In Trading Suits for Stories, Alex and Jamie share their personal journeys of leaving behind traditional careers in Wall Street and advertising to embrace the unpredictable world of creativity. They dive into the mindset shifts, hilarious missteps, and unexpected inspirations that fueled their transitions into writing, acting, DJing, and authorship. From pandemic pivots to finding the courage to create, they explore why passion, perseverance, and the right environment matter more than ever. Whether you're thinking about making your own leap into a creative life or just need a little inspiration to trust the journey, this episode will make you laugh, reflect, and maybe even plot your own reinvention.

In this episode of The Real State, we uncover the truth about short-term rentals with Christina Robinson, real estate entrepreneur, educator, and self-made superhost. From house-hacking her first property while working a 9-to-5, to managing a portfolio of vacation rentals in South Florida, Christina walks us through the highs, lows, and total myths of the short-term rental game.

We dig into:

• Why short-term rentals are not as passive as they seem

• The difference between long-term and vacation rental income

• Self-managing vs. using property managers (and why it’s not just about the money)

• How technology, systems, and building the right team helped her escape the 9-to-5

• Why mindset, location, and hustle matter more than hype

Whether you're dreaming of Airbnb riches or just curious about getting into real estate, this conversation breaks down what it really takes to win in the short-term rental world.

Timestamps
00:00 – Intro + Why this episode matters
03:05 – Christina’s origin story: From finance to first-time buyer
11:20 – House-hacking before it had a name
15:45 – Short sales, student tenants, and the path to passive income
21:15 – The Airbnb algorithm: what every host should know
25:35 – Vacation rentals vs. long-term rentals: what's the real payoff?
33:00 – The truth about self-managing (and burnout)
40:20 – Tech, tools, and what makes a 5-star stay
48:10 – The 3 C’s: Checklist, CRM, and Capacity
52:40 – Final thoughts + Key takeaways

📱 Follow us on Instagram: @therealstatepodcast
🌐 More episodes + show info: www.therealstate.co
💬 Guest Info: Christina Robinson @christinarinvests

Leave us a review, share the episode, and let us know what “Real State” topic we should uncover next!

In this episode of The Real State, Alex and Jamie ask the question that feels more relevant than ever: Does anyone actually read anymore? From the joys of childhood encyclopedias and comic books to the digital reading habits of today, the duo takes a thoughtful (and hilarious) trip down literary memory lane. They discuss fiction vs. nonfiction, the decline of attention spans, the rise of audiobooks, and what the future of reading might look like in an era of TikTok, AI, and shrinking libraries.

Topics Covered:

• Childhood memories of reading and early obsessions (World Book, comic books)
• Fiction vs. nonfiction: What we read now and why
• The decline of print and rise of digital reading habits (iPads, audiobooks)
• The status symbol of bookshelves (and Zoom backgrounds!)
• Whether kids today are missing out on the benefits of reading
• How algorithms shape what we read (or don’t)
• The impact of reading on language, learning, and imagination
• Audio vs. visual learners in the age of content overload
• The long-term implications of a society that reads less

• 00:00 – Welcome + why we used to love reading
• 03:30 – Growing up with books in Brazil and beyond
• 07:10 – Jamie’s Michael Crichton phase & fiction’s golden age
• 10:50 – Paperbacks vs. iPads: the evolution of how we read
• 14:45 – Do books on shelves make us look smarter?
• 18:30 – Why Alex shifted to nonfiction and stopped reading fiction
• 22:40 – Audio books, Whoopi Goldberg, Obama, and the voice in your head
• 26:15 – Kids today: attention spans, algorithms, and learning challenges
• 33:00 – What happens if we stop reading?
• 38:30 – Has content just evolved or been dumbed down?
• 40:00 – Final thoughts: the real state of reading today

In this episode of The Real State Podcast, we dive into the high-stakes world of transitional lending—the financial glue that keeps real estate projects moving forward. Our guest, Ian Glaser, partner at BridgeInvest, shares how private lending is fueling Miami’s booming skyline and beyond, financing everything from adaptive reuse projects to large-scale mixed-use developments.

Join hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blond as they explore:

• How transitional lending unlocks new development opportunities
• The rise of adaptive reuse—turning vacant malls, old hotels, and outdated office buildings into vibrant new spaces
• Why banks are stepping back and private lenders are stepping in
• The housing shortage crisis and how financing can help solve it

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts & Spotify for more deep dives into real estate trends that shape our everyday lives!

#RealEstate #TransitionalLending #Finance #MiamiRealEstate #AdaptiveReuse #UrbanDevelopment

The Real State Podcast – Miami Weather: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly

Looking for an entertaining and insightful take on real estate, urban living, and how it all affects your daily life? The Real State Podcast is your go-to destination for the latest trends in real estate, city living, and everything in between!

In this episode, hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blond dive into the unpredictable drama that is Miami weather—from endless sunshine and tropical breezes to hurricane scares and flooding streets. Whether you're a lifelong Miamian or a new arrival, you'll relate to the highs and lows of living in the Magic City.

Key topics in this episode:

• The perks of Miami weather – no winter, year-round warmth, and why it’s better than LA.
• The not-so-great parts – humidity, freezing indoor A/C, and unpredictable rainstorms.
• The ugly truth – hurricanes, mandatory evacuation zones, and what it's like to prepare for the big one.
• Why people from New York, Chicago, and even South America flock to Miami year-round.
• The real reason everyone wears shorts in Miami (hint: it’s not just for comfort).

Visit TheRealState.co for more episodes and to share your thoughts!

Love the show? Don’t forget to leave a rating & review—it helps more listeners find us!

Join us on this flavorful journey as we dive into the growing wine culture in Miami with special guest Alexa Ferra, Director of Marketing at the Perez Art Museum Miami, wine blogger at Alexa’s Wine Diary, and podcaster of Pouring Over Pages. In this episode, we explore how Miami’s burgeoning wine scene intertwines with the city's arts culture, attracting new residents and fostering a sense of community. Discover the parallels between Miami and other regions known for their wine industries, and gain insights into how art, wine, and people come together to shape the city’s unique identity.

Perfect for wine enthusiasts, art lovers, and anyone curious about Miami's cultural evolution, this episode is not to be missed!

In this episode of The Real State Podcast, "Senior Living Redefined: Brandon Schwab on the Future of Compassionate Care", hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blond explore the evolving landscape of senior living with Brandon Schwab, founder and CEO of Shepherd Premier Senior Living (SPSL).

Brandon shares his journey into the senior care industry, inspired by personal experiences and a desire to transform outdated, institutional facilities into cozy, home-like environments offering unparalleled care. The discussion delves into the pressing need for innovation in senior living, with the senior population expected to double by 2060 and the industry requiring 775,000 new beds by 2030.

Key topics include:

• How SPSL's 10–20 bed homes provide four times more care than traditional facilities.
• The importance of community integration, personalized care, and creating family-like atmospheres.
• The challenges facing the senior living industry, including financing gaps and the demand for higher quality care.
• The future of senior living as the "silver tsunami" reshapes the industry.

In this engaging episode of The Real State, Alex Norman and Jamie Blonde dive into the fascinating intersection of location, culture, and driving behavior. How does traffic reflect a city’s personality? Why does driving in Miami feel like a chaotic cultural blend, while Los Angeles drivers seem to embrace gridlock as a way of life? From New York’s honking culture to the symphony of horns in India, the hosts explore how location shapes not only how we drive but also how we live.

The conversation touches on technological advances like Waze, autonomous vehicles, and electric cars, and how these innovations are changing the way we navigate our cities—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. They also debate the societal and personal impacts of congestion pricing and traffic technology, weaving in anecdotes about the chaos of Sao Paulo, the laid-back commutes of LA, and the competitive nature of navigating New York.

Whether you're stuck in traffic or cruising freely, this episode will make you think differently about the roads we share and the cultures they reflect. Tune in for a mix of humor, insights, and thought-provoking discussion on the ever-evolving world of driving.

Key Topics:

• How traffic culture varies globally and reflects societal norms
• The role of technology in shaping driving behavior
• Autonomous vehicles, urban planning, and the psychology of movement
• Personal stories from Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and beyond