The Captain Curt Show

Curt Marker
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Welcome to The Captain Curt Show where we talk about real estate investing, business, and building wealth. We hope to educate, inspire and prove that anyone can succeed if they are willing to put in the work and go all in on themselves. 

  1. How a Pilot Bought a $10M Boutique Hotel | The Hotel Investor Playbook

    FEB 4

    How a Pilot Bought a $10M Boutique Hotel | The Hotel Investor Playbook

    What if you could invest in boutique hotels without running the hotel? In this episode of The Hotel Investor Playbook, host Michael Russell sits down with Curt Marker—private jet captain, real estate investor, and CEO of Captain Capital—to break down how Curt became a co-GP on a $10M, 130-room boutique hotel in the Smoky Mountains without managing staff or daily operations. They walk through the real mechanics of Curt’s role in the deal, including how he raised $1.5M in capital, evaluated operating partners, and helped guide investors through an unexpected 8-month USDA loan delay using consistent, transparent communication. In this episode, they discuss: How to add value in hotel deals without being the operatorWhy most of Curt’s capital came from people he already knewWhat to look for when vetting an operating partnerHow a loan delay tested the partnership—and investor confidenceWhy honest monthly updates matter more than perfect timelinesThis conversation is a grounded look at hotel investing for professionals who want exposure to hospitality real estate without taking on operational complexity—and a reminder that trust and communication are just as important as the numbers. 🎧 Original Podcast: The Hotel Investor Playbook 🌐 Learn more: https://www.hotelinvestorplaybook.com/ Timestamps 02:05 – Curt’s Background: From Pilot to Real Estate Investor 05:06 – Shifting Focus: Family, Charity, and Long-Term Purpose 08:37 – Staying Flexible Across Asset Classes 11:25 – Why Commercial Real Estate Changed the Game 15:20 – Comparing Short-Term Rentals vs Hotels 18:43 – Breaking Down the Boutique Hotel Deal Structure 22:21 – Adding Value Without Managing Daily Operations 26:16 – The USDA Loan Delay and What Went Wrong 29:14 – Communicating Bad News Without Losing Investor Trust 38:01 – Building a Personal Brand That Raises Capital 45:54 – Where Capital Actually Comes From 52:47 – Advice for First-Time Real Estate Investors CONNECT WITH MICHAEL RUSSELL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reachmichael Website: https://www.malama-capital.com/ CONNECT WITH US: Instagram: @thecaptaincurt TikTok: @thecaptaincurt YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_ Website: www.captaincapital.com Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight.

    55 min

  2. JAN 28

    The Woman Disrupting a $100 Billion Capital Raising Industry

    What if the hardest part of real estate wasn’t finding deals — but raising the money? In this episode, Stella Han (@hellastellah) explains why traditional capital raising is fundamentally broken for small operators — and how a new model is quietly reshaping how founders, creators, and real estate investors raise capital. After losing $55,000 on her first raise, Stella built a platform designed to remove legal friction, unlock unaccredited capital, and let operators market freely — without risking jail time. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why syndications and funds fail first-time operatorsThe difference between 506B, 506C, and investment clubsHow to legally market and raise capital at the same timeWhy “soft commitments” without money are uselessThe psychology behind requiring deposits from investorsHow creators outperform traditional finance at fundraisingWhy capital raising should be treated like salesHow trust and storytelling now beat spreadsheetsThis episode lays out the new rules of capital raising — and why operators who adapt early will have a massive edge. Timestamps 2:43 - How Stella lost $55K trying to raise $1M on her first deal 6:02 - Why 506B and 506C are broken for small operators 10:08 - Investment clubs explained: why they're not securities under SEC rules 14:20 - The hardest part of building Fractional: compliance, tech, or education? 19:39 - What surprised Stella most: operators don't build investor lists proactively 24:20 - The 3% deposit strategy that eliminates flaky verbal commitments 28:45 - Why creators raise more capital than traditional finance people 38:57 - Following up 5-6 times before an investor commits: the sales process of capital raising 43:10 - Product-market fit: 2,000 signups for a fake website that didn't exist yet 54:21 - Being a woman founder in a male-dominated space: advantage or obstacle? 1:02:56 - Is traditional capital raising outdated? Where Fractional fits in the ecosystem 1:07:27 - The Power of Habit: how mental habits shape entrepreneurial resilience CONNECT WITH STELLA HAN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellastellah/   Website: https://www.fractional.app/  CONNECT WITH US: Instagram: @thecaptaincurt TikTok: @thecaptaincurt YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_ Website: www.captaincapital.com Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight.

    1h 10m

  3. JAN 7

    How to Build a $20M Real Estate Business While Keeping Your W2

    What if you could build a $20 million real estate development business without quitting your W2 job?  Gaurang Gala did exactly that—working full-time as a commercial banker while raising capital, rezoning land, and developing over $92 million in assets across seven projects.  His story proves that strategic patience and understanding the math can turn dirt into generational wealth. He took a deal stuck in zoning hell for 18 months, went door-to-door in 90-degree heat wearing a suit to get neighbor signatures, turned a unanimous rejection into unanimous approval, and flipped the land for double what he paid—without ever putting a shovel in the ground. What you'll learn: How Gaurang time-blocked his banking job into 2-3 hours a day to build his development companyWhy land development creates 70% of real estate profit before the building goes verticalThe strategy behind holding land under contract for 2+ years without closing until rezoning approvalWhy you should never bank at Wells Fargo, Bank of America, or Truist—and how community banks give you leverageHow to structure deals so investor money is last in, first out—and why developers take all the riskThe council member strategy: showing up in person, building relationships, and proving you're localWhy Raleigh-Durham is "the new Austin" and the Bay Area of the East CoastGaurang isn't here to sell you a course. He's here to show you how patience, relationships, and understanding the financials can help you transition from W2 income into real estate development without betting the farm.  If you've ever wondered how to raise millions from your community, make seven figures on land deals, or build wealth through entitlements instead of construction, this episode is your roadmap. Timestamps 4:02 - Time blocking strategy: how to work a W2 and build a $20M business simultaneously 7:37 - The first deal: from 1031 exchange to 4-year rezoning nightmare 10:00 - Door-to-door in the heat: flipping zero council votes to unanimous approval 18:19 - Why you should never bank at big banks—loan-to-deposit ratio explained 22:46 - $3.5M profit on dirt: buying land, holding it 2 years, flipping it without construction 27:55 - Developer risk: why you're always first money in, last money out 34:22 - Why 70% of profit happens before vertical construction 42:06 - Raleigh-Durham: the new Austin and the Bay Area of the East Coast 47:03 - Hiring consultants who ghosted: what going door-to-door taught about doing it yourself 51:20 - What makes land development the hardest thing Gaurang has ever done 59:40 - Ray Dalio's book on empires and the debt cycle: macroeconomic concerns keeping him up at night 1:01:38 - How Gaurang wants to be remembered: great dad, community builder, giving back to immigrant kids CONNECT WITH GAURANG GALA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegrandgala/ Website: https://www.galainvestments.io/ CONNECT WITH US: Instagram: @thecaptaincurt TikTok: @thecaptaincurt YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_ Website: www.captaincapital.com Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight.

    1h 4m

  4. 12/31/2025

    $5 Billion in Tax Savings: The Cost Seg Strategy You're Missing

    What if 70% of real estate investors are unknowingly leaving millions of dollars on the table? In this episode, Jeff Hiatt, founder of MSC Cost Segregation Consultants, breaks down how cost segregation has helped over 26,000 clients save more than $5 billion — using strategies that have existed in the tax code since 1986. This conversation goes far beyond theory and into how serious investors actually use tax strategy to scale faster. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why 70% of investors should be doing cost segregation — and aren’tHow accelerated depreciation increases the velocity of capitalThe difference between straight-line depreciation and cost segregationHow investors can retroactively claim deductions without amending returnsWhy cutting corners with cheap studies can trigger painful auditsHow cost segregation fits into 1031 exchanges and long-term planningWhy taxes should be treated as a strategy, not an afterthoughtIf you’re serious about scaling real estate, this episode shows why tax strategy isn’t optional, it’s foundational. Timestamps 3:07 - Would you rather take a deduction now or wait 27.5 years for the same one? 4:34 - Why 70% of investors who should do cost seg never do it 6:10 - How one $4M tax savings changed Jeff's business overnight 10:42 - Real example: $1M property, $800K basis—how much can you write off year one? 16:36 - Big Beautiful Bill brings back 100% bonus depreciation—what investors need to know 18:33 - Going back to 1986: grabbing retroactive deductions without amending returns 20:23 - The Iron Silo: tracking components for abandonment losses during renovations 30:10 - Short-term rental loophole: how W2 earners offset income with rental losses 32:49 - Recapture explained: what you owe when you sell and how 1031s defer it forever 35:57 - Why $500 online tools and remote studies fail IRS audits 41:07 - Which asset classes give the highest cost seg results (hotels vs industrial) 56:27 - When to engage cost seg services: before purchase, during construction, or retroactively CONNECT WITH JEFF HIATT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/depreciationdoctor/   Website: https://msc.tax/ CONNECT WITH US: Instagram: @thecaptaincurt TikTok: @thecaptaincurt YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_ Website: www.captaincapital.com Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight.

    1h 8m

  5. 12/17/2025

    From $30K Monthly to Zero: The Injury That Changed Everything

    What if one real estate deal paid you more than 20 years in your profession? In this episode, Wayde Elliott, founder of Store It, shares how a career-ending injury forced him to walk away from dentistry — and how a series of failures eventually led him to build a self-storage portfolio worth over $50 million. This conversation dives deep into beliefs, risk, and what it really takes to pivot into real estate later in life. What you’ll learn in this episode: The moment Wayde lost his dental career overnightWhy trading time for money became unacceptableThe costly business failures that shaped his investing philosophyHow his first self-storage deal rewired his beliefs around moneyWhy self storage performs in both good and bad economiesHow values and partnerships can make or break long-term successThe belief system that allowed him to go all-in on developmentThis is a powerful reminder that the right pivot — at the right moment — can completely change the trajectory of your life and wealth. Timestamps 3:08 - Going from $30K monthly dental income to zero: the fear and the blessing 4:21 - The patient who planted the seed: six storage facilities and total freedom 6:06 - Growth mindset vs scarcity mindset: always seeking the uncomfortable 10:11 - Faith vs fear: both demand you believe in something you cannot see 16:37 - The three T's of investing: trust, transparency, and track record 20:42 - The belief cycle: how money stories from childhood shape your wealth 30:15 - Losing $800K in cannabis but refusing to quit 31:48 - The development PhD: wetlands, flooding, railroad negotiations, and moving highways 34:25 - When to cut ties with partners not aligned on values 37:01 - Why self storage is recession-resilient in both good and bad economies 41:39 - Finding deals: looking for baked-in value from day one 46:36 - 600+ five-star reviews: why exceptional customer service wins in storage 51:34 - The ayahuasca journey that changed Wade and his son's life CONNECT WITH WAYDE ELLIOTT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waydeelliottdmd   Website: https://www.storeit.com/ CONNECT WITH US: Instagram: @thecaptaincurt TikTok: @thecaptaincurt YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_ Website: www.captaincapital.com Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight.

    54 min

  6. 12/10/2025

    Bleeding $800K a Month: How Sobriety Saved His Real Estate Empire

    What do you do when your business is bleeding $800,000 a month and your life is unraveling with it? In this episode, Brady McDonald (@brady.mcdonald84) reveals how a devastating financial collapse, identity crisis, and dependence on alcohol pushed him into the darkest chapter of his life — and how he fought his way out through faith, discipline, and extreme physical challenge. Here’s what you’ll learn: The moment Brady realized he was losing his businesses and himselfHow rising interest rates, hurricanes, and a 100+ property portfolio nearly destroyed himThe identity collapse that left him drunk on a boat while everything burned downWhy quitting alcohol cold turkey became the turning pointHow ultra-endurance challenges replaced addiction with purposeThe “run toward the pain” mentality that rebuilt his confidenceWhy he’s running 50 races in 50 states to raise $1M for Make-A-WishWhat faith, family, and hardship taught him about real successThis episode is about more than rebuilding wealth — it’s about rebuilding a life. Timestamps 3:01 - Bleeding $300K-$800K monthly: the moment everything collapsed 5:05 - Why his mentor said "sell the red, get $1M in the bank" changed everything 8:06 - Deal junkie vs operator: why most investors fail in downturns 12:35 - The boat, the whiskey, the sunset: deciding to quit drinking forever 15:07 - What your kids will remember (hint: it's not the toys) 18:20 - How doing hard things builds unshakable self-belief 21:10 - Running 50 miles in 109-degree heat: hospitalized with rhabdo but still won 26:08 - Wish Maker 50: running 1,553 miles across 50 states for Make-A-Wish 43:01 - Why you can't eat your equity: the brutal truth about being cash-poor 54:22 - Finding inner peace through faith after years of relying only on himself CONNECT WITH BRADY MCDONALD: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brady.mcdonald84 Website: https://wishmaker50.com/ CONNECT WITH US: Instagram: @thecaptaincurt TikTok: @thecaptaincurt YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_ Website: www.captaincapital.com Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight.

    59 min

  7. 12/03/2025

    How a Flight Instructor Built a $100 Million Lending Empire

    What if the dream of flight could fund an entire industry? Brandon Martini, co-founder and CEO of Stratus Financial, turned a small flight school into a $100 million private credit machine that helps pilots take off — literally. He shares how he pitched Wall Street on an industry they’d never heard of, raised capital without VC money, and built a culture rooted in trust and transparency. Here’s what you’ll learn: How a failed startup taught Brandon the right way to treat investorsThe $2 billion gap in pilot financing no one was solvingHow he and his partner bootstrapped Stratus with $1 million and a whiteboardWhy transparency and trust beat venture capital every timeHow to raise Wall Street money for a niche industryThe habits that keep a 92-person team ( 80% remote ) aligned and drivenThis is the blueprint for founders who want to build something real — by betting on integrity, execution, and people. Timestamps 02:17 – How Brandon turned a $2 billion problem into a business idea 04:52 – Why banks ignored flight school loans — and how he solved it 09:54 – The Stratus score and why co-borrowers changed everything 12:24 – Bootstrapping Stratus with a million-dollar check from his co-founder 17:15 – Paying investors 16–19% in a volatile rate market 21:32 – How to pitch Wall Street when you don’t speak their language 26:33 – Why financing pilots is about changing generational wealth 29:18 – The “Stratus Family” philosophy of investors and employees 33:15 – Scaling to 90+ employees ( 80% Philippines team ) 41:48 – The future of work and why he believes offices are coming back 57:56 – Why he’s betting on himself over venture capital 1:06:35 – How sleep, fitness, and family became non-negotiable 1:17:57 – What keeps him up at night: raising capital and raising a good son CONNECT WITH BRANDON MARTINI: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrmartiniguy Website: https://stratus.finance/  CONNECT WITH US: Instagram: @thecaptaincurt TikTok: @thecaptaincurt YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_ Website: www.captaincapital.com Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight.

    1h 23m

  8. 11/19/2025

    The Bitcoin Blueprint: How to Escape the Financial System

    What if your money could work harder, and last longer, outside the banking system? In this episode, Colin Yurcisin (@colinyurcisin) explains how he went from credit entrepreneur to Bitcoin miner, building a multimillion-dollar ecosystem around financial sovereignty. He reveals how to leverage Bitcoin for tax advantages, build long-term wealth, and escape inflation’s slow drain on your savings. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why Bitcoin is the next generation’s wealth engineHow to use business credit and loans to buy appreciating assetsThe truth about inflation, money printing, and purchasing powerHow institutional adoption is changing everythingWhy mining offers massive tax benefits most investors overlookThe 10-year mindset that separates winners from speculatorsThis episode isn’t financial advice, it’s a blueprint for financial freedom in the new digital age. Timestamps 02:00 – How Colin’s credit business led him to discover Bitcoin 03:55 – Buying five Bitcoin at $4,500 during the 2020 crash 06:35 – Why Bitcoin is “digital gold” and truly scarce 09:02 – The simplest strategy: stop timing the market and DCA 11:32 – How banks will soon accept Bitcoin as collateral 13:35 – Using Bitcoin-backed loans to buy real assets 20:30 – Why Michael Saylor’s strategy could rewrite global finance 25:26 – Why even conservative investors should hold Bitcoin 28:08 – The $500K tax bill that pushed him into mining 30:54 – How Leveraged Mining helps investors get 100% write-offs 35:58 – The $80K mistake that taught him how to build better systems 42:04 – Why the future belongs to those who think in decades CONNECT WITH COLIN YURCISIN: Instagram: https://instagram.com/colinyurcisin Website: https://www.colinyurcisin.com/ CONNECT WITH US: Instagram: @thecaptaincurt TikTok: @thecaptaincurt YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_ Website: www.captaincapital.com Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight.

    1h 3m
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About

Welcome to The Captain Curt Show where we talk about real estate investing, business, and building wealth. We hope to educate, inspire and prove that anyone can succeed if they are willing to put in the work and go all in on themselves. 

Information

  • Creator
    Curt Marker
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Captain Curt Show
  • Show Website
    The Captain Curt Show