The Story We Tell Ourselves… Isn’t True | Community Connections with Ryan

This piece explores what psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy suggest about the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves. It looks at memory, self deception, cognitive dissonance, and evolution, then turns toward a harder and more hopeful idea: that trusted relationships and real community may be part of how we stay anchored to reality. If the mind is always editing, protecting, and smoothing over, then maybe self understanding was never meant to be a solo act. Read More

Articles, Content

April 15, 2026

HETMA Presents… Chair to Chair: Jon Youse, Regional Groups Chair

In this episode of HETMA Presents… Chair to Chair, Erin Maher-Moran talks with HETMA Regional Chair Jon Youse about self-advocacy, career growth, and what it means to lead while still feeling more comfortable in the background. Jon reflects on his path from college TV production to higher education technology leadership, and shares how being rifed during the pandemic changed the way he thinks about communicating his value. The conversation also explores HETMA road shows, mentorship, and how regional connection can help higher ed technology professionals grow without feeling like they have to do it alone. Read More

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April 1, 2026

134: They Don’t Sit in the Classroom Like I Do with Mike McHugh | The AV/IT Amplifier Podcast

In Part 2 of Ryan Gray’s conversation with Mike McHugh from Goshen University, the discussion moves from technology choices into the deeper realities behind them: trust, institutional culture, long term decision making, and the difference between what a room is designed to do and how it actually gets used. Mike also reflects on staying current in a changing AV landscape, teaching first year students about career and calling, and how stepping into the classroom has changed the way he approaches his work. The episode lands in a thoughtful place, with a look at experiential learning, service, and Mike’s upcoming May course in Maui supporting long term recovery work after the Lahaina fires. Read More

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March 25, 2026

133: It Might Just Be Future Mike with Mike McHugh | The AV/IT Amplifier Podcast

In this episode of The AV/IT Amplifier Podcast, Ryan Gray talks with Mike McHugh of Goshen College about what it means to build a long career in higher ed technology at a small institution where the work is deeply personal and highly visible. Mike reflects on legacy, service, and the reality of revisiting systems he built years ago, all while keeping students at the center of the decision making. The conversation also explores professional community, leadership, and how consistency behind the scenes can make a visible difference. Read More

Content, Media

March 21, 2026

Amplified: Tom Segers | Community Connections with Ryan

Tom Segers is the kind of higher ed AV leader who lives in reality first: seven campuses, a tiny team, and decisions that have to work in real classrooms, not just on a tradeshow stage. From privacy driven hybrid design to lifecycle planning and hands on testing, he keeps pulling the conversation back to what education actually needs, then takes that insight straight to the people building the products. His core message is simple: education is too fragmented to influence the industry alone, so community and shared feedback loops are how we move from adapting tools to shaping them. Read More

Articles, Content

March 19, 2026

HETMA Presents… Jackie Young: Innovation is Not Optional

Logitech for Education marketing leader Jackie Young walks through a joint AVIXA and Logitech survey that captured input from more than 500 AV and IT pros, more than 600 faculty, and nearly 700 students. The conversation focuses on the gap between hybrid expectations and real classroom performance, and why reliability, interoperability, and ease of use shape how people perceive an institution. Jackie also shares a few metrics that can help campus teams make a clearer case for investment by tying technology experience to retention and institutional stability. Read More

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