The Real Estate Real Life Podcast

Black Swan Real Estate
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Entrepreneurship

Real Estate Real Life is where we bring smart investing into the context of real, everyday living. We talk about real estate strategy alongside mindset, habits, communication, and lifestyle design so your money supports your energy, relationships, and long-term freedom. Each episode is designed to help you cut through overwhelm, make clearer decisions, and build wealth in a way that actually improves how you live, work, and lead. We’re Nick and Dr. Elaine Stageberg, husband and wife, parents of six, and owners of a half-billion-dollar real estate portfolio built alongside a real, full life. Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for general informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Black Swan Real Estate or its affiliates. Nothing discussed on this podcast should be interpreted as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. The information shared is provided without guarantee of accuracy or completeness. 

  1. 10h ago

    The Long Game Most People Never Learn to Play

    In this episode of The Real Estate Real Life Podcast, Nick and Dr. Elaine Stageberg share what they took away from a local real estate summit — and why the most valuable investing insights are almost always found close to home. They talk through the principle of hyperlocal investing, what it really means to understand a market from the inside, and how long-time orientation separates investors who build lasting wealth from those who chase short-term wins. They also share a simple but powerful framework for building a world-class vendor team — and why finding just one A player is all it takes to find the rest. Woven through all of it is a conversation about the integrated life — the idea that the line between work and the rest of your life does not have to exist, and what it looks like in practice when it doesn't. Support the show Listen and follow the show on your favorite podcast platform: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for general informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Black Swan Real Estate or its affiliates. Nothing discussed on this podcast should be interpreted as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

    31 min

  2. May 12

    The Doctor Who Said "No" To the Golden Handcuffs - A Conversation with Dr. Ted Lin

    In this episode hosted by Black Swan Real Estate Director of Communications Rachel Bernard, special guest Dr. Ted Lin shares his journey from full-time physician to building a life supported by multiple streams of passive income and long-term real estate investing. Dr. Lin is board-certified in family and sports medicine and spent more than a decade working as a locum tenens physician while steadily building a diversified real estate portfolio across three states. In this conversation, he walks through the decisions that shaped that path, how he approached diversification, and what it looked like to build wealth and flexibility alongside a demanding medical career. The discussion explores the realities of passive income, the mindset shift that comes with separating income from time, and what financial freedom actually looks like in day-to-day life rather than just on a spreadsheet. Dr. Lin also shares lessons from the properties and strategies that worked well, along with what he would approach differently if starting over today. If you are a physician, high-income professional, or someone thinking seriously about creating more autonomy through investing and ownership, this conversation offers a grounded look at what that path can actually look like over time. Register for Real Estate Real Life 2026 at rerl2026.com and get $450 off your General Admission or VIP ticket with code MASTERCLASS. Support the show Listen and follow the show on your favorite podcast platform: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for general informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Black Swan Real Estate or its affiliates. Nothing discussed on this podcast should be interpreted as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

    58 min

  3. May 9

    The Ultimate Weapon: The Security + Optionality Formula

    In this episode of The Real Estate Real Life Podcast, Dr. Elaine Stageberg and Nick Stageberg break down one of the core frameworks that has shaped every major decision in their investing journey: security first, optionality second. What started as a coaching conversation about comparing real estate loan proposals turned into a much bigger discussion about wealth-building, risk management, cash reserves, leverage, and creating long-term freedom through intentional decision-making. They share how this principle influences everything from fixed-rate versus variable-rate debt to cash reserves, underwriting philosophy, real estate portfolio construction, and even how they think about time, health, and personal growth. Along the way, they unpack lessons from Warren Buffett, discuss why many investors get trapped chasing upside without protecting downside, and explain why maintaining optionality can create extraordinary opportunities over time. Support the show Listen and follow the show on your favorite podcast platform: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for general informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Black Swan Real Estate or its affiliates. Nothing discussed on this podcast should be interpreted as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

    21 min

  4. Apr 24

    Living ALLSET: Small Steps Toward a Fully Aligned Life

    In this episode Elaine walks through the practical side of the ALLSET™ framework. You will hear guided exercises across all five domains — Skillset, Mindset, Heartset, BODYSET™, and Soulset — along with real examples of how misalignment shows up in the lives of high achievers and what it looks like when those five areas start working together.  Enrollment in ALLSET™ Mastery is open through April 27 at allsetmastery.com Support the show Listen and follow the show on your favorite podcast platform: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for general informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Black Swan Real Estate or its affiliates. Nothing discussed on this podcast should be interpreted as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

    55 min

  5. Apr 23

    Are You ALLSET? Mastering the Five Domains of Your Life

    In this episode, Dr. Elaine Stageberg takes listeners inside the ALLSET™ framework for the very first time in a live setting. If you caught the recent promo and have been curious about what ALLSET™ actually is and how it works, this is the episode to start with. Elaine walks through all five domains — Skillset, Mindset, Heartset, BODYSET™, and Soulset — and explains how most high achievers spend years developing one or two of these areas while the others fall quietly behind. That gap, she argues, is where the friction lives. The sense that success is real but something still feels incomplete. That the life you are building looks right from the outside but does not always feel fully yours from the inside. This session is personal, practical, and grounded in both the neuroscience of behavior change and Elaine's own lived experience building a life she genuinely loves — as a Mayo Clinic-trained psychiatrist, a mother of six, and a co-founder of a real estate portfolio overseeing more than $450 million in assets. If you are ready to stop optimizing the surface and start working from a deeper foundation, this is where that work begins. Enrollment in ALLSET™ Mastery is open now. Sign up today at allsetmastery.com Support the show Listen and follow the show on your favorite podcast platform: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for general informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Black Swan Real Estate or its affiliates. Nothing discussed on this podcast should be interpreted as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

    1h 3m

  6. Apr 18

    Financial Freedom is a Gateway Drug

    Financial freedom isn’t the finish line—it’s just the beginning.  In this episode of the RERL Podcast, Nick and Dr. Elaine Stageberg break down why financial freedom is a “gateway drug” to something much bigger: a truly fulfilled, purpose-driven life. They unpack the hidden challenges that come after achieving passive income and why money alone won’t make you happy.  You’ll learn the ALLSET™ Framework—Skillset, Mindset, Heartset, Bodyset, and Soulset—and how these pieces work together to create real wealth, clarity, and lasting fulfillment.  If you’re chasing passive income, real estate investing, or financial independence, this will change how you think about what comes next.   Register here for the ALLSET™ Workshop on April 23 at 12:00 PM CT.  Support the show Listen and follow the show on your favorite podcast platform: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for general informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Black Swan Real Estate or its affiliates. Nothing discussed on this podcast should be interpreted as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

    24 min

  7. Apr 17

    Your Investment in Action - Q2 2026 Fund Update

    Learn more and join the waitlist for the Secure Freedom Fund: securefreedomfund.com View the slides referenced in this episode: blackswanteam.com/updates In this episode of The Real Estate Real Life Podcast, Nick and Dr. Elaine Stageberg share a detailed Q2 update across Black Swan Real Estate’s portfolio. They walk through acquisitions, leasing performance, rent growth, and operational execution, along with how those pieces are working together across the funds. The conversation also provides context on the current market environment and how their approach is designed to stay steady while others face pressure. You will hear how consistent distributions are being supported, where renovations are creating value, and how new acquisitions are positioned to contribute going forward. The focus stays on what is actually happening inside the portfolio and how decisions are being made in real time. If you are an existing investor, this gives a clear view into performance and direction. If you are exploring future opportunities, it offers a transparent look at how Black Swan Real Estate operates and thinks about long-term growth. Support the show Listen and follow the show on your favorite podcast platform: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for general informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Black Swan Real Estate or its affiliates. Nothing discussed on this podcast should be interpreted as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

    1h 24m

  8. Apr 11

    You Are in the Beginning of the Beginning: Shifting Your Time Orientation Into the Future

    In this episode of The Real Estate Real Life Podcast, we explore a shift in perspective that changes how you think about time, progress, and where you actually are in the process of building a life and portfolio. It is easy to feel behind. It is easy to measure yourself against outcomes that take decades to fully materialize. When you are in the early or middle stages, the work can feel slow, unclear, or even misdirected. This conversation reframes that experience by introducing a different way to orient yourself in time. The idea is simple but powerful. You may not be late. You may not be off track. You may be in the beginning of the beginning. We talk through what it means to operate with a longer time horizon, how short-term thinking creates unnecessary pressure, and why most people underestimate how long meaningful outcomes actually take. This episode also explores how to make decisions today that align with a future you cannot fully see yet, while still staying grounded in what is real and actionable right now. If you are building something that matters, whether in real estate, business, or life, this conversation will help you recalibrate your expectations and stay committed to the process in front of you. 🎙 Subscribe to The Real Estate Real Life Podcast  realestatereallifepodcast.com Support the show Listen and follow the show on your favorite podcast platform: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for general informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Black Swan Real Estate or its affiliates. Nothing discussed on this podcast should be interpreted as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

    18 min
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5
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15 Ratings

About

Real Estate Real Life is where we bring smart investing into the context of real, everyday living. We talk about real estate strategy alongside mindset, habits, communication, and lifestyle design so your money supports your energy, relationships, and long-term freedom. Each episode is designed to help you cut through overwhelm, make clearer decisions, and build wealth in a way that actually improves how you live, work, and lead. We’re Nick and Dr. Elaine Stageberg, husband and wife, parents of six, and owners of a half-billion-dollar real estate portfolio built alongside a real, full life. Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for general informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Black Swan Real Estate or its affiliates. Nothing discussed on this podcast should be interpreted as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. The information shared is provided without guarantee of accuracy or completeness. 

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