Coach James Short Podcast

How do you rebuild your life after trauma, rejection, and rock-bottom moments? In this powerful episode, James Short sits down with entrepreneur and real estate leader Tom Carlin to explore a journey of resilience, self-acceptance, and extraordinary business success. Tom shares how he arrived in Australia with just $5,000, struggled to find work as an IT engineer, and took a chance on commission-o...

How can real estate agents increase profits without working more hours? In this episode, Sandra Sharrock shares one of the biggest decisions that transformed her business, embracing virtual assistants long before most of the industry. Sandra explains how leveraging virtual assistants for administration and bookkeeping significantly improved profitability, allowing her to scale faster than competit...

What keeps a luxury real estate market thriving through economic shifts, industry disruption, and changing buyer demand? In this episode, James Short sits down with Mark Gordon, luxury real estate broker and owner of Christiana Realty in Vail, Colorado, to explore the forces shaping one of America’s most iconic resort markets. Mark shares how launching his real estate career during the 2008 financ...

How do great leaders create confidence when markets become uncertain? In this episode, James Short welcomes back John Cunningham to explore why leadership is less about predicting the future and more about helping people move from confusion to clarity. John shares practical insights on leading teams through changing market conditions, building a culture that thrives under pressure, and creating co...

What can real estate professionals learn from 25 years on Wall Street? In this episode, James Short sits down with Scott Spelker, a former foreign exchange trader turned top-performing real estate leader in Madison, New Jersey, to uncover how risk management, decision-making, and competitive mindset can create extraordinary results in real estate. Scott shares his journey from the fast-paced world...

How do great leaders guide teams through uncertainty without creating fear? Jonathan Marlow shares the mindset, communication, and coaching strategies helping agents thrive in a changing market. In this episode, Jonathan explains why the best real estate leaders rely on data, sentiment, and honest conversations, not outdated market narratives. He breaks down how giving agents “permission” to educa...

Why are so many real estate businesses struggling to scale despite working harder than ever? Benjamin Ling explains how outdated systems, rising expectations, and weak leadership habits are creating unnecessary pressure across the industry. With 25 years across real estate sales and technology, Benjamin shares how platforms like Ailo are transforming property management through better communicatio...


What does it really take to build a real estate business that’s profitable, scalable, and sellable? Valerie Timms shares the lessons most agency owners learn too late. In this episode, Valerie breaks down her journey from elite agent to business owner, building Timms Real Estate into a respected brand before merging with OC Real Estate. She explains why high sales volume doesn’t always mean stron...

What separates businesses that scale from those that stay stuck? Mickey Lyles reveals the leadership, systems, and accountability principles that turn growth into reality. In this episode, Mickey shares the hard lessons that shaped his “No one’s coming” mindset after personal loss and the 2008 recession. He explains why most trades and family businesses struggle to grow—resistance to change, weak...

Why do most teams fail even when they have the right people and plans? Scott Kinder breaks down how leadership, communication, and mindset directly impact execution and results. A former US Army Green Beret and leadership coach, Scott shares how calm leadership becomes contagious, why communication breaks down through assumptions and fear, and how top performers simplify chaos by focusing on “what...

How do you rebuild your life after hitting rock bottom? Todd Crandell shares the raw truth behind overcoming addiction and transforming pain into purpose. From 13 years of addiction, homelessness, and arrests to completing 128 Ironmans, Todd’s story is a masterclass in resilience, mindset, and personal reinvention. In this episode, he breaks down how unresolved trauma fuels destructive behaviors—a...

How does a new agent hit 70+ sales in just three years? Tom Agmon breaks down the mindset, discipline, and auction strategy behind rapid success. In this episode, Tom shares what it really takes to stand out in a high-demand, low-supply market. From building strong client relationships to mastering auctions within a process-driven team, he explains why consistency beats talent every time. You’ll l...

Why are smart buyers winning in today’s competitive property market? George Cherchian reveals the strategy behind securing premium homes with clarity and confidence. In this episode, George shares how buyer advocacy is reshaping real estate, especially across Sydney’s prestige markets. From his early start at 19 to building a specialised buyers agency, he breaks down why clarity, certainty, and pr...

What does it take to build a real estate business without sacrificing family life? Brett Storrier shares the reality behind launching a new agency while navigating a changing market. With 20+ years in real estate, Brett dives into the shift from agent to business owner, the rapid evolution of technology, compliance, and AI, and what’s really driving growth in regional markets like Goulburn. He unp...

Why are so many businesses losing great people, and profits, with them? Steve Owen breaks down the real reason staff turnover is costing you more than you think. With 30+ years across leadership, HR, and business growth, Steve shares the hard truths most owners ignore. From the difference between public vs private sector leadership to why technical experts often fail as leaders, this episode dives...


What does it really take to scale from 60 to 100 deals in today’s shifting real estate market? In this episode, Mark McCann reveals the systems, mindset, and team structure behind consistent growth. In this conversation, Mark breaks down how top real estate agents can leverage team roles, sharpen goal setting, and adapt to market volatility. From navigating Canberra’s post-COVID property shifts t...

Vasco Horta on Building a Real Estate Career by “Making It Work,” Mentoring Agents & Staying Human in an AI World James Short introduces the podcast and interviews award-winning agent and Zest Realty co-owner Vasco Horta, who explains he entered real estate by accident after being lured to recruit and train salespeople, only to find the promised role gone and having to start door knocking. Vasco r...


Don Ha: From Baker to $1B+ RE/MAX Leader—Work Ethic, Mindset, Referrals & Exponential Growth In this episode of Leading and Growing Your Real Estate Business, host James Short interviews Don Ha—RE/MAX New Zealand regional owner/director, Forbes Books author, keynote speaker, transformational wealth coach, and founder of Exponential Coaching—about his journey from working 72-hour weeks as a baker...


From Maui Firefighter to Real Estate Freedom: Mike Neubauer on STRs, Mindset, and Building a Life You Don’t Retire From James Short hosts Leading and Growing Your Real Estate Business with guest Mike Neubauer, a former Maui firefighter, master photographer, and real estate investor behind Our Family Invests. Mike shares how he moved from creative work into firefighting for stability, then learned...

Justin Lund: From Addiction & Rehab to Scaling a Near $100M Business with Systems That Buy Back Your Time In this episode of Leading and Growing Your Real Estate Business, host James Short interviews business systems architect Justin Lund about his journey from high-pressure sales, addiction to pain pills, arrests and rehab to rebuilding his life and learning the power of frameworks. Justin shares...

Surviving Economic Downturns & Real Estate Success with Andrea Gordon | Leading and Growing Your Real Estate Business In this episode of 'Leading and Growing Your Real Estate Business,' host James Short welcomes Andrea Gordon, a distinguished real estate professional with extensive experience in the Bay Area market. Andrea shares her journey from theater director to a successful realtor, highlight...

Leading & Growing in Real Estate: Insights with Renee Richardson Welcome to another episode of 'Leading and Growing Your Real Estate Business' with Coach James Short, AKA Shorty. In this episode, James interviews Renee Richardson, CEO coach specializing in neuro-informed leadership and feminine business strategy for women founders. Renee discusses her journey, the inspiration behind starting her o...

Heart Health and Business: An Interview with Alex Samuels, Clinical Nurse Consultant In this episode of 'Leading and Growing Your Real Estate Business,' Coach James Short (AKA Shorty) is joined by Alex Samuels, a seasoned healthcare professional with over 17 years of experience. Alex has spent the last six years leading the largest cardiac rehabilitation team in Queensland and now runs the Hardcor...

Achieving Real Estate Excellence: Insights from Top Agent Sarah Bourke In this episode of 'Leading and Growing Your Real Estate Business,' we feature Sarah Bourke, a celebrated real estate agent from Ray White Delkeith Claremont, WA. Sarah shares her journey from starting as a receptionist to becoming a top agent with over 42% market share in her core area. With 12 years of experience, she provide...

Expanding Your Industry Perspective with Wendy Chamberlain In this insightful episode, we are joined by Wendy Chamberlain, an industry expert renowned for her innovative approaches and unique perspectives. Wendy encourages viewers to broaden their understanding by examining the industry from new angles. Key discussions include current industry trends, actionable advice for professionals, and the i...