CRE Unplugged: Innovating from the Streets to the Skyline

Nadine Ezzie + Ryan Elazari
CRE Unplugged: Innovating from the Streets to the Skyline

The commercial real estate (CRE) industry, long resistant to change, is poised for transformation with AI and climate change driving the charge. This podcast bridges the worlds of CRE with Proptech, bringing humorous, insightful conversations with both industry veterans and newbies. Aimed at innovators and occupiers alike, we've set out to demystify and revolutionize CRE, making it accessible and relevant for a diverse audience. Join us in shaping a new, innovative era of real estate.

Episodes

  1. JAN 16

    Ep.9 - Behind the Industrial Data Curtain: Leading with Analytics - with Matthew Rand

    What does it take to lead a cutting-edge research and analytics team in one of the biggest names in industrial real estate? Everything—and then some. On this episode, Nadine and Ryan welcome Matt Rand, Managing Director of Research and Analytics at Link Logistics, for a no-holds-barred conversation about leadership, legacy, and data. Matt spills the secrets on mastering the "build vs. buy" tech dilemma, and tackling change management head-on. He breaks down the communication barriers between real estate pros and data scientists and shares his strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome in an ever-evolving industry. Discover what Matt’s goals are for 2025, and don’t miss his take on how to measure success and the legacy he’s working to leave behind in the real estate world. This episode is packed with insights, laughs, and inspiration you won’t want to miss. Tune in now and get ready to level up your mindset! Episode Notes: 0:24: Happy New Year!/Intro 4:16: 2025 predictions 8:28: Data analytics 101 10:27: Welcome, Matt Rand! / Matt’s 2025 goals 12:41: Matt’s career journey; from journalism to data analytics 20:49: Build vs buy technology; how Link Logistics decides  23:50: The role of data analytics at Link; where AI will come in 29:44: Running analog vs digital when implementing new tech 32:42: Matt’s approach to change management  41:18: The communication gap between practitioners and data scientists 45:50: How does Matt deal with imposter syndrome and cognitive dissonance? 52:50: Measuring success  55:06: What legacy does Matt want to leave behind?  58:58: Nadine & Ryan’s takeaways

    1h 5m

  2. 12/19/2024

    Ep.8 - Tis’ The Season for Joy: Curating the Workspace Experience - with Anna Squires Levine

    What do biophysics, customer experience, and co-working have in common? Anna Squires Levine, Chief Customer Officer at Industrious, connects the dots in this insightful episode of CRE Unplugged! Join Nadine and Ryan as they explore the evolution of co-working spaces, the traits that truly define great leadership, and how to measure the "desirability" of a space. Anna dives into the groundbreaking Industrious/Delta partnership, her vision for the future of the office, and how technology is shaping customer-centric real estate. Anna’s candid advice and key career lessons are not to be missed. Plus, hear about Anna’s personal interests (Survivor, anyone?) and hear Nadine and Ryan’s witty takeaways from this dynamic conversation. Tune in for an episode packed with fresh insights on co-working, leadership, and designing spaces that truly work for people. Perfect for real estate enthusiasts, workplace strategists, and anyone curious about the intersection of hospitality and real estate. Show notes: 0:10: Intro / Holiday season do’s and don’ts! 5:20: The evolution and future of co-working 7:25: Introducing Anna Squires Levine! 8:45: From biophysics to real estate: Anna’s incredible career journey 15:06: The traits of a good leader (spoiler: it’s not what you think) 19:03: Measuring the desirability of a place 22:54: Tips for real estate companies on how to focus on customer experience 25:07: The birth of the Industrious / Delta partnership 28:06: Anna’s take on the future role of office 36:09: How Industrious uses technology to further its goals 42:30: Anna's guidance on breaking into the built environment industry 47:00: The power of experience 50:23: Anna reflects on the key lessons from her career 56:00: How does Anna spend her downtime? 1:01:12: Nadine and Ryan’s takeaways If you love what you hear, please take a moment to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us grow and improve! Be sure to visit our website at www.creunplugged.com for all the latest news and updates. Have thoughts or suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Drop us a line at info@creunplugged.com. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at @CREUnplugged1 and be sure to follow CRE Unplugged on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and X!

    1h 8m

  3. 12/03/2024

    Ep. 7 - The Winning Ballot: Predicting Multifamily Trends with Data-Driven Tech - with Michael Broder

    What happens when a political strategist trades campaigns for coding? You get Michael Broder, CEO of RCKRBX™, and his mission to revolutionize multifamily real estate with tenant-driven data. In this episode of CRE Unplugged, Ryan and Nadine uncover how RCKRBX is turning tenant preferences into the ultimate cheat sheet for owners and operators. Think predictive analytics, actionable insights, and a crystal ball for asset performance—minus the mysticism. Michael spills the tea on his journey from the halls of GWU (cue the nostalgia) to launching a groundbreaking SaaS platform during a global pandemic. Along the way, he dishes on his pitch-perfect strategy, what AI means for PropTech, and why multifamily trends are more than just buzzwords. As always, Ryan and Nadine bring their trademark humor and insights, including a nostalgic dive into Michael’s college days at GWU and a candid discussion on his hobbies like Formula 1 and his love for the Red Sox. Show Notes: 00:21: Introduction 10:58: The necessity of understanding multifamily trends 12:18: Michael and Ryan reminisce about D.C. college days 17:02: From political strategist to PropTech founder 25:31: RCKRBX’s data product tools for multifamily 34:00: Is RCKRBX disrupting CRE? 39:05: Launching a product during COVID 46:56: The power of the right pitch strategy 55:37: PropTech outlook in the age of AI 1:05:33: Michael Broder “Unplugged” 1:09:21: Life lessons from Michael 1:13:56: Commercial break 1:15:24: Nadine and Ryan’s recap If you love what you hear, please take a moment to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us grow and improve! Be sure to visit our website at www.creunplugged.com for all the latest news and updates. Have thoughts or suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Drop us a line at info@creunplugged.com. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at @CREUnplugged1 and be sure to follow CRE Unplugged on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and X!

    1h 23m

  4. 10/10/2024

    Ep. 6 - Multifamily Unplugged: Tech, Trends, and Building Community - with Brent Williams

    In this episode of CRE Unplugged, we sit down with Brent Williams, Chief Insider at Multifamily Insiders, fresh from his panels at Blueprint Vegas. Brent dives into his career journey, the inspiration behind Multifamily Insiders, and what’s on the horizon for the platform. We tackle tech adoption, including barriers, opportunities, and how data can personalize the resident experience. Brent also shares his vision for tech innovation over the next five years and tips for future-proofing operations. His passion for residential goes well beyond the apartment sector. Brent tells us how he loves to unplug by touring our country’s greatest displays of residential architecture with his family. Be sure to tune in to hear from one of multifamily’s greatest “community” builders! SHOW NOTES: Blueprint Vegas recap/Ryan stayed behind!: 1:05 Why today’s guest: 9:20 Intro to Brent Williams: 10:03 Brent’s Blueprint recap: 10:29 Need for MF tech “communication hub”: 13:05 Brent’s career journey and starting Multifamily Insiders: 14:43 Next 12 months for Multifamily Insiders: 18:00 Multifamily Insider’s connection role after Demo Days: 20:47 Brent’s take on barriers to MF tech adoption: 22:59 Tech’s role in enhancing community engagement: 25:25 Data’s role in boosting tenant retention: 30:50 Brent’s take on why data is not being widely used in tenant retention: 34:39 Future of tech in the MF space: 38:20 How MF operators can remain “future proof”: 42:45 How does Brent “unplug?”: 46:56 Brent shares his community building tips with the audience: 49:14 Nadine and Ryan Recap: 54:52 If you love what you hear, please take a moment to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us grow and improve! Have thoughts or suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Drop us a line at info@creunplugged.com. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at @CREUnplugged1 and be sure to follow CRE Unplugged on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and X!

    1h 2m

  5. 09/12/2024

    Ep. 5 - Revolutionizing Places: Energy Solutions, AI, and Building Technologies - with Mead Rusert

    On this episode of CRE Unplugged, we sit down with Mead Rusert, VP and GM of Building Technologies at Carrier. With over 30 years of experience under his (tool)belt, Mead’s the man behind the controls at Carrier’s Automated Logic, where he’s basically the maestro of everything that isn’t HVAC. Why should you listen? Because smarter buildings equal smarter people—or at least more productive ones. From hiking treks in New Mexico with a bunch of teenage boys (seriously, the guy’s brave) to leading cutting-edge innovations at Carrier, Mead walks us through his career and why building technology isn’t just about wires and sensors—it’s about making life better for the people inside those buildings. We also ask the million-dollar questions: Have property owners finally wised up since COVID about better building environments? Is indoor air quality the secret sauce for worker productivity? And how is AI shaking things up in the building world? Mead shares some killer advice for those wanting to break into the industry, reveals what he wishes his younger self knew, and tells us how he manages to “unplug”—because even the king of smart buildings needs downtime. Oh, and he gives us a sneak peek at what he’ll be discussing at Blueprint (spoiler alert: it’s going to be good). Show Notes: 1:01: Intro banter / Ryan’s love of Gipsy Kings and Nadine crowd surfs 5:30: Why listening to Mead matters today 7:03: Intro to Mead and his New Mexico hiking trek with teenage boys 8:58: Mead walks us through his career journey 12:34: “Making Buildings Better Through Building Technology” 16:52: Have property owners' mindsets shifted since COVID on better building environments? 18:58: Deep dive into the different building technology Carrier offers 26:30: Mead highlights a key benefit of using the right building technology 29:37: Does indoor air quality impact worker productivity? 32:57: AI’s impact on building technology 35:18: Mead offers advice for entering the building technology industry. 38:07: What advice would Mead give his younger self? 39:04: How does Mead “unplug”? 40:24: What will Mead be discussing at Blueprint? 44:06: Nadine and Ryan wrap it all up! If you love what you hear, please take a moment to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us grow and improve! Have thoughts or suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Drop us a line at info@creunplugged.com. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at @CREUnplugged1 and be sure to follow CRE Unplugged on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and X!

    51 min

  6. 08/14/2024

    Ep. 4 - Speaking Volumes: From Market Trends to Masterful Communication - with Spencer Levy

    In this episode, we sit down with none other than Spencer Levy, Global Client Strategist and Senior Economic Advisor for CBRE, the largest commercial real estate services firm in the world. In this role, he focuses on client engagement and public-facing activities, including thought leadership work performed in conjunction with CBRE Research. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Real Estate Roundtable’s Research Committee. Spencer has 27 years of experience in commercial real estate, including the past 15 at CBRE. In this time, he has served as a lawyer, investment banker, capital markets and senior research leader. Spencer is frequently quoted in major business publications and appears on business television, including CNBC, CNN, Bloomberg, PBS and Fox Business. Spencer is also the host of CBRE’s podcast “The Weekly Take.” He is considered one of the most insightful commentators on issues of importance to commercial real estate. Throughout our conversation, Spencer shares his deep insights on several pressing topics in the industry, from the role of innovative solutions for affordable housing and the improvement of public schools to how he sees AI transforming institutional grade real estate and everything in between. Spencer also dives into the importance of how mastering both the technical and communication aspects of real estate are the keys to having a stellar career (he would know!) He gives an inside look to his hobbies and how they relate to real estate investing. People like Spencer don’t come along often and the real estate industry is truly lucky to have him, making this episode a must-listen for anyone. Show Notes: 0:30: Nadine enjoys cheap Midwest summers / Ryan reveals his criminal record to this family 4:00: Why we invited today’s guest 5:25: Into to Spencer Levy 6:55: Why Spencer is known as the “Johnny Cash of Real Estate” 11:00: How affordable housing and public schools go hand-in-hand 15:35: Keys to converting office buildings to multi-family housing 18:00: Impact of China’s decreasing population on the industrial sector 22:50: Making cities as “attractive” as possible for investment and growth 26:38: Risk of reliance on technology and the future of predictive analytics 35:09: Potential implications for the future of data storage and processing 37:12: Why communicating persuasively is critical in CRE 44:48: Spencer shares his hobbies 52:51: Postgame Recap If you love what you hear, please take a moment to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us grow and improve! Have thoughts or suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Drop us a line at info@creunplugged.com. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at @CREUnplugged1 and be sure to follow CREUnplugged on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and X!

    1h 3m

  7. 07/09/2024

    Ep. 3 - Trailblazing the Future: Steering Workplace Innovation - with Lisa Picard

    In this much anticipated episode, we sit down with industry visionary Lisa Picard, a commercial real estate pioneer with a resume longer than a CVS receipt. With two MIT degrees, Lisa curated an incomparable career path from EVP at Skanska to CEO of EQ Office, to now emerging out of stealth mode with her next venture (which she reveals exclusively with us!). Lisa shares how cycling is her metaphor for life, inspiring her to stay the course one step at a time. Lisa is widely known and revered for her incredible ability to design office spaces that inspire the people that occupy them. We go deep into how innovation will enable smaller companies to take on the goliaths of the industry and tips on how to effectively deploy technology (hint: don’t pull the plug on your existing ways too fast!) If you don’t think value lies in coming into the office, you might want to think again after Lisa walks us through the learning that can happen when you stay close to leadership. We wrap it up with Lisa’s advice she would give to younger Lisa. Tune in for wisdom and laughs from one of the industry’s greatest! Show Notes: 0:10: Ryan and Nadine’s summer adventures / Proptech Competition recap 10:35: Introducing Lisa Picard 11:00: The impact of cycling on Lisa's life 20:01: Lisa's career journey 31:08: How innovation can level the playing field / reveal of her next venture, Oxygen 33:53: Lisa’s perspective on the office market / the payoff for staying close to leadership 44:48: Creating future spaces for work that inspire collaboration / constant learning 47:30: Skills needed by workers in today's world 1:00:52: How innovation creates new asset classes 1:19:45: Lisa's advice to her younger self 1:25:16: Postgame recap If you love what you hear, please take a moment to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us grow and improve! Have thoughts or suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Drop us a line at info@creunplugged.com. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at @CREUnplugged1 and be sure to follow CREUnplugged on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and X!

    1h 33m

  8. 06/10/2024

    Ep. 2 - From Standup Comedy to VC: Embracing Life One Opportunity at a Time - with Bob Gillespie

    In this episode, we had an absolute blast chatting with Bob Gillespie, Managing Partner of REACH Commercial, the commercial fund of Second Century Ventures, and let us tell you, it's a ride you don't want to miss! Even though he’s no longer a stand-up comedian, Bob is a testament to the power of humor and public speaking when pitching new ideas and solutions. Think of it as stand-up comedy with a dash of TED Talk brilliance! For those of you in career limbo, fret not. Our guest shares golden advice on how to tackle what he calls the painful “waiting game” between professional moves. Instead of agonizing over LinkedIn notifications and making the right decision, why not learn a new skill? And speaking of trends, if you’re wanting to know how to create a winning solution in PropTech, Bob walks us through the key of taking something that’s dumb, slow, and expensive, and turning it into something smart, fast, and cheap. Want to hear more controversial takes from Bob? Be sure to listen to learn more! 🎧 Show Notes: 0:10: Nadine's new lifestyle and Ryan's past criminal life 7:20: Introducing Bob Gillespie 9:50: Bob's career journey 23:26: How to tackle the "waiting space" 30:18: Latest PropTech solutions 40:15: Necessary changes to real estate innovation 45:05: Bob's advice to young CRE professionals + his take on ClimateTech 53:32: Bob's move to Costa Rica 57:42: Postgame recap If you love what you hear, please take a moment to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us grow and improve! Have thoughts or suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Drop us a line at info@creunplugged.com. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at  @CREUnplugged1  and be sure to follow CREUnplugged on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and X!

    1h 2m
  9. Ep. 1 - Can AI and Real Estate Foster a Human Renaissance? - with Mollie Eisler

    05/12/2024

    Ep. 1 - Can AI and Real Estate Foster a Human Renaissance? - with Mollie Eisler

    On this inaugural episode of "CRE Unplugged," we sit down with Mollie Eisler, VP of Innovation and Technology for Almanac Realty Investors and explore the intersection between real estate, AI, and humans. Mollie takes us on her career journey starting in hospitality, highlighting the essential skill of relationship building (critical in real estate!) We then discusses whether people should fear for AI coming for their jobs (Mollie says no but with a twist). AI is great for automating repetitive tasks and processing large amounts of data, but innovation, creativity, and collaboration? Not so much; that's where us humans still shine. Mollie explains how by relying on the science of AI plus the creativity of humans, the real estate industry can become more flexible, allowing it to respond (and predict) faster and better for our ever-changing world. Is a human renaissance on the horizon? We think so; so be sure to listen to learn more. Enjoyed this episode? Don't miss out on future ones! Hit the subscribe button to stay updated with our latest content. If you love what you hear, please take a moment to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us grow and improve! Have thoughts or suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Drop us a line at info@creunplugged.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/@creunplugged1?feature=shared and be sure to follow CREUnplugged on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and X!

    31 min
  • 9 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The commercial real estate (CRE) industry, long resistant to change, is poised for transformation with AI and climate change driving the charge. This podcast bridges the worlds of CRE with Proptech, bringing humorous, insightful conversations with both industry veterans and newbies. Aimed at innovators and occupiers alike, we've set out to demystify and revolutionize CRE, making it accessible and relevant for a diverse audience. Join us in shaping a new, innovative era of real estate.

Information

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada