In this episode of The Inner Estate, Christa Matheson joins Bridget Stuart to explore the transformative idea of simplifying your approach to business and life. Christa shares how mastering a few effective strategies, protecting lead generation time, and leveraging systems can drive more results with less overwhelm. Together, they discuss why letting go of outdated practices is essential, how to embrace technology for efficiency, and the importance of finding joy outside of work. This conversation is a reminder that focus and balance are the true keys to long-term success.

Episode Highlights

• Why focusing on what works is more impactful than trying everything
• The fear of letting go of outdated practices and how to move past it
• How finding joy outside of work fuels balance and productivity
• The importance of fiercely protecting lead generation time
• Leveraging systems and technology to save time and reduce stress
• Measuring results to ensure strategies remain effective
• The role of mindset in achieving clarity and focus
• Balancing proven strategies with new opportunities

Guest: Christa Matheson

Christa Matheson is a Massachusetts-licensed real estate broker, business coach, and MAPS Mastery & Teams Coach with Keller Williams. With over 25 years in professional sales, leadership, and coaching, she is passionate about helping real estate professionals streamline their businesses and design lives of purpose and balance. Christa is also a Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach, Trainer, and Speaker, an NLP Practitioner, and a Massachusetts-approved real estate education instructor. Her mission is to guide agents and leaders toward focus, efficiency, and fulfillment by teaching the power of doing less to achieve more.

Connect with Christa:

Phone: (978) 778-5670

Website: christamatheson.kw.com

Host: Bridget Ann Stuart

Bridget Ann Stuart is an executive strategic performance real estate coach and host of The Inner Estate podcast. With 27 years in the business, she’s known for her deep commitment to personal development, business mindset, and helping real estate professionals grow with purpose. 

Connect with Bridget:

Website: therealbridgetstuart.com

Instagram: @therealbridgetstuart

Facebook: @TheRealBridgetStuart

Interested in being a guest on The Inner Estate?

I would love to hear your story. You can view available dates and request to join the show here: calendly.com/bridgetstuart67/theinnerestatepodcast

In this episode, Marco Gomez joins Bridget Stuart to share his inspiring journey from a finance career to becoming a successful real estate entrepreneur. Marco opens up about growing up in an immigrant family, how fear of failure shaped his early decisions, and the lessons he learned from ventures that didn’t go as planned—including a costly auto detailing franchise. He explains how coaching, mentorship, and adaptability became cornerstones of his success, and why building multiple income streams in real estate is essential for long-term financial independence.

Episode Highlights

• Why fear of failure can shape and sometimes limit decision-making
• How an immigrant upbringing instilled resilience and work ethic
• Lessons learned from failed ventures and early entrepreneurial risks
• The role of coaching and mentorship in accelerating success
• Why building multiple income streams is key to financial security
• How real estate creates opportunities for both active and passive income
• The importance of assessing business viability before diving in
• Leveraging technology and AI to stay ahead in business
• The role of family support in navigating challenges and growth

Guest: Marco Gomez

Marco Gomez is a top-producing real estate broker, team leader of Team Gomez at eXp Realty, and founder of the nonprofit Kindness in Action. With nearly two decades in the industry and annual sales of $30–40 million, Marco has been recognized among the top 1.5% of teams in New York by RealTrends/WSJ. His career began in finance with Deutsche Bank, UBS, and Bear Stearns before he transitioned into real estate, where he now focuses on coaching, leadership, and building multiple income streams. Known for his resilience, community work, and commitment to mentorship, Marco brings honesty and actionable lessons to every stage of business growth.

Connect with Marco:

Instagram: @MarcoGomezRealtor

Facebook: MarcoGomezRealtor

Check out Marco's Agent-to-Agent Referral Service

Host: Bridget Ann Stuart

Bridget Ann Stuart is an executive strategic performance real estate coach and host of The Inner Estate podcast. With 27 years in the business, she’s known for her deep commitment to personal development, business mindset, and helping real estate professionals grow with purpose. 

Connect with Bridget:

Website: therealbridgetstuart.com

Instagram: @therealbridgetstuart

Facebook: @TheRealBridgetStuart

Interested in being a guest on The Inner Estate?

I would love to hear your story. You can view available dates and request to join the show here: calendly.com/bridgetstuart67/theinnerestatepodcast

In this follow-up episode of The Inner Estate, Amber Cruse returns to share the full-circle story of her manifestation journey. From living on her mother’s couch to stepping inside her dream lakefront home, Amber reveals how belief, surrender, and consistent action shaped her reality.

We dive into the balance between hustle and manifestation, the daily habits that keep her aligned, and how to navigate the disappointments and pivots along the way. Amber’s story is a powerful reminder that manifestation isn’t just about wishing—it’s about pairing vision with courage, discipline, and gratitude.

If you’re building your business, pursuing personal growth, or designing the life you imagine, this conversation will challenge you to believe bigger, take action, and embrace the process of becoming.

Episode Highlights

• Why manifestation requires both belief and surrender
• The role of disappointments and setbacks in shaping success
• Daily habits and affirmations that keep you aligned with your goals
• How gratitude in the present prepares you for future blessings
• Using vision boards and intention letters as manifestation tools
• The balance between hustle and flow in creating the life you want
• The 30-day challenge that can accelerate your growth
• Why investing in yourself through coaching or therapy is essential

More from Amber Cruse

Listen to Part 1 of Amber’s Story on The Inner Estate "She Manifested the Life She Designed" 

Read Amber’s Feature in South Jersey REAL Producers (August 2025 Cover Issue)

Manifestation Practices to Try

Add into your journal "If I were to _____, what would I need to do?"

30-day Challenge: "Describe your life 30 days ago and where do you want your life to be 30 days from now?"

Guest: Amber Cruse

Amber Cruse is a top-producing Realtor® and entrepreneur who built her life and business from humble beginnings to extraordinary success. Founder of Amber Cruse Realty Group in Moorestown, Amber is known for blending real estate expertise with mindset practices that inspire clients and colleagues alike. Her story of resilience, visualization, and action continues to motivate others to design—and manifest—the lives they desire.

Connect with Amber:

Website: www.ambercruserealtygroup.com

Instagram: @ambercruserealestate

Host: Bridget Ann Stuart

Bridget Ann Stuart is an executive strategic performance real estate coach and host of The Inner Estate podcast. With 27 years in the business, she’s known for her deep commitment to personal development, business mindset, and helping real estate professionals grow with purpose. 

Connect with Bridget:

Website: therealbridgetstuart.com

Instagram: @therealbridgetstuart

Facebook: @TheRealBridgetStuart

Interested in being a guest on The Inner Estate?

I would love to hear your story. You can view available dates and request to join the show here: calendly.com/bridgetstuart67/theinnerestatepodcast

In this episode, Jennifer Drahan joins Bridget Stuart on The Inner Estate to explore how the law of focus shapes both personal and professional success. From her early passion for horses to her thriving career in real estate, Jennifer shares how personal passions can open doors, why relationships are the cornerstone of business growth, and how a positive mindset transforms challenges into opportunities. Together, they dive into the importance of networking, preparing for success, and keeping the client experience at the heart of every transaction.

Episode Highlights

• How the law of focus can shape your reality
• The connection between personal passions and professional success
• Why building authentic relationships is the foundation of real estate
• The role of mindset and self-talk in creating better outcomes
• Networking strategies that expand growth and opportunity
• The importance of preparation and client experience in real estate
• How setting clear goals keeps your business moving forward

Guest: Jennifer Drahan

Jennifer Drahan is the co-founder of the Drahan-Keiser Team with Keller Williams Wellington, serving the luxury, equestrian, and residential markets in South Florida. With a background in equestrian training and a lifelong passion for horses, Jennifer brings a unique perspective to real estate, blending discipline, focus, and relationship-building into her business. Known for her commitment to client experience and her ability to foster meaningful connections, she has earned a reputation for professionalism, creativity, and white-glove service in every transaction.

Connect with Jennifer:

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.drahankeiser.com

Instagram: @jendrahan

Facebook: @jennifer.drahan

Host: Bridget Ann Stuart

Bridget Ann Stuart is an executive strategic performance real estate coach and host of The Inner Estate podcast. With 27 years in the business, she’s known for her deep commitment to personal development, business mindset, and helping real estate professionals grow with purpose. 

Connect with Bridget:

Website: therealbridgetstuart.com

Instagram: @therealbridgetstuart

Facebook: @TheRealBridgetStuart

Interested in being a guest on The Inner Estate?

I would love to hear your story. You can view available dates and request to join the show here: calendly.com/bridgetstuart67/theinnerestatepodcast

In this episode, Joliee Robinson joins Bridget Stuart to talk about the mindset, systems, and strategies that drive entrepreneurial success in real estate. Joliee shares her journey of transitioning into the business, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, and how effective communication builds lasting client relationships. She also unpacks how discipline, technology, and lifelong learning contribute to sustainable growth in a competitive industry.

Episode Highlights

• Why entrepreneurship requires discipline, commitment, and resilience
• The importance of surrounding yourself with smart, supportive people
• How systems and technology create efficiency and consistency in real estate
• Mindset strategies for handling rejection and staying growth-focused
• The role of effective communication in building strong client relationships
• Why discomfort is essential for professional and personal growth
• How coaching can transform your career trajectory

Guest: Joliee Robinson

Joliee Robinson is a Texas-based Realtor, entrepreneur, and community leader. A graduate of Texas A&M University in Agribusiness, Joliee has spent over two decades in Brenham, Texas, serving her community through leadership roles in organizations such as the Texas Leadership Summit and Washington County Fair. As a real estate professional with Keller Williams Brazos Valley, she blends local expertise with a passion for systems, technology, and communication. Known for her dedication to lifelong learning and growth, Joliee brings entrepreneurial spirit, discipline, and a people-first approach to her business.

Connect with Joliee:

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @jolieerobinsonrealty

Instagram: @jolieerobinsonrealty

Host: Bridget Ann Stuart

Bridget Ann Stuart is an executive strategic performance real estate coach and host of The Inner Estate podcast. With 27 years in the business, she’s known for her deep commitment to personal development, business mindset, and helping real estate professionals grow with purpose. 

Connect with Bridget:

Website: therealbridgetstuart.com

Instagram: @therealbridgetstuart

Facebook: @TheRealBridgetStuart

Interested in being a guest on The Inner Estate?

I would love to hear your story. You can view available dates and request to join the show here: calendly.com/bridgetstuart67/theinnerestatepodcast

In this episode of The Inner Estate, Andy Madrid joins Bridget Stuart to share his remarkable journey of building a real estate career across three very different markets—Oregon, California, and Hawaii. Andy opens up about what it takes to start over, the courage required to embrace change, and how fearlessness has shaped his success. He also talks about the realities of real estate beyond the TV glamour, the importance of strong sales skills, and how technology continues to transform the industry. Whether you’re navigating your first market shift or considering a big leap in your career, Andy’s story is a powerful reminder that growth comes from taking bold steps.

Episode Highlights

• Why fearlessness is the foundation of embracing change in real estate
• How sales skills transfer across markets and fuel career success
• The truth about real estate vs. how it looks on TV
• Why open houses remain an underrated lead-generation tool
• How to set clear expectations with clients to avoid friction
• Why client satisfaction should always come before commission
• The role of networking and visibility in creating new opportunities
• How a financial plan can ease the stress of relocation
• The lasting regret of not acting when opportunity knocks

Mentioned in This Episode

• Hawaii Life (2013)
• No Good Deed (2024)

Guest: Andy Madrid

Andy Madrid is a REALTOR® based on Hawaii’s Big Island, known for his fearless adaptability and commitment to client success. Originally from Southern California, Andy has relocated and rebuilt his career multiple times—thriving in Oregon, California, and now Hawaiʻi. A U.S. Army veteran, he brings discipline, tenacity, and integrity to his work, along with a deep passion for the island’s diverse landscapes. Recognized by RealTrends as one of the top-performing agents in Hawaiʻi, Andy specializes in residential real estate, helping clients navigate everything from land parcels to luxury homes. His philosophy centers on embracing change, prioritizing clients, and using both traditional and modern tools to achieve results.

Connect with Andy:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 808-212-7224

Website: www.thebigislandgroup.com

Instagram: @andy_madrid_realtor

YouTube: @AndyMadridrealestate

Host: Bridget Ann Stuart

Bridget Ann Stuart is an executive strategic performance real estate coach and host of The Inner Estate podcast. With 27 years in the business, she’s known for her deep commitment to personal development, business mindset, and helping real estate professionals grow with purpose. 

Connect with Bridget:

Website: therealbridgetstuart.com

Instagram: @therealbridgetstuart

Facebook: @TheRealBridgetStuart

Interested in being a guest on The Inner Estate?

I would love to hear your story. You can view available dates and request to join the show here: calendly.com/bridgetstuart67/theinnerestatepodcast

In this episode of The Inner Estate, Bridget Stuart sits down with leadership and legacy mentor Melissa Barnes to explore what it means to live with zero regrets. Drawing on her decades of experience in death and grief care, Melissa shares the powerful lessons she learned from witnessing the most common regrets at the end of life—and how those lessons can guide us in the present.

Together, Bridget and Melissa dive into self-leadership, transformation, and building meaningful relationships both personally and professionally. Melissa emphasizes the role of mentorship, affirmations, and intentional choices in creating a life and legacy rooted in presence, purpose, and love.

Episode Highlights

• Why regret often comes from inaction or lack of presence
• How building a legacy is about who we are being today
• The role of self-leadership in driving personal transformation
• How change in ourselves inspires change in others
• Why mentorship is key to growth and leadership
• The connection between positive work environments and collaboration
• How daily affirmations shift energy and mindset
• The importance of addressing trauma for healing and growth
• The freedom to choose a new version of yourself in any moment
• What it means to truly live with zero regrets

Affirmations from the Episode

Melissa: "Today with gratitude we accept the past and we open our mind into our future self. And we are growing. We are learning every moment. May we release everything that is holding us back so that we can step into our most beautiful power right here, right now. I love you."

Bridget: "I move with ease and elegance."

Guest: Melissa Barnes

Melissa Barnes is a leadership and legacy mentor, coach, and founder of Barnes Coaching & Consulting. With over 20 years as a Licensed Funeral Director in grief care, Melissa now helps high-achieving women reclaim their identity, reignite relationships, and build a purposeful legacy through her transformational RISE Method™. Her mission is to guide women to live and lead with zero regrets—embracing presence, love, and authenticity in every area of life.

Dive Deeper into Melissa’s Work

• Grab a Free Copy of 5 Proven Strategies to Reignite Passion and Intimacy in Your Marriage Today
• 5 Proven Strategies to Reignite Passion and Intimacy in Your Marriage Today
• Empowering Women to Lead with Legacy & Purpose – Brainz Magazine
• The RISE Method™: Legacy Builder Edition
• Melissa’s interview in Brainz Magazine

Connect with Melissa:

Book a 30-minute call with Melissa

Website: melissabarnescoaching.vip

Instagram: @melissabarnescoaching

Facebook: @melissa.barnes.771

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/melissabarnescoaching

Host: Bridget Ann Stuart

Bridget Ann Stuart is an executive strategic performance real estate coach and host of The Inner Estate podcast. With 27 years in the business, she’s known for her deep commitment to personal development, business mindset, and helping real estate professionals grow with purpose. 

Connect with Bridget:

Website: therealbridgetstuart.com

Instagram: @therealbridgetstuart

Facebook: @TheRealBridgetStuart

Interested in being a guest on The Inner Estate?

I would love to hear your story. You can view available dates and request to join the show here: calendly.com/bridgetstuart67/theinnerestatepodcast

In this episode, Mike Davis joins Bridget Stuart to explore how real estate professionals can create businesses that are not only successful today but also positioned for tomorrow. Mike introduces the Exit Ready Quotient (ERQ), a powerful framework that helps agents assess their business’s readiness for sale and long-term value. He explains why planning early matters, how leadership bottlenecks can stall growth, and what steps agents can take now to increase profitability, reduce stress, and create more options for the future.

Episode Highlights

• What the Exit Ready Quotient (ERQ) is and how it works
• Why exit planning should begin years before you think you’ll sell
• How strong leadership prevents bottlenecks and builds resilience
• The role of ancillary opportunities in boosting business value
• Why stress and mental energy management directly impact growth
• The underestimated power of a clean, consistent database
• How proactive financial management sets you apart
• Why taking action today leads to future freedom and flexibility

Guest: Mike Davis

Mike Davis is a certified executive coach at The Coaching Nexus, where he helps real estate agents and entrepreneurs design businesses that thrive now and hold long-term value. As the creator of the Exit Ready Quotient (ERQ), Mike specializes in preparing agents to maximize their business’s worth, reduce operational stress, and create sustainable models that can eventually be sold or transitioned. At The Coaching Nexus, Mike works with agents across the country to strengthen leadership skills, develop exit strategies, and build businesses that run smoothly without being dependent on a single person. 

Connect with Mike:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 614-657-9721

Host: Bridget Ann Stuart

Bridget Ann Stuart is an executive strategic performance real estate coach and host of The Inner Estate podcast. With 27 years in the business, she’s known for her deep commitment to personal development, business mindset, and helping real estate professionals grow with purpose. 

Connect with Bridget:

Website: therealbridgetstuart.com

Instagram: @therealbridgetstuart

Facebook: @TheRealBridgetStuart

Interested in being a guest on The Inner Estate?

I would love to hear your story. You can view available dates and request to join the show here: calendly.com/bridgetstuart67/theinnerestatepodcast

Most success isn’t built in your comfort zone—it’s forged in the moments you’d rather avoid. In this episode, Darren Kittleson joins Bridget Stuart to explore why the path to success often runs straight through discomfort. Darren shares how resilience, accountability, and facing inconvenient challenges head-on have shaped his decades-long career in real estate, training, coaching, and agribusiness. From leading multiple brokerages to teaching thousands of sales professionals across North America, Darren reveals the mindset shifts and daily habits that keep top performers consistent—especially when the market or life throws curveballs.

Episode Highlights

• Why leaning into discomfort is the fastest path to growth
• The numbers every real estate professional should be tracking
• How to use coaching for clarity, consistency, and results
• Darren’s hard-earned lessons from rebuilding after major setbacks
• How coaching brings clarity, accountability, and measurable growth
• Financial practices that protect your business in any market
• Why social media can distort reality and how to keep perspective

Guest: Darren Kittleson

Darren Kittleson is a multiple real estate brokerage owner and Operating Principal of several Keller Williams market centers in Wisconsin. He serves as a Leadership & Production Coach with The Coaching Nexus, a role that reflects his real estate expertise, lead-generation insights, and decades of training experience. Darren is a past President of the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB), certified CRB, Real Estate Negotiations Expert (RENE), and Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) trainer. He’s a Keller Williams International Master Faculty member, MAPS coach, and founding member of the Siebold Success Network.

Connect with Darren:

Website: www.darrenkittleson.com

Phone: 608-212-3126

Instagram: @coachkittleson

Facebook: @DRKittleson

Host: Bridget Ann Stuart

Bridget Ann Stuart is an executive strategic performance real estate coach and host of The Inner Estate podcast. With 27 years in the business, she’s known for her deep commitment to personal development, business mindset, and helping real estate professionals grow with purpose. 

Connect with Bridget:

Website: therealbridgetstuart.com

Instagram: @therealbridgetstuart

Facebook: @TheRealBridgetStuart

Interested in being a guest on The Inner Estate?

I would love to hear your story. You can view available dates and request to join the show here: calendly.com/bridgetstuart67/theinnerestatepodcast

In this episode, Kara Buchman joins Bridget Stuart to share how focus, gratitude, and intentional self-growth create breakthroughs in both life and real estate. Kara opens up about her personal journey, the mindset practices that keep her grounded, and how positive affirmations and self-talk shape business success. From reframing negativity to building client relationships with authenticity, Kara reveals how clarity, gratitude, and intentional living can transform your business and your life.

Episode Highlights

• Why “what you focus on expands” is a powerful law of success
• How personal growth directly fuels business growth
• The role of gratitude in shifting mindset and outcomes
• How writing affirmations reprograms your focus
• Ways physical space influences mental clarity
• The importance of self-talk in business and life
• Strategies for turning negativity into opportunity
• Why communication and relationships are the foundation of real estate success
• Practical tools to quiet mental noise and set measurable goals
• How to stay in control of your focus and your reality

Books Mentioned in This Episode:

• You Cannot Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought by Peter McWilliams
• Write It Down, Make It Happen by Henriette Klauser
• Exactly What to Say by Phil Jones

Guest: Kara Buchman

Kara Buchman is a seasoned real estate professional and Associate Broker with Keller Williams Realty in Albuquerque, New Mexico. With more than 20 years in the industry, she leads The Buchman Group and is recognized for her client-first approach, deep community ties, and consistent results across residential, land, and investment properties. Kara’s passion for growth, gratitude, and intentional living informs both her personal journey and her success as a trusted real estate leader in the Albuquerque metro area.

Connect with Kara:

Website: karabuchman.kw.com

Facebook: @KaraBuchmanRealtor

Instagram: @karabuchman_realtor

Host: Bridget Ann Stuart

Bridget Ann Stuart is an executive strategic performance real estate coach and host of The Inner Estate podcast. With 27 years in the business, she’s known for her deep commitment to personal development, business mindset, and helping real estate professionals grow with purpose. 

Connect with Bridget:

Website: therealbridgetstuart.com

Instagram: @therealbridgetstuart

Facebook: @TheRealBridgetStuart

Interested in being a guest on The Inner Estate?

I would love to hear your story. You can view available dates and request to join the show here: calendly.com/bridgetstuart67/theinnerestatepodcast