Mystic Access Podcast

Today’s episode is short but definitely sweet—think mini-pumpkin-pie sweet. Both of us are a little under the weather (Chris especially… send tissues!), but we still have a fun demo to share with you. First Things First: Our Annual Open House! Before we dive in, here’s your cheerful reminder that our annual *post-Turkey Day* open house is happening **Friday, November 28, from 1–5 PM ET**. Bring your leftovers-fueled stories, your tech questions, and your best holiday giggles—we always have an amazing time reconnecting with all of you. Register quickly and freely using this link. We can’t wait to see who pops in! Demo Time: The GNMDNR Bluetooth Pillow Speaker Kim cozies up to the mic to talk about the GNMDNR Bluetooth pillow speaker, a compact bedtime buddy with: * **Stereo sound** * **Two wonderfully distinct buttons** (yay, tactile controls!) * **A few dreamy features to help you drift into la-la land** One important note: the Amazon title says it includes white noise… but it doesn’t. No worries, though — you can stream all the white noise, pink noise, whale sounds, or softly crackling campfires your heart desires through your favorite app or playlist. If you’d like to learn more or get one for yourself, check out our affiliate link above. We only recommend products we actually try and enjoy, so your support means the world. **Happy Thanksgiving! To everyone celebrating this weekend—we’re wishing you a joyful, delicious Thanksgiving. We’re so grateful for each and every one of you. See you in December!

Get ready for a little bit of everything in this festive episode! We’ve got an exciting announcement, a magical castle interview, and a cozy demo perfect for chilly evenings. First up: We’re thrilled to invite you to our day-after-Thanksgiving open house! It’s one of our favorite Mystic Access traditions, full of laughter, friendship, and a few surprise reunions over the years. And it’s free to join for everyone. Mark your calendars for Friday, November 28, 1–5 PM EDT, grab your virtual leftover turkey sandwich (or a slice of pie—no judgment here), and join us for an afternoon of great company and community fun. You can register your seat right here—before that pie coma hits! Then, in the castle: We welcome Natalie Mauceli, Editor with National Braille Press, who brings a sleigh-full of sparkle and delight! She’ll share NBP’s 2025 holiday picks, including brand-new books, classic returning favorites like the Peanuts calendar, and can’t-miss magazines such as Our Special and Syndicated Columnists Weekly. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or a fellow book lover, you’ll want to take notes! Finally, grab your remote (or in this case, your iPhone): We demo the DIRECTV iOS app sharing what we love, what could be improved, and why it might be your next favorite way to watch TV as the weather turns frosty. Wrap-Up: Thanks so much for tuning in! We’re so grateful for you—our listeners, friends, and fellow tech adventurers. We’ll see you again in two weeks with more fun!

Short & Sweet: Cool Tech + Big News! Chris might be a bit under the weather this week , but we’re still bringing the heat with a super cool audio demo and a juicy announcement! Price Drop Alert! We’ve permanently reduced the price of our Windows 10 Audio Documentation! Originally $75 → now just $60! Still rocking Windows 10? Need a friendly tour of the Desktop, Taskbar, and all those basics that make PCs tick? This guide has your back! Meet Mrmorale: The Stand That Can Kim takes the spotlight with a demo of the Mrmorale Bluetooth-Induction Speaker—a gadget that totally earns its cape! This is an Amazon affiliate link, purchasing from this link we will receive a small commission. Why we love it: • It’s a phone/tablet stand • It doubles as a power bank • It handles Bluetooth and induction sound tech What’s induction? It’s magical audio sorcery that makes your tiny device sound bigger, bolder, and clearer—no pairing required! Kim shows off both modes with her iPhone and her Victor Reader Stream 3. Save the (Day After) Date! Our Day After Thanksgiving Open House is almost here! Registration will be ready by our next episode. It’s free, it’s fun, and we want YOU there—bring your questions, your comments, and yes… your virtual leftovers. Thanks for tuning in and hanging with us on this bite-sized episode! Rest up, Chris! And thanks for listening, everyone—we’ll catch you next time!

Today’s episode is jam-packed with practical tips, tech demos, a minor mystery, and even a dramatic drop test. Buckle up—we’ve got something for everyone! Tiny Accessories, Big Impact Who knew AirPods cases could spark so much excitement? We kick things off by proving that even the smallest accessories can change your entire tech experience. • Kim and Chris unveil their brand-new protective cases for the AirPods Pro 2. • Features, finishes, favorite perks—we cover it all. • And because Chris can’t resist science… he drop-tests his case live. For research, of course. You can purchase Chris’s case here. Kim’s is available from this link. These are both Amazon affiliate links, so Mystic Access receives a small commission if you buy through them The moral: whether it’s earbuds or kitchen gadgets, protect your gear, especially when traveling! Hable + BlindShell = Accessibility Power Duo A helpful tip from a listener sent us into full-on detective mode. The result? Chris demos how the Hable One keyboard pairs with the BlindShell Classic 3 phone—and yes, it works with the Classic 2 as well! If you’re a BlindShell user wondering about external input options, this is a must-hear moment. The Case of the Missing Shipt Item Kim recounts our first-ever delivery hiccup with Shipt. One lonely item vanished from the order—but fear not! She walks through how we got it resolved in record time. Spoiler: the refund process was surprisingly painless. Alexa+ — Round Two! We wrap things up with a fresh review and demo of Alexa+. We covered it earlier this summer, but enough has changed that it deserved another look. You’ll hear: • What’s better now • What’s still a bit bumpy • And how Amazon Prime Music sneaks its way into the conversation Thanks for spending part of your day with us—we’ll be back in two weeks with more tech talk, tales, and possibly more drop tests.

Show Notes: Sales, Scares, Stories, and So Much More! Today’s episode is a grab bag of goodness—updates, unboxings, tech tales, sales news, and even a sprinkle of story time. Settle in and enjoy the ride! A Surprise “Welcome to Fall” Sale We kicked off an impromptu autumn celebration with 17% off most products now through Friday, October 3. It’s the perfect moment to snag something you’ve had your eye on — including our latest offering, Audible Adventures. This is our best deal until Black Friday, so don’t miss it! Kim vs. iOS 26: A Cautionary Tale iOS 26 has landed, and Kim has quite the hair-raising story about updating her device. Don’t worry — it ends well! Tune in for lessons learned and things you might want to watch out for before you tap “Install Now.” AirPods Pro 3: Kim’s Big Decision Kim also dives into the AirPods Pro 3 experience with an unboxing clip and first impressions. Stick around toward the end of the episode to hear the unexpected decision she made about keeping them… or not. Chris’s Ear Tip Upgrade + A Must-Have Accessory While we’re on the topic of earbuds, Chris picked up new ear tips for his AirPods Pro 2. He also scored a bonus accessory in the box that he thinks every earbud owner needs. He’ll tell you what it is and why it’s awesome a bit later in the show. A Tour of MysticAccessDownloads.com We’ve refreshed the layout of MysticAccessDownloads.com! Chris walks you through the updated site and gives you the lay of the land. You can explore the new design right now. Amazon Smart Oven Update: Plot Twist! Remember our chat last episode about the Amazon smart oven ghosting voice commands? Turns out… it fixed itself! We share what happened and thank everyone who chimed in with your own experiences and ideas. Plus a Few Stories… There are extra tidbits and tales sprinkled throughout this episode, but we’ll let you discover those on your own. Thanks so much for listening—we’re grateful you’re here and hope you find something fun, helpful, or just plain entertaining in this week’s mix!

In this episode, we’ve got a little bit of everything—updates, surprises, demos, and stories that might make you smile: • Site Maintenance Notice – Our free downloads site, Mystic Access Downloads, will be offline for a short time while we make some changes on the backend. Don’t worry, the site will be back soon; it’ll just be in maintenance mode until it returns. When it’s online again, you’ll be able to download files as you always have. This has nothing to do with the downloadable products you may have purchased from Mystic Access! These can be downloaded from within your user account as normal. • Smart Oven Woes – Our Amazon smart oven suddenly stopped responding to Alexa voice commands. We share our experience, theories, and ask if you’ve run into the same issue. (Thankfully, our braille overlay is currently saving the day!) • Apple Event Reactions – Did you watch the latest Apple event? We share what caught our eye, what we’re dreaming about, and whether there’s anything we’re tempted to buy. • UPS Meets Ring – A fun story about chatting with our UPS driver through the Ring app while being hundreds of miles from home—complete with the audio! • Ring AI Event Descriptions – A look at how Ring is using AI to provide event descriptions, and what we think of the results. • App Demo: Local Now – Kim demos the Local Now iOS app, which features hundreds of free channels covering news, lifestyle, movies, and more. Also available for Android and on the web at LocalNow.com. As always, thanks for listening! Enjoy the rest of your September, and we’ll be back on the last day of the month with a fresh episode.

Today’s episode is a melting pot of cautionary tales and practical tips from our recent adventures. Our goal isn’t to scare you, but to remind you to stay careful and vigilant—especially while traveling. In this episode, we cover: • Travel & Canes – A follow-up on our cane conversation from last time, sharing how our two-section telescopic canes performed during our flight home. Lots to recommend, but also one big concern. • Airport Security – A new and eye-opening experience before even boarding the plane. • Kim’s Scary Mistake – An unnerving incident in Buffalo that you’ll definitely want to learn from. • Transaction Monitoring – Why you should pay attention to those “annoying” notifications from services like Life Lock (we learned this the hard way). • Switching Phone Plans – Helping Kim’s mom move to a new provider came with its own set of complications—here’s what to watch out for when porting a number. • Verizon Home Internet Perks – We share why taking a gift card perk might not have been the best idea. (This story will have a sequel in a future episode!) • New Coffee Discovery – A brand we’re loving and think you will too. • Kim’s Product Demo – The Sticro Moist Heat Sinus Mask for sinus pressure relief. It has three heat settings, five timers, and options for both dry and moist heat. Kim swears by it! (Affiliate link included—thank you for supporting us when you purchase through it.) As always, thanks for listening! We hope our rambling adventures offer something useful for your own journey. Until next time!

Welcome to our final 2025 episode recorded in North Carolina! To kick things off, we brought you outside to experience some late-summer nature sounds. Unfortunately, the ambiance was interrupted by the air conditioner, so we moved the recording indoors. We hope the natural setting was a nice touch before the interruption! In this episode, we’re picking up where we left off last time with our tease about canes. An unexpected situation at the ACB convention has led us to new discoveries, and we’re now the proud owners of some telescoping canes! In This Episode: • Telescoping Cane Talk: We dive into two different telescoping canes we’ve recently tried out: • Ambutech’s Two-Section Graphite Cane: We’re big fans of Ambutech for their customizable options and top-notch quality. This cane is adjustable, making it a fantastic travel companion. However, we do have a small concern we share in the episode. Learn more about the cane and order yours by activating this link. • Sam Seavey’s Recommended Titanium Cane: You can find this sturdy option on Amazon (via our affiliate link). Sam from the great YouTube channel The Blind Life has a great review of it, and we share our thoughts on why it might be a fabulous travel buddy. • Classic Apps for the Blind: Chris takes us down memory lane with a discussion of two reliable Windows apps: • Remind-Me, and • Handy Address Book by Beiley Software These apps are a throwback but are still packed with practical and helpful features. Best of all, this company cares about accessibility. We discuss how these terrific Windows apps stand the test of time. • Hurricane Tracker App: With Hurricane Erin making waves in the Atlantic, we introduce you to My Hurricane Tracker from jRustonApps. It’s a great, accessible tool for tracking hurricanes and tornadoes. We also share about the past hurricanes this app lets you explore—perfect for those who want to dig into storm history! • New Book Release: We’re excited to announce the release of our latest book from National Braille Press, Staying Safe: Tips And Tools For A Secure Home, Body, And Spirit. It’s filled with advice and tips to help readers stay safe in various situations, like building a secure home, while walking, using rideshare services, in airports, dealing with stress or anxiety, safety in romantic relationships, and more. We think this would also make a nice companion to our book about staying safe online. We feel this book would make a great addition to your library or as a thoughtful gift! As always, thanks for tuning in! We’ll see you in September with more insights and updates.

Most of this episode is dedicated to all things Amazon. We have numerous demos and thoughts to share on several products. First, however, we’re announcing a twenty-five percent off sale to celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary on August 11. The sale runs from Friday August eighth through end of day Tuesday August twelfth, and you’ll save on all our audio documentation, including our new Audible Adventures product. We highly recommend it for all book-lovers! We begin our look at Amazon products with a discussion of our new latest generation Echo. We share the sad circumstances that led us to purchase it, and through the magic of editing you’ll be there with us as we unbox and set it up. We also play some tunes to show you its sound quality. On Prime day we also purchased new Fire tablets. This was yet another cool setup process. Chris talks about his, and Kim takes you through hers in close to real time so you can experience it, too. Finally, we take you with us as we check out Alexa+. this demo was recorded in June, but it still gives you an idea of the differences between Alexa and Alexa+. Of course, we share our likes and dislikes. Finally, we close by teasing an upcoming podcast topic we’ll discuss next time. Thanks, as always, for listening!

In this episode, we discuss our travels to and from the ACB Convention. Links coming soon. Stay tuned.

This episode is a short and sweet one—many of us are busy enjoying both virtual and in-person convention fun! Convention Season Sale Our summer sale is live! From now through July 14, save 30% on all digital audio documentation. • We’re currently at the ACB convention in Dallas, then heading to our summer home in North Carolina, and will be back at our desks on August 25. • Hardware orders (like speakers and cables) will ship after we return to New York. • If you order physical media (thumb drives, SD cards, or NLS cartridges), we’ll do our best to ship from North Carolina, though some delays may occur. • Kim will personally reach out to anyone ordering hardware or physical media to keep you informed. Activate this link to begin shopping. Chris’s Walk with WeWALK and Voice Vista Chris recently took a stroll using his WeWALK Smart Cane 2 along with the Voice Vista app for iOS. Sorry, Android users, there’s currently no equivalent app for you. We chat about: • The origin of Voice Vista • Chris’s first impressions • Features he’s loving • What he’s excited to explore further • Hopes for future updates Wishing everyone a joyful, safe, and inspiring convention season. Thanks for listening—we appreciate you!

Hi everyone, We’re excited to share a brand-new episode with you! In this release, we introduce our latest product — Audible Adventures. This comprehensive offering explores the accessibility of the Audible service across a variety of platforms, giving you a clearer picture of how to enjoy your favorite audiobooks no matter how you listen. Thanks so much for tuning in and being part of our podcast community!

In this episode, we’ve got a little something for everyone—from tech updates to travel logistics to summer savings! Summer Convention Sale We’re kicking things off with an announcement: our Summer Convention Sale is on! From June 24 through July 14, enjoy 30% off all audio documentation (hardware not included). If you’ve been interested in something from our catalog, now’s a great time to explore and purchase. Please note: • We’ll be attending the ACB convention in Dallas, followed by time in North Carolina from July 5 to August 25. • Hardware orders will ship after we return, but we’ll do our best to ship physical media like SD cards and cartridges while in North Carolina. Note that there may still be delays, however. • Kim will personally email all customers who order hardware or physical media with shipping reminders. Apple’s Latest Updates We briefly discuss highlights from the recent WWDC Apple event, including some upcoming software features we’re excited to try. We also touch on Apple’s new naming convention—with a helpful article Chris found that breaks it all down. Rural Internet Adventures Next up, we dive into our search for internet service at our rural summer home. After a few hiccups (you’ll hear all about them!), we landed on Verizon LTE Home Internet. In this segment, we share: • What equipment we received and a physical description • The setup experience • How it performs here in Western New York Bonus: It even worked post-Hurricane Helene in North Carolina—a big win! App Tour: Audiobooks.com To round things out, Kim takes you on a tour of the Audiobooks.com app. She explains how the service compares to Audible, why she decided to give it a try, and what she likes (and doesn’t) about the iOS app. Android users, don’t worry—there’s a version for you too. As always, thanks so much for listening. We’re grateful for your support!

In this episode, we demonstrate the X-Sense Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm featuring voice location technology. Hear how it works, what sets it apart from traditional alarms, and why it might be a great addition to your home safety setup. If you choose to purchase through our Amazon affiliate link above, we may earn a small commission thanks for supporting the show! —

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 with your summer plans! Next, we’re thrilled to share our official plans for ACB Dallas in July! If you’re attending, come say hi—we’d love to meet you while wandering the exhibits. With over 30 hours of train travel ahead, we decided it was time for some helpful new headphones. Enter the Tagry wireless headphones—featuring a 100-hour battery life, active noise cancellation, and great comfort. Kim unboxes them and demos pairing, voice prompts, and music playback. Chris shares his impressions after a few days of use. If you purchase from the above link, we will earn a small commission. To wrap up, Kim talks about a recent earthquake near her hometown. We introduce and briefly overview two accessible apps—My Shake and My Earthquake Alerts—that help track seismic activity in real time and are friendly to screen reader users. Both these are available for iOS and android. Thanks, as always, for listening and spreading the word. we appreciate you.

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. Activate this link to download a free introduction. Activate this link to purchase the full product. 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. 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, 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. Want to grab one for yourself? Click here to check it out on Amazon – both versions are listed, so be sure to choose the one that fits your setup. Check the correct radio button to choose the version you want. Note that this is an affiliate link, so we’ll receive a small commission if you purchase from it. We also chat about: – Tower fans and why touch buttons might not be ideal – Windmill fans and how they compare – Those quirky personal coolers you fill with ice (aka “swamp coolers” in the South) Need an Escape? We demo two relaxing Alexa skills that can mentally transport you far away: Virtual Vacation and Forest Sounds Summer Travel Plans 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. The above link is our Amazon affiliate link. If you purchase from this link we may receive a small commission. 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!