The Spotlight – A Women Speak CRE Podcast

Allison S. Weiss
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Self-Improvement

The Spotlight illuminates the expertise, insights, and journeys of exceptional women in commercial real estate. Each episode features in-depth conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and rising stars from the Women Speak CRE community. Hosted by Allison S. Weiss, this podcast delves into everything from market trends and leadership strategies, to breakthrough moments, and professional development - all through the lens of women shaping the CRE landscape. Our engaging format combines thoughtful interviews with practical takeaways, creating valuable content for commercial real estate women at every career stage.

  1. From Intern to Industry Leader: Tori Nook's Journey in Commercial Real Estate

    10/16/2025

    From Intern to Industry Leader: Tori Nook's Journey in Commercial Real Estate

    From Intern to Industry Leader: Tori Nook's Journey in Commercial Real Estate  In this episode of The Spotlight: A Women Speak CRE podcast, host Allison Weiss interviews commercial real estate entrepreneur Tori Nook. Tori shares her journey from her beginnings at John Carroll University to becoming a stand-out retail broker and industry leader. She discusses the importance of internships, networking, and flexibility in achieving success. Tori also highlights her transition to starting her own company, Anchor Retail, and how she has built a culture of flexibility and empowerment within her firm. The conversation delves into the significance of vulnerability, work ethic, and maintaining relationships in driving professional growth. Tori also speaks about her recent foray into social media to expand her influence and connect with broader audiences.  00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome  00:28 Tori's Journey into Real Estate  01:26 Internships and Early Career  03:17 Transition to Commercial Real Estate  04:49 Building a Network and Gaining Experience  06:44 Launching a Career in Retail Real Estate  08:44 Keys to Success in Real Estate  22:34 Entrepreneurial Leap and Starting a Business  34:39 Hiring Challenges and Solutions  35:21 Flexibility in the Workplace  38:30 Adapting to COVID-19  44:29 The Importance of Social Media  00:52 Early Career and Internships  01:07:25 Persistence Pays Off: Early Lessons  01:08:14 Balancing Motherhood and Professionalism  01:09:12 The Importance of Hard Work and Integrity  01:15:23 Entrepreneurial Journey: From Broker to Business Owner  01:24:47 Building a Flexible and Supportive Work Environment  01:35:32 Embracing Social Media for Business Growth  01:44:35 Final Thoughts and Words of Wisdom    Guest | Tori Nook         LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/torirendanonook/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tori_nook/  X: https://x.com/ToriNook   Website: https://anchorretail.com/      Host | Allison S. Weiss           LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsweiss/     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonsweiss/    Website: a...

    56 min
  2. Finding Balance in CRE: Abigail Sievers' Success Story

    09/22/2025

    Finding Balance in CRE: Abigail Sievers' Success Story

    Finding Balance in CRE: Abigail Sievers' Success Story  In this episode of The Spotlight - A Women Speak CRE Podcast, host Allison Weiss interviews Abigail Sievers, an industrial broker at JLL in Indianapolis. Abigail shares her journey into commercial real estate - from her early dream of becoming a news anchor to finding her niche in industrial brokerage.   She details the challenges and obstacles she’s faced throughout her career, including navigating maternity leave & motherhood in a male-dominated industry, and prioritizing family while growing a thriving brokerage business. Abigail emphasizes the importance of mentorship, authenticity, and having an abundance mindset.   Today’s conversation also covers Abigail’s strategic use of LinkedIn for business development, the boundaries that help her balance a busy personal life with professional ambitions. Abigail’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and finding support in both personal and professional spheres.     00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome  02:41 Abigail Sievers' Career Journey  05:06 Transitioning from Marketing to Brokerage  08:35 Leveraging LinkedIn for Business Development  18:15 Balancing Motherhood and Career in CRE  20:48 A Supportive Business Partner & Ally  25:14 Navigating Career Transitions  29:03 Mindset and Personal Growth  31:27 Building Relationships in a Small Market  39:11 Balancing Work and Family  41:00 Future Aspirations and Final Thoughts    Guest | Abigail Sievers       LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-sievers-ab987226  Firm Profile: https://www.jll.com/en-us/people/bio-broker/abigail.sievers        Host | Allison S. Weiss         LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsweiss/    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonsweiss/   Website: https://www.crerecruiting.com/      Women Speak CRE       LinkedIn: a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-speak-cre/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    44 min
  3. Connecting Beyond Walls: Garland Fuller on Third Spaces and Community

    09/03/2025

    Connecting Beyond Walls: Garland Fuller on Third Spaces and Community

    Connecting Beyond Walls: Garland Fuller on Third Spaces and Community  In this episode of The Spotlight - A Women Speak CRE podcast, host Allison Weiss interviews Garland Fuller, an award-winning third space culture and belonging consultant. With over 15 years of experience, Garland specializes in creating environments that foster community and connection.   During the conversation, Garland discusses her journey into commercial real estate, her role in transforming AAREP LA, and her current work focused on reimagining community spaces. The discussion covers the necessity of nuanced approaches to office space utilization, the importance of integrating human-centric design, and innovative ways to activate underused spaces.      Highlights include Garland Fuller's “People, Place, Program” framework, the concept of third spaces, and the impact of evolving work environments on community building.   This episode underscores the importance of adapting to new cultural and technological shifts to create meaningful, engaging workspaces.     00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome  02:09 Garland Fuller's Background and Career Journey  06:49 Diversity and Inclusion in Commercial Real Estate  10:06 Transforming AAREP LA  17:02 Reimagining Work and Space  25:36 Resetting Expectations in the Workplace  27:12 Challenges of Returning to the Office  28:23 Innovative Uses of Space  30:42 Revitalizing Community Gatherings  32:14 The Role of Virtual Reality in Real Estate  33:41 Event Trends Making an Impact  39:23 Implementing Effective Organizational Changes  43:05 The Third Space Academy  48:43 Final Thoughts and Future Outlook    Guest | Garland Fuller        LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garlandfuller/  Website: https://garlandfuller.com/  Third Space sign up: https://bit.ly/EnrollThirdSpaceAcademy  EARLYBIRD CODE for $100 OFF for The Spotlight listeners  Unplugged Session Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/SyW6mxigS76vgx0mhCNf4A  Follow Garland Fuller: https://prodigious-designer-8603.kit.com/2998145cf6       Host | Allison S. Weiss         LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsweiss/    Instagram: a href="https://www.instagram.com/allisonsweiss/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    53 min
  4. Likable Badass: Insights from Alison Fragale on Success and Influence

    08/21/2025

    Likable Badass: Insights from Alison Fragale on Success and Influence

    Likable Badass: Insights from Alison Fragale on Success and Influence     In this episode of the Spotlight A Women Speak CRE podcast, host Allison Weiss interviews Alison Fragale, an organizational psychologist, professor at the University of North Carolina, and bestselling author of 'Likable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve.' The discussion centers around building social capital through an authentic, yet strategic framework of self-promotion, promotion of others, and asking for promotion. Alison also delves into the challenges and strategies for women in male-dominated industries, the importance of bringing your authentic self to work, and how to navigate career transitions. Listen in for additional insights on the role of public speaking, the evolving workplace dynamics in commercial real estate, and practical advice for women aiming for leadership roles amidst the large demographic shifts impacting the CRE industry in the next 5-10 years.     00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest  01:46 Welcoming Alison Fragale  02:39 The Concept of Likable Badass  03:39 Building Social Capital  04:09 Self-Promotion Strategies  07:23 The Power of Other Promotion  09:18 Asking for Promotion  14:43 Effective Email Responders  19:01 The Role of Public Speaking  22:04 Preparing for Generational Shifts in CRE  26:43 Navigating Parenthood and Career Decisions  27:08 Balancing Career and Family Life  29:32 Adapting the Workforce for Women  30:18 Advocating for Work-Life Balance  32:39 Supporting Women in Male-Dominated Industries  34:06 The Importance of Lifting Others Up  37:02 The Power of Individual Impact  38:36 Agree or Disagree: Thought-Provoking Statements  45:39 Future Plans and Final Thoughts  50:46 Podcast Conclusion and Takeaways    Guest | Alison Fragale      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonfragale/  Website: https://alisonfragale.com/  Order Likeable Badass: https://alisonfragale.com/book/  Book Alison as a Speaker: https://alisonfragale.com/speaking/     Host | Allison S. Weiss       LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsweiss/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonsweiss/  Website: a...

    53 min
  5. Running Life's Marathon: Heather Ewing on Breaking Barriers in Commercial Real Estate

    08/14/2025

    Running Life's Marathon: Heather Ewing on Breaking Barriers in Commercial Real Estate

    Running Life's Marathon: Heather Ewing on Breaking Barriers in Commercial Real Estate  In this episode of the Spotlight, a Women Speak CRE podcast, host Allison Weiss interviews Heather Ewing, founder and CEO of Abstract Commercial Real Estate. Heather, a seasoned commercial real estate strategist and international marathoner, shares her unconventional journey into the industry, highlighting the life-changing car accident that propelled her into seeking her true purpose. She discusses the integration of her personal passions, like running, with her professional life, and how these experiences sharpened her discipline and resilience. Heather also offers insights into navigating the commercial real estate market, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, strategic risk-taking, and continuous personal and professional development. The conversation reveals how Heather balances her creative spirit with her business acumen, making her a standout leader in the retail and restaurant brokerage landscape of Madison, Wisconsin.     00:00 Introduction to Heather Ewing  02:33 Heather's Journey into Commercial Real Estate  03:06 Overcoming Adversity and Finding Purpose  03:48 Transition to Commercial Brokerage  04:59 Starting Abstract Commercial Real Estate  05:15 Navigating Challenges and Embracing Change  08:48 The Role of Family and Personal Growth  12:42 Running and Real Estate: A Parallel Journey  18:36 Building a Unique Brand in Commercial Real Estate  23:07 The Importance of Providing Value  24:03 Making a Splash in the Market  26:04 Embracing Authenticity in Business  29:30 Navigating Gender Dynamics in the Industry  34:12 The Power of Personal Stories  37:56 Mindset and Daily Routines  42:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts    Social Media Details    LinkedIn/Instagram/YouTube: @WomenSpeakCRE  Website: https://www.womenspeakcre.com/     Host | Allison S. Weiss     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsweiss/  Instagram: @allisonsweiss  Website: https://www.crerecruiting.com/     Guest | Heather Ewing     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermewing/  Website: https://www.abstractcommercialrealestate.com/

    44 min
  6. Thriving with Kindness and Excellence: Jen Hill's Journey

    07/17/2025

    Thriving with Kindness and Excellence: Jen Hill's Journey

    Thriving with Kindness and Excellence: Jen Hill's Journey  In this episode of the Spotlight: A Women Speak CRE Podcast, host Allison S. Weiss engages in a deep conversation with Jen Hill, a distinguished leader with a 27-year career at one of CRE’s largest and most prestigious firms. Jen shares her passion for culture, strategy, and execution, drawing from her extensive experience across a wide variety of verticals and asset classes within JLL. Jen emphasizes the importance of curiosity, relationship-building, and introspection in career growth, alongside her distinctive leadership style that balances kindness with high standards of excellence. The conversation also touches on Jen's investment journey, showcasing her strategic approach to wealth creation. Towards the end, the discussion highlights the value of aligning one's career with personal values and fostering a kind yet high-performing work environment.  00:00 Introduction to Today's Episode  00:17 Meet Jen Hill: A Strategic Trailblazer  03:27 Jen's Career Journey in Real Estate  09:50 The US Army’s Housing Privatization Project 27:36 Mentorship and Career Advice  32:19 Starting the Day with Purpose  32:57 The Importance of Introspection  33:54 Balancing Kindness and Excellence  34:33 Kindness in Leadership  37:38 Navigating Workplace Culture  41:43 Building Strong Relationships  48:28 Investing as a Woman  56:00 Final Thoughts and Takeaways  Social Media Details  LinkedIn/Instagram/YouTube: @WomenSpeakCRE  Website: https://www.womenspeakcre.com/     Host | Allison S. Weiss     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsweiss/  Instagram: @allisonsweiss  Website: https://www.crerecruiting.com/     Guest | Jennifer Hill  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-hill-5812555/    Kate Brodock’s LinkedIn  Kate Brodock’s latest CRE adaptive reuse project

    59 min
  7. Building Impact: Carrie Bobb’s Real Estate and Legislative Legacy

    06/19/2025

    Building Impact: Carrie Bobb’s Real Estate and Legislative Legacy

    Building Impact: Carrie Bobb’s Real Estate and Legislative Legacy  In this episode of the Spotlight - A Women Speak CRE podcast, retail expert Carrie Bobb shares insights from her extensive career in commercial real estate. Carrie discusses her career retail leasing & placemaking, merchandising strategies, and her favorite projects, including leasing One Paseo in Del Mar. Her foray into digital strategies with HelloJenny, further acquired by Foundry Commercial, is highlighted as a key development in aligning social media with real estate transactions. Most notably, Carrie talks about her pivotal role in the creation of 'Carrie's Law,' which removed arbitration for sexual assault cases in the workplace. This conversation delves into her journey of faith and personal development, her eventual move to Nashville, thoughts on future career steps, and reflections on balancing professional and personal life. Additionally, the episode ends with a light-hearted and impromptu segment featuring Carrie's young son, Jack, discussing his interests and aspirations.  00:00 Introduction to Carrie Bobb and Her Achievements  03:11 Carrie's Early Career Journey  05:17 Finding Her Niche in Retail  07:09 Going Independent and Career Milestones  09:15 Balancing Competition and Relationships  20:36 Carrie's Law and Advocacy  25:44 Faith and Professional Resilience  28:22 HelloJenny and Social Media Strategies  33:36 The Importance of Social Media for Young Professionals  34:33 AI and Social Media: The New Search Engines  36:09 Creating Authentic Content: Your Personal Voice vs. AI  37:48 Navigating Social Media Platforms: X and LinkedIn  38:58 Balancing Social Media and a Personal Life  45:30 Reflecting on Career and Future Goals  51:19 Clearing the Runway: Making Space for New Opportunities  59:52 Special Episode: A Fun Chat with Jack  Social Media Details    LinkedIn/Instagram/YouTube: @WomenSpeakCRE  Website: https://www.womenspeakcre.com/     Host | Allison S. Weiss     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsweiss/  Instagram: @allisonsweiss  Website: https://www.crerecruiting.com/     Guest | Carrie Bobb     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriebobb/  Instagram/X: @carriebobb

    1h 10m
  8. The Power of Pivoting: Danielle Sprouls' Journey of Reinvention

    06/05/2025

    The Power of Pivoting: Danielle Sprouls' Journey of Reinvention

    In this episode of the Spotlight, a Women Speak CRE podcast, host Allison S. Weiss welcomes Danielle Sprouls, founder of Unscripted Pivots, executive coach, keynote speaker, and author of 'WTF Women That Flourish: Transform Your 'What the F' Moments into Your Greatest Wins.' Danielle shares her transformative journey from being an attorney and commercial real estate executive to launching her own coaching business. She discusses the pivotal moments in her life, her approach to overcoming fear, and the importance of embracing unscripted changes. Danielle also highlights her connection to her grandmother, DiDi, and the powerful lessons she imparted. The conversation provides valuable insights into resilience, the importance of community, and the courage to pivot with purpose.     00:00 Introduction to Danielle Sprouls  02:56 Danielle's Book: WTF Women That Flourish  04:04 The Origin of WTF and Unscripted Pivots  05:18 Danielle's Career Journey: From Law to Real Estate  07:43 Personal Life and Career Pivots  10:47 Embracing Change and Finding Purpose  20:11 The Power of Faith and Sobriety  25:32 Living with Intention and Community  28:18 Navigating Job Transitions and Promotions  28:50 Embracing Intuition and Legal Training  29:45 Life Milestones and Career Pivots  30:58 The Importance of Fear and Failure  34:00 Moving to California and Starting Anew  37:37 Mentorship and Giving Back  41:45 Launching Group Coaching and Final Thoughts   Social Media Details    LinkedIn/Instagram/YouTube: @WomenSpeakCRE  Website: https://www.womenspeakcre.com/     Host | Allison S. Weiss     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsweiss/  Instagram: @allisonsweiss  Website: https://www.crerecruiting.com/     Guest | Danielle Sprouls     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellesproulsesq/  Website: https://www.unscriptedpivots.com/  X: https://x.com/The_WTF_Lady

    49 min
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out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Spotlight illuminates the expertise, insights, and journeys of exceptional women in commercial real estate. Each episode features in-depth conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and rising stars from the Women Speak CRE community. Hosted by Allison S. Weiss, this podcast delves into everything from market trends and leadership strategies, to breakthrough moments, and professional development - all through the lens of women shaping the CRE landscape. Our engaging format combines thoughtful interviews with practical takeaways, creating valuable content for commercial real estate women at every career stage.

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