Best Sam Ashdown Podcasts (2026)

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Stop Doing Valuations! ...And what agents should be doing instead... #45 Charlie Lamdin 1:06:40

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10d ago1:06:40

1:06:40

Never one to shy away from a controversial opinion, Charlie shares his opinions (and the outcome of his testing with an estate agency business) of a new method of bringing properties to market WITHOUT conducting a valuation. Certainly a though provoking proposition, we'd love to know your thoughts on this? In this episode we cover: • Why traditiona…

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Premium Market Update - November 2025 8:50

7d ago8:50

8:50

What does the budget, the premium estate agency market, a life lesson from Mariah Carey, and a questionable Christmas jumper all have in common? I'm glad you asked... All of which feature in this festive Premium Market Update of course! As always, to read Simon Gates' full market report get subscribed to Premium Estate Agency News here: https://us2…

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Stop Doing Property Videos! And other controversial opinions... #44 Sam Ashdown, of AshdownJones. 1:06:41

1M ago1:06:41

1:06:41

In this episode, David Lindley sits down with Sam Ashdown - Co-Founder of AshdownJones, a premium estate agency in the Lake District, who have enjoyed huge success since launch; doing things differently to conventional agency! In this conversation we get in to some of those different strategies, including: • From Kitchen Table to Premium Brand: Ash…

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Premium Market Update - October 2025 4:16

2M ago4:16

4:16

The premium market is NOT doing what you might think...! 🤔 Simon Gates kindly sent through his premium market report for the latest month's data, and even he labelled it as 'surprising'... So see what you think, and let me know 🙂 Click here: https://us21.campaign-archive.com/?u=db74f5b588c5289dd2935b2fe&id=002db01c01 to subscribe to receive Simon's…

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'I went from losing 30 years of memory...to coaching F1 World Champions' #43 Andrew 'Diesel' Bennett. 1:00:50

2M ago1:00:50

1:00:50

In this extraordinary episode of Property-Porn Stars, David Lindley sits down with Andrew “Diesel” Bennett, a former police officer whose life was turned upside down when he suddenly lost his entire memory at the age of 30. Andrew shares the unimaginable story of rebuilding his identity from scratch, relearning who he was, rediscovering his family,…

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"A banana skin around every corner" - and other agency wisdoms from Malcolm Prescott of Webbers 56:32

2M ago56:32

56:32

Sam sits down with Malcolm Prescott, Managing Director of Webbers Estate Agents, to talk about the shifting landscape of estate agencies, discussing what it takes to maintain market leadership across a wide geographical area and explore challenges around team training, client service, and adapting to changing market conditions. Hear Malcolm’s take …

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Estate Agents: You’re Doing Social Media Wrong (and How to Fix It) 20:10

2M ago20:10

20:10

Sam is joined by Liam and Tess from Hussell Up Social for part two of their interview about social media for estate agents. Why are most estate agents approaching digital platforms the wrong way? Liam and Tess reveal how to build an effective strategy that delivers results. Find out the optimum frequency for posting, why you should prioritise quali…

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Premium Market Update - September 2025 5:21

3M ago5:21

5:21

Is the premium market struggling with pre-budget nerves? The answer might surprise you - find out in this month's premium market update in 3 minutes. (OK the video is longer than that, but I threw in some brucey bonuses from Simon Gates full report, which you comes out tomorrow, subscribe in the link below) Also, did you get the answer to the 'clif…

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High Standards, Big Sacrifices, Slaying Dragons...The Imp&Maker Story #42 Sarah-Louise Fairburn 1:20:18

3M ago1:20:18

1:20:18

In this episode of Property-Porn Stars, David Lindley and Matt Giggs sit down with Sarah-Louise Fairburn, Founder and MD of Imp & Maker, the luxury hamper and gifting company shaking up the food & drink market. Sarah-Louise shares her journey from running one of the UK’s biggest farming businesses to starting again with a disruptive new brand. We d…

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The Truth About Why Most Estate Agents Flop on Social Media 43:28

3M ago43:28

43:28

Sam is joined by Tess and Liam from Hussell Up Social on this week’s episode to discuss why most estate agencies struggle on social media, and what to do about it. The common pitfalls of estate agency content range from over-posting listings to neglecting team stories and engagement. Tess and Liam share practical steps for owners looking to improve…

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The Autumn Budget - what’s in it for us? 37:23

3M ago37:23

37:23

Sam and Phil look at what might be coming up in the autumn budget, breaking down the rumours and how they might impact buyers, sellers, renters, landlords and estate agency owners. Get insights on proposed capital gains tax changes and applying national insurance to rental income, and how these changes could influence seller and landlord behaviour.…

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Carrots and Sticks - Keeping your team motivated in a flat market 32:29

3M ago32:29

32:29

Sam shares her strategies for keeping your team engaged in a flat market, discussing the challenges of fragmented market conditions and why motivating teams is more crucial than ever for estate agency owners. What is the difference between “carrots” and “sticks” when leading a team? Learn why accountability systems, structured reviews, and recognit…

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Your First Year in Agency What No One Tells You (But Should) 27:51

3M ago27:51

27:51

This week Sam shares what goes unnoticed during your first year as an estate agency owner, why the early months can test your resolve, and how to manage the emotional roller coaster that comes with launching your own business. Sending letters consistently, focusing on valuations, and tracking numbers, have been the foundations of sustainable growth…

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Mini-Episode - Premium Market Update, September 2025, featuring Simon Gates 16:02

3M ago16:02

16:02

The usual monthly premium market update, but featuring the stats man himself Simon Gates! So instead of the usual 3 or 4 minute long summary, we analyse the premium markets performance this year so far, and how August fared, in light of political turmoil affecting the market. What all this means to you, your sellers and your buyers? Find out here!…

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The 'F' Word - Who has Control of your Finances? 28:26

3M ago28:26

28:26

Sam explores who really holds the reins when it comes to financial control in your estate agency. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling to seven figures, Sam breaks down the core functions every estate agency owner should tackle, from financial planning and cash flow management to effective budgeting and tax compliance. Sam shares simple fram…

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Resilience, Reinvention and Riviera Real-Estate... #41 Alice Watson-Smith. 56:14

4M ago56:14

56:14

In this episode of Property-Porn Stars, I am joined by a hugely successful premium agent, with arguably the most incredible story in the industry. Alice Watson-Smith, Managing Director of Fine & Country French Riviera & Provence shares her story, and her insight, grit and determination needed to succeed in a hugely competitive market. Alice’s story…

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Why Your Sellers Feel Forgotten and What to Do About It 22:58

4M ago22:58

22:58

Why do many property sellers may feel overlooked during slower market periods and what can estate agency owners do about it? Sam and Phil review the growing communication challenges that surface when instruction numbers rise, but sales lag behind. How can staffing changes impact client experience and cash flow? Do you need a renewed approach to cli…

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Summer Mastermind Takeaways (and how to get your paws on the resources) 28:51

4M ago28:51

28:51

Sam and Emma reflect on the recent Summer Mastermind and unpack the key topics like effective lead generation, using AI tools for productivity, and practical accounting. Emma shares her recruitment and team-building practices, Sam discusses a framework for leveraging ChatGPT and explains why the right resources, support, and systems can provide a f…

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Roasting Phil Jones - by Noah and Rosie Jones, age 7 and 9 16:56

4M ago16:56

16:56

While Phil was out of the office, the Ignite Podcast was taken over by two of his kids, Rosie and Noah Jones! What do they want to be when they grow up? What do they think Phil actually does? And why wasn’t Noah allowed any pudding last night? You do not want to miss this episode (unless you’re Phil of course)... And if you want to see more of Noah…

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One billion pounds in sales, Airbnb, and tech start-ups....and breakfast cereal? #40 Mark Breffit 55:52

5M ago55:52

55:52

In this episode of Property-Porn Stars, host David Lindley speaks with Mark Breffit, a leading figure in London’s premium property market. With over £1 billion of property sold, Mark shares his journey from working at Dexters, Knight Frank, and Hamptons Private Office in prime central London, to launching his latest venture — KnokKnok, a prop-tech …

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6 Agency Myths - Busted 39:06

4M ago39:06

39:06

Sam and Phil examine some of the most common myths holding back estate agencies. Is misinformation costing you time and money? Why do expensive websites and software packages rarely translate into more business? How can a simple shopfront outperform a glitzy online presence? Sam and Phil talk through their approach to lead generation and where agen…

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Premium Market Update - July 2025 3:29

5M ago3:29

3:29

In this super-short episode, we cover the headlines of what is going on in the premium property market (spoiler, there is lots of activity!) for July 2025. All stats provided by Simon Gates, whose full report will be out on Friday as part of Premium Estate Agency News - you can read last month's episode and subscribe for free here: https://us21.cam…

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100 Months of AshdownJones! - Sam and Phil riff on the journey so far (Part 2) 21:56

5M ago21:56

21:56

Sam and Phil continue to look back over 100 months of AshdownJones, reflecting on the evolution of the agency and what has or hasn’t changed since their journey began. You’ll hear about their early misconceptions, strategies that worked, marketing lessons they learned and why focusing on high-value homes was their key differentiator. They discuss r…

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100 Months of AshdownJones! - Sam and Phil riff on the journey so far (Part 1) 23:16

5M ago23:16

23:16

Sam and Phil reflect on 100 months of AshdownJones, sharing the decisions that shaped their estate agency as they scaled from an idea with “a couple of laptops and a lot of confidence” to a thriving team. In eight years, they’ve moved from doing the work to leading and managing operations, making tough calls about market focus, growth principles, w…

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Buyer Drought or Just a Blip? Our AJ team's market reaction 44:52

5M ago44:52

44:52

Sam sits down with Tom, Hannah, and Edward from the Ashdown Jones team to discuss current conditions in the property market and what trends they’re seeing. What has changed for estate agencies lately? Reduced viewing numbers? Lower response rates from marketing campaigns? Challenges in getting homes sold? Tom shares insight into changing valuation …

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How to Sell Your Agency...And What Not to Do! #40 Adam J. Walker. 59:45

5M ago59:45

59:45

Is your business worth what you think it is?? This is crucial listening for agents, in order to avoid a nasty surprise down the road, and to set their business up for future success if and when they look to exit. This month’s guest is Adam J. Walker, who is a Business Transfer Agent (or, put another way, he is an agent for Estate Agencies!). With d…

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Do you need an Ops Manager? Sam and Phil discuss 13:37

5M ago13:37

13:37

Sam and Phil break down when and why agency owners should consider hiring an Operations Manager, challenging misconceptions around the cost and value, and examining what an Ops Manager actually does day-to-day. The right operational structure can support you to focus on growth and strategy and this podcast addresses common mistakes and practical so…

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Premium Market Update - First Half of 2025 3:24

6M ago3:24

3:24

Welcome to the next instalment of our, super quick, premium market reports. This month we review the headline stats for the first half of 2025 and how the premium property market has performed, and it's some particularly interesting listening! All stats provided by Simon Gates, and you can read his full market report (as well as his top 5 Google Ch…

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THAT Panorama documentary - Sam and Phil discuss 34:19

6M ago34:19

34:19

Sam and Phil break down the recent Panorama documentary "Undercover Estate Agents," offering an insider's take on how estate agency practices were presented on TV. What was really uncovered? And what was missed? If you haven’t seen it yet, you can watch it here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002fygs/panorama-undercover-estate-agent How are…

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End of Q2 2025 - Where Are We? And What's in Store for Q3? 37:12

6M ago37:12

37:12

Sam and Phil reflect on Ashdown Jones’ Q2 2025 and look ahead as Q3 approaches. Find out why regular reflection shapes performance, and why you should prioritise planning, even during quieter market periods. Hear about the current market challenges, staffing adjustments, revenue targets, and the value of direct mail. Explore property sales trends, …

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PRIME CUT 2025: Special Episode. 1:09:03

6M ago1:09:03

1:09:03

Hosted by David Lindley, with expert insight from Simon Leadbetter, Elaine Penhaul, and Simon Gates. Join four leading voices in the premium property sector for a candid and thought-provoking discussion on the state of the UK’s high-end housing market. In this special episode of Property Porn Stars, we dive into the findings of the 2025 Voice of th…

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How to Create a Stylish Property Description Using AI 28:20

6M ago28:20

28:20

Are you using AI to help write property descriptions? Find out why you should be! Replace traditional property description clichés with a story-led approach to help your agency stand out from the crowd. Using the right prompts can give you more time to focus on growth while maintaining the quality vendors expect, especially in the high-value home m…

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How to Build an Overseas Team and Get 3 Employees for the Price of 1 – with Georges Verdis 52:01

6M ago52:01

52:01

In this episode, we discuss building an overseas team for your estate agency. Georges Verdis joins Sam to talk about digital assistants, especially those based in the Philippines, and how they can support agency operations while managing costs. Sam and Georges share their journey of hiring virtual (or digital) team members, with a transparent look …

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Premium Market Update - May 2025 4:29

7M ago4:29

4:29

Welcome to the second instalment of our new feature, a (super quick!) monthly update on the premium market. Perhaps you're curious, thinking strategically about the premium market, or are on your way to see a client - hopefully there is some useful information here to help. All stats collated by the numbers man, Simon Gates, and his full in depth m…

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The 5 Languages of Appreciation and How They Help You Build a Better Culture 29:25

7M ago29:25

29:25

Let’s examine the five languages of appreciation in the workplace and their direct impact on team culture and retention. Sam discusses how to recognise, motivate and support your staff using strategies backed by research and shaped by real-life experience. With reference to her upcoming book, Sam talks about understanding what makes each team membe…

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AI for Agents (Part 2) 31:19

7M ago31:19

31:19

Here is part 2 of the AI for Agents webinar that Sam and Phil wanted to share with you! If you missed part 1, go and check out the previous episode. This podcast will help you understand the difference between SEO and GEO (That’s Generative Engine Optimisation), find out why clear, extractable website text is now essential, how listings on third-pa…

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AI for Agents (Part 1) 39:49

7M ago39:49

39:49

Recently Sam and Phil hosted a webinar called ‘AI for Agents - 5 Easy Ways to Use AI in Your Estate Agency TODAY’ and they wanted to share it with you on the podcast, so we’ve split it into two parts and you can listen to part 1 this week and part 2 next week. You’ll hear practical examples of how to use AI for property descriptions, summarising co…

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From Yorkshire to Mayfair - how to win in two very different markets…#39 Andrew Butler 54:20

7M ago54:20

54:20

It has been 10 years (!) since Andrew and I last saw each other, but it was great to reconnect and share his story about how to succeed in the rural premium market in Yorkshire, and the urban prime central London market, too. Surely thats something for everybody!?! Andrew shares his story, from selling ‘back to backs’ in Yorkshire to Mayfair pentho…

1
Business Challenge? Hire! 32:17

7M ago32:17

32:17

Sam and Phil tackle the ongoing challenge of hiring and recruitment, from feeling stretched too thin and hitting financial ceilings, to making key decisions about when and who to recruit to enable growth. Many common business obstacles come back to recruitment but planning your agency’s structure ahead of time can also help break plateaus and prepa…

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Premium Market Update - April 2025. 5:04

8M ago5:04

5:04

Welcome to the first instalment of our new feature, a (super quick!) monthly update on the premium market. Perhaps you're curious, thinking strategically about the premium market, or are on your way to see a client - hopefully there is some useful information here to help. All stats collated by the numbers man, Simon Gates, and his full in depth ma…

1
"How Holidays Helped Me Build The Biz" 31:06

8M ago31:06

31:06

Pack your bags because we’re going on holiday with Phil! How do holidays shape your business growth, motivation, and agency operations? Regular breaks can impact your mindset, family dynamics, and agency performance. Phil shares his holiday schedule and discusses the practicalities of balancing agency demands with time away. Sam and Phil reflect on…

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Women in Estate Agency with Clare Hughes 41:33

8M ago41:33

41:33

Sam is joined by Clare Hughes whose career journey went from London’s high street agencies to founding her own business with eXp. She shares how the landscape in East London has changed since the 2012 Olympic regeneration. Clare is the co-founder (with Liana Loporto-Browne) of Women in Estate Agency, which aims to create a safe space for sharing ch…

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Lessons in Entrepreneurship in Estate Agency... #38 Regina Mangan. 53:15

8M ago53:15

53:15

In this episode we are take a (virtual) hop across the Irish Sea to speak with Regina Mangan of Liberty Blue estate agents in the beautiful town of Waterford. Regina is a big character in the Irish property market, a successful entrepreneur, best selling author and exceptional estate agent. In this episode we cover: How to use values to run a busin…

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How to Manage (Not Micro-Manage) and Empower Your Team 35:21

8M ago35:21

35:21

How can you manage your team effectively without slipping into micromanagement? This week Sam and Phil explore the difference between leadership and management and discuss how the right structure for your estate agency can support growth and empower your team, rather than causing confusion or frustration. Are the best salespeople always the best ma…

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How to Go Viral with Liam Hussell - Marathon and Internet Sensation! 26:29

8M ago26:29

26:29

Have you seen the video? It even made the national news… “London Marathon runner gets tube back home and something special happens” (The Mirror) Watch it on TIKTOK or INSTAGRAM AJ’s Marketing and Content Creator (and Sam’s future son-in-law) Liam Hussell went viral as he was making his way home after running the London Marathon. Liam joins Sam to e…

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5 Key Levers You Can Use to Accelerate Your Agency's Success 43:01

9M ago43:01

43:01

This week, Sam and Phil take you through a hands-on agency audit, to highlight how regular check-ins on your website, social channels, lead generation, numbers, and processes can unlock consistent progress. There are practical steps on refining your website and Google presence, building an effective content strategy for sellers, and tracking financ…

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AI for Your Agency - How to Get Started with This Exciting Tool! 33:54

9M ago33:54

33:54

In this episode, Sam and Phil share recent experiments with ChatGPT and Perplexity, testing how these tools answer the question, “Who is the best estate agent in Windermere?” and what that means for your agency’s online profile. How is AI already impacting consumer journeys and estate agency marketing, both behind the scenes and in public perceptio…

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A Modern Approach to Premium Rural Agency... #37 Ross D'Anielo. 59:44

9M ago59:44

59:44

Customer identification, targeting your niche, standing out and a modern approach to building a rural-orientated business… just some of the subjects we discuss in this cracking episode with Ross D'Anielo, the co founder of Chartwell Noble. We get into the detail of how Ross started his business, why, and what the future holds for Chartwell Noble. R…

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This podcast will save you £££s 23:00

9M ago23:00

23:00

In this episode, we address one of the least exciting yet critically essential topics in the property sector - Anti-Money Laundering (AML). Phil highlights the steps estate agency owners should take to ensure compliance and avoid hefty fines, which can range from £1,500 to as much as £52,000! Find out the common pitfalls and the solutions that can …

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Some Real Home Truths - Phil’s joined by wife Molly! 43:46

9M ago43:46

43:46

Find out what it’s really like to live with Phil Jones, as he is joined by his wife Molly (who also happens to be Sam’s daughter) on the Ignite Podcast this week! No topic is off limits as Molly talks about how Phil running an estate agency impacts their family life! How has Phil balanced his professional ambitions with family responsibilities, and…