The Real Shift: The Real Broker Podcast

The Real Shift: The Real Broker Podcast


"The Move I Swore I’d Never Make": Kristen's Journey to Real

January 08, 2026

In this episode of The Real Shift, Templeton Walker and Kristen Cantrell unpack Kristen’s honest, unfiltered journey from being a vocal Real skeptic to becoming one of its fastest-growing leaders. Kristen shares what finally cracked her resistance after years at eXp, how community and inclusion became the deciding factor, and why her business growth exploded once alignment replaced pressure. They also dive deep into Real Wallet and Real Capital, revealing how instant access to capital and automated profit-first banking are changing how agents build wealth. If you’re productive, curious, or quietly questioning your current brokerage, this episode will hit home.


Show Notes:


  • Kristen’s candid story of leaving eXp after building a 350-agent organization and why it felt like a “divorce”
  • How inclusion, culture, and removing silos became the real catalyst for growth
  • The surprising shift from chasing agents to inbound attraction at Real
  • Explosive network growth: from 220 agents plateaued to over 330 and growing without cold recruiting
  • A deep dive into Real Wallet & Real Capital, including instant access to six-figure capital and profit-first automation


Follow along on Instagram!



Co-Host: @heykristencantrell

Co-Host: @Templeton_walker


WATCH ON YOUTUBE