In this episode of One Big Fire, John Kitchens and Al Stasek sit down with former NHL pro and elite mindset coach Jacob Newton. Jacob takes us on a journey from his humble beginnings in a small California desert town to the professional hockey stage, and ultimately into the world of mindset coaching. He unpacks how a lack of mental preparation kept him from sustaining his NHL career, and how the realization that "million-dollar legs need a million-dollar mindset" transformed not just his life, but the lives of the high performers he now coaches.

This is a powerful conversation about performance anxiety, negative self-talk, resilience, and the habits that separate amateurs from true pros. Whether you're a real estate entrepreneur, a business leader, or someone looking to upgrade your daily performance, this conversation delivers mindset shifts you can use immediately.

• Jacob's unconventional journey from roller hockey in the desert to pro ice hockey.

• The sacrifices his family made to help him chase his dream.

• What it felt like to play in a packed NHL preseason game — and what happened next.

• Why being sent to the second Italian league was the mirror moment.

• The book that changed everything ("Mind Gym").

• Realizing he was the problem—and also the solution.

• The mental patterns that held him back.

• Why talent without mental stamina isn't enough.

• How he began to build mental muscle through breath work, daily routines, and gratitude.

• The biggest blocker: negative self-talk.

• Why 90% of our thoughts are the same every day—and 70% of them are negative.

• Tools to shift into presence, mental control, and clarity.

• The breathwork protocol that regulates anxiety and resets emotional control.

• Why forgiveness isn't for them, it's for you.

• Healing childhood wounds that silently control adult performance.

• The power of releasing resentment to unlock your next level.

• Why your first 20-30 minutes set the tone for your entire day.

• How to use gratitude, breathwork, and visualization to create powerful inner shifts.

• The "wind" that moves the storm: How breathing re-centers you in chaos.

• Mind Gym (book recommendation)

• Newton’s Mind coaching practice

• Headspace app (John’s recommendation for mindfulness)

"We don't forgive others for them—we forgive for us. So we can drop that weight and step into a better version of ourselves." - Jacob Newton

• Instagram: @newtonsmind55

• Facebook: Jacob Newton

• LinkedIn: Jacob Newton

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this episode, John Kitchens sits down with seasoned investor Mark Zawaideh and strategic partner Curt Shewell to unpack what every real estate agent must understand about wealth, leverage, and building a portfolio that will lead you to true financial freedom. Mark shares how he scaled from broke agent to owning over 40 properties—and how one key mindset shift turned $600K in equity into $30M in assets. Together, they break down the dangerous myths agents believe about wealth, why owning a team is not a retirement plan, and how to start thinking like an investor starting today.

The Scarcity Trap vs. Investor Mindset

• How Mark’s early money beliefs kept him stuck (and how he broke free).

• The critical difference between “saving” and “scaling” through leverage.

• Why paying off properties early can actually kill your momentum.
  
  

Using Real Estate As a Wealth Vehicle

• Why selling more homes won’t build lasting wealth—and what will.

• How Mark scaled from 1 house to 43 rentals in under 10 years.

• Turning equity into cash flow: the power of 1031 exchanges and strategic refinancing.
  
  

How to Make the Shift from Agent to Owner to Owning $100M Portfolio

• The real risk: owning just 1-2 rental properties and no game plan.

• Why scaling to 30, 50, or 100+ doors creates less risk, not more.

• How to use your real estate business to find deals, not just earn commissions.
  
  

Building Wealth Through Depreciation & Tax Strategy

• Why depreciation alone could be worth six figures in tax savings.

• How Mark paid zero in taxes—and got a refund—while earning 7 figures.

• The difference between earning more… and keeping more.
  
  

Scaling Beyond Single-Family into Commercial & Multifamily

• How Mark turned four homes into a 48-unit apartment complex.

• The mindset shift from “buy and hold” to “scale and grow.”

• Multifamily vs. single-family: pros, cons, and what most agents miss.
  
  

Why Real Estate Teams Are Not an Exit Strategy

• The hard truth about brokerage valuations and “team” exits.

• Why most teams become burdens, not assets, without investment income.

• Using your team to unlock opportunity—not just production.
  
  

The Investor Mastermind & What’s Coming Next

• How Mark and Curt are creating a community for agents ready to build wealth.

• Why most agents don’t lack opportunity—they lack strategy and proximity.

• What to expect from their upcoming course, community, and coaching framework.

• Connect with John Kitchens

• Mark Zawaideh on Instagram: @soldbymarkz

• Book: The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

• Upcoming Investor Mastermind (details coming soon)

• 1031 Exchange Strategy + Tax Depreciation Insights

“You don’t need to sell more homes. You need to buy more real estate.” – Mark Zawaideh

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this insightful episode of the John Kitchens Coach Podcast, John sits down with Jack Perry, co-founder of The Perry Group, one of the fastest-growing real estate teams in Utah. Jack shares his journey from pastoring churches to leading a 175-agent team alongside his two sons—and how creating a culture of high standards, accountability, and authentic leadership has driven massive success.

They explore how Jack leverages leadership through vulnerability, how ego almost got in the way of scaling, and why letting go was the key to leveling up. From social media authenticity to systems and structure, this conversation reveals the foundational pieces behind building a lasting real estate empire.

• The importance of letting go of ego to scale leadership

• How to maintain culture and personal connection in a large team

• Why building systems early is essential for sustainable growth

• Creative ways to onboard and integrate agents into your culture

• The role of family dynamics in running a high-performance team

• Tips for balancing authenticity, humor, and brand building on social media

• Navigating market changes by staying adaptable and mission-driven

• Leadership through vulnerability and authenticity: Jack Perry shares how embracing transparency, admitting mistakes, and letting go of ego have been key to creating trust and long-term growth in his real estate organization.

• From pastoring to powerhouse real estate team: Jack reflects on how his 28 years as a pastor laid the foundation for his people-first leadership style, which now fuels The Perry Group’s success.

• The secret to scaling without losing culture: As The Perry Group grew from a few agents to over 175+, Jack reveals how culture was preserved through intentional leadership, clear communication, and simple systems like top-10 recognition and team-wide accountability.

• Letting go to grow: One of Jack’s biggest lessons was learning to release control and empower others, especially his sons, to make decisions and lead independently.

• Creating meaningful team connection: From Slack channel check-ins to in-person tubing events, Jack shares how The Perry Group ensures new agents quickly feel connected and valued.

• Staying hungry in a hot market: Despite Utah’s booming economy, Jack remains focused on pushing agents to improve, leveraging internal competition and big-picture thinking to avoid complacency.

• The power of diverse leadership: With himself and his sons each bringing radically different strengths to the table, Jack explains why embracing those differences has accelerated their collective success.

• Connect with John: johnkitchens.coach

• Learn more about Jack Perry: @jackperryhomes

“People don’t buy coaching—they buy the coach. People don’t join teams—they join the leadership.” — John Kitchens

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this dynamic episode of One Big Fire, John Kitchens brings together two of the most influential voices in real estate—Tina Caul and Al Stasek—for a powerful conversation that cuts through the noise and delivers actionable insights for agents, team leaders, and brokerage owners.

The trio explores the impact of recent tariff pauses on new construction, Zillow’s surprising path to profitability (and what it really means for agents on the ground), and why culture is the often-overlooked X-factor that separates struggling teams from thriving empires.

They also celebrate the return of the iconic Honey Badger of the Month Award, diving into its origin, legacy, and why resilience, grit, and relentless action still define success in today’s shifting market.

If you want to future-proof your business, lead a high-performing team, and dominate in this evolving landscape, this episode is essential listening.

The 90-day pause on tariffs is providing more than temporary relief to builders—it’s fueling broader market confidence. Al Stasek breaks down the ripple effect from builder operations to the job market, consumer sentiment, and the overall health of the housing economy. For agents, understanding these macroeconomic moves helps sharpen their conversations with buyers and sellers. Builders need agents more than ever to help maintain velocity in their projects, creating new partnership opportunities for savvy teams.

Zillow has turned a profit for the first time in years, but the reason may surprise many. Tina Caul outlines how Zillow’s aggressive push into mortgage services has become a key revenue driver, while also highlighting their strategic shift to a remote-first model (Cloud HQ), driving operational efficiencies. The real takeaway? Teams leveraging Zillow Flex understand that the cost of leads isn’t an expense—it’s an investment in lifetime client value. Leaders must understand the math, manage the accountability, and double down on the opportunities Zillow provides while using those profits to diversify into other lead sources like Realtor.com.

While many leaders obsess over splits, leads, and transactions, Tina and John emphasize that culture is the true profit lever in any team or brokerage. They share how clearly defined, lived, and enforced core values create alignment, drive retention, and boost per-agent productivity. The discussion highlights the danger of tolerating toxic producers and why organizations with strong cultural foundations outperform their peers—especially in volatile markets. Al reinforces that accountability must be built into the system and that Zillow’s backend reporting helps take some of that burden off team leaders while raising standards.

The episode celebrates the return of the Honey Badger of the Month Award, honoring those in the Honey Badger Nation who embody the spirit of resilience, grit, and relentless pursuit of excellence. The award isn’t given lightly—it recognizes those who push through challenges, innovate under pressure, and lead from the front. Tina, a past winner herself, reminds listeners that the award is about more than production—it’s about how you show up when things get hard.

• HoneyBadgerAward.com — Nominate your Honey Badger of the Month

• HoneyBadgerMerch.com — Get the latest Honey Badger Nation gear

• Hug Your Customer by Jack Mitchell

• The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

“If you don’t have concrete core values that drive decisions every day, that’s the first crack in your business you must fix.” — John Kitchens

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this solo, high-impact episode, John Kitchens shares his presentation from the Seattle eXp Rally, diving deep into the journey from agent to CEO and the mindset, disciplines, and frameworks required to create lasting freedom—not just another job.

John outlines the critical trap most agents fall into—getting stuck on the transaction treadmill—and how to make the shift from survival and status to freeing yourself and building a legacy. Using his signature Agent to CEO Freedom Formula, John breaks down the 3 phases and 8 stages every agent must navigate to go from zero to multiple seven-figures, all while building a life by design, not default.

This is not theory—this is the exact process John and his clients have used to create sustainable businesses that thrive in any market conditions.

• The 3 Levels of Entrepreneurial Thinking: Survival, Status, Freedom (and the trap most never escape)

• Why staying reactive is the real killer of your business

• The 3 Phases and 8 Stages of business growth—and how to identify exactly where you are right now

• How to move from chasing deals to building real momentum and a brand that attracts

• Why hiring the right talent (and letting go of the wrong roles) is the key to unlocking the CEO phase

• How to use the 8 Stages Roadmap to help yourself and others escape the grind and build your business empire.

• Download the 8 Stages Roadmap: agenttoceo.com/8stages

• Recommended Book: The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday

• Perfect Day Exercise by Frank Kern (Search on YouTube: “Frank Kern Perfect Day”)

• Real estate agents ready to stop chasing deals and start building a business

• Team leaders and brokers who feel stuck in the transaction treadmill

• Entrepreneurs who want a clear, actionable path to freedom, wealth, and legacy

• Anyone wanting to upgrade their mindset from operator to CEO
  
  

“We don’t get to free ourselves by working harder—we earn it by becoming the person who leads differently.” - John Kitchens

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In a sea of sameness, your story is your superpower.

In this insightful episode, John Kitchens sits down with Colorado-based agent and branding expert Sam Basel to break down his biggest takeaways from the Thousand Watt Conference—a premier real estate branding and marketing summit now rebranding as Signal.

Together, they explore how real estate professionals can stand out in a noisy, AI-fueled market by mastering emotional storytelling, clarifying brand identity, and delivering consistent, human-centered marketing.

From building deeper buyer personas to using AI without sounding like a robot, this episode is packed with takeaways to help you resonate with today’s AI-empowered clients—and tomorrow’s.

1. Lead with Emotion, Not Just Data

Facts tell, stories sell.

• Buyers make decisions emotionally and back them up with logic.

• Don't just market homes—tell the story of the life lived inside them.

2. Your Brand Must Be Crystal Clear

Your identity is your magnetic field.

• Sam’s “Alpine Legacy” brand speaks to second-home buyers drawn to the Colorado mountains.

• Align your messaging with who you are and who you're best equipped to serve.

3. Drill Down into Buyer Personas

Know their lifestyle, not just their budget.

• Break down buyer types into motivations, life stage, and emotional triggers.

• The more personal your messaging, the more powerful your results.

4. Use AI to Enhance, Not Replace

AI is your assistant—not your voice.

• Personalize outputs with detailed prompts that reflect your brand tone.

• Use AI for story refinement, persona mapping, and message clarity—not copy/paste posts.

5. Trust Comes from Authenticity Over Time

Your story needs to be yours.

• Perfection is boring—show up human and real.

• People resonate more with your worst video than your most polished one.

6. Content That Connects > Content That Sells

• Market to the customer’s journey, not your résumé.

• Tell stories of past client transformations—not just property specs.

• Beware of AI Sameness: Without intention, AI outputs will make your brand blend in—not stand out.

• Social Media Is the Skill That Elevates Everything: Improving your content helps you sell, lead, negotiate, and relate better.

• Branding is Gardening: Prune distractions, nurture key assets, and design for growth.

• If You Experiment Enough, Success Becomes Inevitable: Action over perfection.

• Be Kind. Help People. These are your most powerful brand values—always.

• Signal (formerly Thousand Watt) — thousandwatt.net

• CoachKitchens.AI — John’s custom AI-powered real estate coaching tools

• The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan

• Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell

• Who Not How by Dan Sullivan

• The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday

“Marketing isn’t just a tool—it’s how you connect deeply in a distracted world.” — Sam Basel

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this powerful episode of The John Kitchens Coach Podcast, John Kitchens and Jay Kinder is joined by real estate leader Levi McDonald for an unfiltered, energizing, and insight-packed conversation straight from the heart of EXP’s regional rally season. Alongside surprise guest Jay Kinder, this episode unpacks the real strategies and mindsets driving high-performing agents through today’s rapidly evolving real estate landscape.

As the team gathers during a mentor retreat in Atlanta, Levi brings raw perspective on what it takes to build resilience, develop skill, and create lasting impact in the business. Whether you're a new real estate agent, a team leader navigating shifting markets, or a veteran working to scale with AI and agent attraction, this conversation delivers both inspiration and tactical gold.

• How EXP Realty is leading the industry with AI, including department-specific custom GPTs and real-time decision-making innovation led by Glenn Sanford.

• Why Kendall Bonner’s role in EXP Solutions is creating unprecedented tools, marketing resources, and support systems for real estate agents of all levels.

• The three performance phases of agent growth—Interested, Committed, and Obsessed—and how to identify where you are and where you need to go next.

• What it takes to move from the 20% to the top 1%—and then to the elite 0.1% of agents nationally—with practical advice on structure, mentorship, and systems.

• Why your environment and proximity to growth-minded people is the most important asset you can leverage in today’s real estate game.

• The difference between just selling homes and building a business that fuels your life through purpose, discipline, leadership, and legacy.

• The importance of faith, fitness, finances, and freedom—and how these four pillars create sustainable energy and long-term success as an agent and entrepreneur.

• How the Honey Badger Nation community is reigniting recognition with the Honey Badger of the Month program to celebrate resilience and real estate grit.

Special Guest: Levi McDonald

As a committed mentor, EXP leader, and powerhouse team builder in the Atlanta region, Levi McDonald shares deep insights into agent development, personal growth, and how to build culture inside your business that attracts the right people and keeps them engaged for the long haul.

• Real estate agents in production, looking for traction

• Solo agents wanting to scale into a team model

• Broker/owners needing new energy or leadership alignment

• Team leaders focused on agent attraction or passive income

• Top producers interested in AI, tech, or EXP strategy

• Professionals exploring EXP Realty's competitive advantage

• Anyone needing a reminder of the power of proximity, vision, and grit
  
  

• EXP AI Strategy and Custom GPT Tools

• EXP Solutions by Kendall Bonner

• The Honey Badger Nation community and Facebook group

• EXP Mentor Program and Mentor Retreats

• “The Gap and the Gain” by Dan Sullivan

• Honey Badger of the Month nomination: https://www.honeybadgernation.com
  
  

Check out all-new Legacy Honey Badger swag now available at honeybadgernation.com. Represent the brand of elite resilience with fresh gear and exclusive drops.

“If it's bad, it's not the end. You’re just in the dip. Keep going.” — Levi McDonald

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥