In this episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan sits down with Daniel Gluckin, founder of the Gluckin Group, to talk about building a real estate brand by being yourself. Daniel shares his journey from DJ to REALTOR®, how “The Running Realtor” helped him stand out on social media, and why consistency and creativity matter more than perfection. They dive deep into content creation, team leadership, mistakes he made—and fixed—while building his team, and what it really takes to grow without losing your identity. The conversation also hits on fatherhood, work-life balance, and running your business instead of letting it run you—all while reviewing Black Rifle Coffee Company’s Spirit of 76 Medium Blend.

In this solo episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan Lines sits down with the mic to reflect on why the podcast started, what it’s become, and where it’s headed next. He shares his personal journey in real estate, lessons learned from 24 incredible guests, and why relationships—not transactions—are the foundation of a great business and a meaningful life. Ethan opens up about fatherhood, faith, goals for the year ahead, building community, and what it really means to be an exceptional agent, husband, and dad. The episode wraps with a candid coffee review of Kirkland House Blend and a call for listeners to help shape the future of the Coffee & Closings community.

In this episode of Coffee & Closings, Ethan sits down with Mike and Shelly, the husband-and-wife founders of Peak City Coffee, to hear the story behind one of the Triangle’s most beloved specialty roasters. They share how a backyard hobby turned into a full-scale roasting business, the leap of faith to go all-in, and why sourcing specialty-grade beans and telling a story through coffee matters. The conversation dives deep into the roasting process, seasonal blends, entrepreneurship, family involvement, and building a brand rooted in community—all while tasting Peak City favorites like Full Steam, Whispering Pines, and Snow Camp.