Thought Leaders – Real Estate Re-imagined (formerly The Elevate Podcast)

Shawn Hayes transformed LJ Hooker Southwest WA from a single office to a 4-location, 73-person operation – and AI tools played a massive role in their growth. Here's exactly how they did it. Key Takeaways: SMS campaigns sharing neighbourhood sales data get 10x more responses than "want an appraisal?" messages AI doesn't replace the personal touch – it creates more time for meaningful connections O...

We convinced two brilliant minds to argue opposite sides of one of the most controversial topics in real estate! What happens when you take a commonly held belief in the industry and get two brilliant minds to defend positions they might not even believe? Welcome to EDGE CASE – where we test assumptions and expose what people REALLY think. TODAY'S BIG QUESTION: "Do star agents deserve special trea...

Ever wondered why some agents consistently win listings while others struggle month after month? The answer isn't better presentation skills or flashy marketing – it's mastering what Adam Joske calls "the biggest hole in our business." Adam Joske isn't your typical real estate coach. This REIV Residential Salesperson of the Year (2015) built a database of 4,000 contacts with 90% accuracy, consiste...

“Be a trailblazer - not a follower!” That's Antonia Mercorella's advice for standing out by 2032. As the CEO who modernised a 100-year-old institution, she knows something about thinking differently. Antonia Mercorella didn't follow the traditional path to becoming Australia's most influential real estate institute CEO. As Queensland's first female and youngest REIQ leader, she's spent 10 years pr...

Can AI Replace Real Estate Relationships? What if the secret to thriving with AI isn't learning to be more like a machine – but discovering how to be more authentically human? That's the counterintuitive insight from Tara Christianson, who's spent over a decade helping agents navigate the intersection of technology and genuine connection. After delivering over 45 presentations across five Australi...

How do you bring AI into your agency — without losing the personal touch that made you successful in the first place? Kirstin Dunn started Semple Property Group from her dining room table back in 2013. Since then, she’s grown the business to over $54 million, all through strong relationships and exceptional service. Now, she’s taking things to the next level — integrating AI tools across every par...

What if everything you've been taught about property management is fundamentally wrong? In this game-changing episode of Thought Leaders, Ben White, co-founder and CEO of Ailo (processing transactions for 250,000+ users nationwide), reveals why the traditional "production line" approach to property management is undermining profits and driving away talent. As the co-founder and CEO of Ailo, Ben is...

What happens when your clients (or their parents) start fact-checking every recommendation you make with ChatGPT? This desperate comment from a Reddit post reveals what's happening when clients start trusting ChatGPT more than their agents. So, in this episode, Samantha McLean reveals the four strategies for protecting your deals from AI hijacking while turning this "threat" into your biggest comp...

TL;DR: Today we’re releasing a new episode of our Thought Leaders podcast that unpacks the practical side of growing a values-led agency. Dion Besser explains how he stabilised a team that tripled overnight, balanced culture with accountability, and kept clients loyal through volatile markets. Listen on YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify—and sign up to get it in your inbox each week. Dion Besser h...

Curtis Thomson is something of a systems whisperer for industries bogged down by manual processes. Having cut his teeth in the construction world and then co-founding and scaling the field service management software Simpro across the globe, he witnessed firsthand how disjointed systems and repetitive tasks can drain businesses and the people within them. He saw friends in the trades working gruel...

Today we’re proud to release the first episode of our brand new podcast “Thought Leaders”. In this episode, Samantha McLean goes in depth with Andrew McCulloch, former CEO of Ray White NSW/ACT turned business owner of Ray White Shore Group. Andrew McCulloch is a master of real estate transformation. He’s spent his career understanding what makes high-performing agencies tick—first as a top salespe...

What’s inside (2 min): Why Elevate is evolving into Thought Leaders Sneak peek of tomorrow’s debut guest How to watch the new video show on YouTube Links & Resources

There’s a buzz of anticipation this week as Elite Agent rides yet another wave of change, refreshing the Elevate podcast format for today’s dynamic landscape. We’re not standing still – we’re stepping confidently into an exciting new phase with an enhanced experience coming your way. But its only fitting that we throw a party to farewell Elevate in style with a two part special that will bring tog...

Has real estate gone too far with tech? Ben Kingsberry CEO of Harcourts Kingsberry in Townsville thinks so and believes agents are leaving money on the table but not putting human relationships first. In this episode of Elevate, Steve Carroll sits down with Ben, who shares his thoughts on the state of the industry and where he thinks it’s headed. From building one of the most forward-thinking offi...

For many, the idea of starting your own business is daunting, but what if you found out it wasn’t as hard as you imagined? Lauren Robinson, successfully founded Rental Results, and her main regret is that she wishes she made the leap sooner. In this episode of the Elevate Podcast with guest host Steve Carroll, Lauren shares her journey from starting a property management business at 29 to selling...

Starting your agency is an exciting step, but it comes with a steep learning curve. With so many moving parts, it’s easy for new business owners to feel overwhelmed. But according to Sally Patch, Chief Agency Officer at Ray White Queensland, one common mistake can set a business up for struggle before it even opens its doors. In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, hosted by Samantha McLean, Sally...

What’s the secret to running a thriving business with your spouse without driving each other crazy? For Allhomes co-founder and Managing Director of Blackshaw Real Estate Andrew Chamberlain, the answer lies in alignment, clear communication, and well-defined roles. In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Steve Carroll chats with Andrew about how he balances running his business with wife Belinda a...

As a driving force behind eXp’s remarkable growth across the UK, Europe and India, Adam Day has been reshaping the property industry since 2006 when he founded one of the original online agencies, Hatched. In this episode of The Elevate Podcast hosted by Elite Agent Editor Samantha McLean and Digital Live’s Steve Carroll, Adam shares candid insights about leveraging technology, building influence,...

“The minute you sign an agency agreement, you should already know who’s going to buy it.” As CEO of BresicWhitney and now REINSW president, Thomas McGlynn is known for challenging conventional thinking about real estate. In this episode of The Elevate Podcast hosted by Elite Agent Editor Samantha McLean, Thomas shares candid insights about his industry vision and offers practical advice for agents...

AI is rapidly transforming the real estate industry and it could soon handle 80 per cent of an agent’s daily tasks. According to Mark Cohen, Vice President of Product for Asia Pacific at MRI Software, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are fast revolutionising real estate operations. In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, with host Samantha McLean, Mark talks about how real estate...

If you’re not producing content, you’re going to be in trouble in five years because no one’s going to know who you are,” warns Daniel Daggers, one of London’s most influential luxury real estate agents. Speaking on the Elevate Podcast with Samantha McLean and Steve Carroll, the star of Netflix’s “Buying London”, reveals why your social media presence is now more valuable than your shop front – an...

Smart agents who embrace AI and sustainability now will have “massive opportunities” in the next 3-5 years, according to REIV President Jacob Caine. Speaking on the Elevate Podcast with Samantha McLean, Jacob shares invaluable insights about emerging industry trends that will create competitive advantages for forward-thinking agents. Most notably, in this episode, they kick off 2025 with a discuss...

A former NFL linebacker who played under legendary coach Don Shula and served as tri-captain in Super Bowl 17, Shull has spent the last 32 years coaching over 60,000 hours of one-on-one sessions with real estate agents. And he’s reached a startling conclusion: most agents could be earning more than they currently are. In this compelling episode of the Elevate Podcast, Steve reveals why your listin...

In this episode of the Elevate Podcast with Samantha McLean, Matt Lahood, co-founder and CEO of The Agency, shares his thoughts on the current market conditions and his vision for what’s in store for agents in 2025. Together, they explore market bottlenecks, changing buyer behaviour, and strategies for navigating the challenges of today’s high-interest-rate environment. Matt shares his insights on...

As Head of Growth and Performance at Ray White Ascot, Katie Cotton knows how to bring people together and get the most out of herself and her team, all while juggling the day-to-day challenges of family and work life. In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, guest host Steve Carroll sits down with Katie Cotton to explore her journey in real estate, from single motherhood to becoming a key leader at...