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

In this episode of the RETSY Podcast, Chris and Matt sit down with RETSY agent and renowned architectural designer Joel Contreras. Joel shares his unique journey from starting as a "starving artist" to becoming a loan officer and eventually merging his creative talents with real estate sales. He discusses his instrumental role in the Phoenix mid-century modern craze and how his ability to mentally re-engineer floor plans on the fly helps his clients see the hidden, highly profitable potential in overlooked properties.

The conversation takes a deep dive into Joel’s design philosophy, including his battles with historic preservation boards and why he purposefully aims to design for all socioeconomic brackets, not just mega-mansions in Paradise Valley. Joel also opens up about a devastating construction lawsuit that forced him to level up his business, join RETSY, and completely reinvent his marketing through Instagram reels. From discussing legendary architects like Al Beadle and John Lautner to the future of AI in home design, this episode is a masterclass in treating real estate as a true art form.

00:00 – Meet RETSY Agent and Designer Joel Contreras

01:32 – From "starving artist" to the mortgage and real estate industry

05:06 – Using design to help buyers see a property's true potential

09:47 – The daily hustle of juggling design, development, and sales

11:51 – What drew Joel to RETSY's collaborative culture

15:27 – Designing for every budget and remembering your roots

17:34 – Why real estate is the ultimate customer service masterclass

25:41 – Always bet on black! Adapting to polarizing design trends

29:12 – The current "ins and outs" of bringing color back into homes

40:05 – Navigating pushback from preservationists in historic districts

44:38 – How a brutal lawsuit became fuel for massive business growth

52:43 – Discussing architectural legends like Ralph Haver and Al Beadle

56:16 – Where to find Joel's portfolio and connect

Connect with Joel

Follow him on IG @joelcontrerasdesign

Or @joelcontreras_1

Check out his website at joelcontrerasdesign.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 are joined by Michael Jalbert, CEO of Forbes Global Properties, and Spencer Elliott, Content Manager. Recorded during their visit to Phoenix for the Forbes 30 Under 30 summit, this episode pulls back the curtain on one of the most exclusive networks in global real estate. Michael and Spencer dive into the origins of Forbes Global Properties, explaining why it was founded by independent brokers who were tired of corporate networks prioritizing owners over agents. They break down the rigorous selection process that keeps the network elite, the undeniable power of the Forbes brand (which currently holds an 80% "share of voice" globally against luxury competitors), and the unique storytelling approach Spencer and the editorial team use to market ultra-luxury homes to high-net-worth buyers.

The conversation also explores the future of luxury real estate, including a massive, highly exclusive development project in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and a potential new venture bringing Forbes Travel Guide's 5-star service training to branded residential properties worldwide. The trio also discusses the impact of AI on real estate content creation, the importance of maintaining an independent brokerage culture, and how RETSY's partnership with Forbes has helped them dominate the Arizona luxury market.

01:27 - Welcome to the Podcast: Meet Michael Jalbert & Spencer Elliott of Forbes Global Properties

03:22 - The Origin Story: How RETSY Teamed Up With Forbes in the Early Days

05:56 - 80% Share of Voice: The Explosive Growth of Forbes Global Properties

13:38 - The Exclusive Club: Why Forbes Rejects Dozens of Brokerages a Week

18:55 - Storytelling That Sells: Crafting the Narrative for Ultra Luxury Homes

22:45 - The $200M Trophy Asset: Managing Ultra High Net Worth Buyers Worldwide

26:00 - Winning the Pitch: How the Forbes Brand Helps Agents Dominate

36:47 - The RETSY Standard: Why Quality Always Beats the "Big Box" Brokerage Model

43:12 - What's Next for Forbes: Branded Residences and 5-Star Hospitality Training

52:39 - Digital Labor: How RETSY Implements Custom AI Tools to Empower Agents

1:03:03 - How to Connect

Connect with Michael and Spencer

Website: forbesglobalproperties.com

Email Michael: [email protected]

Email Spencer: [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 are joined by Chadwic Gifford, RETSY agent and President of Catalyst House. Chadwic shares his unique entry into the world of real estate and development, which began with driving heavy machinery in a Colorado gravel pit at just ten years old. He breaks down his incredible career evolution, from flipping a house during a three-week college Christmas break to managing massive commercial portfolios. He even recounts the chilling "gut feeling" that led him to halt an entire construction crew at 5:30 in the morning right before the 2008 market crash—a decision that ultimately saved his business.

The conversation then shifts to the gritty reality of luxury spec building. Chadwic gives an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at his latest project, "Vantage," a highly anticipated seven-home enclave at the base of Piestewa Peak. He details the grueling nine-month "hard dig" through solid mountain rock just to lay infrastructure, and the immense fulfillment of bringing a $4 million luxury product to life. The trio also discusses why Chadwic and his business partner, Ryan Martin, chose to move their business to RETSY for its forward-thinking AI technology, and why Arizona’s lack of natural disasters makes it perfectly positioned to become the next major tech hub.

00:00 – Meet Chadwic Gifford: RETSY Agent & President of Catalyst Haus

02:34 – Driving a Backhoe at Age 10: Building an Unstoppable Work Ethic

08:05 – Falling in Love with Development: From Flips to Major Projects

18:47 – The RETSY Difference: Discovering a Family-Like Culture in Real Estate

21:38 – The "Vantage" Project: (Now known as 7 Views!) Building 7 Modern Masterpieces

30:42 – The True Cost of Luxury Development: Breaking Down the "Hard Dig"

34:04 – Beyond the Profit: The Emotional Reward of Building a Home

36:57 – Why Catalyst Haus Joined RETSY: Staying Ahead with Elite Tech & Support

42:55 – Game-Changing AI Tech: How Fast Artificial Intelligence is Evolving

45:42 – The Future of Arizona: Job Growth, No Disasters, and the "Silicon Desert"

48:58 – Phoenix's Culinary Boom: Why the Valley's Restaurant Scene is Exploding

50:30 – How to Connect

Connect with Chadwic

Email him at [email protected]

Or visit the Catalyst website at catalystgroup.retsy.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 sit down with brand and content strategist Jaclyn Romo. Jaclyn shares her fascinating journey from launching a viral cosmetics brand and generating $100,000 in her first month using purely organic social media, to eventually partnering with Grant Cardone’s CMO and working alongside industry giants like Gary Vee and Ryan Serhant. Now, with 80% of her clientele in real estate and mortgage, Jaclyn specializes in helping top-producing agents translate their hard-earned offline authority into a premium, lead-generating online presence.

Jaclyn delivers an absolute masterclass on digital strategy, breaking down exactly why agents need to stop hiding behind house tours and start stepping in front of the camera. She reveals her strict "3-second rule" for Instagram profiles, why you must merge your personal and business accounts, and the exact 4-part recipe (Hook, Credibility, Value, Call-to-Action) for creating videos that actually convert followers into clients. From discussing the dangers of generic AI content to her "80/20 rule" for balancing personal and professional posts, Jaclyn provides a highly actionable blueprint for agents who are ready to stop being their market's best-kept secret.

00:00 – Welcome Brand and Content Strategist, Jaclyn Romo

01:37 – From Cosmetics to Consulting: Finding the Free Power of Social Media

04:16 – Why Real Estate Agents Need a Premium Personal Brand

09:42 – Standing Out in Luxury Real Estate Content

13:11 – Video Anxiety & AI — Structuring and Scripting Your First Video

24:05 – The Big Debate: Why You Must Merge Your Personal and Business Pages

26:10 – Blue Checkmarks and Boosting (Why You Should Pay to Play)

30:39 – The 80/20 Split: Balancing Personal Life with Professional Authority

32:51 – Content Schedules — Why Carousels Are Winning the Grid

37:04 – The Perfect Video Structure: Hooks, Value, and Calls to Action

44:05 – Link in Bio Strategy: Make it Easy for the Consumer

49:43 – Instagram Stories vs. The Grid — Selling to Your Community

52:57 – Why You Shouldn't Repurpose Content Across Every Platform

59:42 – Working With Jaclyn: Take Control of Your Own Content

01:02:18 – How to Connect with Jaclyn Romo

Connect with Jaclyn

Find her on Instagram @jaclyntromo

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 Jay Josephs, one of the most respected and well-known appraisers in the Valley. With 35 years of experience, Jay pulls back the curtain on the often-misunderstood appraisal process. He shares his journey from struggling in the 10% interest rate mortgage era to finding his perfect niche as an appraiser, and breaks down why an appraiser’s "geographical competence"—truly understanding the invisible boundary lines of luxury neighborhoods like Arcadia—is the single most critical factor in securing an accurate home valuation.

Jay provides a literal masterclass for real estate agents on how to proactively protect their clients' deals. He explains exactly what belongs in the perfect "appraisal package," how to gracefully vet an out-of-town appraiser, and why waiting to file an appeal is almost always a losing battle. The conversation also dives into the complex math of valuing guest houses and unpermitted additions, how to leverage pending sales during your appointment, and why AI-driven AVM models (like Zestimates) still have a long way to go before replacing boots-on-the-ground expertise.

00:00 – Welcome Appraiser Jay Josephs

05:24 – From Rock Bottom to Finding a Passion in Appraisals

10:08 – The Knowledge Gap: Why Agents Must Learn How to Read an Appraisal

15:31 – Building the Perfect Appraisal Package

22:28 – "The Appraiser Won't Take My Package" — Communication and Interviewing

26:24 – 3 Questions Every Agent Must Ask to Vet an Appraiser

33:46 – Appraisal Appeals & Reconsiderations: The Reality and the Risks

38:45 – The Math Explained: Adjusting Square Footage for Guest Houses and Basements

43:23 – Geographical Competency: The #1 Factor in a Fair Appraisal

48:35 – The Truth About Unpermitted Additions

52:43 – Pre-Appraisals and Why Jay Loves Working with Realtors

58:45 – Will AI Take Over the Appraisal Industry?

01:02:12 – The Ultimate Advice: Be Proactive and Be Nice

01:03:05 – How to Connect with Jay Josephs

Connect with Jay

Office: 602-955-4050

Cell Number: 602-290-8121 (Text, don't leave a voicemail!)

Learn more about RETSY

www.retsy.com

www.instagram.com/retsy

www.youtube.com/@retsy.

Original music by @jacktwarner

In this episode, Chris and Matt are joined by RETSY agent Kim Lowe, who shares how her formidable background in pharmaceutical sales and corporate contract negotiations laid the foundation for her thriving real estate business. Kim explains why treating real estate like a true corporation—complete with running SWOT analyses on her listings to perfectly understand buyer demographics—gives her a massive edge when representing C-level executives and medical professionals. She also reveals her intensive, non-negotiable staging process, bringing in a dedicated team to completely depersonalize and transform every home into a model showcase to maximize her sellers' ROI.

The conversation takes a deep dive into Kim’s highly successful geographic farming strategy in the Desert Ridge area. Rather than following the standard, generic real estate playbook, Kim embedded herself in the community by sponsoring local public schools, collaborating with lifestyle directors to write for neighborhood magazines, and building a fiercely guarded "black book" of trusted vendors. She also shares a jaw-dropping story about a listing that severely flooded just three days before closing, and how radical transparency and quick problem-solving actually turned a disaster into a win-win for everyone involved. Whether you want to dominate your local farm or elevate your client experience, Kim’s meticulous approach is an absolute masterclass.

00:00 – Welcome RETSY Agent Kim Lowe

01:19 – Prior to Real Estate: Negotiating Contracts, Cold Calling, and Learning to Build a Business

06:30 – What Got Kim Into Real Estate? How a Bad Experience Inspired Her to Change the Industry

09:57 – Making Sure RETSY Was the Perfect Fit for Her Clients

15:10 – Geographic Farming: Approaching Your Farm Differently From the Rest

19:42 – Going the Extra Mile to Become the True "Neighborhood Expert"

22:44 – Building a Guarded Vendor List to Provide the Best Service

25:20 – Kim’s Listing System: Mandatory Staging and Treating Real Estate Like a Corporation

30:48 – The Time Machine Question: Trust the Process

32:42 – Solving a Flooded Basement Just 3 Days Before Closing

35:25 – The Power of the SPDS and How Over-Disclosing Saves the Seller

42:18 – Where the AZ Market is Going, Why You Should Buy Now, and Why Phoenix Wins

49:26 – The Massive Growth and Expansion of Desert Ridge

52:03 – How to Connect

Connect with Kim

Follow her on IG @thekimberlylowegroup

Email her at [email protected]

Or give her a call at 480.363.1622

Learn more about RETSY

www.retsy.com

www.instagram.com/retsy

www.youtube.com/@retsy.

Original music by @jacktwarner