Fried on Business: Silver Knight Award Recipients

In Episode 827 of Fried on Business, host Jim Fried is joined by capital markets expert Michael Cohen, founding partner of Brighton Capital Advisors, to talk about where the money is—and how to get it—in today’s evolving real estate environment.

With interest rates elevated and banks pulling back on commercial lending, many investors and developers are facing a new challenge: how to secure capital for deals in a shifting, risk-conscious market. Michael offers real-time insights into how Brighton Capital Advisors helps clients bridge that gap with creative financing strategies, tailored debt solutions, and targeted equity partnerships.

The conversation covers:

How capital markets are reacting to rate pressure

The role of private credit and alternative lenders

Which asset classes are getting funded—and which are stalled

How to position deals to attract institutional interest

Trends in debt restructuring, refinancing, and construction lending

Michael also shares lessons from working across market cycles, emphasizing transparency, speed, and strategic alignment as the new pillars of deal-making.

Whether you're a developer, investor, broker, or family office executive, this episode will give you clear insights on navigating capital markets in 2025 and beyond.

🎧 Tune in and discover how smart capital strategy is still possible—even in a tight financial environment.

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In Episode 826 of Fried on Business, host Jim Fried dives into the championship mindset that led the Florida Panthers to win the Stanley Cup—and how those same principles can transform your approach to business, leadership, and personal performance.

From locker room culture to comeback resilience, the Panthers showed the world how grit, focus, and teamwork can overcome the odds. But this episode isn’t just for hockey fans. Jim breaks down how business professionals, entrepreneurs, and everyday people can apply the Panthers’ winning formula to their own goals.

Key takeaways include:

How to stay locked in under pressure

Why team culture beats raw talent

The importance of consistency over time

What “playing your position” means in business

How leadership sets the tone for success

This episode is part pep talk, part strategic breakdown. Jim highlights the values and habits that helped Florida claim the Cup—and how those same tools can help you win your own version of it, whatever your arena may be.

Whether you're scaling a company, coaching a team, or just navigating life’s playoff rounds, these championship insights will fire you up and keep you focused.

🎧 Listen now and apply the Stanley Cup mindset to your business and beyond.

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

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In Episode 824 of Fried on Business, host Jim Fried welcomes Ed Cairo, founder and principal of American Home Finance Group, for a timely and strategic conversation about the state of the mortgage market in 2025.

As homebuyers, investors, and real estate professionals navigate the uncertainty of rising interest rates, tighter lending conditions, and shifting credit strategies, Ed brings clarity and practical advice from the front lines of financing.

Drawing on decades of experience in residential and investment property lending, Ed shares:

What interest rate movements mean for first-time buyers and investors

How banks are changing their underwriting in today’s market

The biggest mortgage mistakes buyers are making right now

When refinancing makes sense—and when it doesn’t

How brokers can better educate and guide their clients

Whether you're trying to secure a home loan, advising clients, or investing in income property, this episode delivers the financial insights you need to make smart, confident decisions.

Ed also discusses how private lenders and smaller firms are stepping up as big banks tighten credit, and why personalized service is more important than ever in today’s lending landscape.

🎧 Tune in now for a real-world look at what’s happening behind the mortgage curtain—and how to use it to your advantage.



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In Episode 823 of Fried on Business, host Jim Fried welcomes back real estate analyst and journalist Peter Zalewski, founder of MiamiCondo.club, to deliver a data-driven breakdown of the Miami condo market in 2025.

With inventory rising and interest rate pressures reshaping buyer behavior, Peter gives a candid and research-backed look into what’s really happening in South Florida’s most dynamic property segment. The conversation explores pricing correction signals, stalled absorption rates, and how developers and brokers are reacting—or not reacting—to shifting conditions.

Peter also examines the psychology of buyers in today’s uncertain climate and challenges some of the “boom” narratives dominating mainstream real estate chatter. His message is clear: The market is at an inflection point, and only those with accurate information and a long-term mindset will make smart moves.

Listeners will learn:

Which neighborhoods are oversupplied or overheated

Why cash buyers are hesitating despite opportunity

The real impact of interest rates on resale inventory

Strategic insights for brokers, investors, and buyers

Whether you’re considering a purchase, managing client portfolios, or trying to understand Miami’s evolving condo landscape, this episode offers the clarity you need.

🎧 Tune in to hear the truth behind the trends—only on Fried on Business.

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

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In Episode 822 of Fried on Business, host Jim Fried takes the mic solo to share his go-to strategies for staying energized and effective during the summer slowdown—those hot months when clients delay decisions, deals go on pause, and motivation can lag.

Rather than coast through the summer or get frustrated with the slower pace, Jim lays out a personal and professional roadmap to stay ahead while others step back. From business development to self-care and goal setting, this episode is packed with clear ideas that help business leaders, real estate pros, and entrepreneurs maintain momentum during seasonal lulls.

You’ll hear how Jim uses summer to:

Reconnect with his network

Reflect on and reset goals

Sharpen his pitch and business materials

Stay spiritually and mentally centered

Find new ways to bring value to clients

Whether you’re running a firm, hustling in the real estate market, or simply trying not to lose steam in Q3, this episode will help you think differently about summer—and turn downtime into growth time.

🎧 Tune in now and take the heat off your business strategy with tips that actually work.



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In Episode 821 of Fried on Business, host Jim Fried is joined by Tim Becker, Director of the UF Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies, and Max Wolfman, a student whose recent competition win is launching him into a promising real estate career in Miami.

This episode shines a light on how higher education—when paired with mentorship and real-world experience—can create powerful professional outcomes. Tim shares how the Bergstrom Center’s forward-thinking approach connects students with industry leaders and hands-on experiences that translate directly into job offers and career clarity.

Max discusses his personal journey through UF’s real estate program, including how participating in national competitions helped him develop the leadership, communication, and strategic skills needed to stand out in a competitive market. Now, Max is bringing that momentum to Miami, where he’s set to begin his first job in the field.

Whether you’re an aspiring professional, a current student, or someone looking to mentor the next generation of talent, this episode offers a front-row seat to how academic institutions can shape the future of industries through opportunity, community, and education.

🎧 Listen now to hear how real estate careers are being built today—from the inside out.

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

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In Episode 820 of Fried on Business, host Jim Fried welcomes Larry Zinn, Executive General Manager of Warren Henry Automotive, to talk about the company’s groundbreaking automotive vocational training program—a paid, two-year opportunity aimed at helping high school students launch careers in the auto industry.

Warren Henry Automotive is a sponsor of Fried on Business. This episode features a discussion of their training program as part of that ongoing relationship.

As the automotive world continues to evolve with technology and electrification, the demand for skilled technicians and service advisors is growing rapidly. Zinn shares how Warren Henry is addressing that gap by reaching out to students who want more than a classroom education. Through this program, participants gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and a real paycheck—all while developing valuable skills that can lead to full-time roles in one of Florida’s most respected dealership networks.

This episode covers how the initiative works, what students can expect to learn, and why supporting workforce development in trades is not just good business—it’s a smart investment in the future.

Whether you're an educator, parent, student, or someone curious about alternative career paths beyond college, this episode delivers real insight into how local businesses can drive impact and opportunity from the ground up.

🎧 Tune in now to learn how Warren Henry is putting young talent in the driver’s seat of their futures.

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John Morgan of Morgan & Morgan joins Fried on Business to reveal how he built one of the most dominant personal injury law firms in the country by leading with values, scale, and strategic branding.



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In Episode 818 of Fried on Business, Jim Fried sits down with Tim Becker, Director of the Kelley A. Bergstrom Real Estate Center at the University of Florida, to explore how academic programs are helping shape the future of the real estate industry.

They dive into how education is not only preparing the next generation of professionals but actively driving innovation, ethical leadership, and long-term industry change. From classroom insights to boardroom-ready graduates, Tim shares how UF’s real estate program is influencing markets and minds across the country.

In this episode, you'll learn:

What makes modern real estate education relevant to today’s market
How universities are adapting to shifting industry demands
The role of mentorship and alumni networks in leadership development
Why collaboration between academia and the private sector matters more than ever
Whether you're an industry veteran, an aspiring professional, or someone who values forward-thinking leadership, this episode offers real insights into real estate's evolving future.

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

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