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What if chaos was your greatest motivator? 

In this high-octane episode of the Realty Life Podcast, host Ken McLachlan sits down with Steven Sarasin, a powerhouse realtor and team leader whose life story is as intense as his daily drive. 

From leaving home at 16 to care for his girlfriend’s family, to building one of the fastest-growing real estate teams in Ontario, Steven opens up about trauma, tenacity, and transformation. 

They explore how adversity can be fuel, how ADHD shaped Steven's career path, and what it's really like to lead a 20-person team in a tough market. 

Listen For:

7:10 The Deathbed Promise That Changed Everything

13:55 Planning vs. Flow: How Steven Sets Goals He Never Re-Reads

20:03 What It Really Takes to Run a 20-Person Real Estate Team

22:53 From Supercars to Simplicity: Redefining Success

31:25 Burning the Boats: Betting 100% on Himself”

Guest: Steven Sarasin

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What does it take to balance a thriving real estate business, family life, and personal growth without losing focus? 

Ken McLachlan sits down with powerhouse realtor Ralph Ciancio, whose career is built on intention, service, and relentless adaptability. 

Ralph shares how his purpose-driven approach—shaped by early life challenges, lessons from his teens, and a clear commitment to family—guides his success. 

From gym sessions with his son to navigating a changing real estate landscape shaped by AI and shifting markets, Ralph offers candid insights, practical strategies, and a refreshing perspective on thriving in business and life.

Listen For

05:09 A life-changing story before birth

09:49 Lessons learned at age 13

16:04 Compartmentalizing challenges in tough times

23:01 The future of real estate in 10 years

25:50 Driverless cars, AI, and human connection

Guest: Ralph Ciancio

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What does it take to pivot from Broadway to buying and selling homes? 

Ken McLachlan sits down with Laura Catalano, a former professional dancer and Broadway performer turned successful Toronto real estate agent. 

Laura shares her extraordinary journey—from disciplined years at a brutal ballet boot camp to performing at Lincoln Center and sharing jokes with Mel Brooks, all before seamlessly transitioning into real estate. 

She discusses how her intense background in the performing arts prepared her for the rigors of real estate, the power of mentorship, and why taking action always beats waiting for perfect conditions.

Listen For

2:09 Why She Watched the Same Broadway Show Four Times

4:53 When She Knew: The Childhood Moment That Sparked It All

7:07 A Brutal Ballet Boot Camp in Belleville

16:40 Dinner with Mel Brooks and Pinching Herself in the Washroom

20:31 Ten Minutes to Real Estate Her Sudden Career Pivot

25:11 Why Relationships with Colleagues Matter Just as Much

29:27 Her Advice to Struggling New Agents Just Take Action

Guest: Laura Catalano

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What if the worst experience of your life became the foundation for your greatest success?

In this inspiring episode of Realty Life, Ken McLachlan sits down with top Durham region realtor Dorothy Harrison, who shares the real and raw journey behind her 16-year real estate career. 

From humble beginnings as a young, underestimated homebuyer to becoming a sought-after agent known for her grounded service and unwavering professionalism, Dorothy dives deep into what shaped her ethos. 

She reveals how a negative experience with a dismissive realtor became her greatest motivator, how journaling keeps her centered through the chaos, and how authenticity—not flash—sparked her career’s quantum leap. 

Listen For

6:57 Pregnancy, Commutes & Pivots: The Leap into Real Estate

8:43 The Realtor Who Didn't Care—and Why That Changed Everything

10:48 Early Days, No Confidence: What Every New Agent Should Hear

18:59 The Quantum Leap: What Changed After 10 Years

29:41 Who You Are in a Crisis: Lessons in Service

Guest: Dorothy Harrison

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What does it take to go from Olympic athlete to top-tier real estate leader? 

Ken McLachlan sits down with Chris Cook, a former Olympic sailor turned successful real estate professional, to explore the winding path of discipline, self-discovery, and personal growth. 

From his humble beginnings in subsidized sailing lessons to the world stage at the Olympics, Chris shares how life’s hardest lessons shaped his mindset and leadership style. 

With candor and clarity, he reflects on building a real estate career, raising grounded kids in a tech-obsessed world, and why nothing great is ever done alone. 

Listen For

04:14 – Representing Canada in the Olympics

11:17 – The Hardest Part: Keeping the Right People Around

17:27 – A Desire to Coach and Share Knowledge

29:28 – Real Estate Requires Early Sacrifice and Intention 

Guest: Chris Cook | Sales Representative | RE/MAX Hallmark - The Halyard Group

Website | Email | 416-435-8324

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What fuels a 10-year-old boy to become a real estate powerhouse by 29? 

Ken McLachlan sits down with Yannick Dagenais, a young agent from Ottawa who turned childhood adversity into entrepreneurial fire. 

From launching a community basketball league at 14, to building a window-washing empire through university, to owning 24 doors in real estate and ranking among the top solo agents in his company, Yannick’s journey is packed with hustle, heart, and hard-won wisdom. 

They explore the power of discipline, the impact of early-life challenges, and why Yannick tracks everything from his protein intake to property investment ROI with military precision. 

Listen For

10:10 – How a Window Cleaning Biz Funded His Empire

16:55 – Fear vs. Discipline: His Guiding Forces

21:01 – A Day in the Life of a Real Estate Machine

30:06 – The Real Dream? Helping Others Become Millionaires
 

Guest: Yanick Dagenais

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In this episode of The Realty Life podcast, Ken sits down with real estate veteran Maury Dailey, whose nearly five-decade career has spanned everything from real estate development in Colorado to his current role as a managing broker in Florida.  

Maury shares his journey from aspiring veterinarian to real estate leader, highlighting how discipline, consistency, and a service-first mindset are the true secrets to success in the industry.  

He reflects on the lessons learned from working on high-profile developments, the importance of agent education, and his personal commitment to sobriety—an experience that has deepened his understanding of resilience and personal growth.  

Listen For

12:38 – The Key to Real Estate Success: Discipline and Focus
Maury emphasizes that real estate isn’t complicated—it’s about staying disciplined, being consistent, and showing up every day. The biggest reason agents fail? They get distracted and lack focus.

16:34 – Advocating for Agents: The Condo Disclosure Law
Maury shares how he played a key role in passing a Florida law requiring condo disclosures to protect real estate agents and buyers—proving that taking initiative can create lasting industry change.

25:32 – The Future of Real Estate: Educating the Consumer
Maury believes that the next big opportunity in real estate is customer education. He’s developing video libraries and training resources to help buyers and sellers make informed decisions before they even speak to an agent.

Guest: Maury Dailey

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What drives someone to take bold risks and build a life of impact?

Ken McLachlan sits down with the inspiring Tonya McIntyre to explore her incredible journey from a small-town girl with big dreams to a thriving real estate professional in Durham Region. 

Tonya opens up about her early years, growing up in a challenging home, and the determination that led her to leave at just 16. 

She shares the lessons she learned from her entrepreneurial mother, making the leap into real estate, and why relationships and resilience have been at the core of her success. 

Tanya also discusses the personal tragedies and triumphs that have shaped her, the philosophy that keeps her grounded, and her passion for helping others find their own path in business and life. 

Listen For:

03:09 – Moving to Toronto at 16 – the big leap into independence

12:50 – The impact of growing up in an alcoholic home

17:24 – Breaking barriers: “No one is putting a ceiling on me”

24:31 – The power of mentorship and learning from the best

Guest: Tonya McIntyre

Website | Realtor | Instagram | Facebook 

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What do real estate, coaching, and marathon running have in common? A lot more than you might think!

Ken McLachlan sits down with Toronto-based realtor, real estate coach, and marathon runner Jenelle Cameron.

Jenelle shares her unconventional journey from public relations to real estate, revealing the discipline and structure that helped her succeed in the business.

She dives into the challenges of balancing real estate and coaching, the importance of systems and consistency, and how marathon training has influenced her approach to business. 

Listen For:

03:29 – The Unexpected Truth About Becoming a Realtor

09:39 – Why Jenelle Started Coaching (and What She’s Doing Differently)

18:55 – The Key to Success: Discipline & Structure in Running and Business

29:22 – The Defining Career Moment That Happened at Age 13

Guest: Jenelle Cameron

Realtor | Instagram | Website | Coaching

Ken can be reached at:

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Is the secret to real estate success relentless hustle, or is it a calm, steady hand?

Ken McLachlan sits down with his longtime friend and experienced real estate professional, Michael Mealia, with over 45 years in the business.

Michael shares how he has navigated market highs and lows with a unique combination of leadership, patience, and creative problem-solving. 

From handling a real estate office in crisis to structuring unconventional deals that benefit both buyers and sellers, Michael proves that being a great realtor isn’t about pressure—it’s about trust, strategy, and resilience. 

 Listen For:

03:55 Calm in the Storm – How to Lead Without Being Loud

09:37 The Power of a Point System – Michael’s Strategy for Daily Wins

19:59  Thinking Outside the Box – Michael’s Unique Deal Structuring

27:09 Why Market Downturns Are the Best Time to Grow

Guest: Michael Mealia

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Ken can be reached at:

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