

Short Term Rental Secrets Podcast
MICHAEL SJOGREN
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
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 22, 2025 • 40min
Ep 273 - The Inner Game of Building a High-Performance STR Business with Stacey St. John
Stacey St. John is a visionary real estate entrepreneur focused on empowering women in short-term rentals. In this lively discussion, she explores the importance of self-awareness and intuition in decision-making. Stacey highlights how identity shapes actions and shares practical mindset tools to combat overwhelm. She emphasizes hiring based on values rather than resumes and the significance of building aligned teams. Additionally, she candidly discusses her own struggles with limiting beliefs, revealing that continual improvement is her secret to success.

8 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 44min
Ep 272 - How AI Will Replace Most STR Ops Work (And What Operators Should Do) with Shahar Goldboim
Shahar Goldboim, Co-founder and CEO of Boom, shares insights from his journey in real estate and technology. He explains how AI is revolutionizing short-term rental operations and suggests that fragmented software is hindering growth. Shahar discusses the importance of focusing on operational data, which lets AI handle 80% of guest communications. He emphasizes that businesses must evolve or risk falling behind. Additionally, he highlights that building relationships is key to success in the industry.

10 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 48min
Ep 271 - Why Your STR Isn’t Making What It Should — And How to Fix It with Mark Lumpkin
Mark Lumpkin, founder of STR Cribs, reveals how to transform underperforming short-term rentals into profitable ventures. He discusses common pitfalls made by high-net-worth investors and emphasizes the importance of strategic amenities over sheer quantity. Mark advocates for a focused hiring approach, likening elite teams to 'SEAL Team 6,' and shares insights on maintaining a high-performance culture through healthy tension. Learn how to identify ideal clients and refine operations for success in the STR landscape.

9 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 38min
Ep 270 - Why Most STR Hosts Stay Broke — And How Bernie Broke Out
In this episode, Bernie Cesareo, a dynamic short-term rental investor and operator, shares his transformative journey from struggling to thriving. He emphasizes the importance of shifting identity to unlock true potential, discussing how self-image and mindset influence business success. Bernie reveals his methods for delegating tasks, trusting his team, and manifesting dreams like his new Jeep Rubicon. He encourages listeners to think big, act as CEOs, and embrace gratitude to attract opportunities. Bernie's insights aim to empower fellow hosts to break out of stagnation.

Nov 27, 2025 • 23min
Arbitrage vs. Co-Hosting: The Real Winner Isn’t Even Close | The STR Scale Show with Mike Reilly | Ep 34
The arbitrage era is cracking — fast. With Sonder filing bankruptcy and operators across the country getting crushed by fixed leases, the truth is clear: the STR model you choose determines whether you scale… or sink.In this episode, we break down why arbitrage is failing, what Sonder’s collapse teaches every host, and why co-hosting remains the most profitable, low-risk, scalable model in 2025 and beyond.Inside this episode: • Why arbitrage collapses under pressure • The hidden costs operators never calculate • Why co-hosting produces higher margins with lower risk • How boutique operators beat centralized “big brand” models • What the fastest-growing hosts are doing differently • The shift every STR operator must make in 2025Message me to get a free resource and see how the program could fit your goals.Click the link below:https://go.strsecrets.com/podcast?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Captivate&utm_campaign=T034&utm_content=RESOURCE00:01:00 – The Real Cost of Arbitrage: Leases, Debt & Cash Burn00:02:30 – Why Arbitrage Margins Collapse in Today’s Market00:03:45 – Co-Hosting vs. Arbitrage: The Risk Difference00:05:10 – Arbitrage at Scale Becomes a Cash-Flow Death Trap00:06:15 – Real Examples of Small Operators Losing Money00:07:10 – The Tiny Margin of Error That Kills Arbitrage Deals00:08:30 – Why Co-Hosting Wins: Low CAC, High Lifetime Value00:10:20 – How Operators Are Scaling Co-Hosting With $0 Spend00:12:20 – Centralized vs. Local: Why Guest Experience Matters00:15:00 – Why Arbitrage Can’t Keep Up With Industry Changes00:17:00 – The Bankruptcy Wave: Small Operators Getting Hit00:18:30 – How to Pivot Out of Arbitrage Before It’s Too Late00:20:10 – What a Healthy Co-Hosting/PM Business Looks Like00:22:00 – No Get-Rich-Quick: The Reality of STR SuccessGet FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:https://group.strsecrets.com/

10 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 42min
Ep 269 - How to Scale Your Property Management Business with Brooke Pfautz
Brooke Pfautz, founder of Vintory and creator of Comparant, shares insights from scaling a vacation rental business to 500 properties. He reveals why many property managers struggle to break past 100 doors and the secrets of top operators. Learn how to design high-performance properties and why marketing is now essential. Brooke also discusses the importance of building a solid sales pipeline, attracting marquee properties, and empowering your team to make decisions. Tune in for practical advice on owner acquisition and operational excellence!

10 snips
Nov 20, 2025 • 18min
How to Build an STR Business That Survives, Scales & Actually Sells | The STR Scale Show with Mike Reilly | Ep 33
Discover the hidden value in your short-term rental business and how to build it for success. Learn from the mishaps of companies like Sonder and Vacasa, and avoid their pitfalls. Uncover what private equity firms look for when investing in STRs, as well as tips for scaling your business effectively. Find out why local operators can stand out with the right systems in place. Lastly, explore key strategies to position your business for a lucrative exit.

8 snips
Nov 17, 2025 • 41min
Ep 268 - The Next Era of STR & What’s Coming : Inside the Freedom Factory
Chris Patsy, an accomplished short-term rental operator and a key figure in property management, shares his journey from financial struggles to owning 120+ properties. He discusses the shifting landscape of the STR industry and the importance of mentorship and community support. The conversation dives into the power of property management as an exit strategy, the benefits of consolidation in the industry, and the new era of education with upcoming shows to help operators scale while enhancing guest experiences.

10 snips
Nov 13, 2025 • 32min
The AI Advantage: How Smart Hosts Are Scaling While Others Fall Behind | The STR Scale Show with Mike Reilly | Ep 32
Discover how AI is revolutionizing short-term rentals by streamlining operations and enhancing guest experiences. Learn about innovative tools like ChatGPT for marketing and how systems can evolve to stay competitive. Uncover the mistakes hosts make when integrating automation and the importance of data-driven decisions. Explore dynamic pricing strategies and the synergy between AI and human teams. Plus, tips for future-proofing your business model and improving hosting standards to influence regulations.

10 snips
Nov 10, 2025 • 19min
Ep 267 - Desire vs. Fear: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
Explore the tension between desire and fear that drives decision-making. Learn how shifting from a fear-based mindset to one rooted in desire can transform your life. Discover the link between identity, behavior, and reality, emphasizing that true discipline stems from consistently choosing desire. Emmanuel shares practical tests to evaluate your decisions, the importance of courage in sustaining growth, and the need to embrace discomfort when pursuing change. Get inspired to challenge your paradigms and act from faith!


