Join Matt from Carland Constructions and Hamish from Sanctum Homes in a podcast discussing sustainable building practices and passive house concepts. They also talk to experts from all avenues of the building industry to share their knowledge and insights on what the industry looks like today. Further to this, Matt and Hamish are building a platform through the podcast to discuss mental health issues that arise in the building industry. The industry can be quite negative at times and there i ...
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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 discu…
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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 Li…
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Scratching the surface of culture in construction
40:14
40:14
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40:14Let'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…
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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 o…
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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 …
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Mini Series - First-Time Dad & Building with Ned (NW Build)
19:55
19:55
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19:55Matt 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 e…
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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 actu…
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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: Bet…
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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…
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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 …
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Building Better: Passive Houses and Sustainable Construction with Josh Atkins
42:47
42:47
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42:47We 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 dama…
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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…
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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 wa…
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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 a regular guest on the show. We began our conversation by touching on a pervasive issue in the construction sector: project delays. Brad shares his experience of waiting eight months for a project start…
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Building, drying and venting your cavities
42:46
42:46
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42:46What 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 allows the building to "breathe," circulating air and carrying moisture away. This is crucial to avoid issues like mould, rot, and other moisture-related problems. It’s a technical topic which is why we’…
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Looking back on the year and what's ahead
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32:30Can 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 in the world this year, both the good and the bad.This whirlwind was especially strong in the construction industry, so we want to recap 2024 in this episode as well as look forward to what 2025 will hold. …
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Holiday break but Christmas isn't for everyone!
32:04
32:04
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32:04Merry 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 stress, family tensions, grief, and countless other factors can make it a difficult time for some. That’s why we’ve invited our friend and mental health expert Julie back on the podcast. Isolation might no…
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One of our biggest goals for this podcast is to push the boundaries of conventional industry practices and challenge people (including us) to look outside their bubble. That’s why we were so excited to sit down with Jasmine and Logan from the Go Company this week. The Go Company started with a simple but brilliant idea: providing portable hygiene p…
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Turning a volume built house into a passive house (Part 2)
39:59
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39:59LINKS: Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod Connect with Hamish: Instagram: @sanctumhomes Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/ Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructions Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/By Matthew Carland and Hamish White
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Is the Building Industry Broken? Well, it's not entirely shattered, but there are definitely some big considerable cracks that need to be repaired. Today’s guest, Scott Burchell from Comb Construction, breaks down the big issues (like rising project costs, evolving regulations, and a labour shortage) that are making it difficult to remain profitabl…
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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 not a choice. But safety can be the thin line between life and death, so maybe it’s time we get more engaged. In this episode, we’re joined by Tom Huber, a safety advocate and operational excellence expert, w…
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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 prioritise healthy responsibly built homes that stand the test of both time and climate. This week’s episode is the second half of that conversation and we’re discussing how passive house standards and s…
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The world is changing, and the way we build our homes should change too. People are increasingly passionate about their health, comfort and the environment – which is where Passive Houses come in. In this episode we sit down with Sven Maxa, a building designer and Passive House advocate, to discuss how we can build for a better future. Sven shared …
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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 scared to set. Psychologist Julie Mounter joins us for today’s episode to talk about the different types of boundaries and how mastering them can lead to a more fulfilling life. One of the most straightfo…
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Is the building industry bubble about to burst!
32:50
32:50
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32:50It’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 changes we’ve noticed and what they could mean down the line! To kick things off, there's been widespread concern about the Coalition's proposal to freeze updates to the National Construction Code (NCC) fo…
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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 afterthought. Today we’re joined by Nadia Cole from Platylobium Landscape Design to talk about landscaping and the difference it can make when building an enjoyable, and sustainable, home. So how can landscaping…
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Is your home still running on outdated gas energy? Maybe the effort of switching to electric doesn’t seem worthwhile, but it definitely is. Going electric isn't just about cutting carbon emissions – it improves the comfort of your home and saves you money! What’s not to love? This week, we took the opportunity to chat with Ben and Marcella from Goo…
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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 construction sometimes misses the mark? Today we’re joined again by our good friend and building-science expert Cameron Munroe to break down this issue. So, picture this: a wall that's not just a barrier but a …
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Turning a volume built house into a passive house
31:00
31:00
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31:00Think your old home can’t achieve today’s high-performance standards? Think again. We're here to challenge conventions by retrofitting a typical Burbank home from the '90s into a certified Passive House. No extra frills, no new builds—just clever planning and innovative techniques. Join us as we take you on a journey that proves you don’t need to s…
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Did you know Australia boasts the larges average home size anywhere in the world? The market is full of oversized, inefficient homes that aren’t sustainable or necessary and we’re sick of it. That’s why we sat down with Imogen from IP Architecture, who’s challenging the ‘bigger is better’ mindset and setting new standards for sustainable living. Im…
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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 easy to push ourselves too far with work and neglect our mental health. It might not seem like a huge deal in the moment but it’s a quick path to burnout. We recently sat down with, we sat down with Kyle Z…
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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 on your mates and yourself. The construction industry is incredibly demanding and it’s easy for mental health to take a back seat, but days like this remind us how important it is to be there for each other …
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Why aren't the Australian Standards Free?
38:16
38:16
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38:16Ever been frustrated by how ridiculously expensive it is to access Australian building standards? Yeah, us too. Imagine being hit with a $330 bill just to access ONE building standard—it's maddening! We recently sat down with Laura Tanova, a building surveyor with nearly two decades of experience, to dig into what’s going on here and how it impacts…
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Today we’re joined by good friend and psychologist, Julie Mounter to discuss a topic that’s often misunderstood but incredibly powerful: mindfulness. If you’ve ever dismissed mindfulness as "woo woo" nonsense, stick around—this conversation will change your mind. Julie kicked things off by explaining that mindfulness is essentially cultivating a pr…
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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 you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while, you already know the answer is passive houses. We’re both really passionate about passive house building, but we know there is a lot of misinformation ou…
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Making real change in the building industry
39:48
39:48
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39:48Homes in Australia aren’t being built to a high enough standard. The building industry prioritises quantity over quality so there’s no time for care or craftsmanship. That’s why we sat down with Brian and Simon from the Sustainable Builders Alliance, an organisation dedicated to promoting high-performing, sustainable construction practices. We disc…
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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 sat down with Erin Fairmaid, to talk about the real magic behind well-designed spaces and why interior designers are invaluable. Because the industry isn’t regulated, the term “interior designer” can …
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Our friend Julie - It's ok to sometimes feel sad
38:11
38:11
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38:11Welcome back to another episode of the Mindful Builder podcast! Today we’re joined again by our friend and expert psychologist, Julie Mounter, for a conversation about mental health and depression. Whether you’re struggling right now, or worried about someone else, we want to give you the tools you need to face it head-on. Julie starts the episode …
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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. If you haven’t listened to it yet, make sure you go back to episode 19 where we discuss Dan’s path to becoming a carpenter in Germany and how it differs from what we see in Australia. We restart the co…
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This week, we had an incredible guest on our podcast, Airboss Dan, famous on Instagram for taping houses and currently working with Proclima on the technical side of things. Our chat is pretty long so we’ve split it into two episodes. In this first part, Dan shares his path to become a carpenter in his home country of Germany, and why he cares so d…
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Ever wake up in the morning feeling stuffy even though you left a window cracked open all night? Or maybe you’ve noticed your heating bill skyrocketing every winter, and you just can’t seem to figure out why. We recently had a great chat with Dr. Cameron Munroe, who uncovered some remarkable, and somewhat shocking truths about why our homes might n…
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Today’s topic is one we’re really passionate about: high-performance homes. This term gets thrown around a lot these days, and while it’s a fantastic concept. there needs to be some context around what actually makes a home high-performance. And no, just wrapping a building doesn’t cut it. So, let's break it down. Here are some of the most importan…
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Have you ever wondered why some homes seem to age gracefully while others fall apart? Well, it's often the unseen details that make or break a house. In this episode of the Mindful Builder Podcast, we sit down with Myles Clark, a fellow podcaster, builder, and building inspector. Listen in as we explain how home inspections can save you from future…
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Our friend Julie - anxiety in construction
37:40
37:40
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37:40Today Hamish and Matt are joined by good friend and psychologist, Julie Mounter to explore the pervasive issue of anxiety within the building and construction industry. Statistics show that 42.9% of people aged 16 to 85 have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lives, with anxiety being the most common among these conditions. It’s a…
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In this episode of the Mindful Builder podcast, we sit down with Claire Thomas from Altereco for an engaging conversation that spans career transitions, personal challenges, and the intricacies of running a sustainable building design company. Bringing Unique Skills to the Industry Claire’s journey began in the UK, studying sports science, before r…
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In this episode, we delve into the world of building science with Dr. Cameron Munro, an aerospace engineer turned building physics expert. We explore his journey from mechanical engineering to building science, discuss the challenges of trying to build his first Passive House, and learn about the evolving landscape of sustainable building practices…
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The power of the pre-construction process
28:27
28:27
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28:27The pre-construction phase is an incredibly important time for any project, but all too often gets rushed through. If you stow down and take the time to address key elements like budgeting, client relationships, and project feasibility you can build the foundation for a successful and seamless construction phase. We love talking about these topics …
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