What happens when you combine decades of investment management experience with the rapidly evolving cannabis industry? Chris Reece is Chairman and CEO of MJ REIT and co-founder of AC Capital Partners. He sits at the intersection of private real estate, alternative investments, and the state-legal cannabis industry. With more than 25 years of experience in asset management, helping raise over $10 billion at FS Investments, and a background spanning Vanguard and other major investment firms, Chris brings a unique perspective on alternative investment strategies. 

Discover how MJ REIT approaches commercial real estate through traditional first-lien mortgages and sale-leaseback transactions involving cannabis-related businesses. We’ll discuss how private real estate can complement traditional stock and bond portfolios, the opportunities and challenges of investing in an evolving industry, and what investors should understand before exploring specialized alternative investments. If yo...

Roughly $300 billion in multifamily mortgage debt is scheduled to mature in 2026—but does that mean $300 billion worth of distressed apartment buildings are about to hit the market? Not necessarily. It means thousands of property owners are facing a decision: refinance, sell, bring additional capital to the table, or find another creative solution. And when today's financing environment looks very different from when many of these loans were originally made, some interesting opportunities can emerge. 

In this episode with podcast host Mike Swenson, we break down what the $300 billion maturity wave really means for real estate investors, where potential distressed opportunities may be hiding, and how investors can find owners who need solutions, not just buyers looking for a bargain. We’ll explore refinancing challenges, creative financing, seller financing, loan assumptions, motivated sellers, and the key question every investor should be asking: What problem can I solve that cre...

What does it take to make smart lending decisions and protect capital in the world of private lending and note investing? Doug Smith is the founder of Castle Rock Capital Funding and The Mad Lender, who brings 35 years of commercial and residential lending experience and a deep background in credit and underwriting. Doug shares insights from his career with some of the world's largest banks and explains what investors should understand before putting money into loan-based assets. 

Doug also discusses how The Mad Lender works behind the scenes with private lending funds, individual private lenders, and note investors, while providing credit analysis, underwriting, consulting, and portfolio management. If you're already investing in notes or private lending or simply want to better understand how experienced lenders evaluate risk, this conversation offers practical lessons you can use to make more informed investment decisions. 

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Understan...

What happens when you skip the traditional corporate path, lean into networking, and turn relationships into real estate opportunities? Haydynn Fike is co-founder of Acadia Capital and host of The Art of Connecting Podcast. After graduating from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Haydynn quickly realized the corporate world wasn't for him and began attending every networking event he could find. That decision led to a partnership with Dan, a 74-unit storage facility, and eventually the creation of Acadia Capital. Today, Haydynn has helped investors place more than $7 million into Acadia Capital while building a growing network of real estate investors throughout the Southeast. 

Haydynn shares how networking and genuine relationships can create opportunities that aren't found by simply scrolling through property listings. He also talks about flipping two houses in 2024, owning a 74-unit storage facility, building investor communities through the Southeast Best Real Estate...

Mathew Owens is a CPA, real estate investor, and founder of OCG Capital. He shares with us the strategies behind building a real estate empire that spans more than 1,500 units, over 1,000 home flips, and more than $500 million in loans to investors. Matt has also raised over $200 million in private capital, giving him a unique perspective on what separates successful investors from those who struggle to scale.

We dive into his disciplined approach to investing, including the 200-point due diligence checklist he uses to evaluate opportunities and minimize risk before committing capital. Matt shares lessons learned from decades of experience as both an active operator and passive investor, offering practical insights on finding quality deals, raising private money, building passive income, and creating long-term wealth through real estate. This episode is packed with actionable advice from someone who has successfully navigated nearly every corner of the real estate investing world...

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
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