In this episode of the Texas Land Guys podcast, Tim and Tom sit down with Ryan Duffie, Associate Director at DMRE, who helps lead the Single Family division in North Texas.

The conversation kicks off with a look back at a leadership retreat in Park City, Utah, where the team found the perfect balance between hiking, golf, and breathtaking mountain views, along with some real talk about organizational health, healthy conflict, and clarity, inspired by Patrick Lencioni’s The Advantage.

Ryan then dives into his nontraditional journey into real estate. Before entering the industry, he worked in addiction recovery and sales, but a pivotal introduction eventually led him to Cushman & Wakefield. Unlike many brokers who start in their 20s, Ryan leaped at 30, juggling a mortgage, a newborn, and no safety net. He shares candidly about the risks he took, the role his faith played, and how his wife’s steady support helped him navigate those early, uncertain years.

The episode also shines a light on what makes DMRE unique. Its culture is centered on collaboration, family, and balance rather than cutthroat individualism. Ryan’s story is a powerful reminder that perseverance, community, and perspective can be just as important as market knowledge when building a lasting career and a legacy in land brokerage.