Learn This 1 Skill, and You'll Be Able to Buy Real Estate in Your 20's (and the banks will love you)

Learn This 1 Skill, and You'll Be Able to Buy Real Estate in Your 20's (and the banks will love you)

In this episode of Above the Bar Podcast, 24-year-old real estate investor Brandon Wagle breaks down exactly how he built a 27-unit portfolio before turning 25. He shares practical steps for getting started in your 20s—focusing on self-education, networking, and taking action instead of overthinking. Brandon explains how to find off-market deals, use strategies like house hacking and FHA loans, and leverage “good debt” to scale faster. The conversation also dives into real numbers, deal structuring, and his long-term goal of reaching 200 units to generate $15K–$20K/month in cash flow. If you’re looking to break into real estate, this episode is packed with no-fluff advice: start learning, get in the right rooms, and don’t wait—take action.

How I Became a a Millionaire at 25 Years Old

They said I ruined my life at 20… now I’m a multi-millionaire at 25. In this episode of the Above the Bar Podcast, we dive deep into what it really means to take risks while you’re young, and why waiting might cost you more than failing ever will. From turning down opportunities… to getting talked into taking a chance that changed everything, this conversation is raw, real, and packed with perspective. You’ll hear: • What it’s actually like starting at 18, 19, and 20 • Why experience beats age every time • The truth about “wasting time” vs taking risks • How pressure, doubt, and criticism can fuel your success • The mindset shift that separates people who stay stuck from those who move forward. If you’ve ever felt stuck, judged, or unsure about your next move — this is for you. Stop waiting. Stop caring what people think. Start executing.

Degrees, Bevt, & Disappointment

This conversation dives into what it really feels like to be young, driven, and unsure if you’re on the right path. It starts with the realization that the identity you’ve held onto for years can suddenly disappear, leaving you questioning your purpose and direction. That moment of feeling stuck becomes the turning point, where you either stay comfortable or take a risk on yourself. There’s a strong theme around how the traditional path isn’t as guaranteed as people are told. College can provide structure, but it doesn’t always translate to real-world value. At the end of the day, the marketplace rewards results, not just credentials. Many people walk away with uncertainty and debt, realizing they still have to figure things out on their own. The conversation shifts into identity and growth. You are not just a title or a role. What matters is who you become through your experiences. Skills like discipline, communication, and consistency carry over into every area of life. Real growth happens over time, often quietly, until one day it all shows. There’s also an honest look at comparison and impatience. Chasing quick wins or trying to measure your life against others leads to frustration. Everyone is on a different timeline. The focus should be on your own path, your own progress, and trusting the process even when it feels slow. A big takeaway is the idea of control. You can choose to stay comfortable and let life happen to you, or you can take the risk and step into the driver’s seat. Both paths carry uncertainty, but only one gives you ownership over where you’re going. In the end, the message is simple. You can fail playing it safe just as easily as taking a risk. So you might as well pursue something that aligns with who you truly want to become. Stop waiting for the perfect moment, stop comparing, and start taking action toward the life you actually want.

How this Business AI Tool Converts Leads While You Sleep

This podcast episode features a discussion with Michael Packard, owner of First There AI, about a tool that automatically handles business leads 24/7 by instantly responding, answering questions, qualifying prospects, and booking appointments directly into a company’s calendar. Unlike basic automated replies, the AI is fully customizable to match a company’s sales process, can simulate human-like responses, and integrates with CRMs to schedule efficiently based on location and availability. It helps businesses capture leads faster, especially outside normal hours when nearly half of inquiries come in, ultimately increasing conversion rates since speed to response and scheduling often determines who wins the sale. The service includes onboarding, customization, and pricing based on setup, monthly management, and per-lead usage, with a focus on delivering value as businesses scale.

How to Get Rich in 3 Years (from a $400M founder)

This episode of the Above the Bar podcast challenges the idea of getting rich quickly by emphasizing that real wealth is built over time through hard work, discipline, and creating something people actually want. The guest, a $400 million founder, explains that early success comes from surrounding yourself with great people, putting them in positions to grow, and building mutually beneficial relationships. He highlights the importance of relentless work ethic, leading by example, and maintaining high standards, noting that true leaders do more than expected without being asked. He also shares that wealth is not just about money but responsibility and impact, especially when others depend on your success. A key turning point in his journey was taking financial risk to gain “skin in the game,” which forced him to grow as a business owner. He stresses that learning sales and the ability to replicate and teach your skills are critical paths to long-term success. Ultimately, his advice to young people is to focus on mastering one thing at a high level, rejecting mediocrity, and committing fully to excellence, regardless of whether they are passionate about the work.