Here are 23 minutes that will inspire you to take a break. Pritchard Peck Lighting was founded by two moms with kids at home and on the way. With a mission to own a business and be an award-winning design group, their family first mentality has built a culture that allows everyone at the firm to do their best while living life for what it's worth! 

Presidential Debates have a lot of conversation around them, this one skips politics and talk about the lighting on them. Jim Tetlow, President of Nautilis Entertainment Design (N.E.D.) walks through what it is like to light film & television sets and how it is common yet different from Architectural lighting. Can you guess how many lights actually put the people at the podium in the spotlight?

There are three things that have to work in harmony to run a design firm, Patrick Quigley Lighting Design Principal at Desing Workshop will tell you about all of them too! After running a lighting design firm for nearly 35 years and successfully mentoring and working with over 100 professionals his words of wisdom leave you inspired to think about what you really want to do in life. 

Did you know every HLB office started thanks to love in the air? Listen to this final conversation with Barbara as she talks about how HLB lighting Desing has grown to what it is today. It was always important to put the employees first and build a culture that allowed everyone to work to the best of their ability. The closing of this is one you can't miss, Barbara's influence in Architectural Lighting will live on for generations to come! 

Have you ever realized how transformative light can be? Barbara Horton, CO-CEO of HLB Lighting design shares her thoughts about light as a medium and what it's like to be a professional lighting designer. You might be surprised and excited to learn more about how she thinks through design and what experience she had outside o lighting that helped her always bring a vision to life. 

Barbara Horton, CO-CEO at HLB Lighting Design, got started as an accidental tourist in the lighting industry, then spent the next 40 years collaborating and working with a team of Principals to grow HLB to what it is today. She has been dedicated to created connections with people throughout the industry and within her own practice. Learning how to operate efficiently was one of the keys to her success. Enjoy Part 1 of 3 in this series the reflects on Barabara's career and prepare to be inspired while learning a thing or two at the same time. 

Daylight is the optimal light source. It's available in abundance, dynamic, and has the power to transform a space. Rob Guglielmetti, Senior Lighting Specialist at View breaks down the power behind Daylight and why and how it should be a part of every design from day one. Talking through how daylight simulation is a critical part of the design process you'll also learn about the human factors and benefits behind mother nature's favorite source of light.

The knowledge of the lighting industry must be learned, retained, and passed on. Take some time to reflect on those who have helped you along the way and how you've found yourself giving back. Thomas Paterson, Director of Lux Populi will take you on a journey that reminds you about the moments that make a difference are the ones you might least expect. With a little bit of practice mentorship has an organic way of creating relationships and paying it forward that will survive us all and enable architectural lighting to thrive. 

The LED revolution changed the way light was delivered to a space. Take a peek behind the curtain with the CEO of Selux Corporation, Peter Stanway to get an inside perspective as to what a manufacturer must to do remain relevant in 2020. What was once an industry of shaping metal around lamps has become increasingly more competitive and requires a more efficient operation than ever to meet the status quo.  

Women in lighting design (W.I.L.D.) started as a get-together in NYC back in the 90's - today it has grown to a prominent organization that strives to create a space where Women and Men can come together in the AEC industry. Kelly Roberts, Studio Director at WALD studios, and Magon Carroll, Senior Specification Sales Manager at New York Digital talk more about why W.I.L.D. was founded and where the organization is going! 

Do details still serve design, or have they taken over? In this episode, Dan and Srushti of Lam Partners trace the history of lighting details — from Versailles to tape lights — and reveal how we arrived at today’s identity crisis in design.

They cover:

• Why don’t more products mean better work

• How culture and politics shape design choices

• The rise (and overuse) of “non-details” like slots, coves, and planes

• What today’s market trends say about the future of lighting

Straightforward, sharp, and unfiltered — this is a must-listen for anyone rethinking the role of details in modern design.

Starting a business in any discipline of design often requires sleepless nights, heavily discounted services, and a tremendous amount of passion and persistence. Steven Rosen, President and Creative Director of Available light walks through how his wife was a critical part of Available Light becoming an award-winning Lighting Desing firm. Enjoy the passion, honesty and love with this one! 

Lighting design doesn't always require expensive solutions, rather something that is well-curated to help create an exquisite environment. Dan Weissman, Senior Associate & Director of Lam Labs at Lam Partners will take you on a journey of discovery leaving you with a few things to think about when it comes to the profession of design. 

Just like a fun outfit on date night - Lighting can dress up any space and make it special and memorable. Jennifer Sanborn senior associate at Lam Partners talks about how light can create empathy and emotion with a tip of the hat to a fundamental design principle. 

How does lighting make it from point A to point B? The channels of distribution! Ira Rothman, Vp of sales at APEX Lighting solutions talks about the Academy of Sciences that the Greeks created and how lighting distribution has a few similarities. 

Taking a fresh approach to design often leads to innovative results. David Ghatan, President of CM Kling & Associates, Past President IALD, talks about what the focus should be when it comes to manufacturing luminaires moving forward. Enjoy his insight on what it means to be a team player throughout construction and bring a design to fruition. 

Cutting corners and VE can often actually cost more money. There is great value in a one name spec that's coordinated and transparent. Matt Seconi, Founder and Principal of Moxie Lighting talks about why the best option might not be the cheapest one. 

Lighting Agents are like gas stations, they are a necessary part of the supply chain to gain access to information. Matt Seconi, Founder and Principal of MOXIE New York City talks about how they are a brand-centric lighting agency that will grow in new and different ways while respecting the groundwork that has been laid in the industry.  

Brighter Day's and Darker nights. CO-FOUNDER and VP of Research at BIOS, Robert Soler talks about what it takes to make a lighting system that can stimulate the circadian system in humans.  He also explains the metrics that are in place to measure this today and what they all have in common. 

A buzz word turned scientific, circadian lighting has an effect on our livelihood. Join Robert Soler, Co-founder and CP of research at BIOS as we dive into what it means to have brighter days and darker nights. Electric light has so many benefits to the built environment,mnt, but Robert has something to say about how LED technology still has some hurdles to clear. 

Learn more about a lighting design firm that 'doesn't have a single office and never has. Andrea Hartranft, Founding Principal of Hartranft Lighting Design talks about how she built her business around fearlessness and humility. Along the way, she hired people for who they are, and that has made her company what it is. Operating in a virtual environment they find ways to collaborate, stay connected, and continue to grow. 

What makes a space feel truly luxurious? It’s not more fixtures or bigger budgets — it’s intentional lighting design.

In this episode of the LytePOD, host Sam sits down with Garrett Neal of NEAL Lighting to unpack why good lighting doesn’t have to be expensive, how to plan with furniture and architecture first, and why integrators should think like designers to deliver better results.

You’ll learn:

• How lighting shapes atmosphere and vibe (like music in a space)

• Why contrast, shadows, and restraint create luxury experiences

• The role of a lighting consultant in high-end residential and hospitality projects

• Practical advice for custom integrators who want to elevate their work

If you’re an integrator, architect, or designer who wants to add more value to projects — this conversation is your playbook.

Touchless buildings, automated climate control, and lights that make you feel good are all great ideas; but how do we build a space that can successfully implement all of this? Join Jay Wratten VP at WSP fro SMART building strategy on a data journey through the built environment and learn more about the systems that have to be in place and how design is critical to operating these systems that are seemingly automated and elevate the experience. 

Let's talk about Virtual Reality and 6 degrees of freedom. You've seen it in arcades and the gaming industry for decades, but now it's headed for the world of architecture and design. Josh Miller, Illumination Engineer at Acuity Brands dives into VR, the hardware required to get "in the game" and shares some insight about how it could change the way we design with light. 

The future is now and virtual reality has made some considerable progress to allow the architectural design community to consider it as a design tool. Listen to Josh Miller, Illumination Engineer at Acuity Brands Luminaire Concept Center Discuss how VR can create an immersive experience and how that will lead to a more efficient design process. 

Specifying a dynamic system isn't easy. Lighting design often takes into account what it is you wish to see along with the neurological and physiological impacts of human beings. Enjoy this conversation about how lighting can totally be sexy with Lisa Bartlett, Senior Associate at Davis Partnership Architects in Denver, Colorado.

Luminous surfaces and a point source of light don't seem like they would end up doing the same thing, but this conversation with Brad Koerner, VP of Product Development & Innovation at CIMA offers up the suggestion that they can not only co-exist but one may be more favorable than the other when it comes to lighting design. Brad's tenured background from architecture as a student (UVA + Harvard) and his experience as a designer and then team member of the founding days at Philips Color Kinetics offer a thought-provoking conversation. 

Join Chris Slaughter, a former lighting designer, luminaire innovator, and now rep in a conversation about holistic lighting. It begins with the concept of design both in luminaries and the built environment but requires more than ever as the chaos builds. The evolution of design requires everyone to adapt and learn how to design an entire system while learning on the fly. We all have a responsibility to be mindful of that ultimately leads to success. 

With 37 years of professional design experience, Charles Stone, President of Fisher Marantz Stone (FMS), discusses why you can never stop learning.       Beyond the fact that learning is fun, the ability to perform but be patient while learning will lead to new opportunities that inspire those around you. Enjoy this episode recorded earlier this year (February 2020).

Kevin Frary, Associate Principle at Fisher Marantz Stone (FMS) shares a story about his 20 years in design and talks about the state of the profession in 2020. While many things have changed as it relates to technology, deadlines and real-time collaboration there are still a few defining concepts that are unchanged.  Gain a litte insight and enjoy this centered conversation! 

As technology and the design process has evolved, Chip discusses how difficult it has become to design within a lighting budget. He points out that the distribution system for architectural lighting has not changed in over 40 years but it needs to. While it's inevitable that change is on the horizon, what will it take to make it happen? Tune in for one answer that involves the entire community. 

Overnight success only took 28 years! Chip Isreal, CEO + Founder of the Lighting Design Alliance has spent nearly three decades building an independent lighting design firm. With a project portfolio that has LDA's work around the world, Chip talks about what it means to be dedicated, focused and how mentorship played a big roll in his career. Before you listen to this full podcast  prepare to be inspired! 

LEDs were supposed to last forever. But what happens when they don’t?

Host Sam Koerbel talks with Rachel Fitzgerald (Stantec) and Andrea Wilkerson (PNNL) about a growing crisis: the lack of replaceable components in LED systems. From failing fixtures in schools and offices to flickering tubular LEDs and the fluorescent phase-out, this conversation calls for real accountability from manufacturers, reps, and the supply chain.

👉 Why listen?

• Learn why warranties aren’t enough

• Hear how schools, hospitals, and offices are struggling with maintenance

• Get the truth about Type B tubular LEDs and flicker

• Understand how “right to repair” could shape lighting’s future

This is thought leadership with a challenge: the industry must act before failures pile up.

Gary talks about what a 3D printer has the capabilities to do and why it has become a viable solution for luminaire design and manufacturing. In what might seem like unchartered territory he brings up several examples of how 3D printing is changing other industries. Baby Yoda gets a special shoutout too - make sure to listen to the end for that. 

Gary Trott, the founder of Interplay lighting,  has 30 years of experience as an innovator in architectural lighting.  He has led multiple new ideas from concept through product development and has a passion that rivals most when it comes to creating a new idea that allows lighting to be designed in a way it's never been before. Listen to what Gary has to say about what it takes to create a new light fixture, and understand how it's not as easy as you might think. The risk is big, the process is long, but what ultimately brings it together is the people. 

Rachel talks about the reality of where we are at with circiadian lighting systems, what we know and what's still to be determined.  With a technical background in lighting and 15 years of experience, she points out that while things like equivalent melanotic lux (EML) have been established and the industry continues to work on developing metrics for circadian stimulus, lighting design isn't that simple. Thinking through the use of an interior environment is much more important than just placing "color tunning" lights in a space. 

Howard talks about how giving back, volunteering and standing up for what you believe in. Listen and learn about why unpaid opportunities are really what matters in life. Listen till the end to hear about his wife, Melanie, too. 

Howard shares his advice after 60 years as a professional lighting designer. Learn about how he approached life, and how he went on a 30-day safari in Africa to test his skills as a world-class hunter. 

Gregg shares a special story on how he ended up involved on a project that was once in a lifetime, reminding us all you never know where the next opportunity will come from. 

Addie talks Lighting Design, how the first three years were the hardest so far, her habits, how to unify a design team and hold your spec. Plus, a quick conversation on transparent pricing - why it doesn't exist, but why it should. 

CJ talks about what it means to be your own boss, and how nearly 2 decades of experience was a critical part of her success when she created her own design firm, Spark Lab. Recorded on Location at the IALD conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Lighting is the biggest opportunity most integrators aren’t taking full advantage of.

In this episode, Trent Mulligan shares how reps and dealers can unlock real revenue, why luxury homes are often underlit, and why education and early involvement are the keys to making lighting work.

🎧 Listen now to hear:

• How to grow without doubling staff

• Why “bad light” is still the norm in high-end homes

• The power of getting in at the start of a project

Lighting is the fastest-growing frontier in home tech—and Brian Anderson, Rocky Settacassi, and Alex Lelch share exactly how they’re making it pay off.

From building immersive showrooms to mastering LED challenges and collaborating with designers, this episode is packed with insights for integrators, dealers, and designers ready to turn lighting into a thriving part of their business.

Whether you're just curious about lighting or ready to build a profitable new division, this conversation offers a step-by-step look at the process, challenges, and opportunities.

The hardest part of buying lighting isn’t the check - it's making sure you get what you ordered.
In one of the most eye-opening conversations we’ve had, Justin Streeb, Co-Founder and CSO of 1 LUX, breaks down the behind-the-scenes chaos of actually buying lights. With over 20 years in the industry, Justin went from designing high-end homes in Aspen to founding multiple companies that now sit at the intersection of design, distribution, and strategy.

This episode dives into why lighting procurement is so complicated, how the supply chain is fundamentally misaligned with design intent, and what it takes to build a business that truly serves both the specifier and the end client. Justin shares war stories from the 2008 recession, lessons from scaling up, and what still frustrates him about how our industry buys light.

Wondering: “why is this so hard?”, This episode will shine a light on the answer.

AI is changing design—not by replacing creativity, but by clearing space for it.

In this episode, we explore how designers can use AI to save time, improve documentation, and focus more on what matters: ideas. From writing proposals to generating marketing assets, we talk through the real ways AI fits into a design workflow—and why it’s up to creatives to shape how it’s used.

Lighting is no longer just an accessory — it’s becoming a core profit center for AV integrators. In this episode, Sam Koerbel sits down with CEDIA co-founder Tom Doherty and current CEO Daryl Friedman to explore why lighting is now a strategic focus for the custom integration industry.

They discuss:

• Why lighting represents the next big opportunity for integrators

• The challenges of adding lighting to your business model

• How CEDIA plans to educate and support its members

• What does this shift mean for the future of smart home integration

Whether you're already exploring lighting or still unsure where to start, this episode offers clarity, leadership, and insight into the future of residential technology.

AI is changing the game — but not the designer.
In this episode, Sarah Richter shares how she’s using AI to enhance creativity, save time, and stay focused on what really matters: the design.

We cover:
🎯 Where AI fits in early-stage workflows
📬 How it’s helping with client comms + marketing
🧠 Why curiosity (not code) is the key to using AI well

If you’ve been wondering how real designers are actually using AI — this one’s for you.