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Higher Ed AV Podcast with Joe Way: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Joe Way
Podcast dedicated to building the AV/IT tech manager community in higher education through discussions on classroom technology and audiovisual support.
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- 3 days ago57 min
361: The AV Life Crossover Episode with Nancy Blanchard
Higher Ed AV Podcast with Joe WayEpisode 361The AV Life Crossover Episode with Nancy BlanchardWhat happens when the scheduled host does not show up? Joe Way and Nancy Blanchard take over the show, turn it into an unexpected crossover episode, and have the kind of honest AV conversation that could never have been planned.Nancy, Territory Sales Manager for ScreenBeam, joins Joe to discuss her long-standing connection to the higher education AV community and why supporting HETMA has remained important throughout her career. She explains why successful manufacturer relationships must be built around education, trust, and understanding the customer’s actual challenges—not simply pushing products or reading through a list of technical specifications.The conversation explores why applications and installations matter more than feature dumps, how manufacturers should evaluate and act upon customer feedback, and why higher education institutions need direct access to product roadmaps, beta programs, and the people making development decisions. Nancy also shares how ScreenBeam approaches enterprise-grade wireless presentation, security, customer requests, digital signage, and the continued development of its platform.Joe and Nancy then turn their attention to consultants, integrators, architects, and manufacturers. They examine where projects can go wrong, how competing priorities influence system designs, and why every participant in the process must remain focused on protecting the end user from the beginning of a project through its completion.The episode closes with a spirited rapid round covering hardware versus software, classrooms versus conference rooms, Teams versus Zoom, wired versus wireless systems, standardization, ISE, artificial intelligence, video bars, professional responsiveness, and whether “good enough AV” can sometimes truly be good enough.It is spontaneous, occasionally argumentative, deeply personal, and exactly what happens when two friends from the AV industry are handed microphones with no real plan.Connect with Nancy BlanchardFind Nancy on LinkedIn and X at @NancyBlanchard.Email: nblanchard@screenbeam.comLearn more about ScreenBeam and its enterprise wireless presentation, collaboration, and digital signage solutions at ScreenBeam.com.
- 1 weeks ago47 min
360: Release Announcement: "Producing Leaders: 9 Principles for Developing High-Performing Teams"
After taking his now-usual post-InfoComm break, Joe Way returns to the Higher Ed AV Podcast with a major announcement... His second book, "Producing Leaders: 9 Principles for Developing High-Performing Teams," is on the way.In this solo episode, Joe explains why the hardest part of leading an AV organization is rarely the technology. The real work happens behind the scenes in setting the vision, designing the organization, aligning people to purpose, creating trust, navigating conflict, and building an environment where talented people can do their best work.The book grew out of more than 30 years of leadership, business ownership, organizational change, and team development. It also came from watching people Joe has mentored go on to become respected leaders in their own right. Rather than writing another general leadership book, he wanted to document the process he uses to build the foundation beneath successful teams and organizations.Joe walks through the nine principles that shape the book:All of Life Is Sales: Influence and OpportunityStrategy with Purpose: Vision and the Non-Negotiables The Organizational Puzzle: Designing for Impact Business Powers the Mission: Stewardship, Sustainability, and Results Authentic Leadership: Vulnerability and Transparency The Empowerment Cycle: Mentorship, Trust, and Freedom Productive Conflict: Leading Through Change Failing Up: Realigning Your Path Forward Positioning Value: Advocacy, Branding, and Recognition Along the way, Joe shares why leaders must remain accountable to the organizations they serve, why business sustainability is what keeps the mission alive, and how mentorship, trust, freedom, and accountability work together. He also talks about learning from failure, handling change without losing the team, and making sure good work does not remain invisible.The book will include reflection questions and workshop materials that readers can use on their own or with their teams. It is written for current leaders, aspiring managers, project leaders, and anyone preparing to guide people through growth, change, or transformation."Producing Leaders" is scheduled for release on September 12, 2026, the eighth anniversary of the first Higher Ed AV Podcast episode, with pre-orders available in the next couple weeks. Joe also closes with a teaser... Listen to learn more.
- Jun 9, 202644 min
359: Building on Ashes with Tim Albright
In this episode of the Higher Ed AV Podcast, Joe Way welcomes longtime friend, industry leader, AVNation President, and now author Tim Albright for a deeply honest conversation about failure, resilience, and what it takes to build again. Tim’s new book, Building on Ashes, is not a technology manual or another AV industry playbook. It is a practical and personal framework for understanding failure, walking through the emotions that come with it, and finding what remains strong enough to become the foundation for the next chapter.Joe and Tim explore the vulnerability behind writing a book, the discipline it took to finish it, and the emotional weight of finally completing something that had been decades in the making. Tim shares how the process forced him to revisit personal and professional failures, confront unfinished grief, and discover lessons that could help others move forward with honesty instead of shame.The conversation also dives into the stages of failure, including anger, blame, reflection, and acceptance, and why failure often mirrors grief. Tim explains that when something fails, whether it is a business, relationship, career goal, or personal dream, we are grieving the loss of what we thought would be. But within that loss, there is almost always something left to learn from and build upon.Together, Joe and Tim discuss mentorship, community, personal discipline, failure audits, daily habits, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who will tell you the truth. They also reflect on how personal pain can become a source of service to others, and why none of us are as alone in our struggles as we think we are.The episode closes with Tim’s reminder that failure is not the end of the story. Everyone fails, everyone carries ashes from something that did not work out, and everyone has the opportunity to take a deep breath, look honestly at what remains, and build again.Purchase Building on Ashes: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Building-Ashes-Practical-Framework-Overcoming/dp/B0H2R9YQY9Connect with Tim Albright:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tdalbright/Twitter: https://www.x.com/tdalbrightWeb: https://timalbright.comConnect with Joe Way:Web: https://www.josiahway.comLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/josiahwayX (Formerly Twitter): https://www.x.com/josiahwayInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/josiahwayYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@josiahwayTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@josiahway
- Jun 8, 202640 min
358: #InfoComm26 Preview Episode
InfoComm 2026 is here, and there is more happening for the higher education technology community than ever before. In this special live episode of the Higher Ed AV Podcast, Joe Way joins the HETMA community to break down the events, conversations, networking opportunities, education sessions, and industry moments that higher ed professionals need to have on their radar throughout the week.From the HETMA Education Summit and Higher Ed AV Awards to booth activities, meetups, receptions, and can't-miss show floor highlights, this episode serves as your guide to navigating #InfoComm26 through a higher ed lens. Whether you are attending in person or following along from afar, Joe shares what matters most, where to be, and why this year's event represents a significant moment for the future of higher ed AV.Follow all the coverage and sign-up for events at: https://www.higheredav.com/infocom26
- Jun 2, 202659 min
357: Live from the HETMA Roadshow in Mechelen, Belgium
In this special live episode from the HETMA Roadshow in Mechelen, Belgium, Joe Way wraps up HETMA’s first European Roadshow with conversations from the show floor at Thomas More University of Applied Sciences. The episode captures the energy, lessons, and excitement of a milestone event that brought higher education AV professionals, university leaders, and manufacturer partners together to build community, share challenges, and explore the future of learning spaces in Europe.Joe opens the episode by reflecting on the success of the two-day Roadshow and the clear desire across the European higher ed AV community for more opportunities like this. While HETMA has built a proven Roadshow model in North America, this event showed that the same need for connection, collaboration, and shared problem-solving exists across Europe, even as the format must be adapted to fit regional culture, expectations, and community dynamics.The first conversation features Darta from Catchbox, who shares how Catchbox has grown beyond its iconic throwable microphone into a broader microphone and audio system for education spaces. She discusses the value of simple, teacher-friendly technology, including the Catchbox Cube, Clip microphone, handheld microphone, receiver, and built-in DSP capabilities. The conversation highlights how reducing complexity for instructors also reduces support tickets for AV teams.Joe then sits down with Tom from Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, one of the key leaders behind hosting the Roadshow. Tom reflects on the intentional design of the university’s newest building, explaining that technology should enhance learning rather than force teachers to adapt to technology. The discussion centers on purposeful design, student comfort, long-term thinking, and the impressive retractable LED wall that became one of the standout features of the campus tour.Next, Kenny from Thomas More joins the conversation to talk about the behind-the-scenes work required to make the event successful. He shares how the university’s AV team supports multiple campuses while maintaining a shared vision and strong internal trust. Kenny emphasizes that events like the Roadshow create the rare opportunity for peers to step away from their daily work, compare challenges, and learn directly from one another.Joe also speaks with Mia, Director of Infrastructure and Facilities at Thomas More, following her keynote on the university’s approach to educational infrastructure. She explains the guiding principles behind their learning spaces, including community, ease of learning, desire to learn, sustainability, and innovation. Her perspective reinforces one of the strongest themes of the episode: the best learning spaces begin with the student and teacher experience, not the technology.The episode continues with conversations from several manufacturer partners, including Sennheiser, Crestron, Biamp, and Extron. Across these conversations, recurring themes emerge around ease of use, stability, security, inclusiveness, audio quality, hybrid learning, room consistency, USB-C integration, standardization, and the importance of long-term manufacturer support. Each partner reflects on the value of being able to meet directly with higher education professionals in a community-centered environment rather than a traditional sales-first setting.A major theme throughout the episode is that higher education institutions across regions face many of the same challenges. Whether in North America or Europe, AV teams are working to create frictionless rooms, support hybrid and active learning, stretch technology investments over longer lifecycles, reduce support complexity, and make spaces more inclusive and sustainable. The Roadshow format gives these professionals a place to compare notes, share ideas, and build relationships that continue after the event ends.The episode closes with Joe reflecting on the overall success of the first European HETMA Roadshow. The conversations, campus tour, vendor showcase, keynote sessions, and networking moments all point toward a clear conclusion: the spark has been lit. The European higher ed AV community is ready for more connection, more collaboration, and more opportunities to come together through HETMA.Guests FeaturedDarta, CatchboxDiscusses Catchbox’s expanding microphone ecosystem, including the Cube, Clip microphone, handheld microphone, receiver, and built-in DSP.Tom, Thomas More University of Applied SciencesReflects on hosting the first European HETMA Roadshow and the intentional design of Thomas More’s newest learning spaces.Kenny, Thomas More University of Applied SciencesShares the behind-the-scenes perspective on organizing the event and the value of bringing peers together.Mia, Thomas More University of Applied SciencesExplains the educational infrastructure strategy behind Thomas More’s learning spaces, with a focus on student and teacher experience.Stefan, Sennheiser<b
- May 19, 202637 min
356: Pre-#InfoComm26 No Context Flash Pitches
This week on the Higher Ed AV Podcast, Joe Way tries something brand new: the first-ever No Context Flash Pitch. The concept is simple, chaotic, and exactly what makes the higher ed AV community so special. Guests jump on live, get two minutes, and can pitch anything they want. A product. A booth. A project. A tip. A warning. A reason to get excited for InfoComm. No prep. No polish. No sponsor package. Just real people, real energy, and real reasons to show up. What follows is a fast-paced, community-powered preview of InfoComm 2026, featuring manufacturers, HETMA partners, higher ed professionals, and longtime AV friends sharing what they are bringing to the show floor and why it matters for the higher education vertical. Bert Feldman, INOGENI Bert Feldman, U.S. Sales Director at INOGENI, kicks off the Flash Pitch format with a powerhouse overview of the company’s growing AV and UC portfolio. He previews INOGENI’s latest work around USB, USB-C, IP, multi-camera switching, BYOM, room system flexibility, and automated classroom capture workflows. The headline is CamTrack, INOGENI’s multi-camera automated switching solution designed to support active learning spaces, lecture capture rooms, hybrid classrooms, and flexible teaching environments. Bert also highlights INOGENI’s IP-to-USB converter, Dante-enabled workflows, the upcoming U-BRIDGE USB-C extender, and the award-winning TOGGLE series. For higher ed, the message is clear: INOGENI is helping campuses simplify the complicated spaces where cameras, microphones, computers, and collaboration platforms all need to work together without friction. John Palazinski, GUDE Systems John Palazinski from GUDE Systems brings the perfect mix of product preview, HETMA partnership, and show-floor energy. He talks about GUDE’s strong involvement with HETMA, including participation in the HETMA Approved evaluation program, and previews new products coming to InfoComm, including an updated AC/DC box, a new UPS box, and GUDE’s cloud software for managing power and connected devices. For higher ed institutions, John’s pitch is about more than power. It is about reliability, remote management, uptime, and giving AV teams better tools to support the rooms their campuses depend on every day. He also teases a special gift for HETMA members who stop by the booth, proving once again that swag and smart infrastructure can absolutely coexist. Renee Benson, Sony Renee Benson from Sony joins from the road and still manages to bring the heart of the episode into focus: relationships. Sony lists Renee Benson among its HETMA recognitions as “Best Vendor Rep,” and Sony’s InfoComm 2026 page lists booth C8301. Renee previews Sony’s InfoComm presence, including new BRAVIA displays, P-Series and S-Series solutions, LED offerings, and the opportunity for attendees to connect directly with Sony’s regional teams. Her segment is a reminder that technology is only part of the equation. In higher ed AV, trust matters. Relationships matter. Having vendor partners who understand the campus environment matters. Renee’s pitch captures exactly why the best vendor relationships feel less transactional and more like an extension of the community. Michael Gunderson, Highland Community College One of our most experienced HETMA members, Michael Gunderson, uses his two minutes to deliver a fantastic InfoComm survival guide for first-time attendees. The advice is practical gold: download the app, mark the vendors you want to see, study the floor layout, learn the numbering system, find the restrooms, locate the free food and water, and give yourself time to understand the show before trying to sprint through it. He also shouts out the HETMA booth, morning coffee, happy hours, peer networking, and the importance of making real connections. This segment turns into one of the most useful parts of the episode because it reminds everyone that InfoComm can be overwhelming, but it does not have to be. With the right plan and the right community, the biggest AV show in North America can feel a whole lot smaller. Brandy Johnson, PTZOptics Brandy Johnson from PTZOptics brings big energy and a bold preview of what the company is bringing to InfoComm. She talks about PTZOptics stepping into a new era as an employee-owned company, complete with new branding, new booth energy, and a stronger focus on complete video workflows. Her pitch centers on interoperability, partner ecosystems, and helping attendees experience how PTZOptics products work inside real AV environments. Brandy highlights the Link 4K, Dante AV-H workflows, hands-on test-drive stations, partner integrations with companies like NETGEAR and INOGENI, new 4K products, updated web GUI capabilities, and voice-tracking integrations. For higher ed, this is where PTZOptics shines. Brandy positions their solutions not just as cameras, but as part of a larger teaching, learning, streaming, and content creation ecosystem. It is about giving campuses flexible, scalable
- May 5, 202654 min
355: AVIXA CEO, David Labuskes, Kicks Off the Road to #InfoComm26
OverviewIn this annual InfoComm preview episode, Joe Way welcomes back David Labuskes, CEO of AVIXA, for what may be Dave’s final Higher Ed AV Podcast appearance before his retirement at the end of the year. Together, they discuss why InfoComm is more than a trade show, how end users and higher education continue to shape the future of AV, and why community-centered organizations like HETMA have become essential to the industry’s growth. The conversation also reflects on Dave’s leadership, the importance of intentional networking, and the legacy of leaving the industry better than he found it.Show NotesInfoComm season is here, and that means it is time for one of the Higher Ed AV Podcast’s favorite annual traditions: a conversation with Dave Labuskes, CEO of AVIXA. As the countdown begins to the industry’s biggest event, Joe and Dave preview what attendees can expect in Las Vegas, from new show floor activations to keynotes, education, networking, and the growing presence of the higher ed AV community.Dave shares how the role of the end user has evolved from attendee to central community member, noting that end users now represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the InfoComm audience. For higher education, that shift has created new opportunities for connection, advocacy, professional growth, and industry influence, especially through the continued growth of HETMA.The conversation also explores why InfoComm works because it is owned and produced by AVIXA, an association whose mission is rooted in advancing the AV profession rather than simply producing a profitable event. Dave explains that when the show’s purpose is tied to the health of the industry, it becomes a platform for standards, education, community, and the future direction of AV itself.Joe and Dave also talk through practical advice for first-time and returning attendees. Dave encourages listeners to be intentional, define what success looks like before arriving, schedule key meetings, attend community events, and leave room for serendipity. Whether someone is looking for peers, mentors, manufacturer training, education sessions, or new technology discoveries, the key is having a plan while staying open to the unexpected.The episode closes with a heartfelt reflection on Dave’s career, his favorite memories from leading AVIXA, the emotional significance of InfoComm after the pandemic, and what he hopes his legacy will be. His answer is simple and powerful: leave it better than you found it.Key TakeawaysInfoComm is not just a trade show. It is an industry event where community, education, commerce, and leadership come together to shape the future of AV.End users, including those in higher education, are no longer just attendees. They are a vital part of the AV community and one of the most important voices in the direction of the industry.HETMA’s growth represents the power of building a “community within the community,” giving higher ed AV professionals a place to connect, grow, advocate, and lead.Attendees should make a plan before arriving at InfoComm. Define your goals, schedule key conversations, identify sessions and exhibitors, and know what success looks like before the week begins.At the same time, leave room for discovery. Some of the most valuable moments happen in unscheduled conversations, smaller booths, community gatherings, and unexpected encounters.Dave’s leadership philosophy centers on mission, community, courage, trust, heart, and leaving the organization better than he found it.Mentioned in This EpisodeAVIXAInfoCommHETMAHigher Ed AV AwardsEducation SummitAVIXA Women’s BreakfastThe PitchAI-powered collaborationModern workplace technologyHETMA booth and community programmingPrism ScholarshipSCN Hall of FameGuestDave LabuskesCEO, AVIXAdlabuskes@avixa.orghttps://www.infocommshow.orghttps://www.avixa.orgHostJoe WayHigher Ed AV Podcastjoe@josiahway.comCalls to ActionRegister for InfoComm and use code HETMA for a free show pass.Use code HETMA for member pricing on the Education Summit.Attend the Higher Ed AV Awards at higheredavawards.com.Learn more about AVIXA at avixa.org.
- Apr 15, 202651 min
354: Special Episode: Shure Webinar: "Trusted by Professionals; Engineered for Everyone"
In this special Higher Ed AV Podcast live stream, Joe Way is joined by Shure’s Yuri and Ryan for an in-depth look at the new SLXD+ wireless platform and what it means for higher education AV teams. Broadcasting with HETMA and packed with live audience questions, this episode explores how Shure has expanded SLXD+ into a more powerful, enterprise-ready option for classrooms, lecture halls, event spaces, and campus-wide deployments.Yuri breaks down the biggest upgrades to SLXD+, including wideband tuning, ShowLink Ease transmitter control, Dante-enabled quad receivers, digital feedback reduction, encryption, audio summing, and expanded cascading capabilities. The conversation also tackles real-world higher ed concerns such as compatibility with legacy SLXD gear, Q-SYS integration, rechargeable transmitter options, wireless range expectations, firmware updates, and how SLXD+ compares with ULXD in larger campus environments.This episode stands out because it is not just a product overview. It is a practical discussion about workflow, scalability, flexibility, and support for institutions that need reliable wireless systems without unnecessary complexity. The live Q&A format also gives listeners a direct look at the kinds of questions higher ed technology leaders are asking right now as they evaluate next-generation classroom and event audio solutions.What you will hear in this episode:An introduction to Shure SLXD+ and why it is a major leap forward from the original SLXDHow wideband tuning simplifies deployment and inventory managementWhat ShowLink Ease does and how it enables remote transmitter controlHow automatic frequency mitigation works during interference eventsNew DSP capabilities including feedback reduction and audio summingDante support and cascading improvements for larger multi-channel environmentsCompatibility with existing SLXD systems and third-party control platformsPractical insight into where SLXD+ fits in higher ed compared to ULXDAudience questions about range, battery reporting, demo opportunities, and moreA reminder that higher ed AV is increasingly thinking at an enterprise scale, and manufacturers are responding accordinglyGuests:Yuri Lysoivanov, Senior Solutions Engineer at ShureRyan Budvitis, Senior Solutions Engineer at Shure and liaison to HETMAWhy listen:If you are responsible for classroom technology, live events, campus wireless strategy, or AV standardization, this episode offers a timely look at a product line designed to make professional wireless easier to deploy, manage, and scale across higher education environments.Connect with Shure:Ryan Budvitis: budvitr@shure.comShure Online: https://www.shure.comGeer Tech Online: https://www.geertech.netSLXD+ Info:: https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/wireless-systems/slxd-plus?variant=SLX-D%252B
About Higher Ed AV Podcast with Joe Way
Podcast dedicated to building the AV/IT tech manager community in higher education through discussions on classroom technology and audiovisual support.
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