

Discourse with Christian
Christian E. White
Join Christian and his guests as they explore the state of society, the global economy, and geopolitics—delivering sharp insights, clear analysis, and conversations that challenge conventional thinking.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 2, 2024 • 1h 23min
"We are uncovering who we are." — James "Bart" Bartelloni | The SUP Veterans

Sep 20, 2024 • 48min
Mike Auerbach | 1031 Specialists
Mike Auerbach, VP of Growth at 1031 Specialists, shares his background and journey in the commercial real estate industry. He discusses the opportunities and challenges in the 1031 exchange space, emphasizing the importance of carving out a niche. The conversation also touches on the impact of technology and social media in the industry, the value of community and in-person experiences, and the need to embrace vulnerability and take risks. Additionally, Mike addresses the 1031 exchange process and the misconceptions surrounding it. He talks about the impact of artificial intelligence on the industry and shares insights into his daily routine and advice for success. Mike emphasizes the importance of patience, urgency, and surrounding oneself with good people. He also shares his interest in history.
00:00 Introduction and Background02:07 Carving Out a Niche in Commercial Real Estate06:39 The Impact of Technology and Social Media10:32 The Value of Community and In-Person Experiences13:21 Embracing Vulnerability and Taking Risks24:14 Demystifying the 1031 Exchange Process30:34 The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the 1031 Exchange Industry35:15 Balancing Patience and Urgency for Success42:54 The Power of Surrounding Yourself with Good People47:24 Gaining Insights from History

Sep 19, 2024 • 1h 19min
David Tangipa | State Assembly Candidate
David Tangipa, a candidate for the California State Assembly, shares his background and vision for the state. He grew up in a low-income community in North Highlands and used football and education to break the cycle of poverty. Tangipa emphasizes the importance of home ownership and real estate as means to build wealth and lift families out of poverty. He addresses challenges facing California, including high housing prices, taxes, mismanaged forests, and a lack of government accountability. Advocating for individual responsibility, Tangipa prioritizes the well-being of Californians.
He shares his personal experiences and challenges, highlighting the importance of perseverance and learning from hardships. Tangipa discusses the impact of divine intervention and the need to keep moving forward. He stresses the value of grounding oneself in faith or personal values and the lessons that can be learned from history. Encouraging individuals to embrace failure and strive for a better life, he also acknowledges the blessings and opportunities they have.
David describes a typical day that involves campaigning, working for the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, and managing real estate. He underscores the importance of family and finding time for friends amidst a busy schedule.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
06:38 David Tangipa's Work in Fresno County
09:35 Challenges Facing California
20:45 The Need for Accountability and Individual Responsibility
39:20 Divine Intervention and Counting Blessings
40:18 Desire for a Better Life and Getting Back on Track
44:11 The Power of AI and Innovation in the Modern World
45:06 Overcoming Fear of AI and Embracing its Potential
56:05 Perseverance and Learning from Hardships
01:01:18 David Tangipa's Typical Day and Balancing Work and Family
01:05:58 The Value of Challenges and Setbacks
01:13:38 Connecting with David Tangipa and Getting Involved

Sep 18, 2024 • 58min
Chief Paco Balderrama | El Matador Consulting
Chief Paco Balderrama shares his background in law enforcement, including his experience as the police chief of Fresno, California. He discusses the importance of parental involvement and investment in youth to address crime and homelessness. He also talks about the challenges faced by law enforcement during the George Floyd era and the need for honest conversations to bring about positive change. Chief Balderrama expresses optimism for the future of law enforcement, highlighting advancements in technology and the importance of support from the federal government. He discusses the support he received after leaving his position as police chief and starting his own consulting company. He emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with a supportive tribe and the freedom that comes with no longer having to constantly fulfill others' requests. Paco Balderrama shares his plans to work with other police departments across the country, providing training and assistance based on the successful strategies implemented in Fresno. He also highlights the need for human connection and mental health support, especially in law enforcement. He encourages leaders to prioritize their own well-being and to be open about seeking help.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background05:27 Early Days in Law Enforcement09:17 Misconceptions about Law Enforcement12:23 Challenges and Solutions in Law Enforcement15:28 The Impact of the George Floyd Era19:21 Optimism for the Future of Law Enforcement22:38 The Role of Politics in Law Enforcement26:31 The Democratization of Content Creation30:09 The Impact of Politics on Law Enforcement33:12 From Police Chief to Consultant: Sharing Success38:35 Prioritizing Human Connection and Mental Health41:47 Supporting Law Enforcement Nationwide44:35 The Importance of Personal Well-being

Sep 17, 2024 • 58min
Benjamin Tran | Chairman & CEO at Bitech Technologies

Sep 16, 2024 • 49min
Bob Kulakowski | Founder & CEO of FutureTV

Sep 9, 2024 • 52min
Andrew McCormick | AnVi Investments
Andrew McCormick's journey from a creative child selling drawings to a successful real estate investor and coach is marked by his emphasis on hard work, self-awareness, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. He and Christian White discuss how essential it is to take breaks and sabbaticals to boost productivity and gain fresh perspectives. McCormick stresses the importance of focusing on personal strengths and delegating tasks that deplete energy. They both agree on the fundamental principles of success: clarity, focus, hard work, and self-awareness. Additionally, they highlight the role of mental and physical well-being in achieving success, underscoring the benefits of self-reflection, therapy, and addressing limiting beliefs. McCormick shares insights from his work with AnVi Investments in Tennessee, while White talks about his plans for a mixed-use property. Both stress the importance of time off and reconnecting with nature for recharging and refocusing.

Aug 30, 2024 • 43min
Bob Knakal - Over $22 Billion in Deals, NY CRE Broker
Bob Knakal, founder and CEO of BK Real Estate Advisors, shares his journey in the commercial real estate industry and the changes he has witnessed in New York City over the years. He emphasizes the importance of being a market expert, having a passion for the business, and using discipline effectively. Bob also discusses the impact of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, on the industry. He highlights the challenges he has faced and the lessons he has learned, including the importance of confronting fears and maintaining a positive attitude. Bob is proud of his servant leadership approach and the success of the brokers he has mentored.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:33 Changes in New York City Real Estate
05:35 Career Path and Staying in the Brokerage Industry
08:02 Lessons Learned and Overcoming Challenges
11:50 The Future of Commercial Real Estate and Technology
16:35 Day-to-Day Operations and Cold Calling
20:30 Noteworthy Deals and Personal Interests
24:54 The Economic Landscape and Policy Impact
28:48 Personal Development and Giving Back
31:40 Maintaining Perspective and Gratitude
35:00 Advice for Young Professionals
40:44 Pride and Final Thoughts

Aug 29, 2024 • 1h 6min
Taylor Avakian | Founder of The Group CRE
Taylor Avakian, founder of The Group CRE, shares his background and journey in the commercial real estate industry. He discusses his experience in college, his interest in real estate, and his foray into content creation. Taylor also talks about the challenges and opportunities in the California real estate market, the importance of understanding the perspective of property owners, and the value of leveraging technology and AI in the brokerage business. The conversation explores the importance of social capital and emotional intelligence in the real estate industry. It emphasizes the value of building relationships, trust, and reputation as a form of currency. Including the balance between work and personal life, the power of simplicity and focusing on the basics, and the need to enjoy the journey rather than just the destination. They also touch on the importance of self-awareness, understanding one's values, and finding what resonates with oneself. The conversation concludes with the advice to do the basics better than anyone else and the reminder that everyone is constantly learning and figuring things out.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
05:53 The Power of Content Creation
12:41 Navigating the California Real Estate Market
18:55 Transitioning to Founding The Group CRE
25:03 Challenges and Opportunities in California Real Estate
28:52 Embracing Technology and AI in the Brokerage Business
33:14 The Future of the Industry
36:36 Building Relationships and Social Capital
37:31 Emotional Intelligence and Trust
38:15 Work-Life Balance
40:20 Simplicity and Basics
42:44 Enjoying the Journey
45:03 Self-Awareness and Values
49:03 Continuous Learning and Growth
52:38 Doing the Basics Better
56:21 Continuous Improvement and Reflection

Aug 28, 2024 • 51min
Trey Wheeler | Vice President of Investments
Trey Wheeler, Vice President of Investments at Tailwind Investment Group, shares his background and career trajectory in the real estate industry. He discusses the influence of his father, who was an investment banker, and the impact of the 2008 financial crisis. The conversation delves into the interconnectedness of the global economy and the implications for commercial real estate. Trey also provides insights into the current state of the multifamily market and predicts a focus on local markets and micro locations. The conversation explores the challenges and risks in the commercial real estate market, particularly in the multifamily sector. The discussion highlights the dangers of overpaying for properties and the impact of high leverage on property values. It also delves into the role of lenders and the potential for loan modifications. The conversation emphasizes the importance of reputation and caution when investing as a limited partner. It concludes with advice on personal growth, the power of words, and finding a career aligned with passion and goals.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
05:28 The Influence of Trey's Father
10:14 The Impact of the 2008 Financial Crisis
18:41 The Interconnectedness of the Global Economy
20:02 Challenges in the Chinese Commercial Real Estate Market
20:32 The Focus on Local Markets and Micro Locations
25:52 Stagnation in Commercial Real Estate Transactions
26:05 Opportunities in the Multifamily Market
27:25 The Dangers of Overpaying and High Leverage
29:43 The Role of Lenders and Loan Modifications
35:17 Caution and Evaluation as a Limited Partner
43:11 Personal Growth: Understanding Identity and Becoming
49:01 The Power of Words and Framing Identity


