Building Doors with Lauren Karan

Lauren Karan
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Building Doors, hosted by Lauren Karan, is the podcast for ambitious professionals in construction, infrastructure, and engineering ready to accelerate their careers and lead with impact. Each episode explores how top industry leaders built their success and what it takes to stand out. Lauren shares practical strategies for career growth, networking, and influence, along with insights on leadership, hiring trends, and the future of the industry. You’ll hear real conversations with CEOs, project managers, and innovators shaping the built environment. Tune in every two weeks for expert guidance and inspiration—and start building doors to your future.

  1. Aug 2

    98. Why Sustainability Starts Long Before Construction Begins with Hollie Hynes

    In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Hollie Hynes, a construction leader who's spent years helping shape how major infrastructure projects are delivered and how sustainability is becoming part of everyday decision-making across the industry. Having worked across environmental engineering, commercial strategy, and executive leadership, Hollie has seen firsthand what it takes to influence change in one of the world's most complex industries. Hollie shares how following her instincts led her into construction, why some of her biggest career breakthroughs came from stepping into roles that felt uncomfortable, and how the support of sponsors helped her see opportunities she never would have pursued on her own.  Lauren and Hollie explore why sustainability shouldn't be treated as a separate conversation. Instead, they discuss how it needs to be considered from the earliest stages of planning and procurement. The conversation also dives into leadership, imposter syndrome, building teams around a shared purpose, and balancing a demanding career with family life. They wrap up with a thoughtful conversation about legacy. For Hollie, it's about more than the infrastructure we leave behind. It's about giving people every opportunity to succeed, creating projects that genuinely benefit communities, and having the courage to rethink the way the industry works so future generations inherit something better.  Tune in for an insightful conversation about leadership, sustainability, career growth, and creating a construction industry that's built for the future.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Finding Purpose Early in a Career: How comparing two very different job interviews helped Hollie discover what she actually wanted from workWhy being drawn to "boots on ground" complexity, not comfort, pointed her toward constructionThe value of knowing how you learn best, and choosing a path that fits it Seeking Discomfort as a Growth Strategy: Why Hollie deliberately seeks out the next thing that makes her uncomfortableHow stepping into the unknown sharpens curiosity and widens your networkThe importance of knowing what you don't know, and who to ask Sponsorship, Initiative, and Getting Noticed: The difference between mentorship and sponsorship, and why both matterHow doing the jobs nobody assigned her opened doors she didn't expectWhy filling gaps on a growing team builds trust faster than waiting to be asked Leading Teams and Getting People on the Bus: Why a shared vision only works once you understand each person's individual "why"How leaders can curate that vision without having hours to spend with every personThe role of trust and personal connection in real leadership impact Rethinking Sustainability in Construction: Why sustainability lives in every decision, not just a specialist functionHow procurement and tendering systems currently reward time, cost, and quality over long term impactWhat it would take to make climate and social outcomes part of the core scorecard, not a side conversation Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Being Underestimated: How Hollie has learned to work alongside imposter syndrome rather than wait for it to disappearThe pivotal moment she called former colleagues to ask why they believed in herWhy turning up with clarity about what you don't know can be a form of strengthLegacy, Family, and a New Work Paradigm: What legacy means to Hollie, in both people and the assets left behindWhy she believes the industry needs new models like split shifts to attract and retain talentHer honest reflections on the "glass ball, rubber ball" approach to juggling career and familyKey Quotes from Hollie Hynes: "I now have a compulsion to seek the next thing that makes me uncomfortable."Sustainability lives in everyone's world.""You've got to know your people and understand what makes them tick.""You're not replaceable at home.""Hospitals keep humans alive on eight-hour shifts. We can do that.""There's a different way to do what we do."About Our Guest: Hollie Hynes is a construction and infrastructure leader whose career has spanned environmental engineering, roads leadership, commercial strategy, and sustainability strategy at an enterprise level. She has played a central role in embedding sustainability into procurement and delivery processes, and now works within a business where sustainability sits at the core of strategic direction. Hollie is also involved with the Queensland Major Contractors Association (QMCA), where she helps tackle industry wide questions about talent, retention, and the future of work in construction.  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 Hollie Hynes on LinkedIn.  Stay Connected: Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content. Let’s Connect: Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au. Thank you for listening! It’s time to stop waiting and start building.

    98. Why Sustainability Starts Long Before Construction Begins with Hollie Hynes

  2. Jul 19

    97. Changing the System: How Janelle Kerrisk Built a More Human Way to Support Construction

    In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Janelle Kerrisk, founder of Helix Legal, a construction lawyer, business owner, and leader reshaping how legal services support the construction industry. From making partner at 30 to leaving a large firm and building Helix with one-year-old twins at home, Janelle shares the personal and professional decisions that shaped her approach to leadership, flexibility, systems, and success. Janelle reflects on the confidence it took to build her career in construction law, the doubts that still exist even after decades of experience, and the unusual ways she pushed herself outside her comfort zone — from public speaking to a comedy course at The Paddo Tavern. She also explains why the systems inside a business matter so deeply, how they influence behavior, collaboration, and trust, and why changing the way people work often starts with changing the infrastructure around them. Tune in for a thoughtful, practical, and deeply human conversation about building a business differently, challenging hustle culture, creating flexibility that actually works, and reimagining the role of legal services in construction — from reacting to disputes to helping projects, people, and businesses achieve better outcomes. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Building Confidence in Construction Law: How Janelle found her way into construction law almost by chanceWhy early hands-on experience helped shape her confidence and capabilityHow public speaking, leadership roles, and even comedy helped her find her voiceMaking Partner and Choosing a Different Path:What it meant to become the youngest partner and the first woman around the Queensland tableWhy success inside a traditional system does not always mean the system is right for youHow Janelle reached the point where she knew she wanted to build something differentBuilding Helix Legal: Why Janelle left equity partnership to establish Helix LegalHow her long-term collaboration with Dayna Gilbert helped shape the businessWhy founding a business with one-year-old twins was both challenging and purposefulSystems, Infrastructure, and Human Behavior:Why the systems inside a business shape the way people behaveHow early decisions around cloud-based systems gave Helix flexibility from the beginningWhy business infrastructure should support trust, transparency, and collaborationFlexibility, Trust, and Modern Work: Why flexibility at Helix is immediate, not something people have to earn over timeHow systems can create accountability without micromanagementWhy flexibility is about more than school pickup,  it is about allowing people to be fully humanHuman-Led Leadership: Why Janelle encourages people to explore interests outside of workHow personal goals, family life, and professional growth can exist togetherWhy knowing and trusting the people inside your business can become a powerful leadership advantageConstruction, Contracts, and Better Project Outcomes:Why traditional adversarial approaches can make construction delivery harderHow Helix Legal, Helix Compliance, and Helix Impact support construction businesses in different waysWhy legal services should help prevent problems, not only respond after disputes ariseChallenging Hustle Culture:Why Janelle wanted her time away from her children to mean more than “selling time for money”How happiness became a success measure inside HelixWhy building a business does not have to mean sacrificing family, identity, or wellbeingKey Quotes from Janelle Kerrisk : “There’s still always that little bit of doubt, no matter how old you get, no matter how experienced you are.”“You really need to make that side of you be quiet, or have some strategy for hushing that voice inside you.”“The infrastructure of major law firms makes it really a challenge to innovate.”“If everything that you touch every day, everything that’s measured, is pushing towards one agenda, how are you ever going to go in the other direction?”“Flexibility isn’t just about the person who needs to go and pick their child up from school. It’s about so much more than that.”“My time is worth more than whatever money that you could possibly pay me.”“Happiness was a success measure.”“The friendship and that collaboration has been the foundation of the success of Helix.”About Our Guest:  Janelle Kerrisk is the founder of Helix Legal, a construction lawyer and business leader with more than two decades of experience across construction law, dispute resolution, business design, leadership, and industry support. After becoming an equity partner in a large law firm, Janelle chose to build Helix as a more human, flexible, and commercially focused alternative to traditional legal practice. Through Helix Legal, Helix Compliance, and Helix Impact, she helps construction businesses navigate risk, improve systems, prevent disputes, and create better outcomes for projects and 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 construction leadership, legal innovation, business design, flexibility, and building more human workplaces. Connect with  Janelle Kerrisk and Helix Legal to learn more about construction law, compliance, impact, and better project outcomes. Stay Connected: Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content. Let’s Connect: Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au. Thank you for listening! It’s time to stop waiting and start building.

    97. Changing the System: How Janelle Kerrisk Built a More Human Way to Support Construction

  3. Jun 21

    96. Resilience, Data, And The Future Of Engineering with Ben Cryan

    In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Ben Cryan, founder of Praxis Engineering, Axesse, and Carbon Trace, for a powerful conversation about resilience, engineering, data, AI, and the future of project delivery in construction and infrastructure. At 31, Ben’s life changed in an instant after a surfing accident left him facing 18 months in hospital, more than 55 operations, three months unconscious in intensive care, two strokes, and a kidney transplant donated by his mother. Doctors told him he may never walk again. But Ben refused to let that moment define him. One step at a time, he fought his way back to walking, back to engineering, and eventually into building businesses that are helping reshape how the industry understands cost, carbon, risk, and better design decisions. Ben shares how his recovery taught him the importance of community, asking for help, and never giving up. He also explains why data has always been central to the way he thinks as an engineer, and how structured project data can help teams reduce rework, improve decision-making, understand cost and carbon earlier, and create better outcomes across major infrastructure projects. Tune in for a deeply human, practical, and forward-looking conversation about what happens when resilience meets innovation — and why the future of construction will depend not just on AI, but on better data, better frameworks, and the courage to think differently. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Resilience, Recovery, and Rebuilding:- How Ben’s surfing accident changed his life and career- What 18 months in hospital taught him about people, family, and community- Why Ben never wanted sympathy, and what it took to return to engineering Never Giving Up:- How Ben rebuilt his life and career after being told he may never walk again- Why his businesses are shaped by the same mindset that carried him through recovery- The role determination, patience, and courage play in both life and entrepreneurship Mental Health, Speaking Up, and Asking for Help:- Why putting a problem out into the world is the first step to solving it- How asking for help shaped Ben’s career in engineering and business- The importance of openness, honesty, and support in high-pressure industries Building Businesses After Setbacks:- The reality of building an engineering consultancy and two technology platforms- Why rejection, resilience, and persistence are part of entrepreneurship- How Ben turned personal adversity into a drive to solve industry problems Data, Design, and Better Engineering Decisions:- Why “the data tells a story”- How structured data can help engineers understand cost and carbon in real time- Why early visibility of project data can reduce rework and improve design outcomes AI, Construction, and the Right Framework:- Why companies should not build AI for the sake of AI- The importance of getting the data framework right before adopting AI- How AI can support engineers by helping them filter complex information and make better decisions Reducing Cost, Carbon, and Project Risk:- How better data can help teams understand cost risk earlier in the design phase- Why embodied carbon needs to be considered alongside cost- The opportunity to deliver better infrastructure with more certainty and control The Human Cost of Poor Project Tools:- How rework affects design teams, project timelines, and people’s wellbeing- Why better systems can help reduce unnecessary pressure on engineers- How technology can free up time for deeper thinking, creativity, and better solutions The Future of Engineering and Construction:- Why AI will not change construction overnight- How engineers can lean into change without losing the fundamentals- Why the industry needs to think differently if it wants to deliver better projects Key Quotes from Ben Cryan: - “Once we put a problem out into the world, we can actually solve it.”- “I’ve never wanted sympathy for my accident. I’ve never wanted to be treated differently. I just wanna be normal.”- “The data tells a story.”- “Never giving up is so powerful.”- “Building a small engineering consultancy is hard. Building two tech startups is even harder.”- “Don’t build AI for the sake of AI.”- “Things don’t change overnight, and our industry’s not gonna change overnight.”- “I made a career out of asking for help.” About Our Guest: Ben Cryan is a civil engineer, founder, and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience in linear infrastructure design. He is the founder of Praxis Engineering, Axesse, and Carbon Trace. Through his work, Ben is helping the construction and infrastructure sectors use structured data to better understand cost risk, embodied carbon, design decisions, and project outcomes. His personal journey of recovery, resilience, and rebuilding has shaped his belief in never giving up, asking for help, and using data to make better decisions. 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 engineering, construction innovation, resilience, AI, data, project delivery, and the future of infrastructure.- Connect with Ben Cryan to learn more about Praxis Engineering, Axesse, and Carbon Trace. Stay Connected: - Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.- Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content. Let’s Connect:- Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au. Thank you for listening! It’s time to stop waiting and start building.

    96. Resilience, Data, And The Future Of Engineering with Ben Cryan

  4. Jun 7

    95. Construction Has a People Problem: Why Inclusive Leadership Is the Industry’s Biggest Opportunity with Cathryn Greville

    In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Cathryn Greville, CEO of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), a lawyer, governance expert, and one of the industry's most passionate advocates for systemic cultural change. From collaborative contracting to parental leave, from male allyship to psychological safety, Cathryn makes a powerful case that construction's biggest challenges: productivity, skills shortages, and retention won't be solved by technology alone. They'll be solved by leadership. Cathryn shares the evidence: inclusive teams make better decisions 87% of the time, and twice as fast. She explains why the single biggest risk time for losing women in construction is pregnancy and return to work, and why getting more men to take parental leave is a retention strategy, not a social one. She also pulls back the curtain on NAWIC's $5 million "Allyship in Action" project, including site-based allyship programs, sponsorship training, and a cultural ambassadors program designed to reach young tradies before bad habits set in. Tune in for a frank, data-driven, and hopeful conversation about what it actually takes to build workplaces where people want to stay  and why inclusive leadership may be the most underleveraged commercial advantage in construction today. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Inclusive Leadership and the Future of Construction: Why inclusive leadership is a commercial advantage, not just a social initiativeHow leadership styles directly impact workforce retention and project outcomesThe role leaders play in creating psychologically safe workplaces The Link Between Inclusion, Productivity, and Performance: Why inclusive teams make better decisions and achieve stronger business resultsHow psychological safety improves productivity and reduces workforce riskThe hidden financial costs of poor workplace culture and employee turnover  Innovation Starts with People: Why innovation is about more than technology and AIHow diverse perspectives create better solutions and stronger decision-makingThe connection between workplace culture, creativity, and problem-solving Workforce Challenges and Talent Attraction: Why construction's workforce shortage requires a broader talent strategyHow inclusive workplaces help attract and retain the next generation of workersWhat Gen Z expects from employers and why culture matters more than ever Flexibility, Retention, and Modern Work: Why flexibility means more than working from homeHow small adjustments can significantly improve employee retentionThe importance of designing workplaces around people's real needs Pregnancy, Parenthood, and Retaining Women in Construction: Why pregnancy remains one of the highest-risk points for losing women from the industryThe role parental leave and caring responsibilities play in workforce retentionHow supporting fathers and caregivers benefits the entire workforceMale Allyship and Culture Change: What male allyship looks like in practiceWhy giving men the tools to support change is critical for industry transformationHow NAWIC's Allyship in Action program is helping shift workplace culture Recruitment, Bias, and Untapped Talent: Why construction still relies heavily on traditional hiring methodsHow transferable skills can unlock new talent poolsThe importance of challenging assumptions about who belongs in construction Building a More Sustainable Industry: Why workforce sustainability is becoming one of construction's biggest challengesHow governments, clients, contractors, and leaders can work together to drive changeWhat organizations can do today to become employers of choice Key Quotes from Cathryn Greville: "Productivity all comes back to people.""The biggest impediment to innovation isn't the technology. It's whether people are able to implement it.""Innovation is not just tech. Innovation is about solving problems.""The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.""If you're not engaging 50 percent of the population, you're missing a huge opportunity.""We need workplaces where people feel safe, valued, and able to do their best work.""Inclusion is not just a diversity initiative. It's a business strategy." About Our Guest: Cathryn Greville is the CEO of NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction), a lawyer by background with decades of experience in industry reform, regulation, and governance. She has worked across litigation, collaborative contracting, and cultural transformation in both the UK and Australia. Cathryn is currently leading NAWIC’s $5 million "Allyship in Action" project (funded by the Building Women’s Careers Grant Program), delivered in partnership with CPB Contractors, Adco Constructions, the Australian Workers’ Union, and Holmesglen Institute. Her mission: to make "male ally" an obsolete term within a decade by building a sector that works for everyone. 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 Cathryn Greville and NAWIC to learn more about workforce inclusion and culture change initiatives.Stay Connected: Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content. Let’s Connect: Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au. Thank you for listening! It’s time to stop waiting and start building.

    95. Construction Has a People Problem: Why Inclusive Leadership Is the Industry’s Biggest Opportunity with Cathryn Greville

  5. May 24

    94. The Productivity Paradox: Why Infrastructure Is Stuck in 1990 and How AI Can Actually Help with Daryl Sadgrove

    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 You’ll Learn in This Episode: Building Momentum in Large Organizations: How strategic clarity from the top creates a “tsunami” 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 only The 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 “soft skills” as a nice to have when they unlock millions in ROI AI 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 Daryl’s mind The 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 “best case scenario” of 50% growth became reality, not the worst case AI, 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 Daryl’s legacy is translating solutions across industry silosThe importance of being truly home when you are home, with family, not just in bodyKey Quotes from Daryl Sadgrove: “Communication, collaboration, and culture are the biggest constraints holding projects back.”“You don’t need everyone on the bus. You need critical mass.”“If you’re not sick of repeating the strategy, you probably haven’t communicated it enough.”“AI can make bad systems worse faster.”“The businesses that win with AI will be the ones that supercharge people, not replace them.”“People are craving human connection more than ever.”“Leadership clarity matters exponentially more in the AI era.”“The future belongs to organizations that unlock human potential.”“Infrastructure productivity is still sitting below where it was in 1990.” 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.Stay Connected: Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content. Let’s Connect: Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au. Thank you for listening! It’s time to stop waiting and start building.

    94. The Productivity Paradox: Why Infrastructure Is Stuck in 1990 and How AI Can Actually Help with Daryl Sadgrove

  6. May 10

    93. Construction Has a Thinking Problem: Challenging the Assumptions That Hold the Industry Back with Adam Woodley

    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 You’ll Learn in This Episode: Building a Career Through Opportunity and Work Ethic: How early exposure to trades shaped Adam’s career path and mindsetWhy hard work creates “luck” and opens doors over timeThe value of adaptability and being willing to take on new challengesScaling a Business from the Ground Up: 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 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 retention Leadership, 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 best Customer 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 relationshipsLife-Changing Perspective and Personal Growth:  How surviving a house fire reshaped Adam’s priorities and mindsetWhy living with urgency changes how you lead and make decisionsThe importance of focusing on what truly matters todayCulture, Bias, and Industry Change:  Why construction doesn’t have a talent problem, it has a thinking problemHow unconscious bias and microaggressions impact retentionThe role leaders and teams play in shaping inclusive workplaces Male Allyship and the Future of Construction:  The case for changing culture from the bottom up, starting with young men aged 17–25What it takes to create a culture where everyone belongsWhy the goal is to make "male ally" an obsolete term in 10 years Key Quotes from Adam Woodley: “Construction has never had a talent problem. It has a thinking problem.”“Hard work creates the luck that people see.”“If you can do it today, don’t put it off until tomorrow.”“Customers are loyal to the person, not the company.”“Don’t ever be too busy to make sure your door is always open.”“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.” About 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. Let’s Connect: Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.Thank you for listening! It’s time to stop waiting and start building.

    93. Construction Has a Thinking Problem: Challenging the Assumptions That Hold the Industry Back with Adam Woodley

  7. Apr 26

    92. Standards Are Everything: Why Settling for "Good Enough" Kills Projects with Cameron Bell

    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 “peggy” (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 “good enough” 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 You’ll Learn in This Episode: Building Strong Foundations in Engineering: Why Cameron’s 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 “rotten eggs” 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 winsCameron’s “pub test” and “Sunday paper test” 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: “Honesty is the best policy. It’s easier to fix a mistake at the start.”“There's always a solution. You just haven't looked hard enough.”“You’ve got to set the standards at the start with the people you hire.”“If you settle on anything in life, you’re giving up.”“There’s nothing worse than not dealing with a rotten egg. It kills the culture.”“We're not tier one, tier two, or tier three. We're just the best people to work with.”About 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.Let’s Connect: Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.Thank you for listening! It’s time to stop waiting and start building.

    92. Standards Are Everything: Why Settling for "Good Enough" Kills Projects with Cameron Bell

  8. Apr 12

    91. Sustainability Is Everyone's Problem: Engineering, Values, and Raising the Next Generation with Ashley Hernandez

    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 “green kilometre,” 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 You’ll Learn in This Episode: Sustainability as Integration, Not Silos: Why sustainability isn’t just “something the enviros do”How infrastructure rating systems (like Greenroads and ISC) create a common languageThe challenge of moving goalposts and why that’s actually a sign of progress Career Transitions and Values Alignment: Why Ashley left large consultancies to join a boutique firmHow saying “yes before thinking” led to a board role and a new career pathLetting your RPQ lapse and why that was the right decision Motherhood, Activism, and Legacy: Why “motherhood in and of itself is activism”How 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 valuesMindfulness for the Overwhelmed Professional: Why burnout builds from micro-stresses, not just major crisesPractical techniques: box breathing, single-tasking, and the “rubber ball vs. glass ball” analogyHow to transition between meetings (and why a minute of breath work matters more than being on time) 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 team Gender Equity and Male Allyship: The sting of “working a short day today?” 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 workplacesKey Quotes from Ashley Hernandez: “Sustainability brings it all to the forefront. This is everyone’s problem.”“We’re here for a short time. What kind of life are we living if we’re not true to our values?”“Motherhood in and of itself is activism.”“It’s not that serious. We’re saving PDFs, not lives.”“We design and build these massive pieces of infrastructure through teamwork and through people.” 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. Let’s Connect: Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.Thank you for listening! It’s time to stop waiting and start building.

    91. Sustainability Is Everyone's Problem: Engineering, Values, and Raising the Next Generation with Ashley Hernandez
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Building Doors, hosted by Lauren Karan, is the podcast for ambitious professionals in construction, infrastructure, and engineering ready to accelerate their careers and lead with impact. Each episode explores how top industry leaders built their success and what it takes to stand out. Lauren shares practical strategies for career growth, networking, and influence, along with insights on leadership, hiring trends, and the future of the industry. You’ll hear real conversations with CEOs, project managers, and innovators shaping the built environment. Tune in every two weeks for expert guidance and inspiration—and start building doors to your future.

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