Mystic Access Podcast - podcast cover

Mystic Access Podcast

Chris Nova, Kim Novamysticaccesspodcast.com
We record podcasts on assistive technology and products and services which we find of interest. We specialize in providing comprehensive tools for people who are blind and visually impaired to become empowered to maximize the use of their access technology while having fun doing it.
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Episodes

Book Browsing

In this episode Kim and Chris first talk about an update to the Stream 3 tutorial. Next we talk about convention sales at Mystic Acces with two updates. We spend most of the episode in the castle speaking with Kesel Wilson of National Braille Press about their summer pics.

Jun 27, 20230

Super Cool

In this episode of the podcast we start with our free event that is being held on Thursday June 15. The event is how to stay safe from scammers. Activate this link For more information and register. Next we demonstrate the Call Annie app for iOS. We then open and learn about the CONBOLA Portable Tower Fan, Bladeless Desk 16 Inch 10000mAh Battery Operated Rechargeable Fan Oscillating Standing Fan with 3 Speeds TimerLED Light, Small Personal Quiet Table Fans for Bedroom, Gray. This fan is portable...

Jun 13, 20230

Out of Sight

While we always try to bring you some humor in each episode, and this one is no exception, note that there is a very serious topic covered later in today’s podcast. First, though, we mention the cool new Alexa and Google assistant commands we’re now able to use with our RoboRock Q5 vacuum. We even show one command in action. Next, we talk about our recent experience of getting maintenance and repares done inside our house. If you’re unsure how to choose a repare company, how you may be treated, ...

May 30, 20230

A Pizza Joint On Every Corner

In this episode of the podcast Chris and Kim take the recorder outside for the New York Front porch edition. First we talk about ways to Moe the lawn. Next we talk about the Slice app to order from local pizza places. Finally we discuss the accessibility of the Sling TV app and how it has changed for the better over the past couple of years. Thank you for being a podcast listener. WHERE THE MAGIC IS IN LEARNING!®

May 16, 20230

Flipping The Switch

Today’s episode includes two very different kinds of adventures. First, Chris and Kim share about their recent tiny trip; a night away from home for a super quick break. We discuss everything from making our booking, our Lyft experience getting to lunch and the hotel, and the surprises we discovered along the way. While hopefully everyone will find this story fun, we hope it’ll be particularly helpful for those who wish to travel independently this spring and summer. Next, a very different adven...

May 02, 20230

The Way That Things Were

This episode offers some reflection on saving, transferring and otherwise managing your money accessibly, as well as a free service that doesn’t cost you a single cent to use. First, we discuss a little about taxes and extensions; we return to this topic later to share the accessible method we use to get our taxes done. we then move to banks and methods for managing your money accessibly, and the importance of being able to conduct financial transactions and other tasks independently. One nifty ...

Apr 18, 20230

Adopt a New Pixel

In this episode we start by talking about Face Unlock on a Pixel 7 and Samsung a53. Next we discuss Carrot for Android. Please Chris updates us on his Creative Outlier Pro True Wireless Sweatproof in-Ear Headphones. Note that this is an affiliate link, and Mystic Access receives a small commission if you choose to purchase using our link. Finally we do an unboxing of the Creative Pebble speakers. Note that this is an affiliate link, and Mystic Access receives a small commission if you choose to ...

Apr 04, 20230

Cute Little Bunny

In this episode we welcome Spring with a 15% off sale. Use spring15 during checkout on any audio tutorial to save 15% off. You can also activate this link to apply the coupon. Note this coupon expires March 31 2023 at 11:59 PM. Next we remind listeners of our free event on Spring cleaning on March 30 at 8:30 PM Eastern time. We then give an update on the progress of our Victor Reader Stream 3 audio tutorial. We remind listeners about Mastodon and the fait of our Mastodon instance. A quick demo o...

Mar 21, 20230

Chug Lid

This is a very diverse episode, so hang on and enjoy the ride. We begin by discussing March’s free event all about spring cleaning. As usual, we have several tools and tips we can discuss and demo, and would also love to hear your ideas. The event takes place on Thurwsday, March 30, 2023 at 8:00 PM eastern time. If you aren’t on our free Events mailing list, please subscribe via any page of the Mystic Access site. If you can’t attend the event live, no worries, as it will be recorded and put on ...

Mar 07, 20230

I’m Not A Human

Today’s episode contains discussion about older tech, newer tech, and a blooper that turned into the show title. We begin by discussing some impoortant (and hopefully very helpful) changes to our sites, particularly MysticAccessPodcast.com and MysticAccess.com. We hope they’ll make your browsing and, when desired, shopping experience much more pleasant. We also give you a look behind the curtain of what it’s like to host your own complex site with lots of moving parts, including databases and th...

Feb 21, 20230

Out the window

This episode discusses our move to Mastodon, the fate of many third-party apps and Windows clients for Twitter, and a few product-related updates. For those like us who are new to Mastodon, we discuss some Twitter comparisons and basic vocabulary to help get you started. Join our Mastodon instance here. Already a Mastodon user? Follow us individually at: chris@mysticaccess.online and kim@mysticaccess.online want to use a Windows client to explore Mastodon? Check out options including Tweesecake ...

Feb 07, 20230

Landing The Plane

In this special episode of the Mystic Access Podcast Chris and Kim speak with Mathieu Paquette from HumanWare all about the new victor Reader Stream 3.

Jan 29, 20230

Historical Water Data

In this episode of the podcast, we start by announcing the one day sale on January 25. We know it is short notice but if you listen on the day the podcast is released or the day of the 25th you can take advantage. We next give our feelings on Aira’s new pricing structure. Next we discuss the Waterminder app from Funn Media. Finally we discuss two iOS apps, MyFitnessPal and My Plate, two apps that do the same thing. Why does Chris like one and Kim like the other? Thank you for being a podcast lis...

Jan 24, 20230

Changes

It’s the beginning of a new year, and with a new year come some changes to Mystic access that we explain in detail in today’s episode. Please listen from the beginning for all the important details, including some older products that will be saying good-bye at the end of the month. Don’t worry, though. Mystic Access is still here and ready to assist you with your technology needs! Speaking of changes, we share some good news about the iOS Ring app. If you’ve been waiting for months for the app t...

Jan 10, 20230

Christmas Blizzard

Welcome to our last podcast of 2022. We begin by announcing the completion and immediate availability of the BlindShell audio documentation. What was suppose to be an eight-hour project became thirteen, and it’s jam-packed with content for both beginning and advanced users of the phone. Visit this page to read the extensive table of contents and purchase your own copy of the BlindShell documentation. It’s on sale through January 24 2023. We devote the remainder of this episode to discussing how ...

Dec 27, 20220

Meet Empty

Chris and Kim welcome Lisa to guest host on this episode. Next they have a discussion on robot vacuums. Chris talks about the RoboRock Q5 that Lisa introduced to him. They also talk about the Auto Empty Dock for the Q5. Enter disclaimer text Lisa talks about her new TOSHIBA ML-EM34P(SS) Smart Countertop Microwave and why she needed it. Enter disclaimer text Kim shares a recipe for the holiday Baked Stuffed Brie with Cranberries & Walnuts (allrecipes.com) Finally Lisa shares a holiday recipe:...

Dec 13, 20220

It Works in The Dark

In this episode Chris and Kim first discuss some new website changes they hope will be beneficial. Next they give their impressions on the iPhone 14 Pro and the reasons for acquiring one. Finally they unbox the Amazon Echo Studio and give their impressions.

Nov 29, 20220

Charging Your Keys

In this episode Chris and Kim announce the annual black Friday Open House. You can register at htttps://www.mysticaccess.com/openhouse They then give updates on black Friday sales as well as the BlindShell audio tutorial. Kim takes a trip into the Mystic Access Magic Castle where she speaks with Kesel Wilson from National Braille Press about this year’s holiday catalog.

Nov 15, 20220

Cherry Candy

In this episode Chris and Kim discuss what they did when they were recently sick to get medication delivered. They also discuss the features of the new Echo dot 5 and Echo Studio.

Nov 01, 20220

Watching Airplanes

In this episode Chris and Kim talk about some website changes. Reward points are back as well as a new notification sound to let customers know a notificatiion/announcement is on the screen. Next they talk about the inaccessibility of the ring app and demonstrate the Google Home app quickly with a Nest router. Chris demonstrates Flighty, an app for iOS to track flights. Finally, Kim demonstrates Slumber, an app for sleep. She says how much more accessible the app has become. Follow this link to ...

Oct 18, 20220

Mystic Access Spooktacular Announcements Edition

In this episode Chris and Kim make a few announcements for this Halloween season. First announcement is the production of a BlindShell classic 2 audio tutorial. This is a pre-order product and is slated to be released on November 15 2022. The sales are pretty scarry this year. Each week we will place two products on sale at a heavy discount. October 7, 14, 21, and 28. We next discuss our Apple AirPods virtual event. This is also a paid event to happen on October 25. Thanks so much and see you in...

Oct 07, 20220

AM Transistor Radio

In this episode Chris and Kim discuss their first impressions of the new Apple AirPods pro 2. Enter disclaimer text

Oct 04, 20220

Let’s Talk About Sunsets

There’s lots of timely info in today’s episode, plus an exciting interview in the magic castle. First, though some announcements. First, due to major time constraints and a desire to always provide you the highest quality teaching materials, we’re unfortunately not having a free event during September. We’re already planning the final two free events for 2022, however, and are looking forward to bringing you useful and fun topics for both October and November. Make sure you’re subscribed to our ...

Sep 20, 20220

The Life Of A Voice Over Person

In this episode Chris and Kim have two follow-ups from last episode. The rest of the show is dedicated to Deanna Johnston, a voice Over and audio discription artest.

Sep 06, 20220

That Crow Has Flown the coop

In this episode Chris and Kim discuss lessons learned about cell phones and share their experiences while roaming. Next they talk about GPS while not following any roads as well as other miscellaneous stuff. For best listening, use headphones.

Aug 23, 20220

Off To Pack

In this episode Chris and Kim discuss why they had to track their own flight to NC. We also discuss StarPlayrX an accessible app to stream satellite radio. We Demo accessibility of the Philo app on iOS. Sorry Android users, it isn’t accessible. Please know because of our vacation we didn’t seperate this episode into chapters.

Aug 09, 20220

One Way Ticket

In this episode Chris and Kim have a conversation with Kesel Wilson, National Braille Press’s editorial director, about the publisher’s summer picks. Whether you want to increase your skills with technology, snuggle up with your kids to read a fun book, or find a helpful cheat sheet for learning more about nutrition, there’s something here for you. Visit National Braille Press to check out their wide selection of braille books, magnets, and much more. We also discuss our two newest products, bot...

Jul 26, 20220

Afterwife

We share a lot in this episode. We start by announcing our July free event. This is going to be one of our famus open houses. The event takes place on Friday July 29 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Eastern time. Anyone can drop in but we are making you register just to keep the bots out. Please register here. Next we talk about a situation where we were glad to have our outside cameras. We received a visit from people claming to be from our electric company. On June 30 we had an event discussing the Env...

Jul 12, 20220

Your tapping On Your Temple

In this episode we start by discussing our free event for June. We first want to apologize for taking this long to announce our free June event, but we were waiting for a package in the mail! This month, we’re discussing and demoing the Envision glasses and companion app, which is available for iOS and Android. We’ll discuss the glasses themselves, how to wear, charge and use them, the features available, and the accuracy of those features. Plus, we’ll share any tips or issues we come across whi...

Jun 28, 20220

Mobilize Without Compromise

In this episode Chris and Kim start out with announcements. Next we discuss and demonstrate a service that assists in keeping your inbox sane. It is called SaneBox. It uses AI to sort your emails into different folders. If you’d like to sign up, please use this link. In a recent podcast Chris and Kim demonstrate some of the features of the WeWALK smart cane. Chris finds himself in the Mystic Access magic castle joined by Joe and John Markof the WeWALK team where we have a lively discussion....

Jun 14, 20220
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