From smart technology and creative process to business insights and emerging trends, the Connected Design Podcast explores the ideas, projects, and people pushing design forward—across residential, commercial, and everything in between.
Latest Episode
TheCoTeam’s Chris Smith Wants Integrators to Stop Unicorn Hunting
Drawing on more than two decades in the CI channel and hundreds of successful placements through TheCoTeam, Chris Smith breaks down why “unicorn hunting” is holding companies back, where integrators can find talent beyond the obvious candidate pool, and how a more intentional hiring process can help businesses grow stronger teams.
More Episodes
Communication and Culture Drive Growth for Liaison Technology Group
Steve Weber’s career arc is an incredibly interesting one, but, much like the growth plan at Liaison Technology Group, it’s all been very intentional and well thought out. After visiting their new showroom in Fort Myers, we sat down with Steve to talk shop, learn more about him, and get him to share some of the secrets to his success.
Simplifying the Story Around Shading with Somfy
Karthick Kanagalingam, the Architectural Specifications Manager at Somfy, has always been fascinated by the world of motorized shading, dating back to his first job as a post-grad, which sent him into a commercial building that just happened to have a series of motorized shades. Today, he leverages that passion to help tell the story of the category and help it make sense to the brand’s partners and installers.
Legrand Discusses Builders’ Show Positioning and the Opportunity for Integrators
Following our visit to the Legrand booth at the 2026 Builders’ Show in Orlando, we sat down with Sr. Product Manager Racheal Rich to dive deeper into the brand’s positioning, how they balance conversations with integrators and builders, and how their portfolio perfectly blends the world of tech and design.
Caster’s New Owners Talk Future Plans, AI’s Impact, and More
Following up on our conversation with Caster Communications’ Founder Kimberly Lancaster, Connected Design sits down with the company’s new owners, Alexandra Crabb and Peter Girard. The duo share a bit about the legacy of the company, their plans for the future, and how AI is impacting every aspect of the business.
Succession Planning Ain’t Easy. Caster Comm Founder Walks Us Through Hers.
Taking on a seemingly insurmountable challenge is nothing new to Kimberly Lancaster. Every step of her career journey has been marked by defying the odds. Now, the PR firm founder and decades-long leader of Caster Communications is taking on a new kind of challenge—her exit from the business she spent years building. The calculated, honest approach to transitioning into this next phase is a great lesson for any business owner.
Picking the Brain of Power Proponent Joe Piccirilli
A veteran of the consumer electronics industry, Joe Piccirilli has seen it all. Today, as a major proponent of precision power performance, he’s set out to ensure integrators, builders, and consumers alike understand the importance of power in the context of the luxury smart home. When implemented properly, the right system can serve as the perfect power-driven painkiller for everyone involved.
