The HODCAST - Building Conversations

What does the construction industry really need to attract more people? In this episode of The Hodcast , hosted by Sam La Roche, Christian Hatherall-Good of The Lee Marley Group shares his insight on the power of training, what draws people into the trade, and why investment is the key to solving the skills gap. We talk about: 👷 The role of training in shaping the workforce💬 What motivates peopl...

What’s it like starting out as a young woman in one of the most male-dominated industries in the world? In this episode of The Hodcast , hosted by Sam La Roche, Tegan Pryor, NVQ Level 2 Bricklayer at GSQ Brickwork Ltd, shares her journey from apprentice to fully qualified bricklayer. We explore: 👷 Her experiences on site as a woman in construction🧱 The importance of training, mentorship and supp...

When a life-changing accident forces you to stop, you see the industry differently. In this episode of The Hodcast , hosted by Sam La Roche , Justin Manley talks about his journey in construction, the accident that changed everything, and how it shaped his views on training, mentorship and the skills gap. We talk about: 👷 Lessons learned from recovery and resilience💬 The culture of safety and ca...

How do we give apprentices the tools, patience and guidance they need to succeed in construction? In this episode of The Hodcast , hosted by Sam La Roche , Bill Guiver , Training Manager at GSQ Brickwork Ltd and an integral part of Site Ready Solutions , shares his journey from apprentice to trainer and what he has learned across three decades in the trade. Bill talks about: 🧱 His earliest memori...

Apprenticeships are the foundation of construction, but are we giving them the respect and support they deserve? In this episode of The Hodcast , hosted by Sam La Roche , Dan Carey , Director of Core4 and host of Hard Hat Chat , shares his insights on: 👷 Why apprentices matter now more than ever🧱 The culture of construction and life on site📉 The impact of the skills shortage on the industry🏗️ W...

What does social value mean beyond the paperwork? In this episode of The Hodcast , hosted by Sam La Roche , Helen Clements , Social Value Lead at Morgan Sindall , talks about what it looks like in practice on building sites. We cover: 👷 The reality that 85% of construction is still men 💬 Why diversity matters for stronger teams and communities 🏗️ How to deliver social value that makes a lasting...

What can industry and education learn from each other? In Part 2 of The Hodcast with Jack Dawson , Co-Founder of SuperTrowel and Programme Manager at Hertford Regional College, host Sam La Roche dives into his story. Jack shares his journey into bricklaying, why he chose to teach, and his thoughts on how to bring colleges and the construction industry closer together. This is about building skills...

The SuperTrowel 2025 final caused more noise than any competition before it. Now, Jack Dawson , Co-Founder of SuperTrowel, joins The Hodcast with host Sam La Roche to share his side of the story. In this conversation we cover:🔥 How SuperTrowel became the most talked-about competition in the trade💬 The truth about the 2025 final and the controversy surrounding it👷 What comes next for bricklaying...

When it comes to regeneration, who should take the lead in building Basildon? In this episode of The Hodcast , hosted by Sam La Roche, Cllr Jessica Power , Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Jobs and Skills and Social Value Manager for Skanska, talks about her belief that regeneration must start with the community itself. She shares what “Basildon, building Basildon” really means, why social value m...

When the numbers grow but the meaning fades — what’s left? In this episode of The Hodcast , hosted by Sam La Roche , Justin Walton opens up about his journey from financial success to finding deeper fulfilment. We talk about money, mindset, and why purpose matters more than profit. If you’ve ever asked yourself “What’s all this for?” — this conversation is for you. Sponsored by Site Ready Solution...

From rural Spain to the streets of Basildon — Jenny Ibarra has made service her mission. In this heartfelt episode of The HODCAST , Jenny opens up about her journey into community work, her role at Signpost Basildon , and the real stories behind the systems we don’t often see. This is about more than support services, it’s about human connection, trust, and the quiet heroes who fight for people wh...

Steve Murphy is the definition of resilience. From a disciplined start in the military to building one of the UK’s best bricklaying subcontractors, Steve’s story took an unexpected turn with a devastating cancer diagnosis and the collapse of his business . In this episode of The HODCAST , hosted by Sam La Roche , Steve shares how he kept going, what cancer taught him, and how laughter and loyalty...

What does it take to build a truly inclusive community? In this episode of The HODCAST , host Sam La Roche speaks with Miriam Chalkley , founder of FLEX Community, about how her personal experiences of exclusion inspired her to create space for others. Together, they explore: 🔹 The difference between being included and truly belonging 🔹 Why inclusion starts with listening 🔹 How FLEX is creating...

Perry Blake was written off — until he picked up the pen and rewrote his story. After a childhood marked by trauma and time behind bars, Perry could’ve given up. Instead, he built the 21up Movement , mentoring young people through music, mindset, and real-life experience. In this deeply personal Hodcast conversation, Perry opens up about the road he took — and why he’s so committed to helping othe...

Loren Janes isn’t just an educator , she’s a builder of second chances. In this emotional and inspiring episode of The Hodcast , Loren opens up about founding Changing Futures , why she had to write her own learning materials, and how leading with heart can break cycles that textbooks never will. This is a conversation about purpose, perseverance, and rewriting what’s possible. 🎙 Hosted by Sam La...

Lee Marley went from apprentice to founder of one of the UK’s biggest brickwork companies — a business now worth over £100 million. In this episode of The Hodcast , he shares the story behind that growth, and why people, passion, and purpose are just as important as profit. For anyone chasing long-term success — this conversation delivers. #TogetherWeCan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

Greeny is a legend in the world of bricklaying — but what sets him apart isn’t just his skill. It’s how much he cares. In this episode of The Hodcast , Greeny opens up about why he still loves the job, why training the next generation matters so much, and how bricklaying became more than a career — it became his purpose. This one’s full of heart, honesty, and straight-up wisdom. #TogetherWeCan Hos...

Charlie Thorp has trained, assessed, and inspired thousands of bricklayers — and in this episode of The Hodcast , he opens up like never before. Now retired from FE and working as an End Point Assessor for City & Guilds, Charlie shares his view on what’s working, what’s broken, and how we make sure the next generation of apprentices get the training — and belief — they deserve. We cover: – His...

James Collinson, MD of Design Spec, believes architecture has lost its way — and it’s time to rebuild from the ground up. In this episode of The Hodcast , James opens up about what’s broken in the design process, how better collaboration could transform construction, and how mergers and acquisitions can actually help the older generation pass on their businesses, skills, and knowledge to the next....

From design failures to leadership flaws, this conversation gets to the root of what’s really going wrong — and what we can do about it. 👀 Get a sneak peek of what’s coming. 📅 Full episode drops Tuesday 17th June at 6AM. #TheHodcast #SpotifyPodcast #JamesCollinson #ArchitectureTruths #ConstructionLeadership #BuiltEnvironment #PodcastTrailer #ConversationsWorthHaving #TogetherWeCan Hosted on Acas...

Lee Fuller’s journey is one of the most powerful we’ve heard on The Hodcast . From addiction and courtrooms to life on-site and eventually running his own media business, Lee shares what it really takes to turn your life around — and why he’s now helping others do the same. We talk about fatherhood, failure, second chances, and building a brand from the ground up. If you’ve ever felt stuck — this...

Bob Noseda has spent decades shaping the UK’s construction training landscape — but in this episode, he opens up like never before. We talk honestly about: – Why full-time college courses are failing learners – The power of hands-on, site-based experience – What’s broken in the current system — and how we fix it – The urgent need for collaboration between education and industry Bob’s message is cl...

There’s a crisis unfolding in our classrooms and workplaces — and it’s time we talked about it. In this episode of The Hodcast , Gary Stringer shares his powerful perspective on why the education system is letting young people down, how mental health is being ignored, and why construction could be the answer to rebuilding futures. We cover: – The hidden struggles in schools– Why teachers are losin...

Varsha Patel is FA Essex Coach of the Year 2024 and founder of #GirlsCanBuild — a movement proving that girls can lead, build, and break barriers on and off the pitch. In this inspiring episode of The Hodcast , Varsha shares how she’s changing lives through grassroots football and construction, coaching under-10s girls with purpose and power. We talk about: – Coaching girls in football – Empowerin...

This week on The Hodcast , Terry Farnham pulls no punches. From sacrifices made to brutal lessons learned, Terry opens up about the harsh realities of working in construction — and what it really takes to keep going when times get tough. If you’ve ever been on site, managed a crew, or just wondered what the building game is really like behind the scenes, this is the episode for you. 🎙️ New episode...