300: Private Money vs. Hard Money: The Secret to 8% Funding for Real Estate Deals – Jay Conner
Raising capital doesn’t have to feel like begging—it’s about becoming an educator. In this episode, “Big Mike” – Mike Zlotnik sits down with private money expert Jay Conner to discuss the massive shift in the lending landscape. While the commercial and multifamily sectors are facing a major reset, Jay reveals why there is currently a “deep freeze” […]
299: Scaling Multifamily with a Value-Add Construction Edge – Jason Balara
In this tactical episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, “Big Mike” Zlotnik sits down with Jason Balara, founder of Lark Capital. Jason shares his journey from working in construction as a teenager in the Los Angeles area to building a multifamily syndication firm focused on high-impact value-add strategies. Download our complimentary guide: How to […]
298: Escaping the Stock Market Only Mindset for Tech Pros – Steven Arita
In this episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, “Big Mike” Zlotnik sits down with Steven Arita, a Senior Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services (AWS) and founder of Arita Capital. Steven shares his journey from a small town in Hawaii to the tech hubs of Austin, Texas, and explains how he used real estate […]
297: Simplicity is Sophistication: The Apple Way to Hyperscale Your Brokerage – Oliver Graf
In this high-energy episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, “Big Mike” Zlotnik welcomes Oliver Graf, the visionary behind Big Block Realty. Based in sunny San Diego, Big Block Realty has consistently ranked as one of the top real estate teams in the nation by sales volume and holds the #1 spot in California. Download our complimentary guide:How to Choose […]
296: Mastering the 1031 Exchange to Build Generational Wealth – Sean Ross
In this deep-dive episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, “Big Mike” Zlotnik sits down with Sean Ross, CEO of 1031X. With over 32 years of industry experience, Sean’s firm is one of the longest-standing boutique qualified intermediaries in the country. Sean brings a massive wealth of financial knowledge—ranging from M&A and currency trading to […]
295: How to Invest in Real Estate with a Self-Directed IRA – Owen Lynn
In this informative episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, “Big Mike” Zlotnik welcomes Owen Lynn from Advanta IRA. With a decade of experience at institutional giants like Merrill Lynch and TD Ameritrade, Owen now helps investors break free from the limitations of traditional brokerages by utilizing Self-Directed IRAs (SDIRAs). Whether you are a brokerage […]
294: How AI is Solving the Multifamily Management Crisis – Tim Bratz
In this highly anticipated reunion on the Big Mike Fund Podcast, “Big Mike” Zlotnik welcomes back Tim Bratz for their first post-COVID deep dive into the state of commercial real estate. Tim, the founder of Legacy Wealth Holdings, shares how he scaled to over 4,000 units and why the “operational friction” of managing a massive […]
293: Turning Raw Land into High-Value Housing Communities – Brandon Cobb
In this deep-dive episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, “Big Mike” Zlotnik sits down with Brendan Cobb to discuss why many ground-up developers struggled in 2024–2025 and how to pivot for success in 2026. Brendan breaks down his “Land Development Accelerator” model, which focuses on forcing appreciation through government approvals rather than taking on […]
292: How ESOPs Create Millionaires and Keep Businesses Independent – Matt Middendorp
In this eye-opening episode of the BigMikeFund Podcast, Big Mike explores Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) with expert Matt Middendorp. Recorded during the holiday season, they break down how ESOPs serve as a powerful exit strategy for business owners—preserving control, legacy, and community impact while rewarding employees with retirement ownership. Matt explains the mechanics: creating […]
291: The Hidden Stability of Mobile Home Parks – Jack Martin
On this episode of the BigMikeFund Podcast, Big Mike sits down with Jack Martin, co-founder of 52TEN Partners, to break down why mobile home parks remain one of the most resilient asset classes in real estate. Jack explains how shrinking supply, strong demand, and affordability drive consistent performance across market cycles. The conversation covers rent […]
