The Main Mike Podcast

Episode 117: Leading Joplin Forward ft. Mayor Keenan Cortez

Welcome back to the Main Mike Podcast today our host Adam Escoto sits down with his co-hosts and special guest City Mayor Keenan Cortez as he shares his 20-year journey of community service, from volunteer committees to eventually being unanimously elected mayor and the personal transformation that fueled his commitment to serve. He opens up about balancing his roles as mayor, pastor, and full-time healthcare worker, emphasizing faith, dedication, and the importance of staying grounded. Sit back, relax and let's learn together!

BONUS Episode 7: Mortgage Moves Ahead

Welcome back to Bonus Episode 7 of the Main Mike Podcast, hosted by Kaleb Foster and his cohosts Adam Escoto and Dustin Davidson. This episode breaks down the impact of the recent 40-day government shutdown on USDA and VA loans, highlighting major backlogs and delays for buyers waiting to close. They discuss a new 50-year mortgage and portable mortgages, examining how each could affect affordability, mobility, and long-term equity for homeowners. Sit back, relax and let's learn together!

Episode 116: The Solace House of the Ozarks ft. Dara Steffen

Welcome back to The Main Mike Podcast, today Adam Escoto sits down with co-hosts Dustin Davidson and Kaleb Foster, and their guest Dara Steffen who is the chair of the Membership and Public Engagement Committee for the Ozark Gateway Association of Realtors, who shares how the committee supports both local agents and the community. She highlights their current project with Solace House of the Ozarks, a nonprofit home providing free end-of-life care, and explains how the committee is decorating the home and collecting comfort items for patients and families. Dara also encourages community involvement, emphasizing the importance of connection, volunteerism, and ongoing outreach through the local board.

Episode 115: Inspecting the Myths

Welcome back to The Main Mike Podcast, today Adam Escoto sits down with his fellow co hosts Dustin Davidson and Kaleb Foster as they discuss first-time​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ home buyers need to thoroughly understand the inspection process along with clarifying typical misunderstandings such as the idea that inspections are compulsory or have a "pass/fail" result. The differences between inspections and appraisals, how buyers can manage the results, and the reason why every house has problems that need to be checked separately are also discussed by ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌them. Sit back, relax and let's learn together.

BONUS Episode 6: Normal Is the New Boom ft. Don Fifer

Welcome back to BONUS Episode 6 of the Main Mike Podcast hosted by Kaleb Foster and Adam Escoto. Today we have a special market update for you as we talk everything real estate with our broker: Don Fifer. Don explains that while some price ranges show slight dips, overall activity, buyer demand, and appreciation remain steady indicating a strong, balanced market rather than a downturn. Tune in to get the full update so sit back, relax and let's learn together!

Episode 114: More Than Tacos ft. Marcos Renteria

Welcome back to The Main Mike Podcast today Adam, Kaleb and Dustin sit down with Marcos Renteria from Ghetto Tacos here in Joplin as he shares how his business began humbly in 2016 with a handmade cart and grew into one of the first licensed food trucks in Joplin, now expanding across the four-state area. He opens up about his faith-driven journey how a stroke taught him patience, shifting his focus from chasing money to following God’s timing and purpose. Sit back, relax and let's learn together!

BONUS Episode 5: Buying the Potential ft. Gil Stevens

Welcome back to the Main Mike Podcast, today Kaleb Foster, Dustin Davidson and Adam Escoto sit down with longtime commercial real estate expert Gil Stevens to discuss the current state of the Joplin commercial market. Gil shares insights on recent property sales, leasing strategies, and the balance between buying for potential versus proven value, using examples like the new Dutch Bros location and upcoming developments on Geneva. Sit back, relax and let's learn together!

Episode 113: Mindset, Skill Set, Action

Welcome back to The Main Mike Podcast today Adam Escoto sits down with his co hosts: Dustin Davidson and Kaleb Foster as they discuss balance between mindset, skill set, and taking action as key ingredients for growth in real estate and self-employment. They talk through how mindset shapes success but must be paired with continuous skill development and purposeful action to truly create results. Using examples from sports, sales, and teamwork, the conversation emphasizes the importance of trust, leverage and collaboration. Highlighting that success comes from working within your strengths while relying on others to maximize collective potential. Sit back, relax and let's learn together!

Episode 112: Fostering Hope ft. Joanna Holden

In this episode of The Main Mike Podcast, Adam Escoto sits down with our guest Joanna Holden from Fostering Hope, a nonprofit supporting the foster care system across seven counties in southwest Missouri. She shares how the organization began in 2012 and has grown to provide key resources like the Caring Closet, family support programs, and encouragement for agency workers. Sit back, relax and let's learn together!

BONUS Episode 4: Flipping Dreams ft. Elizabeth Sawyer

Welcome back to the fourth bonus episode of The Main Mike Podcast today Kaleb Foster sits down with Elizabeth Sawyer, a realtor with The Flanagan Group, who shares her journey into real estate and house flipping with her husband. She explains their strategy of focusing on conservative deals, reinvesting profits toward a long-term goal of building apartment complexes, and how her role as an agent helps her find opportunities off-market. Sit back, relax and let's learn together!