Advertise on podcast: It's a Broker Thing

Elite athletes are often thought to be mentally unbreakable. But according to rugby league legend and media personality James Graham, resilience isn't about pretending you're okay. It's about knowing how to respond when life throws a curveball.  In this candid conversation, James shares the mental health challenges he faced throughout his professional career, from injury setbacks and public scrutiny to the difficult transition away from elite sport. He explains why asking for help became one of the most important decisions he made and why mental health conversations need to be normalised in high-performance environments.  For brokers navigating industry change, business pressures and the demands of running their own operation, this episode offers important lessons on managing uncertainty, building resilience and maintaining perspective when the goalposts suddenly move.  Website LinkedIn YouTube

Everyone's talking about the property market, but what are buyers actually doing?  Bianca Field, Founder of Bought Agency, joins It's a Broker Thing to share what she's seeing on the ground, from first home buyers moving fast to luxury buyers sitting tight.   Learn where the opportunities are, how buyer behaviour has changed, and what brokers need to know to better guide clients in today's market.  Website LinkedIn YouTube

Most people think homelessness ends when someone gets housing. Ben Stammer and Ren Fernando discovered that's often when the next challenge begins.   In this episode, the Relove co-founders share how a simple observation during the pandemic sparked a movement that has since helped more than 9,000 Australians turn empty houses into homes.  From domestic violence survivors and young people at risk, to families rebuilding after crisis, Relove is proving that dignity starts with choice, community and the chance to create a place that truly feels like home.  For brokers and anyone connected to the housing industry, this is a powerful conversation about what it really means to help someone start over. Website LinkedIn YouTube

What does it take to sustain high performance when talent alone isn't enough?  NRL legend James Graham joins It’s a Broker Thing to share the lessons that shaped his success on and off the field. From building resilience and embracing setbacks to creating habits that drive consistent results, James explains why the best performers don't just prepare to play, they prepare to win.  A practical conversation for anyone looking to build an edge, stay resilient under pressure, and achieve long-term success.  Website LinkedIn YouTube

What if your next growth opportunity isn't finding more clients, but finding solutions for the ones you already have?  In this episode, Bluestone's Head of Sales Strategy & Performance, Aaron Taylor, shares why more borrowers are falling outside traditional bank policy and how brokers can turn those "hard no" scenarios into real business opportunities.  From self-employed clients and complex income to diversification into construction and commercial lending, Aaron unpacks what the best brokers are doing differently.   Website LinkedIn YouTube

The headlines are full of uncertainty. But what are brokers seeing in their conversations?  In this episode of It's a Broker Thing, Tony MacRae sits down with Michael Johnson, Director of Agile Market Intelligence, to unpack the real stories hiding beneath the market noise.   Drawing on insights from Agile's Broker Pulse program and real-time consumer research, Michael reveals why demand remains stronger than many expect, where brokers are creating the most value, and how the best operators are helping clients navigate uncertainty with confidence.  Website LinkedIn YouTube

The housing market is facing no shortage of change. In this bonus episode of It's a Broker Thing, Tony MacRae is joined by Richard Chesworth and Aaron Taylor for a candid discussion about recent budget measures, housing affordability and what these developments could mean for borrowers, brokers and the broader property market.  Drawing on their experience across specialist lending, construction, SMSF lending and broker partnerships, the conversation explores the practical realities of a changing market.   They share their own perspectives on how the market may respond, where opportunities may emerge and how brokers can continue to support clients through uncertainty.  🎙️ Listen to the bonus "Talking Shop" episode now.  Website LinkedIn YouTube

With recent changes to SMSF lending, brokers are navigating a new landscape... one that’s creating both questions and opportunity.   In this episode, Richard Chesworth - Bluestone’s resident SMSF guru and Head of Specialised Distribution - talks to us about what’s changed, what brokers are seeing on the ground, and where SMSF lending still fits today.   It isn’t the end of SMSF, it’s a reset.    Richard’s last SMSF webinar booked out in minutes... This episode will be one brokers will be saving.      If SMSF lending is on your radar, or about to be, this is essential listening. 👉 Listen to Episode 13 of It’s a Broker Thing now Website LinkedIn YouTube

Want to scale your broker business to 1.5x growth and build something that actually scales?   In this episode, Michael Karpathakis (Loan Market) breaks down how top brokers move beyond writing deals to build high-performing, scalable businesses.  From the real cost of losing top talent to how leading brokers are using AI and rethinking how they run their businesses, this is a practical, behind-the-desk look at what drives sustainable broker growth.  👉 Listen to Episode 12 of It’s a Broker Thing now  Website LinkedIn YouTube

Broker vs Broker: What Top Performers Are Doing Differently  The rules of broking are changing - and the brokers winning today? They’re not playing the same game they were 5 years ago.  In this episode of It’s a Broker Thing, we sit down with Michael Karpathakis (Loan Market) to unpack what’s really driving performance right now, from the businesses growing at 1.5x, to why some brokers are quietly falling behind.  If you’re serious about growth in today’s market, this is one worth a listen.  🎧 Tune in to the latest episode of It’s a Broker Thing.  Website LinkedIn YouTube

ATO debt used to be something brokers hoped would go away.   Now? "It’s the elephant in the room."   In the latest episode of It’s a Broker Thing, Tony MacRae sits down with Michael Moon from Tax assure to unpack why brokers who lean into ATO debt are closing deals others walk away from.   With the right conversations, funder, and exit strategy, a “non-deal” can become a deal, and a once-off client can become a client for life.  🎧 Tune in to the latest episode of It’s a Broker Thing.  Website LinkedIn YouTube

With the "ATO under pressure to recover $54 billion in debt”, brokers are seeing tax issues surface in more deals than ever before.   You’ve probably already seen it creep into your own pipeline.  In this episode, Tony MacRae sits down with Michael Moon from Tax Assure for a chat about what’s going on behind the scenes.  They get into:  The scale of the ATO debt mountain and how it’s playing out for clients How the ATO’s debt recovery powers really work (and what that can mean for a deal)  What to do when ATO debt pops up, and how to get clients moving in the right direction  It’s the kind of conversation that’ll sound familiar but with some practical ways you can handle it next time it shows up in a deal.  If ATO debt has been showing up more in your world lately, this one’s worth a listen.  Tune in to episode nine of Its a Broker Thing  Website LinkedIn YouTube

The clients you'll write loans for in ten years are still in school...and most of them have no idea how money works.  In this episode, Beth Comino and Victoria Costa share how a chance conversation turned into a movement, and why mortgage brokers might just be the most powerful financial educators in the country. From credit scores to compound interest, they're getting to young Australians before the damage is done — and they want brokers along for the ride.  Website LinkedIn YouTube

In broking, your clients don't remember the rate. They remember how you showed up when things got tough.  In this episode, Rachelle Kroon shares how she's built Sphere Home Loans on one non-negotiable: the client comes first, always. From navigating COVID lockdowns to today's rising rate environment, Rachelle gets real about why no AI tool replaces a phone call and why uncertainty is actually a broker's biggest opportunity.  If you’ve ever felt the weight of guiding clients through uncomfortable moments, this one will hit home. Honest, practical and full of “you wouldn’t believe this” moments, it’s a reminder of why brokers matter most when rates rise.  Website LinkedIn YouTube

In broking, it’s your connections that determine how far you’ll go.  In this episode, Ruan dives into his 15+ years of broking experience to share why it’s so important to get the basics right. Anyone can create a sleek website or modern brand in a few prompts, but can you automate a tangible brand promise?  That's why the fundamentals matter. The physical touchpoints, the emotion behind it and the ability to maintain authenticity in everything that you do.  Tune into episode six for real talk, practical tips and a fresh perspective.  Website LinkedIn YouTube