Inside Buzz is an on-the-ground podcast and video interview series, recorded live from the show floor at CEDIA Expo/CIX 2025. Hosted inside the VW ID. Buzz podcast van in the lobby of the Colorado Convention Center, the series captures candid, show-floor conversations with the people actively shaping the custom integration industry.
This landing page serves as the central hub for Inside Buzz coverage, bringing together more than four months of episodes published from the CEDIA Expo/CIX 2025 show floor. As interviews were released individually over time, this page consolidates the full series into a single destination on CE Pro. Additional episodes and audio versions will continue to be added as the remaining conversations are published, making this an evolving resource for the complete Inside Buzz experience.
Across 12 episodes and counting, Inside Buzz explores how integrators, manufacturers, and industry leaders are navigating a market increasingly defined by design collaboration, workforce development, power and energy strategy, AI, and the continued professionalization of custom integration.
Rather than focusing on product announcements, the series emphasizes perspective. Each episode highlights how companies are thinking about growth, education, leadership, and long-term opportunity in a changing and more demanding market.
What You’ll Hear in This Series
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Design-led integration and deeper collaboration with architects and designers
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Lighting education and showroom strategies that help close the knowledge gap
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Power quality, resilience, and why energy is becoming foundational to smart homes
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Leadership, talent development, and scaling integration businesses
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AI, workflow tools, and the evolving role of the integrator
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Industry momentum, community, and what comes next for the channel
Each episode is available as a full video interview, with audio podcast versions available for listening on the go.
Featured Conversations
Inside Buzz Ep. 12: Eric Nakkila of Selective Design on European Design & Integrator Collaboration
Recorded at CEDIA Expo/CIX 2025, this episode explores the growing influence of European design principles on custom integration projects. Eric Nakkila of Selective Design discusses how deeper collaboration between integrators, architects, and designers is reshaping expectations around aesthetics, planning, and project execution.
Inside Buzz Ep. 11: Ruslan Polinovsky of DMF Lighting on Closing the Education Gap
DMF Lighting’s Ruslan Polinovsky discusses the persistent education gap between designers and integrators and why lighting showrooms are becoming critical collaboration tools. The conversation focuses on shared language, experiential learning, and improving outcomes across the design-build process.
Inside Buzz Ep. 10: Hagan Kappler of Daisy on Leadership, Talent & Scale
Daisy CEO Hagan Kappler reflects on leadership, workforce development, and the challenges of building a national integration brand. The discussion offers perspective on hiring, culture, and maintaining quality as integration firms grow.
Inside Buzz Ep. 9: Joe Piccirilli of RoseWater Energy on Smart Home Power Failures
RoseWater Energy CEO Joe Piccirilli explains why power quality and energy resilience are becoming foundational to modern smart homes. The conversation addresses common failure points, grid instability, and why integrators must rethink power as infrastructure, not an accessory.
Inside Buzz Ep. 8: Caitlin Stewart of Leon Speakers on Design-First Integration
Leon Speakers’ Caitlin Stewart discusses the increasing influence of design-forward thinking in custom integration. The episode explores how aesthetics, customization, and early collaboration are reshaping how technology is specified and sold.
Inside Buzz Ep. 7: Andrei Matei of Robbox Tools on Reinventing the Modern Toolbox
This episode examines how tools, workflow, and jobsite efficiency are evolving for today’s integrator. Robbox Tools‘ Andrei Matei shares how hands-on demos and smarter tool design can directly impact installation quality and productivity.
Inside Buzz Ep. 6: A Conversation with CEDIA CEO Daryl Friedman
CEDIA Global CEO Daryl Friedman reflects on industry momentum, emerging challenges, and where the channel is headed next. The conversation provides a big-picture view of technology trends, professional development, and the role of community in shaping the future of integration.
Inside Buzz Ep. 5: Shawn Hansson of Logic Integration on Resimercial Opportunities & AI
Logic Integration CEO Shawn Hansson discusses diversification, resimercial projects, and the growing role of AI in custom integration. The episode highlights how integrators are expanding beyond traditional residential work while maintaining high service standards.
Inside Buzz Ep. 4: Michael Restrepo on Passion, Mentorship & Industry Culture
Michael Restrepo shares a personal perspective on mentorship, multigenerational technology needs, and the importance of community within custom integration. The conversation emphasizes passion, longevity, and why culture still matters in a maturing industry.
Inside Buzz Ep. 3: Rushi Kumar of DMF Lighting on AI & Human-Centered Design
DMF Lighting VP of Engineering Rushi Kumar discusses how AI and engineering intersect with human-centered design. The episode explores balancing technical innovation with real-world usability and long-term performance.
Inside Buzz Ep. 2: Jim Garrett of Harman Luxury Audio on Audio Design & Outdoor Living
Recorded inside the VW ID. Buzz podcast van, Harman’s Jim Garrett reflects on the evolution of audio design and the growth of outdoor living environments. The conversation connects integrator feedback with product development and design priorities.
Inside Buzz Ep. 1: Buzz Delano on the Next Era of Smart Tech Integration
Kicking off the series, Buzz Delano outlines a vision for integrator-focused education, best practices, and industry collaboration. The episode sets the tone for Inside Buzz, framing the conversations that follow around professionalism, growth, and long-term opportunity.
