# Residential Tech Talks Residential Tech Talks is an informative and inspired 15-20 minute discussion with innovators in residential technology. From integrators to inventors, lighting specialists to architects, and masters of AV, we feature only the most inspiring people impacting the space. As media partners with CEDIA and other industry-leading events, Residential Tech Talks brings you deeper into the world of automation and integration. The podcast is produced by the team behind the award-winning publication… Page: Feed: --- ## [Episode 225: ABB Aims to Innovate and Inform Around Electrification in our Homes](https://wordpress-1434152-5631976.cloudwaysapps.com/captivate-podcast/episode-225-abb-aims-to-innovate-and-educate) _2025-12-22_ Following up on a recent trip out to Phoenix for an up-close look at the ABB-NASCAR partnership, we sat down with a different division within the ABB umbrella to talk about the implications of electrification. Adam Mease, ABB's Business Line Leader for Electrical Distribution in the Smart Buildings Division, shares how the company is rapidly innovating to meet the power needs of the modern home,… [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/fdec2917-8cc1-4cde-9fc3-6a13a2513b4f.mp3) ## [Episode 224: Deako Founder Deep Dives Into What Makes Their Brand and Smart Switches Different](https://wordpress-1434152-5631976.cloudwaysapps.com/captivate-podcast/episode-224) _2025-12-16_ For the last decade, Deako has aimed to provide the best smart home experiences to homebuyers nationwide by ensuring accessible and customizable smart home lighting solutions for everyone. Their innovative product has, in a way, reshaped how homeowners can adopt and maintain smart control solutions. To get a better understanding of the product and the brand, we sat down with founder and CEO Derek… [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/8e410359-8d96-458c-868e-b199fe62ca4f.mp3) ## [Episode 223: Matt Bernath Shares Some of the Challenges CIs Face in Getting Over the Growth Hump](https://wordpress-1434152-5631976.cloudwaysapps.com/captivate-podcast/episode-223-matt-bernath-shares-some-of-the-challenges-cis-face-in-getting-over-the-growth-hump) _2025-12-09_ There is no one-size-fits-all method to building and growing a successfull custom integration business. That said, from what Matt Bernath, President of Vital, has seen in his years of working with and coaching CIs, there are many similarities between a company stuck in that $1-2 million range, and those that have gotten over the hump and scaled their business. At CEDIA Expo, Vital was our booth… [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/4bbf06f5-37cd-4244-b1ff-56ae38d948b2.mp3) ## [Episode 222: Wisdom Audio Recounts a Strong CEDIA Expo Showing](https://wordpress-1434152-5631976.cloudwaysapps.com/captivate-podcast/episode-222-wisdom-audio-recounts-a-strong-cedia-expo-showing) _2025-12-02_ This past CEDIA Expo in Denver was one of the more active Expo's in recent memory for the team at Wisdom Audio. During the show, we sat down with Joe Walters, the eastern regional sales manager for their team, to talk about some of the new launches, their American-made approach, and much more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFjBN8o1kJo [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/7f589406-4e6f-4736-884c-d24c8e10147e.mp3) ## [Episode 221: Chatting with Somfy’s MaryEllen Oswald, the Guest Publisher for RTT’s Latest Issue](https://wordpress-1434152-5631976.cloudwaysapps.com/captivate-podcast/episode-221-chatting-with-somfys-maryellen-oswald-the-guest-publisher-for-rtts-latest-issue) _2025-11-25_ When we were pulling together our Women of Influence issue of RTT magazine, we knew that there was only one individual best-suited to help expertly craft the content alongside our team. With her background in the publishing business and her innate ability to pull the perfect story out of anyone she sits down with, MaryEllen Oswald was hands-down the best choice to step into this role and offer her… [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/5f27a3a9-57be-49f3-8e75-a6a946155409.mp3) ## [Episode 220: It's the Culture at Just Video Walls that Makes Them Different from the Rest](https://wordpress-1434152-5631976.cloudwaysapps.com/captivate-podcast/episode-220) _2025-11-18_ Skyler Meek and the rest of the team at Just Video Walls are just a bunch of former integrators looking to make life a little easier for their custom installation brethren. Their approach and their style results in a winning culture that impacts everything from their bottom line to the relationships that they forge and grow with their partners. [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/a2b015e0-648f-433e-874e-0570547f38ca.mp3) ## [Episode 219: Portal Takes a Look at Trends in CI and How They Leverage Data to Better Understand the Market](https://wordpress-1434152-5631976.cloudwaysapps.com/captivate-podcast/episode-219-portal-t) _2025-11-04_ It feels cliche to say, but data truly is king no matter the industry you're talking about. Having strong data can help you forecast how a particular market will evolve, allowing you to position yourself for success in the future. That's exactly why the team at Portal has placed such an emphasis on gathering the best data possible and leveraging it to make decisions that will positively impact… [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/d67fc0ae-cbaa-49ba-9ebc-04f58f4a86e4.mp3) ## [Episode 218: 8K Association & IMAX Dive Into the World of Content and Advanced Displays](https://wordpress-1434152-5631976.cloudwaysapps.com/captivate-podcast/episode-218-8k-association-imax-dive-into-the-world-of-content-and-advanced-displays) _2025-10-28_ There are so many nuances and rabbit holes that you can explore when at a show like CEDIA Expo—from the high-end audio world, to video walls, lighting and shading, to media servers and more. One of the hottest topics in recent years has been the methodical rollout of 8K displays and 8K content. While in Denver for the show, we sat down with representatives from the 8K Association and IMAX to talk… [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/481141f3-3794-4c91-8a4d-1c4482af69ab.mp3) ## [Episode 217: Elite Screens Chats About Advancements in Screen Technology at CEDIA Expo 2025](https://wordpress-1434152-5631976.cloudwaysapps.com/captivate-podcast/episode-217-e) _2025-10-21_ After they got done helping us properly install the short throw projection screen that served as the backdrop for our podcast setup at CEDIA Expo, Elite Screens sat down with us for a podcast. During the chat, we dive into the latest advancements in screen technology, what's new with their brand, trends they're following, and more. [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/408eb607-c3d1-4f59-be7e-7b6c4f3d166f.mp3) ## [Accept your Doppler invite (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/TJhKhz3tAEQA) _2025-10-21 · **Sponsored**_ Create your Doppler account using the invite code you received. ## [Episode 216: Powerhouse Alliance Keeps Their Finger on the Pulse of the CI Channel](https://wordpress-1434152-5631976.cloudwaysapps.com/captivate-podcast/episode-216-powerhouse-alliance-keeps-their-finger-on-the-pulse-of-the-ci-channel) _2025-10-14_ Distribution companies sit at a unique intersection of the industries they represent. They see the comings and goings of product, which, when tracked and analyzed properly, allow them to understand which categories, SKUs, etc., are performing best—ergo, they are uniquely qualified to share valuable insights on the ebbs and flows within their particular space. That's why we like to keep close tabs… [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/c98b25e2-ece4-4359-9859-958d20148c37.mp3)