The real estate industry is changing faster than most brokers want to admit — and Lance Somerville is one of the few people who has seen it all from the inside. In this episode of At The Kitchen Table, Amanda DiVito Parle sits down with commercial real estate veteran and RE/MAX alumni Lance Somerville to talk about the seismic shifts reshaping the brokerage landscape — and why cloud brokerages like Real Broker may be the 2.0 model the industry has been waiting for.

With over 22 years at RE/MAX corporate, Lance traveled across eight states, worked with 100+ cities, and looked under the hood of franchise operations, startups, conversions, mergers, and acquisitions. That front-row seat gave him a perspective most agents never get — and it's why his move to Real Broker raised eyebrows and started conversations across the industry.

In this episode, Lance and Amanda break down:

• Why the traditional franchise model is becoming a liability — and what the numbers actually say
• The three-legged stool of real estate (brokerage, NAR, MLS) and why it's cracking
• How cloud brokerages are reimagining agent-centric real estate for the modern market
• The real cost of carrying real estate knowledge inside a brokerage that doesn't reward you for it
• What agents and brokers should be doing right now as the industry continues to shift post-Sitzer
• The intersection of fear and trust when making a major brokerage move

If you're a real estate agent, broker owner, or investor trying to figure out where the industry is heading — this is a conversation you need to hear.

Topics: real estate brokerage, cloud brokerage, Real Broker, RE/MAX, eXp Realty, franchise model, agent-centric real estate, Sitzer lawsuit, NAR, MLS, real estate industry trends, brokerage business model, commercial real estate

What happens when one of the most driven women in real estate finally stops? In this episode of At The Kitchen Table, host Amanda DiVito Parle sits down with longtime friend and industry powerhouse Amy Somerville — former Corporate RE/MAX leader, CEO of SUCCESS Magazine (acquired by eXp Realty), and self-described "recovering high achiever" — to talk about what it really means to rest.

Amy spent nearly two decades building an extraordinary career in personal growth and development within the real estate space, traveling constantly, leading teams, shaping culture at some of the most recognized brands in the industry. And then she stopped. Not because she had to — but because a business coach dared her to go 60 days without working. This is the story of what happened next.

In this episode, Amanda and Amy explore:

• The real cost of always being in "go mode" — and why high achievers are wired to chase the next thing
• What burnout actually looks and feels like when you've been running at full speed for decades
• The masculine vs. feminine energy conversation every driven woman needs to hear
• How a forced sabbatical cracked open clarity, presence, and a whole new way of living
• What Amy calls her "moment of clarity" — and how she's protecting it

Whether you're a real estate professional, entrepreneur, or anyone who has built their identity around achievement, this conversation will challenge you to ask: what would happen if you just... stopped?

Topics: burnout recovery, women in leadership, personal growth, real estate career, identity, work-life balance, masculine feminine energy, sabbatical, mindset, self-awareness

What does it mean to be wildly successful at something — and realize it's not the whole of who you are? In this heartfelt episode of At The Kitchen Table, Amanda DiVito Parle sits down with her longtime friend and fellow real estate entrepreneur Meredith Anderson to talk about the unexpected journey that began when Meredith stepped away from a thriving real estate career at its peak.

Meredith built a boutique real estate business that scaled fast — her own building, her own team, and a client list she'd earned through a decade of relentless service. And then she left. Not in defeat — but in pursuit of something deeper. What she found on the other side became the foundation of her new calling: Journey Back to Joy, a coaching and personal growth platform helping women reconnect with their authentic selves.

In this episode, Meredith and Amanda explore:

• Why she walked away from real estate at the height of her career — and what that decision actually felt like
• The guilt trap so many working women fall into — and the antidote that changed everything
• How she went from house flipper to top producer to personal growth guide
• What "presence" really means when you're running a business, raising kids, and trying to be everything to everyone
• Treating appointments with yourself the same way you treat a listing appointment
• What she's building next — and why she's "spraying speaker proposals" the same way she once sprayed real estate offers

This episode is for every woman who has ever felt like she's living in pieces instead of as a whole. Authentic, grounding, and genuinely joyful.

Topics: women in real estate, burnout, personal growth, entrepreneurship, authenticity, work-life balance, real estate career pivot, house flipping, mindset, coaching, presence, women in business, Journey Back to Joy

Host Amanda Divito Parle sits down with longtime friend, real estate attorney, and Senior Vice President of Internal Real Estate Counsel at Essential Properties Realty Trust, Kristin Walker, for a thoughtful conversation about career evolution, leadership, motherhood, risk-taking, and the realities of building a demanding professional life while raising a family.

Kristin shares the path that took her from Missouri to Colorado, from finance student to commercial real estate attorney, and ultimately from private practice into an in-house leadership role guiding legal strategy for a publicly traded real estate investment trust. Along the way, she reflects on launching a boutique law firm at 31, navigating partnership changes, and making career pivots that required both confidence and faith in her own ability to adapt.

The conversation also dives into mentorship, the power of learning through mistakes, and why letting young professionals struggle through difficult moments is often the most valuable training they can receive. As the episode closes, Amanda and Kristin reflect on the changing future of work—from AI’s role in legal and real estate industries to the importance of teaching the next generation critical thinking, resilience, and independence in an increasingly automated world.

Grounded, insightful, and refreshingly honest, this episode offers a candid look at the long arc of building both a career and a family—and the courage it takes to keep moving forward when the path isn’t always clear. ⚖️🏡

Topics Discussed 🔑

• From Missouri to Commercial Real Estate Law Kristin’s journey from finance student to practicing attorney and eventually senior leadership in a real estate investment trust.

• Starting a Law Firm at 31 Taking the leap into entrepreneurship and building a boutique commercial real estate firm.

• Transitioning from Private Practice to In-House Counsel Why Kristin chose to shift from law firm life into a strategic business role.

• Balancing Career and Family Navigating the demanding early years of motherhood while building a legal career.

• Working in a Male-Dominated Industry Learning to negotiate authority and develop confidence in high-stakes environments.

• Learning Through Mistakes Why some of the most important career lessons come from the hardest moments.

• Mentorship and Developing Young Professionals How leaders can help the next generation grow by giving them real responsibility.

• The Role of Risk in Career Growth From launching a firm to changing career paths, why confidence grows through risk-taking.

• AI and the Future of Legal Work Where artificial intelligence may help—and where human judgment will remain essential.

• Raising Independent Thinkers in an AI World Why teaching kids critical thinking and resilience may matter more than ever.

Practical Takeaways for Entrepreneurs & Leaders 🛠️

• Career paths rarely unfold exactly as planned—adaptability is a strength. • Early risks build the confidence needed for bigger decisions later. • Mistakes often become the most valuable teachers. • Leadership means giving others room to learn—even if they stumble. • The right partner at home can make ambitious careers possible. • Technology should support expertise, not replace critical thinking. • Success in both family and career requires constant recalibration. • Sometimes the most powerful strategy is simply to keep going.

Building a custom home is one of the most significant financial decisions you'll ever make — and most people go into it without a roadmap. In this practical and eye-opening episode of At The Kitchen Table, host Amanda DiVito Parle sits down with Nicole O'Neill of Sheffield Homes to pull back the curtain on the custom home building process from start to finish.

Amanda is currently building a custom home with Sheffield — so this isn't just theory. It's a real conversation between a client and her builder, breaking down everything buyers wish they'd known before they started.

In this episode, Nicole and Amanda walk through:

• Why involving your builder before you purchase your land can save you thousands (and prevent costly mistakes)
• How to think about lot selection, topography, water, septic, and budget — before you fall in love with a piece of land
• The difference between paying cash and using a construction loan — and how most buyers actually finance a custom build
• What the architect process really looks like, from programming to final construction drawings
• How Sheffield Homes builds detailed budgets using real trade-by-trade cost data
• The role of the interior designer, permitting, energy modeling, and net zero builds
• What a cost-plus management model means for transparency and trust
• Why the superintendent relationship becomes one of the most important partnerships in your build

Whether you're dreaming about building your forever home or just curious about what the process involves, this episode gives you the full picture — no fluff, no fear, just clear answers from people who do this every day.

Topics: custom home building, build process, Sheffield Homes, construction loan, home building budget, custom home financing, architect process, interior design, lot selection, net zero homes, general contractor, real estate Colorado, custom build tips, home building guide

Host Amanda Divito Parle sits down with longtime builder partner Nicole O’Neill of Sheffield Homes and Jessica Gottschalk of Sterling Ranch for a dynamic, behind-the-scenes conversation about one of the most unique real estate opportunities in the Denver Metro area—rare acreage homesites within a master-planned community.

Together, they unpack the story behind a newly released collection of just four custom home lots in Sterling Ranch—an evolving Colorado community built on intentional design, sustainability, and a vision of connection. Amanda shares how the opportunity came together through years of relationship-building, while Jessica offers insight into the history of Sterling Ranch, from Civil War-era land ownership to a modern, water-conscious development designed for “free-range kids” and community-first living.

The conversation explores what makes these homesites so rare: the ability to enjoy the amenities, walkability, and social fabric of a master-planned neighborhood while also having acreage, privacy, and complete design freedom. Nicole breaks down the custom homebuilding process, demystifying what can often feel overwhelming, and explains how Sheffield Homes partners with buyers to bring highly personalized visions to life.

From multi-generational living and lifestyle-driven design to the psychology of community and the future of suburban development, this episode blends real estate strategy with a deeper conversation about how—and where—people truly want to live. Insightful, practical, and full of vision, it’s a conversation about building more than homes—it’s about building a life. 🏡🌄

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Topics Discussed 🔑 • The Sterling Ranch Opportunity How four rare acreage homesites inside a master-planned community came to market. • The Vision Behind Sterling Ranch From historic land ownership to a forward-thinking, water-conscious Colorado community. • “Free-Range Kids” & Community Design How intentional planning creates safer, more connected neighborhoods for families. • Acreage Living Meets Neighborhood Lifestyle The rare blend of privacy, space, and access to amenities like pools, trails, and schools. • Who These Homes Are For From empty nesters and multi-generational families to tech executives and professional athletes. • Custom Homebuilding Without the Overwhelm How Sheffield Homes simplifies the design-build process from concept to completion. • Design Freedom & Lifestyle-Driven Living From guest houses and detached garages to podcast studios and wellness spaces. • The Power of Master-Planned Communities Why early residents often form deeper connections and long-term relationships. • Lifestyle, Events & Built-In Community How Sterling Ranch creates over 500 events annually to foster connection and belonging. • Retail, Infrastructure & Long-Term Vision From healthcare and dining to schools and libraries—building a true Colorado town.

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Practical Takeaways for Entrepreneurs & Leaders 🛠️ • The best opportunities are often relationship-driven and years in the making. • Scarcity creates value—especially when paired with strong vision and execution. • People don’t just buy homes—they buy lifestyle, connection, and identity. • Simplifying complex processes creates confidence for buyers and clients. • Community design plays a critical role in long-term satisfaction and retention. • Flexibility and personalization are becoming essential in modern homebuilding. • The future of real estate is not just density or space—but the balance of both. • Building something meaningful requires collaboration across multiple disciplines.

Host Amanda Divito Parle sits down with entrepreneur and speech-language pathologist Amanda King, founder of Therapies of the Rockies, for an insightful conversation about building a purpose-driven business, taking risks, and helping families navigate developmental challenges with compassion and expertise.

Amanda shares the unconventional path that led her from New Jersey to Colorado—packing everything she owned into a Mitsubishi Eclipse and moving west in search of something new. After working in schools, skilled nursing facilities, and home health, she realized that traditional systems often prioritized paperwork, insurance rules, and logistics over meaningful therapy. Determined to do things differently, Amanda opened her own practice in 2008, building Therapies of the Rockies into a thriving speech and occupational therapy clinic serving both children and adults across the Denver metro area.

Grounded in both business experience and clinical insight, this episode offers a thoughtful look at what it means to build a business that improves lives—while balancing family, leadership, and the ongoing pursuit of growth. 🧠🗣️

Topics Discussed 🔑

• Building Therapies of the Rockies How Amanda founded her speech therapy practice and grew it into a multi-location clinic serving children and adults.

• Finding a Better Way to Practice Therapy Why Amanda left traditional systems in schools and healthcare facilities to build a patient-centered model.

• Speech Therapy for Children and Adults Understanding articulation disorders, receptive language challenges, and therapy for stroke or brain injury recovery.

• Occupational Therapy & Sensory Integration How therapy helps children develop motor skills, manage sensory challenges, and succeed in school environments.

• Entrepreneurship in Healthcare Navigating insurance requirements, staffing needs, and the realities of running a medical practice.

• Early Intervention for Children How parents can recognize developmental delays and when it’s time to seek professional help.

• COVID, Social Development & Learning Gaps The long-term behavioral and social effects seen in children following pandemic disruptions.

• Technology, Attention Span & Learning How increased screen time is impacting focus, handwriting, and critical thinking skills in children.

• Delegation & Leadership Lessons Why learning to trust others and build the right team was one of Amanda’s biggest entrepreneurial challenges.

• Balancing Business & Motherhood How owning a business allowed Amanda to design a schedule that supports both family life and professional fulfillment.

Practical Takeaways for Entrepreneurs & Leaders 🛠️

• Entrepreneurship often begins by solving a problem you experienced personally. • Early risks and sacrifices are often invisible to others but foundational to long-term success. • Delegation is one of the hardest—but most important—skills leaders must learn. • Building a mission-driven team creates meaning beyond financial success. • Early intervention can dramatically change outcomes for children and families. • Technology should support learning—not replace critical thinking. • Balance often comes not from working less, but from having autonomy over your time. • Success can mean building a life that allows both professional growth and presence at home.

Host Amanda Divito Parle sits down with lender, leader, and entrepreneur Darik Tolnay of Cross Country Mortgage for a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation about voice, resilience, technology, loyalty, and what it really takes to build something meaningful in today’s shifting economy.

Darik opens up about being diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia—a neurological voice disorder that forced him to confront both the physical and metaphorical reality of “losing his voice” in an industry built on communication. From navigating Botox treatments to reclaiming his confidence, Darik shares how the experience reshaped his understanding of identity, leadership, and purpose.

Together, Amanda and Darik explore the tension between AI-driven efficiency and human connection, transactional versus relational business models, and the cultural drift away from loyalty. They unpack the growing divide between speed and service, the future of entrepreneurship in a post-college world, and why grit, struggle, and earned success still matter. The conversation moves fluidly from mortgage strategy to parenting philosophy, from buying baby boomer businesses to the immigrant edge that fuels ambition.

Candid, reflective, and grounded in real-world experience, this episode is a powerful reminder that while technology may evolve, trust, loyalty, and human connection remain the true currency of long-term success. 💬🏡

• Losing (and Reclaiming) His Voice Darik’s diagnosis of spasmodic dysphonia and what it taught him about identity and resilience.

• Relational vs. Transactional Business Why chasing speed and volume can erode loyalty—and what still builds trust.

• AI in Real Estate & Lending Opportunity, efficiency, and the risk of losing authentic human connection.

• The Checkout Line Analogy Speed vs. service—and how industries are shifting toward transactional models.

• Client Loyalty in a Competitive Market Why loyalty feels fragile—and how both sides must take responsibility.

• Entrepreneurship Isn’t Instagram The emotional toll, sacrifice, and grit required to build something lasting.

• The Immigrant Edge & Generational Drive How struggle, scarcity, and values shape ambition.

• Raising Resilient Kids in a Comfortable World Why struggle and earned success still matter.

• Buying Baby Boomer Businesses The overlooked opportunity in aging, cash-flowing service businesses.

• Reinventing Yourself in Cyclical Industries Why returning to fundamentals is often the path forward.

Practical Takeaways for Entrepreneurs & Leaders 🛠️ • Technology should enhance relationships—not replace them. • Loyalty must be earned repeatedly—but it must also be honored. • Entrepreneurship is far harder than it looks—and often lonelier. • Struggle builds grit; comfort rarely does. • Speed isn’t always better—service still wins. • Reinvention is required in cyclical industries. • You can scale a business without losing the human touch—if you choose to. • Success isn’t just about income—it’s about impact.