Dylan Gaitman is a young New York City real estate agent at SERHANT. and the host of the podcast “Disrupt, For Good,” where he interviews entrepreneurs, media personalities, and business leaders about unconventional career paths, resilience, and authentic storytelling. He launched the podcast while building his real estate career to combine his interests in business, branding, media, and relationship-building, with a focus on inspiring younger audiences and creating meaningful professional connections. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Gaitman to learn more.
Dylan Gaitman’s Background
Could you tell me more about your background in real estate and what led you to launch your podcast, Disrupt, For Good? Gaitman said:
“My background in real estate has been entirely self-driven from the start. I’ve always looked up to Ryan Serhant and admired how he built both a business and a personal brand. I’ve always loved design, connecting with people, and the idea of building something for myself from the ground up. Real estate naturally became the path I knew I wanted to pursue. I got my first real estate internship at 18 while attending Tulane University, working with Marley Development, an off-campus housing agency. I helped facilitate showings, worked directly with clients, and got an early look at the day-to-day side of the business. It was a great introduction and gave me the confidence that this was the industry I wanted to be in long-term. At 19, I searched LinkedIn and connected with a Tulane alum working at SERHANT. We clicked immediately, and I ended up interning with her team the summer after my sophomore year. That same summer, I earned my New York real estate license. One thing I learned quickly is that real estate is not an overnight success business. It takes consistency, resilience, and a willingness to bet on yourself before anyone else does. I decided to officially start my career during my senior year of college, which is definitely unconventional, but it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I’ve been able to build a network, create momentum early, and develop a story that sets me apart from others entering the industry.”
“In a business that can sometimes feel oversaturated or repetitive, I realized I had to find ways to stand out creatively. That’s what led me to launch Disrupt, For Good. I wanted to spotlight people who are challenging traditional paths, building unique brands, and making an impact in their industries. The podcast has become a way for me to combine my interests in business, media, culture, and storytelling while building meaningful relationships with people I genuinely admire.”
Bigger Message To Share
At what point did you realize you had a bigger message to share through podcasting? Gaitman shared:
“This past January, I realized there were few platforms where people in my generation could genuinely connect, learn, and hear honest conversations from those they aspire to become. I wanted to help create that space and serve as a bridge between generations, industries, and experiences through the podcast. I’ve also noticed that many people my age feel discouraged at times, whether because of the job market, pressure from social media, or uncertainty about their future. I wanted Disrupt, For Good to be a platform where people could hear real stories about failure, resilience, success, and reinvention from individuals across different industries and stages of life. My goal was to create conversations that feel relatable, motivating, and authentic, while showing that there’s no one path to building a meaningful career or life.”
Core Services
What are your core services as a real estate agent, and how does the philosophy behind Disrupt, For Good influence the way you work with clients? Gaitman explained:
“My core services as a real estate agent include working with buyers, sellers, renters, investors, and developers across New York City and, since recently obtaining my New Jersey real estate license, now New Jersey as well. A large part of what I do goes beyond simply facilitating transactions. I focus heavily on marketing, branding, relationship building, and helping clients position themselves strategically in the market. Whether it’s launching a listing, finding off-market opportunities, negotiating deals, or advising clients on long-term investment decisions, I bring a hands-on, personalized approach to every relationship. The philosophy behind Disrupt, For Good has also had a major influence on how I approach my business. The podcast is centered on people who think differently, challenge traditional paths, and build careers with intention, and I try to bring that same mindset into real estate. I never wanted to approach this industry in a conventional or transactional way. I focus on storytelling, creative marketing, personal branding, and building genuine, long-term relationships with clients rather than just chasing deals. Hosting the podcast has also allowed me to connect with people from many different industries and backgrounds, strengthening my communication skills and expanding how I think about business overall. Both real estate and the podcast are rooted in the same idea: building real relationships, creating opportunities, and proving that meaningful success comes from authenticity, trust, and the willingness to think differently.”
Challenges Faced
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in today’s real estate market? Gaitman acknowledged:
“One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in today’s real estate market has been building a pipeline and establishing a strong reputation in a relationship-driven business. Real estate is heavily referral-based, so much of the business comes down to earning trust, expanding your network, and creating long-term relationships that lead to repeat and referral clients. In a market as competitive as New York City, credibility has to be built and earned over time through consistency, persistence, and showing up every day. Another major challenge has been low inventory and the resulting competition. Across Manhattan, inventory has remained tight while demand, particularly in the luxury sector, has stayed strong. That creates an environment where buyers move quickly, competition intensifies, and agents have to work even harder to source opportunities both on- and off-market. To combat that, I’ve developed a disciplined approach to prospecting and outreach. I make around 1,000 cold calls a month, network constantly, attend events, and focus heavily on relationship-building. I’ve learned that in this business, consistency compounds over time, and the agents who stay proactive and persistent ultimately separate themselves.”
Evolution In The Approach To Real Estate
How has your approach to real estate evolved since you first started, and how has hosting Disrupt, For Good contributed to that evolution? Gaitman noted:
“When I first started in real estate, I was very focused on proving myself. Being young in this industry, especially while still in college, I felt like I constantly needed to show that I belonged in the room. Early on, I was mainly focused on learning the fundamentals, building confidence, understanding the market, and creating opportunities for myself from the ground up. As I’ve grown, my approach has become much more relationship-driven and brand-focused. I’ve realized that real estate is not just about transactions or numbers, it’s about trust, communication, and creating a lasting impression with people. I’ve also learned the importance of differentiating yourself in an industry that can sometimes feel very saturated. That realization has challenged me to think more creatively when it comes to marketing, storytelling, networking, and the overall client experience. Hosting Disrupt, For Good has played a huge role in that evolution. The podcast has exposed me to people from completely different industries and backgrounds, all with unique perspectives on business, leadership, resilience, and personal growth. Those conversations have helped me become a better communicator, listener, and relationship builder.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of your most significant milestones — both in your real estate career and with the podcast? Gaitman cited:
“One of my proudest accomplishments in real estate has been becoming the youngest agent at SERHANT. I’m also fortunate to be part of Peter Zaitzeff’s team, the top-performing team in our office. Early in my career, I’ve built strong momentum, with over $7.5 million in active listings, more than $2.1 million in off-market inventory, three rental transactions closed, and two additional apartment deals currently in contract totaling nearly $2.3 million. Let’s see what year 2 brings!”
“With Disrupt, For Good, I’m incredibly proud of how quickly the platform has grown. In our first season alone, we’ll release more than 20 episodes featuring a wide range of guests, including people I never imagined I’d have the chance to interview this early in my career. The diversity of voices has been amazing, spanning professionals within the SERHANT. ecosystem, personalities from Selling Sunset, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and The Bachelor, and influential doctors, entrepreneurs, broadcasters, and creators. Seeing the podcast evolve from an idea into a growing platform with real reach and meaningful conversations has been incredibly rewarding, and I truly feel like we’re only getting started.”
Conversations On The Podcast
Can you talk about some of the conversations on Disrupt, For Good that have had the most impact on you personally or professionally? Gaitman highlighted:
“My conversation with Tom Rinaldi was probably one of the most impactful for me, both personally and professionally. Growing up, I watched him tell some of the most emotional and meaningful sports stories, so sitting down with him felt surreal. What stood out most was his intentional, empathetic, and authentic approach to storytelling. He spoke often about the responsibility of telling someone else’s story and the importance of truly listening before speaking. As someone building both a real estate career and a media platform, I found that deeply resonant because at the core of both industries is human connection. Our conversation also reinforced that the most powerful stories are often rooted in vulnerability, resilience, and emotion rather than just success. Hearing how he built his career through consistency, preparation, and genuine curiosity gave me a completely different perspective on communication and interviewing. That episode had a major impact on how I approach conversations on Disrupt, For Good, and in real estate. It reminded me that every client, property, and transaction has a story behind it, and that building trust comes from genuinely listening to people and understanding what matters most to them. In a business that can often feel transactional, that conversation reinforced for me how important relationships, empathy, and authenticity truly are.”
Guests For The Podcast
Who are the kinds of guests and voices you’re looking to bring onto Disrupt, For Good, and how do those conversations connect back to your real estate work? Gaitman pointed out:
“I’m very intentional about bringing on guests who have truly carved out their own lane, whether in business, real estate, entertainment, sports, media, wellness, or entrepreneurship. I’m drawn to people who have taken unconventional paths, overcome setbacks, built strong personal brands, or challenged traditional ideas of success. A big part of Disrupt, For Good is highlighting the human side of success that people don’t always see online. What’s been especially exciting is the diversity of voices the podcast has already brought together, from SERHANT’s Chief Experience Officer, Ryan Coyne, and Owning Manhattan’s Jade Shenker, to personalities from franchises like The Golden Bachelor and Selling Sunset, along with entrepreneurs, doctors, broadcasters, and creators. We also have future guests lined up from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives who are active in real estate. Those conversations connect back to my real estate work more than people might expect. Real estate is ultimately a people business, and the podcast has allowed me to build relationships and connect with individuals from completely different industries and backgrounds. It has strengthened my communication skills, expanded my network, and reinforced how important storytelling and authenticity are in business today. I also believe clients gravitate toward people they feel connected to personally, not just professionally. The podcast gives people an opportunity to see who I am outside of real estate, and I think that creates a level of trust, relatability, and credibility that naturally carries over into my business.”
Future Goals
What are your goals for both your real estate business and the podcast going forward — and do you see the two growing together? Gaitman concluded:
“My goals for both my real estate business and Disrupt, For Good center on growth, impact, and building meaningful relationships. In real estate, I want to continue expanding my presence throughout New York City and New Jersey while working with a wide range of clients, from renters and first-time buyers to investors and developers. Long term, I want to pursue larger opportunities in development, branding, and media-driven real estate marketing. With Disrupt, For Good, my goal is to continue fostering conversations that genuinely inspire and connect people across industries and generations. I want the podcast to grow into a platform known for authentic storytelling, thoughtful conversations, and guests who are truly disrupting their fields in meaningful ways. I absolutely see the two growing together. Real estate, at its core, is a relationship business, and the podcast has allowed me to connect with people I might not have otherwise. Both platforms complement each other naturally because they are rooted in communication, trust, creativity, and community.”
