Studio 321 Podcast

In this episode of the Studio 321 Podcast, hosted by Steve, Jason, and Mike, we sit down with Chris Paladino, owner of CMP Construction, founder of Eleganzia Design Center, and creator of the new ISI Collective.

Chris shares his journey from the mortgage industry, restaurant ownership, and a law degree to custom construction, real estate investing, and mentorship. He talks about why he walked away from practicing law, the values his immigrant father instilled in him, and why he believes success is measured by the lives you impact—not just the money you make.

We discuss custom homes, renovations, Barndominiums, smart design details, real estate development, and why Chris sees so much opportunity in helping everyday people learn how to invest in property. He also explains the mission behind ISI Collective: helping aspiring investors evaluate deals, build the right team, understand project costs, and create real opportunity through real estate.

Chris Paladino

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrispaladino19/

CMP Construction
Phone: (321) 482-3005
Website: https://cmp-construction.com

Eleganzia Design Center

Phone: (321) 610-4345

Website: https://eleganziadesigncenter.com/

ISI Collective

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theisicollective/

Studio 321 is powered by Brightway Insurance – The Steve Trout Agency.

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In this episode of the Studio 321 Podcast, hosted by Steve and Mike Nowlin, we sit down with Joe Friedman, Broker Associate with Carpenter Kessel at Compass Florida, to talk about the value of straight talk, smart strategy, and putting clients first in today’s real estate market.

Joe shares his winding path from studying journalism at Florida State, working in communications and engineering, and eventually taking a leap from a stable career into real estate with a baby on the way. More than a decade later, he’s consistently ranked among the top 1–2% of REALTORS® in Brevard County, building a business fueled by repeat clients, referrals, and a reputation for telling people what they need to hear—not just what they want to hear.

We get into what really makes a listing stand out online, why lifestyle and benefits matter more than a basic feature list, how to navigate Brevard’s more balanced market, and why buyers should focus on finding a home they can truly afford rather than betting on future rate changes. Joe also talks about the importance of trusted partners, from lenders and insurance advisors to inspectors and contractors, plus the high-end renovation projects he creates with Chris Palladino of CMP Construction.

Get in touch with Joe:

Phone: (904) 501-8424
Website: https://www.compass.com/agents/joseph-friedman/
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Joe Knows Florida Homes

Studio 321 is powered by Brightway Insurance – The Steve Trout Agency.

Stay connected:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio321podcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/studio321podcast
Website: https://www.studio321podcast.com

#Studio321Podcast #BrightwayInsurance #SpaceCoast #Podcast

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In this episode of the Studio 321 Podcast, hosted by Steve and Angela, we sit down with Joe Harris and Lindsay Schellhorn from Morgan Financial to talk about what a truly process‑driven, relationship‑first mortgage company looks like on the Space Coast. Morgan Financial has been serving Brevard for 24 years; it’s veteran‑owned, veteran‑operated, and veteran‑focused, with a reputation for fast, accurate VA loans, strong local roots, and doing the right thing even when no one’s watching.

Lindsay shares how 21 years in sales and marketing—including running her own business—and a passion for people led her into business development at Morgan, where she now leads relationship marketing, strategic partnerships, and community involvement. 

Joe walks through how he went from futures trading and carpet sales in LA to COO, helping grow the company from three employees to a team that averages just 8.5 days from signed application to approval, thanks to in‑house underwriting, tight metrics, and a culture built around their vision of “creating an environment for others to prosper.”

Together, they dig into why education beats hype in marketing, how they think about customer experience and capacity, and why the right insurance and lending partners—and the right processes—matter more than ever in today’s Florida market.

Get in touch with Morgan Financial:
Phone: 321-265-4000
Website: https://morganfinancial.net/

Studio 321 is powered by Brightway Insurance – The Steve Trout Agency.

If you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend, and leave us a review. Your support in this journey means the world to us!

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On this episode of the Studio 321 Podcast, Steve and Jason sit down with Dillon Bout of Blue Marlin Real Estate to talk about what it really looks like to build a top‑producing business around hustle, loyalty, and lifestyle on the Space Coast. A Cocoa native who went from mowing lawns as a kid to bartending, full‑time college, and full‑time real estate all at once, Dillon shares how a marketing and finance background, a competitive streak, and mentors at Blue Marlin shaped the way he approaches the business.

He breaks down how Blue Marlin has grown into a true lifestyle brand—selling the Space Coast as much as the homes themselves—by living the boating, beach, and community‑driven life they market and by staying hyper‑local, accessible, and relationship‑focused. Dillon also talks about long days, content creation, staying humble while leading the county in production, and why he’s loyal to the brokerage that “took the leash off” and gave him room to run—and now feels called to turn around and mentor the next wave of agents.

Connect with Dillon:

Phone: (321) 458-5673
Website: https://bluemarlinre.com/agents/dillon-bout/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dillonbout/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DillonBoutRealtor/

Studio 321 is powered by Brightway Insurance – The Steve Trout Agency.

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In this episode of the Studio 321 Podcast, hosted by Steve, Angela, and Jason, we sit down with Aaron Ludin of Space Coast Real Producers® to talk about what it really takes to grow a relationship‑driven business in today’s real estate market. Aaron shares how selling Cutco knives as a teenager led him into a lifetime of sales, personal development, and leadership, and how that journey eventually turned into building Real Producers platforms in multiple markets.

We dig into his core belief that every business owner is actually in two businesses—what they do, and lead generation—and why so many agents rely on “good service” but never build the skills and systems that carry them through the hard markets. Aaron breaks down how Space Coast Real Producers® connects top agents and strategic partners through the magazine, curated events, and intentional introductions, and why playing the long game with community and value beats chasing quick wins every time.

Get in touch with Aaron:
Phone: (321) 450-1224
Email: [email protected]

Studio 321 is powered by Brightway Insurance – The Steve Trout Agency.

If you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend, and leave us a review. Your support in this journey means the world to us!

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In this episode of the Studio 321 Podcast, hosted by Steve and Jason, we sit down with Mike Artelli of RE/MAX to talk about what long‑term, service‑driven success in real estate actually looks like. Born and raised in Rockledge, Mike has spent nearly two decades selling on the Space Coast while also stepping up in leadership at every level—from Space Coast REALTOR® of the Year (twice) to Florida REALTOR® of the Year and NAR Leadership Academy graduate.

Mike shares how a “part‑time” job in a real estate office turned into a full‑time calling, why he’s stayed all‑in with RE/MAX through industry consolidation, and how he’s built a 100% relationship‑based business without ever buying leads. He also talks about his deep involvement with the Space Coast Association of REALTORS®—including serving on the board of directors—and why advocating for REALTORS®, property rights, and the local community matters just as much to him as closing deals.

Get in touch with Mike:
Phone: +1 (321) 427-5433
Website: https://mikeartelli.remax.com/
Email: [email protected]

Studio 321 is powered by Brightway Insurance – The Steve Trout Agency.

If you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend, and leave us a review. Your support in this journey means the world to us!

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In this episode of the Studio 321 Podcast, hosted by Steve and Diana, we sit down with the owner and proprietor of The Parrish Grove Inn in Cocoa Village. After 25+ years in global business and technology leadership and raising five daughters, Kristi felt a persistent pull to create a place that brings people together—and that pull eventually led her to a 1901 historic home she couldn’t stop thinking about.

Kristi shares how a layoff, an “emptying nest,” and a long‑standing dream of restoring an old building all converged into the leap of buying and renovating The Parrish Grove Inn, even before she had another corporate role lined up. She talks about designing experiences rather than just rooms, and what it takes to make The Parrish Grove Inn feel like a true gathering place for locals and visitors alike.

We also dig into her heart for community—how she went from feeling isolated to now finding deep connection on the Space Coast, and how that fuels her work with CAMI and her drive to create spaces people want to be part of. From second‑act courage to juggling ServiceNow, family, and a growing inn, this episode offers a real‑life look at building something local and meaningful.

Get in touch with Kristi:

The Parrish Grove Inn – Phone: (321) 977-0622
The Parrish Grove Inn – Website: https://www.theparrishgroveinn.com/

CAMI – Community Advocacy for Merritt Island: https://www.ca4mi.com/

Studio 321 is powered by Brightway Insurance – The Steve Trout Agency.

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In this episode of the Studio 321 Podcast, hosted by Steve, we sit down with Blake Broussard, Nuno Mana, and Nathan Trout from Acadian Contractors to talk about what it really takes to execute complex industrial projects—from fabrication yards in Louisiana to launch pads on the Space Coast. Built for heavy, high‑stakes work, Acadian is now bringing its offshore and energy expertise to support the growing space industry in our backyard.

We dig into how their team handles everything from structural steel and modules to maintenance and field services, and what it looks like to mobilize quickly around tight launch schedules without cutting corners on safety. The guys share how culture, communication, and long‑term client relationships keep projects moving in some of the most demanding environments, whether that’s offshore platforms or the business end of a rocket.

Get in contact with Acadian Contractors!

Website:https://acadiancontractors.com/

Phone: (321) 507-4940

Studio 321 is powered by Brightway Insurance – The Steve Trout Agency.

If you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend, and leave us a review. Your support in this journey means the world to us!

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n this episode of the Studio 321 Podcast, hosted by Steve and Diana, we sit down with Shannon and Gerry Connell of The Staging Boutique to talk about what really happens when you treat staging as a strategy—not an afterthought. Shannon draws on 13 years as a real estate agent to explain how the way a home looks on day one can mean the difference between top dollar and a price cut, and why so many buyers simply cannot visualize a space without professional staging.

We get into real stories of listings that sat stale, then moved quickly after a full “rebrand” with staging, new photos, and the right pricing, plus what actually goes into staging vacant vs. occupied homes. Gerry breaks down the systems and logistics behind the scenes—inventory, trucks, timelines, and processes—that let their team stage dozens of homes at once while still hitting photography deadlines for agents. We also get the inside scoop on what the day‑to‑day looks like—Diana is a key member of The Staging Boutique team, helping bring homes to life through thoughtful, strategic staging. Whether you’re a seller, agent, or just obsessed with before‑and‑afters, this episode shows how thoughtful design and a dialed-in process can help homes sell faster and for more money in any market.

Get in touch with The Staging Boutique!
Phone: (321) 866-8321
Website: https://thestagingboutique.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestagingboutique

Studio 321 is powered by Brightway Insurance – The Steve Trout Agency.

If you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend and leave us a review. Your support in this journey means the world to us!

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In this episode of the Studio 321 Podcast, hosted by Steve and Diana, we sit down with Mark Codgen, Chief Marketing Officer at To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA), a global mental health nonprofit based right here on the Space Coast. Mark shares the story of how TWLOHA grew from a single act of showing up for a friend into a 20‑year movement reaching people in over 100 countries who are struggling with depression, addiction, self‑injury, and suicide.

We talk about TWLOHA’s mission to bring hope and help—meeting people where they are at concerts and festivals, creating safe spaces for conversation, and serving as a bridge to counseling, treatment, and financial assistance. Mark explains how the team has funded millions of dollars in care, why they set a bold goal of 20,000 hours of counseling support in their 20th year, and how something as simple as a T‑shirt or a kind word can start a life‑changing conversation. The episode also gets personal as Steve opens up about losing a childhood friend to suicide, and together they unpack the guilt, grief, and reminder that people really do need other people.

Brightway Insurance is matching up to $2,000 in donations to TWLOHA. Click the link to donate and support this incredible cause: https://give.twloha.com/fundraiser/7273453

Learn more and follow along with TWLOHA
Website: https://twloha.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twloha/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms

Studio 321 is powered by Brightway Insurance – The Steve Trout Agency.

If you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend, and leave us a review. Your support in this journey means the world to us!

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