The Real Estate Circle

In this episode of The Real Estate Circle, Emily and Matt sit down with Kevin Chokshi, one of Ray White’s standout leaders, to unpack the remarkable journey that took him from India to becoming one of the most respected agents and principals in Australia. Kevin shares the raw, real, and inspiring truth about building a life and a career from the ground up, including what it meant to migrate to Aus...

In this episode of The Real Estate Circle, we’re joined by Stephanie Evans from Marshall White.  Steph shares her journey from being a PA, branching into her own agent and more recently, joining the team at Marshall White! A bubbly personality with a great real estate career - this is a must listen!  GET IN TOUCH: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.real.estate.circle/ Tiktok: https://www.tik...

In this episode of The Real Estate Circle, we’re joined by a live panel of industry experts: Andy Reid, Luke Saville, and Natalie McAsey, for an open and insightful discussion on the realities of real estate today. Our panel shares their personal journeys through the industry, exploring the lessons, challenges, and defining moments along the way. They dive into whether every agent should step up a...

In this LIVE episode of The Real Estate Circle, we sit down with Josh Phegan, one of the industry’s most sought-after real estate coaches and speakers. Josh shares insights on the biggest challenge facing agents today, why relationships always come first, and the daily habits that keep him performing at his best. We dive into mindset, connection, and what it really takes to build a long-term, succ...

In this episode of The Real Estate Circle, we sit down with Zoe Cherrie, Director at Buxton St Kilda, to unpack her journey to becoming a real estate leader. Zoe shares how she turned a job into a career, the lessons learned from 10 years working in St Kilda, and the importance of team culture and continuous learning. We dive into leadership, what makes a great recruit, and her thoughts on creatin...

In this episode of The Real Estate Circle, we sit down with Phillip Kingston, Director of Gary Peer and one of the greatest auctioneers, to explore his journey from living on a farm as a young boy, to calling over 10,000 auctions. Phillip opens up about the insights he’s gained over time, and he shares the single most valuable trait that a sales person can have. Phillip's profile: https://www...

In this episode of The Real Estate Circle, we sit down with Chris Hassall, Director of Glen Eira & Bentleigh Buxton, to explore his journey from receptionist to leading two successful offices. Chris takes us inside his office playbook, sharing the core pillars that drive his team’s success, and the one non-negotiable rule he sets for every new starter. Chris' profile: https://buxton.com.a...

In this episode of The Real Estate Circle, we sit down with James Tostevin, one of Australia’s most respected real estate agents, to explore what continues to fuel his passion for the industry. James has built an extraordinary career, but at the core is his genuine love for real estate. We talk about the mindset that keeps him motivated, the joy he finds in going to work each day, and why he never...

In this episode of The Real Estate Circle, we chat with Brendan Allen, Sales Agents and Auctioneer at Elders Euroa, about his return to the country after having a successful career in inner-city Melbourne for 10 years. Brendan grew up near Euroa, Country Victoria, and took the big leap into real estate sales working in the inner suburbs of Melbourne. When the pandemic hit, his family decided to he...

In this episode of The Real Estate Circle, we chat with Matthew Scafidi, Founder of Abode Advocacy Group, about his unconventional path into real estate, and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. Matt started out in the packaging industry and entered real estate sales at 36, quickly rising through the ranks and winning awards such as the 2010 REIV Rising Star and 2017 Salesperson of the Year...

In this episode of The Real Estate Circle, we sit down with Lisa Pennell, CEO of Barry Plant, to talk about her decades-long journey in the industry, including a moment where she nearly walked away altogether. After 20 years at Ray White and now 2.5 years in senior leadership at Barry Plant, Lisa shares the frustrations that almost pushed her out of real estate, and the values that pulled her back...

In this episode of the The Real Estate Circle, Matthew John - Director of Buxton Inner-West, joins us to talk about his journey from DJ to Director. Matthew opens up about starting in the industry later than most, how he made up for lost time, and the mindset that helped him succeed. He also shares why he was determined not to take shortcuts on his way to becoming Director, and why he believes sta...

In this episode of the The Real Estate Circle, Elizabeth Kelly - Director of Jellis Craig Brunswick, joins us to talk about her rise from Saturday reception shifts to Director at Jellis Craig.  Elizabeth shares how being ultra-organised, and building authentic rapport with the community helps her manage 30+ vendors at a time. Elizabeth also reflects on living and selling in the same neighbourhood,...

Fresh from AREC 2025, Emily and Matt sit down to unpack the highlights from this year’s conference. They share their favourite speakers, key takeaways, standout moments, and the reasons why they attend AREC every year. This episode was powered by Delta by Design: https://www.deltabydesign.com.au/ GET IN TOUCH: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.real.estate.circle/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok....

In this episode of the The Real Estate Circle, we’re joined by Tom Georgiou from Beckett, who brings an honest take on buyer advocacy. From lending at NAB to working across London and Dubai, Tom’s journey led him back to Melbourne, where he’s built a lean, high-performing business focused purely on results.  Tom talks about the power of word-of-mouth, why they don't have any digital marketing...

In this episode of The Real Estate Circle, we’re joined by Andrew McCann, CEO of Jellis Craig. From starting out in residential real estate at 19 to leading one of Australia’s fastest-growing real estate groups, Andrew shares insights from his journey through sales, leadership, and business growth. We chat about what makes a great leader in today’s industry, how to transition from selling to manag...

In this episode of The Real Estate Circle, we’re joined by Cate Bakos - a seasoned Buyer’s Advocate who’s passionate about representing the buyer, and the buyer only. Cate shares her unique journey from working in chemistry, to starting her career in real estate as a sales agent, and how that experience shaped her commitment to putting buyers first. Tune in for an insightful chat about industry le...

In this episode, Matt and Emily sit down with Simon Pintado , Director at Buxton Bentleigh, to explore the highs, lows, and lessons from his journey in real estate. Simon opens up about resilience - from being fired on the last day of his probation to landing a life-changing opportunity by chance. He shares how discipline shapes success, why young agents can struggle with empathy , and the importa...

In this episode, Matt and Emily sit down with Sam Rigopoulos , Director of Jellis Craig Northcote, to dive into the realities of leadership, negotiation, and the hard work that drives success in real estate. Sam shares his journey - from struggling to land his first job in the industry to leading a top-performing team. He opens up about his leadership style, being available to coach his team 24/7,...

In this episode, Matt and Emily reflect on key takeaways from their last three guests, unpacking the insights that stood out the most. They dive into the importance of strong systems and processes behind the scenes, the benefits (and challenges) of living where you work, and why getting recruitment right is crucial for long-term success. It's a practical, behind-the-scenes chat about what it...

In this episode, we sit down with Carla Fetter , Director at Jellis Craig Stonnington , who shares insights from her 21-year journey in real estate. Carla talks about what’s kept her passionate about the industry—her love for client connections, relationship-building, and mentoring the next generation of agents. She opens up about her shift toward work-life balance, embracing hobbies outside of re...

In this episode, we chat with Luke Saville, a seasoned agent with over 14 years of experience, and now nearing six years with The Agency. Luke’s innovative approach has seen him sell five properties through TikTok—without listing them on traditional sites like realestate.com.au or Domain. He talks about how the real estate market is shifting, with vendors now open to sell via social media to save...

In this episode, we sit down with one of the best in the business—Marcus Chiminello. Marcus shares how he carved out a niche in the luxury property market by identifying an opportunity and stepping into that gap. We also dive into his mindset around securing listings, building the right team culture, and why he doesn’t rely on listing proposals. Plus, Marcus opens up about work-life balance, setti...

Emily and Matt dive into the world of social media, sharing tips on how to get started and stand out online. They chat about what agents and advocates can do better to raise the bar in the industry, and the small things you can do to make a bigger impact with your vendors and buyers. GET IN TOUCH: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.real.estate.circle/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.real...

In this very first episode of The Real Estate Circle Podcast, get to know your hosts, Emily Wallace and Matt Grima! 🎙✨ Emily, a passionate Buyer’s Advocate, and Matt, a seasoned Real Estate Agent, bring their unique perspectives from opposite sides of the property game. With their combined expertise, insider tips, and a touch of banter, they’ll guide you through the ins and outs of the real estat...