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A “safe” paycheck can still be a trap when it costs you your time, your peace, and the version of yourself your kids get to see. We’re Colleen Basinski and Kimberly Neill, and we sit down with Jackie Poponi, a former government mission planner who made the call a lot of people daydream about and then talk themselves out of: she walked away from a six-figure government path and went all-in on real estate with three little kids at home.

Jackie takes us through the real fear behind the highlight reel, including the government shutdown scare that exposed how little control “security” can actually provide, and the sudden return-to-office order that turned childcare and family life into a daily scramble. We dig into the emotional whiplash of feeling grateful while also feeling stuck, plus the faith and values check that helped her admit what she was truly called to do.

Then we get practical. Jackie shares how she built her exit ramp by getting her real estate license in the cracks of real life, how she handled imposter syndrome, and what changed when she had no boss and total responsibility for her results. We talk real estate lead generation through Zillow Flex, referrals, repeat business, open houses, and local networks, along with the systems that made it sustainable: CRM follow-up, nurture plans, and accountability you can’t outsource. If you’re thinking about a career change, entrepreneurship, or building true work-life balance as a working parent, this conversation is your roadmap and your gut check.

Subscribe for more real talk about real estate and real life, share this with a friend who needs a push, and leave a review so more people find these stories.

💡 Lessons we’ve learned about balancing it all—sometimes successfully, sometimes… not.

If you’re out here trying to DO EPIC SH*T, this one’s for YOU. Hit play, tag a friend, and let’s do this thing together! 👇🔥

💡 Listen now on: Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & APPLE Podcasts!

🔗 Podcast: https://doepicshit.buzzsprout.com
🔗 All Links: https://linktr.ee/DoEpicShit.RealTalk
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoEpicShit.RealTalk
🌐 Website + Blog + Merch: https://DoEpicShit.Live

🛍️ Want to rep the mindset? Grab our Do Epic Sh*t swag + new drops every month—tees, hoodies, mugs & more—right on the website.

🎙️ Hosted by: Colleen Basinski & Kimberly Neill

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Ever feel like you’re flooring it with no map? We break down the real cadence behind building something that lasts: push when it counts, pause with purpose, make small adjustments early, and repeat with more wisdom than before. Our focus is alignment—getting people, systems, schedule, and values moving in the same direction—so your grind translates to durable wins rather than burnout and noise.

We start by stripping “hustle” of its mythology. Tenacity built our careers, but focus keeps them standing. We draw a sharp line between momentum and mere busyness, and we share the simple filters that help us choose: the Eisenhower matrix and the do, delegate, delay, delete playbook. From there, we talk thresholds and capacity—how a healthy pipeline lets you be choosy, and how dipping below baseline might justify a short sprint. Real stories from the field ground it all: open houses that work, families we fought for, and the ways we protect presence at home while still meeting the demands of a high-variance business.

We also get honest about circles and role models. Production without integrity isn’t our path. We look for rooms where behavior and results both matter, because the people beside you shape your ceiling and your floor. That’s why community beats lone-wolf effort, especially when seasons shift from fight to patience to maintenance. You’ll hear how we use AI as a quiet ally to sort chaos into clear next steps, spot red flags we’re too close to see, and keep our plans aligned with what actually matters.

The takeaway is simple and strong: not everything deserves your push. Don’t quit; calibrate. Use breaks as maintenance, not escape. Strong builders don’t abandon grit—they learn exactly where to apply it. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with someone who’s grinding without a compass, and leave a review to tell us the one adjustment you’ll make this week.

💡 Lessons we’ve learned about balancing it all—sometimes successfully, sometimes… not.

If you’re out here trying to DO EPIC SH*T, this one’s for YOU. Hit play, tag a friend, and let’s do this thing together! 👇🔥

💡 Listen now on: Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & APPLE Podcasts!

🔗 Podcast: https://doepicshit.buzzsprout.com
🔗 All Links: https://linktr.ee/DoEpicShit.RealTalk
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoEpicShit.RealTalk
🌐 Website + Blog + Merch: https://DoEpicShit.Live

🛍️ Want to rep the mindset? Grab our Do Epic Sh*t swag + new drops every month—tees, hoodies, mugs & more—right on the website.

🎙️ Hosted by: Colleen Basinski & Kimberly Neill

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Tired of loud gurus selling empty promises? We’re pulling back the curtain on the coaching industry and showing you how to tell the difference between real mentorship and well-produced theater. As working agents and team leaders, we’ve been on every side of the table—coached, coached others, and built systems that help new and experienced agents grow without burning out. What we’ve learned is blunt: credibility starts with production and proof, but real coaching goes further. It’s pattern recognition forged from contracts, client emotions, and market swings, not just catchy quotes.

We dig into practical ways to vet a coach before you trust them, from verifying history across relevant lanes to testing for transferability and real-world judgment. We share wins, misses, and the expensive programs that taught us exactly what not to buy. You’ll hear how we built a 12-week onboarding track, why recorded call reviews outperform generic scripts, and how newer agents can earn credibility fast by previewing homes and stacking small, smart reps. We break down motivation versus transformation, show why accountability beats hype, and explain how coachability multiplies results—for anyone willing to do the work.

We also unpack the trainer versus coach debate through a real estate lens: trainers can transfer knowledge, but in a business that touches money, homes, and emotions, experience isn’t optional. Our own coaching style blends tough truth with real care: one of us drives straight to the how, the other unpacks the why. Together, it’s a model that helps agents think clearly, act decisively, and build duplicatable systems that last. If you’re serious about growth, you’ll walk away with a sharper filter for choosing mentors, a blueprint for rapid implementation, and a reminder that real coaches don’t sell you themselves—they help you find yourself.

Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, share it with a teammate who needs stronger mentorship, and leave a quick review to tell us your biggest coaching win or worst coaching regret. DM us your questions and stories—we might feature them next time.

💡 Lessons we’ve learned about balancing it all—sometimes successfully, sometimes… not.

If you’re out here trying to DO EPIC SH*T, this one’s for YOU. Hit play, tag a friend, and let’s do this thing together! 👇🔥

💡 Listen now on: Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & APPLE Podcasts!

🔗 Podcast: https://doepicshit.buzzsprout.com
🔗 All Links: https://linktr.ee/DoEpicShit.RealTalk
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoEpicShit.RealTalk
🌐 Website + Blog + Merch: https://DoEpicShit.Live

🛍️ Want to rep the mindset? Grab our Do Epic Sh*t swag + new drops every month—tees, hoodies, mugs & more—right on the website.

🎙️ Hosted by: Colleen Basinski & Kimberly Neill

Smash that follow button & get ready for more EPIC $H*T 💩💥

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What really separates thriving Realtors® from those just getting by? Is it timing, market knowledge, or something deeper?

In this mini episode of Do Epic $h*t, your hosts Colleen Basinski and Kimberly Neill step in as guest speakers on Real Estate 101 with Todd Probasco. Together, they pull back the curtain on what’s happening in today’s markets—Chicago and Florida—while sharing the timeless truths that have fueled their decades of success.

Chicago Real Estate: The post-frenzy market is finding its rhythm again. Well-priced, move-in-ready homes still spark multiple offers, but buyers are more selective than ever when it comes to condition and value. With 30-year fixed mortgage rates hovering near 6.375%, stability may finally be returning to the market.

Florida Real Estate: Once the hottest region in the country, markets like Cape Coral are shifting. Insurance costs and HOA fees are putting pressure on affordability, but strategic buyers are still finding opportunities—especially those willing to think long-term.

Beyond the stats, Colleen and Kim keep it real about what actually drives long-term success in real estate: answer your damn phone, build authentic relationships, and show up with relentless consistency. As Colleen puts it: “This is not just a transactional business. This is a relational business.” And as Kim reminds us: “If I didn’t answer my phone, I wouldn’t make a living.”

Whether you’re buying, selling, or building a career in real estate, this episode delivers market insights, Realtor® mindset, and no-BS wisdom you won’t find in a headline. From the Midwest to the Sunshine State, Colleen and Kim share the unfiltered advice every client and every Realtor® needs to hear in 2025.

💡 Lessons we’ve learned about balancing it all—sometimes successfully, sometimes… not.

If you’re out here trying to DO EPIC SH*T, this one’s for YOU. Hit play, tag a friend, and let’s do this thing together! 👇🔥

💡 Listen now on: Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & APPLE Podcasts!

🔗 Podcast: https://doepicshit.buzzsprout.com
🔗 All Links: https://linktr.ee/DoEpicShit.RealTalk
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoEpicShit.RealTalk
🌐 Website + Blog + Merch: https://DoEpicShit.Live

🛍️ Want to rep the mindset? Grab our Do Epic Sh*t swag + new drops every month—tees, hoodies, mugs & more—right on the website.

🎙️ Hosted by: Colleen Basinski & Kimberly Neill

Smash that follow button & get ready for more EPIC $H*T 💩💥

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The hardest truth about entrepreneurship isn't written in any business book. Your greatest heartbreaks won't come from lost deals or market downturns—they'll come from losing people you trusted completely.

In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Colleen and Kim pull back the curtain on the devastating reality of business friendship breakups and partner betrayals that cost them millions of dollars, triggered lawsuits, and left emotional scars deeper than any business failure could inflict. They share the gut-wrenching experience of watching friends and partners transform before their eyes when money and opportunity entered the equation.

"Money makes people do crazy shit," Kim explains. "If you have just an ounce of ugly in you, money amplifies that like a microscope." Both hosts reveal the warning signs they ignored, the gaslighting they endured, and the shocking moments of realization when they discovered the truth about people they considered family. From secret meetings plotting their demise to attempts to freeze company accounts on payroll day, these stories illuminate the darkest corners of entrepreneurship rarely discussed in public.

The conversation goes beyond just sharing war stories—it offers a roadmap for recovery. Colleen and Kim open up about how they navigated the wreckage of dissolved partnerships, protected innocent team members caught in the crossfire, and rebuilt their confidence and businesses from the ashes. Most importantly, they share how they maintained their integrity even when facing those who abandoned theirs.

For anyone who's experienced the unique pain of business betrayal—or fears they might—this episode provides both validation and hope. As Colleen powerfully states, "We lost businesses, we lost money, we lost people, but we never lost ourselves." Their message is clear: betrayal doesn't break you; it teaches you who you really are.

Subscribe to Do Epic Shit on Apple, Amazon, Spotify, or YouTube to join this honest conversation about surviving the friendship breakups nobody warns you about in business school.

💡 Lessons we’ve learned about balancing it all—sometimes successfully, sometimes… not.

If you’re out here trying to DO EPIC SH*T, this one’s for YOU. Hit play, tag a friend, and let’s do this thing together! 👇🔥

💡 Listen now on: Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & APPLE Podcasts!

🔗 Podcast: https://doepicshit.buzzsprout.com
🔗 All Links: https://linktr.ee/DoEpicShit.RealTalk
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoEpicShit.RealTalk
🌐 Website + Blog + Merch: https://DoEpicShit.Live

🛍️ Want to rep the mindset? Grab our Do Epic Sh*t swag + new drops every month—tees, hoodies, mugs & more—right on the website.

🎙️ Hosted by: Colleen Basinski & Kimberly Neill

Smash that follow button & get ready for more EPIC $H*T 💩💥

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when real estate becomes more than a job?
When it becomes your lifeline... your identity… your way out?

In this episode, we go all in on the real talk — from homelessness, hustling with $14 in the bank, and figuring it out one open house at a time… to building a multi-state real estate business, creating financial freedom, and helping our kids build legacies of their own.

We’re not just talking theory — we’re sharing exactly what worked, what didn’t, and what we still do every single day to stay in the game and build a business that lasts.

🔑 Here’s what we unpack in this episode:

• Consistency over chaos – Why grit beats talent (every damn time)
• Follow-up like a boss – How 82 check-ins = 3 real buyers (and the exact system we used)
• Master your market – Confidence doesn’t come from scripts, it comes from knowing your stuff
• Build a brand that’s both real and refined – Loud, polished, unapologetically YOU
• Leverage early, scale smarter – VAs, systems, and support that let you grow without burning out

From TikTok lead gen to AI-powered CRMs, we walk you through how we stay visible, stay connected, and stay ahead. And we don’t sugarcoat anything — because no one is coming to save your career. You’ve got to show up, stay consistent, and do the work.

If you’re just getting started, stuck in the middle, or scaling to your next level — this episode is the one to listen to when you need that reminder of what’s possible.

💥 Real estate changed our lives. And it can change yours too.

💡 Lessons we’ve learned about balancing it all—sometimes successfully, sometimes… not.

If you’re out here trying to DO EPIC SH*T, this one’s for YOU. Hit play, tag a friend, and let’s do this thing together! 👇🔥

💡 Listen now on: Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & APPLE Podcasts!

🔗 Podcast: https://doepicshit.buzzsprout.com
🔗 All Links: https://linktr.ee/DoEpicShit.RealTalk
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoEpicShit.RealTalk
🌐 Website + Blog + Merch: https://DoEpicShit.Live

🛍️ Want to rep the mindset? Grab our Do Epic Sh*t swag + new drops every month—tees, hoodies, mugs & more—right on the website.

🎙️ Hosted by: Colleen Basinski & Kimberly Neill

Smash that follow button & get ready for more EPIC $H*T 💩💥

Send us Fan Mail

Building a real estate team is often positioned as the golden ticket to success, but behind the glamour lies a complex reality few are willing to discuss. What happens when the team structure fails? How do compensation models actually affect team members? And why do so many team leaders find themselves working harder rather than achieving the promised passive income?

Drawing from decades of combined experience, we pull back the curtain on team building to reveal uncomfortable truths rarely addressed in industry training. We share our biggest mistakes – from ill-fated hiring decisions made out of sympathy to compensation structures that simply weren't sustainable. The traditional 50-50 split model leaves many team members struggling to make ends meet after brokerage splits and marketing costs, sometimes taking home as little as 10% of their hard-earned commissions.

The most successful teams aren't built on exploitation but on mutual benefit. They provide genuine value through administrative support, marketing assistance, leads, and technology tools while creating fair compensation models that allow everyone to thrive. Finding the right people (usually through trusted referrals) and setting them up for success with proper training and systems proves far more important than rapid growth. We explore how to delegate without abdicating responsibility, how to handle team departures gracefully, and why being in production keeps team leaders connected to market realities.

Ready to rethink how you build or join a team? This episode delivers actionable insights on creating team structures that foster growth rather than resentment. Remember, building a team is for impact, not ego – and with the right approach, you really can build something epic together.

💡 Lessons we’ve learned about balancing it all—sometimes successfully, sometimes… not.

If you’re out here trying to DO EPIC SH*T, this one’s for YOU. Hit play, tag a friend, and let’s do this thing together! 👇🔥

💡 Listen now on: Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & APPLE Podcasts!

🔗 Podcast: https://doepicshit.buzzsprout.com
🔗 All Links: https://linktr.ee/DoEpicShit.RealTalk
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoEpicShit.RealTalk
🌐 Website + Blog + Merch: https://DoEpicShit.Live

🛍️ Want to rep the mindset? Grab our Do Epic Sh*t swag + new drops every month—tees, hoodies, mugs & more—right on the website.

🎙️ Hosted by: Colleen Basinski & Kimberly Neill

Smash that follow button & get ready for more EPIC $H*T 💩💥

Send us Fan Mail

Ever wondered what real estate professionals talk about when the cameras are off and the drinks are flowing? Welcome to the unfiltered world of property sales after dark. In this hilariously candid episode, veteran agents Kim and Colleen spill the tea on their most shocking, disgusting, and downright terrifying experiences in the field.

From the $600,000 lakefront property where sellers left bags of dog waste in the basement closet to houses that literally smell like death, these stories reveal the stomach-churning realities agents face during property showings. You'll cringe as they describe walking in on naked homeowners, stumbling upon drug users in basements, and accidentally submitting brutally honest feedback to the wrong listing agent. Their tales of snake infestations, aggressive dogs, and potential hauntings will make you appreciate your own home-buying journey – or at least the professionals who guided you through it.

Beyond the laughs, this episode highlights the genuine dangers real estate agents face daily. When Colleen discovered a client's extensive criminal history including sexual assault and home invasion, it underscored why safety protocols are essential in this profession. Bart's legendary story about threatening to throw a difficult client "in the trunk and take him to the Cal-Sag" (a notorious body-dumping location) reveals the creative ways agents have handled troublesome situations before more professional standards evolved.

The spring market madness comes through clearly as both hosts describe working non-stop to accommodate eager buyers in today's low-inventory environment. Despite exhaustion and stress, their passion for helping clients navigate life's biggest purchases remains evident throughout their stories. Whether you're a fellow real estate professional, a curious homebuyer, or someone who appreciates unfiltered workplace stories, this episode offers a uniquely entertaining glimpse behind the property listing curtain.

Listen, subscribe, and share your own real estate horror stories with us! Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and iHeart Radio – because sometimes the truth is stranger (and smellier) than fiction in the world of real estate.

💡 Lessons we’ve learned about balancing it all—sometimes successfully, sometimes… not.

If you’re out here trying to DO EPIC SH*T, this one’s for YOU. Hit play, tag a friend, and let’s do this thing together! 👇🔥

💡 Listen now on: Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & APPLE Podcasts!

🔗 Podcast: https://doepicshit.buzzsprout.com
🔗 All Links: https://linktr.ee/DoEpicShit.RealTalk
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoEpicShit.RealTalk
🌐 Website + Blog + Merch: https://DoEpicShit.Live

🛍️ Want to rep the mindset? Grab our Do Epic Sh*t swag + new drops every month—tees, hoodies, mugs & more—right on the website.

🎙️ Hosted by: Colleen Basinski & Kimberly Neill

Smash that follow button & get ready for more EPIC $H*T 💩💥