Shows
Straight Up Chicago InvestorLooking At Chicago Investing Differently with Jason WagnerJason shares why he chose to invest in Chicago's northwest side and how he's achieved success in that area. He breaks down assumable loans and 2-1 buydowns including how these tools can be leveraged to improve an asset's ROI! Jason discusses the power of the data he compiles in the Wagner Report and how investors can utilize it for a competitive edge. He closes with bullish remarks on Arlington Heights and powerful advice for new, aspiring investors! If you enjoy today's episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in...
2025-09-251h 01
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner73. The Unforgettable Impact of Charlie KirkSend us a textCharlie Kirk's life was cut tragically short at just 31 years old, but his impact on American politics and conservative thought will endure for generations. We're still processing the shock of his assassination, which has rippled through communities worldwide and revealed deep fractures in our political landscape.Few figures have accomplished what Kirk did in such a short time. Founding Turning Point USA as a teenager without a college degree, he built a movement that gave voice to young conservatives on campuses across America. His approach was unique – engaging in difficult conversations wi...
2025-09-2351 min
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner72. Navigating Our First Eviction: A 10-Month Landlord NightmareSend us a textOur first eviction experience turned into a year-long saga of legal hurdles, thousands in lost revenue, and unexpected emotional challenges. We navigate the complex process of evicting non-paying tenants from our commercial property in Chicago while balancing business decisions with human impact.• Notice requirements for tenant termination in Chicago (120 days for tenants who've lived there over 3 years)• Impact of problem tenants on other units and building conditions• Timeline from notice to actual eviction spanning nearly 12 months• Legal procedures including court dates, default judgments, and sheriff scheduling• Importance of not acc...
2025-09-1948 min
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner71. How Private Lending, AI, & Midterm Rentals Create Freedom With Jennie Berger and Tristan LoraSend us a textIn this captivating episode of Real Life Investing, Jason and Rachel Wagner sit down with powerhouse duo Jennie Berger and Tristan Lora for a conversation that blends real estate savvy, entrepreneurial resilience, lifestyle design, and some truly unforgettable stories.Jennie shares her inspiring journey from high-stakes condo development and house flipping to building a thriving private lending business. She opens up about lessons learned from challenging projects, the art of calculated risk-taking, and how she structures deals to protect her capital—plus the surprising role her self-directed Roth IRA plays in he...
2025-08-142h 22
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner70. Unlocking VA Loan Secrets with Dubois ToySend us a textWhen veteran Dubois Toy received a check for $2,600 at his closing table after buying a $369,000 property, he knew he'd stumbled onto something extraordinary. With just $400 out-of-pocket, he'd unlocked the hidden potential of the VA loan that most veterans never discover.As a former ethical hacker, Toy brought his methodical approach to finding loopholes to the world of real estate investing. "I read 2,000 pages of the VA lenders handbook," he reveals, explaining how this deep dive uncovered game-changing strategies most loan officers don't even know about. The most shocking revelation? Only 35% of...
2025-07-141h 13
Watch With Jen™Watch With Jen - S6: E11 - Aardman Animation with Rachel WagnerThis week, I'm pleased to bring you a cheery conversation with my delightful friend, fellow podcaster, and animation expert Rachel Wagner. Incredibly hardworking and prolific as the woman behind both the website Rachel's Reviews and the popular Hallmarkies podcast, in this breezy, fast paced, nostalgic, well researched discussion, we celebrate the films of the always inventive Aardman Animation, including the Wallace & Gromit claymation stop-motion shorts that first brought them international fame, CHICKEN RUN, ARTHUR CHRISTMAS, the SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE, & more. Long live the creativity of stop-motion clay animation.Originally Posted on Patreon (5/31/25) here: https://www.patreon...
2025-05-3145 min
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner69. Standing Your Ground: Why We Declined Standard Newborn Hospital ProtocolsSend us a textWe recently welcomed our son Wes Michael Wagner and share our deeply personal journey through childbirth in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape, where we declined nearly all standard hospital protocols for newborns.In this episode we discuss:• Detailed look at RhoGAM shots and our decision to decline despite significant pressure from medical staff• Analyzing the risk factors of Group B Strep and antibiotics versus protecting the microbiome• How vitamin K shots are linked to jaundice and other risks according to manufacturer package inserts• Discussion of the new MAHA report t...
2025-05-241h 54
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner68. Berry Yo & the Heart of Arlington Heights: A Story of Grit, Frozen Yogurt, and Community with Sheila HennemanSend us a textIn this heartwarming episode of The Real Life Investing Podcast, Jason and Rachel Wagner sit down with Sheila Henneman, the beloved owner of Berry Yo Frozen Yogurt in downtown Arlington Heights, IL.Sheila shares her remarkable journey from being a stay-at-home mom to becoming a thriving entrepreneur with one of the most cherished local businesses in the community. You'll hear how she:Started a frozen yogurt business with no prior experienceSurvived the brutal impact of COVID with the help of her communityBuilt a business that hires...
2025-05-051h 10
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner67. The Milford Method: How To Create Meaningful Connections Where You Live with Matt and Katie MilfordSend us a textWhat if the secret to building deep community in our disconnected world was hidden in plain sight? Matt and Katie Milford—known as the "connectors" of their Arlington Heights neighborhood—reveal their formula for transforming neighbors into friends and acquaintances into family.The Milfords share how their strategic decision to live near downtown, despite the higher cost, put them in proximity to like-minded, socially-oriented people. "When you rapidly surround yourselves with people who are in the same location, roughly the same age, popping out kids at the same time, and have simi...
2025-04-081h 28
A Lifetime of HallmarkRachel Leigh Cook, Jackie Weaver, and Judy Kain Merge with Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, and Charles Barkley to Form Sisterhood, Inc.Rachel Leigh Cook, Jackie Weaver, and Judy Kain Merge with Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, and Charles Barkley to Form Sisterhood, IncLes, Kurt, and Jason, quite inexplicably, forgot to talk about June Squibb on the Oscars, but do take a second to talk about Jason’t Hairy Sussex. Then, Kurt’s nightmares are haunted by smart little precocious girls thanks to Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass and Jason is thoroughly confused and intrigued by the animated movie about Charles Darwin, Jesus, and a (talking?) cat. Then it’s time to get into Hallmark’s Sisterhood, Inc. staring Rachel Leigh Cook, Jackie W...
2025-03-271h 41
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner66. Unfiltered Success: Wonderful Togbey on Building A Real Estate Empire, 75 Hard, and Credit Card MasterySend us a textIn this inspiring episode, Jason and Rachel Wagner sit down with the multifaceted Wonderful Togbey—a successful Chicago real estate investor, 75 Hard enthusiast, and master of credit card hacking. As an immigrant from Togo, West Africa, Wonderful Togbey shares his incredible journey of moving to the U.S. at 16, building a thriving real estate portfolio from scratch, and balancing a full-time job, family life, and global travel.Kicking things off with his experience tackling the grueling 75 Hard program in 2021, Wonderful reveals a surprising twist. From there, the conversation dives int...
2025-03-131h 59
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner65. RFK Jr. HHS Confirmation and Personal Stories of Vaccine InjuriesSend us a textRFK Jr.'s appointment as HHS Secretary could signify a shift toward greater transparency and parental choices in public health and vaccination policies. Jason and Rachel Wagner discuss their own experiences with vaccination and the importance of informed consent, raising significant questions about the current understanding of vaccine safety and industry accountability.• RFK Jr. confirmed as HHS Secretary, sparking hope for public health reform• Discussion centers on the evolving narratives surrounding vaccines• Personal stories highlight challenges faced by parents navigating health decisions• Emphasis on the importance of informed consent...
2025-02-161h 07
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner64. Leaning Into Faith with Anita PilalisSend us a textBible sales are reaching record highs, and across America, more people are reconnecting with their faith. This makes today’s episode especially timely as we sit down with the incredible Anita Pilalis, a devoted and passionate Christian. Anita shares the powerful moment she found God and how it became her life’s mission to serve Him. Our conversation touches on how others can lean into their faith to help them during times of uncertainty, how prayer can be used as an intimate conversation, how to recognize the unseen spiritual warfare that encap...
2025-02-072h 09
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner63. How We Defended and Won a Real Estate Commission ArbitrationSend us a textToday's episode, we discuss the arbitration case over earned real estate commissions we recently found ourselves in. In a claim that was brought against brokerage, we walk through how we effectively defended our commission and ultimately prevailed as the unlikely victors.
2024-12-0757 min
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner62. Refusing To Be A Victim and Doing Whatever It Takes with Mike BednarzSend us a textJoin us for one of the most inspirational conversations you can hear as we sit down with Mike Bednarz. It was just another day quoting a job for his commercial HVAC company, Bedco Mechanical, when Mike suddenly lost control of a ladder and fell 25 feet onto concrete. Mike suffered a severe brain injury and shattered many bones from that accident. He shares his story of how he had always lived a life of discipline, and his choices leading up to his injury helped him bounce back even stronger and more resilient after doctors had...
2024-11-181h 23
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner61. Returning To Faith: Our First Experience Back At ChurchSend us a textToday's episode dives into our spiritual journey back to faith. Our conversation explores that impact of the 2024 presidential election and how it offered the evidence Jason needed to rediscover his abandoned faith. We hope that our story offers others an opportunity to become curious about God and encourages you to go explore. A truly relatable episode.
2024-11-1347 min
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner60. How Donald Trump Pulled Off The Greatest Political Comeback Of All TimeSend us a textTune into our take on how Donald Trump and the Republicans won the 2024 election in a landslide.
2024-11-0654 min
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner59. Voting Day & Donald TrumpSend us a textWe voted. For Donald Trump. Here's why.
2024-11-0539 min
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner58. Walking Away From The Democratic Party with AdrianaSend us a textJoin us on the Real Life Investing Podcast for a thought provoking conversation of shifting political landscapes with our guest, Adriana. As a Hispanic raised in a middle-class neighborhood with strong Democratic values, Adriana shares her compelling journey from a lifelong Democrat to a passionate supporter of Donald Trump and the Republican Party. This transformation highlights the power of personal experience in reshaping political beliefs. Adriana's story offers a unique window into the broader trend of changing political affiliations, particularly within Hispanic communities, as cultural values and economic frustrations influence new alignments.
2024-11-031h 55
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner57. Surpassing $1M Net Worth Through Real Estate InvestingSend us a textJason and Rachel detail how they went from being worth more dead than alive, to surpassing $1M net worth in 5 years through real estate investing.
2024-10-3044 min
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner56. Renting Tesla's on Turo: Profits, Logistics, & Cybertruck AdventuresSend us a textWe bought a Cybertruck. We rent it out on Turo. Here’s how it’s going and here’s the story of why we decided it was a worthwhile investment.
2024-10-2821 min
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner55: Leslie Collazo: Republican Candidate for Illinois State Representative In The 8th DistrictSend us a textMeet Leslie Collazo, a passionate advocate and dedicated community leader from the heart of Chicago. Born and raised in Illinois, Leslie is a proud daughter of Puerto Rican heritage, bringing a rich cultural perspective and a commitment to serving her community. As she embarks on her journey to become the State Representative for the 8th District, Leslie's bilingual abilities amplify her connection with diverse constituents. Leslie holds a Bachelor's Degree in Speech Communications from Northeastern Illinois University, where she honed her skills in effective communication and advocacy. Her career has been a...
2024-10-221h 13
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner54. Uncovering Ideological Bias In Our Colleges & UniversitiesSend us a textWhat if the political leanings of your college professors are shaping your worldview more than you realize? Today we discuss the chart Elon Musk shared that shows the dominance left leaning professors have within our colleges and universities. This chart is also supported with a 2016 study of Liberal Professors Outnumber Conservatives 12:1. Our discussion details personal reflections of our college experience back in 2008 where topics of race, white privilege, and victimology were commonly taught. Fast forward to today, and we can see how these teachings have translated into further division wi...
2024-10-2155 min
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner53. Kamala Harris Vs Fox News, Trump’s Treatment of Women, and What Will Win The ElectionSend us a textCatch our take on the Kamala Harris vs Fox News interview and what it says about the state of the media. Going further, we discuss the important voting topics that the left and right are debating, while also diving into Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS). Rachel gives us her opinion on Trump's treatment of women, and finally we talk about the key pieces that will win the election.
2024-10-1834 min
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner52. Unpacking Our Conservative Values And Where They Came FromSend us a textCan one thrive as a conservative in a sea of liberal ideology? Embark on a journey with us, Rachel and Jason Wagner, as we unravel our personal narratives of embracing conservative beliefs while living in the predominantly Democratic state of Illinois. We'll peel back the layers of our political evolution, shaped by our unique backgrounds—Rachel's intriguing childhood conversations with her grandfather, a Democratic mayor, and Jason's eye-opening political awakening post college. Our final segment explores the crucial role of education in shaping political perspectives. We'll recount personal experiences of navigating pol...
2024-10-1757 min
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner51. Celebrating 50 Episodes: Real Estate Success, Personal Growth, and Authentic ConversationsSend us a textJoin us as we celebrate our 50th episode on the Real Life Investing Podcast. We couldn’t have reached this milestone without our listeners, our virtual assistant Ricel, and the incredible guests who shared their wisdom and experiences. This episode is a heartfelt reflection on our journey, highlighting the transformative impact of the 75 Hard program, with inspiring stories from Nicky De Leon (Ep #8), Jon and Keira Quintero (Ep #15), Paige Henneman (Ep #33), James and Mhariel Stirgus (Ep #46), and many more. Each of their personal growth journeys have been nothing short of inspiring, and we ar...
2024-08-1939 min
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner50. Unprecedented Times: The Perspective of Today's High Schooler With Kelly & CampbellSend us a textJoin us for a fascinating conversation with two local high schoolers, Kelly and Campbell. From the Covid 19 Pandemic to political viewpoints, this discussion goes into the mindset of what it was like to be a teenager during unprecedented times.
2024-08-151h 17
Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner49. Life-Saving Swim Lessons with ISR Instructor Jamie BergerSend us a textToday we have the pleasure of sitting down with our children's ISR (Infant Swimming Resources) instructor, Jamie Berger of Safe Swim LLC. In this episode, we promise you'll gain a deep understanding of the benefits of ISR lessons over traditional swim programs. Unlike conventional methods, ISR lessons are tailored to each child's needs, featuring frequent, shorter sessions that enhance retention and effectiveness. Jamie also discusses the common misconceptions about ISR, and if you and your child understand the concept of "skills before thrills," you can expect to achieve incredible li...
2024-08-121h 04