In this episode, I talk about a new idea for identifying misplaced devices. We often find ourselves asking, “Whose device is this?”

Join me as I share my journey of creating a solution using ChatGPT and Codex to build a macOS app for device lookup. I discuss the process of developing the app, from brainstorming to coding, and how leveraging technology can streamline our inventory management.

The wild thing is that building this app took only a couple of hours! Codex 5.5 (very high reasoning) is incredible!

Whether you’re in tech management at a school or just curious about the intersection of education and technology, this episode is packed with insights and practical advice on how to solve recurring problems with innovative solutions.

In this episode, we dive into the world of automation and synchronization for school events, including concerts and musicals. Starting from the chaotic process of managing audio and lighting cues, I walk you through changing the workflow into a seamless experience using QLab, Light Key, and OSC commands.

Heard how we’re setting up QLab for audio playback, integrating lighting control through Light Key, and utilizing a Behringer X32 digital mixer to manage audio snippets effectively. The trick here is leveraging the power of OSC commands to create an automated workflow that enhances the production quality of school performances.

I just shipped an app — and this episode is the full story of how it came together.

NextUp Music started as a simple frustration: shared listening is messy. People fight over songs, and somehow your Apple Music Replay ends up reflecting everyone except you.

So I followed that problem and built a system.

In this episode, I walk through all 31 sprints that led to the app: from the first idea around turn-based listening, to profiles without accounts, to Replay Shield, to getting rejected by App Review and working back from there.

Along the way, I talk about what it actually looks like to build with tools like ChatGPT and Codex. Not as magic, but as collaborators that still require direction, taste, and ownership.

This isn’t just about writing code. It’s about holding a vision long enough to make something real.

NextUp Music is now live!

<img width="1920" height="2560" data-tf-not-load src="https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/10/billselak-nickprovenzano-scaled.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/10/billselak-nickprovenzano-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/10/billselak-nickprovenzano-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/10/billselak-nickprovenzano-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/10/billselak-nickprovenzano-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/10/billselak-nickprovenzano-1536x2048.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" />

In this episode, the extraordinary Nick Provenzano joins the pod: an educator, maker, and AI enthusiast. We talk about the transformative power of generative AI in education, discussing how it can enhance creativity, support neurodiverse learners, and foster inclusivity in the classroom.

You’ve heard the story behind the music, now it’s time to listen to the track itself. Here’s November Tragedies the ninth and final song from Rising Decline’s 9-track album, newly remixed and reimagined with the power of AI.

This is part of my 18-episode series, where I break down each track from the album, share the process, and bring you along on a journey of nostalgia and innovation. Enjoy this song—free for a limited time. And by limited, I mean forever.

<img width="1024" height="1024" data-tf-not-load src="https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/10/bst127november.png" class="attachment-full size-full wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/10/bst127november.png 1024w, https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/10/bst127november-300x300.png 300w, https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/10/bst127november-150x150.png 150w, https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/10/bst127november-768x768.png 768w, https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/10/bst127november-308x308.png 308w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />

In this episode, we reach the conclusion of our retrospective on Rising Decline’s second album with the track, “November Tragedies.” I talk about the emotional weight behind the song, exploring themes of loss, heartbreak, and the cathartic power of creativity. We’ll discuss the importance of embracing the artistic process without the pressure of perfection.

Stick around for the full track in the next episode!

<img width="1024" height="1024" data-tf-not-load src="https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/08/bst127thus.png" class="attachment-full size-full wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/08/bst127thus.png 1024w, https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/08/bst127thus-300x300.png 300w, https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/08/bst127thus-150x150.png 150w, https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/08/bst127thus-768x768.png 768w, https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/08/bst127thus-308x308.png 308w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />

You’ve heard the story behind the music, now it’s time to listen to the track itself. Here’s Hey Mr. Corporate Plantation Owner Man, the eighth song from Rising Decline’s 9-track album, newly remixed and reimagined with the power of AI.

This is part of my 18-episode series, where I break down each track from the album, share the process, and bring you along on a journey of nostalgia and innovation. Enjoy this song—free for a limited time. And by limited, I mean forever.

<img width="1024" height="1024" data-tf-not-load src="https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/08/bst126thus.png" class="attachment-full size-full wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/08/bst126thus.png 1024w, https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/08/bst126thus-300x300.png 300w, https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/08/bst126thus-150x150.png 150w, https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/08/bst126thus-768x768.png 768w, https://www.billselak.com/wp-content/podcast/2025/08/bst126thus-308x308.png 308w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />

In this episode, we’ll talk about how collaboration fuels creativity in both music and education. The idea is simple: connect with inspiring people and share ideas that can lead to exciting new projects.

Stick around for the full track in the next episode!

You’ve heard the story behind the music, now it’s time to listen to the track itself. Here’s What Was Who, the seventh song from Rising Decline’s 9-track album, newly remixed and reimagined with the power of AI.

This is part of my 18-episode series, where I break down each track from the album, share the process, and bring you along on a journey of nostalgia and innovation. Enjoy this song—free for a limited time. And by limited, I mean forever.

In this episode, I talk about the importance of playfulness in education, but not just being silly because it’s fun or random… being intentionally playful as an instructional strategy. It’s good times, and so is the song I talk about. Stick around for the full track in the next episode!