LIFE WITH MIKEY

Latest Episodes:

He Tried Rehab 13 Times: How Brandon Novak Finally Beat Addiction Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

Brandon Novak went from homeless heroin addict to building sober housing and opening treatment centers without losing his skater DNA or humility. In this raw conversation, he explains why “recovery works so well you stop doing it,” how faith changed everything, and why our homelessness crisis isn’t just about the price of rent.

What you’ll learn

The obsession that powers skating can destroy you or save you (and how to aim it).
Why Novak says his breakthrough came on rehab #13 and what finally “took.”
The role of God/Higher Power and the 12 steps in creating a true psychic change.
“Money is a byproduct of solving real problems”how purpose first led him to build recovery housing and programs.
Homelessness: why addiction + mental health drive the crisis more than housing alone.

Standout moments

“No human power can lift the obsession” on surrender and finally getting honest.
“The better my life gets, the higher the relapse risk” (and how he counters it).
Skateboarding as meditation: why a slammed trick beats a $2,000 dinner for peace of mind.

What he’s building now

A new licensed New Jersey outpatient facility (opened last week), plus 7 houses / 70 beds supporting clients in recovery.

Need help? Brandon invites anyone struggling to reach out directly: brandonnovak.com.

ADU Revolution 2026: Turn Your Backyard Into Cash Flow Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

Stuck in the housing gridlock but sitting on equity? The biggest opportunity in real estate right now might be behind your house, not on Zillow. In this solo episode, Mikey breaks down how ADUs (and JADUs) can unlock cash flow, boost your property value, and even in California be split and sold under AB 1033 if your city allows it.

Why this matters now:

Prices up ~60% since 2019, rates still above 6%, and existing sales at a 30-year low—the market is frozen for buyers and locked-in owners alike.
AB 1033 can let you legally split off your backyard ADU as its own saleable property (city approval required).
ADU momentum is real: permits rose ~61% (2020→2021) and ~1 in 5 new CA homes in 2023 was an ADU. Streamlined approvals, reduced setbacks, and fee breaks help.

Chapters

0:00 ADU Revolution + why 2026 matters

2:02 AB 1033—sell your backyard ADU? (city-by-city)

3:00 ADU boom stats + faster approvals

4:22 The actual ROI math

5:29 Financing (HELOCs, refis, construction loans)

7:09 JADU garage conversion play

8:45 City-level pros/cons

12:28 First-timer checklist + contingencies

#CaliforniaRealEstate #RealEstateInvesting #CashFlow

This content is for informational purposes only, is not offered as investment advice and should not be deemed as investment advice, and reflects the opinions and projections of COMMUNE as of the date of publication, which are subject to change without notice at any time subsequent to the date of issue. COMMUNE does not represent or warrant that the information presented in this message is accurate, current, or complete or that the estimates, opinions, projections or assumptions made in the message will prove to be accurate or realized.

From Pro Skater to $352M Real Estate Fund Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

How do you go from pro skateboarder…to craft brewery founder…to private-equity real estate—and still love the game? In this solo episode, I break down the exact steps I took to reinvent (multiple times), what actually worked, and the brutal lessons that forced me to level up.

Omni Fund (now open to non-accredited; $5K minimum) → https://communecapital.com/omni/

What you’ll learn (and what I wish I knew sooner):

The money rule that set my compass—the 50/30/20 framework—and how I reverse-engineered my “never have to work” number to ~$2–$2.5M in investable assets.
Why I cranked my lifestyle down to ~30–35% of income for years so I could invest the rest—and how that decision changed everything.
The brewery story: raising early capital, the reality of selling to MillerCoors, and why we ultimately walked away (and what happened after).
Reinventing into real estate: starting at square one, humbling myself, raising our first $2.5M, and learning why real estate forces discipline over “dream” returns.
The operator habit that keeps our company moving: one 90-minute “work ON the business” block with our C-suite every week. Try it.
Where we are now: 600–700 investors, 20+ properties, ~$352M under management—and why we opened access with Omni Fund (primarily SoCal multifamily).

All content available on this video is general in nature, not directed or tailored to any particular person, and is for informational purposes only. This video and the contents herein do not constitute, and should not be construed as, an offer to purchase securities of Commune Omni Fund, LLC (“Omni”). Such an offer will only be made pursuant to an Offering Statement, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at Offering Statement Link (“Offering Statement”). The offering referred to in the Offering Statement (the “Offering”) is being conducted by Omni pursuant to Tier 2 of Regulation A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

This message does not constitute an offer to purchase securities of Commune Omni Fund, LLC (“Omni”). Such an offer will only be made pursuant to an Offering Statement, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As with any investment there is a risk of loss, including up to the amount of investment.

This offering is being conducted by COMMUNE Omni Fund, LLC pursuant to Tier 2 of Regulation A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The securities offered herein are being offered through Andes Capital Group, LLC, a registered broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC, acting as broker of record. Andes Capital Group, LLC may receive compensation in connection with this offering as disclosed in the offering statement.

Past performance is not a guarantee or indicative of future results, and it should not be assumed that results of Omni or any of its investments will be achieved going forward. This communication may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements, and such statements should not be relied upon as guarantees of future performance.

The SEC has qualified but has not approved or passed upon the merits of the securities being offered in the Offering or the terms of the Offering. The SEC has also not passed upon the accuracy or completeness of the Offering Statement or any other offering materials.

Neither this message nor its contents should be construed as legal, tax, investment, or other advice. Individuals are urged to consult with their own tax, legal, and investment advisers before making any investment decision.

Is the 2026 Real Estate Crash Real? Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

Everyone’s yelling “2026 housing crash,” but most of it is noise. In this solo episode, Mikey breaks down the actual signals and how to underwrite deals to win even if things get bumpy.

Chapters0:00 Crash chatter vs. reality0:38 Jobs & claims—cooling by design? 3:40 Rates cutting cycle + credit tightness in SLOOS 5:40 Prices lag, inventory is king 7:40 Cancellations & buyer sentiment shift 9:17 Apartment rents & market differences 10:10 Delinquencies, office pain & bridge loans explained 12:22 Rates, builders, and the equity bottleneck 14:01 The stress tests Mikey runs on every deal 15:46 Why ugly markets make the best vintages

Certain statements reflect projections or expectations of future financial or economic performance of the project. Such “forward-looking” statements are based on various assumptions, which assumptions may not prove to be correct. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such assumptions and statements will accurately predict future events or the project’s actual performance. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

This content does not constitute an offer to invest and such offer will only be made by means of an offering document that should be carefully reviewed before determining whether to invest. As with any investment there is a risk of loss, including up to the amount of investment.

How To Build Wealth Starting with $10K: 5 Moves for 2025 Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

You don’t need $100,000 to start—here’s a step-by-step playbook to begin with $10K in 2025.

What’s inside (5 Wealth Moves):

Invest in skills first. Prioritize high-income skills (sales/design/marketing), mentors, targeted events, and curated free education. Income growth is the #1 wealth tool.
Leverage the “boring” compounding. Open a Roth IRA or capture employer 401(k) match. Example: $500/mo for ~30 years at a 7% average could land in the ~$610–$650K range tax-free; maxing to $7K/yr could approach ~$770K (illustrative, not guaranteed).
Smart Crypto (not YOLO). Treat crypto as a developing asset class: emphasize networks closer to adoption (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum; with select satellites only if aligned with risk tolerance). Keep allocation responsible.
House-Hack with FHA. Consider a duplex/triplex/quad with ~3.5% down; live in one unit for a year, rent the others, then convert to a cash-flowing asset. Example: $300K duplex → ~3.5% down (~$10,500), credit 580+, rents can offset a significant share of the payment.
Passive Real Estate. Participate in larger deals without day-to-day management, aiming for cash flow, appreciation, and potential K-1 tax benefits. Traditional hurdles include accreditation and $25K–$50K minimums see update below for smaller checks.

A new offering is open to non-accredited investors with a $5,000 minimum, a starting path into real estate. Review details & risks at the link above.

👉 COMMUNE OMNI FUND

DISCLAIMER:

A copy of the final Offering Circular that forms a part of the Offering Statement may be obtained from: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2046788/000110465925080221/tm2519245d2_ex4-1.htm

The video does not constitute an offer to purchase securities of Commune Omni Fund, LLC (“Omni”). Such an offer will only be made pursuant to an Offering Statement, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As with any investment there is a risk of loss, including up to the amount of investment.

STOP CHASING CASH FLOW: The 2025 Real Estate Play Nobody’s Talking About Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

In this solo episode, Mikey breaks down why cash flow is fuel, not the finish line, and how to force appreciation so your deals pencil in a high-rate world.

What you’ll learn:

Rates & reality: Why ~6.29% mortgages matter and how a small drop can save real dollars monthly.

• Cash flow vs. appreciation: The mindset shift younger investors should consider to build wealth.

• Negative leverage decoded: When a 5.5% cap vs. 6%+ debt becomes a silent deal-killer and what to do instead.

• Build-to-rent advantage: Targeting ~7.5% yield-on-cost so income covers debt service.

• NOI growth levers for 2025: Low-cost, high-impact upgrades (paint, LED, hardware, landscaping), ADUs/conversions, RUBS, and ancillary income (storage, reserved parking, pets).

• Case study: From a duplex to a 32-unit entitlement—how forced appreciation can create value before you build.

• Timing the next window: What rising cap rates + falling interest rates could mean for buying.

Why this matters: You can’t control the market, but you can control your inputs design, entitlement, underwriting, and operation to drive NOI, protect cash flow, and compound your equity.

The content of this video (“Video”) is for informational purposes only, is not offered as investment advice and should not be deemed as investment advice, and reflects the opinions and projections of COMMUNE as of the date of publication, which are subject to change without notice at any time subsequent to the date of issue. COMMUNE does not represent or warrant that the information presented in this Video is accurate, current, or complete or that the estimates, opinions, projections or assumptions made in the Video will prove to be accurate or realized.

This Video does not constitute an offer to invest and such offer will only be made by means of a confidential offering document that should be carefully reviewed before determining whether to invest. As with any investment there is a risk of loss, including up to the amount of investment.

The Harsh Truth About Pro Skateboarding Money with Micky Papa Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

Skateboarding is changing fast and Micky Papa is adapting.
From scraping coins for a skate pass to paying off his mom’s mortgage at 17, this is the story of raw hustle, financial awakening, and what it really takes to build a future beyond pro skating.

In this episode of Life With Mikey, we dive deep with Micky Papa on the Olympic skater, Street League finalist, and rising real estate investor.

In this episode: - Why contests are replacing skate videos- How the skate industry is struggling (and who’s really making money)- Micky’s 11-year-old grind to afford skating- His powerful pivot from skateboarding to financial freedom through Airbnb investing- The mindset behind his sticker-selling eBay hustle and early money lessons

Reality TV’s Playbook EXPOSED: Doug Weitzbunch on 1% Club, Duck Dynasty, Hell’s Kitchen & Housel House Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Life With Mikey, Mikey Taylor sits down with TV Producer and Entrepreneur @dougweitzbuch1 as he pulls back the curtain on Reality TV and How he turned a real estate side hustle into @housle.house, the Wordle-style game teaching kids about property value.

Doug shares:

What really goes into creating a hit show (and what networks want)
The surprising startup rules that apply to making TV
Why casting is everything and how to find breakout characters
And what creators, investors, and dreamers MUST understand about modern media

Whether you're building a brand, pitching a show, or just obsessed with real estate this conversation is packed with insider gems, viral-worthy stories, and real-world business lessons.

Why Gen Z May NEVER Own a Home | Taylor Avakian on the Housing Crisis & AI’s Future Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

Is the American Dream officially dead?

In this explosive conversation, Mikey, Michael, and Taylor Avakian unpack the brutal truth about today’s housing market and why Gen Z may never own a home unless something changes.

Inside this episode:

The shocking reason homeownership is almost impossible for younger generations
Why renting often makes more sense than buying in 2025
The “lock-in effect” keeping homes off the market forever
California’s broken housing system and why investors still love it
How AI landlords & blockchain real estate could transform everything
The wealth-building strategy that the richest families never tell you about

This isn’t just about real estate it’s about the future of money, investing, and freedom.

$10 Trillion Is Going On-Chain: How Tokenized Real Estate Makes You a Landlord Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

Skyscraper for less than a PlayStation? In this episode, Mikey breaks down how real estate is getting tokenized and what it actually is, how $50 buy-ins and weekly rent can work, and the traps to avoid if you’re new to on-chain assets.

What’ you’ll learn:

Simple, non-tech explainer of blockchain (shared ledger) and NFTs as digital titles/receipts—not meme JPEGs.

Fractional ownership: Tiny entry points, rental payouts (often in stablecoins), and how secondary markets enable exits.

Real example: A tokenized single-family deal where dozens of everyday investors bought in and get rent distributions.

Why it’s getting big: Governments experimenting with records on-chain + major asset managers moving to tokenize traditional assets.

Before you ape in: Regulations & accreditation rules, liquidity isn’t guaranteed, smart-contract/hack risk, and leverage mistakes that wipe people out.

Chapters

0:00 The “skyscraper for a PlayStation” hook—why this matters

1:55 Tokenization 101: blockchain & NFTs as titles

4:05 Fractional ownership: $50 entries & rent payouts

9:07 Real-world moves: public records on-chain, big money goes digital

15:29 Risks & guardrails: regulation, liquidity, hacks, leverage