The Better Agent Podcast

Join Josh Lavik and John Schneider in today’s episode of The Better Agent Podcast. John shares his 20+ years of experience as a real estate investor and agent. He reveals how real estate investing can enhance your agent business, why understanding property financing is crucial, and how adopting a hunter mindset can lead to success. Tune in to learn actionable strategies and tips for boosting your business and building wealth through real estate.
🎧 Hosts: Josh Lavik – Host, Better Agent Podcast
🎤 Featuring: John Schneider – Real Estate Investor & Expert
John Schneider is a Real Estate Broker with EXIT Realty HGM in Madison, Wisconsin, and principal of JPS Holdings. With 16 years of experience, he has completed more than 100 transactions annually, including over $41 million in closed sales in 2024. In addition to brokerage, Schneider is active in local development and land-use projects, frequently representing clients in Dane County zoning and planning matters.
💡 What You’ll Learn:
✔️ How to leverage real estate investing strategies to boost your agent business
✔️ The four key benefits of real estate ownership: income, debt service, taxes, and appreciation
✔️ How to evaluate potential properties and maximize your ROI
✔️ The importance of mentorship in real estate
✔️ How to incorporate investor language into your business
✔️ Navigating uncertainty in today’s market while creating growth opportunities
📇 Connect with John Schneider:
🌎 Website → https://www.livingamidwestlife.com/
📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/johnschnieder1/
🎙 Follow Josh Lavik and the Better Agent Podcast:
🌎 Website → https://www.joshlavik.com/
📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/joshlavikassoc
📷 Instagram →  https://www.instagram.com/jla_madison/
🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlavik
🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!
⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate – Icons of Real Estate

Join Josh Lavik as he interviews Joshua Holt, a real estate professional with a unique background, who shares his experience growing a successful real estate career through networking and AI. Learn how Joshua transitioned from an inside sales agent to a top-producing agent and how technology is helping him scale his business. Whether you’re an agent looking to grow or someone interested in the power of AI in real estate, this episode has valuable insights.
🎧 Hosts: Josh Lavik – Host, Better Agent Podcast
🎤 Featuring: Joshua Holt – Real Estate Professional and Team Leader
Joshua D. Holt is the Owner, Realtor®, and Broker Associate of the Holt Real Estate Team powered by Keller Williams, based in Madison, Wisconsin. He is a U.S. Army veteran who now focuses on serving clients in Dane County and greater south-central Wisconsin. Joshua also serves on the Board of Directors for the local Chamber of Commerce and the American Legion Post, while his family remains active in community support and school initiatives
💡 What You’ll Learn:
✔️ Key strategies for growing your real estate business through networking
✔️ How AI tools like call coaching and market data analysis can enhance your business
✔️ The importance of embracing failure and learning from mistakes
✔️ Tips for using AI to nurture leads and convert opportunities
✔️ The value of community involvement in building a sustainable business
📇 Connect with Joshua Holt:
🌎 Website → https://www.holtrealestateteam.com/
📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/holtrealestateteam
📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/holtrealestateteam/
🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/holt-real-estate-team
🎙 Follow Josh Lavik and the Better Agent Podcast:
🌎 Website → https://www.joshlavik.com/
📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/joshlavikassoc
📷 Instagram →  https://www.instagram.com/jla_madison/
🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlavik
🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!
⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate – https://iconsofrealestate.com

In this episode of the Better Agent Podcast, Josh Vik talks with Michael Leeson about building a real estate business grounded in authenticity, relationships, and experience. Michael shares lessons from his missionary background, strategies for growth, negotiation frameworks, team-building insights, and how to balance family and business while thriving as an agent.
🎧 Hosts: Josh Vik
🎤 Featuring: Michael Leeson – Real Estate Agent, Entrepreneur, and Mentor
Michael Leeson is a Realtor with Realty Executives Cooper Spransy, serving the Madison and Dane County market. With two decades of experience in real estate investment, sales, and property management, he has closed 125 transactions worth over $66.6 million in the past five years, averaging $368,000 per sale. Leeson runs a team supported by an Executive Assistant and Transaction Coordinator, providing full-service representation across a wide price range from entry-level homes to luxury properties. He and his wife Emma are raising five children in Sun Prairie while remaining active in travel and community involvement.
💡 What You’ll Learn:
✔️ How past experiences can inform success in real estate
✔️ Mindset shifts for new and growing agents
✔️ Building a team and scaling a business sustainably
✔️ Negotiation tips and communication strategies
✔️ Maintaining personal balance and strong relationships
✔️ Investing in your business for long-term growth
🎙 Follow Michael Leeson:
🌎 Website → https://leesonrealestate.com/
🎙 Follow Josh Lavik and the Better Agent Podcast:
🌎 Website → https://www.joshlavik.com/
📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/joshlavikassoc
📷 Instagram →  https://www.instagram.com/jla_madison/
🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlavik
🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!
⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate – https://iconsofrealestate.com

On this episode of Better Agent Podcast, Josh Lavik is joined by Lindsay Mefford, a new real estate agent with a unique background in home inspections and radon testing. Lindsay shares her story of transitioning from teaching to real estate, the challenges she faced in her first year, and the value of leveraging her previous experience. She discusses how she’s built a solid system for working with older clients, the importance of staying organized, and why radon testing is an often-overlooked but critical aspect of real estate. Tune in for valuable tips and insights to grow your business in real estate!
🎧 Hosted by: Josh Lavik
🎙 Featuring: Lindsay Mefford – Real Estate Agent
Lindsay Mefford is a Sales Representative with EXIT Realty HGM, working primarily out of the Madison office and serving clients across Madison and the surrounding areas. A former elementary school teacher and home inspection professional, Lindsay brings a unique perspective to real estate. For over a decade, she and her husband have operated Madison Radon Testing, completing thousands of inspections—including work at the Wisconsin State Capitol.
💡 What You’ll Learn:
✔️ Lindsay’s transition from teaching to real estate
✔️ The benefits of a background in home inspections
✔️ How Lindsay built a system for real estate success
✔️ Why understanding market trends is crucial for success
✔️ Specializing in working with older clients
✔️ Tips for new agents and staying organized
✔️ The importance of radon testing in real estate transactions
📇 Connect with Lindsay Mefford:
🌎 Website → https://meffordrealty.com/
📘 Facebook → https://facebook.com/lindsay.mefford
📷 Instagram →  https://instagram.com/lindsmefford
🔗 LinkedIn → https://tiktok.com/@lindsmefford
🎙 Follow Josh Lavik and the Better Agent Podcast:
🌎 Website → https://www.joshlavik.com/
📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/joshlavikassoc
📷 Instagram →  https://www.instagram.com/jla_madison/
🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlavik
🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!
⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate – https://iconsofrealestate.com

In this episode of The Better Agent Podcast, Josh Lavik is joined by Anne Baranski, a real estate agent with a unique niche of working with dog lovers. Anne shares her journey into real estate, how authenticity and passion for animals have played a key role in her success, and how she’s grown her business through referrals. Anne discusses how being true to your passions can drive growth and the importance of building relationships and staying connected with clients. Tune in for valuable insights and advice on making your real estate career truly thrive!
🎧 Hosted by: Josh Lavik
🎙 Featuring: Anne Baranski – Real Estate Agent
Anne Baranski is an award-winning Broker Owner of Forever Home Real Estate, proudly serving clients across Wisconsin. Rising quickly in her career, she closed 17 deals in her first year, earned “Corporate REALTOR® of the Year,” and by year four ranked in the top 5% of MLS producers statewide. Anne has been recognized among Wisconsin’s top three agents and was invited to speak at the 2018 REALTORS® Convention.
💡 What You’ll Learn:
✔️ How Anne's passion for dogs shaped her real estate business
✔️ The power of authenticity and building genuine client relationships
✔️ Why staying consistent with client engagement drives long-term success
✔️ How to leverage your unique interests to grow your business
✔️ The importance of referrals in building a sustainable career
✔️ Tips for real estate agents looking to grow and stay authentic
📇 Connect with Anne Baranski:
🌎 Website → https://anne.foreverhomerealestate.com/
📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/foreverhome.realestate/
🎙 Follow Josh Lavik and the Better Agent Podcast:
🌎 Website → https://www.joshlavik.com/
📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/joshlavikassoc
📷 Instagram →  https://www.instagram.com/jla_madison/
🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlavik
🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!
⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/