Podcast Summary: TheUPside Podcast

Episode: Mastering Your Circus: Interview with Lisa Johnson Juden
Host: Theresa Flood
Guest: Lisa Johnson Juden
Date: April 1, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively, candid episode, Theresa Flood sits down with her longtime friend and top-producing realtor, Lisa Johnson Juden, to discuss career longevity, authentic relationships, overcoming challenges, and Lisa's new book, Mastering Your Circus. The conversation is packed with honest stories, practical advice, and the creative strategies Lisa has used to thrive for 25 years in real estate. Lisa also delves into her journey as a first-time author, offering actionable insights for entrepreneurs and agents alike on building a business that is not just successful but also joyful and true to oneself.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Lisa’s Backstory and Early Real Estate Journey

[00:56–04:40]

• Lisa’s path into real estate was unplanned—she was an art major and “ceramics major” (01:17), but a golf course networking opportunity launched her into home sales.
• Her early career involved learning the business from the ground up at a boutique agency, with a strong mentor (Ford Gibbs) who taught her all aspects of the real estate process.
  • “He really taught me the business... I was pretty much his sidekick for a good year.” (02:52)
• Emphasizes the importance of starting in a supportive environment, even working for free or learning on the job, to gain critical skills.

2. The Power of Relationships and Networking

[04:45–06:43]

• Lisa attributes her success and longevity to her relationship-first approach. She built her career on her personal sphere—friends, their friends, and their referrals—rather than transactional leads.
  • “My business has been relationship oriented. It's been about networking, connecting with people that... like you, trust you, and bringing them value.” (04:45)
• Even today, her database feels like a party of personal friends and loyal clients.
• Lisa hosts gatherings like client appreciation parties to nurture these bonds.

3. Staying Motivated Through Industry Challenges

[05:24–06:43 / 23:23–24:43]

• Despite market ups and downs, Lisa “never threw in the towel” because of her genuine enjoyment of helping friends and being a meaningful part of their lives.
• She candidly shares there were times she considered leaving, but the relationships pulled her through.
• She addresses industry challenges, including 2008’s market downturn, studying for the licensing exam, and working as a single woman for most of her career:
  • “I talk about failing that real estate exam... I was 24... studying on the golf course.” (23:29)
  • “I was single for 18 years of my real estate career, which was very hard to do.” (24:08)

4. Becoming an Author: The Making of "Mastering Your Circus"

[06:44–10:51]

• Lisa never expected to become an author, though her mother published several novels after age 65—a late-blooming inspiration.
  • “My mom was 65 when she first published her book... every year she had one come out.” (07:20)
• The book emerged quickly (four to five months), drawing from years of teaching, marketing, and practical routines.
• Process highlights: organizing existing class notes, delivering a “labor of love” from her whole career, and navigating tricky editing stages with help from a professional editor and her mom.
  • “I'm not a writer. Just do it.” (09:16)

5. Book Themes and Practical Tactics

[10:06–14:29]

• Mastering Your Circus uses fun, whimsical circus metaphors for business and life roles:
  • Example chapters: “The Clown Car: Balancing Everyone,” “Human Cannonball: Crafting a New You,” “The Constant Juggler: Social Media.”
  • “I had to make it a little whimsical.” (10:22)
• The book’s core? Systematic yet creative ways to nurture relationships, like personalized gifts, secret Santa mail-outs, and seasonal treats:
  • “I like to do that rather than the pop buys...I look through my database and find all the single people and send them a little something for Valentine’s.” (13:23)
• Relationship-building extends to vendors: “title company, mortgage guys, roofer, inspector... they are an extension of you.” (12:35)

6. Creativity as a Business Edge

[14:29–17:41]

• Lisa credits her art background for fueling her unique business initiatives; creativity keeps her excited and drives connection.
• Shares a Kenny Chesney story illustrating that true success comes from authenticity:
  • “He didn’t really take off until he started becoming authentically himself.” (17:06)
• Encourages listeners to “learn what your gifts and your talents are to really succeed... and then make it fun.” (17:29)

7. Social Media: Authenticity and Overcoming Fear

[18:10–20:58]

• Lisa’s “The Constant Juggler: The Balancing act of Social Media” chapter addresses agent doubts about online presence. Many agents are intimidated or overthink their video/image, but practice and authenticity are what count:
  • “Sometimes I don't feel very comfortable, you know, getting in front of the camera either… You have to get out there and you have to practice.” (19:24)
  • “You really have to be yourself on social media... I see some people acting like they shouldn’t.” (19:21)
• Practical tip: Use B-roll, city facts, and visual content—“you don’t even have to be in it if you don’t want to.” (20:12)
• Lisa’s Instagram: lJohnson3333 (20:58)

8. The 21-Day Challenge & Embracing Activity

[21:23–23:29]

• “Walking the Tightrope” includes a 21-Day Challenge:
  • List your top activities for 21 days (mailers, open houses, personal tasks) and execute them for a jumpstart.
  • “Write down everything you need to be doing. In 21 days, you have to do everything... structure, discipline.” (22:07)
  • Includes both small and big tasks: “get a new outfit,” “clean those lockboxes.”
• Lisa uses this challenge herself in slow periods for accountability and motivation.

9. Giving Back: Teaching and Impact

[26:25–29:16]

• Lisa created a CE-certified class based on her book that’s now approved for continuing education credit in Texas.
  • “Now I'm an instructor… realtors can take your class for continuing education credit.” (26:49)
• She genuinely enjoys mentoring fellow agents and wants to help newbies succeed and stay in the business.
  • “I want everybody to be successful. And that's why I wrote this book… these steps will guide you to being successful, impact-driven.” (27:14)
• Shares how she brings creativity into her teaching, such as using gingerbread houses to demonstrate real estate concepts to kids (25:34).

10. How to Find Lisa & Her Book

[28:49–29:55]

• Purchase Mastering Your Circus via Lisa’s website LisaJohnsonRealtor.com (usually a 15% off code available), Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Target.
• More info on upcoming classes and offerings will be posted on her website and Instagram.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On relationships:
  “My business has always been relationship oriented... now I look back in my database and these are all friends of mine.” —Lisa, 05:24

• On writing her book:
  “I'm not a writer. Just do it.” —Lisa, 09:16

• On authenticity:
  “He didn’t really take off until he started becoming authentically himself.” —Theresa (referring to Kenny Chesney), 17:06

• On social media pressures:
  “You really have to be yourself on social media...I see some people acting like they shouldn’t.” —Lisa, 19:21

• On business challenges:
  “I talk about failing that real estate exam...I was 24, studying on the golf course, my beverage cart...” —Lisa, 23:29

• On giving back:
  “I want everybody to be successful. That's why I wrote this book, because I wanted everyone to learn from me and my experiences.” —Lisa, 27:14

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:56–04:40: Lisa’s career beginnings and real estate entry
• 04:45–06:43: Building a business on relationships
• 06:44–10:51: Why and how Lisa wrote Mastering Your Circus
• 11:06–14:29: The “Clown Car” chapter—balancing relationships and creative client touches
• 18:10–20:58: Social media: authenticity, tactics, facing self-doubt
• 21:23–23:29: The 21-Day Challenge and activity boost
• 23:29–24:43: Lisa’s real-life challenges: exam, market downturns, singleness
• 26:25–27:14: Book becomes CE credit class; Lisa’s passion for mentoring
• 28:49–29:55: How to find Lisa and get the book

Final Thoughts

Lisa Johnson Juden’s story is a testament to the power of creativity, authentic relationships, resilience, and continual growth—both in business and personally. Her “circus” metaphor is not just playful but deeply instructive for navigating careers full of moving parts and shifting priorities. The episode is a must-listen (or must-read!) for Realtors, entrepreneurs, and anyone feeling “stuck” who wants practical ideas infused with optimism, fun, and heart.