In this CG Live episode from our CEO & Premier event in Oceanside, California, I sit down with Eric Gydesen, San Diego-based operator closing 600+ deals a year and the founder of PPC Force. Eric had just stepped off the main stage where he broke down what a fully scaled marketing engine looks like heading into 2026 — and how AI is reshaping direct-to-seller marketing in real time.

We unpack what's actually working right now in direct mail and PPC, why sales cycles are elongating, and why consistency is separating serious operators from those stuck in "spray and pray" mode. Eric also dives into AI-driven Google advertising, speed-to-lead strategies, branded vs unbranded marketing debates, and why protecting your online reputation is becoming critical in the era of AI search overviews.

If you're building the three-legged stool of direct-to-seller — direct mail, PPC, and brand authority — this conversation is tactical, current, and built for scale.

[0:00] – Live from Oceanside at the CG CEO & Premier event

[1:50] – Why Eric presented on marketing and AI integration

[2:07] – What a fully scaled marketing engine looks like in 2025 moving into 2026

[3:01] – The big shift: sales cycles are elongating

[3:36] – Why consistency is beating "spray and pray" marketing

[4:30] – Direct mail: data refinement as the real competitive edge

[5:19] – Stacking product type, velocity, distress, and investor activity

[6:11] – AB testing insights and why most operators can't test at scale alone

[7:21] – Branded vs unbranded mail: national split-test results

[8:53] – Building a long-term competitive moat in your market

[10:20] – PPC realities: bottom-of-funnel intent and speed-to-lead

[11:18] – Winning the first conversation before competitors do

[12:12] – AI Max inside Google Ads and early performance data

[15:40] – AI search overviews and the importance of SEO reputation

[17:35] – Why responding to negative reviews builds trust

[20:14] – The origin of PPC Force and serving high-level operators

[23:20] – Scaling direct-to-seller with structure, systems, and discipline

1. Consistency Wins in a Longer Sales Cycle: Marketing isn't broken — but timelines have shifted. Operators who stay consistent while others pull back are gaining ground.
2. Speed Is the PPC Advantage: High-intent sellers move quickly. If your team doesn't respond immediately, someone else will.
3. Your Reputation Is Now an Asset Class: AI search results, review responses, and social presence are shaping perception faster than ever. Brand authority compounds.

• PPC Force: https://www.ppcforce.com
• Explore CG Membership: https://www.explorecg.com

If this episode challenged the way you think about marketing, speed, and long-term brand positioning, take a minute to rate, follow, and review the Collective Genius Podcast. And if you're ready to scale your real estate business alongside operators like Eric, visit https://www.explorecg.com and apply today.

In this episode of the Collective Genius Podcast, I sit down with longtime CG member and New England operator Adam Devine. Adam's journey is one of grit, resilience, and building a business rooted in culture, competitiveness, and doing the right thing—even when nobody's watching.

We unpack how Adam went from getting fired by his now business partner… to becoming that partner. From selling inside sales for REVA Global, to scaling virtually across multiple states, to pulling back and dominating his backyard, Adam shares the real lessons behind sustainable growth. This conversation is about focus, locker-room culture, adapting to market shifts, and why keeping the main thing the main thing still wins in today's environment.

[0:00] – Adam's markets: Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Northeast PA

[3:30] – Losing hockey and finding competition through real estate

[5:00] – Discovering "home buying" and the early wholesaling days

[6:30] – The hockey referee story that led to meeting his future partner

[8:00] – Getting fired—and the letter that predicted their partnership

[12:00] – Inside sales at REVA Global and selling to early CG members

[15:00] – Asking for 50% ownership… and getting let go

[17:30] – Reconnecting six months later and launching PerchRock

[19:00] – Scaling virtually and selling to hedge funds during the boom

[22:00] – Transitioning from nationwide virtual to dominating the backyard

[24:30] – Bringing RAMP in-house and shifting to in-person appointments

[26:00] – Best January in company history after making hard changes

[27:30] – Why face-to-face beats virtual when building seller trust

[30:00] – Building a true locker-room culture inside the company

[34:00] – Culture over skill: why cohesion wins long term

[36:00] – The role Collective Genius played in their growth

[39:00] – Paying it forward and staying humble in the room

1. Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing – Avoid shiny objects and double down on what you do best.
2. Culture Wins Championships – Cohesion and trust outperform raw talent every time.
3. Adapt or Get Left Behind – What worked in 2021 won't necessarily work today.
4. Integrity Compounds – Doing the right thing—even when nobody's watching—creates long-term opportunity.
5. Run With a Team – The fastest way to scale is to surround yourself with people who've already done it.

• ExploreCG.com – Learn more about the Collective Genius community
• PerchRock – Home buying company serving Connecticut & Massachusetts
• REVA Global – https://revaglobal.com/
• Connect with Adam Devine: Email – adam@perchrock.com Instagram – @theadamdevine

Adam's story is proof that you can recreate the locker room, build a culture of winners, and scale a real business without chasing every shiny object in the industry.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow, rate, review, and share the Collective Genius Podcast with someone who wants to compete—and win—the right way.

In this CG Live episode from Oceanside, California, I sit down with Doug Hopkins, a real estate investor with over 23,000 homes bought and more than 30 years of experience in some of the most competitive markets in the country. Doug built one of the biggest businesses inside CG, yet still runs acquisitions himself and leads with humility, heart, and a relentless drive to serve sellers—especially seniors.

We talk about what it's like to compete with institutions in Phoenix, how he rebuilt after losing everything, and why fast response times and genuine conversations still outperform fancy systems. Doug's mission-driven mindset, his respect for people, and his refusal to cut corners make this a masterclass in building a sustainable, ethical, and highly profitable business.

[0:00] – Live from Oceanside with Doug Hopkins, CG member and 23,000+ homes bought

[1:50] – Why Doug doesn't use slides or scripts—just real talk

[3:02] – Phoenix vs. Southern California markets: differences, similarities, and competition

[5:11] – Why Doug still personally runs acquisitions after 30+ years

[6:25] – Building and losing a company—and what he did differently the second time

[8:12] – Why helping sellers is still what lights him up

[9:18] – From NY to AZ: Doug's early life and real estate roots

[10:41] – Becoming a trusted face in the Phoenix market

[11:43] – Thriving in a normalized market through relationships, not just numbers

[12:54] – Consumers have changed—investors need to catch up

[15:05] – Wildest seller story ever: a live-in monkey, a dungeon, and a five-star review

[17:06] – Marketing, being human, solving problems—the real formula for success

[20:04] – Doug's branding advantage and how TV made him a local celebrity

[21:21] – The impact CG had on his systems, speed, and mindset

[23:34] – Doug's frustration with predatory practices in the industry

[26:16] – His plan to launch a nonprofit protecting elderly homeowners

[27:02] – Takeaways from CG sessions on AI, SEO, and staying sharp

[29:10] – Respect for builders after constructing his own home

[30:06] – Helping a friend get into CG and watching him scale

[32:27] – Even the best closers get told no—Doug's advice for staying grounded

[33:35] – Where to connect with Doug and follow his work

1. Being First Still Wins: Fast lead response and personal follow-up often beat automation and CRMs.
2. Reputation Is Everything: Building trust in your community opens doors no marketing campaign can buy.
3. Help More, Take Less: Doug's focus on protecting vulnerable sellers shows that doing good is also good business.

• Website: https://www.doughopkins.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doughopkinsrealestate
• Explore CG Membership: https://www.explorecg.com

If Doug's story reminded you that this business is about people—not just profit—then this episode was for you. Rate, follow, and review the Collective Genius Podcast. And if you're ready to scale in a room where integrity and impact matter, head to https://www.explorecg.com and apply today.