Building Doors with Lauren Karan
by Lauren Karan
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.
Episodes
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101. The Missing Skill Every Leader Needs: Why Most Leadership Development Fails with Julie Birtles
In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Julie Birtles, a leadership advisor who has spent more than two decades working with executives, governments, universities, and major organisations to help leaders navigate complexity, disruption, and transformation. Julie...
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100. Celebrating 100 Episodes: The Insights, Ideas, and People Shaping Construction
In this special 100th episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan looks back on four years of conversations exploring leadership, innovation, safety, culture, careers, and the future of construction and infrastructure. To celebrate the milestone, Lauren revisits some of the insights and moments...
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99. Finding the Way: Connection, Generosity, and Purpose with Elia Hill
In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Elia Hill, a master connector whose career has spanned tennis coaching, charity work, and strategic advisory roles across sport, business, and government. Elia shares how the lessons she learned on the tennis court, resilience,...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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....
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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.…
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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.…
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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…
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90. The Power of People: Leadership, Vulnerability, and Building a Better Construction Culture with Paul Rhoden
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,...
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89. Finding Calm Amid the Chaos: The Leadership Shift Every Construction Professional Needs to Hear with Alex Prenzel
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...
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88. How to Pivot and Thrive When Your Business Faces Market Shifts with James Gleeson
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…
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87. Courageous Engineering: Breaking the Fear Cycle and Reclaiming Pride in the Profession with Ben Schnitzerling
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...
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86. The Hidden Values of Engineering: Why the Future of Infrastructure Depends on People, Purpose, and Legacy with Felicity Furey
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 engineering’s DNA, inherited...
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85. Fixing Infrastructure Delivery: Collaboration, Procurement Reform, and Building High-Trust Teams with Mark Simister
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 London’s crumbling water network to disaster recovery in Queensland and Christchurch, and ultimately...
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84. Designing Your Career: Leadership, Imposter Syndrome, and the Future of Engineering with Stuart Cook
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,...
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83. Why Most Companies Get Safety Wrong and How True Leaders Build Systems That Learn with Dr. Sean Brady
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...
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82. Inside Queensland’s Next Boom: Housing, Workforce and the Road to 2032 with Ashley Stewart
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 Queensland’s future. From starting on...
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81. Breaking the Silence: Why Mental Health Conversations Matter in Construction with Nick Mair
In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Nick Mair, founder of Pack Mentality Group and a rising voice for men’s mental health across construction, mining, and FIFO workforces. Nick opens up about his near-fatal mental health crisis, the moment Lifeline saved his life,...
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80. Why the Future of Australian Manufacturing Depends on the Next Generation with Ryza Garbacz
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...
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79. How to Protect Your Construction Business from the Insolvency Tipping Point with Paul Rojas
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...
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78. How AI and Leadership are Shaping the Next Era of Construction with Scott Clements
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...
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77. Building Bridges and Busting Barriers: The Power of Female Leadership in Infrastructure with Sally Stannard
In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Sally Stannard, the Director General of Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads. Sally’s journey from a farm in New South Wales to leading one of the most ambitious transport reform agendas in Australia is one of…
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76. Leading Through Change and Navigating the Future of Energy with Erik Vandenberg
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. Erik’s career spans diverse roles in aircraft maintenance, oil and gas, and now, executive leadership in energy...
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75. How Taking Ownership Sets Exceptional Leaders Apart with Michael Terry
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…
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74. Beyond the Blueprint: Transforming Construction Leadership with Emotional Intelligence with Matthew Mackey
In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan talks with Matthew Mackey, a no-nonsense leader with 27 years in construction across the UK and Australia. Matt shares real-world insights on leadership, emotional intelligence, and navigating burnout in an industry that often overlooks people...
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73. Building Strong Foundations Through Relationships with Josh Yates
In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Josh Yates, co-founder of Landy Group, a company that’s reimagining leadership in construction through relationships, trust, and community. Josh shares how he went from corporate loyalty to co-founding a people-first business…
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72. Why Every Future Leader Needs to Master “Two-Up” Thinking with Michael Furey
In this episode ofBuilding Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Michael Furey, leadership coach, former sales leader, and founder of We Aspire, to unpack why construction leadership needs a radical reframe. From being demoted in his first management job to building programs that train...
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71. From Air Traffic Control to Construction: The Unlikely Career Leap Rewriting Industry Rules with Luke Crouch
In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan chats with Luke Crouch, a former air traffic controller who made a bold leap into construction project management. Luke’s unconventional career, from managing McDonald’s to directing airspace and now leading infrastructure projects, challenges...
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70. Authenticity Over Authority: Why Real Leaders Don’t Play a Role with Domenic De Fazio
In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan welcomes Domenic De Fazio, a seasoned executive whose career journey from project manager to CEO is marked by conviction, courage, and consistency. Domenic shares the raw truth about navigating leadership without compromising your values, and...
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69. What They Don’t Tell You About Building a Consultancy from the Ground Up with Harley Whaikawa
In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Harley Whaikawa, Director at Minerva Group, whose journey from the military to civil engineering and into consultancy leadership is anything but traditional. From cold calls and rejection to becoming a respected voice in fire...
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68. The Reality of Balancing Leadership, Family, and Sustainability in Construction with Jock Macfarlane
In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Jock Macfarlane, a leader in environmental and sustainability practices within the construction industry. Jock shares his insights on why Australia’s construction sector is lagging in sustainability and how technological…
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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,...
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66. How Might We Build Smarter? Reimagining the Future of Construction with Monica Bradley
In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Monica Bradley, board advisor, impact strategist, and systems thinker, to explore the radical mindset shifts needed to thrive in today’s construction and infrastructure landscape. With a career that spans continents, industries,...
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65. Hard Hats and Heart Work: Facing Life’s Biggest Transitions with Lana Johnston
In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Lana Johnston—executive HR strategist, leadership consultant, and founder of Ageing Connect—to unpack a deeply human conversation around aging workforces, career transitions, and the urgent need for intentional connection in our...
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64. Why Gen Z is Reshaping Engineering & Construction with Carina Nixon
In this episode of The Building Doors Podcast, host Lauren Karan sits down with Carina Nixon, an engineer and sustainability advocate, to discuss the future of engineering, the changing workforce, and why knowledge transfer is critical to success in construction. With a background spanning...
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63. How to Lead Through Mergers, Change & Corporate Challenges with Alison Sherry
In this episode of The Building Doors Podcast, host Lauren Karan sits down with Alison Sherry, a powerhouse leader known for her expertise in mergers, acquisitions, leadership resilience, and Indigenous advocacy. With a career spanning executive roles, large-scale corporate transformations, and...
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62. Building a Better Industry: Jon Davies on Construction's Culture Shift
In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Jon Davies, CEO of the Australian Constructors Association (ACA), to discuss how the construction industry is at a turning point. With rising costs, crippling skills shortages, and increasing pressure for sustainability, Jon...
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61. The Power of Calm Leadership: How Natasha Roy Leads in Times of Uncertainty
In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Natasha Roy, General Manager of Operations at John Holland Group, to discuss the high-pressure world of infrastructure delivery, the importance of honesty in leadership, and how to create a culture of trust in an industry known…
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60. Balancing Career, Leadership & Advocacy in Construction with Emma McCaughey
In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Emma McCaughey, President of NAWIC Queensland and a highly accomplished civil engineer, to discuss leadership, advocacy, and diversity in the construction industry. Emma’s career, spanning over 15 years at CPB Contractors,...
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59. Breaking Into Leadership: What Every Engineer Needs to Know with Sascha Kurz
In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Sascha Kurz, an award-winning project management and engineering professional, to discuss pivotal topics shaping the construction and infrastructure industry. Sascha brings over 25 years of diverse experience, making her a...
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58. The Professional Services Secret to Winning Clients and Boosting Profits with Paul Kahn
In this episode, we are joined by Paul Kahn, a distinguished business mentor with a background at KPMG and experience assisting global and small to medium businesses. Leveraging his global career experience, Paul shares insights into the key mistakes small businesses make, the importance of...
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57. Leading Through Turbulent Times: Building Resilience in Construction with Bradley Durkin
In this episode of the Building Doors Podcast, host Lauren Karan sits down with Bradley Durkin, Founder and Director of Contrast Construction, a thriving Queensland-based construction company. With over 25 years of experience spanning commercial construction, design, and multi-residential…
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56. Building Trust and Collaborative Leadership with Priscilla Radice
In this insightful episode of Building Doors, we’re joined by Priscilla Radice, the Deputy Director General of Health Infrastructure in Queensland, as she shares her wealth of experience in leadership, collaboration, and trust-building in government and private sector organisations. From her...
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55. Learning from the next generation of leadership with Mary Camus.
In this episode of The Building Doors Podcast, Mary Camus shares her growth and leadership lessons coming from an entry-level role through to managing a national teams. Mary shares her own personal journey of finding the right opportunities, mentors and embracing the discomfort involved in her…
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54. "Winning Hearts and Minds: Richard Austin's Blueprint for Transformative Leadership Across Industries
In this episode of the Building Doors Podcast, we dive into a transformative conversation with Richard Austin, CEO of Omni. Richard shares his journey across industries, from hospitality and insurance to construction, unpacking the values and principles that have guided him through each…
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53. Unlocking Career Success: Lydia Gentle’s Blueprint for Values-Driven Leadership
In this episode of the Building Doors Podcast, we sit down with Lydia Gentle, a seasoned engineering professional who shares her journey of over 20 years in the industry. Discover the importance of aligning your career with personal values, the power of continuous learning, and how to navigate...
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52. From the Fast Lane to the Boardroom: Evan Black on Navigating Leadership Through Turbulent Times
Evan Black is a business coach who brings over 30 years of senior management experience, spanning roles from Sales and Marketing to CEO and Managing Director in both privately owned and billion-dollar listed companies. He started a career in health working as a registered nurse and then later…
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About this show
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.
Hosted by
Lauren Karan
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