What happens when you stop waiting for the market to change and decide to outwork it instead?

In this episode of The Madison Podcast, host Ben Lavender sits down with Mike Petit Frere of Power Move Realty, a New York real estate agent whose business exploded during one of the toughest markets in recent history. Mike shares how failing his real estate exam 11 times, nearly losing his life in Miami, and being written off by others became the fuel that built his success.

If you're in real estate, sales, or entrepreneurship and feel stuck, this episode is a punch in the chest—in the best way.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

-How Mike built consistent business when rates were high and deals were scarce

-Why door knocking (yes, really) became his unfair advantage

-The exact daily discipline that changed his income and mindset

-How to convert cold leads without sounding salesy

-Why proving people wrong can be dangerous—but powerful if used correctly

Key Takeaways & Timestamps

00:01:00 – Failing Forward

00:02:00 – Making the Market Work for You

00:04:00 – The Power Position Shift

00:05:00 – Rejection Therapy

00:07:00 – Disarm Before You Sell

00:09:00 – Cold Calling Without the Cringe

00:13:00 – The 12-Hour Workday

00:18:00 – When Business Saves Your Life

00:23:00 – The Miami Wake-Up Call

00:27:00 – From Party Guy to Professional

🤝 Let's Connect Host: Ben Lavender Instagram: @blavmtg

Guest: Mike Petit Frere Instagram: @mikesupersales

🎧 Subscribe for more real conversations with industry leaders who've actually done the work.

Madison Mortgage NMLS #2537109 Visit us at www.madisonmortgage.com

When responsibility comes early, and excuses aren't an option… what do you do?

On this episode of The Madison Podcast, Ben Lavender sits down with Omar Jones of Power Move Realty to share a story shaped by resilience, purpose, and relentless drive. From growing up without basic necessities to creating pathways for others to achieve homeownership and generational wealth, Omar's journey is candid, insightful, and full of practical lessons for anyone ready to take ownership of their life. This is a candid conversation about discipline, mindset, and accountability—showing that opportunity isn't handed to you, it's built by you. Why This Episode Matters - Too many people wait for perfect conditions. - Too many people confuse comfort with safety. - Too many people believe their past disqualifies them from a better future. Omar's story dismantles all three, offering a roadmap for taking responsibility, embracing discomfort, and creating your own success.

What You'll Learn

- How early responsibility and adversity build discipline, resilience, and leadership.

- Lessons from Omar's grandparents on accountability, "no excuses," and getting things done.

- Turning life challenges into opportunities to serve others and create generational wealth.

- Practical strategies for financial literacy, credit, and building a foundation for homeownership.

- How mindset shifts, embracing discomfort, and learning from failures accelerate growth.

Key Takeaways & Timestamps

00:00 – 01:00 | Introduction & Early Career Choices

01:00 – 03:00 | Lessons from Family Legacy

03:00 – 06:00 | Childhood Challenges & Early Responsibility

06:00 – 09:00 | Caregiving & Life Shifts

09:00 – 12:00 | The "No Excuses" Mindset

12:00 – 16:00 | Turning Adversity Into Service

16:00 – 21:00 | Practical Financial Guidance

21:00 – 25:00 | Mindset Shifts & Energy Alignment

25:00 – 28:00 | Embracing Discomfort & Learning from Failure

28:00 – 30:00 | Mentorship & Systems for Success

30:00 – End | Closing Thoughts & Inspiration

Let's Connect Host: Ben Lavender Instagram: @blavmtg Guest: Omar Jones, Realtor, Power Move Realty @getlistedwithmrjones If this episode sparked something for you—share it with someone who needs to hear it. Growth travels faster when it's shared.

What does it really take to succeed in real estate today — without the fluff, the fake motivation, or the "post-and-pray" strategies? In this episode of The Madison Podcast, host Ben Lavender sits down with Dylan Bugallo, a high-producing New York real estate agent known for his no-nonsense, relationship-first approach. Together, they unpack what actually moves the needle in real estate — from prospecting fears no one admits out loud to why most agents stay busy but broke.

This is an honest, unfiltered conversation about doing the work, caring deeply, and building a business that lasts.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

- Why real estate can feel lonely — even when you're surrounded by people

- How Dylan built a referral-driven business without relying on AI or gimmicks

- The difference between looking busy and actually producing results

- How to instantly build trust in listing appointments (without scripts)

- Why relationships will always beat automation in real estate

Key Takeaways & Timestamps

00:01 – The Lonely Agent Paradox: Why real estate feels isolating — and how events, mentors, and proximity to talent change everything.

00:07 – Mindset Before Metrics: Why burnout kills more careers than rejection — and how rest actually improves production.

00:12 – The Trust Advantage: How simple human behaviors (listening, respect, curiosity) win listings over flashy pitches.

00:17 – Facing the Fear No New Agent Admits: Why rejection isn't the real fear — and what actually stops agents from prospecting.

00:21 – The 33-Touch Rule Explained: How consistent, genuine follow-up turns past clients into long-term referral engines.

00:27 – Busy ≠ Productive: Why podcasts, AI tools, and motivational content don't matter if you're not calling people.

00:29 – Why Dylan Hates Open Houses: A brutally honest breakdown of time ROI, lead quality, and when open houses actually make sense.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs the reminder: 👉 Care more. Work smarter. Build relationships that last.

🤝 Let's Connect

Host: Ben Lavender – New York's Favorite British Mortgage Broker

📸 Instagram: @blavmtg

Guest: Dylan Bugallo – Real Estate Agent, Over South

📸 Instagram: @dylanbugallo

Follow @madison_mortgage for more related content.

🎧 Subscribe for more real conversations with industry leaders who've actually done the work.

Madison Mortgage NMLS #2537109

Visit us at www.madisonmortgage.com

What does it actually take to survive (and thrive) in New York real estate for decades?

In this episode of The Madison Podcast, host Ben Lavender sits down with Ross Keit of Keller Williams Realty Landmark, a second-generation broker with over 20 years in the business and $100M+ in closed volume. Together, they unpack what luxury deals really look like, why most agents misunderstand lead generation, and how long-term success is built through relationships, education, and humility.

This isn't theory. This is hard-earned perspective from the trenches of NYC real estate.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

- Why luxury real estate is more psychology than price

- How niche markets (seniors, relocation, luxury) are built intentionally

- The overlooked reason most agents fail to generate repeat business

- How to reconnect with your sphere without sounding salesy

- Why today's agents must act more like advisors than salespeople

Key Takeaways & Timestamps

00:01 – How growing up in real estate shaped Ross's approach to sales, leadership, and longevity.

00:03 – The real challenges behind a $5.5M Queens sale (and why patience matters more than pressure).

00:06 – How education and certifications open doors to seniors, relocation, and high-trust clients.

00:10 – Why home anniversaries, not cold calls, drive 95% referral-based businesses.

00:17 – The fear holding agents back from their easiest source of business—and how to fix it.

00:25 –How expectations, debt, and lifestyle reality are reshaping buyer and seller behavior.

🤝 Let's Connect

Host: Ben Lavender – New York's Favorite British Mortgage Broker

📸 Instagram: @blavmtg

Guest: Ross Keit – Keller Williams Realty Landmark

📸 Instagram: @nygolfingrealtor

Follow @madison_mortgage for more related content.

🎧 Subscribe for more real conversations with industry leaders who've actually done the work.

Madison Mortgage NMLS #2537109

Visit us at www.madisonmortgage.com

Most agents don't fail because they lack talent. They fail because they mistake being busy for doing the work.

In this episode of The Madison Podcast, host Ben Lavender sits down with Josh Pismeny, a high-producing agent and team leader at Real Broker, to unpack what really drives growth in real estate right now. Josh didn't explode overnight. He spent his first year barely closing deals, grinding open houses, posting content with zero traction, and treating real estate like a real job.

Fast forward, and he's closing consistent volume, building a team, and generating real business directly from social media. This episode is a reality check and a roadmap.

• Why most agents think they're working… but aren't

• How open houses can still build massive leverage (if done right)

• The long game of social media and why consistency beats virality

• How to filter unserious leads without burning bridges

• Why AI won't replace great agents—but will expose weak ones

• 00:02 – "Busy Is Not Productive"
  Why working 6–10 real hours a week quietly kills most careers

• 00:05 – The Open House Hustle Blueprint
  How Josh used other agents' listings to build buyers, content, and investor relationships

• 00:09 – Social Media Is a Long Game
  Why posting for a year with no leads is normal—and necessary

• 00:12 – The Simplest Lead Filter That Works
  One sentence that instantly separates serious buyers from time-wasters

• 00:15 – AI Isn't the Threat You Think It Is
  Who should actually be worried (and why that's uncomfortable to hear)

• 00:18 – The "Full Stack" Listing Strategy
  What sellers respond to now—and why basic marketing no longer cuts it

• 00:23 – Buyer Consults That Actually Convert
  The questions most agents avoid asking (and why that's a mistake)

If this episode made you rethink how you're spending your time, doing your follow-ups, or showing up online—hit subscribe, drop a comment, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

The future isn't coming. IT'S ALREADY HERE!!!

Connect with our Guest:
Josh Pismeny – @list.with.jp

Connect with our Host:
Ben Lavender – @blavmtg

Connect With Madison:
Follow for clips, insights, and behind-the-scenes content from each episode.
Madison Mortgage NMLS #1862796 – Built for Loan Officers who want control, leverage, and long-term growth in business.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/madisonmtg

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madison_mortgage

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadisonMortgageServices

In this episode of The Madison Podcast, host Ben Lavender sits down with Matthew Winter — a rising star in New York real estate who went from global marketing to $20M in transactions in just three years.

Matthew reveals the real secrets behind his momentum:

• Why service beats sales tactics every time

• How cold calling became his unlikely superpower

• The daily systems and affirmations that keep him grounded

• Why trust and presence are the real currency in business

• How to balance grit with empathy in high-stakes negotiations

00:00 – Intro: From Global Marketing to Real Estate
01:00 – Making NYC real estate more approachable
05:00 – The truth about today's buyers and sellers
08:00 – How diversity fuels New York real estate
15:00 – Secret sauce behind $20M in sales
20:00 – Why cold calling still works
27:00 – Turning service into your superpower
30:00 – Daily routines, discipline, and affirmations
35:00 – Flow, gratitude, and building resilience
37:00 – The Winner's Mindset: Service, Discipline, and Trust
38:00 – Where to find Matthew Winter

This conversation isn't about flashy shortcuts — it's about building a winner's mindset rooted in service, clarity, and discipline.

Learn More: www.madisonmortgage.com

Madison Mortgage NMLS#1862796

Instagram: @madison_mortgage

Hosted by Ben Lavender- NMLS#1028176

Instagram: @blavmtg

Connect with Matthew Wynter

Instagram: @milliondollarwynter

How do you build a business that scales — faster, cleaner, and without losing culture?

In this conversation, Shah Tehrany, CEO of Madison Mortgage, shares the blueprint behind Madison's growth — from systems that speed up every loan, a flat-fee model that gives loan officers freedom, and the mindset that keeps leaders sharp under pressure.

"If you can measure it, you can improve it — and that's how you scale with clarity." Shah Tehrany

This episode is for loan officers, real estate pros, and entrepreneurs who want the truth about scaling: not the hype, but the systems, culture, and discipline that give you a real edge.

What You'll Learn

• The measurement rule that drives every decision at Madison
• How Salesforce became Madison's growth engine
• Why flat fee changes the game for top-producing loan officers
• The leadership tone that protects culture and builds collaboration
• The habits Shah uses to reset, focus, and lead with energy
• How AI will transform loan officer capacity and client experience

00:00 – The CEO Who Builds Leaders, Not Just Loans

01:20 – Systems Are the Secret to Scale

06:40 – Closing Faster Without Cutting Corners

13:27 – The Flat-Fee Model That Changes Everything

20:07 – Culture Is the Ultimate Competitive Edge

26:05 – Mindset Is the Market Multiplier

33:23 – AI Will Triple Your Volume

41:16 – The Playbook Every Loan Officer Needs Now

43:52 – The Vision Driving Madison's Next Decade

46:45 – What Top Producers All Have in Common

Learn more: www.madisonmortgage.com

Madison Mortgage NMLS #1862796

Ben Lavender NMLS #1028176

Shah Tehrany NMLS #182146

Connect with Shah

Instagram: @shahtehrany
Facebook: @shahtehrany