In this episode, we sit down with Gabe Chisari of Acropolis Realty Group Tampa — a young agent with an old-soul mindset, a generational real estate background, and the kind of drive you wish more people had.

We get into learning through YouTube University, the value of strong mentors, what wealthy people REALLY do differently, the psychology behind great sales, why “failures” are just training reps, and how grit shapes an entire career.

Whether you’re growing a business, building a real estate career, or just trying to figure out your next step — this episode gives you real clarity, real honesty, and real strategy.

KEY TAKEAWAYS • Failure is tuition — learn from it, don’t fear it • Success comes from curiosity and consistency • Sales is human psychology, not pressure • Generational wealth starts with one rental • Reviews matter more than most agents realize • Mentors accelerate growth — especially early • Don’t skip the grind; that’s where the skills come from

GUEST BIO Gabe Chisari is a Tampa-based Realtor with Acropolis Realty Group, blending generational experience, blue-collar grit, and modern sales psychology. Born and raised in upstate New York, Gabe grew up around flips, rentals, and real estate entrepreneurship before bringing his mindset and hustle to Tampa. Known for his professionalism, negotiation strength, and genuine relationship-building, he’s quickly becoming a standout young agent in the area.

Instagram: @gabechisari Website: https://acropolisrealtygrouptampa.com/agent/gabriel-chisari Brokerage IG: @acropolisrealtytpa

LINKS & MENTIONS Guest: Gabe Chisari – @gabechisari Brokerage – @acropolisrealtytpa

Resources: Acropolis Realty Group Tampa – https://acropolisrealtygrouptampa.com/

Host: @NotSubtle.Seen Listen Anywhere: https://rss.com/podcasts/not-subtle-seen-podcast/

Cold Calls = Closed Deals, and this episode proves it.

Mel & KJ sit down with top-producing lender Doug Smith of Smith Lending for a sharp, hilarious, no-excuses breakdown of the one habit agents avoid the most… and the one that actually grows a business: picking up the phone.

Doug shares how he went from answering phones as a receptionist to building a multi–million dollar lending company rooted in consistency, relationships, follow-up, and actually doing the work. From his early industry days to his current life of kids, cows, and closings on 40 acres — this episode is packed with real strategy and real talk.

We dig into: • Cold calling and why agents run from the phone • The follow-up muscle (and why yours is weak) • Why your CRM isn’t the problem • Calendaring like a top producer • The difference between “busy” and “productive” • How Doug built a referral-driven business from scratch • Life, family, boundaries, and taking calls next to the cows • Market noise vs. real-world reality

If you’ve been feeling stuck, unmotivated, disorganized, or overwhelmed — this one will snap you out of it.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Cold calling still works — most people just refuse to do it.
• Busy does not mean productive.
• Consistency beats talent every time.
• Follow-up isn’t annoying; disappearing is.
• Simple systems outperform complicated ones.
• Your calendar predicts your paycheck.
• Market predictions don’t matter if you’re not making calls.

GUEST BIO — DOUG SMITH

Doug Smith is the founder of Smith Lending, a high-performance, relationship-driven mortgage company based in Florida. Starting as a receptionist in 2012, Doug learned the lending world from the inside out and now runs a referral-first business closing nearly 200 loans in 14 months. Known for elite communication, relentless follow-up, and straight-up hustle, Doug brings clarity, simplicity, and realness to an industry full of noise.

LINKS & MENTIONS

Guest

Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/thedouglassmith/ Website — https://www.smithlending.com

Host

@NotSubtle.Seen Listen Anywhere — https://rss.com/podcasts/not-subtle-seen-podcast/

On this episode of Not Subtle.SEEN, we sit down with two real estate pros who are done playing the same game as everyone else. Cherilyn Mitchell (@cherilyn_realtor) and Natosha Scungio (@the.realtorinred) share how they built brands and businesses that actually reflect who they are — and why that’s their edge.

If you’re over the hustle hamster wheel and want strategy that works for how you do business, this one's for you. We get into niche clarity, sustainable growth, and systems that make your business run without running you into the ground.

Key Takeaways

• Pick a niche that makes you stand out
• Why “build value” beats “chase leads”
• The mindset shift from chaos to clarity
• Real marketing moves that still work in 2025
• Two different business models, one shared goal: freedom

Guest Bio Cherilyn Mitchell is a real estate powerhouse known for flipping the “do it all” mindset on its head. Her approach is focused, intentional, and system-driven — no chaos required. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherilyn_realtor

Natosha Scungio, aka The Realtor in Red, built her business with bold branding, community connection, and a fearless approach to being herself online. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.realtorinred

Links & Mentions

• Cherilyn Mitchell IG: https://www.instagram.com/cherilyn_realtor
• Natosha Scungio IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.realtorinred
• Host: Not Subtle.SEEN
• Subscribe: https://rss.com/podcasts/not-subtle-seen-podcast/

You can fake a filter — but you can’t fake follow-through. 💅

In this episode of Not Nice, Subtle, hosts KJ Workman and Melvyn Bermúdez sit down with Chantel DiMuzio, the Florida Realtor proving that being real will always beat being “perfect.”

From fitness coaching to full-time real estate, Chantel shares how she built a thriving referral-based business — no gimmicks, no burnout, just discipline, consistency, and a little chaos.

They get into:

💪 How fitness discipline translates to real-estate success

📅 Why “I don’t have time” actually means “I didn’t plan it”

🏡 What’s really happening in Florida’s tornado market

📱 How to build a brand through personality-driven content

🔥 Why authenticity is the ultimate marketing strategy

If you’re tired of fake hustle and ready for results that actually feel like you, this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen on Spotify + Apple Podcasts

🔗 Follow Not Nice, Subtle: @notnicesubtle

👤 Connect with Chantel: @chantelsellstampa

🎙️ Hosts: KJ Workman & Melvyn Bermúdez

If you’re still blaming the market, this one’s gonna sting.

This week, we’re joined by real estate relocation king Thom Tillier — aka the guy who moved his whole family from Michigan to Florida because his wife had a moment in a Costco vestibule (yes, that’s a real word).

We dive deep into:

• Why your lack of leads is a YOU problem
• How video and AI are saving time, building trust, and exposing the lazy
• The hard truth about Florida real estate (spoiler: there’s plenty of business)
• Finding your tribe, owning your niche, and actually giving a damn
• Why the “faceless realtor” strategy isn’t as dumb as it sounds

This episode is a masterclass in what modern agents should actually be doing — minus the fluff, filters, and fear.

Whether you’re new to the game or burned out pretending you’re booked, this one’s your wake-up call.

Mentioned in this episode:

• TampaRelo.com
• Thom’s luxury brand with eXp
• Instagram: @thomtillier
• YouTube: Living in Tampa TV

If you thought real estate was just open houses and bad kitchen paint choices… Steven Burk is here to set you straight.

From fax machines and foreclosures at 16 (yes, fax machines) to $137 million deals that paid him exactly zero commission, Steven’s career is proof that this industry will chew you up if you don’t know your why.

And oh, we went there:

💔 Surviving toxic relationships and a heart attack at 30

✈️ An “Eat Pray Love” sabbatical that turned into six months in Europe

🏡 Pivoting into helping families through probate, downsizing, and the not-so-sexy reality of caring for aging parents

Steven’s philosophy? Caring is the bare minimum. And in a market full of “just list it and pray,” he’s actually putting skin (and money) in the game to make homes marketable, families whole, and clients feel like more than a transaction.

This one’s not just real estate tea — it’s about burnout, balance, and building a business that doesn’t cost you your soul.

👉 Follow Steven: @notyourboringagent

👉 Listen now and find your damn why.

KJ and Melvyn kick off the Not Subtle, Seen rebrand with a heavyweight: serial entrepreneur and queen of visibility, Gogo Bethke. We get into the real math behind your hourly rate, why hiring help isn’t bougie—it’s survival, and how Gogo went from $200 in her pocket to building seven businesses (without touching her own laundry).

Expect unfiltered talk on:

• Why every “I’ll just do it myself” is costing you money
• The art of showing up loud, bold, and unapologetically seen
• How to scale when the first hire feels terrifying
• Leveraging AI before it leverages you

This one’s a crash course in money mindset, visibility, and playing bigger than your excuses.

Follow Gogo on Instagram 👉 @gogosrealestate