The Better Agent Podcast

Are you treating your real estate career like a professional athlete, or are you just showing up to the gym to "look at the weights"? Why do some agents thrive independently while others struggle to find their footing?
In this episode of the Better Agent Podcast, host Josh Lavik sits down with Lance Nowak, a highly successful real estate broker with 23 years of experience and the founder of Victory Realty Elite. Lance shares his incredible story of transitioning from a technical IT background into the relationship-driven world of real estate. Together, Josh and Lance discuss why treating real estate with the 24/7 dedication of a competitive bodybuilder is the absolute most critical tool you need to survive. They dive deep into the psychology of sales—explaining how to use the "Three Deep" questioning method to instantly build rapport, why Lance calls For Sale By Owners "FSNOs", and how independent brokers can leverage low overhead to win listings.
🎧 Hosted by: Josh Lavik
🎤 Featuring: Lance Nowak, Broker & Owner of Victory Realty Elite
Lance Nowak is the Broker and Owner of Victory Realty Elite. Active in the industry since 2005, he has sold over 650 homes across his real estate career. He leverages nearly two decades of local market expertise to guide clients seamlessly through their real estate transactions. 
💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ Why starting your career at a massive brokerage is the best way to build your resume.
✔️ How to peel back the layers of a client's motivation using the "Three Deep" rule.
✔️ Why Lance calls FSBOs "For Sale Not On Market," and how to use it to win listings.
✔️ How the 24/7 discipline of competitive bodybuilding translates to real estate success.
✔️ How independent brokers can leverage low overhead to overcome commission objections.
✔️ Why new agents must prioritize ride-alongs to build their listing appointment confidence.
📇 Connect with Lance Nowak:
🌎 Website → https://www.victoryrealtyelite.com/
📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/victoryrealtyelite/
🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoryrealtyelite/
🎙 FOLLOW JOSH LAVIK & THE BETTER AGENT PODCAST:
🌎 Website → https://www.joshlavik.com/
🌎 21-Day Challenge → https://www.abetterrealestateexperience.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, AND COMMENT BELOW!
⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate – iconsofrealestate.com

Did you know that 87% of all real estate agents quit within their first two years? Why do so many people leave such an amazing, lucrative profession?
In this episode of the Better Agent Podcast, host Josh Lavik sits down with Iris Etheridge, a successful real estate agent with 14 years of experience and the author of the new book, Real Growth for Real Estate Agents. Iris shares her incredible story of moving to the United States from Switzerland, having to navigate an entirely new culture, a new language, and the bold American mindset of entrepreneurship.
Together, Josh and Iris discuss why tenacity, courage, and a servant's heart are the absolute most critical tools you need to survive in the real estate industry. They discuss how Iris finally found her "niche" by connecting with local seniors, why setting up an automated CRM in your first year is non-negotiable, and the problem with expensive brokerage training courses
🎧 Hosted by: Josh Lavik
🎤 Featuring: Iris Etheridge, Real Estate Agent & Author
Iris Etheridge is a licensed real estate broker in Madison, Wisconsin, and the founder of Real Growth Partners LLC. She specializes in luxury senior transitions and legacy planning, providing clients with a calm, education-focused, and pressure-free experience. Additionally, she actively mentors new real estate agents to build empowered and ethical careers. 
💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ Why 87% of realtors quit within two years and how to avoid becoming a statistic.
✔️ How childhood hikes in the Swiss Alps taught Iris the tenacity needed for real estate.
✔️ Why the simple mantra of "How can I serve these people today?" will transform your business.
✔️ How to find your niche audience without forcing it.
✔️ Why your database IS your business and why you must automate your CRM immediately.
✔️ How to overcome the urge to quit during massive market roadblocks.
📇 Connect with Iris Etheridge:
🌎 Book → https://www.realgrowthpartnersllc.com/
📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/real.growth.partners.real.estate
🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/iris-etheridge-0693a4b8/
🎙 FOLLOW JOSH LAVIK & THE BETTER AGENT PODCAST:
🌎 Website → https://www.joshlavik.com/
🌎 21-Day Challenge → https://www.abetterrealestateexperience.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, AND COMMENT BELOW!
⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate – iconsofrealestate.com

Are you trying to figure out how to transition from a full-time W2 job into a thriving, full-time real estate career? In this episode of the Better Agent Podcast, host Josh Lavik sits down with Kayleigh Chrostowski, a powerhouse broker based in Janesville, Wisconsin. Despite starting her career while working full-time as an insurance auditor for the state, Kayleigh managed to close an incredible 17 transactions in her first year! Now, just two and a half years in, she has her broker’s license and is nearing 60 career transactions.
Kayleigh shares the secrets behind her rapid success, including how she utilized her parents' background in contracting to confidently estimate repair costs for her buyers, and why she ditched the "blazer and heels" to show up authentically (sometimes in paint-covered clothes!) for her clients. Josh and Kayleigh also discuss the harsh realities of work-life balance during the spring market, the danger of relying too heavily on AI for contractor quotes, and why you can never take it personally when a friend uses another agent.
🎧 Hosted by: Josh Lavik
🎤 Featuring: Kayleigh Chrostowski, Real Estate Broker
Kayleigh Chrostowski is a real estate broker at Rock Realty in Wisconsin. Drawing on her background in corporate marketing and state auditing, she brings a strong business foundation to her clients. Raised by licensed general contractors, she leverages her deep knowledge of construction and design to help buyers, sellers, and investors see a property's true potential. 
💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ The Side-Hustle Grind: How Kayleigh Chrostowski successfully closed 17 properties in her first year while working a full-time, travel-heavy government auditing job.
✔️ Authenticity Wins: Why ditching the "perfect realtor" facade and showing up as your true, authentic self builds deep trust with clients.
✔️ The Contractor Advantage: How to confidently estimate home repair costs for your buyers to keep deals alive, and why you shouldn't rely on ChatGPT for contractor quotes.
✔️ Boundary Setting: Why every new agent must get a separate business phone before starting their career.
✔️ Handling Rejection: How to manage your ego and maintain relationships when friends or family members choose to buy or sell with a different agent.
📇 Connect with Kayleigh Chrostowski:
🌎 Website → https://realtorkayleigh.com/
📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/kayleigh.chrostowski/
📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/kayleighchrostowski/
🎙 FOLLOW JOSH LAVIK & 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, AND COMMENT BELOW!
⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate – iconsofrealestate.com

Are you overcomplicating your real estate business with too many lead generation strategies? In this episode of the Better Agent Podcast, host Josh Lavik sits down with Kyle Ristow, an impressive young agent based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who closed over 300 transactions in just a few short years after getting his license right out of high school!
Kyle shares his incredible journey from struggling to close a single deal his first six months to becoming a showing assistant handling 1,000+ showings a year, and eventually building a fast-growing 7-person expansion team. Kyle breaks down his simple, proven formula for success: dedicating one hour a day to "The One Thing," having 20 real estate conversations daily, and committing to a 36-touch follow-up campaign. Josh and Kyle also discuss the power of authenticity, sharing why showing up in a hoodie can win you the listing over a fancy suit.
🎧 Hosted by: Josh Lavik
🎤 Featuring: Kyle Ristow, Real Estate Team Leader
Kyle Ristow is a Milwaukee Realtor and founder of Luxe Real Estate Haven Group. Specializing in everything from new homebuyers to international investments, he combines luxury marketing with deep local knowledge to guide clients through the Southeast Wisconsin market. Known for his award-winning, white-glove service, Kyle prioritizes a client-first approach and actively gives back by mentoring students in his community.
💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ The 1,000 Showing Hustle: How joining a top team as a showing assistant gave Kyle the ultimate real estate education.
✔️ The 20 Conversations Rule: Why having 20 real estate conversations every single day is the ultimate cheat code to explosive growth.
✔️ The "One Thing" Strategy: How to time-block one uninterrupted hour a day for lead generation to prevent a "yo-yo" business.
✔️ The 36-Touch Campaign: A step-by-step breakdown of how to touch base with past clients and your sphere 36 to 70 times a year.
✔️ Authenticity Wins: Why you don't need a suit to win listings—and how showing up as your true self builds ultimate client trust.
📇 Connect with Kyle Ristow:
🌎 Website → http://www.luxehavenwi.com/
📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/RistowKy/
📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/kyleristow_milwaukee_realtor/
🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-ristow-realtor/
🎙 FOLLOW JOSH LAVIK & 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, AND COMMENT BELOW!
⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate – iconsofrealestate.com

Are you playing it too safe in your real estate business? In this episode of the Better Agent Podcast, host Josh Lavik sits down with Stephanie Kaiser, a powerhouse agent from southeastern Wisconsin who closed an incredible 30 deals in her very first year! Stephanie shares her journey from being a stay-at-home mom to a top-producing agent who isn't afraid to "go big."
Stephanie breaks down her bold, out-of-the-box lead generation strategies—like knocking on farmers' doors to find acreage for buyers, adopting a 3-mile stretch of a county highway, and hiding cash prizes at local businesses to build organic community engagement. Josh and Stephanie also discuss the power of visual goal setting, setting strict boundaries with clients to avoid burnout, and why you must anticipate contract issues before they explode into emotional chaos.
🎧 Hosted by: Josh Lavik
🎤 Featuring: Stephanie Kaiser, Real Estate Agent
Stephanie Kaiser is a real estate professional serving Wisconsin. Drawing on her background in psychology and market expertise, she specializes in strategic negotiation and property acquisitions across residential, lakefront, and rural markets.
💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ The 30-Deal Debut: How Stephanie mastered the fundamentals and closed 30 transactions in her first year.
✔️ Guerilla Lead Generation: Why knocking on farmers' doors, adopting highways, and sponsoring high school jumbotrons beats buying online leads.
✔️ The Scavenger Hunt Hack: How hiding a "sold" sign at local businesses for a $100 cash prize drives massive local engagement.
✔️ Navigating Emotional Chaos: How to proactively anticipate contract problems before they blow up your deal.
✔️ Visualizing Success: Why writing down your goals and keeping a vision board keeps you motivated in a tough market.
✔️ Setting Boundaries: Why answering your phone at 11 PM is setting your clients up for failure.
📇 Connect with Stephanie Kaiser:
📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.kaiser634
📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/stephaniesellswi/
🎙 FOLLOW JOSH LAVIK & 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, AND COMMENT BELOW!
⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate – iconsofrealestate.com