The shows we learn from
We do not have a podcast. Other people make great ones. When an episode stands out, we tell you in two sentences why, and send you to the full show.
Episodes worth your time
EP#105 Grant Montgomery | Q4'26 Multifamily Update: Improving Fundamentals, Cooling Capital
Jay Parsons walks through fresh Q4 2026 apartment data showing demand outpacing supply, with even hard-hit markets like Austin starting to turn as completions fade. CoStar's Grant Montgomery joins to flag which metros could heat up fastest in 2027, explain CoStar's upgraded rent outlook, and name one market bucking the trend with a jump in construction starts.
Why we liked it: Apartment marketers need a current read on where rents and vacancy are headed by market so campaigns, concessions and pricing stories match the shifting fundamentals.
2,226 - The Multifamily Operations Daily Huddle: Why Psychological Safety Drives Performance
Mike Brewer argues that psychological safety is an operational standard, not a soft perk, because teams that feel safe raise pricing anomalies, maintenance risks and resident friction before they turn costly. He pushes leaders to respond to feedback with curiosity so onsite teams keep surfacing the signals that protect revenue and retention.
Why we liked it: Leasing and marketing data is only as honest as the onsite team willing to share it, so this episode helps marketers get earlier, truer input from the people closest to residents.
EP#104 Michael Novogradac | LIHTC Is Under Fire. Is It Still Needed?
Jay Parsons marks the 40th anniversary of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit by revisiting how LIHTC was created in October 1986 and addressing the growing criticisms that it is a developer giveaway or produces rents comparable to market rate. He is then joined by LIHTC authority Michael Novogradac, who shares data and context on how the program is performing against its original goals and primarily serves households at or below 30% of area median income. The episode also covers rising multifamily delinquency rates at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and makes a case for separating Class B from Class C apartments.
Why we liked it: Multifamily marketers positioning affordable or mixed income communities will get sharper, data backed talking points on LIHTC and a cleaner read on how to classify B versus C assets.
EP#103 Joanna Zabriskie | The Case for Multifamily & SFR
Jay Parsons walks through the current data on supply, demand, affordability, demographics, and capital markets for multifamily and single family rentals. BH Management CEO Joanna Zabriskie then flips the format and interviews Jay at Pretium's investor conference, and Jay also unpacks The Wall Street Journal's recent coverage of rising distress and the looming wall of maturities to separate buzz from reality.
Why we liked it: It gives apartment marketers a current snapshot of the fundamentals and headline narratives shaping how owners, investors, and renters are thinking about the market right now.
54 - Fewer Leads, Better Leases? Rethinking Fee Transparency in Multifamily
Jocelyn Quall of Engrain joins Janet Rosseth to unpack how fee transparency is moving from a compliance concern to a cultural and marketing shift. They discuss adoption trends, the impact on lead quality and conversions, and how marketers can educate teams and stakeholders through the change.
Why we liked it: Fee transparency is actively reshaping lead quality and trust in multifamily, and marketers are carrying much of the load, so understanding the shift is timely and relevant.
EP#101 Lee Everett | 2027 Budgeting Hot Takes: Will Concessions Just "Burn Off"?
Jay Parsons and Cortland's Lee Everett dig into 2027 budget planning, exploring how revenue and expense trends may play out by market and asset class. They also push back on the assumption that rent concessions will simply burn off next year, even as vacancy rates improve.
Why we liked it: Marketers heading into 2027 budget conversations need a clear read on where concessions, Class A/B+ versus C performance, and Sun Belt recovery are actually headed.
53 - How to Build Marketing That Actually Supports Operations
Janet Rosseth sits down with Jennifer Jacox of StuartCo. and Andy Medley of PERQ for a live case study on tearing apart a bloated marketing stack and rebuilding it around data and attribution. They cover vendor management, website conversion tools, lease expiration modeling, and how the overhaul improved team confidence and lead quality.
Why we liked it: It is a candid, operations-connected walkthrough of a real tech stack rebuild, which is useful for any multifamily marketer thinking about tools, vendors, and measurable ROI.
EP#99 Ryan Davis | Rent Affordability: Myth vs. Reality
Jay Parsons and Witten Advisors CEO Ryan Davis unpack why rent affordability is one of the most misunderstood topics in housing, showing how averages mask a bifurcated reality. They walk through Census data to separate the shortage of low-income housing from strong demand at higher rent levels.
Why we liked it: Multifamily marketers need better language and data to talk about affordability with residents, media, and local stakeholders without parroting oversimplified narratives.
EP#96 Alex Jessett | 5 Takeaways From Apartment REITS' Earnings Calls
Jay Parsons shares his top five takeaways from Q2 2026 apartment REIT earnings calls, including Sun Belt recovery, Bay Area strength, and counterintuitive trends in expenses and renter financial health. New Camden CEO Alex Jessett also joins to discuss the Sun Belt rebound, Camden's California exit, and the shrinking REIT landscape.
Why we liked it: REIT earnings calls set the tone for how the industry talks about rent growth, operating conditions, and renter health, which directly shapes marketing messaging and leasing strategy.
The Next Chapter of Property Management with Jacob Carter
Reid Wicoff of Digible joins Anne Baum and Chris Johnson to discuss how AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are reshaping the renter search and decision process. The conversation covers Project Polaris findings, where marketing budgets are shifting, and why marketers should establish a strong baseline before chasing new channels.
Why we liked it: It gives multifamily marketers a data-informed look at how AI is changing the renter journey and how to think about media mix without abandoning what already works.
The Next Chapter of Property Management with Jacob Carter
Lauren Turner of The Bainbridge Companies explains how brand immersion gets construction, development, operations, and onsite teams aligned around a community's story. She also shares how Bainbridge is using AI, Canva, social competitions, and influencer partnerships to help teams sell lifestyle rather than square footage.
Why we liked it: It is a concrete look at how to operationalize brand across onsite teams and content, which is where many multifamily brand strategies break down.
The shows
The Apartment Department
Anne Baum, Chris JohnsonA podcast for multifamily marketers, by multifamily marketers. Conversations with marketing leaders, operators and partners about what they are building and testing, every two weeks.
Optimized: A Marketing Performance Podcast
Janet RossethFrom Cadence Marketing Solutions. Conversations about measuring and improving marketing performance in multifamily.
Building Blocks
Eden ChaiEden Chai of Flair talks with industry leaders about marketing and automation as a career skill. A short series, no new episodes since January 2025, and worth the back catalog.
The Rent Roll with Jay Parsons
Jay ParsonsWeekly. Not a marketing show, but the clearest way to learn the market language your owners speak: rents, supply and demand.
Multifamily Collective Podcast
Mike BrewerA huge library of short conversations across the industry, from AI to operations.
Communities worth joining
Cadence Run Club
A members' community from Cadence Marketing Solutions for multifamily marketers, with live sessions and a resource library.