Mystic Access Podcast

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Chris and Kim kick things off by sharing some listener feedback, including a mention of Hartgen Consultancy’s valuable products and services.

Next, with the deadline for obtaining a REAL ID quickly approaching, we dive into what you may need to know if you plan to fly and still need to get yours.

We also take a moment to remind listeners about our upcoming Mac event and where you can find more details.

As always, thank you so much for tuning in and being part of our community!

In this episode, we’re helping you prep for late spring and summer with affordable ways to stay cool and escape the heat—wherever you are.

Chris shares his experience with the Vornado TRANSOM window fan, which he used in our summer home last year. This powerful fan features a weather-resistant case, reversible exhaust mode, and four speeds. There are two versions available—one with a remote, and one that works with Alexa. Chris explains the differences and demos the Alexa-compatible version he just installed in his NY office.

We also chat about:

We demo two relaxing Alexa skills that can mentally transport you far away:

We wrap up with exciting news—we’re headed to ACB in Dallas this July by train! We share why we love train travel and hope to see many of you there.

Thanks so much for tuning in. Whether you came for practical tips or a bit of virtual escape, we’re glad you’re here.

In This Episode: A Smarter Checkout, A Soothing Sleep Mask, and Budget-Friendly Streaming

In this episode, we’re diving into three exciting updates and discoveries we think you’ll love.

First up, we’ve made a helpful improvement to the checkout process at [MysticAccess.com](https://www.MysticAccess.com). Whether you’re updating your shipping address or entering one for the first time, the process is now much smoother and more intuitive.

Next, we unbox a feature-rich sleep mask that’s become a new favorite around here. With speedy Bluetooth pairing, over 35 relaxing nature sounds, a comfy fit, and more than 15 hours of playtime, it’s a dreamy companion for a restful night. Tune in to hear our first impressions, and stick around for our follow-up thoughts after more hands-on use.

Finally, if you’re looking for affordable, family-friendly TV and movies, [Frndly TV](https://www.frndlytv.com/choose-plan-2) could be just what you need. It offers over 50 channels, a rewind feature for live shows, and works beautifully with VoiceOver on iOS—a huge accessibility upgrade from the past! Kim walks you through the app and shows how it compares to another budget streaming service, [Philo](https://agoodmovietowatch.com/cord-cutting/comparaisons/philo-vs-frndlytv/).

Thanks so much for tuning in and sharing the podcast with others. We appreciate you! Until next time…

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the world of podcasts! Whether you’re new to podcasting or a seasoned listener, we’re covering everything from finding topics that interest you to following your favorite shows. We’ll also discuss common pitfalls to avoid and share insights from our own experiences with Apple Podcasts, the Wondery app, and other podcatchers we love.

Not sure what a “podcatcher” is? No worries! We’ll break down helpful podcast terminology and take a nostalgic journey through the early days of podcasting. Plus, we’ll explore how podcast accessibility has evolved over the past two decades, especially for screen reader users.

Want to dive deeper? Check out our in-depth audio documentation on efficient and enjoyable ways to listen to podcasts, whether you’re a tech expert or just getting started.

Thinking about launching your own podcast? We’ve got you covered! Our step-by-step audio guide walks you through everything you need to know. There’s more to podcasting than you might think!

Thanks for tuning in—we’re so glad you’re here!

In this episode, we dive into a variety of topics—so even if something doesn’t seem relevant to you at first, stick around! You might pick up some valuable insights or learn some lessons along the way.

**Ring Camera Accessories & the Importance of Research**

**The iPhone 16E & What’s Missing**

**Phone Cameras & Their Growing Importance**

**The ESIM Advantage**

**Affordable Phone Plans & Data Conservation**

**Looking Ahead: Alexa+ & AI in Our Workflow**

**Podcast Update: Changes to Our Episode Titles**

As always, thank you for listening and for spreading the word about Mystic Access! We truly appreciate your support.

In this episode, we dive into a mix of tech, fun, and surprises! We start by discussing our upcoming event focused on the BlindShell Classic 3 phone and how it compares to its predecessor. Then, we explore the WeWalk smart canes, comparing the first and second generations to see what’s new and improved.

Next, things take a playful turn as we test out a transforming radio-controlled truck—

Topics Covered in This Episode:

Tune in for a mix of insightful discussion and lighthearted fun!

Today we announce an event comparing the BlindShell 2 and 3 cell phones, and have demos of JAWS Picture Smart, and the meal delivery service Factor. This is one of our really long episodes, so grab a snack and a drink before getting started.

first, we’re very excited to announce our upcoming event comparing and contrasting the BlindShell 2 and 3 cell phones. If you’re looking for a high-quality, totally accessible cell phone for yourself, already own a BlindShell 2 and wonder if an upgrade to the 3 is worthwhile, or have purchased the 3 and are curious about the new features, this event has something for you. Join us on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 8:30 PM eT. The event will run about 75 minutes for the presentation with lots of additional time for your questions. This is a paid event, but we’ve kept your registration super low at only $10. Visit this page to learn more and purchase your seat. A recording will be provided for all registrants.

Next, Chris demonstrates the power of JAWS Picture Smart. He describes some photos featuring both people and places, and also shows how to use Picture Smart in conjunction with free USPS Informed Delivery emails to read about your upcoming mail. We think this feature is a real game changer, particularly for reading about what mail will be coming to your mailbox. Hope this is helpful.

We share about our experience having our Ring camera professionally installed. For us, this was very positive, and we’d definitely do so again.

Finally, we discuss the Factor meal delivery service. Kim demos the website, which is far more accessible than the app for making selections and changes to your orders. We talk about our first delivery, what we think so far, and possible advantages and disadvantages of the service.

Thanks so much for listening. We appreciate you!

We’re back with a number of small discussions and two quick demos, so we hope you find something enjoyable among the talking points.

First, we update you on our use of tiles. Chris shares about another version of a tile he plans to purchase and why. He demos finding his phone, how the tile works with Alexa and Google, and we discuss our thoughts on using tiles versus air tags in our own lives.

Next, Kim talks about her COVID test that wasn’t. Learn about what she read about “accessible” COVID tests, what happened when she received one via mail, and what happened next.

Chris is trying to cut back on his coffee consumption. Learn about the handy gadgets he’s now using to make that happen and what he thinks so far.

Kim mentioned in a previous episode that she was recently interviewed for APH’s Career conversations series. She highly recommends the entire series for anyone seeking career tips, advice, and just wanting to hear stories from others in the work force. Check out Kim’s episode on YouTube here. She hopes you’ll be helped by something shared. There are so many cool folks to meet in this series. Visit APH’s YouTube channel to find many more career conversations.

About a year ago we talked quite a bit across several episodes comparing Ring and Google for security. We wanted to update you on our experience and why we’re about to join one of those universes exclusively. What works for us may not be best for you, but we hope something we share is useful if this is something you’ve thought about.

Next, Kim demos the restaurant deliveries available as part of Instacart. We explain the pros and cons to consider based on our recent experience.

Finally, Kim teases a food service we’ll be discussing in more detail in a near future episode. Thanks as always for listening! We appreciate you!

Today you’ll learn a bit about tracking things with Tile! We’re both rather under the weather for this episode, but hopefully our cool topic makes up for our weird-sounding voices.

Tile is a versatile way to track your keys, wallet, and lots of other items no matter which platform you use. There are various types of tiles available depending on what you want to keep track of. We talk a bit about the free tile we received with our Life360 subscription, show you the iOS app, and share some available ringtones. You don’t need Life360 to use Tile. Download the Tile app for your favorite platform from this page.

We’re also now on Bluesky for any of you who use that platform. Find us: @mysticaccess.com. Our podcasts will begin posting there upon release from now on. If you follow us on Mastodon, you’ll also receive the link to our latest episode when it posts.

Thanks for listening, and happy 2025.

From us to you, HAPPY 2025, hope it is a great one!