When was the last time you looked in the mirror and asked yourself: Am I building a business, or am I just being everyone's stepping stone?

Ed Averette and Terence Guess kick off 2026 with one of their most vulnerable conversations yet about the reinvention of the real estate professional. Terence gets brutally honest about his decision to stop convincing partners to work with him, sharing how spending four weeks educating clients only to watch them use another lender without a conversation takes a serious mental toll. The hosts explore the difference between relationships that pour into you versus those that drain you, emphasizing that time and influence are more valuable than money. Ed relates to the struggle, describing how loan officers become "sugar daddies" at events, showing up, sponsoring, serving as mascots, only to be ghosted when clients make decisions. They discuss the painful reality of text message dismissals versus phone call respect, and why genuine partnerships require more than just being on someone's flyer. The conversation shifts to 2026 market predictions, with insights on how rate drops are already "baked in" and what happens when the whole city comes out to buy homes. Ed reveals his commitment to getting back to having fun in real estate, comparing it to Cam Newton's dabbing days when joy translated to winning. Both hosts land on a powerful truth: what's meant for you will be for you, and in 2026, they're done chasing what isn't.