In this bonus episode, Luke sits down with John Mark Clark and Davi Lema from Orange Thread Live for a roundtable on the standout tech they encountered at InfoComm this year. From AI-driven audio cleanup tools that strip out everything but a clean vocal signal, to a transparent LED wall that nearly disappears on camera, to a programming platform that could have saved a past SALT Conference team dozens of hours on kinetic lighting, the conversation covers what's genuinely useful for church production teams versus what's still out of reach for most. It's less about chasing the newest gear and more about staying aware of where the industry is heading, so even teams that can't deploy this exact technology walk away with a sharper eye for solving their own production challenges.

Learn more about Orange Thread Live and follow them on Instagram! @orangethreadlive

SALT 2026 is coming in October, so get your tickets today! If you're looking to grow in your skill and connect with others before conference, start an account with SALT Community.

• L-Acoustics: AI tool in L-ISA
• Alpha Labs: De-Feedback V1
• PTZ Optics: Horizon Hub
• Mark Roberts Motion Control (MRMC): Polymotion Chat
• Roe Creative Display: Vanish Air Rental
• Clear Com: Gen-IC Virtual Intercom
• Stage Precision

Darrel Girardier, Executive Director of Ministry Resources at Brentwood Baptist Church, joins the podcast for a candid conversation about one of the most uncomfortable questions in church leadership: how do you actually measure whether your staff is effective, not just busy? From leading indicators and lagging indicators to managing Gen Z employees who've never had to structure their own workday, Darrel brings hard-won wisdom from both the corporate world and 9-campus church leadership. If you lead a creative or ministry team and you've ever wondered how to hold people accountable without micromanaging, this episode is for you.

🔗 Show Notes

• Darrel Girardier on LinkedIn

• Darrel Girardier on Instagram

• Brentwood Baptist Church

• SMART Goals guide

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AI is advancing faster than most of us can keep up with, but this episode makes the case that your creative instincts and eye for excellence are more valuable now than ever. Luke and Katelyn break down why the one thing AI can't replace is your ability to define and articulate quality, and how church creatives actually have a unique superpower in the age of AI. Whether you're a daily AI user or still figuring out where to start, this conversation will change how you think about the tools available to you.

• Book reference: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

• ChatGPT

• Claude / Anthropic

• Canva AI

• Glue AI

• Kenny Jang - see him at SALT 2026 and get your ticket to his masterclass: Leading with Vision in an AI-Driven World.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY → http://SALTCommunity.com

SALT 2026 → https://www.salt2026.com

Instagram: @salt_community

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YouTube: youtube.com/@SALTCommunity_