
Short Term Rental Secrets Podcast
The Short Term Rental Secrets Podcast is dedicated to providing actionable content to help new and seasoned real estate investors launch, automate and scale their Airbnb business and fast track their journey to financial freedom. You can enjoy the podcast and other free resources at www.STRsecrets.com
Latest episodes

Jul 3, 2025 • 18min
How Mark Quit His Job, Scaled to 37 Units, and Doubled Revenue Without Spending a Dime | The STR Scale Show with Mike Reilly | Ep 19
Mark had 11 Airbnb units, a full-time medical sales job, and barely any profit.Just 18 months later?He runs 37 listings, left his W-2, and built a profitable, freedom-filled business, all without using his own capital.In this episode, we break down exactly how he did it:The red flags in his arbitrage model that forced a pivotHow he turned losses into leverage with a co-hosting pitchA case study that took one property from $90K → $211KThe “Underserved Investor Method” for finding hidden gemsWhy volume doesn’t matter, precision doesAnd the system he used to scale without capital or burnoutIf you’re stuck, tired, or scaling blindly, this might be the episode that saves your business.00:00 - Burned Out at 11 Units, Freedom at 37: The Mark Story00:01 - Rising Rents and Saturation: Why Arbitrage Fails00:04 - Audit and Pivot: How a Simple Portfolio Audit Changes Everything00:05 - Switch to Co-Hosting: Scale with No Capital00:06 - The Design ROI Pitch: Turn $10K Into $33K Fast00:09 - Underserved Investor Method: Find Hidden Gems Others Miss00:12 - $30K Redesign → $211K Revenue: Real Numbers, Real Proof00:13 - Fire Bad Managers: Care Wins Big00:14 - Small but Mighty: Profit Without Massive Volume00:15 - Cohosting Margins: 50%+ With Full Teams00:16 - Don’t Blame Pricing: Fix Your Offer and Model Instead00:17 - Raise the Bar: Better Hosts, Better Homes, Better IndustryGet FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:https://group.strsecrets.com

Jun 30, 2025 • 49min
Ep 248 - From Airbnb Suspension to 90% Occupancy with Midterm Rentals & AI Automation with Amanda Williams
Amanda Williams, known as The Traveling Realtor, is a real estate entrepreneur and founder of Carolina Furnished Rentals. In this discussion, she reveals how being banned from Airbnb prompted her to pivot to midterm rentals, achieving an impressive 90-95% occupancy. Amanda shares insights on developing an AI tool to automate operations and enhance marketing, alongside strategies for building a resilient brand and attracting relocation clients. She emphasizes the importance of balance, personal branding, and nurturing mental wellness in the fast-paced rental market.

Jun 26, 2025 • 26min
How to Win STR Clients in a Down Market (Even If Bookings Are Slowing Down) | The STR Scale Show with Mike Reilly | Ep 18
Most co-hosts are blaming the market. But it’s not the market......it’s your offer.In this episode, we walk through how to dominate even when bookings slow down, using frameworks that helped our clients grow from 0 to 100+ properties (without lowering their standards).Inside, you’ll learn:The 2 sales you must make to land AND grow every clientHow to niche down with an offer big managers can’t touchWhy “boutique” isn’t enough (and what to say instead)ChatGPT + Hormozi = your unfair advantageThe COHOST sales framework that turns owners into clients fastIf you’re tired of feeling stuck in the cohosting middle zone…This is the episode that unlocks your next 10 doors.Want to generate your Perfect Offer? Just click the link below to get the ChatGPT Prompt:https://ig.me/m/mike.sjogren?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Captivate&utm_campaign=T018&utm_content=Prompt00:00 – Stand Out or Stay Stuck: Why Differentiation Is Non-Negotiable 00:12 – The COHOST Framework: A Proven Sales Funnel for STR Growth 00:45 – Survive the Booking Slump: Why Traditional Markets Are Struggling 02:44 – Don’t Panic Price: How to Maximize Occupancy Without Slashing Rates 04:48 – The #1 Mistake: Thinking Being Small Automatically Wins Trust 05:15 – Riches in Niches: Hyper-Focus Your Property Strategy 07:00 – The Plus-One Strategy: Tiny Add-Ons That Win Big Contracts 10:33 – STR Takeover Transformation: Craft an Offer They Can’t Refuse 14:59 – Risk-Reversal Guarantees: The Ultimate Owner Conversion Tactic 21:00 – Make STRs Great Again: Why Boutique Operators Are the Future Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:https://group.strsecrets.com

14 snips
Jun 23, 2025 • 32min
Ep 247 - The Identity Shift That Unlocks Everything (And How to Use AI to Scale Smarter)
The conversation dives into how internal dialogue can either propel or hinder success. The hosts share transformative strategies for reprogramming self-talk to align with aspirations. Discover practical AI tools that streamline operations—from optimizing sales calls to automating guest messaging. Learn how to conduct effective market research and enhance team training with custom AI solutions. This insightful discussion provides actionable steps for anyone looking to elevate their short-term rental business and personal growth.

Jun 19, 2025 • 30min
This Is the Final STR WealthCon…Here’s What to Expect | The STR Scale Show with Mike Reilly | Ep17
The end of an era. The final STR WealthCon is here, and Mike Sjogren and Bill Faith are going out with a bang.In this episode, we break down exactly what’s coming, why this event will never happen again, and how to make the most of it.What you’ll learn: • Why this is the last WealthCon hosted by Mike & Bill • The new format designed for all STR business levels • Speaker highlights: Cody Sanchez, Pace Morby & more • The 9 deep-dive masterclasses (creative finance, hotels, scaling) • Real deals, partners, and freedom stories born from past WealthCons • VIP & Diamond perks: elite networking, pre-events, premium access • Mike’s “Generational Wealth Blueprint” sneak peekWhether you’re coming or just curious, this is the behind-the-scenes breakdown you need.Learn more about the 2025 STR Wealth Conferencehttps://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=829193&discountcode=MEMBERSONLYCLUBGet FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:https://group.strsecrets.com02:58 – Why This Is the Final STR WealthCon04:50 – Scaling from 15 to 2000+ Attendees in 3 Years06:45 – Why This Will Be the Most Impactful STR Event Yet07:17 – Keynote Power: Cody Sanchez, Pace Morby & Business Mastery12:00 – A Brand-New Generational Wealth Roadmap (Never Shared Before)15:26 – Networking Blocks: How Deals Worth Millions Begin17:20 – Raising Industry Standards: How Better Hosts Beat Regulation20:03 – How to Build a Business That Runs Without You

Jun 16, 2025 • 37min
Ep 246 - He Scaled to 70 STRs While Running 2 Companies with Buck Cumbo
Buck Cumbo, owner of Sea Mountain Vacations and Brand Director at The 100 Collection, shares his journey from managing a single rental to overseeing 70 properties while running a digital marketing agency. He reveals how partnerships and innovative strategies propelled his rapid growth, including leveraging AI for efficiency. Buck discusses the importance of cash flow strategies during slow seasons and emphasizes crafting irresistible offers to attract clients. With a focus on tech and maintenance, he explains how these elements can boost guest satisfaction and retention.

11 snips
Jun 12, 2025 • 29min
Airbnb Just Rolled Out a Trap for Hosts (Opt Out Fast) | The STR Scale Show with Mike Reilly | Ep 15
Mark Simpson, founder of Boostly, helps short-term rental owners enhance their marketing and direct bookings. In this discussion, he reveals Airbnb's troubling new feature, 'Services,' allowing guests to book experiences without host approval, putting them at liability risk. Simpson shares a simple three-step opt-out process and underscores the urgency for hosts to act collectively. He also emphasizes diversifying their business beyond Airbnb and the importance of collaborating with local providers to create enticing upsell opportunities.

10 snips
Jun 9, 2025 • 46min
Ep 245 - From Tragedy to Terra: How Diana & Josh Built Palm Springs’ First Wellness Hotel
Diana and Josh Dobken are accomplished architects and investors who transformed personal tragedy into a thriving venture with Terra Palm Springs, the area's first wellness boutique hotel. They discuss pivoting from short-term rentals to commercial real estate and leveraging their design expertise to create unique guest experiences. The couple emphasizes the importance of generous hospitality, setting clear goals, and building strong relationships in real estate. Their journey is a moving testament to finding purpose through pain and taking bold actions in business.

Jun 5, 2025 • 25min
AirDNA’s New Tools Just Gave Smart Hosts a Huge Advantage (Here’s What to Do) | The STR Scale Show with Mike Reilly | Ep 15
AirDNA just dropped its biggest platform update in years, and if you’re not using these tools, you’re falling behind.From custom comps to Airbnb integration, this episode breaks down the new features, how to use them, and what they reveal about the 2025 STR landscape.What you’ll learn:How to use the new Rentalizer confidence score and custom compsWhy saved projections and expense tracking are game changersThe truth about 2025 booking trends (and who’s winning)What AirDNA’s forecast says about rates, RevPAR, and smart investingIf you’re serious about short-term rentals, you can’t afford to miss this.Want to get our Latest Deal Analyzer? Just click the link to our Instagram below and send 'Rentalizer'https://ig.me/m/mike.sjogren?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Captivate&utm_campaign=T015&utm_content=Rentalizer02:35 – Why the Update Matters: Major Interface and Logic Changes05:10 – Data Model Shift: From Historical to Projected Revenue08:00 – The 3 Core Metrics You MUST Understand in the New Version11:00 – Updated Filters: Comp Selection and Market Targeting13:30 – Accuracy Considerations: What AirDNA Gets Wrong (and Right)16:45 – Real-Time Demo: Using the New Tool to Analyze a Property20:20 – How to Reverse Engineer a Successful STR Deal with AirDNA24:00 – Hidden Pitfalls: Common Mistakes People Make Post-Update28:10 – Strategic Recommendations for Using the New RentalizerGet FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:https://group.strsecrets.com

8 snips
Jun 2, 2025 • 36min
Ep 244 - From Banking to 96 STRs: Why Fouad Built a Bankable Airbnb Empire
Fouad Badzi, with 31 years in banking and consulting, shares his exhilarating shift to short-term rentals, managing 96 properties. He reveals how a medical emergency sparked his journey into Airbnb and emphasizes the importance of using math for pricing strategies. Fouad explains the distinctions between luxury and comfort stays and the tech stack he employs. He also discusses scaling to a $12 million target, the necessity of reverse-engineering an exit strategy, and the mindset needed for sustainable business success.