Episodes

Nov. 9, 2024

Gavin Campbell from HomeTech.fm on How to Replace Devices in Home Assistant, HA AI and Zooz Zen34 Hands On – HGG628

Gavin Campbell joins me this week to discuss home automation, focusing on the Home Assistant platform. We explore seasonal impacts on automation, the importance of using entity IDs for easy device replacements and share pers…
Oct. 26, 2024

Bob and Ryan from ThinkComputers.org with the Intel Core Ultra 9, MSI DATAMAG SSD and Shure MV6 USB Gaming Microphone – HGG627

Bob Buskirk and Ryan Kerschner from ThinkComputers.org join this week as we discuss the latest consumer technology. We review Intel’s new Core Ultra processors and their efficiency compared to AMD, while addressing the chall…
Oct. 12, 2024

Mike Wieger with Meshtastic Updates, Local ChatGPT with Ollama and Frigate – HGG626

Mike Wieger is my guest this week! Mike shares his experience with MeshTastic, a mesh networking system, noting a significant increase in nodes in Omaha and their use for local communication. He also discusses running a loca…
Oct. 5, 2024

Dan LeFebvre talks CGI in Movies Today and Hands on with the Elgato Prompter – HGG625

Dan LeFebvre from the Based on a True Story podcast about the benefits of using teleprompters, specifically the Elgato model. Dan shares insights on technology’s evolution in video production, the significance of eye contact,
Sept. 28, 2024

Reconsidering My Back Up Strategy in 2024 – HGG624

This week, I share my journey in questioning my personal data management, spurred by an unexpected failure of my Morrow Data Box. This experience pushed me to prioritize valuable data and confront the issue of digital hoardi…
Sept. 21, 2024

Marv Bee with Old School Home Server Chat and are Expensive Earbuds Really Worth it? – HGG623

Marv Bee joined me this week as we discussed backup solutions, with Jim considering using a Synology box to access data on Backblaze B2. Marv recommends Synology for its performance and ease of use. We also compare earbuds,
Sept. 14, 2024

Christian Johnson with the Effects of CrowdStrike and Software Reliability – HGG622

Christian Johnson joins me this week as we talk about home technology trends, starting with seasonal changes and their effects on our gardens. We discuss AI’s role in enhancing podcast show notes and dive into cybersecurity,
Sept. 7, 2024

Jay Franze with Listener Emails, HVAC Options, StreamYard Replacements and NiceHash – HGG621

Jay Franze is my guest this week. We talk about smart home technology and the benefits of energy-efficient gadgets, particularly in air conditioning. We share personal experiences with DIY home wiring, weighing the pros and …
Aug. 31, 2024

TJ Huddleston with Smart Lighting, Garden Irrigation and His Home Automation Journey- HGG620

T.J. Huddleston from HomeTech.fm returns to discuss his latest home automation projects. He shares insights on adaptive lighting systems that enhance comfort and energy efficiency and explores smart irrigation techniques usi…
Aug. 24, 2024

Mike Wieger with Generator Interlock Kits, Meshtastic and LocalSend – HGG619

Mike Wieger is my guest this week. Mike shares his experience installing a generator outlet and interlock kit for backup power, detailing the wiring and safety measures. He also talks about using a Jackery portable battery f…
Aug. 10, 2024

Weathering the Storm: Lessons in Home Backup Power from a Major Power Outage – HGG618

It’s a solo show this week. Last week’s show was canceled due to a 100-hour power outage at theAverageGuy.tv studios. What did I do? What gadgets did we use? How did it go and how did we stay cool? All that and plenty of lin…
July 27, 2024

Mark Robson with the Big BBQ and Grill Show for Summer 2024 – HGG616

Mark Robson is my guest this week. We discussed various topics, including extreme weather patterns in Canada, grilling and cast iron cooking techniques, barbecue techniques and ingredients, and culinary creativity and experi…
July 21, 2024

Gavin Campbell with the Meater Block, 3D Printing and Smart Toilets via the Finger Bot – HGG615

Gavin Campbell from HomeTech.fm podcast is my guest this week. We discussed various topics, including severe weather preparedness, home automation, tech updates, data storage, and 3D printing. Gavin shared his experiences an…
July 14, 2024

Jay Madison with Cameras, Audio and the Future of ARM Computing

Jay Mattison is my guest this week. Jay discussed the latest gadgets, smart home automation, laptops, and processing power. He also talked about camera technology, including wireless microphones and road pros,
June 29, 2024

Ed Sullivan with the new iPad Pro M4, Macs, and Productivity: Finding the Right Tools – HGG613

Ed Sullivan joins me this week! We discussed his collection of Apple devices, including an iMac Pro, 16” MacBook Pro, iPhone 12 Pro, and Apple Watch Series 8. We discuss his decision to purchase his first iPad,
June 22, 2024

Adam Hickman with X3 Strength Training and Hydration Innovations with ionbottles- HGG612

Dr. Adam Hickman is my guest this week. Adam is the Vice President of Org Development and Cast Members at Partners, a Walt Disney Company, and a former co-worker of mine at Gallup. We catch up over drinks and then dive into …
June 15, 2024

Erin Lawrence with Exploring Birdfy Hum Feeder, Kamado Joe Smart Grill, and 2024 Chevy Traverse – HGG611

Erin Lawrence from Tech Gadgets Canada joined me this week. We delved into a variety of tech topics, starting with the Birdfy Hum Feeder, where Erin shared her mixed experiences, praising the seed feeder but expressing disap…
June 1, 2024

Rich Hay with the Vaonis Vespera Passengers and a look at the Vespera II and Pro for the Night Sky Observer – HGG610

In one of my favorite episodes yet this year, we catch up with Rich Hay. Rich talks about his decision to purchase a VW EV and all that he has loved about it (that was in preshow, now at the end). In the show,
May 25, 2024

Gretchen Schoenstein with Overcoming Adversity Through Grit and Community: A Journey with Autoimmune Disease – HGG609

My guest this week is Gretchen Schoenstein, a half marathon enthusiast who has completed more than one hundred half marathons. With unwavering dedication and passion, Gretchen has conquered diverse courses,
May 18, 2024

Marv Bee from the IT Business Podcast with Listener Email and Is the PC Dead? – HGG608

Marv Bee from ITBusinessPodcast.com joins me this week as we open the show with listener email. Some thoughts on routers, printers, Subaru upgrades and home server storage. We wrap the show with the question, “Is the PC dead…
May 11, 2024

The Gang from HomeTech.fm with the Current State and Challenges of Home Automation – HGG607

This week I have Gavin Campell, TJ Huddleston and Seth Johnson, hosts of the HomeTech Podcast at HomeTech.fm and we discuss the current state of the home tech market, including challenges and strategies for hiding technology…
May 4, 2024

Christian Johnson with Hard Drives, Wifi and Private 5G – HGG606

Christian Johnson from MapleGrovePartners.com joins me this week. We open the show with some talk of the current state of hard drives and ask Christian what NAS he would buy in 2024. We talk about the current state of Wifi a…
April 20, 2024

Jay Franze with Listener Feedback, Rode Wireless Pro and Zoom H6 Hands On – HGG605

Jay Fraze from https://jayfranze.com/ is my guest. In this episode, cover listener feedback from last week. Jay has purchased a new Rode Wireless Pro mic set and a Zoom H6 and we get an update on Jay’s fire pit. Also, Jim is…
April 13, 2024

Perspectives: It’s Never as Bad as You Think, But Sometimes It’s Worse – HGG604

I’m back in action after a much-needed Spring Break, and let me tell you, it’s been a whirlwind! With April 15th looming over our heads, I’ll dish out some insights into how I tackled my taxes and how it threw a wrench into …