Beyond The Sale

If you’ve ever:

Answered a call at 10pm even though you said you were done for the day

Felt guilty for switching off after work (or don’t know how to)

Wondered why the wins don’t feel as exciting anymore

Then you need to listen to this episode. 

Today Kirsty is sitting down with therapist and relationship expert, Gulseli Kalkan, to talk about something we don’t talk about in real estate enough: the toll this career has on our mental health. 

We’re having an open conversation about the burnout, boundaries and the constant hustle culture. But more importantly… How to keep showing up for yourself while building a career you’re proud of.

You’ll learn:

The signs you’re heading towards burnout in real estate (and what to actually do about it)

How to stop tying your self worth to your listings or sales while STILL nailing your job

Ways to set boundaries without sacrificing success

How to stop taking the emotional weight of your clients home with you and finally be present with your loved ones

… and SO much more.

Watch the YouTube Version of the Podcast here.

If you want to learn more from Gulseli, head over to IG @counselling_with_seli or visit www.counsellingwithseli.com.au.

See all of the behind the scenes over at @beyondthesalepod or @kirstycunningham and @shanespiteri

This podcast couldn’t be possible without our sponsors, YPA, 268 Fund and AgentSpot. If you’re looking to buy, sell or invest this year click on the links to find out how they can help you.

You might think you know Alisa and Lysandra.

The twins who won The Block. The minds behind al.live body - the luxe brand that’s popping up on every kitchen bench and every bathroom.

But what you don’t know?

That they were showering at a public pool during the early weeks of the competition.

That Lysandra actually sold her house and lived in a granny flat to fund that business after they recorded The Block.

That they’re not budging on quality and sustainability in their business EVEN when people told them it was impossible.

In this episode, we’re sitting down with Alisa and Lysandra to get the behind the scenes on it all - from what it was like to be on the early seasons of The Block to how they’ve built one of the most recognisable skincare brands in Australia.

You’ll hear:

The surprising role that their real estate agent had in securing their first Block win

The real story behind their “overnight success” (hint: it took 8 years)

Why brand trust is their GREATEST competitive advantage

How they scaled from 3 products to a brand that now sells out on launch

Why living next door to your twin might not be as perfect as it looks

… and SO much more.

Watch the YouTube Version of the Podcast here.

If you want more of Alisa and Lysandra, visit www.alisaandlysandra.com.au or on IG @alisa_lysandra.

And if you’re curious about their brands al.ive body and al.live skin, head over to www.alivebody.com.au or @al.live_skin and @al.live_body.

See all of the behind the scenes over at @beyondthesalepod or @kirstycunningham and @shanespiteri

This podcast couldn’t be possible without our sponsors, YPA, 268 Fund and AgentSpot. If you’re looking to buy, sell or invest this year click on the links to find out how they can help you.

Most real estate agents think they know how buyer’s agents operate.

But the truth is… there is a HUGE difference between the buyer’s agents who actually care about their clients and the ones who are inflating the markets, driving terrible deals and let’s face it - making your job harder.

That’s why today we’re sitting down with Cate Bakos, one of Australia’s most respected buyer’s agents to break down exactly what’s happening behind the scenes right now - including how the current mass of inexperienced agents are impacting prices, days on markets and even your negotiations.

So if you want to figure out how to work better with buyer’s agents and more importantly, avoid the bad ones, then this is an episode you can’t afford to miss.

You’ll hear:

How to spot a buyer’s agent who will ruin your deal (and the ones who will make your life easier)

The off market mistakes buyer’s agents are making that are inflating prices + how to protect your own vendors

How to build better relationships with right buyers agents and make faster deals

The mindset mistake agents make when dealing with investors vs owner occupiers (and how to adapt to win more deals)

… and SO much more.

Watch the YouTube Version of the Podcast here.

Want to learn more about Cate? Head over to IG @cate_bakos_property or www.catebakos.com.au

See all of the behind the scenes over at @beyondthesalepod or @kirstycunningham and @shanespiteri

This podcast couldn’t be possible without our sponsors, YPA, 268 Fund and AgentSpot. If you’re looking to buy, sell or invest this year click on the links to find out how they can help you.

Chat GPT and AI are more than just buzzwords, they’re changing how we work.

And yet most real estate agents have no idea how to use them when you could be using it to save time AND money.

Did you know that you could be using Chat GPT to:

Send out personalised market updates to leads every week?

Build workflows that will send a text with inspection times the moment someone opens an email?

Write your listings in your tone of voice?

There are SO many ways agents could be using AI to save time and stand out.

So today we’re sitting down with AI expert Jess Clark to chat about it all.

You’ll hear:

How Jess works 2 hours a day AND still earned $75k in 4 days using AI

The exact way Jess would train a real estate agent’s AI assistant

Why top agents will soon be building and selling their own AI bots

How to train Chat GPT to actually sound like you

… and SO much more.

Watch the YouTube Version of the Podcast here.

If you want to learn more from Jess or see how AI could make your life easier make sure you check out Jess’ IG @thejessclark or her website www.jessclark.com.au

See all of the behind the scenes over at @beyondthesalepod or @kirstycunningham and @shanespiteri

This podcast couldn’t be possible without our sponsors, YPA, 268 Fund and AgentSpot. If you’re looking to buy, sell or invest this year click on the links to find out how they can help you.

Have you ever wondered if styling actually makes a difference to the final sale price?

After this episode, you won’t be wondering anymore.

Sara Chamberlain is the co-founder of The Real Estate Stylist, one of Australia's most recognised (and most referred) property styling businesses. She’s styled homes for names like Andy Lee and Zoe Foster Blake, but her real genius? Helping everyday families get premium results… even when they're nervous about letting go of their grandma’s peach couch.

In this episode, we sat down with Sara to get the lowdown on open home styling: including what she wishes every agent knew at open homes, vendor prep and what the house should look like on auction day.

You’ll hear:

The mistake agents are making at open homes that could be costing them

The exact words Sara uses when vendors are too attached to furniture that has got to go

The difference between real estate styling and furniture hire (your vendors can tell the difference!)

How she has created a business where 50% of all inquiries are referrals AND she’s fully booked

Why styling isn’t just aesthetic… it’s an emotional strategy that sells

… and SO much more.

Watch the YouTube Version of the Podcast here.

See all of the behind the scenes over at @beyondthesalepod or @kirstycunningham and @shanespiteri

This podcast couldn’t be possible without our sponsors, YPA, 268 Fund and AgentSpot. If you’re looking to buy, sell or invest this year click on the links to find out how they can help you.

Most agents are focused on growing their database… but what if the secret to growth isn’t more people, but listening to those that you’ve already got.

Darcy didn’t just open a gym. He created a community that people are proud to be a part of. 

From 3 year olds to 91 year olds, from Melton to National TV, Darcy has built a business around community.

In this episode, we’re unpacking how real success isn’t just about growth… It's about connection.

For agents it’s about building a space people feel comfortable showing up to.

It’s about building trust, for people who are nervous to let go of their family homes or anxious to buy their first ones.

And it’s exactly the edge most agents are missing.

You’ll hear:

What agents can learn from a gym that scaled by focusing in on one market, rather than trying to catch everyone

How Darcy became the highest reviewed boxing gym in Australia

How to build trust with clients before they ever even work with you

… and SO much more.

Watch the YouTube Version of the Podcast here.

Want more of Darcy? Check out his IG @_darcyellis

See all of the behind the scenes over at @beyondthesalepod or @kirstycunningham and @shanespiteri

This podcast couldn’t be possible without our sponsors, YPA, 268 Fund and AgentSpot. If you’re looking to buy, sell or invest this year click on the links to find out how they can help you.

Today’s episode is part two of our conversation with Shelby van Zwol from Chain Socials, an incredibly successful marketing agency who has made over $1 BILLION in e-commerce revenue for her clients. 

Last week, we talked about personal branding, marketing for real estate agents, and what most agents are getting wrong on socials.. So if you missed it, queue it up next on Spotify, Apple or YouTube.

This week, we’re going even deeper into the mindset, lessons and behind the scenes decisions that have helped Shelby to turn Chain Socials into one of Australia’s leading agencies and earn her a Top 3 spot at the 2025 Women in E-commerce Awards.

You’ll hear

How to deal with team members getting jealous of each other’s success

The three metrics Instagram cares about that will get you in front of more buyers (and it’s not likes…)

What to look for when hiring younger staff so you don’t become their next 3 month experiment

What taking a three month sabbatical taught her about systems that actually work

The one small tweak that added 4 more weeks of income per client a year

… and SO much more.

Watch the YouTube Version of the Podcast here.

Want to work with Shelby? Visit Chain Social on IG @chainsocial or www.chainsocial.com.au

See all of the behind the scenes over at @beyondthesalepod or @kirstycunningham and @shanespiteri

This podcast couldn’t be possible without our sponsors, YPA, 268 Fund and AgentSpot. If you’re looking to buy, sell or invest this year click on the links to find out how they can help you.

If you’re in real estate and you’re trying to build your social media presence, you might be doing it all wrong.

On today’s episode, we are sitting down with Shelby Van Zwol – owner of Chain Social, an incredibly successful marketing agency who has made over $1 BILLION in e-commerce revenue for her clients. She has worked with some of Australia’s biggest brands including Mecca, Your Reformer, and Adore Beauty and has shown no signs of slowing down.

We asked Shelby what real estate agents are getting wrong about social media, how to spend less on ads while generating more leads, and how Chain Social has such a high staff retention rate in an industry with a 30% turnover rate.

You’ll hear

The surprising overlap between real estate and marketing and how to use it to build your brand

What Shelby does differently that put her in the Top 3 Women in E-Commerce in 2025 at the B&T awards in March

Why traditional businesses are collapsing and how to avoid their mistakes

How to get in front of 30,000 potential buyers and vendors in your neighbourhood for $5 a day

What to do instead of spending thousands on billboards that no one’s engaging with

How she built a referral network and why that model works better than ANY advert

Tips on managing a predominantly female workplace without cattiness

… and SO much more.

Watch the YouTube Version of the Podcast here.

Want to work with Shelby? Visit Chain Social on IG @chainsocial or www.chainsocial.com.au

See all of the behind the scenes over at @beyondthesalepod or @kirstycunningham and @shanespiteri

This podcast couldn’t be possible without our sponsors, YPA, 268 Fund and AgentSpot. If you’re looking to buy, sell or invest this year click on the links to find out how they can help you.

In 2019, a Bid Coordinator to Australia’s top agencies was on maternity leave and thought - God what do people do with all this spare time?

So what did she do? She joined a reality TV series documenting the lives of Melbourne’s wealthy young mums. 

But what people don’t realise is that long before Yummy Mummies ever hit our screens, Iva Marra was out there landing massive IT jobs, and grinding her way out of a childhood where “we can’t afford that” was the norm…

You see the glam, the attitude, the luxury parties but behind all of that is a woman who hustled for her way to success, raised 2 kids, built the lifestyle she never had as a child, and never once asked for permission.

You’ll hear

How Iva faked 20 years of experience and still got hired by a giant tech company

Why she thinks “believe in yourself” is the worst advice out there

The one saying that changed how she views everyone’s opinion of her

How she balances being a mum, running a business, and still throwing parties that go viral

And of course the 40th birthday party that was BIGGER than her wedding… + what went down

… and SO much more.

Watch the YouTube Version of the Podcast here.

If you loved Iva, find her over on IG at @iva.marra

See all of the behind the scenes over at @beyondthesalepod or @kirstycunningham and @shanespiteri

This podcast couldn’t be possible without our sponsors, YPA, 268 Fund and AgentSpot. If you’re looking to buy, sell or invest this year click on the links to find out how they can help you.

Kelsie Grace was 24. 

No hospitality experience. 

Not even enough money, really. 

But she had determination, a Tik Tok account and a bunch of friends and family she somehow managed to convince to invest in her.

Now Gracie’s Wine Room is the place to be in Melbourne, it’s been featured in Broadsheet, Urban List AND even the New York Post.

In this episode, Shane and Kirsty are joined by Kelsie Grace, an incredible entrepreneur who wasn’t in the position to create a business and yet she made it work.

Find out:

… and SO much more.

Watch the YouTube Version of the Podcast here.

Want to visit Gracie’s Wine Room? Head over to their website www.gracieswineroom.com or visit IG @gracieswineroom. 

Interested in Kelsie’s story? Check out @kelsiegraceee TikTok here to find out more 

See all of the behind the scenes over at @beyondthesalepod or @kirstycunningham and @shanespiteri

This podcast couldn’t be possible without our sponsors, YPA, 268 Fund and AgentSpot. If you’re looking to buy, sell or invest this year click on the links to find out how they can help you.