This week, Cajun cooking, behind-the-scenes of the launch of NPC XL, another great British spy drama, and a classic sci-fi deal. Links and Show Notes Unplugged Segment John Cooks Red Beans and Rice Recipe Crock Pot Slow Cookers Introducing NPC XL - More NPC, Every Week NPC: Next Portable Console is now weekly for everyone. Enjoy a new episode packed with handheld gaming news and other topics every Tuesday. NPC has a new YouTube Channel . Please subscribe. We introduced NPC XL , a brand-new, memb...
Mar 07, 2025•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Federico questions John’s character before discovering the joy of audiobooks, while John has been listening to more podcasts and has a question for listeners about which TV show he should watch next. Links and Show Notes Unplugged Segment Federico digs into John’s history as a sports fan. Picks Federico’s Pick: Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick Audiobook version Audiobook on Audible Apple Books Digital Kindle Apple Books Print John’s Pick: Channels with Pete...
Feb 28, 2025•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week on Unwind, Federico and John offer a peek behind what it’s like to wait for an Apple press release to drop, Federico critiques an Italian’s recommendations of what to buy at Costco and shares a videogame pick, and John has a new movie for listeners. Links and Show Notes Unplugged Apple Reveals New iPhone 16e with Face ID and 48MP Camera Costco recommendations from an Italian 👍👎? The Italian Products You Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy at Costco, According to an Italian Picks John’s Pick: ...
Feb 21, 2025•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, John takes listeners back to the animal kingdom, before he and Federico share a couple of TV recommendations. Plus, John shows off a recent dream device acquisition. Links and Show Notes Unplugged Armadillos in the North Carolina mountains Armadillos are expanding in North Carolina. What to know How Armadillos Can Spread Leprosy Picks Federico’s Pick: Severance , Season 2 John’s Pick: Mythic Quest , Season 4 John’s Surprise Transparent Sony PSP Follow us on Mastodon MacStories Federic...
Feb 14, 2025•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week on Unwind, John makes a Kuzu discovery that may amuse Italian listeners, we explore bars and aperitivo, and we share a music and TV show pick, along with a great deal. Links and Show Notes Unplugged Segment Follow-Up: Kuzu vs. Kudzu Bars, Coffee Shops, and Bottle Shops Understanding Italian Coffee Culture Aperitivo A Beginner’s Guide to a Italian Tradition Tuscany Now & More Classic Aperol Spritz Recipe A decent definition of a bottle shop Picks Federico’s Pick: Forgiving Spree by Slow...
Feb 07, 2025•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Federico and John do some regional grocery shopping, Federico pursues pasta perfection, plus a documentary and podcast recommendation. Show Notes Links and Show Notes Unplugged Shop the Pig: Grocery Store Names Regional Grocery Stores Piggly Wiggly Food Lion Harris Teeter Publix Perfect Handmade High Hydration Pizza e Mortazza Recipe NaturaSi Cacio e Pepe e Corn Starch – Pixel Envy The Perfect Cacio e Pepe Recipe, According to Science Kuzu Kuzu Root Starch Picks John’s Pick: An Update...
Jan 31, 2025•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, a neighborhood explosion, oats, root vegetables, and coffee, plus a classic sitcom, a unique videogame, and an action-packed movie. Links and Show Notes MacStories Uncooked Coffee Overnight Oats Easy Overnight Oats Picks Federico’s Picks: Friends Stream Buy 1000xRESIST John’s Pick: Alien Romulus on Hulu Follow us on Mastodon MacStories Federico Viticci J ohn Voorhees Follow us on Bluesky MacStories Unwind MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Affiliate Linking Policy: https://www....
Jan 24, 2025•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, John judges Southerners’ handling of snow, Federico is a game streaming convert, and John has a new favorite series about the Troubles in Ireland. Plus, we found a great deal on a favorite sitcom. Links and Show Notes Unplugged Segment The South and snow This video captures it well Picks Federico’s Pick: GeForce NOW John’s Pick: Say Nothing Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland Trailer The book MacStories Unwind Deal of the Week How I Met Your Mother TV se...
Jan 17, 2025•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, John fills in Federico about pod people, creepy robots, light masks, AI BBQ, and other weird and wonderful sights from CES 2025. Links and Show Notes Weird CES Cute and Creepy Robots Mirumi Ropet Mirokaï Pod People Infrared saunas Full-body massage chairs Light Mask and Facial Recognition Mask Light Mask Facial Recognition Mask AI BBQ Holograms Example Follow Us In… MacStories Club MacStories AppStories NPC: Next Portable Console Plus, Federico is a co-host on Connected on Relay FM , ...
Jan 10, 2025•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Federico and John share their favorite videogames of 2024. Links and Show Notes The NPC: Next Portable Console Videogame News list on Bluesky NPC on Bluesky Picks Federico’s Picks: Dragon Age: The Veilguard Learn More Buy Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Learn More Buy Dragon’s Dogma II Learn More Buy Astro Bot Learn More Buy Game of the Other Years:GOTOYs: Dragon Quest XI Also mentioned GameCube To Go episode of NPC Into the Aether John’s Picks: Balatro Learn More Buy Animal Well Learn More...
Dec 20, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, John shares a trio of his favorite movies of 2024 and he and Federico share several favorite TV shows from 2024. Links and Show Notes The Best Movies and TV Shows of 2024 John’s Pick: Movies Furiosa Civil War Godzilla Minus One Minus Color TV Shows Loot , Apple TV+ Fallout , Amazon Prime Slow Horses , Apple TV+ Dan Da Dan , Netflix The Gentlemen , Netflix Lessons in Chemistry , Apple TV+ Federico’s Pick: TV Shows Loot , Apple TV+ For All Mankind , season 4 Shrinking , season 2 The Nei...
Dec 13, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week on MacStories Unwind, kick off the first of our annual ‘best of’ Unwind recaps with the best music releases of 2024. Links and Show Notes Songs from our picks and more: The MacStories Unwind 2024 Apple Music Playlist Picks Federico’s Pick 2024 Music Picks: Album of the Year: All Hell by Los Campesinos Top 5: All Hell by Los Campesinos Forever by Charly Bliss POST HUMAN: NeX GEn by Bring Me The Horizon From Zero by Linkin Park Moon Music by Coldplay Honorable Mentions: Songs of a Lost W...
Dec 06, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, a Thanksgiving guessing game, neighborly pies, NotebookLM, the Infamous Cousin Dave’s emoji habits, and getting started with retro gaming. Links and Show Notes Unplugged Segment A traditional Thanksgiving dinner guessing game Do neighbors really welcome you with baked goods ? Picks Federico’s Pick: NotebookLM featuring the Infamous Cousin Dave, who is bad at iMessage John’s Pick: Nintendo Switch Online MacStories Unwind Movie Deal Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (deal may not be avail...
Nov 29, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Netflix is making sexy holiday movies, Federico is warming himself with GaN chargers and batteries, and John checks out the latest Deadpool movie in the Vision Pro, shares a new Apple Music playlist, and has a movie deal for listeners. Links and Show Notes Unplugged In _Hot Frosty_ and _The Merry Gentlemen,_ Netflix Makes Nice by Getting Naughty Picks Federico’s Pick: [ROG 140W USB-C GaN charger]((https://rog.asus.com/us/power-protection-gadgets/chargers-and-adapters/rog–140w-usb-c-ga...
Nov 22, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Links and Show Notes Picks John’s Pick: Tetris Forever Bonus Pick: Tetris , the movie Trailer the movie on Apple TV+ Federico’s Pick: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 MacStories Unwind Movie Bargain Top Gun Maverick - $4.99 to buy and $3.99 to rent Follow us on Mastodon MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Threads MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Instagram MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees...
Nov 15, 2024•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Federico attempts to make audio unboxings a trend, plus he recommends a TV show and videogame, while John encourages listeners to try a decade-old cartoon. Links and Show Notes An Audio Unboxing PlayStation 5 Pro Picks Federico’s Picks: How to Die Alone on Hulu Dragon Age: The Veilguard John’s Pick: Over the Garden Wall Over the Garden Wall 10th Anniversary Stop Motion Short Additional Reading: Over the Garden Wall’s stop-motion anniversary short is the perfect balm Polygon Over the G...
Nov 08, 2024•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, the differences between U.S. and Italian Halloween, plus game, app, and TV recommendations. We also share a spooky season movie bundle deal. Links and Show Notes Unplugged Happy Halloween FAQs About Halloween In Italy National Park of Abruzzo Interested in Falconry? Picks John’s Pick: Pokémon TCG Pocket Nintendo Music Federico’s Picks: Metaphor Re:Fantazio Launch Trailer Only Murders in the Building , Season 4 Trailer The Neighborhood Trailer Shrinking Trailer MacStories Unwind Deal o...
Nov 01, 2024•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Federico and John share how they use their iPad minis along with a couple of TV shows. Links and Show Notes How We’re Using Our iPad minis Apps Discussed Play GoodLinks Readwise Reader Lire TV Picks John Dan Da Dan Federico Hijack Follow us on Mastodon MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Threads MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Instagram MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees...
Oct 25, 2024•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Federico suspects his new vacuum cleaner is the victim of corporate foul play, and John is denied a donut and apple cider slushie thanks to his reliance on technology. Links and Show Notes A Vacuum Dilemma Dyson Gen5detect cordless vacuum cleaner Dyson Gen5detect Accessories sold out John’s solution for Federico’s balcony Paying in the Black Italy to allow larger cash payments despite central bank objections Follow us on Mastodon MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on ...
Oct 18, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, John shares a spooky story, Federico and he both have TV show picks, and they update listeners on their progress in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. Links and Show Notes A Spooky Story Brightwurks Debuts ‘Here’s to the Crazy Ones’ Letterpress Poster for Charity [Update: Pulled] Picks John’s Pick: Slow Horses on Apple TV Trailer The Legend of Zelda: Echos of Wisdom Check In Federico’s Pick Nobody Wants This on Netflix Trailer Follow us on Mastodon MacStories Federico Viticci John...
Oct 11, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Federico gets some help tackling cable management and John does hard time at the DMV, but still had time for a gritty new crime drama. Links and Show Notes Federico Gets Help with Cable Management Federico’s new white microphone arm: TONOR Microphone Boom Arm John Does Hard Time at the DMV As complaints mount over long waits, DMV head questioned by NC lawmakers Pick John’s Pick: The Penguin on Max Trailer Follow us on Mastodon MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Thr...
Oct 04, 2024•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, an unexpected return to the wild kingdom, John’s iPhone 16 Pro Max first impressions, and movie and videogame picks. Show Notes Links and Show Notes A Return to the Animal Kingdom Black vultures A wolf in Rome Picks John’s Pick: The Fall Guy Trailer Rent on Amazon Prime and Apple TV Stream on Peacock Federico’s Pick: The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom On Amazon Launch Trailer Follow us on Mastodon MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Threads MacStories Federico Vi...
Sep 27, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Federico and John unwind on air about how they’re doing post-review week, preview Federico’s Playstation Portal theory, and share family members’ reactions to iOS 18. Links and Show Notes PlayStation Portal Astro Bot The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom The Tail Wagging the Dog Follow us on Mastodon MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Threads MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Instagram MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees...
Sep 20, 2024•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, as we approach the release of Apple’s updated OSes, Federico and John check in on where their reviews stand and the one distraction they’ve both allowed themselves in the final stretch. Links and Show Notes An OS Review Vibe Check Coming Soon on MacStories Picks Federico and John’s Joint Pick: Astro Bot on the PS5 Follow us on Mastodon MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Threads MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Instagram MacStories Federico Vit...
Sep 13, 2024•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, a surprise apology for rain, an update on our annual OS reviews and what we plan to do with our free time once they’re finished, and a TV pick. Links and Show Notes Italy apologizes for the weather 3BMeteo chiede scusa: “Abbiamo sbagliato troppo. Tanti errori, previsioni talora inaffidabili. Miglioreremo”. I commenti: “Poverini, qualcuno li abbracci” Weather On The Way Apps for Your Next Road Trip Federico and John are nearing the OS review finish line and have some feelings John: Goo...
Sep 06, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, John researches a local dive bar, as you do, before recommending gadgets that aren’t computers or videogame consoles and chatting about Loot, Season 2. Links and Show Notes Too Dive-y It doesn’t get much divier than . Favorite Gadgets That Aren’t Computers or Videogame Consoles John’s Picks LG C2 55" OLED TV Breville Precision Brewer Drip Coffee Machine Federico DeLonghi EC9355M La Specialista Prestigio Espresso Machine Picks John’s Pick: Loot, Season 2 on Apple TV+ Follow us on Masto...
Aug 30, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, John and Federico discuss peanut butter, the limits of testing gadgets in public, and Federico’s latest Spotify experiment before turning to a movie and two music recommendations. This episode is sponsored by: FastMinder – The popular app designed for tracking intermittent fasting, created by Funn Media, the developers behind other successful health & fitness apps like WaterMinder, Calory or FitnessView. Links and Show Notes Peanut Butter Sandwiches The Limits of Public Gadget Testing...
Aug 23, 2024•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Federico and John discuss alligator races and distraction free E-Ink thermostats for writers, plus a TV show pick and three videogame recommendations. Links and Show Notes Alligator and E-Ink Follow-Up How to survive an alligator attack – or better yet, avoid one entirely Here are some more survival tips from various wildlife departments and other experts: If you can escape on land, run away in a straight line . Experts debunk the advice to zig-zag. Gators can move really fast on land...
Aug 16, 2024•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, John and Federico return to the animal kingdom and share their E-ink device hot takes, along with a movie pick. Snakes, Alligators, and Bears, Oh My! Alligator found on dark road north of Charlotte, far from its known range, NC cops say E-Ink Readers Boox Tab Ultra Boox Palma Boox Go Color 7 Picks John’s Pick: Civil War Follow us on Mastodon MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Threads MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Instagram MacStories Federi...
Aug 09, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, John is joined by Devon Dundee to talk about media tracking strategies and share three TV series picks. Links and Show Notes Media Tracking Strategies Sequel Sofa GameTrack MusicHarbor TV Forecast Devon’s Shortcut: Watch History Journal 2 Also mentioned: Collections Picks Devon’s Picks: Lessons in Chemistry Trailer Mr. Robot Trailer John’s Pick: Sunny Trailer Follow Devon Dundee’s Work Website: devondundee.com Podcast: Magic Rays of Light Mastodon: @devondundee Threads: @devondundee F...
Aug 02, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
