Now more than ever, choosing to actively participate in your own life is essential to thriving in a world that constantly demands your attention.
In This Episode...
Clark Crosby joins Brandon in the Think in Cursive podcast for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about what it means to "participate" in life. Clark first talks about the idea of him being the "rabbit" instead of the "turtle" which eventually leads into a bigger conversation about participation: getting off the sidelines, creating instead of consuming, spending time with people, and being intentional about how we use our attention.
The discussion moves into real estate and lending, where Clark shares what he's learned from working in mortgages for the past two decades, what people don't see behind a real estate transaction, and why experience and relationships can make such a difference when a deal gets complicated. Clark also talks about the current Atlanta housing market and mortgage rates.
Clark also opens up about losing his grandmothers, wrestling with faith and atheism, finding a deeper sense of connection, and how he actively seeks to participate actively in many aspects of his life such as in work, family, community, and his country.
Key Takeaways
Be an active participant in life. Stop rotting in front of the TV and waiting for life to happen. Actively engage in your relationships, business, profession, community, and that things that matter to you.
You can always reinvent yourself. Part of Clark's story is that he has not threaded a straight, steady path to success. He went through some rough times, especially during his teenage years. He tried many things, including managing a tattoo shop, getting into music, moving to different locations, and working in the corporate world. His willingness to reinvent himself and experiment has opened doors to new opportunities.
You can't control every outcome. Real estate, as with other industries, is full of moving parts, unexpected problems, and emotional reactions. Often, the best thing you can do is to stay calm and do your part, while letting the rest unfold.
Define success in your own terms. Be a famous band member and sing for a huge crowd? Or build a business that allows you to work from home with your family? Success means different things to different people. Define what success means for you and pursue it.
Don’t let fear run your life. Fear often keeps people from starting something new, but taking the first uncomfortable step can create clarity along the way.
This Week’s Guest Bio: Clark Crosby
Clark Crosby is a mortgage broker and loan officer with Success Mortgage Partners. His job is mostly about helping homebuyers and real estate agents figure out the ins and outs of getting a mortgage. Originally from Florida, Clark eventually made his way to Georgia, where he now lives with his wife and kids. He first entered the mortgage industry in 2007 and has spent years working through the many changes in real estate, lending, and the broader housing market. Outside of mortgages, Clark is a husband, father, musician, and someone deeply interested in personal growth, faith, creativity, and living an intentional and engaged life. In this conversation, Clark brings the perspective of a guy who has tried different paths, changed his mind, taken some wrong turns, but kept moving.
Mentions
Guest: Clark Crosby Book: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry Cultural References: Fight Club, The Tortoise and the Hare Financial Institutions: Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac, Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), Dodd-Frank People: Kevin Warsh, Jerome Powell, Siamese Dream, Peter Gabriel, Wim Hof, Meister Eckhart, Bob Goff, Brian Johnson Music: Smashing Pumpkins, Siamese Dream
Keywords real estate, mortgage, intentional living, meaningful life, reinventing yourself, entrepreneurship, how to let go of control, hustle culture, slowing down, phone addiction, eliminating hurry, music, relationships, fatherhood, creativity, play
Brandon Leonard is an Atlanta realtor, entrepreneur, musician, husband, father, and founder of Lifters of Men, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening families and communities. After earning a degree in finance and beginning his career in accounting and commercial development, Brandon found himself at a crossroads when the 2008 recession changed everything. Rather than following a conventional career path, he took a leap into music, eventually performing more than 400 live shows with his band. Those years on the road taught him something that no classroom could: how to connect with people, listen to their stories, and meet them where they are. Eventually, Brandon found his way to real estate. He went on to sell more than 150 new homes early in his career and has since helped hundreds of families buy, sell, and invest in the Greater Atlanta area. Along the way, he’s renovated homes, worked with private investors, and built deep expertise in everything from new construction and first-time buyers to luxury properties and real estate investing. But what makes Brandon’s story interesting isn’t the number of homes he’s sold. It’s the questions that came along the way. After years of building, achieving, working, and chasing the next thing, Brandon became increasingly curious about what makes a life meaningful beyond the usual measures of success. What happens when our careers are no longer the center of our identity? Why do we lose some of the curiosity and playfulness we had when we were younger? And what can we learn from the people around us if we’re willing to slow down and really listen? Those questions are what led to Think in Cursive. This podcast is Brandon’s way of creating space for honest and interesting conversations about play, work, identity, family, creativity, connection, and the messy, winding process of figuring out what a good life actually looks like. At its heart, Think in Cursive is an extension of the way Brandon has come to see life: the most interesting stories are rarely written in a straight line.
Clark Crosby is a mortgage broker and loan officer with Success Mortgage Partners. His job is mostly about helping homebuyers and real estate agents figure out the ins and outs of getting a mortgage. Originally from Florida, Clark eventually made his way to Georgia, where he now lives with his wife and kids. He first entered the mortgage industry in 2007 and has spent years working through the many changes in real estate, lending, and the broader housing market. Outside of mortgages, Clark is a husband, father, musician, and someone deeply interested in personal growth, faith, creativity, and living an intentional and engaged life. In this conversation, Clark brings the perspective of a guy who has tried different paths, changed his mind, taken some wrong turns, but kept moving.
