Podcast appearances and mentions of Chris Fisher

Tom talks with Chris Fisher, Larry Vaught, and Ryan Black.

Arch is under fire, two weeks and counting. We'll break down the mess, and share a quick fix. Plus, the killer new apps we've just added to our homelabs.Sponsored By:Managed Nebula: Meet Managed Nebula from Defined Networking. A decentralized VPN built on the open-source Nebula platform that we love. 1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. Unraid: A powerful, easy operating system for servers and storage. Maximize your hardware with unmatched flexibility. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

Tom talks with Mike DeCourcy and Chris Fisher.

When personalities clash, the users come last. Meanwhile, Chris' hyper-tuned setup stops being a toy and starts looking like a daily driver.Sponsored By:Managed Nebula: Meet Managed Nebula from Defined Networking. A decentralized VPN built on the open-source Nebula platform that we love. 1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. Unraid: A powerful, easy operating system for servers and storage. Maximize your hardware with unmatched flexibility. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

Tom talks with Chris Fisher and Mike DeCourcy.

Wes performs a 2 a.m. rescue at DEFCON, and Chris attempts to build a Linux desktop using nothing but vibes.Sponsored By:Managed Nebula: Meet Managed Nebula from Defined Networking. A decentralized VPN built on the open-source Nebula platform that we love. 1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. Unraid: A powerful, easy operating system for servers and storage. Maximize your hardware with unmatched flexibility. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

Jamie Harrison is a renowned illusion designer, visual effects creator, and theater artist, who, alongside collaborator Chris Fisher, is responsible for the jaw-dropping illusions in Stranger Things: The First Shadow, the stage play prequel to the Stranger Things series. Both Jamie and Chris earned a Special Tony Award for Illusions & Technical Effects earlier this year.In this conversation, Jamie walks through his background as a magician and theater artist and the deep historical roots of magic in live performance. He also shares the rigorous process of designing for large-scale theater, how ancient illusionist traditions can be used to create state-of-the-art spectacle and explains why the most rewarding magic is built on precision, surprise, and storytelling.This is the third in a series of conversations I've had with the multiple creative forces behind Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which I cannot recommend highly enough. Seriously if you're in the New York or London area, this show is an absolute must. It completely blew me away and defied what I thought was possible to do on a stage.This was a really fascinating and fun conversation and if you enjoy it I recommend also checking out my conversation with Jamie's partner on the show, Chris Fisher and the writer of Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Kate Trefry. Please enjoy this wide-ranging conversation with Jamie Harrison.Show NotesMovies & TV:Stranger Things (Netflix)Stranger Things: The First Shadow (West End & Broadway)Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things the First Shadow (Documentary)Harry Potter and the Cursed ChildJaws (1975)Books & Writing:Magic in Mind (the book Jamie mentioned)Danse Macabre by Stephen KingThe Secret Out, or One Thousand Tricks ExplainedFollow Jamie Harrison at:IMBd: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm17220143/Website: https://www.voxmotus.co.uk/

Tom talks with Chris Fisher and Mike Decourcy.

A Btrfs bug that bites is in the wild, and we discover whole home audio that works like a charm.Sponsored By:Managed Nebula: Meet Managed Nebula from Defined Networking. A decentralized VPN built on the open-source Nebula platform that we love. 1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. Unraid: A powerful, easy operating system for servers and storage. Maximize your hardware with unmatched flexibility. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

Chris Fisher is one of the leading minds behind the groundbreaking illusions in Stranger Things: The First Shadow, the stunning stage prequel to the beloved Netflix series. As Co-Illusion and Visual Effects Designer, Fisher helped craft an unprecedented theatrical experience that combines practical magic, cutting-edge engineering, and emotional storytelling — all performed live, night after night.With a background in stage magic and major productions like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Back to the Future: The Musical, Chris brings a magician's eye and a director's instinct to theatrical illusion, redefining what's possible on stage. In this episode, he talks about training actors in sleight-of-hand, designing horror sequences for a live audience, and why Stranger Things: The First Shadow might be the most ambitious stage show ever produced.Key TakeawaysLive theater is the new special effects.In a world dominated by CGI and AI, Fisher believes true spectacle now lies in what you can do right in front of an audience. With Stranger Things: The First Shadow, the goal was to create jaw-dropping effects — in real time, with no digital help. That meant gasps in the theater, not in post-production. The live setting becomes its own kind of magic.Treat actors like magicians.To pull off illusions, Fisher and his team had to train the cast in principles of stage magic: misdirection, sleight of hand, and controlled attention. Especially lead actor Louis McCartney, who had to master complex tricks — like bleeding on cue — all while acting. Fisher runs “magic boot camps” during rehearsals, teaching performers how to make illusions look natural and narrative-driven.Horror is harder on stage — but more powerful.Crafting fear in theater demands balance. Go too far and it becomes laughable; not far enough, and it's ineffective. Fisher focused on building suspense through precise timing, lighting, and sound — even dissecting jump scares frame by frame. His team embraced the “Jaws effect”: show just enough to unsettle, then deliver a brief, unforgettable payoff.Make every department part of the illusion.From lighting and sound to costumes and props, each scare in the show is a feat of cross-departmental coordination. A single effect — like a character's fall or a monster's entrance — often requires perfect timing across half a dozen teams. According to Fisher, true stage magic only works when everyone is completely in sync.Sometimes, the simplest things are hardest.The most challenging illusion? A nosebleed. Recreating Eleven's signature moment live took months of testing — and eventually relied on sleight-of-hand and costume tricks. The goal was to make it visible to every seat in the house, not just the front row. More often than not, storytelling dictated technique.Push past what's been done.To elevate the show beyond existing stage spectacles, Fisher and his team studied the most advanced illusion shows in Las Vegas — then set out to beat them. With encouragement from producers and the Duffer Brothers, they constantly pushed for bigger, scarier, and more innovative moments. Multiple illusion labs and workshops allowed them to invent new methods just for this production.Blood is a storytelling tool.After early previews, one note became universal: “More blood.” From subtle nosebleeds to geysers of gore, Fisher and his team used blood effects to amplify horror and tragedy. These weren't just shocks — they were emotional beats, tied to character and story. That meant making blood visible from every seat and learning how it read under different lights and costumes.Collaboration is the ultimate special effect.No single department...

Tom talks with Chris Fisher and Mike DeCourcy.

A radical rethink of what a Linux distro should do, and what it should stop doing. Plus, we dig into what's great about Linux 6.16.Sponsored By:Managed Nebula: Meet Managed Nebula from Defined Networking. A decentralized VPN built on the open-source Nebula platform that we love. 1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. Unraid: A powerful, easy operating system for servers and storage. Maximize your hardware with unmatched flexibility. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

Tom talks with Chris Fisher and Mike DeCourcy.

Everything wrong with our homelabs, and how we're finally fixing them. Plus: two self-hosted apps you didn't know you needed.Sponsored By:Managed Nebula: Meet Managed Nebula from Defined Networking. A decentralized VPN built on the open-source Nebula platform that we love. Unraid: A powerful, easy operating system for servers and storage. Maximize your hardware with unmatched flexibility. 1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. Unraid: A powerful, easy operating system for servers and storage. Maximize your hardware with unmatched flexibility. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

Maggie Davis talks with Chris Fisher and Mike DeCourcy.

Chris fled a declarative-first world for the promised land of Bluefin's atomic simplicity. Fifty days in, did he find desktop bliss or just fresh compromises?Sponsored By:1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. Unraid: A powerful, easy operating system for servers and storage. Maximize your hardware with unmatched flexibility. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

Tom talks with Chris Fisher and Mike DeCourcy.

Developers are abandoning their Macs for a new frontier: Arch Linux with Hyprland. We dive into Omarchy, and the broader trend fueling it.Sponsored By:Tailscale: Tailscale is a programmable networking software that is private and secure by default - get it free on up to 100 devices! 1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. Unraid: A powerful, easy operating system for servers and storage. Maximize your hardware with unmatched flexibility. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

Chris Fisher's whole life changed when he decided to become a Navy SEAL. And even though he didn't finish BUD/S training, Chris applied the dedication and perseverance he learned to pursuing a new life as a professional, world-record breaking mountain athlete. In this episode, Chris talks with Alex about his incredible life story, including the Navy SEAL training experience, his approach to his athletic projects, and much more. He also explains why a capacity for suffering has served him well, discusses the source of his motivation, and shares encouragement for listeners who feel stuck in their current circumstances. Information isn't the gap between failure and success—action is. Path for Growth's 1-on-1 coaching helps you create a plan and execute on what matters most for your business. Apply today at pathforgrowth.com/coaching.Episode Recap:Can you tell us about your life before deciding to become a Navy SEAL?How did life change when you decided you wanted to go after this goal? What was the training process like? What allowed you to find a new path after the Navy? What would you say to someone who feels stuck in their circumstances?Can you tell us about some of your athletic achievements? What can people gain from pushing themselves to the threshold of possibility? How do you evaluate risk when pursuing such challenging feats? How do you hold onto other priorities while still focusing on your goals?What gives you the ability to suffer, and why is that beneficial? What keeps you excited to get up and pursue your goals each day? What practical advice can you give to someone who's in a rut? If you're ready to move beyond just gathering information and start executing on what truly matters, Path for Growth's 1-on-1 coaching can help. Apply now at pathforgrowth.com/coaching.Resources:Follow the podcast on Apple or SpotifySchedule a call to learn more about Path for Growth Coaching and CommunityDownload the Free Reading GuideJoin us for our 2025 Experience – Long Game Leadership Follow Chris on InstagramLearn more about Chris Join Path for Growth on Instagram and Facebook

We're highlighting several stories and reviews that never made it into the show. From GrapheneOS trouble, Asahi updates, Framework's desktop reveal, Starlink's Linux magic, and more.Sponsored By:Tailscale: Tailscale is a programmable networking software that is private and secure by default - get it free on up to 100 devices! 1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. Unraid: A powerful, easy operating system for servers and storage. Maximize your hardware with unmatched flexibility. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

GM Twany Beckham and Coach Sean Woods on the Ky entry to TBT; 2 UK women's bkb players excited about this upcoming season; (10:00) legendary trainer D Wayne Lukas stepping away from horse racing; (19:00) Maggie Davis of BBN Tonight; (39:00) Chris Fisher of 247 Sports/The Cats' Pause; (59:00) new Wildcats Denzel Aberdeen and Mo Diabate on joining UK: (1:08:00) basketball and football recruiting updates and... just bring the guy his wheat toast, would ya?

Tom talks with Chris Fisher and Mike DeCourcy.

Off-the-shelf didn't cut it, so we built what we needed using open hardware and open source.Sponsored By:Tailscale: Tailscale is a programmable networking software that is private and secure by default - get it free on up to 100 devices! 1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. Unraid: A powerful, easy operating system for servers and storage. Maximize your hardware with unmatched flexibility. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

Tom talks with Chris Fisher, Ansley Almonor, and Mike DeCourcy.

We spent the week learning keybindings, installing dependencies, and cramming for bonus points. Today, we score up and see how we did in the TUI Challenge.Sponsored By:Tailscale: Tailscale is a programmable networking software that is private and secure by default - get it free on up to 100 devices! 1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. Unraid: A powerful, easy operating system for servers and storage. Maximize your hardware with unmatched flexibility. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

Our terminal apps are loaded, the goals are set, but we're already hitting a few snags. The TUI Challenge begins...Sponsored By:Tailscale: Tailscale is a programmable networking software that is private and secure by default - get it free on up to 100 devices! 1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. Unraid: A powerful, easy operating system for servers and storage. Maximize your hardware with unmatched flexibility. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

Today’s Best of Features: (00:00-15:56) – Tony East from Locked On Pacers and Forbes Sports joins the show from Oklahoma City to preview game one of the NBA Finals between the Pacers and Thunder. He shares what the vibe has been like in OKC the last couple of days, explains what the Denver Nuggets did to take the Thunder to seven games, highlights some advantages that the Pacers have against the Thunder, and describes what downtown Oklahoma City is like. (15:56-35:27) – The Thunder television play-by-play broadcaster for FanDuel Sports Network, Chris Fisher, joins the show to provide some information about the next opponent for the Pacers. He highlights how connected the Thunder are defensively, accesses if people in Oklahoma City are viewing the Indiana Pacers as the Thunder of the Eastern Conference, and compliments the relentlessness that Indiana plays with because it could create some problems for the Thunder. Support the show: https://1075thefan.com/query-and-company/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-26:13) – Query & Company opens on Thursday with Jake Query and producer Eddie Garrison setting the table for tonight’s game one of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Jake highlights something that Tyrese Haliburton said about the state of Indiana and being able to represent the Pacers on the national level. (26:13-34:22) – Yesterday was media day for the NBA Finals. Jake and Eddie highlight one comment that Thunder head coach Mark Daignault said about trying to defend the Indiana Pacers offense. (34:22-44:09) – The first hour of the program concludes with Jake and Eddie touching on game one of the Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers. They also share the breaking news that Anthony Richardson has suffered a shoulder injury and will miss a couple of weeks. (44:09-1:09:31) – Tony East from Locked On Pacers and Forbes Sports joins the show from Oklahoma City to preview game one of the NBA Finals between the Pacers and Thunder. He shares what the vibe has been like in OKC the last couple of days, explains what the Denver Nuggets did to take the Thunder to seven games, highlights some advantages that the Pacers have against the Thunder, and describes what downtown Oklahoma City is like. (1:09:31-1:18:07) – Jake and Eddie shift the conversation back to Anthony Richardson with him suffering another injury. They discuss something that someone asked them via Twitter that’s been discussed on this program before. (1:18:07-1:25:51) – The second hour of today’s show wraps up with Jake and Eddie discussing something they discovered about the front office staff because of the connection with Anthony Richardson. (1:25:51-1:48:55) – The Thunder television play-by-play broadcaster for FanDuel Sports Network, Chris Fisher, joins the show to provide some information about the next opponent for the Pacers. He highlights how connected the Thunder are defensively, accesses if people in Oklahoma City are viewing the Indiana Pacers as the Thunder of the Eastern Conference, and compliments the relentlessness that Indiana plays with because it could create some problems for the Thunder. (1:48:55-1:57:53) – Jake makes an apology to the Pacers for taking time away from them today with the Anthony Richardson news. He gets back to sharing why he is so stoked for this opportunity for Indiana. (1:57:53-2:06:39) – Today’s show closes out with Jake and Eddie going over some props for tonight’s game for the Pacers and Thunder!Support the show: https://1075thefan.com/query-and-company/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom talks with Chris Fisher and Mike DeCourcy.

Spin up, share, nuke. We each build a throwaway server, and then rate each others' setups.Sponsored By:Tailscale: Tailscale is a programmable networking software that is private and secure by default - get it free on up to 100 devices! 1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:💥 Gets Sats Quick and Easy with Strike📻 LINUX Unplugged on Fountain.FMTUI ChallengeTUI Challenge ScorecardSelf-Hosted 150: The Last One — Before hitting the road, we test the limits of local-first file sharing, debate what self-hosting really is, and share our all-time favorite apps.Pick: ws4kp — A web-based WeatherStar 4000Pick: ytdl-sub — Lightweight tool to automate downloading and metadata generation with yt-dlp.

Before hitting the road, we test the limits of local-first file sharing, debate what self-hosting really is, and share our all-time favorite apps. Special Guests: Brent Gervais, Drew DeVore, and Wes Payne.

Tom talks with Chris Fisher and Mike DeCourcy.

Fresh off Red Hat Summit, Chris is eyeing an exit from NixOS. What's luring him back to the mainstream? Our highlights, and the signal from the noise from open source's biggest event of the year.Sponsored By:Tailscale: Tailscale is a programmable networking software that is private and secure by default - get it free on up to 100 devices! 1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

Dick Gabriel talks with Chris Fisher and Mike DeCourcy.

With NixOS 25.05 around the corner, we sit down with a release manager to unpack what's new, what's changing, and what's finally getting easier. Spoiler: it's not just the tooling.Sponsored By:Tailscale: Tailscale is a programmable networking software that is private and secure by default - get it free on up to 100 devices! 1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

A slick new CoreOS-based distro that might be your next home-lab base, easy self-hosted notifications, and Plex stumbles into controversy. Plus: ECC RAM guilt. Special Guests: Brent Gervais and Dusty Mabe .

Tom talks with Mike DeCourcy, Chris Fisher, and more.

We test-drive a self-hosted alternative to Google Location History. Plus, we cover the week's Linux news highlights, then spill the beans on our upcoming TUI challenge.Sponsored By:Tailscale: Tailscale is a programmable networking software that is private and secure by default - get it free on up to 100 devices! 1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

Tom talks with Jon Hale, Chris Fisher, and Randy Moss.

We chat with the founder of Home Assistant and then fire up Brent's Linux-powered rig.Sponsored By:Tailscale: Tailscale is a programmable networking software that is private and secure by default - get it free on up to 100 devices! 1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

A week-long power blackout knocks out our guests homelab. We dig into Unraid 7.1, and push Home Assistant to keep things running—even when the power doesn't. Special Guest: Stephen Schattin.

We're live from LinuxFest Northwest 2025. We're joined by guests from the audience, try our hand at Linux trivia and share our experiences from the best fest in the West.Sponsored By:Tailscale: Tailscale is a programmable networking software that is private and secure by default - get it free on up to 100 devices! 1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. ConfigCat Feature Flags: Manage features and change your software configuration using ConfigCat feature flags, without the need to re-deploy code. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

Fedora 42 and Ubuntu 25.04 are here—We break down what's new, what stands out, and what we love most about each release.Sponsored By:Tailscale: Tailscale is a programmable networking software that is private and secure by default - get it free on up to 100 devices! 1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. ConfigCat Feature Flags: Manage features and change your software configuration using ConfigCat feature flags, without the need to re-deploy code. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

Alex finally cracks a years-old mystery, Chris reveals his latest experiments, and we share updates on our freshest gear. Plus, a important show update.

Apple's software is going rotten, while Linux sneaks up as the better Mac. Linus grumbles through Git's 20th birthday, and we spot a hardware window Linux better not slam shut.Sponsored By:Tailscale: Tailscale is a programmable networking software that is private and secure by default - get it free on up to 100 devices! 1Password Extended Access Management: 1Password Extended Access Management is a device trust solution for companies with Okta, and they ensure that if a device isn't trusted and secure, it can't log into your cloud apps. ConfigCat Feature Flags: Manage features and change your software configuration using ConfigCat feature flags, without the need to re-deploy code. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

In this episode of the Tom Rowland Podcast, I sit down with Chris Fischer, the founder of OCEARCH, to delve into the incredible journey of uniting anglers and scientists for ocean conservation. From his early days hosting Offshore Adventures and Want to Go Fishing on ESPN to pivoting to groundbreaking shark research with OCEARCH, Chris shares his passion for ensuring future generations have abundant fish and thriving ecosystems.  We discuss the challenges and triumphs of tagging great white sharks, the development of the Global Shark Tracker, and the importance of collaboration between the fishing and scientific communities. Chris unveils exciting plans for the new OCEARCH headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida, aimed at creating the world's leading great white shark research station and training the next generation of marine biologists.  Whether you're an avid angler, a science enthusiast, or simply someone who cares about the ocean, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration. Join us for a fascinating conversation on how we can all play a part in ensuring a sustainable and abundant future for our oceans.