Freedom Property Podcast

What happens when you achieve everything you set out to, but still feel like you haven’t done enough?
Moses Nguyen was named the 2023 Rising Star of the Year and went on to generate $2.85 million in GCI. From the outside, his career looked like a remarkable success. But behind the recognition and results was a very different experience.
In this episode of the Freedom Property Podcast, Josh Sherwood sits down with Moses for an honest conversation about ambition, the pressure to perform and the challenge of recognising your own achievements.
They explore what drives high performers, the expectations that come with success and why reaching the next milestone doesn’t always bring the satisfaction you expect.
It’s a conversation about more than real estate. It’s about perspective, personal growth and learning to appreciate how far you’ve come.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – Moses returns to the podcast
03:36 – Chasing $3M and feeling like a failure
06:18 – The pressure to become a top-performing agent
08:16 – Rediscovering passion and purpose
10:39 – The hidden sacrifices behind high performance
12:22 – Burnout, breaking points and the cost of success
14:40 – When real estate takes over your personal life
17:58 – Building a business with the right support
21:07 – Learning to let go and focus on your strengths
24:40 – What aspiring agents should know about success
27:58 – How AI could transform real estate
30:16 – AI joins the podcast and questions Moses
34:57 – Moses' biggest lesson: Slow down to move forward
38:01 – Final reflections

RESOURCES & LINKS:
💼 Explore a career with Freedom Property: https://www.freedomproperty.com.au/careers
🚀 Grow your real estate business with Agent Growth: https://www.agent-growth.com.au
🎯 Get Josh's free listing presentation that wins 10+ listings per month: https://www.skool.com/agent-growth-club-1916/about
🎙️ Listen to Moses Nguyen's first appearance (Ep. 52) >>
📸 Follow Freedom Property: https://www.instagram.com/freedomproperty.com.au
🔥 Follow Josh Sherwood: https://www.instagram.com/mrsell.joshsherwood

From DJing at Pacha in Ibiza to 13 years in the police force, mortgage broking and now real estate, Nick McDonald has taken anything but the conventional path.

In his late 40s, Nick made another big career move, leaving behind a secure career to finally pursue something he’d considered for years: real estate.

Now approaching his first year in the industry, Nick joins Josh Sherwood to talk about starting again, backing yourself and how decades of life experience have helped him build momentum as an agent.

They unpack building genuine relationships instead of relying on cold calls, earning trust with sellers, learning from experienced agents, navigating the highs and lows of real estate and why Nick believes quality matters more than quantity.

Whether you’re already in real estate, considering making the move or simply interested in the unconventional path that led Nick here, this is a conversation about backing yourself, building genuine relationships and being willing to change direction.

Timestamps:
00:28 From Ibiza DJ to Police Officer
02:33 Why Nick Left the Police
04:43 Starting Real Estate in His Late 40s
06:08 Choosing the Right Agency
07:18 Why Freedom Felt Different
09:57 Relationships Over Cold Calling
11:34 Building Trust With Sellers
16:52 Navigating the Highs and Lows
26:11 Becoming the Go-To Agent in Alex Hills
29:01 Back Yourself
29:16 Getting More Listings Solves Everything

Resources & Links:

🚀 Join Agent Growth & take your business to the next level: www.agent-growth.com.au

📲 Follow us for more insights & behind-the-scenes content:
Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

🔥 Follow Josh Sherwood:
💼 Learn more about working with Freedom Property:
www.freedomproperty.com.au/careers

Most agents avoid auctions. David Holmes believes that's costing sellers money.

REIQ Auctioneer of the Year, founder of Holmes & Co. Auctions, former LJ Hooker Head Auctioneer and an auctioneer featured on The Block, David joins Josh Sherwood to challenge one of real estate's biggest misconceptions: are auctions still the best way to sell in today's market?

Drawing on thousands of auctions across Australia, David explains why auctions remain one of the fairest and most effective ways to sell property, even in changing market conditions. He shares practical strategies for overcoming seller objections, creating genuine buyer competition, building stronger campaigns and delivering exceptional outcomes for sellers.

Whether you're an experienced auction agent or have never considered using auctions in your business, this episode offers practical insights that could change the way you approach your next listing.

Resources & Links:

🚀 Join Agent Growth & take your business to the next level: ⁠www.agent-growth.com.au⁠

📲 Follow us for more insights & behind-the-scenes content:

⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠

🔥 Follow Josh Sherwood:

⁠www.instagram.com/mrsell.joshsherwood⁠

💼 Learn more about working with Freedom Property:

⁠www.freedomproperty.com.au/careers⁠

Michael Bacon joins Josh Sherwood to reveal the raw truths behind his rise in real estate, from overcoming burnout and managing ego to becoming a shareholder in a thriving business.

Discover how mastering objections, strategic delegation, and knowing your ‘why’ can transform your career. Plus, why knowing when to slow down is just as critical as pushing forward.

00:00 Welcome Back to the Hustle

01:34 Overcoming Objections Like a Chess Master

01:59 The Shareholder Shift: How Ownership Changed Everything

03:33 Respect, Legacy, and Leadership

05:07 From Dream to Deal

06:19 Temptations and Tough Choices

09:12 The Safe Bet of Partnership Over Starting from Scratch

11:16 When Quitting Nearly Became the Only Option

14:19 Building Your Inner Circle

17:50 Why Understanding Your ‘Why’ Is Essential in a Changing Market

20:02 Copy, Adapt, Succeed: The Paper Plane Video That Went Viral

23:00 The Power of Delegation: Letting Go to Level Up Your Business

29:01 Cold Calling with Confidence

30:00 Five $1M Properties or One $5M Property?

32:15 The Sliding Scale Commission: How to Pre-Frame and Win

33:41 Ego Check: Balancing Confidence Without Turning Off Sellers

35:40 Health, Happiness, and Hustle

36:01 The Curse and Blessing of an Addictive Personality

Resources & Links:

🚀 Join Agent Growth & take your business to the next level: www.agent-growth.com.au

🎯 Get Josh’s free listing presentation that wins 10+ listings per month: www.skool.com/agent-growth-club-1916/about

Follow us for more insights & behind-the-scenes content:
Instagram⁠ ⁠| ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠

Freedom Property Media Instagram

🔥 Follow Josh Sherwood:
www.instagram.com/mrsell.joshsherwood

💼 Learn more about working with Freedom Property: www.freedomproperty.com.au/careers

What does it actually take to walk away from security and build a real estate career from scratch? In this episode, Manny Bains shares the unfiltered reality of starting fresh: navigating uncertainty, handling rejection and developing the mindset required to survive (and thrive) in one of the most demanding industries. This is a must-listen for agents at any stage looking to sharpen their resilience, confidence and long-term thinking.

00:00 The Leap Most Won’t Make

01:37 Built Tough From the Start

02:34 When “Secure” Stops Serving You

04:47 Life Doesn’t Pause: Career Pressure vs Family Life

05:36 The Reality Check

06:02 The Right Words at the Right Time

06:46 Confidence + Curiosity = Growth

07:13 Freedom, Flexibility and Earning Potential

09:14 Learn Fast or Fall Behind

11:23 The "5-Second Funeral" Reset Rule

12:07 Close… But Not Quite: Losing Forward

13:37 No One Talks About This

15:11 Race to the Bottom

16:26 Early Wins Can Mislead

20:01 Staying Hungry Long-Term

22:04 Team Over Ego

24:14 Beating Imposter Syndrome

25:32 Stay in Your Lane, Stop Overthinking and Start Doing

27:21 Power in Silence: The Skill That Wins More Clients

31:23 Keep the Door Open

33:16 One Size Doesn’t Fit All

33:59 When It Clicks

34:48 Thinking About Making the Jump?

Resources & Links:

🚀 Join Agent Growth & take your business to the next level: www.agent-growth.com.au

🎯 Get Josh’s free listing presentation that wins 10+ listings per month: www.skool.com/agent-growth-club-1916/about

Follow us for more insights & behind-the-scenes content:
Instagram⁠ ⁠| ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠
Freedom Property Media Instagram

🔥 Follow Josh Sherwood:
www.instagram.com/mrsell.joshsherwood

💼 Learn more about working with Freedom Property: www.freedomproperty.com.au/careers

What if nearly 40% of your deals are at risk before they even begin? In this episode, Jess from LOAM Finance breaks down how agents can take control of the finance process, better qualify buyers, and build stronger, more reliable deals from day one. This is about working smarter, protecting your pipeline, and delivering a seamless experience your clients will remember.

00:00 The Deal Killer You Can’t Ignore

00:33 Stop Wasting Time on This

01:34 Set Your Buyers Up to Win From Day One

02:30 Behind the Scenes: How Lenders Actually Assess Clients

03:32 The Real Borrowing Equation

04:44 Equity Myths That Can Cost You a Sale

05:18 From First Home Buyers to Complex Clients

07:22 The Costly Mistakes Agents Make

08:25 The Silent Deal Killer

09:00 Can You Save a Buyer With Bad Debt?

09:52 More Than a Broker - Your Deal Partner

10:46 Your Competitive Edge: Do This Early

11:38 How to Properly Qualify Buyers

12:25 From Vendor to Partner

13:26 Communication That Closes Deals

14:20 What Top Agents Are Doing Differently

15:08 Strong Finance = Stronger Offers

16:02 Timing Is Everything

17:27 Borrowing Capacity vs. Smart Buying

18:59 Not All Brokers Are Equal

20:32 Beyond Settlement

23:14 Built for Agents, Backed by Experience

23:40 A Better Way to Handle Finance

24:08 Close More Deals With Confidence

Resources & Links:

🚀 Join Agent Growth & take your business to the next level: www.agent-growth.com.au

🎯 Get Josh’s free listing presentation that wins 10+ listings per month: www.skool.com/agent-growth-club-1916/about

Follow us for more insights & behind-the-scenes content:

Instagram⁠ ⁠| ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠

Freedom Property Media Instagram

🔥 Follow Josh Sherwood:

www.instagram.com/mrsell.joshsherwood

💼 Learn more about working with Freedom Property: www.freedomproperty.com.au/careers

Zero to nearly $200M in annual sales and $500M under management in just five years.

To launch our 2026 season, we sit down with Jacob Reynolds, ranked REB’s #13 Dealmaker in Australia, to unpack how he built one of the country’s fastest-growing real estate businesses. 

In this episode, he shares what it really takes to go from starting out to operating at a national level: building the right team, navigating rapid growth, overcoming setbacks, and developing the grit and mindset required to dominate in today’s market.

If you’re an ambitious agent ready to think bigger, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

00:00 From Rookie to Leading a High-Performing Team

01:28 Scaling Rentals, Sales & Finance Across Multiple Offices

03:02 Balancing Life & Leadership on the Road to #1

04:26 Growing Elite Agents: Build or Recruit?

05:43 Creating Freedom With Support

06:12 The Bulldog Mentality That Drives Results

08:07 The Mental Barrier & Hidden Pressure to Scaling Fast 

15:05 Navigating People Challenges & Hard Decisions

19:14 Losing Top Performers - and Growing Stronger

23:52 Leading with Calm Authority Under Pressure

26:09 Talent Over Headcount: Smarter Scaling

35:19 Building a Resilient, High-Performance Culture

36:35 What’s Next After Reaching the Top?

Resources & Links:

🚀 Join Agent Growth & take your business to the next level: www.agent-growth.com.au 

🎯 Get Josh’s free listing presentation that wins 10+ listings per month: https://www.skool.com/agent-growth-club-1916/about 

Follow us for more insights & behind-the-scenes content:

Instagram⁠ ⁠| ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠

Freedom Property Media Instagram

🔥 Follow Josh Sherwood:

www.instagram.com/mrsell.joshsherwood 

💼 Learn more about working with Freedom Property: https://www.freedomproperty.com.au/careers 

From relentless cold calls to Rate My Agent’s Agent of the Year for five years in a row, this is Ryan Murphy’s raw and unfiltered journey to the top.

Currently ranked #1 in Loganlea on Realestate.com.au for both sales and seller recommendations, Ryan shares the mindset, hustle and genuine care that took him from a rookie to a market leader within six years.

If you want to know what it really takes to thrive in real estate, beyond scripts and hype, this episode is your blueprint for building a career that lasts.

00:00 How Caring Turned a Rookie Into Logan’s Top Agent

01:30 From 420K to Mid-900K: Witnessing Logan’s Market Boom

03:30 Cracking the Investor Code

06:10 Knowing When to Hustle and When to Hold Back

07:30 Why Turning Down Listings Can Boost Your Business

11:10 Why You Should Encourage Sellers to Shop Around

16:20 How Sports Moulded Ryan’s Work Ethic

17:20 The Repeatable, Scalable and Rewarding Real Estate Formula

20:00 Why You Are Your Most Powerful Tool in Real Estate

24:40 Advice for New Agents: Consistency is King, Patience Is Queen

Resources & Links:

🚀 Join Agent Growth & take your business to the next level: www.agent-growth.com.au 

🎯 Get Josh’s free listing presentation that wins 10+ listings per month: www.careers.freedomproperty.com.au/freetraining

Follow us for more insights & behind-the-scenes content:

Instagram⁠ ⁠| ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠

Freedom Property Media Instagram

🔥 Follow Josh Sherwood:

www.instagram.com/mrsell.joshsherwood 

💼 Learn more about working with Freedom Property: www.careers.freedomproperty.com.au

What happens when a real estate business runs like a SEAL team?

In this dynamic conversation, Josh Sherwood joins renowned sales coach, Lee Woodward to break down the precision, psychology and systems driving Freedom Property’s success.

Lee Woodward is one of Australia’s most respected real estate coaches, with over three decades of industry experience. A former top-performing agent, he now heads the Real Estate Academy, training thousands of agents through his renowned Complete Salesperson Course.

From data-driven practices and lead qualification to role clarity and hyper-personalised service that builds lifelong client relationships, this conversation shows what true high performance looks like in real estate today.

00:00 Adaptability as a Superpower

02:49 From Agent to Entrepreneur

04:57 Cracking 100+ Deals a Year: The Secret Sauce

06:28 Lead Qualifier Role: The Unsung Hero of Real Estate Success

10:12 Data is King

12:50 The Psychology of Presence: Becoming the Go-To Agent in Your Community

18:11 Playing the Long Game

23:22 Managing a Massive Buyer Database: Segmenting for Maximum Impact

25:25 The Power of Post-Sale Communication

26:15 Mastering Your Market

27:48 Hyper-Personalised Outreach

29:51 Why Josh Doesn't Need To Do Listing Shootouts

35:32 Genuine Interest Builds Loyalty: The Importance of Knowing Your Client’s Story

38:14 Restaurant Analogy: Why Following Up Makes or Breaks Your Business

41:47 Lessons Learned from Industry Legends

43:40 The Journey Continues

Resources & Links:

🚀 Join Agent Growth & take your business to the next level: www.agent-growth.com.au 

🎯 Get Josh’s free listing presentation that wins 10+ listings per month: www.careers.freedomproperty.com.au/freetraining

Follow us for more insights & behind-the-scenes content:

Instagram⁠ ⁠| ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠

Freedom Property Media Instagram

🔥 Follow Josh Sherwood:

www.instagram.com/mrsell.joshsherwood 

💼 Learn more about working with Freedom Property: www.careers.freedomproperty.com.au

Listings are won and lost before you even walk through the door. The best agents don’t just present - they connect, engage and position themselves as the obvious choice for sellers long before they’re invited over.

In this episode, Josh reveals the moves that transform average pitches into standouts, the mistakes that cost agents thousands and how to lock in listings before you step inside. Do this or risk losing the listing to someone who will.

00:00 The Critical Difference Between Good and Great Listing Presentations

01:02 Win Before You Arrive: Demonstrating Value from the First Phone Call

02:43 Meaningful Questions to Understand Seller Motivation

04:36 Strategic Pre-Listing Engagement: Planting Seeds for Success

08:26 Training and Preparation: The Grand Final Metaphor

09:46 Customising Marketing Plans Based on Seller Priorities

11:16 Building Relationships by Meeting Sellers Where They Are

12:58 A Common Mistake

13:46 Navigating Price Discussions

17:01 The Consequences of Overpromising and Underperforming on Price

18:19 Content vs. Delivery: What Really Wins Listings?

18:47 Adapting to Different Seller Personalities and Communication Styles

21:51 Balancing Transparency and Strategy in Buyer Communication

24:27 Positioning Yourself as a Trusted Adviser, Not Just a Salesperson

25:44 Developing an Abundance Mindset to Attract More Business

26:31 Handling Complex Family Dynamics During Sales Decisions

27:16 Offering Practical Solutions

28:25 The Long Game: Repeat and Referral Business Through Relationships

Resources & Links:

🚀 Join Agent Growth & take your business to the next level: www.agent-growth.com.au

🎯 Get Josh’s free listing presentation that wins 10+ listings per month: www.careers.freedomproperty.com.au/freetraining

Follow us for more insights & behind-the-scenes content:
Instagram ⁠| ⁠Facebook⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠
⁠Freedom Property Media Instagram

🔥 Follow Josh Sherwood:
www.instagram.com/mrsell.joshsherwood

💼 Learn more about working with Freedom Property: www.careers.freedomproperty.com.au