Show overview
HVAC R&D Podcast has been publishing since 2020, and across the 6 years since has built a catalogue of 194 episodes. That works out to roughly 250 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.
Episodes typically run an hour to ninety minutes — most land between 59 min and 1h 30m — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. The publisher flags most episodes as explicit, so expect adult themes or strong language throughout. It is catalogued as a EN-language Business show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 2 days ago, with 27 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2022, with 43 episodes published. Published by Atzenhoffer, Inc..
From the publisher
HVAC R and D is a conversation-driven podcast exploring the people, ideas, and leadership shaping the skilled trades. Hosted by Rhydon Atzenhoffer, the Ramblin’ Rhyno, the show brings together technicians, contractors, distributors, manufacturers, and business leaders for honest discussions on growth, culture, mental health, entrepreneurship, and real-world lessons from inside and outside the trades. It’s less about hype and more about meaningful conversations that move the industry forward.
Latest Episodes
View all 194 episodesHVAC Will Take You Wherever You Want to Go
Leaving the Industry Better Than We Found It with Don Gillis
You Can’t Fix What You Don’t Measure: Building Better HVAC with Bill Spohn
Every Call Makes the Next Tech Better with Fieldmind CEO Ryan Prosser
You Don’t Have a Revenue Problem—You Have a Profit Problem with Ben Hansen
The Race to the Face: Winning Customer Trust Before You Arrive with James Hatfield
Life Begins at 40: Lessons in Leadership, Growth, and Purpose with Josh Zolin
The Legacy We Leave: A Father's Day Conversation with the Next Generation of HVAC
From Top Tech to $65 Million: The Blueprint for Building a Trades Business with Victor Rancour
Stop Giving Away Your Extended Warranty Profits with Tim Byrd
Your People Are the Product: Leadership Lessons from 40 Years in HVAC with Brett Holscher
Beer Never Broke My Heart with John Dwyer
The Follow-Up Problem Costing Trades Contractors Thousands with CHIIRP CEO Ryan Fenn
The Next Generation of Smart Building Controls with Rami Noueir of Verdant
Why Most Contractors Think They’re Profitable But Aren’t with Sam Miles of Guardian CPA Group
The Parts Problem No One Talks About and Why It’s Costing Contractors Millions
Ep 179Building the Future of Contractor Independence with Julian Scadden of Nexstar Network
E🎙️ HVAC R&D Podcast — Episode 179 Building the Future of Contractor Independence with Julian Scadden of Nexstar Network What does it really take to help independent contractors win in a rapidly changing trades landscape? In this episode, Rhydon sits down with Julian Scadden, President & CEO of Nexstar Network, to talk about leadership, workforce development, contractor stewardship, and what it means to protect independence in a private-equity-driven era. With a journey that began in the field and grew through technician, management, ownership, and executive leadership, Julian brings a rare full-spectrum perspective on the trades. Together, Rhydon and Julian unpack how training, culture, leadership development, and long-term stewardship create stronger businesses — and why the future belongs to contractors who invest in people before profits. For the entire #TradeCrew, this conversation is a blueprint for scaling the right way while keeping your values intact. Whether you’re an owner, service manager, technician, distributor leader, or someone building the next generation of your business, this episode will challenge how you think about growth, succession, and contractor freedom. 🔧 In this episode, we cover: Julian’s journey from the field to leading Nexstar Network Why contractor independence matters more than ever Building leadership pipelines inside service businesses Workforce development and the future talent shortage Long-term stewardship vs short-term profit decisions How great contractors scale culture across multiple teams The biggest operational blind spots holding companies back Why ownership mindset starts long before ownership 🎧 Listen now and subscribe so you never miss a drop. 🙏 Thank you to our partners: DiversiTech • LiveSwitch • RLS • Resideo • Mann+Hummel • True Nature Meats Co. 🎵 Music credit: Alex Grohl 🌐 www.hvacrnd.com #HVAC #Plumbing #Electrical #NexStar #Business #Trades #PersonalGrowth #Community #Collaboration #Network
Ep 178The Trades Are for Losers: From Doubter to Red Seal Electrical Contractor with Cory Byron
E🎙️ HVAC R&D Podcast — Episode 178 The Trades Are for Losers? From Doubter to Red Seal Electrical Contractor with Cory Byron Cory Byron once believed the trades were a dead-end path… until he realized the kind of life, freedom, and business you can build with your hands, your systems, and your work ethic. Today, Cory is the co-owner of Van City Electric, one of the most trusted electrical companies in Vancouver, British Columbia, and the founder of Next Step Systems, where he helps trades businesses modernize operations, simplify their tech stack, and scale without burning out. As the first electrical contractor ever featured on HVAC R&D, Cory opens up a whole new side of the trades for the TradeCrew — from building a multi-million dollar company to creating systems technicians actually follow. Rhydon and Cory also dive into their shared journey as LiveSwitch ambassadors, how technology is changing the race to the face, and where AI is creating real leverage inside modern service businesses. 🔧 In this episode, we cover: Why the trades can be the ultimate long-term career path Building an electrical company from the ground up Creating systems your team will actually use Using AI and video tools to speed up quoting and improve customer experience The fastest ROI systems for growing trades businesses How to scale without sacrificing quality control Winning credibility before you ever step through the door Building a tech stack that scales beyond the owner Whether you’re HVAC, electrical, plumbing, or anywhere else in the skilled trades, this episode will challenge the way you think about growth, systems, and the future of service businesses. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe so you never miss a drop. 🙏 Thank you to our partners: DiversiTech • LiveSwitch • RLS • Resideo • Mann+Hummel • True Nature Meats Co. 🎵 Music credit: Alex Grohl 🌐 www.hvacrnd.com
Ep 177AHR Reflections: More Than a Tradeshow with Ramblin Rhyno
E🎙️ HVAC R&D Podcast — Episode 177 AHR Reflections: More Than a Tradeshow with Ramblin' Rhyno This one’s a little different… No guest. No script. Just me—reflecting on what was one of the biggest weeks of the year at the AHR Expo and taking a step back to talk about what it really meant to me. From the HVAC Tactical Awards to four live podcast recordings with RLS, Resideo, HARDI, and Mann+Hummel, to moderating an AHR panel and leading workforce development tours… this year hit different. But this isn’t just a recap. This is about: The conversations that actually matter What the next generation of the trades really needs And how HVAC R&D is evolving beyond just a podcast We’re talking about the launch of the Resource Hub, the return of the Ramblin’ Rhyno column, and why I’ve been showing up more on social—because the mission is bigger than just hitting record. If you were at AHR, this will take you back. If you weren’t, this will bring you into it. And either way… this is one of those episodes that defines where we’re going next. 🎯 In This Episode: Why AHR is about people, not products Behind the scenes of the live shows (RLS, Resideo, HARDI, Mann+Hummel) HVAC Tactical Awards – “Blue Collar Goes Black Tie” Moderating an AHR panel (by the seat of my pants) Workforce Development Tours (Carrier, DiversiTech, Shurtape, Resideo) Crawlspace Confessions & real conversations from the floor The evolution of HVAC R&D #HVAC #TradeCrew #AHRExpo #RamblinRhyno #Reflections 🎧 Listen now and subscribe so you never miss a drop. 🙏 Thank you to my partners who make this show possible: DiversiTech • LiveSwitch • RLS – Rapid Locking System • Resideo • Mann + Hummel • True Nature Meats Co. 🎵 Music credit: Alex Grohl Visit our website www.hvacrnd.com
Ep 176AHR Live: Filtration and the Future of Clean HVAC with Kurk Wilks of Mann+Hummel
🎙️ HVAC R&D Podcast — Episode 176 Live from AHR: Filtration, IAQ & The Future of Clean HVAC | Kurk Wilks (MANN+HUMMEL) Episode 176 of HVAC R&D was recorded live from the AHR show floor with Kurk Wilks, U.S. CEO of MANN+HUMMEL. MANN+HUMMEL is a global leader in filtration with deep German engineering heritage and a growing presence in the HVAC and indoor air quality space. In this conversation, we zoom out and look at filtration not just as a component, but as a critical piece of the HVAC system. In this episode, we cover: Why filtration is often misunderstood in HVAC system performance How filtration impacts airflow, comfort, and equipment longevity The growing importance of indoor air quality in residential and commercial spaces Sustainability and regulatory pressures shaping filtration innovation The challenge of balancing global engineering with local market needs Kurk also shares his perspective as a CEO leading in the U.S. market — including how global companies navigate evolving industry expectations and where filtration fits into the future of HVAC. Because as HVAC systems evolve, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: Air quality, filtration, and system performance are more connected than ever. #HVAC #FILTRATION #MANNHUMMEL #TradeCrew #HVACR #AHRExpo 🎧 Listen now and subscribe so you never miss a drop. 🙏 Thank you to my partners who make this show possible: DiversiTech • LiveSwitch • JPL Flex • RLS – Rapid Locking System • Resideo • Mann + Hummel • True Nature Meats Co. 🎵 Music credit: Alex Grohl Visit our website www.hvacrnd.com