Plugged In: A Plugable Podcast

Plugable

Plugged In explores how real professionals structure their work, make decisions, and stay effective in modern, tech-driven environments. Each episode features honest conversations about what works, what doesn’t, and why.

Episodes

  1. 20 May

    Inside a Tech Writer’s Toolkit: Essential Gear After 15 Years

    What does a veteran tech writer actually keep in his toolkit after 15 years of testing thousands of products? In this episode of the Plugged In Podcast, Katie sits down with Brian Wolf—a veteran technology writer and content strategist whose bylines have appeared in Tech Radar, Digital Trends, Yahoo, and Digital Trends. Brian brings a unique "MBA lens" to consumer tech, helping us separate the true innovations from the "bean counter" decisions. The conversation dives deep into Apple’s latest moves, from the surprise success of the budget-friendly MacBook Neo to the "love-hate" relationship pros are having with the loss of the Mac Pro. Brian explains why he’s excited about the M5 Silicon transition but remains skeptical about the "AI-washing" of hardware like mice and keyboards. We also get a fascinating look at the practical side of AI. Brian shares how he used Claude Code to reorganize five years of messy Obsidian notes in under 30 minutes and tells a slightly "scary" story about how an AI assistant remembered his protein drink order from a drive-thru mic. Whether you’re a professional writer, a Mac enthusiast, or someone trying to navigate the "subscription fatigue" of modern software, this episode offers an honest, no-nonsense look at the state of technology in 2026. Topics Covered The "Value" Filter: How Brian decides which products earn a review and which get sent back. The MacBook Neo Success: Why Apple’s play for the budget and college market is working. M5 Silicon & The Pro Gap: The shift from the Mac Pro to the Mac Studio and souped-up laptops. Organizing the Chaos: Using Claude to index and recover years of forgotten research and notes. The Subscription Audit: Deciding which AI and creative tools are worth the $20–$30 monthly fee. AI Hardware vs. Software: Why "AI buttons" on accessories are currently just a gimmick. The Three Essentials: Brian’s "unstoppable" kit for making a living in the digital age. The Tablet Trap: Why the iPad Pro still hasn't replaced the laptop for real productivity. About the Plugged In Podcast Plugged In is a conversation series exploring how real work actually gets done. Each episode features thoughtful professionals sharing how they structure their work, make decisions, and stay productive in modern, tech-enabled environments. No hustle culture. No “10 hacks to wake up at 4am.” Just honest conversations about what works, what doesn’t, and why. Guest Brian Wolf Veteran Technology Writer & Content Strategist. With over 15 years of experience, Brian has held leadership roles at Future PLC and iMore, covering the intersection of consumer electronics and business strategy. Connect with Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanmwolfe/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:45 The Day-to-Day of a Tech Writer 02:30 The Upgrade Bar: Does This Product Earn a Review? 04:15 Apple vs. Windows: The Platform Debate 05:15 The MacBook Neo and the M5 Silicon Shift 07:30 Professional Frustrations: The Death of the Mac Pro 09:30 The Importance of Color and Aesthetics in Hardware 11:00 Trimming the Toolkit: Firing Underused Subscriptions 13:00 Reorganizing 5 Years of Notes with Claude Code 16:00 Embracing Change vs. AI Skepticism 18:00 The "Protein Drink" Story: How AI is Always Listening 21:00 Is AI Hardware Gimmicky? Brian’s Take on AI Accessories 23:00 Looking Toward CES 2027 24:30 The Three Things Brian Can’t Live Without 26:00 Laptop First: Why Tablets Still Can't Do the Job 28:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    25 min

  2. 4 May

    B2B Growth Secrets: Why Your LinkedIn Company Page is Your Most Valuable Asset

    Is your LinkedIn company page a boring broadcast channel or a revenue-generating asset? In this episode of the Plugged In Podcast, Barry sits down with Michelle J. Raymond, the founder of B2B Growth Co. and the premier expert on LinkedIn company pages. Michelle literally wrote the book on the topic—Business Gold—and she joins the show to debunk the myth that company pages are just "whiteboards for announcements." Michelle shares her incredible "founder story," from winning $2 million in business from a single LinkedIn post to navigating the challenges of starting a business in the middle of a global lockdown. The conversation explores the "Power of Two"—the critical tandem between personal thought leadership and a strong corporate brand—and why research now shows that 1 in 5 closed deals involve a visit to the company page. They also dive into the reality of the founder's life, including Michelle’s "no-structure" productivity style, her obsession with the reMarkable tablet for handwritten notes, and why she chooses to "raw dog" 15-hour flights without movies or podcasts. If you’ve been ignoring your company’s LinkedIn presence or struggling to find a workflow that balances creativity with business growth, this episode is packed with "no-hacks" advice that actually works. Topics Covered - The "Power of Two": Why company pages and personal profiles must work in tandem - $2M from One Post: The real-world ROI of consistent LinkedIn content - B2B Growth, No Hacks: Why service-oriented content beats stock images and ads - The reMarkable Life: Why Michelle swears by handwritten notes for better retention - Founder Productivity: Building a business around your life instead of the 9-to-5 - Connectivity Nightmares: Moving from the "dongle life" to a streamlined tech setup - The Best Productivity Hack: Why a good night’s sleep is better than any app - Gold Rush Inspiration: What mining shows can teach us about business persistence Guest Michelle J. Raymond Founder of B2B Growth Co. and author of Business Gold. Michelle is an international speaker and a leading authority on using LinkedIn for B2B brand growth without relying on gimmicks or hacks. Connect with Michelle:Website: https://b2bgrowthco.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellejraymond/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:55 From Long Lunches to Social Selling 02:03 The $2 Million Post and the Founder’s Story 05:31 Why Company Pages are "B2B Gold" in 2026 07:03 The Power of Two: Brand vs. Individual 09:05 Ending the Cycle of Boring Announcements and Stock Images 10:32 The "Work from Anywhere" Reality 13:04 Thriving in Randomness: An Extrovert’s Home Office 14:58 On/Off Switches: Managing Burnout and Flexibility 18:17 The Weirdest Place I’ve Ever Worked (The Backyard Live) 20:55 Why Calendar Time-Blocking Failed Me 22:31 Team reMarkable: The Power of Handwritten Notes 25:21 The Tech Setup: From 50 Dongles to a Creative Ecosystem 30:11 Traveling Light: Why I Don't Watch Movies on 15-Hour Flights 33:47 Gold Rush and the Philosophy of Persistence 38:27 The Metricool Stress Ball and the Essential Water Bottle 39:38 The Ultimate Hack: A Good Night’s Sleep

    41 min

  3. 16 Apr

    The Apple Evolution: M5 Silicon, Thunderbolt 5, and the MacBook Neo

    What does "modern work" actually look like when your office could be a downtown workstation, a home desk, or a train seat coming back from an Apple meeting? In this episode of the Plugged In Podcast, Katie sits down with Jordan Link—Apple Practice Lead at Insight Canada—to navigate a groundbreaking week for the Apple ecosystem. Jordan’s role goes far beyond reselling; he helps organizations design, deploy, and support Apple environments from initial strategy to ongoing lifecycle management. The conversation explores the market-disrupting launch of the MacBook Neo, discussing how its aggressive $599 USD price point is removing the final barriers for Mac adoption in education and entry-level enterprise roles. Jordan also provides a deep dive into the technical power of M5 Silicon, the massive bandwidth of Thunderbolt 5, and why future-proofing infrastructure is now a top priority for IT leaders. Along the way, they dig into the rise of the AI-first enterprise. Jordan shares how Insight acts as "client zero" for their own AI platform, Horizon, and how these tools are turning days of manual prep into minutes of "bionic" productivity for sellers and customers alike. Whether you’re an IT leader looking at total cost of ownership or an Apple enthusiast curious about the latest hardware, this episode offers a refreshingly honest look at how the right ecosystem serves as the essential foundation for the future of work. Topics Covered Defining "Modern Work": Empowering people to do the best work of their lives, anywhere The MacBook Neo: How the $599 USD price point is changing the conversation in education M5 Pro & Max: Supporting up to four external displays for high-performance workstations Thunderbolt 5: Moving from a "four-lane highway" to an "eight-lane highway" for data and resolution Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Why high residual value makes Mac a smarter long-term investment Choice Programs: Attracting and retaining top talent by offering the devices they actually want Insight’s "Horizon" Platform: How internal AI usage builds credibility and strengthens customer trust Jordan’s Gear: A look at the MacBook Pro, Vision Pro, and the impossibly thin iPhone Air About the Plugged In Podcast Plugged In is a conversation series exploring how real work actually gets done. Each episode features thoughtful professionals sharing how they structure their work, make decisions, and stay productive in modern, tech-enabled environments. No hustle culture. No “10 hacks to wake up at 4am.” Just honest conversations about what works, what doesn’t, and why. Guest Jordan Link Apple Practice Lead at Insight Canada Jordan helps enterprise clients navigate device strategy, procurement, deployment, and authorized service support. Connect with Jordan: Insight Canada: https://www.insight.com/en_CA/home.htmlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-link24/

    31 min

  4. 10 Apr

    Remote Work, Vibe Coding, and AI Agents with Reggie Azevedo

    How do you maintain a high-velocity startup culture when your team is spread across the globe? In this episode of the Plugged In Podcast, Barry sits down with Reggie Azevedo, co-founder of Vista Social—the modern social media management platform designed for the reactive nature of today's marketing landscape. Reggie shares his journey of building a fully remote company long before it was the industry standard, and how leveraging a global talent pool allowed Vista Social to accelerate its growth faster than anyone expected. The conversation dives deep into the "next level" of productivity: vibe coding and AI agents. Reggie explains why simply using a chatbot isn't enough anymore and how Vista Social uses automated workflows to handle repetitive tasks—saving hours of manual work on every product release. They also explore the physical side of remote work, including Reggie’s "command center" setup, his favorite noise-canceling tech for working in public spaces, and why he chose to work from the trunk of a rental car during a family vacation. If you want to understand how leadership, discipline, and AI-powered workflows come together to define the future of work, this conversation is for you. Topics Covered - Building a global remote culture - The transition from ChatGPT to Claude and Cursor - What is "Vibe Coding" and why it empowers non-engineers - Moving beyond chatbots to automated AI agents - Why communication is the ultimate "prompt engineering" skill - Managing boundaries between home and office life - The essential gear for a productive mobile setup - Debunking the 4 AM productivity myth About the Plugged In Podcast Plugged In is a conversation series exploring how real work actually gets done. Each episode features thoughtful professionals sharing how they structure their work, make decisions, and stay productive in modern, tech-enabled environments. No hustle culture. No “10 hacks to wake up at 4am.” Just honest conversations about what works, what doesn’t, and why. Guest: Reggie Azevedo, Co-founder of Vista Social, a leading social media management tool. Host of the Beyond Social podcast. Reggie oversees both revenue and customer experience, leading a team of nearly 40 employees worldwide. Connect with Reggie: Website: www.vistasocial.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reggieaze/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:52 Leading a Remote Team Since 2016 02:10 The Early Skepticism of Remote Work 04:48 Leadership, Culture, and Recruiting for High Velocity 06:56 What is Vista Social? 09:34 How AI is Redefining Productivity in 2026 11:42 AI Tools: Switching from ChatGPT to Claude and Cursor 12:47 The "Quiet Time" Morning Routine 15:33 Communication as a Crucial AI Skill 17:28 Best Places to Work (and the Portable Monitor Setup) 20:28 The Future of Computing: Glasses and AR 22:22 Setting Physical Boundaries at Home 23:31 The "Command Center" Hardware Setup 25:23 Must-Have Tech: Noise-Canceling and Cursor 28:13 The Weirdest Place I’ve Ever Worked 30:25 Why Context Switching is the Enemy of Progress 31:50 Working Smarter with AI Agents 34:35 Debunking the 4 AM Productivity Myth

    36 min

  5. 29 Mar

    Tom Martin Hughes on Global Remote Work, Trust, and HR in the Age of AI

    Can you actually stay productive while traveling through South America for six weeks without taking a single day off? In this episode of the Plugged In Podcast, Barry sits down with Tom, a remote-first HR Business Partner and consultant. Tom shares his unique perspective on balancing a high-stakes "people-centric" role with a nomadic lifestyle that has taken him from the UK to Italy, Japan, and, most recently, a six-week working journey across South America. The conversation dives deep into the "Trust Economy" of modern work—exploring why management trust is the ultimate enabler of remote success and how to maintain human connection when you aren't in the same room. Tom also breaks down his portable tech setup, his transition from "pasta box" laptop stands to a professional multi-monitor workflow, and why he believes the myth that remote employees "work less" is fundamentally wrong. Whether you're an HR professional navigating the future of work or a remote employee looking to optimize your "office in a backpack," Tom’s insights offer a practical roadmap for staying efficient, no matter where in the world you're logging on. Topics Covered: The Global Office: How Tom worked through South America for six weeks without PTO. Building Rapport Virtually: The challenges of HR and people management in a remote environment. The Trust Pillar: Why trust and communication are the foundation of remote culture. From Pasta Boxes to Portability: Tom’s evolution of a mobile workstation. The Remote Work Myth: Why remote workers often work more proactively than those in an office. AI in HR: Using Gemini and ChatGPT as "co-pilots" for proposals and data analysis. Leadership and Compassion: Lessons learned from Jacinda Ardern’s approach to leadership. About the Plugged In Podcast Plugged In is a conversation series exploring how real work actually gets done. Each episode features thoughtful professionals sharing how they structure their work, make decisions, and stay productive in modern, tech-enabled environments. No hustle culture. No “10 hacks to wake up at 4am.” Just honest conversations about what works, what doesn't, and why. Guest Tom Martin Hughes: HR Business Partner & People Consultant International remote work advocate and Master’s researcher in HR leadership. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:18 Meet Tom: The 100% Remote HR Professional 01:37 Building Human Connection in a Virtual World 02:30 The Challenges for Remote Newcomers 03:27 Morning Rituals: Baths, Breakfast, and Inbox Zero 05:20 The "Pasta Box" Setup: Tom’s Tech Evolution 06:08 Creating a Portable Multi-Monitor Workstation 07:48 The Trust Economy: Traveling South America While Working 09:41 Maintaining Team Engagement from Afar 11:41 Tools for Efficiency: Canva, Pen & Paper, and Fast Replies 12:46 AI as a Co-Pilot in the People Space 14:43 How to Overcome Creative Fatigue 16:04 Debunking the Myth: Do Remote Workers Work Less? 17:55 Working from Japan, Italy, and Beyond 19:12 Leadership Inspiration: Compassion and Vulnerability 20:10 When is Tom Most Creative? 21:49 Closing Thoughts

    23 min

  6. 24 Mar

    Jay Schwedelson on Productivity, Consistency, and Why Most “Best Practices” Are Garbage

    What does productivity actually look like when you’re running multiple businesses, hosting massive events, creating content constantly, and still showing up everywhere online? In this episode of the Plugged In Podcast, Barry sits down with Jay Schwedelson—founder of Subjectline.com, host of the Do This, Not That podcast, and widely known in the marketing world as “the email guy.” Jay shares how he manages time, energy, and ideas while juggling a marketing agency, a growing media company, and some of the largest virtual marketing events on the internet. Along the way, the conversation explores why many “best practices” are outdated, how simple habits like 15-minute meetings and strict time blocking can dramatically improve productivity, and why consistency beats talent more often than people think. They also dig into capturing ideas before they disappear, staying productive while traveling, managing burnout, and why sometimes the most powerful productivity advice is simply learning when to say no. If you’ve ever wondered how highly productive people actually structure their workday, this conversation offers a refreshingly honest look at what works—and what doesn’t. Topics Covered • Why your email list may still be your most valuable asset • The myth of marketing “best practices” • Why Jay switched to 15-minute meetings • How time blocking protects deep work • Capturing ideas before they disappear • Productivity habits while traveling • Managing burnout and staying consistent • Why consistency beats talent About the Plugged In Podcast Plugged In is a conversation series exploring how real work actually gets done. Each episode features thoughtful professionals sharing how they structure their work, make decisions, and stay productive in modern, tech-enabled environments. No hustle culture. No “10 hacks to wake up at 4am.” Just honest conversations about what works, what doesn’t, and why. Guest Jay Schwedelson Founder of Subjectline.com Host of the Do This, Not That podcast Creator of major virtual marketing events, including Guru Conference Jay also recently released a book titled “Stupider People Have Done It,” with proceeds supporting cancer research through the V Foundation. Connect with Jay: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/schwedelson/

    29 min

  7. 20 Mar

    Local AI & The Future of Work: A Conversation with Plugable Founder & CTO Bernie Thompson

    How do you bring the power of AI to your desk without compromising your data? In this episode of the Plugged In Podcast, we sit down with Plugable Founder and CTO Bernie Thompson for a deep dive into the hardware requirements of the "Local AI" revolution. As the industry shifts from public cloud models to private, local execution, the demands on our hardware are changing—specifically regarding GPU power, VRAM, and high-speed connectivity This conversation serves as the technical foundation for our upcoming TBT5-AI (Thunderbolt 5 AI Enclosure). Bernie explains why Thunderbolt 5 is the critical interface required to bridge the gap between a standard Windows laptop and the high-end GPU performance needed to run 120B parameter models locally. What we discuss in this episode: - The TBT5-AI Vision: Why a dedicated AI enclosure with 800W of power is necessary for production-grade local AI. - Local vs. Cloud: The security, cost, and privacy benefits of keeping data on-premises for legal, financial, and government sectors. - VRAM vs. Throughput: Why GPU memory capacity is the most important variable for running large-scale open-source models versus traditional gaming. - Plugable Chat: How our new software "harness" enables smaller models to perform complex SQL queries and document retrieval effectively. - The Engineering Mission: How Plugable is applying 15+ years of Thunderbolt expertise to solve modern AI compatibility challenges.

    37 min

  8. 20 Mar

    Everything Apple: Breaking Down Apple's March 2026 Announcements

    On this episode, we're diving into the latest Apple announcements. Katie and Bob discuss everything from the new MacBook Neo to the M5 Pro/Max refresh, and break down what these specs actually mean when you’re trying to connect your peripherals and power your multi-monitor setup. In this technical deep dive, we cover: - The MacBook Neo Reality Check: Why it only supports one external display and what that means for entry-level users. - Thunderbolt 5 Mandates: How the new standard changes the game for dual-display support and data throughput. - The Daisy-Chain Debate: Examining Apple’s implementation of MST and daisy-chaining in their newest displays. - Pro Workflow Optimization: How to leverage the M5 Pro and Max for multi-monitor power-user setups.

    29 min

  9. 17 Mar

    Anthony Tripyear on Remote Work, Travel, and Staying Productive Anywhere

    What does productivity actually look like when your office could be anywhere in the world? In this episode of Plugged In, Barry Weston sits down with Anthony Tripyear, a technology consultant who works with companies across Europe as a fractional sales and revenue leader. His work regularly takes him between countries, client offices, home workspaces, and some surprisingly unusual locations—including a safari in South Africa and even a police station. Instead of productivity hacks or hustle culture advice, this conversation explores how real work gets done when your environment is constantly changing. Anthony shares how he structures his day while balancing client work, international travel, and family life, why he still relies on pen and paper for planning, and how a simple set of tools—from noise-canceling headphones to a portable monitor—helps him stay focused wherever he opens his laptop. The conversation also dives into the realities of remote work, including the misconceptions people still have about working from home and why productivity often looks very different depending on where—and how—you work. If you've ever wondered how professionals stay effective while constantly on the move, this episode offers a candid look at what actually works. In this episode • Why Anthony still starts every day with pen and paper • The productivity advantages of working remotely • Building a portable workspace that travels with you • How to stay focused when working from anywhere • Balancing family life with remote consulting work • Why adaptability matters more than ever in modern careers • The surprising places Anthony has worked from About Plugged In Plugged In explores how real professionals structure their work, make decisions, and stay effective in modern, tech-driven environments. Each episode features honest conversations about what works, what doesn’t, and why. Connect with Anthony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tripyear/ Work with Anthony: https://outlook.office.com/book/ELZOMIConsultingLimited1@elzomi.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled

    25 min

  10. 6 Mar

    Morning Routines, Creative Energy & Getting Real Work Done with Maria Marchewka

    What does productivity actually look like in the real world? In this episode of Plugged In, Barry Weston sits down with Maria Marchewka to talk about how thoughtful professionals structure their work, protect their creative energy, and stay productive in modern, often unpredictable work environments. Maria shares how her mornings set the tone for deep creative work, why capturing ideas immediately matters, and how tools like transcription and note-taking systems help turn conversations into meaningful output. The discussion also explores how to navigate creative fatigue, the balance between structure and spontaneity, and the environments that help people do their best thinking. Rather than focusing on productivity hacks, this conversation looks at how real work actually gets done—the routines, habits, and decisions that allow professionals to stay consistent and effective over time.

    20 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Plugged In explores how real professionals structure their work, make decisions, and stay effective in modern, tech-driven environments. Each episode features honest conversations about what works, what doesn’t, and why.

Information

  • Creator
    Plugable
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Plugable