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Host Tim Van Woeart of Rutgers University discusses topics relevant to the commercial AV industry.
Episodes & Posts
Episodes
Posts
8 DEC 2025 · In this post-Thanksgiving installment, Tim Van Woeart welcomes back co-host Murphy Daley for a warm, funny, and wide-ranging conversation. The pair catch up on holiday adventures (mashed potatoes, cranberries, Instant pots, olives, pickles, and more), reflect on the December HETMA theme—Productive Rest, and dive deep into collaboration, planning, and communication in AV and IT work.
As always, Tim and Murphy mix personal storytelling with professional insight—discussing everything from grad school applications, stocking-stuffer hacks, 3D printing, and de-cluttering, to setting boundaries, project management habits, and community building. The episode wraps with a call to action for the HETMA Prism Scholarship and a look ahead to the upcoming AV Life Holiday Party.
Topics Discussed:
- Thanksgiving Recap & Holiday Food Adventures
- Holiday Logistics & Family Patterns
- Productive Rest: December HETMA Theme
- Collaboration as a Skill & Necessity
- Lessons Learned & Communication Style Differences
- Tim’s Grad School Application
- Book Club & Community Enrichment Ideas
- Decluttering, Resetting, and Routines
- Holiday Planning, Stocking Stuffers & Five Below Hacks
- Prism Scholarship Call to Action
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at https://higheredav.com.
Connect with Tim:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-45416826/
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TVanWoeart
Connect with The AV Life:
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
1 DEC 2025 · In this special solo episode, Tim sits down—crewless but full-hearted—to open December’s HETMA Road to 10K theme: Productive Rest. After dedicating the episode to his late colleague Steve Smith, he reflects on burnout, seasonal chaos, family life, and why AV pros need to set healthy boundaries during the busiest time of year.
He also shares updates on the upcoming AV Life Holiday Party, teases a big January anniversary episode, and reminds everyone to mark their calendars for the 2026 HETMA Virtual Conference. A short but meaningful check-in before the holiday whirlwind begins.
Topics Discussed:
- HETMA's December Theme – Productive Rest
- Holiday-Season Overload Holiday
- Higher Ed End-of-Semester Chaos
- The Power of Saying “No”
- AV Life Holiday Party (Dec 16) Invitation
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at higheredav.com.
Connect with Tim:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-45416826/
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TVanWoea
Connect with The AV Life:
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
24 NOV 2025 · In this special “Attitude of Gratitude” episode of The AV Life, host Tim Van Woeart welcomes an extended panel including Nancy Blanchard (ScreenBeam), Renee Benson (Sony), Murphy Daley, James King, Joe Way, and guests Aaron Baker, Philip Leimbach, and Tim Neviska. Together, the group reflects on career growth, the power of community within higher-education AV, and the role gratitude plays amid professional challenges and life transitions.
The conversation ranges from managing legacy equipment in AV projects, maintaining boundaries in support roles, and navigating shifting job markets, to deeply personal reflections on family, career pivots, mentorship, burnout, and faith. Contributors highlight how organizations like HETMA create opportunities for professional development, leadership, and connection—especially for those who begin as introverted “lurkers.”
The episode blends humor, heartfelt storytelling, and practical insight, ultimately underscoring the importance of community support, giving back, and embracing gratitude as both a mindset and a stabilizing force in a changing world.
Topics discussed:
- PM Minute with Murphy Daley--legacy equipment, CFE/OFE challenges
- Gratitude within AV careers and personal life
- Community and mentorship in higher-education AV (including HETMA involvement)
- Service workflows, troubleshooting, and faculty communication habits
- Work-life boundaries and managing support expectations
- Career mobility, job instability, burnout, and industry shifts
- Professional development, volunteering, and leadership opportunities
- Networking and engagement for introverted or new AV professionals
- Vendor/manufacturer perspectives and partnerships (ScreenBeam, Sony)
- Personal stories of growth, resilience, and life transitions
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at higheredav.com.
Connect with Tim:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-45416826/
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TVanWoea
Connect with The AV Life:
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
17 NOV 2025 · This week the AV Life crew digs into why the AV industry feels “weird” right now—from project delays and shifting budgets to higher ed’s changing technology demands. James King shares stories from LCME accreditation planning, emphasizing the power of basics, discipline, and preparation. Tim highlights HETMA’s mission and the value of small wins, while Renee offers insights from manufacturers and integrators navigating unpredictable conditions. A grounded, honest look at where AV stands today and how to keep moving forward.
Topics discussed:
- Rapid weather changes across regions
- Nationwide AV job market shifts
- Construction delays and funding reductions
- Higher ed technology refresh challenges
- LCME accreditation hybrid/in-person prep
- Differences in AV standards: wow-factor vs essentials
- Regional AV events and attendance trends
- HETMA Road to 10K: gratitude and small wins
- Teaching young professionals AV basics
- Integrator relationships and truth-telling to management
- The value of community: collaboration and support
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at https://higheredav.com.
Connect with Tim:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-45416826/
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TVanWoeart
Connect with The AV Life:
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
10 NOV 2025 · This week the AV Life crew welcomes guest Kevin Kwasneski from 22 Miles, and the team share their biggest AV war stories: stressful installs, communication breakdowns, project management lessons, and the moments that made them better pros. From oranges that looked ripe (Murphy’s PM Minute metaphor) to 2 a.m. installs, broken firewalls, and full-building refreshes before Labor Day, each story highlights the chaos, teamwork, and learning that come from AV project challenges.
🎧 Topics Discussed:
- Project readiness and “ripening” (Murphy Daley’s PM Minute)
- The Biamp–ClearOne acquisition and industry shake-ups
- Unexpected project crises and fast-tracked installs
- Managing clients, expectations, and communication gaps
- The role of teamwork and vendor collaboration under pressure
- Lessons learned and post-project reflection
- “Always be learning” mindset in AV work
- Partnership and collaboration in digital signage (22 Miles)
- Veterans Day appreciation and gratitude theme
- Humor and resilience in AV project management
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at https://higheredav.com
Connect with Tim:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-45416826/
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TVanWoeart
Connect with The AV Life:
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
27 OCT 2025 · It’s a spooktacular 👻 time on The AV Life podcast this week! Join Tim and Nancy with guests Tim Albright, Brittney Grant, and Jennifer Weaver as they celebrate Halloween AV-style — with stories, laughs, and plenty of tricks and treats. From creepy tech mishaps and haunted installations to favorite costumes and candy debates, this lighthearted episode shows the fun, community-driven spirit behind The AV Life team.
The hosts mix seasonal silliness with real AV-life reflections — proving that even in the world of professional tech, there’s always room for a good ghost story and a laugh with friends.
🎧 Topics Discussed:
- Halloween stories and traditions
- Favorite costumes and candy
- AV nightmares — tech gone wrong
- Balancing professional life with fun and personality
- Seasonal humor and community connection
- What’s next for The AV Life
- A busy coming week for HETMA — Nashville roadshow, Educause, rAVe LAVNCH Week, Midwich Tech Connect Boston
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at https://higheredav.com.
Connect with Tim:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-45416826/
Twitter (X) –https://twitter.com/TVanWoeart
Connect with The AV Life:
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
20 OCT 2025 · The AV Life crew welcomes guest Jon Youse, Regional Board Chair for HETMA and Director of Educational Technology Support at Ivy Tech Community College. Together, they preview the upcoming HETMA Roadshow in Nashville, explore the power of community in higher ed AV, and share insights about planning regional events that unite technology, education, and connection. Plus, the team dives into travel tales, weather woes, and reflections on learning, adaptation, and gratitude.
A lively mix of AV insights, personal stories, and a look ahead at what’s next for HETMA and the higher ed AV community.
Topics Discussed:
• Overview of HETMA’s regional Roadshow events
• The upcoming Nashville Roadshow at Vanderbilt University
• The growth and community impact of HETMA
• The benefits of centralized systems in community colleges
• Balancing work, wellness, and travel in the AV industry
• Upcoming HETMA initiatives: Educause, virtual conference, Higher Ed AV Awards, and 2026–27 roadshow plans
• Building consistency and community across events
• Reflections on learning, failure, and adaptation—from math struggles to AI in AV
• Family, education, and gratitude moments from the hosts
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at higheredav.com.
Connect with Tim:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-45416826/
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TVanWoeart
Connect with The AV Life:
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
13 OCT 2025 · In this lively and wide-ranging episode of The AV Life, host Tim Van Woert welcomes Bex Wade from Igloo Vision, along with regular crew members Nancy Blanchard, Renee Benson, and Murphy Daley. They dive into immersive technology, project management, and industry events — and take hilarious detours into classic gaming, British vs. American accents, 90s pop culture, and even Rush’s comeback tour. Murphy shares updates on her upcoming book The AV Project Manager Handbook and offers a “PM Minute” on risk management.
This one has everything: immersive spaces, road trip stories, and why you should never drop the baton — in AV or anywhere else.
Topics Discussed:
• Introduction to Igloo Vision and immersive room technology
• Education and enterprise applications of immersive AV
• Murphy Daley’s AV Project Manager Handbook — preview and launch plans
• The PM Minute: How to manage risk during project handoffs
• Rush’s return to touring with a new drummer
• Cultural mix-ups: Spice Girls, Sharknado, Tiger King, and accents
• Travel tales: Driving vs. flying, Denver AV scene, and Red Rocks
• Disney pricing and expansion rumors
• Upcoming AV events: EDUCAUSE, Midwich Tech Connect, and Higher Ed AV Awards
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at https://higheredav.com.
Connect with Tim:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-45416826/
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TVanWoeart
Connect with The AV Life:
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
6 OCT 2025 · In this one-on-one episode, Tim Van Woeart and Nancy Blanchard dive into a wide-ranging conversation that blends climate realities, tariffs, and the AV industry’s global supply chain. They reflect on erratic weather, climate change misconceptions, and how new U.S. tariffs could reshape manufacturing, pricing, and planning for AV projects in higher education. Nancy shares insights from her dual Canadian–U.S. perspective and previews the HETMA Roadshow in Toronto. The hosts discuss COVID’s lingering narratives, work ethic in younger generations, and how manufacturing and labor shortages affect AV production. Tim closes with plans for a future episode to “roast COVID once and for all” which is now posted as episode 301.
Topics Discussed:
- Climate change vs. “global warming” – correcting misconceptions and regional effect
- Extreme weather across North America: blizzards, fires, and tornadoe
- U.S. tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, and Canada – economic and AV implication
- Manufacturer impact: how supply chain and OEM components may drive up price
- Higher ed AV budgets and pre-purchasing strategies before tariff increase
- Dual citizenship perspective – Nancy’s take as a Canadian-American AV professiona
- Manufacturing migration from China to the U.S. and Mexico post-COVI
- Labor shortages and work ethic among younger generation
- Automation, AI, and manufacturing capacity in the U.S
- Preview of future “Roast of COVID” episode marking five years since the pandemic
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at higheredav.com.
Connect with Tim:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-45416826/
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TVanWoeart
Connect with The AV Life:
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
29 SEP 2025 · In this “cozy” episode of The AV Life, hosts Van Woeart and Murphy Daley hold down the fort as a two-person crew. They reflect on the busy start of the semester, budget planning and deferred maintenance, and how to feed all the “little projects” competing for attention. With fall underway, they swap stories about Halloween AV setups, lighting effects, and calls for community members to share their creative projects. Murphy’s PM Minute explores transferable knowledge and how stepping into the unknown sparks growth. The conversation expands to public broadcasting’s future, art born from struggle, and the value of earned wisdom versus easy AI quotes.
Topics Discussed
• Semester kickoff: budget planning and deferred maintenance in higher ed
• Preparing for summer 2026 projects
• Seasonal AV fun: Halloween decorations, lighting, and AVL creativity
• Call for community to share holiday AV setups
• Murphy Daley’s PM Minute: transferable knowledge, growth, and fear in new projects
• Networking and signage responsibilities in new roles
• Reflections on earned wisdom vs. easy AI-generated content
• Public broadcasting challenges and need for creative reinvention
• Art, pain, and creativity as sources of innovation
• Call for more guests and community engagement on the podcast!
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at higheredav.com.
Connect with Tim:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-45416826/
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TVanWoeart
Connect with The AV Life:
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
Host Tim Van Woeart of Rutgers University discusses topics relevant to the commercial AV industry.
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| Author | Joe Way, PhD, CTS |
| Organization | Higher Ed AV Media |
| Categories | Technology |
| Website | www.spreaker.com |
| theavlife@higheredav.com |
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