Re-Define Podcast

In this episode, Will and Eli open up about what it’s really like to navigate major transitions — in business, in life, and within yourself. They dig into what it means to stay grounded when things feel chaotic, and why emotional awareness isn’t just a buzzword — it’s survival.

From lessons learned in the Marine Corps to real conversations about leadership, friendship, and family, this one’s packed with perspective. The guys get honest about carrying stress, leaning on your circle, and communicating through the messy parts of growth. There's humor (yes, including a surprisingly deep analogy about shitting your pants), but also a lot of wisdom about how to show up better — for yourself and for others.

If you’ve been feeling stretched, distracted, or just trying to keep it together — this episode hits home.

⏱️ Episode Chapters

1. [00:00] Opening Banter & Catching Up

2. [04:00] Navigating Life Transitions with Grace

3. [08:00] Emotional Check-ins and Leadership Growth

4. [13:00] Brotherhood, Loyalty & the Power of Conversations

5. [17:00] The Role of Self-Awareness in Decision Making

6. [22:00] From the Marine Corps to Mindfulness

7. [28:00] Communicating Expectations in Business & Marriage

8. [31:00] Self-Regulation and Building a Healthy Circle

9. [35:00] Humor, Healing & Dirty Pants Metaphors

10. [38:00] Final Thoughts: Redefining What Matters

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Valdez, CEO of LPT International, to talk about the explosive growth of the fastest growing real estate brokerage in the world. Michael shares the story of his own journey—from his early days in finance to leading global expansion for one of the largest brokerages in the world, and now steering the ship at LPT. We explore what makes LPT’s model so attractive to agents, how they’re scaling internationally, and what the launch of Aperture, their new luxury brand, means for the high-end real estate market. If you're serious about where the industry is going, this is one you don’t want to miss.

In this episode, we break down why we made the move—one of us to LPT, the other to Aperture—and why we think it’s the best move for agents right now. We talk honestly about what wasn’t working at EXP, what LPT and Aperture are doing differently, and why leadership—not comp plans—is what actually matters most.

We dive into everything from luxury branding, revenue share models, and marketing tech. We also talk about the kind of support agents actually need—and why most brokerages just aren’t providing it.

If you're an agent who's been wondering whether to make a change, this episode’s for you.

⏱️ Chapter Timestamps

• 00:00 – Water company shoutout & intro banter

• 03:10 – Making the move: Who joined what brokerage

• 07:00 – The real difference between LPT & Aperture

• 10:40 – Revenue share meets luxury? Finally.

• 13:30 – Why leadership is non-negotiable

• 19:45 – The EXP struggle: Cool platform, no real support

• 25:00 – Real talk about marketing support for listings

• 32:00 – Flat-fee vs rev share models – pick what fits you

• 39:00 – “We’re not for everyone” – stop saying that

• 46:00 – Robert Palmer & why ownership matters

• 54:30 – The gatekeeper problem in EXP

• 1:03:00 – Integrity, trust, and putting agents first

• 1:09:00 – What’s next for Legit Agents and final thoughts

  
  

  Takeaways

  • Leadership trumps comp plans. Every. Time.

  • LPT gives agents options that don’t exist anywhere else.

  • Aperture finally gives luxury agents a place to grow AND earn rev share.

  • If you’re still doing everything yourself at your brokerage… why?

  • Stop holding on to what’s familiar if it’s no longer serving you.

Aperture Pt. 2

In this powerful and introspective episode of Redefine, Will Grimes and Eli Schmidt sit down with longtime collaborator JT Fore for a raw, transparent conversation about the evolution of real estate, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. The trio shares pivotal career moments, leadership lessons, and the mindset shifts necessary to thrive in a changing real estate landscape.

The conversation blends industry insights with deeply personal reflections, making it valuable for both real estate professionals and entrepreneurs looking to elevate their game. A key message throughout: success in 2025 and beyond isn’t about having the right tools — it’s about becoming the right person.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “The solution to your problem will not be found in the problem. You’re gonna have to take a step back.”

• “I’m not new to being new.”

• “People don’t respect you for what you’ve done before—they only see what you’re doing now.”

• “You won the battle… but are you ready to win the war?”