In this episode, we reflect on our personal memories of September 11 and how that day permanently changed the way Americans viewed the world. From a third-grade classroom to a first job after college, we share the moments, emotions, and uncertainty that remain vivid decades later.

We then turn to today’s real estate market, examining the growing backlash against data center development. As municipalities impose bans and moratoriums, and developers respond with high-stakes lawsuits, we explore the tension between local communities, government officials, and an increasingly powerful asset class.

We also discuss recent changes in college football rules and controversies. The on-field clock in college football is now the official timekeeper, changing how game endings are decided.

Join us for a conversation about tragedy, resilience, shifting markets, and the forces shaping the future of real estate.

What happens when a city tells you your property is in violation... but cannot point to the rule you supposedly broke?

In this episode of Shop Talk, Jeremy, Jeff, and Will get into the real-world friction between industrial property owners and municipalities, from code enforcement and certificate-of-occupancy delays to zoning overlays and the growing resistance to industrial outdoor storage.

They also discuss how AI can help owners navigate hundreds of pages of city code and push back with better information.Before that, the hosts cover current industrial availability, market indicators, BlackSky, SpaceX, and access to private investment opportunities.

Then the conversation shifts to college football, where NIL and constant roster movement are rewriting the rules of early-season handicapping.

Expect a rapid-fire run through the opening slate, plenty of strong opinions, and a look at prediction markets like Kalshi. It is industrial real estate, markets, city-hall battles, and college football - delivered the way only Jeremy, Jeff, and Will can.

Professor Jared Harrell returns to The Industrialist podcast with Jeremy Mercer (and first-time appearance for Dylan Davis at Matador as a fellow TTU alum)

Topics Discussed

• The role of data centers in West Texas
• AI's influence on real estate and education
• Career advice for young professionals
• The importance of broad experience early in careers
• The significance of relationships and trust in business

Jeremy and Will are back for this new episode of Shop Talk. Make sure you follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.

Jeremy and Will have been away from the mics for a hot minute, so Thomas Mercer and Jax Whittington stepped in on Friday to warm them back up and recap what’s been happening across the industrial real estate market.

In this episode of Shop Talk, Jeremy and Will dive into two topics Texans can't stop talking about: college football and real estate.

The conversation starts with the latest controversies surrounding college football, including rule enforcement, player discipline, and the ongoing challenges facing programs across the country. The hosts share their perspectives on how the game is evolving and what these developments could mean for teams, coaches, and fans moving forward.

They also take a deep dive into the Dallas real estate market and the changing landscape of urban development. From infrastructure projects and redevelopment efforts to the decline of once-iconic landmarks, the discussion explores how city planning decisions are shaping the future of Dallas and creating new opportunities for investors and businesses.

Whether you're following the latest college football headlines, watching the Texas real estate market, or simply interested in how major projects impact local economies, this episode delivers insights, opinions, and plenty of Shop Talk along the way.

Topics Covered:
• College football controversies and rule enforcement
• The evolving landscape of college athletics
• Dallas infrastructure and redevelopment projects
• The future of the urban core
• Real estate market trends and investment opportunities
• How city planning impacts economic growth

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In this episode of Shop Talk, Jeremy and Will pull back the curtain on what’s been happening behind the scenes at Matador.

From graduations and travel schedules to new acquisitions hitting the market, the team discusses the realities of operating in today’s industrial real estate environment. With interest rates remaining elevated and market conditions continuing to shift, they share how they're adapting, finding opportunities, and staying active while many investors remain on the sidelines.

The conversation covers current market sentiment, creative financing strategies, sourcing deals in a competitive environment, and why flexibility has become one of the most valuable tools in real estate. They also touch on the importance of maintaining strong tenant relationships, staying informed on market trends, and identifying niche opportunities that others may overlook.

Whether you're an investor, broker, business owner, or simply interested in commercial real estate, this episode offers a candid look at the challenges and opportunities shaping today's market.

Topics discussed:
• Current industrial real estate market conditions
• How rising interest rates are impacting deal flow
• Creative financing and capital solutions
• Finding opportunity in uncertain markets
• Portfolio updates and new properties coming to market
• The importance of tenant retention and relationships
• Lessons learned from navigating a changing market

If you've been wondering how experienced operators are approaching today's market, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Industrialist, Jeremy Mercer sits down with retail real estate veteran Dave Cheatham to discuss the changing business landscape surrounding college athletics, NIL, and the broader evolution of real estate strategy.

With more than 30 years of experience and over $3 billion in retail transactions, Dave has advised some of the nation’s largest brands including JCPenney, Hobby Lobby, Aldi, Gap, Darden, CVS Pharmacy, and Signet. Throughout his career — including leadership roles at CB Richard Ellis, Staubach Retail, and X Team Retail Advisors — he has become known for helping shape corporate real estate strategies, executing large-scale retail rollouts, and mentoring the next generation of industry leaders.

Jeremy and Dave dive into how NIL is reshaping college sports, how universities and brands are adapting, and why understanding market dynamics matters more than ever. The conversation also explores the parallels between sports and real estate - from stadium developments and student housing demand to long-term investment strategy and navigating changing economic cycles.

This episode is a practical discussion on leadership, adaptability, relationship-driven business, and what it takes to stay ahead in industries that are constantly evolving.

In this episode of The Industrialist, Jeremy Mercer sits down with Chris Wong to talk about his unconventional path from tax and M&A work at Deloitte into the world of real estate investment.

Chris shares how his background in accounting and corporate tax gave him a unique lens on transactions, development, and investment strategy. The conversation covers his time at Hillwood, helping build out real estate operations at Austin Industries, and how those experiences shaped the way he approaches deals today.

They also get into the growth of industrial real estate in Dallas-Fort Worth, the influx of institutional capital into the market, and why understanding operations and market fundamentals matters more than ever. Chris breaks down lessons learned from both successful deals and difficult ones, emphasizing the importance of due diligence, adaptability, and long-term thinking.

This is a practical conversation about career pivots, real estate fundamentals, and what it takes to navigate an increasingly competitive market.

And for anyone looking to break into the business, Chris’s story is proof that there’s no single path into real estate.

In this episode, Jeremy and Will sit down with Michael Tran and Cody Payne to break down what they're seeing in the small bay industrial market.

They cover how to analyze sites, what actually matters in development, and where they see people get leasing and management wrong. The conversation gets into real operating challenges, from rent collection to tenant relationships, and why execution on the ground is what separates good deals from bad ones.

They also talk through current market trends across Texas, where the opportunities are, and why small bay continues to attract serious investor attention.

If you’re looking at this asset class, or already in it, this is a practical discussion on what works, what doesn’t, and where things are headed.

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