Let's talk about the guilt loop so many Realtors get stuck in: when you're at work, you feel guilty about missing life — and when you're at home, you feel guilty about stepping away from your business. In this special replay of our Hustle Humbly Community Live Zoom, we're diving deep into how to set boundaries during a season that's naturally full of busyness, distraction, and high expectations (hello, holidays).

This conversation is packed with relatable stories, powerful mindset shifts, and real advice from agents like you who are trying to find a way to serve their clients *and* show up for their families. Whether you're fighting burnout, feeling pulled in too many directions, or just wondering if it's okay to take a day off — this chat is your permission slip.

We also hear from our friend Emily, who stepped away from real estate for a year after a devastating loss, and came back to have her best year ever. Her six takeaways are gold for any Realtor who wants to build a business that serves their life, not one that consumes it.

Here's what we cover in this episode:
- The mental load of the holiday season and how to protect your time
- The quote that helped Alissa let go of the guilt (thanks RBG!)
- The false urgency of real estate — and how to recognize *real* emergencies
- Why "no" is a full sentence
- What it means to actually build a business that serves you
- The power of scheduled texts, second phone lines, and a literal "brick" to lock your apps
- Why social time *is* work time (hello, database!)
- How one agent stepped away from her business — and came back stronger

📚 Resources & CTAs:
- Episode 212: [Does Time Blocking Work for Real Estate?](https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/212)
- Episode: [What To Do When You're New or Slow](https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/189)
- Book: *The Seven Deadly Sins of Sales* by Lee Brown
- Book: *Boundaries* by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend
- Free tools: [Agent Systems 101](http://agentsystems101.com) | [Email Templates 101](http://emailtemplates101.com) | [Free Database Template](https://www.hustlehumblypodcast.com/starthere)

Have a boundary strategy that works for you? Email us at team@hustlehumblypodcast.com and tell us all about it!

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Want to build a business you love with boundaries that actually work? Start here: [hustlehumblypodcast.com](http://hustlehumblypodcast.com)

The truth is: buying or selling a house can feel like a full-blown identity crisis. Realtors know it, clients feel it, and now we have a licensed therapist here to explain *why* it all gets so emotionally messy.

In this episode we welcome Katy's former client and current number one referrer, Mary Ruiz, LPC. She's not just a real estate success story — she's now a licensed professional counselor (and a great one at that). We chat about the mental health rollercoaster that often comes with real estate: from renovations and relocations to the unexpected triggers that show up when people face big change. Mary shares why even competent, confident people often spiral emotionally during a transaction, and how *Realtors can support clients* without carrying the weight of everyone's emotions.

We're talking about therapy, boundaries, client meltdowns, and the emotional expectations people carry into real estate decisions. This is a must-listen for any Realtor who's ever felt like an unqualified therapist.

Here's what we cover in this episode:
- Why therapy and real estate overlap more than you think
- The mental toll of buying, selling, building, and renovating
- What neurodivergent clients may struggle with during moves
- Why confident people often break down during transactions
- Tips for helping clients regulate their emotions
- When (and how) to set boundaries with difficult clients
- Grounding techniques to use during emotional conversations
- What Realtors can do to protect their own mental well-being

💬 "The kindest thing you can do is tell someone the truth." — Mary Ruiz

🧠 Resources & Links:
- Learn more about Mary's practice: https://ruizcounseling.com
- Realtor Resources: https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/resources
- Join the Hustle Humbly Community: https://www.hustlehumblypodcast.com/membership
- Send us your questions or episode ideas: team@hustlehumblypodcast.com

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Hustle Humbly is the go-to podcast for Realtors who want to ditch the comparison game and run their business with confidence, clarity, and a healthy dose of mindset work. Hosted by top-producing Louisiana agents, Alissa Jenkins and Katy Caldwell, each episode delivers real advice from real agents who have walked the walk.

Leave us a review → https://ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly

Get your FREE Database Template → https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/starthere

Email Templates 101 → https://emailtemplates101.com

Agent Systems 101 → https://agentsystems101.com

Build Your Own Business 101 → https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/byob

All Resources → https://hustlehumblypodcast.com

Submit your topic ideas + toasts → team@hustlehumblypodcast.com

Music:

"Straight A's" by Connor Price → https://connorprice.shop/

"The Good Life" by Summer Kennedy → https://soundcloud.com/summerkennedy/the-good-life

"Be The One" by Matrika → https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/be-the-one

What if you left your phone behind… on purpose?

In this episode we chat with top-producing Realtor Kim Lafleur, who did the unthinkable—she took a full-blown, out-of-the-country vacation *without* her phone. No calls. No texts. No Instagram scrolls. Just silence, sunshine, and serious boundaries.

Kim walks us through what inspired the decision, how she actually pulled it off (yes, there was a team hand-off at the airport), and the powerful lessons she learned about control, trust, and rest. If you've ever felt chained to your phone or scared to take a break, this one's for you.

Kim has sold over 655 homes with more than $121 million in volume and ranks in the top 10 of 1,900 agents in her market — and yet, she's living proof that your real estate business won't collapse when you step away. In fact, your boundaries might just make you better.

Here's what we cover in this episode:
- The surprising reason Kim chose to give up her phone
- The exact process she used to prep her team and clients
- Why NOT having her phone made her trip more meaningful
- How her team handled real estate emergencies (and even got new listings)
- What "the brick" is — and how it's changed her daily life
- Why letting go of control might be your next best business move
- Creative ways to set up support systems and reward the people who help you

🎧 Listen and get inspired to set stronger boundaries and maybe even plan a phone-free break of your own.

🛠 Resources & Links:
- Email Templates 101: [emailtemplates101.com](https://emailtemplates101.com)
- Build Your Own Business 101: [hustlehumblypodcast.com/byob](https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/byob)
- Agent Systems 101: [agentsystems101.com](https://agentsystems101.com)
- Free Database Template: [Get it here](https://hustlehumblypodcast.com)
- Submit your toast or topic idea: team@hustlehumblypodcast.com

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**About Kim Lafleur:**
Kim Lafleur is a top-producing Louisiana Realtor and team leader with over 655 homes sold and $121M+ in career volume. Ranked in the top 10 out of 1,900 agents in her market, Kim is known for her client-focused approach, leadership, and ability to guide families through big life moves with care and strategy.

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Thanks for listening! If you love the show, here are 4 ways to support us:
1. Hit subscribe so you never miss an episode.
2. Share the show with a friend or on social media!
3. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify!
4. Join the Hustle Humbly Community or grab a resource from our shop.

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Music:

"Straight A's" by Connor Price → https://connorprice.shop/

"The Good Life" by Summer Kennedy → https://soundcloud.com/summerkennedy/the-good-life

"Be The One" by Matrika → https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/be-the-one