Michael Hern built a real estate empire one dog walk, one ferry terminal coffee, and one hyper-local story at a time.

Today, he runs a team on New Jersey’s Gold Coast doing $135–$150 million in annual volume. And after all that? He still drives an hour to his farm to work cattle.

This episode isn’t just about hustle; it’s about how to build a business that works without burning out.

Michael breaks down the two-tiered SCALE model he uses to train his team and run his life. First comes the foundation:

Seen, Communicate, Add to the database, Leave a lasting impression, and Education.

Once that’s in place, he walks us through how to evolve it:

Systems & Simplify, Challenge & Curiosity, Amplify & Automate, Leverage & Leadership, Execute & Expand.

These aren’t just tactics—they’re values. Michael also shares how unplugging for 12 days off-grid, journaling in solitude, and reconnecting with what matters has helped him grow as a business owner, a husband, and father.

This episode will give you a playbook for visibility, trust, and leadership. And maybe (just maybe!) inspire you to schedule some thinking time of your own.

Resources:

• Read Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
• Order the Millionaire Real Estate Agent Playbook | Volume 2

Connect with Jason:

• Linkedin

Produced by NOVA

This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.

WARNING! You must comply with the TCPA and any other federal, state or local laws, including for B2B calls and texts. Never call or text a number on any Do Not Call list, and do not use an autodialer or artificial voice or prerecorded messages without proper consent. Contact your attorney to ensure your compliance.

We’ve got a power duo in the house.

Erin Jones and Josh Dukes went from being productivity coaches at their local Keller Williams brokerage to running a $275M real estate team in the D.C. metro area. They’ve done it with a lot of heart, no fluff or shortcuts!

Together, they’ve built one of the most disciplined and high-retention teams we’ve ever seen. Their playbook? A culture-first approach, zero tolerance for entitlement, and dialed-in systems–new agents walk in with a 30-60-90 plan and start producing fast.

In this episode, Erin and Josh break down their entire operating model, from hiring criteria (they don’t follow up with you on purpose) to the open house strategy that nets them 50% of their deals. You’ll learn how they coach new agents to make 200+ monthly contacts, convert strangers into clients, and—most importantly—why they’ve been able to retain their agents year after year while still scaling at speed.

We also unpack how they structured their business partnership with full transparency, separate P&Ls, and a crystal-clear rule for when to “die on a hill.” If you’re thinking about partnering with someone or expanding your team, this is the blueprint.

Resources:

• Read: Start With Why
• 135 GPS Tool
• Ben Kinney on MREA Podcast
• Order the Millionaire Real Estate Agent Playbook | Volume 2

Connect with Jason:

• Linkedin

Produced by NOVA

This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.

WARNING! You must comply with the TCPA and any other federal, state or local laws, including for B2B calls and texts. Never call or text a number on any Do Not Call list, and do not use an autodialer or artificial voice or prerecorded messages without proper consent. Contact your attorney to ensure your compliance.

What do Olympic athletes, real estate agents, and university professors have in common? They all eventually hit a breaking point and the best come back stronger. Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe is one of the world’s leading experts on how resilience makes this happen.

A celebrated scholar, international speaker, and author of Calm Within the Storm, Stress Wisely, and the upcoming I Hope So, Robyne joins us to share her five-pillar model of everyday resiliency—a framework grounded in 20 years of research, wrapped in stories you won’t forget.

We dive into her journey and her breaking points, from teen dropout to tenured professor to full-time resilience coach. And how a life-changing car accident (and one brilliant question from her son) prompted her to walk away from her “dream job” to pursue a new path. Her message? Resilience isn’t about pushing through. It’s about aligning with what matters most.

With clarity, science, and heartfelt personal stories, Robyne unpacks the five pillars of resilience—Belonging, Perspective, Acceptance, Hope, and Humor—and gives us the tools to model them, especially in the face of stress, rejection, or uncertainty in the real estate world.

Resources:

• Read Dr. Robyne’s books:
• Calm Within the Storm
• Stress Wisely
• I Hope So (Pre-order—releases 2/10/2026)
• Follow Dr. Robyne on Instagram: @drrobyne
• Read: The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk
• Read: The Anxious Generation by Dr. Jonathan Haidt
• Order the Millionaire Real Estate Agent Playbook | Volume 2

Connect with Jason:

• Linkedin

Produced by NOVA

This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.

WARNING! You must comply with the TCPA and any other federal, state or local laws, including for B2B calls and texts. Never call or text a number on any Do Not Call list, and do not use an autodialer or artificial voice or prerecorded messages without proper consent. Contact your attorney to ensure your compliance.