What does it mean to feel safe in your own home, and what role can technology play in that?
In this powerful episode of the Master Integrator podcast, host Paul Skelton speaks with Melody Gross, a domestic violence survivor and founder of Courageous SHIFT. Together, they explore how connected home systems can be both protective and harmful—depending on how they’re installed and who controls them.
Topics covered include:
The misuse of smart home technology in abusive relationships
How integrators can design with safety in mind
The warning signs that something might be wrong
The importance of giving survivors control over their environment
This is not a technical episode, it’s a human one. And for integrators working in homes every day, it’s an important reminder that your work has real-world impact beyond functionality.
If you’re a sole trader in the smart home or trades industry, there’s a good chance you’ve struggled with tax, GST, deductions, or just figuring out how much money is actually yours.
This week, Karan Anand, the Managing Director of Hnry, joins the podcast to explain how sole traders can stop stressing over spreadsheets and start running their businesses like pros.
Topics include:
What you can (and can’t) claim
Why real-time tax calculations make a difference
Managing apprentices and payroll as a sole trader
When and why to switch to a company
How to protect yourself from big tax shocks
Special Offer:
Use promo code CEDIA to get your first $1,000 of invoices processed FREE at hnry.com.au.
Huge thanks to our sponsors Kordz Australia, Netvio, and Connected Magazine.
Imagine a home that doesn't wait for your voice command, your tap, or your routine. It simply understands what’s happening—and adjusts accordingly.
In this episode of Master Integrator, host Paul Skelton sits down with Amod Agrawal, Applied Scientist at Amazon Lab126, to explore the emerging world of ambient intelligence—a concept where systems passively sense human presence, behaviour, and intent to create seamless, intuitive experiences.
Amod shares how wireless sensing and context-aware design are shaping the next generation of smart homes—and what it all means for professional integrators.
We cover:
What ambient intelligence actually is
The technology behind passive sensing—no cameras, no wearables
How AI systems are becoming contextually aware
The ethical and design implications for homes of the future
What integrators should start preparing for now
This is a rare look behind the curtain at where smart home technology is headed—straight from someone building it.
Sponsors:
This episode is supported by Kordz – delivering professional-grade AV connectivity - and its partner, Netvio.
And by Connected Magazine – trusted insight for the smart home and AV industry.
Connect with us:
Email: info@masterintegrator.com.au
LinkedIn: Master Integrator
Merch launching soon at masterintegrator.com.au
Every connected device is a potential doorway — but who’s keeping the locks secure?
In this episode of Master Integrator, I’m joined by Luke Irwin, a Brisbane-based cybersecurity consultant with more than 20 years in tech and over a decade specialising in cyber risk, to talk about the Cybersecurity Act and what it means for smart home installers.
We dive deep into the unique vulnerabilities of IoT devices, how integrators can protect themselves and their clients, and why cybersecurity is no longer optional in residential and light commercial tech projects.
Luke explains the most common mistakes he sees in the field, practical hardening steps you can take right now, and what future regulation could mean for the way we design and install connected systems.
If you touch a network in your projects — this is one episode you can’t afford to skip.
What We Cover in This Episode:
Listen Now: Find Master Integrator on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — just search Master Integrator.
Got feedback or questions? Email info@masterintegrator.com.au or follow us on LinkedIn.
Thanks to Our Sponsors:🔹 Kordz — award-winning, professional-grade connectivity solutions engineered for integrators (www.kordz.com.au)
🔹 Netvio — exclusively distributed by Kordz Australia (www.netvio.com.au)
🔹 Connected Magazine — your go-to source for AV and smart home industry news (www.connectedmag.com.au)
Smart homes are getting smarter — but are they getting more ethical?
In this episode of Master Integrator, I’m joined by Dr Stephen Hart, founder of Roboethics Australia, to explore the emerging field of roboethics and what it means for integrators, designers, and homeowners.
We unpack the ethical challenges of AI, automation, and IoT in residential spaces, including bias in algorithms, privacy concerns, and the question of consent in always-on environments.
Stephen shares practical steps integrators can take to design and install systems that not only work well, but also respect the rights and wellbeing of the people using them.
Whether you’re specifying a simple lighting system or a fully autonomous home, this conversation will make you think differently about the technology you choose — and the impact it has.
What We Cover in This Episode:
Thanks to Our Sponsors:🔹 Kordz Australia (www.kordz.com.au) the Australian distributor of Netvio (www.netvio.com.au)
🔹 Connected Magazine (www.connectedmag.com.au)
Got feedback or questions? Email info@masterintegrator.com.au or follow us on LinkedIn.
In a tightening economy, it’s not enough to do great work — you need to make sure you get paid for it. In this episode of Master Integrator, Paul Skelton speaks with Angela McDonald, Managing Director of Optimum Recoveries, and Craig Mason, Principal of SMS Law, about how smart home integrators can legally and financially protect their businesses.
From tightening your terms and conditions to using tools like the PPSR and trade credit insurance, Angela and Craig share clear, practical advice for avoiding bad debts before they start. They also break down common mistakes integrators make — like relying on handshake deals or trying to recover gear after non-payment — and what to include in your contracts to ensure you have legal recourse.
Whether you're running a growing integration company or you're sole trader just starting out, this episode will help you build smarter systems — not just for your clients, but for your business.
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Thanks to our sponsors for supporting Master Integrator!
For Integrate Unlimited, visit www.iunlimited.au
For Kolosseum, visit http://kolosseum.io
For Connected Magazine, visit www.connectedmag.com.au
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For more information about the podcast, visit www.masterintegrator.com.au or email info@masterintegrator.com.au
In a special role reversal, Connected Magazine editor Sean Carroll joins Master Integrator as interviewer, putting Paul Skelton — the podcast’s host and CEDIA’s Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand — in the hot seat.
This episode explores where the smart home integration industry has come from, where it’s heading, and why the time for industry reform is now. From building a nationally recognised apprenticeship program, to pushing for ANZSCO recognition, to expanding conversations around ethical technology design, Paul shares what’s happening behind the scenes — and what’s at stake if the industry doesn’t engage.
They also discuss the growing urgency around industry insurance, the importance of CPD education for architects and designers, and why collaboration with building professionals is key to long-term success.
Equal parts honest, provocative, and absurd (yes, sandwiches and basketball are discussed), this episode lifts the curtain on the work being done — and what it will take to finally get integrators the recognition they deserve.
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Thanks to our sponsors for supporting Master Integrator!
For Integrate Unlimited, visit www.iunlimited.au
For Kolosseum, visit http://kolosseum.io
For Connected Magazine, visit www.connectedmag.com.au
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For more information about the podcast, visit www.masterintegrator.com.au or email info@masterintegrator.com.au
With Australia’s skills shortage affecting nearly every trade-related industry, smart home integration businesses are feeling the pressure to grow — but struggling to find talent.
In this episode, Paul Skelton speaks with Samantha Norman, Senior Migration Specialist at Mapien, about skilled migration — what it is, how it works, and how integrators can use it strategically to meet workforce needs. They break down the realities of sponsorship, including employer obligations, visa categories that may suit the industry, and the risks of cutting corners.
From bridging visas to labour market testing, Samantha explains the migration system in simple terms — offering real-world guidance on how businesses can stay compliant, reduce churn, and make informed hiring decisions.
If you’ve ever wondered whether skilled migration is right for your business — or you’ve hired offshore talent before and want to do it properly — this episode is essential listening.
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Thanks to our sponsors for supporting Master Integrator!
For Integrate Unlimited, visit www.iunlimited.au
For Kolosseum, visit http://kolosseum.io
For Connected Magazine, visit www.connectedmag.com.au
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For more information about the podcast, visit www.masterintegrator.com.au or email info@masterintegrator.com.au
Jacqui Gueye joins the Master Integrator Podcast to explore how neurodivergence shapes our relationship with technology - from sensory overload to interface complexity and inclusive UX design. Drawing on both lived experience and professional insight, Jacqui unpacks the subtle ways technology can empower or hinder users depending on their cognitive needs. She challenges integrators to consider universal design principles, flexible workflows, and multimodal communication strategies when working with neurodivergent clients, customers, and colleagues.
This conversation goes far beyond labels. Jacqui shares practical insights for tradespeople and designers working in homes, schools, and workplaces, and why good design for neurodivergent users is simply good design, full stop.
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Thanks to our sponsors for supporting Master Integrator!
For Integrate Unlimited, visit www.iunlimited.au
For Kolosseum, visit http://kolosseum.io
For Connected Magazine, visit www.connectedmag.com.au
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For more information about the podcast, visit www.masterintegrator.com.au or email info@masterintegrator.com.au
In this episode of Master Integrator, Paul Skelton is joined by Richard Mullins — a systems thinker and experienced integration professional — for a frank and practical conversation about technical debt: what it is, how it happens, and what it costs.
Drawing from real-world examples, Richard outlines how decisions made under pressure — whether rushed installs, undocumented changes, or "temporary" fixes that become permanent — quietly build technical debt that can cripple your business later. He breaks down the difference between unavoidable, acceptable compromises and the reckless, undocumented work that leads to fragile systems, constant callbacks, and lost profit.
They also explore how documentation, accountability, and team habits can reduce risk — and why technical debt isn’t just a technical problem, but a cultural one. If you've ever been afraid to revisit a site because the system is “held together with hope,” this episode is for you.
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Thanks to our sponsors for supporting Master Integrator!
For Integrate Unlimited, visit www.iunlimited.au
For Kolosseum, visit http://kolosseum.io
For Connected Magazine, visit www.connectedmag.com.au
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For more information about the podcast, visit www.masterintegrator.com.au or email info@masterintegrator.com.au
In this enlightening episode of Master Integrator, Paul Skelton is joined by Andy Moore, a lighting industry veteran with more than two decades of experience across commercial, residential, museum, and retail sectors. From working with traditional lighting systems to embracing the evolution of bus control and human-centric lighting, Andy offers a thoughtful, practical view on how smart home integrators can better engage with lighting design.
They explore why dimming and time control should be standard in modern homes, the physiological effects of artificial lighting on circadian rhythms, and how integrators can apply emerging standards like melanopic EDI without overcomplicating their systems. Andy also discusses the future of lighting integration, the potential risks of overdesign, and how to keep solutions practical, durable, and healthy.
If you’ve ever struggled to explain why lighting matters — or want to ensure the systems you install support your clients’ wellbeing, not just their automation preferences — this conversation is essential listening.
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Thanks to our sponsors for supporting Master Integrator!
For Integrate Unlimited, visit www.iunlimited.au
For Kolosseum, visit http://kolosseum.io
For Connected Magazine, visit www.connectedmag.com.au
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For more information about the podcast, visit www.masterintegrator.com.au or email info@masterintegrator.com.au
Interior designer, educator, and former president of the British Institute of Interior Design, Susie Rumbold from Tessuto joins Master Integrator to explore one of the most overlooked partnerships in residential design — the relationship between interior designers and technology integrators.
In this episode, Susie shares what makes collaboration work (and what makes it fall apart), how to build mutual respect across disciplines, and why integrators must learn to listen. From the dangers of overengineering and built-in obsolescence to the quiet joy of switching on a table lamp, this wide-ranging conversation gets to the heart of what great design and great technology can achieve — when they’re allowed to work together.
If you're an integrator looking to build stronger relationships with designers, or a designer curious about smart home technology, this episode will give you the insights — and inspiration — to join the design conversation.
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Thanks to our sponsors for supporting Master Integrator!
For Integrate Unlimited, visit www.iunlimited.au
For Kolosseum, visit http://kolosseum.io
For Connected Magazine, visit www.connectedmag.com.au
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For more information about the podcast, visit www.masterintegrator.com.au or email info@masterintegrator.com.au
In this episode of Master Integrator, Paul Skelton speaks with Steve Hall, General Manager - VET and Technical at the Powering Skills Organisation, one of the Jobs and Skills Councils established to reform Australia’s vocational education system.
Together, they discuss the development of a national apprenticeship pathway for the smart home technology sector — and the critical role integrators must play in supporting it.
Steve outlines how the new training package is being constructed, why smart home skills must align with electrotechnology, and the importance of industry consultation. He also touches on the broader workforce challenges affecting electricians, integrators, and other trades, and offers insight into what needs to happen next for long-term sustainability.
If you care about the future of the smart home profession, workforce development, or the recognition of integration as a skilled trade — this is your call to action.
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Thanks to our sponsors for supporting Master Integrator!
For Integrate Unlimited, visit www.iunlimited.au
For Kolosseum, visit http://kolosseum.io
For Connected Magazine, visit www.connectedmag.com.au
At 12 years old, Michael Daly built his first pair of speakers. Now, as the man behind Wired by MJD, he’s helping a new generation rediscover the magic of 2-channel audio. In a market dominated by multi-room and cinema installs, this episode explores why stereo never really went away — and why it matters now more than ever. Paul and Mick discuss integration challenges, streaming quality, nostalgia, design, and what integrators can do to reconnect clients with the art of listening. Whether you’re a hi-fi tragic or just stereo-curious, this episode hits all the right notes.
For more episodes and news, visit www.masterintegrator.com.au
Mentioned in this episode:
Thanks to our sponsor, Kolosseum - the design and documentation wingman you didn't know you needed. Visit kolosseum.io today!
Thanks to our sponsor, Integrate Unlimited - the exclusive Australian distributor of MAG Theatron. Visit iunlimited.au today!
To register, for the Ethical Technology Design Conference, visit https://cedia.swoogo.com/ausetc/register
To find out more about Connected magazine, visit www.connectedmag.com.au
When Steve Thomas received a call to help automate lighting for a man with motor neurone disease, he assumed it would be just another small job. But that moment - and the client’s simple but powerful feedback - would spark a complete career transformation.
In this heartfelt episode, Steve opens up about his transition from high-end home automation to founding Geohaven, a business dedicated to assistive technology and specialist disability accommodation. He explains how working with vulnerable Australians has challenged his definition of good system design, and why integrators need to think differently when the user experience literally defines someone’s independence.
We also discuss his work with occupational therapists, the NDIS, the shortcomings of the SDA Design Standard, and why the industry must start preparing now for a future where technology and disability intersect more than ever before.
It’s a powerful conversation that brings meaning back to integration—and underscores why ethics matter.
Mentioned in this episode:
Thanks to our sponsor, Integrate Unlimited - the exclusive Australian distributor of MAG Theatron. Visit iunlimited.au today!
Thanks to our sponsor, Kolosseum - the design and documentation wingman you didn't know you needed. Visit kolosseum.io today!
To register, for the Ethical Technology Design Conference, visit https://cedia.swoogo.com/ausetc/register
Chris McCormick started as an electrician with a love of lighting control. Seventeen years later, he’s built one of Sydney’s most respected integration businesses — and rebranded it to reflect where he’s headed next. In this episode, Chris shares the honest story behind stepping away from the tools, what he learned from hiring a business coach, and the discipline it takes to grow something that lasts. From cash flow panic to confidence, it’s a real look at the work behind the work — and why most integrators don’t need better tech. They need better systems.
For more episodes and news, visit www.masterintegrator.com.au
Mentioned in this episode:
Thanks to our sponsor, Kolosseum - the design and documentation wingman you didn't know you needed. Visit kolosseum.io today!
Thanks to our sponsor, Integrate Unlimited - the exclusive Australian distributor of MAG Theatron. Visit iunlimited.au today!
To register, for the Ethical Technology Design Conference, visit https://cedia.swoogo.com/ausetc/register
Most integrators are great at what they do but terrible at telling anyone about it.
In this episode, communications strategist Salvatore di Muccio joins Paul to talk about why small and family run businesses need to stop waiting for recognition and start making noise. From the difference between branding and personal identity, to the real value of PR, to why doing great work quietly isn’t enough, this episode breaks down marketing into clear, honest terms. Whether you’re a one-person operation or running multiple crews, there’s something here for anyone ready to grow their profile — and their pipeline.
For more episodes and news, visit www.masterintegrator.com.au
Mentioned in this episode:
Thanks to our sponsor, Kolosseum - the design and documentation wingman you didn't know you needed. Visit kolosseum.io today!
Thanks to our sponsor, Integrate Unlimited - the exclusive Australian distributor of MAG Theatron. Visit iunlimited.au today!
The Australian smart home industry has been talking about apprenticeships for more than 20 years. Now, it’s finally happening. In this episode, Paul Vivian from Skills Recognition International joins us to unpack the work happening behind the scenes to create the country’s first national qualification for smart home technology. We talk about education reform, workforce development, working with regulators, and what needs to happen next — from manufacturers, employers, and integrators themselves. If you’ve ever said this industry needs more structure, this episode is your blueprint.
For more episodes and news, visit www.masterintegrator.com.au
Mentioned in this episode:
Thanks to our sponsor, Integrate Unlimited - the exclusive Australian distributor of MAG Theatron. Visit iunlimited.au today!
What if the systems we install are doing harm... without us even realising? Shannon Marsh from eQ Technologies introduces integrators to the concept of Value Sensitive Design, which is a practical framework for thinking about ethics in technology. In this episode, we explore how values like autonomy, consent, and dignity show up in everyday projects… and why ignoring them is no longer an option. It’s not the most comfortable conversation but it’s one this industry needs to have.
For more episodes and news, visit www.masterintegrator.com.au
In this debut episode, Paul sits down with Stuart Robertson — one of Australia’s original smart home integrators and a current member of CEDIA’s Certification Commission. Stuart reflects on the early days of the industry, what’s changed (and what hasn’t), and why certification and standards matter now more than ever. It’s a conversation about legacy, leadership, and raising the bar.
For more episodes and news, visit www.masterintegrator.com.au