Automation Unplugged Podcast

Hosted by Ron Callis

Technology Entrepreneurship MarketingInterviews guestsExplicit

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Episodes

305

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Since its launch on Facebook Live in 2017, Automation Unplugged has become the leading podcast for AV and custom integration professionals. Now pre-recorded and produced in both audio and video formats, episodes are released across our website, social media, and all major streaming platforms. Our content spans engaging interviews with industry leaders, in-depth discussions with One Firefly’s marketing experts, and insightful education on marketing & business growth strategies. From industry trends and business development to marketing, hiring, and beyond, Automation Unplugged delivers the knowledge and perspectives you need to stay ahead in the ever-evolving technology landscape.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 21, 202658 min

#376: Rob Doherty on What Separates Winning Lighting Integrators

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Rob and I discussed: - The eight characteristics he sees in integrators who are winning with lighting - Why starting small, in your own home or showroom, leads to bigger projects - And How a lighting champion, lighting designers, and electrician relationships speed up growth Whether lighting is brand new to your business or already part of it, Rob shares what’s working for the dealers getting it right. So settle in and enjoy my conversation with Rob Doherty. Let's get started! To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/ au376

October 14, 20261 hr 9 min

#375: Lighting for Life: Helping Homeowners Understand the Impact of Lighting on Health and Aging

SHOW NOTES We cover: How lighting impacts wellness, visual comfort, safety, and aging in place — and how dealers can confidently introduce these conversations with homeowners Practical conversation starters that help shift discussions away from products and specifications toward lifestyle, comfort, and real-world customer experiences How AI can help integrators analyze customer conversations, uncover common questions and buying motivations, and transform those insights into more effective websites, marketing campaigns, and educational content Visit the episode page on our website to get the audio recording and video of the original webinar. Now let's tune in and discover how thoughtful lighting conversations can help you create better homes and better marketing. Let’s get started! To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/ au375

October 7, 202656 min

#374: Henri Beaudoin on Building a Luxury Integration Firm the Engineered Way

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Henri and I discussed: Why smaller projects have slowed down while high-end luxury work has held steady How keeping inventory in a 10,000 square foot warehouse kept Elite building through COVID supply delays And His rule of never promising a client anything his team hasn't tested and engineered first Whether you're running a luxury integration firm or building toward one, Henri's approach to engineering, people, and client trust is worth hearing. So settle in and enjoy my conversation with Henri Beaudoin. Let's get started! To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/ au374

September 30, 202630 min

#373: Ian Williams on Putting AI to Work Across an Integration Business

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Ian and I discussed: The weekly business dashboard he built in Claude Cowork that lands in his inbox at 6:00 a.m. every Monday, covering KPIs, cash flow, backlog, and a 13-week forecast. Where AI shows up across his team, from technicians dictating daily project updates in Basecamp to project managers recording every walkthrough and QC. And Why his most effective prompt starts with "I don't know how to do this. Can you please help me?" Whether you're still writing the occasional email in ChatGPT or already building automations across your business, there's something here you can put to work this week. So settle in and enjoy my conversation with Ian Williams. Let's get started! To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/au373

September 23, 20261 hr 6 min

#372: Curtis LeMaster on the Training Gap and the Future of the Smart Home

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Curtis and I discussed: Why he believes overselling and overpromising is the industry's most damaging habit, and what it looks like from a technician's side of the business His take on CEDIA Expo this year, including the training gap he keeps running into when he brings new hires to the show And Why customers have started asking for less control instead of more, and why he thinks that's the industry's own fault Whether you're running a two-person shop or a team of fifty, Curtis brings the kind of perspective you only get from staying in the game long enough to see the cycles repeat. So settle in and enjoy my conversation with Curtis LeMaster. Let's get started! To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/ au372

September 16, 20261 hr 1 min

#371: Patrick Martinez on Building Sales Certainty in Your Business

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Patrick and I discussed: The five sales roles every business has, and why an owner trying to cover all five statistically caps out between $1.5 and $2.5 million His sales certainty framework and the three things that get in the way And why fewer than 5% of technology contractors have a sales playbook that is actually written down, and how AI has changed the way those playbooks get built Whether you are the owner still closing every deal yourself or you are building out a sales team and trying to get everyone selling the same way, there is something here you can put to work this quarter. So settle in and enjoy my conversation with Patrick Martinez. Let's get started! To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/ au371

September 9, 20261 hr 4 min

#370: Own the Night: How Integrators Can Go to Market with Landscape Lighting

SHOW NOTES We cover: Why landscape lighting is a natural extension of the custom integration business — and how dealers can add it without competing with builders or electricians Practical design, installation, and sales strategies, including recurring maintenance opportunities, partnering with landscapers, and positioning yourself early in the construction process Marketing tactics to help dealers build awareness, educate homeowners, and generate new opportunities through websites, email, social media, SEO, and AI search Visit the episode page on our website to get the audio recording and video of the original webinar. Now let's tune in and explore how landscape lighting can help you create unforgettable outdoor experiences while growing your business. Let’s get started! To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/ au370

September 2, 20261 hr 6 min

#369: Kayla Steinberg on Turning Events Into Your Best Business Development Tool

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Kayla and I discussed: The three Ps of event planning: planning, process, and promotion, and why most events fail on the first one How to set a real, measurable goal for an event before you touch a single logistics detail And why an omni-channel promotion strategy, not one email and a social post, is what actually fills the room Whether you're gearing up for Control4's C4Yourself event this October or planning your own customer or trade partner event, this conversation will change how you think about the investment. So settle in and enjoy my conversation with Kayla Steinberg. Let's get started! To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/ au369

August 26, 202638 min

#368: Jason Barth on Turning AI From Cheap Hacks Into Real Company Standards

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Jason and I discussed: Why AI felt like a pile of cheap hacks for a year, and what finally made it meaningful Building the foundation first: a common language document, a company taxonomy, and an org chart his AI tools can actually use How Premier structures its Claude workspaces around the project life cycle, from marketing through customer service The install-to-service handoff that now produces a personalized client letter and full warranty documentation in about 30 seconds Whether you have been putting AI off or you're already deep in it and looking for a model that scales past you to your whole team, Jason lays out how he got his company aligned and what he would tell you to do first. So settle in and enjoy my conversation with Jason Barth. Let's get started! To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/au368

August 19, 20261 hr 8 min

#367: Brian Perreault on 35 Years of Change, Growth, and Building Barrett's for What's Next

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Brian and I discussed: Why Barrett's built a separate small projects team, and how those smaller jobs still fuel cash flow and client loyalty. Their approach to educational events, from an AI workshop to a new lighting lab built for specifiers. What's next for the industry, from video walls to energy storage to the wellness trend that never quite took off. Whether you're figuring out how to serve both your legacy clients and your biggest projects, or you're looking for new ways to build relationships with the design community, you're going to get a lot out of this one. So settle in and enjoy my conversation with Brian. Let's get started! To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/ au367