Stop Wineing About Real Estate

In this jam-packed episode of Stop Wineing About Real Estate, hosts Emmanuel St. Germain and Sarah Biernbaum sit down with Jeffrey Levine—CEO of Levine Coaching Company and team leader of Lux Places and Spaces Group—for an unfiltered, high-impact conversation on what real coaching actually looks like. From board-breaking epiphanies to the emotional side of business growth, Jeff opens up about how coaching transformed his life and t...

What happens when a former mortgage mogul trades Wall Street hustle for oceanfront listings? In this power-packed episode of Stop Wineing About Real Estate, Sarah Biernbaum and Emmanuel St. Germain sit down with Gregory Frank—Compass luxury agent and former founder of Blackstone Mortgage—to unpack his incredible journey from finance to high-end Florida real estate. From absorbing real estate insights at an early age while spending ...

In this special episode of Stop Wineing About Real Estate, host Sarah Biernbaum sits down with the one and only Elizabeth Bensassi—loan partner, problem-solver, team builder, and self-proclaimed Batman of the mortgage world. With wit, heart, and a desk full of Lego flowers and Keanu Reeves memorabilia, Elizabeth shares how she's grown from supporting just a few loan officers to overseeing the department's expansion and tr...

In this can't-miss episode of Stop Wineing About Real Estate, rockstar agent Stacy Plean spills the real (estate) tea on everything from spending $14K/month on Zillow leads to answering client calls at 1AM—yes, really. Stacey’s not your average Realtor. She’s part coach, part strategist, part psychologist, and all-in when it comes to building trust with buyers before asking for a pre-approval. Her unconventional approach? Mass...

What do knee surgery, reality TV drama, and cutting-edge AI tools have in common? Richie Gehrlein, of course. In this dynamic episode of Stop Wineing About Real Estate, host Emmanuel St. Germain and co-host Sarah Biernbaum welcome their longtime friend and now teammate Richie for a candid, funny, and inspiring conversation. Richie opens up about his transition from hospitality to home loans, how an ACL tear taught him humility, and...

After 30 years at Mortgage Network and a stint at a major corporate lender, Kirk Todd made a bold move—leaving behind the big-box mortgage world for something better: Choice Mortgage Group. Why? Because he wanted more than just a job—he wanted a home. In this exclusive interview, Kirk spills the truth about his transition, the challenges of uprooting decades of business, and why he chose culture over corporate red tape.

With a brand...

In this no-holds-barred (and wine-fueled) episode of Stop Wineing About Real Estate, we sit down for a wildly entertaining Part 2 with attorney Steve Wallace. From awkward celebrity encounters with Red Sox owner John Henry to shocking real estate horror stories (hello, black mold and $150K in damages), Steve, Sarah, and Emmanuel spill it all — the good, the bad, and the legally questionable.

You’ll hear why skipping an attorney on y...

What’s really happening in real estate after the NAR settlement? Are commissions truly changing, or are agents just finding workarounds? In this episode of Stop Wineing About Real Estate, Florida board-certified real estate attorney Steve Wallace unpacks the impact on buyers, sellers, and agents, why commercial real estate is still a free-for-all, and how interest rate shifts are affecting deals across the board.

Hosts Sarah Biernba...

What happens when industry titans collide? In this episode of Stop Wineing About Real Estate, we uncork the untold story behind a game-changing merger in the mortgage world. Emmanuel, Brian, and Jared take us behind the scenes—how a chance meeting in a coaching group led to years of friendship, strategic growth, and the ultimate partnership. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing! From navigating culture clashes to tackling market downtu...

What happens when real estate, dating, and million-dollar negotiations collide? In this episode of Stop Wineing About Real Estate, hosts Sarah Biernbaum and Emmanuel St. Germain sit down with powerhouse agent Becky Skeba-Mancini from Remax for a no-holds-barred conversation about the current market, high-stakes deals, and personal boundaries. From overpriced mansions to secret dating lives, Becky shares jaw-dropping insights on the...

Dating in your 40s and 50s isn’t for the faint of heart—especially when your date’s background check reveals 38 criminal offenses! In this unfiltered and wildly entertaining episode of Stop Wineing About Real Estate, Sarah Biernbaum and Emmanuel St. Germain team up with Carolina Rush from the Sweet and Spicy podcast to expose the highs and horrors of online dating. From men with solicitation charges to the art of profile takeovers ...

What does it take to merge three massive Realtor associations, manage 75 employees, and oversee a real estate empire spanning 43,000 agents? Dionna Hall, CEO of the Realtor Association for Broward, Palm Beaches, and St. Lucie County, joins us to reveal the power moves, leadership strategies, and game-changing industry insights that helped her shape one of the largest real estate organizations in the country.

From AI’s growing role i...

Ever wonder how to turn a dream into a thriving real estate business? Terra and Brian Buckley, the powerhouse duo behind the Buckley Group, share their blueprint for success in this episode of Stop Wineing About Real Estate. From scaling a 23-agent team to setting ambitious goals like 150 transactions in 2025, they reveal the systems, strategies, and mindset that make it all possible.

Discover actionable tips for mastering cold lead...

In this episode of Stop Wineing About Real Estate, host Sarah Biernbaum and returning guest Jameson Olsen, National Director of Marketing and Business Development for All My Sons Moving, explore the art of cultivating powerful partnerships. Jameson shares her 11-year journey of redefining relationship-building in the real estate and relocation industries, offering candid insights on creating value-driven collaborations that benefit...

What do squatters with electric bills, a $90,000 mystery HELOC, and essential oils called "Hope" have in common? They’re all part of the wild world of family and real estate law as told by legal guru Tammy Saltzman! In this episode of Stop Wineing About Real Estate, Tammy spills the tea on divorces gone rogue, prenuptial pitfalls, and the quirks of Florida's homestead laws.

Find out why empathy is her secret...

Welcome to the ultimate 2024 recap of Stop Wineing About Real Estate! This special episode is a toast to the remarkable guests, unforgettable stories, and unparalleled insights that have made this year an extraordinary journey. From groundbreaking settlements and AI revelations to heartfelt tales of triumph, camaraderie, and creativity, we’re serving up a full-bodied blend of knowledge and laughs.

Whether you're here for the in...

In this engaging episode of Stop Wineing About Real Estate, hosts Sarah and Emmanuel uncork a spirited discussion with rising real estate star, James Hackman. From breaking down the nuances between being a real estate professional and a Realtor to navigating the complexities of buyer broker agreements, James shares candid insights and heartfelt anecdotes from his fast-paced career.

Learn about the impact of the Realtor Political Act...

What happens when a journalist with a passion for food, travel, and creativity takes the leap into the influencer world? Meet Shaina Wizov, the powerhouse behind Take a Bite Out of South Florida. In this dynamic episode, Shaina reveals how she turned her love for dining and storytelling into a thriving career that connects people to unforgettable experiences.

From behind-the-scenes secrets of influencer marketing to hilari...

What happens when a future doctor trades scrubs for contracts? Meet Aaron Oken, the relentless real estate powerhouse who turned a mid-pandemic pivot into a $100 million career in under five years. In this dynamic and no-holds-barred episode, Aaron reveals the unglamorous truths of the industry—dealing with tough clients, outworking competitors, and why success requires more than just a license and a dream.

With humor, heart, and ca...