LytePod

What happens when a lighting designer with four decades of experience sits down and reveals the uncomfortable truth about what creative professionals get wrong about money—and why that misunderstanding quietly undermines everything else they're trying to build? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with Charles Stone, Past President of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), for a rare, unfiltered conversation about the business of design—the part nobody teaches in school, the part most designers avoid until it's too late, and the part that determines whether a practice thrives or quietly fades away. Money. Getting Paid. He walks through the uncomfortable truths: why young designers don't read contracts, why scope creep happens when no one defines what's actually included, why monitors pay for themselves in six months, and why the client who says "we'll pay you next time" is asking you to do them a favor you can't accept yet. 💡 Key topics explored: • Why designers don't think about money when they're focused on making it beautiful—and why that's the root of the problem • The phrase "for the good of the project" and why it's a virus that spreads from clients into design offices • Why young designers must read contracts—and how that simple act changes everything about how they work • The difference between work product and what clients are actually buying: magic, the wow moment, the thing they couldn't get without you • Why scope creep is more dangerous than perfectionism—and how to protect yourself without killing the design • The importance of identifying risk early: in design decisions, personnel, liability, and client relationships • Why monitors pay for themselves in six months—and what that teaches you about investing in your business • How to rationalize the design process without losing creativity—and why showing a client three options means all three must work Whether you're a young designer wondering how to balance creativity and commerce, a firm leader trying to build something sustainable, or anyone curious about what it really takes to run a design practice that lasts—this conversation offers a rare, honest look at the business wisdom that separates thriving practices from struggling ones. Listen now to discover why great design isn't enough—you have to understand money, risk, and the courage to protect what you've built. ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Mark Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/mark 2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix 3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX 4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode 5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: We're Not Thinking About the Money, We're Trying to Make It Beautiful 00:00:59 Sponsor Spotlight: Mark Architectural Linear 00:02:10 Do You Like to Get Paid? The Business Reality of Design 00:03:32 For the Good of the Project: When Creativity Becomes a Liability 00:05:32 Where It Comes From: Learning Business from Family and Paul Morance 00:09:56 Read the Contract: The Non-Negotiable Rule 00:14:47 What Are They Actually Paying You For? Selling Magic, Not Deliverables 00:16:54 The Value of Experience: 10,000 Hours Before Your First Hundred 00:18:32 Jumping the Shark: When Competitors Raise Their Prices Because You're Bidding 00:20:17 The Spectrum of Clients: From Lighting Experts to Complete Novices 00:21:27 Sponsor Spotlight: Kelvix, LED Flex, and Diode LED 00:23:46 The Video That Changed Everything: FU Pay Me 00:25:14 Writing the Clauses: How Charles's Contract Language Spread Industry-Wide 00:26:29 Walking Away: When Risk Outweighs the Client Relationship 00:28:41 Risk Analysis: Balancing Persistence with Protection 00:35:31 The Dumbest Thing: Not Spending Money Properly 00:38:08 Risk Management at the Desk: Teaching Young Designers to Focus 00:40:27 Rationalize the Process or You Can't Make Money 00:34:00 Sponsor Spotlight: Targetti USA 00:43:06 Closing: Take Some Risk, Be Persistent

What happens when two lighting designers and two manufacturers sit down in the same room and get brutally honest about spec swaps, value engineering, custom details, and what really breaks when a project goes sideways on site? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel brings together voices from London, Florence, and Dubai for a rare, unfiltered conversation about the real friction points between design intent and manufacturing reality. This isn't a polished panel discussion. It's a candid, deeply human look at what it takes to collaborate across continents, timelines, and expectations when the pressure is on, the budget is tight, and the client still expects magic. They reveal why light quality is the designer's non-negotiable, why hiding complexity through simplicity is the hardest detail to execute, and why the best measure of success isn't the rendering or the spec sheet—it's whether the project still looks good two years later and whether the team can still call each other when something goes wrong. They walk through the uncomfortable truths: why there's no magic shelf where everything sits waiting to ship, why manufacturers become true partners only when they stop thinking in catalog codes, and why the sooner designers and manufacturers start talking, the better the final result will be. Whether you're a designer wondering how to collaborate more effectively with manufacturers, a manufacturer trying to understand what designers really need, or anyone curious about what it takes to turn creative vision into built reality—this conversation offers a rare, honest look at the tension, trust, and teamwork required to make great lighting projects happen. Listen now to discover why great lighting isn't about perfection—it's about partnership, communication, and showing up when it matters most. ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Mark Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/mark 2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix 3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX 4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode 5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: The Reality of Spec Swaps and Value Engineering 00:01:43 Sponsor Spotlight: Mark Architectural Linear 00:02:52 Starting with Light Quality: The Designer's Non-Negotiable 00:08:35 The Hardest Detail: Hiding Complexity Through Simplicity 00:14:28 Manufacturing Reality: Why There's No Magic Shelf 00:20:48 Partnership Over Catalog: When Manufacturers Become Collaborators 00:28:29 Sponsor Spotlight: LED Flex, Diode LED, and Kelvix 00:30:51 Custom vs. Standard: Balancing Innovation and Maintenance 00:35:38 Physics is Physics: Navigating Technical Constraints with Creativity 00:48:24 Sponsor Spotlight: Targetti USA 00:49:13 Biggest Frustrations: Time, Response, and Communication 00:54:07 Installation Reality: When Projects Go Wrong on Site 00:59:00 Closing: It's About People, Not Places

What does it take to build a culture that outlives the people who shaped it? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with Carrie Hawley and Teal Brogden, co-leaders of HLB Lighting Design — one of the world's most influential architectural lighting design firms — to unpack the business of building, scaling, and leading a design firm that's built to last. This is a candid, deeply human conversation about firm culture, shared leadership, mentorship, and what it really means to lead with the intention of putting yourself out of a job. Carrie and Teal walk through the 10-year planning cycles that guide HLB's evolution, the quarterly mentoring rhythms that develop the next generation of lighting leaders, and why growth is intentional but always people-focused. 💡 Key topics: - How culture is built through daily actions — not slogans — and what that means for hiring, leadership, and strategic planning - Why shared leadership requires vulnerability over control, and meeting in person to facilitate advances (not retreats) - HLB's 10-year planning cycles — and why every career stage shapes the firm's future - Growth plans vs. professional success plans — and why soft skills outweigh technical ones at the senior level - Quarterly mentoring check-ins that replace traditional annual reviews - Why every micro team inside HLB has its own mission statement - Radical candor, crucial conversations, and approaching conflict with curiosity - Why the goal of leadership is to put yourself out of a job Whether you're a design firm principal, a young designer figuring out where you fit, or a lighting professional thinking about the business of lighting design — this conversation offers a rare, honest look at the intentionality and humility required to build a firm that lasts. 🎙️ Listen now to learn why great leadership isn't about control — it's about creating space for others to lead. learn more: https://hlblighting.com/ ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Eureka Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/EurekaRabbitHole 2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix 3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX 4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode 5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Does the Company Shape Us or Do We Shape the Company? 00:01:37 Sponsor Spotlight 00:02:47 Culture of Learning: Growth is Intentional and People-Focused 00:04:08 Legacy by Choice: Building Beyond Ourselves 00:07:29 Navigating the Hard Stuff: Communication and Conflict 00:12:49 Specialists and Expertise: Elevating the Entire Team 00:15:00 The North Star: Pursuing Design Excellence Globally 00:19:31 Strategic Planning: 10-Year Cycles and Inclusive Voices 00:23:16 Sponsor Spotlight: Kelvix, Lead Flex, and Diode LED 00:25:33 Empowerment Through Consensus: Not Command and Control 00:27:56 Radical Candor and Crucial Conversations 00:30:45 Sponsor Spotlight: Tarjeti USA 00:31:33 Rhythms of Connection: Mentoring, Growth Plans, and Town Halls 00:37:37 Boutique Studios Within a Whole: Strength in Diversity

The IALD Enlighten America's conference filled up the keynote hall - 200+ lighting designers were on edge, as soon as the conversation was over, we recorded this podcast. Sam Koerbel sits down with Emad and Ketty, two lighting designers navigating the seismic shift that artificial intelligence is bringing to the design world. This isn't a conversation about hype or fear. It's a candid, deeply human look at what it means to build a creative practice in an era where machines can render, automate, and optimize—but still can't feel a space, connect with a client, or know what it's like to walk into a project and watch people experience something you helped create. They reveal why AI is a tool, not a replacement, why critical thinking is at risk if we rely too heavily on automation, and why the best measure of success isn't how fast you can generate a rendering—it's whether you've preserved the human connection, intuition, and emotional intelligence that make great design possible. They walk through the uncomfortable truths: how much of your project fee is actually spent being creative (10 to 15 percent), how AI might push fees down unless designers learn to charge for value instead of time. • Why AI is a tool that amplifies creativity—and why the human experience behind design can never be replaced • How critical thinking is at risk when designers rely too heavily on automation—and what that means for the next generation • The uncomfortable truth: only 10 to 15 percent of project fees are spent on actual creative thinking—the rest is execution • Why AI might push design fees down unless the industry learns to charge for value instead of time • How AI can help designers communicate better, iterate faster, and visualize ideas—but why it can't replace the human connection that drives great projects • The importance of AI policies in design firms—and why only 5 percent of firms have them despite widespread use • Why software companies are using your design data to train AI models—and what that means for intellectual property and control • The risk that AI-native generations will think differently than we do—and why today's designers need to adapt without losing their edge • Why lighting designers need to redefine their value proposition—and why advocacy from the broader design community is critical • The future of design: faster tools, better visualization, and the constant need to preserve human intuition, empathy, and connection Whether you're a designer wondering how AI will change your workflow, a firm leader trying to figure out what comes next, or anyone curious about what it means to stay human in an increasingly automated world—this conversation offers a rare, honest look at the opportunities, risks, and responsibilities that come with designing in the age of artificial intelligence. Listen now to discover why AI won't replace designers—but designers who use AI will replace those who don't. ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Eureka Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/EurekaRabbitHole 2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix 3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX 4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode 5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Human Experience vs. Machine Intelligence 00:01:36 Sponsor Spotlight 00:02:43 The AI Energy Crisis: What We're Not Talking About 00:03:36 Cautionary Tales: Protecting Design Integrity 00:05:38 AI Can't Feel: Why Creativity Remains Human 00:06:50 The 15% Problem: Where Design Time Actually Goes 00:09:16 Raising the Bar 00:14:41 The Thinking Problem: 00:26:16 Sponsor Spotlight: Kelvix, LED Flex, Diode LED 00:18:00 The Fee Dilemma= 00:19:46 The Revit Comparison: Why Efficiency Doesn't Lower Costs 00:22:01 Who's Really Driving AI 00:44:50 The Data You're Giving Away: Who Owns Your Work? 00:32:25 Adoption Readiness: Does Your Firm Have an AI Policy? 00:31:03 The Intuition Advantage: What Machines Can't Replicate 00:47:57 Mentorship in the AI Age: Help or Hurt? 00:50:55 The Communication Breakthrough: AI as Translator 00:55:19 Closing Thoughts: Navigating the Storm

What happens when you sit down with an interior designer who's spent years shaping the energy of some of the country's most ambitious sports venues—and ask her how light transforms hospitality into emotion? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel travels to Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego to sit down with Edith Ponciano, an elite interior designer whose work has redefined what it means to experience a sports venue. From Collegiat to NFL and multi-use stadiums nationwide - she talks about how the gameday experience is being redefined. It's a deep dive into the philosophy, process, and creative tension that transforms a stadium from a place to watch a game into a destination where people feel something the moment they walk in. Recorded on location at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, CA, this conversation reveals why lighting isn't just an element of design—it's the emotional foundation that makes hospitality work. Edith reveals why sports venues should feel like hotels, why lighting creates energy, not just illumination, and why the most successful spaces blur the line between architecture, interiors, and atmosphere. This conversation goes deeper. It's about the tension between creating beauty and creating energy, the challenge of selling something people feel but don't see, and why the most rewarding moment isn't the rendering or the approval—it's walking into the space on opening day and watching 35,000 people experience something you helped create. Edith shares why she loves working on sports venues despite not being a sports fan, why collaboration matters more than ownership, and why lighting designers need stronger advocacy from the design community if the profession is going to grow. 💡 Key topics explored: • Why sports venues should feel like hospitality spaces—and how that mindset reshapes design decisions • How lighting creates energy versus experience—and why that distinction matters in different spaces • The three-tier budget structure for sports venues—and how lighting gets allocated across public, club, and premium spaces • Why decorative lighting often takes priority over architectural lighting—and when that needs to change • How to collaborate with lighting consultants early enough to influence the design—not just execute it • Why renderings lock expectations—and how to build flexibility into the visualization process • The challenge of selling lighting as a luxury when it's not a statement piece—and why it's 25 to 50 percent of what makes a space work • How to navigate value engineering without destroying the design intent • Why integrated architectural lighting details matter more than product selection—and how to fight for them • The importance of bringing lighting designers into the process during schematic design—not after documentation starts • Why lighting designers need stronger advocacy from interior designers, architects, and the broader design community • What makes opening day the most rewarding moment—and why validation comes from people experiencing the space, not approving the rendering Whether you're a designer wondering how to collaborate more effectively with lighting consultants, a lighting professional trying to understand how interior designers think, or anyone curious about what it takes to create spaces that make people feel something without knowing why—this conversation offers a rare, honest look at the intersection of hospitality, sports, and the emotional power of light. Listen now to discover why lighting isn't just part of the design—it's the energy that makes everything else work. ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Eureka Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/EurekaRabbitHole 2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix 3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX 4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode 5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Sports Venues as Hospitality 00:02:03 Sponsor Spotlight 00:03:12 Welcome to Snapdragon Stadium: Culture Meets Design 00:04:36 Blurring the Lines: Indoor-Outdoor Stadium Experience 00:09:23 The Role of Lighting in Creating Energy vs. Experience 00:10:31 Architectural vs. Decorative Lighting: Finding the Balance 00:19:51 Budget Breakdowns and the Value of Lighting 00:26:45 Working with Lighting Consultants: Collaboration from Day One 00:36:53 Before We Continue: Sponsor Spotlight 00:48:25 The Chair Swap: Lighting Designer Answers Designer Questions 01:00:26 Looking Ahead: Tennessee Titans Stadium and the Future

What happens when you sit down with someone who's built one of the world's most successful lighting design practices—and ask him what it really takes to turn creativity into a sustainable business without losing the soul of the work? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with Paul Miles, founder of a global lighting design practice spanning nine studios across four continents, to unpack the philosophy, pressure, and people-first thinking that transformed a passion for connecting people in space into a thriving international firm. This isn't a conversation about business strategy or portfolio highlights. It's a candid, deeply human look at what it means to build something meaningful in a creative industry—why empathy is the foundation of every great design, why clients get the projects they deserve, and why the hardest part of running a design practice isn't the work itself, it's balancing the desire to obsess over every detail with the reality that fees are tight, timelines are brutal, and you still have to keep the lights on. Paul reveals why design starts with people, not products, why interrogating the brief matters more than jumping straight into fixtures, and why the best lighting design often means keeping it simple—even when your instinct is to over-design. He walks through the uncomfortable truth that designers are often undervaluing their experience, the challenge of selling creativity in a world that wants everything quantified, and why sometimes you just have to give the client 450 lux because that's what they need. But he also shares the joy that keeps him coming back: that moment when you walk onto a project, turn off all the lights, and slowly bring each circuit to life—breathing soul into a space and watching people respond without even knowing why. 💡 Key topics explored: • Why empathy is the foundation of great design—and how understanding people shapes every decision • The importance of interrogating the client's brief and asking why before jumping into what or how • How to balance creative obsession with commercial reality—and why that tension never goes away • Why designers massively undervalue their experience—and the challenge of pricing decades of knowledge into a two-day project • The myth that lighting design has to be complicated—and why simplicity is often the right answer • How to push back on unrealistic briefs and disconnected scopes—and why it takes courage to do it • The reality of building a global practice: empowering teams, stepping back as a founder, and watching others shine • Why clients get the projects they deserve—and what separates award-winning work from checkbox design • The danger of designing by numbers—and why the industry needs to remember that lighting is about feeling, not just metrics • How AI is starting to challenge creativity in ways that are both exciting and terrifying • Why the lighting industry needs better representation, professionalization, and evangelism—and what's holding it back • The privilege of working at the crossroads of creativity, technology, sociology, psychology, and ecology ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Gotham Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/gotham 2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix 3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX 4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode 5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Design Is About People 00:01:22 Sponsor Spotlight 00:02:58 The Why Behind Every Design 00:08:33 The Business vs. The Craft: Balancing Creativity and Commerce 00:12:44 Selling the Toolbox: How to Value Design Experience 00:14:09 The Industry's Education Problem 00:15:22 Knock Knock: Making Lighting Design Essential 00:16:09 The Middle East Market: Opportunity and Pressure 00:32:09 Clients Get the Projects They Deserve 00:29:45 Before We Continue: Sponsor Spotlight 00:35:27 The AI Test: When Technology Challenges Creativity 00:36:32 What Challenges Design Most Right Now 00:39:54 The External Pressures: Sustainability, Neurodiversity, and Design by Numbers 00:39:03 Sponsor Spotlight: Tarjeti USA 00:44:17 Keep Playing With Light 00:48:13 People Are the Purpose 00:50:22 Closing Thoughts: Professionalizing the Industry

What happens when you sit down with a lighting designer who's spent decades crafting immersive luxury experiences across the Middle East—and ask him what it really takes to turn a journey into an emotion? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel travels to Dubai to sit down with Paul Miles, a veteran lighting designer who has shaped some of the region's most ambitious hospitality projects—from desert resorts where car headlights announce arrivals 15 minutes away, to the monumental facade of Atlantis The Royal, to restaurants where the threshold experience matters as much as the destination itself. This isn't a conversation about fixtures or specifications—it's a deep dive into the philosophy, process, and pressure of designing light that doesn't just illuminate, but immerses. Paul reveals why luxury is different for every client, why the journey matters more than the photo, and why the best lighting design happens when you deliberately don't design around existing products. He walks through the 12-month process of developing a single facade detail, the crude cardboard models built in-office to sell falling leaf effects, and why sometimes you have to convince a client to let you design the back-of-house with the same care as the front lobby—because their staff matters as much as their guests. 💡 Key topics explored: • How luxury is defined differently for every client, brand, and geographical context • Why immersive design isn't about spectacle—it's about making people feel comfortable while subconsciously guiding them through space • The critical importance of walking the guest journey before designing a single fixture • How collaboration with architects, interior designers, and landscape designers unlocks 100% success—and why lighting can only achieve 30% alone • Why Paul's team deliberately avoids designing around existing products—and the creative innovation that forces • How crude office models made from foam board and foil help sell complex lighting concepts • Why tight budgets demand double creativity—and why back-of-house design can be just as rewarding as front-of-house luxury • The balance between design perfection and construction reality—and why flexibility is essential in fast-track projects • Why the best measure of success isn't the rendering—it's the expressions on people's faces when the space is lived in ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Gotham Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/gotham 2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix 3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX 4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode 5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: The Power of Collaboration 00:02:06 Sponsor Spotlight 00:03:27 Welcome to Dubai: Defining Luxury Through Light 00:06:50 The Journey: Designing Immersive Guest Experiences 00:15:01 Creativity Beyond Budget: Innovation with Constraints 00:15:15 The 12-Month Process: Atlantis Royal Facade 00:18:10 Sponsor Spotlight: Leadflex, Diode LED, Kelvix 00:20:37 Desert Immersion: Challenging Standards for Context 00:14:13 Probing the Journey: Research, Site Visits, and Discovery 00:29:31 Sponsor Spotlight: Tarjeti USA 00:31:02 Flexibility and Reality: Making It Work On Site 00:33:22 The Pressure and the Process: Trusting the Design Phases 00:35:13 Experiencing the Space: When Design Becomes Feeling 00:38:33 Closing Thoughts: The Journey Continues

What happens when someone who's spent decades inside the lighting industry's machinery gets straight to it? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with Geoff Marlow, a veteran consultant and industry strategist who has witnessed firsthand the seismic shifts reshaping architectural lighting—from the rise of LED technology to the relentless wave of consolidation, private equity takeovers, and the erosion of relationships that once held this industry together. Geoff walks through what he calls TTO—the convergence of talent scarcity, technical complexity, and the shift from products to outcomes—and explains why the industry's failure to address these forces is creating chaos across every layer of the supply chain. He reveals why manufacturers, reps, distributors, and designers are all pointing fingers at each other's margins while missing the bigger picture: the process itself is broken. Projects are treated as linear when they're actually iterative. Relationships are treated as poetry when they need to be built on definitive, measurable trust. And consolidation—whether it's reps buying reps, manufacturers buying manufacturers, or private equity rolling up portfolios—keeps failing because purpose is missing. But this isn't just a diagnosis. It's a call to action. Geoff argues that the industry needs to move from inductive chaos to deductive clarity—starting with outcomes, not guesswork. Those margin dollars aren't owed, they're earned. That partnership isn't owed, it's earned. That enthusiasm isn't owed, it's earned. And that if the industry can't create a shared language, a shared purpose, and a shared commitment to solving problems together, it will continue to eat itself from the inside out. 💡 Key topics explored: • Why talent scarcity, technical complexity, and outcome-driven expectations are colliding—and what that means for everyone in the channel • The myth of the linear project process—and why lighting is actually a highly iterative, parallel-processing challenge • How consolidation (reps, manufacturers, PE) keeps failing because purpose and customer clarity are missing • The shift from specification-driven projects to design-build dominance—and what that means for designers and manufacturers • The hidden economics of distribution, rebates, and margin compression—and why salespeople default to what's easiest, not what's best • The danger of regional expansion without local execution—and why customers don't care how many dots are on your map • Why pricing transparency means different things to different people—and how to navigate that complexity • The four things every person needs before they commit: care, clarity on what "good" is, understanding what good gets them, and a sense of purpose • Why the industry needs a think tank—and what happens if we don't create one Listen now to hear why the lighting system is broken—and how a think tank can help us fix it. ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Gotham Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/gotham 2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix 3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX 4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode 5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:52 Sponsor Spotlight 00:03:39 The Talent Crisis and the Iterative Reality 00:07:09 COMPASS: Eight Constraints Defining Today's Projects 00:09:15 Deductive vs. Inductive: Why the Industry Builds Backwards 00:12:10 The Relationship Equation: Beyond Poetry to Performance 00:16:08 Getting Local: Why Leadership Must Leave the Building 00:21:48 The Specification Evolution: From Must-Be to Multi-Name 00:25:05 Channel Tension: Does Everyone Like the Members That Are There? 00:26:10 Sponsor Spotlight: DiodeLED, Kelvix, LED Flex 00:28:33 The M&A Problem: Why Spreadsheets Don't Understand Relationships 00:36:36 Margin Dollars Aren't Owed, They're Earned 00:40:21 The 50/50 Market: Spec vs. Commodity 00:43:24 White Goods, Rebates, and Broken Incentives 00:47:15 Sponsor Spotlight: Targetti USA 00:48:07 Design-Build's 50% Future: What's Your Plan? 00:50:37 Respecting the Designer's Palette 00:51:54 This Is Solvable: Finding Those Who Teach You to Get an A

What happens when three of New York City's most accomplished lighting designers sit down to talk about the state of their profession, with the Empire State Building and JP Morgan Tower framed in the window behind them? In this special episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel brings together a powerhouse roundtable of lighting design leaders to unpack the evolution, challenges, and future of architectural lighting. Recorded live in New York City with the iconic skyline as backdrop, this conversation goes deep into what it really means to design light in 2025—and what needs to change. Martin Van Koolbergen (KGM Lighting), Nathalie Faubert (CBB Lighting Desing), Bruce Taylor (Susan Brady Lighting Design) From nurturing new talent to navigating the relentless pace of modern projects, these designers reveal the uncomfortable truths about an industry caught between artistry and data, emotion and efficiency, tradition and trend. They discuss why lighting design is still treated as a luxury rather than a necessity, how LED technology forced the entire profession to evolve, and why the constant demand for meetings and instant gratification is pushing designers to the edge of burnout. This isn't just shop talk—it's a candid examination of what's working, what's broken, and what the next generation needs to carry the profession forward. The conversation touches on everything from the tension between photo-realistic renderings and hand sketches, to why trust is the number one thing clients can offer, to the surprising ways technology both helps and hinders great design. 💡 Key topics explored: • How new talent is reshaping lighting design—and what established firms are learning from them • The battle between instant gratification and thoughtful design process • Why lighting designers have become educators whether they wanted to or not • The difference between sustainability as a mindset versus a checkbox • How trends emerge, evolve, and eventually fade in architectural lighting • Why collaboration between firms matters more than protecting trade secrets • What makes designers feel most alive—and why it spans the beginning, middle, and end of every project • The hope for 2030: better education, broader access to good lighting, and recognition that lighting design isn't a luxury—it's essential Whether you're a designer navigating the pressures of modern practice, an architect wondering how lighting consultants really think, or simply someone who's ever wondered why some spaces just feel right—this conversation offers rare insight into a profession that shapes how we experience the built environment every single day. Listen now to hear what three brilliant minds reveal about the past, present, and future of lighting design—framed by a city that never stops building, never stops evolving, and never stops demanding better light. ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers’ voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Gotham Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/gotham 2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix 3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX 4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode 5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa Chapters 00:00:00 The State of Lighting Design: Talent, Technology & Evolution 00:06:30 Bridging Generations: Experience Meets Innovation 00:07:51 The Emotion vs. Data Dilemma in Lighting Design 00:12:08 Breaking Out of Silos: Collaboration & Creative Freedom 00:14:30 The Impatience Advantage: How New Designers Are Reshaping the Industry 00:21:40 The Instant Gratification Era: Speed, Pressure & Design Quality 00:01:30 Before We Jump In: Sponsor Spotlight 00:34:55 Trust & Education: What Designers Need Most From Clients 00:37:09 What Hasn't Changed: Timeless Principles from Empire State to JP Morgan 00:43:42 Trends, Technology & the Copycat Culture 00:54:48 The Education Imperative: Designers as Translators of Technology 01:07:52 Sustainability: Beyond the Buzzword 01:19:29 Complacency, Capacity & the Path of Least Resistance 01:27:51 What Makes Us Feel Alive: The Beginning, Middle & End 01:34:30 Looking to 2030: Hopes for the Future of Lighting Design

What do billion-dollar developers really think about design — and where does lighting fit in? In this episode, LytePOD host Sam Koerbel sits down with the COO of a luxury real-estate developer in New York City responsible for billions of dollars in projects. Together they unpack the owner’s perspective on budgets, design ambition, and risk — and what happens when lighting becomes the most misunderstood line item on the spreadsheet. This candid, behind-the-scenes conversation reveals how developers make decisions, where designers lose trust, and what it takes to bridge the gap between creativity and construction reality. 💬 Topics covered: • How developers evaluate risk, cost, and design value • Why lighting often gets “value-engineered” — and how to prevent it • The balance between aesthetics and ROI in high-end projects • What guardrails and responsibilities do developers have • How a developer can guarantee success on a project (spoiler alert: belief, conviction, and a team that adapts as the market changes) Where Jamil works: https://www.ll-holding.com/ Where we recorded this: https://terminalwarehouse.nyc/ 🎧 Listen now to learn what truly drives billion-dollar development decisions — and how lighting can become the differentiator, not the casualty. Chapters 00:00:00 Setting the Stage: What Developers Value 00:05:15 Jamil's Path: From Construction to COO 00:11:45 Balancing Cost, Time, and Quality 00:19:30 Building A Business Plan For New Development 00:27:15 The Anatomy of a Construction Budget 00:36:00 Managing Consultants and Contractors 00:45:30 Choosing the Right Design Partners 00:54:00 The Lighting Conversation 01:05:40 Q+A, Sam Answers to Jamil's Questions 01:40:30 Reflections and Grattitude

Do details still serve design, or have they taken over? In this episode, Dan and Srushti of Lam Partners trace the history of lighting details — from Versailles to tape lights — and reveal how we arrived at today’s identity crisis in design.They cover:Why don’t more products mean better workHow culture and politics shape design choicesThe rise (and overuse) of “non-details” like slots, coves, and planesWhat today’s market trends say about the future of lightingStraightforward, sharp, and unfiltered — this is a must-listen for anyone rethinking the role of details in modern design.

LEDs were supposed to last forever. But what happens when they don’t?Host Sam Koerbel talks with Rachel Fitzgerald (Stantec) and Andrea Wilkerson (PNNL) about a growing crisis: the lack of replaceable components in LED systems. From failing fixtures in schools and offices to flickering tubular LEDs and the fluorescent phase-out, this conversation calls for real accountability from manufacturers, reps, and the supply chain.👉 Why listen?Learn why warranties aren’t enoughHear how schools, hospitals, and offices are struggling with maintenanceGet the truth about Type B tubular LEDs and flickerUnderstand how “right to repair” could shape lighting’s futureThis is thought leadership with a challenge: the industry must act before failures pile up.