67: Masterminds, Mistakes & Momentum: Janice Thayer on Growing with Intention
This week on Tribe Builders, I’m joined by Janice Thayer — a short-term rental owner, seasoned designer, and business veteran whose entrepreneurial journey began in the early ’90s. From launching her first design firm (and getting sued almost immediately!) to navigating divorce and rebuilding her career with intention, Janice brings the kind of real talk and resilience every business owner needs to hear.
66: From $2.5K Wins to $40K Standards: The Real Talk with Amanda Cruise
This week on Tribe Builders, I sit down with Amanda Cruise — mobile home park investor, commercial real estate pro, and co-host of the Best Ever CRE podcast. From a corporate job to serious cash flow, Amanda shares the mindset shifts, strategies, and mentorships that helped her go from celebrating $2,500 wins to not leaving the house for less than $40K.
65: Business Without a Box: Curiosity, Connection & Hosting Wisdom with Tracey Northcott
In this week’s episode of Tribe Builders, I sit down with Tracey Northcott of Tokyo Family Stays — a powerhouse in the short-term rental space with a deep, global perspective. We go way beyond hosting logistics to unpack what it really takes to build a scalable business, why curiosity should lead the way, and how shame, masking, and defensiveness can quietly stall our growth if we’re not careful.
64: The Gym Where Everyone Knows Your Name with Marcus Eckert
This week on Tribe Builders, we step inside Northbound Training in Little Canada, MN, with gym owner Marcus Eckert — a man who’s mastered the art of building a community people can’t wait to be part of.
From only hiring coaches he’d trust around his own kids, to creating a culture where members cheer each other on like family, Marcus shares how intentional leadership turns a gym into a movement. We talk about what success really means, how to stay grounded through life’s ups and downs, and why the right relationships will make or break your journey.
63: Behind the Curtain: Alicia Wright on Lessons You Can’t Learn Alone
What happens when you stop trying to do it all on your own? Alicia Wright—aka the powerhouse behind Stacey St. John's STR Sisterhood—joins us to talk about the unseen lessons, unexpected mentors, and one $50K “learning opportunity” that changed everything.
62: The Power of Intentional Spaces
In this solo episode, Tanya reflects on the powerful takeaways from an in-person event with her coach—focusing on intentionality, frequency, and authentic connection. She explores how choosing to stay in high-frequency spaces with people you genuinely align with creates momentum, and how challenges are often invitations to grow. This episode is also a turning point for the podcast itself, as Tanya shares her commitment to even more intentional conversations that leave people feeling seen, heard, and valued.
61: The Review System We Wish Airbnb Had with Wendy Doris
This week on Tribe Builders, I’m joined by Arizona-based STR host and co-host Wendy Doris.
We talk about how isolating hosting can feel, and why surrounding yourself with other hosts creates unexpected support and community. We imagine what a better Airbnb review system might look like—one that actually reflects what matters to hosts and guests.
60: From Stuck to Started: Small Goals, Big Momentum
In this episode of Tribe Builders, we’re tackling one of the biggest things that holds people back: fear. Fear of showing up. Fear of being judged. Fear of not having all the answers. I unpack real conversations with business owners who hesitate to share what they do online—because what if someone questions them?
59: All Hustle, No Quit: Building STR Launch Teams One Market at a Time with Kim Fitzpatrick
In this episode, I chat with Kim Fitzpatrick, a powerhouse in the short-term rental (STR) setup space. She shares her journey and insights from traveling across the U.S. setting up STRs—and building local teams wherever she lands.
58: Lost, Tired, and Leading Anyway
In this raw and honest solo episode, I share what it feels like to be the one calling the shots—but feeling completely lost. I talk about the weight of being the leader, the decider, the one who is “supposed to” have it all together, even when clarity is nowhere in sight. I even considered selling everything and starting over in a ski town—because sometimes, the dream feels too heavy to carry.
57: Friendship in the Age of Polarization
This episode is different. No teaching, no tactics—just me, talking through something I’ve been sitting with.
56: What Happens When You Finally Find Your People? with Lindsay Arko
This week, we sit down with the unstoppable Lindsay Arko — a powerhouse wholesaler, house flipper, and real estate investor who has turned her talent for sales into a thriving training business. Lindsay is a numbers-driven entrepreneur with a serious knack for accountability and a strong belief in the power of community.
55: Teacher to Real Estate Titan: Amanda Howell’s Path to Real Freedom
Former teacher turned powerhouse investor, Amanda Howell, shares how she built a life of freedom one deal at a time. After 20+ years in the classroom, Amanda transformed her reality by building a network, building a rental portfolio, launching and selling two real estate businesses, and intentionally designing a life she loves.
54: Build the Room: Women, Development, and the Power of Creating Your Own Space with Claire VanderEyk
WEEEEOOO WEEEOOO Good episode dropping... I sat down with Claire VanderEyk — a Minnesota-based real estate developer who walked away from corporate life to carve out her own path in a male-dominated industry. Claire shares the origin story behind her bold leap into development, the creation of a Women in Real Estate Development retreat, and how she’s cultivating a powerful referral-based ecosystem of curious, capable women.
53: Unexpected Connections: How Chance Meetings Turn Into Life-Changing Opportunities
In this special episode of Tribe Builders, we’re taking a look back at three powerful stories of unexpected connections that changed everything. From a chance meeting in a bank line that led to a long-term business partnership, to seeing someone working in the coffee shop that sparked an idea for a mentor relationship, to one man's dedication to adding value that ended with him being gifted a portion of an apartment building—these moments remind us that opportunity often hides in plain sight.
52: Get Out of Your Own Way: Partnership Lessons & Life Strategy with Mark Dalessandro
We’re celebrating one full year of the TRIBE BUILDERS podcast with a guest who’s part of my personal board of directors—Mark Dalessandro. Mark is the kind of person you call when you need a clear, honest sounding board. In this episode, we dive into the power of chosen family, building strong partnerships, and the importance of getting out of your own way.
51: Talking Shop: Finding Your People and Owning Your Growth Journey with Tato Corcoran
This week on Tribe Builders we’re hanging out with Tato Corcoran — a real estate investor from Milwaukee who decided to buy a "boring business" a couple of years ago.
Tato shares what it was like jumping into a whole new world: learning how the product was made, hiring a team, figuring out cash flow, and all the messy and amazing parts of owning a business. We get into how she found the business through direct mail, why having self-confidence matters so much, and the importance of finding people to talk business with — even if they’re not in the same industry.
50: What Happens When You Stop Chasing the Wrong Goals? with Andrew Devlin
This week on the Tribe Builders podcast, we’re bringing you a powerhouse conversation with Andrew Devlin—elite business and mindset coach, master of visualization, and expert at helping entrepreneurs unlock their next level.
Andrew brings a fresh, honest perspective on defining success on your own terms—and living true to it. We dive deep into why it's critical to stop doing work that's your kryptonite and instead build your life and business around your superpowers.
49: Real Estate the Adrian Way: Community, Curiosity & a Bold Yellow Uniform
This Week on Tribe Builders: Adrian Smude—The Guy in Yellow
I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Adrian Smude for this week's episode of Tribe Builders, and let me tell you—this guy is the epitome of having a vibe. Even the way I first heard about him was unforgettable… it involved a snowmobile and a yellow Speedo. Yes, really. And once I got him on the phone? The vibe continued.
Adrian has carved out a niche in real estate that I didn’t even know existed. He’s spent the last 22+ years in the game, building deep relationships and leaning on those connections to navigate the ever-evolving real estate landscape. He’s built a name for himself as “the guy in yellow”—and I mean that literally. He only wears yellow when he leaves the house. Steve Jobs had his black turtleneck… Adrian’s got a full-on sunshine uniform.
48: Reps & Relationships, Building Community That Lifts You Up
In this episode, Tanya Rooney shares her insights on the importance of community and connections in both personal and professional realms. She discusses her experiences with CrossFit, emphasizing the supportive nature of the community, and shares a personal story about overcoming challenges in real estate through networking. Tanya also highlights the significance of daily support groups and encourages listeners to cultivate relationships that can provide encouragement and assistance in their endeavors.