Your Tech Makeover

Frank Bravo

Everyone has tech issues and they are usually because things are more complicated then they have to be. Listen and learn how to simplify your tech life. With Frank Bravo.

  1. ٢٥ نوفمبر

    📸 Holiday Phone Photos: How to Take Better Pictures with Your Smartphone (with Don Feria)

    This week on Your Tech Makeover, professional photographer and Stanford University instructor Don Feria joins Frank Bravo to share real-world tips for taking better photos with the camera you already own, your phone. Just in time for the holidays, Don and Frank break down what separates a good phone photo from a great one. From lighting and composition to phone-specific settings, you’ll learn how to capture the moments that matter most, whether that’s a Thanksgiving feast, a Christmas tree glow, or kids and pets who refuse to stay still. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode 📱 Why mobile photography has changed the way we capture memories — and how to use that “studio in your pocket.” ⚙️ The real difference between High Efficiency and Most Compatible camera settings on iPhones. 🖼️ Simple composition tricks to make your photos instantly better (and what to watch for in the background). 💡 Lighting made easy — how to find soft, flattering light indoors and outdoors. 🍗 Holiday photo tips for food, family group shots, and fast-moving kids and pets. ✨ Editing basics that make photos pop without overdoing it. 🗂️ Quick ideas for keeping your photo library organized (and backed up safely). 🧠 Key Takeaways Even small changes — like moving a few feet for better light — make a big difference. You don’t need fancy gear; understanding your phone’s features goes further. Practice before the big day: try shooting scenes with both shadow and light so you’ll know how your camera reacts. 💬 Mentioned in This Episode Don Feria – donferia.com | Instagram @donferia Stanford University Continuing Studies Frank Bravo – YourTechMakeover.com ☕ Support the Show If you enjoy Your Tech Makeover, please consider supporting it with a small donation — listeners who contribute $25 or more will receive a free 30-minute tech consultation to help simplify your own digital setup. 👉 Visit YourTechMakeover.com for details. So, what’s one photo tip you plan to try this holiday season? Let me know what you think — and, as always, if you have ideas for topics you’d like me to cover, reach out at frank@yourtechmakeover.com. Thanks for listening to Your Tech Makeover. Don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and visit YourTechMakeover.com for more episodes, transcripts, and show notes.

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  2. ١٨ نوفمبر

    🎧 Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them Before You Get Hooked

    Special Alert Episode! 💳 Gift cards make great gifts, but terrible payments. With the holidays approaching, scammers are working overtime to trick people into using gift cards to pay fake bills, bogus tech support fees, and even phony family emergencies. In this special between-episode of Your Tech Makeover, I share how one simple flyer at Target, and a neighbor’s unfortunate experience, inspired a timely reminder about one of the most common (and costly) scams out there. You’ll learn how these scams actually work, the red flags to look for, and what to do if you or someone you love gets pressured to “pay” with a gift card. 🔑 In this episode, you’ll learn: 🎯 How gift card scams really work and the psychological tricks scammers use to create panic. 🚫 The biggest red flags that signal a call, text, or email isn’t legit. 🧾 What to do if it happens to you, including how to report it and maybe stop the funds. 🧡 How to protect family and friends with a “pause plan” before they buy or send anything. 💬 Frank says: “The IRS doesn’t take Apple gift cards, your power company doesn’t take Target cards, and no tech support person should ever ask for Google Play cards. If someone tells you otherwise, hang up.” 🙌 Support & Resources: If you or someone you know gets targeted, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP. And if you see someone at the store buying lots of gift cards under pressure — say something. You might save them a lot of money and stress. 🗓️ Mentioned in this episode: Target’s “Beware of Gift Card Scams” flyer The FTC’s official reporting site: ReportFraud.ftc.gov Common scam fronts: IRS, utility companies, fake tech support, “grandparent” emergencies 💡 Want to help others stay safe? Share this episode with family, coworkers, or that friend who always gets “urgent” texts. The more people who know the signs, the fewer will get caught. 💡 Support the Show If you’ve learned something from Your Tech Makeover, consider supporting the podcast! 🎁 Listeners who contribute $25 or more will receive $25 off a one-on-one tech consultation with Frank to help simplify your digital life. ➡️ Click the link in the show notes or visit YourTechMakeover.com to learn more. 🎧 Listen to the full episodes at: 👉 YourTechMakeover.com/ So, have you ever gotten one of those “urgent” messages asking you to pay with a gift card? Let me know what you think and, as always, if you have any ideas for topics you’d like me to cover, please feel free to contact me at frank@yourtechmakeover.com.

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  3. ١١ نوفمبر

    ✈️ Don’t Let Your Battery Ruin Your Flight: Tech Travel Tips for the Holidays

    Batteries catching fire on airplanes? Unfortunately, it’s more common than you think. In this episode of Your Tech Makeover, I dive into the rise in battery-related incidents on flights, and what you can do to stay safe and still fly with your tech. Whether you’re heading home for Thanksgiving or taking a winter getaway, this episode will help you avoid airport surprises and keep your gadgets (and seatmates) out of harm’s way. This is part of our ongoing series on making your devices more useful and safer across everyday situations—and just in time for the holiday travel season. 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 📈 How often batteries really catch fire on flights (hint: more than once a week in the U.S.) ⚠️ The rules around bringing power banks, vapes, and other rechargeable devices onboard 🧠 What “watt-hours” actually mean in simple, real-world terms 🚫 Which major airline banned power bank use onboard starting October 2025 🎒 Smart packing tips, like where to store your charger to avoid overheating or getting flagged 💡 Support the Show If you’ve learned something from Your Tech Makeover, consider supporting the podcast! 🎁 Listeners who contribute $25 or more will receive $25 off a one-on-one tech consultation with Frank to help simplify your digital life. ➡️ Click the link in the show notes or visit YourTechMakeover.com to learn more. 📚 Mentioned in This Episode: FAA Battery Safety Rules: faa.gov TSA Battery Guidelines: tsa.gov Emirates Power Bank Policy (Oct 2025): emirates.com Southwest Portable Charger Rules: southwest.com Battery fire recalls (Waymeet, etc.): Home Depot Recall Info 📩 Stay Connected Got a tech topic you want help with? Email Frank at frank@yourtechmakeover.com 💻 More info and all past episodes at YourTechMakeover.com 🔧 Learn more about Frank at BravoITC.com

    ١٠ من الدقائق

  4. ٢٨ أكتوبر

    🌥️ Cloud Storage Wrap-Up: What You Missed & How to Get Organized

    I just wrapped up a six-part series on cloud storage, but if you missed an episode or still feel a little lost, this one’s for you. In this wrap-up, I’ll recap the highlights, share what I didn’t cover enough the first time, and give you a simple checklist you can use this week to finally take control of your files. Whether you’re team Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, or iCloud Drive, this episode pulls it all together. ✨ What you’ll learn in this episode: 🌐 A quick rewind of the “big five” services — and who each one is best for 🔑 The key differences between sync and backup (and why you need both) 🧩 How to make sense of mix-and-match setups without losing your mind 📋 A 7-step checklist for cloud sanity and security ⚡ Five “quick wins” you can do in ten minutes or less 🗂️ A 5-day cleanup plan to finally get organized ❓ Listener Q&A — the most common cloud storage questions, answered 💡 Why this episode matters This isn’t just another tech tutorial. It’s the in-case-you-missed-it recap of an entire series — plus the extra tips that didn’t fit into the earlier episodes. If you’ve been meaning to pick a primary service, tighten up your sharing, or finally back up those important folders, this is your cheat sheet. 🙌 Support the show Your support helps keep Your Tech Makeover going! Contribute via the link in the show notes or at YourTechMakeover.com. Supporters who give $25 or more get $25 off a one-on-one consultation with me to simplify their tech. 🔗 Mentioned in this episode Google Drive Dropbox Microsoft OneDrive Box Apple iCloud Drive Previous episodes of the Cloud Storage Series (July–September 2025) in the podcast feed So, which cloud storage service are you going to stick with? Hit play to get the recap and start fresh.

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  5. ٢١ أكتوبر

    A Quick Update: The Your Tech Makeover Newsletter Is Here!

    In this short bonus episode, Frank shares something new forYour Tech Makeover listeners... the launch of the Your Tech Makeover Newsletter on Substack! 🎉 If you love the show but sometimes wish you could get quick, easy-to-read tech tips right in your inbox, this newsletter is for you. Every couple of weeks, Frank will send short posts with practical advice, helpful links, and behind-the-mic stories, all in plain English, just like the podcast. 👉 Subscribe free at ⁠⁠⁠YourTechMakeover.com⁠⁠⁠ or directly on Substack at ⁠⁠⁠yourtechmakeover.substack.com⁠⁠⁠. Stay tuned! A new full episode drops next week!

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  6. ١٤ أكتوبر

    🎙️ Move Fast and Break Things: What It Means for Everyday Tech Users

    You’ve heard the phrase “Move fast and break things” but what does it really mean for the tech we use every day? In this episode of Your Tech Makeover, Frank Bravo explores the origins of this Silicon Valley motto and how it’s shaped the way tech companies build the tools we all rely on. From Facebook’s early days to modern AI rollouts, Frank looks at when moving fast fuels innovation, and when it leads to chaos. Whether you’re a casual user, a small business owner, or someone launching your own project, this episode will help you understand how to stay smart in a world that moves fast and breaks things on purpose. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: 🧪 The origin story of the “move fast” mindset (and Facebook’s role in it) 🚀 Examples of when speed led to breakout success, like Instagram and TikTok 🔒 Where things broke, including Zoom’s security stumbles and Tesla’s Autopilot controversies 🧭 How companies like Apple and Microsoft strike a safer, slower balance 🛠️ Tips for staying protected when using fast-moving tech (yes, backups are still your friend!) 💬 Support the show & get personal tech help If you enjoy this episode, consider supporting Your Tech Makeover! Listeners who contribute $25 or more will receive $25 off a one-on-one tech consultation with Frank. 👉 Just click the link in the show notes or visit YourTechMakeover.com. 📌 Mentioned in this episode: Facebook’s “Move Fast” mantra Instagram’s pivot to photo sharing TikTok’s rapid innovation cycle Zoom’s early privacy concerns Tesla Autopilot software updates Apple’s product rollout philosophy Microsoft’s cloud transformation Have you ever benefited from a fast tech rollout or been burned by a rushed update? Let me know! And don’t forget to subscribe to Your Tech Makeover on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. 📬 Questions or topic ideas? Email Frank at frank@yourtechmakeover.com🌐 Learn more at YourTechMakeover.com👨‍💻 Work with Frank at BravoITC.com

    ٨ من الدقائق

  7. ٣٠ سبتمبر

    🎧 Troubleshooting 101 – Simple Fixes for Everyday Tech Problems

    🧰 Feeling stuck with your tech? This episode is your go-to guide for fixing the most common tech problems—fast. Whether your computer is frozen, your phone won’t charge, or your WiFi disappears at the worst possible time, basic troubleshooting can save the day. In this episode of Your Tech Makeover, host Frank Bravo shares his simple, real-world tips to help you get back up and running—without panic, guesswork, or a call to tech support (well, maybe just one call...). Inspired by a listener named Sandy, this episode is all about empowering you to solve everyday tech issues with confidence. You don’t need to be a tech wizard, just follow these steps and you’ll be amazed at what you can fix on your own. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn how to: 🔄 Use the “magic” of restarting (yes, it solves more than you think!) 🌐 Figure out if the internet’s out, or just your device 🧹 Clean up digital clutter to boost performance 🔋 Troubleshoot battery and power issues on any device 🎛️ Fix basic sound and display problems 📲 Keep your software updated and secure ☎️ Know when it’s time to call in backup 🙌 Support the Show: Love the show? You can support Your Tech Makeover by visiting YourTechMakeover.com. 🎉 💬 Listeners who donate $25 or more get $25 off a one-on-one tech consultation with Frank! 📌 Mentioned in this episode: Speedtest.net – Check your internet connection Backup & update tips from previous episodes (see the archive at YourTechMakeover.com) 💬 Share your story! What’s your weirdest tech glitch—or your go-to troubleshooting trick? Send Frank a note at frank@yourtechmakeover.com or leave a comment on the episode page. 👉Subscribe! Make sure you're subscribed so you don’t miss upcoming tips on smart devices, file syncing, digital cleanups, and more.

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  8. ١٦ سبتمبر

    📂 Unlocking iCloud Drive: Making the Most of Apple’s Cloud Storage

    Are you really getting the most out of iCloud Drive, or is it just another icon in your settings you don’t fully understand? In this episode of Your Tech Makeover, I break down how iCloud Drive actually works, what it syncs (and what it doesn’t), how to share files and folders, and what to watch for when it comes to space and pricing. Whether you’re using just one Apple device or a whole family’s worth, this guide will help you clean things up and take control of your cloud storage. This is the sixth and final episode in our Sharing & Syncing series, where we've been walking through the most popular cloud storage tools, one platform at a time. 🔑 In this episode, you’ll learn: 🗂️ What iCloud Drive really does (and how it’s different from iCloud Photos or Backups) 💻 How to sync your Mac’s Desktop & Documents folders ⚙️ Which hidden settings matter, like “Optimize Mac Storage” 💸 What you get for free (and why most users need to upgrade) 👥 How to share files and folders—even with people outside your Apple ecosystem 💡 Mentioned in this episode: iCloud Drive Apple Family Sharing Files app (iPhone and iPad) System Settings on Mac 🎁 Support the podcast:Listeners who donate $25 or more get $25 off a personal tech consultation with me. You’ll help keep the show going and get expert help on your tech headaches. 🎧 Listen now at YourTechMakeover.com Or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. 👋 Got a tech question or topic suggestion? Email Frank anytime at frank@yourtechmakeover.com.

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Everyone has tech issues and they are usually because things are more complicated then they have to be. Listen and learn how to simplify your tech life. With Frank Bravo.

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