The Walker Webcast

Willy sat down with James Lawrence, world-renowned speaker, bestselling author, and endurance athlete known globally as the “Iron Cowboy.” James stunned the endurance world by completing 50 Ironmans in 50 days across all 50 states and then pushing the limits of human performance even further by completing 100 full-distance triathlons in 100 consecutive days. He and Willy discussed James’s unlikely path into endurance sports, the mindset needed to push through pain and self-doubt, the power of consistency over time, how recovery and daily habits drive performance, and the leadership lessons that come from doing hard things. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Walker Webcast, Willy sat down with Walker & Dunlop experts Kris Mikkelsen, Justin Nelson, and Ivy Zelman to break down the forces shaping housing and commercial real estate in 2026. They shared their perspectives on key market indicators - including consumer confidence, inflation, cap rates, and Treasury yields - while also exploring broader trends shaping the landscape, from shifting mobility patterns and population growth to the impact of AI. The conversation also touched on where they see the greatest opportunities ahead, highlighting areas of demand and growth despite ongoing macroeconomic volatility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a special edition of the Walker Webcast, we bring you an inspiring compilation of remarkable voices who have joined Willy to reflect on the mindsets and experiences that shape a meaningful life and career. Across disciplines ranging from business and athletics to medicine, exploration, and entrepreneurship, these conversations reveal how individuals navigate setbacks, pursue ambitious goals, and stay grounded in purpose. Through stories of endurance and reinvention, this episode explores how people grow through adversity and strive to live with intention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy sat down with Dr. Peter Linneman for The Most Insightful Hour in CRE, recorded live from the University of Miami’s Real Estate Impact Conference. In this wide-ranging conversation, they explored the forces shaping the commercial real estate and macroeconomic outlook today, including whether the U.S. economy is stronger than recent job data suggests, the real impact AI may have on productivity and employment, where interest rates should be and why the Fed may still have cuts ahead, how America’s massive net wealth changes the conversation around national debt, and what investors should watch across property sectors from multifamily to office and data centers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy sat down once again with Dr. Michael Roizen, bestselling author and Chief Wellness Officer Emeritus at Cleveland Clinic, to explore the science behind living longer, healthier lives. Drawing on decades of research, Dr. Roizen shared practical strategies you can use today, from the benefits of saunas and cold plunges to managing stress, optimizing diet and alcohol intake, improving sleep, and understanding the emerging science behind supplements, peptides, plasma therapy, and exercise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy was joined by Sahil Bloom, entrepreneur, investor, and author of the instant New York Times and USA Today bestseller, The 5 Types of Wealth. Together, Willy and Sahil dove into the formative moments from his upbringing that shaped his perspective, insecurities that he had to confront, how to bridge the gap between spoken and lived priorities, and the core ideas behind redefining wealth — from auditing your time and energy to embracing small habits that compound into meaningful change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We featured Willy’s discussion with the industry’s leading voices at the 2026 MBA CREF Conference. He was joined by James Millon, President & Co-Head of Capital Markets U.S. & Canada at CBRE Capital Markets, Justin Wheeler, Chief Executive Officer of Berkadia, and Michelle Herrick, Head of Commercial Real Estate at JPMorganChase. Together, they discussed the state of the commercial real estate market and where we are in the cycle, the gap between buyers and sellers and what may unlock transactions, how AI and data centers are shaping investment and lending, lessons on leadership and culture, and what the next few years may hold for talent and consolidation in the industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy was joined by Michael Nierenberg, Chief Executive Officer of Rithm Capital, a diversified global asset manager with a growing footprint across private credit and real estate assets. Together, they discussed the evolution of Rithm Capital into a scaled asset management platform, the health of the U.S. consumer and asset-based lending markets, housing trends across single-family and multifamily, strategic shifts in the banking industry, and the macro outlook, including AI investment and today’s market risks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy was joined by behavioral scientist and New York Times bestselling author Jon Levy, whose groundbreaking work on trust, leadership, and the AI-enabled workplace has reshaped how top organizations build high-performing teams. Together, they unpacked key concepts from his newest book Team Intelligence, exploring how leaders cultivate trust and collaboration, why some teams consistently outperform others, how AI can enhance collective performance, and the leadership habits that unlock sustained success in today’s complex work environment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy was joined once again by Dr. Peter Linneman for The Most Insightful Hour in CRE, from the stage at IREI’s VIP Americas Conference. Together, they unpacked the forces shaping today’s market, including employment trends, inflation, rent growth, housing affordability and supply, AI’s impact on jobs, and Peter’s predictions for rate cuts, oil prices, tariffs, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy was joined once again by one of the most respected voices in the industry, Walker & Dunlop’s Hall of Fame housing market analyst and executive vice president and co-founder of Zelman, Ivy Zelman. Willy and Ivy unpacked the latest developments shaping housing today, including outcomes from the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, the move to pull institutional capital from single-family homes, the impact of immigration on the labor market, AI’s growing impact on the industry, Ivy’s macro outlook, how different markets are performing, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy was joined by David Ignatius, renowned American journalist, associate editor and columnist at The Washington Post, and bestselling novelist. With decades of experience covering global intelligence, diplomacy, and conflict, David brings a rare insider’s perspective on the dynamics shaping U.S. foreign policy. Together, he and Willy examined ongoing international conflicts, how the U.S. is faring from a geopolitical standpoint, the global effects of the current administration, outcomes to expect over the next year, and David’s pulse on worldwide power shifts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kicking off the new year, Willy was joined by Carolyn Dewar, founder and global co-leader of McKinsey & Company’s CEO Practice and co-author of the New York Times bestseller, A CEO for All Seasons. Drawing on decades of experience advising the world’s top CEOs, Carolyn shared practical insights applicable at every stage of a career - from the mindsets that distinguish top performers to the importance of making bold moves with speed and conviction. Together, she and Willy explored how leaders can avoid complacency, reframe their thinking to unlock latent potential, use AI as a thought partner, and set a strategic vision for the future amid ongoing uncertainty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a special, in-person Walker Webcast, Willy sat down with Jeffrey Soffer, Chairman and CEO of Fontainebleau Development and one of the most influential figures in luxury real estate and hospitality. They discussed the evolution of the Fontainebleau brand, Jeffrey’s career path, how design and development are reshaping luxury living, the Las Vegas and Miami markets, what’s ahead for high-end hospitality, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This special compilation episode features twelve of the extraordinary executives who have joined Willy to share the clarity, values, and courage required to lead in today’s world. These leaders represent global institutions, trailblazing startups, and culture-shaping organizations. From resilience under pressure to reinvention through uncertainty, their insights show what it truly means to grow, adapt, and lead at the highest level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a special, in-person episode of the Walker Webcast, Willy was joined by Jonathan F.P. Rose, Founder & President of Jonathan Rose Companies, and Scott J. Alter, Principal & Co-Founder of Standard Communities. They took to the stage at AHF Live in Chicago to tackle some of the hottest topics facing affordable housing. They explored market dynamics, growth drivers behind their businesses, the maturation of the affordable housing industry, the integration of federal and local funding, the social dimension of affordable housing communities, and how the sector is attracting capital. They also discussed the establishment of the Nathan D. Taft Award for Leadership & Character in Affordable Housing, which was announced at AHF Live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Walker Webcast, Willy sat down with Chris Nassetta, President & CEO of Hilton, to discuss his experience running one of the world’s most iconic hospitality companies. They explored Chris’ entry into the hospitality business, how to lead through complexity, strategies for building resilience, the tough decision to relocate the Hilton headquarters, the integration of AI in the industry, why Airbnb is helping rather than harming the business, Hilton’s distinct branding model, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a special episode of the Walker Webcast, Willy sat down with his father, Mallory Walker, Former Chairman and CEO of Walker & Dunlop, at the UVA Real Estate Conference. Together, they discussed the origins and early years of Walker & Dunlop, how the company evolved under Willy’s leadership, Mallory’s experience earning his degree at UVA 40 years after attending undergrad, advice for people entering into a family business, lessons that have defined Walker & Dunlop’s success, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Walker Webcast, Willy was joined by Jay Hartzell, President of Southern Methodist University (SMU) – one of the nation’s premier research and teaching universities. At a time of historic momentum for the university – record applications, investments in technology, and an athletics program on the ascent – Jay brings a bold and forward-lookingvision to SMU. He and Willy discussed key moments in Jay’s upbringing and career, his entry into the real estate world, how AI is influencing the SMU curriculum and driving a renaissance of liberal arts, how to produce well-rounded students, SMU’s move into the ACC, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Walker Webcast, Willy was joined by legendary explorer and bestselling author, Erling Kagge. Erling was the first explorer in history to reach the North Pole, South Pole, and the summit of Mt. Everest on foot. He was also the first to walk alone to the South Pole, and the lessons he learned along the way about silence and the meaning of life are invaluable. He sat down with Willy at the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference to discuss his latest book, After the North Pole: A Story of Survival, Mythmaking, and Melting Ice . Their conversation explores the value of presence, the drive behind human adventure, the importance of gratitude, and what Erling sees as the secret to a happy life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s Walker Webcast, Willy was joined by aviation-industry trailblazer David Neeleman, the Founder and CEO of Breeze Airways. Over the past three decades, David has launched some of the most successful airlines in the world — including JetBlue, Azul Brazilian Airlines, and WestJet. He and Willy discussed David’s entrepreneurial origin story, his entry into the aviation industry, his mission to “bring humanity back to air travel,” managing the growth of JetBlue, Breeze’s unique business model, the importance of transparency, and the convergency of technology and innovation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a special episode of the Walker Webcast, we aired Willy’s in-depth conversation with Stephen Scherr, Co-President of Pretium, recorded live from the 2025 Pretium Symposium. This episode featured Willy as the interviewee, offering his insights from the other side of the table. Hear his perspective on how rate cuts may impact the real estate market, the role of banks in a lending and office rebound, modular housing’s potential in tackling America’s affordability crisis, top opportunities in today’s market, and the outlook for Fannie and Freddie under the new administration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy was joined by Jonathan Goldstein, Co-Founder and CEO of Cain, an investment firm with approximately $14 billion in assets under management. They discussed Jonathan’s upbringing and the strong foundation his family instilled in him, key lessons in leadership that he’s carried forward, pivotal moments throughout his career journey, the biggest risk he’s ever taken, insights into the hospitality sector and why the details matter, the importance of connection, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy sat down with renowned economist Dr. Peter Linneman for another installment of the Most Insightful Hour in CRE where they unpacked the latest insights from the Fall Linneman Letter. Peter shared his perspective on the forces shaping today’s economy, including GDP growth, hidden weakness in the labor market, Fed rate cut predictions, whether deficits and government shutdowns really matter, the housing market, oil prices, and what the uneven real estate recovery means for investors across all asset classes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy sat down with Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington, D.C. In this highly anticipated conversation, she and Willy discussed her efforts to diversify the city in the wake of federal uncertainty, the role of sports in revitalizing the district, how they’re attracting top talent, affordable housing initiatives, D.C.’s next chapter, and so much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy sat down with Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and bestselling author of Permission to Feel and the new book, Dealing with Feeling: Use Your Emotions to Create the Life You Want. Marc has dedicated his career to understanding the power of emotions in shaping our decisions, relationships, and overall well-being. He shared science-backed tools for recognizing and regulating emotions and explored how harnessing emotional intelligence can fuel stronger leadership, greater performance, and lasting resilience in both life and at work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy was joined by Tom Gilbane, Managing Member and Co-President of Rockpoint, at the 2025 Zelman Housing Summit. He and Willy discussed Rockpoint’s investment strategy, Tom’s outlook on the office and multifamily sectors, trends in rent growth, and the impact of AI across CRE asset classes. They also covered the state of the life sciences industry, sustainability standards, Tom’s perspective on the industrial sector, Rockpoint’s current priorities, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy was joined once again by Ryan Marshall, President and Chief Executive Officer of PulteGroup, Inc., at the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) Fall Conference. They took to the stage to discuss how demographic shifts are reshaping the homebuilding market, the leading indicators PulteGroup relies on to navigate change, and the evolution of its brands to serve distinct consumer needs. Ryan also shared how Del Webb communities are adapting to new lifestyle expectations, including a growing focus on wellness, and offered perspective on broader housing challenges—from affordability and immigration to the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Tune in for the trends and insights that you need to know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy was joined by Jonathan Reckford, Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity International, an organization that is turning the vision of affordable housing into a global reality. They discussed Jonathan’s career journey, leadership lessons, Habitat’s global advocacy efforts, the challenge of affordable housing, and so much more. Watch or listen to the replay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of the Walker Webcast, we featured Marc Porat’s powerful keynote on the transformative role of artificial intelligence at the Walker & Dunlop Summer Conference. Marc has spent his career at the intersection of technology and society, founding pioneering companies and anticipating the future of how we live and work. In this webcast, he shares his perspective on the exponential growth of AI and the exciting – and sometimes scary – possibilities shaping the next era of innovation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy welcomed back one of the most respected voices in the housing industry, Walker & Dunlop’s Hall of Fame housing market analyst and executive vice president and co-founder of Zelman, Ivy Zelman. She and Willy covered the hot topics impacting today’s rapidly evolving housing landscape, including tariffs, inflation, interest rates, rising inventories, consumer trends, student loans, immigration, AI implementation, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy welcomed back Will Ahmed, the visionary founder and CEO of WHOOP - the leading wearable fitness tracking company that’s reshaping how the world thinks about health and human performance. He and Will unpacked WHOOP’s expanded mission into lifespan and longevity, recovery trends in professional athletes, the integration of medical-grade capabilities into their technology, the impact of physiological data on the live sports experience, worldwide behavioral trends, and the company’s ten-year vision. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Walker Webcast, we featured the timely and insightful remarks of Kate Moore, Chief Investment Officer at Citi Wealth, live from the Walker & Dunlop Summer Conference. Kate unpacked what’s driving investor paralysis, how consumer behavior is shifting, what higher-for-longer rates mean for portfolios, and why corporate confidence is faltering behind closed doors. She also gives her take on the labor market, tax reform, and how the Fed’s future could reshape the macroeconomic landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy sat down with Michael Levy, CEO of Crow Holdings, a Dallas-based real estate investment and development firm with over $33 billion in assets under management. They discussed Michael’s broad macro view of the CRE market, opportunities he’s seeing across the asset classes, secular trends shaping the industry, opportunities in private credit, as well as his career journey, managing through the financial crisis, and leadership lessons learned along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a special episode of the Walker Webcast, Willy sat down with Dr. Theodore Schwartz—one of the nation’s leading neurosurgeons and author of Gray Matters: A Biography of Brain Surgery—at the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference. Together, they discussed Dr. Schwartz’s approach to patient care and balancing transparency with compassion, making the decision to become a neurosurgeon, the power of the human brain, cutting edge technologies like Deep Brain Stimulation and Brain Computer Interface, and so much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this special episode of the Walker Webcast, recorded live at the Walker & Dunlop Summer Conference, guest host Gary Pinkus — Walker & Dunlop board member and former Chairman of McKinsey & Company — sits down with Gillian Tett, award-winning journalist, author, Chair of the Financial Times’ Editorial Board, and Provost of King’s College, Cambridge. You won’t want to miss Gillian’s unique perspective on everything from the global repercussions of the Trump presidency and the use of tariffs as a political lever, to shifting ESG narratives, varying attitudes about AI worldwide, the politicization of higher education, and what all this means for the future of real estate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy was joined once again by renowned economist Dr. Peter Linneman for the Most Insightful Hour in CRE. They unpacked key takeaways from the Q2 Linneman Letter, including employment data, tariffs, GDP, oil, geopolitical impacts, supply chain issues, the Fed, single and multifamily supply, hot markets, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a special episode of the Walker Webcast, we’re celebrating past guests whose dedication to public service, leadership, and governance defines the American spirit. From former governors and policymakers to decorated veterans and civic leaders, this video highlights key moments of insight and inspiration—on democracy, leadership, and what it means to serve the public good. Whether you're reflecting on how far we’ve come or looking toward the future, you won’t want to miss these inspiring perspectives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the Tour de France just around the corner, we couldn’t think of a better duo to join Willy than legendary racing cyclists George Hincapie and Christian Vande Velde. They discussed predictions ahead of the 2025 tournament, their experiences competing in the Tour de France, how the physiology of riders has changed over the last two decades, their personal health and fitness regimens, and their transitions from the competitive circuit to their latest entrepreneurial ventures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The AI era is here – is your business ahead of the curve or playing catch-up? Willy sat down with Jeff Bussgang, Co-Founder of Flybridge Capital Partners, serial entrepreneur, and Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School. He and Willy explored key themes from Jeff’s recent book The Experimentation Machine, including the importance of reinvention in the age of AI, why we need to have an abundance mindset when it comes to new technology, ethical leadership, rapid changes in tech-driven entrepreneurship, real-world startup insights, fraud detection, building a culture of experimentation, and advice for the next generation of professionals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy sat down once again with bestselling author—and his childhood friend—Amor Towles, whose literary hits include Rules of Civility, A Gentleman in Moscow, and his newest collection, Table for Two. He and Willy covered the adaptation of A Gentleman in Moscow – including conversations with lead actor Ewan McGregor, his writing process and utilizing both the left and right brain, how fiction plays a role in building empathy, the inspiration and true circumstances behind Table for Two, and a sneak peek at his next novel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy was once again joined by Jim Millstein, Co-Chairman of Guggenheim Securities to discuss today’s hottest topics facing the market. They explored the revolutionary impact of AI, the truth about the sovereign debt market, implications of the Mar-a-Lago Accord, rising trade barriers, Jim’s insights on the potential privatization of Fannie and Freddie, and the warning bell he’s sounding for the U.S. Whether you're a policymaker, lender, investor, or market observer, you won't want to miss this dynamic and insightful discussion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willy was once again joined by economist, strategist, and industry expert Jay Parsons – and you won’t want to miss his sharp, data-driven perspective on the rental housing landscape. He and Willy covered everything from the macroeconomic outlook and Fed policy to construction trends, core markets, immigration impacts, and Jay’s latest take on rates, spreads, and overall market sentiment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With today's dramatically shifting global landscape, we couldn't think of a better time to welcome back General David Petraeus, a retired four-star U.S. Army general who also served as the director of the CIA. He and Willy discussed a wide range of geopolitical topics, including the ongoing situation in Ukraine, developments in the Middle East, the trade war and U.S.-China relations, broad effects of tariffs and new administration policies, investments in national defense, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices