

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 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

Mar 5, 2021 • 23min
Mastering the art of high-volume sales: Chari Emirzade
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
Sales agent and auctioneer Chari Emirzade has been recognised as the top-listed seller for the Barry Plant Group for five years running.
Recently he also managed the impressive feat of selling 1000 homes in the space of just six years, and will be familiar to many for his words of advice at AREC 2019 when he urged attendees to just “pick up the phone”.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Chari shares how he managed to achieve the goal of selling 1000 properties in less than six years, why his focus had to be high-volume sales, and the mindset he draws on to be a top-seller in his field.
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In this podcast, Samantha and Chari also discuss:
The art of phone prospecting that gets results
How to embrace the right real estate mindset
Lessons that led to a pristine database
Leading a team and delegating for success
Why discipline and a daily regimen are a must
The tools Chari has retained post 2020
The new goals ahead and how Chari will achieve them
Links and resources mentioned
AREAs 2020 finalists
Chari Emirzade on Elite Agent
Chari Emirzade: Pick up the phone
AREC 2019: Day 2
How to sell 1000 homes in six years
Barry Plant’s Chari Emirzade has 1000 reasons to smile
Connect with Chari
Website
Instagram

Feb 25, 2021 • 36min
Empowering women in real estate and the community: Laura Valenti
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
A property manager of 20 years, Laura Valenti is the 2020 winner of the AREA award for Most Influential Woman in the Property Market.
Laura is the director of Solutions Property Management in Queensland, a board director with the REIQ and a passionate advocate for the industry.
Her recent focus has involved addressing domestic violence, including examining the role property managers can play in handling the issue.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Laura shares her property management journey including why domestic and family violence became a focus that she feels the real estate industry can help address.
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In this podcast, Samantha and Laura also discuss:
Receiving the AREA award, why it’s a win for the property management industry, and particularly the women who work within it
How Laura came to focus on domestic violence, and the role property managers can play to assist
Why domestic and family violence should be part of real estate training
How and why Laura seeks to empower women in her workplace
Building her business, and finding the balance to prevent burnout and stress
The importance of training and why it is crucial to addressing the modern challenges of property management
Links and resources mentioned
AREAs winners
REIQ domestic and family violence kit
Solutions Property Management investor report
Connect with Laura
Website
LinkedIn

Feb 19, 2021 • 32min
The real estate tech that’s here to stay: Josh Callaghan
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
Josh Callaghan, is no stranger to leveraging technology. Over the past two decades he has worked on tech that impacts the banking, stockbroking, and finance industries.
Now his focus is on “digitising spaces” as the CEO of Australian companies Little Hinges and Virtual Tours Australia.
In addition to his passion for creating technology, Josh is also the former general manager of Canstar, and the previous Chief Operating Officer of the REIQ.
In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Josh shares his insight into the future trends that will shape the real estate industry, along with his tips on evaluating which technology is right for your business.
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In this podcast, Samantha and Josh also discuss:
The future of digitised spaces, and how they’re set to transform the way we experience property
Why virtual tours are more than just photography, and how they generate sales leads
The role of virtual tours in a sales funnel
Who’s adopting virtual tour technology, and why some agencies are ahead of the trend
Why analytics are key to understanding what works and what doesn’t in your content marketing
Key takeaways from Josh’s time at the REIQ
Josh’s top tips on evaluating which new technology is right for you
Links and resources mentioned
Josh on Elite Agent
REIQ appoints new digital-focused manager
Connect with Josh
Virtual Tours website
Little Hinges website
LinkedIn

Feb 12, 2021 • 24min
The science of social selling: Drew Davies
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
Drew Davies is a Brisbane prestige property specialist who has built a large following on Instagram of over 32,000 followers.
After seven years in real estate, he now heads up his own business as a director of Place Estate Agents in Ascot, Brisbane.
In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Drew shares his real estate journey including how he went from broke to million-dollar agent, while building a massive Instagram following along the way.
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In this podcast, Samantha and Drew also discuss:
The role of the Wolf of Wall Street in Drew’s real estate career
Establishing a brand on Insta and why it started with socks
Why persistence pays off and hard work matters
Tips for attracting celebrity clients, and why it’s important agents understand what suits them
How Drew ensured the Hamilton skate bowl house went viral
Why agents should embrace strategy, rather than hope
Links and resources mentioned
The skate bowl house in Hamilton
Imogen Callister – How to build a world-class social media strategy
The Wolf of Wall Street – Jordan Belfort
Drew Davies on Elite Agent
How to build an online brand
Connect with Drew
Website
Instagram
LinkedIn


