If you’re a real estate agent thinking about leaving a salary, building a team, or breaking through a production plateau — this episode is for you.

In this episode of Realty Resilience, Dave Nations sits down with Adam Bundren to unpack the real journey from union laborer and corporate executive to high-producing real estate leader. Adam shares exactly what it took to earn the right to quit his job, survive the early grind of commission-only income, and build a business that scales without burning out.

They dive into the realities most agents don’t talk about: fear, imposter syndrome, plateau cycles, hiring mistakes, partnerships, leadership communication, and why clarity beats hustle every time. Adam also shares how he transitioned from building his own team into a high-growth partnership, what makes teams actually work, and the mindset shifts that accelerated his momentum.

You’ll also hear one of the wildest real estate stories you’ve ever heard — a referral listing that turned into a full renovation, multiple dumpsters, and a massive win-win deal.

Whether you’re a brand new agent, solo producer, team leader, or entrepreneur, this conversation will help you think differently about growth, leadership, and long-term success in real estate.

👇 Topics Covered:

• How to transition from a salaried job to commission real estate

• Earning the right to quit and building a financial safety net

• Breaking through production plateaus

• Overcoming fear and imposter syndrome

• Hiring and team building lessons

• Partnerships and leadership communication

• Why trust beats being liked in sales

• Creating clarity in business decisions

• A crazy real estate deal story you won’t believe

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Looking for more ways to elevate your real estate career? Connect with us today and follow along with our socials!

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In this episode of Realty Resilience, host Dave Nations breaks down what it actually looks like to build multiple real estate businesses at the same time without dropping the ball on any of them. As the founder of Nations Network in St. Louis, co owner of Nations Brothers Renovations, and investor in 50+ rental units, Dave pulls back the curtain on the decisions, structure, and systems that made simultaneous growth possible.

Dave shares how his team expanded to 22 members closing 235+ transactions a year, while scaling a rental portfolio and a flipping company that could operate with its own momentum. The conversation dives into timing key hires, treating each business as its own profit center, and why running a business like a business beats trying to do everything yourself.

This episode highlights the mindset shifts that pushed Dave to take action before feeling “ready,” the leverage that protected him from burnout, and the common blind spots agents hit when scaling too fast without a foundation. Dave also touches on opportunity cost, staying consistent across different income streams, and why stability starts long before expansion.

Tips from Today:
• Build each arm of your business with clear ownership and accountability
• Make hires early that create leverage, not dependency
• Track numbers separately to measure what works and what drains momentum
• Long term income beats short term hustle when building stability
• Systems make growth sustainable, clarity makes it scalable

Looking for more ways to elevate your real estate career? Connect with us today and follow along with our socials!

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In this wrap up episode of Realty Resilience, Dave Nations brings Jim and Kat into the studio to close out the year with a real look at what happened in the 2025 market. They talk through what worked, what did not, and the biggest surprises that shaped the way agents moved through the year. The conversation covers rising inventory, shifting expectations, and why consistent experience matters more than how long you have been licensed.

They also look ahead to 2026 and share what they are watching most closely, how stronger communication between agents is becoming a true advantage, and why real estate is settling back into a more traditional market cycle. They dig into the rise of AI, how it is helping agents improve their skills, and why relationships and negotiation will always stay at the center of this business.

From reflections to predictions to a few unforgettable stories, this episode gives the kind of insight that only comes from agents who have lived every side of the industry.

Tips from Today:
• Experience comes from the number of reps you do
• Higher inventory requires stronger communication with sellers
• Better questions lead to better negotiations
• AI can sharpen your skills but cannot replace real connection
• Confidence grows when you understand the rhythm of market cycles

Looking for more ways to elevate your real estate career? Connect with us today and follow along with our socials!

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In this episode of Realty Resilience, host Dave Nations reconnects with longtime coach, mentor, and real estate leader Cari Briner for a conversation that goes deeper than the day to day of selling homes. Cari brings twenty five years of industry experience and a nationwide perspective on why so many agents feel stuck in the cycle of selling the next house just to pay the next bill.

She and Dave talk through the mindset shift agents need if they want to build something long lasting. Cari breaks down what it really means to operate like a business owner rather than a salesperson, why confidence starts with understanding your MLS every single day, and how to show up as the expert even when the conversations get uncomfortable. She shares practical ways agents can set expectations, lead their clients, and navigate a shifting market with more clarity and less stress.

They also explore team building, leverage, and what the industry often gets wrong about growth. Cari opens up about the personal event that completely reshaped how she and her husband structured their business, the unexpected benefit of selling their team before crisis hit, and why every agent needs a real plan for what happens if they can’t work for a while. From shared resources to co working spaces to building income that doesn’t rely on the next transaction, she lays out what sustainable entrepreneurship really looks like.

Tips from Today:
• Study your MLS daily to build confidence and spot market patterns
• Honest expectations create better client partnerships and stronger deals
• Build relationships with experienced agents who can step in when needed
• Explore additional income streams so your stability isn’t tied to each transaction
• Think like a business owner to create long term financial freedom

Looking for more ways to elevate your real estate career? Connect with us today and follow along with our socials!

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In this episode of Realty Resilience, host Dave Nations sits down with returning guest and investor focused agent Chris Lance to break down what real estate investing really looks like in today’s St. Louis market. From multifamily slowdowns to the rise of single family Section 8 rentals, Chris shares what’s working, what’s not, and what every investor and every agent should understand before jumping in.

He and Dave dig into the realities of supporting out of state investors, why single families are outperforming older multis, and how to manage the manager so your investments don’t quietly fall apart. Chris opens up about the deals that came together smoothly, the creative financing win that let a buyer take over a 16 unit building before closing, and the disasters like getting locked inside a listing and accidentally walking into an occupied unit that keep the job interesting.

This conversation is full of practical insight for anyone wanting to invest in St. Louis, support investors more effectively, or build long term relationships by doing the work others overlook.

Tips from Today:
• Single family rentals offer strong cash flow and easier exit strategies
• Section 8 provides stability but still requires oversight and inspections
• Out of state investors rely on agents to be their eyes, ears, and strategic partners
• Managing the manager is key to protecting your asset and your return
• Creative deal structures can open doors in a shifting market

Looking for more ways to elevate your real estate career? Connect with us today and follow along with our socials!

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In this episode of Realty Resilience, host Dave Nations sits down with Brian Erhahon, a results driven real estate professional who has built his business through focus, systems, and a strong sense of accountability. Brian shares how he turned his ambition into action by creating daily habits, measurable goals, and a structure that keeps him consistent no matter what the market is doing.

He and Dave talk about what accountability really means in real estate, how to build it into your team culture, and why ambition alone isn’t enough without clear direction. Brian opens up about his biggest lessons in leadership, time management, and personal growth, and how he uses accountability as both a motivator and a mirror for progress.

This conversation is packed with insights for agents who want to grow their business with intention, create sustainable success, and stay aligned with their goals through every market cycle.

Tips from Today:
• Accountability creates clarity and consistency that fuels growth
• Structure and systems turn ambition into measurable results
• Define your goals and review them often to stay focused
• Growth happens when you track progress, not just activity
• Surround yourself with people who help you stay committed to your vision

Looking for more ways to elevate your real estate career? Connect with us today and follow along with our socials!

Connect With Heartwood Coaching:
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In this episode of Realty Resilience, host Dave Nations talks with Kari Wyrsch, a powerhouse agent from Springfield, Missouri, who has built one of the most efficient buyer side operations in the country. Kari and her team close nearly 400 transactions a year, with more than 200 on the buy side alone. She shares how she scaled her business by focusing on systems, leverage, and client experience without losing the personal touch.

Kari walks us through her signature “strategy session” process for every buyer, why setting expectations early builds trust, and how professionalism—not people pleasing—creates smoother transactions and lasting relationships. She also breaks down her team structure, the role of ISAs, and the systems that keep every detail running seamlessly.

From buyer consultations to vendor appreciation events, Kari shows that consistency, care, and clarity are the true foundations of success.

Tips from Today:
• Stay focused on your 20 percent and leverage the rest.
• Use strategy sessions to create clarity and build confidence with clients.
• Systems and scripts bring freedom, not restriction.
• Clients value professionalism more than perfection.
• Success comes from showing up, staying consistent, and being where your feet are.

Looking for more ways to elevate your real estate career? Connect with us today and follow along with our socials!

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In this episode of Realty Resilience, host Dave Nations talks with Meagan Henry, a seasoned real estate coach whose expertise lies in helping agents turn their databases into high converting, relationship based businesses. Meagan draws on years of operational, sales, and database work to share how she builds systems rooted in trust, human connection, and consistency.

She walks us through why the database is the foundation of a scalable, sustainable business, not just a backup when lead sources dry up. They dive into her “Know Like Trust” framework for segmenting contacts, creating meaningful outreach through events or giveaways, and turning seemingly loose ties into referral conversations. Meagan also role plays a real call, showing how to bring up real estate naturally without feeling pushy.

Whether you’re new in the business or have decades of experience, Meagan’s strategies are a fresh reminder that real estate is a people business, and growth comes from deepening relationships more than casting wider nets.

Tips from Today:
• Your database holds hidden opportunity. Ask not just where you are, but where you could be.
• Segment contacts into raving fans, friendly acquaintances, and loose ties for smarter outreach.
• Use events or giveaways as fun, non threatening reasons to reach out.
• Real estate conversations can flow naturally. The pitch doesn’t have to sneak attack.
• Quarterly outreach is ideal, but even consistent effort at any cadence yields improved results.

Looking for more ways to elevate your real estate career? Connect with us today and follow along with our socials!

Connect With Heartwood Coaching:
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YouTube Channel (Watch This Episode Video)