Stop Wineing About Real Estate

What happens when deep industry knowledge meets genuine empathy? In this candid and entertaining episode, underwriting manager Marla Grassgreen joins the show to pull back the curtain on what really goes on behind mortgage approvals. From debunking industry jargon to revealing how one underwriting decision saved a borrower $1,700, Marla shares how her sales background, detail-driven mindset, and client-first approach create a rare, collaborative dynamic in a traditionally rigid field.

But it’s not just about numbers—Marla opens up about her passion for dog rescue, the emotional challenges of fostering, and how purpose fuels both her career and community work. Whether you're a loan officer, a first-time homebuyer, or someone who thinks underwriting is all red tape, this episode proves it’s much more human than you think.

Contact The Winos:
Website: choicemortgage.com
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Choice Mortgage Group
Instagram: @choicemortgagegroup
YouTube: Choice Mortgage Group
Facebook: Choice Mortgage Group
TikTok: Choice Mortgage Boca Raton
Phone Numbers:  561-395-6900, 888-216-6476

This episode brings the laughs, the leadership, and the real talk. Special guest Amy Stark-Snook, powerhouse Realtor®, leadership coach, and co-founder of the Amy & Noreen Team at Lang Realty, joins us for a ride that’s anything but business as usual. With 25+ years of experience across real estate and title, Amy shares her signature no-nonsense wisdom—from navigating contracts like a boss to building a team rooted in values, not volume. She opens up about her passion for empowering women through her “Her Way to Lead” program and her podcast Beyond the Juggle, and even gets a little vulnerable about what drives her to give back. Add in co-host Emmanuel’s viral TikTok fame, his dog Boo-Boo, a few digs at Sarsh ( as usual), and one emotional story that’ll stick with you—and you’ve got a real estate podcast that hits deeper than just deals. Trust us, this one’s got soul.

Contact The Winos:
Website: choicemortgage.com
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Choice Mortgage Group
Instagram: @choicemortgagegroup
YouTube: Choice Mortgage Group
Facebook: Choice Mortgage Group
TikTok: Choice Mortgage Boca Raton
Phone Numbers:  561-395-6900, 888-216-6476

This episode is packed with stories you won’t hear in sales training. From wild AmeriQuest memories and money-tree incentives to navigating $10 million cash closings, hosts Emmanuel and Sarah sit down with longtime friends and real estate pros Paul Richmond and Mark Barone for a brutally honest (and hilarious) look at the industry.

They break down what it really takes to survive in South Florida’s luxury market, why first-time homebuyers are being pushed out, and how authentic relationships—not coffee meetings and cold calls—are the key to long-term success. Whether you're new to the business or deep in the game, this episode reminds you that hustle, heart, and humor go a long way.

Contact The Winos:
Website: choicemortgage.com
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Choice Mortgage Group
Instagram: @choicemortgagegroup
YouTube: Choice Mortgage Group
Facebook: Choice Mortgage Group
TikTok: Choice Mortgage Boca Raton
Phone Numbers:  561-395-6900, 888-216-6476

What happens when a former business development exec from LA pivots into South Florida real estate—and builds a $45M portfolio in under three years? In this high-energy episode, Sarah Galperin joins hosts Sarah Biernbaum and Emmanuel St. Germain to unpack the real-life lessons behind her rise in one of the most saturated markets in the U.S. From nailing client expectations to calling out lazy listing agents, this conversation gets real fast—and stays that way.

You’ll hear why Sarah believes relationships are the real currency in real estate, how her relocation journey shaped her strategy, and why she sometimes talks clients out of buying. Whether you’re an agent trying to stand out or a buyer considering a move to Boca, this episode delivers tactical insight, a few hilarious moments (yes, “Simple Sarah” makes an appearance), and the kind of advice you usually have to pay for.

Contact Janine Stella:
Social Media:  @sarahsellsofla

Contact The Winos:
Website: choicemortgage.com
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Choice Mortgage Group
Instagram: @choicemortgagegroup
YouTube: Choice Mortgage Group
Facebook: Choice Mortgage Group
TikTok: Choice Mortgage Boca Raton
Phone Numbers:  561-395-6900, 888-216-6476

What happens when a former financial professional decides to walk away from her career and dive headfirst into podcasting and television production? In this episode of Stop Wineing About Real Estate, Janine Stella—TV producer turned podcast strategist—shares her incredible journey from working with Montel Williams and Fox Business to building her own production company, Stella Mix. You’ll hear how she found her voice, created impact through audio, and helped others do the same in a growing digital media space.

If you’re curious about how to start a podcast, grow a real estate brand, or use your voice to drive meaningful engagement, this episode is packed with actionable insight. Janine also reveals her favorite podcast formats, mistakes new podcasters make, and what separates memorable content from the noise. Whether you're an aspiring host or a real estate agent ready to stand out online, this conversation offers the behind-the-scenes blueprint for turning storytelling into a scalable brand asset.

Contact Janine Stella:
Website: StellaMix - Podcast Production, Podcast Management

Contact The Winos:
Website: choicemortgage.com
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Choice Mortgage Group
Instagram: @choicemortgagegroup
YouTube: Choice Mortgage Group
Facebook: Choice Mortgage Group
TikTok: Choice Mortgage Boca Raton
Phone Numbers:  561-395-6900, 888-216-6476

What if manipulation wasn’t the villain in your sales strategy—but the misunderstood hero? In this powerful conversation, clinical social worker Mary Owens joins Emmanuel and Sarah to unravel the emotional and psychological undercurrents that drive real estate, leadership, and everyday decision-making. From reframing stress and anxiety to decoding body language and communication styles, this episode is a deep-dive into how self-awareness and emotional intelligence transform business results and personal growth.

Whether you're guiding a client through a home purchase or navigating your own high-stakes moments, this episode explores how the most successful professionals “puppeteer” ethically—not to control, but to connect. Get ready to challenge your definitions of influence, explore the nuance of authentic persuasion, and see how reframing—not manipulating—leads to powerful, lasting impact.

Contact Mary C. Owens, MSW:
LinkedIn: Mary C. Owens MSW, CTACC

Contact The Winos:
Website: choicemortgage.com
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Choice Mortgage Group
Instagram: @choicemortgagegroup
YouTube: Choice Mortgage Group
Facebook: Choice Mortgage Group
TikTok: Choice Mortgage Boca Raton
Phone Numbers:  561-395-6900, 888-216-6476

In this jam-packed episode of Stop Wineing About Real Estate, hosts Emmanuel St. Germain and Sarah Biernbaum sit down with Jeffrey Levine—CEO of Levine Coaching Company and team leader of Lux Places and Spaces Group—for an unfiltered, high-impact conversation on what real coaching actually looks like. From board-breaking epiphanies to the emotional side of business growth, Jeff opens up about how coaching transformed his life and the lives of the agents he mentors.

They dive into the myths of motivation, why most professionals avoid accountability (and desperately need it), and how the right coach can shift your mindset—and your income. Whether you're a seasoned real estate pro or just trying to find your spark again, this episode delivers real talk, big takeaways, and a few unexpected laughs. Stick around until the end for Jeff’s offer of a free one-on-one coaching session—because your next breakthrough might just be one conversation away.

Contact Jeffrey Levine:
Facebook: jeffrey.levine.50
Instagram: @coachjefflcc

Contact The Winos:
Website: choicemortgage.com
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Choice Mortgage Group
Instagram: @choicemortgagegroup
YouTube: Choice Mortgage Group
Facebook: Choice Mortgage Group
TikTok: Choice Mortgage Boca Raton
Phone Numbers:  561-395-6900, 888-216-6476

What happens when a former mortgage mogul trades Wall Street hustle for oceanfront listings? In this power-packed episode of Stop Wineing About Real Estate, Sarah Biernbaum and Emmanuel St. Germain sit down with Gregory Frank—Compass luxury agent and former founder of Blackstone Mortgage—to unpack his incredible journey from finance to high-end Florida real estate. From absorbing real estate insights at an early age while spending time around his mother’s brokerage to building a multimillion-dollar mortgage business by targeting overlooked jumbo loan clients, Greg shares the mindset, strategy, and hustle it takes to dominate two different industries.

But this conversation goes deeper than deals. Greg opens up about the importance of culture, how to choose the right real estate team (hint: it can make or break your career), and why mastering condos is a secret weapon in today’s market. He also shares insider tips on navigating assessments, board politics, and why now is the ultimate time to be a buyer. If you’re in real estate, mortgages, or just love a no-BS story of reinvention and relationship-driven success—this episode is your blueprint.

Contact Gregory Frank:
Facebook: GregoryCFrank
Instagram: @gregorycfrank/

Contact The Winos:
Website: choicemortgage.com
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Choice Mortgage Group
Instagram: @choicemortgagegroup
YouTube: Choice Mortgage Group
Facebook: Choice Mortgage Group
TikTok: Choice Mortgage Boca Raton
Phone Numbers:  561-395-6900, 888-216-6476

In this special episode of Stop Wineing About Real Estate, host Sarah Biernbaum sits down with the one and only Elizabeth Bensassi—loan partner, problem-solver, team builder, and self-proclaimed Batman of the mortgage world. With wit, heart, and a desk full of Lego flowers and Keanu Reeves memorabilia, Elizabeth shares how she's grown from supporting just a few loan officers to overseeing the department's expansion and training new recruits across the country.

From untangling complicated loan files to managing multiple personalities (including her own), Elizabeth gives us a candid look at what it truly means to be the operational backbone of a thriving mortgage team. If you've ever wondered what a great loan partner really does—or why you need one to scale—this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and a few trinkets along the way.

Contact The Winos:
Website: choicemortgage.com
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Choice Mortgage Group
Instagram: @choicemortgagegroup
YouTube: Choice Mortgage Group
Facebook: Choice Mortgage Group
TikTok: Choice Mortgage Boca Raton
Phone Numbers:  561-395-6900, 888-216-6476

In this can't-miss episode of Stop Wineing About Real Estate, rockstar agent Stacy Plean spills the real (estate) tea on everything from spending $14K/month on Zillow leads to answering client calls at 1AM—yes, really. Stacey’s not your average Realtor. She’s part coach, part strategist, part psychologist, and all-in when it comes to building trust with buyers before asking for a pre-approval. Her unconventional approach? Massaging the deal (not manipulating), leading with empathy, and treating every lead like gold—because she knows if you want to make money, you’ve got to spend it smartly.

Stacy dishes on the behind-the-scenes of Zillow Flex, shares why she avoids getting trapped in the “Stepford Wife” mega-ecosystems like Rocket and Redfin, and breaks down her no-fluff team-building philosophy. Whether you’re a seasoned agent or a curious consumer, this episode is full of sharp insights, laughs, and golden nuggets that redefine what it means to hustle in real estate—on your own terms.

Contact The Winos:
Website: choicemortgage.com
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Choice Mortgage Group
Instagram: @choicemortgagegroup
YouTube: Choice Mortgage Group
Facebook: Choice Mortgage Group
TikTok: Choice Mortgage Boca Raton
Phone Numbers:  561-395-6900, 888-216-6476