Beyond The Sign

About Beyond The Sign

What really happens beyond the sign? It’s more than deals and contracts — it’s the business of living, and the people driving it every day. Hosted by Landon Ball and Martin Sears of The Sears Group at West USA Realty, each episode pulls back the curtain on what drives our communities: real estate, finance, leadership, and local impact. Hear from professionals and everyday voices shaping the market across Arizona and beyond. No fluff. No scripts. Just straight talk and real insight to help you make smarter moves — in business and in life. Powered by The Sears Group at West USA Realty. Real conversations. Real professionals. Real value.

Publisher

The Sears Group

Category

business · education

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

13 Nov 2025

Latest episode

28 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

20 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   28 Oct 2026

   Ep. 20 Arizona State Treasurer Race: Education, Investments & the $11B Fund | Nick Mansour (D)

   Who should manage Arizona's $11 billion land endowment and the state's investments? Democratic candidate Nick Mansour explains what the State Treasurer does and why he wants to move the endowment toward an 80/20 stock-to-bond mix. This interview is part of Beyond the Sign's Arizona State Treasurer 2026 candidate interview series. We invited both candidates, Republican Elijah Norton and Democrat Nick Mansour, asked each the same core questions in the same format, and are releasing both interviews together on the same day. Guest: Nick Mansour, Democratic candidate for Arizona State Treasurer Hosted by Landon Ball (The Sears Group, West USA Realty) 🏛️ WHAT THE TREASURER DOES Nick separates the office's work into two parts: managing the state's day-to-day operating cash and investing the roughly $11 billion education endowment, formally the Permanent Land Endowment Fund. 📊 80/20 VS. 60/40 Nick explains the current 60/40 allocation, why he wants to move toward 80/20 and where his campaign's estimate of $3.6 billion in missed growth over 13 years comes from. 🌵 STATE TRUST LAND & PROP 123 With Prop 123's higher distribution expired and the rate back at 2.5%, he talks about raising the distribution with safeguards and getting more value from state trust land. 🎒 ESA OVERSIGHT He describes what he believes the treasurer can do on Empowerment Scholarship Account spending, including transparency on where the money goes, and his plan to curb waste. 🤝 ACROSS THE AISLE He describes working with the legislature whether Republicans or Democrats control it, talks about his endorsements and contrasts himself with his opponent. 🍽️ THE LIGHTER SIDE He shares his favorite spots in Tucson (Eegee's, El Charro) and Phoenix (Hillstone). 📌 CONTEXT: PROP 123 Prop 123, approved by Arizona voters on May 17, 2016, temporarily raised the annual State Land Trust distribution from 2.5% to 6.9% for fiscal years 2016–2025. The enhanced rate expired after June 30, 2025, and distributions reverted to 2.5% starting in FY2026, with the Legislature backfilling the difference from the General Fund. As of October 2026, renewal talks have stalled for a third legislative session and no renewal is on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. Sources: Arizona Constitution, Art. 10, Sec. 7; Joint Legislative Budget Committee; Arizona Capitol Times (July 9, 2026). 🌐 Learn more about Nick's campaign: mansourforarizona.com 🎧 COMPANION EPISODE: Ep. 19, Elijah Norton (R), released the same day in this feed. Same questions, same format. ⚖️ NOT AN ENDORSEMENT Beyond the Sign does not endorse any candidate. Both Arizona State Treasurer candidates were invited and asked the same core questions so voters can hear from each directly. Candidate statements are their own and have not been independently fact-checked by the show. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. 🎙️ BEYOND THE SIGN Real conversations. Real people. Real value. Riverside: https://beyondthesign.riverside.com/ (https://beyondthesign.riverside.com/) | Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qPTNshI68NY94htuWLyQ6 (https://open.spotify.com/show/0qPTNshI68NY94htuWLyQ6) | Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1852668908 (https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1852668908) Follow @BeyondTheSignShow on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok

2. 

   28 Oct 2026

   Ep. 19 Arizona State Treasurer Race: Education, Investments & the $11B Fund | Elijah Norton (R)

   Who should manage Arizona's $11 billion land endowment and the state's investments? Republican candidate Elijah Norton explains what the State Treasurer does and why he wants to keep the endowment's current 60/40 stock-to-bond mix. This interview is part of Beyond the Sign's Arizona State Treasurer 2026 candidate interview series. We invited both candidates, Republican Elijah Norton and Democrat Nick Mansour, asked each the same core questions in the same format, and are releasing both interviews together on the same day. Guest: Elijah Norton, Republican candidate for Arizona State Treasurer Hosted by Landon Ball and Martin Sears (The Sears Group, West USA Realty) 🏛️ WHAT THE TREASURER DOES Elijah describes the office as Arizona's chief banking and investment officer, overseeing more than $34 billion in state assets, including the state and local government investment pools and the roughly $11 billion Permanent Land Endowment Trust Fund. 📊 60/40 VS. 80/20 Elijah explains why he supports the current 60% stocks / 40% bonds allocation and opposes moving to 80/20. His priority is protecting the fund's principal. 🌵 STATE TRUST LAND & PROP 123 With Prop 123's higher distribution expired, he talks about reforming state trust land sales to add principal, how he would approach a renewal, and a tiered plan that steps the distribution toward 5% over time. 🏦 COUNTY TREASURERS & DEI He covers his endorsements from county treasurers and his view on keeping politics, including DEI policies, out of state investments. 🤝 ACROSS THE AISLE He describes his outreach to independents and Democrats and contrasts himself with his opponent. 🍽️ THE LIGHTER SIDE He shares his favorite Arizona restaurants: Steak 44 and Ocean 44. 📌 CONTEXT: PROP 123 Prop 123, approved by Arizona voters on May 17, 2016, temporarily raised the annual State Land Trust distribution from 2.5% to 6.9% for fiscal years 2016–2025. The enhanced rate expired after June 30, 2025, and distributions reverted to 2.5% starting in FY2026, with the Legislature backfilling the difference from the General Fund. As of October 2026, renewal talks have stalled for a third legislative session and no renewal is on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. Sources: Arizona Constitution, Art. 10, Sec. 7; Joint Legislative Budget Committee; Arizona Capitol Times (July 9, 2026). 🌐 Learn more about Elijah's campaign: nortonforaz.com 🎧 COMPANION EPISODE: Ep. 20, Nick Mansour (D), released the same day in this feed. Same questions, same format. ⚖️ NOT AN ENDORSEMENT Beyond the Sign does not endorse any candidate. Both Arizona State Treasurer candidates were invited and asked the same core questions so voters can hear from each directly. Candidate statements are their own and have not been independently fact-checked by the show. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. 🎙️ BEYOND THE SIGN Real conversations. Real people. Real value. Riverside: https://beyondthesign.riverside.com/ (https://beyondthesign.riverside.com/) | Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qPTNshI68NY94htuWLyQ6 (https://open.spotify.com/show/0qPTNshI68NY94htuWLyQ6) | Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1852668908 (https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1852668908) Follow @BeyondTheSignShow on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok

3. 

   9 Oct 2026

   Ep. 18 What's Next for Goodyear? New Schools, Highways & the Future of the West Valley | Trey Terry

   Goodyear is growing, but what's next for one of the West Valley's fastest-growing communities? 🏙️ Goodyear City Councilmember Trey Terry joins Landon Ball on Beyond The Sign for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of Goodyear, Arizona, and the decisions shaping our community. From new high schools and Friday night football to major transportation projects like the Loop 303 extension and State Route 30, we explore what's happening across the West Valley and what residents can expect in the years ahead. 🏈 Schools & Athletics: New high schools, growing school districts, football rivalries, student transfers, and the changing landscape of Arizona high school sports. 🚧 Roads & Infrastructure: The Loop 303 extension, State Route 30, traffic improvements, water resources, and preparing for continued growth. 🏡 Housing & Development: New neighborhoods, housing affordability, rental communities, industrial growth, and the challenges of balancing development with quality of life. 🚨 Public Safety & Privacy: License plate readers, including Flock cameras, their role in criminal investigations, privacy concerns, and the importance of transparency. We also get to know Trey beyond City Hall, discussing his background, community involvement, leadership, and what he hopes to accomplish for Goodyear in the years ahead. Whether you're a longtime resident, new to the West Valley, or simply curious about where Goodyear is headed, this conversation offers a closer look at the issues impacting our community. 💬 What would YOU like to see next for Goodyear? 🎙️ BEYOND THE SIGN Real conversations. Real professionals. Real value. Follow @BeyondTheSignShow for more conversations with the people shaping our communities.

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

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Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.