Real Producers

In real estate, it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of success, especially when the stakes are high and the market is competitive.

For people like Molly Bloom, an entrepreneur, former professional skier, and mastermind behind one of the most exclusive high-stakes poker games in the world, the allure of wealth and power took her down a dangerous path.

Molly's poker games attracted Hollywood stars, business moguls, and athletes, creating an environment where money and fame collided.

But what happens when the game you're playing turns into a game of consequences? Are you positioning yourself in real estate where your success might come at a much higher cost? Are you pursuing deals without fully considering the risks involved?

Molly Bloom's involvement in illegal gambling led to her arrest, causing everything she had built to collapse. This turning point serves as a wake-up call for those chasing success without considering the risks.

In this episode, entrepreneur, author, and former professional skier Molly Bloom, known for orchestrating one of the world's most exclusive high-stakes poker games, joins me in this episode to share her remarkable journey. She discusses the lessons learned from hosting underground poker games with celebrities and moguls, and how she transformed her experiences into a powerful story of personal growth and resilience.

I think that you have to start to look at the patterns in your life and take some responsibility there. -Molly Bloom

Things You'll Learn In This Episode

• Trusting a gut feeling Trusting our gut doesn't mean abandoning our plan; it means adapting strategy to achieve the same goal. How can pivoting strategy uncover hidden opportunities in real estate?
• Don't give up for gain Success in any industry, especially real estate, comes from building trust and relationships, not sacrificing people for personal gain. How can prioritizing integrity help us prove ourselves in the competitive landscape?
• Micro-decisions Small, seemingly insignificant decisions can gradually lead us away from ethical principles in both business and personal life. How can we stay mindful of the long-term impact of our daily choices on our moral values?

Guest Bio

Molly Bloom is an entrepreneur, author, and former professional skier best known for her involvement in running one of the most exclusive high-stakes poker games in the world. Her memoir, Molly's Game, chronicles her rise to prominence in the underground poker scene, where she hosted games attended by Hollywood stars, business moguls, and athletes. The memoir was later adapted into a feature film directed by Aaron Sorkin, starring Jessica Chastain.

Her story took a dramatic turn when her involvement in illegal gambling led to her arrest, but she later turned her experiences into a platform for public speaking and writing. She has become an advocate for mental resilience and self-empowerment, sharing her journey of overcoming adversity and transforming her life.

Molly Bloom holds a degree in political science and was also a highly competitive skier before pivoting into her poker career. Today, she continues to inspire others through her speaking engagements, podcast, and written works, offering insights into personal growth, decision-making, and the psychology of success.

Find Molly on Instagram @immollybloom

Follow Molly on X @ImMollyBloom

About Your Host

Real Producers Podcast is hosted by Remington Ramsey, creator of the Real Producers brand that reaches more than 120 markets nationwide. He is a real estate investor as well as an avid reader and writer. Remington calls Indianapolis home and enjoys life on the lake surrounded by his wife and their three girls.

Follow the show on our website, Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don't miss a single inspiring episode!

Start a Real Producers Magazine in YOUR Market! Learn more about franchise opportunities at realproducersmag.com

In real estate, you can get away with being a transactional salesperson - going from one deal to the next - for a limited amount of time. At some point, you'll have to shift to being relational if you want long-term success.

Anybody can get one deal…but it takes a completely different skillset to keep a relationship and get business for the rest of someone's life.

There are many ways we can nurture a long-term relationship with clients. Sending out valuable content, giving gifts and hosting client events, but a humble handwritten "thank you" card can actually be more effective than anything else.

Gratitude isn't just a great behavior to train ourselves on, it can give us the competitive advantage in business. How can we use gratitude and handwritten notes to build stronger relationships? How do you consistently show up for the people in your sphere? How do we practice gratitude when we don't feel like it?

In this episode, I'm joined by Mr. Thank You, John Israel. The keynote speaker, author and gratitude coach talks about his journey, sending 1800 cards in a year, and how to shift out of transactional selling.

Anybody can get a deal, but to keep a relationship and get their business for the rest of their life takes work. -John Israel

Things You'll Learn In This Episode

• What you appreciate wants to duplicate In order to get more out of our relationships, we have to take responsibility for them. How do we reinforce our connection with people?
• How to be grateful when you don't feel like it Gratitude doesn't come naturally for human beings, so how do we make it a habit?
• Go beyond handwritten cards Handwritten cards are a strategic tool to make more connections, but it's not just about sending out a handwritten card and disappearing. How do we make sure we're consistent in our care and communication?

Guest Bio

John Israel is a keynote speaker, author, and founder and Chief Gratitude officer of Mr. Thank You, a consulting firm focused on client and employee retention. John is one of the most sought after speakers and trainers who teaches companies both big and small how to Become Irreplaceable with their clients, team, and VIP's. In 2016, John started a personal social experiment around "human connection" that became a world-wide movement, a book, and TEDx talk titled: The Mr. Thank You Project. John's Mr. Thank You story has been featured on ABC News, Fox News, Good Morning America, and his clients include global brands such as: Square, ReMax, Fairway Mortgage, Sales Force and many others. John's goal is to help people build a sustainable sales and business career that supports their ideal life. To learn more, visit https://mrthankyou.com/.

About Your Host

Real Producers Podcast is hosted by Remington Ramsey, creator of the Real Producers brand that reaches more than 120 markets nationwide. He is a real estate investor as well as an avid reader and writer. Remington calls Indianapolis home and enjoys life on the lake surrounded by his wife and their three girls.

Follow the show on our website, Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don't miss a single inspiring episode!

Start a Real Producers Magazine in YOUR Market! Learn more about franchise opportunities at realproducersmag.com

If you've been round the real estate block, you'll know that this job comes with shifts, disruptions, and unexpected shifts. If we want to have long, successful careers, we have to constantly reinvent ourselves and adapt to changes we didn't see coming.

Interest rates, inventory dips, the market coming to a screeching halt after a booming few years….these are things we've all had to deal with recently.

But in 2024, a different disruptor emerged…a whole new ruling that upended how many agents do things.

The NAR settlement and changes to buyer agent compensation really shook up the industry, and left many agents wondering if this will be the thing that will take them out of the business.

The top producers and highly successful agents we featured on the show begged to differ.

Though there are many disruptors attacking the real estate agent, that doesn't mean we have to wave the white flag and give up. In fact, these disruptions are the perfect opportunity to gain market share and make more money.

In today's special episode, we're highlighting some of the best advice on navigating disruptions from 8 of our guests.

You'll learn:

• The skills that will keep you in real estate for 4 decades

• Why good markets create bad agents

• What every agent should be doing post-NAR settlement

• How to still get compensated as a buyers agent

• How to fight through adversity in life and business

• How to handle market cycles like a pro

Follow the show on our website, Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don't miss a single inspiring episode!

Start a Real Producers Magazine in YOUR Market! Learn more about franchise opportunities at realproducersmag.com

The US real estate industry is unlike any other in the whole world. The speed of the transaction, the number of times people move and the solutions that drive homeownership…these are all opportunities that don't really don't exist anywhere else.

A lot of those opportunities are possible because of the National Association of Realtors. With 1.5 million+ members, NAR has a strong voice on the national stage, and the association has used its considerable influence to drive real value to both the agent community and the consumer.

NAR is at the forefront of creating more opportunities for success, doing work agents might not even be aware of.

What are some of the solutions NAR has advocated for? How does the association provide value to consumers and agents?

In this episode, I'm joined by broker-owner and NAR VP candidate, Colin Mullane. He shares all the work the association is doing, and how the leaders drive value.

NAR isn't saying they can make us more successful, they are saying the opportunity exists because they provide a platform to transfer real estate in an expedited manner. -Colin Mullane

Things You'll Learn In This Episode

• Voice of the REALTOR® The US real estate industry offers way more opportunity for success. How does NAR make this possible?
• Good for agents, good for consumers How does NAR balance advocating for agents while also addressing the needs for buyers and sellers?
• Supply solves everything Many agents believe that NAR's asleep at the wheel when it comes to dealing with institutional buyers. How is the association creating a long-term solution?

Guest Bio

Colin Mullane is a broker-owner of Full Circle Real Estate, in Ashland Oregon and the candidate for VP of NAR First 2026. His journey from the streets of Limerick, Ireland, to becoming a leading voice in American real estate is a story of resilience, hard work, and unwavering commitment. Colin's journey into real estate governance began with involvement in the local MLS in 2007, going on to serve as its President and the Oregon REALTORS® President. Colin has made significant contributions at the national level including multiple leadership roles, demonstrating a commitment to service and a proactive approach during the Great Recession. To learn more about Colin, visit https://colin4nar.com/. Subscribe to the Advocacy Scoop Podcast here.

About Your Host

Real Producers Podcast is hosted by Remington Ramsey, creator of the Real Producers brand that reaches more than 120 markets nationwide. He is a real estate investor as well as an avid reader and writer. Remington calls Indianapolis home and enjoys life on the lake surrounded by his wife and their three girls.

Follow the show on our website, Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don't miss a single inspiring episode!

Start a Real Producers Magazine in YOUR Market! Learn more about franchise opportunities at realproducersmag.com

Success doesn't happen by chance. It takes more than talent—it requires a team that consistently shows up, day in and day out, aligned with a shared vision of collective success. Yet, creating this level of synergy and commitment can feel impossible without the right framework.

Building a billion-dollar real estate team isn't just about effort—it's about strategy, leadership, and culture. It's about fostering a mindset of ownership across every member of your team and implementing systems that drive results consistently.

When you create an environment where everyone is aligned, engaged, and showing up with purpose, growth becomes inevitable.

What systems should we have in place to ensure everyone is moving toward the same goal? What stops us from unlocking the potential for exponential growth?

Top 1.5% Broker Nationwide and co-founder of Vesta Preferred Realty Grigory Pekarsky joins me to talk about what it takes to make a billion dollar team and why success for one in the team means success for all. We also talk about why Chicago is one of the best cities to invest in.

If you buy correctly and know where and what to look for, there will always be opportunity. -Grigory Pekarsky

Things You'll Learn In This Episode

• Collective success Real estate thrives when the entire team works toward collective success, not just individual achievements. How can fostering team-wide collaboration enhance overall success in real estate?
• The success factor Success in real estate comes from consistently overdelivering value to both your team and clients. Mediocrity doesn't cut it. How can exceeding expectations create long-term success in real estate?
• 2 things that can't be taught Success in real estate relies on a self-driven attitude and work ethic, which can't be taught but must come from within. How can a strong attitude and work ethic impact long-term success in real estate?

Guest Bio

Grigory Pekarsky runs Vesta Preferred and the Vesta Team, the #1 independent real estate team in the state of Illinois. Rated in the top 1.5% of brokers nationwide by REAL TRENDS.

Originally from the Detroit area, Grigory built Vesta Preferred from nothing with his business partner Brad Robbins. Nationally respected and admired, Grigory uses his skills developed over his successful career to help brokers change their lives through real estate. Chicago's #1 fan and biggest advocate, Grigory is on a mission to let the world know about his great city. When he is not working, Grigory spends his time with his family and is happily the least influential person in his home. Family. Real Estate. Chicago.

Visit https://grigorypekarsky.com/

Visit https://vestapreferred.com/

Follow Grigory on Instagram @grigory_pekarsky

Find Grigory on LinkedIn @chicagosbroker

About Your Host

Real Producers Podcast is hosted by Remington Ramsey, creator of the Real Producers brand that reaches more than 120 markets nationwide. He is a real estate investor as well as an avid reader and writer. Remington calls Indianapolis home and enjoys life on the lake surrounded by his wife and their three girls.

Follow the show on our website, Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don't miss a single inspiring episode!

Start a Real Producers Magazine in YOUR Market! Learn more about franchise opportunities at realproducersmag.com

Success often boils down to one simple question: Are you willing to take the stairs while others look for the escalator?

Building a thriving real estate career, growing your personal brand, and achieving true success demands effort most people aren't willing to put in. The average person chooses the easier path, hoping for shortcuts. But successful agents and investors understand that taking the stairs—doing the hard things others avoid—is what sets them apart.

In today's crowded real estate market, being "just another agent" or investor won't cut it. Clients don't choose services; they choose you. A strong personal brand makes you their first choice, builds trust, and creates opportunities others never see. Without it, you're leaving deals, relationships, and income on the table.

New York Times bestselling author of Take The Stairs, Hall of Fame speaker, and Co-Founder of Brand Builders Group, Rory Vaden joins me to talk about the importance of building a personal brand, why it's crucial to lock in on the one problem you can solve and the one audience you can speak to.

Successful people do things that most people aren't willing to do. -Rory Vaden

Things You'll Learn In This Episode

• Stairs vs. escalators Success often requires taking the harder path, like choosing the stairs over the escalator, to build discipline and resilience. What "stairs" could lead to greater growth if you chose them over the easier route?
• Trust before transaction Building trust and serving your immediate clients is more valuable than chasing popularity. How can focusing on trust over followers improve success especially in real estate?
• The fastest path to warm leads Referrals and presentations are powerful tools for quickly building trust and generating leads in real estate. What strategies can maximize referrals and make presentations more impactful?

Guest Bio

Rory Vaden is the New York Times bestselling author of Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success and Procrastinate on Purpose: 5 Permissions to Multiply Time. He is an 8 Figure Entrepreneur, and a Hall of Fame speaker with a TEDx talk that has more than 5 million views. As one of the world's leading experts on the psychology of influence, his insights have been featured on Good Morning America, Fox and Friends, in the Wall St Journal and almost every other major national media outlet.

Today, He and his wife serve as the Co-Founders of Brand Builders Group (as well as Vaden Enterprises and Mission Driven Press) where they teach mission-driven messengers to become more well known and to build and monetize their personal brand. They specialize in helping clients to create original Intellectual Property, grow their online reach, publish and launch bestselling books, build their speaking careers, and all things related to impacting and inspiring more people! Their clients include people like Lewis Howes from The School of Greatness, Amy Porterfield, Eric Thomas "ET Hip Hop Preacher", Tom and Lisa Bilyeu from Impact Theory, Luvvie Ajayi Jones and Ed Mylett.

Visit https://roryvaden.com/

Follow Rory on Instagram @roryvaden

Find Rory on LinkedIn @Rory Vaden

About Your Host

Real Producers Podcast is hosted by Remington Ramsey, creator of the Real Producers brand that reaches more than 120 markets nationwide. He is a real estate investor as well as an avid reader and writer. Remington calls Indianapolis home and enjoys life on the lake surrounded by his wife and their three girls.

Follow the show on our website, Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don't miss a single inspiring episode!

Start a Real Producers Magazine in YOUR Market! Learn more about franchise opportunities at realproducersmag.com

What if I told you that the painful failure you're experiencing isn't the end of the story but just the middle?

My high school basketball coach dared to believe we could take on the best team. Inspired by the story of Jericho, he walked around the massive Wigwam arena for 7 days, praying for a victory.

The result? A brutal loss. But that's not where the story ends.

Fast forward a decade, and that same school and the same coach achieved what once seemed impossible. As business owners, we experience setbacks or even total failures, and even though it feels like the end, I want to challenge you to see it differently.

Success isn't about one big win. It's about how you keep showing up, even when the walls don't come tumbling down. In this episode, I share the story of my high school basketball coach and how faith and persistence always pay off.

If you experience a failure, I challenge you to think that you're just in the middle of the story instead of thinking it's the end of the story. -Remington Ramsey

Things You'll Learn In This Episode

• A lesson in persistence Sometimes we don't win on the first try. How do we find the motivation to keep trying like my coach did?
• Failure isn't the end When we experience setbacks, it's easy to think it will always be that way, but are we just in the middle of the story?
• Have faith when you fail When my basketball coach first walked around the walls of the Wigwam, he probably seemed crazy. How did it pay off later?

About Your Host

Real Producers Podcast is hosted by Remington Ramsey, creator of the Real Producers brand that reaches more than 120 markets nationwide. He is a real estate investor as well as an avid reader and writer. Remington calls Indianapolis home and enjoys life on the lake surrounded by his wife and their three girls.

Follow the show on our website, Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don't miss a single inspiring episode!

Start a Real Producers Magazine in YOUR Market! Learn more about franchise opportunities at realproducersmag.com

Imagine going from earning $700k, getting all the accolades and being able to afford whatever you want to the brink of bankruptcy. Hiding your Range Rover from the repo man, your own home going into foreclosure and counting every penny. Back in 2008, that was enough for many real estate agents to throw in the towel and leave the industry.

For Michelle Fermin failure wasn't an option. It's easy to feel like giving up is the only option when everything starts to crumble, but here's the truth: when things get tough, it's time to pivot.

It's time to get creative and adapt. The only way out is through—by doubling down, working harder, and pushing forward with a new strategy.

When hard times hit, how do you turn it all around? How do you pivot with purpose and execute at a higher level than you ever thought possible?

In this episode, team lead at Century 21 North East - Fermin Group Michelle Fermin joins me to talk about her rise, fall and journey back to top agent. We also talk about the importance of personal touch, going back to basics when needed and why it's more important to collaborate than compete in the world of real estate.

Sometimes when we succeed, we become cocky and lose that personal touch. Get back to the basics -building relationships, asking questions and building systems. -Michelle Fermin

Things You'll Learn In This Episode

• Back to basics A strong foundation in real estate is built on solid relationships and asking the right questions. Why is it so important to always go back to the basics that build a foundation?
• Asking the difficult questions Facing fears and asking tough questions is essential in real estate, especially during challenging times like bankruptcy. How can confronting your biggest fears help you make smarter decisions in tough situations?
• Top 10 vs number 1 The difference between the top 10 and number 1 in real estate often lies in consistency, innovation, and exceptional client service. What does it take to gain that number 1 spot?

Guest Bio

Michelle Fermin is a growth and accountability driven leader to a top producing team in the country. The Fermin Group, is currently composed of 37 senior agents and 7 junior agents. They have sold over 5000 homes, over $1.5 B in sales.

For their stellar service, the team was voted Best Team in the Boston Agents' Choice Awards twice in the last 3 years. They were also the #1 Century 21 Small Team in the World in 2020, and a Top 5 Global Century 21 Team since 2018. The group is also a 4-time NAHREP Top 10 team.

Also a national speaker, Michelle is dedicated to educating while helping her team members grow as entrepreneurs and as members of their community.

With 26 years in the business and membership in elite organizations like NRBA & NAHREP, Michelle knows the in's and out's of real estate and how to navigate a challenging market.

Michelle lived between Lawrence, MA and Dominican Republic as a child, so her connection to the hispanic community in the area is strong.

She has 3 children and 2 dogs, and currently resides in the Merrimack Valley. A world traveler, she has visited 60 countries to date.

Follow Michelle on Instagram @michellefermin

Find Michelle on LinkedIn @Michelle Fermin

About Your Host

Real Producers Podcast is hosted by Remington Ramsey, creator of the Real Producers brand that reaches more than 120 markets nationwide. He is a real estate investor as well as an avid reader and writer. Remington calls Indianapolis home and enjoys life on the lake surrounded by his wife and their three girls.

Follow the show on our website, Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don't miss a single inspiring episode!

Start a Real Producers Magazine in YOUR Market! Learn more about franchise opportunities at realproducersmag.com

Real estate has always been a human-first business but that might be changing soon.

As AI becomes more deeply ingrained in our daily lives, everyone wants to know one thing: can AI mimic the very qualities that define us and make us great at our jobs?

Can it simulate the self-awareness, empathy, adaptability, and genuine connection of human beings?

Not yet.

While AI can certainly support real estate professionals, there are human qualities it can never replicate. The challenge for agents and leaders is mastering those human skills while leveraging AI to do everything else more efficiently.

How can we use our human qualities to build stronger connections with clients? What steps can we take to develop the skills that AI can't mimic?

In this clip, I'm joined by the founder of MindShift Labs, Mike Lee. We talk about why the future of real estate is still human and how to use our humanity as an advantage in the real estate industry.

The advantage that we have over AI is our humanity. -Mike Lee

Things You'll Learn In This Episode

• Your story matters As a real estate leader, sharing your personal story can create a space where others feel understood and valued. How can opening up about our own experiences encourage others to share theirs?
• Communication, connection and challenges. A common mistake real estate leaders make is challenging individuals before building a genuine connection. How does this undermine trust and motivation and what can we do instead?
• Connect with yourself first. Building a strong connection with yourself lays the foundation for meaningful relationships with others. How can deepening self-connection enhance your relationships with those around you?

Guest Bio

Mike Lee is the founder of MindShift Labs, a company dedicated to helping leaders, athletes, and entrepreneurs enhance their performance through mental resilience and emotional intelligence. Drawing from his expertise in high-performance psychology and leadership development, Mike works with individuals and teams to cultivate a "mindshift"—a transformative approach that builds clarity, focus, and adaptability in high-stress environments.

With a background as a top basketball performance coach, Mike has coached elite athletes and Fortune 500 executives, bringing unique insights on grit, focus, and the importance of mindfulness in achieving peak results. Through MindShift Labs, Mike delivers keynote speeches, training programs, and workshops that empower leaders to overcome challenges, unlock their potential, and drive impactful change.

Find Mike on Instagram @whoismikelee

Find Mike on LinkedIn @Mike Lee

Visit https://mindshiftlabs.com/

About Your Host

Real Producers Podcast is hosted by Remington Ramsey, creator of the Real Producers brand that reaches more than 120 markets nationwide. He is a real estate investor as well as an avid reader and writer. Remington calls Indianapolis home and enjoys life on the lake surrounded by his wife and their three girls.

Follow the show on our website, Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don't miss a single inspiring episode!

Start a Real Producers Magazine in YOUR Market! Learn more about franchise opportunities at realproducersmag.com

To learn more about the podcast or give feedback and suggest a guest, go to https://podcast.realproducersmag.com/.

There are two ways to maximize your income as a real estate agent. You can stay in production, hold onto the entire transaction and never experience the time freedom this business offers.

Or you can relinquish the transaction, get your time back and earn money through leverage and expansion.

For the short-sighted, option 1 works, but that's how we end up with agents who are stuck selling real estate longer than they need to. The agents who give up money for more time have balance and a sustainable career trajectory in the business.

Rob Ellerman chose the second option, and grew his income through expansion teams instead of production, and today he's closing in on $1 billion in volume. What drove him to build his business this way? Why is a slow market such a good time to double down on advertising?

How can team leaders provide value to their agents? In this episode, I'm joined by entrepreneur, expansion team leader and the first Real Producer cover in Kansas City, Rob Ellerman. He shares why he took a different path to growth, marketing strategies and the biggest mistake agents make.

The most money you can make on any given transaction is if you do the whole thing yourself. I'm willing to give money up in order to have more time. -Rob Ellerman

Things You'll Learn In This Episode

• A Warren Buffett approach to expansion Typically when agents do expansion teams, they expand within the same brokerage brand. Why does Rob expand through different brands in different locations?
• Time to double down on advertising In a recession, most agents will back out of paying for billboard advertising. Why is this actually the best time to pay for it?
• The problem with growing through production The majority of real estate agents would pick a higher commission check over time freedom. Does this set them up for a trap later on?

Guest Bio

Rob Ellerman is a real estate leader, entrepreneur and owner of the Rob Ellerman Team with The ReeceNichols Company. With expansion teams in several cities, Rob's Team earns over $800 million annually and is one of the fastest growing real estate teams in the country. The Rob Ellerman team is #1 in Kansas City for homes sold and #1 team in Missouri and Kansas. Follow @therobellermanteam on Instagram.

About Your Host

Real Producers Podcast is hosted by Remington Ramsey, creator of the Real Producers brand that reaches more than 120 markets nationwide. He is a real estate investor as well as an avid reader and writer. Remington calls Indianapolis home and enjoys life on the lake surrounded by his wife and their three girls.

Follow the show on our website, Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don't miss a single inspiring episode!

Start a Real Producers Magazine in YOUR Market! Learn more about franchise opportunities at realproducersmag.com