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Artwork for It's a Controls Problem

It's a Controls Problem

Hawaiian Pizza Please Productions
Building Automation
Niagara
AI In Buildings
Smart Buildings
Burnout
Bacnet
Niagara Framework
Apex Consulting Systems
Johnson Controls
Honeywell
PX Includes
Open Systems
HVAC
Lynxspring
SVG
HTML
Indoor Agriculture
Modbus
People Hour
Grow Facilities

It's a Controls Problem is a specialized building automation (BAS) exploring high-level industry strategy and real-world technical execution. Hosted by industry veteran Charles Johnson and produced by industry marketing pro Matthew Vanberg, the show appeals to both grizzled veterans and those newer to the field. Each episode dives deep into the technical complexities of controls systems, such as N... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes37Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Technology

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Artwork for It's a Controls Problem

Latest Episodes

What happens when you spend over two decades working on some of the most massive infrastructure projects in the country and realize the traditional building automation model is completely broken? You go out and build a company to fix it.

In this epi... more

YouTube

How do you protect a building’s brain while pushing the boundaries of what it can do?

Jacob Jackson of Aptitude returns to the show to trace his journey from the trenches of building automation to becoming a self-published author and independent pub... more

YouTube

Everyone is talking about artificial intelligence right now, but how much of it is just marketing noise, and how much is actually moving the needle in the mechanical room?

This week, we are welcoming back industry visionary Keith Gipson to move past... more

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The building automation industry is facing a massive talent crisis, but the bottleneck isn't a lack of bodies, it’s an outdated approach to finding, training and hiring them.

On this episode of It's a Controls Problem, we dive deep into the human ar... more

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Recent Guests

Dave Mulcahy
Co-founder and managing partner of Unified Controls
Unified Controls
Episode: Ask the Right Questions with Dave Mulcahy
Keith Gipson
Founder of facil.ai
facil.ai
Episode: Let AI Take the Wheel with Keith Gipson
Diana Vargas
Program facilitator for Stacks and Joules
Stacks and Joules
Episode: The Next Generation Brings Tenacity to Building Tech with Diana Vargas
Nick Gayeski
Co-founder of Clockwork Analytics
Clockwork Analytics
Episode: Stop Reacting, Start Controlling with Nick Gayeski
Matthew Oliver
Controls Manager for Static Air
Static Air
Episode: Grow Your Experience with Matt Oliver
Justin Thompson
Director of MEP Services and Commissioning at Logan Pass Construction
Logan Pass Construction
Episode: Attack the Problem Mindset with Justin Thomson
Nikki Gonzales
Sales engineer, host of the Automation Ladies
Wintech (HMI manufacturer)
Episode: Always Invite Your Operators with the Automation Ladies
Ali Gilpin
Controls engineer and founder of Automation Ladies; conference organizer
Automation Ladies; Ot Scada Con
Episode: Always Invite Your Operators with the Automation Ladies
Jonathan Spooner
Co-founder and CTO of Stacks and Jewels
Stacks and Jewels
Episode: Shift Perspectives for a Better BAS Future with Jonathan Spooner

Hosts

Charles Johnson
Host of the show, introduces topics and guides conversation; guides guests and keeps the discussion on track
Matthew Vanberg
Co-host introducing Logic Link Collective; host of the show, guides conversation

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#228
Finland/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ask the Right Questions with Dave Mulcahy
Q: Why is a master systems integrator such a critical role in modern building projects?
Dave explains that MSI goes beyond simple integration of devices; it involves orchestrating data flows, APIs, OT networks, cybersecurity, and a holistic, interoperable system that provides a single pane of glass for clients, addressing complex coordination across multiple subsystems.
Ask the Right Questions with Dave Mulcahy
Q: What was your 'baptism by fire' moment, and what did it teach you about how buildings work?
Dave recounts a late Friday service call on a police/fire site where basic connection attempts and equipment quirks highlighted the importance of testing multiple scenarios and not assuming the obvious, which taught him to slow down, verify, and focus on root causes.
Be Honest with Jacob Jackson
Q: What is the most stubborn and frustrating struggle on building projects, and how do we fix it?
The disconnect between electricians and controls teams, especially around basic installation practices, enclosure design, and where to route conduits, creates inefficiencies and rework; better early collaboration and standardized wiring practices are essential.
Navigating the Threat Landscape with Michael MacMahon
Q: How should organizations approach remote access to BAS devices to avoid common vulnerabilities?
Avoid traditional VPNs for BAS all together in favor of zero-trust remote access gateways that authenticate identities, segment networks, and limit what each device or user can access, thereby reducing the attack surface.
Navigating the Threat Landscape with Michael MacMahon
Q: What is the single most important takeaway for building owners and operators regarding BAS security?
Know what you have through thorough inventory and continuous discovery, then engage trusted advisors to establish clear ownership of cybersecurity as a North Star, ensuring you address both technical controls and organizational processes.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About It's a Controls Problem

What is It's a Controls Problem about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers conversations around building automation, control systems, and the practical realities of running and upgrading facilities. Across episodes, topics include open systems vs. locked ecosystems, interoperability, cybersecurity, data models, and the evolving role of AI and digital twins in optimizing energy use and operations. Guests range from controls engineers and BAS trainers to industry researchers and practitioners exploring open standards, vendor-agnostic strategies, and real-world ROI. A standout throughline is a preference for hands-on, role‑level guidance—clear communication with owners, operator involvement in FATs, practical wiring and panel skills, and tactics for bridging technical talk with business outcomes. Th... more

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Which podcasts are similar to It's a Controls Problem?

These podcasts share a similar audience with It's a Controls Problem:

1. The Economics of Everyday Things
2. The Joe Rogan Experience
3. Soder
4. This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
5. Tosh Show

How many episodes of It's a Controls Problem are there?

It's a Controls Problem launched a year ago and published 37 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on It's a Controls Problem?

Recent guests on It's a Controls Problem include:

1. Dave Mulcahy
2. Keith Gipson
3. Diana Vargas
4. Nick Gayeski
5. Matthew Oliver
6. Justin Thompson
7. Nikki Gonzales
8. Ali Gilpin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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