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The Local Lens

The Local Lens

Written by: Jamie Forrest
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About this listen

Welcome to "The Local Lens," the podcast dedicated to bringing the community of South Dakota together. Hosted by experienced realtor Jamie Forrest, this podcast shines a spotlight on what makes our region a fantastic place to live. In each episode, Jamie brings star guests and delves into the vibrant local culture, highlights community events, and offers invaluable advice for current and prospective homeowners. From understanding the real estate market to sharing tips on community living, "The Local Lens" is your go-to resource for making the most of South Dakota.Jamie Forrest Economics
Episodes
  • Home Staging Tips and AI in Real Estate with Krisztina Bell - EP 15
    Jan 8 2026

    Join Jamie Forest and Krisztina Bell in this insightful episode of The Local Lens. Krisztina Bell shares her expertise on home staging and design trends, explaining how painting, staging, and AI tools can drastically improve a home’s appeal and marketability.Krisztina Bell discusses top trending paint colors, the shift to warm tones, and the rising popularity of virtual staging, all while offering tips on how to make your home stand out to buyers.

    🎧 Hosted by: Jamie Forest

    🎤 Featuring: Krisztina Bell

    Krisztina Bell is the founder of No Vacancy Home Staging in Atlanta and a nationally recognized expert in real estate staging and marketing. Named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Real Estate Staging by RESA, her work has been featured in Realtor® Magazine, Redfin, and Apartment Therapy. She teaches home staging at Emory University, leads continuing education classes for agents, and partners with the nonprofit Furnish With Love to design homes for families transitioning out of homelessness.

    💡 What You’ll Learn:

    ✔️ Maximizing your home’s ROI through simple and effective paint choices

    ✔️ The importance of neutral and warm tones in staging

    ✔️ Virtual staging vs. traditional staging – which is right for you?

    ✔️ How to choose trending fixtures and hardware without overdoing it

    ✔️ The emerging role of AI in staging and real estate marketing

    📇 Connect with Krisztina Bell :

    🌎 Website → https://www.novacancy-atl.com/

    📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/krisztinabell

    📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/krisztinabell

    🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/krisztinabell/

    🎙 Follow Jamie Forrest:

    🌎 Website → https://jamieforrest.exprealty.com/

    📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/JamieEXPRealty

    🔗 LinkedIn → https://jamieforrest.exprealty.com/

    📌 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!

    ⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/

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    31 mins
  • Building Community and Real Estate Success in the Black Hills with Tristan Emond - EP 14
    Sep 18 2025

    In this episode of The Local Lens, Jamie Forrest interviews Tristan Emond, a real estate expert from the Black Hills, South Dakota. Tristan, along with his wife, runs Mindful Living Realty, where they focus on blending cutting-edge technology with a personal, client-first approach. Learn about their transition into real estate, how they balance family and business, and the unique way they market the Black Hills lifestyle. Tristan also shares insights on how authenticity is key to their success and gives tips for new agents.

    🎧 Hosted by: Jamie Forrest

    🎙 Featuring: Tristan Emond – Real Estate Professional

    Tristan Emond is a seasoned real estate professional with over 19 years of experience in the industry. As the Broker/Owner of Mindful Living Realty in Rapid City, South Dakota, he leads The Emond Team, which includes his wife Sarah and their son Michael. Tristan specializes in assisting first-time homebuyers, military families relocating to Ellsworth Air Force Base, and clients seeking vacation homes or navigating relocation.

    💡 What You’ll Learn:

    ✔️ The journey from a hardware business to real estate

    ✔️ How Tristan and his wife balance roles as a husband-and-wife team

    ✔️ Effective marketing strategies that highlight the Black Hills lifestyle

    ✔️ How Tristan uses tech to stay connected with clients

    ✔️ The current state of the real estate market in the Black Hills

    ✔️ Local gems in Rapid City and the Black Hills region

    ✔️ Tips for staying authentic while using high-tech tools in business

    📇 Connect with Tristan Emond:

    🌎 Website → http://www.rapidhomesonline.com/

    📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/tristanemond

    📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/rapidcityhomesonline

    🎙 Follow Jamie Forrest:

    🌎 Website → https://jamieforrest.exprealty.com/

    📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/JamieEXPRealty

    🔗 LinkedIn → https://jamieforrest.exprealty.com/

    📌 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!

    ⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/

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    21 mins
  • Financial Planning for Rural America: Taylor Zemlicka's Guide to Smart Investing - EP 13
    Aug 7 2025

    Join host Jamie Forest and financial advisor Taylor Zemlicka in this episode of The Local Lens, where Taylor shares his expertise on navigating the unique financial challenges and opportunities of rural America. From his transition from football to finance to offering valuable insights on budgeting, real estate investing, and long-term wealth building, Taylor’s advice is tailored to young professionals and families seeking financial stability.

    🎧 Hosted by: Jamie Forest

    🎙 Featuring: Taylor Zemlicka – Registered Financial Advisor at Northwestern Mutual Investment Services

    💡 What You’ll Learn:

    ✔️ Taylor’s path from football to financial advising

    ✔️ Overcoming the financial challenges of rural living

    ✔️ How to use real estate investments as a wealth-building tool

    ✔️ The importance of creating diversified financial plans

    ✔️ Smart budgeting strategies for young families

    ✔️ Tips for planning long-term financial goals with minimal upfront costs

    🎬 Tune in for expert advice on investing, financial literacy, and managing money in small communities.

    📇 Connect with Taylor Zemlicka:

    🔗 LinkedIn → ​​https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-zemlicka-51a98957/

    📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/zemlicka4/

    🎙 Follow Jamie Forrest:

    🌎 Website → https://jamieforrest.exprealty.com/

    📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/JamieEXPRealty

    🔗 LinkedIn → https://jamieforrest.exprealty.com/

    📌 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!

    ⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/

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    23 mins
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