In this episode of the ESCO HVAC Podcast, host Clifton Beck sits down with Jason Estevez, General Manager at Seitron Americas and one of the Top 25 Most Influential HVAC Educators of 2024. Jason shares his journey from hands-on technician to award-winning trainer, offering a candid look at the real-life sacrifices, wins, and lessons that come with life on the road in HVAC education.

You’ll hear:

• The origin story of Seitron Americas and its evolution to a customer-first manufacturer with training at its core.
• Why training before selling builds long-term trust — and Jason’s philosophy on training: “Be the tech they call when something goes wrong. Be the trainer they trust — the sales will come later.”
• Practical tips on improving classroom engagement, building credibility, and using tools as teaching instruments.

Whether you’re a tech ready to take the leap into education or a contractor building an in-house training team, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and authentic perspective.

Presented by Seitron Americas — creating accessible tools for every technician. Learn more at https://seitron.com/en_us/

Flammability? Mitigation zones? Pressure controls? In this grounded and practical episode, we chat with Justin Bailey, Technical Trainer at Heatcraft, about how the HVACR industry is navigating the transition to A2L refrigerants…without the panic.

We discuss:

• Why the move to A2Ls isn’t as radical as it sounds—and what hasn’t changed
• How proper pipe sizing and detection systems are key to safe, smart installs
• What mitigation really looks like in a walk-in cooler
• How Heatcraft is supporting techs with dual-rated equipment and modular training
• The value of staying curious, getting ahead of change, and educating the customer

Justin shares real-world experience from the field, lessons from past transitions, and a calm, clear perspective that technicians at any stage will appreciate. If you're facing refrigerant changes with hesitation, this episode will help you breathe a little easier.

For more on Heatcraft’s training and products, visit: https://www.heatcraftrpd.com

In this episode of the ESCO “Did You Know?” Podcast, we are joined by Larry Waters, founder of Electrify My Home, to explore how contractors can future-proof their businesses in the rapidly changing HVAC landscape. With over four decades in the trade, Larry shares how he transitioned from conventional HVAC installations to pioneering high-performance heat pump solutions, and built a thriving, education-first business along the way.

We discuss:

• How to evolve your HVAC business for electrification
• The critical role of building science and load calculations
• Using DISC profiling to tailor your sales approach
• Virtual assessments, filtering leads, and building customer trust
• Why being a solutions provider beats racing to the lowest price
• How Larry grew from 3 to 19 employees with a 45% referral rate

Whether you're a contractor, educator, or just HVAC-curious, this episode offers powerful insights into what it takes to thrive in the electrification era.

📚 Explore Larry’s training programs at EMHLearn.com and learn more about his electrification work at ElectrifyMyHome.com.

In this thought-provoking and practical episode, we sit down with Chris Morin — HVAC educator, Marine Corps veteran, and author of Leadership in HVAC — to explore how timeless leadership principles can elevate teams, improve communication and strengthen HVAC businesses from the inside out.

We dive into:

• How Marine Corps values like integrity, justice and tact apply directly to the trade
• Why consistency in leadership builds trust — and how to avoid morale-killing exceptions
• How personal growth, role play and even smartphone practice can sharpen soft skills
• The critical role of "bearing" and creative problem solving in high-stakes situations

Chris brings real-world stories, practical wisdom, and actionable advice from the job site to the leadership table, making this episode a must-listen for contractors, techs, and business owners alike.

Tune in and take your leadership skills to the next level.

Learn more at hvacproblog.com.

In this candid and empowering episode, we sit down with Christyn Mueller, Associate Director of Global Learning & Development at Johnson Controls, to explore how authenticity can transform the way we teach within the HVAC industry.

We dive into:

• How being yourself builds trust, confidence, and stronger engagement with students
• The role of vulnerability, mentorship, and emotional intelligence in technical training
• Why revisiting positive feedback can be more than just validation, it can fuel growth
• How authenticity helps shape the next generation of HVAC professionals

Christyn brings thoughtful perspective and lived experience to this conversation, making it a must-listen for anyone passionate about advancing education in the skilled trades.

Tune in and join the conversation!

Learn more about Johnson Controls at johnsoncontrols.com.

In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Stickney to dive into the rapidly evolving world of sustainable heating and cooling in Europe. Kevin shares his insights on the growing adoption of geothermal heat pumps across the continent — what's driving it, the challenges, and what the U.S. market can learn from their success. We also explore the rise of R-290 (propane) monoblock heat pumps for residential applications, breaking down why this low-GWP refrigerant is gaining traction and what it means for the future of home energy efficiency. Whether you're an HVACR professional, policymaker, or simply curious about where heating technology is headed, this conversation is packed with practical knowledge and forward-thinking ideas you won’t want to miss.

What do you do when your HVAC team has zero training structure in place? How do you go from winging it… to winning with a solid training path? In this episode, we’re joined by the one and only Paul Rhodes from the Maintenance Mindset podcast — and he’s bringing the blueprint for building HVAC training and apprenticeship programs from the ground up! 💡 Whether you're starting with a clean slate or looking to level up your current training approach, Paul shares real-world strategies to help:

✅ Build a training path when there isn’t one

✅ Create an apprenticeship curriculum that actually sticks

✅ Balance testing and hands-on learning for every experience level

✅ Get buy-in from techs, leads, and leadership This episode is a must-watch (or listen!) for instructors, managers, and anyone passionate about growing their team the right way. So grab your notepad — or your tool belt — and get ready to rethink your approach to HVAC training.

In this exclusive conversation, Mr. Hutchinson shares the story behind his rise through the ranks, the pivotal moments that shaped his career, and his passion for advancing our industry through education. You’ll also hear how Daikin Comfort Technologies is partnering with ESCO to bring cutting-edge training and awareness to the next generation of HVACR professionals — and why that matters now more than ever. Whether you’re a technician, instructor, or industry leader, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a clear vision for the future of HVACR.

Get ready to turn up the heat and the laughs at the 2025 National HVACR Education Conference! 🔥😂

Join Clifton Beck and That HVAC MAC – Macario Calderon as they break down how to bring fun and fire into the HVACR classroom. 🎉 From turning wrenches to turning heads, these two are showing how edutainment – yep, education + entertainment – can spark curiosity and light up young minds. 💡💥

Sure, you might not be ready to jump into a leprechaun or mariachi costume (we see you 👀), but embracing your unique style and sprinkling in some humor can be the key to unlocking student engagement. After all, not everyone fits the same mold... and that’s what makes this industry so cool (pun intended). 😎❄️

Don’t miss this session – because in the world of HVACR education, laughter just might be your secret superpower. 🛠️💬🎭

#HVACR #Edutainment #ClassroomFun #HVACLife #NationalHVACRConference #ThatHVACMAC #CliftonBeck #HVACInstructors #TeachWithHeart #LaughAndLearn #HVACHumor

👉 Get access to the FREE High-Performance Heat Pump Trial course here: https://bit.ly/highperformance-heatpumptrial

In this episode of Did You Know? The ESCO HVAC Podcast, host Clifton Beck sits down with Brigham Dickinson, President and Founder at Power Selling Pros, to indulge into the intersection of artificial intelligence, customer experience, and company culture in the HVAC industry.

Brigham brings real-world awareness from years of coaching call center reps and technicians, explaining how AI tools are reshaping service delivery, improving call handling, and enhancing technician efficiency. But he’s clear that AI should assist, not replace the human touch.

Key Takeaways:

• Customer Experience is Emotional – Loyalty is driven by empathy, not logic.
• AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement – AI supports tasks but can't replace human connection.
• CSRs Are Evolving – Their role now includes inside sales with value-based conversations.
• Train for Culture – Consistent coaching builds a culture of service excellence.
• Technicians Shouldn’t “Sell” – They create a comfortable environment that leads to customer buy-in.
• Company Culture Wins – Embracing training and AI tools boosts business performance.

Noteworthy Quotes:

• "The machine won’t ask about my arthritis." – Brigham Dickinson
• "AI should enhance the customer experience, not diminish it." – Clifton Beck
• "People don't like to be sold to but they love to buy when they feel safe, comfortable, and heard." – Brigham Dickinson
• "If your AI can’t handle a ballpark price question, it needs to hand the call over fast." – Brigham Dickinson
• "A good job for a technician isn’t just fixing the issue, it’s earning the customer's trust and creating value." – Brigham Dickinson

FOLLOW OUR GUEST BRIGHAM DICKINSON ON:

• LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigham-dickinson/
• Website: https://powersellingpros.com/

FOLLOW OUR HOST CLIFTON BECK ON:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/🎙️clifton-beck-📽️-csme-45aa727a
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cliftonraybeck/

FOLLOW DID YOU KNOW - THE ESCO HVAC PODCAST ON:

• ESCO HVAC Website: https://www.escogroup.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escogroup/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escoinstitute/