Walker Webcast

Hosted by Willy Walker

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Episodes

273

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

A weekly conversation hosted by Walker & Dunlop CEO Willy Walker, featuring leaders across commercial real estate, wellness, business, and leadership. Rooted in CRE but reaching beyond it, each episode offers insights that extend well beyond the industry.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 15, 20261 hr 4 min

Evan Osnos, Political Journalist at The New Yorker

For 300 episodes, Willy has asked the questions. Now, the tables have turned as award-winning journalist and New Yorker staff writer Evan Osnos takes over the interviewer’s chair and puts Willy in the hot seat, answering YOUR most-asked questions. In a candid and wide-ranging conversation, Willy reflected on the lessons he’s learned from building Walker & Dunlop, the risks that paid off—and the opportunities he wishes he hadn’t missed—the habits that keep him energized and curious, and what 300 conversations with some of the world’s most fascinating leaders have taught him. He also opened up about family, personal reinvention, AI and the future of work, Burning Man, whether he’d ever enter politics, and even the book he may one day write. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 8, 20261 hr 2 min

Dr. Peter Linneman, Leading Economist, Professor Emeritus, The Wharton School of Business Part 27

Willy was joined once again by Dr. Peter Linneman for the Most Insightful Hour in CRE, recorded at the 2026 Dominium Capital Partner Summit. With interest rates at 25-year highs and oil-driven inflation adding new uncertainty, what should commercial real estate investors do now? Willy and Peter unpacked why Peter believes rates will eventually come down, what owners facing near-term maturities should consider, and why disappearing concessions could signal a turning point for multifamily. They also explored the extraordinary flow of capital into data centers and why Peter believes the sector could eventually become overbuilt, the outlook for office, today’s shortage of equity capital, and where Peter would invest $100 million in commercial real estate right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 1, 202650 min

Chris Lee, Partner and President of KKR Real Estate

Willy sat down with Chris Lee, Partner and President of KKR Real Estate. Three years after Chris last joined the Walker Webcast, where does he believe the commercial real estate market stands today? Willy and Chris discussed where KKR is deploying capital across credit and equity, opportunities created by the wave of multifamily maturities, and why today’s market demands a highly selective approach. They also explored conviction in senior housing, outlook for the office market, opportunities across Europe, and the impact of higher interest rates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 24, 20261 hr 0 min

Sean Dobson, CEO of Amherst

On a special episode of the Walker Webcast, recorded at the 2026 Zelman Housing Summit, Willy was joined by Sean Dobson, CEO of Amherst, a leading real estate investment and development firm. Sean explained why today’s housing market looks more expensive than before the Global Financial Crisis — but lacks the same catalyst for a crash. He and Willy also discussed the mortgage lock-in effect, single-family rentals, debt spreads, and the biggest macro risk Sean is watching: stagflation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 17, 20261 hr 3 min

Paul Cheek, MIT Senior Lecturer, AI Strategist, Entrepreneur & Author

Willy sat down with Paul Cheek, Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management, serial entrepreneur, AI strategist, and author of the new book, No One Works Here, for a conversation about AI, the future of work, and what it takes to build an AI-driven enterprise. They explored why AI is advancing faster than organizations can adapt, why leaders may be looking at AI ROI through the wrong lens, and why adopting AI tools and training alone isn’t enough to drive meaningful transformation. They also dove into Paul’s framework for deciding when AI should-and shouldn’t-do the work, why organizational redesign is essential to realizing AI’s potential, and how leaders can prepare their people and businesses for a future where humans and AI agents increasingly work together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 10, 202658 min

Steve Hills, Author and Former President & General Manager of The Washington Post

Willy sat down with Steve Hills, former President and General Manager of The Washington Post and author of the forthcoming book, The Alpha Trap, for a conversation about leadership, transformation, ambition, and the hidden costs of success.   They explored how Steve helped transform The Washington Post from a newspaper into a digital-first technology company, what that experience can teach leaders navigating the AI revolution, and why vulnerability can be a powerful leadership strength. They also dove into The Alpha Trap and what Steve learned from interviewing more than 100 high achievers about the relentless pursuit of status and success, the difference between being admired and being truly known, and how to bring the same energy we invest in our careers to our relationships, health, purpose, and fulfillment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 3, 20261 hr 0 min

Ivy Zelman, EVP and Co-Founder of Zelman, a Walker & Dunlop Company

Willy sat down with Ivy Zelman, Executive Vice President and Co-Founder of Zelman, a Walker & Dunlop Company, for her latest read on the U.S. housing market and the forces that could reshape housing demand for years to come. They explored why Ivy believes the housing market may be more balanced than the prevailing shortage narrative suggests, how slowing population and household growth could change future housing needs, and what affordability, mortgage rates, and changing buyer behavior mean for today's market. They also dove into the growing number of young adults living at home, why Ivy sees stronger fundamentals in multifamily than for-sale housing, where she sees opportunities emerging across U.S. markets, and what Zelman's A Decade Divided research could mean for housing leaders planning for the next decade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 27, 202658 min

Liz Ann Sonders, Chief Investment Strategist at Charles Schwab

Willy sat down with Liz Ann Sonders, Chief Investment Strategist at Charles Schwab and one of the most influential voices in finance, for a wide-ranging conversation on what’s driving markets today and what investors should be watching next. Willy and Liz Ann explored a changing investment landscape shaped by inflation, interest rate volatility, federal deficits, and shifting labor and housing markets. They also discussed AI’s growing impact, market rotations, and the increasingly blurred line between investing and gambling - including what it could mean for financial literacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 20, 202658 min

David Gelles, The New York Times Reporter and Bestselling Author

On a special episode of the Walker Webcast, recorded live at the 2026 Sun Valley Writers’ Conference, Willy was joined by New York Times reporter and bestselling author David Gelles. David’s book, Dirtbag Billionaire, explores the remarkable life of Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard—a reluctant entrepreneur who built an iconic brand while challenging conventional ideas about capitalism, consumption, and wealth. In his conversation with Willy, David unpacked the contradictions behind Chouinard and Patagonia, from its unconventional culture and environmental leadership to his extraordinary decision to give away ownership of the company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 13, 202641 min

Aditya Sanghvi, Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company

We featured a special keynote from Walker & Dunlop's Summer Conference with Aditya Sanghvi, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and leader of the firm's global real estate practice. Aditya cut through the AI hype to explain what today's breakthroughs actually mean for real estate. Drawing on McKinsey's work with leading organizations, he explored why so few companies are realizing meaningful value from AI, how "agentic AI" is transforming everything from leasing and maintenance to investment decisions, and why data—not technology—will be the defining competitive advantage. He also shared why this is ultimately a CEO-led transformation and what business leaders should do today to stay ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices