In this episode of Re-Define, Will and Eli catch up with marketing pro Gene Volpe for a real, unfiltered conversation about how the business landscape has shifted post-COVID. Gene talks about why the pandemic forced him to double down on essentials, how AI is changing the game (but not replacing real strategy), and why most people still don’t understand how to use it. They break down what it takes to actually scale, what’s working in marketing today, and how Roof Max became a high-margin, low-maintenance business opportunity worth watching.

03:10 – Catching Up With Gene Vulpe
A friendship forged in marketing and past episodes.

06:45 – COVID's Business Impact: The Silver Lining
How the pandemic unexpectedly boosted Gene’s business and changed his focus.

14:20 – Real Estate Shut Down: PA vs. CO
State-by-state chaos and the essential vs. non-essential debate.

21:00 – Post-COVID Mindset & Psychological Impact on Kids
Gene opens up about family life during lockdown.

27:40 – Real Estate, Interest Rates & Artificial Inflation
How rates and demand changed the game—and fooled some agents.

33:30 – Zoom Culture & The Remote Revolution
Less windshield time, more productivity—and why Zoom dominates.

36:20 – The AI Explosion: Tools vs. Talk
Gene breaks down how to actually use AI, not just talk about it.

44:05 – Real Estate + AI: The Human Advantage
How Eli and Will are using AI to better serve clients without losing the human element.

51:30 – AI Prompting: Garbage In, Garbage Out
Why quality questions matter more than ever with AI.

57:00 – AI in Real Estate Systems & Marketing
Detailed look at embedding AI into CRMs, calls, emails, and campaigns.

1:04:00 – Trades Are the Future: A Message to Young Entrepreneurs
Why HVAC and plumbing might just be the next tech wave.

1:09:10 – Roof Max: A Real Solution for Real Estate
Gene explains his roof rejuvenation business and how it helps homeowners and agents.

1:19:45 – Real Estate Deals, Inspections, and the Roof Fix Gap
How Roof Max fits into real-world deal-making and client satisfaction.

1:25:30 – 2025 Goals & the AI Marketing Overhaul
Gene’s focus on AI, rebranding his agency, and making real passive income.

1:30:10 – Phillies, Football, and the “Brotherly Shove”
Sports trash talk, Bryce Harper’s tears, and the love/hate with Philly fans.

1:37:00 – Where to Find Gene + Final Thoughts
Gene shares how to connect and what’s next for him in business and life.

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.