Episodes

  • 127: Don't Lose Yourself with Thomas Eastlack

    127: Don't Lose Yourself with Thomas Eastlack
    Jan 7 2026
    After a stretch of inconsistency, Ryan kicks off 2026 with a simple promise: the show is back, and the conversations are the fuel. In this in-person episode, he sits down with Thomas Eastlack, a familiar face at Yavapai College who recently moved from the IT service desk into a newly created role supporting HR technology.

    Thomas unpacks the shift from reactive “break/fix” work to proactive systems thinking—ticketing workflows, website iteration cycles, chatbot training, and the early push toward cloud-first habits. But the heart of the conversation is service: empathy, trust, and the mindset that keeps support work human even when the calls are repetitive. It’s also a candid look at imposter feelings, decision-making pressure, and what it means to grow into being “the expert” while staying grounded in who you are.

    Topics Discussed
    • Moving from service desk technician to HR IT lead analyst
    • Reactive support vs proactive process and systems improvement
    • Launching an HR ticketing system for routing, automation, and accountability
    • Website refresh realities: iterations, stakeholders, and “meeting in the middle”
    • Training and maintaining a website chatbot and early AI exposure
    • Shifting departments while staying collaborative with central IT
    • Empathy as a practical support skill (tone, language, and de-escalation)
    • Avoiding burnout and jadedness when the same problems repeat
    • Hiring for attitude and service mindset over day-one operational knowledge
    • Growth, purpose, and why Yavapai College is a place people stay

    Connect with Thomas
    Email – Thomas.Eastlack@yc.edu
    LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-eastlack/

    Connect with Ryan
    @Ryan_A_Gray
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/
    ryan@higheredav.com

    Voiceover by Chris Dechter

    Have feedback or guest ideas? Let us know!

    This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for fresh content every day!
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    34 mins
  • 126: Wish You Were Asked? 2025

    126: Wish You Were Asked? 2025
    Dec 31 2025
    We close out 2025 with a listen back to some of our favorite guests this year and their answers to the questions they wish to be asked.

    Stay tuned for new episodes of The AV/IT Amplifier Podcast in 2026!

    Connect with Ryan
    @Ryan_A_Gray
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray
    ryan@higheredav.com

    Voiceover by Chris Dechter

    Have feedback or guest ideas? Let us know!

    This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for fresh content every day!
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    35 mins
  • 125: RTM Higher Education Fall 2025

    125: RTM Higher Education Fall 2025
    Nov 12 2025
    Recorded on-site in Austin, this cross-conversation episode (in partnership with RTM Business Group’s Inside Innovation) brings together fast takes from the Fall Higher Education CIO Congress. We open with RTM’s Mica Spanos on how listening to practitioners—and getting them into the same room—drives a program that’s useful in a world that never quite calms down. Cole McFarren (University of Arizona Global Campus) shares the online-only perspective: the surprising value of “out-of-scope” sessions and the energy that comes from meeting peers face-to-face.
    Then Scott Smith (Director of Digital & Instructional Innovation) talks about blending IT with pedagogy, why “ready for prime time” matters, and the power of making technologists sit in classes (and instructional folks shadow techs). Dr. Angela Camaille (Delgado Community College) dives into professional development, authenticity, and the leadership strength of saying “I don’t know.” We close with Jess Awtrey (SVP, Boodleox) on AI infrastructure built for higher ed, governance in the “wild-west” phase, and Coach Mode as scaffolding for AI literacy.

    Topics Discussed
    • Why smaller, selective convenings (like RTM) produce higher-signal conversations
    • Programming by listening: building agendas around real campus problems
    • Online-only realities: what transfers (and what doesn’t) from brick-and-mortar
    • “Ready for prime time”: how one failed demo collapses adoption
    • Cross-shadowing: tech staff in classrooms, instructional staff with technicians
    • Professional development as table stakes, not a nice-to-have
    • Authentic leadership: psychological safety and the value of “I don’t know”
    • Community college lens: pedagogy for everyone, not just the already-prepared
    • AI infrastructure vs. a single tool: governance, privacy, equitable access
    • Coach Mode and AI literacy: meeting users where they are and leveling them up

    • Mica Spanos — LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mica-spanos-b980a81b0/
    • Cole McFarrin — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cole-mcfarren-7913b074/
    • Scott Smith LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottssmith/
    • Dr. Angela Camaille— LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-camaille-6823969a/
    • Jess Awtrey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-awtrey-4ba9a95/

    Connect with Ryan
    @Ryan_A_Gray
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray
    ryan@higheredav.com

    Voiceover by Chris Dechter

    Have feedback or guest ideas? Let us know!

    This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for fresh content every day!
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    38 mins
  • 124: Gray Matter Moment: Leadership Odyssey

    124: Gray Matter Moment: Leadership Odyssey
    Oct 15 2025
    Sometimes leadership doesn’t begin with a grand vision—it begins with a text. In this introspective Gray Matter Moment, Ryan Gray records from the shores of Puerto Peñasco during his family’s annual October trip and reflects on a recent experience that brought personal vulnerability into the spotlight. He had been invited to co-lead a session at Yavapai College’s “Students of Leadership” retreat, an intensive three-day mountaintop experience for emerging student leaders. The theme? The phoenix.

    What unfolded was a powerful exploration of the relationships that shape a leader’s story—those closest to you in your venture, and the larger network that comprises your odyssey. Feeling the weight of proving the concept, Ryan sent a late-night video request to his own leadership network, asking if they would say, simply, “I’m part of Ryan’s Leadership Odyssey.” The overwhelming response became a video that turned a presentation into a shared affirmation—and a retreat highlight.
    This episode walks listeners through that experience, offering a reminder: the people you surround yourself with define your trajectory. Leadership isn’t solitary—it’s a journey guided by others.

    Topics Discussed
    • Recording from the Sea of Cortez during a family trip
    • Broken wrist update and life-work balance
    • Introduction to the Yavapai College “Students of Leadership” program
    • Preparing (and co-presenting) a leadership session with Dean Stacey Hilton
    • The symbolism of the phoenix, and collective nouns: venture and odyssey
    • How venture reflects your close-knit leadership circle
    • How odyssey represents the broader network that shapes your journey
    • The last-minute decision to text Ryan’s own leadership network
    • Dozens of affirming video replies and their emotional impact
    • Showing students the power of curating your leadership odyssey
    Connect with Ryan
    @Ryan_A_Gray
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/
    ryan@higheredav.com

    Voiceover by Chris Dechter

    Have feedback or guest ideas? Let us know!

    This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for fresh content every day!
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    23 mins
  • 123: The Dude with BC Hatchett

    123: The Dude with BC Hatchett
    Oct 8 2025
    BC Hatchett returns for week two with a laid-back, life-and-leadership conversation that ranges from higher-ed purpose to… blacksmithing. We kick off with Halloween costumes (the Dude abides), detour through first jobs and Louisville summers on a greenskeeping cart, and land on why twenty years at Vanderbilt still feels mission-right. BC talks candidly about what keeps him in higher ed: watching students arrive, grow, and cross the stage — and the joy of playing even a small role in that arc.

    From alternate careers (blacksmith or welder) to travel dreams (three months of go-where-the-dart-lands), BC keeps it human and funny. We geek out on Fallout 4 as a brain-cooler, swap Lebowski quotes, and close on BC’s signature sign-off. If you needed a reminder that community, craft, and curiosity still matter in our work — this one’s it.

    Topics Discussed
    • Dream “money-no-object” Halloween costume (movie-accurate Big Lebowski Dude)
    • Why Lebowski hits at a “slice-of-life” level; favorite quotes for any situation
    • First job: golf-course greenskeeping; Louisville roots; $2.15/hour and all the golf you can play
    • Twenty years at Vanderbilt: why higher ed’s mission still wins
    • Alternate-universe careers: blacksmith or welder; satisfaction of tangible builds
    • Travel snafus and rituals en route to ISE; the “watch-the-plane-turn-around” story
    • Pride without boasting: how HETMA grew up — and why it matters
    • “Heaven question” à la Inside the Actors Studio: BC’s perfect greeting at the gates
    • Small mindset flips: deciding eggs aren’t gross; the omelet-perfection quest
    • Winding down with video games: Fallout 4, branching choices, and settlement building

    Connect with BC
    BC.Hatchett@hetma.org
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/bc-hatchett-88746312/
    https://x.com/bchatchett

    Connect with Ryan
    @Ryan_A_Gray
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/
    ryan@higheredav.com

    Show Links
    HETMA Community: https://community.hetma.org
    HETMA Roadshow – Vanderbilt (Oct 27): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nashville-roadshow-at-vanderbilt-university-tickets-1467308913459
    EDUCAUSE Annual Conference: https://events.educause.edu/annual-conference

    Voiceover by Chris Dechter

    Have feedback or guest ideas? Let us know!

    This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for fresh content every day!
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    28 mins
  • 122: The Godfather with BC Hatchett

    122: The Godfather with BC Hatchett
    Oct 1 2025
    This week, Ryan catches up with BC Hatchett, Director of Classroom Technology at Vanderbilt University and co-founder of HETMA. They talk about shifting from “manager” to “leader,” handing the reins to the next crew, and why letting go (and then cheering from the sideline) is a healthy sign of organizational growth. BC also keeps it real about the pace of higher ed—no more “quiet summers”—and how to stay sane by breaking big things into small, winnable pieces.

    Then they pivot to Nashville: HETMA’s Roadshow lands at Vanderbilt on Monday, October 27, perfectly teeing up EDUCAUSE (Oct 28–30) across town. Expect a campus tour (Garland Hall’s renovation is a highlight), a compact vendor experience tailored to higher ed, and a downtown happy hour to keep the conversations going. HETMA will also bring its curated show-floor tour to EDUCAUSE and anchor in the Teaching & Learning “neighborhood” so higher-ed AV folks have a home base all week. Registration for the Roadshow is (gloriously) free—link in the show notes.

    Topics Discussed
    1. From vice chair to emeritus: leading by influence, not tasking
    2. Handing off the wheel: why other people’s improvements are the point
    3. The new reality: no dead periods, tighter cycles, same (or fewer) resources
    4. Morale by momentum: chip away to free up bandwidth
    5. Nashville preview: Vanderbilt’s Garland Hall and campus tour plans
    6. What makes Roadshows different: regional, targeted, and human-scale conversations
    7. EDUCAUSE in Nashville: who it serves and how AV fits in
    8. HETMA’s curated show-floor tour: maximizing limited exhibit time
    9. Teaching & Learning “neighborhood” at EDUCAUSE as a community hub
    10. Practical travel + weather notes for late-October Nashville (layers!)


    Connect with BC
    BC.Hatchett@hetma.org
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/bc-hatchett-88746312/
    https://x.com/bchatchett

    Connect with Ryan
    @Ryan_A_Gray
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/
    yan@higheredav.com

    Show Links
    HETMA Roadshow – Vanderbilt (Oct 27): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nashville-roadshow-at-vanderbilt-university-tickets-1467308913459
    EDUCAUSE 2025: https://events.educause.edu/annual-conference

    Voiceover by Chris Dechter

    Have feedback or guest ideas? Let us know!

    This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.higeredav.com for fresh content everyday!
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    27 mins
  • Crossover - HETMA Presents... David Lopez

    Crossover - HETMA Presents... David Lopez
    Sep 24 2025
    Special Crossover this Wednesday - Your podcast with Ryan fix will be sated!

    Today on HETMA Presents..., Ryan sits down with David Lopez, Global Director of Education Strategy at ScreenBeam, to unpack how wireless display has evolved from a convenience feature to a core building block for learning spaces. David traces the roots from Intel WiDi and Miracast to today’s multi-OS reality (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome) and explains why standards-based casting still matters for scale, support, and security. From there, the discussion widens: what higher ed actually needs beyond “put your screen on the wall,” how to ensure a consistent user experience across rooms, and the operational wins when faculty aren’t fighting drivers and dongles.

    They also cover the bigger ecosystem: USB conferencing that lets BYOD laptops use in-room cameras and mics via ScreenBeam Conference; the receiver as a platform (Signage Plus, Alert Plus, Message Manager) for communications and light digital signage; and practical install touches like compact form factors and magnetic mounting. Looking ahead, David talks instruction-focused tools—whiteboarding that plays nicely with laptops, and moderation workflows (e.g., Orchestrate) that shine in labs and active-learning spaces. The through-line: simple, reliable, and IT-manageable experiences that lower friction for instructors and support teams.

    Topics Discussed
    • Why standards (Miracast/AirPlay/Chromecast) still underpin reliable, multi-platform casting in higher ed
    • From “wireless display” to “platform on the display”: signage, alerts, and message management
    • BYOD without the pain: using room cameras/mics with a laptop via USB conferencing (ScreenBeam Conference)
    • Designing for a consistent end-user experience across rooms and buildings
    • Admin/management considerations at scale: profiles, groups, updates, and security posture
    • Hardware realities: small receivers, flexible power, clean mounting (including magnets)
    • Teaching workflows: inking/whiteboard, annotating, and quick walk-up sharing
    • Moderation in labs/active learning: when “raise-hand to share” (Orchestrate) makes sense in higher ed
    • Deployment tips: avoiding driver roulette, reducing help-desk calls, and planning for mixed OS fleets
    • Roadmap mindset: treating the receiver as an extensible edge device for campus communications

    Join the Conversation
    Want to weigh in or share your campus approach? Join the discussion at community.hetma.org.

    Connect with David
    Email: dlopez@screenbeam.com
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlopez-edtech/
    Website: www.ScreenBeam.com

    Connect with Ryan
    Email: editor@higheredav.com
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/
    Website: www.HigherEdAV.com



    This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for new content every day.
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    55 mins
  • 121: If It's Broke, Fix It with Dustin Myers

    121: If It's Broke, Fix It with Dustin Myers
    Sep 17 2025
    In this second half of Ryan’s conversation with Dustin Myers of John A. Logan College and HETMA, the discussion dives into the balance of professional commitments, personal life, and community involvement in higher education technology. Dustin shares how his early InfoComm experiences transformed from solitary tech browsing to full-blown community immersion, illustrating the power of connection and professional development through HETMA. The two talk candidly about managing travel, family, and campus responsibilities while still staying deeply engaged in national conversations.

    The episode also takes a lighter turn, exploring Dustin’s improv and forensics background, his love of burgers, and even the idea of a Kevin James biopic about the realities of IT support. From AV karaoke to spider-infested computers, it’s a conversation that blends humor with genuine insights into leadership, adaptability, and finding joy in the work. Dustin’s reflections highlight the improvisational nature of technology management and the importance of building trust, community, and balance along the way.

    Topics Discussed
    • Dustin’s evolution from attending InfoComm as a spectator to being fully engaged through HETMA
    • Balancing institutional responsibilities with national professional development opportunities
    • The role of pre-planning and prioritization in making travel and commitments sustainable
    • How personality traits like extroversion and people-focus shape community contributions
    • Dustin’s improv and forensics background, and how it connects to leadership and tech support
    • Humor, adaptability, and the importance of “yes, and” in technology management
    • The idea of a Kevin James–style IT support movie and real-life funny stories from the field
    • Food talk: burgers, Cubans, and the philosophy of whether a hot dog is a taco
    • The role of family in professional identity and why AV/IT conversations often skip it
    • How to connect with Dustin via email, LinkedIn, and the HETMA Community


    Connect with Dustin:
    Email – dustinmyers@jalc.edu
    LinkedIn – Dustin Myers
    HETMA Community – community.hetma.org

    Connect with Ryan:
    Twitter – @Ryan_A_Gray
    LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/
    Email – ryan@higheredav.com

    This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Please visit HigherEdAV.com to see more!

    Voiceover Credit: Chris Dechter

    Have feedback or ideas for the show? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you.
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    31 mins