Welcome to the Inside Integration Podcast, where we'll get you up to speed on what's going on in the world of Custom Integration. Sometimes we’ll have guests from the CI world, sometime it’ll just be Chris and Jayson BS'ing about this industry we love.
We’ll cover news from the world of CI, interesting trends, cool technology, upcoming events, and whatever else we get distracted by in the moment.
Join us!
Looking for merch? 👉 https://inside-integration.printify.me/Welcome to the Inside Integration Podcast, where we'll get you up to speed on what's going on in the world of Custom Integration. Sometimes we’ll have guests from the CI world, sometime it’ll just be Chris and Jayson BS'ing about this industry we love.
We’ll cover news from the world of CI, interesting trends, cool technology, upcoming events, and whatever else we get distracted by in the moment.
Join us!
Looking for merch? 👉 https://inside-integration.printify.me/Chris and Jayson take a plunge into the weird intersection of tech, wellness, and plumbing as Kohler unveils a $600 toilet camera that analyzes your waste. From the rise of “smart” bathroom gear to where wellness tech might go next, the guys find humor and a few uncomfortable truths swirling in the bowl.
Chris and Jayson are back, unpacking the ripple effects of a major cloud outage—and why it didn't faze them one bit. From West Coast perks to food court freebies, they explore how tech disruptions hit the industry, what it means for connected home systems, and how dealers can build smarter, more resilient solutions for their clients. It’s laid-back, real-world CI talk with a side of snark and solid insight.
Chris is back with Jayson, who's on the road in Meridian, ID, and let’s be honest, there’s zero prep involved. This off-the-cuff episode goes full production-meeting-on-mic as the guys riff on life on the road, the realities of rep life, and whether Pele might actually be the mayor of Brazil. If you're looking for polished, this ain’t it—but if you want a real slice of the CI grind with a side of ridiculous banter, you’re in the right place.
Chris and Jesse dig into one of the industry’s biggest lies: that the customer is always right. From impossible expectations to micromanaged installs, they share stories from the field and talk about how integrators can protect their time, sanity, and margins. Whether it’s setting boundaries or learning when to walk away, this one’s a therapy session every dealer needs.
Chris and Jayson dive into the world of demos: how they’ve evolved, what makes them effective, and when they fall flat. From the days of demo discs to today’s streaming-first setups, the guys share field stories and debate what really connects with clients in 2025. They cut through the noise with real stories from the field and practical takes on what works and what doesn’t when it comes to demos today.
Chris and Jayson stare into the glitchy abyss of our tech-soaked future, starting with Meta’s latest face-huggers and spiraling quickly into AI doom, data harvesting, and the slow zombification of humanity.
Is the industry embracing innovation or just greasing the skids for Skynet? Why does every new device feel like a privacy breach wrapped in plastic? And how soon until your smart home is smarter than you?
This one’s part rant, part therapy session, and all signal, no noise. Welcome to the AV apocalypse.
This week on Inside Integration, Chris and Jayson dig into the sudden uptick in “Open to Work” posts showing up across LinkedIn. Is it just end-of-summer movement — or is something deeper happening in the custom integration job market?
From rep firms to integrators to manufacturers, we explore:
What’s driving the churn?
Why some companies are scaling back while others are doubling down
How to build a CI career that can survive industry shifts
And the real impact of rep firm consolidation on dealer support
Whether you're hiring, looking, or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, this episode brings a grounded, boots-on-the-ground perspective from guys who live this industry every day.
Jayson and Chris are back from Denver and diving straight into everything they saw at CEDIA 2025. From the big launches that grabbed the spotlight to the dealer tools and hidden gems you might have missed, they break down what mattered most on the show floor. Expect honest takes, a little friendly banter, and insights you can actually use to shape your business strategy coming out of the industry’s biggest event.
We're in Denver for CEDIA, so what better time to knock back a few margs and hit the streets of Denver with our pal Courtney from Newport Home Theaters.
We get into what it takes to win industry awards, the vibe from the show, and the abundance of dirtbike riding eunuchs on the streets here. Not an episode to miss.
Some dumbass forgot to hit "record" on the last episode of the podcast, failing to capture 40 minutes of what might have been the best podcast conversation ever. It isn't even close.
So, in the interest of keeping the streak alive, no we're not creating a blackout at Camden Yards because we punched Kevin Costner in the face, we're breaking the glass on an emergency episode.
We present The History of Sony, as told by Jayson Savage.
Jayson and Chris take on the growing “aging in place” category and what it really means for CI dealers. From motion sensors and voice control to entry alerts and lighting that actually helps, they talk through real-world use cases, simple packages, and how to speak to families without getting weird. It’s a solid mix of market insight, nonsense, and the usual back-and-forth that somehow always lands the plane.
We start out by talking about National Smart Home day, quickly go off the rails and find ourselves trying to figure out how much revenue RemoteCentral.com has indirectly generated for Custom Integrators.
Shoutout to subs from Publix, the real hero.
LESS THAN A MONTH UNTIL CEDIA! LESS THAN A MONTH UNTIL CEDIA! LESS THAN A MONTH UNTIL CEDIA! LESS THAN A MONTH UNTIL CEDIA! LESS THAN A MONTH UNTIL CEDIA! LESS THAN A MONTH UNTIL CEDIA! LESS THAN A MONTH UNTIL CEDIA! LESS THAN A MONTH UNTIL CEDIA! LESS THAN A MONTH UNTIL CEDIA! LESS THAN A MONTH UNTIL CEDIA! LESS THAN A MONTH UNTIL CEDIA! LESS THAN A MONTH UNTIL CEDIA! LESS THAN A MONTH UNTIL CEDIA! LESS THAN A MONTH UNTIL CEDIA!
Oh yeah, and we're doing a contest. Tune in.
Ever feel like you're faking it, hoping no one finds out? You're not alone. In this episode, Chris and guest host Jesse talk through imposter syndrome in the CI world—what it is, how it shows up, and why it hits even the most experienced pros. From first installs to big pitches, we unpack the tension between confidence and self-doubt, and why “fake it till you make it” might not be such a bad thing after all.
It’s the middle of July, and things are getting sweaty, literally and figuratively. Chris and Jayson kick back for a classic summer ramble, touching on everything from road trip reflections to what’s (maybe) coming at CEDIA Expo.
No strict agenda, just two reps riding the seasonal slowdown and talking shop along the way. Expect a little industry heat, a little nonsense, and a few reminders that the grind doesn’t stop, even when the AC does.
Words matter. Titles? Maybe even more.
This week, Chris and Jayson wade into the semantics swamp: are you a Custom Integrator or just the AV Guy? Does it really make a difference—or are we just splitting hairs while pulling wire?
We talk shop labels, public perception, what clients actually hear when we describe what we do, and why some dealers take this distinction personally. (Spoiler: they should.)
It’s a debate as old as HDMI—and twice as frustrating.
#InsideIntegration #CustomIntegrator
HDMI 2.1 is back in the news, so naturally… we’ve got thoughts.
In this episode, Chris and Jayson break down the latest headlines about HDMI 2.1—what’s new, what’s not, and what actually matters for CI dealers in the field. Spoiler: a lot of it sounds impressive until you’re 90 minutes deep into a support call.
From cable claims to compatibility chaos, we’re talking about the signal chain pain that just won’t go away, how dealers are handling it, and why HDMI still manages to hijack entire lunch breaks.
It’s part rant, part therapy session. Just like always.
It’s TV showdown time.
In this episode, Chris and Jayson wade into the deep waters of dealer opinions, display drama, and brand loyalty that runs way too deep.
From panel performance to price point preferences, we're digging into the tech, the talking points, and the petty arguments that come up way too often in group chats. Which one would you defend with your life (or at least your line card)? And where do your clients land when they don’t know what they’re asking for?
This one’s for the dealers who’ve had the “But is OLED really better?” convo one too many times. Let’s go.
#InsideIntegration #DisplayWars #Samsung #Sony #LG #CIchannel #DealerTalk
Welcome back to Inside Integration with your favorite integration insiders, Chris and Jayson!! 🤓🔥 Episode 75 is a reel-y special one (get it? 😉) because we’re casting our lines 🎣 into the deep waters of dealer feedback, industry vibes, and maybe even a few… complaints 😱💥
Whether you're a CI 🛠️ professional, an audio aficionado 🎧, or just an algorithm enthusiast who likes to post confidently about things you’ve never actually touched 🙃🧠💻, this episode is definitely for you. We’re breaking down the real talk that only boots-on-the-ground reps can bring 👟📡
Expect laughs 😂, insights 💡, mild chaos 🔥, and the occasional fish story 🐟
Don’t forget to like, follow, share, download, comment, rate, review, repost, and maybe print it out and mail it to a friend 📩👯♂️💌
Let’s integrate. 🚀🔧🔊
#InsideIntegration #DealerTalk #SmartHomeSavvy #NotAllAdviceIsCreatedEqual #DefinitelyHumanGenerated #CIcommunity 🧠❤️🎙️
What are you really selling in custom integration? In Episode 74, we explore why client experience is what truly matters. From the first walkthrough to the final handoff, it is about how the system feels to live with. Chris breaks down how to frame proposals around moments, not models, and how the most successful integrators focus on lifestyle over specs. Whether you are designing a theater or a lighting scene, this episode helps you shift your mindset and sharpen your pitch.