Episodes

  • Next Level Truth #5: Most Agents Are Addicted to Easy

    Next Level Truth #5: Most Agents Are Addicted to Easy
    Apr 13 2026
    You're busy. You're working hard. So why isn't your business growing the way it should? In this episode, Kevin Kauffman delivers the fifth and final truth in his Next Level Truths series — and it might be the most uncomfortable one yet. The problem isn't your market. It isn't your leads. It's the daily choice most agents don't even realize they're making. This one is short, focused, and built to hit. Kevin breaks down the hidden cost of staying comfortable, why burnout isn't from working too hard, and what separates high performers from everyone else grinding through the motions. Key themes from this episode: The difference between being busy and being effective — and why most agents confuse the two What "addicted to easy" actually looks like in your day-to-day business (hint: it's not laziness) Why organizing your CRM, watching training videos, and planning your week can all be forms of avoidance The comfort trap: how agents build businesses around what feels safe instead of what produces results Where burnout actually comes from — and it's not what most people think The single question to ask yourself before every task: "Is this easy, or is this effective?" Kevin's closing challenge: one uncomfortable action tomorrow to start building real momentum If this episode hit home, share it with another agent who needs to hear it. And if you're ready to build your business around what actually works — surrounded by people doing the same — learn more about what we're building at Next Level Agents.
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    9 mins
  • Next Level Truth #4: Discipline Beats Talent

    Next Level Truth #4: Discipline Beats Talent
    Apr 9 2026
    Talent is overrated. There. We said it. In this episode of Next Level Truths, Kevin Kauffman breaks down one of the most misunderstood dynamics in real estate: why consistency will always outperform natural ability, and why most agents are chasing the wrong thing when they wait for motivation to show up before they take action. This is a short, focused episode, but don't let that fool you. The shift Kevin lays out here is one of the most practical reframes you can make in your business right now. If your results have been inconsistent, this is probably why. And the fix isn't complicated... it's just not easy. In this episode, Kevin covers: Why the "talent myth" keeps agents stuck and how to stop falling for it The real difference between discipline and habit — and why that distinction matters for your business Why operating from emotion is the #1 consistency killer The compound effect of daily action and what 90–180 days of consistency can actually produce How to stop asking "how do I get motivated?" and start asking the right question instead A simple, practical challenge to reset your habits starting this week If your business feels unpredictable right now, this episode is your starting point. Consistency isn't a personality trait — it's a choice. And the agents who make that choice every day are the ones building something that lasts. Ready to surround yourself with agents who are making that choice and building at the highest level? Learn more at nextlevelagents.com/exp.
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    11 mins
  • Next Level Truth #3: Your Calendar Is Your Business Plan

    Next Level Truth #3: Your Calendar Is Your Business Plan
    Apr 6 2026
    Most agents have goals. Most agents have intentions. But intentions don't close deals — your calendar does. In this episode of the Next Level Truths series, Kevin Kauffman breaks down one of the most uncomfortable realities in real estate: your calendar is your actual business plan, whether you like what it says or not. If your days are filled with reactive tasks, random coffees, and administrative busywork, that's not bad luck — that's a choice. And the good news is, it's a choice you can change starting today. In this episode, Kevin covers: The "intention gap" — why there's a dangerous disconnect between what agents say matters and what actually shows up on their calendar Why top producers schedule their most important activities first, not last The four core activities that actually drive results in real estate (and why everything else is a distant second) The "protection principle" — how to guard your time blocks like a listing appointment you can't afford to lose Why "priority" is a singular word, and what that means for how you run your week A practical, no-fluff framework for building a calendar that reflects the business you actually want A simple 15-minute challenge to audit your last week and reset your focus going forward If your business isn't where you want it to be, the answer isn't a new strategy or a new tool. Open your calendar. That's where the truth lives. Ready to build a business — and a calendar — that actually gets you to the next level? Learn more about what we're building at nextlevelagents.com/exp.
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    17 mins
  • More Deals, More Freedom (Building a Real Estate Business That Runs on Virtual Assistants)

    More Deals, More Freedom (Building a Real Estate Business That Runs on Virtual Assistants)
    Apr 2 2026
    Most real estate agents think leverage means hiring a team. Dave Zajdzinski built something different: a fully leveraged solo business that runs 8am to 8pm, seven days a week, across multiple time zones, while he's in Italy, France, or Maine. And real estate is his fifth priority. In this episode, Kevin Kauffman sits down with Dave to pull back the curtain on exactly how that system works, from the drip videos that generate listing appointments on autopilot, to the VA-managed CRM pipeline that moves buyers from first call to offer without Dave ever showing a house. If you've ever thought about hiring a virtual assistant but weren't sure how to make it actually work, this conversation is the one you've been waiting for. Key themes from this episode: Why 70% of first-time VA hires fail, and the two root causes nobody is addressing How Dave runs a real estate business as his fifth priority and still ranks near the top of his state in production The "airline model" for explaining your business structure to buyers (and why it closes them faster) How to build an irresistible offer drip sequence that makes ISA appointments easy to set The difference between leverage for growth and leverage for freedom — and why most agents need the second one first Dave's new "CRM Assist" product: seven-day-a-week buyer pipeline coverage for $750/month Why giving VAs culture and community is the missing piece most businesses skip entirely What it really costs to build an 8am–8pm system from scratch — and a smarter path to get there If this episode fired you up about what your business could look like with the right leverage in place, the next step is simple, head to nextlevelagents.com/exp to learn more about building your business inside a community that's already figured this out. Connect with Dave Zajdzinski: Website: leverageagent.org Phone: 480-332-6468 Event: 1-Day Marketing Audit Workshop Date: June 10, 2026 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Ticket price: $500 (use code KevinK for a free ticket) Details and registration: nextlevelagents.com (Events tab) Please leave us a review at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    50 mins
  • Next Level Truth #2: Your Database Is the Business

    Next Level Truth #2: Your Database Is the Business
    Mar 30 2026
    Most agents spend their careers chasing leads — buying them, testing new platforms, trying to crack the code. But the truth is, the highest-converting business in real estate isn't coming from strangers. It's already sitting in your phone. In this episode, Kevin Kauffman breaks down Next Level Truth #2: your database is your business. Not your CRM. Not your marketing plan. Not your brand. Your relationships. And if you shift the way you think about the people already in your world, it changes everything about how you build — and sustain — a real estate career. In this episode: Why chasing cold leads is costing you your most valuable long-term asset The difference between a storage system and a relationship system — and why it matters How trust shortens sales cycles, increases conversion, and drives referrals What real database nurturing actually looks like (hint: it's not email blasts) The "database flywheel" and how great agents build businesses that feed themselves Why playing the long game is your biggest competitive advantage A simple daily question that shifts your entire approach to prospecting If you're ready to stop chasing and start building, this one's for you. Learn more about what it looks like to grow your business inside a community that gets it at nextlevelagents.com/exp.
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    15 mins
  • Next Level Truths (Part 1): You Don't Have a Leads Problem, You Have a Conversion Problem

    Next Level Truths (Part 1): You Don't Have a Leads Problem, You Have a Conversion Problem
    Mar 26 2026
    Most agents think they need more leads. Kevin Kauffman is here to tell you that's almost never the real problem. In the first episode of the new Next Level Truths series, Kevin breaks down one of the most recurring patterns he sees across agents at every level — and why fixing it doesn't require a new CRM, a new lead source, or a new strategy. This is a short, focused episode built around a single truth: leads don't create closings. Conversations do. If your business isn't where you want it to be right now, this one's going to hit differently. In this episode, Kevin covers: Why "I just need more leads" is the story agents tell themselves instead of facing the real issue The simple chain reaction that drives every single closing in real estate Why busy doesn't mean productive — and how to tell the difference The avoidance pattern behind why agents keep chasing new tools and systems How one team team closed 750 transactions in a small market by obsessing over one metric The 10-business-day challenge that could immediately shift the trajectory of your business If you're ready to stop spinning your wheels and start building real momentum, this episode is your reset button. Ready to find out what the next level actually looks like for you? Learn more about joining Kevin's team at nextlevelagents.com/exp. Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    19 mins
  • Second Year Superstar: Burning Your Backup Plan

    Second Year Superstar: Burning Your Backup Plan
    Mar 23 2026
    Andrew Ricks walked away from a doctorate-level career in physical therapy, sold his clinics, let his license lapse, and went all in on real estate — with a newborn at home and zero safety net. Less than two years later, he's closing four to five deals a month, landing $4 million listings, and building the kind of client relationships that generate referrals for years. This episode is for every agent sitting on the fence, keeping a backup plan "just in case," or wondering if it's too late to build something real. Andrew's story proves it's not about how long you've been in the game — it's about how seriously you take it from day one. In this episode, Andrew and EK dig into: Why removing optionality (burning the bridge on his PT career) was the move that unlocked his full commitment to real estate The early mistakes that taught him you can't outsource lead generation and expect results How he built a relationship-first client system using automations, personal follow-up, and strategic touches that keep clients connected long after closing Why chasing commissions early in your career is the slowest path to building a sustainable business The imposter syndrome that came with transitioning from medicine to real estate and how he pushed through it What it actually looks like to evolve from being a "realtor" to being a full-service advisor clients call for the next 10 years If you've been treating your real estate business like a side hustle or a fallback, this conversation is the gut check you didn't know you needed. Ready to build something that lasts? Learn more about what eXp and the Next Level Agents community can do for your business at nextlevelagents.com/exp. ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    32 mins
  • The Beginners Guide to Podcasting: How To Get Started, Establish An Audience & Build a Community with Sarah Heeter

    The Beginners Guide to Podcasting: How To Get Started, Establish An Audience & Build a Community with Sarah Heeter
    Mar 19 2026
    In today’s special episode of Next Level Agents, we’re putting our very own podcast producer, Sarah Heeter in the hot seat! As podcasting continues to explode, you’ve probably wondered if you need to start your own, what you would make your podcast about, and if you need to be a super tech nerd to launch. Sarah is here to answer these questions, and more, and provide a roadmap for turning your podcast idea into a reality. Sarah Heeter is a full service podcast producer and strategic consultant. She is the host of Big Brave Business, a podcast about leadership and business ethics. Sarah loves to help people strategically launch, grow, and monetize podcasts in order to expand their audience, establish their expertise, and make more money. Whether you want to build a deeper audience connection, establish your expertise, have great conversations about your passions, make money (or all the above), a podcast is an insanely powerful branding weapon. Having influence, and a strong know, like and trust factor in real estate is key. What accomplishes that more than a podcast? Guest Info Sarah K. Heeter transforms ambitious voices into influential platforms as CEO of Podfox Media, architect of 5,000+ episodes with millions of downloads worldwide. Her strategic guidance has launched multiple shows into the global top 1%, converting podcast success into bestselling books and thriving businesses. Host of Big Brave Business (top 2% globally), Sarah's expertise empowers creators to build authority platforms that convert listeners into revenue-generating communities. Website: ⁠https://podfoxmedia.com Sarah’s podcast about podcasting: https://bigbravebusiness.com/listen Learn more about hosting your own podcast: ⁠Launchmyshow.com⁠ Follow Sarah on Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/sarahkheeter⁠
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    34 mins