This episode kicks off AHR week with something a little different — and exactly on purpose.

With AHR right around the corner and a last-minute guest cancellation opening up space, this solo episode was the perfect opportunity to lean into a format we’ve been developing behind the scenes: real questions, real reactions, and honest conversation.

In this Ridin’ Solo episode of the HVAC R&D Podcast, I jump into a LiveSwitch React–style Q&A focused on my experiences with AHR, how the event has shaped my career, and what I’m most excited about heading into this year’s show.

No script.

In this episode, we cover:

How AHR has evolved for me over the years — personally and professionally

What matters most at the show beyond booths and products

How relationships, timing, and presence shape long-term success in the trades

A full rundown of my AHR week schedule, including Podcast Pavilion recordings, booth appearances, and live events

Why workforce development and exposing the next generation to the trades matters now more than ever

This episode serves as both a pre-AHR mindset check and the official continuation of the Ridin’ Solo format — built to keep HVAC R&D moving no matter what the calendar throws at us.

If you’re heading to AHR, I look forward to seeing you.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe so you never miss a drop.

DiversiTech • LiveSwitch • JPL Flex • RLS – Rapid Locking System • Dubby • True Nature Meat Company

🎵 Music credit: Alex Grohl

🎙 HVAC R&D Episode 171: “Be You, Be Bold: Building a Brand That Connects with RC Victorino”

In this episode of the HVAC R&D Podcast, Rhydon Atzenhoffer sits down with RC Victorino, Director of Brand, Content, and Communications at BuildOps—and a storyteller with a mission to elevate the tradespeople who keep the world running.

We dive deep into what it really means to build your brand without losing your identity. Whether you're a technician, business owner, distributor, manufacturer or a content creator trying to find your voice in the trades—RC shares why being your "original self," is the key to lasting trust and connection in our industry.

What starts as a chat between writers and content creators quickly turns into a powerful conversation about authenticity, humility, and the value of showing up real—online, on the job, and in leadership..

🧠 In this episode, we discuss:

Why your voice matters in a world of templated content

How to build a personal brand rooted in honesty, not hype

The difference between "promoting" and "connecting" as a tradesperson

Why most people overthink content—and underdeliver connection

How to stop marketing and start storytelling

What B2B tech can learn from contractors—and vice versa

Why branding isn't just for companies—it's for people

🛠 Whether you're just starting to share your story or you're a seasoned vet with a brand voice already dialed in—this episode is a reminder to ditch the script and double down on being you.

Enjoy the episode? 👉 Listen now and hit Subscribe so you never miss a drop!

Sign-Up for your FREE LiveSwitch Demo here ===>>> https://join.liveswitch.com/z8n55e7li6px

Thank you to DiversiTech, Dubby, LiveSwitch, JPL Flex, RLS - Rapid Locking System and True Nature Meat Company for making this show possible.

🎙️ Want to be on the show? Share your HVAC story:

🔗 Stay Connected:

#HVAC #TradeCrew #SALES #STORIES #AI #ContentCreation #Authenticity #Originality

All music credit to Alex Grohl

This episode is a little different — and a long time coming.

Back in November, I recorded a test episode for a new solo format we’ve been quietly building behind the scenes. The idea was simple: create something flexible, honest, and ready to deploy when schedules change — without sacrificing the quality or conversation this show is known for.

This week, after a last-minute guest cancellation, the timing finally made sense to release it.

In this solo episode of the HVAC R&D Podcast, I introduce a new Q&A-driven format where I answer real questions pulled at random — no prep, no script, just real reactions and real conversation. It’s designed to feel like a counter-top conversation, not a monologue.

You’ll hear:

Trade, business, and personal questions pulled live and at random in the first ever LiveSwitch React Segment

Unfiltered takes on the HVAC industry, content creation, and mindset

The original focused DiversiTech Drill Down where we go deeper on one topic that stood out

A glimpse into how HVAC R&D continues to evolve while staying rooted in community

This episode was recorded in November as a format test — and now it officially becomes the solo show debut.

If this resonates, let me know. Drop questions for future episodes and help shape where this goes next.

Enjoy the episode? 👉 Listen now and hit Subscribe so you never miss a drop!

Sign-Up for your FREE LiveSwitch Demo here ===>>> https://join.liveswitch.com/z8n55e7li6px

Thank you to DiversiTech, Dubby, LiveSwitch, JPL Flex, RLS - Rapid Locking System and True Nature Meat Company for making this show possible.

🎙️ Want to be on the show? Share your HVAC story:

🔗 Stay Connected:

#HVAC #TradeCrew #WHOLESALE #DISTRIBUTION #SALES #STORIES #AI #QUESTIONS #ANSWERS

All music credit to Alex Grohl

In this episode of HVAC R&D, Ramblin Rhyno' (Rhydon Atzenhoffer) sits down with Greggory Butler, the creator of TA‑14 — a bold, structured approach to residential HVAC diagnostics built not just to teach the steps, but to reset the mindset.

A former Army infantryman turned one-man $2M/year service tech, Gregg doesn’t shy away from asking tough questions about how we think, troubleshoot, and train in this trade. And in this conversation, we follow suit — with a deep dive into the why behind his method and the real-life impact it's having on techs across the country.

But this episode goes beyond diagnostics. It’s about challenging the norms that keep the HVAC industry stagnant — and having honest conversations that push us all forward. If you followed Gregg and Rhydon's the recent dialogue on LinkedIn about the role of podcasting, education, and trust in the trades, this episode is what sparked much of their continuation of that conversation — not with outrage, but with open minds.

Whether you're a seasoned tech, an industry educator, or just someone who wants to get better at your craft, Gregg brings a clear and powerful voice, a focused mission, and a refreshing lack of fluff.

💬 “If you don't know where to start… how can you know where to finish?”

Enjoy the episode? 👉 Listen now and hit Subscribe so you never miss a drop!

Sign-Up for your FREE LiveSwitch Demo here ===>>> https://join.liveswitch.com/z8n55e7li6px

Thank you to DiversiTech, Dubby, LiveSwitch, JPL Flex, RLS - Rapid Locking System and True Nature Meat Company for making this show possible.

🎙️ Want to be on the show? Share your HVAC story:

🔗 Stay Connected:

#HVAC #TradeCrew #WHOLESALE #DISTRIBUTION #HVACR #Diagnostics #TA14 #Disruptor #RambleOn #CollaborationOverCompetition #TransparentAir14

Music Credits to Alex Grohl

A very Merry Christmas and soon to be Happy New Year to all of you in the #TradeCrew and thank you for listening. This week on the HVAC R&D Podcast your host Rhydon Atzenhoffer, aka the Ramblin' Rhyno, had the pleasure to interview one of the creative titans of the HVAC industry, Ron Saunders.

Decades of experience in the IAQ world saw Ron help to lead Fresh Aire UV to new heights during the Covid era IAQ boom during which he and his partners sold their company to Diversitech.

Since then Ron has been working at finding and creating his next innovative products with DrainIV and the soon to be launched ProIAQ as well as partnering to open newly formed manufacturers rep agency AHR Sales in Florida.

So sit back and strap in for what was a great conversation about the industry and many things to come.

Enjoy the episode? 👉 Listen now and hit Subscribe so you never miss a drop!

Sign-Up for your FREE LiveSwitch Demo here ===>>> https://join.liveswitch.com/z8n55e7li6px

Thank you to DiversiTech, Dubby, LiveSwitch, JPL Flex, RLS - Rapid Locking System and True Nature Meat Company for making this show possible.

🎙️ Want to be on the show? Share your HVAC story:

🔗 Stay Connected:

#HVAC #TradeCrew #WHOLESALE #DISTRIBUTION #DRAINIV #PROIAQ #PODCAST #TRADES #AHRSALES #AHREXPO

All music credit to Alex Grohl

What's up #TradeCrew! This week we are dropping the audio only version of your HVAC R&D Podcast host, Rhydon Atzenhoffer, and his guest appearance on the Commercial Kitchen Chronicles Podcast with Pat Finley and Jason Latimer.

If you don’t already know, Pat was just named to the 2026 ESCO Institute Top 25 Most Influential Educators and Trainers and is helping launch the CFESA Top Tech Throwdown for commercial kitchen techs in 2026.

Jason is the Director of Facilities for Fresh Kitchen based on of Tampa Florida and continues to do impressive work behind the scenes of the Food Service Industry.

The three of them got into the in's and out's of what makes Rhydon and HVAC R&D tick as well as some crossover knowledge between their two sides of the mechanical trades industry.

Enjoy the episode? 👉 Listen now and hit Subscribe so you never miss a drop!

Sign-Up for your FREE LiveSwitch Demo here ===>>> https://join.liveswitch.com/z8n55e7li6px

Thank you to DiversiTech, Dubby, LiveSwitch, JPL Flex, RLS - Rapid Locking System and True Nature Meat Company for making this show possible.

🎙️ Want to be on the show? Share your HVAC story:

🔗 Stay Connected:

#HVAC #TradeCrew #WHOLESALE #DISTRIBUTION #FOODSERVICE #COMMERCIALKITCHENCHRONICLES #PODCAST #TRADES

What’s Up #TradeCrew and HVAC Zoomie Nation! This week on the HVAC R&D Podcast Bonus Show, the HVAC Zoomies Podcast, Rhydon and Rachael finally get to catch up after not having talked Formula 1 since the summer break.

From the British Grand Prix the two pick where they left off with insights to the results of the Belgian GP, Hungarian GP, Dutch GP, Italian GP, Azerbaijan GP, Singapore Night Race, the US Grand Prix at COTA, Mexico GP, another Max Verstappen masterclass at the Brazilian GP and Las Vegas GP and through the Sprint Race at Qatar.

Following their recaps they take a look at what's about to happen in Qatar and if Red Bull can give Max a strategy to try and keep the Formula 1 World Drivers Championship alive till the season finale in Abu Dhabi as well as a few insights into some of the latest news off the track. In this show you will hear:

👉 Second half recap of the 2025 Formula 1 campaign

👉 Will McLaren bottle the championship for Lando or Oscar

👉 Can Max ride out everyone else's lack of inconsistency to poach his 5th world title

👉 Checo and Valterri Bottas hope to drive Cadillac to the front 

👉 Adrian Newey takes the helm at Aston Martin and will Christian Horner return to the grid in Red

Enjoy the episode? 👉 Listen now and hit Subscribe so you never miss a drop!

Sign-Up for your FREE LiveSwitch Demo here ===>>> https://join.liveswitch.com/z8n55e7li6px

Thank you to DiversiTech, Dubby, LiveSwitch, JPL Flex, RLS - Rapid Locking System and True Nature Meat Company for making this show possible.

🎙️ Want to be on the show? Share your HVAC story:

🔗 Stay Connected:

#TradeCrew #HVAC #Formula1 #F1 #QatarGP #Verstappen #LandoNorris #OscarPiastri #RedBull #McLaren

What’s Up #TradeCrew! This week on the HVAC R&D Podcast we’re joined by Tyler Dreisbach, a Louisville Kentucky based installer and journeyman and a rising star in the social media HVAC scene. Tyler has been making a name for himself with his trademark refrigerant line bends and clean install videos and posts on Instagram and is now even branching out into YouTube.

From his move from the restaurant industry to HVAC, Tyler shares his story and brings real world perspective on:

👉 Getting to know social media HVAC culture

👉 How he got into the Trade and who his speed dial phone a friend is

👉 How an old set of benders led him to be the first Hilmor Highlight from Diversitech

👉 Weird jars in crawlspaces and WWII era papers in the attic

👉 Mentorship & building pathways for the next generation of HVAC apprentices

Enjoy the episode? 👉 Listen now and hit Subscribe so you never miss a drop!

Sign-Up for your FREE LiveSwitch Demo here ===>>> https://join.liveswitch.com/z8n55e7li6px

Thank you to DiversiTech, LiveSwitch, JPL Flex, RLS - Rapid Locking System and True Nature Meat Company for making this show possible.

🎙️ Want to be on the show? Share your HVAC story:

🔗 Stay Connected:

#TradeCrew #HVAC #Diversitech #Hilmor #Pipe #Refrigerant #Brazing #HeatPump #Technology #Install #Service #RNC #AOR

Today #TradeCrew, we’re joined by Justin Heller, an HVAC Install Lead with six years in the trenches and a passion for all things mechanical. From motorcycles to mini splits, Justin brings the same energy and intensity—and he’s not afraid to share his perspective on where the HVAC trade is headed.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

Segment 1 – Life Catch-Up, Hobbies & Family

Segment 2 – From Wrenching to Leading: The HVAC Journey

Segment 3 – HVAC Hot Takes & Trade Talk

Segment 4 – Community, Business Mindset & Giving Back

Enjoy the episode? 👉 Listen now and hit Subscribe so you never miss a drop!

🎙️ Want to be on the show? Share your HVAC story:

🔗 Stay Connected:

#TradeCrew #HVAC #Inverter #HeatPump #Technology #MiniSplit #Motorcycles

Hey #TradeCrew, Rhydon here, This week on the HVAC R&D Podcast we’re joined by Victoria Garcia Massimo, Director of North American Operations at Airzone and a rising voice in sustainable HVAC. Victoria was also just named the 2025 ACHR News Top 40 under 40.

From her move across the country to her leadership in ASHRAE, Victoria brings a sharp perspective on:

👉 East Coast vs. West Coast HVAC culture

👉 How zoning & inverter tech are reshaping efficiency

👉 Why ROI & comfort can win over price-driven clients

👉 Airzone’s vision for smarter, sustainable design in North America

👉 Mentorship & building pathways for the next generation of HVAC leaders

Enjoy the episode? 👉 Listen now and hit Subscribe so you never miss a drop!

🎙️ Want to be on the show? Share your HVAC story:

🔗 Stay Connected:

#TradeCrew #HVAC #Sustainability #Airzone #Zoning #Inverter #HeatPump #Technology #VRF #MiniSplit