In this episode of The Building Sciology Poddie, host Jess Kismet sits down with Bryan Jepsen - Indoor Environmental Consultant, President of the Indoor Air Quality Association of Australia (IAQAA), and founder of Keystone Environmental and Oceanic Laboratory Initiative.

Together, they pull back the plasterboard to expose what’s really making our buildings - and the people inside them - unwell. From operating rooms to modern home builds, Bryan shares science-backed insights into fungal biology, architectural traps, and what true remediation actually looks like.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The "Mould Triangle": The 3 essential elements mould needs to survive—and how breaking just one starves it of opportunity.

• Architectural Traps & Slab Moisture: How modern design choices, sealed wall systems, and rushed builds inadvertently trap water.

• Mould vs. Bacteria: Understanding the indoor microbiome and why mould is tougher (and more resilient) than you think.

• The Fogging Myth Exposed: Why aerosol "quick fixes" rarely solve surface mould—and the safety risks involved.

• Testing & Standards: The truth about DIY test kits (ERMI/HERTSMI), laboratory testing, and the rollout of Australia's new AS-IICRC S500 & S520 remediation standards.

Episode Takeaway: You can't eradicate mould from the planet, but you can control the environment. Learn how to rob mould of its opportunity and create healthier spaces to live and breathe in.

Find the full show notes including links on the ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠

Thank you to our sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠End⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠uro Builders⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Climasure⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Why do we expect our cars to have perfect temperature control, yet tolerate drafty, mould-prone homes that cost ten times as much?

In this episode, host Jess Kismet sits down with world-renowned building science expert Dr. John Straube to demystify climate-responsive construction. From the extreme winters of Canada to the humid tropics of Australia, John breaks down why our buildings fail, how terminology confusion is causing massive jobsite errors, and what it actually takes to build durable, comfortable, and healthy homes.

Find the full show notes including links on the ⁠⁠website⁠⁠

Thank you to our sponsors⁠⁠⁠ ⁠End⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠uro Builders⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Climasure⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode, Jess Kismet interviews Mitch Chan, founder of Agathe Builders, who shares his journey in the building industry, emphasising the importance of continuous learning and the integration of healthy building practices.

Mitch discusses his commitment to building biology, the challenges of educating clients about building standards, and the significance of using high-performing materials. The conversation also touches on the risks associated with traditional building practices, the necessity of pre-construction processes, and the future of building standards in Australia.

Find the full show notes including links on the ⁠website⁠

Thank you to our sponsors⁠⁠ ⁠End⁠⁠⁠⁠uro Builders⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ ⁠Climasure⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Jess here:

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In this conversation, Jess Kismet hosts Clarence McAllister and Sean Buchanan, who discuss their experiences and insights from monitoring building performance through sensor data..

They explore the importance of understanding moisture and humidity issues in both new and existing builds, emphasising the role of technology in improving quality assurance and risk management in the construction industry.

The discussion highlights real-world case studies, the need for standardised monitoring practices, and the impact of climate on building performance. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the importance of monitoring air quality and humidity in buildings, discussing the implications for health and safety. They explore various tools and technologies available for homeowners and builders to assess and manage indoor air quality, particularly in relation to mould prevention and overall building health.

The discussion emphasises the need for data collection and analysis to inform building practices and improve living conditions.

Find the full show notes including links on the website

Thank you to our sponsors⁠ ⁠End⁠⁠uro Builders⁠⁠ and⁠ ⁠Climasure⁠⁠

Connect with Jess here:

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In this episode, Jess sits down with building science legend Kohta Ueno, Principal of Building Science Corp, to dive into the messy, fascinating world of building forensics. From "drinking from a fire hose" at MIT to chasing phantom odours through suspended ceilings, Kohta shares his boots-on-the-ground wisdom regarding building failures, safe mass wall retrofits, the raging debate over roof ventilation, and the future of high-performance construction. 

Find the show notes on the ⁠website.⁠

Thank you to our sponsors ⁠Enduro Builders⁠ and ⁠Climasure⁠

Join the mailing list ⁠here⁠!

Don't forget to follow the show wherever you get your podcasts!

In this episode of the podcast, Jess sits down with Alex Slater, co-director of Building Physics Australia and Shared Space Architecture. While Alex is a master of the complex, numbers-heavy Passive House Planning Package (PHPP), his true superpower is looking past the data to find the human being at the center of the project.

From comparing home health and human health, to breaking down the structural differences between NatHERS and Passive House, Alex shares why building a home is a deeply psychological journey.

If you’ve ever felt trapped by rigid building codes or felt that modern design lacks a soul, this conversation will completely shift your perspective on what a healthy home can be.

Full show notes can be found here

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In this episode of the Building Sciology Poddie, host Jess Kismet welcomes Chris Laumer-Giddens, co-founder of LG Squared in Atlanta, Georgia. Chris has become a leading voice in high-performance building. He refuses to compromise on aesthetics while executing airtight, flawlessly engineered structures and whether tackling new luxury builds or complex historic renovations, his boots-on-the-ground technical consulting bridges the gap between beautiful architecture and real-world construction. 

In this Episode:

• ​Zero leakage house construction
• ​Use of WUFI Passive for energy modelling
• ​Innovative insulation and air sealing techniques Innovative slab foundation techniques
• ​Building science and durability
• ​The importance of kindness and sharing in architectureFind the full show notes here

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What happens when a top-tier corporate finance expert gets fed up with the investment world and decides to retrain in sustainable building design? You get a refreshing, zero-nonsense look at how badly the Australian housing market is currently failing us - and how we can fix it.

This week, Jess sits down with Michael Drage, the award-winning designer behind Reimagined Habitat. Michael treats building science less like an ideological crusade and more like a smart investment strategy: it’s all about research, precision, and de-risking the build.

If you’re tired of the "marketing spin" around 7-star energy upgrades and want to understand how a house actually functions for your health and wallet, this episode is a must-listen.

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Discover how innovative app Tools™ is transforming the construction industry by simplifying access to building codes, standards, and craftsmanship techniques. Jess Kismet interviews industry veteran Jerry Tyrrell about the app’s design, impact, and future potential to elevate building quality worldwide.

Special Offer: Use code JESS20 for a discount on Tools™ and explore the app’s features - expires Nov 4 2026

Download the app on the App Store here and the Play Store here

Thanks to Jerry for sharing his insights and vision for a smarter, better-built future. 

Find the full show notes here

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In today’s rapidly changing world, the way we build our homes plays a crucial role in our overall well-being. Join me as I chat with Karina Rafailov, a Blue Mountains designer and founder of Earthy Haus. We chat about sustainable architecture and community education, shedding light on how better informed choices can lead to much healthier living environments!

Find the full show notes here

Connect with Jess here:

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Thank you to our sponsors:

⁠Enduro Builders⁠

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