Real Returns

Birgo Capital
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Welcome to the Real Returns podcast, where we learn how real investments can make a real impact. Join your hosts, Andrew and Dan, as they share stories and interview business leaders on how real estate and other forms of investment can create meaningful change for individuals and communities around the world.

  1. S8 E4 - Julie Hanners | Improving Lives Through Real Estate at Scale

    12H AGO

    S8 E4 - Julie Hanners | Improving Lives Through Real Estate at Scale

    In this episode of Real Returns, we're joined by none other than Julie Hanner, VP of Property Management at Birgo Realty! 🦏🏡 Julie shares what it truly means to serve the people who live in your properties. With 30 years of industry experience, including oversight of 25,000+ unit REIT portfolios, Julie unpacks what a resident-first culture actually looks like in practice, and how resilience shaped her approach to leadership. Timestamps 0:00 – Why Happy Residents Are Your Best Marketing 0:35 – Meet Julie Hanners: 30 Years of Experience 1:15 – Why Julie Left a Massive REIT 2:06 – How Birgo Up-Skills Its People 2:45 – Why Julie Started in Leasing 3:18 – The Weight of the Rent Check 4:11 – Building Community Through Intentional Events 5:01 – Growing Yourself by Developing Others 6:10 – The Rhino Operating System Explained 7:21 – Andrew's Cancer Diagnosis: A Personal Story 8:06 – Battling Cancer Alone During the Pandemic 9:15 – Every Day Is a Gift 11:20 – Core Values: Maintenance Teams Cross State Lines 12:15 – Discovered vs. Created Core Values 13:51 – The Chief Janitor Mindset 14:28 – Why Executives Must Stay Eternal Students 15:35 – Birgo's Biggest Growth Year Yet 16:20 – Developing the Leaders Who'll Replace You 17:35 – Closing "You want someone to move into your community thinking, this is the best thing since sliced bread." — Julie Hanners Connect with Julie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hanners-cpm-candidate-cam-caps-2774a077/  - For more insights on purposeful investing, subscribe to Real Returns on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-returns/id1642761377 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tx0jOW8J1h3xsEWLuVPzm YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@realreturns — Subscribe to our NEW monthly newsletter: https://www.birgo.com/realreturns Want to see your question answered on the show? Submit a question via our Q&A form: https://forms.gle/Fy9E6H7BTpzhGPueA

    18 min
  2. S8 E3 - Patrick Colletti | The "Refounder" Mindset

    APR 1

    S8 E3 - Patrick Colletti | The "Refounder" Mindset

    In this episode of Real Returns, host Andrew Reichert is joined by Patrick Colletti, who shares the mindset required to revitalize organizations at any stage. From scaling Net Health to serve over 34,000 healthcare facilities to his current role as an executive advisor and adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon, Patrick discusses the discipline of "refounding" and what it means to be a "running partner" to today's leaders. After stepping into a near-bankrupt startup where the money was gone and the entire staff had been fired (leaving only Patrick and one partner) he embarked on a journey to transform a broken business into a thriving one with over 600 employees, inspiring him to teach others how to do the same. Timestamps 0:00 – The Cycle of Trust: Building risk-taking "muscles" through vulnerability. 0:44 – Guest Intro: Meet Patrick Colletti, CEO advisor and author of Refounder. 1:09 – Patrick's early career and the 90-day ultimatum at a failing startup. 1:53 – Winning vs. Not Losing: The psychology behind taking on "impossible" challenges. 3:50 – Why fixing something broken is a unique leadership discipline. 5:30 – Empowering every level of an organization to think like a founder. 7:15 – From Zero to a Billion: Patrick's journey advising founders through massive scale. 9:37 –  Lessons from scaling Net Health from 2 to 600 employees. 10:10 – Why focusing on "highly engaged teammates" beats focusing solely on EBITDA. 12:06 – Building culture through authentic vulnerability and employee storytelling. 16:51 – How Birgo used "TED talks" (including a memorable one on crocheting) to build trust. 18:05 – Growth on Purpose: Developing a "white belt mentality" in leadership. 19:51 – The Next Chapter: Teaching at Carnegie Mellon and planting seeds for next-gen leaders. 20:46 – The Dinner Stories: A unique method for fast-forwarding trust between strangers and polarized groups. 26:01 – Closing "Authentic vulnerability creates trust, which then allows us to create risk-taking muscles so that we can take bigger and maybe more important risks together." — Patrick Colletti - Refounder (Book): https://refounder.com/ The Dinner Stories: https://www.thedinnerstories.com/ Analog Sunday: https://www.analogsunday.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-colletti/ - For more insights on purposeful investing, subscribe to Real Returns on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-returns/id1642761377 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tx0jOW8J1h3xsEWLuVPzm YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@realreturns⁩   — Subscribe to our NEW monthly newsletter: www.birgo.com/realreturns Want to see your question answered on the show? Submit a question via our Q&A form: https://forms.gle/Fy9E6H7BTpzhGPueA

    27 min
  3. S8 E2 - Adam Taki | Vertical Integration and Arithmetic Risk

    MAR 18

    S8 E2 - Adam Taki | Vertical Integration and Arithmetic Risk

    In this episode of Real Returns, host Andrew Reichert sits down with Adam Taki, President of Actlien Holding Inc. and a specialist in the complex world of tax sale certificates. A disciplined investor with a background in "arithmetic risk," Adam is on a mission to navigate high-barrier niches where perceived risk often scares away the competition, but the numbers tell a much more stable story. Adam shares why his tax-lien investing strategy is similar to bonds, explains why his company is vertically integrating by launching its own plumbing division, and offers a unique perspective on the Tyler v. Hennepin Supreme Court decision that upended the tax foreclosure industry. Timestamps: 00:00 - Opening Segment 01:40 - Scaling through Vertical Integration: Why Actlien is starting a plumbing division 03:20 - Why building is better than buying in 2026 05:25 - Tax Liens 101 08:45 - Geographic Strategy: Navigating the complexities of the NY and NJ markets 11:30 - The Institutional Shift: Trends in single-family residential ownership 14:15 - The Social Impact of Tax Liens: Extending credit to save homes from foreclosure 18:30 - Tyler v. Hennepin: How a landmark Supreme Court ruling changed the industry 22:15 - Arithmetic vs. Perceived Risk: Adam's philosophy on finding niche opportunities 23:30 - Closing Segment "At the end of the day, the thing that we're investing in looks and smells like a bond more than it ever has." — Adam Taki — Connect with Adam: LinkedIn:   / adamtaki   Website: https://actlien.com/ — For more insights on purposeful investing, subscribe to Real Returns on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tx0jOW... YouTube: / @realreturns — Subscribe to our NEW monthly newsletter at https://www.birgo.com/realreturns. Want to see your question answered on the show? Submit a question via our Q&A form: https://forms.gle/Fy9E6H7BTpzhGPueA

    24 min
  4. S8 E1 - Greg Furer | Why Having a Plan for Your Money is the Key to Wealth

    MAR 4

    S8 E1 - Greg Furer | Why Having a Plan for Your Money is the Key to Wealth

    In the season eight premiere of Real Returns, hosts Andrew Reichert and Dan Croce sit down with Greg Furer, founder of Beratung Advisors and the TeachPassion Summit. A visionary in the financial planning space, Greg is on a mission to solve the "Cheesecake Factory" problem of finance, where too many choices lead to decision paralysis, by shifting the focus from selling products to providing life-changing advice. Greg shares his provocative philosophy on inheritance, why he plans to leave "no money" to his daughter, and offers a profound distinction between "Success" and "Excellence" that changed how he viewed his personal and professional goals. Timestamps: 00:00 - Opening Segment 01:05 - Welcome to Season 8! 02:30 - Meet Greg Furer: The "Aspiring Accountant" turned Financial Planner 04:15 - The Cheesecake Factory Problem: Why too much information leads to paralysis 07:10 - Advice vs. Assets: Why Beratung Advisors leads with planning, not products 10:45 - The 2026 Tax Cliff: Preparing for the "One Big Beautiful Bill" 13:20 - Bonus Depreciation & Real Estate: What's changing for investors? 16:05 - Strategic Generosity: 529 Plans and the "Above the Line" Deduction 19:15 - Success vs. Excellence: Measuring yourself against your calling 21:40 - The "No Inheritance" Philosophy: Why cash without core values is foolish 24:30 - TeachPassion Summit: Equipping leaders to scale their impact 26:15 - Closing Segment "Success is when you measure yourself outwardly against somebody else. Excellence is when you measure yourself inwardly against the person that God's called you to be." — Greg Furer - Connect with Greg: LinkedIn: Greg Furer Website(s): Beratung Advisors | TeachPassion Summit - For more insights on purposeful investing, subscribe to Real Returns on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-returns/id1642761377 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tx0jOW8J1h3xsEWLuVPzm YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjlzrIn04Ee4iBPE7kEUBjg - Want to see your question answered on the show? Submit a question via our Q&A form: https://forms.gle/Fy9E6H7BTpzhGPueA

    29 min

  5. 12/31/2025

    S7 E9 - Insights and Impact from Season 7 of Real Returns

    In this final episode of the year, Andrew and Dan reflect on an impactful seventh season of Real Returns. Recorded on New Year's Eve, the hosts look back at the shift in the podcast's focus: moving beyond technical investment advice to share the deeply personal stories of world-class entrepreneurs and real estate leaders. Episode 1 w/Grant Cardone: A discussion on "going big," the democratization of real estate, and the future of Bitcoin-infused properties. Episode 2 w/Travis Chappell: Insights on the "bigger shovel" mentality—focusing on increasing income through skill-building and high-value networking. Episode 3 w/Michael Johnson: A unique academic perspective on innovation and the often-overlooked value of intellectual property as an asset class. Episode 4 w/Omar Khan: Why "time in the market" beats "timing the market" and the importance of staying disciplined through market cycles. Episode 5 w/Liran Gabbay: How AI is eliminating "spreadsheet burnout" to allow asset managers to focus on high-leverage, strategic work. Episode 6 w/Vishal Gupta: A powerful lesson on the human element of business—how every major mistake ultimately comes down to people and hiring. Episode 7 w/Mike Morawski: The importance of mindset and rebuilding after a crisis. A masterclass in creative financing and intentionality. Episode 8 w/Sasha Bernier: A deep dive into "industrial outdoor storage" and the philosophy of "betting on the jockey" (the independent sponsor) over the horse. -- Visit our website https://www.birgo.com/ to learn more about High-Quality Recession Resistant Assets for the Everyday Investor -- LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND LEAVE US A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, YouTube, or whatever platform you listen on. Thank you for tuning in, and Stay Tuned for the next episode COMING SOON!

    26 min

  6. 12/23/2025

    S7 E8 - Sasha Bernier | Diversification & The Rise of Industrial Outdoor Storage

    Is your investment strategy diversified enough to withstand the next market cycle? 🔄 In this episode of Real Returns, host Andrew Reichert sits down with Sasha Bernier, Managing Partner at Hestia Holdings and Partner at Cheltenham Enterprises. With a career spanning private equity, credit hedge funds, and law, Sasha shares his "tactical" approach to real estate and why he believes the most resilient returns are found in the niches most investors overlook. Sasha reveals the specific "home run" deal in Florida that moved from an 8% cap rate to a 5.75% cap rate simply by securing a credit tenant, and why he's doubling down on Industrial Outdoor Storage (IOS) as the next institutional frontier. From navigating the Great Financial Crisis to identifying the "impaired assets" that will hit the market in 2026, Sasha provides a masterclass in disciplined investing. Learn how a holistic approach, incorporating meditation and mentorship, drives professional success, why the most impactful investment you can make is "betting on the jockey" through independent sponsors, and how Sasha is building a legacy for the next generation. Timestamps: 00:00 - Opening Segment 00:55 - Meet Sasha Bernier: From Law School to Real Estate Titan 02:00 - Lessons from the Great Financial Crisis: The Power of Patient Capital 04:55 - The 2021 Peak: Why Discipline Beats Speculation 07:05 - Why Industrial Outdoor Storage (IOS) is the New Frontier 08:15 - Case Study: The 10,000 Sq Ft Florida IOS "Home Run" Deal 10:30 - Market Predictions for 2026: Distressed Assets and Opportunity 11:45 - Investing for Impact: Mentoring Independent Sponsors 13:50 - Building Legacy: Lessons from Mentors and the Next Generation 15:05 - The Most Significant Win: The Decision to Spin Out 16:10 - Lightning Round: The Shawshank Redemption and Meditation 17:35 - Closing Segment Key Quote: "When we find…independent sponsors that don't have capital, and we can help them with that capital to grow and become stronger and then build their own wealth. For us, that's impactful." - Sasha Bernier Connect with Sasha: LinkedIn: Sasha Bernier Website: Hestia Holdings Subscribe to Real Returns wherever you listen to podcasts for more insights on impactful investing and alternative asset strategies. LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND LEAVE US A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, YouTube, or whatever platform you listen on. Thank you for tuning in, and Stay Tuned for the next episode COMING SOON!

    26 min

  7. 12/12/2025

    S7 E7 - Mike Morawski | Creating Wealth & Impact Through Multifamily Investing

    S7 E7 - Creating Wealth & Impact Through Multifamily Investing Is your mindset holding you back from making your first (or next) big real estate deal? In this episode of Real Returns, hosts Andrew Reichert and Dan Croce sit down with Mike Morawski, a 30-year real estate veteran and author of the Amazon bestseller "Multifamily Investment Secrets," to explore his journey from general contractor to operating over 8,000 multifamily units using creative financing strategies that most investors think are impossible. Mike is also the founder of My Core Intentions, where he helps investors build wealth and create financial freedom by implementing strategic investment and asset management practices. Mike reveals how he's bought everything from 4-unit buildings to 400-unit apartment complexes with little to no money down, the distressed 65-unit deal where the seller held a position at zero interest for 10 years, and why every multifamily investment impacts three distinct groups that most investors completely overlook. From coaching a corporate refugee who scaled to 800+ units in five years to helping a widowed chiropractor build a "$100K club" of investors, Mike shares his philosophy on intentionality, the limiting beliefs that keep investors stuck at their current level, and why changing your story is the first step to changing your results. Learn how win-win deal structures create community-wide impact, why consistent daily action beats occasional heroic effort, and what Mike discovered about himself after losing everything in 2008 and rebuilding into someone who now helps others avoid the same mistakes. Timestamps: 00:00 - Opening Segment 01:35 - Meet Mike Morawski: 30-Year Real Estate Veteran 02:05 - The Three Ways Real Estate Creates Impact 04:25 - Case Study: The 65-Unit Distressed Property Creative Deal 06:40 - The Three Groups Every Multifamily Deal Impacts 08:10 - My Core Intentions: Why Intentionality Beats Goals 11:05 - The Biggest Misconception: Creative Financing "Can't Be Done" 12:10 - Changing Your Story to Change Your Results 13:40 - Success Story: Small Builder to 171-Unit Developer 14:00 - From 46 Units to 800+ Units in 5 Years 16:15 - The $100K Club Strategy for Raising Capital 17:40 - Losing a $100M Company and the Comeback That Followed 18:25 - Lightning Round: Christmas Vacation, Pasta, and Joe Dispenza 21:20 - How to Connect with Mike 21:50 - Closing Segment Key Quotes: "I've bought 4-unit to 400-unit apartment complexes and everything in between using creative financing structures... people have a mindset that it can't be done." - Mike Morawski Connect with Mike Morawski: https://mikemorawski.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-morawski/ - Subscribe to Real Returns wherever you listen to podcasts! For more insights on impactful investing and alternative asset strategies, visit our website to learn more about creating real returns through real estate. LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND LEAVE US A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, YouTube, or whatever platform you listen on. Thank you for tuning in, and stay tuned for the next episode.

    23 min

  8. 11/26/2025

    S7 E6 - Vishal Gupta | Why Every Hiring Mistake Made Me Better

    What happens when a number-crunching engineer discovers his biggest mistakes all have one thing in common? In this episode of Real Returns, hosts Andrew Reichert and Dan Croce sit down with Vishal Gupta, tech entrepreneur and former CEO of Seclore, to explore his 25-year journey from IIT Bombay to building global cybersecurity companies serving clients like American Express, GM, and Aramco across 35 countries. Vishal reveals why angel investing became his most expensive hobby, the critical transition from engineering logic to leadership empathy, and how holding onto the wrong people too long taught him more than any success ever could. From raising capital to landing contracts bigger than funding rounds, Vishal shares his investment philosophy centered on three filters: people you enjoy working with, technology with transformative potential, and impact that matters. Learn why AI will make people more important (not less), how saving 5-7% of global manufacturing waste could reshape entire industries, and what gets Vishal energized every morning about making the digital world a safer place for everyone, especially the elderly vulnerable to cybercrime. Timestamps:  00:00 - Opening Segment  01:00 - Vishal's Background: From IIT Bombay to Global Tech Entrepreneur  02:55 - The Expensive Hobby of Angel Investing  04:00 - The Biggest Lessons: Every Mistake Was About People  05:15 - Why Hiring Mistakes Are Getting More Expensive in the AI Era  07:10 - From Engineer to Leader: Logic to Empathy  09:00 - Why People Problems Don't Follow Engineering Formulas 10:10 - Investment Criteria: People, Technology, Impact  13:00 - Real Impact Examples: Manufacturing Waste and Cybersecurity  15:50 - Making the Digital World Safer  17:00 - Lightning Round: Customer Contracts as Funding, Ethiopian Food, and Sleep  20:10 - Content Recommendations and Young Entrepreneur Energy  22:10 - Closing Segment Key Quote: "I went from a number crunching engineer to, I would say, a pretty people oriented leader..." - Vishal Gupta     Connect with Vishal Gupta: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiguptaji/ Subscribe to Real Returns wherever you listen to podcasts! For more insights on impactful investing and alternative asset strategies, visit our website to learn more about creating real returns through real estate. LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND LEAVE US A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, YouTube, or whatever platform you listen on. Thank you for tuning in, and stay tuned for the next episode.

    25 min
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About

Welcome to the Real Returns podcast, where we learn how real investments can make a real impact. Join your hosts, Andrew and Dan, as they share stories and interview business leaders on how real estate and other forms of investment can create meaningful change for individuals and communities around the world.

Information

  • Creator
    Birgo Capital
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 All Right Reserved
  • Show Website
    Real Returns