In this fiery and insightful episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, hosts Michael and Greg dive deep into the DLC's 501 (c) 3 charitable activities like product labelling in the lighting industry. Pulling no punches as they challenge the status quo. Here's what you'll get: Lighting Industry Real TalkMichael and Greg dissect the influence of the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) and how its evolving standards are reshaping—some say disrupting—the lighting landscape. From rebate gatekeeping to the unintended consequences of product labelling outcomes, they call out the system with passion and precision. Global Power ShiftIs America losing its grip on lighting tech? Our hosts argue that DLC policies have inadvertently handed the reins to Chinese manufacturers, raising serious questions about strategic independence and technological sovereignty. Back to BasicsForget chasing rebates—Michael champions a return to practical lighting solutions that serve real needs other than free money from electrical utility ratepayers. Smarter choices, and fixtures people can actually maintain. Unfiltered Opinions & Sharp InsightsFrom lumens per watt fatigue to the absurdity of shrinking fixtures for Chinese container optimization, this episode is filled with bold takes and industry wisdom.
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Episode 510: #416 - Get a Grip on the ArchLIGHT Summit
🔥 Welcome to the ArchLight Experience 🔥 Get ready to plug into the pulse of the lighting design world at the ArchLIGHT Summit, September 16-17 at the Dallas Market Center.From color-changing corridors to line dancing at the Last Call party—this is lighting, learning, and networking at its best. #ArcLightSummit #LightingDesign #GetAGripPodcast #WILD #DallasEvents #DesignInnovation #PodcastVibes Connect with ArchLIGHT: archlightsummit.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/archlight-summit/ https://www.facebook.com/ArchLIGHTSummit/ https://www.instagram.com/archlightsummit/ Connect with Lea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lea-tranakos-7476083b/ Connect with Cindy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindyfosterwarthen2009/
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Episode 509: #415 - The Cliff, the Comeback, and the Convention
In this unforgettable episode, Matt Honson—President of NAILD and lighting industry veteran—shares his jaw-dropping journey from warehouse worker to industry leader. But it’s not just about lighting. Matt recounts surviving a near-fatal fall off a cliff in China, breaking his neck and back, and being rescued by farmers who carried him out on a donkey. His miraculous recovery and resilience are nothing short of inspiring. We also dive into:
His unconventional path into the lighting business
The evolution of LED technology and industry challenges
NAILD’s fight against unethical practices and its renewed mission
Why the upcoming convention in Saint Paul, MN is a must-attend
🔥 If you’ve ever wondered what grit, leadership, and integrity look like in the lighting world—this is the episode to watch. 📅 Join the movement. Join NAILD. Convention info: September 22–24, Saint Paul, MN. Connect with Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-honson-3171a32b/ https://www.thayerenergysolutions.com/about Sponsor: Barron Lighting Group, www.barronltg.com
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Episode 508: #414 - It Hurt Good
In this spirited episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, hosts dive deep into the highs and hiccups of the LSC training held in Dallas — a hands-on lighting controls certification course that left attendees saying, "It hurt good." 🔥 Highlights Include:
Insights from course creators Webster Marsh, Ron Kuszmar, and Chris O'Shea as they reflect on what worked and what evolved.
Emphasis on hands-on learning over theory, adapting curriculum in real-time to meet student needs.
Big takeaway? Lighting controls education is vital — and the industry is yearning for it.
🧠 Why This Matters:
The training emphasized real-world scenarios, offering immediate value to distributors and techs.
Students learned how to translate lighting control drawings into actionable installations — often for the first time.
The importance of legacy systems and maintaining older dimmer panels stirred lively discussion, pointing to a massive opportunity in the controls space.
🧾 Final Thoughts:
Education in lighting controls is no longer optional—it’s essential.
Plans for a second course (LS-C II) to dig deeper into legacy tech and advanced integration.
👉 Ready to be part of the revolution in lighting controls? Hit that like button, subscribe, and learn more at naild.org. Connect with: Chris: www.controlforce.comlinkedin.com/in/chris-o-shea-64a58131a Webster: https://www.penumbracontrols.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-webster-marsh/ Ron: https://www.portlighting.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-kuszmar-7a8a3538/ Sponsor: Satco, www.satco.com
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Episode 507: #413 - The Choir Effect
In this episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, Michael Colligan, Greg Ehrich, and Scott Wachter dive deep into the latest efforts to address light pollution through education and innovation in the lighting industry. Scott reveals the launch of Lighting Specialist: Darkness Restoration Part One, a pioneering training program designed to equip professionals with practical knowledge to mitigate night pollution in poor outdoor lighting design. 🔥 Topics Covered: - The behind-the-scenes creation of the 71-minute training course 🧠- Why fixture certification alone isn't enough—and might be misleading ⚠️- The importance of educating installers and designers on lighting specs 📘- Regional successes in dark sky initiatives, from Georgia to Arizona 🌌- Debates around the health impacts of LED lighting, featuring Mark Baker 👁️- The role of nonprofits, corporations, and associations in shaping lighting legislation 🏛️- How the lighting industry's lack of unified leadership is slowing progress ⏳- Scott’s vision for future advanced modules and hands-on training 💡 💬 “At the end of this, you’ll have a certification that says you know your stuff.” – Scott Wachter If you're a lighting professional, sustainability advocate, or just curious about the next frontier in outdoor lighting, this episode is a must-watch. 📅 Convention details, and more available at naild.org/ls-c 👍 Like, Subscribe & Comment — and join the conversation around restoring our night skies. Connect with Scott:https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-wachter-5a3109113https://restoringdarkness.com/darkness-news-update/https://naild.org/lighting-industry-news-brief/ Sponsor: Keystone, www.keystonetech.com
Recognizing a need in the lighting industry to forum together and discuss subjects & issues in our industry, the Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast was born. Get A Grip brings on industry experts to talk about real issues and focused on that subject matter. If there’s something to be said on the subject, Get A Grip will go there. Get A Grip On Lighting Podcasts are hosted by Michael Colligan and Greg Ehrich, who have over 30 years of combined experience in the lighting industry. Michael Colligan is an entrepreneur and inventor. He’s a subject matter expert in commercial and industrial lighting supply, lighting retrofits, and finding recycling streams for hard-to-recycle waste. Greg Ehrich, LC is the former President of the National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors (NAILD) and owner of a progressive lighting distributorship.
Listen to Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast, All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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