The Two Russells

At 12 years old, Felix Bravo watched his family’s world change overnight.The cars were sold. The house was downsized. Holidays disappeared. Christmas presents were bought with borrowed money.Fast forward to today and, before turning 30, Felix has built businesses, experienced failure, supported his family through difficult times and become Managing Director of eXp International.In this episode, Felix shares the lessons he’s learned from loss, resilience, entrepreneurship and why failure is often the greatest teacher of all.A genuinely inspiring conversation with someone who has lived more than most people do in a lifetime.

The Two Russells lands with one of the most recognisable characters in the industry Simon Whale of Kerfuffle.Expect energy, honesty, and a fair bit of chaos. Simon’s journey is anything but conventional. From nine years at university (yes, really) and launching Indulgence Plc organising student trips across Europe… to being handed a job by his dad, then promptly getting sacked by him.Fourteen years at Reapit, acquiring RAN, and ultimately building Kerfuffle which is a marketplace connecting estate agents and suppliers. Simon has carved out a reputation for doing things his own way.But this episode goes far deeper.From his larger-than-life personality (and signature pink entrances), to a shocking liver cancer diagnosis delivered by text, a moment that changed everything.We talk health, resilience, family, and what really matters when life throws the unexpected at you.There’s humour, there’s perspective, and there’s plenty of classic Simon Whale along the way, including The Whale’s Den and stories you won’t see coming.Unfiltered. Unconventional. Unmissable.

When it comes to getting the best guests first, the Russells are the epitome of ‘It’s who you know…’ in grabbing big names. Not many (actually none) though, can boast a current The Apprentice star who happens to also be an estate agent. Kieran McCartney Jones. What is filling with Lord Sugar really like? Has Kieran been unfairly targeted in the media for his ‘sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll’ past? Or does he encourage the attention?How has family trauma influenced who he is?.Watch to see this unique episode.

From Ceefax Leads… to Instagram IntroductionsOver half a century of podcast studio sessions for Russell and Russell… and the guests keep delivering.This week, Russell Quirk and Russell Jervis are joined by Steve Eakins, Key Partner Director at Lumon, the currency specialist trusted by agents, buyers and investors navigating international property transactions.Often saved in phones as “Steve Currency” or “Steve Money”, Steve works at the point where property and global finance collide, helping clients move funds smoothly when relocating, investing overseas, or returning to the UK.With 17 years at Lumon (a 25-year-old business now 200+ strong), Steve shares remarkable insight into the scale of modern property movement:• £25 million transferred daily• £10 billion moved last year alone• Europe’s strongest demand across Spain, Portugal and France• A growing trend of Brits leaving the UK while Americans increasingly move inAnd crucially, how real transaction data gives a clearer picture of whether the widely reported “millionaires leaving Britain” narrative truly reflects what’s happening on the ground.The conversation explores why currency brokers are now introduced at valuation stage, how better exchange rates and service can secure transactions, and why agents are referring clients earlier than ever.But this episode goes far beyond numbers.Steve talks openly about:• Building a career while navigating dyslexia• Starting out selling Chupa Chups with nothing but a van and an A–Z• Working for free to prove himself at Lumon• The realities of servicing a truly global client base across time zonesFrom first-time overseas buyers transferring £220,000 to multi-million-pound transactions, this is a fascinating look at the hidden engine behind international property deals, and what global money flows reveal about where people are really moving.Insightful, practical, and packed with real-world stories.

After a relentlessly busy January at Proper PR and Rayner Personnel, we’re back with a powerful international perspective on property and one of our most compelling guests yet. Joining us from Ireland (via Teams) is Regina Mangan, founder of Liberty Blue. In this episode, Regina opens up about: • Why Ireland has no property chains and how that changes everything • A red-hot seller’s market with 57,000 transactions closed last year • Bidding wars, fast conversions, and what the UK can learn from a smaller but highly efficient market • A rental sector in crisis due to chronic lack of supply • The reality of heavy regulation in Ireland and why it actually works Regina’s personal journey is just as gripping. From growing up on a farm to setting up Ireland’s first specialist lettings company at just 24, she shares the reality of making losses for seven years, juggling multiple side jobs, and why failure was never an option. We also talk about: • The bank manager moment you won’t forget • The influence of her mother and the rule of “always keep the front door painted” • Transaction times, fee structures, and why 70% of their clients are first-time buyers • The importance of networking and community in building a resilient agencyPlus, Regina gives us a preview of The Real Estate Agency Summit, taking place on 11 June at Theatre Royal, Waterford. A conference designed to go far beyond compliance and into real growth, leadership, and marketing. If you’re in property, agency, PR, recruitment or just love a proper hustle story this episode is essential listening.

This week we’re joined by Chris Kelly, Head of Marketing at John D Wood & Co., the man who went from marketing Pizza Express’s American Hot… to shaping one of London’s most respected prime property brands. If that doesn’t qualify as range, nothing does. Chris has spent three years in post, brought in to boost brand awareness, grow the business, and put marketing back where it belongs: as a driver of profitability, not an overhead. Today, he oversees a seven-strong marketing team, supporting London, country, and an international footprint with the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea forming the crown jewel of their market. Average sale price? £1.5m. In other words: serious prime. What we cover in this episode: • Why effectiveness is Chris’s mantra and the metric every marketing team should be judged by • His career path: agencies, pizza, clothing… and now prime London property• How to actually understand your customer and build campaigns that resonate • Working agency-side across M&S, Disney, Santander and Travelodge all speaking the same marketing language • The brands under the John D Wood umbrella and how he differentiates their personalities• Why agents can run their own social channels… but the brand itself must stay curated • How JDW use AI in marketing execution, visuals and copy, and why in some cases it replaces the need for a creative agency • The brutal truth: 50% of applicants come from Rightmove • The bigger truth: ChatGPT will become a key property search tool • The biggest truth: 26 December is the most pointless day to “launch your sale”….Santa isn’t the biggest lie at Christmas… the Boxing Day Rightmove rush is. • 2026 predictions: a split market, challenges at the top end, huge opportunity for those who get the basics right because “it’s an agent’s market”. And we also learn why Chris believes JDW owe him £100k for his Jeeves & Wooster idea. (We’ll let him explain that one…) A brilliant brand. A brilliant conversation. Another one in the can by The Two Russells

Episode 45 of The Two Russells with Chris Buckler, Chief Commercial Officer at TAUK The man redefining what it means to run an estate agency while still letting agents sell From a dodgy paper round to leading one of the UK’s fastest-growing networks Sounds simple… until you hear what happened in between • Sales techniques from Switzerland to Solihull. And a few ice scrapers along the way • Deloitte. DIY flips. A paper round at 10 (illegally) • Keller Williams (ouch). TAUK dreams • 250 agents and counting. With 1,000 firmly in sight He calls it evolution, not change We call it a journey worth watching

⚠️ Trigger warning: SuicideIn this episode, The Two Russells are joined by Sam Cerrone of Cerrone Estates one of EXP’s top performers, part of its elite icon group, and a true million-pound agent, having billed over £1m in fees in just five years. Sam’s journey is far from ordinary. She started out as a hairdresser, then rose through the ranks in estate agency, running the largest Countrywide branch in Selly Oak before being abruptly let go by email on a Sunday night. That setback didn’t stop her, instead, she built a business from the ground up, powered by personality, organisation, and especially Instagram. With 12k followers and 85% of her leads coming from social media, her face is now her brand. She’s so in demand that she sometimes pauses new instructions — with clients waiting until she’s ready to sell their home. But behind the success is resilience shaped by a turbulent childhood. Growing up in a council house, losing her dad to suicide, helping raise her younger brother, and navigating her mum’s struggles with alcohol. Sam’s story is one of grit, responsibility, and determination well beyond her years. Today, she leads a team of five (all close friends), balances work and family, and proves that authenticity and hard work can break every barrier. This is an open, honest, and inspiring conversation with one of the most impressive women in UK estate agency.

We’re kicking off Season 3 of The Two Russells with none other than Mark Burgess, founder of Iceberg Digital a man who’s lived ten lives before most of us have had breakfast. Mark went from growing up in some of the toughest parts of East London, caught up in gangs and battling addiction from 13 to 18, to buying properties with no money, leading in estate agency sales, and ultimately building 7- and 8-figure businesses. He’s now the author of three best-selling books, an international keynote speaker on AI, marketing, and Big Data, and the creator of Iceberg Digital’s AI operating system for estate agents that’s changing the industry. This conversation is raw, dynamic, and inspiring. A story of resilience, reinvention, and always staying one step ahead.

What’s it like to be the first female house builder MD?And why would that person choose to then go an work in Azerbaijan?As ever, the Two Russells prove these questions and more, of this week’s podcast guest, Sarah Pasco.The house building sector has become significantly more balanced in recent years in respect of senior women in the sector. As leaders, as board members etc.Sarah discusses how being one of the first female new homes bosses showed others ‘what was possible’ and, she hopes, paved that path (no pun intended).Now, in her latest role at Taylor Wimpey having first been promoted to MD at Laing Homes, Sarah continues to deliver as an entrepreneurial leader. It’s for nothing to do with gender. Merit is merit.

Geoff Wilford founded Wilfords estate agents after a roller coaster career selling luxury homes in the Caribbean. But as he was about to bank enough commission from well-heeled celebrity buyers that would make him a millionaire, his world cam crashing down and he ended up with nothing. One day he drove up to the gates of the ‘rock star’ type development of villas he was mid-way through selling and was greeted by a sign that the company had gone out of business. But from this he salvaged an ‘ice cool’ contact that backed him in what is the extremely successful Wilfords business today. All from the proceeds of ‘Party platters for a pound’, or thereabouts. Listen to the latest Two Russells episode now to find out who this mystery supporter was and why he invested in Geoff.

Join the Two Russells – Quirk and Jervis – as they sit down with Ben Madden, six-year Fine & Country licensee and founder of Digital Sparks.In this candid conversation, Ben opens up about his inspiration behind the Boys Club – a safe space for male property professionals to talk openly about whatever life throws their way. He also shares his insights on the consumer appetite, authenticity, and personal branding.Tune in for a look back on Ben's career, his impact in our industry and much more.

A story of deep emotion, personal loss and regret from Matt but also a lesson in learning from such. Matt lost his older brother when he was at Uni and his last conversation with him on the phone was not great. But a trip to somewhere that you wouldn’t expect, years later, became the catalyst for Matt’s change of approach to life. This is compelling stuff.