In this conversation, Jess Kismet interviews Anthony Benger, a carpenter from Melbourne who shares his personal journey with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) caused by mould exposure. The discussion explores the intersection of health and building practices, emphasizing the importance of creating healthy living environments. Anthony reflects on his experiences with chronic illness, the challenges of navigating the building industry, and the need for better education on environmental health. The conversation highlights the significance of understanding how our home environments impact our health and well-being, advocating for a shift towards healthier building practices.

Links

Mould illness resource list

Toxic Mould Support Australia

Geovital

Surviving Mold - Dr Ritchie Shoemaker

NSJ Enviro - David Lark

Toxic Mould Support Australia Facebook group

HERTSMI test

Other links

Advanced Diploma in Building Biology - ACES

Leviticus 14:33–53 - there actually is a verse in the bible that says if a house is mouldy the priest should declare that the house should be torn down!

Tools app website

Tools app instagram page

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Building Psychology and Personal Journey

01:37 Navigating Chronic Illness and Its Impact on Work

07:01 The Shift from Theory to Practical Building Solutions

12:24 Building Practices and the Importance of Healthy Homes

17:20 Understanding Environmental Illness and Its Implications

22:22 A Day in the Life with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

33:51 Bridging Knowledge Gaps in the Building Industry

40:10 Connecting the Dots: Mold Illness and Home Environment

50:09 Final Thoughts on Health and Home Environment

Join Jess Kismet as she delves into the world of high-performance building envelopes with James Pinyon, Kingspan's Technical Services Manager. Discover the intricacies of insulation, thermal performance, and the evolving standards in sustainable building. From the challenges of condensation in modern constructions to the innovative solutions Kingspan is pioneering, this episode offers a comprehensive look at how buildings can be made not just code-compliant, but genuinely better to live and work in. Tune in for insights on the future of insulation and sustainable building practices.

Full show notes, chapters and links can be found here:

In this episode, I chat to Sean Buchanan, an incredible builder from Northern Tasmania, to explore his journey into the world of building science. Sean shares his insights on the importance of creating durable and healthy homes, the challenges faced in the industry, and his vision for the future. Tune in to learn how Sean is making a difference in the construction world and inspiring the next generation of builders. He's the cool nerd we all need in our lives!

In this episode, I sit down with Spencer Rosen, the founder of Home Energy Academy, to talk about building science, electrification, and homeowner engagement. Spencer shares his journey into home energy education and why he’s so passionate about helping both homeowners and professionals better understand energy efficiency and sustainable living.

We chat about the challenges of upgrading existing homes, the need for a stronger baseline of knowledge among homeowners, and the exciting potential of bringing these ideas into schools. Spencer also told me all about his software development work focused on improving home energy solutions, and we chat through some smart marketing strategies that actually help energy upgrades gain traction.

We wrap up by imagining what ideal energy communities could look like and how to design homes that are truly energy-efficient offering a hopeful look at what's possible for a more sustainable future.

Show notes can be found here:

https://building-sciology-poddie.podcastpage.io/episode/15-when-you-know-better-you-build-better-with-spencer-rosen

In this conversation, I chat with Jess Ward, the founder of Mould Wise, about the vital intersection of health and home environments, particularly focusing on mould exposure and its health implications. Jess Ward shares her personal journey from experiencing severe health issues due to mould exposure to becoming a mould inspector. Our chat covers common misconceptions about mould, the connection between mould exposure and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, and the importance of proper mould remediation. Jess emphasises the need for awareness and education regarding mould-related health issues and the significance of maintaining a healthy home environment.

Show notes can be found here:

https://building-sciology-poddie.podcastpage.io/episode/14-mould-misdiagnosis-and-the-making-of-a-healthy-home-with-jess-ward

In this episode of the Building Sciology Poddie, I have a rambunctious chat with high-performance builders Hamish White and Matt Carland to discuss the intricacies of constructing sustainable homes in Australia.

We delve into the challenges faced in the residential construction industry, the importance of continuous learning, and the need for better education around energy efficiency.

The conversation also touches on the myths surrounding building practices, the significance of Passivhaus certification, and the potential for innovative projects to push the boundaries of construction standards. Ultimately, the episode emphasises that building better is a choice that can lead to healthier living environments.

It is also, so far, the only episode I have had to place the explicit warning on so don't say you weren't warned! Haha a great chat with a couple of fantastic builders who want to see the industry they love rise up. Enjoy!

Show notes can be found here:

https://building-sciology-poddie.podcastpage.io/episode/13-passivhaus-performance-the-power-of-building-science-with-hamish-white-and-matthew-carland

This is the longest episode yet, but it’s worth every minute!

In this episode of the Building Sciology Poddie, I interview Clarence Macalister, a builder and scientist with extensive experience in remediation and condensation management. In our chat we go deep into problems created by moisture and also into roof ventilation, finally an explanation!!

We chat about the nuances of Passivhaus design, the role of sensors in monitoring building conditions, and share case studies of building failures.

Clarence has a huge amount of practical skill and experience we can all learn, from so tune in and put any questions or feedback in the comments!

Show notes can be found here:

https://building-sciology-poddie.podcastpage.io/episode/12-condensation-roof-ventilation-and-building-science-with-clarence-macalister

In this episode of The Building Sciology Poddie, I chat with Clare Conroy, who shares her unique journey from homeowner to project manager at 35 South Building Co. Clare opens up about entering the construction industry, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the importance of relationships and trust in building. The conversation explores the responsibility that comes with creating homes, the misconceptions around energy efficiency, and how building smaller can still mean building better.

Clare also introduces her inspiring new project aimed at making building science accessible to children through storytelling - teaching concepts like insulation and orientation in fun, engaging ways. We highlight the urgent need for better education around building performance for both professionals and the public, and the power of knowledge sharing to create meaningful change in the industry.

Show notes can be found here:

https://building-sciology-poddie.podcastpage.io/episode/11-responsibility-energy-efficiency-purpose-with-clare-conroy