AV SuperFriends: On Topic

Recorded November 14, 2025: The AV SuperFriends kick off their first holiday special of the season with a spirited look at the gear, gadgets, and AV workflows that should make life easier, but only if you also bought the missing accessories, licenses, adapters, or seventeen extra widgets the manufacturer forgot to mention. In classic Christmas fashion, the crew shares their “Batteries Not Included” frustrations: software that secretly requires expensive hardware, switchers that almost solve every problem but miss the basics, power supplies that mysteriously vanish from product boxes, and cloud-connected ecosystems with more prerequisites than a graduate-level course.Along the way, the panel detours into holiday lights, dubious Best Buy happenings, the return of RDL-style power-supply roulette, and the annual reminder that USB extension is still cursed. They also preview an upcoming deep-dive on enterprise cloud AV, tease the December call-in show, and, of course, deliver an unhealthy dose of seasonal immaturity.If you’ve ever unboxed a “perfect” AV solution only to discover it needs three more boxes, a license key, an aggregator VM, and a Christmas miracle to function, this episode is for you.Alternate show titles:

• I want that in my stocking
• Holiday Mode
• The setting on your doohicky
• Don’t put it in holiday mode
• Who dropped the dogs off
• Allen Head Doll House
• It does everything you want but nothing you need
• Least offensive to “you gotta be kidding me”
• You can’t get this to that
• You can buy HDBaseT out, you just can’t get it in
• Similar to Larry, but different
• You always have to buy the power supplies separate
• They mostly last
• That’s not the answer; stop it!
• Some adult supervision required

AV SuperFriends: On Topic
"I Bet They're Super Tech-Savvy"

Recorded October 24, 2025

In this Thanksgiving special, the crew gathers at the bustling Circus Circus in Las Vegas (by way of theater of the mind). Chris, Jamie, Marc, Larry, Justin, and special guest Frank Alaimo, dive into the chaos of AV integration during the holiday season, while serving up piping hot takes and mashed-up opinions.

As they navigate the complexities of holiday technology requests, the conversation hilariously veers into the world of DIY AV setups, unexpected tech purchases, and the challenges of integrating consumer-grade equipment into professional environments. From the infamous ‘hockey puck’ microphones to the wild world of Raspberry Pi lighting setups, nothing is off the table.
So loosen your belts, grab a plate, and settle in for a feast of sound, humor, and a few too many turkey puns!

Connect with Frank: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-alaimo-cts-i-01872466/

AI-generated alternate show titles:

• Turkey Talk and Tech Troubles
• A Thanksgiving Roundtable of AV Shenanigans
• Gravy and Gadgets
• A Thanksgiving AV Extravaganza
• A Turkey-Themed AV Roundtable

Far superior human created alternate show titles:

• When you see people on stilts, you know it’s a fancy joint
• This is actually fulfilling one of my life goals
• Mistakes were made
• The Whoa-Pro!
• It works right out of the box
• A hockey puck USB mic
• It has little legs on it, maybe not
• The turducken of meeting rooms
• They start banging it out and you’re like “Oh!”
• What do you think is going on in this classroom, dude?
• This is news to me!
• An army of fruit rolling around

We stream live every Friday at about 315p Eastern/1215p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com 

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀
► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends
► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends
► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends
► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social
► Email: [email protected]
► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss
Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

AV SuperFriends: On Topic - I hope AQAV isn’t listening to this…

Recorded September 19, 2025

It’s October, and the AV SuperFriends are leaning into the spooky season with a conversation that’s equal parts eerie and insightful. They tackle some of the haunted house problems in higher ed AV: ghost signals that won’t quit, obsolete equipment that seems impossible to kill off, and the slow creep of outdated standards lurking in classrooms everywhere.

Joining the discussion are special guests Gary Cummins Indiana University and Neal Feuerhelm from the University of Illinois, who weigh in on how their campuses are handling the monsters of modernization. From faculty demands for shiny new gear to the challenges of keeping hundreds of teaching spaces alive and stable, the group debates what’s worth upgrading, what’s better left buried, and how to keep technology aligned with real teaching and learning goals.

And since it wouldn’t be fall without a little football, the episode features a spirited Weekly Rivalry matchup between Illinois and Indiana. Much like on the gridiron, each university makes its case for AV dominance, touting classroom innovations, campus traditions, and the resilience of their teams. The friendly trash talk goes into overtime with lightning-round questions and leaves listeners with one key takeaway: in higher ed AV, rivalries may be playful, but the commitment to delivering reliable, effective teaching technology is very real.

Connect with our guests:

• Gary Cummins - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-cummins-5690026b/
• Neal Feuerhelm - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nfeuerhelm/

AI-generated Alternate Episode Titles:

• Spooky Trends & a Big Ten Showdown
• Ether Killer and the Haunted Classroom
• When Old Gear Refuses to Die
• Spooky Season, Creepy Standards, and a Big Ten Showdown
• Ghosts in the Machine: Higher Ed’s Halloween Special
• Haunted Touch Panels and Other AV Nightmares
• Rivalries, Revenants, and Room Schedulers

Far Superior Human-Generated Alternate Show Titles:

• You want all those ports back?
• They went from putting everything on there to nothing
• There’s not enough of it to justify putting in a special thing
• Are you too busy to finish a thought?
• Your standards are at random heights
• The consumerification of all our AV products
• That meant it was dead, not asleep
• Either one, I don’t want to do anymore…
• Live grounding bus bar
• I don’t know how many pools you have on campus
• We got a name for that
• It involved a lot of lube
• Turn it to 11
• You can’t really touch the HTML
• It’s the viewer’s problem

We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀
► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends
► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends
► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends
► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social
► Email: [email protected]
► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

AV Superfriends: On Topic
Episode 62

Back-toSchool Chatter

Recorded August 15, 2025

In this episode, Chris, Jamie, Larry, and Justin revel in the chaos and excitement of back-to-school preparations and reminisce about their experiences from ten years ago while tackling the challenges of the new academic year.

The discussion kicks off with a lighthearted look at the absurdities of the back-to-school rush, including the frantic requests from faculty and the inevitable tech hiccups. The team shares their thoughts on how far AV technology has come in the past decade and reflects on the lessons learned along the way. From the struggles of outdated systems to the thrill of new installations, they cover it all.

As they navigate through their own back-to-school stories, the panelists reveal their personal strategies for managing the busy season and keeping their sanity intact.

AI-generated alternate show titles:

• Back to School: AV Edition
• Lessons Learned: A Decade of AV
• The Back-to-School Survival Guide
• AV Flashbacks: 10 Years of Chaos
• Tech Trials and Triumphs
• From Panic to Preparation
• AV SuperFriends: Back to School Madness
• Navigating the New School Year

Far superior human created alternate show titles:

• They hibernate and then re-hatch
• Looks like an owl winking at you
• Everybody loves whiteboards
• That whiteboard is structural
• These were working before they touched them
• You know who didn’t say that?
• He… didn’t get fired
• It’s my first day!
• I’ve been flat on purpose
• Dumb questions like “Are you done yet?”

We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀
► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends
► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends
► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends
► Email: [email protected]
► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Individual Twitter links:
► Chris Dechter: @cdechter
► Jamie Rinehart: @avsfjamie
► Marc Cholewczynski: @avdiplomat
► Rachel Bradshaw: @tempurity
► Larry Darling: @lsdarling1
► Justin Rexing: @justinrexing

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

AV SuperFriends: On Topic
Episode 61: The statute of limitations has run out, right? 

Recorded July 11, 2025

In this episode, the goon squad discusses testing AV equipment and the often murky waters of bench testing. Join Chris, Jamie, Larry, and Justin as they share their experiences, opinions, and a few laughs about the realities of ensuring gear works as intended before it hits the field.

The discussion kicks off with a humorous take on the common practice of just throwing gear into new environments without thorough testing. The panelists debate the balance between best practices and the chaotic nature of real-world installations, exploring how much testing is truly necessary and what constitutes effective bench testing. With anecdotes from their own experiences, they explore the risks and rewards of deploying untested gear in high-stakes situations.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this episode is packed with semi-useful advice.

Don't forget to connect with us on social media and share this episode with your fellow AV enthusiasts!
 
Alternate show titles:

• What if it’s an AI camera?
• We took most of the cubes out
• The biggest non-verbal hedge I’ve ever heard
• Our projects are bench tests
• We do bench testing randomly
• This is not gonna work
• It works until it doesn’t
• It started blowing up buildings
• I got a spare widget that I know works
• We were doing some weird sh*t
• I’m just jacking around
• Maybe Jesus doesn’t like your network
• I trust you nerds most of the time
• Our testing begins during the semester

We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com


▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀

► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends
► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends
► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends
► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social
► Email: [email protected]
► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

AV SuperFriends On Topic Episode 60: Fourth of July Special

Recorded June 20, 2025

In this explosive Independence Day special, the AV SuperFriends celebrate five years of podcasting with a bang! Join Chris, Jamie, Larry, and Justin as they blow up the things they dislike about AV and IT in higher education.

From cloud-based control systems to oversized DSPs, the panel tackles the industry's most frustrating trends and technologies that have overstayed their welcome. With fireworks and laughter, they share their grievances, offering a cathartic release for anyone who's ever felt overwhelmed by the complexities of modern AV solutions.

Tune in for a fun-filled episode that’s equal parts celebration and critique, and discover what the AV SuperFriends want to blow up next!

If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your fellow AV enthusiasts and consider supporting the AV SuperFriends!

We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀
► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends
► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends
► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends
► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social
► Email: [email protected]
► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

AV SuperFriends On Topic

Episode 59: Don't Skip Friday!

Recorded May 9, 2025

In this episode, the crew gathers for a lively roundtable discussion focused on the upcoming Infocomm trade show. Join Chris, Jamie, Marc, Rachel, Larry, and Justin as they share their excitement and insights about what to expect at the conference, along with their personal agendas and speaking engagements. The conversation is filled with the trademark humor and camaraderie that fans have come to love, as they exchange tips on how to navigate the busy show floor and make the most of the experience.

The team reviews Rachel's five essential tips for a successful Infocomm visit, including the importance of networking, finding the best booths, and leveraging the wealth of knowledge available from industry leaders. Listeners will also hear about the various panels and sessions the AV SuperFriends will be participating in, highlighting their commitment to sharing expertise and fostering community within the AV industry.

Tune in for a fun and informative episode that promises to equip you with everything you need to know before heading to Infocom. If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your colleagues and consider supporting the AV SuperFriends!

News article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-tips-breakthrough-infocomm-rachel-bradshaw-hebee/

Alternate show titles:

• Blueglass Hills
• Stuck in a closet
• Summarize in Four seconds
• …and he keeps bees!
• Point the fifth
• Get your LinkedIn house in order
• I mean that from the bottom of my heart
• You do your job next week
• You’re at InfoComm, sir!
• And then you run out of underwear
• There’s a conclusion at the end
• And then I’m spent
• Rachel Shanghai’d Marc into a panel
• Optimizing Things for Stuff
• I don’t think you were ever El Presidente
• Built-in tribe of curious people
• That was kinda sketchy
• Standing Room Only
• Don’t give away the secret sauce
• I’ve just been letting it go and blaming it on Justin
• Sticky floors and cigarette smoke
• They’re just sticky for different reasons
• That’s a rude thing to call your children
• I slept in my car

We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com 

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀
► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends
► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends
► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends
► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social
► Email: [email protected]
► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

AV SuperFriends On Topic Episode 58: Microphone in the Bathroom

Recorded April 18, 2025

In this episode, the gang looks at the chaos and excitement surrounding commencement season in higher education. From the intricacies of AV setups to the humorous mishaps that can occur, our experts share their experiences and insights on managing these large-scale events. Tune in for a blend of technical expertise and light-hearted banter!

We also sneak in a news discussion about the widespread Zoom outage and the ramifications thereof. If nothing else, all the work from home people had a new excuse why they didn’t get anything done for a few hours.

News: https://www.theregister.com/2025/04/17/zoom_outage_godaddy_blamed/

Alternate Show Titles:

• Lick his title
• I’m a little behind
• Weather channel radio thing
• Listserv debauchery
• I touched a lot of stuff
• Deans are always special
• Naturally, they try to cheat
• Yell at them!
• Fine, I’m out!
• Can’t you meet bi-monthly?
• Tailgating Commencement
• It is a big show!
• He said festival, not carnival
• Johnny out on the quad
• Just in case there’s a streaker

We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀
► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends
► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends
► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends
► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social
► Email: [email protected]
► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

AV SuperFriends On Topic Episode 57: The Other Choice is More Stupid

Recorded March 14, 2025

In this episode, the gang dives into the annual ritual of spring cleaning, sharing their unique takes on what it means to declutter in the AV world. From the challenges of managing outdated equipment to the humorous anecdotes of discovering long-forgotten gear, the panel explores the importance of refreshing and reorganizing their spaces.

Join Chris, Jamie, Marc, Larry, and Justin as they discuss their personal spring cleaning projects, including the hard decisions around legacy systems and the sometimes absurd lengths they go to keep things running. Expect plenty of laughs, insightful commentary, and the camaraderie that only comes from years of shared experiences in the AV field.

Don't forget to share the podcast with your colleagues, and if you enjoy what you hear, consider supporting the AV SuperFriends!

AI-suggested alternate show titles:

• Spring Cleaning: AV Edition
• Decluttering the AV Space
• Out with the Old: A Spring Cleaning Journey
• Legacy Gear and Spring Renewal
• The Great AV Purge
• Cleaning Up Our Act

Far superior human created alternate show titles:

• Keep throwing bandaids on it
• Speaking of things that don’t die
• 18 bucks little man
• Rapid fire MPS
• I didn’t say I liked it
• They’re just sitting and I don’t know
• Do you know how much money we saved by keeping those in production?
• You and me are going to dig this hole together
• Hot swaps!
• How do normal people deal with that decision making?
• The smart choice of the stupid options
• Getting rid of all that and putting it out to pasture

We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀

► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends
► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends
► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends
► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social
► Email: [email protected]
► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

===

AV SuperFriends: On Topic Episode 56: Across a student’s lifespan…

Recorded February 19, 2025

In this lively episode, we tackle updating standards amidst fluctuating budgets and the pressure of one-time funds. The discussion also covers the practicalities of AV over IP technology and how it can reshape classroom environments. From the importance of stocking common components to the nuances of managing departmental requests, this episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in AV management.

Don't forget to share the podcast with your colleagues, and if you enjoy what you hear, consider supporting the AV SuperFriends!
 
AI-suggested alternate show titles:

• Standards and Surprises
• The Art of Budgeting
• One-Time Funds and Other Mysteries
• Flexibility in AV Standards
• Navigating the AV Landscape
• The Maze of Standards and One-Time Funds

Human-created alternate show titles:

• Let’s put in the network sh*t and let’s go!
• Multiple products rumored to be coming out
• What it would look like on my island network
• The Kit Bandwagon
• You hold it like that
• Student changeout
• This isn’t Kentucky
• North Carolina money
• It’s not the stuff, it’s the capabilities
• Super Sneakernet
• 100 different mistakes
• Everything ends up in the “other” bucket
• Zoom iPad things
• Homegrown Raspberry Pi
• We’re not sociopaths here
• Expand your mind
• Learn more sh*t
• That’s Tomorrow Jamie’s hiccup
• The Kit of What’s Available
• That doesn’t mean you’re sophisticated

   
We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀
► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends
► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends
► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends
► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social
► Email: [email protected]
► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support