Ep4 Todd Talks | Ditching AI for Authenticity

In this episode of Todd Talks, I sit down with Sandi Smith—co-owner of Trillium Real Estate, longtime Ann Arbor Realtor, and 2024 President of Michigan Realtors—for a conversation grounded in one principle: Acta non verba. Actions, not words. This isn’t a highlight reel of titles and accolades. It’s a practical discussion about what leadership actually looks like behind the scenes—in committee rooms, governance decisions, brokerage ownership, and the steady work of protecting private property rights. We talk about:  • How quiet persistence shapes policy over decades  • Why professionalism across both sides of a transaction protects the consumer  • What it takes to move an organization from legacy structure to nimble leadership  • The role of authenticity in building a durable real estate business  • Why “I don’t know—let me find out” builds more trust than bluffing ever will Sandi shares how her leadership journey evolved from local association involvement to statewide impact, and why developing future leaders—especially those who don’t always see themselves represented—is critical to the strength of our profession. For brokers, agents, and association leaders who believe stewardship matters more than visibility, this conversation delivers practical insight without the rhetoric. If you care about advocacy, governance, ethical practice, and elevating standards in Michigan real estate, this episode is for you. Todd Talks is the pocket-sized power-up for growth-minded Realtors—focused on action, clarity, and turning market intelligence into professional advantage. Integrity isn’t declared. It’s demonstrated. Credits Host: Todd Waller Producer: Josh Nieman Recorded at: @propertiesREMI | Christie’s International Real Estate, Ann Arbor

When mortgage markets get noisy, clarity becomes a superpower. In this episode, Todd sits down with Ted Edginton, loan officer at Rate Mortgage, whose reputation for calm precision and proactive communication has earned him rave client reviews and lasting trust. Together, they unpack what transparency looks like when money and emotion collide - and why consistency in small actions builds credibility faster than any marketing promise. Because in lending, as in life, integrity isn’t said. It’s shown. Credits Host: Todd Waller Producer: Josh Nieman Recorded at: @propertiesREMI | Christie’s International Real Estate, Northville

The first guest to be interviewed is Ilana Riback. Ilana brings a relentless pursuit of excellence to all that she does in her life. Her clients rely on her sharp analytic mind to structure transactions that make sense, protect them, and exceed the fiduciary responsibility created by real estate agency. Not only do we learn more about Ilana and how she sees the real estate industry, but we also get a glimpse into a service that she and her husband are creating for @propertiesREMI and their agents to make the administrative side of the work less burdensome. Credits Host: Todd Waller Producer: Josh Nieman Recorded at: @propertiesREMI | Christie’s International Real Estate, Ann Arbor

When the creation process doesn't match the message. Learn why the format of the podcast will change. The intention was on point, but the execution was not.  Coming up: interviews, regional and national market insights, and less reliance on AI to generate topics. Credits Host: Todd Waller Producer: Josh Nieman Recorded at: @propertiesREMI | Christie’s International Real Estate, Ann Arbor

What happens when the veil is lifted on real estate commissions? In this episode of Todd Talks, Todd Waller dives into the new landscape of fee transparency following the $418 million commission settlement. From listing presentations to buyer consults, today’s top agents are meeting client curiosity with radical clarity—and reaping the rewards. In this episode you’ll learn Why voluntary transparency is a competitive advantage in the post-settlement era How to present your value in a way that builds trust and closes clients faster Practical tools to implement fee transparency without compromising your margins One-sentence takeaway: Transparency doesn’t diminish your value—it amplifies your professionalism and earns trust that converts. Call to action Break down your commission structure in a social post or Story this week and tag it with #ToddTalksTransparency. Then subscribe so you never miss an episode built on action over words. Credits Host: Todd Waller Producer: Josh Nieman Recorded at: @propertiesREMI | Christie’s International Real Estate, Ann Arbor

What happens when you walk away from a fat commission check for the sake of your client’s best interest? In this episode of Todd Talks, Todd Waller shares a real story from early in his career - when choosing integrity over income cost him a deal but earned him a lifetime of client trust and referrals. In a world where flashy funnels and viral tactics dominate, this episode makes the case for slow, steady, relationship-driven success that pays off for decades. In this episode you’ll learn Why acting with integrity isn’t just ethical—it’s profitable over time How to spot decision points where transparency builds long-term trust Practical ways to bake integrity into your daily real estate practice One-sentence takeaway: Integrity compounds like interest—when you lead with honesty, the referrals follow. Call to action Pick one ethically thin practice (legal but not proud-worthy) and replace it with a transparent alternative this week. Share what you changed and tag #ToddTalksIntegrity. Credits Host: Todd Waller Producer: Josh Nieman Recorded at: @propertiesREMI | Christie’s International Real Estate, Ann Arbor

When doing the right thing costs you a commission today—but pays compounding dividends tomorrow. In this kickoff to Todd Talks, Todd discusses the origin of his guiding phrase, Acta Non Verba. If you’ve ever wondered whether integrity is a nice-to-have or a business advantage, this episode makes the case—with playbooks you can use on your very next file. In this episode you’ll learn How to turn ethical decisions into a measurable growth engine “Transparency triggers” to use at listing, offer, inspection, and closing The weekly Action Challenge to operationalize integrity in your workflow One-sentence takeaway: Integrity isn’t a slogan—it’s a system that lowers legal risk, raises client trust, and compounds your business over time. Call to action Pick one ethically thin practice (legal but not proud-worthy) and replace it with a transparent alternative this week. Share what you changed and tag #ToddTalksIntegrity. Credits Host: Todd Waller Producer: Josh Nieman Recorded at: @properties | Christie’s International Real Estate, Ann Arbor