Walker Webcast

Latest Episodes:

Jim Collins, Bestselling Author Nov 05, 2026

Show notes

On the latest Walker Webcast, Willy welcomed longtime friend and bestselling author Jim Collins for a deeply personal conversation inspired by his latest book, What to Make of a Life.

Together, they explored what it means to build a meaningful life, how to navigate unexpected turning points, and why reinvention can lead to some of our greatest opportunities. From finding work that ignites your passion to recognizing when it’s time for a new chapter, Jim shared lessons from a decade of research into remarkable lives and why our most meaningful contributions may still lie ahead.

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Larry Sabato, Founder and Director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics Oct 29, 2026

Show notes

Willy was joined by Dr. Larry Sabato, founder and director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics and creator of Sabato's Crystal Ball.

Together, they examined the upcoming midterm elections, the battle for control of Congress, shifting voter sentiment, and the key races that could determine the balance of power in Washington. They also discussed the reliability of polls and prediction markets, the impact of economic concerns on voters, growing political opposition to data centers, and what the election results could mean for the future of American politics.

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Aaron Appel, Kris Mikkelsen, & Ivy Zelman Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

Willy was joined by Walker & Dunlop experts Aaron Appel, Kris Mikkelsen, and Ivy Zelman for a candid discussion on the state of the market and what lies ahead.

Together, they examined how shifting interest rates are impacting commercial real estate valuations, financing, and transaction activity, the growing challenges surrounding multifamily debt maturities, and emerging opportunities across the housing and office sectors. They also explored the risks surrounding AI and data center investment, the disconnect between consumer sentiment and spending, and what changing market dynamics could mean for investors.

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Evan Osnos, Political Journalist at The New Yorker Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

For 300 episodes, Willy has asked the questions. Now, the tables have turned as award-winning journalist and New Yorker staff writer Evan Osnos takes over the interviewer’s chair and puts Willy in the hot seat, answering YOUR most-asked questions.

In a candid and wide-ranging conversation, Willy reflected on the lessons he’s learned from building Walker & Dunlop, the risks that paid off—and the opportunities he wishes he hadn’t missed—the habits that keep him energized and curious, and what 300 conversations with some of the world’s most fascinating leaders have taught him. He also opened up about family, personal reinvention, AI and the future of work, Burning Man, whether he’d ever enter politics, and even the book he may one day write.

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Dr. Peter Linneman, Leading Economist, Professor Emeritus, The Wharton School of Business Part 27 Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

Willy was joined once again by Dr. Peter Linneman for the Most Insightful Hour in CRE, recorded at the 2026 Dominium Capital Partner Summit.

With interest rates at 25-year highs and oil-driven inflation adding new uncertainty, what should commercial real estate investors do now?

Willy and Peter unpacked why Peter believes rates will eventually come down, what owners facing near-term maturities should consider, and why disappearing concessions could signal a turning point for multifamily. They also explored the extraordinary flow of capital into data centers and why Peter believes the sector could eventually become overbuilt, the outlook for office, today’s shortage of equity capital, and where Peter would invest $100 million in commercial real estate right now.

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Chris Lee, Partner and President of KKR Real Estate Oct 01, 2026

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Willy sat down with Chris Lee, Partner and President of KKR Real Estate. Three years after Chris last joined the Walker Webcast, where does he believe the commercial real estate market stands today?

Willy and Chris discussed where KKR is deploying capital across credit and equity, opportunities created by the wave of multifamily maturities, and why today’s market demands a highly selective approach. They also explored conviction in senior housing, outlook for the office market, opportunities across Europe, and the impact of higher interest rates.

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Sean Dobson, CEO of Amherst Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

On a special episode of the Walker Webcast, recorded at the 2026 Zelman Housing Summit, Willy was joined by Sean Dobson, CEO of Amherst, a leading real estate investment and development firm.

Sean explained why today’s housing market looks more expensive than before the Global Financial Crisis — but lacks the same catalyst for a crash. He and Willy also discussed the mortgage lock-in effect, single-family rentals, debt spreads, and the biggest macro risk Sean is watching: stagflation.

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Paul Cheek, MIT Senior Lecturer, AI Strategist, Entrepreneur & Author Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

Willy sat down with Paul Cheek, Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management, serial entrepreneur, AI strategist, and author of the new book, No One Works Here , for a conversation about AI, the future of work, and what it takes to build an AI-driven enterprise.

They explored why AI is advancing faster than organizations can adapt, why leaders may be looking at AI ROI through the wrong lens, and why adopting AI tools and training alone isn’t enough to drive meaningful transformation. They also dove into Paul’s framework for deciding when AI should-and shouldn’t-do the work, why organizational redesign is essential to realizing AI’s potential, and how leaders can prepare their people and businesses for a future where humans and AI agents increasingly work together.

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Steve Hills, Author and Former President & General Manager of The Washington Post Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

Willy sat down with Steve Hills, former President and General Manager of The Washington Post and author of the forthcoming book, The Alpha Trap, for a conversation about leadership, transformation, ambition, and the hidden costs of success. They explored how Steve helped transform The Washington Post from a newspaper into a digital-first technology company, what that experience can teach leaders navigating the AI revolution, and why vulnerability can be a powerful leadership strength. They also dove into The Alpha Trap and what Steve learned from interviewing more than 100 high achievers about the relentless pursuit of status and success, the difference between being admired and being truly known, and how to bring the same energy we invest in our careers to our relationships, health, purpose, and fulfillment.

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Ivy Zelman, EVP and Co-Founder of Zelman, a Walker & Dunlop Company Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

Willy sat down with Ivy Zelman, Executive Vice President and Co-Founder of Zelman, a Walker & Dunlop Company, for her latest read on the U.S. housing market and the forces that could reshape housing demand for years to come.

They explored why Ivy believes the housing market may be more balanced than the prevailing shortage narrative suggests, how slowing population and household growth could change future housing needs, and what affordability, mortgage rates, and changing buyer behavior mean for today's market. They also dove into the growing number of young adults living at home, why Ivy sees stronger fundamentals in multifamily than for-sale housing, where she sees opportunities emerging across U.S. markets, and what Zelman's A Decade Divided research could mean for housing leaders planning for the next decade.

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