

The Strategic Success Podcast
Courtney Fricke
The Strategic Success Podcast, hosted by Courtney Fricke, is a library of conversations around taking the next right step. Although her expertise is in Real Estate, Courtney will have conversations and dialogues around business, success, mindset, and philosophy with various guests. Her goal is to mainly showcase folks who do not have a strong online presence but who have strong philosophies around success and Real Estate. Make sure to subscribe. If you found the episodes helpful, make sure to leave us a review of your experience. You can connect with Courtney at CourtneyFricke.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 31, 2025 • 7min
Known Deal Maker Fundamentals: Content 101 Workshop (March 14-15, 2026) PROMO & FAQ
In this video, Courtney breaks down exactly what Known Deal Maker Fundamentals is, who it’s for, and why building visibility through content is no longer optional for Real Estate investors and Real Estate-related businesses.This is not about becoming an influencer.This is about becoming known as the person who solves Real Estate problems and closes real deals.What Is Known Deal Maker Fundamentals?Known Deal Maker Fundamentals is a two-day online workshop designed to teach Real Estate investors and business owners how to build a brand and content system that consistently attracts:-Motivated sellers-Private lenders-Referral partners-Inbound deal opportunitiesThis workshop focuses on practical fundamentals. No fluff. No hype. No fancy editing required.Dates: March 14–15, 2026Format: Live online workshopTime: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM EST each dayInvestment: $497 (plus booking fees)What You’ll LearnThis training combines Real Estate experience with proven content strategy. You’ll learn:-What to post and why it works-How content actually turns into deals-Real case studies of content that produced inbound opportunities-The do’s and don’ts of Real Estate content-Platform-specific strategies for visibility-Tools, gear, and software recommendations-How to read analytics and focus on what matters-A clear 30-day content game plan-How to define your content pillars and target audience-Templates, scripts, and sample posts you can reuse immediatelyNo experience required.No expensive equipment needed.Who This Workshop Is ForThis workshop is ideal for:-Real Estate investors at any level-Real Estate-related businesses-REIA and meetup organizers-Private money raisers-New or inconsistent content creators-Anyone who wants deals, lenders, clients, and opportunities to find themIf you want to be known locally and online as a dependable problem-solver, this workshop was built for you.Why Learn From Courtney?Courtney has built a Real Estate brand that has produced:-Tens of millions of views-Consistent inbound deal flow-Repeat business and referrals-Joint venture opportunities-New private money relationshipsThat visibility has led to real deals including hoarder houses, distressed properties, pre-foreclosures, and creative finance transactions.This workshop is taught by someone who is actively investing and actively creating, not a content creator who doesn’t do deals or an investor who barely posts.What the Experience Includes-Two full days of live teaching-Dedicated Q&A sessions-Live chat throughout the workshop-30 days of replay access with download rightsThis is a straightforward fundamentals training designed to help you build a reputation that compounds.Frequently Asked QuestionsDo I need a big following to attend?No. This workshop is about building visibility and consistency, not having an audience already.Do I need expensive cameras or editing software?No. You’ll learn how to create effective content without fancy gear or complicated editing.Is this for beginners or experienced investors?Both. The fundamentals apply whether you’re just starting or already doing deals.Is this about becoming an influencer?No. This is about using content as a Real Estate marketing channel to attract opportunities.What if I can’t attend live?You’ll receive 30 days of replay access with download rights.Is this specific to one market or state?No. The strategies apply across markets.Is this a pitch fest or upsell-heavy event?No. This is a practical training focused on fundamentals and execution.How to RegisterRegister here: CourtneyFricke.comor directly here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/known-deal-maker-fundamentals-tickets-1976675196724?aff=oddtdtcreatorFinal ThoughtThis is where becoming a known deal maker actually starts. Stop being a silent professional that doesn't attract deals.

Dec 31, 2025 • 31min
EP 81: What 2025 Taught Maria Giordano the Hard Way About Running a Real Estate Business
What 2025 Taught Maria Giordano the Hard Way About Running a Real Estate Business2025 exposed a hard truth for a lot of Real Estate investors: deals don’t save you if your operations are broken.In this episode, Maria Giordano joins me for an honest breakdown of what 2025 revealed about running a Real Estate business in a changing market. With over 20 years of experience, Maria isn’t new to cycles, but this year forced a deep operational reset that reshaped how she thinks about control, leverage, and sustainability going into 2026.This conversation goes far beyond surface-level strategy. We get into the weeds on operations, accounting, rehabs, negotiations, and how slowing down actually created more clarity and momentum.In this episode, we cover:- Why Real Estate rewards operators, not just deal-makers- The operational mistakes that quietly bleed profits in tough markets- How tightening systems and numbers restored control in 2025- Why trusting your local market data matters more than national headlines- How Maria rebuilt confidence after operational breakdowns- Using AI as a practical tool to audit books, document processes, and reduce risk- What “scale by doing better, not more” really looks like- Maria’s focus for 2026, including small commercial, mixed-use assets, and leverage for time freedomThe bigger picture: 2025 Review and 2026 FocusThis episode is part of an ongoing series where I’m sitting down with experienced operators to reflect honestly on 2025 and talk through what they’re prioritizing in 2026. These aren’t highlight reels. They’re real conversations about what worked, what didn’t, and what it takes to keep momentum when markets change.Stay tuned through the endAt the end of the episode, Maria and I share an exciting update about a new direction we’re building inside the Strategic Success Podcast. If you care about leverage, systems, and practical tools that help Real Estate investors operate better, you won’t want to miss it.Connect with Maria Giordano:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mgiordano01Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialmariagiordano/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@officialmariagiordanoYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCnAQoh8D6_m1wuEANBZBD-A Website: https://www.realestateprofitsystem.com/Connect with Courtney Fricke: Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtneyfrickeTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@courtney.fricke Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneyfricke19/X: https://x.com/courtneyfricke YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CourtneyFrickeWebsite: www.CourtneyFricke.com for more resources.Enjoying the Strategic Success Podcast?Subscribe and follow for regular episodes and clips focused on:- Creative finance- Solution-based Real Estate problem solving- Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida market insights- Using content for deal flow- Building wealth designed for time freedomNew episodes and insights drop regularly.

Dec 30, 2025 • 36min
EP 80: Best Year Ever in a Tough Real Estate Market: What Aussie Steve Did in 2025 When Others Quit
2025 was the year a lot of Real Estate investors hit pause. Higher friction, tighter spreads, shifting demand, and plenty of people waiting on the sidelines.Stephen “Aussie Steve” Keighery did the opposite.In this episode, Steve breaks down why 2025 became his best year yet, how he expanded while others retreated, and what he believes is required to win in 2026. If you want a grounded look at what actually works when the market stops being forgiving, this conversation delivers.In this episode, you’ll hear:- Why 2025 became a record year for Steve and his team (and why it still wasn’t easy)- The contrarian mindset shift: playing offense as a form of defense- The biggest lever most wholesalers miss in a tough market: disposition- Why relying on a small handful of buyers can quietly break your business- Steve’s approach to building a real buyer bench (he’s closed with 115 different buyers)- Why reps and momentum beat constant optimization, and how “boring” builds the business- The strategy behind expanding into Baton Rouge and the Mississippi Gulf Coast without abandoning New Orleans- Steve’s 2026 target: 100 deals, and what has to be true operationally to get there- How he thinks about investing using fast money, medium money, slow money- His plan to add flips without becoming a rehabber, using the “deal + capital + operator” triangleThe bigger series: 2025 Review and 2026 FocusThis episode is part of a run of conversations where I’m interviewing a handful of operators to get a real look at how 2025 went, what it taught them, and what they’re focusing on in 2026. No pretending the year was easy. Just practical lessons, trends, and strategies from people actively doing deals.The BIG Announcement at the EndIf you listen all the way through, Steve and I share a major update about something new we’re building together inside the Strategic Success Podcast ecosystem. If you invest in Louisiana, want to invest in Louisiana, or want real-time insight into how this market actually works, you’ll want to hear it.Connect with Aussie Steve and follow along with what he’s doing here:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCBFQ_43MCI9tJ8tB6m9q92g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenkeighery/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephenkeighery LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenkeighery/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.keigheryX: https://x.com/stephenkeigheryBio Hub: https://homebuyerlouisiana.com/about-us/stephen-keighery/Connect with Courtney Fricke at CourtneyFricke.com and follow her on socials here:Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtneyfrickeTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@courtney.fricke Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneyfricke19/X: https://x.com/courtneyfricke YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfZlfkGpNzcMuDh6NX7xVpQ Enjoying the podcast?Follow the Strategic Success Podcast so you don’t miss the upcoming interviews and the new announcements tied to 2026. New episodes and clips drop regularly covering creative finance, solution-driven Real Estate strategies, local market insight from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida, content-based deal flow, and building wealth designed to create time freedom.If this episode helped you, share it with an investor friend who’s been tempted to sit out the next cycle.

Dec 24, 2025 • 27min
EP 79: Why 2026 Will Look Nothing Like 2025 for Me
2025 forced me to relearn a hard truth: random effort creates random results.It also reminded me that revenue has to stay in first position.This past year was full of distractions. I still did deals, but a lot of my personal life pulled my attention away. In the middle of that, I also made the biggest shift of my career. That combination made one thing very clear as I look toward 2026. If I want better results, deeper relationships, and more meaningful opportunities, I can’t keep operating randomly.In this episode, I break down:What 2025 taught me about distractions and failing your own goalsWhat has to change in 2026 to produce better resultsThe biggest shift I made in my career and what it revealedWhat’s changing with this podcast in 2026What to expect from a more intentional, topic-driven format going forwardThis episode is the foundation for what’s next. Fewer random episodes. More focused conversations. Clear topics. Recurring voices. Content designed to actually compound over time.You’ll also see more 2025 Review and 2026 Focus episodes from guests. As you listen, I encourage you to take inventory of your own year and start thinking intentionally about what you want 2026 to look like.Drop a comment and tell me what you’re narrowing your focus on in 2026. I read every one.New episodes drop weekly. For additional resources, visit CourtneyFricke.com.

Oct 30, 2025 • 34min
EP 78: What a Failed Real Estate Deal Says About You (Follow-Up to Your Deal is Your Fault)
Last week, legendary investor Peter Fortunato shared a powerful truth: “Your deal is your fault.” That episode sparked a lot of conversation and maybe even a little discomfort because it challenged how we think about responsibility in Real Estate.In today’s follow-up, I’m breaking that idea down even further.This isn’t about blame, it’s about power. When things don’t go according to plan, when the market feels impossible, when a deal falls apart… that’s not a reason to quit, it’s an invitation to grow.In this episode, we’ll cover:- Why “fault” isn’t about guilt, it’s about gaining control.- What a failed deal actually reveals about your systems and mindset.- How to adapt when the market turns against you.- Why opportunity doesn’t disappear, it just stops being easy.- A step-by-step way to learn from your toughest deals and rebuild stronger.If you’ve been questioning whether real estate is still worth it in a tough market, this episode is for you.Listen to the first conversation with Peter Fortunato:Your Deal Is Your Fault: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHRyL6Efk1I&t=1166sConnect with Courtney Fricke:CourtneyFricke.comInstagram: @CourtneyFrickeSubscribe to The Strategic Success Podcast for weekly episodes that help you take the next right step toward your success.If this episode hit home, share it with another investor who needs to hear it.Your perspective might be the thing that keeps them in the game.

Oct 20, 2025 • 1h 10min
EP 77: Why the Best Investors Blame Themselves Featuring Peter Fortunato
Join Peter Fortunato, a seasoned real estate investor with over 60 years of experience, as he delves into the importance of personal responsibility in investment. He argues that true success comes from owning your deals and navigating challenges with integrity. Discover how to turn setbacks into opportunities, prioritize relationships over profit, and think like a long-term capitalist rather than a hobbyist. Peter also shares insights on effective deal structuring, proactive communication, and the value of clear paperwork in sustaining wealth.

Oct 3, 2025 • 30min
EP 76: 5 Ways to Fund Your Real Estate Deal with Little to No Cash
Discover how to invest in real estate without breaking the bank! The discussion highlights innovative financing methods like seller financing and lease options, perfect for beginners and pros alike. Learn how to build relationships with private investors and structure deals creatively. Courtney shares her personal journey, emphasizing resourcefulness over cash. She breaks down bank options and practical skills needed for closing deals. If you think you can’t afford to start investing, this conversation will inspire you to take action!

Sep 27, 2025 • 37min
EP 75: Inside FinCon 2025: What I Learned as a First-Time Attendee
Walking into FinCon 2025 as a first-timer, I had my own goals, expectations, and questions. Walking out, I had lessons, connections, and takeaways I didn’t expect. In this episode, I share: - Why I attended in the first place - My goals for the event - The best and worst parts of the experience - The sessions and lessons that stuck with me mostThis is my honest review of FinCon 2025 — and whether I’d recommend it to others."FinCon is where money content creatorslearn to grow smarter, monetize faster, & build sustainable businesses—without doing it alone." per FinConexpo.com. Connect with Courtney: CourtneyFricke.comIf this episode gave you real insight into FinCon or the business of creating content around money and real estate, hit subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations. Each week, I share episodes that dive into: - Creative real estate strategies you won’t hear from mainstream gurus - Lessons from industry events like FinCon - Honest stories from investors, creators, and entrepreneurs building wealth their own wayYour likes, comments, and shares help spread these conversations and bring more people into the community.

Sep 18, 2025 • 37min
EP 74: Flipping During a Market Downturn: How Joey Long Stacked Creative Financing to Win
When the market cooled down, most flippers hit pause. But Joey Long doubled down—not with a bank loan, but stacking multiple creative strategies that turned a flip in a tough market into a winning deal.In this episode, we break down:- How Joey combined 5 different creative strategies like Subject-To, Seller Finance, Private Money and more!- What made this deal possible in a market full of fear- Why Creative Finance isn’t just for buy-and-hold—it can power flips too- Real numbers, real structure, and real lessons for today’s investorsIf you’re ready to stop waiting for the “perfect market” and start thinking like a deal maker, this one’s for you.Resources from the episode:Other episode with Joey Long: https://youtu.be/PEv6OiwTMCA?si=M3UQDmwsFLaTpy0BWorking on Joey's post of his convo with the seller to share hereWalkthru of Joey's flip: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOTqECoETXF/?igsh=cmM2MDgydm54Zjl1Connect with Joey at: https://www.instagram.com/joeylong.rei.Connect with Courtney at CourtneyFricke.com.If this episode hits home, please like, subscribe, and share. Your support helps bring these important conversations to more people. New episodes drop weekly.

Sep 4, 2025 • 15min
EP 73: Life Update: My Next Chapter in Real Estate Investing
In this episode, I share what’s been happening in my life and business as I make a major move and pivot my real estate strategy. From Louisiana to Mississippi and now Florida, I break down how I’m approaching three different markets, what opportunities I’m seeing, and the shifts I’m making to keep growing in a changing economy.Whether you’re an investor curious about multi-market strategies, or just following along with my journey, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how I’m adapting and planning my next chapter.If you’re interested in creative financing, buy-and-hold investing, or simply want to see what’s possible when you stay solutions-focused, this one’s for you.Connect with Courtney at CourtneyFricke.com.If this episode hits home, please like, subscribe, and share. Your support helps bring these important conversations to more people. New episodes drop weekly.


