Technically Working

Damashe Thomas and Michael Babcock

"Welcome to 'Technically Working', the go-to podcast for tech enthusiasts and productivity seekers alike. Hosts Michael Babcock and Damashe Thomas take you on a journey through the ever-evolving world of technology and productivity. As Mac OS and iPhone users, they share their personal experiences and tips on staying productive while using these tools. But they don't stop there - they also explore other platforms like Android and Windows to bring you a comprehensive view of the tech landscape. Tune in each episode to hear them keep each other accountable, discuss the latest tools and strategies, and share their journey to reaching their goals. Whether you're a small business owner, freelancer, or simply looking to boost your productivity, 'Technically Working' is the perfect podcast for anyone looking to level up their tech skills and get things done."

  1. 5d ago

    Can I Just Do the Thing?

    Sometimes technology makes life easier. Other times, it makes you wonder why something so simple has to be so complicated. Michael is back, and he and Damashe have plenty to catch up on! They start with Apple's latest Mac announcements, including touchscreen MacBooks, the missing cellular option, and whether upgrading is really worth the money. Damashe has a new Mac mini for his vending business, while Michael shares how buying the wrong audio cable turned into an unexpected lesson in making things work with what you've got. The conversation moves into audio production, including Michael's setup for the ACB of Oregon convention, microphone choices, and keeping screen reader audio out of a live broadcast. They also talk about putting an AI-powered Mastodon bot to work, new smart home technology, remote access, and why AI tools aren't always as helpful as they claim to be. Later, Michael shares his experience building an accessible jacket ordering form with Gravity Forms, including the small mistake that caused a lot of frustration. Damashe talks about finding simple solutions for his vending business, from warehouse access to accepting payments without interrupting his work. It's another episode full of technology, troubleshooting, practical solutions, and a few reminders that sometimes the simplest answer is the one you haven't thought of yet. Topics Covered Apple's touchscreen MacBooks, pricing, and the missing cellular connection. Damashe's new Mac mini and plans for warehouse automation. Remote computer access while traveling. Apple's Numbers, Google Sheets, and unwanted AI features. Using the RODECaster Pro II, Zoom, and mix-minus audio routing for a live event. Choosing microphones that work for the person and the environment. Bringing an AI-powered Mastodon bot online using Muse. Smart speakers, connected devices, and accessibility. Working with AI agents and remote development tools. Creating an accessible ordering experience with Gravity Forms Nested Forms and Square. Simplifying business processes instead of creating more work. Using lockboxes, mobile payments, and Tap to Pay in a vending business. Connect With Us Visit technicallyworking.show to listen to the show and support us through the Tip Jar. Have a question, suggestion, or something you'd like us to discuss? Email feedback@technicallyworking.show. Support Technically Working by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/technically-working Find out more at https://technically-working.pinecast.co Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/technically-working/e2c64064-8422-4bef-b355-45d46e620f08 Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-431b7d for 40% off for 4 months, and support Technically Working.

  2. Oct 27

    New Dog, New Mixer, Same Old Chaos

    TW185: New Dog, New Mixer, Same Old Chaos Michael is back with a solo episode of Technically Working, and there's plenty to catch up on! First, meet Dunkin, Michael's new 82-pound German Shepherd guide dog from The Seeing Eye. Michael shares his journey through three guide dogs, what training was like in New Jersey, and what it's been like bringing home a young, curious shepherd who's quickly become part of the family. Then it's time to get technical! Michael takes us behind the scenes of the ACB of Oregon convention, where he put the RØDECaster Pro II to work handling microphones, Zoom audio, and live sound. He walks through his setup, how AccessCaster made the mixer more accessible, and why he's so happy with the results. There's also some talk about using ElevenLabs to prepare audio documents, routing VoiceOver so the audience doesn't hear everything his computer is doing, and a recording button that didn't behave quite the way he expected. And because no live audio setup is complete without something unexpected, there's even a microphone boom arm that decides to fall off the table! Stick around for a sample of the convention audio, and get ready for Michael and Damashe to return together in TW186. Support Technically Working by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/technically-working Find out more at https://technically-working.pinecast.co Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/technically-working/f4823ed6-c1cb-4dc6-97d7-37a7f07837ce Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-431b7d for 40% off for 4 months, and support Technically Working.

  3. Oct 11

    I Let AI Buy My Wife's Anniversary Gift

    Would you trust AI to buy an anniversary gift for your spouse? Michael did, and the results might surprise you. This week on Technically Working, Michael shares how he used Muse to shop for anniversary gifts, from picking out flowers to finding a turtle-themed water bottle. Damashe and Michael talk about what it's like to let AI make purchases, the security concerns that come with giving it access to your accounts, and how these tools are changing the way we get things done. But that's not all. Michael talks about preparing to fly home with his new guide dog, Damashe shares his plans for bringing more devices into Apple Home, and the two discuss smart locks, Apple Watch upgrades, AI-generated scam calls, and the future of satellite connectivity. Also in this episode: Michael's experience using Muse and Stripe Link to purchase anniversary gifts. Preparing to travel by airplane with a large German Shepherd guide dog. How realistic AI-generated voices are making scam calls harder to recognize. Damashe's plans for HomeKit Secure Video, Aqara devices, and smart home automation. Smart locks, accessibility frustrations, and Apple's Ultra watches. Audio dramas, Audible subscriptions, and expiring credits. Earshot's new Personal Audio feature. Testing cellular internet as an alternative to traditional home internet. Starlink, T-Mobile, and the future of satellite-powered cellular service. We'd love to hear from you! Have you ever let an AI agent make a purchase for you? Would you trust one with your shopping accounts? Send us your thoughts at feedback@technicallyworking.show. Find us on Mastodon and join the conversation using #TechnicallyWorking. Support Technically Working by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/technically-working Find out more at https://technically-working.pinecast.co Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/technically-working/edd86da8-2269-4d5c-b2e1-844f1637402f Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-431b7d for 40% off for 4 months, and support Technically Working.

  4. Sep 27

    It Actually Goes and Does the Things

    Michael has been experimenting with Meta Muse, and what caught his attention is not just how it answers questions, but how it can actually go do things. We talk about using AI for reminders, calendar management, travel information, research, and other tasks that usually require jumping between several apps. Michael shares how Muse kept reminding him about a form until he finally finished it, added flights from an itinerary to his calendar, and even noticed emergency contact information that might be useful while traveling. Of course, giving an AI the ability to take action also raises questions about permissions, privacy, security, and how much access we are comfortable giving these tools. Damashe talks about why he prefers limited or read-only access where possible, and we compare the approach with ChatGPT, Claude, Siri, Apple Intelligence, Gemini, and Apple’s Private Cloud Compute. We also dig into Meta’s growing collection of AI hardware, including the Ray-Ban Meta glasses and the Muse Charm, a handheld device designed to provide another way to interact with Muse without wearing AI on your face. Later, Michael explains how he plans to put Muse to another test while attending guide dog school. He wants to use it to help journal the experience each day and see whether a conversational AI assistant can make documenting an entire process easier to stick with. Along the way, we wander through smart glasses, proactive assistants, Tamagotchis, podcasting, and the kind of conversation that started Technically Working in the first place: sitting down, talking about technology, and seeing where the conversation goes. Support Technically Working by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/technically-working Find out more at https://technically-working.pinecast.co Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/technically-working/5bb1b9da-543d-4f62-9f08-235b6ca56e28 Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-431b7d for 40% off for 4 months, and support Technically Working.

  5. Sep 19

    The Mixer Finally Talks

    Episode Description Michael is getting hands-on with the RØDECaster Pro II, and thanks to Sean’s AccessCaster software, the mixer is finally usable without relying on its touchscreen. Michael and Damashe walk through the hardware, routing, multiple-computer setup, smart pads, monitoring, and what accessible third-party software changes about the value of otherwise inaccessible hardware. The conversation also moves into Michael’s upcoming guide dog training, Apple hardware and the folding iPhone discussion, Siri and podcast transcripts in Earshot, the Technically Working website rebuild, remote mixer control, and Damashe’s experiments using the Drafts MCP connector with Claude. Feedback: feedback@technicallyworking.show Website: https://technicallyworking.show Chapters 00:00:00 The RØDECaster Pro II Sounds Different 00:02:23 Getting Started With AccessCaster 00:16:28 Breaking News and Guide Dog Training 00:20:38 Apple Hardware, Macs, and the Folding iPhone 00:23:39 Siri in macOS and Context Menu Changes 00:29:42 Earshot, Siri, and Podcast Transcripts 00:34:03 Going Deeper Into RØDECaster Routing 00:44:32 Accessibility Beyond a Touchscreen 00:49:30 Earshot Codes, Feedback, and Mastodon 00:51:52 Thoughts on Apple’s Latest Event 00:58:34 Rebuilding the Technically Working Website 01:04:51 RØDECaster Wi-Fi and Remote Control 01:11:51 Drafts, MCP, and Letting AI Clean Things Up 01:15:43 Wrapping Up TW180 Support Technically Working by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/technically-working Find out more at https://technically-working.pinecast.co Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/technically-working/d6675ed6-d482-4f7b-b19a-c6736090513d Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-431b7d for 40% off for 4 months, and support Technically Working.

  6. Sep 15

    Making Your Computer Yours Again

    Damashe is joined by Shaun Preece of Double Tap to talk about what happens when AI coding turns “I wish this worked differently” into “maybe I can fix it myself.” Shaun shares how he went from programming years ago to experimenting with Claude Code, while he and Damashe compare how AI has changed the way they research, plan projects, verify information, and learn while they build. They talk about keeping AI from wandering off, asking questions one at a time, using one AI to check another, and knowing when you still need to verify the answer yourself. The conversation gets especially practical when Shaun explains how he used AI-assisted coding to make much of the RODECaster Pro II accessible. That meant figuring out how the mixer communicates with its software, reverse-engineering commands, testing across different setups, and building an interface that can announce changes as controls are adjusted. They also get into computer-use agents, whether AI-generated software has real value, the difference between a quick experiment and a project you actually maintain, and Shaun’s work making Keychron keyboard configuration more accessible. It all comes back to one idea: AI does not have to help you build the next big app. Sometimes it can simply help you fix the things that get in your way and make your computer yours again. Support Technically Working by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/technically-working Find out more at https://technically-working.pinecast.co Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/technically-working/fee388ee-c70a-4fb0-a6e0-cc3de959c4f3 Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-431b7d for 40% off for 4 months, and support Technically Working.

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

"Welcome to 'Technically Working', the go-to podcast for tech enthusiasts and productivity seekers alike. Hosts Michael Babcock and Damashe Thomas take you on a journey through the ever-evolving world of technology and productivity. As Mac OS and iPhone users, they share their personal experiences and tips on staying productive while using these tools. But they don't stop there - they also explore other platforms like Android and Windows to bring you a comprehensive view of the tech landscape. Tune in each episode to hear them keep each other accountable, discuss the latest tools and strategies, and share their journey to reaching their goals. Whether you're a small business owner, freelancer, or simply looking to boost your productivity, 'Technically Working' is the perfect podcast for anyone looking to level up their tech skills and get things done."

You Might Also Like