Let's Talk Cabling!

Hosted by Chuck Bowser, RCDD, TECH

Technology Careers Management

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Episodes

407

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Welcome to "Let's Talk Cabling" – the award-winning podcast that's your ultimate gateway to the dynamic world of information and communications technology (ICT). If you're aged 18 to 40 and thrive in the ICT industry or simply curious about it, this podcast is your must-listen destination! 🏆 Award-Winning Excellence: "Let's Talk Cabling" is proud to have earned recognition for its outstanding content and invaluable insights in the ICT field. Our commitment to educating and empowering individuals like you has garnered us a prestigious industry award, a testament to the quality of information you'll find here. 🌐 Explore the ICT Universe: Join us as we delve deep into the realm of designing, installing, certifying, estimating, and project managing low voltage projects across diverse industries. Whether you're an industry veteran or just starting your journey, our engaging discussions will enrich your knowledge and skills. 🎙️ Story-Driven Learning: We follow the captivating StoryBrand methodology to ensure every episode is not just informative but also captivating. Expect real-world anecdotes, expert interviews, and relatable narratives that make learning about cabling and ICT a fascinating experience. 🚀 Subscribe Today: Don't miss out on the power of knowledge! Hit that subscribe button and embark on an exciting journey with "Let's Talk Cabling." Whether you're on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, or your preferred podcast platform, we're here to educate, encourage, and enrich your ICT endeavors. Remember, in the world of ICT, knowledge is power, and we're here to empower you. Join our growing community of ICT enthusiasts today! #cbrcdd #rcdd #wiremonkey #BICSI

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 18, 202646 min

CCA Cable: The Customer Isn't Paying You Twice

Send us Fan Mail We talk through how counterfeit cabling really shows up on jobs and why it can turn into failed inspections, broken trust, and expensive rework. With cable engineer Matt Schumacher, we draw a clean line between legitimate UL or ETL listings and too-good-to-be-true cable like copper clad aluminum that never should have been in the box. • what “counterfeit cable” means in the real world and why it becomes a contract problem fast • what “listed” means for communications cable and how UL 444 fits into the picture • how to verify a UL or ETL listing number and why reputable manufacturers matter • what CCA copper clad aluminum is and why ANSI/TIA 568.2-E does not allow it • how oxidation and material loss can create intermittent failures and repeat service calls • why PoE can look fine on day one then fail later as resistance climbs • how to explain the risk to customers, designers, and consultants without getting lost in jargon • why high frequency data cable is not “just cable” and how rough pulls and kinks can hurt performance • what CPR means in Europe and why LSZH does not replace CMP or CMR in the US • where the industry may be headed with single mode fiber, PoE growth, and new power concepts If you're watching this show on YouTube, would you mind hitting the subscribe button and the bell button to be notified when new content is being produced? If you are listening to us on one of the audio podcast platforms, would you mind leaving us a five-star rating? Wednesday night, 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, what are you doing? If you find value in this content, when you click on that QR code right there, you can buy me a cup of coffee. You could even schedule a 15-minute one-on-one call with me after hours, of course. Email Chuck at advertising at let's talkcabling.com and let's connect your brand to the right audience today. Support the show Knowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

August 13, 202641 min

AHL Kickoff Meetings That Save Projects

Send us Fan Mail We tackle the real-world problems that slow down low voltage projects: messy handoffs, unclear ownership, and customers whose expectations do not match the contract. We share practical systems for kickoff meetings, estimating, data center career moves, and the growing need for networking and security awareness as everything rides on the network. • setting a sales to operations handoff standard with a kickoff meeting agenda • defining the documents sales must deliver to run a project cleanly • aligning customer expectations with schedule and contract language early • building estimating skills through blueprint reading, takeoffs, and labor units • using labor units based on average productivity and tracking them on jobs • finding data center jobs and understanding faster pace and higher quality demands • preparing for fiber-heavy work and learning high-count fiber basics • deciding how much Layer 2 knowledge helps for PoE, scripts, and device turn-up • explaining Wi Fi 7 performance limits without overwhelming the customer • developing lead techs with standards, mentorship, and troubleshooting habits • pushing customers to name one network decision owner across multiple systems • clarifying physical security vs logical security responsibilities in the field DM me, let me know, “Hey Chuck, I’m interested in that estimating class,” and I will reinstitute it and put it out there for people If anybody knows Mike Rowe, please put him in touch with me so I can get him on the show Support the show Knowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

August 11, 202638 min

Data Centers And Real Community Concerns Part 2

Send us Fan Mail We cut through the noise around data centers by separating real community concerns from internet myths, then we talk about why most fights come down to bad communication and missing context. We also zoom out to the future of AI infrastructure and get practical about what techs should learn first if they want a solid career inside modern data centers. • what local residents actually hear when a data center is proposed • real concerns like heat, noise, water, traffic, construction impact, and power upgrades • why rural broadband and fiber optic expansion can be a hidden upside • how hyperscalers may add generation and backfeed power to the grid • what communities should demand on jobs, taxes, emergency services, and transparency • why standards and best practices reduce waste and improve builds • advice for new technicians on tools, attitude, site rules, and safety basics • which certifications matter and why BICSI signals learning and process • myths we wish would die and where the industry must improve next Be there Saturday, help support a good cause, and get to meet me. Support the show Knowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

August 6, 202650 min

AHL: Skilled Labor Is The New Constraint

Send us Fan Mail We take rapid-fire questions from the field and get blunt about what’s changing in low voltage work, from labor shortages to PoE terminations to fiber habits that build real trust. We also dig into estimating mistakes, dark fiber strategies, cybersecurity boundaries, and what to learn before stepping into design and the RCDD path. • livestream schedule change coming soon and how to stay connected • fundraiser progress update and pushing to hit the goal • LinkedIn profile lockout story and where to find our daily LinkedIn content • labor as the biggest estimating risk and why averages hide crew variability • adding risk management and assumptions to bids to protect schedules • cross-training as the fastest way to reduce labor constraints • pass-through versus traditional RJ45 terminations under PoE loads • importance of crimper maintenance and matching tool to connector • choosing a specialization based on passion and then stacking skills • certifications and credentialing that improve marketability and job access • AI data center growth and the bottleneck debate across GPUs, power, cooling, cabling, skilled labor • fiber testing growth beyond class fundamentals and why humility matters • contamination control, labeling, and documentation as the marks of a great tech • building customer confidence so clients request specific technicians • estimator mistakes under tight margins including site logistics and lessons learned • dark fiber and spare capacity rules of thumb with cost versus flexibility thinking • where cybersecurity responsibility starts for structured cabling teams • what to keep learning before moving from field work into RCDD and design • firestopping foam selection, inspector expectations, and safety concerns Also, keep in mind that I'm still doing the uh Save Our Sons walk-a-thon um uh ministry event, trying to raise money for um Living Hands Ministry in Dade City, Florida. So if you haven't donated yet, please go look at my LinkedIn profile, go look at my Facebook profile and donate to that cause. So if you ever consider joining the Let's Talk Cablin community, please make sure that you do so. Support the show Knowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

August 3, 202631 min

Did the Luddites Get it Right? Data Center Myths Part 1

Send us Fan Mail We challenge the “cloud is invisible” myth and talk plainly about what a data center really is when it shows up near homes, farms, and water supplies. With Henry Franc and Ed the Old Tech Guy, we separate real infrastructure tradeoffs from internet rumors so you can decide what’s worth opposing and what’s worth improving. • why data centers exist and why construction is accelerating • what people picture when they hear “data center” and why it is often wrong • how “cloud” marketing creates confusion about physical infrastructure • common fears about radiation, EMF, diesel generators, noise, and utilities • water and cooling basics including closed-loop systems vs evaporative cooling • why audits, inspections, and compliance pressure operators to prevent incidents • why AI data centers differ from colocation and hybrid facilities • why edge computing supports 911, payments, healthcare, and smart homes • the tradeoff between power density and massive gains in compute capability • how lack of early community outreach fuels “no data centers” movements If you're watching this show on YouTube, would you mind hitting the subscribe button and the bell button to be notified when new content is being produced? If you're listening to us on one of the audio podcast platforms, would you mind giving us a five-star rating? And if we don't deserve a five-star rating, shoot me an email and let me know what I can do to make this a five-star rating show. Support the show Knowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

July 30, 202639 min

AHL: Cat 6A Or Overkill and other questions

Send us Fan Mail We answer rapid-fire questions from the field on cabling choices, troubleshooting discipline, and what real professionalism looks like on a job site. Along the way, we get practical about Cat 6A, intermittent network drops, training new techs, tool buying, and how PoE and newer AI camera demands change your planning. • when Cat 6A is actually worth the effort and when it is just spec inertia • bend radius, cable diameter, termination time, testing time, and other real install impacts • why intermittent drops demand Layer 1 focus and documented testing • a real-world example of a hidden physical fault that only appears sometimes • habits that signal a skilled tech fast: cable management, labeling, service loops, clean work • knowing when to keep troubleshooting versus calling for help • PoE, NEC safety versus performance, and what is changing in the field • AI cameras and what changes for power, bandwidth, placement, and lighting • pulling cable in older buildings by planning pathways, avoiding electrical, and communicating • training priorities for new technicians and why slow correct terminations win • tool strategy, organization, and buying quality within a budget Please go look up that LinkedIn post, find uh that video, and please donate. And if you can't donate anything financially, would you please pray for successful completion of that? Reezy make sure you join the the Bixie Technician study group guess who it's run by me yes we're doing a Zoom call next week Tuesday at 8 p.m and we're gonna answer questions for people studying for their Bixie Tech or installer questions. Be there or be square and it is free it is free. Support the show Knowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

July 28, 202650 min

The MOST Important Episode of My Career

Send us Fan Mail Addiction hits families and job sites at the same time, and pretending it is “someone else’s problem” only raises the risk. We talk with Marshall from Loving Hands Ministries about how addiction develops, how it shows up at work, and what real support looks like when safety and accountability still matter. • Marshall’s personal story from early exposure to substances to opioid dependency and methadone bondage • Why addiction is rooted in pain, history, and physical dependence rather than simple “bad choices” • The moment boundaries and consequences finally break through denial • Early workplace warning signs like lateness, declining quality, and conflict with feedback • How impairment and withdrawal increase safety risk on construction sites and in the field • The way addiction erodes trust, morale, scheduling, and project outcomes across a team • Common employer mistakes when substance abuse is discovered • What employers can do instead: connect to treatment, set firm expectations, and build a bridge back • Discipleship versus recovery and why long-term change requires rebuilding purpose • How coworkers can approach someone with care while respecting boundaries If you're watching this show on YouTube, would you mind hitting the subscribe button and the bell button to be notified when new content is being produced? If you're listening to us on one of the audio podcast platforms, would you mind leaving us a five-star rating? Please consider supporting the Save Our Sons Walk-a-thon because every donation matters. Support the show Knowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

July 21, 202643 min

Cable Dressing Done Right

Send us Fan Mail Cable dressing turns into a fight fast, but the real question is how to keep installs clean without hurting performance, PoE reliability, or warranty compliance. We compare old school lacing and zip ties to modern Velcro and cable comb tools, and we explain why data centers now demand neat, traceable bundles. • why cable dressing triggers strong opinions on job sites • how cable management changes from telco wax string to zip ties to Velcro • why over cinching can deform cable and increase crosstalk risk • how standards differ from manufacturer warranty requirements • why PoE heat pushes smaller bundle sizes and better planning • how outdated Cat 6A “randomize everything” advice still spreads online • what makes data centers stricter than typical commercial installs • how estimating cable dressing time up front balances speed and craftsmanship • the shift from copper to fiber in data centers and what that changes • hand dressing versus puck systems and why repeatability matters • how numbered cable comb tools can improve panel landings and rework If you're watching this show on YouTube, would you mind hitting the subscribe button and the bell button to be notified when new content is being produced? If you're listening to us on one of the audio podcast platforms, would you mind leaving us a five-star rating? If you find value in this content, you click on the QR code right there. You can buy me a cup of coffee. You can even schedule a one-on-one call with me after hours, of course. You can even buy Let's Talk Cabling merchandise. Support the show Knowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

July 13, 202637 min

If Your Ears Are Ringing, You Already Took A Hit

Send us Fan Mail Hearing loss is permanent but preventable, and we stop treating ringing ears like a normal part of low voltage work. We map out where the noise really comes from, how leaders should plan for hearing protection, and what to wear so you can keep doing the job and still hear life after work. • ringing ears as a warning sign of injury • noise sources in structured cabling and low voltage work plus other trades nearby • why hearing matters for situational awareness, crew safety, and communication • leadership responsibilities for planning PPE like any other job requirement • earmuffs, disposable foam plugs, reusable rubber plugs and where each fits • fit and compatibility issues with glasses, hard hats, hoodies, and worn seals • foam plug basics using roll, pull, hold and common mistakes • communication plans so workers do not remove protection to talk • OSHA 29 CFR 1926.52 and 29 CFR 1910.95 practical expectations • ANSI guidance and the risk of over-protection that blocks warnings • BICSI best practices and a 10-point hearing protection checklist If you haven't already considered joining Patreon to help support this program, would you please do so? Support the show Knowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

July 9, 202630 min

Designing AI-Ready Buildings With Fiber And Cat6A

Send us Fan Mail We answer rapid-fire questions from the field on how structured cabling is changing as AI expectations, PoE power, and converged building systems reshape what “good design” means. We share practical guidance on Cat 6A decisions, fiber-first momentum, technician retention, and how to protect margins when budgets do not keep up with technology. • designing AI-ready buildings by leaning on standards, best practices, and flexible infrastructure • when Cat 6A is worth it for early adopters, Wi-Fi 7, and long-term life-cycle planning • retaining technicians through paid training, clear career paths, mentorship, recognition, and pay • why experienced techs fail credentialing tests, including moving standards and test-readiness habits • PoE installation pitfalls, including bundle heat, power budgets, and proper testing • handling cybersecurity responsibility as physical security systems merge onto the IT network • what AI data centers change for field contractors, including precision, power, heat, and cable management • habits that separate average installers, including curiosity, craftsmanship, and communication • protecting estimating margins with documentation, gap spotting, and change management Email Chuck at advertising at letstalkcabling.com and let's connect your brand to the right audience today. Make sure you send your questions now. Support the show Knowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD