Alex E. Edwards didn’t wait for permission to succeed — he rewrote the rules. After purchasing his first multifamily property in his early twenties, he went on to build a multimillion-dollar real estate company and become the founder of Thumbprint Realty, now the largest Black-owned brokerage in New England. But Alex’s impact goes far beyond transactions. As a TEDx speaker and author of Mortgage Before Marriage, he’s leading a bold conversation: what if financial freedom should come before marriage — not after? 

Through more than 1,200 closed transactions and millions in buyer assistance, Alex has helped turn access into opportunity, especially for single women and first-generation homebuyers who’ve been told to “wait their turn.” In this conversation, we unpack how money stress silently impacts relationships, why equity can strengthen families, and how ownership transforms communities. His mission? Help one million people build legacy before love — because when we change what ...

Ashley Romiti serves as Founder and President of GCA1031, who specializes in helping long-term real estate investors navigate the often-overlooked side of investing: the exit. With nearly 15 years in commercial real estate underwriting and advisory, Ashley saw too many retiring landlords and business owners sitting on highly appreciated assets, facing management fatigue and major tax exposure—without fully understanding their options. She breaks down how 1031 exchanges and Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) actually work, how to evaluate risk and income beyond headline returns, and how to transition from active ownership to passive income while preserving capital and deferring taxes. If you’re a seasoned investor thinking about selling, scaling back, or building a smarter long-term wealth plan, this conversation brings clarity to one of the most important (and misunderstood) decisions you’ll make.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Understand how a 1031 exchange works an...

John Collins is on a mission to help renters break the rent cycle and achieve homeownership with little to no money down. With nearly four decades of experience in real estate and sales, John found his true calling in homebuyer education, teaching everyday renters how to use grants and down payment assistance programs to buy homes they never thought were possible. Through his initiative, Own The Roof, he’s helped thousands of families move from renting to owning by closing the “possibility gap” and showing that you don’t need perfect credit, 20% down, or insider knowledge—just the right strategy. John now reaches renters nationwide through free webinars, practical education, and tools like NoDownPayment.app, where you can search over 2,500 homebuyer assistance programs available across the U.S.

In this episode, you will be able to learn:

• How renters can qualify for zero-down homeownership using down payment assistance (DPA) programs and grants.
• Where to find over 2,500 nat...

In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Shtofman, a seasoned corporate development leader and AI-driven real estate innovator who serves as the Global Head of Corporate Development at Cheere, a data management company building AI agents exclusively for the real estate industry. With over $3.4 trillion in real estate assets flowing through a patented knowledge-graph-powered platform, he shares how enterprise-level AI is transforming property data, decision-making, and investment strategy. Drawing on experience as a C-suite software executive, he unpacks how he’s leveraged AI to build a profitable “one-person” real estate business, the data he uses for free versus what he pays for, real-world AI use cases, and the hard-earned lessons and pitfalls from deploying AI agents over the past 18 months. An accomplished investor, advisor, and global speaker, he offers candid insights on the non-linear path to financial freedom, leadership at scale, and the future of AI in real estate.

In...

Joel Kraut is a real estate investor, author, and private lender that helps real estate investors achieve financial freedom. He has funded over 1,000 loans of all types. He is the co-founder of BRRRR Loans and author of the book "7 Steps To Financial Freedom." Joel brings a unique 360 degree view as an investor, borrow, contractor, and fund manager. You'll help to learn actionable steps and strategies for real estate investing, including how to get started, build a portfolio, and create your roadmap to financial independence.

In this episode, you will be able to learn:

• Financial freedom follows a predictable framework, and Joel simplifies it into seven steps that any investor—new or seasoned—can follow to build long-term independence.
• Private lending plays a pivotal role in accelerating growth, and Joel’s experience funding 1,000+ loans provides insight into what lenders look for and how borrowers can position themselves as trustworthy.
• A 360-degree perspective gives you
...

We sit down with Ian Noble, founder of RunSteady Investments, to explore how he transitioned from owning a multi-location dry cleaning business in Austin, Texas, to building wealth through passive real estate investing. After 14 years leading a company with 14 locations and over 90 employees, Ian made a successful business exit in 2023 and turned his full attention to helping others invest passively in mobile home parks, private lending funds, and real estate syndications.

With over a decade of hands-on experience investing in Austin and Colorado real estate, Ian shares valuable insights into building a diversified portfolio of residential, commercial, and passive investments. He also discusses how everyday investors can leverage syndications, mobile home parks, and debt funds to create long-term financial freedom. If you're a seasoned investor or just getting started, this episode is packed with practical advice on passive income, real estate strategy, and scaling your portfolio...

Lindsay Davis is CEO of Spartan Invest, a nationally recognized turnkey real estate investment firm helping investors build passive income through single-family rentals. Spartan operates across Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia, managing the entire lifecycle of investment properties—from sourcing and renovations to construction, sales, and long-term property management. Under Lindsay’s leadership, Spartan Invest oversees more than 2,000 properties and drives over $50 million in transactions annually. Her proven strategy has earned the company repeated recognition on the Inc. 5000 list, highlighting Spartan as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. 

Passionate about making real estate investing accessible, Lindsay shares how busy professionals and new investors alike can leverage turnkey rentals to create steady cash flow and long-term wealth—without the headaches of property management. If you want to learn how turnkey real estate investing can help you achieve fi...

Jack Corrigan is an accomplished real estate investment professional with deep experience in private equity, capital markets, and financial modeling. As Investor Relations & Fund Associate at The Lucky Group, Jack plays a key role in capital raising, investor communications, and fund operations—helping bridge the gap between strategy and execution. Jack’s career includes time at Greysteel and Stablewood Properties, where he supported underwriting, acquisitions, and investment sales. With over $80M in transactions underwritten, Jack brings a proven track record of evaluating opportunities and creating value. 

Jack also leverages AI and advanced analytics to enhance portfolio decision-making—giving investors a competitive edge in today’s market. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in Finance and Real Estate, Jack combines sharp financial expertise with strong relationship-building skills to drive investor engagement and capital strategy. If you’re interested...

Keren Gonen, a top-producing New Jersey real estate agent whose journey is as inspiring as it is powerful. Born and raised in Israel, Keren grew up in an entrepreneurial household before moving to the U.S., where she built a thriving logistics business alongside her father. After experiencing profound personal loss and a major life pivot, Keren reinvented herself—diving into real estate at 39 and quickly becoming the #1 agent in Sussex County, closing nearly $24 million in sales volume in 2024. Beyond her professional success, Keren is a passionate leader in her community, serving as President of the BW NICE Sussex Chapter and founder of Referral Roundtable. She shares how resilience, service, and connection have shaped her career and life, and why helping others is at the heart of everything she does. Tune in to hear Keren’s remarkable story of entrepreneurship, real estate success, community leadership, and personal growth—a true masterclass in turning obstacles into opportuniti...

We’re celebrating 300 episodes and 5 years of the REL Freedom, the real estate investing podcast designed to help you build wealth, grow your business, and create financial freedom. In this special anniversary episode, host Mike Swenson shares the origin story of the podcast, the biggest lessons learned from interviewing top real estate investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders, and some behind-the-scenes stories from the journey. You’ll hear insights on passive income, short-term rentals, multifamily investing, and strategies for long-term success in real estate. Plus, get a sneak peek at what’s ahead for the show as we continue to bring you proven strategies, expert advice, and inspiring stories to fuel your investing journey. Whether you’re new to real estate or a seasoned investor, this milestone episode is packed with reflection, gratitude, and practical takeaways to help you succeed.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover how building financial freedom...