Episodes

  • #139 – AI That Actually Helps You Work + Zoom P4 Next
    Dec 1 2025

    Michael and Damashe talk about how they are actually using AI to get work done, not just write blog posts. They also dig into first impressions of the Zoom P4 Next, an accessible portable recorder and USB interface.

    In this episode, they cover:

    • Using GitHub Copilot and Gemini 3 in VS Code for real projects.
    • Letting AI help plan features for the Builder tool and solve scheduling headaches like an 8 hour Friendsgiving event.
    • When AI is helpful for planning, routes, and admin work, and when it still gets in the way.
    • Privacy concerns around feeding financial data and messy spreadsheets into online tools.
    • What the Zoom P4 Next is like in the hand, how it compares to the original P4 and Vocaster, and what Mac users should know about routing and Loopback.

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Screen Recognition, Smart Laundry & The Fake Mac
    Nov 25 2025

    In this episode, Michael and Damashe dive into:

    • 🧺 Michael’s new Samsung washer-dryer combo and its surprising accessibility
    • 📱 How Damashe’s using iOS screen recognition to solve real-world app frustrations
    • 💻 Resetting VoiceOver settings on Mac – and the chaos that follows
    • 🎮 Why Ben's gaming experience drove a Wi-Fi upgrade to Eero
    • 🧠 Ramble in Todoist: The AI-powered feature both hosts are now hooked on
    • 🧼 Should you clean out your to-do list and start fresh?

    Plus: A surprisingly emotional discussion about Apple's leadership, the future of macOS, and the practicality of using an iPad Pro like a laptop.

    💬 Feedback? Hit us up at feedback@technicallyworking.show or on Mastodon @TW@technicallyworking.social.

    🎧 Listen Now ```

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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Finding Purpose with Amanda Heal: From Law to Coaching, Tech, and Audiobooks 1 of 5
    Nov 17 2025

    In this episode of Technically Working, we sit down with Amanda J. Heal — author, former government lawyer, speaker, coach, and all-around awesome human. This episode is packed with stories about tech, purpose, accessibility, audio production, and the wild evolution of tools blind people used then… and now.

    🎙️ What We Talk About
    • Amanda’s background, including:

    • Growing up totally blind in Australia

    • Her 17-year government legal career
    • How accessibility tools evolved from cassette tapes and scanners to the tech we use today
    • The journey from being laid off to finding her life’s purpose
    • Why she wrote her book “Seeing by Vision, Not by Sight”
    • Her upcoming audiobook, the recording process, and the decision to hire a narrator
    • How blind authors, creators, and coaches build workflows using:

    • Ulysses

    • Mantis
    • Vocaster 2
    • Reaper
    • Ecamm Live
    • Loopback
    • The importance of knowing when to stop DIY-ing everything and let someone help
    • Video setup tips, lighting, and building a background that tells your story
    • Editing challenges and the joy of remembering phantom power exists
    • Building online courses, checklists, and systems that keep content creation accessible and stress-free
    📘 About Amanda’s Book

    Title: Seeing by Vision, Not by Sight Tagline: How to discover your life's purpose and put it into action.

    Amanda shares the process she used to move from fear and uncertainty to clarity and purpose — and teaches you how to do the same. It’s filled with exercises, reflections, and real client stories.

    Available on:

    • Amazon
    • Apple Books
    • Kindle

    Audiobook is currently in production.

    💡 Amanda’s $25 Experiment Through 2025

    Amanda is challenging herself to help as many people as possible uncover their purpose — for $25 AUD. (Which is even less in USD.) If you’ve been feeling stuck, curious, or wanting clarity, this is an easy way to get started.

    📬 Connect with Amanda
    • LinkedIn: Amanda J. Heal
    • Email: amanda@amandaheal.com.au
    • Website: amandaheal.com.au
    🔗 Where to Find Us
    • Michael on Mastodon: @payown@dragonscave.space
    • Damashe on Mastodon: @damashe@technically.social
    • Show Bot (seriously, follow it): @TW@technically.social
    • Email: feedback@technicallyworking.show

    And no — you don’t need to write us with Garth’s address. (Unless you’re Sean… maybe.)

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • #136 – unscripted banter with No Bonus
    Nov 10 2025
    Technically Working – Episode 136: Burnout, Barbecue, and Back at It Summary

    In this reflective and lively episode, Michael and Damashe return to their usual unscripted banter after a series of guest interviews. They dive into confessions, personal updates, and rediscovering balance in life and work. Damashe admits the Technically Working site still isn’t live, citing exhaustion and carpal tunnel issues. Michael talks about post-cruise laziness and guide dog emergencies. The duo chat about productivity cycles, tech frustrations, health challenges, and how life (and sometimes Siri) doesn’t cooperate. Damashe also shares what it's like traveling for conventions and being recognized by listeners, while Michael recounts his cruise and convention chaos. They wrap with a deep dive into member management tools for WordPress and appreciation for their tip jar supporters.

    Highlights
    • 🎙️ Confession time: The website is still not live — and why.
    • 🧠 Productivity and burnout: Damashe struggles with energy levels, sleep issues, and navigating burnout.
    • 🥩 Barbecue blues: It’s been over a year since Damashe lit his grill — and it’s hitting hard.
    • 🚢 Michael’s cruise adventure: Accessibility wins and fails, and yes, he worked on vacation.
    • 🐕 Titan’s tooth trouble: Guide dog vet emergencies are expensive.
    • 💳 Michael makes Damashe spend money on vacation: Preordering the Zoom PodTrack P4 Next.
    • 🌐 Convention updates: ACB Oregon, Washington, and Houston — listener shoutouts included!
    • 🛠️ Tool talk: Podcast setups, tech rants, and a detailed debate over Paid Memberships Pro vs MemberPress.
    • 📈 Audience growth: Episode numbers are climbing, and listener engagement is strong.
    • 🗣️ Shoutouts: New and long-time listeners, tip jar supporters, and significant others — you rock.
    Tools & Services Mentioned
    • Zoom PodTrack P4 Next
    • Paid Memberships Pro (PMP)
    • MemberPress
    • Gravity Forms
    • Stripe
    • WordPress local dev tools: Valet, WP Migrate
    • Apple Watch sleep tracking
    • Costco melatonin
    • Farago, Audio Hijack
    Feedback?

    Drop us a line: feedback@technicallyworking.show

    Support the Show

    Want to keep us caffeinated (or help pay off those vet bills)? Visit technicallyworking.show and click the tip jar.

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    1 hr and 26 mins
  • #135 – The Long wrap Up
    Nov 3 2025
    Episode Notes A relaxed, gear-forward wrap-up with Damashe, Steven, and Michael: we talk favorite portable keyboards, why a tidy desk matters (especially when you’re done optimizing for TV backdrops), and how changing screen-reader pricing/models ripple across the community. Along the way we compare headsets, celebrate NVDA, reminisce about third-party Twitter apps, and poke fun at shipping hacks and world travel plans. Highlights ProtoArc Tri-Fold keyboard (with numpad) Folds small, charges over USB-C, pairs to 3 devices with one button. Paging/Editing keys (PgUp/PgDn/Home/End/Delete) sit in a vertical strip between the main keys and numpad. Verdict from Steven: “Sold.” Damashe: “It’s been my favorite.” Studio reset > comfort over cameras Steven’s annual clear-out: retire “dead cables,” stop designing the room for TV backdrops, and optimize for radio/podcasting comfort. One-cable desk: laptop on a Belkin 11-in-1 wedge dock; power and peripherals route out the back so you unplug just one cable and go. Headsets & open-ear audio Damashe’s pick: Shokz OpenComm (OpenComm/OpenComm UC). Bone-conduction, comfortable, hardware mute button that works with Zoom/Teams—perfect for “mute-and-talk-to-the-cats” moments. Steven’s rotation: OpenComm boom when it counts; otherwise inexpensive open-ear “TrueFree” style buds (à la OpenFit/OpenFit Air). Caveat: if you don’t use them daily, they’ll be dead when you need them. Screen readers, pricing, and real-world choices UK JAWS “Home” subscription discussed as ~£420/year with no monthly option—raising hard questions for home users. Many will weigh NVDA more seriously; workplaces may still fund JAWS, but at home, cost and consistency matter. Michael notes he’s productive with JAWS plus add-ons (e.g., Leasey), but could script NVDA add-ons for what he needs. Sustainability & “single-developer” risk Open projects like NVDA thrive on community—but dependence on a few key people is a risk. Corporate stability (e.g., Vispero) helps, yet platform owners can break hooks/APIs at any time. Platforms that shift under our feet X/Twitter cut third-party apps—many accessibility gaps those apps filled never returned. Google’s habit of retiring products makes people wary (Gemini likely safe; everything else… maybe). Pixel leaks are practically a calendar feature. Chromebooks: fast for web, but hard to justify versus a Windows PC or a discounted M1 MacBook Air when prices climb. Travel & life bits October is packed: conventions (NFB state events, Texas), cruises, and training new employees. Future trip goals: Scotland soon—and Giza by 2028 for the pyramids promise. Mentions ProtoArc Tri-Fold Keyboard with numpad Belkin 11-in-1 wedge dockShokz OpenComm / OpenComm UCNVDA, JAWS, Leasey (JAWS productivity add-ons)Twitterrific, Spring (third-party Twitter clients, RIP)Google Gemini / Nest, Chromebook/ChromeBoxMacBook Air (M1) Follow Double Tap Double Tap Newsletter Support Technically Working by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/technically-working Find out more at https://technically-working.pinecast.co Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/technically-working/de4de5fa-9dc0-4594-b071-f05c2fc0f126 Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-431b7d for 40% off for 4 months, and support Technically Working.
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    43 mins
  • #134 – Accommodation Realization
    Oct 27 2025
    Episode Notes

    We continue our conversation with Stephen Scott from Double Tap about why unscripted, human-first shows resonate. Stephen shares how he and Sean decide what’s worth airing, why consent and care with guests matter, and how their new newsletter and “Extra” feed create space for deeper, sometimes non-tech discussions. We dig into person-first identity, balancing the social and medical models of disability, and why nuance and personal responsibility beat one-size-fits-all advocacy.

    Highlights
    • Pre-show judgment calls: Hold topics until there’s enough perspective—or a third voice—to do them justice.
    • Let conversations breathe: A planned ACB chat became a powerful, unscripted deep-dive on prosthetic eyes.
    • Consent & care: Check in with guests when things get personal; offer pre-release review for sensitive segments.
    • Newsletter → “Extra”: A site and monthly email for quick catch-up, plus a companion podcast for tougher conversations that don’t quite fit Double Tap’s daily tech focus.
    • Boundaries on hot-button topics: Keep the core tech-centric while handling politics/religion with care and context.
    • People before labels: Person-first identity, with descriptors used for discovery—not definition.
    • Social and medical models: Society should fix barriers (e.g., ramps); individuals can adapt with tools (e.g., reading menus)—both responsibilities matter.
    • Advocacy without monoculture: One blind person’s view is just that—avoid pretending a single voice speaks for all.
    • Perspective changes everything: From on-train demos to travel that reshapes assumptions; curiosity > echo chambers.
    • Algorithms & attention: Feeds nudge extremes; resist by seeking opposing views and valuing nuance.

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    57 mins
  • #133 – Michael hears voices
    Oct 21 2025
    Episode Notes

    This week's episode is part 1 of a multipart recording featuring Steven Scott of Double Tap.
    Michael hears voices in his head, Steven and Damashe discuss the aftermath of coping with being in car wrecks, and how Steven got on as a camera man in his youth.

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    1 hr
  • #132 – Wireless Mics, Builder Breakthroughs, and the Search for Better Search
    Oct 13 2025

    Michael and Damashe are back with a mix of tech talk, audio experiments, and laughs. Michael tests out two Shure microphones live on air (can you tell which is which?), shares what he learned from running a hybrid event, and rolls out a smart new feature in his automation tool, Builder—because yes, user feedback really does shape updates.

    They dive into why investing in your craft (and your gear) pays off, the art of delegation, and how small process fixes make big differences. Damashe also reveals why he’s paying for search with Kagi and what makes the Helium browser worth a look.

    Whether you’re a gearhead, builder, or productivity nerd, this one’s for you. 💡 Plus: download numbers are up, vacation plans are brewing, and there’s a reminder that sometimes “no new features” is the best feature of all.

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    1 hr and 17 mins