Taking the Online Offline: Connection, Consistency & Instagram in 2026 (life + biz update)

In this episode, I’m coming to you a little tired, very real, and recording late from my hotel room in New York City.I almost skipped recording this week, but consistency has been a big focus for me in 2026, especially with the podcast. So instead of a perfectly planned episode, I’m sharing an off-the-cuff check-in and some behind-the-scenes of what’s been going on lately.I talk about traveling between Portland, Oregon and New York City, speaking at events, college visits with my oldest son, and pulling off a big surprise for my dad by officially joining Rotary. I also share why community, face-to-face connection, and taking the online offline feels more important than ever right now.I give a preview of my upcoming talk at Inman Connect in New York, where I’m sharing what’s actually working on Instagram right now, especially when it comes to Reels, Stories, and DMs. If you’re a real estate agent or business owner who doesn’t want to be a full-time content creator, this conversation is for you.We also talk about navigating social media during heavy or uncertain times, leaning into who you are instead of chasing trends, and why no app, tool, or AI can ever replace you.This episode is part personal check-in, part behind-the-scenes, and part reminder that real connection still matters.In this episode, we cover:Why I almost skipped recording this podcast (and why I didn’t)Traveling for speaking gigs and college visitsSpeaking at Inman Connect New YorkWhat’s actually working on Instagram right nowReels, Stories, and DMs for real estate professionalsWhy connection beats perfection on social mediaTaking the online offline in 2026Joining Rotary and getting involved in local communityNavigating content during heavy or uncertain timesWhy there’s no app or AI tool that can replace youIf you enjoyed this episode, I’d love to hear from you. Send me a DM on Instagram, leave a review, or share this episode with a friend who needs a reminder that showing up as yourself still wins.Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you on the next episode!