

Thought Leaders – Real Estate Re-imagined (formerly The Elevate Podcast)
Elite Agent
Thought Leaders – Real Estate Re-imagined spotlights the outside-the-box minds rewriting how property is sold, leased and managed worldwide. Host Samantha McLean, editor of Elite Agent, shares frank, inspiring conversations with real estate practitioners as well as founders and entrepreneurs from outside the industry. Expect actionable playbooks on AI-powered prospecting, climate-change resilience, brand storytelling, next-gen leadership and talent retention. Each episode distils data and tactics you can apply immediately—whether you’re chasing your first million in GCI, steering a multi-office network or craving a better work-life balance. Subscribe to reimagine what’s possible and thrive in real estate’s new era.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 6, 2021 • 37min
Inspiration before motivation: A leadership conversation with Manos Findikakis
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connectnow
Eview Founder and CEO Manos Findikakis says he was dragged kicking and screaming into real estate. But once he realised the lifestyle and business opportunity it offered, he became one of its staunchest advocates.
Now, Manos heads up Australia’s first multi-brand agency – one that has enjoyed incredible growth since the model launched in 2015 on the back of the ethos the agent is more important than the brand.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast Manos shares a wealth of wisdom derived from almost 20 years in the industry, including his approach to leadership, why numbers set agents free, how he inspires his team, and why the biggest challenge right now isn’t a shortage of stock.
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Manos and Samantha also discuss:
The numbers that agents should focus on (and how they build an agent’s business in the long-run)
Why the measure of success is a client-centric approach not volume
How he and wife Maria manage the work/life balance in a real estate partnership that saw them build a new model
Why he believes leading a team isn’t about motivation, but rather inspiration (and what he does to inspire those around him)
When the tipping point is likely to occur between profit and going backwards in an EBU
How he and wife Maria built a new real estate model
Why his best business ideas have always been born out of challenge
How knowing the ‘why’ helps agents achieve success
Links and resources mentioned
How to win friends and influence people – by Dale Carnegie
Die with Zero – by Bill Perkins
Manos on Elite Agent
Zig while others zag
Articles by Manos
The reverse bucket list: Manos Findikakis
Coping with the rollercoaster of real estate
Connect with Manos
Website
LinkedIn

Jul 2, 2021 • 40min
Simon Caulfield: The power and the passion
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connectnow
Simon Caulfield has carved out a reputation as one of Brisbane’s most successful real estate agents.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the director of Place Kangaroo Point. Simon got off to a rough start, relying on trial and error to establish the habits that have helped him achieve success.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Simon shares the story of how he went from a rookie agent sleeping under his desk to selling luxury property in the Queensland capital.
He also offers an insight into why he encouraged his wife into real estate where she soon became a number one ranking agent, and how the couple approach their business to leave people in a better place than they found them.
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Simon and Samantha also discuss
The importance of ‘break with’ moments – what they are and why every top selling agent has had them.
What Simon’s ‘break with’ moment was and how other agents can employ a similar tactic to take their career to the next level
How to become a good local that people turn to in the community
Why Simon believes the true measure of his success as a business owner is the success of his team
How he helps his team set and achieve their goals
Why Simon has invested heavily in social media and how a strategy of engagement, not likes, has boosted his career
How Simon and his wife Courtney became a dynamic real estate duo who are invested in each other’s success
And more…
Links and resources mentioned
Josh Phegan
Tom Panos
Inside the rockstar lifestyles of Queensland’s real estate agents
Courtney Caulfield
Simon on Elite Agent
Elite Agent’s AREC notes on Simon Caulfield
Connect with Simon
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram

Jun 29, 2021 • 28min
How to get editorial coverage for your listing: Alice Stolz
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connectnow
As the managing editor of Domain, Alice Stolz has a love of storytelling with real estate and property as its focus.
In addition to overseeing the content created for major metropolitan newspapers, magazines and the Domain website, Alice also represents Domain across the Nine Network, is a regular guest judge on The Block and is the host of the podcast Property Unpacked.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Alice offers her unique insight into Australia’s ongoing love of property and how agents can harness it to create content that attracts media attention.
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Alice and Samantha also discuss:
The elements journalists look for in a great property story
Why a compelling real estate story isn’t always about grandeur and luxury, but instead involves emotion and a connection with the audience
How Alice and the team at Domain work with agents
Why Luxe Listings Sydney will be her guilty pleasure
What agents should include when submitting content to the media
Why great content sometimes involves thinking outside the box
Plus more
Links and resources mentioned
Luxe Listings
Property Unpacked
The Block
Saul Eslake
Dr Nicola Powell
Domain
Connect with Alice
Website
LinkedIn

Jun 25, 2021 • 28min
Client care that converts: Tanja Neven-Jones
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connectnow
Tanja Neven-Jones is a multi award-winning agent at O’Brien Real Estate Melbourne.
After starting in the industry in 2003, Tanja found herself rebuilding her career from scratch after a business venture didn’t pan out as expected.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Tanja shares the strategies that helped her establish a successful real estate career, not just once, but twice.
She also offers a unique perspective of how she got back up and running quickly courtesy of tools that every agent should draw on.
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Tanja and Samantha also discuss:
How to use warm data to achieve quick success
Why client care wins you listings
How to avoid being a real estate stalker but still have regular touch points with clientele
Why 1000 names on a database is more than enough to create a stellar sales career
How to get your head in the right space after a career setback
Why conversion occurs long before you enter a client’s loungeroom
And more…
Links and resources mentioned
Will Ainsworth
Tom Panos
AREC 2021
Elite Agent’s AREC 2021 notes
Tanja on Elite Agent
Women designed for success
Connect with Tanja
Website
LinkedIn

Jun 22, 2021 • 41min
How to avoid burnout and improve your performance: Chris Wilson
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connectnow
It’s hardly a secret that real estate has the potential to be a stressful profession. Regardless of whether you work in property management or sales, the industry requires its members to operate at peak performance while negotiating with multiple parties.
While peak performance might be a must, stress scientist Chris Wilson explains that doesn’t mean burnout, overwhelm and stress responses should be a mainstay.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Chris walks through the physiology of the stress response and offers tools, strategies and techniques that both leaders and individuals can use to reduce its impact.
From simple techniques to daily habits, he offers an essential guide to mitigating stress while honing in on the warning signs that everyone should address.
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Chris and Samantha also discuss:
Why real estate is an industry prone to high stress, but there’s little conversation about the issue
How individuals can identify their personal stress response
Why there’s good stress and bad stress, but it’s how you manage it that counts
The simple methods everyone can easily embrace to check themselves prior to stress becoming a problem
What acute stress does to the body in the short and long-term
How to manage your routine to better mitigate stress triggers
Why high-performers might have trouble acknowledging their personal stress, and how to have a conversation about it
How the best leaders identify stress in their team and the solutions they can draw on to reduce the issue
And more…
Links and resources mentioned
Dr Joe Dispenza
Headspace
LJ Hooker Accelerate
Connect with Chris
LinkedIn
Website

Jun 18, 2021 • 33min
The leadership diaries: Rebecca Halton
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connectnow
Having started in real estate as a second-generation agent more than 20 years ago, Rebecca Halton is the CEO of LJ Hooker City Residential in Perth.
As a young mum and the head of a growing business, she has successfully navigated the work life balance to get to the point where she says it is possible to have it all.
Rebecca is also the winner of this year’s LJ Hooker Accelerate program, and the cover story of the Winter edition of Elite Agent Magazine.
In this edition of the Elevate podcast, she shares an insight into her leadership approach including the tough lessons she’s learned along the way and the daily habits she’s implemented to achieve success.
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Samantha and Rebecca also discuss:
Why self-care is critical for all real estate professionals and leaders, and why being ‘selfish’ isn’t about being selfish at all
How small daily habits can improve your mindset and productivity
What she’s doing for her team to ensure they look after themselves
The difference that deleting social media made to Rebecca’s work and personal life
How she manages rookie recruits to help them achieve success
Why leadership can be a lonely world at the top
The lessons Rebecca wished she’d learned earlier, including patience, persistence and faith in her abilities
And more…
Links and resources mentioned
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Rebecca on Elite Agent
Rebecca Halton: Service with a smile
How to position your business for success with outsourcing
Connect with Rebecca
Website
LinkedIn

Jun 11, 2021 • 22min
From setback to comeback: Eoghan Murphy
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connectnow
When Gold Coast agent Eoghan Murphy returned from a stint on reality TV, he feared his appearance on Love Island might have ruined his real estate career.
A year later, that’s proven to be anything but the case, with Eoghan recently racking up a personal best of $1.2 million GCI this financial year.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Eoghan explains what it was like to step back into real estate after reality TV, how he felt Love Island affected his mindset, what it took to come back after five months out of the industry, and the strategies he used to get back in the zone.
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Eoghan and Samantha also discuss:
How Eoghan has built his career from zero, not once but twice
Why a persistent and consistent approach pays off
How he maximised any momentum he achieved
Why success is the best prospecting strategy
How the belief, training and support of his real estate principal empowered him to succeed beyond his dreams
Why his goals are now bigger and better, and how he’s on track to achieve them
His reality TV tips for Gavin Rubinstein, D’Leanne Lewis and Simon Cohen as they ready for the release of Luxe Listings
Why Eoghan believes every agent knows deep down what they need to do, and he’s testament to the fact if they follow through it pays off
And more…
Links or resources mentioned
Ryan Holiday: Ego is the enemy
Ryan Holiday: The obstacle is the way
Luxe listings
Kollosche
Tom Panos
Michael Sheargold
Jet Xavier
Eoghan on Elite Agent
Taking a chance
Connect with Eoghan
Website
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram

Jun 8, 2021 • 34min
The growth equation: Andrew Duncan
Sorted Services CEO Andrew Duncan is no stranger to starting and scaling a business. He has enjoyed a lengthy career as an entrepreneur in both the tech and real estate space and is all about providing service that scales.
Throughout that successful career, Andrew has also drawn on the wealth of materials that relate to best practice in both starting a business, or optimising an existing enterprise.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Andrew shares an insight into some of these resources, including three of the must-read books for business leaders at all stages of the growth journey.
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In this episode, Andrew and Samantha discuss:
How the customer expectation and technology are coming together
Why the real estate industry is less afraid of change than they once were and how they should use that to their advantage
Why the best service often involves no need for service at all
How to identify and eliminate negative inquiries to give your business space for high-quality interactions
How lean thinking is critical to business success
Why you should test, learn and occasionally fail
What constitutes an effective leadership style
How to identify the ‘flywheel’ of your business that allows an enterprise to gain traction, scale-up and grow
What Sorted Services offers and where it’s headed
Plus much more…
Links and resources mentioned
The Best Service is No Service: How to Liberate Your Customers from Customer Service, Keep Them Happy, and Control Costs – Bill Price and David Jaffe
The lean startup – by Eric Ries
Good to great – by Jim Collins
Sorted website
Let’s get Sorted video
Sorted agent overview
Sorted on Elite Agent
Real estate industry invited to contribute to proptech future
Connect with Andrew Duncan
LinkedIn

Jun 3, 2021 • 35min
Fearless and focussed leadership: Geoff Lucas
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connectnow
As the newly-appointed head of The Agency, Geoff Lucas brings a proven track record of business growth and an eye for opportunity to his role as CEO.
In real estate, he has previously worked with brands like McGrath, but has also led major Australian business across a variety of different industries.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Geoff explains why The Agency’s vision resonated with him, the direction the industry is heading, and reflects on the leadership lessons learned in a long and highly successful career.
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In this episode, Geoff and Sam also discuss:
What growth and opportunity mean to the people in a business and why it gets Geoff out of bed each morning
Why Geoff decided to join the Agency to work alongside long time colleague Matt Lahood
How the leadership team at The Agency work to their individual strengths
Who the big influencers on Geoff’s career have been and how they have led to his success
Why The Agency is future-focused on hubs, rather than shop fronts
What a day in the life of a brand leader looks like and how Geoff manages his time
Why the biggest focus for agents in the current market should be humility and honing their strengths
Links and resource mentioned
Scaling Up by Verne Harnish
Geoff on Elite Agent
The Agency announces appointment of Geoff Lucas as group CEO
The Agency on Elite Agent
The Agency releases autumn property report
Price is right to spearhead The Agency’s expansion into Queensland
The Agency announces expansion into commercial property sector
Connect with Geoff Lucas
Website
LinkedIn

Jun 1, 2021 • 28min
How to win clients with text messaging: Sean Smit
Text message is a simple, convenient and highly personalised way of marketing. But how can you use it to best effect to engage with people and convert them to clients?
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Podium’s Sean Smit talks through the advantages of SMS over other marketing methods, and how the real estate industry can use it to start a two-way conversation that converts.
In this podcast, Samantha and Sean also discuss:
How text message reaches 98 per cent of clients
The advantages of text message over other marketing methods
What a great SMS marketing campaign looks like
How to make your message personal and elicit action from a client
The dos and don’ts of SMS marketing
How to engage in a two-way text conversation that converts
Why it’s all about convenience and personalisation
And more…
Links and resources mentioned
Market Buy
Podium SMS marketing e-book
Podium and Sean on Elite Agent
Optimising your online reputation
How to get more five-star Google reviews
Why online reviews are essential for real estate
Connect with Sean
Website
LinkedIn
To learn more about how to use SMS marketing to win more clients, see here


