Raise the Bar

Seth Bradley | Attorney, Founder, Investor, Speaker

Elevated conversations on raising capital, real estate and entrepreneurship. Raise the Bar Radio is the podcast for capital raisers, real estate investors, and entrepreneurs ready to stop playing small and start building real wealth. Hosted by Seth Bradley, securities attorney, startup founder, real estate investor, and multi-billion dollar dealmaker, this show delivers straight-talk strategies, expert insights, and real-world tactics to help you raise more capital, close bigger deals, and build a business (and life) on your own terms. Whether you’re scaling your first fund or breaking free from the golden handcuffs, you’re in the right place. Let’s go.

  1. 1D AGO

    TME 34 | Why Most Real Estate Funds Fail: The Real Anatomy of Raising Capital

    In this solo deep-dive episode of Raise the Bar, Seth Bradley breaks down the real anatomy of a private investment fund and why most funds fail long before the second raise. Drawing from 15+ years of experience structuring over 700 funds and more than $9B in private market transactions, Seth explains why a fund is not just legal paperwork, but a fully integrated business system. From strategy and structure to compliance, capital flow, and investor experience, this episode exposes the hidden friction points that quietly kill funds and shows what it actually takes to raise capital professionally, compliantly, and at scale. This is a must-watch for sponsors, fund managers, and capital partners who want to build something durable, not duct-taped.   Bullet Highlights: • Why most funds stall or die after the first raise • The biggest misconception about fund formation and legal documents • Why a fund must be treated as a system, not a one-off deal • How to properly define fund strategy before raising a dollar • Closed-end vs open-ended funds and why the choice changes everything • The real risks of poor entity structure and governance • What sponsors get wrong about compliance and securities laws • Why getting paid to raise capital without a license is a business killer • How non-compliant co-GP structures quietly put sponsors at risk • Why fund-to-funds became the new standard and what breaks without infrastructure • How sloppy banking, accounting, and admin destroy investor confidence • Why investor experience compounds trust or kills future raises • The dangers of fragmented systems, spreadsheets, and too many vendors • Why capital raising is a profession, not a side skill • How structured infrastructure creates scalability, credibility, and longevity   Seth Bradley’s Links: https://x.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesq www.facebook.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/ https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/ https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesq https://medium.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en

    35 min
  2. 2D AGO

    RTBL 11 | How to Raise Capital at Scale in a Tough Market with Quentin Edmonds

    In this episode of the Real Estate Pros Podcast, Quentin Edmonds sits down with securities attorney and real estate investor Seth Bradley to unpack his unconventional journey from being adopted and raised in rural West Virginia to dropping out of medical school, building a big law pedigree at DLA Piper, and ultimately finding his highest and best use helping investors raise capital compliantly. Seth shares how his background as both an operator and an attorney shapes the way he advises sponsors, why accountability and integrity matter more than complex legal paperwork, and how real estate investors can responsibly scale using other people’s money. The conversation also explores the current market slowdown, the realities of capital raising in a tougher cycle, and why relationships, communication, and mindset are the real differentiators for long-term success. The episode closes with practical insight on navigating risk, building trust with investors, and positioning yourself for the next real estate upswing.   Bullet Point Highlights:   Seth’s path from med school dropout to securities attorney and capital raiser Why raising capital compliantly is critical for real estate investors The difference between syndications, funds, and fund-of-funds structures Why legal documents cannot protect investors from bad operators How accountability and integrity shape successful capital raising The role relationships play in scaling real estate businesses Navigating headwinds in today’s real estate market Why communication is a force multiplier for investors and entrepreneurs Preparing now for the next real estate cycle   Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links: Seth Bradley’s Links: https://x.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesq www.faebook.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/ https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/ https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesq https://medium.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en   Quentin Edmonds / Real Estate Pros / Investor Fuel https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/investor-fuel-real-estate-show/id943707421 https://investorfuel.com/investor-fuel-show/ https://www.youtube.com/@investorfuel https://www.instagram.com/quentinedmonds/?hl=en

    24 min
  3. FEB 3

    RTBL 10 | Inside the Fine Print: PPMs, Trust, & Investor Protection with Tait Duryea and Ryan Gibson

    In this episode with Tait Duryea and Ryan Gibson, Seth Bradley shares his journey from being adopted and raised in West Virginia to dropping out of med school, excelling in big law, getting fired for building his real estate business on the side, and ultimately launching RaiseLaw while moving fully into entrepreneurship. The three dive into how private placements actually work, why PPMs exist, what accredited investor rules mean, and the real risks LPs should focus on beyond glossy projected returns. Seth emphasizes that the operator’s integrity matters far more than a 150-page disclosure document because legal paperwork can’t protect investors from a bad actor, and the episode closes with a discussion on mindset, discipline, and Seth’s philosophy of “intentional imbalance”, the idea that meaningful success requires seasons of heavy focus, clear communication at home, and the acceptance that passive income isn’t passive while it’s being built. Bullet Point Highlights: - What a PPM actually is and why every investor should read it - The purpose of risk disclosures and how they protect sponsors - Accredited vs. non-accredited investors: who qualifies and why it matters - Common misconceptions about legal documents in private offerings - Why the operator is more important than the deal itself - How sponsors structure fees, waterfalls, and investor protections - What LPs should look for before wiring funds - The growing trend of fund-of-funds and multi-layered deal structures - Practical advice for both new passive investors and active capital raisers Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links: Seth Bradley’s Links: https://x.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesq www.facebook.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/ https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/ https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesq https://medium.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en Tait Duryea and Ryan Gibson's Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/passivepilots https://www.turbinecap.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/taitduryea/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-gibson1/ http://passiveincomepilots.com/episode/100-getting-to-know-tait-ryan

    45 min
  4. FEB 2

    MDM | 17 Million Dolar Monday with Sam Primm

    Sam Primm explains that his first million was built through single-family rental investing, allowing equity to accumulate over time as properties appreciated and tenants paid down the mortgages. He says his last million came from apartment investing, where larger deals enabled him to scale and grow wealth more rapidly. Looking ahead, Sam expects his next million to come from the lending side of real estate, either by connecting capital with borrowers through his platform or by launching a fund that facilitates those transactions. Bullet Point Highlights: - Making the first million through single-family rental equity - Letting time and tenants pay down mortgages - Scaling faster with apartment complex investing - The role of leverage and growth at scale - Planning the next million through lending opportunities - Connecting capital, investors, and financial networks - Evolving strategies as wealth and experience grow Seth Bradley’s Links: https://x.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleysq www.facebook.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/ https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/ https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesq https://medium.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en Sam Primm's Links: https://x.com/fasterfreedom?/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/faster-freedom/ https://www.instagram.com/samfasterfreedom/

    1 min
  5. JAN 30

    T1C 15 | The 1% Closer with Sam Primm

    Sam Primm says what sets him apart in the top 1 percent is his genuine love for the process, including failure, which he views as a necessary feedback loop that helps him grow and ultimately win. He shares that the biggest risk he ever took was walking away from a $250,000 salary to go all in on himself, noting that leaving a high-paying job can actually be riskier than leaving a lower-paying one. Sam describes the moment of leaving his W-2 as both frightening and exhilarating, explaining that his appetite for challenge and adrenaline made the leap feel like the right move as he fully committed to entrepreneurship and real estate. Bullet Point Highlights: - What separates top 1% performers from everyone else - Embracing failure as a tool for growth and mastery - Loving the process, the good, the bad, and the ugly - Quitting a $250,000 W-2 job to pursue entrepreneurship - Why leaving a high-paying job carries greater risk - The mindset shift required to bet on yourself - Fear, adrenaline, and the freedom of going all in Seth Bradley’s Links: https://x.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesq www.facebook.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/ https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/ https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesq https://medium.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en Sam Primm's Links: https://x.com/fasterfreedom?/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/faster-freedom/ https://www.instagram.com/samfasterfreedom/

    1 min
  6. JAN 28

    TME 33 | Find the Deal, Find the Money: The 2 Skill Blueprint for Faster Freedom with Sam Primm

    In this episode of Raise the Bar, Seth Bradley sits down with Sam Primm, founder of Faster Freedom, to unpack how he scaled from single family rentals to multifamily, private lending, and multiple seven figure businesses. Sam shares why failure is a requirement for success, how other people’s money fuels growth, and why trust and relationships matter more than ever in today’s capital markets. This is a must watch for active investors and entrepreneurs looking to raise smarter and scale sustainably. Bullet Highlights: • How Sam went from a $250K W-2 job to full time real estate entrepreneur • Why single family rentals are still one of the best places to start • Scaling with private lenders instead of banks • The real truth about raising capital in today’s trust economy • How social media became a powerful deal and capital engine • Why most people fail because they avoid failure • The Faster Freedom philosophy around urgency, action, and momentum • How lending and debt funds may be Sam’s next big wealth play • Simple is not easy and why process matters more than hype Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links: Seth Bradley’s Links: https://x.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesq www.facebook.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/ https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/ https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesq https://medium.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en Sam Primm's Links: https://x.com/fasterfreedom?/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/faster-freedom/ https://www.instagram.com/samfasterfreedom/

    37 min
  7. JAN 21

    TME 32 | Institutional Secrets: Raising Capitals with Broker Dealers and RIAs with Brad Blazar

    In this conversation, Brad Blazar shares his extensive experience in capital raising, discussing strategies, compliance, and the importance of building trust with investors. He emphasizes the need for proper legal structures and the challenges faced in the current market. Brad also highlights the potential of data centers as a lucrative investment opportunity and reflects on his personal journey and alternate paths he could have taken. Bullet Points and Highlights: -Teaching business owners to invest using other people's money (OPM) is crucial. - Raising capital is easy, but managing it responsibly is challenging. - Investors today are more skeptical and require transparency. - Proper legal compliance is essential when raising capital. - Building trust with investors involves discussing potential risks openly. - Co-GP models require clear responsibilities to avoid legal issues. - Diverse capital raising strategies can cater to different personalities. - Data centers represent a promising investment opportunity for the future. - Having the right partners and legal support is vital for success. - Personal reflections reveal the importance of mentorship and legacy.  Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links: Seth Bradley’s Links: https://x.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesq www.facebook.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/ https://passiveinomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/ https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesq https://medium.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en Brad Blazar's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradblazar/ https://www.instagram.com/bradblazar/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC82kLfWAkPeCFg4AIEprvfQ https://bradblazar.com/

    47 min
  8. JAN 19

    MDM | 16 Million Dollar Monday with J Scott

    Jay Scott shares that his first million came from an unconventional path, spending years as a semi-professional poker player and earning significant winnings from tournaments and high-stakes cash games before fully committing to his technology career. He notes that while the poker world is not as dominant as it once was, major events like the World Series of Poker still attract record crowds. Jay explains that his last million was made through multifamily real estate, the business he operates daily and relies on today. Looking ahead, he hopes his next million will come from a current multifamily development deal, though he acknowledges that his wife’s growing entrepreneurial business could ultimately play a major role in their future success. Bullet Point Highlights: - How Jay Scott made his first million in semi-professional poker - Inside high-stakes tournaments and cash games - The evolution of online poker and today’s landscape - Making the last million through multifamily real estate - Betting on real estate development deals for the next win - The power of an entrepreneurial partnership at home - Multiple paths to wealth and knowing when to pivot Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links: Seth Bradley’s Links: https://x.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesq www.facebook.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/ https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/ https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesq https://medium.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en J Scott's Links: https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/ https://www.bardowninvestments.com/ https://www.facebook.com/jscottinvestor/ https://x.com/jscottinvestor? https://www.instagram.com/jscottinvestor/ https://linktr.ee/jscottinvestor

    1 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
141 Ratings

About

Elevated conversations on raising capital, real estate and entrepreneurship. Raise the Bar Radio is the podcast for capital raisers, real estate investors, and entrepreneurs ready to stop playing small and start building real wealth. Hosted by Seth Bradley, securities attorney, startup founder, real estate investor, and multi-billion dollar dealmaker, this show delivers straight-talk strategies, expert insights, and real-world tactics to help you raise more capital, close bigger deals, and build a business (and life) on your own terms. Whether you’re scaling your first fund or breaking free from the golden handcuffs, you’re in the right place. Let’s go.