In this episode of brAVe [space], host Britt Yenser sits down with Justin Dawson for a candid (and tangent filled) conversation about neurodiversity, advocacy, and finding your coping systems. Justin shares his family's journey following his son's autism diagnosis, his own discovery of being neurodivergent, and how those experiences transformed him into a passionate advocate for inclusion and understanding.Together, they explore resilience, identity, the power of community, and what it means to create a world where people can thrive as their authentic selves. Connect with Justin DawsonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sirjustindawson/Website: https://allthingstech.ie/Connect with Britt YenserLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/X: https://x.com/brAVe_britt_

In this episode of brAVe [skills], hosts Britt Yenser and Leon Prather explore the idea that we “rise and fall to the level of our systems,” both the technical systems we build in AV and the personal systems we create in leadership and daily work. Through relatable stories, AV analogies, and plenty of candid moments, they unpack how small weaknesses, maintenance habits, and workflow decisions can shape the success (or failure) of teams and technology alike. Connect with Leon PratherLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-prather-cts/Website: https://www.leonprather.com/Connect with Britt YenserLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/X: https://x.com/brAVe_britt_

In this episode of brAVe [space], host Britt Yenser sits down with Neesha Sookoo. Neesha shares what it’s like building and advocating for AV in a small but essential department, and why visibility and communication matter more than ever in higher ed technology. In this episode, we explore:What it means to grow AV services in a developing departmentThe challenges of being “behind the scenes” in higher educationNavigating career growth in a niche technical fieldRepresentation, perspective, and finding your voice Neesha brings a thoughtful, grounded perspective on persistence, purpose, and the evolving role of AV professionals. This conversation is a reminder that even in smaller spaces, the impact of this work is anything but small.Connect with Neesha SookooLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neeshasookoo/Connect with Britt YenserLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/X: https://x.com/brAVe_britt_

Britt Yenser and Leon Prather are back together (in the same studio and everything!) for a conversation that's deceptively simple on the surface: what's the difference between best and right? Whether you're spec'ing out AV equipment, hiring for your team, or navigating your own career, the "best" option isn't always the one that actually fits. They dig into real stories, a few laughs, and some genuinely useful takeaways. Come for the skills, stay for the chaos.Connect with Leon PratherLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-prather-cts/Website: https://www.leonprather.com/Connect with Britt YenserLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/X: https://x.com/brAVe_britt_

Recorded on March 19, 2026What happens when a difficult boss, a LinkedIn notification, and a phone call in the shower collide? You get Brandy Clay-Johnson's unexpected entry into the AV industry, and she hasn't looked back since. In this episode of brave [space], host Britt Yenser welcomes Brandy Clay-Johnson for a candid, high-energy conversation about career pivots, self-worth, and the power of doing things scared. Brandy opens up about growing up feeling like she was never enough, how relationships and her mother's death ultimately catalyzed her transformation, and why it took years to finally, unapologetically, find her voice. She also gets real about working for a company that lets her be exactly who she is, and why that changes everything. Tune in for valuable insights about self-worth, allyship, and more!Connect with Brandy Clay-JohnsonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandy-clay-johnson-0597245/Connect with Britt YenserLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/X: https://x.com/brAVe_britt_Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bravebritt.bsky.social

How do we keep the system stable? What signals matter? Tech leaders know all too well that system maintenance cannot be overlooked. In this revisitation of our episode called The Great Balancing Act, we explore practical concepts to ensure that we maximize uptime for the most important part of any system: the person operating it. We will attempt to answer questions surrounding concepts of work-life integration, delegation, and prioritization to help us avoid the road that so often leads to burnout. Connect with Leon PratherLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-prather-cts/Website: https://www.leonprather.com/Connect with Britt YenserLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/X: https://x.com/brAVe_britt_

brAVe [space] is BACK!In this episode of brAVe [space], Britt Yenser returns to the microphone for the first guest-centered recording since her maternity leave. Britt welcomes back returning guest James King for a thoughtful discussion about the unseen pressures many professionals carry in their work.James reflects on what he calls the “invisible backpack”: the worries, responsibilities, and expectations that quietly weigh on leaders, especially those in middle management. In roles built around service and support, it’s common advice to focus on what keeps your boss up at night. But what happens when we never stop to examine what’s keeping us up at night?Together, Britt and James unpack the emotional and professional load carried by people who support teams, systems, and institutions every day. They explore the realities of leadership in technical fields, the tension between service and self-preservation, and the importance of recognizing the hidden work that often goes unspoken.This episode is a candid look at responsibility, resilience, and the importance of acknowledging the weight we carry—so we can lead, support, and grow more sustainably. Whether you work in AV, higher education, or any service-driven profession, this conversation will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt the quiet pressure of the “invisible backpack.”Connect with James KingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-king-nj/X: https://x.com/AV_JamesKingConnect with Britt YenserLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/X: https://x.com/brAVe_britt_

Tune in to hear additional insights from Leon about why its worth revisiting the skill of effective listening. As AV professionals, we know the importance of audio. It's in our name! Just like there is no substitute for great audio, there is no substitute for effective listening as a leadership skill. Listen up! Connect with Leon PratherLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-prather-cts/Website: https://www.leonprather.com/Connect with Britt YenserLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/X: https://x.com/brAVe_britt_

Originally recorded on October 1, 2024Rereleased with intention This episode of brAVe [space] is being rereleased as an invitation to pause and reflect. In a world that often encourages us to separate, label, and choose sides, this conversation with Gen Cleary reminds us that feminine and masculine energy are not opposites—they are shared, human energies we can all access and embody.Connect with Gen ClearyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gen-cleary-846162187/Email: [email protected] with Britt YenserLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/X: https://x.com/brAVe_britt_

In this deeply personal episode, Leon Prather opens up about his journey returning to work after paternity leave, exploring questions that resonated with him from Britt's "Finding My Way Back" episode in brAVe [space]. Leon candidly shares the doubts that surfaced as he prepared to return: "Will I still have value?" and "How can I possibly split my attention between being present for my new child and showing up as the professional I've always been?"Leon doesn't shy away from the harder parts of his story. He reflects on the profound loss of his mother and how navigating deeply traumatic personal experiences has shaped his understanding of growth and evolution. Rather than compartmentalizing grief, joy, and professional identity, Leon advocates for something more integrated and more honest.His message is clear: be fully human and exist fully. Shifting priorities don't diminish our professional strength—they deepen it. This episode is a powerful reminder that we don't have to choose between our personal lives and our professional excellence. We can honor both, and in doing so, we become more resilient, more empathetic, and ultimately, more effective leaders.Connect with Leon PratherLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-prather-cts/Website: https://www.leonprather.com/Connect with Britt YenserLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/X: https://x.com/brAVe_britt_