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PODCAST

Automation Unplugged Podcast

Since its launch on Facebook Live in 2017, Automation Unplugged has become the leading podcast for AV and custom integration professionals. Now pre-recorded and produced in both audio and video formats, episodes are released across our website, social media, and all major streaming platforms. Our content spans engaging interviews with industry leaders, in-depth discussions with One Firefly’s marketing experts, and insightful education on marketing & business growth strategies. From industry trends

technology entrepreneurship

All Episodes

00:56:36

#374: Henri Beaudoin on Building a Luxury Integration...

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/10/07

SHOW NOTESIn this episode, Henri and I discussed:Why smaller projects have slowed down while high-end luxury work has held steadyHow keeping inventory in a 10,000 square foot warehouse kept Elite building through COVID supply delaysAnd His rule of never promising a client anything his team hasn't tested and engineered firstWhether you're running a luxury integration firm or building toward one, Henri's approach to engineering, people, and client trust is worth hearing. So settle in and enjoy my

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00:30:42

#373: Ian Williams on Putting AI to Work Across an...

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/09/30

SHOW NOTESIn this episode, Ian and I discussed:The weekly business dashboard he built in Claude Cowork that lands in his inbox at 6:00 a.m. every Monday, covering KPIs, cash flow, backlog, and a 13-week forecast.Where AI shows up across his team, from technicians dictating daily project updates in Basecamp to project managers recording every walkthrough and QC.And Why his most effective prompt starts with "I don't know how to do this. Can you please help me?"Whether you're still writing the

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01:06:06

#372: Curtis LeMaster on the Training Gap and the...

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/09/23

SHOW NOTESIn this episode, Curtis and I discussed:Why he believes overselling and overpromising is the industry's most damaging habit, and what it looks like from a technician's side of the businessHis take on CEDIA Expo this year, including the training gap he keeps running into when he brings new hires to the showAnd Why customers have started asking for less control instead of more, and why he thinks that's the industry's own faultWhether you're running a two-person shop or a team of fifty,

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01:01:16

#371: Patrick Martinez on Building Sales Certainty in...

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/09/16

SHOW NOTESIn this episode, Patrick and I discussed:The five sales roles every business has, and why an owner trying to cover all five statistically caps out between $1.5 and $2.5 millionHis sales certainty framework and the three things that get in the wayAnd why fewer than 5% of technology contractors have a sales playbook that is actually written down, and how AI has changed the way those playbooks get builtWhether you are the owner still closing every deal yourself or you are building out a sales

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01:04:47

#370: Own the Night: How Integrators Can Go to Market...

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/09/09

SHOW NOTESWe cover:Why landscape lighting is a natural extension of the custom integration business — and how dealers can add it without competing with builders or electriciansPractical design, installation, and sales strategies, including recurring maintenance opportunities, partnering with landscapers, and positioning yourself early in the construction processMarketing tactics to help dealers build awareness, educate homeowners, and generate new opportunities through websites, email, social media,

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01:06:20

#369: Kayla Steinberg on Turning Events Into Your...

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/09/02

SHOW NOTESIn this episode, Kayla and I discussed: The three Ps of event planning: planning, process, and promotion, and why most events fail on the first one How to set a real, measurable goal for an event before you touch a single logistics detail And why an omni-channel promotion strategy, not one email and a social post, is what actually fills the room Whether you're gearing up for Control4's C4Yourself event this October or planning your own customer or trade partner event, this

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00:38:55

#368: Jason Barth on Turning AI From Cheap Hacks Into...

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/08/26

SHOW NOTESIn this episode, Jason and I discussed: Why AI felt like a pile of cheap hacks for a year, and what finally made it meaningful Building the foundation first: a common language document, a company taxonomy, and an org chart his AI tools can actually use How Premier structures its Claude workspaces around the project life cycle, from marketing through customer service The install-to-service handoff that now produces a personalized client letter and full warranty documentation in about

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01:08:34

#367: Brian Perreault on 35 Years of Change, Growth,...

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/08/19

SHOW NOTESIn this episode, Brian and I discussed: Why Barrett's built a separate small projects team, and how those smaller jobs still fuel cash flow and client loyalty. Their approach to educational events, from an AI workshop to a new lighting lab built for specifiers. What's next for the industry, from video walls to energy storage to the wellness trend that never quite took off. Whether you're figuring out how to serve both your legacy clients and your biggest projects, or you're looking

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01:01:34

#366: The AI Gold Rush Is Coming for Your Workforce

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/08/12

SHOW NOTESWe cover: How the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure and data centers is creating unprecedented demand for skilled labor across the country The five pillars of workforce resilience, including employer branding, candidate experience, career development, culture, and proactive workforce planning Practical strategies to help integrators attract, hire, and retain top talent in an increasingly competitive labor market Visit the episode page on our website to get the audio recording and

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01:03:08

#365: Robert Haecker of Triphase Technologies on 30...

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/08/05

SHOW NOTESIn this episode, Robert and I discussed: Why selling his company at age 30 turned out to be the best lesson of his career. How their showroom and light lab sell what a conversation never could. The in-house training program that cut ramp time for a job site lead from ten years to two. And why a $20 million company had to go back to a single point of contact to keep feeling small to its clients. Whether you're early in your growth or running a company that has outgrown how you used

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00:24:03

#364: Ask AI to Teach You AI — Mike Wilson's Playbook...

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/07/29

SHOW NOTESIn this episode, Mike and I discussed: How AI image editing helps his team solve real client challenges — from removing private artwork and family photos before sharing project images, to swapping out unlicensed content on screens. How he uses simple ChatGPT prompts to turn a designer's scale elevation drawing into side-by-side visuals, helping clients make decisions faster and reducing costly change-orders after installation. And how Bethesda Systems is building an AI culture from

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01:04:49

#363: How to Get Out of the Sales Seat — Ollie...

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/07/22

SHOW NOTESIn this episode, Ollie and I discussed: Why founder-led sales eventually becomes the ceiling on your growth, how the "founder advantage" makes it unfair to expect your salespeople to sell like you do, and the path to getting off the hamster wheel. The five-pillar operating system Sales Velocity uses to build scalable sales machines—positioning, process, people, performance, and planning—and how to find the key constraint holding your team back. And practical tactics you can implement

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01:00:44

#362: The Power of Vulnerability: Jason Zuniga on...

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/07/15

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Jason and I discussed: How he scaled Austin Home Systems from a three-person shop to 26 employees and over $7 million in revenue. How reading Traction helped him define his target market of custom home builders and break through the million-dollar ceiling. Why joining a ProSource peer group and learning to “be vulnerable” with fellow dealers has been, in his words, life-changing for his business. Jason is known for his hands-on approach and for building a company focused

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01:08:28

#361: The Authority Engine: Using Video, Case...

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/07/08

SHOW NOTES We cover: How AI platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity are changing the customer research journey — and why integrators need to rethink how they present themselves online The concept of EEAT — Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust — and how businesses can use content to strengthen their online visibility and credibility Practical strategies for capturing and creating content, including project photography, video, case studies, reviews, social media, and

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00:59:14

#360: Speed, Precision, and the Business of Custom...

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/07/01

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Jon and I discussed: How his experience in NASCAR shaped the way he approaches precision, pressure, troubleshooting, and entrepreneurship in the integration world. Why professional design documentation, outsourced engineering partnerships, and strong project planning are critical. And how Jon is building Fusion Automation through relationships with architects, designers, and builders, while leaning into high-growth categories like lighting, shades, invisible audio,

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00:31:44

#359: Blake Urmos on Building AI Tools for the...

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/06/24

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Blake and I discussed: How one simple ChatGPT project opened his eyes to the business potential of AI and led him to start building his own software tools. Why Claude Code, AI skills, agentic coding, and tools like MCP are helping non-traditional developers solve real business problems faster than ever before. And how Blake built LVN Signals, an AI-powered platform that helps contractors uncover commercial low-voltage opportunities before they hit the bid

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01:07:38

#358: From $4M to $20M- David Wexler on How EOC Audio...

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/06/17

SHOW NOTESIn this episode, David and I discussed: How EOC Audio grew 400% in six years by prioritizing "buying right," leveraging the power of buying groups, and hiring talent in advance of growth. Why long-term success comes from "saying yes" to clients and builders alike, and how David used 12 years of live radio hosting to build a legendary reputation in his market. And A look at the rising demand for sophisticated lighting design, motorized window treatments, and the high-growth world of

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01:04:13

#357: The Missing Layer of the Smart Home: How to...

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/06/10

SHOW NOTESWe cover: Why smart ceiling fans represent a growing opportunity for integrators — from comfort and energy savings to aesthetics and whole-home control integration The evolution of ceiling fan technology, including DC motors, airflow optimization, and smart controls How AI search and large language models are changing the customer journey — and why integrators need to rethink their online visibility strategy to stay competitive in emerging categories like smart fans Practical

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01:03:00

#356: Revolutionizing MDU Solutions and Embracing the...

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/06/03

SHOW NOTESIn this episode, Hally and I discussed: The power of peer groups and why her V11 group in ProSource has become her most valuable business asset for vulnerability and growth. How she saved a client over $120,000 by re-engineering a high-voltage lighting hurdle into a low-voltage solution. And the AI revolution in integration and her journey from "just an email helper" to using Claude for site readiness analysis and meeting accountability. Hally brings a "yes to everything new"

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00:56:09

#355: From Pro Golf to Pro Integration with Jeremey...

Automation Unplugged Podcast ·

2026/05/20

SHOW NOTESIn this episode, Jeremey and I discussed: His journey from the pro golf circuit to tech inventor, including the wild story of pitching a helmet-cam prototype to investors in a wedding buffet line. The strategic decision to "throttle" growth by raising prices, ensuring his team maintains a high standard of quality and reputation without burning bridges by growing too fast. How he is leveraging a new 4,000-square-foot showroom to create emotional experiences for clients and build

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304 results

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