The Value Builder Podcast

From corporate boardrooms to multifamily boardwalks, John Casmon made the leap from marketing powerhouses like GM and Nike to building a $145M real estate portfolio. In this episode, he shares how transferable skills—when paired with clarity, consistency, and confidence—can drive massive value.

You’ll hear:

Why real estate isn’t passive until you treat it like a business

How John scaled from duplexes to 100+ unit deals

The moment corporate “security” lost its luster

A powerful framework: the 6 C’s of capital raising

Why freedom is really about flexibility—and how to build it

How to find your lane and stop being the handyman

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling into larger assets, this episode gives you the clarity to play to your strengths—and grow with purpose.

Connect with John Casmon

This episode, Saul sits down with Daniel Breslin, founder of Diamond Equity Investments and host of the REI Diamonds Show, to unpack how he went from addiction and rock bottom to building a $57M+ direct-to-seller powerhouse across multiple markets. Dan shares how faith, marketing discipline, and long-term thinking helped him scale a high-volume operation—without chasing every shiny object.

You’ll hear:

Why Dan reinvested 70%+ of profits back into branding instead of measuring KPIs

How his business model blends singles, home runs, and a 10-year lead nurture cycle

What aligned partnerships actually look like—and why some succeed without operating agreements

Why trusting God and reading the Bible in 2011 was the true foundation of his business

How thinking in deal size—not lead volume—changed everything

If you’ve ever struggled with over-optimizing or under-committing in business or life, Dan’s story is a masterclass in alignment, clarity, and grit.

Connect with Daniel Breslin

This episode, Saul sits down with Michael Bull, founder of Bull Realty and host of America’s Commercial Real Estate Show, to unpack what it really takes to market, position, and sell commercial properties in any cycle. With over $8B in transactions and 35+ years in the business, Michael shares hard-won lessons on integrity, REO workouts, and why thunder marketing beats trickle tactics every time.

You’ll hear:

Why big firms often miss the mark—and how to actually serve sellers

What “thunder marketing” looks like in practice (and why it works)

How Bull Realty sold a 32% occupied office tower in two weeks

What's really happening in the REO space—and where opportunities are rising

Why now is a prime time for contrarian investors

If you want to see how a trusted operator navigates downturns, default assets, and market nuance with clarity and results—this one is pure gold.

Connect with Michael Bull and Bull Realty

🔗 bullrealty.com

📧 [email protected]

🎙️ CRE Show: CREshow.com

📚 Agent training: commercialagentsuccess.com

This episode, Saul sits down with Shea Lewis of Z Equity Group for a deep dive into why small bay industrial might be the most overlooked asset class in commercial real estate—and how the right mix of velocity, zoning constraints, and tenant diversity make it primed for long-term value. Shea shares his personal journey from data centers to self-storage to small bay, breaking down the real math behind lease-up, demand, and why big capital is circling.

You’ll hear:

Why small bay lease-ups move faster—and how to fill space in 30 days, not 12 months

How Industrial IQ is building a nationwide small bay database with AI

What zoning, inflation, and tenant mix have to do with long-term resilience

Why institutional buyers are just waking up to this CRE niche

The key shift that made Shea move from LP to operator—and never look back

If you’re watching macro trends and want to invest where demand meets inefficiency, this one lays out the playbook—with insight from two operators in the thick of it.

This episode, Saul sits down with Slava Menn of Good Harbor CRE for a behind-the-scenes look at transitioning from residential to commercial real estate—and what it really takes to scale with clarity, grit, and relationships. Slava shares war stories from Boston permitting battles to copper theft in Houston, revealing the mindset shifts that helped him go from co-living to $60M in assets under management.

You’ll hear:

Why politics—not risk—is what pushed Slava out of residential

How a single auction deal became a real-world case study in grit and adaptation

What happens when you buy sight unseen—and lose power by Monday

How leasing and asset management change once you cross 100K SF

The 3 books Slava wants every partner and COO candidate to read

If you're thinking bigger but hitting walls—or looking to build a team with values that match your vision—this one brings sharp perspective, immigrant hustle, and real-deal wisdom from the trenches.

This episode, Saul sits down with Grant Reaves, co-founder of Stoic Equity Partners, to explore the strategies behind scaling a $100M+ small bay industrial portfolio across the Southeast. From buying below replacement cost to navigating adaptive reuse and market overbuild cycles, Grant shares how stoic philosophy shapes both his investment decisions and leadership style.

You’ll hear:

Why small bay industrial remains underbuilt—and what that means for investors

How Stoic Equity Partners sources deals using custom-built market maps

The economics of buying vs. building in today’s pricing environment

What makes adaptive reuse work—and when it doesn’t

How stoicism helps entrepreneurs stay grounded in volatile markets

Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting in commercial real estate, this episode is packed with real-world tactics and perspective from a disciplined operator focused on the long game.

Connect with Grant Reaves and Stoic Equity Partners

This episode, Saul sits down with Alina Trigub to explore how busy professionals can harness real estate investing to reduce taxes, build passive income, and create generational wealth. Alina shares her journey from Big Four accounting and IT leadership into full-time commercial real estate—and breaks down the mindset shifts that helped her make the leap with confidence.

You’ll hear:

Why W-2 earners are missing out on major tax advantages

How passive syndications actually work—and what to watch for

What 100% bonus depreciation means (and why it matters in 2025)

How to legally offset high income through cost segregation

The case for financial literacy—and how parents can teach it at home

Whether you're eyeing your first syndication or looking for smarter ways to grow wealth outside of Wall Street, this episode offers clear, actionable insight from someone who's been on both sides of the journey.

This episode, Saul sits down with Jaime Contreras to unpack what it really takes to build trust, negotiate win-win deals, and play the long game in commercial real estate. Jaime shares how the pandemic forced a pivot from hospitality to retail and industrial investing—and how his background in service shaped a relationship-first approach that sets him apart in the world of seller-financed deals.

You’ll hear:

Why seller financing is about alignment, not just numbers

How Jaime structures meetings to foster trust and transparency

The importance of staying in touch post-close—and why it matters

How to spot red flags and green lights in potential partners

Why reputation is everything in a “small” CRE world

Whether you’re new to deal-making or looking to deepen your approach, this episode offers grounded wisdom from a real operator who treats sellers like long-term partners—not transactions.

This episode, Saul sits down with Brad Chandler—real estate investor, entrepreneur, and transformation coach—to talk about the real source of growth, both in business and in life. Brad shares the story of his personal awakening, how it reshaped his health, wealth, and relationships, and why your biggest breakthroughs have nothing to do with spreadsheets or hustle.

You’ll hear:

Why childhood beliefs still run the show—and how to rewrite them

The neuroscience behind memory reconsolidation and lasting change

How self-sabotage sneaks into business success (and how to stop it)

Why high performers often feel stuck despite external wins

What self-love actually looks like—and how to measure it

If you’re building a business and hitting invisible ceilings—or wondering why success doesn’t feel the way it should—this conversation cuts straight to the root cause. Brad’s insights aren’t fluffy theory—they’re lived, tested, and ready for anyone ready to break out of their old story.

This episode, Saul sits down with Nikita Zhitov to explore what it really means to be a real estate developer in today’s market. Nikita challenges the myth of passive income, sharing why development is a full-contact sport that requires time, risk, and hands-on vision. From creative deal structures to mindset shifts, he walks through the beliefs and behaviors that separate operators from speculators.

You’ll hear:

Why true development is never passive—and why that’s a good thing

How to underwrite with humility and protect downside risk

Why operating partners matter more than spreadsheets

The power of asymmetric risk and what it takes to play the long game

How Nikita defines freedom, purpose, and being “in the game” for real

If you’re drawn to real estate but tired of surface-level advice, this conversation cuts through the noise with grounded truth and hard-won perspective.