In this episode, Courtney Benson shares her inspiring journey through cancer, social media growth, and how vulnerability and authenticity can build trust and business. Jamie Knight explores how sharing personal stories can transform your real estate career and life.

Follow Courtney on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneybensonrealtordfw/?hl=en

Follow Courtney's Cancer Journey: https://www.instagram.com/justagirlwithcancer/?hl=en

Connect with Jamie: www.Calendly.com/JamieKnight

Follow The POD On Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/REALSOUTHAGENTS

Follow The POD On YouTube: www.YouTube.com/@REALSOUTHAGENTS

How REAL Looks In Louisiana: https://youtu.be/x8N8qJB9ES8?si=EujYhrH6YDKVsPDN

Key Topics

Courtney Benson's cancer journey and social media growth

The importance of authenticity and vulnerability in business

Building trust with clients through personal stories

Overcoming fear of sharing personal struggles

The impact of social media followers and celebrity connections

Balancing personal health challenges with professional success

Sound Bites

"I refuse to let it get me down"

"Share your whole journey, because it's your humanity"

"People don't think about you, they think about themselves"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Courtney's background

01:26 Courtney shares her cancer diagnosis and mindset

02:29 Turning adversity into a positive journey

03:39 Starting and growing her social media channels

06:28 Sharing her head-shaving and cancer story authentically

07:54 Building a new brand around her cancer journey

09:46 Celebrity followers and social proof

11:31 The importance of confidence and authenticity

13:20 Handling negativity and online comments

15:11 The power of vulnerability and trust in business

17:59 Balancing real estate success with personal challenges

20:30 How her social media presence has generated business

22:25 Supporting her family financially during health struggles

25:14 The importance of being genuine and real in social media

30:49 The impact of sharing love and gratitude

32:36 Encouragement for attendees at Rise and beyond

In this episode, Jamie Knight sits down with Eric Larkin from the Space Coast of Florida, Eric shares how he's leveraging AI, local news content, YouTube, and social media to grow his real estate business on the Space Coast. Discover actionable strategies for creating engaging content, building inbound leads, and adapting to market changes.

Connect with Eric on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocoabeachinsider/

Check Out Eric on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eric.larkin.264294/

Connect with Jamie: www.Calendly.com/JamieKnight

Follow The POD On Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/REALSOUTHAGENTS

Follow The POD On YouTube: www.YouTube.com/@REALSOUTHAGENTS

How REAL Looks In Louisiana: https://youtu.be/x8N8qJB9ES8?si=EujYhrH6YDKVsPDN

Takeaways

AI tools like HeyGen and ChatGPT streamline content creation, saving time and effort.

Consistent posting of local news and home tours significantly increases engagement and inbound inquiries.

Building a personal brand on YouTube attracts high-intent buyers and expands market reach.

Leveraging QR codes and direct calls-to-action in videos boosts lead conversions.

The growth of the space industry directly influences real estate demand and market dynamics.

Key Topics

AI content creation with HeyGen and ChatGPT

Building a social media presence through local news

Using home tours to generate inbound leads

The impact of SpaceX and space industry growth on real estate

Strategies for consistent content posting and audience engagement

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and guest background

01:11 Eric's journey into real estate and early career

02:25 Pivot from cold calling to content marketing

04:33 Using YouTube and blogging to generate leads

05:53 Adopting local news style content with AI tools

07:57 Streamlining content creation with HeyGen and ChatGPT

09:38 Growth and results from consistent local news videos

11:35 Overcoming health challenges with AI automation

12:57 Using social media to build brand presence

15:06 Integrating home tours into social media strategy

17:05 The power of home tours on TikTok and Instagram

20:17 Expanding reach with YouTube for relocation buyers

22:20 Using QR codes and direct outreach for leads

25:06 The impact of space industry growth on real estate

28:36 How SpaceX and the space industry influence local markets

32:34 Advice for struggling agents and staying motivated

What happens when you stop chasing the next transaction and start building real relationships?

In this episode of the REAL SOUTH AGENTS podcast, Jamie Knight sits down with Kristen Cantrell, founder of Hello Culture and Moms in Real Estate, a community that has grown to more than 46,000 women in the real estate industry.

Connect with Kristen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heykristencantrell

Join Moms In Real Estate on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/therealmomsofrealestate

Moms In Real Estate Website: https://heymire.com/

Moms In Real Estate Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3wHVmMnuoVSfk2Nksor7eF?si=e5d5ac1ca7b142e3&nd=1&dlsi=e154255f1d6242c9

Kristen's Website: https://heykristencantrell.com/

Connect with Jamie: www.Calendly.com/JamieKnight

Follow The POD On Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/REALSOUTHAGENTS

Follow The POD On YouTube: www.YouTube.com/@REALSOUTHAGENTS

Kristen shares how a simple desire to bring people together turned into multiple thriving communities across the U.S. and Canada. She breaks down how consistency, providing value, creating genuine connections, and showing up without always expecting something in return helped her build a powerful network inside and outside of real estate.

We talk about why so many real estate agents feel lonely, what actually makes a community work, how to grow a Facebook group without filling it with self-promotion, and why Kristen believes relationships built over years can eventually open doors you never expected.

If you're a Realtor looking to grow your network, build a community, meet more people, or simply surround yourself with the right people, this conversation is for you.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kristen Cantrell and her community journey

02:03 The origin of Hello Culture and its mission

03:55 Building authentic connections in real estate

05:55 Evolving from local community to a franchise model

08:05 How virtual and in-person events fuel growth

10:09 The importance of consistency and value in community building

12:07 The story behind Moms in Real Estate and its growth

13:55 Strategies for growing a Facebook community from 2,000 to 46,000

15:54 Managing community engagement and moderation

17:57 The impact of community on personal and professional life

20:01 The franchise model and supporting community leaders

21:52 The role of abundance mindset in success

24:03 Lessons learned and advice for aspiring community builders

26:58 The importance of showing up and depositing value

28:54 Encouragement for struggling agents and entrepreneurs

32:11 Final thoughts and connecting with Kristen