You may be relieved to know that today’s episode gives hospitals and medical talk a well-deserved rest. Instead, we’re cozying up with ideas to keep you entertained, informed, and moving through the coldest months of the year. Grab a blanket—let’s dive in.

Reading, Reimagined

What kind of reader are you? In this episode, we take a nostalgic stroll down Memory Lane while exploring different reading formats—some beloved, some… controversial.

We chat about: * The **perils and pitfalls of abridged books** * **Free TTS narration** and when it shines (or doesn’t) * **Dramatized audiobooks, original audio series, and where to get them** Along the way, we share recommendations and tips on how to research and discover formats that best match *your* reading style. Our hope is to introduce—or reintroduce—you to new ways to enhance your reading pleasure.

(Yes, we noticed the irony of talking about reading while being a podcast. Roll with us.)

Lights, Camera… Audio Description!

If you know us, you know we’re huge fans of audio described movies and TV shows. Good news: the free streaming service Pluto TV is slowly but surely growing its collection of AD content.

In this episode, we: * Show you how to **find and access AD titles on Pluto TV** * Talk honestly about the current (still small) selection * Celebrate the fact that it *is* expanding

Progress is progress—and we love to see it.

Move It (Even When It’s Freezing Outside)

When winter weather makes the outdoors uninviting, staying active can be a challenge—but not an impossible one.

We share: * **Chris’s love of Zombies, Run!—a perfect blend of exercise and dramatized storytelling * **Kim’s return to Walk at Home, an app she mentioned long ago and is happy to revisit

Best of all? Accessibility has improved significantly in both apps, which gives us hope that more fitness and wellness apps will continue to follow suit.

Thanks for Listening

As always, thank you so much for spending part of your day with us. We truly appreciate you and your support. Stay warm, stay curious, and we’ll talk to you again in two weeks!

In this episode, Chris and Kim share even more adventures from their daily lives. They kick things off by talking about Chris’s We-Walk cane—and the mystery of why it decided to walk away on its own.

Next, they discuss and demonstrate a talking blood pressure monitor that connects to a smartphone app via Bluetooth, sharing their thoughts and experiences with it.

They also chat about a cool pill organizer they picked up on Amazon and how it fits into their routine. Some links on this page are our Amazon affiliate links. Purchasing from this page we may receive a small commission.

To wrap things up, Chris and Kim send heartfelt thanks to everyone who reached out with kind words and well wishes.

As always, thank you for listening and for being part of the podcast community.

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We’re excited to both be here for this episode! Chris is now out of the hospital and back home. We decided to devote this episode to sharing some tips and things we’ve learned during this experience. If you’re faced with an emergency room visit or hospitalization, what do you need to take into account physically, emotionally, and financially? What should you bring? What should you do and not do? We hope our tips, perspectives, and personal experiences are helpful if you ever go through this stressful situation, either as the patient or the primary family member involved.

We close the episode with holiday wishes for all of you. Have a happy, merry season, hold your loved ones close, and stay safe and well if at all possible. Talk to you in the new year!

Today’s episode is very different than what we expected to release. Please listen to the first few minutes where Kim shares important news about the immediate future of Mystic Access and our podcast. Then, stay tuned as Kim and Lisa deliver two delicious holiday recipes. We’ll get these posted in the show notes as soon as possible.

Thanks, as always, for listening.

Today’s episode is short but definitely sweet—think mini-pumpkin-pie sweet. Both of us are a little under the weather (Chris especially… send tissues!), but we still have a fun demo to share with you.

Before we dive in, here’s your cheerful reminder that our annual *post-Turkey Day* open house is happening **Friday, November 28, from 1–5 PM ET**. Bring your leftovers-fueled stories, your tech questions, and your best holiday giggles—we always have an amazing time reconnecting with all of you. Register quickly and freely using this link. We can’t wait to see who pops in!

Kim cozies up to the mic to talk about the GNMDNR Bluetooth pillow speaker, a compact bedtime buddy with:

* **Stereo sound** * **Two wonderfully distinct buttons** (yay, tactile controls!) * **A few dreamy features to help you drift into la-la land**

One important note: the Amazon title says it includes white noise… but it doesn’t. No worries, though — you can stream all the white noise, pink noise, whale sounds, or softly crackling campfires your heart desires through your favorite app or playlist.

If you’d like to learn more or get one for yourself, check out our affiliate link above. We only recommend products we actually try and enjoy, so your support means the world.

To everyone celebrating this weekend—we’re wishing you a joyful, delicious Thanksgiving. We’re so grateful for each and every one of you.

See you in December!

Get ready for a little bit of everything in this festive episode! We’ve got an exciting announcement, a magical castle interview, and a cozy demo perfect for chilly evenings.

First up: We’re thrilled to invite you to our day-after-Thanksgiving open house! It’s one of our favorite Mystic Access traditions, full of laughter, friendship, and a few surprise reunions over the years. And it’s free to join for everyone. Mark your calendars for Friday, November 28, 1–5 PM EDT, grab your virtual leftover turkey sandwich (or a slice of pie—no judgment here), and join us for an afternoon of great company and community fun. You can register your seat right here—before that pie coma hits!

Then, in the castle: We welcome Natalie Mauceli, Editor with National Braille Press, who brings a sleigh-full of sparkle and delight! She’ll share NBP’s 2025 holiday picks, including brand-new books, classic returning favorites like the Peanuts calendar, and can’t-miss magazines such as Our Special and Syndicated Columnists Weekly. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or a fellow book lover, you’ll want to take notes!

Finally, grab your remote (or in this case, your iPhone): We demo the DIRECTV iOS app sharing what we love, what could be improved, and why it might be your next favorite way to watch TV as the weather turns frosty.

Wrap-Up: Thanks so much for tuning in! We’re so grateful for you—our listeners, friends, and fellow tech adventurers. We’ll see you again in two weeks with more fun!

Short & Sweet: Cool Tech + Big News! Chris might be a bit under the weather this week , but we’re still bringing the heat with a super cool audio demo and a juicy announcement!

We’ve permanently reduced the price of our Windows 10 Audio Documentation! Originally $75 → now just $60! Still rocking Windows 10? Need a friendly tour of the Desktop, Taskbar, and all those basics that make PCs tick? This guide has your back!

Kim takes the spotlight with a demo of the Mrmorale Bluetooth-Induction Speaker—a gadget that totally earns its cape! This is an Amazon affiliate link, purchasing from this link we will receive a small commission. Why we love it: • It’s a phone/tablet stand • It doubles as a power bank • It handles Bluetooth and induction sound tech What’s induction? It’s magical audio sorcery that makes your tiny device sound bigger, bolder, and clearer—no pairing required! Kim shows off both modes with her iPhone and her Victor Reader Stream 3.

Our Day After Thanksgiving Open House is almost here! Registration will be ready by our next episode. It’s free, it’s fun, and we want YOU there—bring your questions, your comments, and yes… your virtual leftovers.

Thanks for tuning in and hanging with us on this bite-sized episode! Rest up, Chris! And thanks for listening, everyone—we’ll catch you next time!

Today’s episode is jam-packed with practical tips, tech demos, a minor mystery, and even a dramatic drop test. Buckle up—we’ve got something for everyone!

Who knew AirPods cases could spark so much excitement? We kick things off by proving that even the smallest accessories can change your entire tech experience. • Kim and Chris unveil their brand-new protective cases for the AirPods Pro 2. • Features, finishes, favorite perks—we cover it all. • And because Chris can’t resist science… he drop-tests his case live. For research, of course. You can purchase Chris’s case here. Kim’s is available from this link. These are both Amazon affiliate links, so Mystic Access receives a small commission if you buy through them The moral: whether it’s earbuds or kitchen gadgets, protect your gear, especially when traveling!

A helpful tip from a listener sent us into full-on detective mode. The result? Chris demos how the Hable One keyboard pairs with the BlindShell Classic 3 phone—and yes, it works with the Classic 2 as well! If you’re a BlindShell user wondering about external input options, this is a must-hear moment.

Kim recounts our first-ever delivery hiccup with Shipt. One lonely item vanished from the order—but fear not! She walks through how we got it resolved in record time. Spoiler: the refund process was surprisingly painless.

We wrap things up with a fresh review and demo of Alexa+. We covered it earlier this summer, but enough has changed that it deserved another look. You’ll hear: • What’s better now • What’s still a bit bumpy • And how Amazon Prime Music sneaks its way into the conversation

Thanks for spending part of your day with us—we’ll be back in two weeks with more tech talk, tales, and possibly more drop tests.