Welcome to Everything Life and Real Estate where Linda McKissack and Dana Gentry share their tips and strategies to enhance your business and life.
In this episode, Linda McKissack and Dana Gentry unpack the final part of John Maxwell's lesson on becoming a "one-percenter," emphasizing the power and necessity of trade-offs on the path to greater impact. They explore how true growth requires giving up something of value to pursue something greater, why comfort keeps most people in the 10% instead of the top 1%, and how significance—not success—creates lasting fulfillment. Through John's seven major trade-off principles, stories from Dana's coaching, and powerful insights on leadership partnerships, they illustrate how moving toward your calling often means stepping away from security, embracing discomfort, and courageously choosing the next climb.
In this episode, Linda McKissack and Dana Gentry dive into the emotional and practical challenges of leadership—especially how to respond when people disappoint you, how to stay anchored in your values, and why growth environments matter so deeply. Drawing on lessons from John Maxwell and Mark Cole, they explore the importance of aligning with people who share your values, building strong teams through intentional development, understanding what motivates individuals, and creating a "leadership bench" that allows an organization to thrive. They also highlight how leadership maturity comes from curiosity, self-development, emotional ownership, and a willingness to make the trade-offs that long-term success demands.
Linda McKissack and Dana Gentry dive into John Maxwell's six signs of a mature and stabilizing leader, reflecting on their own growth, past mistakes, and evolving perspectives along the way. From the importance of humility and service over entitlement, to performing under pressure, embracing failure, and allowing people the time and support to grow, they explore how true leadership develops slowly and intentionally rather than through titles alone. They emphasize that leadership maturity is an ongoing process of self-awareness, emotional stamina, and the courage to invest in people—without rushing the "crock-pot" development essential for long-term success.
This week, Linda McKissick and Dana Gentry welcome back guest Garrett Maroon to discuss his new book The Balanced Breakthrough: Winning at Work Without Losing at Life. Garrett shares his personal journey from real estate success to spiritual and family-centered realignment following the loss of his mother and grandmother. Through stories of faith, grief, and growth, he challenges the hustle culture that dominates real estate, urging agents to redefine success beyond sales numbers and instead focus on faith, family, and legacy. Drawing on his own experiences as a husband, father of five, and coach, Garrett outlines his "PDA formula" (Predictable, Profitable, Authentic) for building a sustainable, purpose-driven business—and life.
This week, Linda McKissack and Dana Gentry dive into the dynamics of leadership maturity, particularly how emotional stamina affects performance under pressure. They emphasize the importance of focusing on controllable problems and the interplay between emotion and leadership effectiveness. They also dive into how to act as a leader in high pressure situations, and the importance of self regulation.
This week, Linda McKissack shares what she learned from All It Takes is a Goal by Jon Acuff. She dives into the complexities of goal setting and the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone to achieve personal growth. She emphasizes the need for clarity in goal setting and the dangers of remaining in a comfortable but unproductive state.
The PDF she mentions can be found at the end of the Episode Guide
This week, Linda McKissack and Dana Gentry dive into a fresh take on habit-building inspired by the book Streaking by Jeffrey and Jami Downs. They unpack how simple, consistent daily actions—no matter how small—can create major momentum and life-changing results. Linda explains how she's building her own "streaking plan," from red-light therapy and decluttering to daily Bible reading and giving something away every day. Dana shares how her 1,551-day Bible app streak keeps her accountable, her new "no new clothes" challenge, and how streaking can transform both personal and professional life.
This week, Linda McKissack and Dana Gentry talk wtih Steven and Erica Gendel about their personal and professional journeys, highlighting the challenges they faced while raising their medically fragile son, Joshua. They discuss how these experiences shaped their approach to real estate, emphasizing the importance of humor, resilience, and effective communication. The Gendels also share innovative strategies for navigating the real estate market, including the use of reverse offers and the significance of building relationships with clients, particularly seniors. They conclude with advice for agents facing personal challenges and their future goals in coaching and mentorship.
In this lively catch-up episode, co-hosts Linda McKissick and Dana Gentry reconnect after several weeks apart to swap travel stories and talk about the evolving real estate landscape. Linda shares details from her recent French Riviera cruise, complete with jazz performances, entrepreneur guest speakers, and unexpected lessons from astronauts and restaurateurs. She also reflects on her time in Paris, her love for quaint Saint-Tropez, and the differences between Paris and London. Meanwhile, Dana recounts speaking at a women's leadership retreat at Bolt Farm Treehouses in Tennessee, describing its inspiring founders and the power of faith and persistence in entrepreneurship.
In this episode of Everything Life and Real Estate, Linda McKissick and Dana Gentry share powerful insights from a recent John Maxwell High Capacity Leadership session featuring Brad Lomenick, author of H3 Leadership and host of the H3 Leadership Podcast.
Brad revealed 9 key trends shaping today's entrepreneurs, and Linda and Dana break down each one with practical examples, stories, and their own perspectives from the field.
In this episode, Linda McKissack and Dana Gentry share some of their recent experiences, books they're reading, and lessons they've been learning. Linda highlights John Acuff's All It Takes Is A Goal explaining how focusing on past wins and small, consistent steps can unlock momentum when pursuing goals. Dana talks about her family's "digital fast," the health insights she's gaining from Dr. Josh Axe's Eat Dirt, and practical ways to reconnect with healthier daily habits. The conversation wraps with Dana's session with Rory Vaden, who emphasized that the difference between mainstream entrepreneurs and those who break through is having a clear calling, building a strategy, and executing relentlessly.