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Building Confidence

Building Confidence

Louise Azzopardi 172 Episodes Nov 4, 2026

Building Confidence is a podcast about personal growth, practical tools, and support for people navigating their careers and lives. Host Louise Azzopardi, a heavy vehicle and plant mechanic who began her apprenticeship at 15, shares conversations and insights drawn from her experiences with harassment, impostor syndrome, mental health struggles, and workplace challenges. She also discusses her later work as a life coach and mentor for tradeswomen. The show aims to help listeners build confidence and take charge of their own paths.

Episodes

The Power of Connection for Tradeswomen - Building Confidence - Episode 175
The Power of Connection for Tradeswomen - Building Confidence - Episode 175 Nov 4, 2026 730 What if creating a community could change someone's entire experience of working in the trades? In this episode of Building Confidence, we're talking about the power of connection, why community is so important for tradeswomen and how you can create opportunities for women to connect in your own local area. After years of wanting to bring tradeswomen together in Greater Western Sydney, Beth and I
When You Love Your Trade but Not Your Job - Gabby - Building Confidence – Episode 174
When You Love Your Trade but Not Your Job - Gabby - Building Confidence – Episode 174 Oct 28, 2026 2272 What if you love your trade, but you're no longer happy doing the job you're in? In this episode of Building Confidence, I'm joined by Gabby, founder of She'll Be Right Handywoman Service, to talk about changing careers, backing yourself, recognising your skills and creating a business that works for you. After nine years working in nursing, Gabby discovered her love for hands-on work and made the
You're Never Really Starting from Scratch - Building Confidence - Episode 173
You're Never Really Starting from Scratch - Building Confidence - Episode 173 Oct 21, 2026 547 What if the fear of starting again is stopping you from trying something new? In this episode of Building Confidence, we're talking about something I genuinely believe: you're never actually starting from the beginning again. Whether you're thinking about changing jobs, leaving a workplace, starting a new career or taking a completely different direction in life, it can be easy to worry that if th
The Little Things That Build an Incredible Career - Hannah Legg - Building Confidence – Episode 172
The Little Things That Build an Incredible Career - Hannah Legg - Building Confidence – Episode 172 Oct 14, 2026 3192 What if the little things you do today are what create your biggest opportunities tomorrow? In this episode of Building Confidence, I'm joined by Hannah, founder of HER Engineering, Machining and Maintenance, to talk about her incredible journey from apprentice fitter and machinist to multi-skilled tradeswoman, business owner and specialist working on some seriously massive mining equipment. Hanna
Teaching Men How to Work With Women - Building Confidence - Episode 171
Teaching Men How to Work With Women - Building Confidence - Episode 171 Oct 7, 2026 755 What if the people in your new workplace aren't rejecting you—they're just figuring out how to work with you? In this episode of Building Confidence, we're talking about something that doesn't get discussed very often: teaching men how to work with women. When you enter a male-dominated workplace as a tradeswoman, there's a lot of newness for you. New people, new systems, new expectations and a ne
Take Every Opportunity You Can - Abbie-Rose Powell Building Confidence - Episode 170
Take Every Opportunity You Can - Abbie-Rose Powell Building Confidence - Episode 170 Sep 30, 2026 2217 What if choosing a trade could open more doors than you ever realised? In this episode of Building Confidence, I sit down with fitter by trade and Women in Trades Project Officer Abbie to talk about the incredible variety a trade career can offer—and the lessons she's learned along the way. Abbie takes us from discovering automotive at school and applying for almost every apprenticeship she could
Popping People's Tradeswoman Virginity - Building Confidence - Episode 169
Popping People's Tradeswoman Virginity - Building Confidence - Episode 169 Sep 23, 2026 453 What do you do when someone is shocked to discover that you're a tradeswoman… again? In this episode of Building Confidence, I'm sharing one of the more unusual reframes I've created with a coaching client: popping people's tradeswoman virginity. When women still make up such a small percentage of tradespeople, there's a good chance you'll be the first tradeswoman someone has worked with, hired, m
Behind Every No, There's a Yes - Kasey Lewis - Building Confidence - Episode 167
Behind Every No, There's a Yes - Kasey Lewis - Building Confidence - Episode 167 Sep 16, 2026 1724 What if the career you really want takes two years of hearing "no" before you finally get your "yes"? In this episode of Building Confidence, I sit down with electrician and protection technician Kasey to talk about her journey from graphic designer to mature-age electrical apprentice, high-voltage field service technician, and now into the specialised world of protection testing. Kasey shares wha
The Power of "And" Instead of "But" - Building Confidence - Episode 167
The Power of "And" Instead of "But" - Building Confidence - Episode 167 Sep 9, 2026 675 What if changing one tiny word could change the way you talk to yourself? In this episode of Building Confidence, we're talking about the surprisingly powerful difference between "and" and "but"—and how a small shift in language can help us recognise how far we've come without ignoring where we still want to grow. Think about the difference between "I've learnt so much, BUT I still don't know how
From Stay-at-Home Mum to Award-Winning Tradeswoman - Samantha Hall - Building Confidence - Episode 166
From Stay-at-Home Mum to Award-Winning Tradeswoman - Samantha Hall - Building Confidence - Episode 166 Sep 2, 2026 1592 Can you build a successful trade career while raising a family? Absolutely. In this episode of Building Confidence, I sit down with award-winning boilermaker Samantha Hall to talk about her journey from being a stay-at-home mum to becoming a qualified tradeswoman, industry award winner, and mentor for young women entering manufacturing. Sam shares the realities of juggling motherhood with an appre
Maybe You Don't Need to Get Rid of Self-Doubt - Building Confidence - Episode 165
Maybe You Don't Need to Get Rid of Self-Doubt - Building Confidence - Episode 165 Aug 26, 2026 635 What if a little bit of self-doubt is actually a good thing? In this episode of Building Confidence, we're talking about something I call appropriate self-doubt—that little voice that makes you stop, double-check, ask a question or recognise when you might need some help. We often think becoming confident means getting rid of self-doubt completely. But especially in the trades, having no self-doub
From Apprentice to Breakdown Technician - Rachael Heufel - Building Confidence – Episode 164
From Apprentice to Breakdown Technician - Rachael Heufel - Building Confidence – Episode 164 Aug 19, 2026 2386 What if the career you love is waiting just outside your comfort zone? In this episode of Building Confidence, I sit down with heavy vehicle technician Rachael to talk about her journey from a high school student unsure of her future to becoming a trusted breakdown technician who thrives on solving problems in the field. Along the way, we discuss overcoming workplace challenges, finding mentors, p

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