Welcome to Real Smart, the real estate podcast you've been waiting for.
On this show, we sit down with some of the most dynamic and accomplished voices in real estate to explore trends shaping the industry and uncover what truly sets great leaders apart.
*The content of this podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and the hosts, guests, or Allen Matkins. You should not act or rely on any information discussed without first consulting a qualified attorney regarding your specific situation. Any opinions expressed are those of the individuals speaking and do not necessarily reflect the views of Allen Matkins or its clients.
Luxury Retail, Big Bets & Building the Future of LA
Host Spencer interviews Pouya Abdi, founder & CEO of Parallel Acquisitions, about building a luxury retail real estate platform and reimagining LA destinations through calculated risks and local expertise.
18 Jun 2026
Shaping the Future of Los Angeles – A Conversation with Bryan Eck
Host Spencer interviews Bryan Eck, USC Executive Director of Land Use & Planning, about shaping Los Angeles' future through urban planning and public spaces.
27 May 2026
Sierra Ridge Capital: Investing in Real Estate, Entrepreneurship, and Assessing Market Opportunity
Host Spencer Kallick interviews Dan Palmieri and Nick Angelich of Sierra Ridge Capital about launching a real estate investment platform and assessing market opportunities.
4 May 2026
Building Culver City: Carving a Path for Housing and Growth
Culver City Planning and Development Director Mark Muenzer shares with host Spencer how the city streamlines housing approvals and embraces mandates to achieve successful growth.
14 Apr 2026
Inside High-Stakes Disputes: What Business Leaders Need to Know
Host Spencer interviews Alan Hearty, Chair of Allen Matkins' Century City Litigation Department, revealing strategies for business leaders to navigate and win high-stakes disputes.
1 Apr 2026
Eddie Prosser on Credit, Distress, and Discipline in Real Estate Lending
Host Spencer Kallick interviews Eddie Prosser, Principal and Head of Credit at Thorofare Capital, about the disciplined approach to real estate lending in volatile markets and identifying future opportunities.
17 Mar 2026
Digging into Geological Consulting and Real Estate Development | Josh Feffer, Ownder and Principal, Feffer Geological Consulting
Host Spencer interviews Josh Feffer, Owner and Principal of Feffer Geological Consulting, about geotechnical engineering's vital role in real estate development and navigating complex municipal codes.
4 Mar 2026
Preserving the Past While Building the Future – A Conversation with Katie Horak
Host [Host Name] interviews Katie Horak, principal at Architectural Resources Group, exploring the balance between historic preservation and modern development in Los Angeles.
17 Feb 2026
Global Deals and NYC's Office Comeback: A Conversation with Jared Freede
Spencer Kallick interviews Jared Freede, EVP at CBRE, about NYC's office market resurgence and the factors driving return-to-office momentum.
2 Feb 2026
Beyond the Billboard: How BIG Outdoor Is Redefining Urban Signage
Host Spencer Kallick interviews Bill Tagliaferri, president of BIG Outdoor, about transforming urban signage into immersive experiences that drive economic development and community benefit.
22 Jan 2026
Redefining Pet Emergency Care – How VEG ER for Pets Uses Real Estate to Further Its Mission | Jennifer Hanlon, Vice President of Real Estate and Development, VEG ER
On this episode of Real Smart, we speak with Jennifer Hanlon, vice president of real estate and development at VEG ER for Pets, one of the fastest-growing emergency veterinary care companies in the country. Jennifer discusses how VEG's open-concept model is reshaping emergency care and the real estate strategy behind its rapid national expansion.
6 Jan 2026
The Importance of Community and Relationships in Commercial Real Estate | David Mirharooni, Brickstar Capital
David Mirharooni, principal of Brickstar Capital, shares his journey from growing up in an immigrant family to becoming a Beverly Hills-based real estate investor, specializing in commercial retail and hospitality properties. David emphasizes the importance of networking and community involvement, and he talks about his creative use of adaptive leasing strategies. He also shares his take on current market trends, challenges, and the value of personal connections in the real estate industry.
3 Dec 2025
Reimagining Cities: Adaptive Reuse, Creativity, and Community with Shawn Gehle
This episode features architect Shawn Gehle, co-founder of the Los Angeles architecture and design studio OFFICEUNTITLED, as he discusses his background, the firm's philosophy, and the evolution of its work. He reflects on his firm's emphasis on hands-on creativity, material exploration, and close client collaboration, as well as its rapid growth from small residential projects to large mixed-use developments. Don't miss this conversation about adaptability, innovation, and approaching design with genuine community impact in mind.
11 Nov 2025
The Smart Approach to Environmental, Health, and Sustainability in Real Estate | Loren Witkin, CEO, Citadel EHS
Loren Witkin, CEO of Citadel EHS, explains how his company adds value and drives strategy by identifying environmental, health, and sustainability risks early in the real estate development process. He goes on to explain why it's so difficult to build in California, how to work successfully with state and local governments, and the importance of everyone trying to solve project challenges together. An acknowledged leader in his industry, Loren explains how he makes people "feel seen," and why that is the key to building productive and happy teams.
29 Oct 2025
Bringing Hustle and Ingenuity to Real Estate Capital Markets | Zachary Streit
Zachary Streit, Founder and President of Priority Capital Advisory, discusses how he's getting deals done in one of the toughest real estate markets in years. He shares how he built one of the fastest-growing boutique capital advisory firms in the country, closing over $600 million in transactions in under two years, and how his team delivers creative, highly structured financing solutions when traditional capital sources dry up.
Tune in to this episode of Real Smart for a discussion on the resurgence of regional banks, new opportunities in retail development, and Zach's take on leadership, hustle, and staying creative in commercial real estate.
Whether you're a developer, investor, or just trying to move deals forward in this market, this episode offers sharp, actionable insights from someone who's built a business on creativity, relationships, and real execution.
15 Oct 2025
Construction Costs, Contracts & What's Market
Spencer Kallick sits down with Ari Shaeps, Construction Law partner at Allen Matkins, for a deep dive into what's really driving construction costs, how "what's market" is determined, and why a well-negotiated contract is the key to real estate success. Ari shares how he negotiated billion-dollar stadium deals in under 60 days, brings unmatched institutional knowledge from coast to coast, and unpacks the realities of tariffs, labor shortages, and buyout savings. This is a must-listen for developers, investors, and anyone navigating construction in today's volatile market.
1 Oct 2025
Scaling Smart Development in LA | Jason & Steven Somers, Crest Real Estate
Jason and Steven Somers, brothers and co-founders of Crest Real Estate, share how they built the largest permitting and entitlement firm in Los Angeles. They discuss trends in LA development, how the city is adapting post-wildfires, and the launch of Case Study 2.0, a new housing recovery initiative for fire-impacted communities. From managing thousands of active projects to launching new offices and wellness products, this episode covers what it takes to build smarter, scale faster, and lead with intention in one of the toughest markets in the country.
17 Sept 2025
Capital Markets, Office Trends & What's Next | Kevin Donner, Newmark
In this episode of Real Smart, Spencer Kallick sits down with Kevin Donner, Executive Vice Chairman at Newmark, to explore the evolving capital markets landscape and how to navigate a market defined by uncertainty. Kevin shares insights from decades at firms like Eastdil, Goldman Sachs, and Cushman & Wakefield — and opens up about rebuilding his life and home in the Palisades after the devastating fire. This is an episode about relationships, resilience, and how the smartest players in real estate stay grounded during transitions.
3 Sept 2025
The Industrial Sector's Resilience
In Real Smart's inaugural episode, Spencer B. Kallick interviews Mike Longo, senior vice president - capital markets at CBRE. Mike shares insights about tariffs and the direction of industrial development. He also explains his leadership philosophy and approach to developing business partnerships.
Who has been a guest on Real Smart
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Pouya Abdi
Bryan Eck
Dan Palmieri
Nick Angelich
Mark Muenzer
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
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