Mindful Builder
Episodes
This is a big can of worms
03 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“Legally, you can still build a house with no membrane.”That line from Villy Yordanov, Pro Clima’s Innovation Engineer, sets the tone for this c...
Getting romantic with your craft
26 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A German journeyman carpenter walks into our studio and within five minutes, we are thinking, hang on… have we made modern life way more complicated...
Weekly Building Gossip - More Homes, Rising build costs and Silica Issues
23 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Weekly Goss – April 23, 2026Matt and Hamish are back from Adelaide to discuss the latest housing developments in Canberra, a major safety crackdown ...
What is a normal house?
19 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We sit down with Helen from Renew to unpack why the idea of a sustainable home still gets treated like a luxury, when it should really be the baseline...
Weekly Building Gossip - 16th April 2026
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Hamish and Matt navigate the "geopolitical bruises" impacting the Australian construction industry in early 2026. They discuss the sh...
The future of the mindful builder
12 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Australian building industry is shifting fast, and in this episode, we discuss what that really looks like on the ground. From economic pressure a...
Weekly Building Gossip - 9th April 2026
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode Title: The NCC Maze, Red Tape Blues, and a Win for Passive HouseDate: 9 April 2026 Hosts: Matt & Hamish In this second instalment of The W...
The future of onsite building technology
05 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Construction technology is changing fast, and in this episode, we sit down with Vas&n...
Weekly Building Gossip - NCC Changes
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers the latest updates in the Australian building industry, including new legislation, code transitions, and innovative materials. Hos...
What is sustainable design and construction?
29 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“Sustainable design is not just lower energy bills. It is health, comfort, moisture safety, and long-term performance.”We sat down with Marcus Str...
Sustainability consulting and pushing boundries
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“Sustainable buildings focus on what's invisible, not visible”In this episode of The Mindful Builder, we sit down with Roberto Petruzzi, an Enviro...
From commercial to residential construction
15 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“Commercial teaches you speed and logistics. Residential teaches you people.”In this episode, we sit down with Alistair Meallin, Director at Y Pro...
Bridging the construction and Real Estate gap
08 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“Architecture is not just drawings and pretty renders.” In this episode, we sit down with Roger from Borland Architecture to unpack the overlap be...
Learning from previous developments and designing sustainably
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“Success looks great on social media. The reality is usually messier.”In this episode, we sit down with Liam Wallis, Founder and Managing Director...
Carpenters and being proud about being a tradie
22 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“I’m not just a carpenter.”That’s the energy Sam Aitken brings to this episode, and it is exactly what the construction industry needs more of...
Ask the builders anything - open discussion on our thoughts about the industry
15 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
High-performance building is not just about premium products. It is about the system. In this episode, we sit down with Sven Maxa from Maxa Design to ...
The leader of my energy efficient electric homes
08 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“Most Aussie homes still don’t meet today’s energy standards.” In this episode, we sit down with Tim Forcey, a former chemical engineer turned...
Building Your Clear Marketing Message
01 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“Stop talking to everyone like they’re in the industry. Talk to them in ways that are going to evoke emotions and what’s important to them.”In...
Australia's most friendly builder?
25 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“I remember crying, driving back to Geelong because it was just too much.” In this Mindful Builder Podcast episode, Devin Grant of Performance Mem...
What's wrong with Australian windows?
18 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“We’re dumping energy to maintain comfort.”That’s how Andre Griffs from BINQ sums up what’s happening in far too many Australian homes. We c...
Australia's building lag: The big WHY
11 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
"In Germany, you’d never see a timber frame left out in the rain." That’s just one of the eye-opening differences we uncovered with Daniel Ja...
Is Natural building only for hippies
04 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
"Is natural building just for green hippie owner-builders?" We sat down with Rachel from Natural Building Australia to tackle this question head-...
2026 Building Trends?
21 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A couple of years ago, we weren't sure if a podcast focused on thoughtful, evidence-based building would resonate with Australia's construction commun...
How to Unite Architects & Builders
14 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Architects design things we can't actually build."We sat down with Saxon Hall, Principal Architect at Align Architecture, to tackle the age-old tensi...
Warm vs Cold Roof - Beer and Building Science Australia
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The conversation delves into the mould issues arising in bushfire zones, exploring how sealed environments contribute to the problem and the ongoing s...
Why isn't passive house growing?
07 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Acknowledgment01:54 Discussion on Passive House Adoption in Australia02:40 Maxa Design's Exper...
From a soccer world cup to carpenter
30 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“I learned about discipline and resilience at a very young age, all because of this passion that I held. Those lessons have certainly translated int...
Do buildings need to be certified?
23 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Even if you finish the build, it's not too late to certify." That's what Emilia Iacovino from Detail Green tells builders who've completed high-...
Systems makes business run better
16 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"I decided not to be the 'too busy' dad who missed seeing his kids grow up."That was the wake-up call for David Jenyns, founder of Systemology. For to...
The builder everyone should strive to be
09 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"I had to sell personal belongings just to make payroll." Luke Davies isn't ashamed to admit the early struggles of his construction business. Fr...
The Queen of Passive House
02 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"You're wearing a tin foil hat if you think Passive House will work in Australia." That’s probably what Clare Perry would have heard back in 20...
Treated Pine vs Standard Pine - Beer and Building Science
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to beer and building science chats, where we touch on some very complicated topics in the Australian construction sector. We look to bring the...
The tradie that makes you laugh
26 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
”I'm just an average carpenter and builder a lost in a world of red tape”. Joel Griffs from Heidi Build isn't exaggerating. The mode...
Construction and Building Trends
19 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Becoming a father changes everything - including how you run a construction business. Matt just welcomed his first child, while Hamish became a d...
Australias most known architect
12 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"The architect designed something we can't actually build." It wouldn’t be outlandish to believe that most builders have said this at least onc...
The art of accurate estimates
05 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"We love the design, but it's $200,000 over budget." Most builders have delivered this devastating news to clients who've invested months into pl...
Australias Top Construction Lawyer
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"The rules have changed again."Every Victorian builder has felt this frustration as legislation continues evolving. The latest changes to Victoria's b...
Construction loans and money chats
21 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"The bank said no." Every builder has heard this from clients whose dreams hit financial reality. But what if we told you there are dozens of len...
The future of concrete
14 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Concrete is responsible for 8% of global carbon emissions. That's a staggering number when you consider how much concrete surrounds us every day....
Breaking the Stigma: Mental Health & Safety in Construction | RUOK Day Special
07 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"I'm fine." How many times have you heard that response when you knew it wasn't true? We've all been there - sensing something's off with a mate,...
Building code and building surveyor chats
31 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Why is my building surveyor being so difficult?" Almost every builder has asked this question at some point, usually when facing another complia...
The future of training and education in the building industry
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"We're training apprentices the same way we did 30 years ago." That stark observation from Trent McCarthy, Director of Clean Economy at Melbourne...
My body just failed on me
17 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One back injury changed everything for Jake. After years perfecting his carpentry skills, a seemingly minor workplace injury ended his on-site ca...
The crazy old guy pushing building boundaries
10 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"You're the crazy guy who wants double glazing in everything." That's what Justin heard throughout his early career when he pushed for high-perfo...
Proving the three little pigs wrong
03 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Straw? You want to build with straw?" That's the reaction Derek Layfield from Durra Panel gets when he tells people his building material of choice.&...
From consultant to interior designer
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Twelve years in consulting, senior management track, solid income and Shivani walked away from it all. Why would someone leave a successful corpo...
Are SIPS the answer to building better homes
20 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"SIPS will never work in Australia" - that's what many builders said about Structural Insulated Panels just a few years ago. Today, we're exploring wh...
Budget vs Brief: What It Really Costs to Build
13 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"We love the design, but can you make it cheaper?"Every builder has heard this request, and it highlights one of the biggest challenges facing our ind...
The Godfather of Passive House
06 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we sit down with Harley Truong, the godfather of Passive Houses in Australia, to explore his incredible journey from public servant t...
Building Answers: Ask Us Anything
29 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"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 migh...
Navigating the winter blues as a builder
22 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 i...
Perfecting window installation details
15 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Window installation may not instantly grab your attention, but for anyone involved in building or renovating, it's a critical aspect that cannot be ne...
Build Science Expert - Windows and Insulation Part 2
08 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is part 2 of our conversation with Cameron Munro about insulation. We recommend listening to part 1 first before listening to this episode.—Whe...
Build Science Expert - Windows and Insulation Part 1
01 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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. I...
Why doing push ups helps you build mental fitness
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 probl...
Trade chats - solving the apprenticeship problem
18 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"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...
The science of building better homes
11 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve all dreamt of that perfect home - something warm, inviting, and aesthetically pleasing. But, how often do we consider the science behind const...
Eternally curious and staying hungry with Chin Chin's executive chef
04 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 d...
A personal story about loss
27 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
Not all developers are bad people
20 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 arroganc...
Scratching the surface of culture in construction
13 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
The HRV Guy - Why air quality matters
06 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
Owner Builders: Yes or No?
30 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Would you let someone who is unqualified perform surgery on you? Of course not. Similarly, building a home without the proper credentials ca...
Mini Series - First-Time Dad & Building with Ned (NW Build)
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Matt begins a mini-series, "Nailing Fatherhood," documenting his journey to becoming a first-time dad while managing his construction company. In this...
Tender vs Negotiated Tender
23 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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'...
Girls Only Chat
16 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Learning How To Give Feedback
09 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered how the best leaders deliver feedback that empowers their teams rather than crushes them? We had a fantastic unscripted chat with our am...
Passive House Secrets Part 2
02 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Passive House Secrets Part 1
23 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Passive houses - they’re both exciting and undeniably complex. Recently, we had the opportunity to bring Damien onto our podcast, a builder with thr...
What is the goal of building?
16 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
My Super Power is Passion
09 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back! This week we’re Joined by the incredible Talina Edward, an architect with a strong commitment to eco-friendly building solutions! ...
Building Better: Passive Houses and Sustainable Construction with Josh Atkins
02 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 h...
Prefabrication in construction
26 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Architecture is a design weapon for good
19 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 c...
Guess whos back, Brad Again
12 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You might remember today’s guest from all the way back in episode eight! Brad McEwan is a passionate builder, and a good friend who joins us now as ...
Building, drying and venting your cavities
05 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What is a Ventilated Cavity?In simple terms, a ventilated cavity is an air space between the cladding of a building and its structure. This space allo...
Looking back on the year and what's ahead
29 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can you believe it’s almost the end of the year? It feels like January was just yesterday, but also like it was years ago. So much has happened...
Holiday break but Christmas isn't for everyone!
22 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!We hope you’re having a wonderful break from work, but if you’re not, you’re not alone.Financial s...
Men talking about periods
15 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One of our biggest goals for this podcast is to push the boundaries of conventional industry practices and challenge people (including us) to look out...
Turning a volume built house into a passive house (Part 2)
08 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
LINKS:Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpodConnect with Hamish:Instagram: @sanctumhomesWebsite: www.yoursanctum....
Is the building industry broken?
01 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is the Building Industry Broken? Well, it's not entirely shattered, but there are definitely some big considerable cracks that need to be repaire...
Making safety sexy, or trying to
24 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Safety. It’s a word that brings to mind tedious rules or intrusive safety officers, and to many in the building industry it’s seen as a chore n...
Building for a better future part 2
17 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Last week we shared the first half of our conversation with Sven Maxa about how we can build for a better future. It means getting the industry to pri...
Building for a better future part 1
10 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The world is changing, and the way we build our homes should change too. People are increasingly passionate about their health, comfort and the enviro...
The art of saying no in building
03 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered why you feel perpetually drained, despite clocking out on time?The cause (and solution) might be the boundaries we’re too sca...
Is the building industry bubble about to burst!
27 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been a big week in the building industry and sometimes we’re not quite sure how to feel, which is why we want to break down some of the big c...
The real world of landscape design
20 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As builders it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of building a house our clients will cherish, that the space around it becomes an afterthou...
Goodbye Gas - Its time to electrify
13 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is your home still running on outdated gas energy? Maybe the effort of switching to electric doesn’t seem worthwhile, but it definitely is. Goi...
Building the Perfect Wall
06 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's a common fate — a newly built home settling into its first winter, and already the heating bills climb sky-high. Why is it that modern construc...
Turning a volume built house into a passive house
29 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Think your old home can’t achieve today’s high-performance standards? Think again.We're here to challenge conventions by retrofitting a typical Bu...
Building bigger is not better
22 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know Australia boasts the larges average home size anywhere in the world? The market is full of oversized, inefficient homes that aren’...
People Care About You
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever felt like you're burning the candle at both ends and you aren’t sure how long you can keep it up? Trust us, you're not alone.It’s ea...
RUOK - Emergency Episode
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve got a bonus episode for you today because it’s R U OK? Day.If you aren’t familiar with R U OK? Day, it’s a day dedicated to checking in ...
Why aren't the Australian Standards Free?
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever been frustrated by how ridiculously expensive it is to access Australian building standards? Yeah, us too. Imagine being hit with a $330 bill jus...
Taking the WOO WOO out of mental health
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we’re joined by good friend and psychologist, Julie Mounter to discuss a topic that’s often misunderstood but incredibly powerful: mindfulne...
A crash course into Passive House
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What if I told you that a home could be energy-efficient, comfortable year-round, and environmentally sound—all without breaking the bank?Well if yo...
Making real change in the building industry
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Homes in Australia aren’t being built to a high enough standard.The building industry prioritises quantity over quality so there’s no time for car...
Interior Designers are valuable
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever walked into a home and instantly felt as if everything just clicked into place?Chances are you have an interior designer to thank! This week we s...
Our friend Julie - It's ok to sometimes feel sad
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to another episode of the Mindful Builder podcast! Today we’re joined again by our friend and expert psychologist, Julie Mounter, for a...
Some People Care More Part 2
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to another episode of The Mindful Builder podcast. We’re back with the second half of our conversation with the incredible Airboss Dan....