Episode 424 - Celebrating a Decade of Real Estate Storytelling - Ten Year Anniversary of The Real Estate Sessions Podcast

This podcast episode serves as a reflective commemoration of my ten-year journey with the Real Estate Sessions, emphasizing the importance of authentic storytelling in the real estate industry. I share insights garnered from over 400 episodes, highlighting how the narratives of individuals, rather than mere industry jargon, have enriched our discussions. This episode also revisits poignant moments from my personal life, particularly the influence of my dear friend John Bjorlie, who has faced terminal illness with extraordinary grace and resilience. His experiences have imparted invaluable lessons about empathy, connection, and the significance of savoring life's moments. As I transition into the next phase of this podcast, I express my intention to slow the pace of episodes while I embark on writing a memoir that captures the essence of friendship and the profound impact of shared experiences.

In a poignant reflection on the past decade, Bill Risser, the host of the Real Estate Sessions podcast, shares his insights on the transformative power of storytelling within the real estate sector. With nearly 25 years of industry experience, Risser has dedicated the last ten years to uncovering the narratives that shape the lives of real estate professionals, emphasizing the importance of human connection over transactional dialogue. His journey began in 2015 with the aim of understanding podcasting, yet it evolved into a platform that celebrates the intricate tapestry of personal stories, highlighting the resilience and creativity that define the industry. Risser's commitment to authenticity is evident as he recounts how he has avoided superficial marketing tactics, instead opting for deep, meaningful questions that elicit the true essence of his guests’ experiences.

Throughout the episode, Risser revisits significant moments from the podcast's history, including memorable interviews that have left a lasting impact on both him and his audience. He reflects on the lessons learned from guests such as Joe Rand and Sean Carpenter, who have shared insights that extend beyond real estate, touching on themes of relationships and personal growth. Risser's emphasis on the human element serves as a reminder that the stories of triumphs, setbacks, and reinventions are what resonate most with listeners, offering them valuable lessons in empathy and connection that transcend the confines of the real estate industry.

As the podcast enters its next phase, Risser announces a new direction that prioritizes depth over frequency, signaling a commitment to crafting a memoir that delves into his personal experiences with his friend John Bjorlie. This narrative will explore the profound lessons of joy, resilience, and the human spirit in the face of adversity, reinforcing the idea that the bonds we forge and the stories we share are what truly matter. Risser's reflections on his decade-long journey with the podcast underscore the significance of consistency, integrity, and the power of listening, reminding us all of the importance of walking alongside each other through life's challenges.

Takeaways:

• The podcast celebrates ten years of storytelling in the real estate industry and beyond.
• Bill Risser emphasizes the importance of genuine narratives over industry jargon in his interviews.
• Listeners appreciate the podcast for its depth, connection, and emotional resonance rather than mere tactics.
• The 'Die Happy Tour' serves as a significant reflection on living fully and finding joy amid adversity.
• In transitioning to season 11, the podcast will shift to a slower pace to allow for deeper storytelling.
• Consistency, integrity, and the power of questions have emerged as vital lessons from a decade of podcasting.

Episode Transcript

(00:03):
You're listening to the RealEstate Sessions and I'm your host,
Bill Risser. With nearly 25years in the real estate business,
I love to interview industryleaders, up and comers and really
anyone with a story to tell.It's the stories that led my guests
to a career in the real estateworld that drives me in my 10th year
and over 400 episodes of thepodcast. And now I hope you enjoy

(00:23):
the next journey. Hieverybody. Welcome to episode 424
of the Real Estate Sessionspodcast. As always, thank you so
much much for tuning in. Thankyou so much for telling a friend.
I'm celebrating 10 years ofthis podcast, the Real Estate Sessions
podcast. It started August 1,2015 and this Friday will be August

(00:47):
1, 2025. Where did the timego? Look, when I launched the Real
Estate Sessions In August of2015, my aim was not to chase trends
really, it was just to get asense for how to run a podcast. But
as I got going, I decided totry to figure out how to preserve
real stories full of nuanceand failure and reinvention and creativity

(01:09):
and courage across nearly 420episodes by mid-2025. That mission
remains with eachconversation. I've prioritized human
backstories over industrybuzzwords, CEOs who once sold vacuum
cleaners, CCOs who once ledbands, and leaders who quietly changed
their communities. From dayone, I avoided flashy marketing talk.

(01:31):
Instead, I asked curiousquestions. What turned that idea
into action? What setbackshaped you? That approach unlocked
stories, listeners tell mestill resonate. Stories about grit,
connection, andtransformation. By season nine, we'd
surpassed 400 episodes, each afragment of real estate's cultural
tapestry. Special episodesinclude the Season 10's A Journey
Through 10 Seasons, where Irecently revisited 20 guests whose

(01:54):
stories helped define the showand whose lessons echo beyond property.
Notable interviews includedJoe Rand's spontaneous ranting and
raving. I still laugh thinkingabout recording those interviews.
Sean Carpenter on buildingrelationships, solving problems and
having fun. Something everyagent should embrace. And as my 10th
anniversary with the podcastcrept closer, I tended to go off

(02:17):
on some other angles. Right?Like episode 405 was a deeply personal
solo monologue. I shared mysix year curse, my cycle of major
health events since west nilefever in 2006 and colon cancer in
2012 and melanoma in 2024.Reflecting on what endurance taught
me about empathy, presence andconnection, I also referenced how

(02:37):
my longtime friend JohnBjorlie continues to teach me about
joy and resilience. Speakingof John, he's been a part of my story
for nearly 25 years. Fouryears ago, he was diagnosed with
terminal prostate cancer. I'veshared this before, but rather than
limp along, John chosesomething extraordinary, a Die Happy
Tour, a way of reconnectingwith old friends and family, celebrating
life instead of mourning itsend. I actually chronicled that tour

(03:01):
with episode 400. Basically,he's reframed cancer as an invitation
to spread joy. He surprisedpeople, tipped generously, hosted
celebrations, even attendinghis own wake. It became more than
a personal journey. It becamea testament to living fully on one's
own terms. In episode 419, Ishared on air updates as John entered

(03:22):
hospice care. He describedwhen his oncologist said, I'm firing
myself, signaling the shiftfrom trying to cure to comfort care.
Even in decline, John foundsolace in golf outings with friends,
favorite restaurants, andgentle humor. And these episodes
weren't just updates. Theybecame living lessons in how we can
and should respond tomortality. John has shown me that

(03:46):
blessing others, savoringsmaller rituals, and honoring shared
history matter deeply. Reviewsover the years echo a consistent
message. People tune in notfor tactics, but to connect, to hear
truth, complexity, and heart.In Real Estate I've been humbled
by some messages like thisisn't just a real estate podcast,
it's a place to learn whatmatters. In 2019, the show received

(04:07):
the Inman Innovator Award, anindustry nod that validated the value
of depth over flash. So whathave 10 years of running a podcast
taught me? This journey hasreinforced a few truths. Consistency
builds trust, integrityamplifies voice, and persistence
endures when ego subsides.I've learned more from questions

(04:27):
than answers and fromlistening more than speaking. But
looking ahead, I see aslowdown. As I transition into season
11 and beyond, I'm planningsomething different. I'm slowing
the podcast down. Instead ofweekly episodes, expect maybe one
a month. Why? Because I'mwriting. I'm crafting a memoir centered

(04:48):
on 25 years of friendship withJohn Biorle, detailing not just his
Die Happy Tour, but everyride, every conversation, every round
of golf that shaped thenarrative of connection between us.
It's a story that transcendsindustry, geography, or career. It's
about love, mortality,resilience, and what it means to
walk alongside someone throughtriumph and fading light. Thank you

(05:12):
so much for listening, forlearning, and for walking this path
with me.