LytePod

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

Tom Doherty has spent 40 years in consumer electronics and two decades arguing for one quietly subversive idea: that the lighting industry has spent decades failing homeowners — and the custom integration channel is finally the one fixing it. He's the Director of New Technology Initiatives at HTSA, the international trade consortium of premium residential integrators. He was inducted into the inaugural Lutron Hall of Fame in 2008, built the Indianapolis lighting lab that became a template for the industry, and created Lightapalooza — the conference that turned residential lighting into the fastest-growing category in custom integration. In this episode, Tom makes a case I haven't heard anyone else make: of the roughly 20,000 companies calling themselves integrators today, only about 100 are doing residential lighting well — and that tiny group is on the verge of fundamentally reshaping how lighting reaches the homes of the wealthiest clients in the country. Expect to learn why the lighting industry has failed homeowners for 30 years despite producing better fixtures than ever, why custom integrators got "pulled into" lighting against their will and now dominate the category, what the "shelf of shame" reveals about why most integrators fail even when they want to succeed, why integrators are the only people in residential construction who eliminate value engineering entirely, why Tom turned away 30 manufacturers from the most recent Lightapalooza show floor, and the production-home story from 2012 that convinced Tom every homeowner walking into a builder-grade showroom is being quietly underserved. — Extra Stuff: Connect with Tom Doherty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-doherty-800529a/ HTSA: https://www.htsa.com Lightapalooza: https://www.lightapalooza.com

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 architect who's spent decades designing the custom homes of billionaires in one of the world's most demanding environments—and ask her what it really takes to turn a house into a legacy? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel travels to Aspen, Colorado, to sit down with Sarah Broughton, a world-renowned architect and designer whose work has redefined what it means to create spaces where nature, sustainability, and luxury converge. This isn't a conversation about floor plans or finishes—it's a deep dive into the philosophy, process, and people-first thinking that transforms architecture from shelter into something deeply personal, emotionally resonant, and built to last generations. Sarah reveals why design starts with curiosity, not style, why lighting must balance daylight and emotion, and why the best measure of success isn't the rendering—She walks through the art of asking the right questions, the courage it takes to say yes to everything (and no when it matters), and why collaboration isn't just working together—it's understanding business models, challenging specialists, and creating something better than anyone could have imagined alone. 💡 Key topics explored: • Why design starts with curiosity and empathy—and how asking the right questions shapes every decision • The importance of understanding daylight first—and how electrical lighting should evoke the same emotional response • Why lighting must be layered, not reliant on recessed cans—and how to integrate architectural lighting early in the design process • The challenge of balancing point source lighting with ambient vertical illumination—and why lamps aren't always the answer • How to design spaces that work for clients today and adapt as their lives evolve—without overbuilding or locking in one configuration • Why mockups matter: from lighting fixtures to skylights that look like skylights at night • How VR technology has become a game changer for anticipating scale, light, and spatial experience before construction begins • The difference between surprising a client and delighting them—and why trust is the foundation of every great project • Why lifelong learning and remaining relevant in mid-career requires humility, growth mindset, and the courage to ask "now what?" Listen now to discover why great architecture isn't about style—it's about understanding people, balancing light, and building something that lasts. ❤️ 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: Designing for Delight in Aspen 00:02:12 Sponsor Spotlight 00:03:35 Welcome Home: When Every Room Is Loved 00:06:10 The Real Reason Clients Hire Architects 00:08:32 Prototyping Life: Risk, Trust, and the Perfect 10 00:13:24 Balancing Light: Natural, Harsh, and Intentional 00:14:53 Construction as Art and Collaboration 00:15:49 Judgment Over Style: Building for Legacy 00:18:45 The Power of Yes: Reframing Every Design Challenge 00:22:33 That Was Then, This Is Now: Evolving Spaces and Lives 00:24:08 Holistic Design: The Italian Bottega Model 00:25:39 Before We Continue: Sponsor Spotlight 00:27:49 Collaboration Defined: Open Hearts and Curiosity 00:30:00 Lighting Philosophy: From Daylight to Emotion 00:37:03 The Lighting System Debate: Switches vs. Automation 00:41:50 Understanding Business Models: Working with Lighting Designers 00:46:53 Before We Jump Back: Sponsor Spotlight 00:47:43 Getting Rid of Recessed Lighting: The Challenge 00:44:02 Lifelong Learning: Mid-Career and the Now What Moment 00:55:12 Closing: When Do You Feel Most Alive?

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