Lighting Controls Podcast

By Lighting ControlsTechnology

Lighting Controls Podcast episodes

March 06Episode 125 - When You Hear Hoofbeats, Don’t Expect Zebras with David Fox
Troubleshooting lighting systems isn’t just about knowing the technology—it’s about thinking clearly under pressure. In this episode of the Lighting Controls Podcast, industry veteran David Fox shares powerful real-world insights from nearly three decades in entertainment and architectural lighting. From separating symptoms vs. real problems to asking smarter questions and staying calm when everything is on fire, David breaks down the soft skills and mindset that make great troubleshooters. This conversation features practical strategies to diagnose issues faster, communicate better, and solve problems without losing your head.

Key takeaways:
Why troubleshooting is more about process than product knowledge
How to identify the actual problem behind the symptoms
The importance of clear communication and active listening
Simple techniques like divide-and-conquer debugging
Why the best technicians know where to find answers, not just the answers themselves

A must-listen for technicians, integrators, and anyone who’s ever heard the words:
“The lights aren’t working.” 💡

Sponsor: mwConnect, www.mwconnect.us
1 hr 3 min
February 13 Episode 124 - Simple Devices Do Not Mean Simple Solutions
After a brief hiatus, the Lighting Controls Podcast is back with a wide-ranging conversation about where the industry stands today. In this episode, we discuss why consistent content matters, where professionals can start learning lighting controls, and why local reps and manufacturers are often the most overlooked educational resources.

We also dive into real-world lessons from the field, including when to test new technology, why lighting control systems require ongoing maintenance, and how “simple” devices can sometimes create complex user experiences. From schools to restaurants to commercial offices, we explore how thoughtful lighting control design directly impacts both performance and end-user satisfaction.

If you're a specifier, integrator, contractor, distributor, or simply curious about lighting controls, this episode offers practical insight and actionable advice drawn from real project experience.

Welcome back — we’re glad you’re here.

To learn more about Lighting Controls education and training, visit https://lightingcontrolsacademy.org/video-courses/

ArchLIGHT Summit, September 15-16, 2026. https://archlightsummit.com/

Sponsor: Maxlite, www.maxlite.com,

52 min
December 11, 2025 The Mistakes We’ve Made with Ron Kuszmar & Webster Marsh
🎙️ Ron & Web get real about the biggest mistakes they’ve made in the lighting + construction world — from costly fixture mix‑ups to terrifying rigging surprises. It’s a humbling, funny, and brutally honest look at lessons learned the hard way.

👉 Tune in for stories of near‑disasters, fixes on the fly, and why owning your mistakes is the ultimate power move.

#Podcast #LightingDesign #ConstructionFails #LessonsLearned

Sponsor: MaxLite, www.maxlite.com
56 min
December 04, 2025The Best Way to Control the Job is to Control the Job with Kenny Schutz
In this episode of the Lighting Controls Podcast, the team sits down with Kenny Schutz, Principal at Focus Lighting in New York. Kenny shares his journey from theater kid to architectural lighting designer, and how theatrical training uniquely prepares professionals for the world of lighting controls.

💡 Key Highlights:
Why so many theater professionals transition into lighting design and controls.
The importance of collaboration, deadlines, and storytelling in lighting projects.
Focus Lighting’s hands-on approach: in-house testing, mockups, and troubleshooting real-world dimming challenges.
Memorable stories of flickering fixtures, elevator interference, and the infamous “40 fixtures on one dimmer” problem.
How Focus Lighting blends creativity with technical expertise to deliver hospitality and residential projects that truly shine.

👉 Tune in to hear Kenny’s insights on controls, programming, and the art of making lighting both reliable and emotional.

Connect with Kenny:
www.linkedin.com/in/kennyschutz1880
www.focuslighting.com

Sponsor: mwConnect, mwconnect.us
47 min
November 26, 2025Everyone has a Smartphone with Andrew Cardello & Mike Berube
In this episode, hosts Ron Kuszmar and Webster Marsh sit down with two industry leaders:
Andrew Cardello (Resource Innovations) – Program implementer helping utilities and vendors maximize incentives.
Mike Berube (Independent Electric Supply) – VP of Sales with 15+ years in the field, driving efficiency projects across New England.
Together, they dive into:
🔌 The shift from fixture rebates to controls
🏫 Common retrofit projects in higher education, healthcare, and industrial spaces
🤝 Bridging the gap between specifiers and distributors
📱 Why lighting controls are “just another app on your phone”
📚 The critical role of education and training for contractors and owners
🌍 How incentive programs are evolving and what that means for the future of smart buildings

From specifiers and distributors to contractors—or anyone curious about the future of lighting controls—this episode delivers valuable insights on collaboration, adoption, and the evolving path toward greater efficiency.

#LightingControls #SmartBuildings #EnergyEfficiency #Podcast #BostonLights

Connect with Andrew:
Https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cardello/
Https://www.eversource.com/business/save-money-energy/energy-efficiency-programs/commercial-buildings/existing-building-solutions/express-lighting

Connect with Michael:
Linkedin.com/in/michael-berube-759ba622
iesbuy.com

Sponsor: Maxlite, maxlite.com
58 min
November 20, 2025 With Greater Power Comes Greater Responsibility with Kyle Hemmi
Why are lighting controls still such a tough sell? Kyle Hemmi from CLEAResult joins the podcast to unpack nearly 30 years of experience in energy efficiency, lighting, and HVAC integration — and he’s not sugarcoating it.

In this episode, we dive into:
⚡ The real-world friction points for lighting controls adoption
💰 Why incentives and ROI still make or break a project
🧠 Human factors: how color temperature, brightness, and bad experiences shape perception
🔧 Training, tools, and the need for flexible, user-friendly systems
🏭 Why most contractors aren’t designers — and how to bridge that gap
📉 False triggers, occupancy sensor fails, and the psychology of “too bright”
🛠️ How to leverage reps, distributors, and agencies for smarter installs
📚 Training, training, training — and why half-day sessions beat full-day lectures

Wonder why your lights keep turning off mid-meeting? Listen to this episode for some insights, empathy, and actionable advice.

#LightingControls #EnergyEfficiency #SmartBuildings #HVACIntegration #LightingDesign #CLEAResult #MaxLite #Podcast

Connect with Kyle:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-hemmi-lc-44b843/
https://www.clearesult.com/

Sponsor: Maxlite, maxlite.com
52 min
November 14, 2025Bring a Crash Cart with Dave Werry
Welcome to another electrifying episode of the Lighting Controls Podcast! This time, we’re joined by industry veteran Dave Werry, who brings over a decade of hands-on experience in lighting systems, engineering, and field service.

🔦 What’s Inside:
Dave’s journey from semiconductors to lighting controls
Real-world challenges of lighting system startups and maintenance
Why remote access and regular backups are mission-critical
The surprising truth about energy monitoring—yes, end users care!
Navigating IT hurdles and cybersecurity in modern lighting networks
Must-have tools and tips for field technicians and designers

💡 Curious about how smart buildings stay lit and efficient? Keep yourself lit and efficient by tuning into this episode, full of insights, stories, and practical advice.

#LightingControls #SmartBuildings #IoT #EnergyEfficiency #Podcast #MWConnect #FieldEngineering #LightingDesign #TechTalks #DaveWerry #FacilityManagement

Connect with Dave:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/davewerry/

Sponsor: mwConnect, mwconnect.us
58 min
November 06, 2025All Hell Breaks Loose with Umesh Baheti
In this episode of the Lighting Controls Podcast, Webster and Ron welcome back Umesh Baheti, SVP of Product and Engineering at MaxLite, to dive deep into the evolving world of lighting controls and smart building integration. Here's what you'll discover:

🏢 Trends in Lighting Controls
Growing demand for better dimming and networked solutions
Integration with Building Management Systems (BMS)
Regional differences in code compliance (e.g., Title 24 in California, Local Law 88 in NYC)
🔗 BMS & HVAC Integration
Lighting Controls providing data to other building points (HVAC, Shades, Switched Outlets, Demand Response, Etc) for energy optimization
Use of Modbus and BACnet protocols for seamless communication
Clear documentation and collaboration with system integrators
🔐 Cybersecurity & Data Strategy
On-prem solutions and Bluetooth mesh networks for secure deployment
Enterprise-grade features like Single Sign-On and API access
Real-world use cases: energy dashboards, occupancy heat mapping, and retail analytics
💡 The Future of Smart Lighting
Lighting as a data source for business insights
Challenges of affordability and ROI justification
Pilots, White Glove Service, and scalable solutions for enterprise clients

Watch this episode for insights on how lighting controls are transforming buildings into smarter, more efficient spaces.

Connect with Umesh:
www.linkedin.com/in/umeshsbaheti

Sponsor: MaxLite, maxlite.com, www.maxlite.com/cmax
52 min
October 30, 2025No More Garage Sales, Put it in Their Hands with John Arthur Wilson
Tired of garage-sale trainings and overpromised systems? So is John Wilson. In this episode, we dive into how he's revolutionizing lighting controls education with hands-on demo boards, utility-backed workshops, and brutally honest market insights.

💥 What’s Inside:
Why most controls education fails—and how John’s fixing it
The myth of “easy-to-use” systems (spoiler: they’re all 90% the same)
How utility-funded demo boards are changing the game for reps and contractors
Real-world training scripts, simulated callbacks, and tactile learning
Why tier-two controls companies are quietly eating tier-one’s lunch
The grassroots retrofit revolution—and how it’s reshaping the market
Why end-user education is the blind spot in rep agency training
👀 Watch now to rethink how we teach, sell, and deploy lighting controls.

Connect with John:
Http://www.fernhillshopworks.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernhillshopworks

Sponsor: MaxLite, maxlite.com
46 min
October 23, 2025LED: The Lighting Excellence Dojo with Bruce Clark
What if lighting education wasn’t just theory—but full-contact? In this episode, Bruce Clark, the “Lighting Sherpa” himself, returns to unveil the Lighting Excellence Dojo—a hands-on, immersive training ground where lighting pros don’t just talk the talk… they throw the punch.

🔥 What’s Inside:
Why learning about lighting design is like reading about martial arts—you’ve got to do it to learn it
A behind-the-scenes look at the Dojo’s three-day, multi-station setup: from lecture bursts to real-world installs
How designers and installers cross-train to understand each other’s craft—and elevate the entire project
The missing 90%: why most luxury homes don’t have lighting designers, and how the Dojo aims to fix that
The future of controls training: from DALI deep dives to crafting control intent narratives that sing

💥 Tired of “glare bombs” and cookie-cutter installs? This episode is your call to level up.

🔗 Dive in. Get inspired. And maybe… throw a few punches of your own.

Sponsor: mwConnect, mwconnect.us
54 min

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Join industry powerhouses Ron Kuszmar and C. Webster Marsh as they flip the switch on everything happening in the world of lighting controls. From cutting-edge…