Podcast
In The Lab with Ruben Kanya
Hosted by Ruben Kanya · EN
In The Lab with Ruben Kanya compiles over $2 Billion worth of successful real estate experiments for new investors looking to get started in real estate. With real estate being a broad umbrella, in the lab we introduce you to a variety of real estate models (experiments) that real practitioners have implemented while sharing their wins, losses and lessons in the lab so that you can pick the experiments that suit your lifestyle the most and double down. In the lab we focus on repeatable processes, systems and ingredients so that you can implement your own experiments and build.
29episodes
Episodes
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Why Entrepreneurs Should Profit First with Relay - Episode #365
5d ago01:20:07Tap to summarizeIn this insightful episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with Wendy Wei from Relay (a digital banking and money management platform) to unpack one of the most overlooked skills in entrepreneurship and real estate investing: understanding your cash flow. What starts as a conversation around money management quickly turns into a deeper discussion on psychology, conditioning, identity, habits, and the systems that shape how entrepreneurs operate their businesses and lives.Wendy shares her journey from growing up in a traditional immigrant household to building a career across psychology, marketing, SaaS, storytelling, and fintech. With a background in psychology from Harvard University and experience spanning photography, creator partnerships, and performance marketing, Wendy explains how curiosity, experimentation, and human behavior became the foundation for the work she does today helping business owners better understand and organize their finances.The episode dives deep into the Profit First framework and how entrepreneurs can stop operating with one giant “bucket” of money and instead build systems that create visibility, automation, accountability, and profitability. Ruben also breaks down exactly how Invested Escapes uses Relay internally across multiple properties, vendors, virtual cards, owner payouts, and operational systems to move faster and stay organized while scaling nationwide.Relay is a digital banking and money management platform that helps real estate investors get clear visibility into what they’re earning, spending and saving—so they can better understand the cash flow in their business.Throughout the conversation, Wendy also shares powerful insights around neuroplasticity, conditioning, growth mindset, rewiring limiting beliefs, and how small consistent habits can completely change the trajectory of your life and business over time. This episode blends entrepreneurship, psychology, systems, and financial organization into one conversation designed to help operators think differently about both money and growth.Tune in now to learn how to stop leaking money, organize your business like a true operator, and build systems that help you pay yourself first while scaling with clarity.Sign Up For Relay through My Referral Link: https://join.relayfi.com/partner/?referralcode=temporaryhousingmeetup&utm_source=events&utm_medium=…HIGHLIGHTS:42:21 - Wendy talks about rewiring your brain through growth mindset. 55:50 - Wendy talks about automating cash flow for entrepreneurs. Keeping it Real:01:00 – Building micro communities03:20 – Understanding cash flow06:10 – Graduation season pressure11:30 – Travel shapes perspective15:20 – Psychology meets marketing16:30 – Curiosity drives growth20:10 – Small actions compound31:00 – Understanding conditioning34:30 – Coaching changed everything36:00 – Rewiring self-talk42:20 – Neuroplasticity explained46:10 – Identity shapes habits51:20 – Profit First explained54:40 – Automating cash flow58:20 – Relay inside operations1:03:00 – Virtual card controls1:07:00 – Banking misconceptions1:10:00 – Most-used Relay features1:15:00 – Building real community1:17:00 – People over logos #RealEstateInvesting #ProfitFirst #CashFlowManagement #EntrepreneurMindset #RelayFinancial #BusinessSystems #FinancialFreedom #MoneyManagement #RealEstateBusiness #Entrepreneurship CONNECT WITH THE GUESTLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bankwithrelay/https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyhwei/
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Addition by Subtraction: How Less can turn into 10x More with Ruben Kanya - Episode #364
2w ago00:15:20Tap to summarizeIn this perspective-shifting episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down one of the hardest lessons entrepreneurs and investors eventually face: sometimes the thing holding you back isn’t what’s failing, it’s what’s still working. From business ventures to habits, routines, and even ways of thinking, growth often requires subtraction before addition can happen.Throughout the episode, Ruben unpacks the idea of “making room” for bigger opportunities by intentionally removing what no longer aligns with where you’re trying to go. He shares personal examples of shutting down profitable businesses, evolving into new seasons, and why some of the biggest breakthroughs in life come after difficult decisions that initially make no logical sense from the outside.He also dives into how entrepreneurs can use AI, mentors, and reverse engineering to make smarter decisions with less emotional bias. Instead of asking which tactic or business model is best, Ruben explains why the better question is: “What outcome am I trying to achieve?” From there, the vehicle becomes clearer. The episode reframes how to think about opportunity cost, blind spots, and the hidden weight of trying to carry too many things at once.Tune in now to learn how to trim the fat, stop overloading your plate, and create space for the version of your life and business that actually aligns with where you’re trying to go.#EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #RealEstateInvesting #MidTermRentals #WealthBuilding #PersonalDevelopment #ScaleSmart #AIForBusiness #MindsetShift #ExperimentNation
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The Hybrid Rental Strategy: How to Trade Volatility for Predictable Cash Flow in Real Estate with Anja Schaer - Episode #363
3w ago01:30:19Tap to summarizeIn this episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with Anja Schaer, broker, investor, and author of The Hybrid Rental Strategy, to break down how she went from a government job in Germany to building, scaling, and selling multiple businesses in the U.S.—all while creating a real estate portfolio designed for both cash flow and long-term exit.Anja dives into the real reason more investors are shifting away from short-term rentals and into midterm strategies. It’s not just about higher nightly rates—it’s about stability. Instead of chasing unpredictable bookings, she explains how locking in 3–6 month contracts creates consistent income, reduces workload, and removes the stress of staring at an empty calendar.This episode also goes beyond tactics and into mindset. From the “immigrant advantage” to breaking social norms and embracing discomfort, Anja shares how stepping outside the expected path creates exponential opportunities. The conversation ties it all together with a bigger play—building systems, leveraging AI, and creating a business that isn’t just profitable, but actually sellable.Tune in now to learn how to shift from chasing bookings to building predictable income and a real estate business designed for long-term freedom.HIGHLIGHTS:36:10 - Anja talks about why Why midterm rentals are exploding41:36 - Anja talks about the hybrid model Keeping it Real:06:00 – The immigrant advantage explained10:30 – Breaking social norms & taking risks18:30 – From e-commerce to real estate pivot24:30 – Finding real estate through Facebook30:00 – Evolution: flips → wholesale → rentals36:10 – 41:20 – How the hybrid model actually works46:30 – Calendar strategy to unlock MTR deals50:30 – Building a sellable property business54:00 – AI, systems, and future-proofing1:06:00 – What buyers will value in your business1:16:00 – Community, collaboration, and growth1:21:00 – From communism to entrepreneurship CONNECT WITH THE GUESTWebsite: https://www.peachhausfurnishedrentals.com/contactLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjaschaer/#RealEstateInvesting #MidTermRentals #PassiveIncome #EntrepreneurMindset #FinancialFreedom #RentalStrategy #WealthBuilding #AirbnbBusiness #PropertyManagement #RealEstateScaling
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The Invisible Force Killing Your Goals (And Why Setting Them Isn’t Enough) with Noah St. John - Episode #362
4w ago01:00:36Tap to summarizeIn this powerful episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with Dr. Noah St. John, a neuro-performance architect who has helped clients generate billions in revenue, to unpack the real reason so many entrepreneurs stay stuck despite having the right strategies, tools, and knowledge.Dr. Noah breaks down the concept of the “invisible brake”—the hidden force that silently limits your income, growth, and results. While most entrepreneurs focus heavily on the outer game like marketing, sales, and systems, this conversation reveals why that’s only half the equation. The real bottleneck lies in what happens after you set a goal—when doubt, limiting beliefs, and what he calls “head trash” begin to take over.Through real examples, including scaling a company from $4M to $20M in under 18 months, Dr. Noah explains how mastering your inner game is what unlocks exponential growth. He dives into why copying successful people doesn’t work, how unconscious beliefs shape your outcomes, and why most people are unknowingly operating with one foot on the brake.This episode also explores the idea of “permission to succeed,” the difference between conscious and unconscious competence, and how high performers think, decide, and act differently. From breaking through income ceilings to gaining clarity on what you actually want, this conversation gives you the missing piece most people never address.Tune in now to learn how to identify your invisible brake, eliminate the beliefs holding you back, and finally align your inner and outer game to unlock the results you’ve been chasing.HIGHLIGHTS:09:22 - Noah talks about why results matter more than personal success17:53 - Noah talks about outer and inner game.Keeping it Real:05:06 - Why most entrepreneurs fail despite good intentions07:43 - The truth about “fake gurus” and social media09:21 - Why results matter more than personal success12:10 - Why proximity alone doesn’t create results13:19 - Architect analogy: why watching isn’t enough15:27 - $4M plateau to $20M breakthrough story17:47 - Outer game vs inner game explained20:13 - How beliefs control every area of your life22:24 - Why “The Secret” missed the real work25:28 - Gary Vee and unconscious competence27:51 - The concept of “permission to succeed”31:17 - The framework behind the invisible brake32:17 - Why most people sabotage their own goals33:11 - Driving with one foot on the brake analogy35:03 - Neuroplasticity and rewiring your beliefs36:19 - From poverty mindset to building wealth40:33 - Decision vs doubt: what actually drives action42:05 - Pain vs pleasure as motivators46:04 - Technology’s impact on your inner game47:19 - Identifying your invisible brake50:42 - Power habits of successful people51:08 - Why clarity beats “wanting more money”52:34 - The myth about personality and success54:01 - Building a clear vision that actually works55:27 - How to identify your “head trash”56:30 - Turning limiting beliefs into opportunity57:03 - Where to connect with Dr. Noah CONNECT WITH THE GUESTWebsite: https://noahstjohn.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahstjohn/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noahstjohn/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drnoahstjohn#EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #RealEstateInvesting #WealthBuilding #PersonalDevelopment #HighPerformance #MindsetShift #FinancialFreedom #SuccessHabits #ScaleYourBusiness
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Why Iteration Beats Perfection in Business with Joe Downs - Episode #361
Apr 2201:05:29Tap to summarizeGet the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprintIn this powerful episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with Joe Downs, CEO of Belrose Group, to break down how real wealth is built through iteration, problem-solving, and identifying opportunities most people overlook. This conversation goes beyond surface-level strategies and dives into the mindset required to build across multiple industries and market cycles.Joe shares his journey from early failures—including losing $100,000 in a restaurant—to raising nearly $100 million in real estate and building a mortgage resolution company that purchased over 20,000 distressed loans. His story highlights a key truth: success doesn’t come from getting it right the first time, but from learning, adapting, and continuing to move forward through every setback.The episode also explores one of the biggest opportunities ahead—acquiring cash-flowing, mom-and-pop businesses. With millions of owners aging out, Joe explains how inefficiencies in operations, pricing, and systems create massive upside for those willing to step in, optimize, and scale. From distressed debt to self-storage, the same principles apply across industries.Tune in now to learn how to identify hidden opportunities, leverage acquisitions instead of starting from scratch, and build long-term wealth by thinking differently, acting faster, and eliminating excuses in today’s market.HIGHLIGHTS:12:12 - Joe talks about the “mind your kitchen lesson”35:25 - Joe discovers self storageKeeping it Real:04:30 – Growth through acquisitions10:15 – Leaving finance after 9/1112:24 – Mind your kitchen lesson15:23 – Raising millions before crash16:50 – Discovering distressed debt20:33 – Mortgage resolution explained simply23:01 – Loan modification strategy26:23 – Becoming the bank model27:30 – Regulation forces reinvention31:24 – Starting hard money lending35:25 – Discovering self-storage opportunity36:56 – Mom-and-pop inefficiency insight41:25 – SBA financing unlock explained43:11 – Why opportunity still exists45:21 – Using AI for learning49:00 – AI improves communication skills51:31 – Seller financing deal strategies53:39 – Future storage vertical opportunities58:13 – Biggest demand opportunities ahead1:00:23 – No excuses mindset1:02:31 – Where to connectCONNECT WITH THE GUESTWebsite: https://belrosegrp.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-downs-7990851/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josephmdowns/#RealEstateInvesting #BusinessAcquisitions #EntrepreneurMindset #WealthBuilding #CashFlowStrategies #SelfStorageInvesting #FinancialFreedom #PassiveIncome #InvestingStrategies #BuildInPublic
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The Art of Scaling: Small Piece of a Big Pie with Ruben Kanya - Episode #360
Apr 1500:24:05Tap to summarizeGet the FREE Mid-Term Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint In this sharp and perspective-shifting episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down a realization that most entrepreneurs miss: you don’t need to build everything to win—you just need to understand where you fit in the ecosystem.Early in the episode, he references Episode 351: “The Five Pillars of Success in 2026,” where he introduced the framework of relationships, resourcefulness, resilience, speed, and standards—principles he continues to double down on as he navigates higher-level rooms and bigger opportunities.Fresh off a major industry conference, he pulls back the curtain on how trillion-dollar insurance systems actually operate, revealing the layered structure between carriers, third-party administrators, adjusters, and housing providers. Instead of trying to control every piece, the biggest players focus on one thing and outsource the rest—and that’s where the real opportunities live.Ruben shares how this applies directly to real estate investors and operators, especially those transitioning from short-term rentals into mid-term insurance housing. From understanding who the real decision-makers are, to identifying where value is created (and paid for), this episode reframes how to think about scale, leverage, and positioning.He also dives into the importance of standards, knowing what your time is worth, and why trying to do everything yourself is one of the fastest ways to stay stuck. The operators who win are the ones who stay in their lane, build relationships in the right rooms, and plug into systems that are already moving at scale.Tune in now to learn how to stop overcomplicating your growth, find your position in the ecosystem, and start playing a bigger game.#PlayYourRole #EntrepreneurMindset #RealEstateInvesting #MidTermRentals #InsuranceHousing #WealthStrategy #ScaleSmart #BusinessGrowth #Leverage #HighPerformance
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Trim the Good Fat: Why Letting Go of What Works May be the Real Growth Hack with Ruben Kanya - Episode #359
Apr 800:18:55Tap to summarizeGet the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprintIn this solo episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down a counterintuitive principle that most entrepreneurs avoid: cutting things that are actually working. As Q1 comes to a close, he challenges the common habit of stacking new goals on top of old ones without removing anything, and explains why this approach silently kills growth.Using examples from Tesla’s strategic decisions and his own experience stepping away from profitable consulting work, Ruben introduces the concept of “trimming the good fat.” He explains that real leverage doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from removing distractions, even the ones generating income, to make room for higher ROI opportunities.The episode also dives into how AI and mentorship should be used together, not separately. Ruben emphasizes that the advantage today is no longer access to information—it’s clarity of direction. Those who win are the ones who can define what they want, ask better questions, and use the right tools to reverse engineer the path forward.This conversation reframes productivity, decision-making, and growth through a simple but difficult lens: less, but better. It’s a reminder that success isn’t about adding more—it’s about having the discipline to remove what no longer aligns with where you’re going.Tune in now to learn how to trim the good fat, compress your timeline, and focus only on what actually moves the needle.#TrimTheFat #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #RealEstateEntrepreneur #Leverage #DecisionMaking #HighPerformance #AIForBusiness #WealthBuilding #ScaleSmart
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Barber Shop Talk: Why You Need to Ask Why with Ruben Kanya - Episode #358
Mar 3100:17:45Tap to summarizeGet the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprintIn this insightful episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down a simple but overlooked truth that separates those who grow from those who stay stuck: the quality of the questions they ask. Drawing from a real conversation inside a barbershop, Ruben unpacks how proximity to the right people means nothing if you don’t know how to extract the real lessons.The episode explores why most people misinterpret advice, hearing surface-level feedback like “be more consistent” without understanding the deeper principle behind it. Through layered questioning, Ruben reveals the real takeaway: consistency isn’t just about discipline—it’s about increasing your chances of capturing opportunities that compound over time, like walk-in clients that turn into long-term relationships.Ruben also connects this lesson to entrepreneurship, real estate, and skill-building, emphasizing that success comes from borrowing the belief systems, thinking patterns, and behaviors of those already operating at a higher level. He highlights how AI has eliminated the excuse of not knowing “how,” shifting the real advantage to those who can define what they want and ask better questions to get there.This conversation is a reminder that information is everywhere, but transformation only happens when you learn how to think, question, and execute differently. The gap isn’t access—it’s awareness.Tune in now to learn how to ask better questions, leverage proximity the right way, and build the consistency that creates long-term results.#EntrepreneurMindset #AskBetterQuestions #ConsistencyWins #BusinessGrowth #RealEstateEntrepreneur #HighPerformance #ExperimentNation #MindsetShift #ProximityMatters #SuccessPrinciples
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Creative Financing: Acquiring Cash Flowing Real Estate Opportunities without Banks with Zeona McIntyre - Episode #357
Mar 1100:49:56Tap to summarizeGet the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprintIn this insightful episode of In The Lab, Ruben welcomes back returning guest Zeona McIntyre for a conversation on how real estate investors can evolve with the market while staying grounded in what really matters. Zeona first joined the show in Episode 215, “Normalizing the 30-Day Stay in Your Short-Term Rental Business.” Since that conversation, both the market and Zeona’s investing approach have continued to evolve, making this return to the lab a timely update on where opportunities exist today.Zeona shares how her journey has progressed from short-term rental arbitrage to property ownership, mid-term rentals, and now creative financing strategies designed to help investors operate in a higher-interest-rate environment. She breaks down the concept of subject-to financing in simple terms, explains how creative deal structures can solve real problems for buyers and sellers, and highlights how investors can position themselves to acquire properties without relying solely on traditional lending.Throughout the discussion, Ruben and Zeona explore the importance of experimentation in entrepreneurship, emphasizing how investors must continually adapt their strategies as markets shift. Zeona also shares real examples of creative deals, including situations where distressed sellers were able to exit challenging financial positions while investors stepped in with new visions for the property. These stories highlight how creative financing can create multiple wins across a single transaction.The conversation expands beyond deal structures into the broader mindset required to thrive as an entrepreneur. Ruben and Zeona discuss collaboration, relationship-driven deal flow, and the shift from trying to do everything alone to building networks where multiple people benefit from a single opportunity. They also explore the growing influence of AI and why building strong cash-flowing assets may become even more important as technology reshapes industries.Toward the end of the episode, Zeona shares insights from her upcoming book, The Creative Closer, which outlines several creative financing strategies and the negotiation frameworks investors can use to structure deals in unconventional ways. She closes with a reminder that while entrepreneurs often focus on the next milestone, it’s just as important to slow down, appreciate the present moment, and find small pockets of joy in everyday life.Tune in now to hear how Zeona McIntyre continues to experiment, adapt, and help investors think differently about creative financing, collaboration, and the future of real estate.KEEPING IT REAL03:20 – Investor evolution04:36 – Experimentation mindset06:38 – Sub-to deal story07:43 – Creative financing shift08:15 – STR tax strategy10:41 – Subject-to explained12:20 – Writing new book15:00 – Creative deal case21:27 – Creative deal tools24:14 – AI and real estate25:01 – Cash flow strategy31:26 – Collaboration mindset45:15 – Enjoy the momentCONNECT WITH THE GUESTWebsite: https://www.zeonamcintyre.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeona-mcintyre/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeonamcintyre#CreativeFinancing #RealEstateInvesting #CashFlow #SubjectTo #Wholesaling #InvestorMindset #Entrepreneurship #MidTermRentals #InTheLab
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Time Is a Tool: The Mental Shift That Collapses 10-Year Goals Into 3 with Ruben Kanya - Episode #356
Feb 900:14:40Tap to summarizeGet the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprintIn this solo episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down a powerful mindset shift that quietly determines how long it takes you to win: the timeline you give yourself. Drawing from recent paradigm shifts, personal reflection, and lessons from Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s recent publication of the Science of Scaling and Time is a Tool, he challenges the assumption that big goals naturally require long time horizons.The episode explores why most entrepreneurs dramatically underestimate what they can accomplish when stakes are raised and timelines are compressed. Using real-life examples—from school deadlines to business growth—Ruben explains how Parkinson’s Law shows up in careers, investing, and entrepreneurship, and why time itself is often the constraint we unknowingly create.Ruben also walks through a practical reframing exercise: instead of asking “how” something will take ten years, ask what would need to be true if you had to do it in three. By removing pressure and shifting perspective, new pathways emerge, better decisions surface, and execution accelerates.This conversation is a reminder that growth doesn’t speed up by working harder—it speeds up by changing the questions you ask, the standards you set, and the timelines you accept.Tune in now to learn how to use time as a tool, collapse long-term goals into shorter horizons, and design experiments that force clarity, focus, and faster results.#EntrepreneurMindset #TimeIsATool #ParkinsonsLaw #BusinessGrowth #HighPerformance #ExperimentNation #RealEstateEntrepreneur #PersonalDevelopment #MindsetShift #EliteOperators
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