The One Life Podcast

Five months. 16 episodes. Countless stories of encouragement — and we’re just getting started.

In Part 1 of this two-part end-of-year recap, Matt looks back on the first season of The One Life Podcast and shares the biggest takeaways from the early episodes — including his three foundational solo episodes and the first wave of guests.

This episode is an invitation to go back and binge the “evergreen” conversations, revisit the moments that hit home, and step into 2026 with fresh perspective: you don’t have to choose between a thriving business and a meaningful life — you can have both.

1. Episodes 1–3 (Solo): My Burden, My Story, My Hope — why One Life exists, the pain points in entrepreneurship/real estate, and the journey toward work-life harmony.
2. No arriving: There’s no “PhD” in work-life harmony — but you can make real progress through disciplines, boundaries, and intentionality.

1. Margin creates room for divine interruptions: If you can’t be interrupted, you may be carrying things God never assigned you.
2. Rest is not weakness — it’s obedience: Sabbath and margin refill your “cup,” increasing creativity, energy, and effectiveness.
3. A confronting definition of fame: Chasing accessibility to people who don’t truly matter can cost you the ones who do.
4. Significance and spiritual warfare: Distraction isn’t just inconvenience — it can be warfare when it pulls you away from purpose.

1. AI is the electricity to your marketing: It powers what you’re already doing and multiplies impact when used with intention.
2. Work as stewardship: Time, talent, and treasure aren’t owned — they’re entrusted.
3. Two gut-check questions:
4. Why am I doing what I’m doing?
5. Who am I doing it for?
6. Success without surrender is still empty: Motives matter — doing it “for the Lord” reshapes everything.

1. Run your race: Nobody can be you — the world needs the real you, not the ideal version.
2. Redefine winning: The industry’s scoreboard is incomplete; measure what actually matters.
3. Track what you want to grow: Marriage, health, mind, kids, relationships, impact — not just units/volume.
4. The “why I started” wake-up call: The story of the agent who got into business for time freedom… and didn’t pick up her daughter once in four years.

1. You can control how you show up: Energy, habits, and choices shape your presence in every room.
2. God’s agenda over ego: Your calendar might not be proof of your greatness — it might be God positioning you for someone else.
3. Boundaries protect what matters: Marriage and family require guardrails.
4. Social media realism: Perfection is poison — don’t confuse highlight reels with real life.
5. If you’re still here, your assignment isn’t complete: God isn’t done with you.

1. Win the day early: Kyle emphasizes routines and execution — “wins the day by 8 a.m.”
2. Militant calendar management: High output comes from intentional inputs.
3. EOS impact: Entrepreneurial Operating System helped bring structure, clarity, and real business operating rhythm.

1. Be the most authentic version of yourself: Performing as someone else is exhausting and unsustainable.
2. Joy is found in progress: Not just outcomes — progress itself can be a source of joy.
3. Remove unnecessary pressure: If you’re building a life you don’t need to retire from, you can loosen the grip on artificial deadlines.
4. The calendar tells the truth: If it’s not scheduled, it doesn’t exist — especially marriage and family.

Matt Farnham is a Las Vegas-based real estate leader and the host of The One Life Podcast, a community built for high-performing realtors and entrepreneurs who want to thrive in business without sacrificing what matters most — faith, marriage, family, health, and purpose.

Through conversations with top leaders, pastors, coaches, and high-capacity entrepreneurs, Matt helps listeners challenge the industry’s default playbook, change the scoreboard, and build a true life by design.

1. Go back and listen to: Episodes 1–10 (Solo foundation + early guests)
2. Guests highlighted in Part 1: Vance Pittman, Jason Pantana, Garrett Maroon, Treasure Davis, Kyle Whissel, Leo Pareja

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Join the One Life email community for updates, tools, and live events: One Life Community

Learn more: www.TheOneLifePodcast.com

Guest: Adam Haley — Realtor, developer, and entrepreneur based in Russellville, Kentucky. Former broker-owner of Haley Auctions & Realty, where his team of 14 agents closed 400+ transactions a year. Adam is also co-owner of H&S Homes, a construction and development company building 30+ homes annually. He and his wife, Shelby, have two children, Tripp and Palmer.

What happens when success costs too much?

In this episode, Matt sits down with Adam Haley, a top-producing agent and broker from Kentucky, who made the bold decision to step away from the constant grind of leadership and production to reclaim time, peace, and purpose.

Adam’s story is one of ambition, burnout, obedience, and grace — learning to let go of “more” in order to embrace “margin.” He shares what it looked like to walk away from a thriving brokerage role, launch a construction company that now builds 30+ homes per year, and rediscover joy through faith, family, and intentional living.

1. The Natural Progression Trap: How the industry’s playbook can quietly become your identity — and what it costs you.
2. Margin Over More: Why Adam stepped away from a $100M+ brokerage to gain back time with family, church, and friends.
3. Faith as the Guardrail: How trusting God replaced anxiety and fear of “losing status.”
4. Life by Design: Reallocating time toward what matters — faith, family, construction, and purpose.
5. Favorite Client = Himself: The joy of building homes he believes in and investing in his own long-term vision.
6. Guardrails for Peace: No morning appointments, no Sundays, and learning to truly rest.

About Adam

Adam Haley began his real estate career at the age of 23 when his father opened Haley Auctions and Realty. After 3 years Adam became the top agent in his county and has been a top 10 agent in his MLS for the past 8 years. In 2020 he also began a construction company with his now business partner to go along with his real estate business. In 2022 Adam took over as broker for Haley Auctions and Realty, a company of 14 agents that closed 400+ transactions in 2022 and 2023. At the end of 2024, Adam gave up his position of broker of the company to pursue a career long dream, being able to spend quality time with his family and friends.

1. Facebook: @AdamHaley.Number1Realtor
2. Instagram: @adamhaleyrealtor
3. Construction Company: H&S Homes
4. Email: [email protected]

Adam welcomes personal connections — as he said on air, “Just call me or look me up on Facebook. I’d love to talk to anyone anytime.”

Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement.

Join the One Life email community for updates, tools, and live events: One Life Community

Learn more: www.TheOneLifePodcast.com

Guests: Doug & Joan Johnston — The Sold Man Team (Boise, ID); 40 years married; 30 years in real estate together; parents of 2, grandparents of 3; relationship-based agents known for hospitality, community events, and a thriving marriage + business partnership.

Episode Summary

Doug and Joan Johnston embody what so many couples hope is possible: a marriage that flourishes and a real estate business that thrives. With 40 years of marriage and 30 years as business partners, they share the real story behind building a life of unity, purpose, and longevity.

From raising toddlers while hosting open houses, to embracing changing roles when illness required a shift, to turning their home into a hub of hospitality and client connection, Doug and Joan prove that you don’t have to choose between marriage, business, or family—you can live them in harmony.

This episode is a masterclass in partnership, resilience, and building a “relationship-rich” life that outlasts markets, seasons, and challenges. Their wisdom is honest, heartfelt, and deeply encouraging for couples navigating entrepreneurship.

Key Themes & Takeaways

1. Respect & Kindness: The two values they say have anchored every season of marriage and business.
2. No Ego in the Marriage or Business: Ego destroys partnership—humility builds it. Their teamwork works because they stay focused on we, not me.
3. Early Years & Shared Roles: Balancing diapers, open houses, and growing a business from a desk in their bedroom.
4. Flexibility & Mutual Support: Joan stepping into the field during Doug’s illness—discovering strengths she didn’t know she had.
5. Faith & Mentorship: How a spiritually grounded mentor and church community shaped their marriage and personal growth.
6. Relationship-Rich Business: Why hospitality, backyard gatherings, and showing genuine care create better clients, deeper friendships, and long-term impact.
7. Surviving the 2008 Crash: Retooling, short sales, rebuilding, and leaning into community during one of the hardest seasons in Boise real estate.
8. “Low & Slow”: Doug’s BBQ metaphor for life and relationships—patience, presence, and intentionality win every time.
9. Legacy: Honesty, fairness, open doors, good meals, and helping people win—what they want their clients, friends, and family to remember.

Resources & Mentions

1. SoldMan.com – Doug & Joan’s real estate website
2. Instagram: @thesoldmanteam – Real estate updates and client connection
3. Instagram: @boisebarbecueguy – Doug’s BBQ, cooking tips, and behind-the-scenes fun
4. Their 150-person backyard parties, tri-tip cookouts, and hospitality-driven client events
5. “No rich like relationship rich” — a theme woven throughout their story

Share this with a married couple in business, a new real estate partnership, or anyone who needs hope that life, marriage, and work can thrive together.

About Doug & Joan

Doug and Joan Johnston have been married for 40 years and have spent 30 of those years building a successful real estate business side-by-side in Boise, Idaho. Parents of two daughters and proud grandparents of three, they’ve built a “relationship-rich” life where faith, family, and hospitality shape everything they do. Known for their backyard events, generosity, mentorship, and deep client care, they’ve grown The Sold Man Team into one of Boise’s most respected relationship-driven real estate practices.

Connect with Doug & Joan

1. Website: https://soldman.com
2. Instagram (Real Estate): @thesoldmanteam
3. Instagram (BBQ): @boisebarbecueguy

Let's connect!

1. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement.
2. Learn more: www.TheOneLifePodcast.com.

Guest: Mikki Ramey — Broker/Owner, Healthy Realty (Charleston, SC); married 29 years to John; mom of 4; new grandma; leads a 12-agent team with 1 ISA and 3 TCs; 223 families served in 2024.

Episode Summary

Mikki unpacks what it looks like to build a profitable real-estate business while leading with faith at home and at work. From “home is for hospitality” to hiring people you want to “do life with,” she shares how intentional rhythms, grace over shame, and clear non-negotiables create harmony across marriage, parenting, and leadership. We also hit her honest 2020 rebuild story, her “Nanny Realtor” first hire, and why CRM time is the team’s daily must.

Key Themes & Takeaways

1. Intentionality: “Create your future—or someone else will.”
2. Grace over shame: Pre-deciding to stand with your kids (and spouse) in hard moments.
3. Home as ministry: Hospitality > impressing; family on mission together.
4. Leadership & hiring: Servant hearts, team players, low drama only.
5. Operational habits: Daily CRM time; manage your day or it manages you.
6. Resilience: Rebuilding team and culture after a tough 2020 season.

Resources & Mentions

1. Craig Groeschel – teaching on “pre-decide” (sermon habit Mikki referenced)
2. Charleston Eats (Mikki’s picks): Fleet Landing (laid-back lunch on the water); Peninsula Grill or Hall’s Chophouse (upscale dinner & standout service)
3. Healthy Realty – Mikki’s brokerage/team in Charleston
4. Instagram: @movingwithmikki (see “Connect with Mikki” below)

Share this with a young mom, a new grandparent, or a leader navigating a rebuild. Your share could be the encouragement they need today.

Mikki Ramey has been married to her college sweetheart, John, who is a practicing physician, for 29 years. She has 4 children (some are adults), ages 23, 19, 17, and 12. She is a new grandma as well. She has been a real estate licensee for over 20 years and has been the broker/owner of Healthy Realty since 2008. She currently has a real estate team of 12 agents, 1 ISA, and 3 TCs. In 2024, they served 223 families and individuals with the purchase or sale of their homes, and are passionate about serving more clients with their real estate needs in the years to come.

1. Instagram: @movingwithmikki (handle mentioned on the show)
2. Brokerage: Healthy Realty — Charleston, SC (Broker/Owner)
3. Website: https://mikkiramey.com/
4. Email: [email protected]

1. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement.
2. Learn more: www.TheOneLifePodcast.com.

In this episode, Matt sits down with one of his closest friends and former coach, Mike Schumm, a master-level mentor with more than 30,000 coaching calls and 35+ years of entrepreneurial experience. Together they unpack the habits, rhythms, and mindset of high-performing leaders who are thriving not just in business — but in life.

Mike shares the journey behind his new company, Profits Coaching, and explains why success isn’t about scaling endlessly or chasing vanity metrics — it’s about building a business that serves your family, your purpose, and your future.

This conversation goes deep into the heart of what makes sustainable success possible — from managing marriage and business dynamics to scheduling what matters most. You’ll learn:

1. Why the most successful leaders schedule family time first.
2. The difference between profitability and vanity metrics (and why revenue doesn’t equal success).
3. How burnout often begins at home, not at work.
4. The one question every entrepreneur should ask to start living a truly One Life.
5. Why harmony, not balance, is the real goal.

Mike’s stories and insights — drawn from decades of experience coaching real estate leaders across North America — will help you redefine success on your own terms, protect what matters most, and build a life you don’t need to retire from.

1. Profit > Revenue: Bigger isn’t always better. Profit and purpose create freedom.
2. Harmony over Balance: Schedule family and rest the same way you schedule business.
3. Faith, Family, Business Alignment: A thriving business starts with healthy relationships.
4. Identity Check: You are not your job title — your work is a vehicle, not your worth.
5. Reverse Engineering Success: Build your life calendar first, then your business around it.
6. Define Success for Yourself: Don’t let the industry prescribe your scoreboard.

Mike Schumm has been an entrepreneur for over 35 years. Over those 3 decades, Mike has personally built a number of successful businesses, many of which focused on different areas of the real estate industry.

Mike has been a licensed realtor since 2003 and started coaching and mentoring in 2014. Since then he has mentored and scaled hundreds of North America's larger but more importantly profitable real estate enterprises.

Mike has undoubtedly reached mastery-level mentorship with over 10,000 hours and over 30,000 completed coaching sessions.

Mike is currently focused on launching a one-on-one coaching company, Profytz Coaching, that helps real estate teams scale and maintain higher profit margins than most teams in the industry.

Mike is committed to lifelong learning and creating memories with his family. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with his life-partner Lisa and his son Mikey.

Instagram: @mikeschumm_

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://profytz.com/

If you lost it all tomorrow, would you still know who you are?

In this conversation, Matt Farnham sits down with Robert Mack—a top-producing Realtor, team leader, and personal growth advocate—to unpack the emotional rollercoaster of success, identity, and navigating pressure in business and life.

Robert opens up about the internal shifts that helped him find peace, the daily disciplines that keep him grounded, and how to build a business that doesn’t steal your joy.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

1. The mindset shifts that helped Robert move from stress to stability
2. How he rebuilt from burnout and anxiety with a healthier foundation
3. The habits that protect his peace and confidence as a leader
4. What it means to build significance beyond sales
5. Why self-awareness is the key to sustainable success

Top 3 Takeaways:

1. You can feel peace even when your business is in chaos
2. Significance isn’t what you build—it’s who you become
3. Self-leadership is the foundation of leading others well

About Robert Mack:

Robert Mack is a Realtor, team leader, and speaker based in Southern California. He’s built a highly successful business, but his deeper passion lies in personal growth, mindset, and helping others lead with intention. Through his leadership and content, Robert equips others to pursue peace, confidence, and significance in business and life.

Connect with Rob:

Instagram Linkedin YouTube

Let’s connect!

1. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement.
2. Join the One Life email community for updates, tools, and live events: One Life Community
3. Learn more: www.TheOneLifePodcast.com

It’s possible to scale quickly without losing yourself in the process.

In this episode, Matt Farnham is joined by Spring Bengtzen, CEO of The Utah Life Real Estate Group and one of the top-performing leaders in the industry. Spring pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to lead at a high level, grow quickly, and still protect what matters most—her family, her mindset, and her faith.

This episode is for anyone who wants to grow big but stay deeply grounded in their values, identity, and purpose.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

1. Spring’s journey from burnout to breakthrough
2. The daily habits that help her stay centered and focused
3. What she teaches high achievers about alignment and boundaries
4. How to lead with vision while protecting your energy
5. The power of showing up fully as yourself in business

Top 3 Takeaways:

1. Scaling doesn’t have to come at the expense of your soul
2. Slowing down internally is key to speeding up externally
3. Growth that lasts comes from alignment, not just ambition

About Spring Bengtzen:

Spring Bengtzen is the CEO of The Utah Life Real Estate Group brokered by REAL and one of the top-producing team leaders in the U.S. She also runs a thriving coaching business, hosts retreats and events, and is passionate about helping people grow their business and their life. Known for her intensity, authenticity, and love for personal development, Spring helps leaders create lives that match their ambition.

Connect with Spring:

Website Instagram Facebook

Let’s connect!

1. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement.
2. Join the One Life email community for updates, tools, and live events: One Life Community
3. Learn more: www.TheOneLifePodcast.com

Leadership isn’t about control—it’s about creating opportunity for others.

In this episode, Matt Farnham sits down with Leo Pareja, CEO of eXp Realty, to explore his journey from top-producing agent to executive leader. Leo shares how his immigrant upbringing, entrepreneurial drive, and desire to leave a legacy have shaped the way he leads—and lives.

This conversation is packed with insight for real estate professionals and business leaders who want to build something meaningful while staying grounded in purpose and impact.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

1. How Leo’s childhood experiences shaped his mindset and mission
2. The tension between rapid growth and intentional leadership
3. How to lead at scale while staying personally aligned
4. What it means to build a business with legacy in mind
5. Why impact matters more than image

Top 3 Takeaways:

1. Leadership at any level begins with clarity and humility
2. True success is about multiplying opportunity, not just personal achievement
3. Building legacy starts with making decisions today that serve others tomorrow

Special Guest Leo Pareja

Leo Pareja began his real estate career at the age of 19. By 28, he had become the #1 Keller Williams agent worldwide. Over his 15-year career in sales, his team personally sold approximately 4,000 homes.

In 2012, he co-founded Washington Capital Partners, transforming it into one of the largest private lending companies on the East Coast, with over $2 billion in originated hard money loans. In 2016, he co-founded Remine, which quickly became the fastest-growing MLS platform in the industry—capturing 80% market share and serving more than 1.1 million users.

After successful exits from both WCP and Remine, Leo joined eXp Realty’s executive leadership as a named officer of EXPI. He has served as President of Affiliated Services and Chief Strategy Officer, leading strategic initiatives that have strengthened eXp Realty’s competitive edge and agent value proposition. He currently serves as CEO of eXp Realty.

Leo has been named to the Swanepoel Power 200 (SP 200) six times, recognizing him as one of the most powerful and influential executives in residential real estate.

In 2020, Leo co-founded the Pareja Family Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing economic disparities by equipping individuals with the tools and opportunities to achieve financial independence. The Foundation supports women, minority-led startups, and underserved communities through education, mentorship, and financial assistance. It offers a Financial Literacy Course—developed in partnership with Miami Dade College—that teaches essential financial skills for long-term success.

By investing in economic equity and empowering the next generation, Leo continues to drive meaningful impact beyond the real estate industry.

Connect with Leo

https://www.instagram.com/leopareja/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/leo.pareja.104/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leopareja/

Let’s connect!

1. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement.
2. Learn more: www.TheOneLifePodcast.com

Success is great—until it starts costing you the life you actually want.

In this episode, Matt Farnham sits down with Kyle Whissel, one of the most innovative real estate team leaders in the country, to talk about what it really takes to build a high-growth business without losing your peace, your presence, or your people.

Kyle shares the behind-the-scenes struggles and lessons that shaped his leadership journey, including how he rebuilt his life and business around alignment, family, and intentional choices.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

1. The hidden costs of unchecked growth and hustle
2. What Kyle changed after realizing success had come at too high a price
3. How he’s restructured his time to prioritize presence with family
4. Why clarity and simplicity are the foundation of sustainable scaling
5. Practical tips for entrepreneurs who want to lead with alignment

Top 3 Takeaways:

1. Scaling your business doesn’t have to mean sacrificing yourself
2. The best decisions in business come from clarity, not chaos
3. Leadership starts at home—and success means showing up where it matters most

About Kyle Whissel:

Kyle Whissel leads the Whissel Realty Group brokered by eXp Realty in San Diego, CA. His team is consistently ranked among the top in the nation. Known for his innovation in video marketing and team building, Kyle is also a national speaker and instructor dedicated to helping agents build businesses that align with their lives—not overtake them.

Connect with Kyle:

https://www.facebook.com/KyleWhissel/

https://www.instagram.com/kylewhissel/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylewhissel/

https://www.youtube.com/@TheWhisselWay

Let’s connect!

1. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement.
2. Learn more: www.TheOneLifePodcast.com

In this episode of The One Life Podcast, Matt sits down with his close friend and powerhouse real estate leader, Treasure Davis. With over 20 years of experience in Colorado Springs, Treasure has built a thriving real estate team known for its culture of loyalty, service, and care. But beyond the impressive production numbers and long-standing team, Treasure’s story is about intentional living—showing up well for family, faith, business, and community.

Treasure opens up about:

1. Walking through personal challenges while staying anchored in gratitude and faith
2. How to create team culture that inspires loyalty, longevity, and productivity
3. Choosing quality time over quantity when it comes to family and parenting
4. Boundaries that protect marriage, family, and business partnerships
5. Her decision to remove alcohol from her life and the clarity it brought to her leadership
6. Why she and Matt are co-hosting the upcoming Better Together One Life Retreat for real estate couples

This conversation will encourage you to reframe success, align your family and business values, and remember that nothing in life—even the struggles—is wasted when you live with intention.

Connect with Treasure Davis:

1. Treasure Davis Team Website
2. Instagram
3. Facebook

Better Together One Life Marriage Retreat

1. Learn More

Let’s connect!

1. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement.
2. Learn more: www.TheOneLifePodcast.com