Mindful Builder

"What happens if I make my house airtight but have no mechanical ventilation?" This question comes up more often than you'd think, and the answer might surprise you. We sat down with Cameron Munro from Passive Analytics and Brad McEwan from Sanford BuildCo to tackle this and other building questions from our social media following that every builder should understand. Building a high-performance h...

Winter hits different when you're working outdoors. The sun disappears by 4 pm, the cold seeps into your bones, and suddenly that motivation you had in summer feels like a distant memory. If you've noticed your mood dropping with the temperature, you're not imagining things. We sat down with our good friend and psychologist, Julie to understand why winter affects us so deeply and what we can actua...

Window installation may not instantly grab your attention, but for anyone involved in building or renovating, it's a critical aspect that cannot be neglected. Think about why we have windows: they connect our living spaces with the outside world, offering natural light, beautiful views, and essential ventilation. However, beyond these obvious reasons, there is a layer of complexity and science in...

This is part 2 of our conversation with Cameron Munro about insulation. We recommend listening to part 1 first before listening to this episode. — When it comes to building or renovating a home, insulation is one of those topics that seems simple on the surface, but quickly gets complicated. That’s why we brought in Cameron Munro from Passive Analytics to help us break down how insulation really w...

In our latest episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Cameron Munro from Passive Analytics to really dig into the world of insulation. If you’ve ever wondered why your house feels too hot or too cold, or if you’re curious about how the colour of your roof actually affects your comfort, this one’s for you. Key Takeaways Insulation is about controlling heat transfer—conduction, convect...

3,214 Australians. That's how many lives were lost to suicide in 2023. As builders, we're experts at measuring, calculating, and fixing physical problems - but when it comes to mental health, many of us struggle to even start the conversation. That's why when Matt and I met Nick Hudson, founder of the Pushup Challenge , we knew his story needed sharing with our community. This conversation inspire...

"Nobody wants to be a carpenter anymore." It feels like this rings true in the building industry today. We’re seeing a shift in Australia’s trades landscape, and it’s time to talk about it. We’re exploring why carpentry apprenticeships - once highly sought after - are now struggling to attract and retain talent.  Whether you're in the industry or considering a trade career, the insights from...

We’ve all dreamt of that perfect home - something warm, inviting, and aesthetically pleasing. But, how often do we consider the science behind construction that makes a house not only a thing of beauty but also a safe and comfortable haven?  We recently sat down with Jess Kismet, a building science consultant who opened our eyes to the hidden factors some of us in the building and constructio...

There's something exhilarating about diving into a pool of unknowns. Whether we're reviewing plans for a new project or Ben Cooper is creating a new dish, the thrill of creation emerges from the same curiosity that pushes us beyond what we already know. In our latest conversation with Ben, the executive chef at Melbourne's iconic Chin Chin restaurant, we unearthed profound lessons on staying curio...

We've all had those moments in life that change us forever, moments where time seems to halt and priorities shift entirely. In our podcast, we found ourselves diverging from our usual discussions to talk through a very personal experience - one filled with loss, love, and resilience. This journey revolved around child loss, a topic not openly discussed, especially among men. We recognise that conv...

 When you think of developers, what are the descriptive words that come to mind? For so many of us, developers are synonymous with greed and arrogance. It’s an unfortunate stereotype that the construction industry is rife with.  And although developers have earned this reputation, not all are created equal. There are some diamonds in the rough and Liam Wallis happens to be one of them. ...

Let's face it—the stereotypical image of builders often conjures up thoughts of a rugged, all-male group clocking off early to down a few pints at the local pub. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with bonding over drinks, this old paradigm doesn't necessarily cater to everyone's needs in today's society. It’s an image that fails to encapsulate the diverse talents and ideas that can propel our...

Have you ever walked into a room that feels stuffy, oppressive even, and thought, "Something doesn't feel right in here"?  It's a sensation many of us experience but tend to dismiss.  What if we told you that sensation might not only be an inconvenience but a potential health risk?  Today we’re discussing air quality and ventilation, topics that are often overlooked in home construc...

Would you let someone who is unqualified perform surgery on you?  Of course not.  Similarly, building a home without the proper credentials can be daunting and lead to catastrophic failures. However, when done correctly, it is a viable option for many. The key here is understanding the role and embracing the learning curve. The owner-builder path is not for the faint-hearted, but for tho...

Matt begins a mini-series, "Nailing Fatherhood," documenting his journey to becoming a first-time dad while managing his construction company. In this episode, he speaks with Ned from NW Build, a close friend and fellow builder whose baby is due imminently. They delve into the emotional rollercoaster of impending fatherhood, discussing the mix of excitement and anxiety, particularly the fear of sl...

As builders in the Australian market, there's one recurring theme that keeps rearing its head in our conversations, and that's the tender process. It's akin to a race to the bottom, a mad dash where numbers are thrown around like confetti, and every party involved is crossing fingers, hoping all that time they invested in the tender results in actually getting the contract.  The reality can s...

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a woman in the building and construction industry? As more and more women enter the trades, it’s being proved that this isn’t just men’s work - in fact, women are bringing unique perspectives and strengths that are only improving the worksite.  This week’s episode is hosted by some incredible woman in building: Beth from Beth Builds, Molly (Matt’s first year...

Ever wondered how the best leaders deliver feedback that empowers their teams rather than crushes them? We had a fantastic unscripted chat with our amazing friend and psychologist, Julie where we ventured into the territory of delivering constructive feedback in the workplace.  Julie guided us through understanding the nuances of communication, how important the words are that we use, explori...

We’re back with Part 2 of our conversation with Damien, a listener of ours we brought on to answer some of the questions he had around passive house building. There was so much to cover during our chat, we knew we had to break it up into two valuable episodes for you.  Last week, we got into the nitty gritty of the cost of passive house building vs traditional homes, the importance of working...

Passive houses - they’re both exciting and undeniably complex. Recently, we had the opportunity to bring Damien onto our podcast, a builder with three decades of experience who’s now facing the intricacies of passive house construction and wanting to learn more. A new listener of the podcast, he had reached out to us with a couple of questions and we thought hey, why not bring him on to interview...

This week, we had a chat with two incredible builders, Jake and Brad, about building science, sustainable housing, and the challenges we all face in our field. We start off by talking to Jake about his journey from an arts degree into a successful building career. He talked about how his education in art taught him to think outside the box, a skill invaluable in construction. He also shared a pivo...

Welcome back! This week we’re Joined by the incredible Talina Edward, an architect with a strong commitment to eco-friendly building solutions!  We started off by getting Talina to break down biophilic design, a term many may have heard but not fully understood. Talina explained that it’s all about our innate connection to nature. She explained how incorporating natural elements into our buil...

We recently sat down with our very first international guest Josh Atkins from New Zealand.  Of course one of the big things we wanted to know is how construction methods vary between New Zealand and Australia. We discuss the different challenges in climate, legislation and more, that builders face in each country. Josh shared the infamous water damage issues they faced there, and how it force...

Prefabrication can get a bad wrap in the sustainable building world but when used in the right way, it can be a powerful tool for building sustainable and affordable homes. We recently sat down with prefabrication pioneers Chris Gilbert and Kaia McCarty Smith to discuss how it can support a better building future.  Chris is the co-founder of Candour, a prefabrication company that aims to addr...

That’s the world architect Jeremy McLeod is fighting for, and he joins us today to share the how and the why behind this dream.  Jeremy is the co founder of both Breathe Architecture and Nightingale Housing, where he works to bring sustainability, community, and innovation to the forefront of the building industry.  A big focus in our conversation was the Nightingale Model. Jeremy explai...