Behind the Mic: Launching "Closing the Coast" – My Monterey Real Estate Podcast Journey

I’m Dillon Staples, a Realtor with the Staples Gannaway Team at Compass and a lifelong resident of the Monterey Peninsula. Today, I’m excited to share the story behind my new podcast series, Closing the Coast. This is a passion project born out of my love for our local community, the dynamic world of real estate, and the art of storytelling.

Why I Created Closing the Coast

Growing up on the Monterey Peninsula, I was immersed in the vibrant world of real estate. My parents’ involvement in local property building and renovations instilled in me an early appreciation for the unique character of our homes and neighborhoods. After graduating and diving into the real estate industry, I realized there was so much more to our market than transactions and listings. There are real stories of transformation, innovation, and bold decisions that shape lives.

I aim to shine a light on those stories with Closing the Coast. I wanted to create a platform where real estate, investment, entrepreneurship, and lifestyle intersect—where you can get a behind-the-scenes look at a variety of topics and interesting individuals.

A Glimpse at the Episodes

I’m thrilled to say that the first four episodes are now live. Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect:

• EP 004: The Real Story of Kismet House’s Rise to an Iconic Design Brand
  Listen Now • Approx. 32 minutes
  Join Erin and Matt Conway as they share the wild journey from buying "the house nobody wanted" to creating a significant design brand. From unexpected setbacks to creative breakthroughs, this episode is packed with stories that prove taking risks can lead to incredible outcomes.

• EP 003: The Future of Luxury Real Estate: Market Insights from one of Carmel's Top Teams with Charlotte Gannaway
  Listen Now • Approx. 30 minutes
  I sit down with Charlotte Gannaway to explore the evolving landscape of luxury real estate. Discover how a boutique storytelling approach has reshaped the market in Carmel and get an insider’s perspective on what the future holds for luxury properties.

• EP 002: Building a Viral Cooking Brand After Hours: Inside Kitchen by the Sea with Maddie & Jules
  Listen Now • Approx. 28 minutes
  Ever wonder how two sisters turned family recipes into a social media sensation with over 400,000 followers? Maddie and Jules share their journey from kitchen experiments to creating a viral brand—all while balancing full-time careers.

• EP 001: How to Succeed in Luxury Markets: Age, Experience, and Creating True Value with Jonathan and Jessica Hugo
  Listen Now • Approx. 35 minutes
  In our inaugural episode, Jonathan and Jessica Hugo reveal how they overcame age bias and transformed their wedding videography beginnings into a leading luxury media production company. Learn their secrets to creating value and driving success in a competitive market.

   

Join the Conversation

I created Closing the Coast to offer more than just market updates—I wanted to create a space where authentic stories and real-world experiences help guide and inspire us all. Whether you’re tuning in for professional insights or a dose of local inspiration, I invite you to subscribe and join the conversation.

Stay connected with me on:
LinkedIn • Compass Profile • Instagram

Thank you for being part of this exciting journey. I hope you enjoy listening to Closing the Coast as much as I enjoyed creating it—here’s to uncovering the incredible stories that make Monterey real!

— Dillon Staples