In this solo episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan Lines sits down with the mic to reflect on why the podcast started, what it’s become, and where it’s headed next. He shares his personal journey in real estate, lessons learned from 24 incredible guests, and why relationships—not transactions—are the foundation of a great business and a meaningful life. Ethan opens up about fatherhood, faith, goals for the year ahead, building community, and what it really means to be an exceptional agent, husband, and dad. The episode wraps with a candid coffee review of Kirkland House Blend and a call for listeners to help shape the future of the Coffee & Closings community.

In this episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan sits down with Mike and Shelly, the husband-and-wife founders of Peak City Coffee, to hear the story behind one of the Triangle’s most beloved specialty roasters. They share how a backyard hobby turned into a full-scale roasting business, the leap of faith to go all-in, and why sourcing specialty-grade beans and telling a story through coffee matters. The conversation dives deep into the roasting process, seasonal blends, entrepreneurship, family involvement, and building a brand rooted in community—all while tasting Peak City favorites like Full Steam, Whispering Pines, and Snow Camp.

In this episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan sits down with Sharon Gupton, longtime REALTOR® and current President of the Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS®. Sharon shares her decades-long journey through real estate, property management, sports marketing, and leadership, along with why communication, education, and ethics are what truly separate great agents from average ones. They dive deep into parenting and career balance, continuing education, the role of REALTOR® associations, and how to lead—and step away from leadership—with grace. All while enjoying Jubala Coffee’s Kinship Blend.

In this episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan sits down with Ryan Patty, a Raleigh-area REALTOR® who brings an incredible journey from the Pittsburgh Steelers sideline to the world of real estate. Ryan shares how his background in sports, recruiting, and operations shaped his discipline, mindset, and ability to build strong client relationships. The two dive into what makes a great agent great—availability, adaptability, negotiation skills, communication, and the drive to show up even when it’s inconvenient. They talk football, family traditions, competitiveness, market shifts, and growing a business through authenticity and consistency. All while reviewing Top of the Mornin Coffee’s Twilight Blend.

In this episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan sits down with Cory Sherman, a Durham-area REALTOR® with Keller Williams, to dive into the skills that truly matter in today’s market. Cory shares his journey from the beer and wine industry into real estate, closing over $75 million as a solo agent, and developing a powerful negotiation framework in partnership with leadership coach Dr. Sam Bear. They unpack why negotiations are more important than ever, how agents can handle conflict with confidence, the future of the industry, building a lean but mighty team, and how AI is transforming the way agents work. They also talk fatherhood, entrepreneurship, reinvention, and the honest highs and lows of being a full-time agent—all while enjoying Carolina Coffee Company’s Carolina Christmas Blend.

In this special episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan sits down with his wife, Allyson Lines, for a fun and heartfelt conversation about marriage, parenting, and their journey together. The two share stories from their teenage years, what it’s really like raising their daughter Amelia, and how they’ve built a home and a life side by side. They talk nursing, real estate, and late-night renovations, all while reflecting on faith, family, and the chaos that makes it all worth it. And of course, they highlight Caribou Coffee’s Caribou Blend, a nostalgic nod to their early dating days.

In this episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan sits down with Liza Seymour, a Raleigh-based REALTOR® with Compass, to talk about her journey from fashion merchandising to building a thriving real-estate career. Liza opens up about taking a leap of faith into real estate during the pandemic, learning the business from the ground up, and finding balance between motherhood and entrepreneurship. They dive into leadership, mentorship, and her mission to educate first-time buyers through her How to Buy a House program—all while enjoying Because Coffee Roasters’ Big Reward Blend from Dawsonville, Georgia.

In this episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan sits down with Autumn Dubois, team leader and REALTOR® with Compass in Raleigh, to talk about building a business rooted in connection, culture, and purpose. Autumn shares her journey from starting in real estate to leading a thriving team while staying grounded as a wife and mom. The two dive deep into leadership, building strong team culture, property management, social media growth, and what it takes to stand out in today’s competitive market, all while enjoying Charleston Coffee Roasters’ Organic Sumatra Bold Roast.