The Elevate and Execute Podcast

Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston

Guest: Spencer Argueta

In this high-energy and refreshingly honest episode, Kyle and Brian sit down with Spencer Argueta to talk about the unpredictable (and often hilarious) daily life of a real estate agent. From getting locked on balconies in a skirt to breaking basement doors with a shoulder-check, the crew shares the kinds of real-world stories that only agents truly understand.

But beneath the humor is a deeper conversation about systems, lead generation, motherhood, and the sacrifices required to build a real estate business from scratch.

Spencer opens up about starting her career with three young kids, no family nearby, and a husband working seven days a week. She breaks down how she built a thriving business anyway—using organization, adaptability, and total commitment.

Then the conversation shifts into lead sources, including Zillow, pay-per-click, sphere building, and the massive downstream value of doing great work for one client. The team also discusses the difference between spending money to save time vs. spending time to save money, and what new agents should realistically expect when entering the industry.

The episode finishes with a look at 75 Hard, micro-habits, discipline, and why sustainable lifestyle changes matter far more than 75 days of intensity.

This one is funny, heartfelt, tactical, and deeply motivating.

1. Why real estate is unpredictable—and why that’s part of the fun
2. The daily chaos agents walk into during showings
3. The importance of systems when you’re building a career with limited time
4. How Spencer successfully worked with three kids in tow
5. Why clients rarely care if your kids come with you—if you show up well
6. The long-term value of online leads beyond the first transaction
7. How to choose between time vs. money when growing your business
8. Why working leads is about relationships, not just conversion
9. How to start 75 Hard the smart way by implementing micro-habits early
10. Why 2024 feels like a breakthrough year for the Elevate team

If this episode inspired you, made you laugh, or gave you a new perspective on building a real estate career while juggling life, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another real estate professional.

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Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston

Guest: Chad Klamen

In this systems-focused episode of Elevate and Execute, Kyle and Brian sit down with real estate investor and operator Chad Klamen to break down what it really takes to scale a rental portfolio the right way.

Chad walks through the behind-the-scenes systems he uses to manage over 150 rental units efficiently — from self-guided showings and tenant screening to standardized rehabs and streamlined move-out processes. The conversation dives deep into why systems beat hustle, how time savings outweigh occasional risk, and why treating rentals like a business (not a hobby) is the key to long-term profitability.

They also explore tenant experience, fair housing considerations, maintenance efficiency, staging rentals for higher rent, and why cutting corners on materials almost always costs more in the long run. This episode is packed with practical, repeatable ideas for investors who want scale without chaos.

1. How Chad runs self-guided showings safely and efficiently
2. Why strong pre-screening protects both landlords and tenants
3. The systems behind smooth move-ins and move-outs
4. How standardizing cabinets, flooring, and finishes saves time and money
5. Why staging rental properties can increase rent and reduce vacancy
6. The real cost of cheap rehabs and constant maintenance
7. How tenant satisfaction directly impacts profitability
8. Why relationships are the most powerful form of lead generation
9. How to think about scaling property management without burning out

If this episode gave you actionable ideas for running rentals smarter and scaling with confidence, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with an investor who’s trying to grow without chaos.

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Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, David Ounanian

In this end-of-year episode, the Elevate and Execute crew reflects on the lessons, challenges, and wins from 2025—both in business and in life. They talk candidly about discipline, consistency, and why most people drift instead of deliberately designing the year ahead.

The conversation covers real estate, entrepreneurship, health, and mindset, with a strong emphasis on personal responsibility and long-term thinking. Rather than chasing resolutions or quick wins, the hosts focus on building systems, routines, and habits that compound over time.

As the year wraps up, this episode serves as both a reset and a challenge: to take ownership of your direction, eliminate distractions, and move into 2026 with clarity and intent.

1. Why reflection matters more than goal-setting alone
2. How discipline and routine create momentum year over year
3. The difference between being busy and being intentional
4. Why most people overestimate what they can do in a month and underestimate what they can do in a year
5. How to evaluate what worked—and what didn’t—in 2025
6. The importance of personal standards in business and life
7. Why consistency beats motivation every time
8. How to set yourself up for a strong 2026 without burnout

If this episode helped you reflect on the year or sharpen your focus for what’s next, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who wants to enter 2026 with purpose instead of pressure.

Follow Elevate and Execute for weekly conversations on real estate, business, and building a disciplined, intentional life.

Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, David Ounanian**

In this detailed and highly relevant episode, the guys break down the NAR settlement, the removal of buyer-agent compensation from the MLS, and what the shifting real estate landscape will look like for buyers, sellers, and agents.

They begin with a conversation about inventory shortages and why balanced markets may never return. From there, they unpack the class-action lawsuit that led to the NAR settlement, why MLS platforms must remove published buyer-side compensation, and how that change is creating confusion—and opportunity—across the industry.

The hosts walk through real examples of steering, commission misconceptions, and how cooperating compensation has traditionally worked behind the scenes. They explain what will change on July 15th, why buyer’s agency agreements will become mandatory before showings, and how seasoned agents will use this moment to gain market share while others exit the business.

The episode wraps with a personal update as the guys discuss 75 Hard, mental toughness, discipline, and the physical transformations they’ve experienced through the program.

• Why inventory remains at crisis levels and isn’t projected to recover soon
• What the NAR settlement actually says—and what the headlines got wrong
• Why buyer-agent compensation is being removed from the MLS and how that affects showings
• How “steering” became a focal point in the lawsuit
• What cooperating commissions looked like before, and what changes July 15th
• Why buyer agency agreements will now be required before touring any home
• How experienced agents will differentiate themselves in a post-settlement landscape
• Why discount listings (2% or less) often produce poor outcomes
• How low-priced properties shift the conversation around minimum commissions
• Why many agents may leave the business—and why that creates opportunity
• Mental toughness lessons from completing 75 Hard, including discipline, routine, and health improvements

If this episode helped clarify the NAR settlement or gave you new insight into how the industry is evolving, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow agent or homeowner trying to navigate the changes.

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Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, David Ounanian

In this episode of Elevate and Execute, the guys dig into how investors are reshaping the housing market and what that means for everyday buyers, sellers, and agents. They open with a stat that nearly 30% of all real estate transactions are now investor purchases, then dive into why real estate has become the preferred asset over stocks—and what the downside is when institutional and small investors soak up inventory.

From there, they unpack the current Section 8 and rental trends, why so many investors are chasing government-backed rents, and the major risk of building your whole portfolio on a government program that can change overnight. That leads into a breakdown of DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loans, 30-year fixed options for portfolios, and how those products are changing the game for buy-and-hold investors.

The second half of the episode zooms in on the St. Louis market—inventory levels, why the Midwest stays stable when coastal markets swing hard, insurance and storm impacts, and the realities of today’s seller’s market. The guys also tackle one of their most common questions: “Where should I buy—and where should I avoid?” They walk through school districts, suburbs like Chesterfield, St. Charles, Wentzville, Arnold, Oakville, Town & Country, and Wildwood, plus why crime data and spotcrime.com matter when picking both where to live and where to invest.

They wrap with a fun but important conversation about time ROI—including why paying someone $50 to cut your lawn might be the best investment you make all week.

• Why nearly 30% of U.S. home sales are now investor purchases—and what that means for inventory and homeownership.
• The pros and cons of chasing Section 8 rentals and why relying on government-backed rent can be risky.
• How DSCR loans work, when they’re useful, and why 30-year fixed DSCR options are a big deal for portfolio investors.
• Why the Midwest (and St. Louis in particular) doesn’t see the wild value swings that coastal markets do.
• How storms, roofs, and rising insurance costs are quietly changing deal math.
• Current St. Louis market conditions: inventory levels, appreciation, interest rates, and why even a 0.25% drop in rates can spike activity.
• How the hosts coach out-of-state buyers on where to live vs. where to invest in the St. Louis region.
• Why low-price-point properties can sometimes outperform “A+” areas in appreciation percentage, even if you wouldn’t live there yourself.
• How to use crime maps (like SpotCrime) to quickly screen areas you’d never recommend for living or investing.
• A practical reminder that your time has a dollar value—and why outsourcing tasks (like mowing the lawn) can be a smarter use of your hours.

Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, David Ounanian

In this jam-packed episode, the guys dive into three major themes dominating the real estate world right now: agent safety, the lies clients are hearing about the market, and the truth about the new contracts and commission changes.

They kick things off with real, unfiltered stories from the field — from walking into questionable properties, to dealing with loose dogs, to why Missouri agents need to understand self-defense and gun laws.

From there, they shift into one of the most important topics today: the myths and misinformation being spread about the housing market. They break down why headlines are misleading, why inventory levels tell the real story, and how buyers are being scared out of great opportunities by bad information.

The final part of the episode digs into the new real estate contracts, why commissions disappeared from the MLS, and the truth behind buyer-agent compensation going forward. They explain what’s actually changing, what isn’t, and how to navigate offers in the new landscape with confidence and strategy.

• Practical safety protocols every agent should follow when entering unfamiliar properties
• Why Missouri’s carry laws matter for realtors — and when carrying can be a risk
• How to properly announce yourself during showings to avoid dangerous encounters
• The myths clients believe about a “market crash” and why the data says otherwise
• Why 1.7 months of inventory is a huge signal that prices aren’t dropping
• How taxes and insurance are impacting affordability (and why “fixed payments” aren’t fixed)
• The biggest lie first-time buyers believe about escrow
• The truth about the new contracts and why seller-paid commission is still allowed
• How buyer-agent compensation is actually negotiated now
• Why actual commissions have been dropping for years — and what agents can do to stay valuable
• The harsh reality of how many agents only sell 1–2 homes a year
• Why long-term wealth for agents comes from owning real estate, not selling it

If this episode gave you clarity about the market, safety, or the new contracts, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow agent or homeowner who needs the truth — not the headlines.

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Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, Spencer (Guest Co-Host)

Note: David O. is absent as he transitions into building his own brokerage.

In this deep-dive episode, the Elevate and Execute team sits down with Spencer, co-owner of Elevate Realty, to unpack her journey from relocating to St. Louis with zero connections to becoming one of the top agents in the region.

They walk through her early days in the gym industry, how she built trust and relationships from scratch, and the bold decision to join Kyle and Brian when the brokerage was still small. From growing her own production to helping architect Elevate’s systems, training, and B2B strategy, Spencer’s story highlights the power of saying “yes,” reinvesting in yourself, and building a business through relationships.

The episode then shifts into a masterclass on Zillow, lead generation, and the truth behind modern real estate customer acquisition. The hosts break down how Zillow really works, why they leaned into B2B partnerships instead of old-school prospecting, and how the team scaled from $3M to $300M in volume by committing to data, speed, and exceptional service.

Whether you’re a consumer wondering how Zillow routes leads, or an agent trying to build a career that actually scales, this episode gives you the insider perspective you won’t hear anywhere else.

• How Spencer built a 10M+ production business in a city where she knew no one
• Why saying “yes” early in your real estate career is the key to exponential growth
• The difference between hunting vs. farming in real estate
• How Elevate Realty scaled using B2B partnerships vs. cold-calling
• The real inner workings of Zillow, including:
• How leads are routed
• Why Zillow prioritizes consumers (not agents)
• What Zillow Flex/Zillow Preferred actually is
• Why speed and service lead to better lead flow
• Why database nurturing is the real ROI behind online leads
• The truth about buyer’s agency under the new Missouri law
• What consumers need to know about signing multiple agency agreements
• Why partnering with a high-performing team matters more than ever
• How new agents at Elevate are closing 15–23+ deals in their first year

If this behind-the-scenes look at Zillow, lead gen, and agent success gave you new insight, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s ready to level up their real estate business—or someone who wants to understand how the industry really works.

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Elevate and Execute — Episode: The Best Investments You Can Make (Financially and Personally)

Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, David Ounanian

Episode Summary

In this value-packed episode, the guys dive into one of the biggest questions people ask them:

“What’s the best investment I can make right now?”

They break the conversation into two powerful categories:

financial investments and personal investments.

The first half of the episode focuses on why real estate continues to outperform other asset classes, how leverage amplifies returns, and the biggest mistakes homeowners make when refinancing or tapping equity. They offer real-world examples of amortization traps, rent-vs-own decisions, and how to structure your primary residence for long-term wealth.

Then the conversation shifts into the personal side: self-development, discipline, habits, and lifelong learning. The hosts share their favorite books, podcasts, mindset shifts, and the routines that have helped them grow as entrepreneurs, husbands, and leaders. From Jocko Willink to Kiyosaki to Grant Cardone, this episode is loaded with practical recommendations anyone can apply.

Whether you’re trying to build wealth, build discipline, or both—this episode will sharpen your thinking and give you a blueprint for leveling up.

What You’ll Learn

Why real estate remains the most predictable, stable, and leveraged investment

How amortization really works—and how refinancing can cost you more than it saves

The truth about primary residences vs. rentals (and why they’re different kinds of assets)

How to use equity and HELOCs the smart way to scale your portfolio

Why leverage in real estate produces returns you can’t get in stocks or crypto

The dangers of relying on appreciation alone

How discipline impacts every area of your life—from fitness to finances

The best personal investments: books, podcasts, mentorship, and better habits

Why knowledge compounds just like money

How to intentionally build routines that shape your long-term success

Notable Quotes

“Even when real estate is down, it’s still paying you.”

“If you reset your loan to a new 30-year mortgage, that ‘cheap’ refinance could cost you hundreds of thousands.”

“You don’t need more motivation—just more discipline.”

“People don’t determine their destinies. They determine their habits, and their habits determine their destinies.”

“The real rock stars of the next decade are entrepreneurs and business owners.”

Subscribe & Review

If this episode gave you a new perspective on money, habits, or growth, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who wants to elevate their life and invest in their future.

Follow Elevate and Execute for weekly conversations on real estate, personal development, and building a life that scales.

Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, David Ounanian

In this thought-provoking episode of Elevate and Execute, the team explores how perspective shapes success—and why your mindset determines whether challenges become roadblocks or breakthroughs.

Through personal stories and real business experiences, the guys unpack how shifting perspective can turn stress into strategy, mistakes into lessons, and setbacks into setups. They discuss how leaders think differently under pressure, the importance of zooming out during tough seasons, and how reframing situations leads to better decisions in both life and business.

This episode is a reminder that success isn’t about what happens to you—it’s about how you see it and what you do next.

• How to shift your mindset from reaction to response
• Why challenges often disguise your biggest growth opportunities
• The role of perspective in leadership, business, and relationships
• How to find calm and clarity in chaotic situations
• Practical ways to reframe problems into possibilities
• Why setbacks are necessary for long-term growth
• How staying grateful keeps you grounded and resilient

If this episode gave you a new way to look at your challenges, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs a mindset shift today.

Follow Elevate and Execute for weekly episodes on business, mindset, and real estate success—because perspective is the edge every leader needs.

Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, David Ounanian

In this motivating and practical episode, the Elevate and Execute crew breaks down the secret behind long-term success—commitment. Whether it’s real estate, business, health, or relationships, the guys share why consistency and follow-through will always outperform talent, timing, or luck.

They open up about what true commitment looks like in daily life, how to stay focused when motivation fades, and why most people quit just before the breakthrough. From early career struggles to the systems they use now, this episode is packed with honest insight and reminders that doing the work—even when it’s boring—is what separates dreamers from doers.

• The difference between motivation and commitment (and why only one lasts)
• Why repetition and consistency build real freedom
• How to find balance between patience and urgency in your goals
• What daily habits top producers rely on to stay ahead
• How to stay accountable when no one’s watching
• Why delayed gratification is the hallmark of every successful entrepreneur
• Real stories from the team’s journey building Elevate Realty and beyond

If this episode inspired you to show up stronger and stay consistent, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs that reminder today.

Follow Elevate and Execute for weekly episodes on business, real estate, and personal growth—because success isn’t complicated. It’s just commitment.