The 4501 Podcast

Wow! It's been one year of podcasting for The 4501 Podcast. We've consistently published an episode about technology or travel every single week in 2019.

Over the course of the year, we have learned A LOT about podcasting. From equipment to software, we now know much more about what works and what should be avoided. Furthermore, our comfort level podcasting has increased dramatically and we have pretty much gotten into a good flow.

In this week's episode, we talk about all these lessons from a year of podcasting and share them with you in hopes that if you are looking to start a podcast, you can avoid some of these beginner mistakes.

In this episode Tony and Marc discuss 2 different computer operating systems: macOS vs Microsoft Windows. They go over the philosophies of each company and how they perceive the focus of each operating system. Additionally, they also celebrate their 50th podcast episode with a Facebook live stream.

Learn about living in a van from a videographer who has traveled around the east coast of the United States shooting video interviews.

Disney+, ESPN+, Apple TV+, the streaming apps go on and on. In this episode, Tony and Marc discuss who has actually won in the streaming wars. Marc talks about the services he currently uses and Tony talks about two services that will be released in 2020. Also, the two talk about what should you look for in a streaming service and which service to pick.

Learn everything you need to know about the push by Google for RCS that will finally unify text messaging across all major platforms including Apple and Android. Tony and Marc walk you through the history of text messaging including SMS, MMS, instant messaging, and now RCS (Rich Communication Services). The two also touch on how other messaging platforms such as Facebook Messenger, BBM, AIM, WhatsApp, and WeChat fit into the mess that is messaging in 2020.

Learn everything you need to know about buying a TV on Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2019. With lots of jargon such as resolution, refresh rate, contrast ratio, it may seem overwhelming to buy a TV. And then on top of that, how do you know if you're getting a good price? Well, don't worry. Marc and Tony will break everything down and explain everything in terms that you can understand.

It's really easy to skip the extended warranty or optional insurance for your new cell phone of laptop computer, but when you crack the screen 8 months later or spill a cup of coffee on the keyboard the following week, you'll regret that decision. In this episode of The 4501 Podcast, Tony and Marc weigh the pros and cons of insurance for your electronic devices and discuss if an extended warranty is worth it.

In this episode Tony talks about how he traveled around Japan - one of the most expensive countries in the world, on $70 a day! The two discuss what living accommodations you are going to have to stay in and also how to travel around Japan on a budget. Lastly, Tony talks about some free or cheap activities you can do to learn about the Japanese culture and see the country.

We hear about THE CLOUD and for some of us, it's unclear what actually that is. There's Apple's iCloud, Google Photos, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. all of which are cloud storage options for your multimedia including photos and videos. However, this is not the only option for backing up your data.

Another option is to buy yourself a NAS, an acronym that stands for Network Attached Storage — essentially one or more hard drives in a server attached to the internet. While this option has a larger upfront cost, you will ultimately save on recurring monthly costs of online backup storage via the cloud.

In addition to discussing the pros and cons of cloud backups and NAS servers, we talk about free options for photo storage, how to backup large 4k video files, and why you should backup your data to begin with.

In this episode, Tony and Marc talk about the Jet Lag disorder. They discuss their own experiences dealing with this silent nuisance and what steps you can take to fight it off. Disclaimer: this is not medical advice but rather advice that works for Marc and Tony.

Climbing to the top of Mt. Fuji is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have when you travel to Japan. In fact, Mt. Fuji is actually an active volcano that last erupted in the early 16th century.

While you should probably summit Mt. Fuji during the climbing season between May and early September, you can actually climb year round. In this episode, Tony recounts his Mt. Fuji off-season climbing experience in late September and provides practical tips about how you can do the same including bus transportation options from Kyoto and Tokyo, lodging on the mountain, clothing, gear, and so much more.

Want to start to VLOG on Youtube? Feel lost and don't know where to start? Well in this episode, Marc and Tony discuss which cameras you can use to start a YouTube Channel. The two talk about some aspects to think about before buying a camera and also what resolution you should shoot at during filming. Lastly, the two discuss which device is best to shoot on for Youtube: cell phone cameras, DSLRs, or Mirrorless cameras. Also, a spoiler for next week's exciting episode pops in during this episode so have a listen and find out what's on the agenda for next week!

Thailand is a popular travel destination for backpackers and honeymooners alike. Popular for its cheap cost of living, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the southern islands and beaches are among the heaviest traveled areas of Thailand.

Volunteering is a rewarding experience. But for those aiming to see the world and volunteer at the same time - there is a way! In this episode, Tony and Marc are joined by Tony's traveling companion, Talia. She talks about her experiences volunteering abroad, and how she was able to find those opportunities. They also discuss what are some of the pros of volunteering and what you should expect if you were to volunteer abroad.

Have you ever wondered how to port your number over to Google Voice? Well, look no further because in this episode Tony tells you how to do it. He talks about what Google Voice is, the benefits of doing this, and walks you through the steps on how to do it.

Blockchain, cryptocurrency, bitcoin — what's the difference. In this episode, Tony and Marc discuss the technology behind the crypto craze that is blockchain.

After listening to this podcast episode, consider BLOCKCHAIN DEMYSTIFIED!

What to purchase a computer monitor and don't know where to start? Well, Not all monitors are created equal! In this episode Marc tells you some of the things to things to look for when you purchase a computer monitor. He tells you about size, resolution, frame rate, color space, and panel type which all are things to consider.

Travel is expensive. Only the rich can afford it.

WRONG!

Tony spent on average $75 per day when he traveled through Europe for 4 weeks in late 2018. Most people would spend much more than this on a hotel room.

Traveling doesn't have to be expensive. Learn how to save money when traveling as Tony reveals how much spent in central Europe.

Packing light is truly an art. In this episode, Tony reveals his best tips on how to pack light and exactly what he packs for long term world travel. While Tony is a solo backpacker, his advice can be applied to all types of travel including vacations and business trips, wether domestic or international.

Have you ever thought about backpacking to Vietnam? In this episode, Tony and Marc talk about Tony's 3 week trip backpacking in Vietnam. Tony talks about why he decided to go there and his top 3 activities throughout his trip. The two also talk about how to get around the country and also discuss Tony's videos about Vietnam.

In this episode Marc and Tony discuss Cord Cutting in 2019. What is cord cutting? This is eliminating your normal TV cable service to instead use a streaming platform like Netflix or DirectTV Now. They talk about the available options, what are some of the requirements to cut the cord, and also where they each see the future of this platform.

In this episode, Tony and Marc discuss the steps of building a smart home in 2019. A home that will automate the simplest tasks to live your life much easier. Marc discusses how he started to build his smart home, and also some products that can be purchased to make your home smarter. Tony gives his take on some of Marc's favorite smart home tech and also what he thinks is the future of the smart home.

While travel hacking can seem daunting and only for the experts, this is certainly not the case. With so many free online tools such as Skiplagged, Hopper, and the plane ticket price tracking feature built into Google Flights, you can become a travel hacker and save hundreds on your flights in no time. Give this episode a listen, and you'll be well on your way to paying less for you next plane ticket.

Find out what it takes to have a daily vlog on YouTube directly from a daily vlogger himself. Tony Florida has a wealth of information to share with you about his experience daily vlogging. Topics discussed include the importance of YouTube thumbnails and titles, video editing software, and balancing experiencing with documenting.

Learn how to trace your ancestral roots with the 23 and Me health and ancestry DNA test. While Marc explains the process and science behind these home DNA tests, topics including the cost, accuracy, and even
dog DNA tests are discussed on this episode.

Marc also explains that you should buy your 23 and Me kit during the annual Black Friday sale in order to get the best deal.

While you have rentable electric scooters and Uber to get around a city, what if you need to travel to another city? Introducing BlaBlaCar — yet another addition to the sharing economy.

This long distance carpooling app allows passengers to buy a seat in a driver's personal vehicle for a longer distance trip between cities. While the cost of a driver's trip is offset by payment from the rider(s), an otherwise empty car is filled with passengers who need to get to the same destination as the driver.

Learn about this awesome app, why it's called BlaBlaCar, and hear about Tony's personal experience using the app in Spain.

As Tony is preparing to travel again, Marc and Tony discuss some of the apps that help overcome the language barrier when traveling abroad. Tony talks about some difficult situations when the language barrier was really tough to overcome. The two talk about some tips when trying to communicate with a non-English speaker and the apps that have helped them out the most. Also, Tony reveals where his next destination is.

As Tony is preparing to travel again, this time he needs to get a whole bunch of travel vaccines for his upcoming trip to Southeast Asia. In addition to explaining what vaccines are, Marc—an immunology PhD student—busts myths about vaccines. The two not only talk about vaccine recommendations, but touch on immunization prices including Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Cholera, Japanese Encephalitis, Teatnus, Malaria, and the common flu.

The Big Data Revolution. Have you heard this buzzword? In this episode, Tony and Marc talk about what "big data" means to them and some of the practical uses of it. The two describe how they first heard about it and also discuss the future of big data.

We all hate paying fees, especially when traveling. In this week's episode, Tony reveals his three best tips for avoiding fees when traveling. Learn how to avoid foreign transaction fees, ATM fees, and how to get the best exchange rate.

You never know how to get around Rome until someone tells you how and in this episode Tony and Marc give you the best insight on how to save money when traveling to Rome, Italy. They discuss their favorite tourist spots and how to get to multiple attractions for cheaper than usual. They also go into how to avoid lines at the tourist spots and the best ways to get around the city to maximize your time in the eternal city.

In this episode Marc and Tony continue their talk of new automotive technology with their discussion about autonomous or self-driving cars. They talk about the companies developing this technology, the technology used to make a car drive by itself, and some of the mainstream concerns about self-driving cars. Tony also explains to Marc how he thinks the software of self-driving cars work and gives his expectations of the future for car autonomy. Also, a special guest stops by to give some input on this discussion...have a listen and find out who it is!

In this episode Marc and Tony talk about the electric car movement and why these high-priced vehicles are attractive options for people looking to get into the electric car field. They discuss some of the pros and cons of electric cars and also a couple of tidbits about the battle between gasoline and electricity. If you're interested in purchasing an electric car and have no idea how they work then take a listen and dream of driving that Tesla!

In this episode Tony talks to Marc about his social media addiction and the steps he's taking to stop it. The two also talk about why Marc left social media and how he feels about this decision. Is a social media cleanse right for you? Have a listen and decide for yourself and while we're on the subject of social media...how about giving us a follow down below!

In early 2018, Tony went on a 5 week backpacking India adventure. During his time traveling through India, Tony visited a dozen different cities.

In addition to seeing the obligatory Taj Mahal, Tony slept under the stars in the desert, celebrated the Holi festival, walked through the streets of slums, and even played a British soldier as an extra on a Bollywood movie set.

While this week's episode is a bit long, it's packed full of valuable information on backpacking India. Chances are that by the end of the episode, you will want to go on your on trip through India.

Back in 2016, Marc and Tony separately went on Alaska cruises... at the same time. Marc and his family sailed on Celebrity Cruise Lines while Tony toured around on Royal Caribbean. They both agree that cruising is the most economical and most relaxing way to see Alaska.

Join us in this week's episode as we reminisce on our 8 day Alaska cruises where we got a chance to see Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway, Seward, and the Hubbard Glacier.

After nearly 3 months down under, Tony returns from his Australia and New Zealand backpacking trip. In part 2 of this two part series, Marc interviews Tony now that he's back in the states to see how his trip went and to compare his expectations versus reality.

Here are a few blog posts that Tony wrote about his backpacking trip to Australia and New Zealand.

Ever wonder how to build a website? In this episode, Tony—someone who has built and maintains multiple websites—teaches you exactly what you need to do in order to get your website up and running. Topics such as domain names, website hosting, and Wordpress are all covered. By the end of this episode, you'll have enough knowledge to start your own website.

In this ultimate guide to live streaming with Twitch, Marc teaches you everything you need to know about streaming video in 2019. Not only will you learn what live streaming is and why it's so popular, but Marc takes you step-by-step through setting up your first live stream.

In this episode, tech and travel merge together when Tony and Marc talk about ride sharing apps Uber and Lyft. They talk about the history of each company, their experiences with each app, and about a future where people give up their cars and only use ride sharing.

In this Episode, Tony and Marc Talk about the hobby of using Points and Miles to Travel the World for Free! We explain the difference between poitns and miles, the best ways to use miles, and where to spend them. This episode primarily focuses on the Chase Ultimate Rewards System.

Part 2 in the 2 part series on investing is all about hands off investing with robo advisors. The two big players in the robo advisor field are Betterment in Wealthfront.

Listen as Tony and Marc explore the world of robo advisors, compare and contrast Betterment vs Wealthfront, and talk about hidden fees, risk tolerance, and ETFs.

In this episode Tony and Marc explain how to make money through passive financial investing schemes. This is part 1 of a 2 part series exploring stocks, bonds, and high yield savings accounts.

This episode walks you through Marc's through process for build a custom PC from parts!