Beyond The Numbers With Christian Stevens

Christian Stevens
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Beyond The Numbers is the podcast for mortgage brokers who want to build businesses that last. Hosted by Christian Stevens, five-time Best Broker in Australia and CEO of Flint. Each week, Christian delivers practical Deep Dives on the skills and systems that drive real results, alongside Industry Titan conversations with the leaders who've built something exceptional. No fluff, no theory – just the playbooks and lessons you need to grow a sustainable, profitable broking business.

  1. 5d ago

    From Broker to CEO: The Reality of Building a Brokerage From Scratch

    Ryan Sweeney is the Founder and CEO of Front Financial, and at just 25 he’s already gone from broker to running a fast-growing finance business. In this episode, Ryan talks about what changed when the business stopped chasing volume and started focusing on profitability, why niching down created better opportunities, and what he’s learned stepping into the CEO role. For brokers and business owners trying to grow a team, improve profitability and build something that can scale, there’s a lot to take from Ryan’s journey. Learn more about Flint: https://flintgroup.au/ Connect with Christian Stevens: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertyfinance/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmrstevens/ Connect with Ryan Sweeney: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-sweeney-39a389191/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ryansweeney/ 0:37: From a $50 Op-Shop Suit to Mortgage Broking 3:23: Starting Front Financial When Everyone Said They Were Too Green 7:41: Volume vs Profit: Why Bigger Lodgements Don’t Always Mean a Better Business 12:09: From Broking to Lending: Building the Next Version of Front Financial 20:11: Role Cards: How Front Stops Everyone Swimming in Each Other’s Lane 25:31: The Reality Behind Two Years of Rapid Growth 26:32: From Broker to CEO: Ryan’s Identity Crisis 32:01: Why Becoming CEO Means Giving Up Instant Gratification 38:19: Building Front’s Culture: Values, Brand and Leading From the Front

  2. Sep 23

    The 1% Rule for Better Mental Health and Better Performance

    *Content warning: This episode includes an open conversation around suicide and mental health, including personal experiences with loss. Viewer discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a support service. Cooper Chapman is the founder of The Good Human Factory, author of The 1% Good Club and a former professional surfer who spent more than a decade competing around the world. In this episode, Cooper talks about what high performance actually looks like when stress, pressure and mental health are part of the equation. He breaks down the 1% framework, why small daily habits matter more than waiting until you burn out, and how to manage yourself better when life or work gets heavy. For brokers and business owners, this is a conversation about performing well without running yourself into the ground, building better habits and learning how to handle the hard periods when they come. Learn more about Flint: https://flintgroup.au/ Connect with Christian Stevens:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertyfinance/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmrstevens/  Connect with Cooper Chapman:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cooper-chapman-08a278151/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cooperchapman/ 1:52: From Pro Surfer to Business Owner — Cooper Chapman’s Story 6:46: Top 100 in the World but Still Feeling Like He Hadn’t Made It 9:10: The Apprenticeship Mindset 11:28: How the Good Human Factory Started 16:21: Appreciation, Not Expectation — Training Your Brain for Gratitude 21:24: Burnout Isn’t Fixed by a Holiday — The Power of Micro Resets 31:59: The 5 Communication Mistakes Leaders Make When Someone Opens Up 39:12: The 10 Habits Behind Cooper’s Mental Health Framework 42:06: Good Mental Health Is How You Handle the Hard Times

  3. Sep 16

    How This New Mortgage Broker Lodged $165M in His First 12 Months

    William Tucker is a Director and Senior Finance Broker at Flint who nearly walked away from broking before things started to click. After leaving Queensland Health and backing himself in a new career, Will found himself working 22-hour days, running on three hours of sleep and trying to build a business while raising a young family. In this episode, he talks about what changed when he stopped trying to do everything himself, why the right environment made such a big difference, and how he went from nearly quitting to writing serious volume. For brokers trying to grow without burning themselves out, there’s a lot to take from Will’s story around support, structure and knowing when hard work alone isn’t enough. Learn more about Flint: https://flintgroup.au/ Connect with Christian Stevens: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertyfinance/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmrstevens/ Connect with William Tucker: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-tucker-996abb230/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/william.tkr/ 0:41 — 12 Years In Real Estate: From Leasing To Agency Leadership 2:05 — Property Management Lessons: Time, Conflict & Client Pressure 5:01 — What Property Partnerships Actually Do: More Than Referrals 7:28 — Real Estate Referral Strategy: Agents, PMs, Projects & Client Types 12:14 — Newcastle Growth: DA Trackers, Development & Future Corridors 15:20 — FY27 Partnership Vision: Thinking Bigger Than Local Referrals 25:09 — Biggest Client Lesson: Why Structure Matters Early 36:46 — Personal Brand: Why Social Media Compounds Like Property 42:58 — What Makes A Good Partnership: Engagement, Trust & Real Relationships

  4. Sep 9

    The Broker Getting 3 Million LinkedIn Impressions a Month

    What separates a brokerage that gives its owner a job from one that builds real enterprise value? In this episode, Christian sits down with Rex Afrasiabi, founder of Bond Property Lawyers and New Chapter Legal, to unpack the systems, agreements and growth strategies behind a scalable broking business. Rex shares how Bond grew from zero to nearly 1,000 clients per month in just three years, as well as how AI could help one conveyancer manage up to 100 settlements per month. If you’re a mortgage broker who wants to scale beyond writing loans and build a business that lasts, this episode is for you. Learn more about Flint: https://flintgroup.au/ Connect with Christian Stevens:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertyfinance/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmrstevens/  Connect with Rex Afrasiabi:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexafra/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rex_afrasiabi_lawyer/  2:30: Zero to Nearly 1,000 Clients a Month in Three Years 6:48: The Goal to Take Bond From Startup to an ASX Listing 7:45: AI Could Lift Capacity From 20 to 100 Settlements Per Conveyancer 9:28: What Mortgage Brokers Can Learn From Real Estate Agents 11:46: The Three Brokerage Models 16:03: Mapping Ancillary Services Around the Complete Client Journey 17:25: Why 70% of Business Partnerships Break Down 21:48: The Contracts That Protect Your Brand, Employees and Trail Book 24:58: Aggregation Agreements 31:44: Why a Solo Brokerage Is Usually a Job, Not a Business 34:07: The Commercial Finance Opportunity Most Brokers Are Missing 35:17: 4,000% More Impressions and Six Warm Leads in Three Weeks 46:17: Why New Brokers Need Multiple Mentors

  5. Sep 2

    200+ Leads Her First Year With Zero Broking Experience

    Bree Atkinson is the Head of Property Partnerships at Flint, based in the Newcastle team. After 12 years in real estate across property management, sales admin and agency leadership, Bree has now moved into broking partnerships. She brings a deep understanding of how agents, developers, property managers and buyers actually work. Bree talks through what property partnerships really look like when they are done properly, why understanding a partner’s world matters more than just asking for referrals, and how her real estate background has helped her build trust quickly with property professionals. For brokers, agents or anyone building referral relationships, Bree’s story is a reminder that great partnerships are not just about leads. They are about trust, consistency and knowing how to genuinely add value. Learn more about Flint: https://flintgroup.au/ Connect with Christian Stevens: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertyfinance/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmrstevens/ Connect with Bree Atkinson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bree-atkinson-336305108/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bree_atkinson_flintgroup/ 0:41 — 12 Years In Real Estate: From Leasing To Agency Leadership 2:05 — Property Management Lessons: Time, Conflict & Client Pressure 5:01 — What Property Partnerships Actually Do: More Than Referrals 7:28 — Real Estate Referral Strategy: Agents, PMs, Projects & Client Types 12:14 — Newcastle Growth: DA Trackers, Development & Future Corridors 15:20 — FY27 Partnership Vision: Thinking Bigger Than Local Referrals 25:09 — Biggest Client Lesson: Why Structure Matters Early 36:46 — Personal Brand: Why Social Media Compounds Like Property 42:58 — What Makes A Good Partnership: Engagement, Trust & Real Relationships

  6. Aug 26

    How a Former NRL Player Became a Mortgage Broker

    Matt Frawley is a mortgage broker at Shire Home Loans and a former professional rugby league player. After more than a decade across the NRL and Super League, Matt has now stepped into broking full time; bringing the same discipline, resilience and work ethic that kept him in professional sport for 11 years. Matt talks honestly about finishing as a professional athlete, losing the daily structure of sport, and starting again in a completely different industry. If you're a broker, athlete, business owner or anyone navigating a major career transition, Matt’s story is a reminder that the next chapter does not need to be rushed. It does need discipline, support and a willingness to do the reps. 1:17 — Bulldogs, Raiders & Super League — 11 Years In Professional Sport 4:14 — The Broking Pathway — Diploma, Work Experience & Shire Home Loans 6:28 — First Deals — Learning Credit, Policy & The Reality Of Broking 7:42 — Social Media Nerves — Putting Yourself Out There After Sport 9:59 — Inside Shire Home Loans — Mentorship, Support & Team Structure 15:10 — Athlete Transition — Identity, Structure & The Emotional Shift 17:53 — Short-Term Goals — Becoming A Good Broker First 19:02 — Fatherhood & Freedom — Building A Career Around Family 25:29 — Staying Connected To Footy — Coaching, Community & The Raiders 29:11 — Advice For Young Athletes — Money, Networks & Better Decisions 37:12 — Matt’s Property Journey — First Home, Investments & Options After Sport 42:08 — The Growth Lever — Teams, Outsourcing & Buying Back Time Learn more about Flint: https://flintgroup.au/ Connect with Christian Stevens: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertyfinance/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmrstevens/ Connect with Matt Frawley: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-frawley-7a252b92/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mattfrawleybroker/

  7. Aug 12

    From Zero to $60M: How This Ex-Banker Built a Brokerage in 12 Months

    Jay Nash is the Founder of Empire Finance Mortgage Brokers, based in Shepparton, Victoria. After studying accounting, spending time at Westpac, Bendigo Bank and ANZ, and building nearly a decade of experience, Jay made the jump into broking 18 months ago — writing $60 million in his first year. This conversation goes well beyond moving from banking to broking. Jay breaks down the reality of launching a brokerage from scratch, why his first 18 months were both exciting and brutal, and how he went from solo operator to building a team with brokers and offshore loan processors. He talks about regional broking, asset finance, commercial clients, word of mouth, social media, learning to say no, and learning that success is not just about writing big numbers, but creating something sustainable that gives you back time with your family. If you're a banker, broker or finance professional trying to build a stronger business, serve clients better and create more freedom without burning out, this one's for you. 0:19 — From Accounting To Banking — Westpac, Bendigo Bank & ANZ 2:21 — What Banking Taught Him — Team Culture, Commercial Lending & Credit 5:15 — Why Broking — Building Something For Family, Not KPIs 7:42 — $60M First Year — Regional Lending, Smaller Deals & More Transactions 11:00 — FY27 Focus — Better Systems, Smarter Growth & More Family Time 13:50 — Learning From Others — Podcasts, PD Days & Peer-To-Peer Support 14:38 — Lead Flow — Shepparton, Word Of Mouth & Accountant Referrals 18:56 — Sustainable Growth — $80M Settled And Why Volume Isn’t Everything 22:15 — Social Media Strategy — Being Real, Building Trust & Staying Visible 25:52 — Finding The Right Niche — Regional Lending, Commercial & Self-Employed Clients 30:31 — Burnout Warning Signs — When Growth Starts Costing Too Much 37:31 — What Jay Would Do Differently — Saying No And Asking For Help Learn more about Flint: https://flintgroup.au/ Connect with Christian Stevens: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertyfinance/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmrstevens/ Connect with Jay Nash: LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/empire_finance_brokers/ Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-nash-123363a6/

  8. Aug 6

    The Mortgage Broker Credit Skill That Gets More Deals Approved

    Avalon Bevan is the Founder and Mortgage Broker of Five Islands Finance, helping clients across Shellharbour, the South Coast and beyond navigate lending with a practical, relationship-first approach. After nearly ten years in loan processing, support and writing loans, Avalon launched her own business in December 2024 while raising three young boys — building around profitability, lifestyle and long-term client trust. But this conversation goes well beyond starting a brokerage. Avalon breaks down what it takes to go from support role to self-employed broker, why word of mouth is not enough, and why brokers need to build a brand to stay resilient through market changes. She also talks about self-employed clients, referral partners, credit policy, and running a business with three kids under four — showing that you can build a sustainable brokerage without doing everything the old way. If you're a mortgage broker trying to grow your brand, work smarter and build a business that fits your life — this one's for you. 2:08 — Starting In Broking — From Admin Trainee To Mortgage Broker 4:56 — The First 18 Months — Salary Replacement, Profit & Freedom 7:48 — Solo Operator Reality — Bottlenecks, Marketing & First Hires 12:17 — FY27 Growth Plan — Marketing, Content & Brand Building 13:01 — Word Of Mouth Isn’t Enough — Why Brokers Need Visibility 20:52 — Advice For New Brokers — Find A Mentor Who Actually Helps 22:14 — The Industry Debate — Part-Time Brokers, Deal Quality & Standards 24:46 — Policy Isn’t Black And White — Exceptions, Credit Papers & Common Sense Learn more about Flint: https://flintgroup.au/ Connect with Christian Stevens: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertyfinance/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmrstevens/ Connect with Avalon Bevan: LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/fiveislandsfinance/ Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avalon-bevan-72430a133/

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About

Beyond The Numbers is the podcast for mortgage brokers who want to build businesses that last. Hosted by Christian Stevens, five-time Best Broker in Australia and CEO of Flint. Each week, Christian delivers practical Deep Dives on the skills and systems that drive real results, alongside Industry Titan conversations with the leaders who've built something exceptional. No fluff, no theory – just the playbooks and lessons you need to grow a sustainable, profitable broking business.

Information

  • Creator
    Christian Stevens
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Explicit

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