In this episode, hosts Jason Shearer and Akram “AK” Khalis talk with Erin McDannald, multi-time CEO and founder of Elevated, about the intersection of human health, smart building design, and measurable environmental wellness.

Erin shares her personal journey from interior design to lighting to smart building technology—and how her experience as a mother navigating her daughter’s neuroinflammatory health challenges inspired a radical approach to workplace design.

She walks us through her company’s “living lab,” using CO₂ levels, light temperature, and even sound decibels as real-time indicators of wellness, productivity, and cognitive performance in the workplace.

This conversation is a masterclass in building smarter, healthier, and more human-centric environments.

• Erin’s path from lighting to founding a digital building company
• How her daughter’s health shaped her mission for wellness in built environments
• What happens to health metrics when people return to work in a poorly ventilated space
• Why CO₂, color temperature, and sound are the new pillars of workplace productivity
• How real-time environmental data led to a 40% drop in insurance claims and $140K decrease in premiums
• Tuning lighting for calm and critical thinking instead of productivity pressure
• The business case for de-densification and rethinking compressed office footprints
• Using data and automation to shape better collaboration, movement, and wellness
• Building a “healing building” and the vision of a workplace that improves human health
• The role of neuroinflammation and indoor environments in chronic conditions
• Insights on writing her upcoming book and connecting genetic science to smart infrastructure

• “We were losing cognitive function at 800 ppm of CO₂. That’s lower than most classrooms.”
• “Decibel levels on a Tuesday tell me if we’re having a good sales week.”
• “We’ve been trying to prove that if you dial in the people and the tech, there’s ROI—and it’s lucrative.”

• Erin: Vodka Lemonade (the only thing in the fridge!)
• Jason & AK: Vodka Soda with Lime – perfect for a humid southern summer day

New episodes drop every other Monday, blending spirits, building science, and bold ideas.

• CEOs, CIOs, and workplace strategists
• Smart building and wellness consultants
• Real estate developers and property managers
• HR leaders focused on employee experience
• Indoor air quality and sensor technology innovators

• Elevated Website: poweredbyelevated.com
• Erin’s Email: [email protected]
• Find Erin on LinkedIn – she’s actively sharing ideas and engaging with the community
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube

In this episode, hosts Jason Shearer and Akram “AK” Khalis sit down with Jeff Beavers, Executive Director of Network Integration at NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association), to discuss the evolving landscape of smart buildings, skilled trades, and the electrification of everything.

From climbing poles in the Air Force to defining future-ready standards for fault-managed power and limited energy systems, Jeff shares a career-spanning perspective that blends traditional electrical wisdom with cutting-edge tech. Together, the hosts and guest explore the convergence of AC/DC power, workforce shortages, the future of skilled trades, and why e-sports gamers might be tomorrow’s electricians.

• Jeff’s early telecom roots in the Air Force and journey into infrastructure
• The history and evolving mission of NECA in shaping power standards
• Limited energy systems and why the term matters for the future of design
• The parallel between AC adoption in 1900 and DC/FMP adoption today
• Global standards: Will RJ45 and USB-C power the world?
• The labor shortage and how to reach the next generation of tradespeople
• Micro-lessons and podcasting as tools for workforce education
• Industry partnerships with Google, Cisco, and IBEW to train the future
• Recruiting gamers, influencers, and digital natives into the trades

• Jeff: The “Old Fashioned” … water! (With a splash of ginger beer to spice things up)

New episodes drop every other Monday, blending smart buildings, big ideas, and a splash of your favorite drink.

• Electrical and low-voltage contractors
• Code and standards professionals
• Data center and MEP engineers
• Workforce development leaders
• Policy makers and educators
• Young professionals and students exploring skilled trades

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or YouTube
• Leave a review and share with your network
• Explore NECA’s Podcast: Connectivity, Powered by NECA
• Follow Jason, AK, and Jeff on LinkedIn

In this flavorful episode, hosts Jason Shearer and Akram “AK” Khalis sit down with Jonathan Lumley-Sapanski, owner of Lum’s Cellars, to explore the intersection of whiskey, entrepreneurship, storytelling, and community.

Jonathan walks us through his journey from the high-paced restaurant grind to launching his own bottle shop in Maplewood, New Jersey. With an eye for craft, a respect for heritage, and a passion for educating consumers, Jonathan shares how his store curates private barrels, honors lesser-known distilleries, and builds customer trust one pour at a time.

• Jonathan’s hospitality and sales background—and what led him to open Lum’s Cellars
• Renovating a 100-year-old store and honoring the legacy of its previous owner
• How storytelling, heirloom grains, and transparency shape the new whiskey landscape
• The rise of MGP-sourced spirits and the cult appeal of brands like Found North and Penelope
• Balancing allocated bottles and consumer expectations in a specialty shop
• The role of education, trust, and flavor exploration in retail liquor sales
• How climate, glassware, and personal taste shape how we enjoy whiskey
• Building a retail brand rooted in transparency, community events, and deep knowledge

• Penelope Rio — https://shop.penelopebourbon.com/products/rio
• Koval Four Grain — https://www.koval-distillery.com/newsite/whiskey/four-grain

• The reality of whiskey allocations and distributor relationships
• Why some $30 bottles outperform $80 ones in blind tastings
• The power of private barrel selections to differentiate a store
• How brands blend marketing, storytelling, and substance
• The “WebMD effect” of informed (and misinformed) whiskey shoppers

• Jonathan’s go-to drink: The Boulevardier
• Why rye makes a cocktail sing—and how spice complements bitter

Episodes drop every other Monday, blending smart buildings, big spirits, and a little storytelling.

• Whiskey lovers and curious newcomers
• Retail entrepreneurs in the food & beverage space
• Distillers, marketers, and small producers
• Anyone interested in the craft and culture behind the bottle

• Lum Cellars on Instagram: @lumscellars
• Visit the shop: 1718 Springfield Ave, Maplewood, NJ 07960
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube
• Follow Jason, AK, and Jonathan for more insider conversations

In this episode, Jason and AK sit down with Mahmoud Ibrahim, Senior Product Director at Panduit, to explore how Fault Managed Power (FMP) is transforming power delivery in smart buildings.

With a background in mechanical engineering and a passion for business, Mahmoud shares his journey from R&D to leading FMP at Panduit—making “dumb power smart” by enabling higher voltage delivery over thinner cables while continuously monitoring for faults like shock, arc, or fire risk.

The discussion covers how FMP works alongside PoE, real-world use cases, evolving standards, workforce implications, and why this technology is the next evolution in safe, efficient building electrification.

• Mahmoud’s transition from engineering to product leadership
• What FMP is and how it enables long-distance, high-voltage power with built-in safety
• Comparison to GFCI: FMP detects multiple fault types, not just ground faults
• UL 1400 standards and cable requirements (450V-rated, multi-pair construction)
• How FMP complements PoE—“Trunk vs. Branch” analogy
• Real-world deployments in security, lighting, Wi-Fi, and DAS
• Education, healthcare, and campus retrofits as ideal FMP use cases
• 2026 NEC code updates introducing “Limited Energy” categories for PoE and FMP
• The FMP Alliance—uniting Cisco, Panduit, Belden, VoltServer, and others to drive adoption
• Vision for scaling FMP into EV charging, data centers, and industrial sectors
• ArcSafe benefits for mining, hazardous environments, and reducing fire risks

• FMP makes electricity safer by turning off circuits instantly when faults are detected
• Runs power and data over shared pathways without traditional conduit
• PoE remains critical for data and device power, FMP brings scalable building-wide electrification
• Class 4 circuits remove power limits, focusing on energy safety, not wattage caps
• Industry-wide collaboration (FMP Alliance) is key for interoperability and global adoption

• AK: Michter’s Rye, on the rocks
• Jason: Fast Old Fashioned with Rabbit Hole Rye, cocoa bitters, dehydrated orange garnish

• Smart building technologists and consultants
• Contractors and low-voltage installers
• Real estate owners modernizing infrastructure
• Manufacturers exploring next-gen electrification
• Anyone interested in safer, scalable building power

• Learn more about FMP: fmpalliance.org
• Panduit solutions: panduit.com
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube
• Follow Jason, AK, and Mahmoud on LinkedIn

In this episode, hosts Jason Shearer and Akram “AK” Khalis sit down with Ronna Davis, Chief Revenue Officer at VoltServer, to explore how Fault Managed Power (FMP) is revolutionizing the way we design, build, and power modern spaces.

Ronna shares her career journey from voice systems and network infrastructure to becoming a leader in digital electricity, and explains why she believes FMP is a once-in-a-century shift — bigger even than the move from TDM to VoIP.

From smarter, safer energy delivery to transforming how we build data centers, warehouses, and even homes, this episode dives deep into why safe power changes everything.

• Ronna’s journey from PBX systems to leading at VoltServer
• What Fault Managed Power (FMP) is and why it matters
• Why the shift to FMP feels bigger than previous tech transitions
• The impact of FMP on real estate, data centers, manufacturing, and education
• How FMP enables faster deployment, modularity, and safer spaces
• The role of AI, VR/AR, and compute at the edge in driving power needs
• How FMP complements (not replaces) PoE networks
• The future of FMP in residential homes and building codes
• Training initiatives with NECA, BICSI, and the FMP Alliance
• Ronna’s “North Star” vision: Kilowatts over a small, RJ45-like connector!

• Ronna: Vodka Soda (with fresh lemons from her own tree!)
• Jason and AK: Cheers with a refreshing summer drink in spirit 🍋

New episodes drop every other Monday, bringing together cocktails, technology, and smart building innovation.

• Building owners and real estate developers
• Data center architects and MEP engineers
• Electrical and low-voltage contractors
• Smart building technologists and consultants
• Manufacturers of network and power solutions
• Anyone interested in the future of safe, scalable electricity

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or YouTube
• Leave a review and share your favorite insight
• Connect with Jason, AK, and Ronna on LinkedIn
• Join the conversation with the Fault Managed Power Alliance (FMPAlliance.org)
• Check out Voltserver at https://voltserver.com/

In this electrifying episode, hosts Jason Shearer and Akram “AK” Khalis sit down with Andrew Lu, a Cisco Systems leader and innovator, to dive into the convergence of Power over Ethernet (PoE) and Fault Managed Power (FMP) — and how these technologies are reshaping the modern smart building landscape.

From his license plate to his Cybertruck, Andrew lives and breathes this revolution. He unpacks the technical, economic, and political drivers behind FMP’s rise, and outlines the “DC donut of viability” — a concept that helps frame where DC power, PoE, and FMP fit best in a building’s infrastructure.

Whether you’re designing networks, optimizing energy, or just trying to future-proof your facilities, this episode gives you a front-row seat to the next power paradigm.

• Andrew’s career journey through three tours at Cisco
• The origin of his “FMP+PoE” Cybertruck license plate
• Why FMP (Class 4) and PoE (Class 2) are the safest, most scalable ways to electrify buildings
• The “DC Donut of Viability” — where power delivery makes sense in smart buildings
• FMP’s potential to bring single-pair Ethernet (T1L) into the mainstream
• Global code adoption and the regulatory landscape (U.S., Canada, EU)
• The FMP Alliance and the role of interoperability, education, and scale
• PoE lessons shaping the FMP rollout (CapEx neutrality, automation value, and labor trade-offs)
• The role of DC technologies in long-distance, grid-level energy resiliency
• Insights from DC World Paris and the international perspective on DC innovation

• PoE (Power over Ethernet)
• FMP (Fault Managed Power)
• ArcSafe DC, T1L & SPE
• Structured Cabling and Ethernet-based power delivery

• Old Soul Bourbon — a 2022 cask-strength private barrel selection from Fondren Cellars in Jackson, Mississippi (120 proof!)

Episodes drop every other Monday, bringing together spirits, smart infrastructure, and surprising insights.

• Electrical and network engineers
• Building owners and energy strategists
• Smart building consultants and integrators
• Policy makers and standards contributors
• Technologists shaping the future of low-voltage power

• Follow the FMP Alliance: FMPAlliance.org
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube
• Connect with Andrew, Jason, and AK on LinkedIn
• Comment and share what you’d like to hear in future episodes

In this inaugural episode, hosts Jason Shearer and Akram “AK” Khalis introduce themselves, share their journeys into smart building technology, and lay out the vision for the Distilled Buildings Tech Podcast.

From humble beginnings in engineering, real estate, and IT, to pioneering innovations in Power over Ethernet (PoE) lighting and infrastructure, Jason and AK discuss how their diverse backgrounds converge to make buildings smarter, more efficient, and truly connected.

They also reveal the podcast’s origin story (hint: bourbon-fueled conversations at Cisco Live Amsterdam 🍸), the structure for future episodes, and their mission to demystify smart buildings with insights from industry experts — and a good drink in hand.

• Jason and AK’s career paths into smart buildings and digital infrastructure
• How early experiences in real estate and engineering shaped their perspectives
• The evolution from incandescent lighting to LEDs and PoE systems
• How LED efficiency unlocked the future of building electrification
• The real meaning behind “smart buildings” vs. “smart systems”
• Why converging building systems onto a single network backbone matters
• The founding story of the Distilled Buildings Tech Podcast
• What listeners can expect each episode: Bourbon, Building Tech, and Big Ideas

• AK: Basil Hayden Bourbon
• Jason: Leiper’s Fork Bourbon (Bottled in Bond) — dangerously smooth at 110 proof!

New episodes drop every other Monday — perfect for kicking off your week with a dose of bourbon and building innovation.

• Building owners and developers
• Facility managers and real estate professionals
• Technologists and infrastructure teams
• Product manufacturers
• Bourbon enthusiasts with a passion for smarter spaces

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or YouTube
• Leave a review and share your thoughts
• Connect with Jason and AK on LinkedIn
• DM us questions or guest suggestions — we’re building this community together!