Lighting Controls Podcast

Hosted by Lighting Controls

TechnologyInterviews guests

Website RSS feed Facebook

Episodes

139

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

About the show

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 technology and design best practices to hilarious field stories and deep-dive interviews with the pros shaping the future of our industry, this is the podcast that turns complex topics into bright ideas. Whether you're a seasoned engineer, a designer obsessed with perfect dimming curves, or a newcomer trying to make sense of networks, sensors, and standards, Ron and Webster bring insight, clarity, and a whole lot of personality. Expect honest conversations, practical takeaways, and the kind of industry wisdom you can only get from people who’ve seen (and programmed) it all. Smart buildings. Better design. Brilliant conversations. If lighting controls are your world—or you want them to be—this is the show you don’t want to miss. ]]>

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 2, 2026Episode 13542 min

Episode 135: Episode 135 - One Tool to Rule Them All with James Morgan

💡 What if lighting controls design didn’t require juggling a dozen different programs? In this episode of the Lighting Controls Podcast , we sit down with James Morgan , Director of Systems Integration at Hossley Lighting & Power Solutions, and co-founder and CEO of Distant Blue , to talk about ORIZON1 —a software platform built specifically for the lighting and building design industry. 💻 James breaks down how ORIZON1 brings lighting design, controls, engineering, photometrics, code compliance, one-line diagrams, documentation, commissioning, and collaboration into a single platform—helping engineers spend less time recreating the same information over and over. ⚡ His philosophy is simple: not less engineering—less re-engineering. The goal is to preserve design intent from the beginning of a project all the way through documentation, construction, and commissioning. 🎧 Check out the full conversation to see how James and Distant Blue are trying to rethink the lighting controls workflow! Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmorganlighting www.hossley https://hossleylps.com https://www.distantblue.org/ The Lighting Controls Podcast is an official podcast of The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors.

September 17, 2026Episode 13445 min

Episode 134: Episode 134 - Every Space Has a Story with John Delfino

💡 Every space has a story to tell—and lighting helps tell it. In this episode of the Lighting Controls Podcast , Ron Kuszmar and Webster Marsh sit down with John Delfino of Available Light to explore how theatrical thinking, lighting controls, and a little bit of “control freak” mentality can transform a space. 🎭 John shares how his theatrical background influences the way he thinks about light over time —from subtle fades and dimming curves to creating immersive museum exhibits and completely custom lighting experiences. We also dig into why great lighting design isn't just about fixtures and layouts. It's about understanding how a space should feel , then using lighting and controls to bring that experience to life. 💡 Lighting design 🎛️ Lighting controls 🎭 Theatrical design 🏛️ Museums & immersive environments ✨ Creating experiences through light If you believe lighting should do more than simply turn on and off, this is an episode you’ll want to hear.

September 3, 2026Episode 13339 min

Episode 133: Episode 133 - You Can’t Do Lighting Without Controls with Sarah Erickson

💡 Great lighting isn’t just about the fixtures—it’s about how you control them. In this episode of the Lighting Controls Podcast , Ron Kuszmar and Webster Marsh sit down with Sarah Erickson of LS Group to explore how lighting design and lighting controls come together in high-end residential, hospitality, and commercial projects. 🏠 Why residential controls require a deeply personal approach 🎛️ Why lighting designers should be involved in programming and final adjustments 🏨 How warm dim and tunable white are changing hospitality and luxury spaces 💡 Where DALI and digital controls can make sense—and even reduce costs 🤝 Why better coordination between designers, integrators, contractors, and owners leads to better projects Sarah also explains why lighting designers who simply “hand off” the controls may be giving up one of the most important parts of the finished experience. Connect with Sarah: https://www.ls.lighting https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-erickson-lsgroup The Lighting Controls Podcast is an official podcast of The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors.

August 21, 2026Episode 13240 min

Episode 132: Episode 132 - The World is More and More Connected with Stephen Zhou

What if your lighting system could help control HVAC, improve comfort, and cut energy costs? In this episode, Stephen Zhou of MW Connect explores how Bluetooth NLC, smart thermostats, occupancy sensors, and open standards are turning lighting controls into the “eyes and ears” of smarter buildings. We dive into lighting + HVAC integration, why interoperability matters, new CO₂ and occupancy sensing technologies, and how AI could use building data to unlock even greater efficiency. The big takeaway: lighting is everywhere—and that makes it the perfect platform for the connected building of the future. 💡 Smarter buildings. Lower energy use. Better comfort. Open systems. Watch the full conversation to see where lighting controls are headed next. Connect with Stephen: mwconnect.us https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhoustephen/ The Lighting Controls Podcast is an official podcast of The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors.

July 24, 2026Episode 13142 min

Episode 131: Episode 131 - Turning an Aircraft Carrier with Jason Livingston

🎙️ Jason Livingston joins the Lighting Controls Podcast to explain why lighting controls are no longer optional knowledge for lighting designers—they're essential. 💡 As a lighting designer, educator, author, and co-chair of the IES Color Committee , Jason discusses how energy codes, tunable white, and color-changing systems are reshaping the industry. He breaks down the difference between preset and timeline-based control systems , explains why every designer needs a solid foundation in controls, and shares how he teaches the next generation of lighting professionals. 🚀 🌈 The conversation also dives into TM-30 and why it's replacing CRI as the future of color evaluation. Jason explains how better color metrics can improve lighting design, why manufacturers are slow to adopt new standards, and how designers can make more informed fixture selections. Whether you're new to lighting controls or an experienced professional looking to stay ahead, this episode is packed with practical insights on education, color science, and the future of architectural lighting. 🔥 Contact Jason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-livingston-3267271a/ www.studio-tl.com Blog: https://designinglight.com/?p=4324#sthash.F1ZV9MwY.dpbs __________________ Read Jason's books: "Fundamentals of Energy Efficient Lighting and Controls" https://amzn.to/41kD7xd https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fundamentals-of-energy-efficient-lighting-and-controls-jason-livingston/1146628605?ean=9788770042369 https://www.routledge.com/Fundamentals-of-Energy-Efficient-Lighting-and-Controls/Livingston/p/book/9788770042369?srsltid=AfmBOoqN7XXqHd4NokPQ2j0INufQ4eF6y5qiBypSOM8_D-E5Dv3drFCc __________________ "Designing with Light: The Art, Science, and Practice of Architectural Lighting Design 2nd Edition" https://a.co/d/al45bg7 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/designing-with-light-jason-livingston/1118231097?ean=9781119807780 https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Designing+with+Light:+The+Art,+Science,+and+Practice+of+Architectural+Lighting+Design,+2nd+Edition-p-9781119807797 _____________________ The Lighting Controls Podcast is an official podcast of The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors.

July 10, 2026Episode 13055 min

Episode 130: Episode 130 - WaveLinx - One Phone Call To Make with Martin Mercier

🚀 Is DALI Finally Ready for Prime Time? Is DALI-2 finally solving the problems that held digital lighting controls back for years? In this episode of the Lighting Controls Podcast , Martin Mercier from Cooper Lighting Solutions explains how DALI has evolved from a difficult, proprietary system into an open, interoperable platform that's transforming smart buildings. We discuss: Why DALI struggled in North America How DALI-2 fixed many of the original pain points Open standards vs. proprietary lighting systems IoT, smart buildings, and the future of connected lighting Why digital lighting controls outperform traditional 0-10V dimming Cooper's new WaveLinx + DALI hybrid platform Whether you're a lighting designer, electrical contractor, specifier, distributor, or facility manager, this conversation explains why digital lighting controls are becoming the foundation for the next generation of intelligent buildings. If you've been hesitant about DALI because of its reputation, this episode may change your mind. #LightingControls #DALI #DALI2 #SmartBuildings #IoT #LightingDesign #CommercialLighting #CooperLighting #Wavelinx #BuildingAutomation #ElectricalContractor #LightingIndustry #Podcast Connect with Martin: https://www.cooperlighting.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mercier/ Sponsor: Cooper Lighting Solutions, cooperlighting.com, ⁨@CooperLightingSolutions⁩ The Lighting Controls Podcast is an official podcast of The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors.

June 29, 2026Episode 12944 min

Episode 129: Episode 129 - Clients Don’t Hire Us to Repeat Repeat Repeat with Emad Hasan

“Lighting controls aren’t just switches — they’re part of the user experience.” In this episode, lighting designer Emad Hasan , founder of Lux Foundry, argues that lighting designers should have a much bigger role in lighting controls. His reasoning? If the controls don't work, users blame the lighting design anyway. 💡 Key takeaways: Lighting controls shape how people interact with a space—not just how it looks. Many engineers handle controls as a requirement, while designers understand the user experience. The biggest project scope gaps are often lighting controls, emergency lighting, and code compliance . Hospitality projects demand tighter control because dimming quality directly impacts the atmosphere. The industry still struggles with outdated analog control methods and slow adoption of digital standards. Wireless controls are promising, especially in historic buildings, but aren't yet a universal solution. Adaptability is critical: every project, client, and market requires a different approach. Emad's dream? Every lighting design firm would have an in-house lighting controls expert . Bottom line: Great lighting isn't just about fixtures—it's about how people experience and control the space. Connect with Emad: https://www.lux-foundry.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/emad-hasan Sponsor: MaxLite, maxlite.com , @maxlite The Lighting Controls Podcast is an official podcast of The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors.

May 13, 2026Episode 12848 min

Episode 128: Episode 128 - Technology Doesn’t Have to be Scary with Jonathan Perlis

🎙️ From Fixtures to Full Control: The Lighting Industry Shift In this episode, we dive into the real transition happening in lighting—moving from simply selling fixtures to delivering full lighting control solutions . Jon shares what it’s actually like making that leap: ⚡ Why selling controls is a totally different game ⚡ The importance of asking the right questions early (“the pre-game”) ⚡ How most clients only want simple automation—but miss bigger opportunities ⚡ The growing role of wireless, IoT, and energy efficiency We also explore unique challenges in the Canadian market—from 347V systems to code differences—and why standardizing controls design could change everything. 💡 Bottom line: It’s no longer “Do you want controls?” It’s “What do you want your lights to do?” Connect with Jonathan: https://www.standardpro.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanperlis Sponsor: mwConnect, mwconnect.us

April 9, 202644 min

Episode 127 - DC Power - Let’s Be Disruptive with Bolis Ibrahim

🚀 Is AC power becoming obsolete? In this episode of the Lighting Controls Podcast, entrepreneur & engineer Bolis Ibrahim breaks down a massive shift happening in buildings: the move from AC to DC power. ⚡ Key takeaways: - Most modern devices (LEDs, laptops, EVs, solar) already run on DC - Today’s buildings waste energy constantly converting AC → DC - DC systems can eliminate bulky drivers, reduce failures, and cut inefficiencies - New wiring methods = less copper, less conduit, lower costs - Emerging standards (like USB-C power) are pushing DC adoption even further - The future? Hybrid buildings now → fully DC-powered later 💡 Bottom line: We’re potentially witnessing a transformation as big as Tesla vs Edison… again. #Lighting #Engineering #Energy #Innovation #SmartBuildings #dcpower Connect with Bolis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bolis/ https://www.cencepower.com/ Sponsor: MaxLite, www.maxlite.com

March 26, 202649 min

Episode 126 - You Can’t Guess Lighting Levels with Hilary Wainer

In this episode, Hilary Wainer—owner of Lux et Veritas Design—shares her journey from theatrical lighting to leading high-end architectural projects. She breaks down why lighting controls are getting more complex (not simpler) and how that impacts designers, engineers, and clients. From hotels and restaurants to ballrooms, Hilary explains how great lighting isn’t just design—it’s experience, usability, and smart control strategy. 💡 Key takeaways: - Simplicity beats overcomplication in control systems - You can’t “just throw it on a dimmer” anymore - Real success comes from early conversations with clients - Lighting design must consider time of day, user behavior, and staff turnover - The best systems balance flexibility + ease of use 🔥 Bottom line: Great lighting control isn’t about tech—it’s about understanding people, spaces, and how they interact. https://luxetveritasdesign.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/hilary-wainer-donnelly-805a4b1 Sponsor: mwConnect, mwconnect.us