Real Conversations About Careers, Leadership, & Growth In Commercial Real Estate.

In the first episode of 'Success in Square Feet', host Julia Beckman introduces herself and her goals for the podcast. She shares her passion for her career in the commercial real estate industry, the importance of mentorship, and the diverse career paths within the industry. Julia also discusses her journey, her experiences at Munsch Hardt, and her involvement in The Real Estate Council's Associate Leadership Council, highlighting the collaborative nature of the industry and the exciting interviews ahead.

In this episode of Success in Square Feet, host Julia Beckman interviews Ben Brandenburg, Executive Vice President at Broadway Bank specializing in commercial real estate lending. They discuss Ben's journey in the banking industry, the importance of mentorship, balancing family life with a demanding career, and lessons learned from the 2008 financial crisis. Ben shares insights on the transition from analyst to business development, the value of patience in career growth, and his aspirations for professional development in the future.

In this episode of Success in Square Feet, host Julia Beckman interviews Andi Hertling, Vice President of Business Development at Republic Title. They discuss Andi's career journey from college athletics to title insurance, the importance of mentorship, community involvement, and the value of persistence in business development. Andi shares insights on building professional relationships, the significance of teamwork, and how her experiences have shaped her career.

Richard Chesney has found success in square feet for a few reasons, and we get into those in this episode! Julia Beckman interviews Rick Chesney, Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Sentinel Peak Capital Partners. Rick shares his unique journey into the commercial real estate industry, discussing the importance of relationships, mentorship, and the lessons learned throughout his career. He emphasizes the significance of staying true to oneself, the challenges of leadership, and the value of anticipating potential problems in the business. Rick also provides some great insights into his firm's operations and the multifamily market.

In this episode of Success in Square Feet, host Julia Beckman chats with Taylor Leander, Director of Investor Relations at Sentinel Peak Capital Partners. Taylor shares his unique career path, from working in the oil and gas industry to making a strategic pivot into commercial real estate. He discusses his roles in investor relations, his experiences at various firms, and the importance of networking and relationships. Taylor also provides invaluable advice for young professionals and job seekers, emphasizing authenticity, taking action, and trusting one's intuition. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating career transitions and seeking inspiration in the commercial real estate world.

In this episode of Success in Square Feet, host Julia Beckman sits down with Fernando Ceballos, Director of Land Development at K. Hovnanian Homes, to talk about the career journey that took him from first-generation college student to professional engineer—and now, real estate developer.

Fernando breaks down what civil engineers really do, shares why he tells people he “plays Minecraft for a living,” and gives powerful advice for young professionals navigating early career choices, imposter syndrome, and finding their voice.

From volunteering with students to presenting zoning cases at city council, Fernando’s path is anything but ordinary—and his insights on mentorship, authenticity, and betting on yourself will leave you feeling fired up and inspired.

This week, Success in Square Feet is back from a short break with a very relatable and inspiring story. The host, Julia Beckman sits down with Jarrod McCabe, Senior Director at JLL’s in the Capital Markets group, who grew up in small-town East Texas with zero exposure to commercial real estate—and still found his way to a leadership role in one of the biggest firms in the game.

We talk about:
- Starting out with no real estate background
- The power of networking when your resume isn’t perfect
- Why taking notes in meetings still matters (yes, really!)
- Finding balance as a new dad in a fast-paced industry
- And of course… my very embarrassing helicopter ride moment

Whether you’re figuring out your next step or just love a good “how I got here” story, this episode is for you. It’s honest, funny, and full of gems—plus some great Dallas recs if you're local.

Angela Chen never planned on a career in private equity, but a wrong job title led to the right opportunity. In this episode of Success in Square Feet, Julia sits down with Angela Chen, and she shares how an accidental start, a lot of hustle, and a broker’s eye for the market helped her rise to Lead Underwriter at Compatriot Capital. If you’ve ever found success in unexpected places, you’ll love her story.

Ever wonder what lawyers in commercial real estate actually do all day—or what it’s like to jump from a law firm to an in-house legal team? In this episode of Success in Square Feet, Julia sits down with Austin Whitmore, Associate General Counsel at Compatriot Capital, to talk about his transition from private practice to private equity. We dive into the business side of being in-house counsel, the evolution of a legal career, and what it’s really like to work on deals from the inside. Plus, we unpack the challenges of impostor syndrome, finding your footing in real estate, and what makes a top-notch lunch spot. Whether you’re a law student, a real estate pro, or just curious about the legal side of commercial real estate, this one's for you.

This week on Success in Square Feet, Julia sits down with Frank Piasta, First Vice President at CBRE, and one of the most thoughtful dealmakers out there. Frank shares his unconventional path to CRE, from studying medicine and serving in the military to navigating CMBS acronyms and capital stacks at CBRE.

We talk about:
- Learning commercial real estate without a finance degree
- Building credibility from scratch
- And why speaking up matters—even if you're the most junior person in the room

Whether you're switching industries, raising your hand for new challenges, or just love hearing how people really get into this business, Frank shares some great words of wisdom you do not want to miss!

Forty years ago, a group of attorneys left Winstead to start Munsch Hardt, and today, we’re finding common ground behind the mic. Kidding of course, Jeremy and I are friendly, as are the larger firm relations! In this episode, I sit down with Jeremy Wilkins, Shareholder at Winstead, to talk about his career path from an unlikely summer at the Legal Aid Society in Manhattan (complete with near-arrests and rent reform protests) to building a niche in mixed-use and master-planned developments here in Dallas. We also dive into mentorship, business development, balance, and the relationships that make the commercial real estate industry so unique.

In this episode of Success in Square Feet, Julia sits down with Matt Troutt, Vice President at EastGroup Properties, for a grounded and refreshingly honest look at career growth inside the commercial real estate world.

Matt shares his path into commercial real estate, beginning with wildlife management and moving through oil and gas, brokerage, and ultimately asset management and development at one of the country’s leading industrial REITs. He opens up about learning to choose the path that actually fits, rather than the one that simply looks impressive on paper.

Together, Julia and Matt talk about navigating career pivots with clarity, the value of real, candid mentorship, finding your place within the many lanes of the industry, balancing ambition with a growing family, and how community engagement can reshape your understanding of leadership and community.

This is a conversation grounded in real experience, with no ego and no posturing, and it offers a thoughtful look at what it takes to build a meaningful career in commercial real estate.