Afleveringen
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Daryl Sadgrove, a leader who has worked across healthcare, telecommunications, e-commerce, logistics, education, and professional services before joining Struber, a business focused on unlocking human potential in infrastructure. Daryl brings a rare cross sector lens to one of the industry's most stubborn challenges: flatlining productivity.From his time at Telstra under David Thodey through to his current role as CEO of Struber, Daryl reveals what actually creates momentum in large organizations. He challenges the belief that AI is a magic bullet, warning that accelerating an inefficient model only makes things worse, faster.
Daryl also shares a powerful sliding doors moment from his time at Australia Post during COVID, when a reactive fear based decision could have led to mass layoffs, but curiosity and analysis unlocked 20% year on year growth. He makes the case that infrastructure's real constraints aren't technical, they are human. And he explains why leaders must supercharge their people with AI, not replace them.Tune in for a thought provoking conversation on productivity, legacy, and the future of infrastructure leadership.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode:Building Momentum in Large Organizations:
How strategic clarity from the top creates a âtsunamiâ of alignmentWhy leaders need to repeat strategy until they are sick of it, at least seven times via different channelsThe power of hyper effective meetings: narrow focus, clear outcomes, and the right people onlyThe Productivity Paradox in Infrastructure:
Why infrastructure productivity is 2% below 1990 levels despite the internet, mobile phones, and AIHow communication, collaboration, and culture are the three biggest constraints, according to Infrastructure AustraliaThe danger of treating âsoft skillsâ as a nice to have when they unlock millions in ROIAI as a Leadership Opportunity, Not a Shortcut:
Why AI can make bad systems, bad data, and bad culture worse, fasterThe difference between using AI to replace people versus supercharging themA real life case study: a new hire in her second week building an AI powered infrastructure project pipeline that blew Darylâs mindThe Sliding Doors Moment at Australia Post During COVID:
How fear nearly led to 10,000 layoffs and why pausing to question assumptions changed everythingThe power of internal research, curiosity, and reframing risk as opportunityWhy the âbest case scenarioâ of 50% growth became reality, not the worst caseAI, Human Connection, and the Future of Work:
Why humans will still deliver infrastructure for decades (10,000 people on a job site is not going away)How to use AI to accelerate your own voice, not replace itThe two business models: cut staff and gain 50% productivity OR supercharge everyone and gain 300%Legacy, Leadership, and Being Present:
Why Darylâs legacy is translating solutions across industry silosThe importance of being truly home when you are home, with family, not just in body
âCommunication, collaboration, and culture are the biggest constraints holding projects back.ââYou donât need everyone on the bus. You need critical mass.ââIf youâre not sick of repeating the strategy, you probably havenât communicated it enough.ââAI can make bad systems worse faster.ââThe businesses that win with AI will be the ones that supercharge people, not replace them.ââPeople are craving human connection more than ever.ââLeadership clarity matters exponentially more in the AI era.ââThe future belongs to organizations that unlock human potential.ââInfrastructure productivity is still sitting below where it was in 1990.â
Key Quotes from Daryl Sadgrove:About Our Guest:
Daryl Sadgrove is a leader who has worked across healthcare, telecommunications (Telstra), e-commerce, logistics, education, and professional services before joining Struber, a business focused on unlocking the human constraints in infrastructure. He has seen what works in high performing organizations and what does not. A former GM of Innovation at Telstra, a musician, and a golfer in training, Daryl brings cross-sector wisdom, strategic clarity, and a deep belief that people, not technology, are the real accelerators.
About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
How You Can Support the Podcast:
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in construction leadership, retention, team culture, and building a more inclusive industry Connect with Daryl Sadgrove on LinkedIn.
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.
Stay Connected:Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Adam Woodley, a refrigeration and air conditioning veteran, former business leader, and passionate male ally. From tradie apprentice to building a business with 97 percent staff retention, Adam proves great teams aren't luck. They are built on trust, empathy, and rejecting "that's just how it is."
Adam shares the small choices that kept his people loyal: high end tools, eight to ten shirts for Queensland's heat, and customer first autonomy. He also opens up about surviving a house fire that left him clinically dead, a second chance that reshaped his approach to work, family, and legacy.
He speaks frankly on why construction struggles to retain women, what microaggressions look like on site, and why change must start from the bottom up with young men aged 17 to 25. As a leader of the Male Allies program, run with Trellis and NAWIC, Adam equips young tradies and engineers to call out poor behaviour without fear.
Tune in for honest insights on retention, courage, and building an industry people actually want to stay in.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode:Building a Career Through Opportunity and Work Ethic:
How early exposure to trades shaped Adamâs career path and mindsetWhy hard work creates âluckâ and opens doors over timeThe value of adaptability and being willing to take on new challenges
What it takes to build a service business without acquisitionsWhy customer service is the foundation of sustainable growthHow repeat business is earned through consistency, not shortcuts
Scaling a Business from the Ground Up:Hiring, Retention, and High-Performance Teams:
Why hiring through trusted referrals leads to stronger teamsHow culture is built through shared standards and accountabilityThe small, practical decisions that led to exceptional staff retentionLeadership, Autonomy, and Trust:
Why empowering employees to make decisions improves outcomesThe importance of giving teams full ownership not partial responsibilityHow removing friction helps people perform at their bestCustomer Experience and Long-Term Loyalty:
Why customers stay loyal to people, not just companiesHow professionalism, attitude, and consistency drive repeat workThe role of trust in building long-term client relationships
How surviving a house fire reshaped Adamâs priorities and mindsetWhy living with urgency changes how you lead and make decisionsThe importance of focusing on what truly matters today
Life-Changing Perspective and Personal Growth:
Why construction doesnât have a talent problem, it has a thinking problemHow unconscious bias and microaggressions impact retentionThe role leaders and teams play in shaping inclusive workplaces
Culture, Bias, and Industry Change:Male Allyship and the Future of Construction:
The case for changing culture from the bottom up, starting with young men aged 17â25What it takes to create a culture where everyone belongsWhy the goal is to make "male ally" an obsolete term in 10 yearsKey Quotes from Adam Woodley:
âConstruction has never had a talent problem. It has a thinking problem.ââHard work creates the luck that people see.ââIf you can do it today, donât put it off until tomorrow.ââCustomers are loyal to the person, not the company.ââDonât ever be too busy to make sure your door is always open.ââThe standard you walk past is the standard you accept.âAbout Our Guest:
Adam Woodley is a refrigeration and air conditioning professional who built and scaled a service business in Queensland from scratch, achieving industry leading retention rates. He's a passionate advocate for cultural change in construction, co facilitating the Male Allies program (in partnership with Trellis and NAWIC ) to equip young men aged 17 to 25 with the skills to challenge poor behaviour and build more inclusive sites. Adam's perspective is shaped by decades on the tools, a near fatal house fire, and the experience of watching his own daughter try to enter a trade, only to find the doors still closed.
About Your Host:
Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
How You Can Support the Podcast:
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in construction leadership, retention, team culture, and building a more inclusive industry Connect with Adam Woodley on LinkedIn.Stay Connected:
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Cameron Bell, a seasoned construction and project management leader with decades of experience across Scotland and Australia. Cam has built his reputation on something surprisingly simple: holding a clear, consistent standard. From his early days as a âpeggyâ (chainman) in Scotland to leading major infrastructure teams in Australia, Cam shares the reality of what it takes to deliver profitable projects without cutting corners.
Cam opens up about his rocky start in Australia, including washing dishes for three months, the pressure of losing money on a job, and why he refuses to settle for âgood enoughâ when hiring. He also talks about the concrete footpath that sets the tone for an entire project, the power of a sticker board meeting, and why the most important concrete you pour might not be structural at all.
Tune in to hear how strong standards, honest leadership, and disciplined decision-making can shape better projects, stronger teams, and a lasting reputation in construction.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode:
Building Strong Foundations in Engineering:
Why Cameronâs early career in Scotland created a hands-on understanding of constructionHow engineers overseas are trained differently through practical responsibilityThe importance of learning how projects are built, not just how they are designedWhy early career exposure to pressure creates stronger long-term capabilityPersistence, Career Growth, and Breaking Into the Industry:
How Cameron went from washing dishes to landing an engineering role in AustraliaWhy persistence matters more than perfect timing when searching for opportunitiesThe value of saying yes to regional roles to gain experience and credibilityWhy graduates should focus on gaining experience rather than chasing the perfect jobHigh Standards and Hiring the Right People:
Why lowering hiring standards creates long-term project problemsWhat Cameron looks for in interviews beyond technical skillsWhy attitude, accountability, and willingness to learn matter more than technical brillianceHow early expectations shape performance culture across a project teamLeadership Under Pressure:
How to manage stress when projects are losing money or facing delaysWhy great leaders focus on solutions instead of blameThe importance of honesty when mistakes happen on-siteHow clear communication helps teams recover during difficult periodsCulture, Accountability, and High-Performance Teams:
Why project culture starts with the smallest details on siteHow leadership behaviors shape standards across an entire workforceThe importance of holding teams accountable without creating blameWhy one high performer can elevate an entire teamHow ârotten eggsâ quietly damage morale and performanceProblem Solving and Lean Construction Thinking:
Why construction is ultimately a constant exercise in communication and problem-solvingHow lean construction methods improve collaboration and planningThe value of bringing engineers, supervisors, safety, and environmental teams togetherWhy alignment across disciplines creates stronger project outcomesIntegrity, Reputation, and Long-Term Success:
Why reputation matters more than short-term winsCameronâs âpub testâ and âSunday paper testâ for making ethical decisionsThe role integrity plays in hiring, leadership, and client relationshipsWhy people remember both strong leaders and poor decisionsFamily, Burnout, and Life Outside Construction:
The reality of balancing leadership roles with family lifeWhy Cameron made weekends family time after becoming a project managerHow long holidays and downtime help leaders reset mentallyThe importance of finding identity beyond workKey Quotes from Cameron Bell:
âHonesty is the best policy. Itâs easier to fix a mistake at the start.ââThere's always a solution. You just haven't looked hard enough.ââYouâve got to set the standards at the start with the people you hire.ââIf you settle on anything in life, youâre giving up.ââThereâs nothing worse than not dealing with a rotten egg. It kills the culture.ââWe're not tier one, tier two, or tier three. We're just the best people to work with.âAbout Our Guest:
Cameron Bell is a construction and project management leader with extensive experience across Scotland and Australia. He has held senior roles on major infrastructure projects and is known for delivering profitable outcomes through high standards, strong teams, and consistent problem-solving. Cam currently works with Georgiou, where he leads multiple projects and helps shape a culture of performance and accountability.
About Your Host:
Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
How You Can Support the Podcast:
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Cameron Bell on LinkedIn.Stay Connected:
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Ashley Hernandez, a civil engineer turned sustainability consultant who has worked across Australia, the Middle East, and the United States. Now a key member of the boutique consultancy Losee Consulting, Ashley brings a rare blend of technical engineering knowledge, sustainability expertise, and mindfulness practice to her work.
Ashley opens up about her unexpected journey into engineering, her time in Abu Dhabi chasing the mysterious âgreen kilometre,â and why she walked away from big consultancies to align her career with her values. She also shares how becoming a mother reshaped her perspective on work, leadership, and legacy. From the power of single-tasking to the importance of turning cameras on, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for anyone navigating the human side of infrastructure.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode:
Sustainability as Integration, Not Silos:
Why sustainability isnât just âsomething the enviros doâHow infrastructure rating systems (like Greenroads and ISC) create a common languageThe challenge of moving goalposts and why thatâs actually a sign of progressCareer Transitions and Values Alignment:
Why Ashley left large consultancies to join a boutique firmHow saying âyes before thinkingâ led to a board role and a new career pathLetting your RPQ lapse and why that was the right decisionMotherhood, Activism, and Legacy:
Why âmotherhood in and of itself is activismâHow raising the next generation is the most influential work we can doThe shift from selling your soul for a paycheck to building a life aligned with your values
Why burnout builds from micro-stresses, not just major crisesPractical techniques: box breathing, single-tasking, and the ârubber ball vs. glass ballâ analogyHow to transition between meetings (and why a minute of breath work matters more than being on time)
Mindfulness for the Overwhelmed Professional:Workplace Culture and Human Connection:
Why cameras off on Teams calls creates anonymity and hostilityThe power of in-person kick-off meetings to build psychological safetyHow a manager who encouraged friendship created a high-performing teamGender Equity and Male Allyship:
The sting of âworking a short day today?â and why it still happens 20 years laterWhy bystanders have more power than targets to call out biasThe importance of male allies in creating psychologically safe workplaces
âSustainability brings it all to the forefront. This is everyoneâs problem.ââWeâre here for a short time. What kind of life are we living if weâre not true to our values?ââMotherhood in and of itself is activism.ââItâs not that serious. Weâre saving PDFs, not lives.ââWe design and build these massive pieces of infrastructure through teamwork and through people.â
Key Quotes from Ashley Hernandez:About Our Guest:
Ashley Hernandez is a civil infrastructure professional with over a decade of experience across Australia, the Middle East, and the United States. She currently works at Losee Consulting, a boutique sustainability firm, where she helps clients integrate environmental and social outcomes into major infrastructure projects. Ashley is also a certified yoga teacher who leads weekly mindfulness sessions for her team, and a former board chair of the Greenroads Foundation.
About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
How You Can Support the Podcast:
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Ashley on LinkedInStay Connected:
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Paul Rhoden, a seasoned infrastructure leader, podcaster, and consultant with over 30 years of experience across the UK and Australia. Paul is the founder of Vulpra Contractors and the host of the Construction Matters podcast, where he champions the human side of construction.
Paul shares why he believes the industryâs greatest asset is its people, and how authentic, vulnerable leadership can transform project cultures. From his early days in the Royal Navy to leading major infrastructure projects, Paul opens up about his journey through grief, burnout, and purpose. He offers powerful insights on male allyship, the importance of listening to your supply chain, and why sometimes the best way to save a failing project is to simply stop and ask for help.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode:
Leadership and Vulnerability:
Why authentic leadership means admitting you donât have all the answers.How leaders can create psychological safety by being vulnerable first.The power of âstoppingâ a project to reset culture and solve underlying problems.Male Allyship and Gender Diversity:
Practical ways men can use their influence to amplify womenâs voices in meetings and on-site.Why true allyship is about everyday behaviors, not just policies.Paulâs personal motivation: his motherâs strength and his three daughters.Mental Health and Psychosocial Safety:
The link between purpose, retirement, and wellbeing in construction.How burnout and ârust-outâ affect the industry, and what leaders can do about it.The importance of self-care for those who spend their lives helping others.Project Culture and Supply Chain:
Why paying subcontractors fairly builds loyalty, innovation, and better outcomes.Moving from a âmaster-servantâ dynamic to genuine business partnerships.The value of listening to everyone from the plant operator to the cleaner for breakthrough ideas.Key Quotes from Paul Rhoden:
âIf youâre willing to turn up and have a go and ask for help, you get help. For me, itâs the power of human relationships.ââWeâre great at building bridges and roads. We need to get better at building people.ââWhen I look at a social media post or a brochure, that reveals intent. But sites reveal design.ââDonât worry about position and power. Itâll chase you when youâre ready and you may not want it.âAbout Our Guest:
Paul Rhoden is a civil infrastructure leader with more than three decades of experience delivering complex projects across the UK and Australia. A passionate advocate for mental health, gender equity, and authentic leadership, Paul now runs his own consultancy, Vulpra Contractors, and hosts the Construction Matters podcast, where he continues to shift the conversation toward the people who make the industry possible.
About Your Host:
Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
How You Can Support the Podcast:
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Paul on LinkedIn and listen to his podcast Construction Matters.Stay Connected:
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Alex Prenzel, a construction leader and coach with more than 20 years of experience in the property and infrastructure sector. Alex shares her insights on the pressures many professionals face in high-performance environments and why the constant push to deliver more can come at a hidden personal cost. Together, they explore what it means to find calm amid the chaos and why shifting how we think about leadership may be the key to sustaining long-term success in the construction industry.
Alex, known for her thoughtful leadership and focus on mindset and wellbeing, also shares personal stories from her own career journey. From navigating imposter syndrome to discovering the transformative impact of meditation, she reflects on how slowing down helped her lead with greater clarity and resilience. Whether you are an industry veteran or early in your career, this conversation will challenge you to rethink performance, pressure, and what sustainable leadership truly looks like.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode:
Why many high achievers tie their identity to their professional success.The hidden cost of âgrinding it outâ in high-performance industries.How capable leaders often carry silent pressure to always be the reliable one.
High Performance and Leadership Pressure:Mindset and Sustainable Performance:
How meditation helped Alex shift from constant stress to clearer thinking.Why slowing down can actually improve decision-making and creativity.The difference between working harder and expanding your leadership capacity.Identity, Self-Acceptance, and Leadership:
How imposter syndrome can exist even at senior leadership levels.Why self-acceptance is a critical foundation for authentic leadership.How embracing different leadership styles strengthens teams and organizations.Practical Advice for the Boom Times Ahead:
How to navigate the upcoming pipeline of work in Queensland without burning out.Why "grind it out or tap out" isn't the only choice, there's a third way.The difference between capability issues (which most high performers don't have) and capacity issues (which require a mindset shift).Key Quotes from Alex Prenzel:
âIf weâre going to be high performers, we need to give ourselves space to breathe. Otherwise, weâre just on a narrow track of relentless achievement.ââYou canât increase your capacity simply by working harder. You have to change how you think about the work.ââI am enough exactly the way I am. The more I accept myself, the easier it is to go out and do exciting things without being tied to the outcome.âAbout Our Guest:
Alex Prenzel is a construction leader, consultant, and coach with over 20 years of experience in the property and infrastructure sectors. Having delivered complex projects and led large teams across the UK and Australia, Alex now works with high-performing professionals to help them navigate pressure, strengthen leadership capability, and build sustainable approaches to performance. Through coaching, meditation practices, and mindset work, she helps leaders unlock clarity, creativity, and long-term resilience in demanding industries.
About Your Host:
Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
How You Can Support the Podcast:
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Alex Prenzel on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.Stay Connected:
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with James Gleeson, civil engineer and co-founder of Marvel Engineers, to unpack what productivity really means in infrastructure and what it takes to build a resilient specialist consultancy.
James shares his journey from tech drawing at school to launching Marvel Engineers after walking away from corporate burnout. Together, they explore the realities of starting a business with no blueprint, the risks of niching too narrowly, and the lessons learned from navigating market slowdowns in government-funded infrastructure
The conversation dives deep into procurement systems, panel arrangements, and the hidden cost of endless tendering. James challenges the industry to rethink how we engage consultants if weâre serious about delivering major infrastructure ahead of 2032.
If youâre building a business or leading through market uncertainty, this episode will show you how to stay nimble, structure for growth, and rethink productivity to build long-term resilience.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode:
Productivity in Infrastructure:
Why current procurement processes may be slowing deliveryThe real cost of panel prequalification and repeated tenderingHow simplifying engagement could unlock speed and efficiencyBuilding and Pivoting a Consultancy:
The risks of concentration in government-funded workWhy diversification doesnât mean abandoning your nicheHow structure and clarity create momentum in a growing businessLeadership and Resilience:
Why having a strong business partner mattersHow to lead through market slowdowns without losing composureThe importance of support networks in sustaining long-term growthHiring and Culture
What makes a ârounded consultantâ in a small businessWhy communication and accountability matter more than everHow intentional onboarding shapes culture from day oneKey Quotes from James Gleeson:
âThereâs no guideline or standard on how to create a business. Itâs a blank canvas.ââIf weâre serious about productivity, we need to rethink how we engage industry.ââWeâre not a big cruise ship. We can pivot quickly, but weâre exposed.âAbout Our Guest:
James Gleeson is a civil engineer and co-founder of Marvel Engineers, a specialist consultancy focused on transport infrastructure and government projects. Passionate about productivity reform and collaborative delivery, James is building a nimble business grounded in structure, accountability, and strong relationships.
About Your Host:
Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
How You Can Support the Podcast:
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with James on LinkedIn and share your takeaways.Stay Connected:
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Ben Schnitzerling, founder of Red Fox Advisory, a Queensland-based civil and structural engineering consultancy delivering support across the full project lifecycle, from early planning and design through construction, contract administration, technical due diligence, and dispute avoidance. Red Fox helps clients navigate risk, protect value, and deliver practical, buildable infrastructure solutions.
From nailing floors for his builder father as a kid to certifying major infrastructure projects just two years out of university, Benâs career has been shaped by doing the uncomfortable. Today, heâs on a mission to challenge what he sees slowing the industry down: fear of litigation, fear of accountability, and fear of stepping outside the âsafeâ standard.
Lauren and Ben unpack how this risk-averse culture is producing average outcomes and quietly failing the very communities engineers are meant to serve. With Queensland facing a massive pipeline of work and tighter budgets, Ben makes it clear that courageous, accountable engineering is no longer optional. It is essential.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode:
How Benâs upbringing on construction sites and struggle with dyslexia shaped his learning and leadership philosophy.Why embracing uncomfortable, high-stakes projects early in his career was foundational to his growth.The personal hierarchy for sustainable success: âLove yourself first, then your partner, then your kids, then work.â
The Roots of a Courageous Mindset:Confronting the Fear Culture in Engineering:
Why the industryâs obsession with âcover your assâ and blind compliance is stifling innovation and delivering poor value.The critical difference between a compliant design and a good, accountable design.How an abundance of money over the past decade has incentivized safe, unthinking work and why the coming "burning platform" of financial constraint will force change.Courage, Accountability, and the Art of Negotiation:
Why true accountability leads to positive consequences and professional pride.Advanced negotiation tactics: understanding the âdeal zone,â moving past âstupid numbers,â and identifying what the other party needs to feel theyâve won.The danger of email âCYAâ culture and the irreplaceable value of picking up the phone to build understanding.Building the Engineers of the Future:
How Benâs company, Red Fox, was born from asking clients one simple question: âWhat canât you get right now?âPractical strategies for creating a âsafe to failâ environment: setting clear safety rails, encouraging peer review, and resisting the leaderâs urge to solve every problem.The link between personal pride in oneâs work and magical outcomes for the community, the engineering professionâs true customer.Legacy, Grit, and the Next Generation:
How stories of resilience from past generations (like his 102-year-old grandmother) inform a mindset of grit and determination.Why fostering discomfort and allowing the next generation to âhave a crackâ is essential for building courage.The legacy Ben wants to leave: training a generation of engineers who contribute to society and make the world a better place.Parenting and Modeling Courage
Why children learn courage by watching, not listening.The story of a teenage act of bravery that left a lasting mark.How leadership at work directly mirrors leadership at home.Key Quotes from Ben Schnitzerling:
âI found I had to learn the concept of being uncomfortable to learn.ââWe solve complex problems for the community. Theyâre our true customers.ââA compliant design does not mean a good design or an accountable design.ââCourage is no longer optional in engineering. Itâs required.ââYouâre better to have a go and get it wrong than do nothing safely.ââIf you want magic to happen, give people pride and freedom.âAbout Our Guest:
Ben Schnitzerling is an engineer, leader, and founder of Red Fox Advisory, with decades of experience across complex infrastructure, dispute resolution, negotiation, and business leadership. Known for his direct honesty and deep commitment to developing young engineers, Ben is passionate about restoring courage, accountability, and pride in the profession. His work focuses not just on projects but on shaping the next generation of industry leaders.
About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Ben on LinkedIn and explore Red Fox Advisory
How You Can Support the Podcast:Stay Connected:
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with award-winning engineer and author Felicity Furey to unpack the powerful ideas behind her upcoming book and her mission to transform the engineering profession from the inside out.
Felicity shares how engineeringâs DNA, inherited from the Industrial Revolution, has shaped the way we design, solve problems, and even unintentionally overlook the people those designs impact. She reveals why modern engineering must go beyond efficiency and output, and instead reconnect with values like well-being, community connection, and legacy.
Through personal stories of burnout, motherhood, and rediscovering purpose, Felicity shows why engineers are not just technical problem solvers. They are inventors, creators, and community shapers whose decisions influence how society feels, moves, and thrives. Whether you are an engineer, a leader, or someone passionate about the future of our cities, this episode will challenge you to rethink what is possible.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode:
Why engineering still operates from industrial era assumptions.How designing for the âaverageâ person creates safety and wellbeing gaps.The surprising ways that road design, seatbelts, vaccines, and even signage can unintentionally exclude people.
Engineeringâs Hidden Values and Blind Spots:Shifting From Efficiency to Human Impact:
How reframing engineering around people, place, and legacy leads to better design.Examples from around the world where small, thoughtful changes created enormous community benefits.Why nature-connected, stress-reducing infrastructure must become standard.Diversity, Purpose, and the Future Workforce:
Why engineering has a marketing problem and how creativity genuinely belongs in the field.What attracts young people, especially girls, to engineering today?The real reasons women struggle to stay in the industry and what actually works to fix it.Leadership, Wellbeing, and Cognitive Load
Felicityâs personal journey through burnout and complex PTSD, and how it reshaped her work.Why engineers cannot design for human wellbeing when they are overwhelmed themselves.How workplaces can rethink schedules, meeting structures, and expectations to support better thinking and better results.Legacy and the Next Generation
The seven generational question that inspired Felicityâs book: âWhat Did You Do Once You Knew?Why engineering is entering an era where maintenance, stewardship, and long-term thinking matter more than ever.How small values-based shifts in design can create massive change over time.Key Quotes from Felicity Furey:
âEngineers are superheroes. We can change the planet.""Everything we do as an engineer is for people, and often we are not actually meeting them.""What if we designed infrastructure that actually calms us down?"âPurpose is one of the most powerful ways to attract and keep people in engineering.ââWhat did you do once you knew? That question keeps me going.âAbout Our Guest:
Felicity Furey is an award-winning engineer, entrepreneur, and speaker recognised for her leadership in engineering, diversity, and the future of infrastructure. With 18 years in the industry, Felicity has led major projects, launched national programs, advised organisations on gender equity, and is now reshaping how engineers think about values, legacy, and human-centered design. Her upcoming book explores how rewriting even 1% of the industry's mindset can have a profound impact on communities and the planet.
About Your Host:
Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Felicity on LinkedIn and visit felicityfurey.com for updates on her book and podcast
How You Can Support the Podcast:Stay Connected:
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Mark Simister, a globally experienced program leader who has spent three decades reshaping how infrastructure is delivered. From Londonâs crumbling water network to disaster recovery in Queensland and Christchurch, and ultimately transforming Sydney Water into one of the worldâs top-performing programs, Markâs story proves that collaboration is not a buzzword. It is a system that works when leaders are brave enough to implement it.
Mark opens up about his unconventional journey from the British Army to hydrogeology to major program delivery. He shares inside stories from rebuilding regions after natural disasters, pioneering early contractor involvement, cutting years out of procurement cycles, and leading one of the most influential collaborative frameworks in Australia.
Whether you work in water, transport, energy, major projects, or leadership more broadly, this conversation will challenge you to rethink how teams engage, how contracts shape behavior, and how cultural clarity lifts productivity. Mark shows what happens when you replace fear-based systems with trust-based delivery: better outcomes, higher morale, and programs people are proud to be part of.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode:
How Mark went from the British Army to hydrogeology to multimillion-dollar program leadership.Why early exposure to NEC contracts shaped his lifelong passion for collaboration.How major disaster events (2011 floods, Christchurch earthquake) taught him the power of co-location and shared purpose.
Leadership & Career Journey:Collaboration & High-Performance Delivery:
Why early-contractor involvement removes waste before it starts.How co-located teams eliminate rework and build trust.Why standardized contracts accelerate decisions and cut procurement delays.How shared KPIs and open-book data create accountability instead of adversarial behavior.Procurement Reform & Industry Challenges:
Why traditional tendering creates fear, inefficiency, and poor outcomes.How Sydney Water shifted from adversarial contracting to 10-year partnership frameworks.How behavioral scoring using organizational psychologists created world-class team alignment.Why governance should enable, not police, major programs.Culture, People & Legacy
Why emotional intelligence matters as much as engineering intelligence.How embedding finance, communications, and support staff into frontline teams boosts morale.Why Mark believes mature engagement between owners and contractors must define Australiaâs next decade of delivery.What meaningful legacy looks like when billions of public dollars are on the line.Key Quotes from Mark Simister:
âI want to see people enjoying being at work. I want to see a maturity in the engagement between owner and contractor.ââEveryone will work in a spirit of mutual trust and cooperation, thatâs written into NEC, and it changes everything.ââGet what you want. Get what youâre really striving for. If you want something, plan it clearly from the beginning.ââWhen disaster hits, people turn up. Collaboration becomes natural when the purpose is clear.ââItâs public money, my money and your money so I want to see it spent effectively.âAbout Our Guest:
Mark Simister is a program delivery and collaborative contracting specialist known for transforming some of the most complex infrastructure environments in Australia and the UK. From Sydney Waterâs award-winning Partnering for Success framework to major disaster reconstruction and global best-practice adoption via Project 13, Markâs work continues to influence the future of infrastructure procurement, governance, and team culture.About Your Host:
Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
How You Can Support the Podcast:
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Mark on LinkedIn to follow his work and insights.Stay Connected:
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Stuart Cook, a multi-award-winning engineering leader who stepped into major leadership roles early, including managing a 400 million infrastructure program in his late 30s. Stuart opens up about career-defining opportunities, overcoming imposter syndrome, mentoring future engineers, and why the human element matters just as much as technical excellence.
Stuart also shares his personal journey from following his grandfather on construction sites to raising three boys and rediscovering fishing. His honesty about insecurity, leadership missteps, and the pressure to be everything to everyone offers rare insight into what real growth looks like in the engineering and construction sectors.
Whether you are an emerging engineer, an experienced leader, or someone fascinated by the future of infrastructure, this conversation will encourage you to rethink how you lead, collaborate, adapt, and build a meaningful career.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode:
How Stuart landed a design manager role decades ahead of the norm.Why building core technical skills is essential before chasing leadership titles.The truth about imposter syndrome and why even top leaders still feel it.Why the best leaders stop doing everything and start empowering others.
Leadership and Career Growth:Mentoring the Next Generation:
Why mentoring only works when the mentee wants it.How organic, intentional mentorship shaped Stuartâs entire career.Why knowledge transfer matters now more than ever as senior engineers retire.Sustainability and Industry Challenges:
Why red tape, not people, is strangling productivity in infrastructure.Stuartâs frustration with sustainability points that waste resources.The gap between practical sustainability and bureaucratic sustainability.How industry expectations must evolve to truly support net zero goals.Collaboration and Team Culture
Why collaborative outcomes depend on people, not contract structures.How simple rituals like weekly coffees and birthday celebrations build trust.The surprising importance of emotional intelligence for engineers.What it takes to unify SMEs, contractors, clients, and stakeholders.Personal Growth and Legacy
Why becoming a father shifted Stuartâs definition of legacy.How family, surfing, and fishing keep him grounded.Why being a good dad matters more than being a well-known engineer.Key Quotes from Stuart Cook:
âI still feel deeply inadequate and insecure in my position, but you have just got to work to your strengths.ââYou cannot mentor someone into success unless they want to be mentored.ââSome of the most collaborative projects I have seen were not collaborative contracts. They were collaborative people.ââWe spend so much time chasing sustainability points instead of investing in real sustainable outcomes.ââLegacy does not matter to me as much now. Being a good dad and a good mate matters more.âAbout Our Guest:
Stuart Cook is an award-winning engineering leader known for delivering major infrastructure programs, mentoring emerging engineers, and championing emotionally intelligent leadership in a traditionally technical field. From the Ipswich Motorway upgrade to the Coomera Connector South project, Stuart has built a career grounded in curiosity, humility, and passion for developing people.About Your Host:
Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
How You Can Support the Podcast:
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Stuart on LinkedIn to follow his work and insights.Stay Connected:
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Dr. Sean Brady, a forensic engineer, safety expert, and founder of Brady Heywood Consulting. Known for leading the landmark Brady Review into fatal mining accidents, Sean breaks down why our current approach to safety is fundamentally flawed and how the way we design systems, reward behavior, and report incidents can quietly create the very risks we think we are preventing.
Sean shares what he discovered while investigating major failures across mining, aviation, health, and engineering, and why so many organizations unknowingly encourage silence, hide near misses, and measure the wrong things entirely. From normalization of deviance to the dangers of chasing zero-harm metrics, this episode challenges leaders to rethink how they view systems, human behavior, and organizational learning.
Whether you lead teams, manage major projects, or simply want to understand what true safety looks like, Sean's insights will shift how you think about risk, leadership, and culture.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode:Rethinking Safety and System Design:
Why most companies mistake the absence of incidents for the presence of safety.The real reason safety statistics often hide, not reveal, fatal risks.How normalization of deviance creeps into everyday work and leads to catastrophic failures.Why high-reliability organizations like aviation do not rely on compliance alone.Leadership, Reporting, and Culture:
Why bad news rarely flows upward and how leaders can change that.How to create a culture where people report near misses instead of hiding them.Why learning beats blaming and how organizations unintentionally punish honesty.What senior leaders must do to build genuine psychological safety.Building Systems That Actually Keep People Alive:
Why effective controls, not hazards, determine whether people survive high-risk work.How to design critical controls and verify their effectiveness continuously.The powerful difference between set-and-forget systems versus systems that learn.How dropped object reports and near misses can reveal deep system weaknesses.Key Quotes from Dr. Sean Brady:
"It is not hazards that kill people, it is ineffective controls.""Zero harm sounds good, but what your people hear is: do not report anything.""When you cannot measure what is important, you make what you can measure important.""High-reliability organizations do not expect perfection. They expect things to go wrong.""Our companies are built for good news to flow up, not bad news."About Our Guest:
Dr. Sean Brady is a forensic engineer, consultant, and internationally recognized expert in safety and organizational failure. Through his company, Brady Heywood Consulting, Sean investigates complex failures across high-risk industries and helps leaders understand how systems break and how to design organizations that learn, adapt, and prevent catastrophic events. His work on the Brady Review reshaped how Australia views mining fatalities and organizational risk.
About Your Host:
Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Dr. Sean Brady on LinkedIn to learn more about his work.
How You Can Support the Podcast:Stay Connected:
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Ashley Stewart, Project Director at Turner & Townsend, whose global experience across major events, construction, and program delivery gives her an extraordinary 360-degree perspective on Queenslandâs future. From starting on construction sites in Scotland at 18 to shaping the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and delivering Canadaâs Pan Am Games, Ashley brings a rare blend of lived experience and strategic insight.
Together, Lauren and Ashley explore the stateâs biggest challenges, from housing shortages to capability gaps to the cultural shifts reshaping the workforce. As the 2032 Olympics fast approaches, what will it truly take for Queensland to build a workforce ready for the world stage?
Grounded, honest, and deeply human, this episode offers practical wisdom for anyone navigating growth, leadership, or the emotional weight of relocating a family across continents.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode:
The Realities of Migration and Major Events:
Why relocating a family is far more complex and emotionally taxing than people assumeThe hidden financial layers of international migration (shipping, customs, housing, credit history, vehicles, schools)How Ashleyâs experience across Glasgow 2014 and Toronto Pan Am Games informs her predictions for Brisbane 2032Why Brisbane is a different test case compared to London or LA due to city size, growth rate, and resource constraintsQueenslandâs Housing and Infrastructure Challenge:
Why housing shortages could become one of the biggest barriers to workforce growthHow policy, zoning, approvals, and red tape shape development timelinesWhy large-scale master planned communities may be essentialThe ripple effects: schools, healthcare, roads, and the infrastructure needed to support incoming workers and familiesHow the cost of living and interstate migration are reshaping South East QueenslandWorkforce Capability, Skills, and Diversity:
Why Queensland faces unique skill shortages heading into the Olympic decadeHow long procurement cycles awarding work years ahead affect workforce planningThe alarming 12% decline in women in construction over the past yearThe role flexibility, culture, and workplace systems play in retaining womenâYou canât be what you canât seeâ: why visible role models matterHow technology, hybrid work, and outcome-based management can close capability gapsLeadership, Flexibility, and the Future of Work:
Why flexibility is not one size fits all, and why organisations must redefine itThe dangers of âflexibility butâ policiesHow trust, autonomy, and outcome-focused leadership strengthen cultureThe double-edged sword of remote work: freedom vs. the pressure of being âalways onâWhy leaders must build sustainable systems, not rely on individuals to âpush throughâ burnoutThe Mental Load, Comparison Trap, and Redefining Success
Why so many professionals, especially women, feel overwhelmed post-COVIDHow social media distorts expectations around careers, parenting, homes, and successWhy intentionally protecting your inner circle changes everythingThe importance of letting go of comparison and building connections aligned with your valuesHow community groups like NAWIC and industry bodies build confidence, belonging, and supportCommunity, Networking, and Belonging
Why meaningful networking is about depth, not quantityHow newcomers to Queensland can build a professional community from scratchThe power of reaching out to new arrivals, women returning from maternity leave, and early-career professionalsWhy smaller events often spark richer, more authentic connectionsThe role of committees, advocacy groups, and industry organisations in shaping the future of constructionKey Quotes from Ashley Stewart:
âI want to be able to push open doors that people thought were closed and hold them open for others to walk through behind me.ââIf I had known how hard relocating with a family would be, Iâm not sure I wouldâve done it.ââQueensland is such an attractive place to live, but that makes housing one of our biggest challenges.ââFlexibility canât be âflexibility butâ, it has to be tailored to the individual.ââYou canât be what you canât see. Visible role models matter.ââSometimes you walk into your home and your kids run to you, and thatâs the moment that makes everything feel worth it.âAbout Our Guest:
Ashley Stewart is a Project Director at Turner & Townsend, with a career spanning major global events including the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and Torontoâs Pan Am Games, alongside significant roles in construction, program delivery, and infrastructure. With deep experience across Scotland, Canada, and now Queensland, Ashley brings a unique lens to workforce capability, housing challenges, and the human realities behind major development cycles. Passionate about women in construction, flexibility, and leadership, Ashley is committed to opening doors and building pathways for future generations.
About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
How You Can Support the Podcast:
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn and follow Turner & Townsendâs workStay Connected:
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Nick Mair, founder of Pack Mentality Group and a rising voice for menâs mental health across construction, mining, and FIFO workforces. Nick opens up about his near-fatal mental health crisis, the moment Lifeline saved his life, and how that experience inspired him to build a movement centered around community, connection, and giving men a safe space to speak without judgment.
Nick unpacks the hidden struggles workers face in high-pressure, male-dominated industries, from isolation and fatigue to identity shifts and societal expectations. Whether you lead teams, work onsite, or simply care about the well-being of people around you, this conversation will challenge you to rethink strength, connection, and what it means to show up for each other.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode:
Why men are three times more likely to die by suicideThe silent toll of isolation, societal pressure, and identity shiftsHow stigma keeps men suffering alone and hiding behind âIâm fineâWhy connection, not toughness, is the real antidote
The Truth About Menâs Mental Health:Inside the FIFO and Construction Reality:
How long shifts, heat, fatigue, and remoteness impact mental healthWhy FIFO workers face unique guilt, stress, and relationship strainThe hidden dangers of financial pressure and âgolden handcuffsâHow simple support structures can change the culture on-siteBuilding Pack Mentality Group & The Power of the Pack:
The story behind Pack Mentality Group and the âwolf packâ conceptWhy Nick created the onsite Wolf Chap and Wolf Angel rolesHow the Palmy Army gives men a safe space to talk openlyThe importance of catching subtle behavioural shifts earlyConnection, Identity & Living Your Values
Why our identity should not be tied to our job titleHow changing gender roles leaves many men feeling âlostâThe danger of ignoring misalignment in your careerWhy removing the phone can transform any conversationKey Quotes from Nick Mair:
âPeople donât want to hear your obituary. They want to hear your story.ââMen want to be seen. They want to be heard. Just like everyone else.ââFatigue is the biggest driver of poor mental health onsite.ââWeâre losing connection through technology, and weâre not built for that.ââYouâd be surprised how quickly a mate will show up when you say, âIâm not doing well.ââAbout Our Guest:
Nick Mair is the founder of Pack Mentality Group, an organization dedicated to smashing the stigma around men's mental health. Through workplace sessions, Mental Health First Aid training, and community groups like the Palmy Army, Nick provides education, awareness, and safe spaces for men to be seen and heard. His mission is fueled by his own lived experience and a passion for ensuring no one feels as alone as he once did.
About Your Host:
Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Nick on LinkedIn and explore Pack Mentality Groupâs mission.
How You Can Support the Podcast:Stay Connected:
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Ryza Garbacz, the second-generation Managing Director of NEACH, a leading Australian steel fabrication and manufacturing company. From humble beginnings in a small Noosa workshop, NEACH has evolved into a powerhouse supplier for some of the nationâs most complex infrastructure projects, championing regional capability and sovereign manufacturing.
Ryza shares his journey from sweeping floors in his familyâs factory to managing major tier-one projects across Australia, before returning to transform his familyâs 50-year-old business. He reflects on lessons in leadership, authenticity, and the power of building loyalty through developing homegrown talent.
The conversation explores data-driven decision-making, transparent communication, and creating a culture that thrives through change. Ryza also unpacks the resurgence of trades, the transition ahead for Australian manufacturing, and the importance of sustainable growth. He leaves listeners with an inspiring message about legacy, purpose, and building a business that endures beyond yourself.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode:
How Ryza transformed his familyâs business into a sustainable, future-focused manufacturer.Why true legacy means building something that thrives without you.Lessons from 50 years of continuous operation and what it takes to survive in a changing economy.
Leadership and Legacy:Career Growth and Authentic Leadership:
How working on large infrastructure projects built the foundations for authentic, people-first leadership.The power of humility, likeability, and transparency in advancing your career.Why trusting your gut and having hard conversations are essential leadership skills.Building and Retaining Talent:
How to create loyalty and long-term retention through homegrown apprenticeship programs.Why investing in people early builds a stronger culture and business resilience.Insights into tackling the trade shortage and inspiring the next generation of skilled workers.Data, Decisions, and Sustainable Growth:
How to use data to make smart, strategic decisions that keep your business alive and thriving.The importance of measuring everything and knowing your numbers âto the cent.âWhy not all growth is good growth. Understanding sustainable scaling in construction and manufacturing.Resilience, Balance, and Happiness
Ryzaâs personal journey from a high-paying corporate career to rebuilding a family business for purpose and lifestyle.Why choosing happiness, family, and nature over constant hustle leads to real success.The value of staying human in an increasingly automated, AI-driven world.Key Quotes from Ryza Garbacz
âAuthenticity in how you deal with people is everything; it creates loyalty and trust.ââTrue legacy is building something that can survive without you.ââData doesnât lie. If you donât know your numbers, you canât run your business.ââDonât chase growth for the sake of it. Growth has to be meaningful.ââI chose happiness, and that was the best business decision I ever made.âAbout Our Guest:
Ryza Garbacz is the Managing Director of NEACH, a second-generation Australian manufacturing company based on the Sunshine Coast. With a background in civil engineering and a decade working on major infrastructure projects across the country, Ryza brings a unique blend of hands-on experience, commercial acumen, and deep commitment to regional manufacturing. Under his leadership, NEACH has become a trusted partner in sovereign supply and sustainable growth across Australiaâs construction sector.
About Your Host:
Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
How You Can Support the Podcast:
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Ryza Garbacz on LinkedIn to learn more about his work and insights on the future of Australian manufacturing.Stay Connected:
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Paul Rojas, a commercial litigation lawyer and founder of ConstructSupport Australia. Paul pulls back the curtain on the silent crisis gripping the construction industry: record-high insolvencies. With years of experience working with builders, liquidators, and directors in the midst of legal storms, Paul provides a stark look at the realities of cash flow strain, contract breaches, and the domino effect that can topple even established companies.
Paul shares hard-won wisdom on why proactive legal counsel is not an expense, but a critical investment in your business's survival. He demystifies complex contract clauses, reveals the common pitfalls that sink SMEs, and outlines the practical steps every construction business owner must take to shield themselves from financial collapse. Whether you're a seasoned builder or a new subcontractor, this episode is an essential guide to building a more resilient and legally sound business.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode:
Why insolvency rates in the construction sector are at an all-time high.The âfour-year lagâ effect of economic shocks like COVID-19.The domino effect when one builder collapses and how it impacts the entire supply chain.
Insolvency and Risk in Construction:Contracts and Legal Protection:
Common contract mistakes that can destroy your business.The difference between variations and cost escalation clauses and why it matters.Why every builder and subcontractor must understand their contract terms, not just have them.Business Growth and Leadership:
Paulâs unique âmerge to retireâ model for law firm acquisitions.How to build a sustainable business through referrals, acquisitions, and trusted partnerships.Lessons from leading teams, spotting culture misfits, and trusting your gut in hiring.Resilience and Legacy:
How to restructure a struggling business and turn it around.The power of focus and why staying in your niche protects you from unnecessary risk.Paulâs vision for a more transparent, accessible legal service model for SMEs.Key Quotes from Paul Rojas
âAs boring as it sounds, it always comes down to your contracts; theyâre there to protect you.ââInsolvency doesnât hit straight away. Thereâs always a four-year lag before the real impact shows.ââStick to what you know and do it well. You canât be everything to everyone.ââSometimes the biggest lesson in business is learning to trust your gut.âAbout Our Guest:
Paul Rojas is a commercial litigation lawyer and founder of RCR Lawyers, ConstructSupport Australia, and a national debt collection company. With more than 20 years of experience across construction, insolvency, and commercial law, Paul has helped countless businesses navigate disputes, avoid collapse, and rebuild stronger. Passionate about making legal support more accessible, he is now pioneering a subscription-based legal model for SMEs in the building industry.
About Your Host:
Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
How You Can Support the Podcast:
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Paul Rojas on LinkedIn to learn more about his work.Stay Connected:
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Scott Clements, Managing Director of Inertia Engineering, whose story is one of resilience, innovation, and leadership in an ever-evolving construction industry.
Scott shares how he built his company from the ground up, navigated economic downturns, and even doubled in size during COVID, proving that adaptability is the ultimate advantage. He and Lauren dig into how AI and design automation are transforming civil engineering, cutting project timelines in half while freeing teams to focus on creativity and problem-solving.
They also explore the realities of leadership, how to protect culture as you grow, hire the right people, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. From tackling labor shortages to reimagining the governmentâs role in driving productivity, this episode is packed with fresh insights and inspiration for leaders ready to embrace change and keep building, no matter what challenges lie ahead.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode:Resilience and Leadership:
How Scottâs business grew through global crises like the GFC and COVIDWhy resilience and adaptability are key traits in engineering leadershipThe mindset needed to lead through uncertainty and growthAI and the Future of Engineering:
How AI and automation are transforming design and project deliveryWhy communication and creativity will be the most valuable future skillsThe importance of learning to âinterrogateâ AI rather than fear itHow new technology partnerships are revolutionizing civil engineeringCulture and People:
The secrets to maintaining company culture through rapid growthWhy hiring great people (not âmini-mesâ) accelerates business successBuilding leadership teams that value diversity, autonomy, and trustIndustry Insights and Governmentâs Role:
How Australiaâs construction industry can boost productivity and innovationWhy government and industry collaboration is vital for addressing skills shortagesThe role of immigration and training in solving the labor crisisPersonal Lessons and Balance:
Scottâs belief that energy, fitness, and family are key to sustainable leadershipThe legacy he hopes to leave for his team and the engineering industryKey Quotes from Scott Clements
âIn the new age of AI, the things that will matter most are communication and creativity.ââCulture doesnât have to fade as you grow; it just has to evolve.ââIf we donât become more productive, weâll all keep paying more for everything we build.ââAI wonât replace engineers, but engineers who use AI will replace those who donât.âAbout Our Guest
Scott Clements is the Managing Director of Inertia Engineering, a leading civil engineering consultancy known for embracing innovation and sustainability. With over 20 years of experience, Scott has built a reputation as a forward-thinking leader who integrates technology, creativity, and culture to deliver impactful engineering solutions. From pioneering AI partnerships to mentoring future leaders, Scott is shaping the next generation of engineering excellence.
About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Scott on LinkedIn to learn more about his journey.
How You Can Support the Podcast:Stay Connected:
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Sally Stannard, the Director General of Queenslandâs Department of Transport and Main Roads. Sallyâs journey from a farm in New South Wales to leading one of the most ambitious transport reform agendas in Australia is one of grit, curiosity, and transformation. In this powerful conversation, Sally reveals her insights into the importance of leadership, inclusivity, and how women are breaking barriers in the traditionally male-dominated infrastructure sector.
From the challenges of starting in a country town to leading large-scale infrastructure projects, Sally shares her experiences of creating change in the transport industry. She discusses how crucial it is to understand both design and construction, the importance of leadership during high-stakes moments, and why she believes infrastructure is about people, not just concrete and contracts.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode:
The power of mentorship and inclusion in fostering female leadersBalancing career, family, and leadership responsibilitiesCreating an environment where women can thrive and lead
Female Leadership: Breaking Barriers and Building SupportTransforming Public Transport
How the 2032 Olympics is reshaping Queenslandâs infrastructureBuilding sustainable, accessible transport systems for future generationsThe role of public transport in connecting urban and regional communitiesCollaborative Contracting: Partnership Over Paperwork
Moving beyond contract forms to foster true collaborationHow shared risks and rewards create stronger project outcomesThe importance of communication and transparency between sectorsShaping People and Culture
Mentorship and its impact on long-term industry successBuilding a culture where talent is nurtured and valuedCreating lasting change through inclusive leadershipInfrastructure as Lifeline
The crucial role of infrastructure in remote and crisis-stricken areasRebuilding communities quickly after natural disastersHow regional infrastructure supports broader economic stabilityTechnology Transforming Infrastructure
How digital twins and AI are making infrastructure smarter and saferLeveraging technology for more efficient and sustainable systemsThe future of infrastructure: anticipatory solutions for safer communities
"Your career is shaped by the people you talk to.""I used to think that everything was about what I was working on, but I recognize now that how we work and who we work with, the team that we show up with every day, âthat's the thing that changes what it feels like to go to work.""Sitting on the outside knocking wasn't letting me have the kind of change that I wanted to have, so it motivated me to go inside.""A teamâs job is not to critique each other. It is to find the things that are real issues and resolve them, not just throw them across the table at each other."
Key Quotes from Sally Stannard:About Our Guest
Sally Stannard is a visionary leader and a driving force behind the transformation of Queensland's transport systems. She is passionate about creating inclusive, forward-thinking infrastructure projects that address the needs of the community while embracing cutting-edge technologies. Throughout her career, Sally has worked across multiple facets of the transport sector, championing digital innovation, sustainable practices, and collaborative approaches to infrastructure development.
Connect with Sally Stannard on LinkedIn.
About Your HostLauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with engineers, contractors, and leaders in construction and infrastructure.
How You Can Support the Podcast:
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.
Stay Connected:Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan chats with Erik Vandenberg, a seasoned leader with a fascinating journey from technical expert to executive in the energy sector. Erikâs career spans diverse roles in aircraft maintenance, oil and gas, and now, executive leadership in energy transitions. Erik reveals his insights into leadership evolution, the power of emotional intelligence, and the rapid changes in the energy industry.
From navigating mergers and organizational change to making high-stakes decisions in critical environments, Erikâs journey offers valuable lessons on how to lead through uncertainty and drive meaningful progress. Whether youâre a seasoned leader or just starting in your career, this episode provides actionable insights for anyone looking to thrive in complex industries.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode:Emotional Intelligence & Leadership
How emotional intelligence and curiosity shaped Erikâs leadership success and enabled him to manage teams through mergers and cultural shifts.Navigating Energy Transitions
Erik shares how the energy sector is evolving and how businesses need to adapt to sustainability and technology shifts, including AI and decarbonization.Leadership Challenges
From technical expert to strategic leader: the skills and mindset Erik adopted to lead across diverse disciplines and industries.Lessons from the Field
Real-world insights into managing high-stakes projects in oil and gas, including a terrifying near-miss in commissioning gas turbines.The Role of AI in Leadership & Business
How AI is changing industries, but also the concerns it raises about workforce development and cognitive abilities for the next generation.Key Quotes from Erik Vandenberg
"The skillset you need as a leader in technical industries is vastly different from being a problem-solving SME.""Itâs a transition of emotional intelligence, not just retaining information. As leaders, you need to learn how to lead people, not just manage projects.""The energy transition isnât a cliff. Itâs a mix of solutions. Nuclear, gas, renewables, AI, all are part of the puzzle.""Leadership is about doing the right thing, having the right conversations, and making tough decisions, even when itâs uncomfortable."
About Our Guest
Erik Vandenberg is a leadership expert with extensive experience in mechanical engineering, oil and gas, and the energy sector. Currently focused on leading growth during the energy transition, Erikâs career spans technical, operational, and strategic roles. Passionate about mentoring, he continues to navigate complex projects, always seeking the next challenge. Erik advocates for the importance of combining technical expertise with emotional intelligence in leadership.
About Your Host
Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with engineers, contractors, and leaders in construction and infrastructure.Connect with Erik Vandenberg on LinkedIn to learn more about his journey.
How You Can Support the Podcast:
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.
Stay Connected:Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Michael Terry, a construction leader whose career journey has taken him from dreaming of becoming a vet to running his own business to senior leadership roles on both the contracting and client side. Michael shares candid insights into work ethic, ownership, and the importance of systems in building successful projects, as well as how to transition from â110% workerâ to leader and mentor.
Michaelâs story highlights resilience, entrepreneurial drive, and the value of mentoring the next generation. From early struggles at school to shaping communities through large-scale developments, his journey offers valuable lessons for anyone in construction, engineering, or leadership.
What Youâll Learn in This Episode
Career Journey & Resilience
How Michael went from aspiring mechanic and vet to becoming an engineer and entrepreneur.Lessons learned from starting and running his own business while studying.The importance of seeing setbacks as opportunities to build persistence and grit.Ownership & Work Ethic
Why treating every project dollar as your own drives better results.How ownership shapes decision-making, from budgets to quality.The balance between working at â110%â and knowing when to slow down.Leadership & Mentorship
Transitioning from worker to leader: leading by example and giving teams freedom to succeed.Why recognition and trust are vital in motivating high-performing teams.The role of mentoring in passing on hard-earned knowledge to the next generation of engineers.Systems & Business Mindset
How building repeatable systems creates long-term project success.Why a project should be run like its own business with a P&L mindset.The risks of leaner project teams and subcontractor-driven delivery models.Client-Side Perspective
The shift from contractor to client-side leadership and why patience is key.How to hold contractors accountable for quality while shaping better project outcomes.The legacy of moving from invisible infrastructure to building visible communitiesKey Quotes from Michael Terry
âEvery dollar is your dollar. Would you accept it at home if you were paying for it?ââYou can make one mistake, but never the same mistake twice.ââMost of the money is made before you break ground; after that, youâre just chasing it.ââThe answer is three phone calls away, build your network, and donât be afraid to ask.âAbout Our Guest:
Michael Terry is a seasoned construction leader with experience spanning demolition, infrastructure, and development. From running his own business in his early 20s to senior leadership in client-side development, he brings a unique perspective on ownership, systems, and building high-performing teams. Passionate about mentoring, Michael is committed to sharing his knowledge with the next generation of engineers and leaders.
About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.
Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with engineers, contractors, and leaders in construction and infrastructure.Connect with Michael Terry on LinkedIn to learn more about his journey.
How You Can Support the Podcast:Stay Connected:
Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Letâs Connect:
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected].Thank you for listening! Itâs time to stop waiting and start building.
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