67. The Culture Shift We Can Build: Diversity, Flexibility, and the Future of Trades

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan welcomes the remarkable Radmila Desic, a carpenter turned national changemaker and Order of Australia Medal recipient, to explore what it truly takes to reshape an industry and build a legacy that lasts.Radmila’s story spans continents, generations, and industries, from her humble beginnings in Montenegro to becoming a leading voice for women in construction. As Brisbane prepares for the 2032 Olympics, Radmila shares a bold vision: empowering women and elite athletes to build the very stadiums they’ll one day play in.This is a raw, real, and incredibly inspiring conversation about courage, culture change, and doing the hard things, even when the world says “no.”What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Trailblazing in Trades:Rad’s journey from immigrant to industry influencer.What it was really like to be a female apprentice in a male-dominated trade.Standing up to discrimination with wit, resilience, and action.Shifting Culture, Not Just Genders:Why inclusion on job sites benefits everyone, not just women.The Male Allies program that’s changing mindsets, one conversation at a time.How workplace culture impacts everything from safety to mental health.Brisbane 2032 and the Legacy Opportunity:A call to action: getting women and athletes into trades to build Olympic infrastructure.Leveraging elite sporting pathways into parallel careers in construction.Why we need to target sporting clubs, not just schools, for recruitment.Creating Systemic Change:Why we must rethink flexibility and work-life balance in construction.The case for diversity as a driver of innovation and productivity.What “30 percent by 2032” could mean for the future of trades.About Our Guest:Radmila Desic AM is a nationally recognised leader in the Australian construction sector and a fierce advocate for tradeswomen. A qualified carpenter, former elite rugby league player, and the recipient of the Order of Australia Medal, Rad is currently spearheading efforts to use the Brisbane 2032 Olympics as a launchpad for lasting change. Her work bridges the gap between sport, trades, and equity, empowering women to build the very future they’ll compete in.Key Quotes from Radmila:“We’re not just building stadiums, we’re building futures.”“The barriers aren’t the work. The barriers are the culture.”“Women have been moving furniture solo for decades. We can build bridges too.”About Your Host:Lauren Karan is the founder of Karan & Co. and the voice behind Building Doors, where she interviews changemakers who are rewriting the rules in construction, infrastructure, and beyond. A recruiter, coach, and advocate for career empowerment, Lauren helps listeners stop waiting and start building their futures.How You Can Support the Podcast:Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with leaders, recruiters, and advocates who can help open more doors.Follow Lauren Karan and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Join the Building Doors newsletter for behind-the-scenes insights and bonus content.Let’s Connect:Want to be a guest or share your thoughts?Email us at [email protected] for listening. It’s time to stop waiting and start building.