On this episode, Jeff connects with Daniel Hulett, a former firefighter turned real estate advisor with ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, joining the conversation from the quiet, oak-lined charm of Amelia Island. Daniel shares how a single referral moment sparked his pivot into real estate—a move that quickly aligned with his background in home-watch services and his growing sphere of affluent second-home owners.

Jeff and Daniel dive into the nuances of the Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach markets, from strict short-term rental zones to a strong second-home culture that keeps demand healthy even in shifting economic conditions. Daniel explains why face-to-face networking remains the backbone of his business and how a simple habit—writing one handwritten note every morning—has become his most effective relationship-building tool.

The conversation expands into market trends, investing, the value of staying top-of-mind, and the role that luxury branding at Sotheby’s has played in Daniel’s rapidly growing production. Jeff and Daniel also compare notes across their coastal and lakefront markets, share stories about real estate careers that start with side gigs, and highlight why genuine value and personal connection continue to win in this industry.

Daniel Hulett
ONE Sotheby’s International Realty
904.583.1823

@danielhulettrealtor

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Epic Agents Podcast

Produced by:
AIDAwerks - Marketing That Moves Real Estate

West Point graduate, Army veteran, and Tampa broker-owner Sunny Alexander joins Jeff to share her winding road into real estate—and why she believes this business is the ultimate “no glass ceiling” career.

She opens up about serving during the Iraq War era, using that season to build the financial reserves needed to launch her real estate business the right way, and why she treats every client relationship like coaching: protecting, advising, and educating rather than “selling.”

Sunny and Jeff then dive into the systems and support that have helped her almost double her production— from starting with a simple spreadsheet and handwritten notes to partnering with Fusion Growth Partners, delegating marketing, and building a small but mighty team.

She talks about finding her “tribes” through West Point alumni and Rotary, networking with value, navigating Tampa’s shifting 2025 market, and why agents who stay authentic, keep learning, and show up consistently will thrive no matter what the market does.

Sunny Alexander

Red Sash Realty

Tampa, Florida

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Epic Agents Podcast

Produced by:
AIDAwerks - Marketing That Moves Real Estate

In this episode of the Epic Agents Podcast, Jeff sits down with Orange County Realtor and local podcaster Holly McDonald to unpack her winding journey from TV production and home-remodel reality shows to running a thriving real estate business in one of the most competitive markets in the country.

Holly shares what she thought real estate would be like from “the other side of the lens” — and what actually surprised her once she was fully in it: the reality of being self-employed, wearing every hat in the business, and finding ways to stand out in a sea of tens of thousands of agents. She talks about mentorship, learning the business from a powerhouse agent, the importance of truly serving clients, and why helping people plug into a community (not just a house) is still her favorite part of the job.

Holly and Jeff also dive deep into local podcasting as a marketing and community-building engine. Holly explains how her show, originally The Costa Mesa Pod and now rebranding as The OC Pod, has evolved into a hyper-local platform that spotlights small businesses, studios, gyms, hidden speakeasies, and the people shaping life in Orange County.

She shares the unexpected benefits of the podcast — authentic relationships, deeper trust, referrals, and guests who leave feeling truly seen and heard — plus practical encouragement for new and aspiring agents: don’t be a secret agent, stay close to your sphere, pick up the phone, and lead with service.

If you’ve ever wondered how to combine real estate, content, and community into one powerful strategy, this conversation will give you a fresh playbook and plenty of inspiration.

@realtorhollymcdonald

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Epic Agents Podcast

Produced by:
AIDAwerks - Marketing That Moves Real Estate

In this episode of the Epic Agents Podcast, Jeff sits down with Houston luxury real estate agent Heather Shepherd, an accomplished Douglas Elliman realtor who has built a thriving business through education-first marketing, genuine community relationships, and a deep understanding of Houston’s wildly unique neighborhoods.

Heather shares her journey from pre-K teacher to full-time luxury agent, and how her passion for helping people has shaped everything about her business. With nearly 15 years of experience (including four years full-time), Heather has carved out a niche as a trusted local expert in some of Houston’s most desirable luxury communities.

What sets Heather apart? Her Instagram strategy. She started with just 300 followers and committed to posting every day—mixing education, neighborhood insights, local businesses, luxury tours, and glimpses of her life as a mom of three. The result? A highly engaged audience, consistent inbound clients, and a recognizable personal brand that performs as well offline as it does online.

Jeff and Heather dive into:

• The state of the Houston luxury market

Why demand remains strong, how price-right homes still spark bidding wars, and what’s driving ongoing relocation interest.

• Heather’s unique path from educator to luxury agent

How teaching, empathy, and patience translate naturally into real estate success—especially in a massive market like Houston where clients rely on a knowledgeable guide.

• How Instagram transformed her business

Heather breaks down the exact content she posted, how she positioned herself as a luxury authority, why educational content always wins, and how collaborating with restaurants and local businesses helped her grow fast.

• Why showing your personal life matters

Heather explains why she uses one combined personal/business Instagram account—and why letting followers know the real you builds trust faster than any “just sold” post ever could.

• YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and the platforms that actually move the needle

Jeff and Heather compare notes on what’s working for them and what they’ve abandoned (sorry, LinkedIn).

• Building a luxury niche by starting in your own neighborhood

Heather shares how being hyper-local, deeply knowledgeable, and relentlessly consistent helped her become the go-to luxury agent within her radius.

• Her advice for new agents

Honest, encouraging tips about Instagram, showing up consistently, embracing the hustle, setting expectations, and serving clients with empathy—even when the work isn’t glamorous.

Heather closes by sharing how listeners can connect with her and follow her continued success.

Connect with Heather Shepherd

Instagram: @HSHomesHouston

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Epic Agents Podcast

Produced by:
AIDAwerks - Marketing That Moves Real Estate

Jeff welcomes Wilmington-based broker and team leader Jennifer Richardson to talk career pivots, building a business on systems and sphere, and why Wilmington keeps winning relocation buyers.

Jenn shares how she grew from admin to operations manager to agent, why her niche is 55+ relocators and first-time buyers, and how serving investors/flips adds a “no-drama” lane to her business. She also breaks down real market dynamics across New Hanover, Brunswick (Leland), and Pender (Hampstead).

Plus, Jenn shares details about her own podcasting journey! Jenn’s show, Let’s Get Local Wilmington, spotlights entrepreneurs and has already driven multiple deals—plus lasting local relationships.

Jennifer Richardson Real Estate
1612 Military Cutoff Rd Ste 200, Wilmington, NC 28403
(404) 790-2267

Let’s Get Local Wilmington Podcast

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Epic Agents Podcast

Produced by:
AIDAwerks - Marketing That Moves Real Estate

Former USMC V-22 Osprey pilot Joe Zarzycki joins Jeff from Wilmington, NC to share how aviation discipline prepared him for leading sales at the Summers Real Estate Team with Keller Williams.

He explains why he went all-in on real estate, how a team model creates true coverage for clients, and what makes Wilmington’s lifestyle—from Riverwalk mornings to beach evenings—so magnetic. Aviation fans will love Joe’s Osprey stories; homebuyers will appreciate his clear market read.

Joe breaks down the region’s hot spots, including Ogden, Porters Neck, Murrayville, and fast-growing Leland across the river in Brunswick County (think Brunswick Forest, Compass Pointe, The Bluffs).

He notes that days on market are ticking up, concessions are back, and buyers have more leverage than a year ago, especially with new construction. Builders are enticing shoppers with rate buydowns, closing cost help, and move-in packages that make first offers feel stronger.

For aspiring agents, Joe offers straight talk: build a six-month cushion, commit 100%, and treat real estate like the relationship business it is. Skip the vanity metrics, get face-to-face in the community, volunteer, and become the neighbor who organizes things—because value given comes back.

Connect with Joe on Instagram @wilmington_realestate_maverick or email josephzarzycki@kw.com.

Get the full episode at:
https://epicagentspodcast.com/

Jeff interviews Kelsi Ward of Southern Life Realty in Tampa Bay. Kelsi began flipping homes in 2017 as a new mom, then earned her license in 2022. That renovation background powers her data-first approach with investors and residential buyers across Pinellas County, including St. Petersburg and Palm Harbor.

She explains how to evaluate opportunities with clear numbers: projected ROI, realistic repair budgets, price per square foot, and exit strategy. For buyers relocating to Tampa Bay, she urges hyper-local guidance since neighborhoods vary block to block.

Kelsi’s business is foundational, not transactional. She nurtures relationships with quarterly check-ins, trusted vendor referrals, and ongoing homeowner support—turning clients into long-term advocates.

On marketing, she’s shifted from portal leads to personal branding on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn (a standout for investor leads). Kelsi shares numerous practical tips for successful lead generation on these platforms.

Daily discipline sets her apart: review the MLS hot sheet, track days on market, price reductions, and neighborhood trends. Partner with a local lender to dial in rate scenarios, homeowners insurance, and property taxes before touring.

Key takeaway: Systems, consistency, and hyper-local expertise win—especially when you combine helpful content with genuine relationships.

Connect with Kelsi: @thekelsiward | Southern Life Realty (Pinellas County, FL)

https://www.instagram.com/thekelsiward/

Get the full episode at:
https://epicagentspodcast.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with investor, coach, and entrepreneur Ryan Grafton, founder of Grafton Capital Group and Grafton Elevate Coaching. With more than 17 years of experience across investing, property management, contracting, and real estate, Ryan brings a wealth of practical knowledge to the conversation — especially when it comes to helping agents build systems that attract and serve investor clients.

Ryan shares why most agents overlook the investor segment, and how learning the language of investing — from cap rates to ROI — instantly sets an agent apart from 90% of their competition. He explains the key mindset shift from emotion to logic when working with investors and how understanding the numbers transforms an agent into a trusted advisor rather than just a salesperson.

The discussion dives deep into:

• How to identify and attract investor clients through meetups, webinars, and local networking.
  
  
  
• Systems over goals: why time-blocking, delegation, and hiring VAs are essential for scaling.
  
  
  
• The importance of treating real estate like a business, not just a job.
  
  
  
• Book recommendations that shaped Ryan’s mindset, including Rich Dad Poor Dad, Who Not How, and Vivid Vision.
  
  
  
• How agents can grow their wealth by becoming investors themselves, leveraging deal flow and partnerships.
  
  
  

Ryan also talks about his coaching program, Grafton Elevate, which helps agents design a 90-day roadmap to integrate investor strategies into their business. He emphasizes consistency, community, and mindset — the real keys to long-term success.

🎧 Listen for: practical frameworks, proven systems, and no-fluff insights on scaling a real estate business that works for you, not the other way around.

📘 Resources Mentioned:

• Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
  
  
  
• Who Not How by Dan Sullivan
  
  
  
• Vivid Vision by Cameron Herold
  
  
  
• 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan
  
  
  
• Ryan’s free eBook: How to Work With Investor Clients (link: https://graftonelevate.com/books/ )
  
  Instagram — @GraftonCapital
  Website — GraftonElevate.com