It's a Controls Problem

Hawaiian Pizza Please Productions

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 Niagara 4 frameworks and specialized HVAC for indoor agriculture, while maintaining a conversational tone that includes laughs and a look at the epic fails that happen in the trenches.

  1. 3d ago

    The Next Generation Brings Tenacity to Building Tech with Diana Vargas

    The building automation industry is facing a massive talent crisis, but the bottleneck isn't a lack of bodies, it’s an outdated approach to finding, training and hiring them.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 architecture of smart buildings with Diana Vargas of Stacks+Joules. A non-profit powerhouse, Stacks+Joules is completely disrupting traditional workforce development by taking tech-marginalized youth and adults and fast-tracking them into advanced building automation and energy management careers. We break down how they utilize virtual sandboxes and digital twin environments to give students the freedom to fail, experiment, and build deep technical confidence before they ever step into a live mechanical room. Diana shares how their project-based curriculum prepares graduates to look past flashy software dashboards and tackle the critical, boots-on-the-ground hardware issues that actually keep facilities running efficiently. Finally, we look at how businesses can stop admiring the problem and start solving their talent shortages. Diana lays out a vision for where the built environment needs to go over the next decade, how systemic industry culture must evolve, and exactly how contractors, engineering firms, and end-users can partner with Stacks+Joules to build a more resilient, climate-critical workforce. Logic Link Collective: ⁠⁠⁠Donate to Stacks+Joules⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Involved⁠⁠

    1 hr

  2. May 21

    Stop Reacting, Start Controlling with Nick Gayeski

    This week, we sit down with Nicholas Gayeski, co-founder of Clockworks Analytics, to break down the sheer physics of how buildings actually work—and why our current systems so often fail them. Nick took a very different path into building automation, moving from the academic research labs of MIT straight into the messy reality of the mechanical room. In this conversation, we look at the industry through that "physics-first" lens to find out where the gap between engineered sequences and actual valve performance truly lies. We dive into the friction holding facilities back today, exploring how to shift from stressful, reactionary firefighting to true condition-based maintenance. Nick gives us his unfiltered thoughts on the digital noise flooding the market, the real role of AI, and why a standardized data ontology like Haystack or Brick is absolutely non-negotiable if we ever want our buildings to speak the same language. Finally, we look ahead at what this means for the new guard entering the trades. Nick shares his advice for the next generation of digital natives and paints a picture of what a data-optimized, perfectly operated city could look like if we finally solve the controls problem. Logic Link Collective: ⁠⁠Donate to Stacks+Joules⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Involved⁠

    1h 6m

  3. May 14

    Grow Your Experience with Matt Oliver

    In this episode, we sit down with Matthew Oliver of Static Air and Static Grow to explore the high-stakes world where building automation meets precision agriculture. We track Matthew's journey into the smart building industry and dive deep into why standard commercial HVAC strategies often fail when applied to the sensitive, volatile environments of indoor grows. From the financial risks of minor temperature swings to the communication strategies required to navigate high-pressure crises on the job, Matthew shares the "lessons from the trenches" that have defined his career. We also take a hard look at the current state of the controls industry, discussing the common mistakes we continue to make and the advice every new professional needs to hear to stay ahead of the curve. We wrap things up with a look at the horizon, discussing where the smart building and indoor ag sectors are headed and how we can better address the technical and professional gaps in our field today. https://www.staticairusa.com/ https://www.staticgrow.com/

    45 min

  4. May 8

    Attack the Problem Mindset with Justin Thomson

    In this episode, we sit down with Justin Thomson to track his journey from the early days of WASP Technologies to his current role with Logan Pass Construction pushing the boundaries of the industry. We dig into the philosophy behind building a Linux-based Niagara station and why Justin leans so heavily into open-source foundations for critical infrastructure. It’s a great look at how technical curiosity turns into industry-changing hardware. We also get into the heavy lifting of data center construction and what the AI explosion actually means for the physical layer of buildings. Justin shares his take on future-proofing infrastructure and why we need to move past the "happenstance" of how people land in building automation and start being more intentional about the technology we deploy. To wrap things up, we shift from the server room to the boardroom. Justin breaks down his approach to leadership and communication through the lens of a control loop—using integration and feedback as metaphors for managing high-pressure projects and building better teams. Logic Link Collective: ⁠Donate to Stacks+Joules⁠⁠Get Involved

    1h 7m

  5. Apr 28 ·  Bonus

    MicroSwitch - UDP vs TCP with Scott Sammarco

    Ever stood in a mechanical room wondering why your data feels like a guaranteed hand-delivery while other times it’s just tossed into the ether? Scott Sammarco is officially breaking it down in the premiere of MicroSwitch, our brand-new short-format series designed to give you the technical goods without the fluff. In this first episode, Scott dives into the backbone of BAS networking: UDP vs. TCP. In the world of building automation, picking the right protocol is the difference between a rock-solid front-end and a laggy mess of "offline" points. Scott walks through the "handshake" reliability of TCP—essential for when every bit of data is sacred—and stacks it up against the lightning-fast, "send and forget" nature of UDP. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): The reliable veteran. It checks for errors, manages flow, and makes sure everything arrives in the right order. It’s your go-to for critical supervisor-to-server communication where you can't afford a single missing packet. UDP (User Datagram Protocol): The speed demon. It’s lightweight with much less overhead. Since it doesn’t stop to check if the data actually made it, it’s perfect for real-time streaming or high-speed hardware pings where a tiny bit of loss is better than a long delay. #MicroSwitch #BuildingAutomation #BAS #SmartBuildings #BACnet #Networking #TCPvsUDP #ScottSammarco #ItsAControlsProblem

    23 min
  6. Always Invite Your Operators with the Automation Ladies

    Apr 16

    Always Invite Your Operators with the Automation Ladies

    This week on the show, we’re joined by the powerhouse trio behind the Automation Ladies podcast: Nikki Gonzales, Ali G, and Courtney Fernandez. If you’ve ever wondered how three people from such distinct paths end up dominating the industrial automation space, this is the conversation for you. We dive deep into their individual origin stories, moving past the resumes to the actual grit it took to navigate an industry that isn’t always the easiest to break into. From the early hurdles of being some of the only women in the room to the hard-won trials and tribulations of running major projects, they share the reality of what it looks like to build a career in the world of bits, bolts, and heavy machinery. From nerdery to redemption in the trades, this is a can't miss! The ladies gave us the full backstory on OT SCADA CON. Born out of a need for a community that actually feels like a community, they broke down why they decided to build their own convention from the ground up and how it focuses on hands-on learning and real-world connection rather than just corporate slide decks. It’s an episode packed with heart, high-level tech talk, and a lot of laughs about the chaos of the automation realm. Logic Link Collective: Donate to Stacks+JoulesGet InvolvedConnect with the Ladies: Listen to Automation Ladies: automationladies.io Join the Community at OT SCADA CON: otscada.com

    58 min
  7. Shift Perspectives for a Better BAS Future with Jonathan Spooner

    Mar 17

    Shift Perspectives for a Better BAS Future with Jonathan Spooner

    In this weeks episode, we’re joined by Jonathan Spooner of Stacks+Joules to look at how the next generation is rewriting the rulebook for Building Automation. We also discuss the "DAB Lab," where students move past bench testing to get their hands dirty with real-world troubleshooting on active boilers and AC units. From the philosophy of "messy but functional" wiring to why Revit and digital twins are the perfect bridge for a generation raised on Minecraft, this conversation covers the evolution of the facility manager into a high-tech systems navigator. Plus, we hear about their exciting expansion into the Charlotte market and how they’re de-risking the hiring process for contractors by proving that local talent is ready to handle the high-torque demands of modern buildings. Learn More About Stacks+Joules at: https://stacksandjoules.org/

    1h 7m
  8. Getting Graphic with Louis Laurents: Part Deux

    Mar 10

    Getting Graphic with Louis Laurents: Part Deux

    In our latest episode we catch up with a guest from last season, BASGFX.com automation graphics guru Louis Laurents. There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you stop treating building automation like a backend chore and start looking at it through the lens of high-end user experience. Louis has been at the forefront of that shift, and having him back on the show feels like a masterclass in what’s possible when you stop settling for the status quo in N4 graphics. In this episode, we move past the high-level theory and get our hands dirty with a live demonstration. We walk through the actual workflow of loading custom graphics into Niagara 4, touch on some what-not-to-dos while navigating through the "feature" rich platform. It’s easy to make a graphic look good in a vacuum; it’s much harder to make it functional, scalable, and responsive within the Niagara framework. Visit our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@a_controls_problem for an instructional segment only version. And feel free to ask questions on either platform!

    1h 15m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

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 Niagara 4 frameworks and specialized HVAC for indoor agriculture, while maintaining a conversational tone that includes laughs and a look at the epic fails that happen in the trenches.

Information

  • Creator
    Hawaiian Pizza Please Productions
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Hawaiian Pizza Please Productions
  • Show Website
    It's a Controls Problem

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