The Harsh Truth (Part 2): No One Owes You Anything — Stop Waiting for Handouts

In this episode of the Real Estate Survival Guide, John brings the heat with a hard but necessary truth for Realtors: no one owes you anything in this business.Whether you’re a brand-new agent or someone who’s been in the game for a while, this episode will challenge your mindset, your work ethic, and your expectations.John opens up about his early days working under his team leader — doing everything from showings to open houses to admin work — without asking for a single lead. He shares what it really takes to succeed in real estate, and why a servant-hearted approach builds a business faster than entitlement ever will.You’ll also hear:Why some agents sabotage themselves by waiting for handoutsA behind-the-scenes story about a mentee who expected success to be delivered instead of earnedHow John’s leaders gave him referrals — but only after seeing him consistently serve and add valueWhy the agents who give first are the ones who grow fastestIf you’re tired of spinning your wheels and ready to take responsibility for your results, this episode will wake you up, fire you up, and push you forward.👉 Subscribe and share this episode with a fellow agent who needs some tough love and encouragement.

After 500+ episodes of the Real Estate Survival Guide, I’ve got something brand new to share… and I’ve never been more excited.In this episode, I finally reveal a project I’ve been quietly building behind the scenes for months. It’s something that’s going to take our community—and this mission to help Realtors succeed—to the next level.You’ll hear:Why this new platform matters so much for your businessHow it will deepen your connection with me and the communityThe powerful role storytelling plays in real estate successWhat to expect and how YOU can be part of the journey from the beginningIf you’ve ever been encouraged by this podcast, this is the episode to lean into.You can subsribe to my Youtube channel here

In this brutally honest episode, I break down the real reasons why so many Realtors haven’t sold a single home in 2025 — and what you can do to turn things around. From entitlement and inaction to market realities and mindset, this is a wake-up call for anyone struggling in real estate right now.We’ll cover the data, the traps I see Realtors falling into, and the hard-won lessons from my early days in real estate — when I was doing anything and everything to grow. This episode isn’t for the faint of heart… but it might be the thing that changes your career trajectory.If you’ve ever asked, “Why am I not getting any deals?” — this episode is for you.

Behind the Scenes at eXp Realty with Chief Learning Officer Bryon Ellington”🎙 Episode Summary:In this episode of The Real Estate Survival Guide, I sit down with Bryon Ellington, Chief Learning Officer at eXp Realty, for a powerful behind-the-scenes look at how eXp is innovating, educating, and empowering agents to succeed—no matter where they’re starting.We talk about what it actually means to be a Chief Learning Officer, how Bryon’s team built training programs like FastStart and FastTrack, and why eXp is so far ahead of the curve when it comes to agent support, onboarding, and adapting to industry changes.Whether you’re brand-new to the industry, looking to reignite your business, or just curious about what makes eXp different, this conversation is packed with real insight, real strategy, and real heart.🧠 What You’ll Learn:What a Chief Learning Officer does—and why it matters in real estateThe story behind FastStart and FastTrack, and how they’re helping agents close deals fasterWhy eXp’s training is built by top producers who are still in the trenchesHow eXp empowers agents to grow—whether you want to sell more homes or build a revenue share groupThe truth about agent attraction, “recruiting,” and why it’s all about valueUnderused tools at eXp that every agent should be tapping into right now👤 Guest: Bryon EllingtonBryon is the Chief Learning Officer at eXp Realty and a key voice in shaping the future of agent education and development. With a deep background in training and leadership, Bryon is passionate about helping agents succeed through smart systems, actionable strategies, and a culture of generosity.📣 Resources Mentioned:eXpUniversity.com – eXp’s central hub for all things trainingKGCI Real Estate Radio – Free podcast network for all agentsBig Agent Meeting – Every Friday on YouTubeFastStart and FastTrack Programs – Available to all eXp agentsConnect with Bryon on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryonellington🙌 Let’s Connect:If you’re curious about what eXp can offer or want to learn more about how these programs are helping agents thrive, reach out! I’d love to help you explore what’s possible.📧 [email protected]📱 Instagram: @johnschuchman🌐 RealEstateSurvivalGuide.com (optional)🎧 Subscribe & Review:Enjoying the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow agent who could use some inspiration and insight!

Part 2 of the “Five Things I’d Do Right Now as a New Realtor” SeriesDescriptionIn this second episode of my July podcast series, I’m diving into the second thing I’d do if I were starting from scratch as a brand-new agent in 2025:👉 Get in the room with people who are further ahead.Most new Realtors try to do this business alone—and it’s one of the biggest mistakes you can make.In this episode, we talk about:Why isolation is a silent business killer.The power of proximity and how it fast-tracks your growth.What it means to “get in the room”.The difference between energy-draining rooms and energy-giving ones.A real story of how proximity led one agent to successIf you want to grow faster, you need to surround yourself with the right people.This episode will help you stop going it alone—and start building the kind of network that transforms your business.