In this episode, John Kitchens sits down with industry leader Cindi Featherstone-Shields to uncover the power of community in both real estate and leadership. From dominating her East Texas golf course community to building one of the most agent-centric offices in the business, Cindi reveals the strategies that have made her business recession-proof.

They dive into why true success isn’t about transactions—it’s about relationships. From moving trucks and margarita Fridays to 8:30 a.m. accountability calls and Working Genius assessments, Cindi has built a culture where clients feel loved, agents feel supported, and business continues to thrive no matter the market.

This is a masterclass in creating connection, leading with authenticity, and building a business that fuels both profits and fulfillment.

Building Client Communities That Last

• Why embedding yourself in a neighborhood makes your business recession-proof

• How events, moving trucks, and small touches create lifelong clients

• Turning past clients into friends—and friends into repeat customers

Leading Through Agent-Centric Culture

• How Cindi designed her office to feel like a coffee shop, not a brokerage

• The role of Working Genius in aligning agents with their strengths

• Why daily 8:30 Zoom huddles are non-negotiable for accountability

The Power of Events & Experiences

• From golf tournaments to Christmas parties: why shared experiences fuel referrals

• Why spending on food and hospitality beats spending on funnels

• How to gamify agent production with challenges and competitions

Mindset & Long-Term Growth

• Why chasing listings (not buyers) creates leverage

• The danger of “backup plans” in real estate success

• Why the best leaders never stop showing up for their people

• Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni – Framework for leadership and team alignment

• HoneyBadgerNation.com – Coaching, training, and community for growth-minded agents

• Cindi’s Nonprofit: Wags – Supporting rescue animals through fundraising

• John Kitchens Executive Coaching → JohnKitchens.coach

Community is the ultimate competitive advantage. When you invest in people—whether it’s clients or agents—you create loyalty, referrals, and impact that no market shift can take away.

“This is not transactional business. This is about loving people, supporting them, and becoming part of their lives.” – Cindi Shields

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

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In this episode of the John Kitchens Coach Podcast, John sits down with Steve Zahnd to unpack his journey from running an independent brokerage to leading a three-team merger under Real. They dive into what it takes to lead at scale, why decision-making filters are critical, and how AI is reshaping leadership, communication, and execution.

From lessons learned building SaaS systems to navigating the emotional psychology of mergers, Steve shares how clarity, trust, and technology combine to create exponential growth. Whether you’re leading a team, scaling a brokerage, or just trying to stay ahead of the curve with AI, this episode is packed with insights on balancing fundamentals with innovation.

• How Steve went from Century 21 to running his own brokerage to merging three major teams

• Why core values and vision alignment were non-negotiable in the merger decision

• Lessons from missing the EXP wave and how that shaped his second chance with Real

• The two filters Steve uses to make big decisions (and avoid blind spots)

• https://johnkitchenscoachpodcast.com/Why letting go of your brand can be the key to leveling up

• How to build trust among partners and stay in your lane

• Why Steve loads every meeting, document, and decision into his “AI Brain”

• How AI acts as a strategic thought partner (and where it still falls short)

• Using AI to improve communication, remove emotion, and accelerate speed of execution

• Why AI isn’t a replacement for fundamentals but an accelerator

• The role of project managers and integrators in keeping teams on track

• How to capture, validate, and prioritize ideas without losing focus

• CoachKitchens.ai – AI coaching tool designed for real estate leaders

• The Creative Act by Rick Rubin – On faith, creativity, and problem solving

• Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman – Understanding the Visionary/Integrator relationship

• Science of Scaling by Ben Hardy – Setting impossible goals with impossible timelines

Growth doesn’t come from chasing shortcuts—it comes from clarity, trust, and execution. As Steve puts it, merging three teams and leading at scale is less about having all the answers and more about asking the right questions, leveraging technology, and trusting the process.

“AI isn’t here to replace leaders—it’s here to make great leaders faster, clearer, and more effective.” – Steve Zahnd

• 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, Jay Kinder, and Al Stasek are joined by Blake Sloan for a raw and powerful conversation about leadership, culture, and personal transformation in one of the toughest real estate markets in the country. Blake pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to lead at a high level—through pain, discipline, and relentless personal growth.

From doubling down on personal development, to holding yourself and your team accountable with “stop f***ing lying,” Blake reveals why radical responsibility and a culture of truth are the foundation for scaling a profitable and sustainable real estate business.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, frustrated, or burned out, this episode is your wake-up call. Blake shares how pain has been his greatest teacher and how building a culture rooted in values and accountability has allowed his team in Myrtle Beach to consistently sell 500+ homes a year.

Personal Development & Leadership

• Why the skill gap between agents is widening in today’s market

• Blake’s radical commitment to body, mind, spirit, and business growth

• Why pain is the gift that forces change and transformation
  
  

Radical Responsibility & Culture

• The power of “stop f***ing lying” (SFL) as a personal and team mantra

• How accountability is the highest form of love in leadership

• The 3 values that matter most right now: Radical Responsibility, Personal Development, and Contribution
  
  

AI & The Future of Real Estate

• Why sales IQ and human connection still matter in the AI era

• How to combine fundamentals with AI tools to overcome resistance and uncover client pain

• Why the agents who adapt, grow, and tell the truth will always win
  
  

Mindset, Habits & Growth

• How raising the floor of your daily standards leads to exponential growth

• Why most people overcomplicate success instead of doing the basics

• The importance of truth-telling, vulnerability, and living by your code

• Agent to CEO 2024 in Cleveland – HoneyBadgerNation.com

• The Science of Scaling by Ben Hardy

• The AI Driven Leader by Jeff Booth

• The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer

• Warrior Way frameworks for leadership & accountability

The market is tough, the gap is widening, and only the leaders who embrace radical responsibility, truth, and relentless personal growth will thrive. As Blake Sloan says:

“Pain is a gift from God—it’s the only thing that will make you change and do the things you’ve been avoiding.”

• 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 forward-looking episode of the John Kitchens Coach Podcast, John Kitchens and Jay Kinder break down how Artificial Intelligence is transforming lead generation, consumer experience, and the very definition of what it means to be a successful agent. Forget chasing every lead—Artificial Intelligence now allows you to identify the most motivated buyers and sellers, understand their hopes and fears, and build trust faster than ever before.

From practical Artificial Intelligence applications in lead follow-up to long-term predictions about agent productivity and the future of brokerages, this conversation is a roadmap for agents who want to stay relevant and profitable as the industry shifts.

Finding Motivated Buyers & Sellers

• How Artificial Intelligence pinpoints real buyers and sellers in today’s market

• Why knowing your client’s hopes, fears, and desires creates better marketing and follow-up

• The #1 inefficiency in most real estate businesses—and how Artificial Intelligence solves it

The Consumer Experience Moat

• How Artificial Intelligence personalizes communication and curates client experiences

• Why generic follow-up is dead and trust-based personalization wins

• Using Artificial Intelligence to create lifetime value instead of one-off transactions

The Future of Real Estate & Artificial Intelligence

• Predictions for agent count and productivity over the next 5–10 years

• Why Artificial Intelligence won’t replace agents—but it will replace order-takers

• How brokerages and teams must adapt (or die) in the Artificial Intelligence revolution

Leadership & Adaptation

• Why most agents don’t need to know how the “AI sausage” is made—they just need the results

• How top leaders will use Artificial Intelligence to recruit, train, and scale more effectively

• Why clarity of goals must come first before AI implementation

• John Kitchens Executive Coaching – Custom strategy, accountability, proven systems → JohnKitchens.coach

• Honey Badger Nation – Community, training, and resources for agents

• The Science of Scaling by Ben Hardy – Book on goal clarity and scaling systems

• Working Genius & Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni – Tools for identifying team strengths and culture fit

Artificial Intelligence isn’t replacing real estate agents—but it is replacing inefficiency. The agents who thrive will be those who combine AI-driven leverage with human trust, strategy, and leadership. As Jay Kinder reminds us:

“Being good with people won’t cut it anymore. You must become a trusted advisor, not just an agent.”

• 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 conversation, John Kitchens sits down with Jim Griffin to unpack what it really takes to lead a team, build accountability, and thrive when the real estate market gets tough.

They dive into the widening gap between committed, high-performing agents and the “average frustrated agent,” and why excuses simply don’t work in today’s environment. Jim opens up about his own leadership journey—from pushing agents too hard to discovering the power of emotional anchors, self-selection, and meeting people where they are.

The discussion goes deeper into the role of seasons in business and life, how to manufacture pressure when you’re too comfortable, and why proximity can sometimes erode respect and effectiveness as a leader. Jim also shares his surprising backstory as an award-winning pianist and how music shaped his discipline and mindset.

This isn’t just a conversation about real estate—it’s about leadership, personal growth, and building a life of true impact.

• Why the gap between rockstar agents and struggling part-timers is widening

• Why excuses won’t cut it in today’s market

• The danger of instant gratification thinking for agents

• How to create emotional anchors that inspire consistent action

• The right (and wrong) way to hold your team accountable

• Why accountability should be self-selected, not forced

• The difference between standards and suggestions—and why consequences matter

• How to recognize when people are in different seasons of life and business

• Why financial comfort can kill drive—and how to manufacture pressure for growth

• The role of purpose in sustaining performance beyond financial goals

• How proximity and vulnerability affect respect and leadership dynamics

• Jim’s journey from practicing piano on paper keys to winning international competitions

• The lessons music taught him about practice, resilience, and discipline

• How personal growth and emotional connection drive lasting impact in leadership

• John Kitchens Executive Coaching → JohnKitchens.coach

• Drive by Daniel Pink – Why purpose matters more than money

• Honey Badger Nation – Community and training resources

• Agent to CEO Framework – Tools for building accountability and clarity

Success in today’s market isn’t about shortcuts—it’s about pressing into the hard, creating emotional anchors, and leading with purpose. As Jim Griffin puts it:

“You can have excuses or results—but you can’t have both.”

• 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 high-energy episode of One Big Fire, John Kitchens, Jay Kinder, and Al Stasek are joined by GoGo Bethke for a candid conversation about AI, trust, and the future of the real estate brokerage. From the rise of AI-powered ISAs to the shrinking role of traditional team structures, the crew pulls back the curtain on what’s really coming next for agents, teams, and brokerages.

They tackle the big questions head-on: Will AI replace human agents? Are we entering the era of the “AI brokerage”? What happens to the average frustrated agent (AFA)? And how will trust—between consumers, agents, and technology—reshape the entire industry?

Whether you’re a team leader, solo agent, or broker-owner, this episode is a blueprint for understanding how to adapt, thrive, and lead in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

The AI Brokerage of the Future

• Why the brokerage that integrates AI first will likely win

• How lead generation, follow-up, and ISA roles are being replaced by AI

• Why consumers may one day prefer AI responses over human ones

GoGo’s Perspective: Efficiency & Trust

• Cutting her team from 43 employees down to 9 using AI without losing revenue

• Why AI can’t “call in sick” but still faces trust barriers with consumers

• The opportunity to clone your voice, face, and personality into AI for scale

Teams vs. Solo Agents in an AI World

• Are teams becoming obsolete—or evolving into leaner showing-agent models?

• Why AI may empower solo agents to compete at scale

• How brokerages offering AI infrastructure could eliminate the need for teams

The Consumer Experience Moat

• AI as a personal real estate COO—handling search, negotiation, vendors, and more

• The looming threat (and opportunity) of AI-curated consumer journeys

• Why local nuance, trust, and brand will still matter

The Future of Agents & NAR

• Could AI—not lawsuits—be the biggest threat to NAR?

• Why professionalism must rise as AI raises the consumer’s baseline knowledge

• The widening gap between high producers using AI and low producers avoiding it

Personal Transformation Through AI

• How Jay is using AI to parent, lead, and self-improve

• Why the agents who survive will be advisors, negotiators, and educators—not order takers

• The power of continuous growth and using AI as a true thinking partner

• Agent to CEO 2024 – Sept. 24–25 in Cleveland → AgentToCEOCE.com

• HoneyBadgerNation.com – Community, training, merch, CHSA/CHBA resources

• The AI-Driven Leader – Framework for adapting leadership to AI

• StoryBrand by Donald Miller – Messaging framework to guide clients with clarity

• The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale – Classic on mindset and thought power

AI isn’t just a tool—it’s a tidal wave. The agents, teams, and brokerages who survive will be the ones who combine AI efficiency with human trust, authority, and leadership. As Jay Kinder put it:

“Being good with people won’t cut it anymore. You must become a trusted advisor, not just an agent.”

• 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 of the John Kitchens Coach Podcast, John Kitchens welcomes industry leader Kevin Kauffman for a deep dive into the realities of building and scaling a successful real estate team.

Kevin shares lessons from nearly two decades of leadership with his partner Fred, why people are always the foundation of growth, and how clarity around standards, accountability, and values makes all the difference in team performance.

This is a no-fluff, practical masterclass on scaling teams, growing as a leader, and building a business that lasts.

• Why the secret to scaling is always the right people.

• How to identify, recruit, and retain truly talented team members.

• The hiring process Kevin still uses today to avoid costly mistakes.

• How Kevin and Fred sustained their 18+ year partnership.

• The role of life alignment and similar growth stages in long-term success.

• Why shared values matter more than shared production.

• The difference between true standards vs. aspirational standards.

• Why activity-based metrics beat outcome-based goals.

• How to hold people accountable without being the villain.

• Why leadership starts with self-awareness and personal growth.

• The importance of setting boundaries and telling the truth—even at risk of relationships.

• Why chasing status isn’t sustainable, but growth always is.

• Why every big jump in production comes from people, not just personal effort.

• The role of operations, admin staff, and partners in supporting growth.

• How to balance culture and business while building for the long-term.

• Book: Who: The A Method for Hiring by Geoff Smart & Randy Street

• Podcast: Next Level Agents with Kevin Kauffman

• Community: Honey Badger Nation – Collaboration & training for real estate leaders

• Coaching: JohnKitchens.coach – Executive one-on-one coaching
  
  

Scaling a real estate team isn’t about chasing numbers—it’s about people, standards, and growth. If you want to build a business that lasts, focus on:

1. Hiring the right people through a proven process

2. Holding true standards, not aspirational ones

3. Committing to your own growth so you can lead others

As Kevin reminds us:
“If you want to grow, it’s going to require people—and they better be really damn good at what they do.”

• 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 of the John Kitchens Coach Podcast, John Kitchens and Al Stasek dive deep into the power of clarity, consistency, and branding in today’s real estate market.

From Al’s Easy 100 reset challenge that sharpens discipline and eliminates distractions, to the marketing lessons from Alex Hormozi’s record-breaking $89M book launch, John and Al unpack how agents can shift their mindset, build trust, and position themselves as the clear choice for clients.

This is a no-fluff masterclass on creating clarity in chaos, showing up with energy, and building a brand that wins long after the market shifts.

• Why Al Stasek designed his own version of 75 Hard to simplify discipline.

• How clean living, fitness, and focus eliminate brain fog and sharpen clarity.

• Why small, consistent wins compound into big results.
  
  

• Why chaos is the enemy of growth and clarity is the cure.

• How to reset weekly to stay on track with goals and vision.

• The danger of chasing status instead of freedom and long-term success.
  
  

• Breaking down the $89M book launch that set a Guinness World Record.

• Why “the best marketer always wins”—and how agents can apply it.

• How branding is really about reputation—and why that’s all you’ll have in 10 years.
  
  

• Why your network truly equals your net worth.

• How strong vendor, agent, and client relationships save deals and build referrals.

• Why being an ambassador for your community creates long-term authority.
  
  

• Why a healthy body is the foundation for a sharp mind.

• The importance of consistency in both life and business.

• How to shift from victim thinking to responsibility and leadership.
  
  

• John Kitchens Executive Coaching → JohnKitchens.coach

• Easy 100 Challenge – Al Stasek’s personal discipline framework

• The AI-Driven Leader by Jeff Woods – A must-read for agents and leaders

• Scaling Up by Verne Harnish – Systems and clarity for business growth

• Honey Badger Nation – Training, collaboration, and agent resources

Success in real estate doesn’t come from grinding harder—it comes from clarity, consistency, and branding. Agents who reset their focus daily, build a reputation of trust, and embrace modern tools like AI will stand out in any market.

As John says:

“Life is easy when you live it the hard way, and hard when you live it the easy way.”

• 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! 🔥