Pak Chat is where ambition and real conversation collide. Hosted by Blake Thorn, Pak Chat shares real lessons, mindset shifts, and strategies from Australia’s leading minds in property, business, sport, and beyond. From building wealth to navigating growth, it’s real people, real lessons, and making the complex simple. The conversation starts now!
#15 - Angus Barwick: From Carpenter to Multi-Business Director & Top Sydney Buyer’s Agent
Angus Barwick, a Sydney-based entrepreneur and property expert who is currently managing four distinct businesses while navigating the journey of new fatherhood.
Angus shares raw, unfiltered lessons from his time as a carpenter to becoming a top Sydney buyers agent, discussing everything from manufacturing "ghosts" to the secret of securing off-market property deals.
If you want to learn how to build a business that works for you—rather than the other way around—Angus’s practical, "no-BS" approach is exactly what you need to hear.
00:52 The Sustainability Trap: Lessons from the eco-friendly toothpaste industry
09:23 Knowing When to Exit: Why Angus is selling "The Good Company"
13:05 Manufacturing Nightmares: Losing $3,000 to "ghost" factories
16:21 Buying Undervalued Assets: Finding a "garage business" with massive upside
25:57 The Founder’s Face: Why personal branding is the future of business
31:33 The Outsourcing Blueprint: Cutting costs by 63% with offshore talent
44:30 The Hardest Lesson: Relinquishing control to allow for true growth
51:34 The Sydney Property Game: Data-driven investing vs. emotional buying
55:18 Off-Market Secrets: Why agents prefer working with buyers agents
01:01:46 Low-Risk Entrepreneurship: Advice for starting without "fucking up
16 Apr 2026
#14 - Jason Peterson: What Renovating an Investment Property in Australia Actually Costs
Jason Peterson is the founder of Sensational Services — a Sydney-based trades business covering everything from electrical and plumbing to carpentry, drafting, and pool maintenance.
In this episode, Jason breaks down exactly how he structures renovations to deliver maximum value without the bloated margins — including why he swears by IKEA kitchens over custom cabinetry, how prefab frames could cut your duplex costs by 10–15%, and what a full gut renovation on a two-bedroom investor unit actually costs. He also gets into the business side: trade accounts, cash flow, how to fund a renovation without a traditional loan, and why he's never once charged a call-out fee.
Whether you're a property investor, a homeowner planning a renovation, or a tradie thinking about going out on your own — this one's packed with practical, no-BS advice from someone who's been doing it for 25 years.
04:01 – What Sensational Services Actually Does (One-Stop Shop Explained)
09:03 – How COVID Made Sensational Services Busier Than Ever
14:54 – The Full-Service Model: Concept to Completion in One Team
28:09 – Trade Accounts, Cash Flow & the Bargaining Power Most Tradies Miss
37:41 – Why He Recommends IKEA Kitchens Over Custom (Custom vs IKEA: Real Numbers)
48:10 – Full Investor Renovation Cost Breakdown: What to Spend and Where
57:20 – Where Sensational Is Headed: School Contracts, Drafting & the Next 12 Months
01:03:35 – How to Fund a Renovation: Equity, Future Rent & Paying on Completion
9 Apr 2026
#13 - Richard Bharata: How He Built a 19-Property Portfolio Starting With $50K in Gambling Debt
In this episode of Pak Chat, Richard Bharata walks through every step of the journey — from working four jobs post-engineering degree (including getting fired from a sushi restaurant and a kebab shop) to cracking a $150K government role through networking, losing his savings to gaming addiction, and then systematically building a 19-property, 25-tenancy portfolio using low-doc loans, equity recycling, trust structures, and relentless imperfect action.
This one is full of real numbers, real mistakes, and real strategy. If you want to know exactly how someone goes from $0 to $14M in Australian property — don't skip this.
0:36 — Sent to Australia alone at 13 with no English
8:06 — Engineering degree, 4 jobs, fired from sushi & kebabs
12:35 — One-way Tiger Air ticket to Sydney with 50 resumes
20:16 — How a high-paying job led to a $50K gaming addiction
26:00 — First property: $1.2M in Sydney, $220K deposit, nearly wiped out
32:16 — The strategy: how he went from property 1 to 19
39:03 — Low-doc loans, equity recycling & the CBA LMI waiver that unlocked everything
54:04 — Launching the buyer's agency: iProperty Finder
1:01:36 — Caught at work, resigned, and went all-in on the business
1:09:06 — $14M portfolio today: cash flow, trust structures & what comes next
1:19:35 — Advice for anyone starting their property journey now
17 Dec 2025
#12 - Maddy Bockett: Outdoor Passion to Shark Tank - Building a Brand People Believe In
Maddy Bockett didn’t set out to build a brand - she just wanted better outdoor gear for women. What started as a frustration turned into Tilda Outdoors, a women-led outdoor brand built entirely through organic content, with zero paid marketing, and backed by a loyal community of adventurous women.
By showing up online as her true self, Maddy has grown both Tilda Outdoors and a powerful personal brand from the ground up. Today, she reaches hundreds of thousands of people across platforms - with over 51,000 followers on Tilda’s Instagram, 26,000 on Tilda’s TikTok, and a personal audience of 149,000 on TikTok and 124,000 on Instagram. Her journey has even taken her to the national stage, featuring on Shark Tank Australia.
In this episode of Pak Chat, we dive into how Maddy built a brand and community without ads, and how leaning into who you really are can become your biggest advantage online.
If you’re curious about building something real, growing an audience the right way, or backing yourself before anyone else does - this one’s for you.
7 Oct 2025
#11 - Alex Minter: The Data-Driven Buyers Agent Helping Australians Invest Smarter
What if you could invest in property with confidence - backed by data, not guesswork?
Alex Minter, Founder of Astute Property Network, has helped clients purchase over 1,000 investment properties across Australia. With 15 years in real estate, Alex has built a reputation for uncovering opportunities through geospatial mapping, data analytics and an investment strategy that transcends markets nationwide.
In this episode, Alex shares:
How to find high-growth suburbs using real data, not online hype
Why rentvesting is helping younger buyers enter the market sooner
The hidden traps of “cheap” regional investments and inflated insurance costs
How to compare established vs new builds and spot real value
What to check before investing interstate (and how his team de-risks it)
The importance of transparency and how to identify genuine buyers agents
This episode breaks down the numbers, tools and strategies that separate educated investors from emotional ones. For anyone building a portfolio or buying their first investment, this episode is a must listen.
21 Aug 2025
#10 - Jake Moore: $6 Billion Under the Hammer
What does it take to call 1,000 auctions a year and move more than $6 billion in property under the hammer? For Cooley Auctions Partner Jake Moore, the answer is momentum, discipline and the ability to turn pressure into profit.
In this episode of Pak Chat, Jake shares:
Why his first five years nearly broke him
The psychology of bidding wars — and how to read people in real time
The mistakes vendors make that cost them tens of thousands
How a chef’s apprenticeship prepared him for the auction floor
Why confidence — not cash — often wins the day
Auctions are more than sales events. They’re theatre, strategy and human behaviour on display. This conversation pulls back the curtain on how great auctioneers create great results.
11 Aug 2025
#8 – Jaya Yoannidis – Secrets for Scaling and Sustaining an E-Commerce Business
In this episode of Pak Chat, we’re joined by Jaya Yoannidis - founder of A Man & His Cave, Australia’s ultimate destination for man cave essentials.
Jaya’s journey started in 2020, fast forward to today and he’s running an e-commerce brand that ships everything from kegerators to arcade machines nationwide.
We dive deep into how Jaya has used AI to streamline his business, the art of building trusted relationships with overseas suppliers and why a reliable, high-performing team is the backbone of his success. He shares his approach to marketing in the digital age and why he invests heavily in training — both for himself and his team to stay ahead in the fast-moving world of e-commerce.
From bootstrapping a start-up to leading a brand that’s become a household name in its niche, Jaya’s story is packed with lessons on growth, leadership and innovation.
Whether you’re in business, e-commerce, or just curious about what it takes to build something from the ground up, this episode is full of stories of wins, challenges and turning points Jaya has faced while growing his business and navigating the world of entrepreneurship.
14 Jul 2025
#8 - Shane Vincent: Mastering Real Estate, Discipline & the Long Game
Shane Vincent is the Principal of Belle Property Randwick and one of the most respected figures in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs real estate scene. With nearly two decades of experience in high-performance sales, Shane is known not just for his market knowledge, but for his relentless discipline, work ethic, and no-nonsense approach to building a sustainable, values-driven business.
In this episode, Shane joins us to unpack the real truths about succeeding in real estate—and in life. We discuss how he stays consistent in an industry known for burnout, the mindset needed to outperform in a saturated market, and what he’s learned about people, money, and long-term success. If you're chasing excellence in any competitive field, this conversation is a blueprint.
Expect to learn why most agents fail, how Shane thinks about leadership, why personal standards matter more than motivation, and the underrated power of patience.
1 Jul 2025
#7 - Sam Groutsis - Styling with Scent, Selling with Strategy
Real estate agent Sam Groutsis discusses building a unique property business with a focus on people and innovative marketing strategies, challenging traditional real estate norms in an interview.
26 Jun 2025
#6 - Jason Titus - Behind 650+ Property Purchases: Lessons from a Top Buyer’s Agent
Expert Buyer's Agent Jason Titus discusses his experience securing over 650 properties in Australia and shares strategies for identifying undervalued suburbs, in this interview episode.
3 Jun 2025
#5 - Josh Ellison - Real Estate Done Right: Trust, Communication and Mentorship
Josh Ellison shares his strategies for building trust and reading buyer psychology in the real estate market, explaining how authenticity leads to success in an interview with the host.
20 May 2025
#4 - Clive Carter - The Power of Auctions, Brand, and Buyer Psychology
Clive Carter is a leading agent at Belle Property Randwick, known for delivering high-performance auction campaigns across Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. Originally from Wollongong, Clive has leveraged the strength of the Belle Property brand to consistently achieve standout results while maintaining a strong focus on client relationships and emotional connection.
In this conversation, we explore what makes a great auction campaign, the impact a national brand can have on seller success, and how understanding how a property feels to a buyer can be the ultimate advantage.
Clive also shares the story of his first property purchase, and the lessons it taught him about emotion, decision-making, and value — lessons that now shape the way he works with buyers and sellers today.
Expect powerful insights on real estate, branding, emotional buying, and the human side of great property transactions.
19 May 2025
The Power of Auctions, Brand, and Buyer Psychology — with Clive Carter
Clive Carter is a leading agent at Belle Property Randwick, known for delivering high-performance auction campaigns across Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. Originally from Wollongong, Clive has leveraged the strength of the Belle Property brand to consistently achieve standout results while maintaining a strong focus on client relationships and emotional connection.
In this conversation, we explore what makes a great auction campaign, the impact a national brand can have on seller success, and how understanding how a property feels to a buyer can be the ultimate advantage.
Clive also shares the story of his first property purchase, and the lessons it taught him about emotion, decision-making, and value — lessons that now shape the way he works with buyers and sellers today.
Expect powerful insights on real estate, branding, emotional buying, and the human side of great property transactions.
Josh Cottam is the Founder of Think Private, a tech-driven platform designed to connect brokers, clients, and private funders in one streamlined system. In a world where traditional lending can fall short, Josh is at the forefront of a growing movement that’s reshaping how private finance is accessed and delivered.
In this episode, we unpack why private funding is becoming an essential part of the financial ecosystem, the challenges of building a technology platform from scratch, and the future opportunities Josh sees in an evolving industry.
Josh also shares the vision behind Think Private and why he believes bridging the gap between funders and borrowers will define the next generation of lending.
Expect insights into entrepreneurship, finance innovation, and how to spot growing opportunities in underserved markets.
5 May 2025
Building Australia's #1 Buyer’s Agency — with Josh Meli
Josh Meli is the Co-Founder of CH Secure, a fast-growing buyer’s agency created in partnership with leading industry expert Simone Cohen. With a bold ambition to become Australia's top buyer’s agent, Josh is building not just a business, but a trusted brand for people entering and investing in the property market.
In this episode, we dive into the mindset behind building a reputation in a competitive industry, the critical role of gentrification when choosing suburbs, the power of strategic renovations, and how buying off-market can give buyers a major edge.
Josh also shares what he looks for in a property and the long-term vision that drives CH Secure's success.
Expect practical insights for anyone thinking about buying, investing, or understanding what separates good advice from great advice.
28 Apr 2025
Inside Sales, Property Strategy, and the Mindset of a Third-Generation Agent — with Mitchell Farah
Mitchell Farah is a third-generation real estate professional and the Managing Director of First Hand Property, a boutique agency specialising in property management, holiday letting, and strategic sales across Sydney.
In this episode, we explore Mitchell's journey growing up in a real estate family, the sales tactics that work in today’s market, and the evolving landscape of property management and holiday rentals.
Mitchell also shares tactical advice for buyers navigating a competitive market, and the mindset it takes to build trust and longevity in the property industry.
Expect real-world lessons in negotiation, client service, and how to think long-term in real estate.
Who has been a guest on Pak Chat
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Sam Groutsis
Jason Titus
Josh Ellison
Reach and audience
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Spotify
5.0 / 5
9 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 26 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
39
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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