Unscripted!

LeaseLock
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Welcome to Unscripted!, where multifamily and rental housing professionals uncover the real stories shaping the industry. We explore successes, challenges, and strategies defining the market—from navigating risks to evolving pricing models, leadership structures, and investment strategies. Each episode features candid conversations with industry leaders, offering authentic insights on operations, marketing, technology, and resident experience. 🎧 No scripts attached!

  1. Retcon Recap: Reframing Themes, Thoughts, and Takeaways

    06/20/2025

    Retcon Recap: Reframing Themes, Thoughts, and Takeaways

    In Episode 24 of Unscripted, host Andrew Bowen broadcasts straight from RETCON 2025 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Instead of a traditional booth, LeaseLock transformed its trade show presence into a working podcast studio, capturing six in-depth conversations with thought leaders in the rental housing space. Tying them all together? Three core themes: AI Goes Operational – AI has officially moved beyond the buzz. Guests share how it's being implemented—from call centers to maintenance—and what real metrics they're tracking now. Centralization vs. Specialization – Leaders dig into pod structures, payroll, and the evolving definition of property ops efficiency. Human-Centric Innovation – From Gen Z’s aversion to phone calls to the emotional weight of collections, this episode reminds us that putting people first is still the future of tech. As NAA Apartmentalize wraps up, this episode offers a timely perspective for industry professionals navigating the intersection of technology, leadership, and resident experience.

    19 min
  2. From Service to Strategy | Alex O'Brien, The Cardinal Group

    06/02/2025

    From Service to Strategy | Alex O'Brien, The Cardinal Group

    In Episode 23 of Unscripted, LeaseLock’s Andrew Bowen interviews Alex O’Brien, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and CEO of The Cardinal Group, about how the veteran community can address the multifamily industry's talent shortage. This Memorial Day-timed discussion highlights the value veterans bring to rental housing. Alex covers his military transition to leading a top rental housing company, founding Salute Colorado, the military-to-multifamily skill bridge (discipline, leadership, adaptability, operations, mission-driven), and how hiring veterans strengthens workforces. The episode also features a candid conversation on six-figure careers without degrees, reframing interviews for veteran talent, and actionable steps for companies to attract and support veteran professionals, offering insight and action for those in hiring, operations, or interested in industry improvement. Presented by LeaseLock Join us as we amplify the stories of those making a difference in multifamily. Unscripted is our commitment to industry-wide thought leadership—created to inspire, inform, and uplift those working to make renting better for everyone. Interested in how your team can make housing more accessible and secure? Talk to our team today to discover how property owners, operators, and managers benefit from LeaseLock.

    51 min
  3. The New American Dream Is Flexibility | Tina West, Sares Regis

    05/19/2025

    The New American Dream Is Flexibility | Tina West, Sares Regis

    In Episode 22 of Unscripted, Andrew Bowen sits down with Tina West, Executive Vice President at Sares Regis, to explore a provocative redefinition of the American Dream: flexibility. From housing preferences to employment expectations, Tina shares why modern renters prioritize optionality over ownership—and how that shift is transforming the multifamily housing landscape. Recorded on-site at one of Sares Regis’ active adult communities in Texas, this conversation dives deep into what today’s residents really want: flexible floorplans, lifestyle-aligned amenities, and a sense of belonging. Tina unpacks the value of personalization, the resurgence of community-focused design, and the essential balance between high-tech and high-touch service models. Whether you’re rethinking operational models, community engagement, or what it truly means to serve residents and staff, this episode is packed with insights from one of the most respected leaders in the industry. 🎧 Presented by LeaseLock — a leading innovator in lease insurance and deposit-free living. LeaseLock brings thought leadership to the multifamily space by spotlighting operators, owners, and innovators working to make housing more accessible and impactful. Join us in rethinking risk, enhancing resident experience, and helping more people find a place to call home.

    38 min
  4. Redefining Ownership Through Community | Elizabeth Castro Gray, Lamppost Capital

    05/06/2025

    Redefining Ownership Through Community | Elizabeth Castro Gray, Lamppost Capital

    In Episode 21 of Unscripted, we go deep into what it really takes to transform a distressed asset into an award-winning community. Host Andrew Bowen travels to Houston to speak with Elizabeth Castro Gray, co-founder of Lamp Post Capital and past president of the Houston Apartment Association, who shares her journey of revitalizing The Reserve at Belfort — a 1955-built multifamily property once plagued by crime and disrepair. Elizabeth breaks down the multifamily property turnaround process from both an operational and human lens. You'll hear how she: Raised a crime-ridden asset to 2023 HAA Property of the Year Navigated COVID-era financial hits and rising interest rates Leveraged zero deposit solutions to ease move-in costs for working families Built pride and trust among residents and staff — with boots-on-the-ground leadership Advocates for smarter screening, property ownership culture, and market transparency This episode is a must-watch for real estate investors, property managers, and industry professionals looking to understand what true community impact looks like — especially at the Class C, workforce housing level. 📍 Whether you're focused on operational excellence, resident retention, or owning in underserved markets, this story delivers insights you won't find anywhere else.

    44 min
  5. Reputation is the Real Brand | Tony Sousa, Sousa Consulting & Sousa Supplier Network

    04/22/2025

    Reputation is the Real Brand | Tony Sousa, Sousa Consulting & Sousa Supplier Network

    What’s more valuable: the brand of a property or the brand of the company behind it? In this episode of Unscripted, host Andrew Bowen sits down with Tony Sousa, CEO and Founder of Sousa Consulting, to dig into the evolution of brand strategy in multifamily—from personal to company to asset—and why reputation is really what moves the needle. Recorded live in Las Vegas ahead of RETCON, this conversation dives into: Why company brands may be overtaking asset brands in 2025The real difference between personal brand and professional reputationHow smaller teams can actually move faster and make a bigger branding impactWhat it actually takes to build a brand that builds trust, influence, and connectionWhy authenticity isn’t optional—and what most people get wrong when trying to “build a brand”Whether you're leading operations, building a marketing strategy, or navigating visibility in the digital space, this episode is a crash course in thinking more critically (and creatively) about brand in today’s multifamily landscape. About LeaseLock: LeaseLock helps rental housing providers drive performance and eliminate bad debt with a fully integrated lease insurance platform. By replacing security deposits with lease insurance, operators remove friction from leasing, reduce bad debt, and unlock operational efficiencies. Learn more at https://www.leaselock.com Created and Presented by LeaseLock, Inc. Host: Andrew Bowen, LeaseLock Executive Producer: Jonas Dominique, LeaseLock Graphics and Artwork by Tricia Principe Producer / Editor: Jaime Livas

    48 min
  6. Leadership Lessons from the Gym Floor | Katherine Maestas, Kairoi Residential

    04/07/2025

    Leadership Lessons from the Gym Floor | Katherine Maestas, Kairoi Residential

    What can the fitness industry teach multifamily operators about team leadership, resident service, and mindset? In this episode of Unscripted: A LeaseLock Podcast, host Andrew Bowen is joined by Katherine Maestas, Community Manager at Kairoi Residential and founder of the soon-to-launch Chasing Grit Podcast. Katherine shares how her background in gym operations and personal training shaped her approach to leadership in multifamily. From performance coaching and people-centric management to tactical leasing tips and tour experience upgrades, this episode is packed with fresh, practical insights for operators ready to ditch the transactional and lead with intention. Listen in as Katherine and Andrew cover: Why multifamily needs better coaching, not more managing The power of personalized leasing experiences Lessons from fitness sales and retention applied to resident success Why centralization must evolve with new leadership development models How grit and mindset shape career growth—and why she’s launching a podcast about it Whether you're leading a leasing team or climbing your own leadership path, this one will leave you rethinking how you train, tour, and lead. About LeaseLock: LeaseLock helps rental housing providers drive performance and eliminate bad debt with a fully integrated lease insurance platform. By replacing security deposits with lease insurance, operators remove friction from leasing, reduce bad debt, and unlock operational efficiencies. Learn more at www.leaselock.com Created and Presented by LeaseLock, Inc. Host: Andrew Bowen, LeaseLock Executive Producer: Jonas Dominique, LeaseLock Graphics and Artwork by Tricia Principe Producer / Editor: ⁠Jaime Livas

    50 min
  7. Smart Tech That Actually Delivers Returns | Dave Marcinkowski, Partner / Founder at Madera Residential and Quext

    03/24/2025

    Smart Tech That Actually Delivers Returns | Dave Marcinkowski, Partner / Founder at Madera Residential and Quext

    The demand for smart home technology in multifamily housing is louder than ever—so why aren’t operators prioritizing it? In this episode of Unscripted, Andrew Bowen, SVP at LeaseLock, sits down with Dave Marcinkowski, Partner at Quext & Madera Residential, to discuss the gap between renter demand and owner adoption when it comes to smart apartment technology. Residents consistently rank smart home features—like keyless entry, smart thermostats, and leak detection—as some of the most desired and valued amenities. Yet, in LeaseLock’s latest Multifamily Executive Survey, smart tech ranked among the lowest priorities for operators in 2025. So, what’s causing the disconnect? Dave brings his unique dual perspective—as both a multifamily owner and a smart tech provider—to uncover the real barriers to adoption, the ROI of smart apartment solutions, and how AI-driven automation is about to revolutionize the resident experience. Key Takeaways: Why smart home adoption has lagged—and why that’s about to change. The hidden operational savings of smart tech—from leak detection to energy efficiency. How managed Wi-Fi and centralized operations are shaping the future of property management. The role of AI in automating apartment living—from predictive maintenance to personalized resident experiences. What operators can do NOW to stay ahead of the curve and prepare for the next wave of smart home evolution. Watch now to discover how smart technology is transforming the future of multifamily living. About LeaseLock: LeaseLock eliminates security deposits and replaces them with lease insurance—providing a better move-in experience for renters and better financial performance for operators. With LeaseLock, properties see higher lease conversions, reduced bad debt, and improved risk management. Learn more: www.leaselock.com Created and Presented by LeaseLock, Inc. Host: Andrew Bowen, LeaseLock Executive Producer: Jonas Dominique, LeaseLock Graphics and Artwork by Tricia Principe Producer / Editor: ⁠Jaime Livas

    40 min
  8. Special Feature - Live from Retcon 2025: AI & Automation in Multifamily | Sina Shekou, Aptly

    03/21/2025

    Special Feature - Live from Retcon 2025: AI & Automation in Multifamily | Sina Shekou, Aptly

    In this special feature of Unscripted, recorded live at RETCON 2025 in Las Vegas, we sit down with Sina Shekou, CEO and founder of Aptly — a key partner in LeaseLock’s Comprehensive Risk Protection Alliance. We unpack how AI and automation are transforming multifamily operations — and what leaders can do now to stay ahead. From measurable opex savings to rethinking collections with empathetic voice agents, this short conversation is full of actionable insight and future-state perspective. 🎧 Don’t miss: Why “automation-first” unlocks better AIA new AI voice announcement from AptlyWhat empathetic AI means for resident relationshipsReal-world challenges with centralization and how operators are responding About LeaseLockLeaseLock powers a modern lease experience by removing deposits and delivering zero-deposit protection for apartment communities. Our AI-driven lease insurance platform replaces security deposits with lease coverage that eliminates bad debt, simplifies move-ins, and guarantees property performance. Learn more at https://leaselock.com Created and Presented by LeaseLock, Inc. Host: Andrew Bowen, LeaseLock Executive Producer: Jonas Dominique, LeaseLock Graphics and Artwork by Tricia Principe Producer / Editor: ⁠Jaime Livas

    28 min
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About

Welcome to Unscripted!, where multifamily and rental housing professionals uncover the real stories shaping the industry. We explore successes, challenges, and strategies defining the market—from navigating risks to evolving pricing models, leadership structures, and investment strategies. Each episode features candid conversations with industry leaders, offering authentic insights on operations, marketing, technology, and resident experience. 🎧 No scripts attached!

Information

  • Creator
    LeaseLock
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © LeaseLock
  • Show Website
    Unscripted!