Sharing wisdom
Lynette McFadden and Cameron Bailey are trying something new – a podcast.
Top New Zealand real estate professionals Lynette McFadden and Cameron Bailey are back for 2025 with their podcast Journeys and Wisdoms. Here they tell Avenues about it.
Why did you decide to launch a podcast?
Lynette: We were having a conversation about how often we’re both asked for advice – not just around property but also about business, life, family, and all the things that constitute living the best life possible. Then a friend said, “Hey, the best thing for you guys to do is to start a podcast”, and here we are.
How does this bring value to your offering?
Cameron: It means that people can get a greater sense of who I am. Because Lynette and I have known each other for a long time, we’re very comfortable talking about everything. I’m also able to put a lot more thought into the questions that come to us.
How have your life journeys shaped the wisdom you now have?
Lynette: They’ve shaped it in every way. I’ve been a real estate professional for 31 years and a business owner for 28 years, so I have seen everything, including an enormous amount of change and progress. For example, the ‘as is, where is’ property market developed as a consequence of the earthquakes. Having businesses located on the east side of the city, we had to learn everything required in that space to help people cope while delivering results for our owners. Covid also taught us how to assist people in selling properties via auction without open homes or any of the usual requirements, as it became a completely online process. From a personal perspective, I’ve had the privilege and pleasure of working with literally thousands of people, and if that doesn’t make you wiser, I don’t know what will.
What does wisdom mean to you?
Cameron: Learning. I’m always trying to learn. At the moment, it’s mainly around health and well-being. I also read a great deal and take the time to learn from other high-performing business people, not necessarily in real estate.
What do you hope to share with your audience?
Cameron: I always say nothing’s off the table; send in any questions you like – even though Lynette (or Polly, to her friends) gives me the look. Most people have a very narrow view of what the real estate world consists of, and I want to show that it’s much bigger than that.
Lynette: I like sharing an up-close and personal look at everything I see – not just real estate but also people, life, personal growth – things that people find interesting and can learn from.
The episodes are not only full of fantastic learnings and advice, but they’re also full of good humour – are you two good friends in real life? (Both laugh.) Lynette: We are! And like any great mates, we’ve also had the odd fiery disagreement because we’re both so passionate about what we do and how we do it – which is a good thing.
From a real estate perspective, what’s exciting for 2025? Is Christchurch standing out?
Cameron: Everything! Christchurch constantly leads the country in its appetite for property and the processes used to list and sell it. My sense is this year will continue to demonstrate that.