Learning with Your Ears
Maximize your time and expand your knowledge with these podcasts about self-storage
When I do a full self-storage feasibility study or boat and RV storage feasibility study, I spend at least eight hours – usually more – driving around to survey facilities. Between that, driving to airports, the 40-mile roundtrip to my son’s Montessori school in the country and walking my dog, I listen to a ton of podcasts.
The following podcasts by self-storage industry veterans are free. The hosts are all self-storage and commercial real estate owners and developers. In alphabetical order, great podcasts include:
Self Storage Income with AJ Osborne – This long-running podcast is at over 100 episodes. One of the longer podcasts at about 45 minutes to an hour each, Self Storage Income is hosted by AJ Osborne and sometimes is co-hosted by Conner Skeen. AJ Osborne is a cofounder of the StoreLocal co-op, author, and mastermind leader. In this relaxed podcast, AJ and his guests chat about every storage topic under the sun.
The Self Storage Podcast with Scott Meyers – Although Scott Meyers may not really be any older than the other podcasters, I think of him as the grandfather of self-storage in that he founded the first self-storage mastermind and is a pioneer in other facets of the industry such as syndication and airplane hanger storage. I’d particularly like to give him props for his episode on Women Breaking through to Creative Passive Income in Real Estate Investing. Scott Meyers is also an author and mastermind leader, and frequent participant in the Clubhouse Self Storage and Commercial Real Estate group that meets Tuesdays at 9am CST and is free to join.
The Self Storage University Podcast with Frank Rolfe – These carefully crafted podcasts are usually under 15 minutes and explain oftentimes complicated topics succinctly. I love the way Frank Rolfe speaks his mind and backs up his opinions with facts. In particular, I’ve forwarded the episode on seller financing to many people.
The Storage Stud – Though I’m not sure if this podcast is still actively in production, the past episodes are worth a listen. Fernando Angelucci leads the Titan Wealth Group and has loads of advice on self-storage acquisitions and operations. These are also short podcasts that break down particular deals and strategies.
YouTube Channels
I treat these channels like podcasts because there are not usually many visual components other than the person talking (there is not a PowerPoint or other graphics). It is easy to listen to these YouTube videos while folding the laundry or going through bank statements.
Mark Helm – Also known as Creating Wealth through Self-Storage, Mark Helm has written a book by the same name and offers a tool to evaluate facilities for acquisition called the Storage World Analyzer. Mark’s channel exceeds all podcasts in terms of the depth of topics covered and the number of years he has been posting. If you have a question you need answered, just Google it in conjunction with Mark’s name and you are likely to find his YouTube video about it.
Stacy Rossetti Teaches – Stacy has multiple channels on commercial real estate investing and is a Mastermind leader. My most forwarded videos are where she explains how to find self-storage facilities that do not appear in online searches and these are better to watch than just listen to. Stacy has a lot of great content for self-storage newbies as well.
The Storage Rebellion – Mike Wagner is also an author and Mastermind leader. Though there is a visual component to many videos, I find the content easy to follow if I am just listening and not watching. These are short videos and quickly address multiple aspects of self-storage.
Down the Rabbit Hole
I hesitate to distract you from your focus on self-storage and boat and RV storage, BUT if you consume as many podcasts as I do, you are going to need something to listen to while you wait for your preferred hosts to generate more content. In no particular order, my favorites are:
· Side Hustle School with Chris Guillebeau
· BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast
· The Skeptics Guide to the Universe
· How I Built This with Guy Raz
I’d love to hear your recommendations! Meet you in the ether.