Mystic Access Podcast: Where the Magic is in Learning

We hope you have as much fun listening to this episode as we had creating it! Come along as we walk a few steps (maybe more, maybe less—no judgment here!) through a mix of nostalgic tech, helpful tools, and safety tips. In This Episode: Blast from the Past: The Primula Talking Coffee Maker We revisit our Blast from the Past series to chat about the quirky and charming Primula talking coffee maker from 2009—billed as “the world’s first talking coffee maker.” Chris gives a live demo and walks you through the speech prompts this unique machine offers. StepUp App: A Fun Way to Track Your Steps Next, we step into the world of modern health apps with StepUp, a free and fun step-counting app available for iOS and Android. We explore its features, settings, and why it makes walking a little more rewarding (even if our step counts are embarrassingly low… oops!). Screen Protectors: Worth It or Not? We share personal horror stories and practical advice about screen protectors. Spoiler alert: Yes, they're worth it—and yes, quality matters! If you have a device with a glass screen, this section is for you. Smoke Detectors & Safety Tips Finally, we discuss the now discontinued Google Nest Protect smoke detectors and our plan to refit our home with new ones after all these years. We also share a super important tip: Smoke detectors expire after ten years! This segment is part teaser, part public service announcement—we want you to be safe! Thanks for joining us! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss our upcoming demos and discussions.

In this episode, we kick things off with a travel tip that recently saved us $200—and it just might save you money too! Whether you’re booking flights, rental cars, or hotel stays (especially via Expedia), this simple trick is worth knowing. While we haven't found an equivalent for train travel yet, we hope this helps ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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. Cool Gadgets for Warmer Days 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, ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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** Chris shares his experience with the accessories he purchased for our ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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

It’s our Christmas Eve edition and we have some updates and tips to present. LOL Sorry, had to go there. First, what do you think of our new mics? These are the Hollyland Lark M2 model and we love them so far. There are several versions you can purchase depending on whether you use Android, ... Read more

This is our last full episode of 2024. We do have one more coming out on Christmas Eve, but it will just be short and sweet. So we’ve packed a few fun discussions and some heart-felt thanks into this one. First, a friendly reminder that the mail is pretty slow this time of year, so ... Read more

This episode is jam-packed with goodies, so we hope you enjoy the fun. First, you’re all warmly invited to our post-Thanksgiving open house. It’s free, fun, and festive, and takes place on Friday, November 29 between 1-5 PM eastern time. To register your seat. please visit this link. We also mention some of our hardware ... Read more

In this informative episode we begin by discuss the importance of backing up your information. We recently switched our password manager to one we simply like more, and starting from scratch would have been annoying and lengthy. Backing up is important no matter what your software or files consist of, though, and we hope this ... Read more

This episode has it all; something spooky, something sappy, and something practical. But first, Kim discusses a cool voting tool she found this year. While it’s unfortunately too late in the election cycle to be helpful in 2024, she wanted to share anyway in case someone is interested in using it later if it’s available ... Read more

In this episode Chris and Kim unbox and set up the Ray-ban Meta Smart Glasses. They each decided to purchase a pair for themselves. They discuss why they ultimately chose to purchase, which glasses they bought, and an experience that caused them to buy sooner than they may have otherwise. Each setup process is a ... Read more

Have you ever had loved ones impacted by a hurricane, flood, tornado, or other natural disaster? Did you have accessible methods for finding accurate information? This podcast is for those times when you’re feeling helpless and want to know what’s going on in such a scary situation. In the wake of the devastation of Helene, ... Read more

In this episode Chris and Kim remind users of the Free event on the mac coming up on the 24th of the month. Next we use RIM to show how easy it is to connect and receive remote help. Finally we discuss Glide from glidance.io.

This episode offers an upcoming class announcement, a castle interview, a fun demo, and more. Let’s dive in! First, Chris provides an update on the pathfinder cane tip. He loves it, but there’s one important thing you must know before you buy. Listen to learn more. Next, Kim demos the Merlin bird identification app. This ... Read more

This episode features are pre-sunrise porch ambiance as we share about a variety of topics. You’ll hear about everything from bees, to crows, to raindrops–and a lot of crickets. So, get ready for the sounds and subjects of this crazy conversation. Chris begins by sharing about his unfortunate run-in with a tiny winged critter. Has ... Read more

Today’s jam-packed episode starts out with some slightly different sounds. That’s because we got some awesome new headsets to use for work in general and podcasting specifically. We discuss why we got these, what you receive, and the many reasons we like them so much. Chris also does an amazing demo to show you just ... Read more

If you’ve been with us for any length of time Chris’s love for robot vacuums will be no secret to you. Those who listened to our last episode will know that we’re spending time at our summer home. Can you guess what that means? Yes, it was time to adopt a new robot. Today’s episode ... Read more

Welcome to our first front porch edition of 2024, with more to come. Hope you enjoy the added natural ambiances. In this episode we talk about what goes into making a simi-permanent move. We aren’t talking about a one or two week vacation here. What happens if you need to re-settle in a place far ... Read more

We have a lot of fun demos and updates to share in this episode. First, we continue our discussion of the Windmill fan we set up and demoed in the previous episode. We show you how it works with Alexa and Google and share our thoughts after using it for a couple weeks. Our fan ... Read more

In this episode Chris and Kim demonstrate the Windmill desk fan and why they think it is special. Next they show how they unlocked their bathroom door without the key as it is gone forever. They use the Interior Door Emergency Key purchased from Amazon. finally they demonstrate the Hearkent Atomic Talking Clock. It has ... Read more

Kim and Chris discuss the trouble they have been having over the past month or so where some devices wouldn’t play the podcast.

In this episode Chris and Kim give travel tips to enjoy the season. Next Kim gives a demo of We Are Wild, a site that sells body wash and other beauty products. Finally there is a demo of Be My AI from BeMyEyes.com -

In this shorter episode of the podcast, we have two topics. the first topic is about the Turtleback LV site. This is where we can find the former Executive Products cases for accessible devices. We next talk about Mobile plans such as Visible and US ...

In this shorter episode of the podcast, we have two topics. the first topic is about the Turtleback LV site. This is where we can find the former Executive Products cases for accessible devices. We next talk about Mobile plans such as Visible and US Mobile. Should you go to an annual plan, what are the pros and cons. Thank you for being a podcast listener.

This episode is packed with demos we hope you'll enjoy. Links included in this post are our affiliate links; if you make a purchase from them, we'll receive a small commission. We never recommend items we don't use and love ourselves. -

Show notes coming soon.

We begin this episode with some accidental comedy. We mention a topic nobody wants to talk about at all... taxes. While we don't discuss them in detail in this episode, you can learn more about accessible tax/financial software and apps in this podcast...

We begin this episode with some accidental comedy. We mention a topic nobody wants to talk about at all... taxes. While we don't discuss them in detail in this episode, you can learn more about accessible tax/financial software and apps in this podcast episode. Did you get to enjoy the solar eclipse from your location? While there was a lot more cloud cover here than in many other places, we still had an awesome time. If you felt left out or just want to feel the excitement all over again, there are many archived resources for your enjoyment. Type "NASA solar eclipse coverage" into your favorite search engine to watch they're wonderful event from April 8. Many of you know that Chris and I love headphones. We discuss two pairs in this episode, one of which inspired the title. Both are by the brand SoundPEATS. Their Space over-ear headphones boast 120 hours (yes, you read that right) of battery, noise canceling and passthrough modes, and multiple EQ settings via the SoundPEATS app. They're well-built and, at least currently, well-priced. Chris also got the SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro Earbuds which he's really enjoying. While neither of these are Apple or Bose quality, they're both really great options for their pricepoints. Please note that both the above links provide Mystic access with a small commission if you purchase through those links. We never recommend products or services we don't use ourselves, and only recommend items we feel may benefit listeners. Finally, we discuss various ways to find news accessibly. From TV and podcasts to RSS and voice assistants, there are so many ways to learn what's going on in this great big world. We'll discuss another great resource for accessing various content in our next episode--radio reading services. Thanks, as always, for listening and spreading the word. We appreciate you!

Welcome to the podcast. This episode contains two very different topics, and we hope one or both will be of interest to you. - First, though, we want to thank those who attended our free virtual event on getting comfortable with computers.

Welcome to the podcast. This episode contains two very different topics, and we hope one or both will be of interest to you. First, though, we want to thank those who attended our free virtual event on getting comfortable with computers. We're grateful for the questions you shared to help make our presentation more helpful for you, the listeners. If you weren't able to attend live, no worries. You can download the audio of the event right here. We next share the final chapter of our story about our Google doorbell. We had a very unfortunate experience as we tried to return it to Amazon, which was the impetus for our purchase of the Google camera for our front yard. Hope you gain insight from our sad, cautionary tale. Finally, a much happier topic. The U.S. is about to experience a solar eclipse, and here in Western NY, we're in totality! If none of that makes any sense to you, check out the resources below for lots of explanation. We tease a very cool app called Eclipse Soundscapes which is available for both iOS and Android. It includes both audio description and sounds to help you understand and experience eclipses. The app is free. Don't hesitate to check out other eclipse-related apps as well. Some include videos and additional media for your enjoyment. Further Reading Total Solar Eclipse 2024: Everything You Need to Know, Space.com Device Helps People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision Experience a Solar Eclipse, NPR.org The LightSound Project, Harvard.edu Sense the Solar Eclipse with NASA's Eclipse Soundscapes Project, NASA Note: this is not the same as the Eclipse Soundscapes app. The app is not part of this 2024 project, which will record sounds from nature to see how they change during the solar eclipse. Thanks, as always, for listening and spreading the word about us. We appreciate you.

Today's episode is packed with updates, a demo we hope you'll enjoy, and the chance to *finally* hang out with us later this month. - Yes, at last, we're having another free event! This time we're discussing computers. whether you're buying one,

Today's episode is packed with updates, a demo we hope you'll enjoy, and the chance to *finally* hang out with us later this month. Yes, at last, we're having another free event! This time we're discussing computers. whether you're buying one, procrastinating about buying one, or just confused on terminology, we hope to make this a fun and informative event with lots of time to ask your questions. What's the difference between RAM and storage? What are must-have components when shopping for a new computer? What version of Windows or Mac should you get? What should you know as a screen reader or magnification user? We'll share vocabulary, our own experiences, and give you the tools to discover more for yourself. We hope you'll join us on Thursday, March 28, at 8:00 PM eastern time. Register your free seat at this link. If you know you'll be unable to attend live, please don't register for the event so someone else can have that seat. The event will be recorded for your enjoyment later. If you know others who may be interested, please send them to this page to register, too. In a previous podcast episode, Chris asked you to remember the number 22. We now explain that mystery by introducing you to an amazing surge protector from SuperDanny. We use ours in our entertainment center and absolutely love it. We explain its features, and, of course, talk about all the things you can plug in with this cool tool. Visit this page to learn more. Please note that this is our Amazon affiliate link. Any purchases made through this link provide us a small commission. We never recommend products we don't use and love ourselves. This episode also brings us to the end of our Ebay braille display story that we've been sharing. There's a happy ending, but one twist before we get there. Hope you've found our experience educational on your own journey in purchasing assistive technology. If you've been following our Google doorbell adventure, it's time for an update on the decisions we've made. We tell you whether we kept our Google doorbell, things we love and don't love, and more, including our thoughts on sound quality and other features. Finally, we end the podcast with a cool demo. This is a Windows program called Weather Monitor. We don't know about its availability for Mac. Learn about its intuitive interface, features, how to add cities, and how to configure the program. Note that this is still in public beta. Activate this link to download a .zip file containing the program. We hope you like it, too. Thanks, as always, for listening and spreading the word. We appreciate you!

This episode begins with a discussion of online chats. Many of you may remember when chatting with customer service or technical support online was a daunting if not impossible experience. Fortunately, this is no longer the case,

This episode begins with a discussion of online chats. Many of you may remember when chatting with customer service or technical support online was a daunting if not impossible experience. Fortunately, this is no longer the case, as chat software is so much more accessible than it was even a few years ago. We talk about a few recent experiences we've had working with online chat software and our level of satisfaction. We hope this helps you feel more comfortable trying out chatting with support or customer service reps online when needed. Next, we discuss our purchase of a Google Nest doorbell and why we chose to do so. Note this is an Amazon affiliate link. if you purchase from this link we may receive a small commission. We currently use Ring for our security system but have always wanted to try Google's doorbells. We show you our setup experience so you can get an idea of how it works. We used the Nest second generation battery doorbell. More on our thoughts in an upcoming episode. Chris recently talked about his less than positive experience buying assistive technology on Ebay. We have an update on that story in today's podcast. Finally, if you've ever needed the password to a WiFi network to which you've connected in the past, Kim shows you how to find that info via an iPhone. The process is quite similar on Android, so this example should give you a good idea of how it works. We hope you find this episode fun and useful. As always, thanks for listening and spreading the word. We appreciate having you as part of our community.

We begin this episode by updating you on Kim's progress with her iPhone 14 Pro. Learn how she feels about it after several weeks of constant use, the surprising features she now enjoys, and whether she misses anything about her old iPhone SE.

We begin this episode by updating you on Kim's progress with her iPhone 14 Pro. Learn how she feels about it after several weeks of constant use, the surprising features she now enjoys, and whether she misses anything about her old iPhone SE. Find out her tricks for conquering Face ID and the home and app switcher gestures. We expand the discussion to talk about the Actions button on the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Chris's thoughts. We're excited to announce that a new front porch edition podcast is in our future. We're returning to NC for part of April/May, and while our location will be different since we've sold our NC home, the fun will remain. Look forward to that episode coming up sometime in May or June. Finally, we return to our Spectrum journey to discuss our experience setting up Spectrum internet, some cool braille finds that we didn't expect, and more. We then dive into a discussion and demo of the Xumo streaming box, what it does and doesn't do, a downside when connecting it to the internet, and our thoughts after a few days of using it to stream TV. Kim discusses the remote and gives a tour of some of the features you'll find as part of the box, and you get to hear what the Voice Guide sounds like as we explore. Thanks, as always, for listening!

We begin by thanking those of you who have purchased our newest product since its release. We think this information on how to protect yourself from scams is so important, and we're so happy you're enjoying learning more about this subject.

We begin by thanking those of you who have purchased our newest product since its release. We think this information on how to protect yourself from scams is so important, and we're so happy you're enjoying learning more about this subject. To learn more about this audio documentation please visit this page. Have you ever browsed Ebay for your assistive technology needs? How'd that work out for you? We share a cautionary tale of a recent experience we've had purchasing a braille display from an Ebay seller. We'll share updates in a future episode. Next, we take a stroll down memory lane. we've recently been thinking about our paths to today's assistive technology, specifically braille devices and notetakers. We talk about what our older technology use to do for us, what features it contained, and how it has evolved through the years. We all use braille and braille displays/notetakers differently, but they have always made us more proficient both at work and at home. We're amazed that any NLS patron can now get their own braille display for free. We've come such a long way! We hope you'll enjoy this discussion and think about your own experiences, too. Finally, we talk about our switch to Spectrum, why we did it, our thoughts so far in these very early stages, and the services we've purchased. we also demo the streaming service they offer. They have a box you can get called the Xumo Box, which can be connected to modern TVs. It does not connect via a coax cable. We didn't get one of these. I wanted to link to the 70 or so channel streaming service that we purchased and demo here, but have had a lot of trouble finding good information. It may be best to contact spectrum directly to get additional details about the exact name and channel info. I think it's called Spectrum Stream, but please don't quote me. Reach Spectrum by calling: 1-855-843-0996. We'll share more about our journey, and demo additional Spectrum apps in upcoming episodes. Thanks, as always, for listening.

We're excited to begin this episode by announcing that our first product of the year has been released! Staying Safe from Scams is a three and a half hour overview of the scams you may encounter, tactics scammers use to fool you,

We're excited to begin this episode by announcing that our first product of the year has been released! Staying Safe from Scams is a three and a half hour overview of the scams you may encounter, tactics scammers use to fool you, and how to prevent yourself from being scammed. We cover email, snail mail, website, phone, text, and romance scams. You'll also learn about web tools and other strategies to help keep you safe. This documentation is specifically designed from a blindness perspective. The documentation also comes with a comprehensive resource list in .docx format to help you continue learning on your own. Learn more and purchase your copy here. This product is currently on sale, so take advantage of the lower price while it's available. We can't wait to share this info with you! Next, we discuss an event we were hoping to attend this spring, and the sad reason we're no longer going. This is a good example of how many folks don't necessarily understand accessibility and usability needs. While we're unhappy, we currently aren't taking any further action, but wanted to share our experience with you. We have a new Lasko space heater to demo for you. This is a link to the product on Target, as we can guarantee it's the one we purchased. We discuss the front touch panel controls, the remote, and more. A highly recommended purchase for those with frigid winters, or even frigid rooms! Finally, we talk about our experience using the UPS pickup service from DoorDash. Maybe this would be a good option for you to try, too. Many thanks, as always, for listening! We appreciate you!

In this episode, we discuss Kim's first empressions of Face ID and having a phone without a home button. We also discuss Uber and Lyft and why we prefer one over the other at this current time.

In this episode, we discuss Kim's first empressions of Face ID and having a phone without a home button. We also discuss Uber and Lyft and why we prefer one over the other at this current time.

Welcome to our final podcast of 2023. How is that even possible? - We begin by sharing about Kim's Christmas present from Chris; the Soundcore Frames Bluetooth glasses by Anker. We discuss pairing and connecting,

Welcome to our final podcast of 2023. How is that even possible? We begin by sharing about Kim's Christmas present from Chris; the Soundcore Frames Bluetooth glasses by Anker. We discuss pairing and connecting, and Kim plays some music and shares how to use the touch controls. You also get to hear the phone call quality when using the glasses. Activate this link to purchase a pair of Soundcore Frames for yourself or someone you love. This is our affiliate link, and we receive a small commission when you purchase via this link. Next, Kim discusses a great Audible alternative, Chirp. This site regularly has sales in which you can purchase books for under $10 each. Kim loves Chirp for its ease of use, variety, and, of course, awesome prices during sales. Learn about the service, go on a tour of the home page, walk through the checkout process with Kim, and discover how to play books from your Chirp library both on a PC and via iOS. And yes, we use the Soundcore Frames during the iOS portion. Visit this link to check out Chirp and their vast selection of books. Our final demo of the year is for this great Amazon Basics shredder. Note that if you purchase from the above link we'll receive a small commission. We thought we needed a second shredder in the house, and while this one isn't quite as powerful as our old one, it doesn't need to be. IT shreds CDs, credit cards, and all that junk mail or those sensitive documents you no longer need. We definitely recommend it. We hope your holidays are happy and filled with lots of love and laughter. Looking forward to sharing 2024 with you! Thanks for being a listener! We appreciate you! Happy Merry everything!