At the Kitchen Table: Meredith Anderson

At the Kitchen Table: Lance Sommerville

The real estate industry is changing faster than most brokers want to admit — and Lance Somerville is one of the few people who has seen it all from the inside. In this episode of At The Kitchen Table, Amanda DiVito Parle sits down with commercial real estate veteran and RE/MAX alumni Lance Somerville to talk about the seismic shifts reshaping the brokerage landscape — and why cloud brokerages like Real Broker may be the 2.0 model the industry has been waiting for. With over 22 years at RE/MAX corporate, Lance traveled across eight states, worked with 100+ cities, and looked under the hood of franchise operations, startups, conversions, mergers, and acquisitions. That front-row seat gave him a perspective most agents never get — and it's why his move to Real Broker raised eyebrows and started conversations across the industry. In this episode, Lance and Amanda break down: * Why the traditional franchise model is becoming a liability — and what the numbers actually say * The three-legged stool of real estate (brokerage, NAR, MLS) and why it's cracking * How cloud brokerages are reimagining agent-centric real estate for the modern market * The real cost of carrying real estate knowledge inside a brokerage that doesn't reward you for it * What agents and brokers should be doing right now as the industry continues to shift post-Sitzer * The intersection of fear and trust when making a major brokerage move If you're a real estate agent, broker owner, or investor trying to figure out where the industry is heading — this is a conversation you need to hear. Topics: real estate brokerage, cloud brokerage, Real Broker, RE/MAX, eXp Realty, franchise model, agent-centric real estate, Sitzer lawsuit, NAR, MLS, real estate industry trends, brokerage business model, commercial real estate

At the Kitchen Table: Amy Sommerville

What happens when one of the most driven women in real estate finally stops? In this episode of At The Kitchen Table, host Amanda DiVito Parle sits down with longtime friend and industry powerhouse Amy Somerville — former Corporate RE/MAX leader, CEO of SUCCESS Magazine (acquired by eXp Realty), and self-described "recovering high achiever" — to talk about what it really means to rest. Amy spent nearly two decades building an extraordinary career in personal growth and development within the real estate space, traveling constantly, leading teams, shaping culture at some of the most recognized brands in the industry. And then she stopped. Not because she had to — but because a business coach dared her to go 60 days without working. This is the story of what happened next. In this episode, Amanda and Amy explore: * The real cost of always being in "go mode" — and why high achievers are wired to chase the next thing * What burnout actually looks and feels like when you've been running at full speed for decades * The masculine vs. feminine energy conversation every driven woman needs to hear * How a forced sabbatical cracked open clarity, presence, and a whole new way of living * What Amy calls her "moment of clarity" — and how she's protecting it Whether you're a real estate professional, entrepreneur, or anyone who has built their identity around achievement, this conversation will challenge you to ask: what would happen if you just... stopped? Topics: burnout recovery, women in leadership, personal growth, real estate career, identity, work-life balance, masculine feminine energy, sabbatical, mindset, self-awareness

At the Kitchen Table: Meredith Anderson

What does it mean to be wildly successful at something — and realize it's not the whole of who you are? In this heartfelt episode of At The Kitchen Table, Amanda DiVito Parle sits down with her longtime friend and fellow real estate entrepreneur Meredith Anderson to talk about the unexpected journey that began when Meredith stepped away from a thriving real estate career at its peak. Meredith built a boutique real estate business that scaled fast — her own building, her own team, and a client list she'd earned through a decade of relentless service. And then she left. Not in defeat — but in pursuit of something deeper. What she found on the other side became the foundation of her new calling: Journey Back to Joy, a coaching and personal growth platform helping women reconnect with their authentic selves. In this episode, Meredith and Amanda explore: * Why she walked away from real estate at the height of her career — and what that decision actually felt like * The guilt trap so many working women fall into — and the antidote that changed everything * How she went from house flipper to top producer to personal growth guide * What "presence" really means when you're running a business, raising kids, and trying to be everything to everyone * Treating appointments with yourself the same way you treat a listing appointment * What she's building next — and why she's "spraying speaker proposals" the same way she once sprayed real estate offers This episode is for every woman who has ever felt like she's living in pieces instead of as a whole. Authentic, grounding, and genuinely joyful. Topics: women in real estate, burnout, personal growth, entrepreneurship, authenticity, work-life balance, real estate career pivot, house flipping, mindset, coaching, presence, women in business, Journey Back to Joy

At the Kitchen Table: Kristin Walker

Host Amanda Divito Parle sits down with longtime friend, real estate attorney, and Senior Vice President of Internal Real Estate Counsel at Essential Properties Realty Trust, Kristin Walker, for a thoughtful conversation about career evolution, leadership, motherhood, risk-taking, and the realities of building a demanding professional life while raising a family. Kristin shares the path that took her from Missouri to Colorado, from finance student to commercial real estate attorney, and ultimately from private practice into an in-house leadership role guiding legal strategy for a publicly traded real estate investment trust. Along the way, she reflects on launching a boutique law firm at 31, navigating partnership changes, and making career pivots that required both confidence and faith in her own ability to adapt. The conversation also dives into mentorship, the power of learning through mistakes, and why letting young professionals struggle through difficult moments is often the most valuable training they can receive. As the episode closes, Amanda and Kristin reflect on the changing future of work—from AI’s role in legal and real estate industries to the importance of teaching the next generation critical thinking, resilience, and independence in an increasingly automated world. Grounded, insightful, and refreshingly honest, this episode offers a candid look at the long arc of building both a career and a family—and the courage it takes to keep moving forward when the path isn’t always clear. ⚖️🏡 Topics Discussed 🔑 • From Missouri to Commercial Real Estate Law Kristin’s journey from finance student to practicing attorney and eventually senior leadership in a real estate investment trust. • Starting a Law Firm at 31 Taking the leap into entrepreneurship and building a boutique commercial real estate firm. • Transitioning from Private Practice to In-House Counsel Why Kristin chose to shift from law firm life into a strategic business role. • Balancing Career and Family Navigating the demanding early years of motherhood while building a legal career. • Working in a Male-Dominated Industry Learning to negotiate authority and develop confidence in high-stakes environments. • Learning Through Mistakes Why some of the most important career lessons come from the hardest moments. • Mentorship and Developing Young Professionals How leaders can help the next generation grow by giving them real responsibility. • The Role of Risk in Career Growth From launching a firm to changing career paths, why confidence grows through risk-taking. • AI and the Future of Legal Work Where artificial intelligence may help—and where human judgment will remain essential. • Raising Independent Thinkers in an AI World Why teaching kids critical thinking and resilience may matter more than ever. Practical Takeaways for Entrepreneurs & Leaders 🛠️ • Career paths rarely unfold exactly as planned—adaptability is a strength. • Early risks build the confidence needed for bigger decisions later. • Mistakes often become the most valuable teachers. • Leadership means giving others room to learn—even if they stumble. • The right partner at home can make ambitious careers possible. • Technology should support expertise, not replace critical thinking. • Success in both family and career requires constant recalibration. • Sometimes the most powerful strategy is simply to keep going.

At the Kitchen Table: Nicole O'Neill

Building a custom home is one of the most significant financial decisions you'll ever make — and most people go into it without a roadmap. In this practical and eye-opening episode of At The Kitchen Table, host Amanda DiVito Parle sits down with Nicole O'Neill of Sheffield Homes to pull back the curtain on the custom home building process from start to finish. Amanda is currently building a custom home with Sheffield — so this isn't just theory. It's a real conversation between a client and her builder, breaking down everything buyers wish they'd known before they started. In this episode, Nicole and Amanda walk through: * Why involving your builder before you purchase your land can save you thousands (and prevent costly mistakes) * How to think about lot selection, topography, water, septic, and budget — before you fall in love with a piece of land * The difference between paying cash and using a construction loan — and how most buyers actually finance a custom build * What the architect process really looks like, from programming to final construction drawings * How Sheffield Homes builds detailed budgets using real trade-by-trade cost data * The role of the interior designer, permitting, energy modeling, and net zero builds * What a cost-plus management model means for transparency and trust * Why the superintendent relationship becomes one of the most important partnerships in your build Whether you're dreaming about building your forever home or just curious about what the process involves, this episode gives you the full picture — no fluff, no fear, just clear answers from people who do this every day. Topics: custom home building, build process, Sheffield Homes, construction loan, home building budget, custom home financing, architect process, interior design, lot selection, net zero homes, general contractor, real estate Colorado, custom build tips, home building guide