In this episode of Command Control Power, hosts welcome Adam Burg from CALSO Technologies to share his harrowing experience with the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California. Adam recounts the events leading up to the evacuation of his family, the destruction of their home, and their subsequent journey to recovery. He highlights the overwhelming support from the community, the importance of preparedness, and offers advice for ensuring business continuity in the face of natural disasters. The episode p...
Jul 08, 2025•1 hr 2 min
In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts discuss their long-standing production schedule and reliance on listener support through Patreon. They share humorous anecdotes and frustrations about everyday tech issues, such as fixing client problems and dealing with insufficient AI-generated messages. The conversation delves into the ever-increasing costs of essential services like QuickBooks and the challenges of using AI tools like ChatGPT for tasks ranging from contract creation to tech...
Jul 01, 2025•52 min•Ep. 624
In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts tackle a series of tech frustrations including missed live streams, troublesome iPhone camera features, and challenges with Apple TV and Hulu apps. They dive into a detailed rant about modern tech devices failing to work seamlessly, share personal anecdotes of encountering pop-up errors and software compatibility issues, and discuss potential solutions. Special segments include difficulties with remote work, the quirks of Notifications and Perm...
Jun 24, 2025•42 min•Ep. 623
In this episode of Command Control Power, Joe and Jerry dive into the intricacies of network monitoring, leveraging affiliate programs for additional revenue, and the challenges of managing client relationships. They discuss Jerry's struggles with dermatological prescriptions and the importance of staying updated on tech services. The conversation shifts to the mechanics of Amazon's affiliate program, their frustrations with Amazon's strict rules, and how they incorporate other affiliate program...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 622
Sam Valencia, Jerry Zigmont and Joe Saponare discuss working with Apple technology and clients. Drawn from their combined experience of over 20 years in the Apple Consultants Network, they discuss technical support issues both with the technology and working with clients.
Jun 10, 2025•46 min
In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts discuss recent events including a vacation and the ACEs conference. They dive into a detailed troubleshooting story involving QuickBooks server issues and explore the challenges associated with setting up Windows PCs and QuickBooks for clients. Additional topics include managing one password admin access for clients and a debate over using cases for Macs. The episode also highlights the 10th anniversary of the Mac Admins community and offers us...
Jun 03, 2025•57 min•Ep. 620
In this episode, the hosts of Command Control Power discuss their personal lives and tech experiences, including outdoor activities and everyday tech issues. They delve into a peculiar issue one encountered with a MacBook Pro during an update, which turned out to be related to Dell Display Manager. The conversation also covers Backblaze backup anomalies, Apple's migration assistant quirks, and problematic customer service interactions with vendors like Microsoft and RingCentral. To wrap up, the ...
May 27, 2025•57 min•Ep. 619
Sam Valencia, Jerry Zigmont and Joe Saponare discuss working with Apple technology and clients. Drawn from their combined experience of over 20 years in the Apple Consultants Network, thaey discuss technical support issues both with the technology and working with clients.
May 20, 2025•50 min
Interview with Adam Engst: Navigating AI, Tech Ethics, and Business Models The hosts of Command Control Power are joined by Adam Engst of Tidbits Content Network for a wide-ranging discussion on the state of AI, the ethics of technology in business, and how evolving business models are influencing content creation. Topics include the 35th anniversary of Tidbits, the importance of maintaining human decency in business practices, the future of AI-based answer engines compared to traditional search...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 617
The hosts of Command Control Power discuss recent issues with Backblaze, including failed updates and poor communication, which have eroded trust among users. They delve into the technical struggles with Apple's update processes and highlight improvements to the Electronic Patch software. Jerry shares a personal story about accidentally leaving his MacBook Air on top of his car and the ensuing repair saga, illustrating the importance of awareness and preparedness in the IT field. The episode wra...
May 06, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 616
Boutique Consultancy: Balancing High-Touch Service and Growth In this episode, the discussion revolves around the concept of boutique consultancy, highlighting the benefits of providing a personalized, high-touch service over rapid, automated responses. The conversation delves into the comparison between boutique firms and large-scale competitors, focusing on client satisfaction versus cost-saving strategies. Drawing parallels to Apple's business approach, the discussion extends to the evolution...
Apr 29, 2025•53 min•Ep. 615
Navigating AI in IT Consulting: Insights from Michael Thomsen In this episode of Command Control Power, hosts welcome Michael Thomsen of Origin 84, dialing in from Australia. Michael shares critical insights into the use of AI in IT consulting. Topics range from the pros and cons of binge-listening to tech podcasts to the practical uses of AI tools like ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. Michael emphasizes the importance of balancing automation with human interaction, sharing examples of how AI can en...
Apr 22, 2025•59 min•Ep. 614
In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts discuss several interesting and challenging situations they’ve encountered. They start by encouraging listeners to support them on Patreon for additional content, including unedited YouTube broadcasts. The main discussions cover a range of topics: the idea of maintaining up-to-date hardware for clients, how to strategically manage old equipment, and the peculiar case of a client getting inundated with spam emails likely as a cover for fraudulen...
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 613
Sam Valencia, Jerry Zigmont and Joe Saponare discuss working with Apple technology and clients. Drawn from their combined experience of over 20 years in the Apple Consultants Network, they discuss technical support issues both with the technology and working with clients.
Apr 08, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Join us for an engaging episode of Command Control Power as Jerry reports live from a beautiful chapel in Paris. He shares his travel experiences in the city, the challenges of walking and navigating with Apple Maps, and the frustrations with iPhone battery life. The conversation then shifts to a deep dive into tech issues, including a detailed discussion on the recent woes with Backblaze's backups, Apple's AI shortcomings, and how customer feedback plays a role in tech improvement. Tune in for ...
Apr 01, 2025•58 min•Ep. 611
In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts dive into a vibrant conversation starting with Sam's recent trip to Maui, Hawaii. Sam shares his experience, the unexpected challenges, and how he managed to take a much-needed mental break from work. His trip also marks his personal milestone of visiting all 50 U.S. states. The discussion then shifts to various tech topics, including challenges in managing family travel expenses and the cost-saving tips on accommodations and food during vacati...
Mar 25, 2025•53 min•Ep. 610
In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts welcome back Justin Esgar of ACEs Conference. The discussion kicks off with light-hearted banter about colds and convincing Jerry to buy a ticket for the upcoming ACEs Conference. Justin shares behind-the-scenes insights into his daily routine and the value of attending ACEs, highlighting its focus on business growth for consultants, the expansion of the conference to include special training sessions at the 'big fruit company' campus, and how ...
Mar 18, 2025•51 min•Ep. 609
ShrimpShellShineShoe24! 608: In the Cloud: Troubleshooting Tech and Exploring Backups In this episode of Command Control Power, the team discusses a range of topics from humorous backdrops and personal anecdotes about health to dealing with poor support from vendors and troubleshooting client tech issues. They highlight the importance of routine check-ups, like colonoscopies, share experiences with various backup solutions including Backblaze and Carbon Copy Cloner, and delve into the complexiti...
Mar 11, 2025•49 min•Ep. 608
In this episode, the hosts delve into maximizing earnings from the Amazon Affiliate Program, including the requirement to link clients to a webpage first for tracking and credit. They discuss the importance of managing Mac software updates through MDM and the emerging DDM approach, addressing their methods and challenges with client systems. Additionally, they touch on using Ubiquiti equipment effectively and maintaining client hardware. The episode covers practical insights, from affiliate prog...
Mar 04, 2025•58 min•Ep. 607
Sam Valencia, Jerry Zigmont and Joe Saponare discuss working with Apple technology and clients. Drawn from their combined experience of over 20 years in the Apple Consultants Network, they discuss technical support issues both with the technology and working with clients.
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 14 min
Backup Challenges with Adam Engst Of The Tidbits Content Network In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts are joined by Adam Engst from TidBITS Content Network to discuss the evolving landscape of bootable backups, cloud storage solutions, and disaster recovery strategies. They delve into Apple's recent changes affecting bootable backups, the importance of testing backup functionality, and the pros and cons of relying on cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive for both personal a...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 605
In this episode, Joe Saponare and Jerry discuss dealing with common tech issues. Jerry shares his experience fixing his AirPods Pro charging problem, detailing his investigation and a strategy using contact cleaner. The conversation shifts to Synology updates, exploring the challenges of manually updating DSM firmware, and the discovery of missing auto updates. They also delve into the use of Unify's U7 Pro access points and troubleshooting Wi-Fi 7 signal issues, including tweaking the minimum R...
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 604
Navigating Modern Hardware Challenges and NDAA Compliance: A Conversation with John Moder In this episode of Command Control Power, returning guest John Moder joins the hosts to discuss a variety of topics ranging from hardware issues with the latest generation of MacBooks to the intricacies of NDAA compliance concerning network hardware. John shares his experiences with the transition from an Intel MacBook to an M4 Max, highlighting issues with USB power and hubs. The conversation also takes a ...
Feb 04, 2025•53 min•Ep. 603
In this episode of Command Control Power, Joe dives into various tech frustrations, starting with longstanding complaints about Siri's inefficiencies that even die-hard Apple fans acknowledge. The discussion pivots to the troubles faced after switching from a MacBook Air to a MacBook Pro, including stability issues and slower wake times. Joe shares a recent ordeal with a client's Bluehost account where an email disruption led to a series of frustrating support calls, tying up days of his time. T...
Jan 28, 2025•56 min•Ep. 602
601: Siri vs. Sonos: Who's Winning This Dysfunctional Family Feud In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts catch up and discuss various tech-related issues and solutions. They talk about frustrations with recording time and system speed, debates about show recommendations, and experiences with Siri's unreliable commands. They also delve into issues with Amazon Prime's fast-forwarding function and Sonos speaker system glitches. Topics shift to technical support anecdotes involving Syno...
Jan 21, 2025•47 min•Ep. 601
We welcome back Weldon Dodd of Rewind Tech to the show. Weldon was kind enough to put Sam up and host him in his training space in Centennial, CO
Jan 14, 2025•47 min
In this episode of Command Control Power, hosts Jerry Zigmont and Joe Saponare discuss various strategies for improving business operations in the tech consultancy world. They cover topics such as the importance of automated billing, using ticketing systems, and switching to recurring revenue models. Joe talks about his decision to stop accepting checks and move to fully automated credit card payments, the advantages of using services like RepairShopper and Smith AI, and the benefits of having a...
Jan 07, 2025•59 min•Ep. 599
A Holiday Message from Your Friends at CCP: Joe Saponare, Sam Valencia, & Jerry Zigmont
Dec 31, 2024•6 min
Joe Taps Out, Jerry and Sam Command Control Power Through In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts navigate through a mix of tech support comedy and genuine tips. Starting off with playful banter, they discuss personal anecdotes about parenting moments and work-life balance, leading to shout-outs for their Patreon supporters. They emphasize the importance of maintaining good relationships within the tech community and share experiences of dealing with challenging clients. Highlights i...
Dec 24, 2024•56 min•Ep. 598
In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts delve into various technical and customer service issues they have encountered recently. They start with a detailed rant about Backblaze’s abrupt change in their prorated refund policy, which affected the way they manage client licenses. The conversation shifts to issues with Amazon's high-value electronics return policy, and Sam shares a frustrating story about dealing with a delayed and ultimately lost iPhone shipment. Joe recounts a complica...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 597
