In this powerful episode of The Real State Podcast, co-hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blond dive into the story of Rashmi Airan—a former lawyer whose path to the American Dream came crashing down when she was federally indicted for real estate fraud. Rashmi shares the raw truth of her journey, from prison to personal rebirth, and introduces her RISE Process™ (Reframe, Identify, Surrender, Evolve), a transformational framework that helps individuals and leaders navigate adversity and grow through challenge. With themes of ethics, ego, culture, and redemption, this is a must-listen for anyone who’s faced a setback and wondered how to begin again.

In this episode of The Real State, Alex and Jamie explore the real state of inclusion with special guest and co-author Garrett Mayersohn to celebrate the launch of Boundless: Real Stories and Practical Strategies for Inclusive Living. Together, they dive into the stories and strategies behind designing spaces that remove barriers for people of all abilities.

From Alex’s personal caregiving journey to Garrett’s lived experience navigating the world with cerebral palsy, this conversation blends humor, insight, and real talk about the importance, and impact, of Universal Design. They unpack what most people misunderstand about accessibility, why ADA compliance isn’t enough, and how better design benefits everyone.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Intro: What Boundless is all about

• 04:15 – Garrett’s journey and what cerebral palsy has taught him about design

• 08:32 – The real audience for this book—and why it’s more than just professionals

• 15:10 – What is Universal Design, really?

• 21:40 – Real-life design fails and what they teach us

• 26:00 – The economics of inclusion: cost, risk, and return

• 35:00 – The movement ahead: What Boundless aims to change

• 📘 Get the book: Boundless on Amazon

• 🌐 More on inclusive design: Access Built

In Trading Suits for Stories, Alex and Jamie share their personal journeys of leaving behind traditional careers in Wall Street and advertising to embrace the unpredictable world of creativity. They dive into the mindset shifts, hilarious missteps, and unexpected inspirations that fueled their transitions into writing, acting, DJing, and authorship. From pandemic pivots to finding the courage to create, they explore why passion, perseverance, and the right environment matter more than ever. Whether you're thinking about making your own leap into a creative life or just need a little inspiration to trust the journey, this episode will make you laugh, reflect, and maybe even plot your own reinvention.

In this episode of The Real State, we uncover the truth about short-term rentals with Christina Robinson, real estate entrepreneur, educator, and self-made superhost. From house-hacking her first property while working a 9-to-5, to managing a portfolio of vacation rentals in South Florida, Christina walks us through the highs, lows, and total myths of the short-term rental game.

We dig into:

• Why short-term rentals are not as passive as they seem

• The difference between long-term and vacation rental income

• Self-managing vs. using property managers (and why it’s not just about the money)

• How technology, systems, and building the right team helped her escape the 9-to-5

• Why mindset, location, and hustle matter more than hype

Whether you're dreaming of Airbnb riches or just curious about getting into real estate, this conversation breaks down what it really takes to win in the short-term rental world.

Timestamps
00:00 – Intro + Why this episode matters
03:05 – Christina’s origin story: From finance to first-time buyer
11:20 – House-hacking before it had a name
15:45 – Short sales, student tenants, and the path to passive income
21:15 – The Airbnb algorithm: what every host should know
25:35 – Vacation rentals vs. long-term rentals: what's the real payoff?
33:00 – The truth about self-managing (and burnout)
40:20 – Tech, tools, and what makes a 5-star stay
48:10 – The 3 C’s: Checklist, CRM, and Capacity
52:40 – Final thoughts + Key takeaways

📱 Follow us on Instagram: @therealstatepodcast
🌐 More episodes + show info: www.therealstate.co
💬 Guest Info: Christina Robinson @christinarinvests

Leave us a review, share the episode, and let us know what “Real State” topic we should uncover next!

In this episode of The Real State, Alex and Jamie ask the question that feels more relevant than ever: Does anyone actually read anymore? From the joys of childhood encyclopedias and comic books to the digital reading habits of today, the duo takes a thoughtful (and hilarious) trip down literary memory lane. They discuss fiction vs. nonfiction, the decline of attention spans, the rise of audiobooks, and what the future of reading might look like in an era of TikTok, AI, and shrinking libraries.

Topics Covered:

• Childhood memories of reading and early obsessions (World Book, comic books)
• Fiction vs. nonfiction: What we read now and why
• The decline of print and rise of digital reading habits (iPads, audiobooks)
• The status symbol of bookshelves (and Zoom backgrounds!)
• Whether kids today are missing out on the benefits of reading
• How algorithms shape what we read (or don’t)
• The impact of reading on language, learning, and imagination
• Audio vs. visual learners in the age of content overload
• The long-term implications of a society that reads less

• 00:00 – Welcome + why we used to love reading
• 03:30 – Growing up with books in Brazil and beyond
• 07:10 – Jamie’s Michael Crichton phase & fiction’s golden age
• 10:50 – Paperbacks vs. iPads: the evolution of how we read
• 14:45 – Do books on shelves make us look smarter?
• 18:30 – Why Alex shifted to nonfiction and stopped reading fiction
• 22:40 – Audio books, Whoopi Goldberg, Obama, and the voice in your head
• 26:15 – Kids today: attention spans, algorithms, and learning challenges
• 33:00 – What happens if we stop reading?
• 38:30 – Has content just evolved or been dumbed down?
• 40:00 – Final thoughts: the real state of reading today

In this episode of The Real State Podcast, we dive into the high-stakes world of transitional lending—the financial glue that keeps real estate projects moving forward. Our guest, Ian Glaser, partner at BridgeInvest, shares how private lending is fueling Miami’s booming skyline and beyond, financing everything from adaptive reuse projects to large-scale mixed-use developments.

Join hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blond as they explore:

• How transitional lending unlocks new development opportunities
• The rise of adaptive reuse—turning vacant malls, old hotels, and outdated office buildings into vibrant new spaces
• Why banks are stepping back and private lenders are stepping in
• The housing shortage crisis and how financing can help solve it

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts & Spotify for more deep dives into real estate trends that shape our everyday lives!

#RealEstate #TransitionalLending #Finance #MiamiRealEstate #AdaptiveReuse #UrbanDevelopment

The Real State Podcast – Miami Weather: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly

Looking for an entertaining and insightful take on real estate, urban living, and how it all affects your daily life? The Real State Podcast is your go-to destination for the latest trends in real estate, city living, and everything in between!

In this episode, hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blond dive into the unpredictable drama that is Miami weather—from endless sunshine and tropical breezes to hurricane scares and flooding streets. Whether you're a lifelong Miamian or a new arrival, you'll relate to the highs and lows of living in the Magic City.

Key topics in this episode:

• The perks of Miami weather – no winter, year-round warmth, and why it’s better than LA.
• The not-so-great parts – humidity, freezing indoor A/C, and unpredictable rainstorms.
• The ugly truth – hurricanes, mandatory evacuation zones, and what it's like to prepare for the big one.
• Why people from New York, Chicago, and even South America flock to Miami year-round.
• The real reason everyone wears shorts in Miami (hint: it’s not just for comfort).

Visit TheRealState.co for more episodes and to share your thoughts!

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Join us on this flavorful journey as we dive into the growing wine culture in Miami with special guest Alexa Ferra, Director of Marketing at the Perez Art Museum Miami, wine blogger at Alexa’s Wine Diary, and podcaster of Pouring Over Pages. In this episode, we explore how Miami’s burgeoning wine scene intertwines with the city's arts culture, attracting new residents and fostering a sense of community. Discover the parallels between Miami and other regions known for their wine industries, and gain insights into how art, wine, and people come together to shape the city’s unique identity.

Perfect for wine enthusiasts, art lovers, and anyone curious about Miami's cultural evolution, this episode is not to be missed!