

The Co-Living Show
Craig Curelop and Miller McSwain
Co-living is one of the most misunderstood, and highest-potential, strategies in residential real estate investing. Most investors hear the buzzwords, see the cash-flow claims, and immediately assume it’s either too risky, too operationally intense, or too complicated to scale. The truth is simpler: coliving work exceptionally well when built on systems, governed by operational clarity, and executed like a real business, not a side hustle. The Co-Living Show exists to make that clarity accessible for serious professionals who want smarter returns without gambling on guesswork.Hosted by BiggerPockets authors Craig Curelop and Miller McSwain, The Co-Living Show goes far beyond surface-level real estate content. This is the only real estate investing podcast dedicated exclusively to the economics, operations, regulations, and strategic frameworks that drive high-density co-living and shared housing at scale. Whether you’re new to the model or a high-earning, time-poor professional seeking exposure to a sophisticated cash-flow real estate strategy without becoming an operator, this show delivers the confidence, understanding, and insight needed to invest intelligently.Each episode takes you inside the real-world systems behind co-living performance. You’ll hear from operators running multi-market portfolios, attorneys specializing in zoning and compliance, designers who understand space optimization and profitability, lenders financing room-by-room rental strategies, and property managers and city officials shaping the future of affordable housing innovation. You’ll also hear from the Co-Living Cash Flow Community, everyday investors solving operational challenges and executing the exact frameworks discussed on the show. 👉 Join the community: www.millermcswain.com/communityThere is no fluff here. No hype. No motivational noise. Every conversation is grounded in data, regulatory insight, operational logic, and investor-level clarity. Co-living is not “passive income.” It’s not a shortcut. It’s a system. And systems — when executed correctly — produce scalable, predictable returns that outperform traditional rental models. This is not speculative theory. It’s cash-flow real estate strategy in action.Craig brings acquisitions, underwriting, and market strategy. Miller brings operations, pricing systems, and standardization frameworks that make coliving scalable. Together, they deliver an operator’s perspective of an asset class most investors only see from the outside. As BiggerPockets authors, educators, and practitioners, they simplify complexity without diluting truth: coliving works, but only when done correctly.You’ll hear underwriting breakdowns, operator case studies, deal teardowns, regulatory realities, tenant strategy, market analysis, and the economic logic behind high-density residential investing. You’ll learn how to invest passively, partner with experienced operators, or simply understand the business model in depth, even if you never plan to manage a property yourself.The Co-Living Show does not claim co-living works. It proves when, why, and under what conditions it works.If you want confidence instead of conjecture, systems instead of speculation, and clarity instead of chaos, this is your source of truth for professional-grade residential real estate investing.Subscribe and join thousands of investors building deeper understanding, stronger portfolios, and smarter strategies, without wasting time on noise.This is the future of residential real estate investing. And now you’ll finally understand how it works.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 8, 2024 • 14min
Invest2Friday: Asymmetric Bets, Would you Gamble on Yourself?
In today's episode of Invest2Friday @thefiguy dives into what makes people successful. What if you invested a little, to gain a lot? Tune in to learn more about the concept of asymmetric bets and see which ones make sense to bet on in your life today!

Mar 6, 2024 • 31min
Episode 178 - The Power of Saying No With Our New Co-Host Chad Rocke!
In this episode of the Invest2FI podcast, we’re joined by Chad Rocke, real estate coach and our new co-host for Invest2FI! Join us as we dive into his journey through real estate investing, from his beginnings in purchasing a duplex to his current ventures in Denver. From exploring various arbitrage opportunities to dealing with real estate failures, Chad provides valuable insights into the realities of property investment. This episode contains practical insights, such as selling furniture and units on online marketplaces and highlighting the challenges and rewards of pursuing a non-traditional path to financial freedom. We also discuss dealing with “shiny object syndrome” as real estate enthusiasts, which can often distract us from focusing on our genuine priorities. As Chad shares his experiences, we weigh the pros and cons of his Nomad™ Strategy, an approach to real estate investing that involves purchasing single-family residences with minimal down payments and renting them out while living in them. This creative strategy has allowed Chad to steadily build his real estate portfolio and generate passive income streams. As Chad announces his role as a co-host on the podcast, we’re looking forward to hearing more of his expertise and passion for real estate investing in upcoming episodes! PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[1:35] Beginning of Chad’s Journey [6:15] On Exploring Arbitrages [9:05] Dealing with Real Estate Failures [11:15] Selling Furniture and Units on Online Marketplaces [12:50] Balancing Personal and Professional Life [17:15] Knowing What to Say Yes To [22:00] Diving into Chad’s New House Hack [27:23] The Only Issue with A Nomad Strategy [29:15] Announcing Chad as Co-host HOSTS Craig Curelop 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/thefiguy 📘 Book: https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/the-house-hacking-strategy 🏘️ Buy Real Estate: https://bit.ly/3V3QDze Chad Rocke 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadrockerealtorinvestor/ 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/da_rock_22/ 🏘️ Work with Chad: https://www.thefiteam.com/team/chad-rocke/

Mar 1, 2024 • 11min
Invest2Friday: A Case Study - Living for $100 a Month
In this episode of Invest2Friday, Chad Rocke walks through a a recent house hack case study where the owner was living for $100 a month (for housing...not all expenses!) This case study lays out the trade offs of real estate investing, highlights some of the more difficult aspects, but also brings home the reason investors do it - the loan paydown (paid by others) and appreciation by holding onto the asset. Shoot @rocketherealtor a note on Instagram and let him know your thoughts on this deal. Would you have done it?

Feb 28, 2024 • 26min
Episode 177 - Readjusting Your Goals at Every Pivot Point with Ali Garced
Have you ever had to give up something you love for something else driving your life? In today’s bittersweet episode of the Invest2FI Podcast, we’rebidding farewell to our amazing co-host, Ali. Tune into to hear why Ali is leaving the podcast, what’s on deck for the future of her investments, her real estate team and family life. Before we let her go, join us for an insightful reflection on Ali’s journey over the past six years, highlighting key milestones and lessons learned. From setting future goals to navigating the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, Ali's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and risk-taking in achieving financial freedom and retiring early. As she takes this time to focus on developing her business and continuing her house hacks, this episode serves as a timely reminder to honestly know what your 80/20 priorities are in 2024. As Ali discusses her "big number" for retirement and reflects on her accomplishments, she sees the mindset and strategies propelling her toward success. Craig also shares his following big goals, offering a glimpse into the future direction of his portfolio and his ongoing pursuit of financial independence. PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[2:25] Ali’s Big Announcement [6:10] Reflecting on Ali’s Overall Financial Journey [12:05] What Is Ali’s Number to Retire? [17:00] Craig’s Next Big Goals HOSTS Craig Curelop 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/thefiguy 📘 Book: https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/the-house-hacking-strategy 🏘️ Buy Real Estate: https://bit.ly/3V3QDze Ali Garced 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/ali_the_agent/ 📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aligarced 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandragarced/ 🖥 Website: https://www.garcedrealty.com/

Feb 23, 2024 • 15min
Invest2Friday: Debunking the 9 Myths of CoLiving
We have people asking how you can still house hack & live for free or how you can buy an investment property & cash flow $1,000 a month. The answer - CoLiving! Even though we know it works for cash flow, there are a lot of objections and myths out there that prevent people from doing CoLiving investments. Tune in to today's episode & listen to Craig debunk the myths of Co-Living!

Feb 21, 2024 • 57min
Episode 176 - Becoming Financially Free at 33 and Avoiding Lifestyle Creep with Dean Valentini
Join us for an inspiring session as we sit down with Dean Valentini, current Chief of Test for the US Air Force, serial entrepreneur, and real estate investor. In today’s episode, Dean shares his remarkable journey to financial freedom, which began in 2017 with his first “accidental” house hack in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Since then, he has leveraged the power of real estate to build a diverse portfolio in multiple house hacks and business acquisitions, all while balancing a career in the military and pursuing his passions.Throughout the episode, Dean highlights tips for starting your real estate journey. From the surprising benefits of house hacking to the importance of setting up systems for self-managing properties, Dean is generous enough to share his firsthand experiences and hard-earned lessons learned along the way. We also discuss the nuances of real estate investing in different markets, particularly his ventures in Denver. We provide listeners with actionable tips for their first investments into the financial independence life. Tune in for a transparent discussion on his current portfolio, realistic investment figures, and plans for future acquisitions. We also have an honest conversation on the challenges of avoiding lifestyle creep and maintaining financial discipline on the path to FIRE. Join us as we explore Dean's extraordinary entrepreneurial mindset, his refreshing passion for real estate, and his deep commitment to helping others excel in their pursuit of financial success and early retirement! PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[5:55] Dean’s First Accidental House Hack [14:50] Surprising Benefits for Your First House Hack [16:00] Setting up Systems for Self-Managing Properties [21:30] Tips for Getting Started in Real Estate [27:30] On House Hacking in Denver [29:00] Diving Into Realistic Real Estate Numbers [32:50] What’s Next for Dean? [34:00] Basics of Business Acquisition 101 [40:45] Unpacking Dean’s Portfolio and Assets in 2024 [44:45] Avoiding Lifestyle Creep When Aiming for FIRE HOSTS Craig Curelop 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/thefiguy 📘 Book: https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/the-house-hacking-strategy 🏘️ Buy Real Estate: https://bit.ly/3V3QDze Ali Garced 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/ali_the_agent/ 📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aligarced 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandragarced/ 🖥 Website: https://www.garcedrealty.com/ GUEST Dean Valentini📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/thedeanofwealth/ 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-gogs-valentini/ 📩 Cleared for Acquisition Newsletter: https://clearedforacquisition.com/subscribe 🌳 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thedeanofwealth

Feb 16, 2024 • 11min
Invest2Friday: Who the Heck is Chad Rocke?!
Chad Rocke is a top performing, investor-friendly agent and The FI Team lead agent. But who is Chad Rocke to you, and why should you care??Chad's just a normal dude from the Midwest who intuitively knew investing in real estate was the way to go. He didn't know about BiggerPockets or House Hacking, but he knew it was the path to financial stability and wealth building. Tune into this episode to hear how Chad snowballed his investment portfolio, retired his wife and built a solid real estate business in just a few years.If he could do it, so can you. Hit him up on IG and welcome him to the show: rocketherealtor

Feb 14, 2024 • 48min
Episode 175 - Embracing Early Retirement and Traveling the World at 27 With James Lowery
Join us on this week’s episode as we delve into James Lowery's inspiring journey to financial independence! While working in a physical therapy clinic, James quickly realized that retiring at 62 sounded far from what an ideal life looked like. James and his wife Emily then embarked on a relentless real estate journey and built a real estate portfolio from one condo to nine units in their first year! Since then, the couple retired at 27 & 28, which allowed them to launch Rethink the Rat Race, a brand committed to sharing their experiences and insights on achieving financial freedom before age 30! So, if you’re looking to escape the rat race and enjoy the nomad lifestyle worldwide, this episode is precisely what you’ve been looking for! Tune in as James provides pivotal moments and insights from his journey toward financial independence. From his start in house hacking to navigating the transition out of traditional employment, James shares unconventional strategies for building wealth through real estate investment. With a focus on cash flow and geographic appreciation, James discusses the importance of strategic decision-making and the considerations involved in managing a diverse portfolio of rental properties. From remote deal sourcing to evaluating property investments, James offers candid reflections and actionable tips for investors looking to experience the same kind of unique and fulfilling success. This enlightening episode is a true testament to the life-changing power of persevering, adapting, and continuously learning to pursue wealth-building and financial independence. Embrace early retirement just like James today! PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS: [7:00] Learning About Financial Independence in 2016 [8:30] Living in His First House Hack [15:00] Making the Transition Out of a W2 [17:02] Buying Homes Without a Job [20:30] Advice on Condos and HOAs[26:00] Why Convert to Short-term Rentals [28:58] Which Units to Sell Off and Which Ones to Buy [34:00] On Putting in a Deal Remotely [37:40] Parting Words of Wisdom For Investors HOSTS Craig Curelop 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/thefiguy 📘 Book: https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/the-house-hacking-strategy 🏘️ Buy Real Estate: https://bit.ly/3V3QDze Ali Garced 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/ali_the_agent/ 📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aligarced 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandragarced/ 🖥 Website: https://www.garcedrealty.com/ GUEST James Lowery (Rethink the Rat Race) 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/rethinktheratrace/ 💻 Website: https://rethinktheratrace.com/ 📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RatRaceRejects/ 🗣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/RethinkRatRace

Feb 9, 2024 • 12min
Invest2Friday: House Hacking in an Expensive City
How do you make the numbers work in expensive cities? Are the current interest rates and high home prices cost prohibitive for house hackers? In today's episode of Invest2Friday Craig walks us through different house hacking strategies that can match where you are on the comfortability continuum and meet your criteria for monthly income. Hint from @thefiguy....stop fixating on the current rates or home prices. Focus on that monthly payment. If your rental income can cover that monthly payment...that's what matters!

Feb 7, 2024 • 1h 2min
Episode 174 - Owning 176 Units and Counting at 24 with Donato Callahan
In this episode, we’re thrilled to hear Donato Callahan's inspiring story of how he went from a failed wholesaling business in college to growing a portfolio of 176 units and managing nearly $500M in assets by the young age of 24! With his passion for data-driven decision-making, he also co-founded BrightInvestor, a real estate data visualization software that allows investors to vet potential deals based on the geograzphic data. Transitioning as a Geospatial Analyst in the Department of Defense to becoming the CEO of BrightInvestor and the Acquisition Coordinator for CREE Capital, Donato’s career journey is certainly one for the books. Join us as he shares his philosophies on taking risks, learning and failing fast, and pursuing difficult specialties that position you to make the most money. During the episode, our guest shares invaluable insights about shifting out of a pension-dependent mindset and embracing the risks that come with pursuing financial independence. We also talk about what inspired Donato to develop a market research software for deal vetting. With his firsthand experience in investing out-of-state, Donato and his colleagues realized that you can vet deals in a faster and more efficient manner by visualizing much-needed geographic data, such as population information, job growth, crime rates, and more. Currently, this $4M real estate software platform is rapidly growing with over a 1000 users and a mission to empower beginner investors to pursue their real estate aspirations. Ultimately, Donato's story serves as a inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and real estate investors alike. Tune in to be inspired by Donato’s advice on the importance of reaching out to mentors, collaborating with others, and overcoming the mental barriers that tend to paralyze others into inaction. PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[6:28] Introduction to Financial Independence [9:35] Shifting Your Mindset About Working Until Retirement [14:25] Diving Into the Numbers Behind Donato’s First Deal [18:00] How to Invest Out-Of-State for the First Time [22:40] On Syndications and Mutli-Million Dollar Purchases [25:25] Standing out in the Real Estate Industry [28:58] How Do You Get Paid for Commercial Multi-Family [32:15] The Power of Gaining Real Estate Mentorship [37:25] Bright Investor’s Inspiring Origin Story [46:50] How to Realistically Raise Capital [52:25] Donato’s Best Piece of Advice HOSTS Craig Curelop 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/thefiguy 📘 Book: https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/the-house-hacking-strategy 🏘️ Buy Real Estate: https://bit.ly/3V3QDze Ali Garced 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/ali_the_agent/ 📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aligarced 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandragarced/ 🖥 Website: https://www.garcedrealty.com/ GUEST Donato Callahan 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/donato_callahan/ 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donato-callahan/ 💻 Website:https://www.donatocallahan.com/ 💻 Bright Investor: https://brightinvestor.com/


