Beyond The Sign

The Sears Group

What really happens beyond the sign? It’s more than deals and contracts — it’s the business of living, and the people driving it every day. Hosted by Landon Ball and Martin Sears of The Sears Group at West USA Realty, each episode pulls back the curtain on what drives our communities: real estate, finance, leadership, and local impact. Hear from professionals and everyday voices shaping the market across Arizona and beyond. No fluff. No scripts. Just straight talk and real insight to help you make smarter moves — in business and in life. Powered by The Sears Group at West USA Realty. Real conversations. Real professionals. Real value.

  1. 3d ago

    Ep. 20 Arizona State Treasurer Race: Education, Investments & the $11B Fund | Nick Mansour (D)

    Who should manage Arizona's $11 billion land endowment and the state's investments? Democratic candidate Nick Mansour explains what the State Treasurer does and why he wants to move the endowment toward an 80/20 stock-to-bond mix. This interview is part of Beyond the Sign's Arizona State Treasurer 2026 candidate interview series. We invited both candidates, Republican Elijah Norton and Democrat Nick Mansour, asked each the same core questions in the same format, and are releasing both interviews together on the same day. Guest: Nick Mansour, Democratic candidate for Arizona State Treasurer Hosted by Landon Ball (The Sears Group, West USA Realty) 🏛️ WHAT THE TREASURER DOES Nick separates the office's work into two parts: managing the state's day-to-day operating cash and investing the roughly $11 billion education endowment, formally the Permanent Land Endowment Fund. 📊 80/20 VS. 60/40 Nick explains the current 60/40 allocation, why he wants to move toward 80/20 and where his campaign's estimate of $3.6 billion in missed growth over 13 years comes from. 🌵 STATE TRUST LAND & PROP 123 With Prop 123's higher distribution expired and the rate back at 2.5%, he talks about raising the distribution with safeguards and getting more value from state trust land. 🎒 ESA OVERSIGHT He describes what he believes the treasurer can do on Empowerment Scholarship Account spending, including transparency on where the money goes, and his plan to curb waste. 🤝 ACROSS THE AISLE He describes working with the legislature whether Republicans or Democrats control it, talks about his endorsements and contrasts himself with his opponent. 🍽️ THE LIGHTER SIDE He shares his favorite spots in Tucson (Eegee's, El Charro) and Phoenix (Hillstone). 📌 CONTEXT: PROP 123 Prop 123, approved by Arizona voters on May 17, 2016, temporarily raised the annual State Land Trust distribution from 2.5% to 6.9% for fiscal years 2016–2025. The enhanced rate expired after June 30, 2025, and distributions reverted to 2.5% starting in FY2026, with the Legislature backfilling the difference from the General Fund. As of October 2026, renewal talks have stalled for a third legislative session and no renewal is on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. Sources: Arizona Constitution, Art. 10, Sec. 7; Joint Legislative Budget Committee; Arizona Capitol Times (July 9, 2026). 🌐 Learn more about Nick's campaign: mansourforarizona.com 🎧 COMPANION EPISODE: Ep. 19, Elijah Norton (R), released the same day in this feed. Same questions, same format. ⚖️ NOT AN ENDORSEMENT Beyond the Sign does not endorse any candidate. Both Arizona State Treasurer candidates were invited and asked the same core questions so voters can hear from each directly. Candidate statements are their own and have not been independently fact-checked by the show. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. 🎙️ BEYOND THE SIGN Real conversations. Real people. Real value. Riverside: https://beyondthesign.riverside.com/ | Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qPTNshI68NY94htuWLyQ6 | Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1852668908 Follow @BeyondTheSignShow on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok

  2. 3d ago

    Ep. 19 Arizona State Treasurer Race: Education, Investments & the $11B Fund | Elijah Norton (R)

    Who should manage Arizona's $11 billion land endowment and the state's investments? Republican candidate Elijah Norton explains what the State Treasurer does and why he wants to keep the endowment's current 60/40 stock-to-bond mix. This interview is part of Beyond the Sign's Arizona State Treasurer 2026 candidate interview series. We invited both candidates, Republican Elijah Norton and Democrat Nick Mansour, asked each the same core questions in the same format, and are releasing both interviews together on the same day. Guest: Elijah Norton, Republican candidate for Arizona State Treasurer Hosted by Landon Ball and Martin Sears (The Sears Group, West USA Realty) 🏛️ WHAT THE TREASURER DOES Elijah describes the office as Arizona's chief banking and investment officer, overseeing more than $34 billion in state assets, including the state and local government investment pools and the roughly $11 billion Permanent Land Endowment Trust Fund. 📊 60/40 VS. 80/20 Elijah explains why he supports the current 60% stocks / 40% bonds allocation and opposes moving to 80/20. His priority is protecting the fund's principal. 🌵 STATE TRUST LAND & PROP 123 With Prop 123's higher distribution expired, he talks about reforming state trust land sales to add principal, how he would approach a renewal, and a tiered plan that steps the distribution toward 5% over time. 🏦 COUNTY TREASURERS & DEI He covers his endorsements from county treasurers and his view on keeping politics, including DEI policies, out of state investments. 🤝 ACROSS THE AISLE He describes his outreach to independents and Democrats and contrasts himself with his opponent. 🍽️ THE LIGHTER SIDE He shares his favorite Arizona restaurants: Steak 44 and Ocean 44. 📌 CONTEXT: PROP 123 Prop 123, approved by Arizona voters on May 17, 2016, temporarily raised the annual State Land Trust distribution from 2.5% to 6.9% for fiscal years 2016–2025. The enhanced rate expired after June 30, 2025, and distributions reverted to 2.5% starting in FY2026, with the Legislature backfilling the difference from the General Fund. As of October 2026, renewal talks have stalled for a third legislative session and no renewal is on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. Sources: Arizona Constitution, Art. 10, Sec. 7; Joint Legislative Budget Committee; Arizona Capitol Times (July 9, 2026). 🌐 Learn more about Elijah's campaign: nortonforaz.com 🎧 COMPANION EPISODE: Ep. 20, Nick Mansour (D), released the same day in this feed. Same questions, same format. ⚖️ NOT AN ENDORSEMENT Beyond the Sign does not endorse any candidate. Both Arizona State Treasurer candidates were invited and asked the same core questions so voters can hear from each directly. Candidate statements are their own and have not been independently fact-checked by the show. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. 🎙️ BEYOND THE SIGN Real conversations. Real people. Real value. Riverside: https://beyondthesign.riverside.com/ | Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qPTNshI68NY94htuWLyQ6 | Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1852668908 Follow @BeyondTheSignShow on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok

  3. Oct 9

    Ep. 18 What's Next for Goodyear? New Schools, Highways & the Future of the West Valley | Trey Terry

    Goodyear is growing, but what's next for one of the West Valley's fastest-growing communities? 🏙️ Goodyear City Councilmember Trey Terry joins Landon Ball on Beyond The Sign for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of Goodyear, Arizona, and the decisions shaping our community. From new high schools and Friday night football to major transportation projects like the Loop 303 extension and State Route 30, we explore what's happening across the West Valley and what residents can expect in the years ahead. 🏈 Schools & Athletics: New high schools, growing school districts, football rivalries, student transfers, and the changing landscape of Arizona high school sports. 🚧 Roads & Infrastructure: The Loop 303 extension, State Route 30, traffic improvements, water resources, and preparing for continued growth. 🏡 Housing & Development: New neighborhoods, housing affordability, rental communities, industrial growth, and the challenges of balancing development with quality of life. 🚨 Public Safety & Privacy: License plate readers, including Flock cameras, their role in criminal investigations, privacy concerns, and the importance of transparency. We also get to know Trey beyond City Hall, discussing his background, community involvement, leadership, and what he hopes to accomplish for Goodyear in the years ahead. Whether you're a longtime resident, new to the West Valley, or simply curious about where Goodyear is headed, this conversation offers a closer look at the issues impacting our community. 💬 What would YOU like to see next for Goodyear? 🎙️ BEYOND THE SIGN Real conversations. Real professionals. Real value. Follow @BeyondTheSignShow for more conversations with the people shaping our communities.

  4. Sep 17

    Ep. 17 Building a Football Program & a Community Estrella Foothills Football HC Michael Spencer

    Football is back, and Estrella Foothills is building something worth paying attention to. On this episode of Beyond the Sign, Landon Ball and Martin Sears sit down with Estrella Foothills Head Football Coach Mike Spencer to talk about building a successful high school football program and, more importantly, developing the young men inside it. Coach Spencer shares lessons from more than 25 years in high school football and the culture he is building around love, accountability, leadership and being teachable. The conversation goes beyond wins and losses into expectations in the classroom and community, the influence coaches can have long after a player's final game, and why high school athletics still matter. We also dive into the changing landscape of high school sports. With open enrollment, transfers, NIL and the transfer portal changing college athletics, how much of that mentality is reaching younger athletes? And how do community schools like Estrella Foothills build something that local kids want to stay and be part of? As Coach Spencer puts it: “The grass is greener where you water it.” Plus, Coach breaks down his philosophy of adapting to the strengths of his players, overcoming injuries and adversity, and what he's seeing from this year's Estrella Foothills Wolves. It's a conversation about football, leadership, community and preparing young men for much more than Friday night. 🎙️ Beyond the Sign Real conversations. Real people. Real value.

  5. Sep 17

    Ep. 16 Privacy, AI & "flock" Cameras with Investigative Journalist Jen Barber

    Investigative journalist Jen Barber joins Landon Ball and Martin Sears on Episode 16 of Beyond the Sign for a conversation about the West Valley, technology, privacy and the importance of paying attention to what’s happening right in our own communities. Jen is the host of the Jen & Friends Podcast and has called Estrella Mountain Ranch home for more than 20 years. She shares her journey through journalism, her battle with cancer and the perspective she gained through some of the toughest seasons of her life. We also talk about raising a family in a rapidly growing West Valley, AI and technology in schools, screen time, local school boards and why community involvement matters. Then we dive into an issue Jen has been investigating closely: Flock cameras and automated license plate readers. After requesting records on her own vehicle, Jen discovered her car had been photographed 273 times in just 185 days. What information is being collected? How is it being used? And where is the line between public safety and personal privacy? It’s a wide ranging conversation about our community, the technology around us and why asking questions matters. Follow Jen and her work at Jen’s Two Cents: https://www.jens2cents.com/ 🎙️ Beyond the Sign Real conversations. Real people. Real value.

  6. Sep 10

    Ep. 15 The 1031 Exchange Playbook with Sheila Long, Vice President & CES Old Republic Exchange

    Thinking about selling an investment property? Before you close, there’s one strategy every real estate investor should understand: the 1031 exchange. In this episode of Beyond the Sign, Landon Ball sits down with Sheila Long, Certified Exchange Specialist™ and Vice President & Regional Sales Executive with Old Republic Exchange, to break down how a 1031 exchange can allow investors to sell investment real estate, reinvest their equity, and defer capital gains taxes. With more than 25 years of experience across residential and commercial real estate, Sheila walks us through the process from start to finish including the critical 45-day identification and 180-day completion deadlines, what “like-kind” property really means, how much needs to be reinvested, partial exchanges and taxable boot, and why a Qualified Intermediary needs to be involved before the sale closes. We also tackle one of the biggest misconceptions about 1031 exchanges: you don’t necessarily have to exchange one rental house for another. Sheila explains how qualifying investment real estate can potentially be exchanged across different property types, creating opportunities for investors looking to reposition or diversify their portfolios. If you own rental property, land, multifamily, commercial real estate, or are considering selling an investment property, this is an episode you’ll want to hear before making your next move. Connect with Sheila Long, CES™ Vice President | Regional Sales Executive Old Republic Exchange California | Arizona | Nevada 480-341-2032 SheilaL@OR1031.com Real conversations. Real people. Real value. Beyond the Sign This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult with the appropriate professionals regarding your individual situation.

  7. Sep 4

    Ep. 14 FHA Buyers: Up to $16K in Earned Income? The Hoper Program Explained W/ George Knebel

    BUYING A HOME IS ONE THING. HAVING MONEY LEFT IN THE BANK AFTER CLOSING IS ANOTHER. In this episode of Beyond The Sign, Landon Ball and Paul Schaefer of the Sears Group - West USA Realty sit down with George Knebel to break down the Hoper program. An approach designed to help eligible FHA buyers overcome one of the biggest challenges in homeownership: using nearly every dollar they've saved just to get the keys. George walks us through how Hoper works, how buyers receive earned income through the program, and why solar plays an important role. We also dig into how Hoper compares with traditional seller concessions, where the program's funding comes from, the costs and benefits of the solar component, and what buyers should understand before deciding whether it makes sense for them. But Hoper isn't only focused on getting buyers to closing. We also discuss financial education, post-closing mentorship, maintaining emergency savings, and the bigger goal of helping homeowners stay financially successful long after they purchase the home. In this episode: The affordability challenge facing FHA buyersHow the Hoper program worksEarned income available to eligible buyersHoper vs. traditional seller concessionsWhy solar is incorporated into the programSolar installation, ownership and fundingPost-closing financial education and mentorshipBuilding a stronger financial foundation after closing Beyond The Sign — real conversations with real people that bring real value. Chapters00:00 — Introduction to Hoper 01:20 — The Affordability Challenge in Home Buying 04:47 — How Hoper Gets Involved in the Buying Process 08:04 — Understanding How Hoper Works 14:22 — Hoper vs. a Traditional Transaction 20:11 — Solar Installation, Ownership & Funding 27:10 — Post-Closing Mentorship & Financial Education

  8. Aug 28

    Ep. 13 Senior Living Decisions Families Aren’t Prepared For Tiffany Wright - Wright Way SP

    Episode 13 | When Mom or Dad Needs More Help: Navigating Senior LivingWhat happens when living at home is no longer the best option for Mom or Dad? On Episode 13 of Beyond the Sign, we sit down with Tiffany Wright, owner of Wright Way Senior Placement, who brings more than 30 years of experience helping seniors and their families navigate senior living and care options. We talk about how families determine the right level of care, the difference between independent living and assisted living, what to look for when evaluating communities, financial considerations including Medicaid and VA benefits, and some of the red flags families should watch for. Tiffany also shares her perspective on the growing senior population, changes happening within the senior care industry, and why having the right resources around you can make a difficult transition much easier. Whether you're helping a parent today or simply want to understand the options before you need them, this is a conversation worth having. Connect with Tiffany: Tiffany Wright Wright Way Senior Placement 📞 602-350-7069 ✉️ Tiffany@WrightWaySP.com 🎙️ Beyond the Sign Real conversations. Real professionals. Real value.

See All (20)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

What really happens beyond the sign? It’s more than deals and contracts — it’s the business of living, and the people driving it every day. Hosted by Landon Ball and Martin Sears of The Sears Group at West USA Realty, each episode pulls back the curtain on what drives our communities: real estate, finance, leadership, and local impact. Hear from professionals and everyday voices shaping the market across Arizona and beyond. No fluff. No scripts. Just straight talk and real insight to help you make smarter moves — in business and in life. Powered by The Sears Group at West USA Realty. Real conversations. Real professionals. Real value.

Information

  • Creator
    The Sears Group
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Sears Group
  • Show Website
    Beyond The Sign