NAR REALTOR® News Change Agents

What can getting involved in your REALTOR® association actually do for your business, your career and the industry? Recorded at NAR NXT in New Orleans, this special episode of Change Agents brings together NAR's outgoing 2026 president Kevin Brown and incoming 2027 president Christine Hansen for a candid conversation with NAR CMCO Bennett Richardson about their paths from working REALTORS® to national leadership.  Neither set out expecting to lead the national association. They share how local involvement, encouragement from other members and a desire to make a difference opened doors to new experiences, knowledge and relationships that ultimately strengthened their real estate careers.  They also pull back the curtain on work members may not always see, from more than 10,000 advocacy meetings surrounding the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to NAR's efforts to provide members with accurate, vetted information in an increasingly noisy media environment. And as NAR prepares for its next chapter, they discuss member listening, organizational change and a renewed focus on helping REALTORS® get to their next transaction.  In this episode: Why both leaders first became involved in their local associations How association involvement can strengthen a REALTOR®'s business What members may not see about NAR's advocacy work How REALTORS® helped build bipartisan support for housing legislation Why trusted, verified information matters in a clickbait-driven world What Kevin Brown learned during his presidency Christine Hansen's priorities as she prepares to lead NAR in 2027 Why member involvement can be a powerful way to help shape the future of the profession 

A background check can provide useful information before meeting a new client. But it shouldn't be mistaken for a complete safety plan. In this episode of Change Agents, NAR's Bennett Richardson talks with Blaise Coco, founder and CEO of Domi, about how technology is giving REALTORS® new ways to prepare for showings and get help when something doesn't feel right. Coco explains why safety technology should go beyond simply gathering information about a prospective client and become part of an agent's everyday routine.  They explore tools designed to help agents take action quickly, from tapping a check-in button that alerts designated emergency contacts to activating an alarm or SOS feature. Coco also discusses voice-activated assistance that can contact emergency contacts and provide location information when an agent needs help.  In this episode: • Why a background check is only one piece of a safety plan • How a simple tap can keep emergency contacts informed during a showing • Tools designed to help agents call for help quickly • How voice activation can provide another way to reach emergency contacts • Why safety technology needs to be ready before an agent walks into a showing • How REALTORS® can turn preparedness into a repeatable habit  Technology can provide more information. The real opportunity is using it to be ready when the unexpected happens.

AI is giving buyers and sellers access to more real estate information than ever. So how does the role of the real estate professional change when consumers can increasingly find data and insights on their own? In this episode of Change Agents, NAR Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Bennett Richardson talks with Sean Soderstrom, founder and CEO of Courted, about how artificial intelligence and data are reshaping real estate and what that means for real estate agents and brokerages.  They discuss: • How AI is changing consumer expectations • Why professional judgment becomes more important as consumers gain access to more information • How REALTORS® can use AI and data to provide more personalized insights • How market intelligence can help agents demonstrate their value to buyers and sellers • How brokerages can use data to improve agent recruiting and retention • Why relationships and trust remain at the center of the real estate business  Sean Soderstrom also explains why he doesn't see AI replacing the real estate agent. Instead, he sees technology as a way for agents to work more efficiently, scale their expertise and help consumers navigate increasingly complex decisions.

NAR NXT is headed to New Orleans, and there's no better guide to the city than Louisiana native, content creator, and television personality Gerald Gruenig. In this special episode of Change Agents, host Bennett Richardson leaves the studio and hits the streets of New Orleans to explore the neighborhoods, architecture, restaurants, and traditions that make the city unlike anywhere else in America. Gerald shares the places that shaped his life, from the apartment above his family's po'boy shop to iconic neighborhood restaurants, Mardi Gras float dens, historic streets, and locally loved eateries. Along the way, you'll discover the history behind New Orleans po'boys, hear stories of growing up in Gentilly, learn why Mardi Gras is the cultural heartbeat of the city, and get recommendations for where to eat, explore, and experience authentic New Orleans during NAR NXT. Whether you're attending NAR NXT or simply love stories about community, culture, and place, this episode offers a local's perspective on one of America's most unique cities. 

NAR CMCO Bennett Richardson sits down with three standout founders from the REACH, NAR's tech growth accelerator program, to explore how technology is transforming the real estate industry from the inside out. Guests & Topics Covered: Russell Smith (President & COO, Earnnest): Modernizing earnest money deposits, securing payments against wire fraud, and what FedNow means for instant real estate transactions. Divya Aathresh (Founder & CEO, MaxHome.ai): Leveraging generative AI to streamline brokerage document compliance and free up agents to focus on client relationships. Max Fitzgerald (Founder & CEO, StackRap): Eliminating tech overload, monitoring software adoption, and building a unified hub for agents. Tune in to learn key strategies for upgrading your tech stack and staying ahead in modern real estate operations.

Real estate agents are frequently placed in vulnerable, one-on-one situations with unfamiliar clients. In this episode of Change Agents, host Bennett Richardson (Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at NAR) welcomes Vanessa Martin, Co-Founder of Tether RE and military combat veteran. Vanessa shares crucial insights on why situational awareness and layered defense are vital for every real estate professional. Learn how to conduct compliant client pre-screenings under Fair Housing and FCRA regulations, implement life-saving safety habits during private showings and open houses, and explore how associations and brokerages can lead the charge in making safety a year-round priority. In this episode, we explore: Overcoming common safety blind spots in real estate Applying military after-action principles to daily showings Real-world safety tools: SOS alerts, struggle detection, and 24/7 live dispatch Responsible client screening vs. consumer privacy regulations What the future holds for integrated real estate technology Subscribe to NAR REALTOR® News Change Agents for more discussions with innovators shaping the future of real estate.

Real estate agents face risks that many consumers never see, from meeting strangers at showings to navigating remote properties alone. In this episode of Change Agents, NAR CMCO Bennett Richardson sits down with Niall Phelan, founder of Agent Buddi, to discuss why agent safety deserves more attention across the industry and how AI could help agents stay protected while improving client service.  Niall shares the four moments when agents face the greatest risks, explains why safety and productivity don't have to compete with each other, and discusses how technology can help agents verify leads, document showings, stay focused on the road, and build stronger client relationships.  They also explore how AI-powered tools may help agents prepare more effectively, retain more clients, improve coaching, and create the kind of trust and personalization that today's consumers expect.  Whether you're a new real estate agent or a seasoned professional, this conversation offers practical insights on staying safe, serving clients better, and leveraging technology to build a more sustainable business.

Is your business built to withstand the next industry inflection point? This week on Change Agents, we're joined by J. Lennox Scott, a visionary leader who has navigated decades of market cycles. As the head of a multi-generational firm, Lennox offers a unique perspective on staying relevant in an increasingly automated world. We dive into: The Modern Market Mindset: Adapting your value proposition to meet 2026 consumer expectations. Relationship Mastery: Why high-touch service is more valuable now than ever. Scaling with Purpose: Lessons in leadership from 40+ years at the helm of John L. Scott Real Estate. Whether you are a brokerage leader or an individual agent, Lennox's insights provide a roadmap for thriving in the midst of change.

Closings are the result. Pipeline is the business. Founder of Breezy | Harris & Partners, James Harris believes the most successful agents don't chase shortcuts. They focus on consistently building the relationships, opportunities, and prospecting systems that create future business. As Harris puts it, agents are the CEOs of their own businesses, and their success, now and in the future, depends on the pipeline they build today.  In this episode, Harris shares how he went from knowing nobody in the industry to building one of the most successful luxury real estate businesses in the country. He explains how door knocking, open houses, follow-up, and a relentless focus on lead generation helped him create a business that continued to grow year after year.  You'll hear his insights on prospecting, building a predictable stream of opportunities, developing long-term client and developer relationships, personal branding, and why many agents overcomplicate what it takes to succeed. Harris also reflects on the lessons he learned building a nationally recognized brand and how authenticity became one of his biggest competitive advantages. Whether you're looking to generate more leads, strengthen your pipeline, or build a more sustainable real estate business, this conversation is packed with practical advice you can put to work immediately

What does the future of real estate leadership look like? In this episode of the Change Agents podcast, we're joined by Inman CEO Tom Bohn to explore the strategic shifts necessary for today's professional landscape. From fostering innovation within organizations to navigating industry-wide changes, Tom provides a deep dive into the mindset and actions required to thrive. Whether you're leading a large team or growing your own business, this episode offers a roadmap for navigating the complexities of the modern real estate era with one of the industry's most influential voices.