Bennett Forrest has worn many hats—ESPN broadcast pro, investor, top-producing buyer’s agent, and now podcast producer for The Miale Team. In this episode, Matt Miale sits down with Bennett to revisit how it all started, the missteps, the aha moments, and the gritty cold calls that shaped his real estate career.

We talk about: ✅ Why real estate isn’t a get-rich-quick business (and what new agents get wrong)
✅ The reality of investor coaching and what actually works
✅ Early days with the team, learning scripts, setting appointments, and riding shotgun on listing consults
✅ When Matt said, “Pick up the phone”—and what that moment changed
✅ The power of curiosity and why being “learning-based” unlocks everything
✅ Finding joy in helping buyers—even 15 years in
✅ What it’s like growing a team and podcasting alongside a longtime friend

🎙 QUOTE:
“Do what you love—even if buyers take more time or smaller commission. You’ll work harder and last longer doing what lights you up.” – Bennett Forrest

From Olympic bronze medalist to TV anchor to mental health advocate, Margaux Farrell has mastered the art of reinvention—and the courage it takes to slow down, let go of perfection, and find joy in the everyday. In this powerful conversation, she opens up about burnout, imposter syndrome, high-performance pressure, and redefining success on your own terms.

Margaux’s story is packed with real talk and hard-earned wisdom:

✅ Why bronze medalists might be the happiest 🥉
✅ The high achiever's trap: always chasing the next goal
✅ Her mental health journey and what therapy taught her
✅ Leaving the news desk for meaningful nonprofit work
✅ The power of routine, front-loading your day, and winning small
✅ What true work-life balance looks like (and when to claim it)
✅ Redefining success: from Olympic pools to holiday dinners at home

Whether you're sprinting toward a milestone or questioning the next move, this episode will help you pause, reflect, and reconnect with what really matters.

🧠 Quote of the Day:
“I used to think success meant the next big thing. Now, success is being home on Christmas morning.” – Margaux Farrell

💬 Featuring: Matt Miale, Margaux Farrell

In this episode of the Agent Interview Series, Matt Miale sits down with Joe Dabkowski, a standout leader and top-producing agent on The Miale Team. Joe opens up about his journey from competitive hockey player and coach to building a successful real estate business. He shares the mindset, habits, and systems that shaped his career — from launching with zero debt and two Zamboni-driving jobs, to becoming a trusted advisor with a long-term vision of building wealth and freedom. If you’re a newer agent, a coach, or a team leader looking to understand what creates staying power in this business, Joe’s story is packed with insight and authenticity.

📌 Topics Covered:

• Joe’s path from athletics to entrepreneurship

• Lessons from coaching and running a landscaping business

• Why structure matters for free spirits

• The role of repetition and scripting in skill mastery

• Building a consult framework and gaining trust

• Rejection, delayed gratification, and high-performance habits

• Why relationship-building > hunting for deals

• Long-term goals: investments, new construction, and golf course life

⛳️ Joe's Advice to His Younger Self: “Meet more people. Build stronger relationships. And buy more houses sooner.”

Kristan Cole shares a jaw-dropping story of resilience, vision, and no-excuses leadership.

In this powerful episode, Matt Miale welcomes one of the industry’s most influential leaders for a vulnerable, no-BS conversation about:

✅ Growing a business in the face of adversity
✅ Building wealth through preparation and consistency
✅ The path from survival → success → significance → transformation
✅ Why most agents quit right before it starts working
✅ The two scripts every open house agent should memorize

Kristan is sharp, direct, and generous with her wisdom — from her early days in a 9-person Alaskan town to running 15 offices, owning multiple ancillary businesses, and mentoring thousands of agents across the country.

Stick around for the part where she breaks down the exact script to use at an open house and how 30–45 minutes of daily lead gen can change your life.

🧠 Quote of the Day:
“The more I know, the more I know I know nothing.” – Bennett Forrest, on turning 50 🎉

💬 Featuring: Matt Miale, Kristan Cole, Bennett Forrest

#KristanCole #MattMiale #LeadershipSeries #RealEstateGrowth #KellerWilliams #PersonalDevelopment #OpenHouseScripts #RealEstateLeadership #TheMialeTeam #FromSurvivalToSuccess #RealTalk

In this episode of the Agent Interview Series, we sit down with Dan Leyden, a top-producing agent, investor, and property management entrepreneur based in Stamford, Connecticut.Dan’s journey is anything but typical — from lobster traps and maple syrup in Western Massachusetts to property flipping and investment strategies in Fairfield County.He shares the lessons learned from his early investments, the challenges of building a real estate team, and the systems that now fuel his success across three separate income streams: real estate sales, investing, and property management.🎙️ Topics Covered:

• How Dan built his first rental portfolio starting with $200 of Apple stock
• The struggles of being a solo agent vs. joining a team
• Why he ditched Zillow leads and focused on agent referrals
• Lessons from starting, scaling, and restructuring a real estate team
• Building a scalable property management business with over 70 doors
• Using real estate to fund a lifestyle of family, freedom, and legacy

Whether you’re a solo agent, a team leader, or an aspiring investor, Dan’s story will inspire you to think bigger and work smarter.

In this episode of the Agent Interview Series, we sit down with Erin Burnap — a former Pampered Chef director turned top-producing real estate agent. Erin opens up about her path from corporate finance to direct sales to finding her passion in real estate.She shares what it was like breaking into the industry during the chaos of the post-COVID housing market, how her background in sports and leadership shaped her resilience, and why being an empath is her secret weapon with clients.Whether you’re a new agent, a team leader, or someone navigating your own career pivot, Erin’s story will leave you inspired.🎙️ Topics Covered:

• Leaving a successful sales career for real estate
• Learning real estate in a post-COVID “Hunger Games” market
• Balancing empathy and boundaries as a high-achieving agent
• The power of mindset, mentorship, and surrounding yourself with “stars”

🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts.

In this kickoff episode of the Leadership and Personal Development Series, we sit down with Gene Arant, a seasoned real estate leader and team builder with over two decades of experience. Gene shares his insights on cultivating a winning team culture, balancing personal growth with professional development, and the key leadership lessons he’s learned along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned agent or just starting out in your leadership journey, Gene’s practical advice will inspire you to lead with confidence and authenticity.

In the very first episode of the Agent Interview Series, Matt Miale sits down with Erin Anderson to talk about what it really takes to thrive in real estate — from early mentorship lessons to treating the business like a full-time job.

Erin shares how radical ownership shaped her mindset, how she navigates tough moments, and why showing up with intention is the secret to long-term success.

Whether you’re just getting started or rebuilding momentum, this one’s packed with real-talk wisdom from an agent who lives it every day.

🎧 In This Episode:

• The advice that changed Erin’s mindset forever

• Why real estate requires full-time commitment

• How to learn from challenges — and not repeat them

• Balancing discipline with self-compassion

Connect with us:

@themialeteamkw | www.themialeteam.com

#TheMialeTeam #AgentInterview #RealEstatePodcast #MattMiale #ErinAnderson #RealEstateLife #KellerWilliams #AgentJourney #CareerGrowth #TheMialeTeamPlaybook