On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene is joined by Stuart Gethner, a longtime real estate investor, educator, and connector who has spent decades helping investors move from analysis into action. Stuart shares insights from his experience coaching investors and building his own portfolio across multiple market cycles.

The conversation centers on why real estate is ultimately a people business. Stuart explains how networking, local market knowledge, and face-to-face relationships help investors avoid costly mistakes—especially when investing out of state or relying too heavily on online education. He and Jonathan discuss the limits of "YouTube University" and why real confidence comes from real conversations with experienced investors.

Jonathan and Stuart also dive into partnerships, property management, and investor self-awareness. From understanding your personal strengths to building complementary partnerships and avoiding shiny object syndrome, the episode emphasizes patience, humility, and long-term thinking as foundations for sustainable investing success.

• Why networking groups accelerate investor confidence and clarity

• The risks of relying solely on online education without local insight

• How partnerships work best when both sides have equal skin in the game

• Why investing close to home often reduces operational risk

• How patience and long-term thinking outperform "get rich quick" strategies

If you enjoy the show, please follow Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing on Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. It helps other listeners discover these conversations and supports the show's growth.

Connect with Stuart:

Website: http://www.stuartgethner.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StuartGethner

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Gethner-Education-Consulting/61578852277422/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stuartgethner

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/stuartgethner/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stuart_gethner

Connect with Jonathan:

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/streamlinen​j

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/jonathangreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - info@streamlined.properties

This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene sits down with Nick Corwin, founder of Oak and Ember, to explore what it really looks like to move from long-term rentals into short-term hospitality and eventually into ground-up development. Nick shares how an engineering mindset, strong mentorship, and disciplined downside analysis shaped his early investing decisions.

The conversation traces Nick's evolution from owning Midwest long-term rentals to building unique short-term experiences in the Wisconsin Dells. He explains why chasing the middle of the market can be a losing strategy, how combining units and serving overlooked guest segments created an edge, and why operating short-term rentals requires far more systems and empathy than most investors expect.

Jonathan and Nick also unpack the realities of entitlement risk, zoning battles, and development timelines. Nick offers a candid look at what it takes to push a project through local approvals, manage rising costs, and stay grounded when timelines and budgets inevitably expand.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Why testing whether you even like being a landlord matters before scaling

• How Nick identified underserved short-term rental niches instead of competing in crowded markets

• The operational differences between long-term rentals and hospitality businesses

• Lessons learned from zoning, entitlement hurdles, and community resistance

• Why doubling both your budget and timeline can save you from painful surprises

Follow and Review

If you enjoy the show, please follow Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing on Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. It helps other listeners discover these conversations and supports the show's growth.

Connect with Nick:

Website: http://www.stayoakandember.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Korwinning

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/korwinning/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/korwinning/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@korwinning

Connect with Jonathan:

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/streamlinen​j

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/jonathangreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - info@streamlined.properties

This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene sits down with Bri West, co-founder of Somerled Designs, to explore how strategic design has become a competitive advantage in today's short-term rental market. Drawing on her background in marketing and real estate investing, Bri explains why design should be treated as a revenue-driving investment rather than a cosmetic expense.

The conversation dives into how niching down on a clear guest avatar, using data to guide design decisions, and prioritizing high-impact spaces can dramatically increase ADR—even if occupancy is lower. Bri also shares insights from managing and designing hundreds of short-term rentals nationwide, including common mistakes investors make, how to think about amenities and bed configurations, and why lifestyle photography and branding are no longer optional.

Listeners will come away with a clearer framework for evaluating short-term rental opportunities, aligning design with long-term investment goals, and standing out in increasingly saturated markets.

• Why short-term rental design should start with data and investment strategy, not personal taste

• How niching down on a specific guest experience can outperform "general" properties

• The role of amenities, durability, and bed layout in guest satisfaction and reviews

• Why branding and lifestyle photography directly impact bookings and pricing power

• How to think about long-term competitiveness as markets become more saturated

Follow and Review
If you enjoy the show, please follow Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing on Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. It helps other listeners discover these conversations and supports the show's growth.

Connect with Bri:

Website: https://www.somerleddesigns.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somerled.designs/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/somerled-designs/

Connect with Jonathan:

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/streamlinen​j

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/jonathangreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - info@streamlined.properties

This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene sits down with Ash Patel, a commercial real estate investor with more than 15 years of experience investing beyond multifamily. Ash shares how an early mixed-use deal opened his eyes to the advantages of commercial assets and ultimately reshaped his entire investing approach.

The conversation explores why many commercial assets are misunderstood or overlooked, including office, retail, medical, and mixed-use properties. Ash explains how changing work patterns, suburban growth, and market cycles are creating rare opportunities to acquire high-quality commercial buildings at deep discounts, often well below replacement cost.

Jonathan and Ash also dig into the mindset required to succeed in real estate, the dangers of chasing trends promoted on social media, and why newer investors may benefit from escaping overcrowded asset classes. This episode offers a grounded look at how flexibility, curiosity, and long-term thinking can open doors to less competitive—and often more resilient—investment opportunities.

• How Ash transitioned from residential and mixed-use into commercial real estate

• Why office, retail, and medical assets are misunderstood by many investors

• How market cycles create opportunities across different commercial asset classes

• The risks of following social-media-driven investment trends

• Why parking, location, and tenant mix matter more than asset labels

• How mindset plays a larger role than mechanics in long-term success

If you enjoy the show, please follow Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing on Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. It helps other listeners discover these conversations and supports the show's growth.

Connect with Ash:

Website: http://www.investbeyondmultifamily.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ashpatel_official

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ash.patel.58118

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashpatel_official/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ash-patel-95b1a25/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ashpatel_official

Connect with Jonathan:

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/streamlinen​j

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/jonathangreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - info@streamlined.properties

This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene sits down with Jennifer Ruelens, a longtime property manager and unapologetic truth-teller in the real estate industry. With more than two decades of hands-on experience, Jennifer shares what buy-and-hold investors often misunderstand about property management, tenant relationships, and the real work required to make rentals perform over time.

The conversation explores why real estate investing is rarely passive, how deferred maintenance and avoidance cost investors far more than management fees, and why many landlords struggle when they underestimate the human side of housing. Jennifer explains how professional property management reduces risk, stabilizes assets, and helps investors focus on long-term wealth rather than short-term cash flow.

Listeners will also hear a candid discussion about ego, DIY investing, family dynamics, and why many investors fail not because of bad deals, but because they avoid hard conversations and responsibility. This episode offers a grounded, experience-driven perspective on what it really takes to succeed with buy-and-hold real estate.

• Why buy-and-hold real estate is a business, not a passive investment

• How poor property management decisions erode long-term returns

• The true cost of deferred maintenance and conflict avoidance

• Why professional management often increases NOI despite added fees

• How stabilizing properties protects both tenants and investors

• The role of expectations, transparency, and service in tenant retention

If you enjoy the show, please follow Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing on Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. It helps other listeners discover these conversations and supports the show's growth.

Connect with Jen:

Website: https://holditwithpmjen.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@holditwithpmjen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoldItwithPMJen/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holditwithpmjen/

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jenniferruelens

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holditwithpmjen

Connect with Jonathan:

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/streamlinen​j

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/jonathangreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - info@streamlined.properties

This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.

Jonathan Greene is joined by August Biniaz, co-founder and CIO of CPI Capital, to explore how early exposure to real estate shaped August's investing philosophy and led him from single-family investing into large-scale multifamily and build-to-rent strategies. August shares how his family's experience with real estate as a hedge against inflation influenced his long-term view on housing and capital preservation.

The conversation dives into the realities of syndication, from learning the GP/LP structure through trial and error to building investor trust, infrastructure, and discipline over time. August explains why CPI focuses on U.S. markets like Tampa and San Antonio, how oversupply cycles create both risk and opportunity, and why patience and underwriting discipline matter more than deal volume.

Jonathan and August also discuss the value of passive investing, especially for professionals who want real estate exposure without taking on a second job. August outlines how investors can think clearly about asset classes, sponsors, and alignment before committing capital, emphasizing that trust and communication are just as important as returns.

• How early family exposure to real estate can shape long-term investing instincts

• Why August transitioned from development into real estate private equity

• The differences between Canadian and U.S. multifamily investing environments

• How CPI evaluates Tampa and San Antonio amid oversupply and shifting demand

• Why being a limited partner can be the best education for future operators

• What passive investors should consider when choosing asset classes and sponsors

If you enjoy the show, please follow Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing on Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. It helps other listeners discover these conversations and supports the show's growth.

Connect with August:

Website: https://cpicapital.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@realestateinvestingdemystified

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soheil.biniaz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/augustbiniaz/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/augustbiniaz/

Twitter: https://x.com/CPI_Capital

Connect with Jonathan:

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/streamlinen​j

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/jonathangreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - info@streamlined.properties

This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene sits down with Bob Fraser, bestselling author of Invest Like a Billionaire and CFO and Chief Macro Strategist at Aspen Funds. Bob shares how billionaire investors moved away from traditional 60/40 portfolios toward alternative investments—and why everyday investors can adopt the same mindset without billionaire-level wealth.

Throughout the conversation, Bob explains why professionally managed real estate is often the most approachable entry point into alternatives, especially for investors who want exposure without taking on a second full-time job. He and Jonathan explore the differences between active and passive investing, the importance of aligned partnerships, and why many investors underestimate the operational demands of being a landlord.

The discussion then dives deep into macro-driven investing, with Bob outlining why industrial real estate stands out today due to reshoring trends, logistics demand, and lower construction and operational complexity compared to multifamily. Bob also explains why fund structures can be more efficient than single-asset syndications, offering better capital deployment, diversification, and investor control—especially around taxes and liquidity.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Why billionaires shifted away from traditional portfolios toward alternatives

• How everyday investors can think like billionaires without massive capital

• The difference between active real estate and truly passive investing

• Why industrial real estate is outperforming multifamily in the current cycle

• How fund structures can improve diversification, tax efficiency, and liquidity

• What macro trends Bob looks for when evaluating alternative investments

Follow and Review
If you enjoy the show, please follow Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing on Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. It helps other listeners discover these conversations and supports the show's growth.

Connect with Bob:

Website: http://aspenfunds.us/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aspenfunds

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobfraser10/

Connect with Jonathan:

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/streamlinen​j

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/jonathangreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - info@streamlined.properties

This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene sits down with Greg Trotter, CEO and founder of Commercial Building Consultants, to unpack what real estate investors often miss during commercial due diligence. With over 40 years of experience in construction, inspections, and forensic building analysis, Greg explains how his role is to act as a "bodyguard" for investors—protecting their equity by identifying real risks before they close.

Greg walks through how property condition assessments should align with an investor's hold period and exit strategy, why cosmetic upgrades are often a distraction, and how overlooked systems like roofs, drainage, lift stations, and life-safety infrastructure can quietly derail deals. He also shares stories from projects across the U.S. and beyond, highlighting how climate, weather events, deferred maintenance, and operational blind spots create long-term financial consequences.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of why transparency, conservative planning, and honest reporting matter more than optimism in underwriting—and how knowing the full story of a building can protect both operators and investors from costly surprises down the line.

• How Greg's construction background led him into commercial inspection and consulting

• Why due diligence must account for hold period, capex timing, and exit strategy

• Commonly overlooked risks like drainage, roofing, lift stations, and life-safety systems

• How deferred maintenance compounds into multimillion-dollar problems

• Why weather events, storm surge, and climate risks are changing how buildings must be evaluated

• The difference between cosmetic improvements and protecting long-term asset value

Follow and Review
If you enjoy the show, please follow Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing on Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. It helps other listeners discover these conversations and supports the show's growth.

Connect with Greg

Website: http://thecbcteam.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebuildingguy/

Connect with Jonathan:

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/streamlinen​j

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/jonathangreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - info@streamlined.properties

This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.