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Made to Build

HIA's new podcast with the members building Aussie housing

Made to Build

HIA's new podcast with the members building Aussie housing

Made to Build is HIA’s new video podcast, spotlighting the excellence, innovation, and future of Australian residential building.

Through raw, honest conversations and inspiring success stories, we bring you face-to-face with the builders, innovators, and business leaders shaping Australia’s housing future. This isn’t just another construction podcast—it’s the definitive voice of Australia’s residential building industry.

Spotify Podcasts  Apple Podcasts

Made To Build episodes

Podcast Small business Building developments
How I built Home of the Year 2024
Builder Joel Jones takes us inside Surfside House, the 2024 NSW Home of the Year. He shares how he built a coastal home designed to last and still wow in 50 years.
Sep 25
2 mins
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Podcast Small business Design
Connected ‘smart’ kitchens and bathrooms
Gavin Hepper shares how connected homes are closer than you think, from kitchens that ‘talk’ to bathrooms to global design trends shaping future projects
Sep 25
2 mins
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Podcast Small business
Behind Building 2025 HIA-CSR Home of the Year
Sarah Waller reveals how she built HIA’s 2025 Home of the Year, ‘Blackwood’—a sleek Noosa home finished in 10 months despite rain, slopes, and pressure.
Aug 25
2 mins
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Podcast Business operations Small business
Empowering women with Chris and Kim Allen
Kim Allen, CEO of CRA Construction, shares how she and husband Chris are doubling their business year on year with a focus on culture and promoting women in building.
Jul 25
2 mins
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Podcast Business operations Small business
Building a sellable business
Ryan Goodwin from Mode Group lays out how to build a business that could run - or even sell - without you. It’s about honouring the craft and backing your team.
Jul 25
2 mins
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Podcast Small business Mental health
Growth, design trends and next-gen builders
Merrick Watts on growth through pain, Paige Gercovich on earthy design trends, and Dean O’Rourke on tech, waste-cutting, and the future of the trades.
Jun 25
2 mins
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Podcast Small business Apprentice
The future of Aussie housing
HIA leaders talk red tape and housing reform, Dean Backman shares 10-star build tips, and Oliver Burnell reveals why he swapped a desk job for the job site.
Jun 25
2 mins
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Podcast Small business Business operations
Tass brothers on the design-construct model
Ben and Aaron Tass bring builders and designers together early, cutting costly changes and smoothing custom builds with clear budgets and upfront planning.
May 25
2 mins
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Podcast Small business Energy efficiency
Anthony Igmen on nailing electrification
Tougher energy rules mean solar is no longer optional. Anthony Igmen breaks down how builders can profit from electrification, smart tech, and innovative design.
May 25
2 mins
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Podcast Business operations Small business
Luke Callery on the 1% rule
Builder Luke Callery shares how chasing the small wins transformed his builds, business, and client relationships. He provides practical tips that actually make a difference.
Apr 25
2 mins
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Podcast Mental health Business operations
Neil Hipwell on hyperfocus, ADHD and hustle
Futureflip’s Neil Hipwell shares how he built a multimillion-dollar business by 36. He turned his ADHD diagnosis into massive success in high-end home building.
Apr 25
2 mins
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Featured episode: Neil Hipwell from Futureflip

 

Neil Hipwell left school at 14, started hiring tradies by 20, and built FutureFlip into one of the most recognised design and build companies in the country. In this episode, he talks about how backing yourself, leaning into your strengths, and making hard calls early on helped him build a business - and a life - on his own terms. Tune in for an honest chat about backing yourself, resilience, and what most builders get wrong about success.

Watch now

Introducing - Made to Build

 

Meet Richard Armstrong and Owen Bazdaric, the hosts of the Made To Build podcast. You'll learn about their journeys through the residential building industry and a taste of what to expect from the podcast. 

Watch now

Meet our hosts

Owen Bazdaric

 

A fourth-generation builder with construction in his blood, Owen Bazdaric has been immersed in the industry since childhood, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

Owen is passionate about shifting the perception of the construction industry. He believes that building is not just a job but a craft that provides purpose, challenge, and immense reward.

Owen brings a dynamic presence to Made to Build, helping to spark real conversations, share invaluable industry insights, and inspire builders to take their businesses—and the industry—forward.

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Richard Armstrong

 

A former registered builder and active industry advocate, Richard Armstrong has spent decades working alongside Australian home builders, helping them navigate the complexities of client communications. With firsthand experience both on the tools and in business, Richard understands the critical conversations that shape successful building practices.

Richard is excited about the evolution of the construction sector—where new technologies, sustainable practices, and fresh industry talent are transforming how builders work. His expertise and insights make him an invaluable voice on Made to Build, where he shares real stories, strategies, and solutions to help builders stay ahead in an ever-changing industry.

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Get involved with the show

 

Enter your details below, and we’ll be in touch!

How would you like to be involved?

Your details

Are you a Member?

Connect with us

 

Stay up to date with the podcast, what's happening with HIA and join our thriving online community.

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Listen to our podcasts

 

Watch our apprentice-focused video podcast Built Different, our industry show and our episodes focused on the Hunter.

HIA Building Australia podcast

We bring together a broad spectrum of experts, industry insiders and change-makers to help our industry excel in the face of challenge and change.

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Built Different podcast

The show for young tradies that are built different. Hear great stories and get terrific advice to help you smash your goals in your career, and in life.

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Building the Hunter podcast

Hear from industry legends in the Hunter region as they share their insights, personal experiences and tips and tricks to run a successful business.

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Meet our members

 

Read the stories of smart, strong and talented individuals we’ve connected with over the last 80 years.

Awards Plumbing Business plans People HIA members
Fast forward
Respected as an Adelaide carpenter, plumber, site manager and now Managing Director, Kieran Flanigan has led Crew Built to back-to-back HIA Awards wins through bold leadership, hands-on grit, and an uncompromising commitment to qu...
Sep 25
3 mins
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Awards Design People Business operations HIA members
Growing together
Starting life with just two employees, SJD Homes is now a thriving business driven by a relentless commitment to quality, innovation and sustainability.
Sep 25
3 mins
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Awards Business operations Design HIA members People
Building better
From humble beginnings to a thriving, client-focused business, Better Built Homes has redefined what it means to deliver quality in residential construction.
Aug 25
1 min
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Building Women HIA members Planning People
Back to the grassroots
HIA Tasmania’s new Regional President, Domonee van Heerden, is igniting her passion for the state’s residential building industry.
Jul 25
3 mins
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People Business operations Mental health Wellbeing
Heading in the right direction
You can’t escape your past, says HIA member Jarrod Bone. But you can learn how to deal with it better.
May 25
5 mins
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Apprentice Awards Wellbeing People
An apprentice whos a world record-breaking lifesaver goes viral
During his recent apprenticeship through HIA, a South Australian carpenter smashed a world record and earned millions of views.
Mar 25
3 mins
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Building Women Business and digital Employee conditions Staffing
How to recruit the best talent in residential building
Recruitment expert Shamala Riggs draws on the power of empathy, communication and trust. Find out how to apply her winning corporate strategies.
Mar 25
4 mins
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Trends Innovation Social media People
HIA National Conference 2025: Jen Bishop's designs on success
Businessperson and interior design afficionado Jen Bishop discusses trends, the power of beautiful spaces, and how she turned a personal blog into a full-time job.
Mar 25
3 mins
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Bathroom Inspiration Trends People
HIA National Conference 2025: Simon Griffiths found his purpose
Simon Griffiths, co-founder of social enterprise Who Gives a Crap, will be sharing his unique business wisdom (and some choice toilet jokes) at this year’s HIA National Conference. His message: find your purpose to build your busi...
Mar 25
4 mins
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Innovation People Team building Wellbeing
HIA National Conference 2025: Anna Meares is on the right track
World record holder and Olympic champion Anna Meares explains how logic, determination and pure joy are utilised in her new career in team management.
Feb 25
4 mins
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Building Women Awards Workmanship People
Why Aileen Shannon has a connection to country
A descendant of Adnyamathanha Artu from the Flinders Ranges and Yankunytjatjara Kungka from the Central Desert, Alieen Shannon is a remarkable woman. She tirelessly advocates for advancing remote housing, employing local Anangu fr...
Feb 25
3 mins
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Trends Innovation Networking People
HIA National Conference 2025: Jules Lund on harnessing social media
Jules Lund, keynote speaker at the HIA National Conference in May, is sure to inspire and inform. You may even realise you’re sitting on a gold mine.
Feb 25
3 mins
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Become a HIA member today

Join Australia’s largest residential building association to gain access to a huge range of industry products and business services. We can help you manage, operate and grow your business.