🔥 Top 3 Takeaways:

Reconnect With Your "Why": The foundation of the one-page business plan isn't the math; it is understanding the deep, personal reason you are working so hard. If you don't have a strong "why" (family, retirement, legacy), you will slip into cruise control the moment the market gets tough.

Extreme Accountability Works: If you are falling behind on your mid-year goals, you need real stakes. Chris shares his favorite coaching tactic: forcing agents to write a $10,000 check to an ex or a fierce competitor, ready to be mailed if they fail to complete their weekly prospecting tasks.

The "5-5-4" Daily Routine: When your pipeline is dry, you must lean into sweat equity. The most consistent top producers follow the 5-5-4 method daily: 5 new contacts, 5 sphere of influence touches, and 4 follow-up calls.

About This Episode:

In this episode of the RETSY Podcast, Chris and Matt sit down for a highly tactical, mid-year check-in on the RETSY "Level Up" One-Page Business Plan. With half of 2026 already in the books, the hosts put their coaching hats back on to help agents analyze their pipelines, recalibrate their income goals, and refill the funnel for the summer and fall.

Chris dives into his background as a top real estate coach, sharing extreme accountability tactics (including a legendary "bikini car wash" mastermind group) and emphasizing why tracking the exact ROI of your lead sources is critical for scaling. The guys also discuss the "unwritten rule" of real estate (why going out of town magically gets you busy), how to leverage AI to organize your database, and tease the massive Forbes Global Properties event coming to Scottsdale. Whether you are crushing your goals or completely off track, this episode is the ultimate reset to help you dominate the rest of the year.

00:00 - Welcome to the Mid Year RETSY Podcast Check In

01:44 - Putting on the Coaching Hat: The History of Chris and Matt's Coaching Careers

04:26 - The "Level Up" One Page Business Plan: Establishing the "Why" Behind Your Work

15:25 - Finding Your Purpose: How to Uncover Your "Why" if You Don't Know It

25:32 - Books and Podcasts That Have Fueled Chris and Matt's Success

29:44 - Stop Sandbagging Your Goals: How to Shoot Big and Recalibrate Mid Year

32:59 - Coaching Advice: Mastering 5 5 4s, Open Houses, and Staying Busy

40:35 - General Tips for Growth: Switching Up Your Routine to Expand Your Sphere

45:11 - Beta Testing the Future: New RETSY Tools Coming Soon

49:55 - Extreme Tactics: Tips and Tricks for Ultimate Accountability

55:00 - RETSY Agents: Reach Out to Your Partners if You Need Anything

Click here to download the Level Up 2026 Plan

Learn more about RETSY

www.retsy.com / www.instagram.com/retsy / www.youtube.com/@retsy.

Original music by @jacktwarner

🔥 Top 3 Takeaways

Take the Ultimate Leap. Dylan walked away from a highly successful Director role at Dutch Bros corporate to move to Arizona with a baby on the way, crash at "Grandma Jean's" house, and pass the 90-hour real estate crash course in just 10 days.

The Zillow Bootcamp. After a slow first 7 months, Dylan leaned heavily into a high-volume Zillow team. The sheer volume of phone calls, showings, and writing contracts in his car gave him the crucial "reps" and confidence needed to close 21 deals in his first full year.

Provide Value to Top Producers. Dylan didn't ask top agent Alex Smith for free leads. Instead, he asked for permission to simply shadow his design meetings, walk his properties, and learn the luxury construction process. That humility and eagerness to learn organically evolved into a massive co-listing partnership.

About This Episode

In this episode of the RETSY Podcast, Chris and Matt sit down with RETSY Agent Dylan Schwarm, who shares the incredible story of his massive life and career pivot. Leaving behind a secure corporate job in the apparel division of Dutch Bros in Oregon, Dylan moved his growing family to Scottsdale to start completely from scratch in the highly competitive real estate industry.

Dylan opens up about his grueling first year in the business, grinding out 21 transactions by answering a barrage of Zillow leads during the 2020 pandemic boom. He reveals the strategic steps he took to leave that "burn and turn" model behind to break into the luxury market by partnering with top-producing agent Alex Smith. The conversation also dives into the importance of understanding the luxury construction process, why you can never take your foot off the prospecting gas pedal (even when you're busy), and how Dylan leverages RETSY's tech, specifically the Forewarn app and off-market property portal, to secure high-net-worth clients.

00:00 - Meet RETSY Agent Dylan Schwarm

01:41 - Working in Apparel: How Dylan Found Himself at Dutch Bros Corporate

08:20 - Relocating to Arizona and Passing the Real Estate Exam on the First Try

16:38 - The Incredible Support from Dutch Bros Before Diving into Real Estate

20:30 - Closing 21 Deals in Year One: Surviving the Zillow Lead Boom

23:26 - Hustling for Experience: Meeting Team Lead Alex Smith

26:05 - Full Circle: Becoming the Preferred Agent for the New Dutch Bros HQ

28:40 - The "Monday to Monday" Open House That Led to Co-Listing

30:13 - How to Be a Great Team Member and Learn from High-Producing Leaders

38:40 - The Biggest Lesson Learned: You Must Prospect When You're Too Busy

44:23 - Favorite RETSY Tools: Pitching Off-Market Properties and Catching Scammers

49:24 - The Time Machine Question: "Everything is Going to be Just Fine"

50:39 - How to Connect

Connect with Dylan

Instagram: @dylanschwarm

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 541-973-9945

Learn more about RETSY

www.retsy.com / www.instagram.com/retsy / www.youtube.com/@retsy.

Original music by @jacktwarner

In this episode of the RETSY Podcast, Chris and Matt are joined by RETSY agent Jen Sheedy, who shares how her incredibly diverse career path perfectly prepared her for the world of luxury real estate. Jen discusses her early days working as a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines in the 1990s, where she learned the invaluable art of top-tier customer service, calming nerves, and de-escalation. She later transitioned to project management for the elite luxury builder Nance Construction, training her eye to spot true quality craftsmanship versus shoddy flips. To top it off, Jen earned a Master’s degree in Counseling—a skill she uses daily to navigate the intense emotions, stressful negotiations, and complicated dynamics of high-stakes real estate transactions.

The conversation also explores Jen's transition to RETSY and the power of letting go of total control to leverage a world-class support team, from marketing specialists to expert Transaction Coordinators. Chris and Matt then dive into a fascinating macroeconomic discussion with Jen, exploring the current state of the Phoenix housing market, the strict lending standards preventing another 2008-style crash, and the hidden "private banking" loopholes that ultra-high-net-worth buyers use to secure shockingly low interest rates. Whether you want to master the client experience or understand the hidden levers of luxury finance, Jen’s wealth of experience delivers on all fronts.

00:00 - Welcome to the Podcast: Meet RETSY Agent Jen Sheedy

01:26 - Flying Southwest in the 90s: Learning the Ultimate Customer Experience

05:15 - The Nance Construction Standard: Why Quality Building Ruins You for Cheap Flips

17:18 - Choosing RETSY: Elite Tech, Marketing Support, and a True Family Culture

29:55 - What is "Air Gapping"? Keeping Agent Databases and Contacts Highly Secure

45:12 - Sourcing Business: The Strategy Behind Geographic and Demographic Farming

49:50 - Bullish on Phoenix Real Estate: Why Waiting for a Market Crash is a Trap

52:20 - The 2008 "Canary in the Coal Mine": Why Strict Lending Prevents Another Crash

58:30 - Navigating the New Fed Chair and Private Banking Hacks for Low Interest Rates

1:06:23 - How to Connect with Jen Sheedy

Connect with Jen

Call or text her at 602-502-6600

Find her on IG @jensheedy

Or send her an email at [email protected]

Learn more about RETSY

www.retsy.com

www.instagram.com/retsy

www.youtube.com/@retsy.

Original music by @jacktwarner

In this episode of the RETSY Podcast, Chris and Matt sit down with developer, and acclaimed interior designer Erinn V. Erinn shares her incredible journey from growing up in a family of builders and architects to producing home decor books and styling segments for the Today Show. She opens up about launching her own Los Angeles-based furniture line, designing best-selling hardware collections for Baldwin, and why she eventually fled the restrictive building regulations of Santa Barbara and Los Angeles to develop ultra-luxury spec homes in the booming Arizona market.

Diving into her creative process, Erinn reveals why so many modern spec homes miss the mark by trying to appeal to everyone, ultimately resulting in "luxury cookie-cutter" neighborhoods. She breaks down her golden design mantra of "height, light, and views," explaining why perfecting the architectural "box" is infinitely more important than expensive furnishings. The trio also discusses the exploding culinary and lifestyle scene in Phoenix that is drawing ultra-wealthy buyers from out of state and the importance of authentic architecture

00:00 - Welcome to the RETSY Podcast: Meet Designer and Developer Erinn V.

01:20 - A Family of Builders and Architects: Erinn's Background and Growing a Lifestyle Brand

05:11 - From Concept to Creation: Designing Custom Furniture and the Baldwin Hardware Collection

12:00 - Standing Out in the Spec World: How to Be Different in Luxury Real Estate Design

21:00 - Fleeing California Regulations: Why Erinn Relocated Her Development Business to Arizona

30:58 - The Great Migration: Why the Wealthy are Moving to the Valley for the "New Style"

35:02 - Arizona's Hidden Gems: The Culinary Boom and Explosive Growth in Luxury Real Estate

47:25 - The Downfall of California: Why Residents and Businesses Are Heading East

50:04 - Developing with Vision: Why Location and Views Are the Ultimate Design Directives

53:05 - The Time Machine Question: Why Erinn Would Go Back to Buy Bitcoin

57:00 - How to Connect with Erinn V.

Connect with Erinn

Check her out on Instagram @erinnvstyle

Or her website erinnvdesigngroup.com

Learn more about RETSY

www.retsy.com

www.instagram.com/retsy

www.youtube.com/@retsy.

Original music by @jacktwarner

In this episode of the RETSY Podcast, Chris and Matt welcome Andrew Turley of Phoenix Valuations, the go-to appraiser for ultra-luxury real estate in Arizona. Andrew breaks down the exact science and nuance behind appraising high-end homes, starting with the critical importance of an appraiser's "geographical competence." He reveals a shocking statistic from his own research: 35% of homes in the county have inaccurate square footage on public records, and laser measuring can often uncover hundreds of uncounted square feet that add massive value to a seller's bottom line. Andrew also pulls back the curtain on how appraisers actually calculate the value of guest houses, finished basements, and premium lots, putting long-standing real estate myths to rest.

Beyond the math, Andrew provides a masterclass on how agents can proactively advocate for their clients by building the perfect appraisal package—explaining why including multiple offers, pending sales, and chronologically priced upgrade lists is absolutely crucial. He warns against relying on automated AI valuation models (AVMs) or aggressive post-appraisal appeals, emphasizing that collaboration and upfront communication always yield the best results. The conversation rounds out with a highly bullish look at the Phoenix macro-economy, detailing the massive influx of high-net-worth migration and the record-breaking sales currently happening in the $12 million to $25 million tier.

00:00 – Welcome to the Podcast: Meet Appraiser Andrew Turley

02:03 - Elevating the Luxury Market and the Evolution of Phoenix Valuations

05:12 - Why Agents and Appraisers Must Work Together (And How RETSY Excels)

09:17 - Maximize Your Client's ROI: How a Great Appraiser Makes You More Money

14:15 - The Math on Basements and ADUs: Adding 95% Value to the Main Home

19:18 - The Power of Communication in Accurately Assigning Market Value

24:35 - What is Happening in Luxury Real Estate? Why the Valley Keeps Growing

32:14 - Investing in Phoenix's Culinary Scene and Elevating the Local Lifestyle

40:02 - The Million-Dollar Question: Is It Actually Worth It to Remodel a House?

44:02 - The Secret to Timeless Design: Why Natural Lighting is the Ultimate Key

51:54 - Breaking Records: What is Driving the Massive New Sales Numbers in Arizona?

56:25 - Innovating the Appraisal Process: Why Land Valuation is the Ultimate Difference Maker

1:01:47 - Valuing a $37 Million Off-Market Trophy Asset

1:02:48 - How to Connect with Andrew and the Team at Phoenix Valuations

Check out his website www.phoenixvaluations.com

Or call the office at 480-634-5980

Learn more about RETSY

www.retsy.com

www.instagram.com/retsy

www.youtube.com/@retsy.

Original music by @jacktwarner

In this episode of the RETSY Podcast, Chris and Matt sit down with RETSY agent Sandra Gaare to discuss her incredible transition from the corporate world to luxury real estate. Sandy shares the story of her 35-year career at Ticketmaster, where she served as the Executive Vice President of Retail Partnerships for North America. When the live entertainment industry halted during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sandy pivoted into her lifelong passion for real estate. She brought her elite corporate background with her, explaining how she performs a rigorous SWOT analysis on every listing to deeply understand her buyer demographic and negotiate effectively with C-level executives, doctors, and entrepreneurs.

Sandy also breaks down the meticulous systems that set her business apart, including her non-negotiable staging process that transforms every listing into a model home before it hits the market. The trio dives into Sandy’s highly unique geographic farming strategy in the Desert Ridge community, where she skipped traditional mailers and instead became the official neighborhood expert by writing for community magazines and sponsoring local schools. Finally, Sandy shares a wild real estate horror story about a listing that severely flooded just three days before closing, proving why radical honesty and proactive problem-solving are an agent's most valuable assets.

00:00 – Welcome RETSY Agent Sandra Gaare

01:30 – 35 Years at Ticketmaster: Negotiating Contracts and Driving Half the Company's Sales

05:04 – The COVID Furlough That Sparked a Lifelong Passion for Real Estate

12:58 – Breaking into the Market: Sandy's Key to Success in the Luxury Space

17:10 – Coming Out of the Gate Strong and How the COVID Market Differs From Today

21:32 – Embracing Tech: How RETSY's Ad Tools Elevated Sandy's Business

35:30 – Data is Your Best Tool: Why You Need to Stop Listening to the News

38:15 – The Power of a Great Team and the Unmatched Support Culture at RETSY

45:04 – Advice for New Agents: Mastering Referrals and Building a Client Base

54:14 – The Time Machine Question: Trusting the Process and Taking the Leap Sooner

58:52 – Why Now is the Perfect Time to Buy (And How to Get Clients Off the Fence)

01:08:58 – How to Connect

Connect with Sandra

Check out Instagram @sandragaare

Or her website sandragaare.com

Call or text her at 847-922-2620

Check out her featured listing linked here.

Learn more about RETSY

www.retsy.com

www.instagram.com/retsy

www.youtube.com/@retsy.

Original music by @jacktwarner

In this episode of the RETSY Podcast, Chris and Matt sit down with RETSY agent and founder of Godsey Creative, Justin Godsey. Starting as an agent who realized the industry desperately needed a cinematic upgrade from basic "photo slideshows," Justin built a powerhouse digital agency that helps real estate professionals and businesses craft highly engaging, viral content. He breaks down the exact strategies he uses to help agents overcome camera anxiety, including his golden rule of "embracing the cringe" and filming practice videos you never even intend to post.

The conversation also takes a deep dive into the fast-paced world of artificial intelligence and digital labor. Justin and the hosts explore how top-producing agents use comedy as "top of funnel" content, while treating serious listing videos as the "commercials." From using AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT to instantly generate scripts and shot lists, to a futuristic discussion on Waymo driverless cars and Tesla robots, this episode is a masterclass in staying ahead of the technological curve and standing out in a saturated market.

00:00 – Welcome to the Podcast: Meet Justin Godsey from Godsey Creative

01:23 – The Origin Story: Transitioning from Real Estate Agent to Content Creator

04:00 – Breaking the Mold in Early Real Estate Video Marketing

07:45 – Current Content Trends and How to Find Your Unique Strategy

12:44 – Behind the Scenes: Real Estate Comedy and Viral Videos with Mike Dellina

22:22 – The 6-Month Rule: Why Consistency Beats Overnight Success

24:35 – Overcoming Camera Fear by Embracing the Cringe

37:55 – The Time Machine Question: Personal Growth and Looking to the Future

41:41 – AI's Exponential Growth: How to Use Tech Without Losing Your Human Voice

01:03:00 – How to Connect

Connect with Justin

Find him on IG at @GodseyCreative or @JustinGodsey

Check out his website godseycreative.com

Email him at [email protected]

Learn more about RETSY

www.retsy.com

www.instagram.com/retsy

www.youtube.com/@retsy.

Original music by @jacktwarner

In this episode of the RETSY Podcast, Chris and Matt sit down with RETSY "OG" and Morrison Team powerhouse, Steph Tarr. Steph shares her journey from growing up on the West side of Phoenix alongside Chris, to working as a medical marketing director, flipping her first house to pay off student loans, and eventually finding her true calling in real estate. Known for her fierce loyalty and straight-shooting honesty, Steph breaks down why telling sellers what they need to hear, rather than what they want to hear, is the ultimate key to a successful transaction and preventing "pre-planned resentments."

The conversation dives into Steph’s meticulous, non-negotiable staging process, explaining why sellers must remove their "home" from the "house" to compete in the luxury market. Chris, Matt, and Steph also reminisce on the early days of leaving their previous brokerage to launch RETSY, winning a massive Fountain Hills listing with a Forbes Global Properties "Hail Mary," and building an unmatched company culture (complete with the infamous Ladies' Happy Hour). Stick around for some hilarious real estate horror stories involving exotic animals and expired licenses, plus the origin of the brokerage’s favorite "Matthew-isms."

00:00 – Welcome RETSY OG, Steph Tarr

02:20 – Joining the Morrison Team: Taking a Leap of Faith on a New Brokerage

04:48 – West Side Roots: Growing Up and Setting Big Goals

11:15 – Flipping Houses Before the Crash: What Brought Steph into Real Estate

22:29 – Building RETSY: Believing in the Tech, QR Codes, and the Brand

25:40 – Disrupting the Industry: The Authenticity of the RETSY Model

32:47 – The RETSY Culture: Ladies' Happy Hours and the "Trophy Boss"

36:27 – The "Hail Mary" Pitch: Winning the First Forbes Global Properties Listing

41:56 – Your Evolving Sphere: Navigating Life Changes and Building Trust

50:36 – Just Pick Up the Phone! (Why Are Agents Ignoring Calls?)

53:48 – Inside the Morrison Team: A Culture of Support and Collaboration

01:01:07 – The Best Support System: Relying on Matt and the Expert TCs

01:04:47 – Next-Level Marketing: How RETSY’s Internal Team Elevates Agents

01:08:49 – The Only Time Steph Said "No" — Protecting Her Team's Energy

01:11:10 – How to Connect

Connect with Steph

480.612.3553

[email protected] or [email protected]

Learn more about RETSY

www.retsy.com

www.instagram.com/retsy

www.youtube.com/@retsy.

Original music by @jacktwarner

It is official: The RETSY Podcast has hit the one-year mark with 52 episodes in the books! To celebrate, RETSY Partner Shawna Warner takes over the moderator seat to flip the script and interview Chris and Matt. The trio takes a trip down memory lane, swapping stories about their pre-real estate careers—from Matt busting ticket-scalping college professors as a fraud investigator for Discover Card, to Chris getting rejected by the President of Del Webb while fitting him for golf clubs. They also dive into the psychology of success, sharing the "extreme accountability" tactics Chris used to force top-producing agents to hit their goals.

In the second half of the episode, Chris and Matt answer rapid-fire video questions submitted by RETSY agents. They break down the tactical math of geographic farming (and why you need a 6% turnover rate to win), role-play the ultimate luxury listing pitch, and reveal their biggest broker pet peeves. Finally, they open the vault to share the absolute worst real estate transactions they have ever experienced—including a Queen Creek septic nightmare and a wildly disastrous showing involving an ocelot, a flamethrower, and a barbecue grill you have to hear to believe.

00:00 - Welcome to the 1-Year Anniversary Episode

01:21 - Behind the Scenes: The Real Purpose of the RETSY Podcast

02:28 - Calling Out Agents: Who We Want in the "Hot Seat" Next

04:50 - Before Real Estate: Passion Jobs, Fraud Investigations, and Butcher Shops

14:32 - Q&A with Adam Hizme: How to Farm a Neighborhood Loaded with Established Agents

27:10 - Q&A with Jon Mark Estes: A Broker's Biggest Pet Peeve and Sloppy Paperwork

36:23 - Q&A with Jordan Wobig: The Absolute Worst Real Estate Transactions We've Ever Handled

44:07 - Q&A with Brad Fanelli: Turning a Hobby Into a Full-Time Career

45:57 - "Matthew-isms": The Origin of the Brokerage's Favorite Catchphrases

49:43 - Q&A with Jay Jordan: What We Would Do Differently if We Started RETSY Today

54:37 - Q&A with Sandra Gaare: Growing Up Morrison and Predicting Each Other's Futures

58:37 - The 10-Year Vision: Where Chris, Matt, and the RETSY Brand Are Headed

01:03:15 - Community Growth and Realization: How All the Pieces Fell Into Place

01:09:54 - How to Connect

Connect with Shawna

602.743.7006 | [email protected]

Connect with Chris

602.456.0065 | [email protected]

Connect with Matthew

[email protected]

Learn more about RETSY

www.retsy.com

www.instagram.com/retsy

www.youtube.com/@retsy.

Original music by @jacktwarner

In this highly anticipated episode, Chris and Matt welcome back RETSY’s go-to voice for market economics, Bradley Opitz, for a massive deep dive into the macro-trends shaping the real estate market. Known for leading the economic updates on the weekly RETSY Rendezvous, Bradley breaks down the recent regime change at the Federal Reserve, explaining the critical differences between Jay Powell and new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. By unpacking the philosophies of Milton Friedman and the mechanics of the Fed’s balance sheet, Bradley translates complex financial headlines, from inflation and the national debt to the surprising reality of recent tariffs, into actionable insights for agents and buyers alike.

Beyond monetary policy, the conversation spans the globe to explore the geopolitical and technological shifts impacting our daily lives. The trio discusses the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence as "digital labor," the future of autonomous vehicles like Waymo and Tesla, and Chris’s eye-opening experiences witnessing the economic struggles and failing power grids in Cuba. Despite the heavy topics and common media fear-mongering, Bradley leaves listeners with a powerful and optimistic prediction: a coming credit expansion and a massive economic boom. If you want to truly understand the forces driving the market and why our best days are ahead, this episode is a must-listen.

00:00 - Welcome back RETSY Agent and Market Economic voice for RETSY, Bradley Opitz

02:00 - The RETSY Rendezvous: Breaking Down Weekly Market Data for Agents

05:51 - Meet the New Fed Chair: Kevin Warsh and the Upcoming Economy

13:47 - Milton Friedman's Philosophy on Inflation and the Federal Reserve

18:22 - The Game Plan: How the Fed Plans to Tame High Inflation

29:05 - The Gold and Silver Standard: A Brief History of the Dollar

36:06 - The National Debt Clock and Why We Can't Just Print More Money (usdebtclock.org)

39:33 - The Truth About Tariffs: How They Actually Affect the Consumer

51:17 - Global Markets and Communism: How Other Countries Impact Our Economy

01:01:00 - Digital Labor and Self-Driving Cars: Why AI Won't Take Over the World

01:11:58 - Bradley's Optimistic Outlook: Why Our Best Days Are Ahead

01:14:24 - Final Recommendation: Why Everyone Needs to Watch "Free To Choose"

Connect with Bradley

Instagram: @opitzrealestate

Email: [email protected]

Learn more about RETSY

www.retsy.com

www.instagram.com/retsy

www.youtube.com/@retsy.

Original music by @jacktwarner