Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Kayleigh Shively, founding attorney of Churchill Shively PLC, for a conversation every real estate investor needs to hear — whether you’re on your first deal or your fifteenth.

Because here’s the reality:
Most investors aren’t failing because of bad deals…
They’re exposed because of what they didn’t set up properly.
“Most real estate investors are one mistake away from getting sued.”
Kayleigh brings a behind-the-scenes perspective from working with investors and business owners every day — seeing...

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Sean Williams — founder of Cadence Wealth Partners, former Marine, and tax strategist who helps real estate investors keep more of what they earn.

Because the truth is:

Most investors are great at finding deals… but not at keeping their money.

In this conversation, Sean breaks down the tax strategies and structures many investors overlook — often until it’s too late.

You’ll hear about:
• Why investors overpay in taxes (without realizing it...

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Leanne, Education Director at Branch Wealth Partners, for a conversation about something many aspiring investors experience but rarely talk about:

Why do so many people learn about real estate… but never actually take action?

Leanne has spent years coaching students through their first deals, helping them move from information overload to real execution. And she’s seen the same pattern again and again: investors don’t fail because opportunities aren’t there — they stall because of fear, overwhelm...

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Ken Styron — insurance professional, Branch Wealth mentee, and aspiring investor — to talk about how artificial intelligence is changing the way investors analyze real estate deals.

Ken is actively preparing for his first investment and using AI to evaluate opportunities, remove emotion from his decisions, and build confidence as he takes the next steps in his investing journey.

In this conversation, you’ll hear about:
• How Ken’s interest in real estate started — and what held him bac...

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Jessica — a member of the Branch Wealth Partners team who shares what it really looked like to move from learning about real estate to actually becoming an investor.

After college and a year overseas as a missionary, Jessica never thought real estate investing was “for her.” Even while working inside the Branch Wealth ecosystem, she stayed stuck in education — until one honest question pushed her to take action.

In this conversation, Jessica walks through buying her first duplex...

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Life, Christina sits down with Matt — a NASCAR pit crew fueler, husband, dad of four, and one of Branch’s earliest mentees — to talk about what it really looks like to build real estate alongside a demanding career.

Matt’s story isn’t about flashy deals or overnight success.
 It’s about discipline, faith, teamwork, and taking action before you feel fully ready.

From fueling race cars in 8-second pit stops to rehabbing near-teardown properties, Matt shares how the mindset of a professional...

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Carolena and Brad Barringer — a husband-and-wife investing team who’ve built a real estate business together through long-term rentals, short-term rentals, flips, land, and new construction.

Their journey didn’t start with confidence or a perfect plan.

It started with budgeting, faith, and a willingness to take action before everything felt “ready.”

In this conversation, they share:
• How Financial Peace University reshaped their mindset around money
• Their very first rental — and why they “got lucky”
• The rehab that...

Ever stayed in an Airbnb and thought: “How much does this place actually earn… and could I do this?”

In this episode, Christina sits down with Dawon Millwood (Concord local + STR owner/operator) for an honest conversation on short-term rentals: what the numbers look like, what the work really is, and how to know if STRs fit your 2026 investing goals.

You’ll hear about:
✅ How Dawon went from W-2 to real estate (and what she learned the hard way)
✅ How she built a team (cleaners + maintenance) that keeps properties running
✅ Pricing strategy, occupancy expe...

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, we sit down with Jamie Richardson — Director of Marketing, Events, and Communications at Cooperative Christian Ministry and candidate for Kannapolis City Council — to talk about growth, community, and what it takes to shape a thriving city.

From her years serving on the Planning & Zoning Commission, Chamber of Commerce, and countless community boards, Jamie has seen firsthand what responsible development looks like — and where Kannapolis is headed next.

💡 In this conversation, you’ll learn:
✅ How Kannapolis has transformed from a mill town to a booming hub...

What really happens behind the scenes of a real estate closing?

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, we sit down with Michelle Wine, a real estate attorney with nearly a decade of experience untangling some of the toughest deals in North Carolina.

From messy title issues and complicated estate sales to wholesaling and investor contracts, Michelle has seen it all — and she’s here to share the lessons every buyer, seller, and investor should know before they get to the closing table.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:

On this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, we sit down with Tamara Bunte — a seasoned investor and sales coach — to uncover the surprising link between sales skills and real estate success.

Tamara’s journey started like many others: attending a local investor meeting, learning the ropes, and buying her first properties. But along the way, she discovered that the real edge in real estate isn’t just finding deals — it’s knowing how to communicate, negotiate, and build trust.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ Why sales skills are j...

From French teacher to full-time real estate investor.
In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Heather Littrell — a real estate agent, investor, and entrepreneur with 30+ years of experience across nearly every asset class.

Heather shares:
✅ How she went from teaching French to building a rental portfolio in Concord, NC
✅ The lessons she learned flipping homes and developing commercial property through the 2007 crash
✅ Why short-term rentals at the beach bring both profit and purpose
✅ Her biggest takeaway after decades in real estate: it’s all about re...

Insurance is one of the least talked about — but most important — parts of real estate investing.
In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Greg and Christina sit down with Jessica Tucker, their go-to insurance agent, to break down what investors need to know.

Jessica explains the difference between landlord, homeowners, and umbrella policies, shares real stories of claims that made or broke investors, and gives practical advice on how to protect your rental properties (without overpaying).

If you’re serious about building a real estate portfolio, don’t skip this con...

🏗️ From Apartments to Developments: How Greg Built from the Ground Up

In this episode, Greg and Christina dive into one of their favorite topics: developing real estate. You’ll hear how Greg went from buying apartments to turning raw land into neighborhoods — and why development can sometimes be more predictable than a flip.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

-Why development isn’t as intimidating as it sounds

-How Greg and Branch Wealth Partners approach raw land opportunities

-The difference between flipping, rehabbing, and full-scale development

Mistakes to a...

Welcome back to Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life — and in this episode, we’re flipping out. Literally.

Greg sits down with Leanne, Director of Education at Branch Wealth, to talk about her flipping journey, how she got started with zero experience and a baby on her hip, and the lessons she’s learned after transforming dozens of properties.

You’ll hear:
🔨 How Leanne got started flipping homes with her mom 
🛁 Why turning 1-bathroom houses into 2-bathroom homes changed everything 
🚧 The real risks of flipping in today’s high-interest-rate market 
📉 Why your profit...

This week we have a very special guest: Paula Yost. Paula is a local real estate attorney who specializes in estate planning. Her company is called 

"The Country Law Shack" 

Key Takeaways: 

1. Can minors own real estate and what to do when they inherit some...

2. What to do when multiple people own a property 

3. Is probate really that scary?


This podcast is more than strategies and spreadsheets. It’s about the life-changing impact real estate can have — when you start with why.

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📍 Resources:  <...

This week we are delighted to be joined by Matt, a 1031 exchange expert. In this video we will discuss what exactly a 1031 exchange is and how to use it to your advantage when investing in real estate!

Key takeaways: 

You CAN exchange land for a home as long as they're both business or residential properties 

Have a good team: CPAs, Lawyers, Mentors. They can make your life so much easier and their expertise is invaluable

Follow your heart and good things wi...

In this episode Carol, a local real estate investor who specializes in Duplexes and other Multi-family homes shares her story and insights into finding high quality tenants who are willing to pay Top Dollar. 

Key Tips: 

Don't be a stranger: Meet as many people as you can 

Use your network and regular life to advertise and reach new tenants 

Find ways to distinguish yourself from others in your industry, Carol offers each of her tenants a lawnmower to incentivize them to do their own lawn militance!  

T...

From house hacking before the internet knew what to call it, to family traditions rooted in public service and giving back, this episode shares the heart and history behind Branch Wealth Partners.

Here’s what you’ll hear:
🌿 Greg’s first house hack and how it set the stage for everything  
🌿 The multi-generational meaning behind the name Branch
🌿 Christina’s reflections on the power of real estate to create ripple effects  
🌿 True stories of people using real estate to bless their families & communities  

This podcast is more than strategies and spreadsheets. It’s abou...

Welcome to the very first episode of the [Branch Wealth Podcast] — and no, we haven’t even settled on a name yet.

In this pilot episode, we hit record and let the conversation flow. You’ll hear:

Why we doing this in the first place

The importance of giving back (and why it’s core to our business)

Some early thoughts on generational wealth and legacy

A bit of chaos, some laughs, and what’s coming next

This is the raw, unfiltered start of something...