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Professional Triers

Mattos Designs LLC

131 episodes

2 months ago

We’re not experts… but we try real hard. Welcome to the Professional Triers Podcast — the laid-back, slightly chaotic show where RGB lighting nerds, Christmas die-hards, and mini-event junkies come to hang. Hosted by J.R. and Brian, we dive into everything from holiday lighting fails to epic builds, controller hacks, and “what the heck does this port do?” moments. We talk shop with community legends like Bobby Galeza, Tom & Fred, Ron Armstrong — and occasionally ourselves, when things go off the rails. We’re live, unscripted, and powered by zip ties, caffeine, and probably the wrong extension cord. Whether you’re lighting up your front yard, running pixels at a theme park, or just here for the laughs, this is your tribe. 💡 Recaps from SoCal Mini, Heartland Mini, Transworld, and whatever backyard build we just barely finished
🎤 Guest interviews, behind-the-scenes chaos, and real talk from the trenches
🎄 Christmas spirit? Year-round. Professionalism? Optional. 👉 Subscribe. Comment. Roast our wiring. You’re one of us now.

Show more...

All content for Professional Triers is the property of Mattos Designs LLC and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

We’re not experts… but we try real hard. Welcome to the Professional Triers Podcast — the laid-back, slightly chaotic show where RGB lighting nerds, Christmas die-hards, and mini-event junkies come to hang. Hosted by J.R. and Brian, we dive into everything from holiday lighting fails to epic builds, controller hacks, and “what the heck does this port do?” moments. We talk shop with community legends like Bobby Galeza, Tom & Fred, Ron Armstrong — and occasionally ourselves, when things go off the rails. We’re live, unscripted, and powered by zip ties, caffeine, and probably the wrong extension cord. Whether you’re lighting up your front yard, running pixels at a theme park, or just here for the laughs, this is your tribe. 💡 Recaps from SoCal Mini, Heartland Mini, Transworld, and whatever backyard build we just barely finished
🎤 Guest interviews, behind-the-scenes chaos, and real talk from the trenches
🎄 Christmas spirit? Year-round. Professionalism? Optional. 👉 Subscribe. Comment. Roast our wiring. You’re one of us now.

Show more...

Episodes (20/131)

Professional Triers

Episode 129 Brand-new house. Same Clyde. New pixel problems.

What’s up Brian?! This week we’re joined by the pixel wizard himself — Clyde Lindsey of Pixel Pro Displays — and he's starting fresh with a brand-new house and a clean slate for blinky greatness. Fresh off the Ohio Mini, Clyde’s spilling the beans on:
🏡 His brand-new display setup (spoiler: it’s gonna be 🔥)
🎄 How moving has reshaped his RGB strategy
🧰 Planning a show from the ground up — from layout to lighting philosophy
🎙️ The evolving world of sequencing, teaching, and giving back to the community This isn’t just about pixels — it’s about reinvention, creativity, and how Clyde keeps pushing forward with purpose (and a few extension cords). 🚧 In This Episode:

What Clyde's dreaming up for his new space
The importance of planning ahead (and when to throw the plan out)
Behind-the-scenes of running Pixel Pro Displays
Why the Ohio Mini was a much-needed reset button
Clyde’s take on balancing content creation, installs, and still loving the hobby

💬 Have a spicy name for Clyde’s new display? Drop it in the comments
🎧 Like, share, and subscribe if you’ve ever started over with a blank yard and big dreams

2 months ago

1 hour 58 minutes

Professional Triers

Episode 128 J.R. Takes Ohio (And Probably the Wrong Exit)

What’s up Brian?! J.R. packed his bags, forgot half his gear, and flew cross-country to hit up the Ohio Mini — and of course, chaos followed. In this episode, we get the full debrief: Flight delays, sketchy hotels, and what not to pack Behind-the-scenes stories from the Ohio lighting crew Booth setups with more zip ties than sense And community hangs that made the whole trip worth it Whether you were there in person or living vicariously through livestreams, this is your inside look at the Midwest madness — with plenty of laughs, lighting tips, and bad food choices sprinkled in. 🧳 Highlights Include: Meeting legends like [insert names if you want shoutouts] What made the Ohio Mini different (in a good way!) Tips for surviving your first travel Mini Why J.R.’s luggage still smells like pixel dust 🎤 Quote of the trip: “At least I didn’t forget the power supply… this time.” 💬 Tell us your favorite Mini memory in the comments 🛫 Like, share, and subscribe if you’ve ever traveled with props in a carry-on

2 months ago

1 hour 1 minute

Professional Triers

🎧 Episode 127: “King of Coro… But We Didn’t Talk About Coro – James Hohensee from Boscoyo”

What’s up Brian?! We finally got James Hohensee III — the mastermind behind Boscoyo and the unofficial King of Coro — on the show… and barely talked about coro at all. 😂 Instead, we went off-script in the best way:
🎤 James opens up about community, burnout, and the real reason he keeps showing up
🧰 Behind-the-scenes stories from the early days of Boscoyo
🎯 What it’s like being in the RGB world this long — and what still excites him
💬 Honest talk about growing the hobby without losing the fun 🧠 In This Episode:

How James went from tinkering to building an empire of flutes and flakes
What drives him to keep innovating (hint: it’s not just money or coro)
His take on the future of prop design and DIY
Why staying grounded matters more than staying trendy

💬 Ever built a show with Boscoyo props? Tag us and tell James your favorite
🎧 Like, share, and subscribe if you’re here for the heart behind the hobby — not just the hardware

3 months ago

2 hours 17 minutes

Professional Triers

🎧 Episode 126: “Devon Did What?! DB Lights & the Show That Broke the Neighborhood”

What’s up Brian?! In this episode, we sit down with Devon from DB Lights, a guy who took “go big or go home” and accidentally lit up everyone’s homes. We dive into:
💥 The insane show that pushed gear, pixels, and neighborhood patience to the limit
🎛️ How Devon built it, what broke, and who called the city (again)
📈 Lessons learned from pushing the edge of epic
🎉 The unexpected community reaction — from love to light rage ⚡ In This Episode:

Devon’s favorite tools and biggest regrets
Why the neighbors probably still have sunglasses on
How a backyard hobby became a full-blown phenomenon
The moment Devon realized… “uh oh, this might be too good”

💬 Ever push your show too far? Share your “oops” moment in the comments
🔔 Like, share, and subscribe if you’ve ever triggered a blackout (or just annoyed your HOA)

3 months ago

1 hour 1 minute

Professional Triers

🎧 Episode 125: “Fresh Off the Boat, Running Late & McVay’s Surprise Plan”

What’s up Brian?! This episode hits right after wheels-down — and we’re running on fumes, fast food, and pure lighting adrenaline. J.R.’s back from the high seas, Brian’s trying to keep it together, and McVay’s got something sneaky up his sleeve. We chat about:
🛳️ Post-cruise chaos and jumping right back into Mini prep
⏰ Why every great lighting idea happens when you’re running late
🎭 The mystery of McVay’s “surprise” — and why it makes us nervous
🤣 Side tangents, jetlag jokes, and the usual community shoutouts 🧨 In This Episode:

A cruise recap with more RGB withdrawal than relaxation
Trying to catch up on projects while still unpacking
What McVay’s planning (we think?) and how it might involve pixels
Why we never learn from doing it last minute

💬 Got a theory on what McVay’s cooking up? Drop it in the comments
📦 Like, share, and subscribe if you’ve ever returned from vacation straight into prop madness

3 months ago

1 hour 31 minutes

Professional Triers

🎧 Episode 124: “Mini Madness with Bobby & Mr. Nash – Utah to Niagara & Everything in Between”

What’s up Brian?! This episode is a full-on RGB road trip as we catch up with Bobby Galeza and Mr. Nash after their whirlwind run through Utah, Niagara, and New York Minis — and oh man, it’s one for the books. We cover:
🚗 Travel fails, van chaos, and suspicious snacks
🎤 Mini highlights from across the country (and who actually showed up)
📦 Vendor setups, show-and-tells, and secret stashes
🤣 Bobby & Nash’s hilarious dynamic as the unlikeliest of lighting duos If you’ve ever packed your whole show into a carry-on or asked “wait, which Mini is this again?” — you’re gonna feel seen. 🧳 In This Episode:

Utah Mini: surprise guests and bigger-than-expected energy
Niagara: accents, installs, and regional chaos
New York: the food, the people, and the unexpected moments
Bobby’s air travel hot takes and Mr. Nash’s non-stop one-liners

💬 Been to one of these Minis? Tell us your favorite moment!
🔔 Like, share, and subscribe if your show budget includes gas, hotel, and emergency props

3 months ago

1 hour 34 minutes

Professional Triers

🎧 Episode 123: “Dad Life, McVay Memories & Michigan Lights”

What’s up Brian?! This episode’s a little different — a mix of heart, hustle, and holiday lights as we talk about life behind the pixels. From doing the dad thing, to saying goodbye to McVay Elementary, to lighting it up in Michigan, it’s an honest, unfiltered look at the people behind the props. We get real about:
👨‍👦 Balancing family life with building big
🏫 The emotional send-off of a school show that meant a lot
🌲 Road trips, show installs, and lighting magic in Michigan
💡 Why this community keeps showing up when life gets crazy ❤️ In This Episode:

J.R.’s personal reflections and what McVay meant to him
Dad duties that take priority over pixels (yep, it happens)
Michigan installs and late-night prop chaos
A reminder that behind every show is someone just trying their best

💬 Drop a comment if you’ve ever had to choose between family time and show time — we see you
🔔 Like, share, and subscribe if your lighting journey includes a little heart and a whole lot of hustle

3 months ago

1 hour 12 minutes

Professional Triers

🎧 Episode 122: “No Expo, No Cry – How Frozen & ERLE Minis Saved the Season”

What’s up Brian?! When Christmas Expo got canceled, the community didn’t fold — we fired up the backup generators (metaphorically) and kept the lights on anyway. In this episode, we shine a spotlight on the two Mini events that came in clutch: Frozen Mini and ERLE Mini. We dig into:
🎄 How the Minis stepped up when Expo plans went dark
🧊 Frozen Mini highlights, hot takes, and chilly chaos
🚗 ERLE Mini vibes, road trip recaps, and full-on family energy
🔥 The difference between a “big event” and a meaningful one This is a love letter to the folks who said, “Screw it, let’s still do something awesome” — and actually pulled it off. 🛠️ In This Episode:

What worked, what surprised us, and what we’re stealing for next year
Why smaller events might be the real MVPs of the lighting season
Shoutouts to the unsung heroes who organized everything last minute
Brian’s take on the best Mini snack table (again… important)

💬 Were you at Frozen or ERLE? Drop your pics and memories in the comments
💡 Like, share, and subscribe if the community kept your show going this year

3 months ago

1 hour 28 minutes

Professional Triers

🎧 Episode 121: “Bringing the Bright – Mini Events, Mega Passion 💡”

What’s up Brian?! In this episode, we shine a spotlight on the heart of the lighting world — the Mini Events. These aren’t just local meetups... they’re full-blown passion projects with zip ties, late nights, and friendships forged under pixel trees. We talk:
🎄 Why Minis matter way more than people think
👷‍♂️ The DIY madness behind building for and during events
🤝 Stories of collaboration, chaos, and “we made it work anyway” energy
🔥 Shoutouts to the volunteers, vendors, and attendees who keep showing up Whether you’re planning to attend your first Mini or you’re a seasoned pro who knows where the good snacks are — this one’s for you. 🎤 In This Episode:

The real work that happens after the sessions end
What makes each regional Mini unique (spoiler: it’s the people)
Tips for getting the most out of your next Mini event
Brian’s unofficial ranking of “Best Mini Snacks of All Time”

💬 Drop your favorite Mini moment in the comments!
🛠️ Like, share, and subscribe if you’ve ever left a Mini with more friends than pixels (and that’s saying something)

3 months ago

1 hour 22 minutes

Professional Triers

Episode 120: “No Clue, Just Doing It Live – Chaos in Real Time”

What’s up Brian?! We hit record with zero agenda, zero prep, and zero clue — just raw, real-time chaos like only the Triers can deliver. It’s live, it’s loose, and yes… it somehow still turns into a full episode. Inside:
🎙️ Unscripted updates from the lighting trenches
🤦‍♂️ Rambling builds, tech fails, and “wait, are we recording?” moments
🔧 Impromptu Q&A, community shoutouts, and a little garage therapy If you’ve ever gone live without knowing what you’re doing — you’re in the right place. 🎛️ In This Episode:

Our favorite lighting rabbit holes (accidentally discovered mid-show)
Updates on what we’re building, breaking, and blaming Brian for
Community questions we absolutely didn’t prepare for
Why "winging it" might be our best skill

💬 Comment if you were there live — or pretend you were, we won’t fact-check
📺 Like, share, and subscribe if “no clue but full send” is your lifestyle

3 months ago

35 minutes

Professional Triers

🎧 Episode 119: “Late but Full Throttle – Lights, Laughter & Zero Chill”

What’s up Brian?! Yeah, we were late — but we showed up, fired it up, and didn’t lift. In this wide-open-throttle episode, we hit you with lighting chaos, event prep panic, and stories that probably should’ve stayed in the group chat. Expect:
⚙️ Last-minute builds (some held together by hope and zip ties)
🚨 Real talk about burnout, deadlines, and doing too much too fast
🤣 Tangents, tech fails, and unexpected guests (as always) Whether you’re in crunch mode for a show or just here for the therapy session, this one’s got the good, the bad, and the beautifully broken. 🔥 In This Episode:

Why we were late (spoiler: it’s exactly what you think)
When “good enough” is actually the best setting
How to recover when everything goes sideways — live
Shoutouts to the MVPs who help us fake it ‘til it blinks

💬 Got a last-minute save story? Drop it in the comments
🚦 Like, share, and subscribe if “testing live” is your default setting

3 months ago

51 minutes

Professional Triers

🎧 Episode 118: “Christmas Lights & Checkered Flags – The Ride Continues”

What’s up Brian?! In this high-octane episode, we mash up two things you didn’t know you needed together: Christmas lights and race cars. That’s right — the RGB life meets the need for speed, and the ride definitely doesn’t go as planned. We talk:
🏁 The crossover between lighting fanatics and race fanatics
🎄 How pixels ended up in the pit lane
🚗 Late-night builds, high-speed installs, and why zip ties are universal
😂 Stories from the track and the garage that’ll make you question our sanity It’s fast, it’s funny, and it's got just enough chaos to be a Professional Triers episode. 🚦 In This Episode:

The wildest place we’ve ever seen coro
What racing and light shows really have in common
Why event setup feels a lot like race prep (just sweatier)
And yes — someone brought a controller to the track

💬 Ever combine two hobbies into one giant mess? We wanna hear about it!
🏎️ Like, share, and subscribe if your weekends involve both pixels and pit stops.

3 months ago

1 hour 21 minutes

Professional Triers

🎧 Episode 117: “SoCal Mini 2025 Preview – Bad Ideas, Big Plans & Blinky Brilliance”

What’s up Brian?! You know it’s almost showtime when we start talking SoCal Mini, and this episode is your front-row sneak peek into the 2025 edition — coming in hot with more pixels, more chaos, and probably someone forgetting the power supply. We break down what to expect at this year’s SoCal Mini:
🔥 Speakers, sessions, and the infamous after-hours parking lot builds
🛠️ Who’s bringing what, what’s new, and what’s definitely not tested yet
🎤 Inside stories from past Minis — from total fails to fan-favorite moments Whether you’re a SoCal regular or thinking about attending your first Mini, this is your unofficial guide to what’s coming, who’s showing up, and how to not embarrass yourself (too much). ☀️ In This Episode:

New faces, OG legends, and vendor surprises
Tips for surviving the weekend without losing a controller
Why SoCal Minis feel like the lighting community’s summer camp
And Brian’s bold prediction for who forgets their laptop this year

📍Coming to SoCal? Drop a comment and let us know what you’re excited about
📦 Not coming? We’ll guilt you into it by the end of this episode 💡 Subscribe, share, and light it up — because this Mini’s gonna be legendary.

3 months ago

1 hour 25 minutes

Professional Triers

Episode 116 - East Coast Mayhem: Christmas Shows, Minis & Shenanigans”

We took the Professional Triers energy straight to the East Coast and brought back stories, mishaps, and maybe a few TSA-flagged props. In this live episode, we unpack the madness that is the East Coast Christmas Show — from jaw-dropping builds to behind-the-scenes chaos that only our lighting fam could appreciate. Whether you were there in person, caught the stream, or had FOMO from your garage, we’ve got the scoop. 🚨 Expect:

Unexpected travel fails (shoutout to the rental van from hell)
Community legends doing what they do best — winging it live
Our favorite booths, props, and “oops” moments
Late-night stories from the hotel lobby that may or may not involve zip ties

🎄 In This Episode:

Highlights from the East Coast Mini
Who brought what (and who forgot everything)
Vendor shoutouts, real talk, and live Q&A chaos
Why this event felt more like a family reunion than a trade show

💡 Whether you’re planning your first Mini or just here for the behind-the-scenes laughs, this one’s packed with the kind of moments that make the community special. 📲 Subscribe on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your chaos.
💬 Drop a comment if we caught you on camera or forgot to shout you out — we’ll make it right (or at least pretend to)!

3 months ago

56 minutes

Professional Triers

Episode 115 With the Librarian (a.k.a. Brian Michael)

This week we go full Dewey Decimal and hang out with the man, the myth, the pixel-organizing machine — Brian Michael, aka The Librarian. He’s the guy who’s quietly keeping the RGB world from total chaos… with spreadsheets, backups, and more tabs open than your browser during Black Friday. But don’t let the calm voice fool you — Brian brings the heat with stories from the lighting trenches, data wizardry, and a sense of humor drier than last year’s zip ties. We talk:

How he got the nickname “The Librarian” (spoiler: he earned it)
Organization tips that’ll make your layout cry tears of joy
The importance of documentation (yes, seriously — it matters)
And why helping others is the real magic of this community

📚 In This Episode:

Brian’s secret to surviving 800-node props
The underrated joy of a well-labeled wire
“Wait, you don’t document everything?”
Why the lighting community needs more Brians

💬 Got your own lighting chaos story? Drop it in the comments.
🔔 Like, share, and subscribe if your show folder has more files than your kid’s school drive.

3 months ago

1 hour 37 minutes

Professional Triers

Episode 114 Behind the Magic with Tom Stallings & Fred (The Real Minirunners)

This week we’re pulling back the curtain on the guys who keep the lights running, the props standing, and the magic flowing — Tom Stallings and Fred! Forget the spotlight — these two are the backbone of big builds, helping everyone from first-timers to festival legends get their pixels in a row. We dive into:

How they got started (spoiler: with less gear and more duct tape)
Lessons learned from builds that should have been disasters
The beauty of doing things the “wrong” way until it works
And why being behind the scenes doesn’t mean being behind the magic

This one’s full of laughs, lighthearted roasting, and the kind of real talk that only comes from years of doing the dirty work no one sees — and loving it. 🛠️ In This Episode:

Tom’s trick for staying calm when stuff explodes (figuratively… mostly)
Fred’s “we’re doing it live” attitude in action
Tales from Minis, installs, and long days that turned into longer nights
Why community over clout always wins

🙌 These guys are the heart of the hobby — humble, helpful, and hilarious. 📣 Shout out your favorite behind-the-scenes hero in the comments
💡 Like, share, and subscribe if you’ve ever said, “I’ll fix it later”... and never did

3 months ago

1 hour 9 minutes

Professional Triers

Episode 113 - Story Time!! (We Regret Nothing… Kinda)

We’re back — unscripted, under-caffeinated, and oversharing as usual! In this episode of Story Time!!, J.R. and Brian dive headfirst into the chaotic side of building big shows, questionable setups, and lessons learned the hard (read: hilarious) way. We talk about:

Late-night builds that probably broke OSHA
Brian’s mystery bag of tools (no one knows what’s in there)
A lighting story so ridiculous, even xLights wouldn’t map it
Family interruptions mid-prop build
And the real MVP: duct tape

It's like sitting around a campfire… if the fire was made of RGB nodes and the marshmallows were zip ties. Whether you’re wiring pixels in your garage or just here for the laughs, this episode is a solid reminder: trying and failing is half the fun. 🛠️ This one’s for you if:

You’ve ever yelled “It worked last night!”
You’ve run a show on 2 hours of sleep and pure hope
You’ve used a child’s homework folder as a prop base (no judgment)

📢 Comment with your own lighting horror story — we’ll read the best (or worst) one next episode.
👍 Like, share, and subscribe so we can keep doing this chaos live.

3 months ago

37 minutes

Professional Triers

Episode 112 - Ron Armstrong: The Legend, The Lights, The Late Nights

What’s up Brian?! In this episode, we finally wrangle the myth, the man, the Mini-Master himself — Ron Armstrong! He joins us for a laid-back (but wildly insightful) chat about his journey into RGB chaos, how he accidentally built a mini empire (literally), and why SoCal Mini has more extension cords than sense. We talk building props ‘til 3AM, tech fails that should’ve been livestreamed, and how Ron’s philosophy of “just try it and see what breaks” made him a community legend. Expect unfiltered laughs, heartfelt shout-outs, and a few behind-the-scenes stories you definitely weren’t supposed to hear. 🔥 If you’ve ever zip-tied something questionable to get a show running, this one’s for you. 🧰 In This Episode:

Ron’s first DIY lighting disaster
The origin of SoCal Mini (and how it almost didn’t happen)
Show setups gone wrong — and right
Family life with RGB in the garage
Why he keeps showing up for the community

💬 Drop your favorite Ron story in the comments
📺 Subscribe on YouTube or Facebook
📸 Share your own Mini build and tag us — we might roast it on the next episode

3 months ago

1 hour 22 minutes

Professional Triers

Episode 112 - Meet Bobby Galeza

🚨 Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Look! 🚨 Meet Bobby Galeza, the mastermind behind Island Lights on Pork Chop Island! 🌟 In this episode, we dive deep into Bobby’s passion for Christmas light displays, how he turned a small traffic island into a holiday spectacle, and the challenges he overcame to make it happen. 🎄💡 🔹 The origin of "Pork Chop Island" 🏝️ 🔹 How Bobby designs and builds his stunning light show ✨ 🔹 Behind-the-scenes setup & technical secrets 🔌 🔹 Community reactions & heartwarming stories ❤️ 🔹 Future plans for the display 🎆 This is a must-watch for holiday lighting enthusiasts, DIY decorators, and Christmas lovers alike! 🎅🎶 📌 Don’t forget to LIKE, SHARE & SUBSCRIBE to stay updated on more incredible lighting displays and behind-the-scenes content! 🎥🎄 🔴 Watch Now: [Insert Video Link] 📺 Follow us on YouTube: @ProfessionalTriers 👍 Join the conversation on Facebook: @ProTriersPodcast #ChristmasLights #HolidayDisplay #LightShow #BehindTheScenes #BobbyGaleza #PorkChopIsland #ProfessionalTriers #HolidayMagic

3 months ago

1 hour

Professional Triers

Episode 111 - The comeback Episode!

Back after a Lifetime: Behind the Scenes of JR Display

3 months ago

1 hour 9 minutes