In this no-fluff masterclass, John Kitchens sits down with industry titan Kyle Whissel to break down the five essential keys to scaling a high-performance real estate team in 2025. From running a billion-dollar operation to managing 100+ agents, Kyle shares the exact frameworks, tools, and leadership mindset that separate scalable success from burnout.

Whether you're looking to build your first team or scale past $500M, this episode delivers the blueprint—straight from someone who’s doing it now.

Key #1: Mindset and Leadership

• Why loving people is a non-negotiable for leaders

• The real reason most team leaders fail

• How to shift from agent to visionary CEO

Key #2: Business Operating Systems (EOS)

• Why EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) changed everything

• The difference between an org chart and an accountability chart

• How Kyle’s integrator filters ideas and prevents chaos

Key #3: Processes and Training

• How to use Trainual to scale knowledge and create repeatability

• Why every process should have a name (e.g., "The Whissel Way")

• The system for capturing daily huddles and onboarding at scale

Key #4: Standards and Accountability

• The hard truth: expectations without enforcement are just suggestions

• Why Kyle fires agents—even top producers—who don’t meet standards

• What a “real” production standard looks like (and why most don’t have one)

Key #5: Recruiting and People Strategy

• How Kyle brings on 10 agents a month—and only keeps 4

• Why most agents get cut in the first 60 days

• Focusing on the top 20% to create a cascade of leadership across the org

• Traction by Gino Wickman

• Trainual – SOPs + LMS platform

• EOS – Entrepreneurial Operating System

• TheWhisselWay.com – Courses, resources, referrals

• Follow Kyle on Instagram: @kylewhissel
  

Scaling a real estate business in 2025 requires more than hustle—it demands leadership, structure, and relentless standards. Kyle Whissel lays out the five pillars that can help any team go from local to legendary.

“The system runs the business. People run the system.” – Kyle Whissel

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
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• 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 bring the heat with a jam-packed, no-guest session that dives deep into where the real estate industry is headed—and what it takes to stay ahead. From the truth behind commission lawsuits to the rapid evolution of AI in marketing, the guys pull back the curtain on what real leaders are doing in 2025 to stay relevant, profitable, and highly valuable in a noisy world.

They also unveil details for the 10th annual Rock the Spectrum and Agent to CEO event in Cleveland—and why it's the most high-impact, can't-miss event for top agents in the Honey Badger Nation.

Rock the Spectrum & Agent to CEO 2024

• Official dates announced: September 24–25 in Cleveland

• Why last year’s Agent to CEO event set a new standard—and how 2024 is leveling up

• VIP access, exclusive music performances, and community like never before

The Big Commission Lie

• Debunking the myth that 6% was ever a standard commission

• Why the lawsuit headlines were misleading—and what the real data says

• How agents can confidently defend their value without racing to the bottom

The Rise of the Tribe

• Why tribalism and community are shaping business decisions more than ever

• How values, alignment, and culture are driving real estate migration patterns

• Why small, intimate events are outperforming large conferences in 2025

Owning the Problem = Owning the Market

• Lessons from StoryBrand: stop being the hero, start being the guide

• Why clarity of your client’s problem positions you as the authority

• How to dominate your niche by solving one thing better than anyone else

AI-Powered Consumer vs. Agent Authority

• The #1 complaint from modern consumers: “I know more than my agent”

• Why agents must evolve past templates and become true expert advisors

• CHSA/CHBA’s role in restoring trust, value, and leadership in the transaction

Marketing to One Person at Scale

• How to use ChatGPT to profile the ideal buyer persona for every listing

• Why one-to-one relevance at scale is the new gold standard in lead gen

• Real-world examples of AI creating high-converting, hyper-specific marketing strategies

The AI Collaboration Opportunity

• How collaboration—not resistance—is the agent’s advantage with AI

• Why service, proactivity, and personal touch will never go out of style

• The real key: becoming the expert on what consumers don't know they need yet

The Future of CHSA/CHBA in an AI World

• Why the foundational principles of CHSA/CHBA matter more than ever

• How to adapt the system for today's AI-powered buyer and seller landscape

• Why process, preparation, and personalization win every time

• HoneyBadgerNation.com – Tickets, merch, CHSA/CHBA, Honey Badger of the Month

• StoryBrand by Donald Miller – Framework for owning a problem and guiding clients

• The AI-Driven Leader – Must-read for agents, brokers, and team leaders in 2025

• The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni – Recommended foundational read

• CHSA & CHBA Systems – Learn how to increase perceived value and authority in every deal

• Honey Badger Nation Legacy Merch – New drops available now
  
  

"If you own the problem, you own the market." – John Kitchens

• 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 reflective and forward-focused episode, John Kitchens and Al Stasek dig deep into how to architect a truly impactful and fulfilling life as we move into the second half of the decade. Recorded on New Year’s Eve, this powerful conversation explores what it means to live with intention, harness AI without losing authenticity, and build businesses (and lives) that align with our truest values.

They unpack lessons from Patrick Bet-David’s 2025 Planning framework, the story of Wally Pipp, the power of morning gratitude, and how to define your version of the perfect day. Whether you're feeling stuck, striving for more clarity, or ready to crush 2025, this episode is a must-listen reset.

Thinking Long-Term: The 2030 Vision

• How to use decade-thinking to drive better daily decisions.

• Why asking "What won't change?" is more valuable than asking "What will?"

• AI as a team member, not a threat—how the consumer, not the tech, is evolving fastest.

The Wally Pipp Lesson: Show Up Every Day

• The iconic story of how missing one day changed baseball history forever.

• Why consistency and mental resilience are the keys to long-term success.

Building Emotional Fitness & Awareness

• The hidden cost of mental distractions: How much of your year are you losing?

• Developing self-awareness through daily journaling and gratitude habits.

The Perfect Day Exercise

• How to uncover your core identity and build a life around it.

• Why your perfect day includes work—and how that shapes your business goals.

• Use it as a decision-making filter for who you spend time with and what you say yes to.

Soft Skills, Conflict Resolution & Leadership

• The 10 must-have CEO skills, and why conflict resolution is the one that amplifies them all.

• The link between hard conversations and improved persuasion, sales, and leadership.

Mind Your Own Business: Boundaries and Emotional Intelligence

• How to set non-negotiable boundaries to protect your peace and productivity.

• Letting go of what others think and staying anchored in your own values.

• Why “Calm is Contagious” is a leadership mantra for the next decade.

• How morning gratitude can reset your emotional center daily.

• The value of not just setting goals—but building the inner process that supports them.

• Perfect Day Exercise by Frank Kern

• Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell

• Choose Your Enemies Wisely by Patrick Bet-David

• Crucial Conversations (book)

• The Conflict Resolution Playbook

• CoachKitchens.ai

• Journaling tools: The Five-Minute Journal, custom gratitude planners

• Patrick Bet-David’s 2025 Planning Session Recordings

“You want to get better at sales, leadership, and marketing? Start by mastering conflict resolution.” — John Kitchens

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
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• 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 powerhouse episode, John Kitchens, Jay Kinder, and Al Stasek are joined by industry icon Spring Bengtzen for a transparent and high-energy conversation about growth, mindset, and rebuilding success from scratch. Spring opens up about her bold move from Real to eXp Realty, what it takes to start over in the face of massive competition, and the mindset shifts that keep her moving toward a 10,000-agent goal.

From navigating co-sponsorship, to launching value-based ecosystems and leveraging powerful communities, Spring shares exactly how she's using transparency, consistency, and authenticity to build a sustainable rev share organization—and have a lot of fun doing it.

Whether you're leading a team, building a downline, or just trying to level up your business, this episode delivers powerful truths and tactical insights you won't hear anywhere else.

The Power of Starting Over with Intentionality
Spring shares how she made the gutsy move to rebuild her organization from scratch at eXp—despite already achieving high-level success. Her secret? “I’m not special. I’m just willing to do the work.”

Why Co-Sponsorship is a Game-Changer
Discover how eXp's new co-sponsorship model is flipping the script on collaboration, removing silos, and creating exponential growth for agent partners.

Build Around Value, Not Hype
Spring breaks down how to reverse-engineer real value into your rev share org through events, content, coaching, and branding that amplify your agents—not your ego.

From 0 to 10,000 Agents: The Blueprint
Learn the infrastructure Spring is building—from hiring staff to hosting onboarding teams—to drive long-term exponential growth. “My strategy is to find 25 running mates and help them grow. If they grow, I grow.”

Authenticity, Transparency, and Grit
Spring doesn’t sugarcoat the journey. She shares the highs, the slow weeks, and the mental firepower required to stay the course when results don’t come overnight.

Lessons from Burn Recovery to Boardroom
A life-changing accident at 20 shaped Spring’s mindset. Her powerful story of choosing to live and lead with purpose provides a moving backdrop to her relentless drive in business today.

• How Spring used live events to launch her personal brand.

• Why most agents are “running on outdated mental software.”

• The secret to balancing ambition, leadership, and marriage.

• Why competition is accelerating innovation in real estate models.

• Sisu Platform – Agent performance tracking + coaching software

• Honey Badger Nation – honeybadgernation.com

• CoachKitchens.AI – AI-powered real estate platform

• 29,029 Everest Challenge – Endurance and mindset training

• Upgrade by William Lam – Mindset + identity rewiring program

“I’m not special—I’m just willing to do the work.” – Spring Bengtzen

• 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 sits down with powerhouse real estate leader Jack Perry to explore how thinking like a CEO can elevate your business—even in fluctuating markets. Jack shares his journey from pastor to full-time real estate CEO, why positivity matters more than ever, and how creating a culture of community, mentorship, and accountability helped his team grow to 200+ agents.

• The importance of staying positive amid market uncertainties.
  “People still buy homes…if you talk negative…your agents start feeling that.”

• How perseverance through 2009’s downturn shaped Jack’s leadership.

• Avoiding transactional fixation in favor of long-term living needs.

• Jack’s own home purchased in 1988 still houses his family today—emphasizing the real purpose of homeownership.

• Cultivating team unity through mutual support (Slack-driven showings, monthly barbecues).

• Every agent—veteran or new—plays a vital role: “once a rockstar, always a mentor.”

• The power of empathy and hands‑on communication (texting/personal outreach to 200+ agents).

• Jack’s servant leadership style is grounded in authenticity over ego.

• Encouraging ambition: “If you’re comfortable doing 5–10 deals/year, we might not be a good fit.”

• Flagging complacency early; celebrating agents pushing 25–35 deals.

• Social media as a window into intent and consistency.

• Insight gleaned from Daymond John’s quote: "I look at your social media profile" to assess discipline.

• Ask deeper questions to uncover client motivations and timelines.

• Remind clients of their original goals throughout the journey to avoid wheels spinning.

• Protecting culture as team grows—self-policing, core values in action, not on the wall.

• Ego-free leadership and letting others operate and innovate within the organization.

• Mentorship model inspired by Frank Shamrock’s “plus-minus-equal” creed

• Frequent personal outreach

• “Outcome over ego” mentality drives collaboration in turbulent times
  
  

“If you talk negative or doom and gloom…your agents start feeling that.” — Jack Perry

• 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 and Al Stasek are joined by powerhouse leader Kendall Bonner for a real, unfiltered conversation about what drives agent attraction, what keeps agents stuck in place, and how to lead through the noise with clarity, community, and purpose.

They explore the deep psychology behind why agents move (and why many don’t), the emotional weight of community and leadership, and the critical role AI is already playing in the evolution of agent growth, operational leadership, and personal productivity.

If you’ve ever wrestled with why people stay in toxic environments, what drives true retention, or how to use AI as your thought partner, this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for.

The Psychology of Agent Movement

• Why most agents don’t leave their broker—even when they know they should

• Understanding “inaccurate certainty” and how it keeps people stuck

• The role of fear, belonging, and unmet expectations in decision-making

Leadership, Trust & Clarity in Retention

• How leadership confirms a decision to move (but rarely initiates it)

• The difference between pain-driven vs. solution-driven movement

• Why unmet expectations cause most breakups—in life and business

The Power of Community in Brokerage Decisions

• Why the right environment unlocks personal growth and collaboration

• What agents are really looking for when they say “support”

• Why community must be intentional—not just cultural

Using AI as a Thought Partner, Not a Shortcut

• How Kendall uses “Grace,” her custom GPT, to drive leadership growth

• Why AI works best when it asks one question at a time

• Leveraging AI to analyze meetings, contracts, operations, and marketing

• How to use AI for clarity, personal growth, and better decision-making

The Future of Real Estate Growth

• How EXP is embracing AI with tools like Fixer and Huzi

• Using tech to unlock productivity, not replace people

• The AI-driven Clarity Report and how to use it to collapse time

• The Simple Psychology of Real Estate Recruiting (report referenced by Al)

• AI Powered Real Estate Playbooks (via Huzi)

• Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni

• The AI-First Company by Ash Fontana

• The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni

• Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell

• Fixer.ai and Huzi.ai tools for agents and leaders

If this episode gave you new insight, clarity, or sparked a fire to lead differently, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

“AI has the power to make us superhuman… it has supercharged my productivity.” — Kendall Bonner

• 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! 🔥