

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

Apr 30, 2021 • 50min
How to create your dream team
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
When do you take on a PA, how do you find the right staff, and how should you structure your growing real estate business?
These are some of the biggest questions agents and leaders have as they look to build on their success.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Samantha McLean is joined by a panel of expert leaders who have been there and done that, building their teams and businesses from the ground up.
Taken from the most recent Transform, the panel includes Hayley Van de Ven of RE/MAX Results, Grant Smith of Century 21 Buderim, and Will Honey of The Property Collective.
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Samantha and the panel also discuss:
What to look for when recruiting
The importance of systems and procedures
How to manage the client expectation
Changing your business model to accommodate extra staff
How to manage multiple locations
Which KPIs to track
The top tips for onboarding new recruits
Links and resources mentioned:
How to find and use your personal point of difference: David Walker
Hayley, Will and Grant on Elite Agent:
Born to compete: Hayley Van de Ven
Integrity, honesty and passion: Grant Smith
Connect with Hayley
Website
LinkedIn
Connect with Will
Website
LinkedIn
Connect with Grant
Website
Facebook

Apr 23, 2021 • 47min
Finding new revenue models in real estate: Scott Bateman and Brock Fisher
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
Scott Bateman is the CEO of property management software platform Kolmeo, while Brock Fisher is its Head of Strategy.
Both have extensive experience in the property management sector,with insight into business growth, operation, and efficiency.
The duo also played a major role in the most recent Transform program, where they proved popular coaches on topics such as differentiation and automation.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Scott and Brock share their in-depth insight into how agencies can look at the landscape through a very different lens to differentiate and increase their revenue.
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In this podcast, Samantha, Scott and Brock also discuss:
Why differentiation isn’t just about better service
How to think differently about revenue
Why you should be taking away not adding to improve efficiency
The Apple v JB Hi-Fi effect
How to assess what to automate, delegate or outsource
Why you should start with the customer experience and work backwards
Where to begin when it comes to working on your processes
Links and Resources mentioned
Agency of Change podcast
Malcolm Gladwell
Scott and Brock on Elite Agent
Brock Fisher: Outsourcing vs delegation vs automating
Scott Bateman: Critical thinking
Looking back, moving forward
Connect with Scott
Website
LinkedIn
Connect with Brock
Website
LinkedIn

Apr 20, 2021 • 27min
Tony Blamey of Domain: From property portal to solutions provider
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
Tony Blamey is the Chief Commercial Officer of Domain.
As part of his role, Tony has responsibility for a whole host of businesses within the Domain group including residential, agent services, and customer experience.
He has also been instrumental in guiding the organisation through recent change as Domain expands from property portal to real estate solutions provider.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Tony shares the thinking behind Domain’s new focus on facilitating the ‘complete agent journey’, along with the tools that have recently been released to help agents list, market, and sell property.
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In this podcast, Samantha and Tony also discuss:
Why Domain is shifting its strategy
How the new tools fit together and work
What trends Domain is currently seeing in the market
Why tech adoption helps agencies attract talent
How Domain sought to assist the industry during the uncertainty of 2020
Plus more…
Links and resources mentioned
Real Time Agent
Pricefinder
Homepass
MarketNow
Early Access
Tony Blamey on Elite Agent
Tony Blamey: Expect the unexpected
Domain to close the door on private landlords
Partnering for experience
Domain print titles to start publishing again
Connect with Tony
Website
LinkedIn

Apr 16, 2021 • 35min
Your personal Insta strategy, sorted with Ellen Farley
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
Ellen Farley is a senior digital strategist with LJ Hooker. Working from the group’s head office, Ellen’s role involves coaching offices and agents on digital marketing and social media.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Ellen takes a deep dive into the power of Instagram and video when it comes to building authentic connections in real estate.
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In this podcast, Samantha and Ellen also discuss:
The tools available in Instagram, including Stories, Reels, and IGTV
What to post and when to do it
How to find topics that authentically connect with an audience
Why meaningful engagement with your audience is critical
How to use paid posts to drive interest in organic content
The top tools and apps agents should be using to make social media easier
Why social media is not about perfection, but rather the real you
Links and resources mentioned
Chelsea Peitz’s ‘Voice of Social Sales’
Braden Lamb
Ellen’s top apps
Creator Studio
BigVu
Fanpage Karma
Connect with Ellen
LinkedIn

Apr 9, 2021 • 28min
How the pandemic paved the way for property boom: Simon Pressley
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
Simon Pressley is the managing director of buyer’s agency Propertyology.
As a market analyst, Simon has correctly forecast a number of big trends in the property market that others didn’t pick, including the recent post-COVID boom.
Simon is also a three-time Australian Buyer’s Agent of the Year, an REIA Hall of Fame Inductee, and a qualified property investment advisor.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Simon explains how Propertyology tipped the pandemic would prompt a property boom, along with his predictions for the months ahead.
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Samantha and Simon also discuss:
Why this will be Australia’s biggest boom in a generation
What agents should be saying to secure listings
Which areas are likely to perform best
Why investors are yet to come to the party
The buyers who are on the move
Why lending restrictions should not be considered
Links and resources mentioned
Propertyology 2021 market forecast
RiskWise warns of credit restrictions to cool housing market
Simon on Elite Agent
Property and pandemics with Simon Pressley and Douglas Driscoll
Property boom predicted for 2021
Why property price growth always leads a crisis recovery
Property and pandemics – what to expect next
Propertyology names 53 markets with good upside potential
Is this the beginning of Australia;s biggest rental boom
Connect with Simon Pressley
Website
LinkedIn

Mar 31, 2021 • 35min
How to secure listings in a tight market: Claudio Encina
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
As one of the real estate industry’s best known coaches, Claudio Encina needs little introduction.
A performance mentor and trainer, he is familiar to many for his regular contributions to Elite Agent where he offers wisdom based on 20 years’ industry experience, including almost a decade as a leading real estate agent.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Claudio offers his insight into the three critical areas agents should be concentrating on right now to secure listings in a tight market.
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Samantha and Claudio also discuss:
The major challenges in the market right now
Why sales is a chain link system and why you need to work on your weakest link
How to find the leak in your pipeline
The four biggest vendor questions every agent should be answering
Why conversion is all about ‘incontestable value’
How to translate that value to the online world
As part of the program, Samantha and Claudio also reveal an exciting coaching program that’s designed to take agents to a whole new professional level.
“Sales Caffeine” commences on April 14 and is designed for agents who consistently want to add a minimum of 2-3 listings per month, and you can learn more here.

Mar 26, 2021 • 31min
How one appraisal a day can take you to the top: Jeremy Wilkinson
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
Jeremy Wilkinson is the recipient of the 2020 REA award for top residential sales agent in Tasmania.
A director of Harcourts Launceston he sold 115 properties last year valued at around $46 million and also received 61 five star reviews.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Jeremy discusses why authenticity is key and how an appraisal a day helps build a solid real estate career.
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In this podcast, Samantha and Jeremy also discuss:
How just doing what you do best can help you achieve success
Why the Tasmanian market is so hot right now
The touchpoints that matter when building relationships
Why authenticity is key and how to reign yourself back in
How to ask for reviews (and when)
Why real estate is all about the ability to read people
Why being a humble winner, but a brilliant loser is a mantra every agent should embrace
How an appraisal a day helps build a solid career
Links and resources mentioned
The AREAs winners 2020
Jeremy on Elite Agent
Jeremy Wilkinson: More than successful sales
Connect with Jeremy
Website
LinkedIn

Mar 23, 2021 • 0sec
Optimising your reputation online: Sean Smit
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
Sean Smit is the regional sales director of interaction management platform, Podium.
With a background in real estate that includes property management support and also the REA group, Sean’s current focus involves helping agencies obtain and manage their online reviews.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Sean explains why reviews aren’t just about reputation but are also about search strategy and shares his tips on how to make asking for and receiving reviews part of your everyday process.
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In this podcast, Samantha and Sean also discuss:
Why reviews mean business
How to make reviews part of your SEO strategy
The importance of ensuring that seeking reviews is part of your process (and how to do that)
Why reviews can be sought for different platforms at different stages of the customer journey
How to ask for testimonials in the era of review fatigue
Why negative reviews are a big opportunity
How Podium works and who’s using it
Links and resources mentioned
Podium
Markey Buy
Sean Smit on Elite Agent
How to get more five-star Google reviews and build your business
Connect with Sean
Website
LinkedIn

Mar 19, 2021 • 47min
How to market yourself in a changed digital world: Valentina Borbone
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
Valentina Borbone is a digital marketing educator and CEO of the Banter Group. She is also an advisor to The International Social Media Association, and would be familiar to many for her work with agencies, including her role as a coach at Digital Live.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Valentina explains the changes currently occurring in the digital marketing world and the impact they will have on agents, along with her tips on where agents should focus their attention.
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In this podcast, Samantha and Valentina also discuss:
Where agents should be focusing their digital attention right now
How the iOS14 changes and recent Facebook events affect re-marketing
Why there’s an art to email campaigns, and agents are missing an opportunity
How social media is about validation, but not the be-all and end-all of leads
How to use LinkedIn effectively
The role YouTube plays in your social media strategy
Why it’s essential to assess the value of the latest ‘bright, shiny’ social media channels
Why you should never put all your eggs in one social media basket
Links and resources mentioned
iOS 14 new features
Valentina on Elite Agent
Marketing to Millennials
How agents can make the digital shortlist
10 essential takeaways of Digital Live 2018
Connect with Valentina Borbone
Website
LinkedIn

Mar 12, 2021 • 23min
Going viral with video: Christian Gravias
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
Christian Gravias is a director of Collings Real Estate in Melbourne. He has quickly gained attention for his focus on digital marketing, using unique video campaigns, social media and influencers to raise the profile of the properties he sells.
His videos currently average over 100,000 viewers and Collings has now established their own dedicated media and marketing division in-house.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Christian shares how his videos went viral, and why agents should start thinking of themselves as a marketing agency that happens to sell real estate.
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In this podcast, Samantha and Christian also discuss:
How Christian found his niche in real estate and a passion for marketing
How Christian combines influencers, videos and social marketing to sell properties
Why it pays to think outside the box and invest in marketing
How he demonstrates the value of thinking differently to his vendors
Christian’s top tips for social media, including where to be and what to post
The big plans for Collings ahead
Links and resources mentioned
The Joker video
The Marilyn Munroe house
Home Alone
Dreams
Lockdown video
Ryan Serhant
Christian Gravias on Elite Agent
Boosting exposure with innovative marketing
Connect with Christian
Website
LinkedIn