In this live episode of the Hustle Harder Show from Renovopalooza in Chicago, James Gaskin sits down with real estate investors Teo Scorte and Tom Shallcross, alongside Eric Workman. Teo and Tom share how they built their businesses, lessons learned from difficult deals, and why grit, financial literacy, and strong relationships matter in real estate. They also discuss Chicago’s real estate market, what they value in a lending partner, managing unexpected challenges, and advice for young professionals looking to build long-term wealth.

In this episode of Hustle Harder, James Gaskin and Abbey Hearn sit down with Travis Sperr, Managing Director of Lending for Colorado at Renovo Financial. Travis shares how growing up working alongside his contractor father shaped his understanding of construction and eventually led him into real estate lending. He discusses building a strong Denver-based team, the value of firsthand investing and development experience, and why relationships, local market knowledge, grit, and consistent execution have helped drive the growth of his lending business.

In this episode of The Hustle Harder Show, James Gaskin sits down with Nema Daghbandan, CEO of Lightning Docs and partner at Fortress Law, to examine the private lending market through the first half of 2026. They discuss intense competition among lenders, changing RTL and DSCR volumes, rising leverage, pressure on rates, and loan performance. They also address the Kiavi-Figure transaction, potential industry consolidation, geopolitical volatility, and how AI is beginning to reshape private lending and business operations.

Jeremy Goldberg joins James and Abbey for another episode of the Hometown Hustle Series to talk about his unconventional path from the restaurant industry to becoming one of the top loan originators in the country. Jeremy shares lessons from hospitality, building culture inside the Liberty Corridor, family values, New Jersey pride, and the importance of leading with authenticity and relationships.

In this episode of Hustle Harder, James and Abbey sit down with Brendan Ochinero to discuss his journey from growing up in San Diego to becoming one of the top-producing lenders in the country. Brendan shares how an early career in renewable energy land acquisition unexpectedly led him into private lending, the coffee shop conversation that changed everything, and the lessons he learned working every side of the lending business before joining Renovo during the COVID era.

The conversation dives into building a high-performing team in Southern California, what gives Renovo an edge in competitive West Coast markets, and why strong borrower relationships matter more than ever in today’s environment. Brendan also opens up about family life as a husband and father of two girls, balancing the intensity of lending with life at home, and what makes San Diego such a unique place to live and work. Along the way, the group talks surf culture, tacos, golf trips, dive bars, Cubs memories, and plenty of California lifestyle stories.

In this episode of Hustle Harder, James and Abbey sit down with Brandon Moulton, one of Renovo’s top multifamily lenders, to discuss his path from Toledo, Ohio to becoming a nationally recognized originator in real estate finance. Brandon shares how early experiences in development and banking shaped his career, why he transitioned into private lending, and what has kept him at Renovo for more than a decade. The conversation explores the current state of Chicago multifamily investing, the importance of focus and repeatable business plans, building strong borrower relationships, and the evolution of Renovo’s culture over the years. Along the way, the crew dives into family life, moving to St. Louis, favorite Midwest food stops, old Renovo stories, and plenty of laughs.

In the first installment of the Hometown Hustle series, James Gaskin and co-host Abbey Hearn sit down with Eric Workman, one of Renovo’s most tenured originators. Eric shares his journey from working in construction to becoming a top-producing lender, while helping his team approach $1B in originations. The conversation dives into what makes the Chicago real estate market unique, why it’s often misunderstood, and how consistency, relationships, and local expertise have fueled Eric’s success. The episode also explores team building, company growth, and what it takes to scale in a competitive lending environment—all with a dose of personality and rapid-fire fun.

What You’ll Learn:

• Chicago is a highly resilient and often misunderstood real estate market.

• Success in lending comes from consistency, reliability, and strong relationships.

• Building a dedicated, in-house team improves both efficiency and client experience.

• In-person collaboration accelerates growth, training, and problem-solving.

• The best clients are long-term, professional investors seeking true partnerships.

• Local market expertise provides a major competitive advantage.

In this episode of Hustle Harder, James sits down with Marcus Crigler, Founder of BEC CFO & CPA, to break down what truly separates real estate operators who build lasting wealth from those stuck in the hustle cycle. Marcus shares his journey into real estate-focused accounting, explains why most investors struggle with the “language of business,” and outlines a practical framework for moving from hustle to security, expansion, and ultimately investment-driven freedom. The conversation dives into financial discipline, reserves, hiring strategy, key ratios, market shifts, and advanced tax strategy—offering a blueprint for building a resilient, scalable real estate business in an “earn it” market.

In this episode of Hustle Harder, James sits down with John Curry, Co-Founder and CEO of Sétanta Development Capital, to break down the misunderstood world of land acquisition and development (A&D) lending. John shares his journey from Irish lawyer to U.S. real estate investor, explains why land earned its “toxic” reputation after the GFC, and walks through how modern land development actually works. The conversation covers risk, entitlement challenges, public builders going land-light, private credit replacing banks, and why land remains a critical “widget” in solving the housing shortage.

James Gaskin kicks off Season 3 with a deep dive into the major themes that shaped real estate lending in 2025 — and what’s ahead for 2026. From market trends and fraud risk to AI adoption and the war for talent, James offers a candid, insightful look at the state of the industry. This solo episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom for both real estate investors and lenders navigating an uncertain, competitive environment.

In this episode of the Hustle Harder Show, host James Gaskin sits down with Andy Pollock, the veteran lending leader spearheading Renovo Financial’s California expansion. With nearly 40 years in the industry, Andy shares invaluable lessons from his career, his passion for building teams, and the mission of bringing Renovo’s unique people-first, locally driven model to the West Coast.

In this episode, James sits down with Josh Swart in his Concord, NC studio to unpack his journey from firefighter to full-time real estate investor building and renting 70+ units a year. Josh shares how he went from grunt demo jobs as a teenager to developing subdivisions, the lessons learned from big wins and big losses, and how building the right team changed his business. They dive deep into scaling up, hiring, managing risk, why Josh prefers new builds to flips now, and the mindset shifts needed to go from employee to entrepreneur.

In this roundtable, James Gaskin and Kevin Werner unpack the current lending environment and share an insider’s perspective on the real estate private credit market. They discuss trends from the recent National Private Lenders Association (NPLA) conference, the challenges of balancing abundant capital with responsible lending, and the importance of long-term credit discipline. They also touch on the industry’s growing pains, potential risks like fraud, and why a “back to basics” approach matters now more than ever. The episode wraps with a lighthearted look at summer plans and what Independence Day means to the team.

In this episode of Hustle Harder, host James Gaskin sits down with real estate investor, property manager, and podcast host Mark Ainley. Mark shares his journey from growing up on the less affluent side of Chicago to building GC Realty & Development, a firm that manages over 1,400 residential units and one million square feet of commercial space. He unpacks his first experience with house hacking, the lessons from early failures, scaling a property management business, and navigating the complexities of investing in Chicago’s real estate market. Mark also dives into how he built a successful turnkey investment business, the challenges of partnerships, transitioning into industrial real estate, and how starting the Straight Up Chicago Investor podcast helped boost his credibility and network. This episode is full of strategic insights, candid stories, and hard-earned lessons for anyone serious about scaling in real estate.

In this roundtable edition of The Hustle Harder Show, James Gaskin and Kevin Werner are joined by Brett Sims, Chief Growth Officer at Renovo Financial, for a high-level conversation on economic shifts, capital markets, and strategic growth. The trio dives into policy changes around Fannie & Freddie, inflation data, Fed leadership speculation, bond market concerns, and the importance of discipline amid volatility. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or scaling your business, this episode offers tactical insights and measured perspectives to navigate uncertain times.

In this episode of Hustle Harder, James sits down with Tiffany Taylor and Aloni Harris to explore the mission-driven work of the C3 Impact Fund, a subsidiary of Renovo Financial and a certified CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution). They share personal stories, the transformative role of C3 in underserved communities, and the ways they’re using real estate to close the wealth gap, create jobs, and revitalize neighborhoods.

In this premiere episode of the new Hustle Harder roundtable format, host James Gaskin is joined by Renovo Financial CEO Kevin Werner and Chief Credit Officer Darren Weaver to unpack current events shaping the U.S. economy and housing market. The trio revisits predictions from earlier in the year and evaluates how they’ve held up amid Moody’s credit rating downgrade, rising national debt, and persistent inflation. With their signature blend of insight and banter, they discuss whether the downgrade truly matters for investors, and how shifting interest rates might shape the remainder of 2025. The conversation then turns to the state of the housing market, where trends in affordability, inventory, and regional market performance take center stage. From the surprising resurgence of older urban markets like Chicago and Boston to the growing pains of boomtowns like Austin, Kevin and Darren emphasize the importance of local knowledge, product-market fit, and disciplined investing. With actionable strategies like mortgage rate buy-downs and hyperlocal focus, this episode lays the foundation for a practical, insightful new series designed to help real estate professionals thrive in any market.

In this episode of the Hustle Harder podcast, host James Gaskin sits down with Patrick Soares, a South Florida-based real estate investor and construction entrepreneur. Starting from a family-run countertop business, Patrick walks us through his journey of intentional growth in real estate — from his first rental in 2013 to a 94-unit portfolio today. He shares the pivotal moment when he shifted from side hustle to scaling up, the importance of setting clear goals (like retiring at 35), and how he built and refined his business model through partnerships, out-of-state investing, and strategic property management. Patrick also opens up about managing risk, market challenges like rising insurance costs, and why quality always trumps door count.

In this episode of Hustle Harder, James Gaskin sits down with Brentin Hess, a dynamic real estate investor from Pasadena, Maryland. Brentin shares his journey from growing up in a real estate family to flipping his first house at 21 and scaling up to 100 flips annually. He reflects on the lessons learned from early challenges, the importance of trustworthy contractors, and the value of building a supportive investor community. Brentin also discusses his strategies for sourcing deals, work-life balance with a growing family, and plans for expanding his investor network into new markets.

In this episode of Hustle Harder, James Gaskin interviews Jon Grabowski, CEO of Red Cedar Capital Partners. Jon shares his journey from a pharmaceutical sales rep to a leader in real estate development, detailing Red Cedar Capital’s innovative approach to land development and home building. He discusses the company’s growth, the importance of relationships and trust, and the role of thoughtful design in creating affordable, high-quality homes. Jon also highlights his work-life balance strategies and the significance of long-term partnerships in business success.

In this episode of Hustle Harder, James Gaskin sits down with Paul Sparks, a real estate investor based in Denver, Colorado, and founder of The Whale Club. Paul shares his unconventional journey from engineering sales to real estate investing, discussing the evolution of his business strategy, the importance of relationships, and the lessons learned along the way. He emphasizes the value of understanding your buyer, the power of local knowledge, and the importance of building a reliable business. Paul also dives into his experiences with flipping houses, developing townhomes, and leveraging relationships to succeed in a competitive market. Tune in for an in-depth look at how Paul navigates the challenges of real estate, scales his business, and plays the game of business like a sport.

In this episode of Hustle Harder, James Gaskin interviews Jeff Nydegger, co-founder of Kendall Partners, a top direct-to-seller house-buying company in Chicago. Jeff shares his journey from military service to building a successful real estate business with his partner, Kevin Hanson. He explores their early challenges, including launching during the 2008 financial crisis and the strategies that helped them grow. Jeff highlights the significance of strong partnerships, the power of a trusted brand, and the importance of playing the long game. Tune in to hear how grit, strategic pivots, and team culture have fueled Kendall Partners’ success.

In this episode of the Hustle Harder Show, host James Gaskin welcomes Darren Weaver, Renovo Financial’s Chief Credit Officer, to discuss the highs and lows of 2024 and the outlook for 2025 in the real estate market. Darren shares key insights into risk management, credit structuring, and the unique collaboration between lending and credit teams that sets Renovo apart. The conversation covers challenges such as fluctuating interest rates, regional market dynamics, and emerging opportunities for real estate investors. From simplifying strategies to understanding local markets, this episode offers actionable advice for navigating a complex landscape and planning for success in the year ahead

In this episode of Hustle Harder, James Gaskin interviews Scott Randall, a real estate investor and builder based in Tampa, Florida. Scott shares his journey from a corporate finance career in Dallas to becoming a successful builder in the Tampa Bay area. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of his first real estate deal, his analytical approach to selecting Tampa, and his experiences in construction and property development. Scott emphasizes the importance of building safe and high-quality homes, understanding local markets, and adapting to changing environments.

In this debut episode of Hustle Harder, host James Gaskin sits down with Kevin Werner, CEO of Renovo Financial, to introduce the podcast’s vision and explore Kevin’s entrepreneurial journey. They discuss Renovo’s customer-centric approach to lending, emphasizing the importance of storytelling from successes and setbacks. Kevin shares his early experiences in the lending business, from selling ice as a child to establishing Renovo as a leader in real estate finance. This episode provides insights into how Renovo builds meaningful client relationships and focuses on delivering exceptional customer service across various local markets.