Rise Above The Ranks: A Real Estate Podcast

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Rise Above The Ranks is a real estate podcast hosted by Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles Star, James Harris. Each week, James deep-dives with his guests on how they went from humble beginnings to rising to the top of their industry. From real estate agents to leading entrepreneurs, each guest gets into their biggest failures, catalysts, and how they skyrocketed and maintained their success. Stay up-to-date on the world of residential real estate w/ their free newsletter, www.readtheblueprint.com.

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October 14, 202648 min

How Zillow Is Helping Agents Identify High-Intent Buyers and Sellers

The way people search for homes has changed, and real estate agents have to change with them. In this episode of Rise Above the Ranks, James Harris sits down with Jimmy Miller, Senior Manager of Agent Enablement at Zillow, to break down how technology, data, and changing consumer behavior are reshaping the way agents find opportunities, stay connected, and grow their businesses. Zillow Pro Membership shows you what your connected contacts are browsing, saving, and revisiting in real time, and its Follow Up Boss integration uses AI to turn that activity into a prioritized follow-up list, so you are better able to reach the right person at the right moment. https://bit.ly/zillowpro In this episode, we cover: Why your database is only valuable if you know who is ready to transact How technology can help agents identify high-intent buyers and sellers Why speed and timing can make or break an opportunity How today’s consumers are using AI and technology to become more informed How agents can use technology to work smarter without losing the human side of real estate Jimmy shares a behind-the-scenes look at how Zillow is building tools to help agents turn massive amounts of data into actionable signals, while James brings the perspective of an agent who has spent years building a business around relationships, expertise, and staying ahead of the market. The future of real estate may be more connected and data-driven, but the relationship between an agent and their client is still what turns opportunity into business. Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations with the industry's top real estate professionals. Follow Estate Media: 💻 https://estatemedia.co 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/estatemediaofficial/ 🤳 TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@estatemediaus 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/estatemediaus/ 🎥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php Follow James 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamesbondst/ 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/readtheblueprint/ Subscribe to Estate Elite Agents and Josh Flagg's Estate Media YouTube channel for all of the best real estate entertainment, education, and news!

September 30, 202613 min

What AI Still Can't Do for Real Estate Agents

Real Estate isn’t slowing down for anyone waiting to catch up. The agents pulling ahead are the ones already using tech to work smarter, not just harder. In this episode of Rise Above The Ranks, James Harris breaks down where real estate technology is actually headed, cutting through the hype to get at what's real, what's working, and what agents need to pay attention to next. He traces how fast the day-to-day has changed: manual CRM entry and cold-calling off spreadsheets giving way to automated drip campaigns, AI-drafted listings, and instant CMAs, and why real estate CRMs are consolidating into all-in-one "everything apps" as AI threatens to replicate specialized realtor tech. James also calls out the biggest mistake agents make with AI: treating it as a replacement for expertise instead of a speed boost, and how leaning on the same tools is creating content sameness industrywide. He breaks down what AI will absorb versus what stays fundamentally human, including negotiation, market judgment, and trust, and which agents are most at risk as the shift accelerates. The episode closes with where the "average" agent's tech stack is headed five years out, and the one shift almost nobody's talking about yet. Top agents know one thing: proximity matters. That’s why Zillow Unlock 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most important rooms to be in this year. From October 12–15 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, top agents from across the industry will come together to share what’s actually working right now: real strategies, real conversations, and real connections. Early access ticketing is officially open, and you don’t want to miss it. Secure your spot at bit.ly/unlock2026 In this episode: How the industry has fundamentally changed The biggest mistakes agents make with AI What AI will actually replace vs what stays human Where the industry is heading to in five years What’s overhyped vs what’s actually coming Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations with the industry's top real estate professionals. Follow Estate Media: 💻 https://estatemedia.co 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/estatemediaofficial/ 🤳 TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@estatemediaus 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/estatemediaus/ 🎥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php Follow James 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamesbondst/ 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/readtheblueprint/ Subscribe to Estate Elite Agents and Josh Flagg's Estate Media YouTube channel for all of the best real estate entertainment, education, and news!

September 11, 202648 min

What It Really Takes to Build a Career in Real Estate

What actually separates a real estate agent from a true professional?Tom Bohn argues that having a license is only the starting point. The agents who stand out are the ones who treat real estate as a profession, build their brands, and become trusted consultants and partners to their clients.In this episode of Rise Above the Ranks, Tom Bohn joins James Harris to discuss the future of the industry, the changing role of agents, AI, technology, and what it takes to build a lasting real estate business.If you enjoyed this conversation, like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations with the industry's top real estate professionals. Follow Estate Media: 💻 https://estatemedia.co 📸 IG: / / estatemediaofficial 🤳 TT: / estatemediaus 💼 LinkedIn: / estatemediaus 🎥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?.. . The Blueprint is the free newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the world of residential real estate. Subscribe here: www.readtheblueprint.com Follow The Blueprint on Instagram: / readtheblue. . Follow The Blueprint on Twitter / read_blueprint Submit a question for James to answerhello@readtheblueprint.comJames Harris: / jamesbondst

August 27, 202643 min

The Branding Strategy Behind $540M in Luxury Real Estate Sales

Success in luxury real estate isn't just about relationships anymore, it's about building a brand that commands attention. In this episode of Rise Above the Ranks, James Harris sits down with Daniel Heider, founder of the Heider Company, to discuss how he became the youngest Executive Vice President in TTR Sotheby's history and one of the top luxury agents in the Washington region. A fifth-generation Washingtonian, Daniel shares how his roots in the city shaped his business, and why he decided to build something bigger than being a top-producing agent. They dive into how he built the largest social media audience in real estate, why he invested in content and digital marketing before it was standard in luxury, and how that reach helped drive over $540 million in sales volume in 2025, the highest annual volume in TTR Sotheby's history. Daniel also discusses leading a team ranked #1 in sales volume for six consecutive years, balancing discretion and visibility in luxury real estate, and what will separate great brands from the noise as more agents become content creators. This episode is brought to you by Zillow Preview, a brand-new tool that lets listing agents publicly pre-market their listings on Zillow and Trulia before going live, at no cost! The perks include gaining priority search placement, early buyer engagement, and brand exposure to an average of 235 million unique users a month. Head to http://bit.ly/zillowpreview to get your team set up today. In this episode: - Daniel Heider's rise to top luxury producer in Washington, DC - Building the largest social media audience in real estate - Turning reach into $540 million in annual sales - Leading a team ranked #1 for six straight years - Balancing discretion and visibility in luxury real estate - His long-term vision for the Heider Company If you enjoyed this conversation, like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations with the industry's top real estate professionals. Follow Estate Media: https://estatemedia.co IG: https://www.instagram.com/estatemediaofficial/ TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@estatemediaus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/estatemediaus/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... The Blueprint is a free newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the world of residential real estate. Subscribe here: www.readtheblueprint.com Follow The Blueprint on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readtheblue... Follow The Blueprint on Twitter https://twitter.com/read_blueprint Submit a question for James to answer hello@readtheblueprint.com James Harris: https://www.instagram.com/jamesbondst/

July 31, 202639 min

Lessons every new and experienced agent can apply immediately

Success in real estate isn’t about luck-it’s about consistency, discipline, and doing the work others won’t.In this episode of Rise Above the Ranks, James Harris sits down with Jeremy Davis, founder of Davis Sales Training, to discuss the habits, systems, and mindset that helped him sell 75 homes in his first year in real estate. From transitioning out of teaching to becoming a top-performing door-to-door salesperson and real estate coach, Jeremy shares the lessons that continue to shape his business today.They dive into the importance of role-playing, prospecting, door knocking, coaching, building systems, overcoming fear, and why the agents who consistently invest in themselves are the ones who succeed.This episode is brought to you by Zillow. Zillow’s 2026 Seller Trends Report reveals what today’s sellers are looking for, including the insight that 62% of sellers hire the first agent they contact. Download the free report to learn how you can stand out and elevate your business: http://bit.ly/CHTR In this episode:• Jeremy Davis’ journey from teacher to top-performing agent• The habits that helped him sell 75 homes in his first year• Why consistency beats talent• How to overcome fear and build confidence• The role of prospecting, door knocking, and role-playing• Why every agent should think like a business owner• Building systems that create long-term successIf you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations with the industry’s top real estate professionals. Follow Estate Media: 💻 ⁠https://estatemedia.co⁠ 📸 IG: / ⁠ / estatemediaofficial ⁠ 🤳 TT: ⁠ / estatemediaus ⁠ 💼 LinkedIn: ⁠ / estatemediaus ⁠ 🎥 Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?..⁠ . The Blueprint is the free newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the world of residential real estate. Subscribe here: www.readtheblueprint.com Follow The Blueprint on Instagram: ⁠ / readtheblue. ⁠ . Follow The Blueprint on Twitter ⁠ / read_blueprint ⁠ Submit a question for James to answerhello@readtheblueprint.comJames Harris: ⁠ / jamesbondst ⁠

July 24, 202645 min

The Strategy That Made Glennda Baker a Real Estate Icon ⭐

What does it take to stay relevant in real estate for over three decades? In this episode of Rise Above the Ranks, James Harris sits down with Glennda Baker to unpack the mindset, work ethic, and strategies that transformed her from a single mom grinding through open houses and expired listings into one of the most recognizable names in real estate. From building a personal brand that outlasts any brokerage to creating content people genuinely trust, Glennda shares the lessons she’s learned over 34 years in the business—and why the agents who succeed are the ones who stay authentic, consistent, and relentlessly focused on serving their clients. In this episode: * How Glennda built one of real estate’s biggest personal brands * Why agents should focus on value—not virality * The mindset that separates top performers from everyone else * Why consistency beats perfection on social media * The truth about brokerages, industry drama, and what clients actually care about * How authenticity creates trust—and long-term business Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of real estate. Be sure to also check out The Estate Media Agent Growth Program, a comprehensive growth platform designed to help ambitious real estate professionals build their brand, expand their influence, and create new business opportunities through proven marketing and business development strategies. To learn more, visit https://estateagentgrowth.co/ Follow Estate Media: 💻 https://estatemedia.co 📸 IG: / estateeliteagents 🤳 TT: / estatemediaus 🆇 X: https://x.com/estatemediaus 💼 LinkedIn: / published 🎥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?.. . Follow Glennda Baker: 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/glenndabake... 📸 Facebook: glenndabaker 💻: https://glennda.net/ 🤳 TT: / glenndabaker Follow James: 📸 IG: / / jamesbondst 📸 IG: / / readtheblueprint

July 16, 202636 min

AI and the future of Real Estate | James Harris & Cynthia Taylor

In this episode of Rise Above the Ranks, James Harris sits down with Cynthia Taylor, SVP of Product at Zillow, for a conversation about the systems, tools, and technology shaping the future of real estate. Cynthia shares what she’s seeing from the front lines of product innovation and explains why the agents who scale successfully aren’t just using more tools, they’re building more connected businesses. They also unpack the role of Zillow Pro, AI, and data in helping agents work smarter, better understand consumers, and spend less time managing fragmented workflows. From the challenges facing today’s modern agent to what separates top performers from the rest, Cynthia offers a clear look at how technology can become a true competitive advantage. This is a conversation about building the right infrastructure, adapting with intention, and preparing for the next chapter of real estate. Ready to put these insights into action? Download Zillow's latest Consumer Housing Trends Report (CHTR) to better understand what today's buyers and sellers are looking for, how consumer expectations are evolving, and what top agents are doing to stay ahead - https://bit.ly/CHTR . Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of real estate. Be sure to also check out The Estate Media Agent Growth Program, a comprehensive growth platform designed to help ambitious real estate professionals build their brand, expand their influence, and create new business opportunities through proven marketing and business development strategies. To learn more, visit https://estateagentgrowth.co/ Follow Estate Media: 💻 https://estatemedia.co 📸 IG: / / estatemediaofficial 🤳 TT: https://www.tiktok.com/ @estatemediaus 💼 LinkedIn: / estatemediaus 🎥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?.. . Follow James: 📸 IG: / / jamesbondst 📸 IG: / / readtheblueprint

June 26, 202653 min

Krys Benyamein On The Power Of Consistency In Real Estate

In this episode of Rise Above The Ranks, James Harris sits down with Krys Benyamein, real estate entrepreneur, content strategist, and founder of Estate of Grace for a conversation on branding, content, technology, and what it takes to stay relevant in a rapidly changing industry.What do today’s sellers actually want from their agents? Zillow’s latest Consumer Housing Trends Report, The Seller’s Mindset in 2026, surveyed more than 7,400 sellers to uncover the motivations, expectations, and behaviors shaping today’s market. From what drives sellers to move, to the qualities they value most in an agent, the data reveals actionable insights to help agents win more listings. Download the free report: https://bit.ly/CHTR (all uppercase) As real estate continues to evolve, agents are being forced to think beyond traditional prospecting and embrace new ways of building trust, attention, and influence. Krys has built his business at the intersection of real estate, media, and personal branding, helping agents understand how content and storytelling can become powerful growth tools.James and Krys then dive into: • Why content has become a competitive advantage in real estate • The difference between posting online and building true influence • What most agents still misunderstand about social media • How authenticity and strategy work together to build a brand • The role AI and technology will play in the future of real estate • Why adaptability is one of the most important skills for agents today • Common marketing mistakes holding agents back • What the future of real estate marketing looks like Krys also shares his perspective on how agents can stay relevant in an industry where platforms, technology, and consumer behavior are constantly changing, and why those who embrace change early will have a significant advantage moving forward.If you’re looking to build a stronger personal brand, leverage content more effectively, and future-proof your real estate business, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Follow Estate Media:💻 https://estatemedia.co 📸 IG: / estatemediaofficial 🤳 TT: / estatemediaus 💼 LinkedIn: / estatemediaus 🎥 Facebook: / profile.php Follow James 📸 IG: / jamesbondst 📸 IG: / readtheblueprint Subscribe to Estate Elite Agents and Josh Flagg's Estate Media YouTube channel for all of the best real estate entertainment, education, and news!

May 28, 202641 min

What AI Means For The Next Generation Of Real Estate Agents | Brendan Wallace

In this episode of Rise Above The Ranks, James Harris sits down with Brendan Wallace, CEO & CIO of Fifth Wall, for a conversation on how AI, technology, and innovation are reshaping the future of real estate. Top agents know one thing: proximity matters. That’s why Zillow Unlock 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most important rooms to be in this year. From October 12–15 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, top agents from across the industry will come together to share what’s actually working right now: real strategies, real conversations, and real connections. Early access ticketing is officially open, and you don’t want to miss it. Secure your spot at https://bit.ly/unlock2026 James and Brendan then dive into: • Why AI won’t replace great real estate agents • The future of proptech & real estate innovation • The biggest mistakes agents are making with AI • Why human connection still matters in real estate • How technology is changing the buying & selling experience • What separates successful founders and entrepreneurs Brendan also explains why the agents who embrace technology now will be the ones leading the industry over the next decade, while those ignoring it risk falling behind. If you want to understand where real estate, AI, and technology are headed next, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Follow Estate Media: 💻 https://estatemedia.co 📸 IG: / estatemediaofficial 🤳 TT: / estatemediaus 💼 LinkedIn: / estatemediaus 🎥 Facebook: / profile.php Follow James 📸 IG: / jamesbondst 📸 IG: / readtheblueprint Subscribe to Estate Elite Agents and Josh Flagg's Estate Media YouTube channel for all of the best real estate entertainment, education, and news!

May 14, 202639 min

What’s Actually Wrong With Real Estate Technology Today | James Harris & James Lee

Real estate agents don’t have a data problem - they have a decision problem. In this episode of Rise Above the Ranks, James Harris sits down with Breezy Chief Product Officer Jimsy Lee. Lee to talk about the real problems agents face every day: outdated systems, too many apps, information overload, and why so many agents feel overwhelmed 24/7. They break down: * Why most real estate tech tools fail agents * How AI is changing the industry * Why agents are constantly juggling too much * The hidden mental load behind being a successful agent * Why simplicity in tech is actually incredibly hard to build * and why AI won’t replace agents - but agents who use AI may replace the ones who don’t A must-watch conversation for agents trying to stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry. #MillionDollarListing #JamesHarris Follow Estate Media: 💻 https://estatemedia.co 📸 IG: / / estatemediaofficial 🤳 TT: https://www.tiktok.com/ @estatemediaus 💼 LinkedIn: / estatemediaus 🎥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?.. . Follow James: 📸 IG: / jamesbondst 📸 IG: / / readtheblueprint