The MTDC Lounge
Episodes
Finance for Builds: Buffers, Cashflow, and Avoiding Mid-Project Pain - Will Lucas, Braeside Wealth
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Matt sits down with William Lucas from Braeside Wealth to talk about the real-world money side of building, renovating, investing, an...
From One Loss to a Movement: Inside Talk2MeBro - Luke Connors, Talk2MeBro
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Listener care note: This episode includes discussion of mental health and suicide. Please listen with care, or skip if needed. If you or someone you k...
The “48-Hour Rule” That Shuts Your Build Down
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
DA approval isn’t permission to build. You need a Construction Certificate + PCA appointed, and you must allow the required notice period before a s...
This Is When Rate Rises Can Halt Your Building Plans... - Nick Jones, Aussie
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Matt sits down with Nick Jones (Aussie Home Loans) to unpack what’s happening with interest rates and, more importantly, how everyday homeowners can...
The Smart Home Trap: 50 Apps, Zero Integration - Jesse & Marcus, Custom Integration And Electrical
22 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Matt sits down with Jesse and Marcus from Custom Integration & Electrical to unpack what an integrated home actually means, not just smart lights,...
Build a Home 4× Faster & 2x Cheaper: The Gablok Building System Explained - James Stanton, Gablok Australia
15 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Matt sits down with James Stanton (Gablok Australia) to unpack a “block-by-block” building system James describes as adult LEGO, designed to make ...
Retaining Walls: The Approval Trap No One Warns You About
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You sent in the questions, Matt & Mitch pull zero punches. This episode is a rapid-fire Q&A covering the stuff homeowners actually get stuck o...
“Just Add a Kitchen”… Famous Last Words - Client Consultation
01 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Matt sits down with Jaynell, who’s trying to create a second liveable area at home (and future-proof the space), but keeps running ...
Nice Homes Are Ruined By Bad Lighting - Michelle Littlewood, Space With Spark
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Lighting designer Michelle Littlewood from Space With Spark joins the MTDC Lounge to break down why lighting is the finish that can elevate (or comple...
Great Council Applications Should Look Like This... - Paige Carter, PAC Planning
18 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever been told “council will take forever” and just accepted it, this episode is the reality check. Paige Carter from PAC Planning bre...
The Most Expensive Conversation in Your Build: Pre-Submission
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
DA approval is not the “easy admin step” people think it is. In this episode, Matt and Mitch break down what really happens between concept plans ...
Don’t Get Financially Drowned By Your Pool Build - Rod Newman, Masterbuilt Pools Newcastle & The Hunter Valley
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Matt sits down with Rod Newman from Master Built Pools Newcastle and Hunter Valley for a straight-talking conversation about what act...
From DA Drama to Dream Homes: 2025 Wrapped with MTDC
21 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the MTDC Lounge Christmas wrap-up. Matt and Mitch sit down for an end-of-year debrief on what 2025 taught homeowners about designing, renovatin...
Paint, Renovate, or Walk Away? Real Advice from a Real Estate Insider
14 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The MTDC Lounge, Matt sits down with Michael from Shiels Property for a no-BS conversation about what really happens when buying, s...
Designing Through Problems: A Live Design Consultation
07 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The MTDC Lounge, Matt sits down with homeowner Lyn to unpack a renovation story filled with rising damp, mould, drainage failures, ...
Extension or Knockdown Rebuild? The Builders’ Guide to Making the Right Call - Mitch Hawthorn & Brendan Thomsen
30 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The MTDC Lounge, Matt chats with Mitch Hawthorn and Brendan Thomsen from Thomsen & Hawthorn Building about the real-world chall...
Your Builder Might Not Be Insured (And How to Spot It Fast) - Jess Walker, Walker Kingston
23 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Matt sits down with insurance powerhouse Jess Walker, who brings 20 years of industry experience and a refreshingly human approach to a topic most peo...
Costs, Kitchens & Mine Subsidence Explained: Home Design Q&A
16 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this audience-powered episode of The MTDC Lounge, Matt & Mitch dive into your most-asked questions, from how much planning actually costs to wh...
How to Get a Million-Dollar Yard (Without Wasting Thousands)
09 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The MTDC Lounge, Matt sits down with Jackson Mexon from Magnus All Property Services, a landscaping and property maintenance expert who’...
From Bushfire Setbacks to Building Wins
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The MTDC Lounge, Matt and Mitch are back to celebrate some long-overdue wins across the design and building industry.After months of red ...
Your Burning Build Questions Answered
26 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this Q&A-style episode of The MTDC Lounge, Matt and Mitch tackle the questions that homeowners and future builders ask them most often — stra...
What Went Wrong With Modern Building - Mark Colecliffe, Houspect
19 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The MTDC Lounge, Matt sits down with veteran builder-turned-inspector Mark Colecliffe, who’s been in the industry since the early ’80...
Finance First: Your Dream Home Starts with Your Mortgage Broker w/ Nick Jones - Aussie Home Loans
12 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The MTDC Lounge, Matt sits down with Nick Jones from Aussie to unpack everything you really need to know before chasing your dream ...
Is A Hamptons Home Design The Right Choice For You?
05 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Hamptons look has become one of the most sought-after styles in Australia — but what does it really mean, and how do you design a home that feel...
Design Secrets That Make a House a Home; With TailoredHQ
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to creating a home that’s not just beautiful but functional, award-winning interior designers Lara O'Donnell and Grace Collinson f...
Measure Twice, Design Once: Why Site Plans Matter
21 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered what really goes into turning a rough sketch into a buildable concept? In this episode of the MTDC Lounge, Matt and Mitch dive into the ...
Avoid These Red Flags With Your Builder - Chris Walkom, Walkom Constructions
14 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the MTDC Lounge, Matt sits down with Chris Walkom from Walkom Constructions – one of Newcastle’s most awarded custom home builders –...
The Truth About Building Quotes: Why Details Matter In Your Home Design
07 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the MTDC Lounge, Matt & Mitch dive into the world of design quotes, and why not all quotes are created equal.Whether you’re w...
Certifiers Uncovered: Avoiding Costly Mistakes in Your Build
31 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the MTDC Lounge, Matt sits down with Dan and Josh from Build Cert to demystify the role of a building certifier. From approvals to ...
The Paid Reports That Can Save (or Cost) You Thousands
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The MTDC Lounge, Matt and Mitch dig into the reports you can’t afford to skip before submitting your plans to council. From soil ...
Strong Bones, Strong Home: The Carpenter’s Perspective
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The MTDC Lounge, Matt sits down with Dom Borg from DBC Northern Edge, a Sydney-based carpenter specialising in custom frames. Dom g...
Inside the First Meeting: How Home Designers Turn Ideas into Reality
10 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The MTDC Lounge, Matt sits down with Bree from the MTDC team to unpack what really happens when a home designer steps into a client...
Unlock Your Block: What You Can Really Build
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode o the MTDC Lounge, Matt & Mitch walk you through the very first FREE reports and maps you can pull to decode your block, so you kn...
Welcome to the Lounge!
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In our first episode, Matt & Mitch walk you through their backgrounds and how important in-person concept meetings have been with their home desig...