PODCAST · technology
Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast
by Get A Grip On Lighting
Recognizing a need in the lighting industry to forum together and discuss subjects & issues in our industry, the Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast was born. Get A Grip brings on industry experts to talk about real issues and focused on that subject matter. If there’s something to be said on the subject, Get A Grip will go there. Get A Grip On Lighting Podcasts are hosted by Michael Colligan and Greg Ehrich, who have over 30 years of combined experience in the lighting industry. Michael Colligan is an entrepreneur and inventor. He’s a subject matter expert in commercial and industrial lighting supply, lighting retrofits, and finding recycling streams for hard-to-recycle waste. Greg Ehrich, LC is the former President of the National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors (NAILD) and owner of a progressive lighting distributorship.
Episodes
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Episode 527: Get A Grip On Lighting Final Episode - Side 1 - Stay Dangerous
This is it. The final episode (side 1) of The Get a Grip on Lighting Podcast. Michael and Greg reflect on the past 8 years and 400+ episodes. Sponsor: Keystone, www.keystonetech.com
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Episode 526: Building the Boat While the Water is Rising with Scott Wachter - Get A Grip Finale Part 5 of 6
Building the Boat While the Water is Rising with Scott Wachter [Pat: this is the new title changed from the live stream] In this second-to-final episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, hosts Michael and Greg sit down with Scott Wachter — the mind behind the Lighting Industry News Brief and a key…
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Episode 525: Take the Trash Out with Devin Wall - Get A Grip Finale Part 4 of 6
In this episode, Michael and Greg sit down with Devin Wall, one of the inventive forces behind Louvers International, to unpack the infamous DLC report and the future of lighting standards. 🔥 Highlights: The history of industry pushback against DLC certifications (from mafia skits to...
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Episode 524: SoftLights and NAILD: A Match Made in He...? with Mark Baker
In this, episode 3 of the finale series of Get a Grip on Lighting, Michael Colligan and Greg Ehrich sit down with Mark Baker of the Soft Lights Foundation to trace the journey from the early days of Starving for Darkness to the evolution of Restoring Darkness. They revisit how the pandemic…
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Episode 523: Webster & Ron and The Lighting Controls Podcast - Get A Grip Finale Part 2 of 6
In this episode, hosts Michael and Greg welcome Webster Marsh and Ron Kuszmar from the Lighting Controls Podcast. They reflect on the journey from a chance conversation in late 2021 to building a thriving show with over 120 episodes. ✨ Key Highlights: How Webster and Ron went from guest and…
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Episode 522: A Hard Day’s Recording — First of the Six-Part Series Finale
Michael and Greg sit down with Scott Griffin to reflect on the journey of creating and producing thousands of podcast episodes. Sponsor: Halco Lighting, halcolighting.com
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Episode 521: #425 - Own the Fixture Location
Adam Chetakian, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at Apprime Lighting, has over 30 years in the game. He, Michael and Greg address the dirty secret behind the LED retrofit world: fixtures that die young and end up in landfills. Adam’s here to flip the script with a patented, tool-less,...
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Episode 520: #424 - Right to Repair Crisis
Michael Colligan and Greg Ehrich declare a full-blown crisis in the lighting industry’s “right to repair.” From inaccessible drivers screwed into joists to obsolete Cat5 control systems and $300 can lights that can't be fixed, the guys expose the absurdity of modern lighting design. Real-world...
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Episode 519: Special Episode - Legal Challenges for DLC with David Radulescu
[Note: This episode contains important visuals. It is recommended to watch the video.] In this explosive episode of Get a Grip on Lighting (previously streamed live), industry lawyer David Radulescu joins Michael and Greg to dissect the legal and ethical challenges facing the DesignLights...
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Episode 518: #423 - Doin' The Right Thing
In this electrifying episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, we sit down with Tom Kieffer of Service Lighting (aka LightBulbs.com)—a 40-year veteran who's still pushing boundaries and saving clients up to 85% on lighting costs. But this isn't just about retrofits and wattage. It's about honor,...
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Episode 517: The DLC: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing?
Is the DLC a wolf in sheep's clothing? Michael and Greg lay it out. The live stream experienced some technical difficulties, so here it is in full.
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Episode 516: #422 - DLC Core Values
🔥 Buckle up for a bold ride through the lighting industry! Mike & Greg give you a brief recap of the Nailed Convention, and challenge the DLC to display their transparency values by inviting them and D+R to speak up on the Get a Grip on Lighting Podcast this Friday. Plus, you’ll get some classic...
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Episode 515: #421 - Develop the Trust
Alan Karen of Satco is the OG, the original gangster of lighting. With his 30-year journey in lighting, Alan brings wisdom, grit, and heart to the mic. 🔥 What’s inside: The evolution of lighting distribution and Satco’s game-changing portal Why relationships still matter in a tech-driven world…
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Episode 514: #420 - Depth of Education
In this episode, we sit down with Tom Butters—lighting educator, and Founder & Executive Director of The Lighting Agora—for a no-holds-barred conversation on the state of lighting education, the evolution of the industry, and what to expect at the Canada Light Expo, November 12-13...
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Episode 513: #419 - Journalism, DLC, IES and Industry Reform
In this episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, we welcome back Al Uszynski—founder of Inside Lighting (inside.lighting) and one of the most respected voices in lighting journalism—for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of the lighting industry. 📰 From the launch of the new Lumy Awards to the...
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Episode 512: #418 - Lighting Should not be Consumer Electronics
This episode tackles the hidden pitfalls of LED lighting with two seasoned designers who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. Rachel and Anne expose how the promise of long-lasting LEDs often falls short—especially in demanding environments like airports and hotels. 🔧 Key Points: LEDs…
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Episode 511: #417 - DLC - Please Stop Tinkering
In this fiery and insightful episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, hosts Michael and Greg dive deep into the DLC's 501 (c) 3 charitable activities like product labelling in the lighting industry. Pulling no punches as they challenge the status quo. Here's what you'll get: Lighting Industry Real Talk...
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Episode 510: #416 - Get a Grip on the ArchLIGHT Summit
🔥 Welcome to the ArchLight Experience 🔥 Get ready to plug into the pulse of the lighting design world at the ArchLIGHT Summit, September 16-17 at the Dallas Market Center. From color-changing corridors to line dancing at the Last Call party—this is lighting, learning, and networking at its…
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Episode 509: #415 - The Cliff, the Comeback, and the Convention
In this unforgettable episode, Matt Honson—President of NAILD and lighting industry veteran—shares his jaw-dropping journey from warehouse worker to industry leader. But it’s not just about lighting. Matt recounts surviving a near-fatal fall off a cliff in China, breaking his neck and back, and...
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Episode 508: #414 - It Hurt Good
In this spirited episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, hosts dive deep into the highs and hiccups of the LSC training held in Dallas — a hands-on lighting controls certification course that left attendees saying, "It hurt good." 🔥 Highlights Include: Insights from course creators Webster Marsh, Ron...
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Episode 507: #413 - The Choir Effect
In this episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, Michael Colligan, Greg Ehrich, and Scott Wachter dive deep into the latest efforts to address light pollution through education and innovation in the lighting industry. Scott reveals the launch of Lighting Specialist: Darkness Restoration Part One, a...
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Episode 506: #412 - Living in Constant Twilight
In this illuminating episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, science journalist Lynne Peeples—author of The Inner Clock: Living in Sync with Our Circadian Rhythm—joins Greg and Michael for a deep dive into the fascinating world of biological timekeeping. 🌞🕰️ From her background in biostatistics and...
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Episode 505: #411 - Getting to Yes Quickly
In this illuminating episode, Karl Zartarian, Regional VP at Barron Lighting Group, joins the show to discuss innovation, strategy, and the evolving landscape of emergency and specialty lighting. From anti-ligature exit signs for institutional settings to RGBW panels with DMX controls, Karl…
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Episode 504: #410 - Restoring Beauty with Light Bulbs–or is it Lamps!
In this vibrant episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, hosts Greg and Mike welcome back Kathryn Toth, an award-winning architectural lighting designer renowned for her mastery in crafting artistic lighting solutions across commercial, residential, retail, and landscape spaces. 🌍✨ 🎙️ Highlights...
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Episode 503: #409 - Quantum Light and Other Dimensions
In this mind-bending episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, tech visionary Tony Lawrence dives deep into the future of light, AI, quantum computing—and even interdimensional data transfer. From mining Bitcoin with a lightbulb, to using quantum entropy to generate synthetic data, Tony explores how…
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Episode 502: #408 - Emergency Lighting Doesn't Matter Until it Matters
In this episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, hosts Michael Colligan and Greg Ehrich dive into the ever-important topic of emergency lighting and exit signage. From battery packs to combo units and LED emergency backup tubes, they explore the evolving landscape and the challenges distributors face...
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Episode 501: #407 - The Customer Service Role
In this eye-opening and unscripted episode, Mike and Greg peel back the curtain on one of the most underappreciated parts of the lighting industry—customer service. From misfit lightbulbs and warranty nightmares to dremel-happy customers and failing retrofits in century-old churches, no story is...
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Episode 500: #406 - Living in the Light, You’ve Got Nothing to Hide
🚀 On the latest episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, Matt Honson, President of NAILD, dives into the evolution of lighting distribution, industry education, and the urgent need for transparency in product labeling and eco-fee schemes. - Why collaboration among independent distributors strengthens...
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Episode 499: #405 - The Post Rebate Zombie Apocalypse
Join Michael Colligan and Greg Ehrich on Get a Grip on Lighting as they dive into the evolving lighting industry in 2025. With rebates disappearing and competition tightening, distributors must rethink their approach. Michael highlights a unique opportunity in repairable fixtures—bringing back…
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Episode 498: #404 - Artificial Intelligence
In this episode, we sit down with Taresh Grover, co-founder and COO of Pullogic, an AI-powered platform transforming supply chains. From predicting demand to optimizing inventory, AI is revolutionizing distribution—especially in the lighting industry. Taresh shares insights on how AI helps...
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Episode 497: #403 - Lighting is the Original Right-to-Repair Industry
The podcast features Elizabeth Chamberlain, Director of Sustainability at iFixit, discussing the Right to Repair movement and its impact on the lighting industry. Traditionally, lighting was designed with standardized, replaceable components, ensuring easy repairs. However, modern LED fixtures...
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Episode 496: #402 - Data-Driven Buildings: Why Lighting Controls Matter
Lighting controls are no longer a nice-to-have—they’re fast becoming the backbone of smart, energy-efficient buildings. In this episode, Michael Colligan and Greg Ehrich sit down with Scott Metker, COO of Autani, to explore how the convergence of lighting, HVAC, and data is transforming the built...
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Episode 495: #401 - Product Labeling and the "Deep State"
In this explosive discussion, Devin Wall returns to break down the deep-state influence in the lighting industry—focusing on tariffs, accreditation agencies, and the power dynamics shaping the market. 🔦 Key Topics Covered: - Why Devin supports tariffs & U.S.-based manufacturing - The real role…
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Episode 494: #400 - Mastering Lighting Controls: The Next Big Opportunity
In this episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, we sit down with Webster Marsh, host of the Lighting Controls Podcast, and Lighting Specialist in Controls instructor, to talk about the exciting future of lighting controls certification and why the industry desperately needs certified professionals. 💡...
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Episode 493: #399 - Direct Install Rebate Programs (Deep State?)
In this compelling episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, Spencer Myles and Brian Amundson dive deep into the complexities of the lighting industry, exposing the challenges posed by rebate programs, direct install initiatives, and shifting market dynamics. ✨ Key Topics Discussed: The unintended...
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Episode 492: #398 - Selling Lighting Without Rebates
Our old friend Mark Jewell joins us to talk about selling in the lighting industry—especially as rebates begin to dry up. A lot of people are worried about what the end of rebate programs will mean for project sales. Mark says we shouldn’t be. Michael and Greg aren’t so sure. In this episode…
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Episode 491: #397 - Understanding Extended Producer Responsibility (Deep State?)
For this episode, we hoped to welcome Brian Bastien of Product Care Recycling to discuss Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programs and their impact on the lighting industry. The President of NAILD reached out—non-profit to non-profit—to open a conversation about how these programs support...
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Episode 490: #396 - Not a Time to Coast
Jason knows so much about lighting that he wrote 2 books on the subject (see below). Jason chats with Michael and Greg about his books, wasteful lighting fixtures, the circular economy, and wired and wireless controls. And for pete's sake, don’t go with flat panels if there are better choices....
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Episode 489: #395 - Oil, Tobacco, and the Lighting Industry
You’ve seen Dr. Motta on Restoring Darkness (https://restoringdarkness.com/episode/120-blue-light-leds-are-an-immune-suppressor-proven-to-cause-cancer-dr-mario-motta) now he’s on Get a Grip on Lighting to tell you about the hazards of blue-rich LED’s. No matter how some might push back, the...
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Episode 488: #394 - Flipping The Bird
Put your preconceptions and biases aside, Mark baker is going to point the finger a little in this episode. LED’s can be harmful to humans - Mark being one of them - and the industry needs to recognize this, step up, and address the problem. Admittedly, as Michael says, the lighting industry got...
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Episode 487: #393 - NEMRA Lighting Division
Jeffrey brings a lot of experience to his position as Divisional Vice President in the NEMRA Lighting Division. This division was formed recently when AAILA, the American Association of Independent Lighting Agencies, was integrated into NEMRA. Michael points out that in the past, he has seen...
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Episode 486: #392 - New Construction vs. Retrofit
Hey distributors. Are you selling emergency lighting? If not, this episode with Heather McCune might change your mind. Barron has seen ROI of under a year with their Exitronix Guardian G3 on all their retrofit jobs. This system reduces maintenance, labor hours, and interruptions to building power...
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Episode 485: #391 - I Want It All And I Want It Now
Jason wants it all - now. But he also says, be careful what you wish for. In this competitive environment, don’t just take any job. Jason is competitive and doesn’t like to lose but, as he says, you don’t want to win a race to the bottom. Then the only way you’re going to make money is if all the...
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Episode 484: #390 - Tariff Talk
As of this recording, the US has backed off on tariffs, for now. But they still loom as a possibility sometime in the future. Michael gives his perspective from the viewpoint of Canada, while Greg and Spencer look at it from a “what’s best for America” standpoint. Can’t we all just get along?...
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Episode 483: #389 - The Man Behind The Curtain
You’ve heard him on Monday mornings. You’ve seen his work quarterly. We pull back the curtain on Scott Wachter to take a look behind the scenes at his work on the Lighting Industry News Brief, Today’s Lighting Distributor, and The Darkness News Update (on RestoringDarkness.com). Beyond his work…
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Episode 482: #388 - The Purpose of Lighting
Fear. Is that a sales strategy? Michael thinks so. If you have a “perversely commissioned sensor” that suddenly makes the lights go off in a machine room while someone is under the HVAC equipment, the urgency level to fix that for safety is high. Make sure the lights serve their purpose–to see!...
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Episode 481: #387 - Circling the Circular Economy
Retrofitting a troffer? Impossible! Or is it? Greg presents a case where maybe, just maybe, it’s possible to save the old fixture. Even Michael thinks this one has a chance to not end up in a landfill. Sponsor: Griplock www.griplocksystems.com
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Episode 480: #386 - Nobody Knows
This one is short but important. Michael and Greg discuss the recent Restoring Darkness podcast featuring Dr. Mario Motta (https://youtu.be/tEbcyBf-2Ug). Michael and Greg want to get to the bottom of the conflict between Dr. Motta and the IES. They’d love to hear the IES’s side of the story.
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Episode 479: #385 - 2025 Predictions
Al brings along some predictions from some movers and shakers in the industry. He, along with Michael and Greg, assesses the predictions for 2025 from people like Colleen Harper at the IES, Cory Schneider at Lighting Unlimited, and Rob Duncan from Bell & McCoy. Will controls take off? Can the...
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Episode 478: #384 - The Blend and the Dance
Leon and Brenda tell you how it’s done! Two years ago, FSG acquired West-Lite Supply Company in California and they’ll tell you in this podcast, that it was a complete success. Brenda stayed on with FSG to become VP of California Sales and no one lost their job. In fact, Leon always looks…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Recognizing a need in the lighting industry to forum together and discuss subjects & issues in our industry, the Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast was born. Get A Grip brings on industry experts to talk about real issues and focused on that subject matter. If there’s something to be said on the subject, Get A Grip will go there. Get A Grip On Lighting Podcasts are hosted by Michael Colligan and Greg Ehrich, who have over 30 years of combined experience in the lighting industry. Michael Colligan is an entrepreneur and inventor. He’s a subject matter expert in commercial and industrial lighting supply, lighting retrofits, and finding recycling streams for hard-to-recycle waste. Greg Ehrich, LC is the former President of the National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors (NAILD) and owner of a progressive lighting distributorship.
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Get A Grip On Lighting
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast have?
Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast currently has 529 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast about?
Recognizing a need in the lighting industry to forum together and discuss subjects & issues in our industry, the Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast was born. Get A Grip brings on industry experts to talk about real issues and focused on that subject matter. If there’s something to be said on the...
How often does Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast release new episodes?
Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 529 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast?
You can listen to Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast?
Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast is created and hosted by Get A Grip On Lighting.
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