"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, colleague, or family member, but hesitating to dig deeper. What if we’re making things awkward? What if we don't know what to say? RUOK Day exists to break through exactly this hesitation and give you the perfect excuse to ask your mates how they’re really doing.

We sat down with Alistair Schuback, RUOK Day Ambassador and Safety Culture Specialist, who's witnessed firsthand how mental health plays out in workplaces and communities. His insights combine practical advice with personal experience, focusing on creating environments where people feel safe to speak up.

RUOK Day happens once a year, but its message applies every day. Making mental health check-ins a regular habit, especially in high-stress industries like construction, could prevent tragedies and improve workplace culture.

The question isn't whether you're qualified to ask, it's whether you care enough to try. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply show up and listen.

So, are you OK? And more importantly, who will you ask today?

LINKS:

RUOK Day

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/

"Why is my building surveyor being so difficult?" 

Almost every builder has asked this question at some point, usually when facing another compliance issue or documentation request. But what if we've been looking at this relationship all wrong? We sat down with Dave from Permit Approvals Plus to understand why building surveyors might actually be builders' best allies, not obstacles.

In an industry where regulations constantly evolve, trusted building surveyors aren't just helpful - they're essential. They bring knowledge that ensures builds meet stringent industry standards, creating construction that performs well long-term.

For builders planning projects, engaging surveyors early isn't a setback - it's a strategy. This partnership provides tools for construction excellence while protecting against compliance issues that could surface later.

LINKS:

Permit Approvals Plus

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/

"We're training apprentices the same way we did 30 years ago." 

That stark observation from Trent McCarthy, Director of Clean Economy at Melbourne Polytechnic, captures a fundamental problem in Australian construction. While technology transforms how we build, our training methods remain stuck in the past. We sat down with Trent to understand why the building industry's education system desperately needs an overhaul.

For the building industry to attract and retain the next generation, training must evolve to match how we actually work today. The question isn't whether change is needed, it's whether we'll act quickly enough to remain competitive.

LINKS:

Melbourne Polytechnic:

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/

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/

"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/

"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/

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/

"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/

"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/

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/