Mystic Access Podcast

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!

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 newest Ring camera after an issue with the included mount. This serves as a reminder of why researching products and reading reviews carefully is so important. **The iPhone 16E & What’s Missing** With Apple’s recent announcement of the [iPhone 16E](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/02/apple-debuts-iphone-16e-a-powerful-new-member-of-the-iphone-16-family/), we highlight some well-loved features that didn’t make the cut. We also offer tips on navigating the phone without a Home button, learning to successfully use Face ID, and adapting to the switch to a USB-C port. **Phone Cameras & Their Growing Importance** Phone camera quality continues to improve, and for those of us using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) or learning new skills, a high-quality camera can make a big difference. We discuss why this matters and what to look for. **The ESIM Advantage** As eSIM technology becomes more common, we explore why we personally like it, the benefits it offers, and why doing your research before switching is essential. **Affordable Phone Plans & Data Conservation** Major carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T still dominate the market, but there are ways to access their networks at significantly lower costs. We break down the pros and cons of budget-friendly phone plans and share tips to help you conserve your precious mobile data. **Looking Ahead: Alexa+ & AI in Our Workflow** With Alexa+ set to launch in a few weeks, we discuss how to find out if your device will support it (some won’t) and share our thoughts on its potential impact. Plus, we touch on one way we use AI—specifically ChatGPT—in our professional lives. **Podcast Update: Changes to Our Episode Titles** Finally, we share an important update regarding our podcast 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— Note: this is our Amazon affiliate link, ordering from this link, we may receive a small commission. Chris’s awesome birthday gift! And to wrap things up, Chris shares an unexpected discovery about his new office chair that might just surprise you. Topics Covered in This Episode: BlindShell Classic 3 vs. Previous Model– What’s new and what’s changed? – WeWalk Smart Canes– Comparing Generation 1 and 2. – Fun with a Radio-Controlled Truck – A hands-on test of Chris’s birthday gift. -A Surprise on Chris’s Indulgear Office Chair – Braille in unexpected places! Note: this is our Amazon affiliate link, ordering from this link, we may receive a small commission. 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.