Best David Simkins Podcasts (2025)

1
David Lombardi - President & Founder, Lombardi Properties 1:31:14

2d ago1:31:14

1:31:14

In this episode, we sat down over a couple of Old Fashioneds with David Lombardi — a true Miami original, Wynwood pioneer, and lifelong lover of architecture. David opens up about his journey from humble beginnings — growing up as an only child in a one-bedroom apartment with a single mom — to launching a restaurant, grinding through real estate de…

1
Q1 South Florida Market Update with Anthony Graziano, CEO of Integra Realty Resources, and Juan Arias, Director of Market Analytics at CoStar Group 1:29:37

17d ago1:29:37

1:29:37

Two of South Florida’s sharpest data minds dropped by Büro for a couple of cocktails and a deep dive into the numbers shaping our region’s real estate market. Anthony and Juan joined us to unpack the real impact of tariffs on real estate and construction costs. We also got into the weeds on demographic shifts, new construction trends, and the Flori…

1
Michael Simkins - President & CEO, Lion Development Group 1:23:00

20d ago1:23:00

1:23:00

Michael Simkins stopped by the pod with a bottle of E11EVEN Vodka in hand, and let’s just say—cocktails were poured, stories were shared, and the energy was very Miami. We talked about growing up in Miami Beach, his detour to Brooklyn Law, and his early days at Akerman before jumping into real estate with small deals around town. It wasn’t long bef…

1
Scott Sherman - Founder & Principal, Torose Equities 1:19:22

30d ago1:19:22

1:19:22

Scott joined us for a couple of glasses of afternoon Tequila Ocho Reposado and a great conversation about his journey through the world of real estate. Born and raised in South Florida (with a solid NYC accent courtesy of his parents), Scott discovered his passion for real estate while earning his accounting degree at the University of Florida. Tha…

1
Simon Ziff - President & Co-Founder, Ackman-Ziff 1:27:20

1M ago1:27:20

1:27:20

We had an absolute blast hanging out with Simon Ziff over a little mid-afternoon tequila—because why not? Simon showed up with great energy and even better stories. We covered everything from his love of music and gardening, to the art of the power nap, to how cruising South Beach on his bike somehow leads to closing major deals (spoiler: it works)…

1
Isaac Toledano - Co-Founder & CEO, BH Group 1:07:08

1M ago1:07:08

1:07:08

In this episode, Isaac shares his inspiring journey from dropping out of high school to following his entrepreneurial instincts, successfully starting and selling a landscaping business in Tel Aviv—all before the age of 16. He later ventured into private lending, amassing $1.5 million by his mid-20s. However, Isaac's fortunes dramatically reversed …

1
Felix Bendersky - Founder & Principal, F+B Hospitality Leasing 1:18:04

2M ago1:18:04

1:18:04

Felix joined us on the pod—and yes, he brought along his signature Bendersky Scotch blend—to talk all things Miami F&B. Born and raised in the hospitality scene, Felix's journey started in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, where his Ukrainian immigrant parents owned and operated a nightclub. After making waves as a nightclub promoter at Northeastern Univer…

1
Malcolm Butters, Co-Founder & CEO, Butters Construction & Development 1:33:12

2M ago1:33:12

1:33:12

From his roots in Montreal to building one of South Florida’s leading industrial construction firms, Malcolm Butters shares his journey with us over a Monkey 47 Gin & Ginger Ale. Real estate runs in the Butters family—his father started investing in multifamily apartments back in Montreal, planting the seed for what would become a powerhouse busine…

1
Miki Naftali - Founder & CEO, Naftali Group 2:13:07

2M ago2:13:07

2:13:07

From soaking up the sun on Israeli beaches to flipping one of the most iconic hotels in NYC, Miki Naftali’s real estate journey is the definition of a wild ride. Miki’s story starts in Israel, but things really took off when he landed at USC and pulled off his first off-market deal in Los Angeles—before he even had a business card. After cutting hi…

1
Jorge Garcia - Co-Founder & CEO, garciastromberg 1:41:44

2M ago1:41:44

1:41:44

Jorge Garcia’s journey is the kind of immigrant success story that deserves a toast over a glass of red wine. Arriving in Miami during the 1960s Cuban exodus, his family settled in Liberty City, where he quickly learned the art of resilience. That grit took him to the University of Miami’s School of Architecture, and eventually, to the bold decisio…

1
Michael Fay - Chairman, U.S. Capital Markets Group, Avison Young 1:12:04

3M ago1:12:04

1:12:04

What does it take to shape a city’s skyline and close nearly $17 billion in transactions? In this episode, we sit down with Michael over an Old Fashioned to talk about his four-decade journey in commercial real estate. Michael’s path wasn’t always smooth—he went from riding the short bus in middle school to becoming a powerhouse dealmaker, playing …

1
Charles Foschini, Senior Managing Director, Berkadia 1:36:27

3M ago1:36:27

1:36:27

Charles Foschini didn’t just bring his A-game to the podcast—he also brought a bottle of Fortaleza tequila (because that’s how deals really get done). Born in New Jersey, Charles went from being a lifeguard and Eagle Scout to escaping the cold and heading straight for the 305. He didn’t just dip his toes in—he dove all in, earning an undergraduate …

1
Carlos Rosso - Founder & CEO, Rosso Development 1:30:15

3M ago1:30:15

1:30:15

Carlos joined us on the podcast over a classic Negroni to share his remarkable journey as a real estate developer. Hailing from a family of architects in Buenos Aires, Carlos earned his architecture degree at the University of Buenos Aires before spending a decade in the Middle East with Besix, mastering the art of construction. His journey then to…

1
2025 South Florida CRE Outlook with Juan Arias, CoStar Group 47:31

3M ago47:31

47:31

Juan joined us for a glass of Johnnie Walker Double Black and brought along his crystal ball to share insights into the future of South Florida’s commercial real estate market. We dove into everything from retail and land to office, multifamily, and—our favorite—industrial real estate. Spoiler alert: South Florida is booming, thanks to its dynamic …

1
Tere Blanca - Founder, Chairman & CEO, Blanca Commercial Real Estate 1:23:06

4M ago1:23:06

1:23:06

This week, we share a glass of Chardonnay with Tere, whose life has taken her from Havana to the heart of Miami's commercial real estate world. Her story begins in Cuba, followed by childhood in Puerto Rico and high school in Venezuela. After graduating from the University of Miami, she entered the world of sales, where she discovered her passion f…

1
Jennifer Sanz - Co-Founder & CEO, NEXT Development Group 1:20:37

4M ago1:20:37

1:20:37

Jennifer Sanz joined us for a rum & coke and a lively conversation about affordable housing and her journey through politics and real estate development. From her early days at the Pentagon to leading Florida Housing Finance Corporations's tax credit program, Jennifer brings a wealth of experience from both public policy and affordable housing deve…

1
Gopal Rajegowda - Executive Vice President, Related Ross 1:18:56

4M ago1:18:56

1:18:56

Gopal Rajegowda joined us on The Built World Podcast for a Negroni and a fascinating conversation about his stellar career with Related Companies. As a first-generation Indian-American, Gopal’s journey began in a New York City suburb before taking him to Cornell University. While his passion for real estate and architecture sparked early, it truly …

1
Donna Abood - Vice Chairman & Co-Head for Savills Florida Region 1:06:39

4M ago1:06:39

1:06:39

This week we popped open a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and took a walk down memory lane with Donna Abood, a true powerhouse in the real estate world. With over 40 years of experience, Donna’s journey is as inspiring as it is impressive. Real estate runs in her veins—her father was a developer in St. Petersburg, but Donna carved her own path. After gr…

1
Russell Galbut - Co-Founder & Managing Principal, Crescent Heights 1:28:03

5M ago1:28:03

1:28:03

Born and raised in Miami Beach, Russell’s roots run deep, with his grandparents settling on the beach in the 1920s—making the Galbut family a true Miami Beach institution. He takes us through his early days building multi-family apartments on the beach and reflects on how he co-founded Crescent Heights in 1989. Under his leadership, the company has…

1
Sydne Garchik -Founder & President, MRK Partners 48:17

5M ago48:17

48:17

In this episode Sydne joins us for a masterclass on affordable housing development—served with a glass of Rosé! Real estate development runs through Sydne’s veins, and she takes us back to her roots—tagging along with her father on site visits in Maryland. From there, she moved to Los Angeles and took on the role of Director of Operations at Standa…

1
Stephen Bittel - Founder & Chairman, Terranova Corporation 1:28:00

5M ago1:28:00

1:28:00

Miami native Stephen Bittel joined us on the podcast, bringing not just his insights but a vintage 1996 bottle of Clos Lascombes to share. Stephen’s story begins with his roots in South Florida, graduating from Palmetto High before heading north to Bowdoin College in Maine. Post-graduation, he explored Europe on a Thomas Watson Fellowship, but his …

1
Lyle Stern - Co-Founder, Vertical Real Estate 1:27:00

6M ago1:27:00

1:27:00

In this episode, we're joined by the one and only Lyle Stern—a true gentleman and an absolute legend in the Miami Beach retail scene. For over 40 years, Lyle has been the driving force behind transforming Miami Beach into a shopping mecca, bringing iconic brands like H&M, Brandy Melville, J.Crew, Banana Republic, Ted Baker, and Victoria’s Secret to…

1
Don Soffer - Founder & Chairman, Turnberry Associates 1:04:55

6M ago1:04:55

1:04:55

When it comes to Miami real estate legends, Don Soffer is in a league of his own. At a lively 93 years old, Don joined us for a vodka on the rocks and a journey through his epic career. From building shopping malls in Pittsburgh to snapping up 786 acres of swamp in 1967, Don and his father transformed that patch of Florida wilderness into what we n…

1
Iris Escarrá - Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig 1:23:05

6M ago1:23:05

1:23:05

Iris joined us on the podcast, and she didn’t come empty-handed—she brought a bottle of Elijah Craig Bourbon! As we sipped, Iris took us on a journey through Miami's evolving landscape, blending her passion for bourbon with her expertise in land use and the Miami 21 zoning code. A true 305 native, Iris shared her story, from her roots in South Miam…

1
Edward Easton - Founder & Chairman, The Easton Group 1:24:39

6M ago1:24:39

1:24:39

In this episode, we dive deep with Eddie, a seasoned real estate professional renowned for his success in acquiring and developing warehouses in South Florida. His journey is nothing short of remarkable—just after college, he faced the brink of bankruptcy but managed to pivot his career with the invaluable guidance of mentors who recognized his pot…

1
Zak Stern, Founder & CEO, Zak the Baker 1:28:34

7M ago1:28:34

1:28:34

In this episode, we pop open a bottle of Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Mont and dive into the wild, unconventional journey of Zak Stern—better known as Zak the Baker. From naked retreats in Georgia's Hostel in the Forest to goat milking adventures in Italy and Israel, and learning the art of bread-making in an Italian castle, Zak’s story is nothing short…

1
Marcia Martinez Laas - Founder & Principal, Power Collective 1:10:33

7M ago1:10:33

1:10:33

In this episode, we pop open a bottle of Rosé with Marcia, founder of Power Collective, as she shares insights from her 20+ years of shaping Miami's real estate narrative. Marcia has worked with Miami’s top developers, including The Related Group, Fortune International Group, and Terra Group, helping them craft compelling stories that highlight Mia…

1
Nelson Gonzalez - Sr. VP Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty 1:14:56

7M ago1:14:56

1:14:56

Nelson joined us for a couple of cocktails and took us on a journey through his 30-year career selling luxury real estate in Miami Beach. Back in the '90s, when the area was still flying under the radar, Nelson hustled his way to becoming the go-to agent for Miami’s waterfront gems—think Star Island, North Bay Road, and beyond. From selling homes t…

1
Avra Jain - Co-Founder, Vagabond Group 1:28:55

7M ago1:28:55

1:28:55

In this episode, we kick back with gin and tonics and chat with the one and only Avra Jain—former NYC bartender turned Wall Street broker, now a powerhouse developer. Avra, the visionary behind Miami’s Vagabond Group, shares her journey of transforming forgotten properties into vibrant, community-centered spaces. From her work on the iconic Vagabon…

1
Bernardo Fort-Brescia - Co-Founder & Principal, Arquitectonica 1:32:30

8M ago1:32:30

1:32:30

In this episode, we’re thrilled to have world-renowned architect Bernardo Fort-Brescia, co-founder of Arquitectonica, join us for a captivating conversation. Bernardo and his firm didn’t just help put Miami on the global architecture map—they’ve practically designed the map themselves. No architect has shaped Miami’s iconic skyline more, working al…

1
Tim Petrillo & Alan Hooper, Co-Founders - Urban Street Development & The Restaurant People 1:27:43

8M ago1:27:43

1:27:43

In this inspiring episode, we sip cocktails with Tim and Alan, whose 30-year partnership has left a transformative mark on Ft. Lauderdale and Tallahasse. It all began in the early '90s when they started acquiring properties in the quiet Las Olas area, breathing new life into the neighborhood by operating restaurants and bars. From there, they pione…

1
Mid-Year Miami Market Update with CoStar Group 44:55

8M ago44:55

44:55

Juan Arias, Director of Market Analytics for CoStar Group, is back with the Gridline Properties team to break down what’s really going on in the 305’s commercial real estate market. Think of it as a data deep dive—minus the boring parts. With a couple of cocktails in hand on a Friday afternoon, we dive into the Fed's recent announcement on those in…

1
Jonny Britton - CEO & Co-Founder, LandTech 1:04:42

8M ago1:04:42

1:04:42

Join us for an engaging conversation with Jonny, who made the trip from London to Miami for a couple of glasses of Woodford Reserve bourbon and a deep dive into his company’s ambitious expansion into the US market. Founded in 2015 with a $400,000 seed round, LandTech has rapidly become a go-to platform for researching land development opportunities…

1
Michael Comras - President & CEO, The Comras Company 1:25:01

8M ago1:25:01

1:25:01

Michael joined us on the podcast, Tequila Ocho in hand, kicking off the conversation with plenty of laughs as we dove into the world of Miami’s "Retail King." From bringing Gap to South Beach in the mid '90s to selling an entire block on Lincoln Road for a staggering $370 million in 2015, Michael has truly mastered the retail game. A passionate urb…

1
Brian Gale - Vice Chairman Office Brokerage Services, Cushman & Wakefield 1:26:43

8M ago1:26:43

1:26:43

In this episode we sat down with the one and only Brian Gale from Cushman and Wakefield to dive deep into Miami's Class A office leasing market. But let's be honest—this wasn’t just your typical real estate chat. We cracked open a bottle of tequila, and the conversation took off like a South Beach happy hour! With a couple of glasses in, the laughs…

1
W. Allen Morris - Chairman & CEO, The Allen Morris Company 1:08:09

9M ago1:08:09

1:08:09

In this episode, we sip dirty vodka martinis with Miami real estate legend Allen Morris, CEO and Chairman of the Allen Morris Company. With nearly 45 years in the industry, Allen offers a deep dive into what it takes to build a lasting legacy in Miami's competitive real estate market. We discuss the challenges and successes of leading one of the So…

1
Kona Gray - Principal, EDSA 1:26:14

9M ago1:26:14

1:26:14

In this episode, we are joined by Kona Gray, Principal at EDSA, for a delightful conversation over gin & tonics and plenty of laughs. Kona shares insights from his remarkable 27-year career at EDSA, an internationally acclaimed landscape architecture firm. Growing up in Liberia with an architect father, Kona was immersed in design from an early age…

1
Alan Ojeda - Founder & CEO, Rilea Group 1:16:38

9M ago1:16:38

1:16:38

Join us as we sit down with Alan, sharing a glass of Rioja and delving into his remarkable journey. Growing up in Madrid, Paris, and Ireland, Alan's diverse background laid the foundation for an extraordinary career. After college, Alan enlisted in the Spanish army, commanding a tank unit. In the early 80s, he ventured to Miami, where he launched h…

1
Victor Dover - Principal & Co-Founder, Dover, Kohl & Partners 1:38:43

9M ago1:38:43

1:38:43

We had the privilege of sitting down with Victor Dover, one of the world’s most acclaimed urban planners, for an insightful conversation about his remarkable career and the art of designing vibrant and walkable communities. Victor, a leading advocate of New Urbanism, has played a pivotal role in planning hundreds of mixed-use projects globally. His…

1
Arden Karson - Founder & Managing Principal, Karson & Co. 1:10:25

10M ago1:10:25

1:10:25

In the latest episode, we sit down with the indomitable Arden Karson, Managing Principal of Karson & Co. If there's a corner of commercial real estate Arden hasn't conquered, we haven't found it yet. From developing single-family homes for Lennar to sculpting the skyline with high-rises for Related Group, and steering the ship as Senior Managing Di…

1
Natasha Falconi - Founder & CEO, Falconi Capital 57:51

10M ago57:51

57:51

In this episode, Natasha joins us over a glass of Veuve Clicquot to share her remarkable journey from accountant to multifamily entrepreneur. She began her career at Tobin Properties, where her dedication and talent propelled her to the positions of President and COO. In 2019, Natasha took a bold step by founding Falconi Capital, which has since gr…

1
Bob Benyo - Founder & CEO, Aerial Banners 1:16:48

10M ago1:16:48

1:16:48

In this episode, we hit the road and land in Bob Benyo's North Miami Man Cave, surrounded by his vintage Kawasaki and Suzuki motorcycle collection, for The Built World Podcast. Bob, a high school dropout turned serial entrepreneur, shares his wild journey. He started in Daytona Beach at a motorcycle tech school, then bought and sold motorcycles and…

1
Alfredo Riascos - Founder & Managing Broker, Gridline Properties 1:14:16

10M ago1:14:16

1:14:16

In this episode we kick it with Alfredo over some gin and tonics and we talk about how he got started in real estate at the ripe age of 19 all while attending college full time. Alfredo began his brokerage career in 2007 with Metro 1 Properties in Wynwood back when the neighborhood wasn’t cool, but Alfredo had the foresight to see the potential tha…

1
Doug Levine - Founder of Crunch Fitness, Frida Baby & Big Move Properties 1:12:26

11M ago1:12:26

1:12:26

In this episode, serial entrepreneur Doug Levine joins us for some gin and tonics and a ton of laughs, as he shares his wild ride through the world of business. Picture this: fresh out of college and working for a private equity firm in San Francisco, Doug stumbles upon some gym concepts and decides to pump iron on a whole new level. He heads back …

1
Stephen Ross - Executive VP of Development, AMLI 1:31:44

11M ago1:31:44

1:31:44

Stephen Ross is one of AMLI’s OGs, joining the young start-up back in 1989. Stephen has pretty much done it all for one of the top multifamily developers in the US. From dreaming up, structuring, and closing investments to leading AMLI’s financing escapades and now spearheading development in South Florida, Stephen is the Swiss Army knife of real e…

1
Neil Fairman - Founder & Chairman, Plaza Equity Partners 1:00:26

11M ago1:00:26

1:00:26

Hold onto your bagels, folks! This week, we're serving up something extra special. Join us as Neil drops by for some vodka on the rocks and spills the beans on his incredible journey. We talk with Neil about his Montreal frozen bagel stash and all the incredible South Florida development projects Neil has been involved with. Get ready to race throu…

1
Carlos Rodriguez, Sr. - Founder, Chairman and CEO, Driftwood Capital 1:02:15

11M ago1:02:15

1:02:15

In this episode, we sit down with Carlos to discuss his inspiring journey from managing his family’s first hotel in Costa Rica to taking a bold leap and establishing his first Holiday Inn near Miami International Airport in the late 1990s. Today, Driftwood Capital, under Carlos's leadership, operates 86 hotels across the US, boasting over 16,502 ro…

1
Bill Fuller - Founder and Managing Partner, The Barlington Group 1:26:19

12M ago1:26:19

1:26:19

In this episode, Bill Fuller, Managing Partner of The Barlington Group and Co-owner of Ball & Chain joins us for a glass of tequila. Bill began investing in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood in the early 2000's and has been pioneering the thoughtful transformation of one of Miami's most iconic neighborhoods for the past two decades. Bill began acq…

1
Jeff Berkowitz - Chairman and Founder, Berkowitz Development Group 1:03:14

12M ago1:03:14

1:03:14

Dive into an inspiring chat with Miami real estate icon, Jeff Berkowitz, on our latest podcast episode! From lawyer to developer, Jeff's journey is a testament to innovation. Discover the groundbreaking story behind Dadeland Station, the pioneering big box vertical retail concept that revolutionized the industry in 1996. We also talk about Jeff's p…

1
Joe Furst - Founder and Managing Principal, Place Projects 1:10:28

12M ago1:10:28

1:10:28

In this episode, we're joined by Joe Furst, a leading figure in placemaking, as we dive into his remarkable career. Starting with Goldman Properties during Wynwood's early days, Joe played a pivotal role in shaping the neighborhood's transformation. From spearheading the Wynwood BID to fostering collaboration among artists, property owners, and ent…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

David Simkins Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen