• 2026 Market Sentiment: Why even billionaires can’t predict the future — and how to bulletproof yourself no matter what happens
• Creative Real Estate 101: Chris breaks down real estate on your terms in the clearest way you’ve ever heard
• The Real Deal Questions: The three must-ask questions he uses to uncover real seller motivation and create win-win deals
• Why Creative Strategies Thrive in Uncertain Times: From tired landlords to buyers locked out of traditional financing
• The Success Formula: Why plans outperform goals, and what agents/investors often get wrong about “results”
• How to Become the Authority in Your Market: Books, podcasts, consistency, and the long game
• Family Business Insights: How Chris built a thriving multi-generational real estate company — without forcing roles
• 2026 Growth Priorities: What Chris and his team are focusing on this year, and why it matters for agents and investors everywhere

This episode of The Real Deal started as a casual business conversation—and quickly turned into a gold mine of insight.

Asher sat down with architect Nicholas Tsontakis of Dwell Boldly, and what was supposed to be a simple chat about architecture became a real-world breakdown of what actually matters when you’re thinking about land, custom builds, or complex remodels.

No fluff. Just the kind of things people wish they knew before they buy.

We talked through things like:

• What can make or break a land purchase before you ever close (yes… easements and utilities matter more than you think)

• The real difference between working with an architect vs. a draftsman—and when each makes sense

• Why hillside, Paradise Valley, and Arcadia projects are in a category of their own

• How the right team turns “this might be impossible” into a real plan

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I love the idea… I just don’t know where to start,” this conversation will meet you right there.

🎧 Listen in—and if land or a custom build is on your radar, let’s talk.

Today, I’m sitting down with Stuart Babcock, owner of Complete Pest Management. But this conversation isn’t just about termites, rodents, or scorpions, it’s about leadership, transparency, and building a business with integrity.

Stuart’s journey is anything but ordinary: from firefighter to high school teacher, to police officer, and now leading one of the most respected pest control companies in Arizona. His philosophy? Treat people the way you’d want your family treated. That approach has shaped every role he’s taken on and is at the core of his business today.

In this episode, we cover:

Why small details make or break a business.

The power of servant leadership and leading from the field.

How Complete Pest Management became the go-to authority for termites, rodents, weeds, and more.

Stuart’s best advice for business owners: don’t sweat the small stuff—but never ignore the small details.

Why proactive prevention beats reactive fixes every time (in pest control and in business).

Whether you’re a homeowner, entrepreneur, or just someone who appreciates real conversations with real leaders, Stuart’s story will inspire you to build with purpose, integrity, and care.

In this episode, Asher sits down with Mel Carr of Cloversy to talk about the realities of delegation, scaling, and smart business support.

📍 “You don’t have time to train. You think no one can do it better than you. And you’re buried in the weeds. That’s where we come in.”

Mel breaks down what every overwhelmed business owner needs to hear:

• How to identify what’s draining your energy

• Where to start when outsourcing

• Why hiring one person to do the job of three is a recipe for burnout

• And how strategic delegation can help you scale and stay sane

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking no one else can handle it or you’re stuck doing all the things you don’t enjoy, this conversation will change the way you look at support.

On this special episode of the podcast, Asher Cohen, host of The Real Deal and one of Arizona’s top real estate advisors, joins Mike Grinberg, Co-Founder & CEO of Proofpoint Marketing, for a conversation that bridges two worlds: real estate and consulting.

Asher shares insights into how successful real estate agents cultivate strategic partnerships—and why consulting firms should pay attention.

They dive into:

-The art of building trust quickly in high-stakes environments -How understanding your clients’ personal “why” drives better partnerships -The role of empathy and listening in long-term business relationships -Creating genuine value instead of transactional connections -Why service-driven professionals win loyalty—even outside their own industry

Asher pulls back the curtain on tactics real estate pros use daily—like staying front-of-mind with value, reading between the lines of client conversations, and becoming a true advocate rather than just a vendor.

Whether you’re in consulting, marketing, or any service industry, this episode will challenge how you think about relationships and partnerships that actually move the needle.

Listen now and discover how a real estate mindset might just transform your business.

Join Asher Cohen as he sits down with Norman Blakey to discuss Trust Matters: Protecting Your Legacy.

Whether you’re planning for the future or safeguarding your assets, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss.

Episode Summary: In this episode recorded March, 7th 2022, Asher Cohen welcomes Gianluca Pascale, or "G," as he shares his journey from growing up in a family construction business to becoming a leader and innovator in the construction industry. G discusses the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, pivotal lessons learned, and his mission to create a more transparent and collaborative construction field. He also introduces his mastermind community, Construction Professionals Unite (CPU), which aims to unite contractors and trade professionals across North America to elevate industry standards.

Episode Highlights:

• From Family Business to Personal Vision: How G took his father’s legacy and made it his own with Centrecon.
• Lessons in Trust and Financial Vigilance: G’s firsthand experience with embezzlement and his message on the importance of financial oversight.
• CPU Mastermind: An overview of Construction Professionals Unite, open to contractors, trades, and anyone looking to improve industry standards.
• Actionable Tips for Hiring a Contractor: G’s top insights on avoiding red flags and ensuring a successful construction project.

About Gianluca Pascale:

• With over 3 decades experience working in the construction industry Gianluca Pascale is the top voice in championing for breaking free from stagnation, reshaping the industry's narrative, and elevating its reputation. Available for consulting across Canada and the U.S. for clients who value integrity and relationship-building.

Connect with Gianluca on LinkedIn

High level Notes from the interview:

• Insights on how clearing debt and inheritance can impact future financial situations.
• Benefits of taking potential buyers on physical home tours for better understanding.
• The importance of proactive engagement to help buyers comprehend the market.
• Showing value in real estate services with a zero-pressure approach.
• Engaging leads early, regardless of immediate transaction intent, to build long-term relationships.
• Providing specific and meaningful support tailored to homeowners' current situations.
• Emphasizing genuine empathy and understanding in communication and personal development.
• Creating 'gray space' for open, safe, and trust-building conversations with clients.
• Trust and human guidance in major decisions like buying or selling a house.
• Understanding client context before offering new content or solutions ensures relevance and trust.

About Phil M. Jones:

Master of Influence and Persuasion – Author of Seven Best Selling Business Books, One Children’s Picture Book – Producer of “Most Listened To” Non-Fiction Audiobook of all time.

Phil M. Jones thinks and acts differently. His precise insights around communication, added to a proven personal pedigree of peak performance and a richness of real-world experience mean that Phil is the kind of thought leader whose counsel is sought by other thought leaders.

He believes with passion that the answer to increased success, in every area of life, is to ask better questions, focus on QUALITY of conversation as well as quantity and that quite often, the difference between you, and all the others, is knowing exactly what to say, when to say it, and how to make more of your conversations count.

Phil recently joined a long list of global leaders who serve in residence at High Point University’s Access to Innovators Program. The program at HPU connects students with industry leaders for networking and mentorship opportunities. He joins Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolph and many others.

After several years as one of the youngest sales leaders in the United Kingdom, Phil created his training and consulting business in 2008. To date, more than 800 different industries, across 59 countries and 5 continents have benefitted from his input. He is trusted by aspiring leaders in health care, real estate, automotive, financial and more industries. He is also the founder of 5 multimillion-dollar companies.

Connect with Phil on his Instagram account: @philmjonesuk or visit his website at: philmjones.com.