Wealth Architect Podcast

Scaling a business isn’t just about growth — it’s about structure.

In this episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast, we break down two critical factors that determine whether a business scales successfully or breaks under pressure.

Felicia Emond explains the real differences between 1099 contractors and W-2 employees, the costly mistakes business owners make, and how to stay compliant as your team grows.

Then, Amy Byrne and Andy Bovender share how they built one of the fastest-growing real estate teams in the Carolinas, covering smart expansion, choosing the right partners, and protecting culture while scaling across markets.

If you’re hiring, expanding, or preparing for your next level — this episode is essential listening.

Guest: Felicia Emond

Elite Senior District Manager, Small Business
Instagram: @feliciaa_emond
Guests:
Amy Byrne & Andy Bovender
Team Leaders, Andy Bovender Team | Compass
 https://bovenderteam.com/

 Episode Sponsors

Annie Mac Mortgage
 annie-mac.com
 @anniemac_home_mortgage

Melissa D’Ellena — D’Ellena Law
 dellenalaw.com
 @dellenalaw

Matt Bates — Movement Mortgage
 therimortgageguy.com
 @therimortgageguy

What if the key to long-term success in real estate isn’t more hustle—but more authority?

In this episode, we sit down with Loida Velasquez, real estate agent, coach, and content creator, to break down prospecting mastery and how agents can build real authority using YouTube—without big budgets or fancy production.

In Segment Two, Jodie Neville shares her powerful journey from corporate life to real estate entrepreneurship, offering a refreshing perspective on reinvention, empathy, and building a career that aligns with your values.

This episode is a must-listen for agents who want longevity, influence, and a business that supports the life they actually want to live.
Episode Guests:

Guest: Loida Velasquez
Real Estate Agent · Coach · Content Creator

 https://www.loidavelasquez.com/

Guest: Jodie NevilleRealtor, Flagship Real Estate, Forbes Global PropertiesInstagram: @jodiefromrhodyhttps://www.forbesglobalproperties.com/agents/jodie-neville

Episode Sponsors

Annie Mac Mortgage
 annie-mac.com
 @anniemac_home_mortgage

Nexus Property Management
 www.nexuspropertymanagement.com/franchise/

Melissa D’Ellena — D’Ellena Law
 dellenalaw.com
 @dellenalaw

Is house flipping officially dead?

In this episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast, Emilio DiSpirito—who flipped over 45 homes in just five years—shares why wholesaling has changed the economics of flipping and why new construction and condos may be the better long-term strategy.

Emilio also delivers his 2026 real estate market outlook, breaking down where opportunity still exists and where investors are getting it wrong.

In Segment Two, we replay an important conversation with Shannon Elizabeth Weinstein, who explains how rent control policies affect housing markets—and why they often hurt the very cities they’re meant to protect.

If you’re investing, building, or advising clients in real estate, this episode will change how you think about the next cycle.

🔗 Guests & Links

Emilio DiSpirito IV

https://dispiritoteam.com/

emiliodiv

Shannon Elizabeth Weinstein

RENTPROV Realty — Associate Broker / Partner🌐 https://www.rentprovrealty.com/our-team/shannon-weinstein/

 💼Episode Sponsors

Annie Mac Mortgage
 annie-mac.com
 @anniemac_home_mortgage

Matt Bates — Movement Mortgage
 therimortgageguy.com

John Lapointe — The Lapointe Insurance Agency
 lapointeins.com

Season 3 opens with one of the most raw and inspiring conversations we’ve ever recorded.

Mike Cesaroni, Owner of Horizon HVAC, shares his journey from addiction, criminal activity, and rock bottom—to building multiple successful blue-collar businesses grounded in discipline, structure, and purpose.

This is not a highlight reel. It’s a real story of accountability, rebuilding, and proving that your past does not define your future.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, written off, or underestimated—this episode is for you.

🎙️ Guest Spotlight

Mike CesaroniOwner, Horizon HVAC🌐 https://horizonhvacinc.com/📞 401-425-9879

💼 Episode Sponsors

Annie Mac Mortgage
 https://simplenexus.annie-mac.com/homehub/signup/[email protected]
 @anniemac_home_mortgage

Nexus Property Management
 nexri.com
 @nexuspropertymanagement
Matt Bates — Movement Mortgage
theRImortgageGuy.com
@themortgageguyri

This episode tackles two of the most impactful forces in real estate today: policy and people.

In Segment One, we’re joined by Shannon Elizabeth Weinstein, Associate Broker & Partner at RentProv Realty, for a direct and data-driven conversation on rent control—and how these policies can unintentionally damage housing supply, affordability, and the long-term health of cities.

In Segment Two, Lisa Culp Taylor and Molly Burns of the LCT Team break down what it truly takes to build a powerful, scalable real estate team—from leadership structure and operations to accountability and culture.

From city-wide policy decisions to inside-the-business execution, this episode delivers real insight for investors, agents, and leaders navigating today’s real estate landscape.

🔗 Guests & Links

Shannon Elizabeth Weinstein

RENTPROV Realty — Associate Broker / Partner🌐 https://www.rentprovrealty.com/our-team/shannon-weinstein/

Lisa Culp Taylor & Molly Burns

LCT Team🌐 https://lctteam.com/

💼 Episode Sponsors

Annie Mac Mortgage

🌐 annie-mac.com

John Lapointe — The Lapointe Insurance Agency

🌐 lapointeins.com

Ted Topouzis — Attorney at Law

🌐 https://www.taclosinglaw.com/

Most people don’t lose money in real estate because of bad deals—they lose it because of legal mistakes they never saw coming.

In this episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast, host Emilio DiSpirito IV sits down with Ted Topouzis, Founder of Topouzis & Associates, P.C., to break down the areas of real estate law where wealth builders get tripped up the most.

From contracts and title issues to entity structure, risk exposure, and closing missteps, Ted explains where investors, agents, and developers unintentionally put their wealth at risk—and how to avoid those pitfalls before they cost you years of progress.

This episode is essential listening for anyone serious about protecting, preserving, and scaling real estate wealth.

🔗 Guest Links & How to Follow

Ted Topouzis Topouzis & Associates, P.C.🌐 https://www.taclosinglaw.com/

💼 Episode Sponsors

Annie Mac Mortgage

🌐 annie-mac.com

Melissa D’Ellena — Attorney & Title📸 @anniemac_home_mortgage

🌐 dellenalaw.com
Matt Bates — Movement Mortgage📸 @dellenalaw

🌐 therimortgageguy.com

Leadership doesn’t start in Washington—it starts in the community.

In this special episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast, host Emilio DiSpirito IV sits down with Robert Sullivan, recently appointed by the Trump Administration as State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Rhode Island.

Robert shares his journey from operating a family-owned landscaping business to stepping into a federal leadership role—highlighting how hard work, innovation, and community service shaped his path. From designing historic gardens at Theater-By-the-Sea to leading food garden initiatives for unhoused Rhode Islanders, Robert’s story is a powerful example of leadership grounded in service.

In the second segment, Andrew Carros, COO, Partner, and Private Office Advisor at Engel & Völkers Vancouver, breaks down the new definition of luxury real estate. From global buyers to evolving client expectations, Andrew explains why today’s luxury is less about price and more about lifestyle, discretion, service, and alignment.

This episode connects purpose-driven leadership with the future of global luxury real estate.

🔗 Guest Links & How to Follow

Robert Sullivan

State Executive Director, USDA Farm Service Agency – RI

Andrew Carros📸 Instagram: @andrewcarros

🌐 Website: ⁠https://www.andrewcarros.com/⁠

💼 Episode Sponsors

Annie Mac Mortgage

🌐 annie-mac.com

📸 @anniemac_home_mortgage

John Lapointe — The Lapointe Insurance

🌐 lapointeins.com

📸 @johnlapointe

Ted Topouzis – Attorney at Law

🌐 ⁠topouzislaw.com⁠

📸 Instagram: @topouzislaw

Real estate wealth isn’t built in a vacuum—and life events can dramatically impact your portfolio.

In Segment One, host Emilio DiSpirito IV sits down with John Larochelle, Esq., founder of Larochelle Law, to unpack the complex intersection of divorce and real estate. From property division and timing mistakes to protecting assets during high-conflict separations, this segment offers critical legal clarity for investors and homeowners alike.

In Segment Two, Emilio welcomes Michael J. Sweeney, Founder of Sweeney Advisory at Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty. Michael shares how he built wealth through flipping properties, scaled a high-performing advisory team, and continues to find opportunity—even in today’s low-inventory, high-cost market.Whether you’re navigating personal change or scaling an investment business, this episode delivers real-world strategies for protecting and growing wealth.

🔗 Guest Links & How to Follow

John Larochelle, Esq.

🌐 Website: https://larochellelaw.com/

Michael J. Sweeney

🌐 Website: https://sweeneyadvisory.com/

📸 Instagram: @sweeneyadvisory

💼 Episode Sponsors

Annie Mac Mortgage

🌐 annie-mac.com

📸 @anniemac_home_mortgage

Melissa D’Ellena — Attorney & Title

🌐 dellenalaw.com

📸 @dellenalaw

Matt Bates — Movement Mortgage

🌐 therimortgageguy.com

Some conversations are bigger than business.

In this deeply personal episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast, host Emilio DiSpirito IV sits down with his father, Emilio DiSpirito III, for an honest and powerful conversation about legacy, values, and the kind of wealth that truly lasts.

Together, they explore what it means to leave something behind that goes beyond money—focusing on education, character, work ethic, and integrity. Emilio III shares lessons learned over a lifetime, while Emilio IV reflects on how those teachings shaped his leadership, mindset, and purpose today.

This episode is a reminder that real wealth isn’t just built—it’s passed on.

💼 Episode Sponsors

Annie Mac Mortgage

🌐 annie-mac.com

📸 @anniemac_home_mortgage

John Lapointe — The Lapointe Insurance

🌐 lapointeins.com

📸 @johnlapointe

Ted Topouzis – Attorney at Law

🌐 ⁠topouzislaw.com⁠

📸 Instagram: @topouzislaw

This episode is packed with elite leadership insight and top-tier real estate intelligence.

Host Emilio DiSpirito sits down with Alan Weiss, PhD, one of the most respected consultants and thought leaders in the world. Known as “The Million Dollar Consultant,” Alan breaks down the fundamentals of leadership, entrepreneurial confidence, decision-making, and what separates those who succeed from those who dominate.

Then, we shift to the mountains of Utah with Paul Benson, global leader and License Partner of Engel & Völkers Gestalt Group, overseeing 55 offices across the Western U.S. Paul reveals the unique dynamics of the Park City and Salt Lake City markets — who’s moving in, where they’re coming from, and the trends shaping luxury real estate in one of America’s fastest-growing regions.

This episode is for entrepreneurs, leaders, and agents ready to expand their mindset and their market opportunities.

🔗 Guest Links & How to Follow

Alan Weiss, PhD

🌐 Website: https://alanweiss.com/📸 Instagram: @alanweisscons

Paul Benson

🌐 Website: paulbenson.evrealestate.com📸 Instagram: @paulbenson.ev

💼 Episode Sponsors

Annie Mac Mortgage

🌐 annie-mac.com📸 @anniemac_home_mortgage

Nexus Property Management

🌐 nexri.com📸 @nexuspropertymanagement

Melissa D’Ellena — Attorney & Title

🌐 dellenalaw.com📸 @dellenalaw