The Build Insite Podcast

Every builder focuses on the build. But the way you tell the story behind it can make all the difference.
In this episode of the Build Insite Podcast, Dean Backman sits down with Michael Lack from You Do You Productions — the videographer and storyteller who has become a key part of capturing the Build Insite journey.
Michael shares his path from travelling through Vietnam documenting life with GoPros to building a creative business focused on helping builders communicate their work through content. What started as experimenting with video has turned into a powerful tool for showcasing projects, building trust with clients, and telling the real story behind construction.
The conversation dives into why storytelling matters in the building industry, how content builds credibility long before a client makes contact, and why authenticity on camera can make a builder stand out in a crowded market.If you’ve ever wondered whether social media actually helps win projects — or how to start showing up on camera without overthinking it — this episode delivers practical insights from someone working behind the lens.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode• Why every content touchpoint builds credibility, value, and trust• How storytelling can help builders connect with the right clients• Why authenticity matters more than perfectly polished content• How builders can break the ice with clients before the first meeting• The mindset required to build a creative business from scratch
Chapters00:00 – Introduction01:30 – Michael’s journey into videography05:20 – Why storytelling matters for builders09:00 – Social media and building trust with clients12:45 – The story behind the You Do You logo16:00 – Behind the scenes of Build Insite19:20 – Advice for creatives and business owners25:30 – Tech, media, and the future of content27:30 – Rapid-fire questions
Host: Dean Backman Guest: Michael Lack from You Do You Productions
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

Getting your builder’s licence is one thing. Staying in business long term? That’s a whole different challenge.
In Part 2 of Episode #53, host Dean Backman continues the conversation with Luke Said from Impact Build diving deep into the realities of insurance, licensing, contracts, cash flow, and what it truly takes to run a sustainable building business in Victoria.
This episode pulls back the curtain on the pressures builders face behind the scenes. From navigating DBU licensing and financial requirements to managing stage claims and payment structures, Luke shares honest insights into the parts of the industry that don’t often get talked about publicly.
They explore:• Why the current insurance and licensing process feels overly complex• The dangers of taking on projects beyond your capacity• The importance of proper payment structures (Method A vs Method B)• Why understanding contracts is critical for survival• Cash flow mistakes that quietly sink building businesses• The pressure young builders face to “go big” too soon• Balancing business, fitness, family and friendships
Beyond the business talk, this conversation gets personal, touching on health, mental clarity, mateship, and the reality of juggling ambition with relationships.A grounded, practical episode for builders at every stage of the journey.
What You’ll Learn• Why upgrading your licence impacts more than just paperwork• How poor payment structures create hidden cash flow stress• Why contracts matter more than most builders realise• The risks of scaling too fast in today’s market• Why mentoring and coaching can fast-track your growth• How fitness and balance affect your performance as a business owner
Chapters00:00 – Welcome Back (Part 2)00:19 – Licensing & Insurance Challenges03:03 – Volume Builders vs Custom Builders05:36 – Why Pre-Plaster & Waterproofing Inspections Matter08:24 – Stage Claims & Cash Flow Pressure11:27 – Learning Contracts Properly14:01 – Project Delays & Financial Stress16:16 – Advice for Young Builders19:24 – Fitness, Balance & Mental Clarity24:09 – Friendships & Business Pressure27:01 – Advice for Builders 5–10 Years Behind29:17 – Rapid Fire Questions
Hosts: Dean Backman Guest: Luke Said from Impact Build
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

When you surround yourself with the right people, you quickly realise how much there is still to learn.
In Part 1 of this conversation, host Dean Backman sit down with Luke Said from Impact Build to unpack the journey from green apprentice to performance-focused builder in the Macedon Ranges.
Luke shares how an unexpected start in carpentry — sparked through a local footy club connection — set the foundation for an 18-year career in building. From being “as green as it gets” to now leading a team committed to higher standards, this episode explores what really shapes a builder: work ethic, mentorship, and the willingness to think differently.
They dive into:• The power of mentoring and coaching in business• Why builders must see themselves as business owners first• The evolution of building standards in cold climates• How performance building changes the way teams think on site• The responsibility builders have to educate their clients
This is an honest conversation about growth — personally, professionally, and as an industry.
What You’ll Learn• Why surrounding yourself with the right mentors accelerates growth• How early work ethic shapes long-term success• Why thinking like a business owner changes everything• The difference between minimum standard and performance building• How upskilling your team builds long-term competitive advantage
Chapters00:00 – The Power of Mentorship00:18 – Introducing Luke Said (Impact Build)01:35 – How Luke Got Into Carpentry06:18 – Mentors, Family & Hard Decisions09:20 – Builder vs Business Owner Mindset11:43 – Starting Impact as a Carpentry Business14:25 – Learning Through Trial & Error16:07 – Building in a Cold Climate19:28 – Competing on Quality vs Price22:07 – Educating Clients on Performance Builds25:06 – Wrap Up
Hosts: Dean Backman Guest: Luke Said from Impact Build
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

The theory’s one thing. Making it work on site? That’s where it gets interesting.
In Part 2 of our chat with Jesse Raeburn (FRP Group), we dig into what it really looks like building a new company from the ground up — keeping the team lean, staying selective with projects, and using your own build as the ultimate “showroom” to win the right clients.
Jesse breaks down why FRP isn’t chasing volume, how they’re pushing best-practice building (not minimum standard), and the mindset shifts that come with family, business growth, and long nights doing admin after the kids are asleep.
In this episode, you’ll learn:• Why doing fewer projects can create better outcomes (and better margins)• How a builder’s own home build can become the best sales tool• What “best practice” looks like on real jobs (wraps, sealing, ventilation, detailing)• Why planning ahead is a non-negotiable skill when you’re starting out• How transparency with pricing and margin builds trust (and wins more work)
Chapters00:00 – Welcome to the Build Insite Podcast00:08 – Part 2 recap and where we left off00:18 – Team setup and why FRP is staying lean01:12 – Winning the first client build (and why trust mattered most)03:16 – Using your own project as a showroom for future clients04:33 – Building best practice, not minimum standard05:59 – Lessons for new builders: planning and scheduling properly07:16 – Sponsor shoutout: Bowens08:00 – Saying no to the wrong jobs (and why it’s powerful)10:00 – Family, work hours, and being fully present on weekends12:45 – Sponsor shoutout: Circa13:30 – Pricing transparency: showing your spreadsheet and earning trust16:49 – Rapid fire: tools, disasters, styles, and what’s next20:12 – Where to follow Jesse + wrap up21:19 – Podcast disclaimer
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

There’s no such thing as work-life balance when you’re building something great.But if you love what you do, does it even feel like work?
In this episode of the Build Insite Podcast, we sit down with Jesse Raeburn, former tradie, real estate agent, The Block contestant, and now co-founder of FRP Group.Jesse’s journey isn’t linear. From tiling commercial high-rises in Queensland to hustling listings in Melbourne, from selling houses on The Block to competing on it, and now launching his own building company, this conversation is about backing yourself, burning the safety net, and chasing what lights you up.
We unpack:• Why Jesse believes “balance” is overrated when you’re building a dream• The grind of starting over in a new city with zero contacts• How a trade background became his unfair advantage in real estate• What really happens behind the scenes on The Block• The mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur
This isn’t just a chat about building houses.It’s about building yourself.
What You’ll Learn• Why loving what you do eliminates the idea of “work-life balance”• How to leverage your trade skills beyond the tools• The power of handwritten letters and old-school hustle• Why removing financial pressure helps you negotiate with confidence• What resilience actually looks like when doors keep closing
Chapters00:00 – “There’s No Such Thing as Work-Life Balance”00:30 – From Tiler to Real Estate Agent02:10 – Starting a Business at 2204:50 – The Melbourne Real Estate Hustle07:30 – Breaking Into The Block10:30 – The Reality of TV vs Real Life14:00 – Launching FRP Group18:00 – Backing Yourself Without a Safety Net
Jesse’s energy is contagious. His journey proves that if you’re willing to go all in, sell the car, downsize the lifestyle, knock on 100 doors, you can create opportunities most people wait around for.
If you’re a tradie thinking bigger, or a business owner questioning the grind, this one’s for you.
Hosts: Dean Backman & Luke Callery Guest: Jesse Raeburn from FRP Group
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.🌐 Explore more at https://buildinsite.com.au/📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

The work doesn’t slow down, the pressure just changes.
In Part 2, we wrap up our conversation with Dale Cheesman and dive deeper into what it really takes to run a complex, multi-arm building business without burning out.Dale opens up about managing stress across high-end residential, events, and joinery, and why investing in people, systems, and health matters more than watching the bank balance. From apprenticeship culture and leadership transparency to AI, admin efficiency, and coffee machines on site, this episode is packed with practical lessons builders can actually use.
We also explore the future of construction, rising costs, smarter pricing, the role of AI in admin and pre-construction, and how builders can stay competitive without losing their values. It’s an honest, grounded conversation about evolution, balance, and building businesses that last.
What you’ll learn in this episode:• How the right people and systems reduce pressure long-term• Why health, mindset, and culture matter just as much as profit• What’s changed with apprentices — and how builders should adapt• How AI is already helping builders with pricing, admin, and decision-making• The real challenges facing builders as projects scale and costs rise
Chapters:00:00 – Welcome back to Part 200:24 – Managing pressure across residential, events & joinery01:53 – Systems, staff & not chasing the dollar03:30 – Apprentices then vs now05:03 – Scaling up & finding the next project06:37 – Leadership visibility & team transparency08:36 – Coffee machines, culture & site morale11:12 – Building costs, pricing gaps & client expectations14:18 – AI in construction: admin, pricing & decision-making19:04 – Project management software & systems21:19 – Health, balance & avoiding burnout25:01 – What’s next for The Melbourne Builder26:25 – Rapid fire questions & final advice
Hosts: Dean Backman & Luke Callery Guest: Dale Cheesman from The Melbourn Builder
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

Sometimes growth isn’t about chasing bigger jobs. It’s about building better systems.
In this episode, we sit down with a builder who’s done exactly that.
In Part 1 of this conversation, Dale Cheesman from The Melbourne Builder joins hosts Dean Backman and Luke Callery on the Build Insite Podcast to unpack a career that spans high-end residential builds, large-scale event spaces, and in-house joinery.
Dale walks through his journey from a tough carpentry apprenticeship to building a multi-arm construction business. He did it not by chasing dollars, but by focusing on people, process, and systems that scale. From fast-track event deadlines at the Melbourne Cup and Grand Prix to applying “sprint” thinking to residential projects, this episode is packed with real-world lessons for builders navigating growth, pressure, and changing markets.
This is an honest look at what it takes to evolve from being on the tools to running a resilient construction business, without losing quality along the way.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode• How focusing on systems and people drives sustainable growth• Why event construction teaches speed, clarity, and decision-making• The real value of broad trade exposure early in your career• When to step off the tools and replace yourself in the business• How deadlines, sprints, and structure improve build quality
Chapters00:00 – Systems over dollars00:13 – Welcome to Build Insite00:32 – Meet Dale Cheesman01:19 – Starting out in carpentry03:30 – Early business and partnerships04:20 – Founding The Melbourne Builder05:46 – From tools to admin and leadership08:49 – Getting a builder’s licence young11:36 – Replacing yourself in the business14:00 – Defining high-end residential15:03 – Joinery and the move into events18:02 – Event builds, deadlines, and pressure21:42 – Applying event speed to residential24:54 – Market shifts in high-end resi26:29 – Wrap-up and Part 2 preview
Hosts: Dean Backman & Luke Callery Guest: Dale Cheesman from The Melbourn Builder
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

The theory’s one thing. Turning ideas into real outcomes? That’s where the work really begins.
In Part 2 of Episode 50, we wrap up our conversation with Luke Davies, diving deeper into his journey of writing Dream Home, building a personal brand in construction, and helping homeowners and builders think differently about how homes are designed, planned, and delivered.
Luke shares the behind-the-scenes reality of publishing a book, the frameworks that shaped it, and why clarity, orientation, and the right team matter far more than just floor plans and finishes. We also explore leadership, culture, health, and how to balance growth with family life in a demanding industry.
What you’ll hear in this episode:• Why Luke decided to write Dream Home (and why it took years to finish)• How personal branding builds trust across multiple businesses• Common misconceptions homeowners have when building a dream home• The importance of block orientation, lifestyle, and long-term comfort• Leadership lessons on culture, delegation, and clarity in growing teams• Rapid-fire insights on design, tools, trends, and favourite build moments
What you’ll learn:• How publishing content can strengthen credibility in construction• Why the planning phase sets the success of every build• How builders, designers, and homeowners can get aligned earlier• Practical leadership habits that support sustainable growth• Why health, family, and mindset underpin long-term success
Chapters:
00:00 – Welcome back to Part 200:30 – Writing Dream Home and building a personal brand02:08 – The process behind the book and its frameworks05:44 – Who the book is really written for08:57 – Homeowner misconceptions and decision overwhelm11:25 – Orientation, lifestyle, and building performance12:31 – Health, family, and personal priorities14:09 – Leadership, culture, and team development17:30 – Rapid fire questions with Luke19:46 – Where to find Luke and his work20:26 – Final thoughts and wrap-up
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

Proximity matters. Who you spend time with, learn from, and build alongside can shape the direction of your business and your life.
In this episode of the Build Insite Podcast, we sit down with Luke Davies from Tasmania to unpack the idea that community isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a growth accelerator. From weekly catch-ups to industry events, Luke explains why surrounding yourself with the right people can move you forward faster than any tool or system.
Luke shares his journey from growing up on dairy farms in Tassie to becoming a builder, architect, author, and co-founder of Future Builder. We explore how early work ethic shaped his mindset, why Tasmania produces highly skilled builders, and how systemising your business can be the difference between burnout and balance.
This conversation also dives into high-performance building, healthy homes, integrated design, and why better systems lead to better outcomes. That includes benefits for clients, teams, and builders themselves.
What you’ll learn in this episode:• Why proximity and community can accelerate your growth as a builder• How Luke’s early life shaped his work ethic and leadership style• The importance of systemising your business to regain time and clarity• Why design integration is critical to reducing waste and variations• How healthy businesses lead to healthier homes and lifestyles
Chapters:00:00 – Proximity is power and the value of community01:55 – Growing up on dairy farms and building work ethic04:40 – The decision to start a building business06:47 – Why Tasmania produces highly skilled builders07:31 – Community, collaboration, and sharing knowledge09:17 – Systemisation as the turning point12:50 – The missing link between design and construction14:07 – Why great building can’t fix poor design20:18 – Healthy homes and the builder’s responsibility23:38 – The origin story of Future Builder
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.🌐 Explore more at: buildinsite.com.au📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

Before we roll into 2026, we are pressing pause to revisit the moments that defined 2025 on the Build Insite Podcast. The quotes, stories, and hard truths stuck with us long after the mics were switched off. These short reflections capture the ideas, lessons, and conversations that challenged thinking and sparked better discussions across the industry.
A big thank you to everyone who was part of the Build Insite journey in 2025, our guests, listeners, and partners who continue to support better conversations across the industry. Your insights, challenges, and shared experiences are what make this platform what it is. Here’s to new conversations, stronger partnerships, and building better together in 2026.
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.🌐 Explore more at  https://buildinsite.com.au📸 Follow us on Instagram @build.insite