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Earlier this year, Katie Thomas from Focus Finance took out the top spot of The Adviser's Elite Broker Ranking 2025 – Residential, becoming the first woman to do so.   In this episode of Momentum Media's Elite Broker podcast, host Annie Kane sits down with the Hunter Valley-based broker to find out how she wrote $496 million in residential loans over the last financial year, with her broker colleagues also writing substantial volumes.   Tune in to find out: How her relationship-first, self-sourced lead generation model works. How her brokerage manages to lodge nearly 1,000 applications a year. Her advice for building a successful, rapidly growing brokerage. And much more!

In this episode of Momentum Media's Contested Ground, hosts Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson and new co-host, Steve Kuper, detail the intricacies of the proposed Russia–Ukraine peace deal announced by US President Donald Trump.   The trio also unpack three emerging security issues: a proposed Russia–Ukraine peace deal, heightened Chinese activity in the northern Pacific, and suspected Russian sabotage operations in Europe.   The peace proposal centres on a 30-day ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, and Ukraine conceding or freezing control of occupied territories. Ukraine would permanently renounce NATO membership, cap its military at around 600,000 personnel, and restrict long-range weapons. In return, the US and its partners would offer conditional security guarantees and gradually lift sanctions, with up to US$100 billion in frozen Russian assets used for reconstruction.   Chinese maritime activity has intensified, with five survey vessels operating in the north-west Pacific during major US-led exercises. Pacific analysts warn this undersea mapping may support future conflict planning.   In the UK, authorities are investigating whether Russia planted an incendiary parcel that ignited in a DHL warehouse, potentially linked to a similar case in Germany, part of a suspected GRU "mayhem" hybrid campaign.

In this episode of Momentum Media's REB Podcast, editor Liam Garman sits down with McGrath Estate Agents' founder, managing director, and CEO, John McGrath, for a rare deep dive into what separates good agents from truly remarkable ones – and why the next few years will reshape real estate as we know it.   McGrath reflects on four decades in the industry, unpacking the leadership philosophies, cultural frameworks, and personal disciplines that have shaped one of Australia's most influential real estate brands.   He explains why remarkability remains the ultimate differentiator, how leaders can clear and create energy within teams, and why reinvention is no longer optional for agents who want longevity.   The conversation tackles the sector's biggest trust challenges head-on – from the underquoting culture to the real impact of misinformation – and McGrath makes a compelling case for integrity as a non-negotiable competitive advantage.   McGrath also explores the rapid evolution of technology, warning that agents who resist artificial intelligence (AI) risk being left behind. He outlines how digital tools, automation, and emerging AI capabilities will supercharge service delivery, elevate client experience, and streamline business operations.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, as they unpack the major milestones for Defence and defence industry.   The pair discuss a range of topics, including: The impact of the SEA 3000 decision and implications for industrial and defence cooperation between Australia and Japan. Progress made on the nation's Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance program, including the breaking ground of the first Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile factory outside of Norway and local manufacturing contracts for a range of guided weapons. The ongoing reform processes designed to improve the efficiency and ease of doing business between Defence and industry. The lessons learned from the 2023 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program and how they will help shape the 2026 plans.

In this episode of the Momentum Media's REB Podcast, Liam Garman, editor of Real Estate Business, sits down with Arjun Paliwal from InvestorKit to explore the innovative strategies driving success in the Australian real estate market.   Paliwal reflects on his team's approach to innovation, explaining how doing things differently and focusing on strategies that deliver results has driven record-breaking growth and a surge in referrals.   He highlights the central role of customer satisfaction, showing how creating "raving fans" fuels organic growth more than advertising ever could.   The conversation delves into InvestorKit's use of specialisation and technology, demonstrating how focused teams and automation streamline processes and enhance service delivery.   InvestorKit recently won the REB Innovator of the Year – Residential Buyer's Agency award.   Paliwal also emphasises the importance of adaptability and continuous improvement, explaining how a culture of learning from mistakes keeps the business ahead of industry changes.   The discussion touches on broader market trends, including the influence of macroeconomic factors, interest rates, and the ongoing shortage of established property supply on buyer behaviour.   Paliwal also explores the evolving buyer's agent industry, advocating for higher standards and professionalism to ensure quality service as the sector grows.

How do you go from growing up in Ukraine to winning Academic of the Year in Australia? Dr Oleksandra Molloy, senior lecturer in aviation at UNSW Canberra, shares her extraordinary journey. Momentum Media's Tash Taylor dives into Oleksandra's courageous move to Australia and her experience pioneering research in emerging technologies, particularly her vital work on drones in modern warfare and the Defence Trailblazer program. Oleksandra details her efforts to inspire the next generation of women in STEM and offers practical insight into managing a high-impact academic career with family life, emphasising that resilience is key to achieving high goals and making a lasting impact in complex and essential industries. The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts.  

As regulations get more complex, accounting firms are teaming up with brokerages to give their clients better financial outcomes. Tune in to this episode of Accountants Daily Insider to hear from Tom and Ben Hawley, founders of Azura Financial, to find out how brokers and accountants can create strategic relationships to help clients and drive further business.    Tune in to hear more about: Why should there be strategic collaboration between the broking and accounting professions? How accountants can lean on, and leverage, brokers. Differences in finances that accountants and brokers need to be aware of. The outlook of the accountant-broker relationship over the next five years.

In October, a remarkable journey came to an end when 16-year-old Byron Waller touched down at Brisbane Airport following 67 days circumnavigating the globe in a light aircraft.   Covering 41,700km in his Sling TSi, Byron's odyssey through the skies took him over oceans, deserts, ice fields, and everything in between, including a landing at the Grand Canyon and guest appearances at big airshows.   It was a monumental effort from a young aviator who just a few years ago was bedridden with chronic illnesses, and turned to flying – including becoming the youngest pilot to circumnavigate Australia, at age 14 – to make his dreams a reality.   On Momentum Media's Australian Aviation Podcast, host Jake Nelson talks to Byron and his mum Jeni about his incredible achievement – and his future aviation ambitions.

In this episode of the Momentum Media's Secrets of the Top 100 Agents podcast, host Alex Whitlock sits down with Nick Boyd, CEO of Belle Property and Hockingstuart, to discuss the future of sales and property management – from maximising the human connection to building brand loyalty.   The conversation explores Nick's philosophy on coaching and mentorship, which he sees as critical to performance and career longevity, and how this focus has supported the network's growth from 40 offices to over 200 nationwide.   The discussion turns to the rise of technology and AI, with Nick emphasising that while AI can enhance consumer-to-brand interactions, the human relationship remains the foundation of trust and success in real estate.   The pair then unpack the dynamics of today's market, noting the balance across most regions while highlighting opportunities in Queensland and Perth, and the role of skilled agents in delivering outcomes for clients.   Finally, Nick outlines his vision for the future – a profession gaining gravitas, built on trust, performance, and the enduring value of relationships.

Amid myriad professional, technological, economic, and sociocultural changes, it is essential that HR professionals face such shifting sands with an open mind, which will allow, one chief people and culture officer says, for greater creativity, collaboration, and innovation.   In this episode of Momentum Media's HR Leader Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation chief people and culture officer Mariam Hares about her journey in the profession, what her day-to-day in the not-for-profit looks like, the challenges and opportunities she's seeing on the horizon for HR professionals and teams, and how well HR is doing, as a business unit, in adapting to change.   Hares also delves into bringing all business units along for the ride in adapting to change, the questions that HR needs to answer in the talent space, leaning into automation, getting incentives right, creating a strategy to address the many workforce challenges, and her best practice guidance to other HR professionals in the face of voluminous market change.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, managing editor Steve Kuper speaks with Andrew Henderson, director of AgSecure and a leading voice on agricultural resilience, biosecurity, and national preparedness.   Together, they explore the recently released National Food Security Strategy discussion paper, the importance of critical inputs like fuel and fertiliser, the implications of trade disputes, and the growing need to integrate food systems into defence planning.   The pair also discuss why food security is no longer just an agricultural issue – it's a national security imperative. With global supply chains under pressure, climate risks mounting, and adversaries willing to target agricultural systems through biosecurity breaches or even agroterrorism, Australia faces a complex challenge in safeguarding the nation's food and fibre production.   From the risks of varroa mite and foot and mouth disease to the opportunities of regional self-reliance and biotechnology, Henderson outlines why food security must be elevated to the same level of priority as Australia's defence posture – and why a secure Indo-Pacific is, ultimately, a well-fed one.   Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In the current climate, maintaining psychological safety in law departments requires much more than box-ticking – a stronger focus on culture, and use of AI to ensure greater focus on human issues, is paramount moving forward, says an award-winning and GC Powerlist-recognised group general counsel.   In this episode of Momentum Media's The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back former group GC of Tabcorp, Ivana Kovacevic, who now serves as a fractional GC and advisory board member for Thomson Reuters Practical Law, and keynote speaker, to discuss the importance of building psychological safety in legal teams in the current climate, her perception of what constitutes psychological safety for law departments, and how well the in-house sector is faring when it comes to ensuring such safety. Kovacevic also delves into the need to move beyond compliance box-ticking, the urgency is prioritising psychological safety, the starting point for in-house teams in creating and maintaining psychologically safe working environments, catering to idiosyncratic needs within one's team, practical steps she has taken within her own teams and what has worked, making time to implement changes, using AI to take a more human approach, leading by example, and the need to be curious and vulnerable.  

In this episode of the Momentum Media's REB Business Empowerment Showcase, host Emilie Lauer speaks with the chair of the Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA), Lachlan Vidler, to unpack the current state and key trends of Australia's real estate investment market.   The discussion delves into the latest PIPA investor sentiment survey which reveals the key challenges for property investors, the impact of the three rate cuts, surging demand, limited stock, and rapidly rising property prices.   Lachlan highlights the difficulty of adding new stock to the market, citing construction hurdles, regulatory red tape, and high costs that limit both large- and small-scale investors.   According to the survey, policy changes, compliance costs, and land tax pressures are prompting some investors to sell.   Melbourne has emerged as a top choice for investment due to relative affordability, with Brisbane and regional markets also attracting attention, thanks to strong infrastructure and lifestyle appeal.   While nearly 60 per cent still consider it a good time to invest, Lachlan expresses cautious optimism, noting potential rate cuts and first home buyer schemes while urging investors to avoid FOMO and plan strategically.   Did you like this episode? Show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (REB Podcast Network) and by liking and following Real Estate Business on social media: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.   If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend a voice to the show, email [email protected] for more insights.

In this episode of the Momentum Media's Contested Ground podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by the Honourable Andrew Hastie MP, shadow minister for home affairs, for a hard-hitting discussion on the shifting nature of Australia's national security challenges.   No longer confined to conventional defence or counter-terrorism, the security debate now spans economic sovereignty, industrial security, and social cohesion. Against the backdrop of recent revelations of Iranian espionage attempts on Australian soil, Hastie warns that hostile foreign actors are probing Australia's vulnerabilities, not only in cyber space and critical infrastructure, but in the trust that underpins our diverse society.   Throughout the conversation, Hastie shares how his perspective has sharpened since stepping into the shadow portfolio following his time as shadow minister for Defence. He outlines the emerging contest for resilience – whether in defending supply chains, protecting advanced technologies, or insulating the national economy from coercion.   Kuper presses Hastie on the domestic implications of foreign espionage operations, particularly the way they threaten multicultural harmony and fuel social division. Hastie stresses that Australia must be proactive in countering influence operations, strengthening intelligence partnerships, and reinforcing trust across society.   The discussion then broadens to the strategic importance of resilience, a whole-of-nation approach that prepares Australians not just to respond to crises, but to withstand them.   Hastie points to key policy gaps, from weak industrial capacity to fragmented national planning, and calls for a more integrated framework that links defence, economy, and society into a coherent security posture.   As Australia navigates an increasingly contested world, this episode challenges listeners to rethink what security really means. The conversation offers sharp insights into how Australia can adapt to a new era of threats and why resilience must sit at the heart of any credible national security agenda.   Enjoy the podcast, The Contested Ground team

In this latest episode of Momentum Media's  Broker Daily Uncut, host Alex Whitlock is joined by Sebastian Watkins, CEO and co-founder of Aussie Home Loans.   Here, Watkins outlined a bold new vision to transform the iconic mortgage broking brand into a comprehensive platform for the entire property journey.   Faced with a mature broking market where differentiation is key, Aussie is moving beyond finance to disrupt the traditionally fragmented process of buying a home.   Watkins identified the core problem: customers currently juggle multiple relationships with portals, brokers, conveyancers, and real estate agents, leading to a disjointed experience.