AI, Bourbon, and Real Estate | How AI is Disrupting Real Estate Brokerages in 2026
with BJ Santiago — Owner, Haven Homes Group
AI, Bourbon, and Real Estate | How AI is Disrupting Real Estate Brokerages in 2026 | BJ Santiago Artificial intelligence is changing the real estate industry—but will it replace agents, or simply redefine how great agents work? In this episode of AI on the Rocks, Arian Green sits down with BJ Santiago, Principal Broker and Owner of Haven Homes Group, for a conversation about how AI is transforming modern real estate brokerages, client relationships, and the future of the housing market. Recorded at The Fort in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, BJ shares how his brokerage is approaching AI, where technology creates the biggest opportunities for agents, and why trust, local expertise, and human relationships remain the foundation of successful real estate businesses. Together, they explore how AI can improve marketing, streamline operations, support client communication, and help real estate professionals become more productive without sacrificing the personal experience that buyers and sellers expect. Whether you're a real estate agent, broker, entrepreneur, or business leader exploring AI adoption, this episode offers practical insights into staying competitive as artificial intelligence reshapes the industry. Chapter 00:00 Intro & Old Forester 117 Bourbon 00:51 Meet BJ Santiago at The Fort 03:12 Building a Modern Real Estate Brokerage 07:18 How AI Is Disrupting Real Estate 11:42 Why Great Real Estate Agents Still Win 16:08 Using AI for Marketing & Lead Generation 21:05 Where AI Can't Replace Human Expertise 27:18 The Future of Real Estate Brokerages 33:41 Why Trust Still Sells Homes 39:56 BJ's Advice for Real Estate Professionals 46:28 Final Thoughts Key Takeaways • AI is changing how real estate professionals market, communicate, and operate. • Technology should help agents become more productive—not replace trusted advisors. • Human relationships remain one of the strongest competitive advantages in real estate. • Brokerages that embrace AI early will be better positioned for future growth. • AI can streamline administrative work and improve the client experience. • Local expertise and personal trust remain difficult to automate. • The future belongs to agents who combine technology with authentic relationships. Chapter Summaries 1. Building Haven Homes Group BJ shares how he built Haven Homes Group and the leadership principles behind growing a successful brokerage. 2. AI Enters Real Estate The conversation explores where AI is already impacting real estate and why forward-thinking brokerages are paying attention. 3. Technology vs. Relationships While AI improves efficiency, BJ explains why buying and selling homes will always require trust, communication, and human judgment. 4. Preparing Agents for the Future Arian and BJ discuss how agents can embrace AI without losing the personal touch that clients value most. 5. The Future of Real Estate The episode concludes with practical advice for brokers, agents, and business leaders preparing for the next generation of AI-powered business. Frameworks Discussed • AI-Augmented Real Estate • Relationship-Driven Selling • AI Adoption for Brokerages • Human-Centered Customer Experience • Technology-Enabled Leadership Memorable Quotes "AI should make great agents even better." "Real estate is still built on trust." "Technology changes—but relationships drive business." "The agents who adapt will lead the future." Who Should Watch This episode is for: • Real Estate Agents • Real Estate Brokers • Team Leaders • Entrepreneurs • Business Owners • ales Professionals • AI Consultants • Anyone interested in the future of real estate Questions This Episode Answers • How is AI changing real estate? • Will AI replace real estate agents? • How can brokerages use AI responsibly? • What AI tools should real estate professionals learn? • Why does human connection still matter in real estate? • How can agents stay competitive in the AI era? Industries Discussed • Real Estate • Residential Brokerage • Artificial Intelligence • Sales • Business Leadership • Customer Experience About BJ Santiago BJ Santiago is the Principal Broker and Owner of Haven Homes Group. He leads a growing residential real estate brokerage while helping agents adapt to changing technology, improve client experiences, and build businesses that thrive in the AI era. Connect With BJ Santiago LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bj-santiago-4922a3b3 Haven Homes Group: https://www.havenhomesgroup.com/ Listen to AI on the Rocks YouTube: @AIONTHEROCKSTV Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6BFji3ZNadNI0g1EtVKgHr?si=ac6ea9b358964049 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-on-the-rocks-bold-tech-smooth-talk-no-chaser/id1894937230
Show Notes
The discovery-first arc — a slow zoom from reality to leverage.
- 1
Grounding
What world are you living in right now?
- 2
Exposure
What are you hearing about AI?
- 3
Tension
What worries you?
- 4
Reframe
Where do leaders still have leverage?
- 5
Countermoves
If you were them, what would you do?
Keep Watching
Talking AI Over Bourbon | AI on the Rocks Episode 1
Details being poured…
What happens when a high-tech AI Agency founder sits down with a veteran healthcare worker to discuss the future of humanity—over some of the finest bourbon in Kentucky? 🥃✨ In this debut episode of "AI on the Rocks," Arian Green (founder of NKY.AI) is joined by his wife, Sarah "Tally" Talbert, for an unfiltered conversation about artificial intelligence. We aren't just talking code; we’re talking about the "weirdly human" side of tech, the fear of losing the human "soul" to automation, and how AI can actually save us from the daily drudge work. ✅ The Bourbon Test: Watch an AI assistant analyze Sarah’s personality to pick the perfect pour between E.H. Taylor, Angel’s Envy, and New Riff. ✅ The "Freak-Out" Factor: Why even those close to tech founders find AI's human-like evolution a bit unsettling. ✅ Healthcare & AI: How automation can support frontline workers at the Cincinnati VA and beyond. ✅ Community Roots: Why we believe the future of tech starts in our local NKY and Cincinnati neighborhoods. 🔗 FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE: The Spirits 🥃 Angel’s Envy: Visit Site https://www.angelsenvy.com/us/en/shop-online/ E.H. Taylor: Buffalo Trace Distillery https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/ New Riff Distilling: Visit Site https://www.newriffdistilling.com/ Our Local Favorites 📍 Grainwell: Custom Wood Decor https://www.grainwell.com/ Ripple Wine Bar: Best Pours in Town https://www.ripplewinebar.com/ Roebling Books: Local Reads https://www.roeblingbooks.com/ Taste of Cincinnati: Foodie Heaven https://tasteofcincinnati.com/ Education & Professional 🏛️ Cincinnati VA: Healthcare for Veterans https://www.va.gov/cincinnati-health-care/about-us/ Notre Dame Academy (NDA): Go Pandas! https://www.ndapandas.org/ Park Place HR Investigations: Professional HR Solutions https://www.parkplacehrinv.com/about WORK WITH ARIAN: Interested in taking the "drudge work" out of your business? Visit: NKY.AI If you enjoyed this mix of tech and spirits, make sure to SUBSCRIBE and hit the bell icon! 🔔 Drop a comment below: Which bourbon would you have picked, and does AI "freak you out" or excite you? #AI #Bourbon #NKYAI #SmallBusinessAutomation #Cincinnati #TechPodcast #AIonTheRocks #BourbonLovers
Buffalo TraceAI, Bourbon, & Entrepreneurship: How to Scale a Multi-Franchise Empire | With Britt Grubbs
with Britt Grubbs — Owner, Better Blends & ABS Communications
In this episode of AI on the Rocks, host Arian Green sits down with serial entrepreneur Britt Grubbs to uncover his journey from selling cell phone accessories out of a mall kiosk and a storage locker to becoming one of the largest AT&T resellers, expanding health-focused smoothie franchises, and building "The Fort NKY"—a unique speakeasy co-working space rooted in local Kentucky lore. They dive deep into the real hustle behind early-stage scaling, how to transition from corporate employment to full business ownership, why designing every business to run without you creates ultimate operational freedom, and how AI, Zapier, and workflow automation are giving modern entrepreneurs their time back. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, franchise buyer, operator looking to automate repetitive tasks, or a business owner building for a future exit, this conversation is packed with actionable frameworks on scaling, local community building, and practical AI adoption. Chapters/Timestamp 00:00 - Episode Intro & Welcome Britton Grubb 02:15 - Britton's Background & The 13-Year College Journey 05:40 - Why Staying in School Long Didn’t Stop Success / Key Lessons 08:40 - The Origin Story: How "The Walking Man" Lore Started 12:00 - Walking, Thinking, and Mental Clarity for Founders 15:10 - The Pivotal Moment: Transitioning from Student to Full-Time Entrepreneur 18:45 - Early Struggles, Sacrifices, and Overcoming Initial Obstacles 22:35 - Time Efficiency, Delegation, and Systems Built for Scale 26:50 - Managing Daily Operations vs. Long-Term Strategy 31:05 - Mindset Shifts Required During High-Stakes Decision Making 35:40 - Handling Risk, Failure, and Pivoting When Things Don't Work 40:20 - Future Vision: Expanding the Brand and Building Beyond the Podcast 44:10 - Advice to Young Entrepreneurs and Creatives Starting Out 47:15 - Final Key Takeaways & Episode Wrap-Up KEY TAKEAWAYS True operational freedom comes from building businesses designed to operate independently of the founder. Authentic community building often starts by giving value upfront before expecting commercial return. Transitioning from solo operator to multi-unit franchisee requires strict systems, playbooks, and delegation. Early-stage grit (selling out of storage lockers and mall kiosks) builds the resilience needed to manage multi-location risk. CHAPTER SUMMARIES 1. The Speakeasy Community Engine Britt shares the backstory behind "The Fort NKY," a hidden speakeasy co-working space built to pay homage to local Fort Mitchell history and the legend of "The Walking Man." He explains how offering space on a donation basis built a thriving ecosystem of local founders and business leaders. 2. From Storage Lockers to Top Reseller Britt reflects on his early hustle—selling cell phone accessories out of mall kiosks and storage units—and how those practical sales lessons paved the way for scaling ABS Communications into a leading reseller network. 3. The Franchise Blueprint with Better Blend Transitioning into health and wellness, Britt details what it takes to operate and scale multiple Better Blend smoothie franchises, emphasizing the role of brand consistency, team culture, and operational playbooks. 4. Automating for Time Freedom Britt reveals his first "Aha!" moment with AI and workflow automation, breaking down how tools like Zapier and LLMs eliminate admin drag, streamline internal logistics, and buy back founder capacity. MEMORABLE QUOTES "Build your business with an exit mindset—even if you never plan to sell." "Automation isn't about replacing people; it's about buying back your time so you can focus on high-leverage growth." "Community isn't built by selling to people; it's built by bringing them together." WHO SHOULD WATCH This episode is for: Serial Entrepreneurs & Founders Multi-Unit Franchisees & Buyers Small Business Owners & Operators Automation & AI Enthusiasts Community Builders & Marketers Business Consultants & Operators ABOUT BRITT GRUBBS Britt Grubbs is a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur, co-founder of ABS Communications, multi-unit franchisee of Better Blend Smoothies, creator of "The Fort NKY," and Board Member at Northern Kentucky University’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Over two decades, Britt has built, scaled, and operated businesses across telecommunications, health & wellness franchises, real estate, and community spaces. CONNECT WITH BRITT GRUBBS LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brittan-grubb-a94bb6b Website (Better Blend): https://www.betterblend.com Website (ABS Communications): https://www.abscommunications.com Listen to AI on the Rocks YouTube: @AIONTHEROCKSTV Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6BFji3ZNadNI0g1EtVKgHr?si=ac6ea9b358964049 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-on-the-rocks-bold-tech-smooth-talk-no-chaser/id1894937230
The Pour