We're a group of guys who love Christmas way too much. Join us as we discuss, critic, and interview people about our favorite part, holiday lighting displays.
What's up Brian?! This week we're joined by the pixel wizard himself — Clyde Lindsey of Pixel Pro Displays — and he's starting fresh with a brand-new house and a clean slate for blinky greatness. Fresh off the Ohio Mini, Clyde's spilling the beans on:
What's up Brian?! J.R. packed his bags, forgot half his gear, and flew cross-country to hit up the Ohio Mini — and of course, chaos followed. In this episode, we get the full debrief: Flight delays, sketchy hotels, and what not to pack Behind-the-scenes stories from the Ohio lighting crew Booth setups with more zip ties than sense And community hangs that made the whole trip worth it Whether you were there in person or living vicariously through livestreams, this is your inside look at the Midwest madness — with plenty of laughs, lighting tips, and bad food choices sprinkled in.
What's up Brian?! We finally got James Hohensee III — the mastermind behind Boscoyo and the unofficial King of Coro — on the show… and barely talked about coro at all.
What's up Brian?! In this episode, we sit down with Devon from DB Lights, a guy who took “go big or go home” and accidentally lit up everyone's homes. We dive into:
What's up Brian?! This episode hits right after wheels-down — and we're running on fumes, fast food, and pure lighting adrenaline. J.R.'s back from the high seas, Brian's trying to keep it together, and McVay's got something sneaky up his sleeve. We chat about:
What's up Brian?! This episode is a full-on RGB road trip as we catch up with Bobby Galeza and Mr. Nash after their whirlwind run through Utah, Niagara, and New York Minis — and oh man, it's one for the books. We cover:
What's up Brian?! This episode's a little different — a mix of heart, hustle, and holiday lights as we talk about life behind the pixels. From doing the dad thing, to saying goodbye to McVay Elementary, to lighting it up in Michigan, it's an honest, unfiltered look at the people behind the props. We get real about:
What's up Brian?! When Christmas Expo got canceled, the community didn't fold — we fired up the backup generators (metaphorically) and kept the lights on anyway. In this episode, we shine a spotlight on the two Mini events that came in clutch: Frozen Mini and ERLE Mini. We dig into:
What's up Brian?! In this episode, we shine a spotlight on the heart of the lighting world — the Mini Events. These aren't just local meetups... they're full-blown passion projects with zip ties, late nights, and friendships forged under pixel trees. We talk:
What's up Brian?! We hit record with zero agenda, zero prep, and zero clue — just raw, real-time chaos like only the Triers can deliver. It's live, it's loose, and yes… it somehow still turns into a full episode. Inside:
What's up Brian?! Yeah, we were late — but we showed up, fired it up, and didn't lift. In this wide-open-throttle episode, we hit you with lighting chaos, event prep panic, and stories that probably should've stayed in the group chat. Expect:⚙️ Last-minute builds (some held together by hope and zip ties)
What's up Brian?! In this high-octane episode, we mash up two things you didn't know you needed together: Christmas lights and race cars. That's right — the RGB life meets the need for speed, and the ride definitely doesn't go as planned. We talk:
What's up Brian?! You know it's almost showtime when we start talking SoCal Mini, and this episode is your front-row sneak peek into the 2025 edition — coming in hot with more pixels, more chaos, and probably someone forgetting the power supply. We break down what to expect at this year's SoCal Mini:
We took the Professional Triers energy straight to the East Coast and brought back stories, mishaps, and maybe a few TSA-flagged props. In this live episode, we unpack the madness that is the East Coast Christmas Show — from jaw-dropping builds to behind-the-scenes chaos that only our lighting fam could appreciate. Whether you were there in person, caught the stream, or had FOMO from your garage, we've got the scoop.
This week we go full Dewey Decimal and hang out with the man, the myth, the pixel-organizing machine — Brian Michael, aka The Librarian. He's the guy who's quietly keeping the RGB world from total chaos… with spreadsheets, backups, and more tabs open than your browser during Black Friday. But don't let the calm voice fool you — Brian brings the heat with stories from the lighting trenches, data wizardry, and a sense of humor drier than last year's zip ties. We talk:How he got the nickname “The Librarian” (spoiler: he earned it)Organization tips that'll make your layout cry tears of joyThe importance of documentation (yes, seriously — it matters)And why helping others is the real magic of this community
This week we're pulling back the curtain on the guys who keep the lights running, the props standing, and the magic flowing — Tom Stallings and Fred! Forget the spotlight — these two are the backbone of big builds, helping everyone from first-timers to festival legends get their pixels in a row. We dive into:How they got started (spoiler: with less gear and more duct tape)Lessons learned from builds that should have been disastersThe beauty of doing things the “wrong” way until it worksAnd why being behind the scenes doesn't mean being behind the magicThis one's full of laughs, lighthearted roasting, and the kind of real talk that only comes from years of doing the dirty work no one sees — and loving it.
We're back — unscripted, under-caffeinated, and oversharing as usual! In this episode of Story Time!!, J.R. and Brian dive headfirst into the chaotic side of building big shows, questionable setups, and lessons learned the hard (read: hilarious) way. We talk about:Late-night builds that probably broke OSHABrian's mystery bag of tools (no one knows what's in there)A lighting story so ridiculous, even xLights wouldn't map itFamily interruptions mid-prop buildAnd the real MVP: duct tapeIt's like sitting around a campfire… if the fire was made of RGB nodes and the marshmallows were zip ties. Whether you're wiring pixels in your garage or just here for the laughs, this episode is a solid reminder: trying and failing is half the fun.
What's up Brian?! In this episode, we finally wrangle the myth, the man, the Mini-Master himself — Ron Armstrong! He joins us for a laid-back (but wildly insightful) chat about his journey into RGB chaos, how he accidentally built a mini empire (literally), and why SoCal Mini has more extension cords than sense. We talk building props ‘til 3AM, tech fails that should've been livestreamed, and how Ron's philosophy of “just try it and see what breaks” made him a community legend. Expect unfiltered laughs, heartfelt shout-outs, and a few behind-the-scenes stories you definitely weren't supposed to hear.
Back after a Lifetime: Behind the Scenes of JR Display
Join us in this thrilling episode of Professional Triers as we embark on an unforgettable adventure at Disneyland. After attending the SoCal Mini Event, a group of us decided to make the most of our time by visiting the magical park. Little did we know that we would be faced with unexpected challenges - a hurricane and an earthquake! Despite these natural phenomena, we courageously explored the park, experienced VIP treatment, and made lifelong memories. Tune in to hear how we triumphed over the Hurriquake and created an extraordinary day at the Happiest Place on Earth.
Join us as we take you on an electrifying journey through the world's largest Christmas light mini-event, the Southern California Lighting Enthusiasts So Cal Mini. In this special episode, hosts Brian, J.R., and editor Ronnie Ladd provide an up-close and personal experience from the event. They share their excitement and bring you exclusive behind-the-scenes footage captured in an amazing sizzle video. The Mattos team, including Ron Armstrong, Bernie, Cecelia, and Mr. McVay, were all present at the event, showcasing their incredible EVO PIXELS at their dynamic vendor booth. Don't miss out on the opportunity to witness the stunning displays and immerse yourself in the magical Friday night events. Additionally, Saturday promises an array of captivating classes, and Sunday brings a thrilling sanctioned event. But wait, there's more! In an unforgettable twist, the podcast hosts share their epic trip to Disneyland, creating lasting memories. Tune in to the next episode for an exciting recap of their adventures. Don't miss a moment of the Professional Triers podcast on YouTube. It's guaranteed to leave you feeling amazed and filled with the holiday spirit!
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In this exciting episode of Professional Triers, we embark on a thrilling adventure through the enchanting Carolina mini and take a drive to some unforgettable LIVE PD hot spots that are guaranteed to leave you on the edge of your seat! Join us as we delve into the jaw-dropping displays of holiday lighting, igniting your love for the most wonderful time of the year, no matter the season. We also bring you exclusive interviews with the masterminds behind these captivating displays, sharing their secrets, inspirations, and challenges faced in creating magical winter wonderlands. So get ready to be amazed and scared as we explore the Carolina mini and journey to LIVE PD hot spots that will leave you breathless! Tune in now and let the festive spirit ignite within you
Welcome to “Lights, Laughs, and Lessons,” the podcast where we explore the exhilarating world of professional triers. In this episode, our hosts dive straight into the action-packed Utah Lighting mini-event, taking you on a thrilling journey through every moment of the weekend. From heart-pounding challenges to inspiring triumphs, we leave no stone unturned as we share our first-hand experiences and insider stories. But that's not all – we've got a twist for you. We'll also uncover the hilarious and unforgettable moments that even McVay may have forgotten. Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions, laughter, and valuable insights as we unlock the secrets behind the Utah Lighting Mini-Event. Don't miss a beat – join us on this captivating episode of “Lights, Laughs, and Lessons”!
We are back for good we hope lol. recap on what has been going on and we talk about Expo
Using the xLights Zoom Room: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLf4Q98y_vkShow info and more videos from Rick Harris: https://harrischristmas.comCREDITSHosted by JR Mattos and Brian McVayGuest-starring Rick HarrisEdited by Seth PeaceSupported by You (sub plz)
Created, Hosted, and Filmed by JR Mattos and Brian McVayGuest Starring David RobinsonEdited by Seth Peace
5 Episodes in a row!! This week Magic in the Mission Mountains. A husband and wife team do a Holiday Light show for a small community in Montana.
xLights Zoom Room Hero's is all about the people who spend hours and hours saving the day for everyone that uses xLights. Now get to know the people behind the computer.
Heartland Mini recap With Lee Lindquist
JR, Brian, Jorden, Carl & David discuss their trip to Florida.
JR records Professional Triers live at his job along with his guest, Chris Bradford, the Director of Operations at Christmas in the Park in San Jose.Don't forget to like or subscribe or whatever this podcast service has to be notified of future episodes!
Matthew Eccles is on this week's Professional Triers to talk about his display, Syracuse Lights. JR is currently "out of pocket" and has been replaced by Bobby Gazela.Be sure to like and subscribe!
NEW Coro Prop!!!!!We sit down with Mitch Faas all around great guy.
Keith Peffer and David Peace talk to Ryan Reynolds and Stephen Sherrick from Pix Plus, about their new pixel and products. We get the inside scoop on their manufacturing process and safety standards. Listen in on a new Hot or Not episode.
We talk to Bobby Galeza about Island Lights on Pork Chop Island
JR and Brian are back and here to stay on our all new YouTube Channel. So make sure you Subscribe today!
https://visionarylightshows.com/
World premiere Of the 2020 XLATW Sequences and XATW members receive a special gift from our amazing community
JR's back but busy so we talk to each other.
Ben and Nancy Aromin from Magical Holiday Moments, join Brian and Keith on this weeks episode of the Professional Triers.
Professional Triers with Xlights (jr) Developer Mr. Scott Hansen http://scottnation.com/Donate to Xlights!!!!https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_donateCC_LG.gifhttp://scottnation.com/pb16-pixel-controller/
Professional Triers - Ken MacMaster from WiredWatts.com
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