Epic Spotlight Podcast

In this episode, Dante discusses:
How Epic Spotlight evolved from a simple idea into a personal growth tool
The role of self-reflection in uncovering truth and direction
Patterns of success observed across 90+ high-performing individuals
Why questioning your path is essential to building the right life
Redefining success through love, happiness, health, and wealth

Key Takeaways:
Success is not accidental; it is built through intentional habits and daily decisions. When you become aware of your patterns and behaviors, you can begin to design the life you truly want.
Self-reflection is one of the hardest but most necessary forms of growth. Looking inward with honesty allows you to identify where you’ve been wrong and where you can improve.
Learning from others accelerates your own journey. By observing both what to do and what not to do, you gain clarity and develop stronger critical thinking skills.
True success goes beyond money and status. Love, happiness, health, and wealth must work together to create a fulfilling and sustainable life.
The traditional model of working decades for a short retirement is flawed. By thinking differently and acting intentionally, you can create freedom much earlier in life.

“The life you want isn't something you stumble into, it's something you design.” - Dante Royster

Connect with Dante Royster:
Website: https://www.danteroyster.com/
Epic Mortgage Website: Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086
Facebook: EpicMortgage1885086
Epic Mortgage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/
“The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mortgage-Guide-Secure-Best/dp/1956220631
LinkedIn: Dante Royster | LinkedIn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanteRoyster
YouTube: Epic Spotlight
Email: [email protected]

The 9 states that Epic Mortgage is licensed are: Illinois/Indiana/Michigan/Colorado/Maryland/Virginia/Florida/Georgia/Texas

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Robert Howell is a South Carolina-based real estate investor, entrepreneur, and founder of Howell & Sons—a family-driven company focused on honest, values-based real estate. With a background in land acquisitions, mobile home parks, and affordable land-home development, Robert builds opportunities that serve both investors and local communities. Rooted in faith, family, and long-term thinking, Robert believes real estate should be simple, transparent, and built to last. His mission goes beyond buying and selling property—he’s committed to helping families secure affordable housing, supporting landowners with win-win solutions, and creating generational impact through ethical investing. When he’s not building projects across the Southeast, Robert is a husband and father of two boys, dedicated to raising his family with the same values he brings to business: honesty, legacy, and community.

In this episode, Dante and Robert discuss:
How Robert transitioned from event marketing into intentional real estate investing
Why affordable housing, mobile home parks, and land home packages became his primary focus
The strategy behind buying and improving mobile home parks
How investors can structure win-win deals that benefit both communities and investors
The role of faith, honesty, and long-term thinking in building a real estate business

Key Takeaways:
Affordable housing presents both a financial opportunity and a meaningful mission. Investors can create profitable deals while also addressing a growing housing need in communities.
Real estate investing often requires balancing two strategies at once. Short-term deals generate the cash flow needed today, while long-term assets like mobile home parks build wealth for the future.
Simplicity can still be effective in real estate analysis. A straightforward approach; reviewing rent rolls, estimating expenses, and evaluating cash flow can quickly reveal whether a deal is viable.
Many misconceptions exist about mobile home parks. In reality, most residents are hardworking individuals and families simply seeking a safe and affordable place to live.
Patience and consistency are essential for success in real estate investing. The investors who continue to show up, learn, and execute over time are the ones who ultimately build lasting results.

“If you can do that and you can go to sleep at night knowing that you operate honestly, that you made a reasonable profit, then I think that's a good path to go.” - Robert Howell

Connect with Robert Howell:
Website: https://howellandsons.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-howell-b706ba368/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bobbyquatro

Connect with Dante Royster:
Website: https://www.danteroyster.com/
Epic Mortgage Website: Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086
Facebook: EpicMortgage1885086
Epic Mortgage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/
“The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mortgage-Guide-Secure-Best/dp/1956220631
LinkedIn: Dante Royster | LinkedIn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanteRoyster
YouTube: Epic Spotlight
Email: [email protected]

The 9 states that Epic Mortgage is licensed are: Illinois/Indiana/Michigan/Colorado/Maryland/Virginia/Florida/Georgia/Texas

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Justin Lund is an entrepreneur and mentor who has built and exited multiple companies. His journey includes overcoming addiction recovery and navigating a legal battle that cost him tens of millions, experiences that shaped his approach to business and life. Today, he helps founders break through their capacity ceiling—the point where hustle stops working—by teaching mindset shifts, implementing smart systems, and mastering delegation, enabling business owners to step back without losing control.

In this episode, Dante and Justin discuss:
How addiction recovery shaped Justin’s leadership philosophy and framework-driven thinking
The concept of the “capacity ceiling” and why most founders get stuck there
Why hiring out of order derails scale and increases burnout
The power of quick wins to create momentum and reclaim time
Building culture first—and why you must “hire for the soul, train for the role.”

Key Takeaways:
Systems are built for your worst days, not your best ones. If your structure only works when you’re at peak performance, it will eventually collapse under pressure.
Most founders don’t lack effort—they lack sequencing. Hiring the wrong role at the wrong time often creates more complexity, payroll strain, and frustration instead of relief.
The capacity ceiling shows up as a revenue “thermostat.” You grow to a certain level, hit burnout, pull back, then hustle again—never breaking through to the next stage.
Culture must be intentional before scale is possible. Without clearly defined values and vision, even talented hires will drift and weaken the foundation.
Freedom starts with reclaiming time. When founders recover even five to ten hours per week through delegation and optimization, clarity and better decision-making follow.

“If you had the answers to get to the next level and they were in the six inches between your ears, you would have already reached the next level.” - Justin Lund

Connect with Justin Lund:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-lund-propel/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.lund.propel/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsjustinlund/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsjustinlund

Connect with Dante Royster:
Website: https://www.danteroyster.com/
Epic Mortgage Website: Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086
Facebook: EpicMortgage1885086
Epic Mortgage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/
“The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mortgage-Guide-Secure-Best/dp/1956220631
LinkedIn: Dante Royster | LinkedIn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanteRoyster
YouTube: Epic Spotlight
Email: [email protected]

The 9 states that Epic Mortgage is licensed are: Illinois/Indiana/Michigan/Colorado/Maryland/Virginia/Florida/Georgia/Texas

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Ari Rastegar is a multifaceted entrepreneur, real estate innovator, biohacker, and author. Born in Austin, Texas, Ari began his real estate journey in law school with just $3,000 — a leap that grew into Rastegar Property Company, a powerhouse firm with over 3.5 million square feet of developments across 38 U.S. cities. Dubbed the “Oracle of Austin” by Forbes, Ari is now leading a bold new vision in Dallas, which he calls “Wall Street to Y’all Street,” bridging elite finance with Main Street opportunity. Beyond real estate, Ari is deeply committed to health and performance, incorporating cutting-edge biohacking practices into his life — from stem-cell therapy to hyperbaric oxygen treatments — insights that have earned him features in The Wall Street Journal, GQ, and The New York Post. He is also the author of The Gift of Failure, where he shares powerful lessons on resilience, mindset, and turning setbacks into success.

In this episode, Dante and Ari discuss:
Meditation as a non-negotiable investment in mental clarity and leadership
How to filter advice in a world “drowning in information but starved for wisdom.”
Planning for the unplannable: lessons from early business failures
The future of real estate development, AI, robotics, and global opportunity
What “winning” really means at different stages of life and business

Key Takeaways:
Confidence is built, not inherited. When you consistently keep the promises you make to yourself, you develop personal integrity, and that integrity becomes self-trust over time.
Meditation is not passive relaxation; it is preparation for performance. Investing 20 minutes a day in mental clarity can directly impact decision-making, leadership, and emotional regulation.
Not all advice is created equal. Seeking wisdom from those who have achieved what you want filters noise and accelerates meaningful progress.
True leadership requires planning for what could go wrong. Stress-testing decisions and preparing for unforeseen risks creates resilience in both business and life.
Innovation in real estate will be driven by technology, automation, AI, and faster construction methods. The next 10–20 years will redefine development, infrastructure, and global expansion opportunities.

“The promises you keep to yourself are what's called personal integrity.” - Ari Rastegar

Connect with Ari Rastegar:
Website: https://rastegarcapital.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arirastegar/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rastegar
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arirastegar

Connect with Dante Royster:
Website: https://www.danteroyster.com/
Epic Mortgage Website: Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086
Facebook: EpicMortgage1885086
Epic Mortgage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/
“The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mortgage-Guide-Secure-Best/dp/1956220631
LinkedIn: Dante Royster | LinkedIn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanteRoyster
YouTube: Epic Spotlight
Email: [email protected]

The 9 states that Epic Mortgage is licensed are: Illinois/Indiana/Michigan/Colorado/Maryland/Virginia/Florida/Georgia/Texas

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Janelle Villiers is a bestselling author, book writing coach, and publishing company co-founder who helps coaches and entrepreneurs turn their expertise into bestselling books and six-figure brands. She’s the author of “I Slept with a Married Man. Am I Still a Good Person?” and “Write It. Publish It. Sell It,” and has helped dozens of business owners write powerful books that open doors to speaking, media, and high-ticket clients. An Ivy League graduate and former professor, Janelle now runs Janelle Villiers Partnerships and co-founded SayThat Publishing, where she empowers women to release shame and perfectionism and share their stories with confidence and clarity.

In this episode, Dante and Janelle discuss:
The difference between guilt and shame, and how shame-based thinking can derail relationships and success
How writing a book can become a powerful platform for speaking, influence, and business growth
Why perfectionism is rooted in shame, and how to break free from it
What truly separates a bestselling book from one that never gains traction
The marketing realities behind becoming a New York Times bestseller

Key Takeaways:
Shame-based thinking says, “I am a mistake,” rather than “I made a mistake.” That belief can fuel self-sabotage, risky behavior, and isolation, but intentional reflection and structured healing can reverse the spiral.
A great business book focuses on the reader’s transformation, not the author’s expression. When you identify the key lessons your audience needs, your book becomes a strategic tool instead of just a personal outlet.
Perfectionism is not a badge of honor; it is often a shield against fear of judgment. When perfectionism sits in the passenger seat, shame is driving the car, and that mindset can keep you from ever finishing what you start.
Writing a book opens doors beyond book sales. Speaking engagements, workshops, podcast interviews, and new business opportunities often generate more revenue and impact than the book itself.
Becoming a bestseller has more to do with visibility than vocabulary. Marketing, networking, and building an engaged audience are what truly determine whether a book succeeds commercially.

“When perfectionism is in the passenger seat, shame is driving the car.” - Janelle Villiers

Connect with Janelle Villiers:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-villiers-3a1aa644/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janelle_villie
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janelle_villie
Email: [email protected]

Connect with Dante Royster:
Website: https://www.danteroyster.com/
Epic Mortgage Website: Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086
Facebook: EpicMortgage1885086
Epic Mortgage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/
“The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mortgage-Guide-Secure-Best/dp/1956220631
LinkedIn: Dante Royster | LinkedIn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanteRoyster
YouTube: Epic Spotlight
Email: [email protected]

The 9 states that Epic Mortgage is licensed are: Illinois/Indiana/Michigan/Colorado/Maryland/Virginia/Florida/Georgia/Texas

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.