The Agent Brew

RLTYco

Hosted By Eric Zollinger, a podcast by agents, for agents. Each week we will bring you exciting interviews from agents across the country, offering their perspective and stories!

  1. NYC Closing Mistakes That Kill Deals (and How to Prevent Them) | Bruce Cohen

    MAR 25

    NYC Closing Mistakes That Kill Deals (and How to Prevent Them) | Bruce Cohen

    What happens when you sit down with the attorney who handled your very first real estate deal — over 25 years ago?You get one of the most honest, warm, and wisdom-packed conversations host we've ever had on the show.Host Eric Zollinger had the privilege of welcoming Bruce Cohen of Cohen & Frankel to our Times Square studio — a true legend in NYC residential real estate law, and someone who has genuinely shaped how I think about this business.A few moments that stopped me in my tracks: "It's not brain surgery." Bruce's neurosurgeon friend once told him — "Bruce, brain surgery isn't brain surgery." The point? Whatever you do, if you care and you do it right, it's harder than it looks. And Bruce has cared deeply for nearly 30 years. His secret sauce? He doesn't hand things off. Ever. Vacations included. In a world where you often get passed to an associate, Bruce is still the one picking up the phone. Biggest advice for agents? Do your homework. Unforced errors — like not specifying what's included or excluded in a deal — are avoidable. And always do a walkthrough three weeks before closing. Always. On working as a team: Brokers, attorneys, and lenders succeeding together isn't a nice-to-have — it's how deals actually get done. Bruce has always modeled that.And his quote of the episode — courtesy of Yankees outfielder Mickey Rivers:"Makes no sense worrying about things you got no control over, because you got no control over them. And makes no sense worrying about things you do have control over, because you have control over them."Simple. True. Unforgettable.Beyond the business, Bruce spoke beautifully about family, loss, legacy, and why time is the one thing that isn't unlimited. It's a conversation I'll carry with me. Watch or listen to the full episode —Brought to you by RLTYco

    25 min
  2. Inside Luxury Real Estate PR: Stephen Larkin on Brand, Press Wins & Keeping Agents in the Spotlight

    FEB 24

    Inside Luxury Real Estate PR: Stephen Larkin on Brand, Press Wins & Keeping Agents in the Spotlight

    In the latest episode of Agent Brew Executive Sessions, host Eric Zollinger sits down with Stephen Larkin, Chief Communications Officer at Douglas Elliman, to go behind the curtain on the PR and communications engine that helps luxury agents win listings, build brands, and stay top-of-mind in a crowded market. From Stephen’s journalism roots to the strategies that land meaningful press (and avoid pointless pitches), this conversation is a masterclass in storytelling, data-backed media strategy, and why—at the end of the day—people still matter most. Listen as Stephen and Eric unpack: What a luxury brokerage communications leader actually does (internal + external comms, crisis, social, IR, agent support) Douglas Elliman’s differentiator right now: a “pure play” luxury focus + following the client across key markets The biggest challenge agents face today—and how strong PR helps agents stand out How Stephen approaches press like a newsroom: real ideas, real data, real substance What a “win” looks like in PR (and the stories that became viral cultural moments) Giving back at scale: the Ride for Love / God’s Love We Deliver partnership and why community leadership matters Career advice worth stealing: “Be teachable,” stay curious, and let younger voices help you see what’s next Stephen’s perspective is a reminder that PR isn’t fluff—it’s strategy, relationships, and story discipline. If you’re an agent, team leader, or operator trying to grow in luxury real estate, this episode will sharpen how you think about brand, press, and what actually moves the needle.

    29 min

About

Hosted By Eric Zollinger, a podcast by agents, for agents. Each week we will bring you exciting interviews from agents across the country, offering their perspective and stories!