HVAC R&D Podcast

Hosted by Atzenhoffer, Inc.

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Episodes

194

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Aug 2026

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About the show

HVAC R and D is a conversation-driven podcast exploring the people, ideas, and leadership shaping the skilled trades. Hosted by Rhydon Atzenhoffer, the Ramblin’ Rhyno, the show brings together technicians, contractors, distributors, manufacturers, and business leaders for honest discussions on growth, culture, mental health, entrepreneurship, and real-world lessons from inside and outside the trades. It’s less about hype and more about meaningful conversations that move the industry forward.

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60 recent

September 19, 2026Episode 1981 hr 11 min

The HVAC Contractor of the Future: Are You Ready for What's Next? with TJ O'Connor

The HVAC Contractor of the Future: Are You Ready for What's Next? with TJ O'Connor The way contractors do business is changing. The question is, are we changing with it? Rhydon Atzenhoffer sits down with TJ O'Connor, President of Farmington Consulting Group, to explore what the future holds for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contractors—and what business owners need to understand today to prepare for tomorrow. With 18 years of experience helping contractors grow, TJ brings insights from the ACCA-sponsored Contractor of the Future Study, examining how evolving business practices, technology, and customer expectations are reshaping the industry. Together, Rhydon and TJ dig into the decisions contractors face around profitability, pricing, financing, training, and building businesses prepared for long-term success. For the #TradeCrew, this conversation is about more than predicting the future. It's about understanding the opportunities in front of us and making informed decisions that help our businesses evolve. 🔧 In this episode, we cover: • Insights from the 2025 Contractor of the Future Study • How contractor business models are evolving • Pricing strategies and protecting profitability • Field service management and flat-rate pricing • The importance of proper load calculations • Financing and monthly payment options • Extended labor warranties and customer value • Why technical and business training must evolve together • Preparing your company for what's next Whether you're a contractor, distributor, manufacturer, or industry leader, this episode offers a research-driven perspective on the changes shaping our industry. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe so you never miss a drop. The HVAC R&D Podcast is the Voice of Distribution, Contractors, and the #TradeCrew. #HVAC #Contractors #BusinessGrowth #SkilledTrades #TradeCrew 🙏 Thanks to our partners: DiversiTech Corporation • Drain IV • FieldMind • LiveSwitch • ProIAQ • RLS • True Nature Meats Co.

September 8, 2026Episode 1971 hr 9 min

You're Not Buying Insurance—You're Protecting Everything You've Built with Michael Senderovich

You're Not Buying Insurance—You're Protecting Everything You've Built with Michael Senderovich 🎙️ HVAC R&D Podcast — Episode 197 A cheap insurance policy isn't cheap when you discover it doesn't cover you. In Episode 197 of the HVAC R&D Podcast, Rhydon Atzenhoffer sits down with Michael M. Senderovich, MBA, Founder & CEO of Six-Thirteen Business Insurance Solutions, to talk about something every contractor needs but far too few truly understand: protecting the business you've sacrificed to build. Since founding his brokerage in 2013, Michael has helped small business owners move beyond simply buying insurance to understanding their actual risks, coverage gaps, and what happens when the unexpected becomes reality. Together, Rhydon and Michael dig into the mistakes contractors make when choosing coverage, the danger of shopping on price alone, and why a great insurance broker should be one of your most trusted business advisors—not someone who simply renews your policy every year. Because as your company adds employees, trucks, technology, services, and revenue, the risks you're carrying change too. 🔧 In this episode, we cover: • What contractors misunderstand about insurance • The danger of buying coverage online • Common coverage gaps that can devastate a business • Cheapest policy vs. the right policy • How often your coverage should be reviewed • How growth changes your risk • Cyber threats, AI & emerging business exposures • How to know if your broker is actually serving you • Protecting your business beyond insurance Whether you're running one truck or building a multi-million-dollar operation, you've worked too hard to discover after a loss that you weren't protected the way you thought you were. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe so you never miss a drop. The HVAC R&D Podcast is the Voice of Distribution, Contractors, and the #TradeCrew. #HVAC #BusinessInsurance #RiskManagement #Contractors 🙏 Thanks to our partners: DiversiTech Corporation • DRAIN IV • FieldMind • LiveSwitch • ProIAQ • RLS Rapid Locking System • True Nature Meats Co.

August 30, 2026Episode 1961 hr 14 min

You Can't Scale What You Don't Understand

🎙️ HVAC R&D Podcast — Episode 196 You Can't Scale What You Don't Understand with Zachary Cooper-Vastola Before you can build the systems, you need to understand the work. In Episode 196 of the HVAC R&D Podcast , Rhydon Atzenhoffer sits down with Zach Cooper-Vastola, COO/CIO and founding partner of Hickory, for a conversation about what happens when you learn a business from the inside out—and then start building it for something much bigger. Zach has done nearly every job inside the company. That hands-on experience became part of the foundation for how he approaches operations, technology, leadership, and growth today. The journey traces back to 2018, when Zach and his partners acquired Stanley Ruth, then roughly a $4 million business with around 20 employees. From there came the challenge of learning, improving, systemizing, scaling, and ultimately building an organization capable of continued growth. Together, Rhydon and Zach dig into what it takes to evolve from doing the work yourself to creating the people, processes, and technology that allow a business to grow beyond you. 🔧 In this episode, we cover: • The story behind acquiring Stanley Ruth in 2018 • Why Zach chose to learn nearly every role in the business • Going from doing the work to building the organization • Creating systems without losing what made the company successful • Using technology to make people and processes better • What scaling exposes inside a growing business • Growth through acquisition • Developing leaders as the organization expands • Balancing operational discipline with entrepreneurship • Building a company designed for what comes next Whether you're running a small shop, building your leadership team, or trying to take an established company to another level, Zach's journey is a reminder that sustainable growth starts with understanding the business you're trying to scale. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe so you never miss a drop - https://rhydonatzenhoffer.substack.com/p/you-cant-scale-what-you-dont-understand The HVAC R&D Podcast is the Voice of Distribution, Contractors, and the TradeCrew. #HVAC #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #TradeCrew 🙏 Thanks to our partners DiversiTech Corporation • DRAIN IV • FieldMind • LiveSwitch • ProIAQ • RLS Rapid Locking System • True Nature Meats Co.

August 21, 2026Episode 1951 hr 2 min

HVAC Will Take You Wherever You Want to Go

🎙️ HVAC R&D Podcast — Episode 195 HVAC Will Take You Wherever You Want to Go with jonathan lisojo At eighteen years old, jonathan lisojo didn't even know what HVAC was. Seventeen years later, he eats, sleeps, and breathes it. In Episode 195 of the HVAC R&D Podcast , Rhydon Atzenhoffer sits down with Jonathan, owner of Total Air Satisfaction and Journeyman Commercial HVAC Technician with Local 475, to talk about a career that's taken him from a completely green apprentice to residential technician, instructor, commercial and industrial journeyman, business owner, and content creator. Jonathan spent fourteen years growing inside a family-owned residential company and ten years teaching the next generation at Eastwick College before moving into commercial and industrial HVAC—all while continuing to follow his curiosity wherever the trade takes him. But this conversation is about more than a career. Rhydon and Jonathan talk about loving what you do, staying curious, building a business, working eighteen-hour days, family, faith, gratitude, and remembering that no matter how important the service call feels, someone who loves you is waiting for you to come home. 🔧 In this episode, we cover: • Starting HVAC at 18 with absolutely no experience • Why HVAC can take you anywhere you want to go • Residential, commercial, industrial, teaching & ownership • Staying curious instead of becoming stagnant • The satisfaction of diagnosing unfamiliar equipment • What ten years of teaching revealed about the next generation • Taking the leap into business ownership • Faith, family, gratitude & finding balance • Giving back to the trade that gave Jonathan so much Whether you're an apprentice figuring out your next step or a veteran decades into the trade, Jonathan's story is proof that HVAC can become whatever you choose to make of it. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe to the HVAC R&D and Ramblin' Rhyno Substack so you never miss an Editorial or Pordast Drop - https://rhydonatzenhoffer.substack.com/p/hvac-will-take-you-wherever-you-want #HVAC #SkilledTrades #HVACTech #TradeCareers #TradeCrew 🙏 Thanks to our partners: DiversiTech Corporation • DRAIN IV • FieldMind • LiveSwitch • ProIAQ • RLS Rapid Locking System • True Nature Meats Co.

August 7, 2026Episode 1941 hr 13 min

Leaving the Industry Better Than We Found It with Don Gillis

Leaving the Industry Better Than We Found It with Don Gillis 🎙️ HVAC R&D Podcast — Episode 194 The greatest legacy in the skilled trades isn't the equipment you install. It's the people you help along the way. In Episode 194, Rhydon Atzenhoffer sits down with Don Gillis , Technical Trainer, consultant, and founder of Gillis Coach , for a conversation about building careers, developing technicians, and preparing the next generation for the future of HVACR. With more than 35 years in the industry—including 25 years in the field as a licensed HVAC Journeyman, leadership roles in service and sales, and years as a Senior Technical Trainer with Copeland and Chemours—Don has dedicated his career to helping others succeed. Today, he trains 5,000–7,000 HVAC professionals each year and was recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Influential HVAC Educators in 2024. Together, Rhydon and Don discuss career development, technician shortages, emerging technologies, and why sharing knowledge is one of the greatest responsibilities we have in the trades. For the TradeCrew, this episode is a reminder that every experienced technician has the opportunity to shape the future—one lesson, one apprentice, and one conversation at a time. 🔧 In this episode, we cover: • Don's 35-year journey through the HVACR industry • Closing the technician shortage through education • Adapting to new technology without losing the fundamentals • Building a career through continuous learning • Why mentorship is essential to the future of the trades • Leaving the industry stronger than you found it Whether you're just entering the trades or have decades of experience, this episode will challenge you to think differently about learning, leadership, and the legacy you're creating every day. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe to the HVAC R&D Podcast and Ramblin' Rhyno Column on Substack so you never miss and Article or Podcast drop - https://rhydonatzenhoffer.substack.com/p/leaving-the-industry-better-than The HVAC R&D Podcast is the Voice of Distribution, Contractors, and the TradeCrew — bringing together the people, stories, and ideas shaping the future of the skilled trades. #HVAC #Training #Leadership #Mentorship #TradeCrew 🙏 Thanks to our partners: DiversiTech Corporation • DRAIN IV • FieldMind • LiveSwitch • ProIAQ • RLS Rapid Locking System • True Nature Meats

August 1, 2026Episode 19359 min

You Can’t Fix What You Don’t Measure: Building Better HVAC with Bill Spohn

New Podcast Drop! 🎙️ HVAC R&D Podcast — Episode 193 In Episode 193, Rhydon Atzenhoffer sits down with Bill Spohn, P.E. , CEO and co-owner of TruTech Tools, co-host of the Building HVAC Science podcast, host of RESTalk, and co-founder of the BetterHVAC Alliance, for a conversation about why measurement, diagnostics, and building science are transforming the future of residential HVAC. With nearly four decades of industry experience, Bill has dedicated his career to helping contractors move beyond assumptions and embrace data-driven decision making. From airflow and combustion analysis to commissioning and home performance, he believes the best results begin with understanding what the system is actually doing. Together, Rhydon and Bill explore why better diagnostics lead to better comfort, healthier homes, happier customers, and stronger businesses. For the #TradeCrew, this episode is a reminder that the future of HVAC isn’t just installing equipment—it’s delivering verified performance. 🔧 In this episode, we cover: • Bill’s journey building TruTech Tools • Why measurement beats guesswork every time • The role of diagnostics in modern HVAC • Helping homeowners understand comfort and efficiency • Why contractors should embrace testing and verification • The mission behind the BetterHVAC Alliance Whether you’re a technician, contractor, educator, or distributor, this episode will challenge you to think differently about diagnostics, system performance, and delivering better outcomes for every customer. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe to the HVAC R&D Podcast and Ramblin’ Rhyno Column on Substack so you never miss and Article or Podcast drop - https://rhydonatzenhoffer.substack.com/p/you-cant-fix-what-you-dont-measure #HVAC #Business #Leadership #Diagnostics #Tools 🙏 Thanks to our partners: DiversiTech Corporation • LiveSwitch • FieldMind • Asurity • hilmor • RLS Rapid Locking System • True Nature Meats Co. The HVAC R&D Podcast is the Voice of Distribution, Contractors, and the #TradeCrew.

July 25, 2026Episode 1921 hr 21 min

Every Call Makes the Next Tech Better with Fieldmind CEO Ryan Prosser

🎙️ HVAC R&D Podcast — Episode 192 Every Call Makes the Next Tech Better with FieldMind CEO Ryan Prosser Technology doesn’t replace experience. It preserves it, shares it, and helps the next technician solve the next problem even faster. On Episode 192 of the HVAC R&D Podcast , Rhydon Atzenhoffer sits down with Ryan Prosser , Co-Founder & CEO of FieldMind and host of The Dispatch Podcast , for a conversation about the future of technical knowledge, artificial intelligence, and why the greatest asset in the skilled trades has always been the people doing the work. Rather than replacing technicians, Ryan believes technology should amplify their expertise—capturing the hard-earned lessons from every service call and making them available to the next person facing the same challenge. Together, Rhydon and Ryan discuss how AI, technician-driven knowledge, and connected learning can help close the skills gap, improve troubleshooting, and preserve decades of experience before it’s lost to retirement. For the TradeCrew, this episode is a look at how innovation and human expertise can work together to strengthen the future of our industry. 🔧 In this episode, we cover: • Ryan’s journey building FieldMind • Why AI should empower—not replace—technicians • Capturing tribal knowledge before it disappears • How every service call improves the next one • The future of troubleshooting and technical support • Closing the skilled trades knowledge gap • Innovation through collaboration and shared experience • Why the human element will always matter most Whether you’re a technician, contractor, service manager, or industry leader, this episode will challenge you to think differently about how technology can support the people who keep our industry moving. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe to the HVAC R&D and Ramblin’ Rhyno Substack so you never miss an Article or Podcast drop - https://rhydonatzenhoffer.substack.com/p/every-call-makes-the-next-tech-better The HVAC R&D Podcast is the Voice of Distribution, Contractors, and the TradeCrew—bringing together the people, stories, and ideas shaping the future of the skilled trades. #HVAC #AI #FieldService #Innovation #TradeCrew 🙏 Thanks to our partners: DiversiTech Corporation • LiveSwitch • FieldMind • Asurity • hilmor • RLS Rapid Locking System • True Nature Meats Co.

July 21, 2026Episode 1911 hr 2 min

You Don’t Have a Revenue Problem—You Have a Profit Problem with Ben Hansen

🎙️ HVAC R&D Podcast — Episode 191 You Don't Have a Revenue Problem—You Have a Profit Problem with Ben Hansen More sales don't always mean more success. In fact, many contractors are generating record revenue while watching their profits quietly disappear. In Episode 191, ⁠Rhydon Atzenhoffer⁠ sits down with ⁠Ben Hansen⁠ , Founder & CEO of ⁠Profit Doctor⁠ and self-proclaimed "Chief Peanut Inspector," to diagnose what he calls "Profititis"—the hidden issues preventing business owners from keeping more of the money they work so hard to earn. Through years of helping contractors improve their financial health, Ben has developed practical systems to identify profit leaks, simplify financial decision-making, and help owners reclaim the business they set out to build. Together, ⁠Rhydon⁠ and ⁠Ben⁠ explore why revenue is only part of the equation and how understanding your numbers can transform the way you lead your company. This episode is a reminder that building a successful business isn't just about working harder—it's about building a healthier, more profitable one. 🔧 In this episode, we cover: • Diagnosing "Profititis" in your business • The Profit Prescription™ framework • Ben's 50/20 Rule for healthier businesses • The five hidden Profit Killers • Common profit myths that hold owners back • Why revenue doesn't always equal success • Building financial habits that support long-term growth • Reclaiming the dream that inspired you to start your business Whether you're just starting out or leading a well-established company, this episode will challenge you to think differently about profit, leadership, and creating a business that works for you—not the other way around. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe to the Ramblin' Rhyno and HVAC R&D Substack so you never miss an Article or Episode drop - https://rhydonatzenhoffer.substack.com/ The HVAC R&D Podcast is the Voice of Distribution, Contractors, and the TradeCrew—bringing together the people, stories, and ideas shaping the future of the skilled trades. #HVAC #BusinessGrowth #Profit #Leadership #Trades 🙏 Thanks to our partners: ⁠DiversiTech Corporation⁠ • ⁠LiveSwitch⁠ • ⁠FieldMind⁠ • ⁠Asurity⁠ • ⁠hilmor⁠ • ⁠RLS Rapid Locking System⁠ • ⁠True Nature Meats⁠ Co.

July 3, 2026Episode 1901 hr 16 min

The Race to the Face: Winning Customer Trust Before You Arrive with James Hatfield

🎙️ HVAC R&D Podcast — Episode 190 The Race to the Face: Winning Customer Trust Before You Arrive with James Hatfield The customer experience doesn't begin when you knock on the door. It begins the moment they reach out for help. In Episode 190, Rhydon Atzenhoffer sits down with James Hatfield , Chief Revenue Officer of LiveSwitch , to discuss how technology is reshaping the relationship between contractors and customers—and why trust is becoming the industry's greatest competitive advantage. Together, they explore how live video communication, remote collaboration, and better customer engagement are helping contractors build confidence, improve efficiency, and deliver a better service experience before the truck even arrives. This isn't about replacing technicians or adding complexity. It's about using technology to strengthen relationships, reduce uncertainty, and create a better experience for everyone involved. For the TradeCrew, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on where the skilled trades are headed and how contractors can embrace innovation without losing the personal connection that defines great service. 🔧 In this episode, we cover: • Why customer trust starts before the service call • The "Race to the Face" and why it matters • Using live video to improve communication • Reducing unnecessary truck rolls and delays • Creating better customer experiences through technology • Helping technicians collaborate in real time • Where innovation is taking the skilled trades next • Why relationships will always outperform transactions Whether you're a technician, owner, service manager, or distributor, this episode will challenge you to think differently about trust, technology, and the future of customer service. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe to the HVAC R&D and Ramblin' Rhyno Substack so you never miss a Podcast or Article drop here - https://rhydonatzenhoffer.substack.com/p/the-race-to-the-face The HVAC R&D Podcast is the Voice of Distribution, Contractors, and the TradeCrew. #HVAC #LiveSwitch #CustomerExperience #Technology #Leadership 🙏 Thanks to our partners: DiversiTech Corporation • LiveSwitch • FieldMind • Asurity • hilmor • RLS Rapid Locking System • True Nature Meats Co.

June 29, 2026Episode 1891 hr 36 min

Life Begins at 40: Lessons in Leadership, Growth, and Purpose with Josh Zolin

🎙️ HVAC R&D Podcast — Episode 189 Life Begins at 40: Lessons in Leadership, Growth, and Purpose with Josh Zolin 40 isn't the finish line—it's the foundation. The older we get, the more we realize that success isn't measured by titles, income, or accomplishments. It's measured by the people we've impacted, the lessons we've learned, and the legacy we're building along the way. In Episode 189, Rhydon Atzenhoffer sits down with seasoned podcaster, author, entrepreneur, and industry leader Josh Zolin for a thoughtful conversation inspired by a milestone they're both approaching—Josh having recently turned 40, and Rhydon just months away from reaching the same chapter of life. Together, they reflect on the experiences, mentors, failures, victories, and relationships that have shaped who they are today. From leadership and entrepreneurship to family, purpose, mentorship, and personal growth, this conversation goes far beyond the skilled trades. Josh shares the lessons he's learned throughout his career and why the second half of life isn't about having all the answers—it's about asking better questions, continuing to grow, and intentionally investing in others. For the #TradeCrew, this episode is a reminder that while careers are built one opportunity at a time, character is built one lesson at a time. 🔧 In this episode, we cover: • Josh's journey through entrepreneurship, podcasting, and authorship • The lessons that come with turning 40 • Why mentorship changes the trajectory of a career • Leadership principles that extend beyond the workplace • The importance of lifelong learning and personal growth • Finding purpose beyond professional success • Building relationships that challenge and inspire you • Why giving back is one of the greatest measures of success • Advice for the next generation of trades professionals and entrepreneurs Whether you're early in your career or reflecting on decades of experience, this episode will challenge you to think differently about growth, leadership, purpose, and the legacy you're creating every day. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe so you never miss a drop. The HVAC R&D Podcast is the Voice of Distribution, Contractors, and the #TradeCrew—bringing together the people, stories, and ideas shaping the future of the skilled trades. 🙏 Thanks to our partners: DiversiTech Corporation • LiveSwitch • FieldMind • Asurity • hilmor • RLS Rapid Locking System • MANN+HUMMEL • Resideo • True Nature Meats Co. 🌐 https://rhydonatzenhoffer.substack.com/podcast