エピソード

  • My body just failed on me
    2025/08/17

    One back injury changed everything for Jake.

    After years perfecting his carpentry skills, a seemingly minor workplace injury ended his on-site career. What happened next challenges everything we think we know about career transitions in the trades. We sat down with Jake from Notorious Tools to understand how he rebuilt his professional life when his body couldn't handle the physical demands anymore.

    Jake's journey demonstrates that career-ending injuries don't have to mean industry-ending relationships. Sometimes forced transitions open opportunities you never considered. The challenge is recognising that your industry knowledge and professional relationships remain valuable assets, even when your physical capabilities change.

    LINKS:

    Notorious Tools: https://notorioustools.com.au/

    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/

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    39 分
  • The crazy old guy pushing building boundaries
    2025/08/10

    "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-performance building standards that seemed unnecessary to most. Twenty years later, those "crazy" ideas have become industry benchmarks. We sat down with Justin to understand his journey from a 12-year-old working in his mum's shed to becoming a leading voice in sustainable construction.

    Today, Justin continues consulting and advising on construction technology through his work at Performance Membranes. His goal remains straightforward: sharing accumulated knowledge so others can access the details needed for safe, quality construction. It's not just about individual projects - it's about elevating industry standards.

    LINKS:

    Performance Membranes

    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/

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    53 分
  • Proving the three little pigs wrong
    2025/08/03

    "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.

    But before you dismiss this as another three little pigs scenario, consider this: Durra Panels have been protecting major Australian airports and surviving bushfire tests since the 1950s. We sat down with Derek to understand why straw might be the future of sustainable construction.

    LINKS:

    Durra Panel Website: https://durrapanel.com/


    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/

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    35 分
  • From consultant to interior designer
    2025/07/27

    Twelve years in consulting, senior management track, solid income and Shivani walked away from it all.

    Why would someone leave a successful corporate career to start over in interior design? We sat down with Shivani, founder of Madison Interiors to understand her transition from consultant to founder of a sought-after interior design business.

    For anyone contemplating a significant career change, Shivani's journey offers practical insights. Fear of failure is normal, but redefining success on your own terms is liberating. Your existing skills often transfer in unexpected ways, and daily practices like visualisation can create real momentum.

    LINKS:

    Madison Interiors: https://madisoninteriors.com.au


    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madison.interiors_/


    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/

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    43 分
  • Are SIPS the answer to building better homes
    2025/07/20

    "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 why companies like Fenster & Panel are proving them wrong.

    We sit down with Dave to understand why SIPS are gaining traction in Australian construction. These engineered panels combine structural strength and insulation, offering faster construction times, reduced waste, and better thermal efficiency. For an industry facing skilled labour shortages and rising energy costs, these benefits are becoming increasingly attractive. Dave shares practical insights about shifting from traditional methods to prefabricated solutions, addressing common concerns while demonstrating real-world value.

    LINKS:

    Fenster and Panel: https://fensterandpanel.com/


    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/

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    46 分
  • Budget vs Brief: What It Really Costs to Build
    2025/07/13

    "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 industry today. The gap between what clients want and what they can afford is widening, leaving architects, builders, and clients frustrated. We need to talk about why this is happening and what we can actually do about it.

    The solution requires cooperation between clients, architects, and builders from day one. Everyone needs to understand pricing complexities, and we need to work towards realistic briefs that align with financial realities without compromising quality or sustainability.


    This means involving builders in early design conversations, establishing clear budget parameters upfront, and maintaining open communication throughout the process. When all parties understand the constraints and possibilities, better outcomes become achievable.


    The industry is evolving, and those who embrace collaborative approaches will be best positioned for success.



    LINKS:


    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/

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    26 分
  • The Godfather of Passive House
    2025/07/06

    In this episode, we sit down with Harley Truong, the godfather of Passive Houses in Australia, to explore his incredible journey from public servant to sustainability pioneer. Twelve years ago, Harley was working at the Department of Defence in Canberra when he decided he'd had enough of Australia's zero-star energy efficiency housing and drafty homes. We dive into how he took on the ambitious challenge of building his own passive house without ever having stepped foot in one, using research from Germany's Passive House Institute to create what would become a trendsetting masterpiece.

    We talk about the reality of building without a blueprint and how Harley had to literally rewrite the rules to achieve his vision. His meticulous approach resulted in an astounding 0.1 air changes per hour—and we explore what that actually means and why it matters. The conversation gets really interesting when we discuss how one exceptional house wasn't enough for Harley, leading him to recognise a massive gap in the Australian market and found Logikhaus to import high-performance European windows, essentially becoming both consultant and supplier to help other builders achieve their eco-dreams.

    Throughout our chat, we explore Harley's bigger vision for the industry and how he's catalysing crucial conversations about providing better, more sustainable housing for all Australians. We discuss his goal of making high-performance windows the norm rather than the exception, and why he believes we're just at the beginning of an inclusive industry revolution. If you're interested in sustainable building, pioneering business moves, or just love hearing about someone who dared to dream bigger, this conversation will inspire you.

    LINKS:

    Connect with Harley:

    Website: https://www.logikhaus.com.au/

    Instagram: @logikhaus.windows


    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/

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    33 分
  • Building Answers: Ask Us Anything
    2025/06/29

    "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 home isn't just about achieving airtightness - it's about understanding how all building elements work together. The key takeaway? You cannot have an airtight building without proper mechanical ventilation. The energy and comfort benefits only work when you maintain healthy indoor air quality.

    For builders serious about high-performance construction, remember that details matter, and investing in proper ventilation systems isn't optional - it's essential for creating truly healthy homes.

    If you’d like to submit a question for us to discuss on the podcast, reach out to us on Instagram.


    LINKS:


    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/

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    50 分