In Tourism Revolt: The Fight to Reclaim Cities from Mass Travel, Alex Norman and Jamie Blond explore how the explosive growth of global tourism is fueling backlash in cities like Barcelona, New York, Mexico City, Tokyo, and Miami. From Airbnb bans and disappearing neighborhoods to squirt-gun protests and soaring housing costs, they unpack how mass travel is reshaping local life—for better and worse.

With tourism now a $10 trillion global force, this episode dives into the tension between economic growth and cultural survival, asking: who are cities really for—the locals who live there or the tourists passing through? Packed with real-world stories, stats, and banter, this episode challenges listeners to rethink how we travel—and how we build the cities we love.

Have you witnessed tourism changing your city—or one you’ve visited? Share your story and join the conversation @realstatepodcast.

In this powerful episode of The Real State Podcast, co-hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blond dive into the story of Rashmi Airan—a former lawyer whose path to the American Dream came crashing down when she was federally indicted for real estate fraud. Rashmi shares the raw truth of her journey, from prison to personal rebirth, and introduces her RISE Process™ (Reframe, Identify, Surrender, Evolve), a transformational framework that helps individuals and leaders navigate adversity and grow through challenge. With themes of ethics, ego, culture, and redemption, this is a must-listen for anyone who’s faced a setback and wondered how to begin again.

In this episode of The Real State, Alex and Jamie explore the real state of inclusion with special guest and co-author Garrett Mayersohn to celebrate the launch of Boundless: Real Stories and Practical Strategies for Inclusive Living. Together, they dive into the stories and strategies behind designing spaces that remove barriers for people of all abilities.

From Alex’s personal caregiving journey to Garrett’s lived experience navigating the world with cerebral palsy, this conversation blends humor, insight, and real talk about the importance, and impact, of Universal Design. They unpack what most people misunderstand about accessibility, why ADA compliance isn’t enough, and how better design benefits everyone.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Intro: What Boundless is all about

• 04:15 – Garrett’s journey and what cerebral palsy has taught him about design

• 08:32 – The real audience for this book—and why it’s more than just professionals

• 15:10 – What is Universal Design, really?

• 21:40 – Real-life design fails and what they teach us

• 26:00 – The economics of inclusion: cost, risk, and return

• 35:00 – The movement ahead: What Boundless aims to change

• 📘 Get the book: Boundless on Amazon

• 🌐 More on inclusive design: Access Built