Human Friend Digital

In this episode of Human Friend Digital, Jacob and Jeff wander far from digital marketing and deep into the hills of Middle-earth. What begins as a friendly debate about The Rings of Power becomes something more: a meditation on storytelling, adaptation, and what gets lost when myth is compressed for streaming.

Jacob, steeped in Tolkien lore, explains why the Amazon series falls short—not because it lacks budget, but because it lacks the soul of the original works. He compares the First and Second Age to a slow simmer, full of long arcs and mythic scale, something a single season of TV struggles to capture.

They imagine a better show: a True Detective-style anthology based on Tolkien’s deeper writings—tight, mythic, and focused.

And along the way, they touch on The Hobbit films, the strengths of The Lord of the Rings adaptations, and even the tax policy of Gondor (or lack thereof), comparing Tolkien’s high myth to George R.R. Martin’s grounded realism in A Song of Ice and Fire.

It’s part literary critique, part nerdy celebration, and part heartfelt frustration.

To ask questions, or submit topics you'd like us to cover in the future, visit us at humanfriend.digital/pod/

This time on Human Friend Digital, Jacob and Jeff explore link rot, the slow decay of the internet as web pages vanish and URLs break over time. Websites may feel permanent, but in reality, they’re as fragile as a pamphlet—easily deleted, lost, or restructured, leaving broken links in their wake.

They discuss the impact of link rot on everything from SEO rankings to Supreme Court opinions, where nearly half of referenced links are now dead. Tools like the Wayback Machine offer a glimpse into lost pages, but most websites aren’t archived, meaning crucial information disappears forever.

To combat link rot, Jacob recommends 301 redirects for site updates, SEMrush for monitoring broken links, and periodic audits to preserve credibility. In the end, the episode is a reminder that the internet, despite its vastness, is more fragile than we think.

Links:

SEM Rush:

https://www.semrush.com/ 

Way Back Machine:

http://web.archive.org/ 

Broken link checker. Org:

https://www.brokenlinkcheck.com/ 

SwiperJS:

https://swiperjs.com/

Flickity:

https://flickity.metafizzy.co/ 

To ask questions, or submit topics you'd like us to cover in the future, visit us at humanfriend.digital/pod/

In this episode of the Human Friend Digital Podcast, Jacob and Jeff explore the growing impact of zero-click search, where Google answers queries directly in search results—without users needing to click through to a website.

Jacob explains that while this trend helps users find quick answers, it reduces traffic to informational websites. Businesses that rely on blogs or educational content may see fewer visitors, while commercial and transactional websites remain less affected since Google can’t complete purchases on their behalf.
They discuss strategies for adapting to this shift, such as optimizing content for SERP features (Search Engine Results-page Features– like FAQs and knowledge panels) to increase visibility. The key takeaway? Websites may get fewer clicks, but the visitors who do click will be more engaged.

Looking ahead, Jacob predicts AI-powered search assistants will further change how people interact with the web, making Artificial Intelligence Optimization (AIO) the next big challenge.

Links:
https://www.semrush.com/ 

To ask questions, or submit topics you'd like us to cover in the future, visit us at humanfriend.digital/pod/

In this episode of Human Friend Digital, Jacob and Jeff explore the impact of image file formats on website performance. They break down the strengths and weaknesses of JPEG, PNG, WebP, and SVG. JPEG is versatile but loses quality with compression, while PNG offers sharp transparency but has larger file sizes. SVG excels for scalable graphics, and WebP combines all benefits—compression, transparency, and animations—but isn’t yet universally supported.

Jacob emphasizes the importance of optimizing images for faster load times and better user experience. Whether using Photoshop, online tools, or server-side solutions, selecting the right format can significantly improve website speed and efficiency. It’s a must-listen for anyone managing a website.

Links:

Adobe Illustrator:

https://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator.html 

Adobe Bridge:

https://www.adobe.com/products/bridge.html 

Adobe Photoshop:

https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html 

Image Optim:

https://imageoptim.com/mac

https://imageoptim.com/online - for a non Mac alternative

Canva:

https://www.canva.com/ 

NitroPack:

https://nitropack.io/ 

Cloudflare:

https://www.cloudflare.com/

To ask questions, or submit topics you'd like us to cover in the future, visit us at humanfriend.digital/pod/

In this episode of Human Friend Digital, Jacob and Jeffrey explore how to structure websites for both users and search engines. Using Simon Sinek’s Start with Why framework—what you do, how you do it, and why you do it—they discuss creating logical site outlines that balance user experience with SEO optimization.

They highlight cornerstone content as key to organizing a website and the importance of targeted keyword research using tools like SEMrush. Jacob explains when to create standalone pages versus embedding content, emphasizing quality over quantity to avoid low-value pages.

The takeaway: start with a spreadsheet, map out your site structure, assign keywords, and design a site that serves both people and search engines. It’s a practical guide to effective website architecture.

Link to Simon Sinak’s TED talk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4ZoJKF_VuA

Link to Yoast:
https://yoast.com/

Link to SEM Rush:
https://www.semrush.com/

To ask questions, or submit topics you'd like us to cover in the future, visit us at humanfriend.digital/pod/

In this anniversary of the first year of the founding of Human Friend Digital, Jeffrey and Jacob celebrate with another edition of Acronym Soup, a dive into the trio of tools that power the internet: HTML, CSS, and JS (and don’t forget PHP!). These aren’t just technical terms—they’re the foundation of how websites look, feel, and function.

Jacob breaks it down simply: HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the structure, the bones of any website. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) adds beauty, controlling colors, fonts, and layouts. JavaScript is the nervous system that creates interactivity, like complex outcomes based on user interactions, countdown timers, or form validations.

The discussion touches on the evolution of web building, with tools like WordPress and Squarespace making coding optional for many users. But Jacob emphasizes the importance of understanding these languages if you want a site that’s truly customized and efficient. He also introduces resources like Codecademy for learning and platforms like CodePen and Stack Overflow for problem-solving and inspiration.

For anyone curious about what makes a website tick—or how to make theirs stand out—this episode serves as a roadmap to the foundational languages of the web.

Code Academy:

https://www.codecademy.com

CodePen:

https://codepen.io

Stack Overflow:

https://stackoverflow.com

To ask questions, or submit topics you'd like us to cover in the future, visit us at humanfriend.digital/pod/

In this episode of Human Friend Digital, Jeffrey and Jacob are joined by Olivia Curry, a commercial director and professional boxer. Olivia’s career in film has taken her from small-scale productions to directing large commercial spots. She shares what it’s like managing the complexities of a commercial set, working with everyone—from cinematographers to lighting and sound designers—to bring a vision to life.

But Olivia’s story doesn’t end on set. As a professional boxer, she also trains rigorously and has even fought on major televised cards. She talks about the reality of boxing training, her experiences sparring mostly with male partners, in a male dominated sport, and the challenges and rewards of balancing two demanding pursuits.

In their conversation, Olivia provides an honest look at the worlds of film and boxing and the intersections of creativity, discipline, and physical endurance. It’s a look at two very different careers and how one person navigates the demands of each.


Olivia’s Website:
https://www.oliviarosecurry.com/

Olivia’s Instagram (where you can find a link to buy tickets to her fight on Nov. 27th, 2024):
https://www.instagram.com/oliviarosecurry/

To ask questions, or submit topics you'd like us to cover in the future, visit us at humanfriend.digital/pod/

In this episode of Human Friend Digital, Jacob and Jeffrey sit down with Marquez White, a UI/UX designer who’s worked with companies like Grubhub and Kroger. Marquez doesn’t just design screens or logos; his job is to shape entire user experiences—every click, every scroll, and every interaction.
Marquez breaks down the complexities of his work, explaining how good design goes beyond aesthetics. It’s about solving real problems, anticipating what users need, and making their digital journeys smoother. He shares his journey from graphic design into product design, navigating the blurred lines between UX and UI, and the challenges of balancing user goals, business needs, and technical limitations.

One of the highlights of the episode is Marquez’s work on the Grubhub driver app. He explains how he redesigned the flow for drivers dealing with restaurant delays, reducing calls to support by 40%. It’s a real-world example of how thoughtful design can not only improve user experience but also make a business run more efficiently.

This conversation isn’t just about pixels on a screen—it’s about the invisible decisions that shape how we interact with the digital world. Whether you’re a designer, developer, or just a curious listener, this episode offers a deeper understanding of how design impacts the way we live online.

Marquez White:
https://www.whitedesign.io/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marquezwhite/

To ask questions, or submit topics you'd like us to cover in the future, visit us at humanfriend.digital/pod/

In this episode of the Human Friend Digital Podcast, Jacob and Jeff dig into the complex world of website development. Jacob, a veteran in the field, shares his hard-earned insights from over a decade of experience. The conversation revolves around how creating a website is much like building a house: from laying the foundation (defining goals and buyer personas) to crafting the blueprint (site design and content strategy) and finally, to the construction itself (coding and development).

Jacob highlights how the process is invisible to most people—unlike a house, you can’t drive by and watch your website being built. This process was developed to address the biggest challenge in website development: ensuring everything is meticulously planned upfront to avoid “scope creep” – the tendency for a project to grow out of control. Additionally, the step-by-step process tries to minimize stress at each phase: from design, to user testing before a site launch, all while catching potential issues before they become headaches.

With humor and plenty of real-world examples, Jacob emphasizes that a thorough, well-planned website is critical for staying ahead of the competition. It’s not just about looking good—it’s about creating a site that works seamlessly for users and lasts for years.

Whether you’re in the middle of developing a site or thinking about it, this episode is packed with practical advice and insights.

To ask questions, or submit topics you'd like us to cover in the future, visit us at humanfriend.digital/pod/

In this episode of the Human Friend Digital Podcast, Jacob and Jeffrey welcome Caleb Hickman, a touring musician who's spent years on the road Houndmouth and other bands. Caleb shares a candid and often humorous look into the life of a musician on tour—beyond the spotlight.

The conversation explores the realities of being on the road: hours of waiting between shows, long drives in cramped vans, and the logistics of gear set-up. Caleb describes the highs and lows of tour life, from the thrill of playing iconic venues like Red Rocks to less glamorous moments, like the "no-pooping-on-the-bus" rule.

Caleb also talks about the close-knit bonds formed on tour, both with bandmates and the behind-the-scenes crew—sound engineers, tour managers, and lighting technicians—who are essential to every performance. His stories range from successfully parallel parking a van and trailer in front of a cheering crowd, to dancing half-naked on stage during a tour with Of Montreal.

Throughout the episode, Caleb's humility and humor shine through, offering a unique perspective on the often misunderstood life of a touring musician. It’s not all glamor, but it’s clear that the camaraderie and love for the music keep him coming back for more.

Follow Caleb: https://linktr.ee/caleb.hickman
Hound Mouth: https://www.houndmouth.com/

To ask questions, or submit topics you'd like us to cover in the future, visit us at humanfriend.digital/pod/