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Build & Thrive
Build & Thrive is the podcast transforming occupational health and wellbeing in the construction industry. Hosted by Jennie Armstrong, founder of Construction Health & Wellbeing, each episode features inspiring conversations with experts and change-makers dedicated to creating a healthier, happier workforce.
Hear interviews with inspirational individuals and experts who are leading the way in tackling the industry’s toughest challenges, from staggering health statistics to skills shortages and talent retention. Did you know construction workers are nearly 4 times more likely to take their own lives through suicide than workers in other industries? Or that they’re 100 times more likely to die from work-related health issues than safety incidents?
It’s clear we need to do more. Built to Thrive is here to spark change, celebrate innovation, and inspire action for a brighter future in construction.
Join us for real stories, practical advice, and the latest in health and wellbeing strategies for the construction sector. Subscribe now on your favourite podcast platform, and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube to stay updated. Together, we can make construction a place where everyone can thrive.
Episodes
22 episodes
From Reactive to Proactive: Transforming Wellbeing in Construction with Davy Daly
What does it really take to create a wellbeing culture that works across thousands of workers, hundreds of projects, and an extensive supply chain?In this episode of Build and Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong sits down with Davy Daly to exp...
Inside Sizewell C: Building a People-First Construction Culture with Keith Prince
In this episode of the Build and Thrive Podcast, host Stuart Mace is joined by Keith Prince, Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing for Sizewell C Site Delivery, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of health, safety and wellbeing in ...
A Real-Life Approach to Tackling Silica in Construction with Martin Wilshire
In this episode of Build and Thrive, Jennie Armstrong is joined by Martin Wilshire, Health, Safety and Wellbeing Director at Multiplex, for a practical and honest conversation about one of construction’s biggest health risks: dust.This e...
Why Sport Works: Community as a Mental Health Intervention with Steve Kerslake
In this powerful episode of Build & Thrive, Jennie Armstrong sits down with Steve Kerslake, founder of Construction Sport and long-time construction worker turned mental health campaigner.Recorded inside the Construction Sport studio...
Psychosocial Risk in Construction: Tackling the Real Causes of Stress at Work with Stuart Mace
In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong introduces a very special guest and a new voice you’ll be hearing a lot more from - Stuart Mace, the newest team member at Construction Health & Wellbeing.The conversation ...
What If Your Near Miss Data Is Actually Mental Health Data with Colin Whiteley
In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong is joined by Colin Whiteley, Senior SHEQ Advisor at National Grid who is a construction professional with over 22 years’ experience and a doctoral researcher examining the overlooked ...
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Fairness Isn’t a ‘Nice to Have’: What Really Drives Wellbeing and Productivity on Site
In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong is joined by Stuart Wallis, Associate Director at Mace, for an open and deeply honest conversation about fairness, culture and wellbeing in the construction industry.Drawing on...
The Manager’s Role: Behaviours That Protect Mental Health with Jo Yarker
In this episode of Build & Thrive, Jennie Armstrong is joined by Jo Yarker, Professor of Occupational Psychology and Co-Managing Partner at Affinity Health at Work, to explore what it really takes to improve mental health in the workplace.<...
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Take A Leak: Fixing Welfare for Construction Mobile Workers with Stu Drinkwater and Andrea White
In this eye-opening episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong is joined by Stu Drinkwater, co-founder of TAL (Take A Leak), and Andrea White, Managing Director at A W Fire Ltd, fire engineer and passionate advocate for better welfare...
Opening Your Eyes to Fatigue in Construction with Dr David Garley
Sleep is often treated as a personal problem - something people just need to “sort out” in their own time. In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong sits down with GP and sleep specialist Dr David Garley, Director of The Bett...
Building the Super Sewer, Building a Better Culture: Making Health as Visible as Safety with Andy Mitchell and Steve Hails
In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong is joined by Andy Mitchell, CEO of Tideway, and Steve Hails, Director of Business Services and Health, Safety & Wellbeing, to explore how one of the UK’s most ambitious engineerin...
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Beyond safety: Managing health risks the right way with Kevin Bampton
In this episode of Build & Thrive, Jennie Armstrong speaks with Kevin Bampton, Chief Executive of the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS), about one of construction’s most overlooked challenges - protecting workers from ill health c...
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Addiction in Construction: Moving from Testing to Prevention with John Fenna and Nick McMurray
In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong brings together two specialists tackling addiction through different lenses: Nick McMurray (Positive Matters) on drugs and alcohol, and John Fenna (Bet Know More UK) on gambling harms...
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Neurodiversity in Construction: Breaking Barriers with Jacqui Wallis
In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong is joined by Jacqui Wallis, CEO of Genius Within, to explore a topic many in the construction industry are only just beginning to understand: neurodiversity at work....
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Drugs, Alcohol & Industry Denial: What Construction Needs to Hear - with Nick o'Shea
In this powerful and honest episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong sits down with Nick O’Shea – construction professional, podcast host, and person in recovery – to talk about the role addiction plays in the construction industry....
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Noise: The Safety Risk That’s Louder Than You Think
Guest: Clare Forshaw: Professional Head of Health & Wellbeing RSSB. Founder & Director at UK Hearing Conservation Association. Board Member British Occupational Hygiene SocietyIn this powerful and insightful episode of Build ...
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Why Financial Wellbeing Deserves a Place in Health and Safety - with Andrew Russell-Day and Ryan Briggs
In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong sits down with two brilliant guests - Andrew Russell Day, Senior Health & Safety Lead at Amazon, and Ryan Briggs, founder of FinWELL Training - to explore a topic often o...
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🚧 500 Miles for 500 Lives: Chris Rodgers on Running for Mental Health in Construction
🚧 500 Miles for 500 Lives: Chris Rodgers on Running for Mental Health in ConstructionIn this powerful episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong speaks with Chris Rodgers, a construction professional on an extraordinar...
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Build & Thrive: Breaking the Stigma - Mental Health in Construction with Matt Jenkins
The construction industry is known for its long hours, tough conditions, and high-pressure environments. But what impact does this have on the mental health of workers? In this episode of Build & Thrive, we sit down with Matt Jenki...
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The Impact of Nutrition on Construction Health & Wellbeing with Kate Cook
What role does nutrition play in the health, safety, and performance of construction workers? In this episode of Build & Thrive, Kate Cook, a leading nutritionist and Health & Wellbeing Ambassador for the Considerate Constructo...
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Transforming Construction: Lee Rowswell’s path to a Healthier Industry, GKR Scaffolding
In our debut episode of Build & Thrive, we sit down with Lee Rowswell, Group Director at GKR Scaffolding and a passionate advocate for health and wellbeing in construction. Lee shares his inspiring 35-year journey from starting on ...
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Build & Thrive Trailer, from Construction Health & Wellbeing
Welcome to Build & Thrive, the podcast dedicated to transforming occupational health and wellbeing in the construction industry. Hosted by Jennie Armstrong - nurse, trained occupational hygienist, and founder of Construction Health...