As a dynamic speaker whose career spans several domains, Jonathan Cohen has always brought resilience and purpose to the table. His podcast features conversations with high performers across multiple industries who provide their insights and strategies to help people overcome obstacles, shift their mindset, and live with intention. With over 100 interviews of individuals ranging from fighter pilots and Navy SEALS to best-selling authors and nine-figure entrepreneurs, he’s built an audience of over 30,000 across social media and provided different strategies, tools, tips, and tactics they can leverage to lead a higher quality of life.

In this episode of The Dealmakers' Edge, Jonathan discusses mental fitness as foundational for effective high-performance in deal-making, emphasizing resilience, reframing stress, and managing limiting beliefs. He presents practical frameworks to help individuals build self-awareness, overcome impostor syndrome, and maintain mental fitness under pressure. Jonathan also confronts mental health stigma in organizations, challenges leaders to foster supportive environments, and reveals how you can cultivate mental fitness from the moment you wake up.

6:06 - The persistent stigma around mental health in high-pressure professional settings

7:57 - How to break the silence and shift the culture and conversation around mental health

12:41 - Mental fitness as both a practice and a form of professional competency

18:01 - The role of leadership in supporting mental well-being for their employees

23:22 - The passenger seat exercise and its roots in inner child work

28:13 - How the evidence framework challenges imposter syndrome and encourages growth

35:16 - How naming your sacrifices helps you strategically manage suffering to achieve big goals

39:07 - The future self framework that provides insight and provokes reflection

Mentioned In Mental Fitness and Peak Performance Under Pressure with Jonathan Cohen

Inside the Inspired with Jonathan Z. Cohen | YouTube | LinkedIn

Connect with Jonathan Cohen on Instagram

Principles and other books by Ray Dalio

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.

The Art of Resilience by Ross Edgley

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Enjoy the show? Have a guest in mind? Email us at podcast@aystrauss.com to let us know your feedback and who you want to hear on the next episode.

Connect with Aaron and the A.Y. Strauss team:

• Our website (www.AYStrauss.com)
• Aaron's website bio page (Aaron's bio page)
• Aaron's LinkedIn account (LinkedIn)
• Our Twitter account (@AYStrauss)

With over two decades in retail real estate, Justin Stein brings a unique perspective on how the industry has transformed—and where it's heading next. As Executive Vice President of Leasing at Tanger, he's been instrumental in the company's evolution from a legacy outlet operator to a dynamic, diversified portfolio of open-air shopping centers that blend outlet and full-price retail with experiential destinations.

In this episode of The Dealmakers' Edge, Justin shares how Tanger navigated its transformation during the challenging COVID era, building a new executive team while every store was closed. He discusses the strategic expansion into lifestyle centers through acquisitions like Bridge Street Town Centre, The Promenade, and Pinecrest, the critical importance of food and beverage in driving traffic and extending dwell time, and how technology and data analytics are reshaping the tenant experience. Justin also opens up about the soft skills that separate great leasing professionals from good ones—treating every lease as the beginning of a partnership, not the end of a transaction.

2:47 - Justin's unconventional entry into real estate from his buddy's couch to CBRE industrial

3:56 - Tanger's history and the bold transformation under CEO Stephen Yalof during COVID

7:06 - Strategic evolution from outlet-only to full-price retail with lifestyle center acquisitions

9:06 - Key takeaways from this year's ICSC Vegas conference and the optimistic mood

11:56 - How Tanger stays ahead of retail trends through strategic reinvestment and partnerships

13:47 - Portfolio diversification beyond footwear and apparel into F&B and entertainment

16:05 - The Nashville development as a blueprint for placemaking and experiential retail

18:28 - Technology integration through the loyalty app and omnichannel strategies

22:50 - Building long-term brand partnerships versus transactional lease deals

25:01 - What's changed in retailer conversations about opening new stores

26:41 - Tanger's growth plans and expansion into new markets and categories

30:57 - Career advice: doing what you love and leaving everything on the field

Mentioned In Retail Real Estate Innovation and Strategy with Tanger's Justin Stein

Tanger

Connect with Justin Stein on LinkedIn

Enjoy the show? Have a guest in mind? Email us at podcast@aystrauss.com to let us know your feedback and who you want to hear on the next episode.

Connect with Aaron and the A.Y. Strauss team:

• Our website (www.AYStrauss.com)
• Aaron's website bio page (Aaron's bio page)
• Aaron's LinkedIn account (LinkedIn)
• Our Twitter account (@AYStrauss)

Glen Kunofsky shares how a long-term, client-centered philosophy led to the creation of Surmount, a unified platform combining brokerage, advisory, development, and capital markets services. What began as a brokerage team evolved in direct response to client needs—from navigating sale-leasebacks, to renegotiating leases during downturns, to sourcing capital and delivering development expertise. Glen outlines how each service line emerged from listening to clients and building relationships that endure across market cycles.

In this episode of The Dealmakers’ Edge, Glen Kunofsky joins Aaron Strauss to break down the relationship-driven vision behind Surmount and how culture, mentorship, and long-term thinking have shaped every aspect of the firm’s growth. He explains why Surmount’s structure is designed to reduce internal competition and foster collaboration, and how that approach is attracting both talent and clients in today’s market. Glen also shares how mindset, humility, and staying close to the client have guided his career through every cycle of commercial real estate.

2:00 – Glen’s early start in real estate during college at Arizona State University

7:00 – Building a portfolio, launching a construction company, and moving back East

9:55 – Breaking into brokerage at Marcus & Millichap and shifting to net lease

13:40 – Why Glen rejected traditional brokerage culture to build a long-term team

17:55 – Creating Surmount by combining brokerage, advisory, development, and capital markets

22:40 – How Surmount’s collaborative culture attracts talent and clients in today’s market

25:10 – Glen’s mindset on managing relationships, setbacks, and long-term value

30:10 – Advocating in Washington for tax legislation that supports real estate investment

Mentioned In The Relationship-Driven Vision Behind Surmount with Glen Kunofsky

Surmount | LinkedIn

Enjoy the show? Have a guest in mind? Email us at podcast@aystrauss.com to let us know your feedback and who you want to hear on the next episode.

Connect with Aaron and the A.Y. Strauss team:

• Our website (www.AYStrauss.com)
• Aaron's website bio page (Aaron's bio page)
• Aaron's LinkedIn account (LinkedIn)
• Our Twitter account (@AYStrauss)