Stay Paid Podcast

Latest Episodes:

From Marine to CEO: How Mary Kennedy Thompson Built Billion-Dollar Teams Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

Mary Kennedy Thompson, CEO of BNI, reveals the networking system responsible for generating over $27 billion in member-driven business. With a background in the Marine Corps and decades of leadership in franchising, Mary shares how "Givers Gain," discipline, and consistent relationship-building drive real growth.

From scaling companies to billions in revenue to leading one of the world's largest business networks, this episode is a masterclass in leadership, networking, and entrepreneurship.

Learn how to:

Build a referral-based business that scales
Use networking as a predictable growth system
Lead with influence, not control
Develop grit, discipline, and consistency
Turn relationships into real revenue

🔗 Learn more about BNI: https://www.bni.com🔗 Follow Mary on LinkedIn

From $30 in the Bank to $25M in Real Estate Sales | Jacob McLaughlin Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

The comeback story every agent needs to hear.

Jacob McLaughlin went from having $30 in his bank account to closing $25M in real estate sales—and building one of the fastest-growing referral platforms for agents.

In this episode of Stay Paid, Jacob shares the raw story behind his journey: cold calling through tax records, driving five hours for showings, walking dogs to survive financially, and ultimately launching ReferralMate, a platform now connecting over 12,000 agents nationwide.

Learn about Jacob's journey:

Jacob started real estate with no connections, no marketing budget, and only cold calling from tax records.
After early success, a failed business venture left him with just $30 to his name.
He rebuilt his career by doing everything possible—cold calls, social media, referrals, and long commutes for showings.
Referrals became a key opportunity, which inspired him to build ReferralMate, now used by 12,000+ agents.
The platform helps agents post referrals, apply for them, and manage agreements in one place.
Successful referrals come from matching the right personality and expertise with the client.
His advice for agents today: build referral networks, invest in social media, and take massive action.

🔗 Join ReferralMate: https://referralmate.co

📞 LIVE CALL-INS: Why Most Agents Stay Stuck at $4M (And How to Break Through) Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

What's the difference between agents who stay stuck and agents who scale?

In this Stay Paid Q&A episode, we break down real-world questions from agents about generating better leads, farming the right neighborhoods, building a referral database, and hitting a $6M goal. The answer isn't flashy marketing—it's math, tracking, and intentional action.

🔥 Key Takeaways:

You can't improve what you don't track—know your database size, referral rate, and conversion numbers.
$6M in volume isn't complicated—it's 24 transactions at $250K average price.
If 7% of your database moves each year, you need ~342 real relationships to hit 24 deals.
Farming is a long-term branding strategy, not a quick lead play.
Combine postcards (brand) with calls/door knocking (sweat equity).
Most agents don't get referrals because they don't intentionally ask.

⁉️ Do YOU have a question you'd like us to answer on air? Send us an email at Podcast@ReminderMedia.com or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast

61% of Buyers Use AI to Choose Their Agent (Are You Showing Up?) | Rajeev Sajja Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

AI isn't the future — it's the present.

In this episode, Rajeev Sajja, Chief AI Officer at BrightMLS, reveals that 61% of consumers are already using AI to evaluate agents — and nearly all of them find it helpful. He breaks down exactly how agents can show up in AI search by optimizing their bio, reviews, and content for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO).

You'll also learn practical use cases for AI in listing prep, marketing, and data analysis — plus a simple 30-day challenge to build real AI skill fast. If you're not adapting to AI, you're falling behind.

🔑 Key Takeaways

61% of buyers and sellers use AI to evaluate agents — and nearly all find it helpful.
AI search (GEO) requires optimizing your bio, reviews, and online profiles with consumer-focused keywords.
The best AI use cases for agents: listing prep, listing descriptions, data analysis, and repetitive tasks.
Prompting matters — use frameworks like PRIME (Role, Input, Steps, Expectations).
"AI is the new UI" — voice and guided search will reshape how platforms work.
Quality content (blogs, YouTube, public comments) improves AI discoverability.
Take a 30-day challenge: spend 15 minutes a day experimenting with AI.

🎧 Real Estate AI Flash Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-ai-flash/id1724020988 💼 Rajeev Sajja on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rsajja/

🔗 Wisprflow.ai: https://wisprflow.ai/?utm_source=dub.co&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=AffiliateProgram&via=rajeev-sajja&dub_id=frUdrZd80r6SAGGc

🔗 Listing Description Creator: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-dMibOufbw-reaif-listing-descriptions-creator

🔗 Agent Bio Visibility Optimizer: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-687e4fde4ac48191aa71be5a671951b5-agent-bio-visibility-optimizer

🔗 AI Answer Builder: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-6965a3dcd77481918c8985c7b27f8bb8-ai-answer-builder

📞 LIVE CALL-INS: The 26-Touch Rule: How to Stay Top of Mind ALL YEAR Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

If you feel invisible, you may not be touching your database enough.

On this live call-in episode of Stay Paid, we tackle three powerful business challenges: burnout from doing everything yourself, why listings aren't selling (hint: it's not your marketing), and how to stay top of mind in a competitive market.

From the "treadmill stage" of business to the hard pricing conversations most agents avoid, this episode breaks down practical strategies for leverage, buyer generation, and building referral momentum. If you want to grow without burning out, price listings properly, and create consistent touchpoints that drive referrals, this episode is packed with actionable advice.

🔑 Key takeaways:

If you're burned out, you need leverage. It only comes from people or systems — and growth requires a leap of faith.
Expect the hockey stick effect. Income may dip before it rises when you hire or implement systems.
If listings aren't selling, check the price first. It's usually not a marketing problem — it's a pricing problem.
Have harder conversations upfront. Pricing confidently saves months of stress later.
Demand drives price. Price competitively to create traffic and momentum.
Build a 26-touch cadence. Consistent communication beats random marketing.
Top producers take action. They implement, adjust, and execute consistently.

⁉️ Do YOU have a question you'd like us to answer on air? Send us an email at Podcast@ReminderMedia.com or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast

He Built a $4B Real Estate Company by Doing ONE Thing Better Than Everyone Else | Anthony Lamacchia Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

Anthony Lamacchia didn't build a multi-billion-dollar real estate company by accident.

Anthony has built one of the fastest-growing real estate organizations in the country—closing over $3.3B in volume and more than 6,000 transactions in a single year. In this episode of Stay Paid, Anthony breaks down why recruiting is the true engine of brokerage growth, how he evaluates acquisitions, and what agents must do to survive and win in today's market.

From calling your sphere to building culture, producing leads, and communicating like a true leader, this conversation is packed with no-fluff advice for agents, team leaders, and broker owners who want real growth—not excuses.

📝 What you'll learn:

Why recruiting is the #1 job of every broker owner
The top criteria Anthony uses before acquiring a brokerage
What causes acquisitions to fail (and how to prevent it)
How producing company-generated leads changes agent retention
Why most agents struggle with follow-up—and how to fix it
The simple script for calling your sphere (without being awkward)
How great leaders communicate so people actually listen
What Anthony would do differently if he started over today

📲 Follow Anthony: https://www.instagram.com/ajlamacchia

🏠 Work with Anthony: https://www.lamacchiarealty.com/

🧠 Crush it in Real Estate training: https://crushitinre.com/

📞 LIVE CALL-INS: Why Waiting on the Market Is Costing Buyers & Sellers THOUSANDS Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

When the market feels uncertain, buyers, sellers, and entrepreneurs often make the same mistake: they wait.

In this Stay Paid Q&A episode, we break down how to guide clients through fear, why timing the market rarely works, and how entrepreneurs can prove product-market fit before taking on massive risk.

From luxury product launches to real estate decision-making, this episode delivers practical frameworks around cash flow, emotional decision-making, CAC vs LTV, and why quality of life often outweighs perfect timing.

📝 Noteworthy topics:

Why "waiting for the market" often costs more than it saves
How to uncover the real emotional motivation behind buying or selling
The danger of going retail before proving product-market fit
Why direct-to-consumer is often the smartest early-stage business model
How to think about CAC vs LTV when running ads
Why cash flow—not profit—is what kills most businesses
How to help clients make confident decisions during uncertainty
Why building a bigger pipeline removes commission pressure
How quality of life often outweighs financial optimization

👠 Shop with Cierra: https://www.instagram.com/societyshoesbycierra/

📲 Follow Cierra: https://www.instagram.com/mscierra/

⁉️ Do YOU have a question you'd like us to answer on air? Send us an email at Podcast@ReminderMedia.com or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast

The Future of Real Estate: Tech, Mergers & What Agents Must Do Now Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

Is AI about to replace real estate agents?

According to Dave Garland—Managing Partner at Second Century Ventures—the answer is no. In this episode of Stay Paid, Dave breaks down why relationships still drive success, how technology should empower (not replace) agents, and what venture capital sees coming next for the industry. From mergers and acquisitions to AI, branding, and the future of real estate transactions, this conversation delivers a rare, insider perspective every agent needs to hear.

🧠 What You'll Will Learn

Why real estate will always be a relationship-driven business
How AI and technology should enhance, not replace, agents
What mergers and acquisitions really mean for practitioners
Why top agents thrive while others struggle
The difference between building transactions vs. building relationships
How technology creates leverage—but only with the right mindset
What venture capital looks for in winning businesses
Why trust, etiquette, and confidence are future-proof skills
How to future-proof your business in a shifting market

📲 Follow Dave on social media: @dgarlandvc

🔗 Second Century Ventures: https://www.secondcenturyventures.com

⁉️ Do YOU have a question you'd like us to answer on air? Send us an email at Podcast@ReminderMedia.com or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast

📞 LIVE CALL-INS: How Long It Really Takes to Close Real Estate Leads Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

Most agents think their leads aren't serious—but the truth is, they're just early.

In this Stay Paid Q&A episode, the team breaks down why nearly every real estate lead requires long-term nurturing and how top producers stay consistent long enough to win.

From qualifying motivation to setting better appointments, mastering follow-up, and using ReminderMedia as a conversation trigger, this episode delivers practical tactics and mindset shifts that can take you from sporadic deals to predictable growth.

📌 Here are the main takeaways:

Why most real estate leads take 6–18 months to convert
How to stop dismissing "looky-loos" and start nurturing future clients
The importance of knowing your numbers as a sales professional
Why motivation matters more than timing
How to structure follow-up based on a buyer or seller's true motivator
Why ghosting can actually signal a more serious lead
How ReminderMedia magazines create non-salesy reasons to call clients
Simple scripts to turn branding moments into real conversations
How to ask for referrals without sounding pushy or desperate

⁉️ Do YOU have a question you'd like us to answer on air? Send us an email at Podcast@ReminderMedia.com or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast

📞 LIVE CALL-INS: How Agents Should Use AI, Convert Leads & Break Into Commercial Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

"Use AI to build better relationships, not replace them."

In this Stay Paid Q&A episode, agents call in with three of the most important questions in real estate today: how to break into commercial, how to use AI without losing trust, and how to convert intent-based leads with ads and follow-up.

Luke and Josh share tactical advice on mentorship, networking, AI adoption, calling strategies, and why volume is the true separator between average and top producers.

💡Topics discussed:

· Adding commercial real estate without abandoning residential

· Sacrificing commission to gain speed and knowledge

Focusing on what won't change (trust and relationships) since no one knows where AI is headed
Using AI for listing descriptions, buyer personas, marketing plans
Asking AI why it's recommending other agents and not you
Why reviews, authority, and visibility matter in AI search
Your biggest opportunity being to call people who open emails

⁉️ Do YOU have a question you'd like us to answer on air? Send us an email at Podcast@ReminderMedia.com or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast

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