Burnout is everywhere in construction.

Early starts. Long days. Constant pressure. And a quiet belief that if you are exhausted, you must be doing something right.

To kick off 2026, Az is joined by the first guest of the year, leadership coach and 1000 Feet Deep founder Dan Urquhart — setting the tone to get you off on the right foot for the year ahead.

This is not a motivation talk. It is a practical conversation about why driven builders burn out, how leadership style and personality play a bigger role than workload, and what actually needs to change if you want to build a business that lasts.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why burnout is not just about working too hard

• The difference between stopping work and actually resting

• How personality types (DISC) burn out in different ways

• Why great leaders often struggle the most

• The warning signs builders ignore until it is too late

• How poor systems, Groundhog Day problems and time chaos drain energy

• Why self-awareness is the foundation of leadership and culture

• Practical ways builders can reset and set themselves up properly for 2026

Dan also shares lessons from his own building journey, the near-breaking point that forced change, and why learning to manage time, energy and leadership is no longer optional.

If you want 2026 to be a better year — not just a busier one — this episode sets the foundation.

2026 is shaping up to be another challenging year for home builders — but not everything is out of your control.

In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, we break down the five things Australian home builders can actually control in 2026, regardless of market conditions.

From cashflow discipline and documentation, through to reputation, mental health, and the smart use of tools and technology, this is a practical, no-fluff conversation about running a stronger, safer building business.

No predictions.

No fear-based headlines.

Just clear thinking, real examples, and the fundamentals that keep good builders standing when the market tightens.

#cashflow #mentalhealth #construction #thegoodbuilder

In this second episode of The Good Builder Podcast for 2026, we share a major milestone for the community with the official launch of the Good Builder Community Directory.

This episode unpacks what the Directory really is and why we built it.

More than a list of businesses, the Directory is a curated ecosystem designed to connect builders, trades, suppliers and the professional services that support construction. It is about visibility, reputation and long-term relationships inside a trusted industry environment.

We talk through:

• Why trust and alignment matter more than ever in construction
• Who the Directory is for and how it supports good businesses
• What members receive beyond a standard listing
• Why early involvement matters as the platform continues to grow

We also cover the key headlines from the week at The Good Builder, including:

• What recent first home buyer deposit schemes are really doing to affordability and builder feasibility
• The human impact of recent bushfires and why rebuilding requires care, empathy and long-term thinking
• The suburbs and regions experts believe are positioned for sustainable long-term growth

This episode sets the tone for 2026: deeper conversations, stronger connections and a continued focus on lifting standards across the construction industry.

2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for the Australian construction industry.

In this opening episode for the year, we talk about what is really happening on the ground for builders, trades and suppliers, beyond the headlines. Yes, the industry has faced pressure. But there is also momentum, clarity and opportunity for those willing to adapt.

We unpack why the old ways of operating are being challenged, why reputation and relationships matter more than ever, and why builders are rethinking how they choose who they work with.

We also introduce the next phase of The Good Builder, including the launch of the Good Builder Directory, a practical tool designed to reduce risk, highlight trusted operators and strengthen connections across the industry.

You can get involved in the community directory here: https://thegoodbuilder.com.au/business-directory/

This episode is about starting the year with intention.

Not noise.

Not fear.

But focus.

If you are a builder, supplier or trade looking to set your business up properly for 2026, this conversation is for you.

#TheGoodBuilder #ConstructionIndustry #HomeBuilders #BuildingBusiness #AustralianConstruction #TradesAndSuppliers #ConstructionPodcast #BuilderLife #IndustryLeadership

The Christmas break is one of the only times builders get real space to think.

Sites slow down. Phones quieten. And for a brief moment, you can step back from the day-to-day and look at how your business actually runs.

In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, we sit down with ScaleUp Smart to unpack the DAD Framework — Delete, Automate, Delegate — a simple, practical way for builders to reduce overload, protect margin, and set their business up better for the year ahead.

We talk through:

• Why most builders feel busy all year but still feel stuck
• Why deleting work comes before hiring or outsourcing
• What should be automated before adding people
• How to delegate properly without creating more stress
• The BOD model (Building, Operational, Day-to-Day) to decide what stays local and what can be supported offshore

This isn’t about working harder next year.

It’s about using the Christmas break to gain clarity, remove friction, and come back in January knowing exactly where your time creates the most value.

A practical episode for builders who want to build a better business — not just a busier one.

In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Aaron sits down with Phil from GJ Gardner Homes Brisbane North to unpack a real construction journey — from starting an apprenticeship in 2008 to becoming a franchise owner alongside business partner Chris McNeil.

Phil shares how a strong sporting background shaped his discipline as a builder, why customer experience matters more than perfect builds, and how trust, transparency, and leadership underpin long-term success in construction. The conversation covers partnerships, franchise life, acreage building trends in Brisbane’s outer north, and the small one-percent decisions that separate average builders from great ones.

This is an honest, grounded discussion about what it really takes to build a sustainable business, earn five-star reviews, and leave a lasting reputation in the industry.

If you’re a builder, apprentice, or business owner wondering what “good” actually looks like in practice — this episode is for you. 

In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Aaron continues the conversation with Phil from GJ Gardner Homes Brisbane North, diving deeper into what it takes to build a strong, sustainable building business — not just great homes.

Phil opens up about partnership dynamics with co-owner Chris McNeil, how clear roles and trust underpin their success, and why customer experience has become the backbone of their operation. From slab parties and transparent leadership to handling mistakes with compassion, this episode lays out what five-star building businesses actually do differently.

The discussion also explores acreage building trends across Brisbane’s outer north, knockdown rebuild demand, franchise life, and why builders who focus on people — clients, staff, and partners — consistently outperform those who don’t.

If you want a practical blueprint for building trust, strong partnerships, and a reputation that lasts, this episode is worth your time

In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, we sit down with Dan Hanara from James Hardie to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing builders today.

Complexity.

From installation guides and design decisions to customer communication and onsite execution, modern building has never been more complicated. But according to Dan, the best builders are not the ones doing more. They are the ones simplifying better.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why most builders struggle to translate customer emotion into technical decisions

• How better education on site reduces mistakes months later

• What good supplier support actually looks like

• Why visualisation and digital tools are becoming essential in home building

• How clarity builds trust with clients, trades and teams

Dan also shares insights from his background in engineering, manufacturing and sales, and explains why being a “useful construction wingman” matters more than ever in today’s building environment.

This episode is a must listen for builders, designers, suppliers and anyone focused on lifting standards across the construction industry.

Rick’s journey into construction did not start with business plans or franchises. It started on the tools.

From roofing in Victoria to years of formwork in Queensland, Rick spent most of his career doing physically demanding site work in some of the toughest conditions construction has to offer. That time on site shaped how he sees building today — not just how homes are constructed, but where things commonly go wrong once multiple trades are moving through a job.

In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Az sits down with Rick from Goop Guys Sunshine Coast to unpack how that lived, on-site experience led him into surface protection and ultimately into business ownership. Rick shares how watching avoidable damage pile up on finished homes pushed him to look for a better solution — one that protects glass, floors, sills and finishes before problems occur, not after.

The conversation dives into why Goop has become known as “liquid insurance” on site, how small scratches and shortcuts can turn into major delays and replacement costs, and why protecting surfaces properly is often cheaper than fixing them later. Rick also opens up about the realities of running a trade-based business, the challenges he faced early on, and the role strong culture and support play in long-term success.

A practical, honest discussion about quality, accountability and what it really means to care about the finished home — from someone who has spent most of his life on site.

Learn more about Goop Guys at https://www.goopguys.com.au

In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Az sits down with Brent Nolan from Blunt Agency for a straight-up conversation about brand, trust, and why so many businesses overcomplicate both.

Brent shares the thinking behind helping position G.J. Gardner Homes as Australia’s most trusted builder, and why real brand strength is built from the ground up, through customer experience, internal culture, and consistency, not clever slogans.

They also unpack what happens when brands lose touch with their audience, using the Bud Light controversy as a real-world example of what not to do, and how listening to customers should always outweigh chasing noise.

If you are serious about building a brand people actually trust, not just recognise, this one is well worth your time.

For more: https://www.bluntagency.com/