BUILT DIFFERENT with Erin Sykes

This episode of BUILT DIFFERENT sits at the intersection of law, policy, and real estate with Pierre Debbas, founder and partner of one of New York City’s leading real estate law firms.

Pierre offers a perspective you don’t usually hear. He operates within the deals themselves, which comes through clearly in how he breaks down the New York market. Erin and Pierre get into the steps between an accepted offer and a signed contract, an...

In this episode of BUILT DIFFERENT, Erin Sykes sits down with Cayla Birk., contemporary fine artist and the creative mind behind a new kind of art experience that blends culture, commerce, and community.

Cayla isn’t just creating art, she’s building worlds around it. From large-scale conceptual series to fully immersive environments like Hotel Birk and her latest project, Bodega Birk, she’s redefining how people experience art and w...

In this episode of BUILT DIFFERENT, Erin Sykes sits down with Jennifer Gowdy, founder and CEO of Pure Skin Palm Beach, for a deep dive into what’s actually driving the shift in aesthetics, wellness, and longevity right now.

Jen didn’t build her business chasing trends. She built it by seeing what was broken. After years in dermatology, oncology, and medical device sales, she developed a clear understanding of how the system operates...

In this episode of BUILT DIFFERENT, Erin Sykes sits down with psychotherapist and bestselling author Jessica Baum for a conversation that connects relationships, business, and the patterns most people don’t realize are driving both.

Jessica, author of Anxiously Attached and Safe, breaks down how attachment styles show up far beyond dating. The way you handle pressure, make decisions, navigate clients, and respond to money is often r...

In this episode of BUILT DIFFERENT, Erin Sykes sits down with Marnie Blanco, SVP of Industry Relations at Pacaso, to unpack one of the most interesting shifts happening in luxury real estate right now: co-ownership.

Pacaso is changing how second homes are bought and used by turning a single property into shared ownership among a small group of buyers. Instead of sitting vacant most of the year, these homes are actively used, profess...

In this episode of BUILT DIFFERENT, Erin Sykes sits down with Lou Belisario, founder of Revived Residential, for a direct look at what is actually happening inside the Brooklyn real estate market.

Lou is a third-generation Brooklyn broker with over two decades of experience, building his business on neighborhood expertise, relationships, and execution. He has witnessed Brooklyn evolve from overlooked borough to global brand, and bre...

In episode 10 of BUILT DIFFERENT, Erin sits down with Dr. Kandace Kichler - board-certified physician, cosmetic surgeon, and founder of Slim Inc., a modern aesthetic and wellness practice focused on a more modern approach to beauty, weight loss, and longevity.

Known as The Slimming Surgeon, Dr. Kichler combines surgical expertise with cutting-edge treatments in body contouring, metabolic optimization, peptides, and regenerative medi...

In Episode 9 of BUILT DIFFERENT, Erin Sykes sits down with Taylor Materio, strategist, connector, and partner across multiple Palm Beach ventures, for a conversation on what modern public relations actually demands in today’s luxury market.

Taylor works at the intersection of brand, community, and civic engagement. As a partner in Altima Palm Beach, Materio Consulting, and Let’s Get Social Palm Beach, and serving as President Pro Te...

In Episode 8 of BUILT DIFFERENT, Erin Sykes sits down with Joey Columbo, a top producing agent with Douglas Elliman in Palm Beach who understands that in luxury real estate, relationships are currency.

Recently featured in The Real Deal for selling 27 assembled units to billionaire developer Stephen Ross for a future development site, Joey shares the real story behind a high-risk condo buyout he began in 2021. Unit by unit, through ...

In Episode 6 of BUILT DIFFERENT, Erin Sykes sits down with Hayley Schapiro, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Founder of Curated Therapy Collective, for a nuanced conversation about mental health strategy for high-functioning leaders.

Hayley brings a rare perspective shaped by years of clinical practice and patient advocacy, explaining why many people struggle to benefit from therapy even when they are doing “everything right.”

Th...

In episode 6 of BUILT DIFFERENT, Erin Sykes sits down with Christopher Seville, founder of Thatch Construction, to unpack the realities of modern construction, project management, and development in South Florida. A West Palm Beach native and experienced owner’s representative, Chris brings a rare, operator-first perspective on what actually determines whether a project succeeds or stalls.

The conversation goes far beyond tools and ...

In Episode 5 of BUILT DIFFERENT, Erin Sykes sits down with Krista Watterworth Alterman, founder of Krista Home and design partner at Vesta Home, to unpack what it really takes to build, scale, and successfully exit a creative business without losing your identity.

Krista shares her journey from television host and creative talent to luxury interior designer, entrepreneur, and business owner whose firm was acquired by national stagin...

In Episode 4 of BUILT DIFFERENT, Erin Sykes sits down with Laurissa Gendel, President and Fashion Lead at Gendel Girls, the family-run brand behind Breezies, QVC’s top-selling lingerie brand for more than three decades.

Laurissa shares what it’s really like to grow up inside a live television retail empire, from her parents’ early innovation in moisture-wicking fabric to building a category-defining brand that has sold millions of b...

In Episode 3 of BUILT DIFFERENT, Erin Sykes sits down with art advisor and creative strategist Christine Wexler, founder of Individual Thread, to explore how art shapes homes, offices, and public spaces - and why it’s far more than decoration.

Christine shares her journey from photographer and textile designer to art advisor, and how art influences emotion, identity, and spatial flow. Erin and Christine discuss residential, corporat...

In Episode 2 of BUILT DIFFERENT, Erin Sykes sits down with Jenna Steffens Mayer to talk about the connection between health, home, and the environments we live in.

Jenna is a real estate professional and co-founder of MayerWorks Construction, where she and her husband build non-toxic homes designed with long-term wellness in mind.

After becoming severely ill from black mold exposure, Jenna was forced to confront how deeply our livin...

In the debut episode of BUILT DIFFERENT, Erin Sykes sits down with Holly Meyer Lucas for a wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond real estate. Holly is a nationally recognized real estate leader, founder of HypeBoss, and the force behind one of South Florida’s most influential brand ecosystems. Together, they unpack what it really takes to evolve from a single professional identity into a scalable brand portfolio.

The conver...

Erin Sykes announces the launch of BUILT DIFFERENT in the show’s trailer debut.

As a business analyst and real estate professional, Erin introduces a podcast for people who want to understand not just how to build wealth, but how to build a life, a brand, and a body of work that lasts.

Each week, BUILT DIFFERENT explores the forces that shape our lives - markets, mindset, and the moments that influence how we grow and build. From rea...