Episodes

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance, host Jamie Bateman sits down with Brooke Kaine, owner of Kaine Investments and a seasoned real estate veteran with decades of experience across land development, ground-up construction, rehabs, and private lending in Maryland. Brooke is the kind of guest who is as generous with his wisdom as he has been with his time — a self-described evangelist for private lending who discovered hard money about 13 years ago and hasn't looked back since. His story spans multiple real estate strategies, a pivotal geographic move that changed his trajectory, and a business model that ultimately gave him something more valuable than profit: consistent cashflow and deeply meaningful relationships. But this episode isn't just about the mechanics of private lending. It's about the mindset shifts, the inflection points, and the hard-won lessons that come from living through market crashes, government overreach, and the quiet courage it takes to uproot your…

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance, host Jamie Bateman sits down with Nate Hare, Vice President at Directed IRA, who knows firsthand what it means to lose it all and rebuild. In 2007–2008, Nate lost all 17 of his rental properties and was forced to file for bankruptcy — and if that wasn't enough, he simultaneously lost his job in the mortgage industry. Two crushing blows at once. But rather than staying down, Nate used that painful chapter as a launchpad to discover one of the most u...

In this special crossover episode, Jamie Bateman — host of the From Adversity to Abundance Podcast and fund manager at Labrador Lending — steps to the other side of the mic as a featured guest on the Real Estate Pros Show with host Michelle Tack. Jamie pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to build and operate a mortgage note investing business, from sourcing deals and raising capital to the day-to-day realities of asset management. Jamie shares candid stories from the field, includin...

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance, host Jamie Bateman sits down with Will Harvey of Harvey Capital for a practical, in-depth conversation on private lending, hard money, and what it really takes to run a real estate fund. Will shares his journey from working in the mortgage business to flipping houses—and ultimately finding his niche in private lending and fund management. As he prepares to launch his first 506C fund, Will breaks down how these structures work, why he chose to focus...

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance, host Jamie Bateman sits down with Kaaren Hall, Founder and CEO of UDirect IRA Services, to unpack an incredible journey that began in the depths of the 2008–2009 financial crisis. From being a single mother navigating divorce and job loss to building a company that now oversees more than $1.3 billion in assets, Kaaren’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and long-term vision. What started with just $2,000 and a small office setup grew into...

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance, host Jamie Bateman sits down with Matt Stevens, known as “the franchise guy,” for a candid conversation about business, real estate, and the realities behind both. Matt shares his early entrepreneurial success—building a painting franchise to 5,000 hours in just three months—before opening up about his much tougher experience in real estate, where fires, insurance issues, and other setbacks led to roughly $50,000 in losses. This episode offers a gr...

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance, host Jamie Bateman sits down with Dr. Adam Link, certified financial planner and founder of Fireweed Capital, for a candid conversation about the realities of investing and building wealth. Adam shares his journey from post-2008 financial adversity to becoming a multimillionaire, including high-profile career roles at Coinbase and multiple entrepreneurial ventures. He dives into his personal investment challenges, having lost over $800,000 across v...

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance, host Jamie Bateman shares a presentation from the 8th Annual Cash Flow Expo, where he breaks down one of the most overlooked steps in real estate investing: identifying your investor avatar. Too often, investors jump straight into mortgage note investing, rental properties, or passive deals without first asking a critical question—what type of investor am I? Skipping this step can lead to frustration, misaligned strategies, and unnecessary risk. ...

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance, host Jamie Bateman sits down with Robert Rolih, an international bestselling author, financial educator, and entrepreneur living in Slovenia. This conversation takes a different turn than many past episodes, focusing on financial ownership, personal responsibility, and the hard lessons that come from trusting the wrong “experts.” Robert shares how growing up without much money shaped his drive to build a web development and software business from a...

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance, host Jamie Bateman sits down with Dan Deppen, owner of Call the Underwriter, a company that works closely with seller-finance and owner-finance real estate investors to help create loans for owner-occupied borrowers. But this conversation goes well beyond underwriting and real estate mechanics. Dan opens up about a season of personal and professional transition that many listeners will find deeply relatable. He shares his experience navigating a...

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance, host Jamie Bateman sits down with Stephen Predmore, a long-time engineer who discovered firsthand how fragile job security can be—and how real estate investing can provide true financial stability. After decades in a W-2 role, Stephen described himself as “fat, dumb, and happy,” comfortable in his career until an unexpected financial blow upended everything he thought was secure. In an instant, his primary income source dried up, forcing him to ...

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance, host Jamie Bateman sits down with Brad Andrus, a Texas-based entrepreneur who’s built, lost, and rebuilt multiple businesses across both real estate and other industries. Brad’s journey is a powerful story of perseverance, adaptability, and the enduring value of strong relationships. After building a net worth of nearly $1 million by his late 20s, Brad was hit hard by the 2008 financial crash—losing nearly everything and finding himself deep in ...

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance, host Jamie Bateman takes listeners deep into the world of mortgage note investing—an often overlooked but powerful alternative for investors seeking stability, clarity, and predictable income. If you've ever said: “I want steady income without the volatility.…” “I want control, but not another job…” “I want hands-on upside with real stability.…” —this episode answers that exact call. Jamie breaks down the three types of investors Labrador Lending serves—Passive, Hybrid, and Active—and explains how each can participate in mortgage notes without the confusion or overwhelm that often stops people from getting started. Unlike the inspirational guest interviews the show is known for, this is a highly actionable, clarity-driven episode designed to help investors make informed decisions and take their next step with confidence.

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance, we’re sharing a special conversation where Jamie Bateman joins Jack Hoss on the RealDealChat podcast. Jamie talks about his path from the corporate world into real estate investing, starting with single-family rentals and eventually moving into mortgage notes. He reflects on the origins of Labrador Lending, the influence of his military background, and the lessons he’s learned about focus, balance, and perseverance as an entrepreneur. Jamie also...

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance, host Jamie Bateman sits down with Whitney Elkins-Hutten, a real estate investor, educator, and the Director of Investor Education at PassiveInvesting.com. Whitney’s journey is not just about building wealth—it’s about navigating real-life challenges, pivoting when necessary, and using adversity as a catalyst for growth. Whitney started out as a busy professional juggling a career while running a side hustle in single-family real estate. What ...

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance, host Jamie Bateman sits down with Athena Brownson, a former professional skier turned powerhouse real estate agent, investor, and developer. Athena opens up about her journey through debilitating health struggles—including a career-ending injury, chronic Lyme disease, and eight surgeries—while simultaneously building a thriving real estate business in a challenging market. But her story is much more than financial success. Athena shares how her ...

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance, host Jamie Bateman speaks with Merriah Harkins, Senior Sales Officer at Lukrom, a private investment firm with a focus on private credit. While Merriah has built a powerhouse career in sales and investor relations—with over 25 years of experience driving revenue and client retention—her professional strength is rooted in deeply personal adversity. At just four years old, Merriah’s mother abandoned her family, leading to an unconventional upbring...

In this heartfelt solo episode, host Jamie Bateman steps behind the mic to share some personal reflections and an important update: From Adversity to Abundance is taking a brief summer pause. After nearly five years of consistent podcasting and over 170 powerful episodes, Jamie opens up about his decision to step back for the summer — to savor precious time with family, navigate personal adversity, and double down on momentum within his core business at Labrador Lending. This isn’t g...

In this special crossover episode, Jamie Bateman sits down with Mark Monroe from the Real Estate Power Play Podcast for an in-depth conversation about the ins and outs of mortgage note investing. Whether you’re brand new to the space or an experienced investor looking to sharpen your skills, this episode delivers actionable insights you can immediately apply. Jamie breaks down the fundamentals of note investing, including what it is, how it works, and what makes it an appealing (and sometimes...

In this inspiring rerun episode of From Adversity to Abundance, we revisit the remarkable story of Britnie Turner — a fearless entrepreneur who went from sleeping in her car to owning a private island resort in the British Virgin Islands. Originally one of our standout episodes, this conversation resurfaced in our recent interview with Dr. Noah St. John, who emphasized how adversity can shape purpose. It felt like the perfect moment to spotlight Britnie’s powerful journey once again. About Br...

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance , host Jamie Bateman sits down with Dr. Noah St. John, the father of Afformations and creator of Power Habits® for Real Estate Professionals. With 30 years of coaching experience and 25 books to his name, Noah shares his powerful story of growing up poor in a wealthy neighborhood and facing a moment of deep despair that nearly ended his life. He reveals how shifting his mindset and clearing “head trash” became the foundation for his transformation...

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance , host Jamie Bateman welcomes Mark Monroe, a seasoned real estate investor and creative financing expert with a story that’s anything but linear. Born into poverty in Vermont, Mark climbed the ranks of the mortgage industry, eventually leading a team of over 100 loan officers. But after a major investment in an online lending program went south, he lost nearly everything—about 90% of the wealth he had built. This episode dives deep into Mark’s ro...

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance , host Jamie Bateman sits down with Peter Roisman, cofounding principal, president, and CEO of Rev—a company reshaping how multifamily leasing is done. With over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience across the sports, medical, and real estate sectors, Peter brings sharp insights and battle-tested wisdom to the table. Peter opens up about a major inflection point in his journey: a promising business deal that, if successful, could have earned hi...

In this episode of From Adversity to Abundance , host Jamie Bateman speaks with Adiel Gorel, a veteran real estate investor, bestselling author, and longtime advocate for long-term, buy-and-hold rental property investing. After launching a successful career in the tech world of Silicon Valley, Adiel realized that real wealth and impact weren’t found in the fast-paced corporate grind but in the stability and simplicity of real estate. With hundreds of rental properties under his belt, Adiel co...