficiency, basement comfort, rental suites and long-term tenant satisfaction

Website:
www.enerspecconsulting.ca