Explore every episode of the podcast Real Smart

Spencer Kallick sits down with Ari Shaeps, Construction Law partner at Allen Matkins, for a deep dive into what’s really driving construction costs, how “what’s market” is determined, and why a well-negotiated contract is the key to real estate success. Ari shares how he negotiated billion-dollar stadium deals in under 60 days, brings unmatched institutional knowledge from coast to coast, and unpacks the realities of tariffs, labor shortages, and buyout savings. This is a must-listen for developers, investors, and anyone navigating construction in today’s volatile market. 

Jason and Steven Somers, brothers and co-founders of Crest Real Estate, share how they built the largest permitting and entitlement firm in Los Angeles. They discuss trends in LA development, how the city is adapting post-wildfires, and the launch of Case Study 2.0, a new housing recovery initiative for fire-impacted communities. From managing thousands of active projects to launching new offices and wellness products, this episode covers what it takes to build smarter, scale faster, and lead with intention in one of the toughest markets in the country.

In this episode of Real Smart, Spencer Kallick sits down with Kevin Donner, Executive Vice Chairman at Newmark, to explore the evolving capital markets landscape and how to navigate a market defined by uncertainty. Kevin shares insights from decades at firms like Eastdil, Goldman Sachs, and Cushman & Wakefield — and opens up about rebuilding his life and home in the Palisades after the devastating fire. This is an episode about relationships, resilience, and how the smartest players in real estate stay grounded during transitions.

In Real Smart's inaugural episode, Spencer B. Kallick interviews Mike Longo, senior vice president - capital markets at CBRE. Mike shares insights about tariffs and the direction of industrial development. He also explains his leadership philosophy and approach to developing business partnerships.