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We’re thrilled to have recently launched our partnership with the hugely popular Better Builder podcast.
Launched in 2024, Better Builder sees creator and host Brad Visser holding deeply insightful one-on-one chats with a range of successful building professionals from New Zealand and Australia, covering topics from business management and project delivery to mental health and overcoming hardship. In just over a year the podcast has racked up 3.5m views on social media and just under 150,000 audio downloads, highlighting the hunger for this sort of industry-specific content.
We caught up with Brad to learn more about his journey, the inspiration behind the podcast, and the power of open and honest conversation.
Hi Brad! Could you please share your professional background?
My career started in commercial real estate, where I learned a lot about large-scale property development, high-ticket sales, and what it takes to make a project successful. From there, I moved into the agency world, working closely with custom home builders to help them grow their businesses and attract better projects. After years of advising others, I decided to jump into the trenches myself – I started my own construction company, Harper, which I successfully ran for 3.5 years before exiting at the end of last year.
What inspired you to start a podcast focused on the building industry?
When I launched Better Builder in March 2024, I felt there was a real need for authentic, builder-focused content – something that celebrated builders and gave them a place to share their stories. Our aim from the very beginning was to make builders the hero. Initially we partnered with another content partner, but we’re really excited to have Forte involved with us now. Forte shares our passion for high-quality materials and strong relationships in the industry, so it feels like a natural fit as we grow.
Have you noticed any trends in what listeners are most interested in hearing about?
Definitely – the most popular episodes tend to be the ones where we dive into practical business advice, leadership, and personal stories of resilience. Builders appreciate real conversations that go beyond the glossy success stories. They want to hear how their peers tackle challenges like team-building, mental health, client communication, and delivering exceptional projects under pressure.
The podcast celebrates business success but there are plenty of more vulnerable moments there too. Why do you think it’s important to have open conversations about failure in the building industry, and how has that shaped the way you approach interviews?
In the building industry, a lot of struggles often go unspoken. The culture can lean towards “just get on with it,” but that can leave people feeling isolated. By creating a safe, open space to talk about failures and lessons learned, we help break that stigma. My approach is to encourage guests to be real and honest – not just about their wins, but also the tough days and mistakes they’ve learned from. Our listeners appreciate that honesty because it reminds them they’re not alone and that growth often comes from those hard moments.
What’s been your most memorable, interesting or surprising interview so far?
We’ve had many memorable moments over the past 60 episodes, but what stands out most is when builders open up about overcoming disasters, struggles, or mistakes. Some share stories of growing up in foster care, others talk about supporting team members through tough mental health times. Hearing how they build strong team culture is also inspiring. These honest, real stories really connect with our listeners.
What do you think are some of the biggest challenges the industry is facing at the moment?
Builders in New Zealand are currently grappling with an economy that feels stagnant, making it difficult to secure steady work. Many projects are being pushed out, delayed, or even cancelled due to various economic factors. In contrast, places like Queensland are still experiencing strong demand. Because of these pressures, many builders are choosing to close their own businesses and take jobs working for others instead.
If you could interview anyone in the industry, past or present, who would it be and why?
I’d love to interview Rob and Andrew Gray from Graya. They’ve reshaped Brisbane’s luxury residential market with bold, carefully crafted designs and a unique approach that combines architecture, development, and construction. Their projects balance striking aesthetics with practical living, and I’d be keen to learn how they manage such a cohesive vision from start to finish.
We’re really excited to be partnering with you! Why did you feel Forté would be a good fit for your audience and the conversations you’re having?
We’re thrilled to have Forté on board. They have an incredible brand with a strong focus on design and premium aesthetics, which aligns perfectly with Better Builder’s values. Their commitment to sustainable, high-quality timber and craftsmanship makes them a great partner to support the kind of conversations we want to have with our audience.
What’s next for the podcast – any exciting upcoming interviews, news or events you can share?
We’ve got some fantastic builders from Brisbane and the Gold Coast joining us soon, plus we’re planning a South Island, New Zealand tour later this year. Alongside that, we’re launching new short-form video content and hosting more in-person networking events to help builders connect. Our goal is to keep creating content that supports builders both professionally and personally – so they never feel like they’re doing it alone.
The Better Builder podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
