Good Nuggets

Some years scale you, some years humble you, and most years do both. In this special episode, Rain City Capital Founder Fred Rea talks through the swings of 2025 and what they taught him about running a company when the market, the team, and the world won’t sit still. Fred talks goal setting, market predictions, Keanu Reeves, and why culture is still the thing he protects the hardest after all these years. Key Nuggets:00:53 - What it means to have a sh*t year02:34 - On keeping the culture03:42 - Market pain, DSCR losses, and a 2008 flashback08:35 - Big rocks and the "one word" exercise to keep you grounded13:04 - Focus in 202614:36 - "The whim of a madman!"19:06 - Growing up and letting goAbout Fred ReaFounder of Rain City Capital and host of Good Nuggets. Fred brings unfiltered conversations to the mic, pulling lessons from the trenches of entrepreneurship, lending, and leadership.From Good Nuggets: Happy HolidaysThanks for tuning in this year. We’re grateful you’re here and grateful you care about real conversations with real people who are trying to build things that matter. Enjoy the downtime, hug the people you love, raise a glass, and we’ll see you in 2026 for more stories, more lessons, and more good nuggets.Mentioned in this episode:At 14:36, Fred talks about the 1994 classic 'Speed', starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock and says Dustin Hoffman plays the villain, but actually it's Dennis Hopper. His impression, however, is dead-on.Watch full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@GoodNuggetsPodcast Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodnuggets.podcast Listen on all platforms: goodnuggets.buzzsprout.com

True longevity in business comes from relationships that outlast the hard seasons.In this episode of Good Nuggets, Fred Rea sits down with Buster Brown, Rain City’s former CFO and one of its first investors. Together, they trace the quiet, steady work that built Rain City from the early scrappy years into the company it is today. Not through hype or shortcuts, but through discipline, humility, and sticking around long enough to matter.This conversation feels less like a highlight reel and more like two people looking back on a decade of decisions, trust, and growth...the kind of “work that lasts” because it’s been earned day after day.🎧 Listen to more Good Nuggets for unfiltered conversations about the real side of entrepreneurship: the grind, the growth, and the people who keep showing up, year after year.Guest: Buster Brown — Retired Rain City CFO. Pragmatic Thinker. Trusted compass and board member extraordinaire. Watch full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@GoodNuggetsPodcast Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodnuggets.podcast Listen on all platforms: goodnuggets.buzzsprout.com

Sometimes the biggest changes come from simply showing up. Fred Rea sits down with Dalton Elliott—architect of Rain City’s broker program—to talk about how presence, discipline, and trust reshaped his life and work. From a Muay Thai fight camp in Thailand to rebuilding culture and relationships back home, Dalton shares what happens when you stop chasing success and start showing up for it.Dalton gets into the details on:Walking away from a “successful” career and rebuilding from scratchHow a Muay Thai fight camp in Thailand changed the way he thinks about work and disciplineThe two principles that guide everything he does: be present and control what you can controlWhy trust—not deals—is the real currency in lendingHow to build a culture people actually choose to show up forGuest: Dalton Elliott - Broker program boss. Discipline junkie. Knows the value of showing up (and getting punched in the face). Host: Fred Rea - Founder of Rain City Capital and host of Good Nuggets. Fred brings unfiltered conversations to the mic, pulling lessons from the trenches of entrepreneurship, lending, and leadership.Mentioned in this episode:At 05:49, the hoodies Fred mentions are Rain City’s annual employee gift. You can see this years' design on Instagram.At 36:27, Fred notes that the DSCR loan market has “doubled every year for the past three years.” Industry data shows strong growth, though not quite at that rate—most sources report 50–100% year-over-year increases depending on the segment and timeframe.Watch full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@GoodNuggetsPodcast Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodnuggets.podcast Listen on all platforms: goodnuggets.buzzsprout.com

What does it take to balance legal risk, leadership, and life inside a fast-moving company?In this episode of Good Nuggets, Fred sits down with Rain City’s General Counsel, Katherine Christofilis, to talk about the unseen side of entrepreneurship, where every decision carries risk.From navigating the 2008 recession to building the legal backbone of Rain City, Katherine shares hard-won lessons on trust, resilience, and keeping your side of the street clean.Katherine opens up about:Graduating law school in the recession and finding her way through compliance and bankruptcy workHow in-house counsel actually thinks about risk (and when to just “pay it and move on”)Why being the calm in the storm matters more than being the loudest in the roomBuilding systems that let founders stay entrepreneurial and stay out of troubleWhy the best stories in law are the ones you don’t have to tell (and how to avoid becoming one)Don’t miss this one, it’s a reminder that the real work of law is helping people steer through risk, not just avoid it.Guest: Katherine Christofilis — Attorney. Operator. Swiftie. Voice of reason in a business that moves fast.Host: Fred Rea - Founder of Rain City Capital and host of Good Nuggets. Fred brings unfiltered conversations to the mic, pulling lessons from the trenches of entrepreneurship, lending, and leadership.ANNOUNCEMENT: We’re taking a short mid-season break to bring you even more great stories. Good Nuggets will be back with a brand-new episode on Monday, 10/27. Watch full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@GoodNuggetsPodcast Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodnuggets.podcast Listen on all platforms: goodnuggets.buzzsprout.com

When Jared first jumped into real estate, he thought he’d be a millionaire in a year. Instead, he found himself broke, managing a mobile home park, and losing money on his first flip.But out of those struggles came lessons that reshaped how he does business. Today, Jared has a thriving book of business, a reputation for protecting his clients, and a bigger vision that merges entrepreneurship with the dirtbag lifestyle.In this candid conversation, Jared and Fred unpack:How failure and struggle forged Jared's approach to businessWhy protecting your borrowers builds more than deals; it builds trustThe difference between “dirtbag” and “scumbag” and why he proudly claims the formerWhat to look for in your dream team (and why rock stars hang with rock stars)Where the lending industry is headed as Wall Street plays a bigger roleWhether you’re flipping your first property, building a lending business, or just trying to align your work with your values, Jared’s story will hit home.Guest: Jared Prevost - Tampa market insider. Social media savvy. Total dirtbag (the good kind). Follow Jared on Instagram @jared_does_hardmoneyHost: Fred Rea - Founder of Rain City Capital and host of Good Nuggets. Fred brings unfiltered conversations to the mic, pulling lessons from the trenches of entrepreneurship, lending, and leadership.👉 Mentioned in this episode:"Abundance mindset" - originally coined by Steven R. Covey in 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People'The Dirtbag article that Jared doesn't remember sending Subscribe to Good Nuggets on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for more authentic conversations and practical takeaways.Watch full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@GoodNuggetsPodcast Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodnuggets.podcast Listen on all platforms: goodnuggets.buzzsprout.com

In this episode of Good Nuggets, Fred sits down with Rain City Capital’s Chief Revenue Officer, and his longtime business partner, Ian Morell. Ian’s journey is a masterclass in patience, partnerships, and persistence. From his early flips and courthouse auction days to leading sales and marketing at Rain City, Ian’s story proves there are no shortcuts to building something lasting.What you’ll hear in this episode:Why you should never quit your day job too earlyThe grind behind building a $40M portfolioHow smart partnerships fuel growthThe role of timing and luck in entrepreneurshipWhy finding the right role matters more than titlesThis is one for anyone who’s tempted by the quick win but knows deep down that the real payoff comes from playing the long game.Guest: Ian Morell - Rain City's CRO. Punk band alum. Partnership-first operator. Co-architect of a $40M portfolio and proof that patience pays.Host: Fred Rea - Founder of Rain City Capital and host of Good Nuggets. Fred brings unfiltered conversations to the mic, pulling lessons from the trenches of entrepreneurship, lending, and leadership.👉 Subscribe to Good Nuggets on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for more authentic conversations and practical takeaways.Watch full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@GoodNuggetsPodcast Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodnuggets.podcast Listen on all platforms: goodnuggets.buzzsprout.com

What Taylor Swift can teach founders about culture…It started out as a lazy Saturday and ended as one of Fred’s top five life moments: a spontaneous, last-minute family road trip to Vancouver for one of the final shows of the Eras Tour. Where his son was pulled on stage for an iconic moment with Taylor Swift herself.But this isn’t just about the concert. In this special episode, Fred shares what the experience revealed about culture, authenticity, and leadership. From watching his son become a “celebrity for a day” to feeling the instant judgment-free community created by 60,000 Swifties, Fred draws parallels to entrepreneurship and the challenge of building a company culture that will last through every era.In this episode:The wild family scramble to make it to the concert without tickets, hotel, or a planHow Fred’s son ended up on stage with Taylor SwiftThe power of a judgment-free communityWhy authenticity is the foundation of lasting cultureLessons every entrepreneur can apply to their team and business, courtesy of the queen herself.Check out our Instagram to see Fred’s photos and videos from this epic moment: goodnuggets.podcast👉 Subscribe to Good Nuggets for more real stories, strategies, and people in entrepreneurship. Watch full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@GoodNuggetsPodcast Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodnuggets.podcast Listen on all platforms: goodnuggets.buzzsprout.com

This episode isn’t business as usual, we're gearing up for season 2 (coming September 8!) by remixing the most unforgettable nuggets from last season when our guests talked about one thing: the moment everything clicked.From near-quits that became career-defining wins to the grind finally paying off, this episode is packed with raw stories about resilience, risk, and finding your turning point.Featuring:Lesa Say on almost walking away and what made her stay (00:39)Julian Montante on the year-long grind and doubling down when it mattered (6:42)Fred Rea on losing it all and starting over with support (10:47)Jill Beattie on the month everything clicked after a brutal stretch (13:54)Alex Brosy on getting torn apart in an interview and coming back stronger (18:10)🔔 Season 2 of Good Nuggets drops September 8. Subscribe now! Watch full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@GoodNuggetsPodcast Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodnuggets.podcast Listen on all platforms: goodnuggets.buzzsprout.com

This Good Nuggets remix brings together real stories from our Season 1 guests on one theme: Learning By Doing.Nobody had all the answers. Most started with none. But they all kept moving.You’ll hear:Lesa Say on nearly quitting and what made her stay (00:51)Julian Montante on losing money on his first flip and investing lessons (6:44)Alex Brosy on “knowing your shit,” presence, and what grind really means (9:44)Jeff Kalmbach on getting called out early and proving himself (12:37)Jill Beattie on leaving corporate life and learning a totally new world (17:58) 🛠️ These aren’t highlight reels. They’re the in-the-trenches, figure-it-out, keep-going moments every entrepreneur knows.  🔔 Follow and subscribe for more real conversations from the front lines of entrepreneurship. Watch full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@GoodNuggetsPodcast Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodnuggets.podcast Listen on all platforms: goodnuggets.buzzsprout.com

What does it take to go from getting laid off after the birth of your first child… to managing a $14 million month and leading sales strategy for a thriving private lender?In this episode, Fred sits down with Jeff Kalmbach—Rain City’s VP of Sales Strategy and Business Development—for a raw, funny, and heartfelt conversation about his journey through setbacks, sales wins, and building culture with intention.Jeff shares:The brutal early feedback that pushed him to level upWhy base hits beat whale hunts in lendingHow financial success gave him freedom—and joy—in givingWhat it really takes to build a culture people want to be part ofWhy AI might be the greatest sales training tool no one’s using yetFrom purple nail polish to pipeline calls that get noise complaints, this one is packed with stories that’ll make you laugh, reflect, and want to double down on what matters.Guest: Jeff Kalmbach - Rain City’s goofy uncle. Leads with heart. Competes with fire. Gives with gusto.Host: Fred Rea - Founder of Rain City Capital and host of Good Nuggets. He brings unfiltered conversations to the mic, pulling lessons from the trenches of entrepreneurship, lending, and leadership.Mentioned in this episode:The CEO of Shopify says employees must demonstrate that a role can’t be handled by AI before requesting to hire someone for it. Shopify CEO: Prove AI can't do jobs before asking for more headcountLesa's LogsFollow and subscribe for sharp takes on sales, second chances, Seahawks, and building a career you’re actually proud of.Watch full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@GoodNuggetsPodcast Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodnuggets.podcast Listen on all platforms: goodnuggets.buzzsprout.com

Jill Beattie thought she was chasing the right things—until she realized she didn’t recognize herself anymore. In this episode, Fred sits down with Jill to talk about what it took to step away from the version of success that was no longer serving her and into a life that finally felt like her own.They explore the cost of performing, the power of clarity, and what it really means to own your story, your choices, and your time.This one’s about knowing who you are and being bold enough to live like it.Guest: Jill Beattie - World traveler. Rainmaker. Eyes on the prize. Walked away from the noise—and owned every step back.Host: Fred Rea - Founder of Rain City Capital and host of Good Nuggets. He brings unfiltered conversations to the mic, pulling lessons from the trenches of entrepreneurship, lending, and leadership.Mentioned in this episode:Buy Back your Time by Dan MartellThe 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni - “Working Genius”, as referenced in this episode, is a book as well as an assessment that breaks all work down into six types and helps you discover the types of work that drain you (your “working frustrations”) and the types that make you thrive (your “working genius”). Subscribe for real talk on identity, bold moves, and building a career that actually fits you. Watch full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@GoodNuggetsPodcast Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodnuggets.podcast Listen on all platforms: goodnuggets.buzzsprout.com

From awkward first impressions to onboarding the next generation — Alex Brosy’s come a long way.In this episode, Fred chops it up with Alex — a loan officer turned sales director who’s helping shape the next generation at Rain City Capital. They unpack the grind behind growth, how coaching evolves as you do, and what it really takes to keep a company culture thriving in a fast-growing company.Inside this episode:How Alex went from asking dumb questions to running company trainingThe “suit interview” story — and why fit matters more than polishCoaching with blunt honesty (and a little heart)What it takes to build culture in a no-BS workplaceThe real meaning of “grind” — and finding your own styleWhy working in your zone of genius changes everythingGuest: Alex Brosy - Loan officer turned sales director. RCU overlord. Karaoke king. Culture bomb with a heart.Host: Fred Rea - Founder of Rain City Capital and host of Good Nuggets. He brings unfiltered conversations to the mic, pulling lessons from the trenches of entrepreneurship, lending, and leadership.Resources: Mentioned in this episode: The Big Leap by Gay HendricksSubscribe for raw stories, real strategy, and the occasional inappropriate laugh.Watch full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@GoodNuggetsPodcast Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodnuggets.podcast Listen on all platforms: goodnuggets.buzzsprout.com

Julian Montante’s journey is the epitome of betting on yourself—and he tells it all here on Good Nuggets. From crawling around his house with a torn Achilles and no safety net to becoming one of Rain City’s top producers, Julian’s story is a masterclass in grit, self-belief, and perseverance. In this episode, we dive deep into what it really takes to rebuild after setbacks, why trusting the process matters, and how relentless commitment can transform your life—both personally and professionally.Highlights:(4:00) Starting over after failure—and finding a new path(10:01) Building credibility through consistency and action(17:50) Flipping houses, flipping mindsets(21:45) Why real relationships are the foundation of successGuest: Julian MontanteLoan officer. Former barber. Silent assassin. Rain City's best hair, no contest.Subscribe to Good Nuggets for stories that go beyond the highlight reel—no fluff, no filter.Watch full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@GoodNuggetsPodcast Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodnuggets.podcast Listen on all platforms: goodnuggets.buzzsprout.com

From “f*ck it” to full throttle—Lesa Say shares how burnout became her biggest breakthrough. In this episode of Good Nuggets, Fred Rea talks with Lesa Say—Rain City Capital’s top producer—about what happens when success no longer feels right. A former real estate agent turned powerhouse loan officer, Lesa opens up about the burnout that sparked her pivot and how building authentic relationships helped her grow stronger than ever. This episode is packed with real talk, humor, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from being deep in the game. If you’ve ever felt the need to reset, Lesa’s story will hit home. We cover:Why she walked away from a thriving real estate careerThe “f*ck it” moment that changed everythingHow coaching helped her find clarityWhat it really takes to stay a top producer in lendingGuest: Lesa Say Top-producing loan officer. Former real estate agent. Relationship builder. Rain City OG. Swears a little now.Host: Fred Rea is the founder of Rain City Capital and host of Good Nuggets. He brings unfiltered conversations to the mic, pulling lessons from the trenches of entrepreneurship, lending, and leadership.Subscribe for more real conversations with real entrepreneurs.Watch full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@GoodNuggetsPodcast Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodnuggets.podcast Listen on all platforms: goodnuggets.buzzsprout.com

Welcome to Good Nuggets, where raw stories, hard lessons, and real wins in entrepreneurship take center stage. Hosted by Fred Rea, founder of Rain City Capital, this show dives deep into the gritty, unfiltered journeys of people who’ve built something meaningful—often the hard way.In just 54 seconds, this trailer sets the tone: no fluff, no corporate buzzwords—just real talk with loan officers, lenders, and entrepreneurs who’ve faced it all. From “holy shit” moments to strategic wins, Good Nuggets is your backstage pass to the world of private lending and beyond.Grab your drink, get comfy, and get ready for honest conversations and takeaways that actually stick. New episodes biweekly. Subscribe to join the conversation. Episode 1 drops Monday, April 21, 2025. Watch full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@GoodNuggetsPodcast Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodnuggets.podcast Listen on all platforms: goodnuggets.buzzsprout.com