315: Boundaries, Burnout, and the Busy AV Season

In this episode of The AV Life, host Tim Van Woert is joined by Renee Benson, Nancy Blanchard, and Murphy Daley for a candid, year-end conversation about the hectic fourth quarter in AV and higher education. The team discusses extreme workloads, slipping project timelines, unusual product lead times, and the pressure to stay constantly available for customers and campus needs.

Renee and Nancy share insights into navigating unlimited PTO, leadership expectations, and setting boundaries while maintaining strong customer relationships. Murphy offers a “PM Minute,” emphasizing returning to fundamentals when projects stall. The group also talks about higher ed purchasing delays, an upcoming Sony Bravia model shift, international travel for ISE, and Murphy’s soon-to-be-released AV project management book. 

Topics Discussed: 

• Year-end workload spikes and burnout
• Unlimited PTO and real-world expectations
• Setting customer and leadership boundaries
• Higher ed purchasing delays and dragged-out project timelines
• Lead times, shipping slowdowns, and Amazon delays
• Sony Bravia model changes approaching ISE/InfoComm
• Travel demands and AV industry event schedules
• Using PM fundamentals when projects stall
• Work–life balance during the holidays
• Decorating, family time, and personal downtime
• Murphy Daley’s upcoming AV PM handbook
• Inviting younger AV professionals to share their industry experience

The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at higheredav.com.

Connect with Tim: 
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-45416826/ 
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TVanWoeart

Connect with The AV Life: 
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337