NAR REALTOR® News Change Agents
Change Agents spotlights leaders, innovators, and visionaries who are shaping the future of real estate. Each episode pairs an NAR executive with a respected industry professional for an open discussion about their career story, the issues influencing real estate today, and the opportunities ahead.
Episodes
NAR CMCO Bennett Richardson sits down with three standout founders from the REACH, NAR's tech growth accelerator program, to explore how technology is transforming the real estate industry from the inside out.
Guests & Topics Covered:
- Russell Smith (President & COO, Earnnest): Modernizing earnest money deposits, securing payments against wire fraud, and what FedNow means for instant real estate transactions.
- Divya Aath...
Real estate agents are frequently placed in vulnerable, one-on-one situations with unfamiliar clients. In this episode of Change Agents, host Bennett Richardson (Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at NAR) welcomes Vanessa Martin, Co-Founder of Tether RE and military combat veteran.
Vanessa shares crucial insights on why situational awareness and layered defense are vital for every real estate professional. Learn how to...
Real estate agents face risks that many consumers never see, from meeting strangers at showings to navigating remote properties alone. In this episode of Change Agents, NAR CMCO Bennett Richardson sits down with Niall Phelan, founder of Agent Buddi, to discuss why agent safety deserves more attention across the industry and how AI could help agents stay protected while improving client service.
Niall shares the four moments w...
Is your business built to withstand the next industry inflection point?
This week on Change Agents, we're joined by J. Lennox Scott, a visionary leader who has navigated decades of market cycles. As the head of a multi-generational firm, Lennox offers a unique perspective on staying relevant in an increasingly automated world.
We dive into:
- The Modern Market Mindset: Adapting your value proposition to meet 2026 consumer e...
Closings are the result. Pipeline is the business.
Founder of Breezy | Harris & Partners, James Harris believes the most successful agents don't chase shortcuts. They focus on consistently building the relationships, opportunities, and prospect...
What does the future of real estate leadership look like? In this episode of the Change Agents podcast, we're joined by Inman CEO Tom Bohn to explore the strategic shifts necessary for today's professional landscape. From fostering innovation within organizations to navigating industry-wide changes, Tom provides a deep dive into the mindset and actions required to thrive. Whether you're leading a large team or growing your own busi...
The real estate landscape is navigating a pivotal period of transformation driven by evolving legal frameworks, technological integration, and macroeconomic shifts. This Change Agents briefing brings together general counsel, chief economists, CMCO, and association leaders to address the critical issues shaping the industry.
As conversations around off-market listings, private networks, AI, and consumer choice continue to reshape residential real estate, what role will MLSs play in the future?
In this episode of Change Agents, NAR CMCO Bennett Richardson sits down with Shelly Specchio, CEO of the MIBOR REALTOR® Association and Broker Listing Cooperative, to discuss why listing exposure, transparency, and cooperation remain critical to efficient r...
What does it really take to succeed in real estate when the market turns against you?
In this episode of Change Agents, Bennett Richardson sits down with Ryan Serhant to break down the mindset, discipline, and strategy behind long-term success in real estate.
Ryan shares how he got his start in 2008—the same day Lehman Brothers collapsed—and why those early struggles shaped everything that followed. From making less tha...
RE/MAX agent Brandon Holtz from Bloomington, IL made history as one of the rare REALTORS® to qualify for the Masters — and now he's headed to the US Open. In this conversation with NAR's Bennett Richardson, Brandon gets candid about time management, client communication, and why staying present is the key to succeeding in both real estate and golf. A must-listen for agents who refuse to put their passions on hold.
Too many deals fall apart because agents wait too long to have the hard conversations. Christina Pappas, President of the Keyes Company — one of South Florida's largest independent brokerages with 4,000 agents across 50 offices — has a different approach: full cost transparency before clients ever make an offer.
Read more
A new collaboration between Realtor.com and Zillow is changing how listings are shared—and raising bigger questions about where the industry is headed.
In this episode, NAR CMCO Bennett Richardson talks with Damien Eales, CEO of Realtor.com, about why two major portals are now collaborating and what it means for agents, brokers, and MLSs.
They break down the growing divide between open marketplaces and private listing network...
The acquisition of NextHome by EXP World Holdings marks a pivotal moment for the real estate industry.
In this episode of NAR Realtor News Change Agents, NAR CMCO Bennett Richardson talks with James Dwiggins, co‑founder and president of NextHome, about why the deal makes sense now and how it positions brokers for the future. Dwiggins explains how scale, capital, and smarter cost structures can unlock growth, innovation, and long‑te...
In this episode of Realtors News: Change Agents, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun sits down with Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Re...
Reinvention isn't about abandoning what works — it's about evolving with purpose.
In this episode of Change Agents, Tiffany Banks, CEO of Nevada REALTORS®, sits down with Jarrod Grasso, NAR's SVP of Industry Relations, to discuss leadership, adaptability, and what it takes to modernize organizations in today's real estate landscape.
Banks shares how leadership development, advocacy, and a growth mindset are helping Neva...
Being indispensable isn't about doing more — it's about doing the right things, consistently.
In this episode of Change Agents, Bennett Richardson, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at NAR, talks with Daniel Heider, EVP at TTR Sotheby's International Realty and founder of The Heider Company, about what separates top agents from the rest of the field.
Heider shares how a service‑first mindset, intentional prepar...
Integrity isn't a talking point — it's a leadership practice.
In this episode of Change Agents, NAR CEO Nykia Wright speaks with Bess Freedman, CEO of Brown Harris Stevens, about what it takes to lead responsibly in a changing real estate industry. Freedman shares her views on professionalism, fair housing, and why putting consumers first is essential to building long‑term trust.
The conversation also explores the role ...
Real estate is changing — fast.
In this inaugural episode of Change Agents, NAR CEO Nykia Wright sits down with Leo Pareja, CEO of eXp Realty, for a candid conversation about how technology, AI, and evolving consumer expectations are reshaping the real estate industry.
Pareja shares his perspective on industry consolidation, shifts in buyer and seller behavior, and the growing importance of transparency, culture, and ad...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!