The Collective Genius Podcast

In this episode of the Collective Genius Podcast, I sit down with Adrian Hernandez for a powerful conversation on vision, belief, and what it really takes to scale a real estate business without losing yourself—or your family—in the process. Adrian's story is one of clarity from a young age, relentless energy, and the courage to burn the boats when it was time to go all in.
 
We talk about Adrian's journey from starting as a real estate agent at 19 to building a dominant wholesale and fix-and-flip operation across Orange County, Los Angeles, and the Inland Empire. Adrian shares the hard lessons from running a brokerage, shutting it down, rebuilding from scratch, and ultimately discovering that scale doesn't come from more people—it comes from better people, better systems, and the right rooms. This episode is a masterclass in mindset shifts, inbound marketing, lean teams, and putting family first while still building something great.
 
 
Timeline Summary:
[0:00] – Adrian's infectious energy and why positivity attracts success
[2:30] – Starting in real estate early and writing a vision at 16 years old
[4:00] – Family influence, immigrant work ethic, and early exposure to success
[6:45] – Learning business fundamentals as a kid through real estate
[8:00] – Knowing early what he wanted to do—and the 2008 market crash
[9:30] – Trying firefighting and realizing real estate was the calling
[11:00] – Holding 22 jobs and mastering the art of interviewing
[13:00] – Becoming a top-producing agent by age 24
[15:00] – Moving markets and opening a brokerage in Orange County
[17:00] – Lessons learned from building (and struggling with) a brokerage
[19:00] – First flip, joint ventures, and wholesaling before it had a name
[21:00] – Hiring Nick Ramirez and finding off-market deals
[23:00] – Shutting down the brokerage and burning the boats in 2019
[25:00] – Early struggles: hiring without systems and pure hustle mode
[27:00] – The breakthrough moment: discovering inbound marketing
[29:00] – Realizing cold calling alone wouldn't get them to $10M+
[31:00] – Joining Collective Genius and the mindset shift around scale
[33:00] – Running lean: cutting down to 5 full-time employees
[35:00] – Why smart people + systems outperform big teams
[37:00] – TV marketing: the long game and why patience pays
[39:00] – Hiring with cognitive testing and upgrading talent
[41:00] – Scaling inbound marketing while staying disciplined
[43:00] – Handling uncertainty and pushing through the "winter"
[45:00] – The biggest shift: family first, business second
[47:00] – Social media, branding, and evolving content strategy
[49:00] – Where to connect with Adrian and closing thoughts
 
 
5 Key Takeaways:
Vision Comes First – Adrian knew where he was going long before the results showed up.
Inbound Changes Everything – You can't scale to $10M+ relying on hustle alone.
Lean Beats Bloated – Five A-players with systems outperform 15 average hires.
Patience Pays – TV, PPC, and brand marketing take time—but compound massively.
Family First Wins Long-Term – True success is building a business that supports your life, not replaces it.
 
 
Links & Resources:
ExploreCG.com – Learn more about the Collective Genius community

 
Adrian's story is proof that when you combine clarity, belief, the right people, and the right rooms, scale becomes inevitable—and fulfillment comes with it.
 
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow, rate, review, and share the Collective Genius Podcast with someone who's ready to grow their business and their life the right way.

In this special CG Live episode from Oceanside, California, I sit down with Chris Porter, Senior Vice President at John Burns Research & Consulting, for a data-driven look into what's ahead for the housing market. Chris shares powerful insights into the demographic and economic trends that are shaping the next decade—and what investors must prepare for heading into 2026 and beyond.
 
From immigration policy to housing affordability, construction labor shortages to rental market shifts, Chris breaks down how real-time data helps decode the future of real estate. If you're looking for a crystal ball grounded in research (not guesswork), this episode delivers the macro perspective that investors can't afford to ignore.
 
 
Timeline Summary
 
[0:00] – Kicking off CG Live in Oceanside with 300+ investors and Chris Porter in the hot seat
[1:11] – Why demographics are the most powerful (and overlooked) driver of market trends
[2:16] – A preview of Chris's presentation to CG CEOs on housing outlook for 2026
[3:26] – How immigration policies and demographic shifts are reshaping labor and housing
[4:14] – 28% of construction labor born outside the U.S.—why that's a big deal
[4:57] – The post-2008 labor drop and its long-term impact on housing inventory
[6:17] – Rising college costs, return on investment, and the push for trade jobs
[7:15] – "Adulting delays" and the median age of first-time buyers hitting 40
[9:01] – Intergenerational wealth transfer: boomers are helping younger buyers now
[10:36] – Inventory shortages aren't going away—why that's the long game for investors
[11:26] – Buyers spending 40%+ of income on housing—what that means for demand
[12:44] – Renting is rising and renters are aging—welcome to the new normal
[13:34] – The cost to own is now double the cost to rent in many markets
[14:12] – Mortgage rates are staying above 6%—the "higher for longer" reality
[15:32] – The 5.5% mortgage rate "magic number" and why we won't hit it soon
[16:10] – If rates drop, prices jump: the inventory squeeze won't ease for long
[18:29] – Life-stage events still drive buying behavior—regardless of rate
[19:10] – Using frameworks to anticipate consumer demand after black swan events
 
 
Key Takeaways
Demographics Are Destiny: Understanding population trends, labor flows, and generational shifts gives investors a massive edge.
Inventory Is the Real Bottleneck: Even with rates fluctuating, the housing shortage—and construction labor gap—isn't going anywhere soon.
Renters Are Here to Stay: With affordability challenges and lifestyle shifts, long-term rental demand will continue to rise.
 
Links & Resources
John Burns Research & Consulting: https://www.realestateconsulting.com

Explore CG Membership: https://www.explorecg.com

 
 
Closing Remark
 
If this episode helped you think differently about the housing future, make sure you're in the room where conversations like this are happening. Subscribe, rate, and review the Collective Genius Podcast—and head to https://www.explorecg.com to apply for CG.

In this CG Live episode from our Select and Elevate event in Dallas, I sit down with Casey Gregerson, who returned to the stage as a Premier-level CG member just three years after attending his very first event as a brand-new investor. From getting laid off days before his first CG meeting to building a powerful brand in a niche market, Casey's story is a blueprint for how to go all in and win.
 
Casey shares how he turned a remote investing model into a thriving business by dominating the Wyoming market from Houston, building a trusted local team, and investing relentlessly in brand building. He also reveals how that brand helped him scale every part of his business—from raising millions to recruiting team members to simplifying deal flow. This episode is packed with tactical takeaways and powerful perspective shifts.
 
 
Timeline Summary
[0:00] – Casey returns to CG, now a Premier member, sharing his journey from W-2 to full-time entrepreneur
[1:11] – Laid off days before his first CG event—and committed 100% to making it work
[2:32] – Choosing Wyoming over Houston and why remote investing made sense
[3:54] – Finding a niche market and leveraging it for higher margins
[4:28] – Getting mentorship in CG and learning to "milk the niche"
[5:40] – Early deals off the MLS led to direct mail—and $40–$50K spreads
[6:17] – Proof of concept: $5K mailer yielded three profitable deals
[7:02] – What Casey's presentation covers: building a brand that solves everything
[8:04] – How brand made raising capital, hiring, and lead gen easier
[8:37] – Brand is the common thread among top performers in a tough market
[9:18] – In a trust recession, people buy from brands they recognize and relate to
[9:55] – What else clicked in Select? Finally implementing real business operations
[10:43] – EOS, KPIs, and learning to actually run a company
[11:25] – Ditching the hustle and leveling up the systems
[11:44] – Casey's "Revive Summit" and passion for leading others through transformation
[12:32] – Where to follow Casey and how to stay in touch
 
 
Key Takeaways
Brand Solves Everything: From raising capital to finding deals, Casey's journey proves a powerful brand makes business easier at every level.
Remote Success Is Possible With the Right People: Building trust and leadership on the ground allowed Casey to scale in Wyoming while living in Houston.
You Don't Just Hear It—You Have to Do It: Implementing EOS and KPIs took time, but transformed his hustle into a real, scalable business.
 
 
Links & Resources
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseygregerson
Explore CG Membership: https://www.explorecg.com
 
 
Closing Remark
 
If Casey's story lit a fire under you—if you're tired of the grind and ready to build something lasting—rate, follow, and review the Collective Genius Podcast. And if you're ready to get in the room with investors who've walked the same path, head to https://www.explorecg.com and apply to join us.

In this episode of the Collective Genius Podcast, I sit down with longtime CG member Andrew Newlon out of Springfield, Missouri, for a deep conversation on what real scale actually looks like—especially in smaller Midwest markets. Andrew's journey is a masterclass in patience, focus, and learning the hard lessons that most entrepreneurs only understand after going through them.
 
We talk about Andrew's evolution from military service to real estate, the rise and fall of partnerships, nearly breaking the business by scaling too fast, and how rebuilding with intention completely changed his trajectory. From adopting a "better, not bigger" philosophy to becoming a true local authority through social media, Andrew shares how discipline, profitability, and purpose—not ego—are what create long-term success.
 
 
Timeline Summary:
[0:00] – Andrew's market overview: Springfield, Missouri and a Midwest strategy
[3:00] – Building a business around wholesaling, flipping, and rentals
[4:45] – How market cycles forced shifts in exit strategies
[6:00] – Military background and early exposure to real estate
[7:30] – First deals: lease options, credit cards, and late-night rehabs
[9:00] – Lessons learned from early partnerships
[10:45] – Why most partnerships eventually break
[12:30] – The three non-negotiables for partnerships: purpose, values, goals
[14:15] – Why partnerships need a "prenup" from day one
[16:00] – Andrew's first exposure to Collective Genius
[18:00] – Walking into a room of operators far ahead—and staying anyway
[21:00] – The biggest early mistake: scaling too fast, too wide
[22:45] – Hiring too many people, expanding markets, and breaking the business
[25:00] – March 2020: running out of money as the world shut down
[26:30] – COVID as a second chance to rebuild the business
[29:00] – The shift to "better, not bigger"
[30:30] – Cutting expenses by 60% and rebuilding profit-first
[32:30] – Why lean teams outperform bloated org charts
[34:00] – Hiring generals, not specialists
[35:30] – Becoming a local authority through social media
[37:00] – Building trust, credibility, and brand awareness locally
[38:45] – How social media drives sellers, buyers, and private money
[41:00] – Why local presence still wins in real estate
[43:00] – Adding a retail arm once the wholesaling business stabilized
[45:30] – Creating more solutions for sellers without inflating overhead
[47:30] – Goals for 2026: responsible growth and family time
 
 
5 Key Takeaways
Better Beats Bigger – Profitability, focus, and sanity matter more than vanity metrics.
Partnerships Require Alignment – Purpose, values, and goals must stay aligned—or the partnership won't last.
Scale Responsibly – Growing revenue without growing expenses is the real definition of scale.
Local Authority Wins – Social media isn't about going viral; it's about building trust in your backyard.
One Thing at a Time – Sustainable growth comes from focus, not stacking shiny objects.
 
Links & Resources
ExploreCG.com – Learn more about the Collective Genius community

 
 
If Andrew's journey resonated with you, it's likely because you're at a crossroads between growth and discipline. Remember—real scale isn't about doing more; it's about doing the right things, better.
 
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow, rate, review, and share the Collective Genius Podcast with someone who's building a business for the long haul.

In this CG Live episode from our Select and Elevate event in Dallas, I sit down with Jason Reynolds, a former pro baseball player turned real estate investor, who joined CG in January and has already tripled his business in under a year. This is a masterclass in action-taking—from construction bottlenecks to team building, Jason walks us through how the right conversations at the right time completely reshaped his company.
 
He shares how moving project management in-house saved him tens of thousands per deal, how mentoring from other members like Phil Jackson helped him fast-track solutions, and why transforming as a leader—not just a hustler—has been the key to scaling his business and his life. If you've ever felt stuck wearing too many hats or unsure how to build a team you can trust, this episode is your blueprint.
 
 
Timeline Summary
[0:00] – Jason joins CG in January and hits the ground running
[1:46] – Doubling the business? No—tripling it
[2:05] – Based in Allentown, PA—75% fix and flip, 25% wholesale
[3:52] – The first CG event and how it delivered immediate clarity
[4:14] – Struggles with GCs led to an in-house project management breakthrough
[5:00] – Saving $15K–$20K per project after implementing advice from other members
[5:35] – Shoutout to Phil Jackson for helping map out the hiring plan
[6:11] – Bigger team, better systems: the move from doer to leader
[7:12] – Weekly 1:1s, team goals, and building real buy-in
[8:28] – Why pouring into your people builds more than just profit
[9:06] – The "Roger Bannister" effect—seeing what's possible in this room
[9:45] – Fundraising session takeaways: not ready for a fund, but building for it
[10:13] – Investor updates and strengthening capital relationships
[11:27] – Day one CG insight: becoming less of a micromanager, more of a leader
[12:12] – Creating culture and consistency to drive long-term growth
[13:01] – The power of taking action and building high-value relationships
 
 
Key Takeaways
The Right Conversation Can Save You $20K: Jason's decision to bring project management in-house came directly from CG connections—and paid off immediately.
You Don't Build a Business Alone: Learning to lead and develop others is what took Jason from hustle to scale.
Be in the Room Where the Growth Happens: Real transformation happens when you learn from those already doing what you're trying to do.
 
 
Links & Resources
 
Explore CG Membership: https://www.explorecg.com

 
 
Closing Remark
 
If Jason's journey inspired you—if you're done flying solo and ready to scale with the help of leaders who've been where you're going—rate, follow, and review the Collective Genius Podcast. And if you're ready to get in the room, head to https://www.explorecg.com and apply now.