Preserving the Past While Building the Future – A Conversation with Katie Horak

On this episode of RealSmart, Spencer sits down with Pouya Abdi, founder & CEO of Parallel Acquisitions, to discuss building a luxury retail real estate platform from the ground up. Pouya shares his approach to spotting opportunities before the market does, reimagining iconic Los Angeles retail destinations, and why relationships, local expertise, and a willingness to take calculated risks remain the ultimate competitive advantages in real estate.

What does it take to shape the future of a city? In this episode of Real Smart, Spencer talks with Bryan Eck, Executive Director of Land Use & Planning for USC Real Estate & Asset Management. From helping to craft the vision for Downtown Los Angeles to reinventing signage on the Sunset Strip and planning for USC's future, Bryan offers a thoughtful perspective on how cities evolve, why great public spaces matter, and what gives him hope for Los Angeles. It's a fascinating conversation for anyone who loves LA, is curious about urban planning, or wants a behind-the-scenes look at the people helping shape the places where we live, work, and connect.

On this episode of Real Smart, Spencer Kallick sits down with Dan Palmieri and Nick Angelich of Sierra Ridge Capital to discuss launching a real estate investment platform in today's uncertain market. Drawing on experience from firms like KKR, Northwood Investors, and CIM Group, they share their outlook on real estate, fundraising, entrepreneurship, and the importance of relationships in building a successful business.

In this episode of Real Smart, Spencer speaks with Culver City Planning and Development Director Mark Muenzer about how the city has become a standout example of getting housing built at a time when development often takes years to move forward. Mark explains how Culver City has embraced state housing mandates, streamlined approvals, and taken a problem-solving approach that turns plans into progress. He also shares insights on leadership, technology, and the role cities can play in removing barriers to growth. The conversation highlights how Culver City is proving that with the right mindset and leadership, cities can make housing development succeed.

How do top trial lawyers stay calm under pressure — and help leaders make smarter decisions when the stakes are highest? In this episode of Real Smart, Spencer sits down with Alan Hearty, Chair of Allen Matkins' Century City Litigation Department, for an inside look at how to win (and prevent) high-stakes real estate and business disputes. Watch now.

Host Spencer Kallick sits down with Eddie Prosser — Principal and Head of Credit at Thorofare Capital — for a look at what really separates disciplined lenders in volatile markets. From his time doing FDIC bank resolutions and distressed workouts to today's transitional real estate loans, Prosser breaks down the "Plan B" mindset, where the next wave of opportunity may surface (including office-basis resets), and why fundamentals and relationships still beat shortcuts — even in the age of AI.

In this episode of Real Smart, Spencer speaks with Josh Feffer, a geotechnical engineer and owner and principal at Feffer Geological Consulting. They discuss the critical role of geotechnical engineering in real estate development, including site assessments, historical research, drilling, and soil testing to ensure land stability and compliance with municipal codes. Josh walks us through the history of municipal codes in Los Angeles, which are especially complex due to hillside sites and seismic activity. He emphasizes the evolving challenges due to stricter seismic codes and the impact of natural events like fires on soil conditions. This is a deep dive into a fascinating and critical aspect of real estate development and into how Josh built his business from the ground up.

In this episode, we sit down with Katie Horak, principal at Architectural Resources Group, to discuss the role of historic architects and consultants. Katie walks us through the process of identifying historic properties, the importance of early consultation, and the balance between preservation and development in Los Angeles, including projects like SurveyLA, as well as her leadership and teaching roles in historic preservation. This episode is a must-see for all historic architecture fans.

In this special New York edition of Real Smart, Spencer Kallick sits down with Jared Freede, executive vice president at CBRE, to discuss the resurgence of Manhattan's office market and what's really driving return-to-office momentum. Jared shares insights on building long-term client relationships, leading at a high level, and why Class-A office space is tightening fast. It's a candid conversation about grit, growth, and why New York office real estate may be entering its next major chapter.

In this episode of Real Smart, host Spencer Kallick sits down with Bill Tagliaferri, president of BIG Outdoor, to explore how out-of-home signage has evolved from simple billboards into immersive urban experiences. Bill shares his unconventional path into the industry, BIG Outdoor's growth across iconic markets like Times Square, Sunset Boulevard, and Santa Monica, and the complex real estate, zoning, and community dynamics behind major signage projects. The conversation highlights how thoughtful design, emerging technology, and public-private partnerships can turn signage into a catalyst for economic development and community benefit — not just advertising.