Around The Block

Around The Block Season 2 Episode 5 Featuring: Joanne Levy

Welcome back to season 2 of Around The Block, the official podcast of the Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS®!
In this episode, our host Jenn Hawkins joins Joanne Levy of the Rainbow Center! Joanne and Jenn sit down to talk about Tacoma Pride Month and working with local organizations to bring housing education and fair access to all. 
Listening to this episode will help you:
Gain a fresh perspective on being an ally and strengthening housing access for all
Identify communities that need housing and a direction to resources
Learn about Tacoma's vibrant culture and what makes the community desirable 
A special thank you to our 2026 Podcast Studio Sponsor, Pella Windows and Doors!

Around The Block Season 2 Episode 4 Featuring: Sloan Hunter

Welcome back to season 2 of Around The Block, the official podcast of the Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS®!
In this episode, our host Jenn Hawkins joins author and Business Coach Sloan Hunter to talk about her book, “Recoding the Real Estate Experience: The Mindful Guide for Buyers & Sellers.”
Listening to this episode will help you:
Learn how to recode your business strategy for an ever-changing market
Develop techniques to confidently guide clients through uncertainty
Gain a fresh perspective on balancing productivity and well-being
A special thank you to our 2026 Podcast Studio Sponsor, Pella Windows and Doors!

Around The Block Season 2 Episode 3 Featuring: Jim Henderson

Welcome back to season 2 of Around The Block, the official podcast of the Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS®!
In this episode, 2025 TPCAR Past President Jenn Hawkins sits down with TPCAR Government Affairs lobbyist Jim Henderson to talk about the 2026 legislative sessions and the impacts of these sessions for those in the housing space.
Together, they discuss:
2025 wins and what’s already making an impact locally
A forward look at key priorities heading into 2026
How industry leadership is shaping the future of real estate
Why staying engaged at the local level matters more than ever
A special thank you to our 2026 Podcast Studio Sponsor, Pella Windows and Doors!

Around The Block Season 2 Episode 2 Featuring: Lowell Wyse, PHD

Welcome back to season 2 of Around The Block, the official podcast of the Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS®!
In this episode, 2025 TPCAR President Jenn Hawkins sits down with Lowell Wyse, PhD: The Tacoma Tree Foundation's Executive Director, to explore the connections between housing, community, and tree equity.
 
Together, they discuss:
How trees directly impact home value and livabilityWhy REALTORS® play a key role in protecting neighborhood equityWhat “right tree, right place” really meansHow you and your clients can get involved locally
 
A special thank you to our 2026 Podcast Studio Sponsor, Pella Windows and Doors!
 
Have a topic or guest you'd like to see featured on the podcast? Send us a message at max@tpcar.org
 
Want to learn more from the Tacoma Tree Foundation? 
 
To learn more and get involved, explore the Tacoma Tree Foundation’s upcoming Take Root Fundraiser on May 30th at the Eastside Community Center, supporting efforts to grow tree canopy, expand awareness, and build long-term capacity in our community.

Around The Block Season 2 Episode 1 Featuring: Jenah Mahan-Williams

Season 2 of Around The Block, the official podcast of the Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS®, is here!
 
In this first episode, 2025 TPCAR President Jenn Hawkins sits down with newly installed 2026 President Jenah Mahan-Williams to reflect on the major wins of 2025 and outline the priorities shaping the year ahead.
 
Together, they discuss:
Key advocacy and organizational wins from 2025
How last year’s progress carries forward into 2026
Legislative priorities and government affairs to watch
Hill Day and member engagement opportunities
Outreach, leadership development, and strengthening the REALTOR® voice
This conversation sets the tone for the year and offers insight into how TPCAR continues to advance homeownership, protect property rights, and support your business.
 
A special thank you to our 2026 Podcast Studio Sponsor, Pella Windows and Doors!
 
Have a topic or guest you'd like to see featured on the podcast? Send us a message at max@tpcar.org

Episode #16: BHI - From Conversation To Action Featuring: Michael Brown

What does housing justice really look like in practice? In this episode of Around the Block, host Jasmyn Jefferson is joined by Michael Brown, Civic Architect of Civic Commons, for an in-depth conversation about the Black Home Initiative (BHI) and the regional effort to expand Black homeownership across the Puget Sound. Michael shares the origins of BHI, the data behind the racial wealth gap, and the historical policies that created today’s housing disparities. They discuss why BHI was intentionally built as a collaborative network, how cross-sector partnerships are reshaping access to homeownership, and what real progress looks like when systems change, not just programs. Topics covered include: • The long-term impacts of redlining and racially restrictive covenants • Why homeownership is central to generational wealth • How the Black Home Initiative works across public, private, and community sectors • The Covenant Homeownership Act and measurable outcomes to date • Why targeted equity efforts strengthen housing systems for everyone Learn more about the Black Home Initiative here: https://www.homeownership-wa.org/bhi/ Special thanks to Sterling Inspection Group, our 2025 podcast room sponsor

Around The Block Episode #15 Featuring Marguerite Martin

The Around The Block Podcast returns with a new episode!
In this conversation, host Jasmyn Jefferson, immediate past president and DB of Windermere Central Sound, sits down with Tacoma real estate agent Marguerite Martin (https://movetotacoma.com/) of Windermere Professional Partners. Marguerite is the creator of Move to Tacoma, a national speaker, coach, and trainer who built a nontraditional, 100 percent referral-based business that now focuses on matching clients with the right agent instead of working directly in the transaction.Together, Jasmyn and Marguerite dig into what it really means to build a business around your values, your niche, and your ideal client in a market that feels anything but predictable.
In this episode, they talk about:    •    How Marguerite shifted her business into a referral-based model    •    Why agents who are thriving in 2026 are narrowing their niche    •    What “ideal client” really means    •    The different questions agents face at each stage of their careert    •    Social media, fair housing, and the tension between what gets views and what actually builds trust    •    Why your 2026 business plan needs room for uncertainty, learning, and financial resilienceAnd so much more.You can find Marguerite’s work and resources at:    •    Move to Tacoma: https://movetotacoma.com/    •    Move to Tacoma Podcast: https://movetotacoma.com/the-podcast/    •    Coaching and business support: https://www.margueritemartin.com/
Special thanks to Sterling Inspection Group, our 2025 podcast room sponsor

Around The Block Episode #14 Featuring Dr. Lawrence Yun

Fresh off TPCAR’s sold-out Economic Forecast Event, the Around The Block Podcast features one of the most trusted voices in real estate economics: Dr. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of REALTORS®.
Host Jasmyn Jefferson sits down with Dr. Yun for an exclusive, in-depth conversation that builds on the insights he shared live in Tacoma. This episode breaks down what REALTORS®, brokers, and industry partners need to know as the 2026 market comes into view.
In this episode:
A clear look at where mortgage rates, inflation, and inventory are heading next year
What 2025 taught us and how to prepare your business operations for 2026
How Pierce County stacks up against national market trends
Actionable takeaways you can use right now to guide clients with confidence
Why Tacoma’s economic fundamentals remain strong and what local indicators to watch
Special thanks to Sterling Inspection Group for supporting this episode and helping bring valuable, data-driven conversations to our REALTOR® community.

Around The Block Episode #13 Featuring Dr. Joshua Garcia

The Around The Block Podcast returns with a powerful new episode, proudly sponsored by Sterling Inspection Group, our 2025 Podcast Room Sponsor.
Host Jasmyn Jefferson sits down with Tacoma Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joshua Garcia for an insightful conversation about the unique strengths of Tacoma’s school district, the groundbreaking Maritime253 program, and how REALTORS® can partner with local schools to strengthen community connections.
In this episode:
What makes Tacoma Public Schools distinct in supporting students and families
An inside look at the Maritime253 program and its impact on career pathways
How REALTORS® and schools can collaborate to build stronger communities
Practical ways education and housing intersect in Tacoma’s future
Special thanks to Sterling Inspection Group for their support in bringing this engaging conversation to REALTOR® professionals and consumers alike.

Around The Block Special Market Episode Featuring: Amy Remington

In this bonus episode of Around the Block, we sit down with Amy Remington, Branch Manager at Guild Mortgage, for a timely market update focused on what REALTORS® need to know right now in the Pierce County area.
Amy shares valuable insight into current lending trends, buyer behavior, and where the market may be headed in the months ahead. From interest rate movement to affordability challenges and local demand patterns, this episode offers practical knowledge REALTORS® can use to better serve their clients and prepare their businesses.
If you’re looking for a quick, actionable breakdown of today’s housing market from a local lending expert, this episode is a must-listen.
Thank you, as always, to our podcast sponsor, Sterling Inspection Group!