Shows
Bricks & RiskAlways Be Networking, Choose Relationships Over Transactions | Episode 125Send us Fan MailA ... B ... N. Always be networking. While you want to protect your time, and maybe networking is not part of your current business plan, our advice is to make the time for the "right" networking. Are you more introverted? Focus on the one-on-one meeting. Are you the extroverted type? Go to anything and everything with lots of people, and then narrow down your choices from there. On this B&R toppy, Sean & Tim talk...
2026-05-1936 min
Bricks & RiskBet On Yourself with John Casey | Episode 122Send us Fan MailNumber one hundred and twenty two. This episode has special meaning to the three of us because it was our Phi Gamma Delta (aka Fiji) chapter number at La Salle University. Queue in John Casey; a good friend, as well as a successful entrepreneur. What started out as a cushy sales job a decade ago turned into John going all-in on himself. 100% commission, no guaranteed deals. Dive right into this B&R business banger as
2026-04-2852 min
Bricks & RiskKnow, Like, & Trust / Why AI Won’t Replace Sales Skills | Episode 121Send us Fan MailOur good pal, AI. You can't even turn around these days without getting smacked in the face with another AI article, video short, and social post. It's gonna eliminate jobs. It's gonna speed up innovation. It's gonna change the world. Yes, yes, and yes. But, there are some things that AI won't (and can't) replace. In this Bricks & Risk toppy, Sean & Tim go back and forth as to why they both believe AI will never replace the human ability to...
2026-04-2137 min
Bricks & RiskLow Barrier Problem & Why Sales Inexperience Hurts Industries | Episode 120Send us Fan Mail"Low barrier of entry" is something Tim has been referencing for years. Not only on B&R, but also when he was managing an independent, residential-focused real estate brokerage. But it doesn't just apply to the real estate industry, it also applies to the insurance industry. Join Sean & Tim as they dig into some of the foundational issues surrounding their respective industries, as well as their tips and advice for how to approach things differently and set yourself up for...
2026-04-1446 min
Bricks & RiskWarm Leads Only, A Business Development Model That Wins | Episode 118Send us Fan MailAnother successful "Nothing Doc" topic that led to a really great conversation on why some real estate agents practice with clients, and why some just refer clients. Stewardship is a financial services company out of Arizona that helps clients in multiple service categories: real estate, mortgage, insurance, and finance. One of their lead-gen methods is driving warm leads through the door using an "ambassador" program. Sean & Tim break down why this is smart, but also, why there are pros and...
2026-03-3130 min
Bricks & RiskA Thankless Industry Of Growth & Grit With John Sacks | Episode 117Send us Fan MailWhether you're in the residential real estate industry or not, you could assume that starting a property management company from scratch is not easy. Guess what, it's not. John Sacks' story at Property Management Redefined is one of hustle, grit, and determination; stemming from an uninspiring stint in corporate America, to then choosing the entrepreneurial road alone. Going from 0 units to 700+ units in just over 10 years is nothing short of amazing. Sean & Tim dig deep into...
2026-03-2450 min
Bricks & RiskBuild Your Brand With Matt Lionetti's Real Estate Playbook | Episode 115Send us Fan MailMatt Lionetti is a real estate powerhouse! Not only has he paved his own path, but he did it up against some tough odds. From getting kicked out of high school, to almost getting out of the business entirely, Matt has impressively been able to keep believing in himself through creativity and sheer will. He believes that the residential real estate brokerage model is changing, and fast. He also believes that if your client doesn't like you, they ultimately won't work with you. Dive head first into this ...
2026-03-1057 min
Bricks & RiskGrow Your Commission Margin & Escape the Volume Trap | Episode 114Send us Fan MailIn the residential real estate industry specifically, the "measure of success" tends to be the amount of volume you close. Year-in / year-out, as well as your career as a whole. But, volume alone will never fully reflect how well you did financially; it varies per deal. Sometimes you make 80% margin, and sometimes you make 25% margin. So how can I get my margin up you may ask? Dig into this B&R financial banger with Sean & Tim...
2026-03-0337 min
Bricks & RiskQuality Over Hype To Build It Right with Rory Farrell & Mike Witczak | Episode 113Send us Fan MailIt's rare in 2026 to see a small-but-mighty independent mortgage brokerage survive, let alone thrive. But that's exactly what Rory Farrell & Mike Witczak are committed to growing at Marathon Mortgage in Erdenheim, PA. What's up, commitment and consistency! In this B&R ep, Sean & Tim talk to Rory & Mike about quality over quantity, purposefully building their respective businesses, and growing their networks. Dive right in, folks!
2026-02-2453 min
Bricks & RiskWhy Failing Forward is the Mindset that Builds Winners | Episode 112Send us Fan MailStop sitting on the sidelines waiting for someone to give you permission to do what you wanna do in business. Shoot your shot! As easy as that is for us to say, we recognize that it's very hard for someone to do. Both Sean & Tim have shot and missed many times throughout their careers, but it doesn't mean we stop shooting. This one is all about giving yourself some grace, dive into another B&R mindset banger!
2026-02-1732 min
Bricks & RiskReputation Over Riches & Building Mortgage Trust with Tom Mellett | Episode 111Send us Fan MailThe line-of-the-day on this one was, "You got me on sale last year. The sale's over, now you gotta pay full price." Sean & Tim sat down with Tom Mellett from Keswick Mortgage Group and chatted about all things cars, mortgages, and finding your path. As a seasoned mortgage expert, Tom provides insight into his industry, as well as, how relationships always seem to play a pivotal role in finding success. Dig in...
2026-02-1055 min
Bricks & RiskIf You're Serious About Becoming an Entrepreneur, Start Prepping Now | Episode 110Send us Fan Mail"I've always wanted to work for myself" is a common phrase that we hear within our business circles, as well as in our personal lives. And when someone says that to us, we love to hear it! But ... we're also very honest about how hard it is to work for yourself, and most importantly, keep it going into the foreseeable future: longevity, runway, etc. In this B&R banger, Sean & Tim talk about the subject of wanting to...
2026-02-0346 min
Bricks & RiskA Boots-On-The-Ground Interview with the Devastatingly Good-Looking Mason, Jimmy O'Neill | Episode 109Send us Fan MailAs B&R grows its watcher and listener community, our guest community grows right alongside it. While real estate and insurance have been a primary focus for us, they are now more foundational to our mission than the only ponds we fish in. Queue up Jimmy O'Neill, a well-known Philly local and superstar entrepreneur. Jimmy had entrepreneurship running through his veins growing up in Glenside, PA, and has channeled that energy to start and grow one of the most successful masonry companies in Greater...
2026-01-2749 min
Bricks & RiskHow To Prepare Your Insurance Agency for a Valuation or Sale | Episode 108Send us Fan MailIt only took us 100+ episodes and just over 2 years to finally make the "Bricks" (aka Real Estate) and "Risk" (aka Insurance) connection. Selling your insurance agency is just like selling your home. If the No. 1 rule in real estate is Location, Location, Location, the No. 1 rule in seeing what your insurance business would sell for on the open market is Presentation, Presentation, Presentation. Whether you're just about to start your morning workout routine, or know you have a 45 minute drive ahead of you, dive...
2026-01-2036 min
Bricks & RiskHow To Safely Navigate and Provide Solutions with Seth Lejeune & Jenn Anusky | Episode 107Send us Fan MailWhy is it that real estate clients (buyers and sellers) consistently feel like they're "wasting" their real estate agent's time? Answer, because a majority of homeowners only buy and sell a few homes in their lifetime. Therefore, it's an unfamiliar process and one that's (unfortunately) not well documented online. Our interview with Seth & Jenn touches upon repping the client right, building a team through teaching to fish, and being consistent with a podcast to scale your...
2026-01-131h 12
Bricks & RiskWhy Your Team Matters, Both In-House & Outsourced | Episode 106Send us Fan MailI mean, who doesn't like Philadelphia butter cake? Haha. In all seriousness, this episode is all about your team: employees, hourly workers, VAs, vendors, you name it. Why is your team so important? Because if you and your team don't deliver, that client is not coming back nor will they drop your name for referrals (shout-out to Brian at Fountain Street Auto, for giving us inspo). Sean & Tim dive into teams, their importance, and how to...
2026-01-0634 min
Bricks & RiskWearing Every Real Estate Hat to Build a Business with Jason Ostrowsky | Episode 105Send us Fan MailSince Sean & Tim are two business owners who did not have a parent in either real estate or insurance, it's always good to get perspective from someone who did have a parent in their chosen industry. Jason Ostrowsky is a successful agent, business owner, and podcaster, but when he was young, he hated real estate ... that sentiment has changed as he's gotten older. In fact, he runs multiple real estate businesses today! It's always good to learn from someone who has worn every hat...
2025-12-301h 05
Bricks & RiskHey, What Gives? Why Are My Clients Not Giving Me Referrals? | Episode 104Send us Fan MailYou know I'm a Realtor, right? And that I'm really good at what I do, correct? So, what gives? Don't worry, it's common to feel this way. But ... if you want to do well in real estate, insurance, or in your own business, you can't just "expect" the business to roll in; you have to make it happen! In this B&R ep, Sean & Tim break down the...
2025-12-2333 min
Bricks & RiskHow To Hit Singles & Doubles in Franchising with Mike Oberholtzer | Episode 103Send us Fan MailThis week's B&R guest brings a wealth of knowledge to those who would love to learn how franchising actually works. Mike Oberholtzer with HomeVestors of America is not only well-versed in the real-estate-investor franchising space, but has years of franchising experience across multiple industries. Sean & Tim dive deep with Mike on the value of franchising, as well uncover why someone may be intrigued by the "We Buy Ugly Houses" brand!
2025-12-1651 min
Bricks & RiskStop Filing Those Insurance Claims: The Truth Online Advisors Don’t Tell You | Episode 102Send us Fan MailBack to the B&R insurance grind, with Sean firing off some guru-gems aimed at helping homeowners and car owners with their policies. This topic came courtesy of the Nothing doc, and just like all of our other Nothing eps, we believe it will hit home with our watchers and listeners; just as it did for Tim. But, the real question is: does filing multiple insurance claims hurt you, help you, or keep you neutral? Dig...
2025-12-0937 min
Bricks & RiskHe Moved to Philly With Zero Contacts … Now Everyone Knows "South Philly Vinny's" Name | Episode 101Send us Fan MailVinny Fracassi & Tim Garrity were introduced via a mutual connection, Chris Strauss, and became buds instantly. Not only that, since meeting, Vin & Sean have become pals as well. In this episode, we dive deep into Vin's journey (by way of Niagara Falls, NY & Chicago, IL) on growing his Book of Business as a real estate agent and in a city (Yo, Philly) where he did not know anyone to start. Dig into this B&R ep as he s...
2025-12-0252 min
Bricks & RiskOnly 5% of Podcasts Make it to 100 Episodes ... We Just Did. | Episode 100Send us Fan MailHard to believe, but we did it! 100 episodes of the Bricks & Risk Podcast. Sean was low-energy+ on this one (haha, JK), he was battling a cold; but nevertheless, we both showed up to make another valuable (and humorous) ep. Not many podcasts have come as far as Sean & Tim have, only approximately 5% of all podcasts make it to 100 episodes; but one thing's for sure, we could not have done it without all of you: the listeners and watchers. Thanks for...
2025-11-251h 07
Bricks & RiskConnectors Win, and Why it's the Mindset Most People Miss | Episode 99Send us Fan MailBeing a good connector in business can be just as good, if not better, than paying for ads, sending postcards, making phone calls, and having client events. Reason being, you're constantly looking out for others, who will in turn start to look out for you. From The Go-Giver to speed-dating, Sean & Tim break down the differences between "connecting" and "networking" and why it pays to shift your mindset!Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets...
2025-11-1839 min
Bricks & RiskJust because Cheldin Barlatt Rumer carries it well, doesn't mean it's not heavy | Episode 98Send us Fan MailAbsolutely fantastic conversation with a talented, passionate, and highly-credible entrepreneur, Cheldin Barlatt Rumer. Cheldin dives deep into her backstory about what it was like growing up in a household of teachers, lawyers, and scholars, all while she made the career choice to throw parties and make friends on Facebook; haha. She also explains that the very definition of a personal brand is when people speak highly of you when you're not in the room, and that too many people are just "posting and praying" on the socials. Come...
2025-11-1146 min
Bricks & RiskGeofence marketing tactics using the "Whopper Detour" | Episode 97Send us Fan MailThis awesome topic comes courtesy of Mr. Sean P. Mooney's super-secret Google Doc: Nothing / Nothing = Nothing. Our discussion centers around creative marketing and thinking differently when it comes to your business, and why it matters. Sean has mentioned Seth Godin's "Purple Cow" before, and as you all already know, he's the better reader ... and better man. Jump head first into this awesome "Whopper Detour" episode with Sean & Tim as they discuss Burger King's successful guerrilla marketing...
2025-11-0445 min