Macstock’s Speakers & Sessions

Weekend Speakers

Wally Cherwinski

Wally Cherwinski

Michael D.J. Eisenberg

Michael D.J. Eisenberg

Brian Flanigan-Arthurs

Brian Flanigan-Arthurs

Jeff Gamet

Jeff Gamet

Dave Ginsburg

Dave Ginsburg

Dave Hamilton

Dave Hamilton

Marty Jencius

Marty Jencius

Chuck Joiner

Chuck Joiner

Jill McKinley

Jill McKinley

Mike Schmitz

Mike Schmitz

Kirschen Seah

Kirschen Seah

Allison Sheridan

Allison Sheridan

Brett Terpstra

Brett Terpstra

Weekend Sessions

Keep an eye on this page! We’re busy confirming this year’s line up and finalizing presentation topics.

As we get closer to Macstock Weekend, the order of the sessions below will change to reflect the day and time each of our presenters will appear on Macstock’s stage!

Levelling up your Home Automation

Kirschen Seah

You’ve just set up your HomeKit/Thread-based smart home and would like to expand capabilities and use other devices as well as ways to script and control your smart home devices. We’ll explore the plethora of smart home devices, helpful software applications, and tying functionality together with scripts and triggers.

About Kirschen

My background is Computer Sciences with interests in Software Engineering, User Experience, and Mac OS X / iPhone OS development. I started programming with BASIC in 1978 on an Apple ][ and have over 30 years of experience in the field. I worked on OPENSTEP (precursor to Mac OS X Cocoa) graphical prototyping applications initially when I joined Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace) in 1999. I was a Senior Principal Systems Engineer in the Flight Management Systems department focussed on the user interface for pilot interaction. Prior to joining Rockwell Collins I worked at Acuity (formerly ichat) developing interactive user interfaces for live chat customer service agents. As I’m retired, there’s now more time to share technical insights on my blog, develop useful scripts (Python, shell), and write Shortcuts. I’m really motivated to share my experience to help fellow software practitioners develop better skills – be that in good design, implementation, or computer science fundamentals. As much as I can, I try to share the delight in discovering how iOS and macOS applications for productivity and creativity have helped me do better in my personal and (former) work life.

Level Up Your Inbox

Brett Terpstra 

In his talk at Macstock, Brett will focus on email taming and the method he’s used for years to keep a clean inbox and low-stress email life, including SaneBox, ingenious smart mailboxes, and the MailMate app.

With a special focus on using the MailMate app on macOS including customizable shortcuts, predicate-based searching, email security options, and integration with your favorite productivity applications, Brett’s talk will survey various methods you can use to tame your email inbox with tools that can be implemented in any email setup. 

About Brett

Brett Terpstra is a blogger, writer, podcaster, and software developer. He co-hosts the Overtired podcast, blogs regularly at BrettTerpstra.com, and has written for publications including LifeHacker, MacStories, and The Unofficial Apple Weblog (RIP). He develops apps like Marked 2 and Bunch, along with dozens of automation tools and command line utilities. During the day he’s a software developer and technical writer at Oracle.

Powering Up the Game: Cutting the Cord and Catching the Action in the Apple Ecosystem

Brian Flanigan-Arthurs

Do you live in the Apple ecosystem, and the only reason why you subscribe to cable or satellite is to watch live sports? You may be able to cut the cord, enjoy the teams and leagues you like, and save a lot of money each month.

This presentation will provide user friendly information on the various live sports streaming apps, characteristics of the subscription services, and ways Apple users can enhance their viewing experience using their favorite devices and operating systems.

About Brian

Brian Flanigan-Arthurs is an educator with a passion for providing results-driven, innovative learning strategies for all students, but particularly those who are at-risk. He is also a tech enthusiast who has a particular affinity for Apple since he first used the Apple IIGS as a student. He also enjoys cheering on: the Phoenix Suns, the Green Bay Packers, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Exploring Apple’s Services: Discovering Their Value and the Benefits of Apple One

Dave Ginsburg

Join Dave at Macstock for a comprehensive exploration of key Apple Services, including Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News, iCloud, and Apple Fitness+. With a focus on Apple News+, Dave will shed light on these often overlooked services and how they can Level Up your Apple experience.

Dave will provide a review of each service’s features, integration with the Apple ecosystem, unique selling points, and the user experience. Additionally, he will introduce Apple One, discussing its bundle concept, components, pricing structure, and cost benefits compared to individual subscriptions.

About Dave

Dave Ginsburg is a podcaster, IT Professional, and is the host of the podcast, “In Touch With iOS” the show that talks about all things iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and related technologies. He is joined by guests from the Apple Community including Jeff Gamet, Ben Roethig, and many others. Dave uses his real world experience as a 25 year IT professional and iPhone subject matter expert to teach and entertain his listeners each week. An early adopter of many Apple products including the iPhone, you can be assured Dave will provide his views on the cutting edge of technology.

Harnessing ChatGPT for Apple Enthusiasts: Revolutionizing Shortcuts, Automations, and AI-Powered Analysis

Michael D.J. Eisenberg

ChatGPT has revolutionized the tech landscape over the past two years! Uncover the synergy between ChatGPT and the Apple ecosystem with our presenter, Michael D.J. Eisenberg, the award-winning host of the The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page Podcast. Michael will guide you through using ChatGPT to create ingenious Apple script shortcuts, automations, and Hazel rules, alongside mastering AI-driven analysis of documents and websites.

Whether you’re streamlining daily tasks or delving deep into content analysis, this session promises to equip you with great tools and insights, simplify your work, and turn your Apple devices into powerhouses of productivity and innovation. Join us to unlock the full potential of your digital world, where cutting-edge AI meets the unparalleled sophistication of Apple.

About Michael

Michael D.J. Eisenberg is a solo practitioner based in Washington, DC, advocating for veterans, military members, and their families for nearly two decades.

Michael has been helping lawyers and law offices utilize technology tools to promote efficiency and effectiveness for decades. He created the blog and podcast in 2019 to share that information and more with the world.

Organizational Bliss with Notion

Jill McKinley

Are you ready to unlock the secret to a seamlessly organized life and skyrocket your productivity? Whether you’re drowning in a sea of tasks, struggling to keep track of your health goals, or simply looking for a magic wand to sort out your chaotic life, Notion has you covered. In her talk at Macstock 8, Jill will guide you through the marvels of Notion, showing you how to customize this all-in-one tool to fit every aspect of your life—work, content creation, personal goals, and beyond. Discover how to create your digital world, where everything you need is just a click away, and unleash your productivity superpowers. Don’t miss this chance to revolutionize how you organize and enjoy a life where every piece falls perfectly into place.

About Jill

Jill McKinley is the Wonder Woman of enterprise software and IT. She’s been working with clinical trials management software for so long that she practically knows the patients by name. She’s like the MacGyver of clinical trials management software, always finding adoptable solutions to real-world research challenges. With over 28 years of experience under her belt, she’s seen it all and conquered it all. She could set up a SharePoint or Citrix server farm with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back.

But Jill’s not all work and no play. Oh no, she’s got a whole other side to her. She’s got not one, not two, but THREE podcasts. Start with Small Steps and Small Steps with God are already up and running, and she’s got a third one in the works about seeing nature in the world around you. She’s like the Oprah of the podcast world, except instead of giving away cars, she’s giving away tips for a better life. She’s a podcasting Swiss Army knife with a tool for every occasion.

And when she’s not working on her podcasts, Jill likes to get back to nature. She’s an avid hiker and birdwatcher, always on the lookout for the next feathered friend to add to her list. And let’s not forget her knitting skills – who knows; maybe she’s even created a cozy little sweater for one of her birdwatching buddies.

Apple Whisperers: Guiding Others to Troubleshoot with Ease

Dr. Marty Jencius

In his talk, Marty will equip you with the skills to teach others about Apple/Mac tech issues, reducing the reliance on you as the go-to tech support for friends, relatives, and co-workers. You may find yourself repeatedly called upon to solve these tech puzzles, a cycle that can be as frustrating for them as it is for you. This session will arm you with practical strategies and the knowledge to break down complex problems into manageable steps, using tools and resources that enhance your troubleshooting skills.

We’ll explore the psychological aspects behind why people often seek your help, including lack of confidence (psychological agency) and fear of technology, and how you can use this understanding to encourage their self-reliance. Through real-life examples, learn how to navigate the common tech support requests you face, turning each into an opportunity for teaching the novice rather than just fixing the problem. This session will transform your approach to tech support, making it less about repeated requests for help and more about empowering each request to solve their problems.

About Marty

Dr. Marty Jencius has been an Associate Professor of Counseling at Kent State University since 2000. He has over 120 publications in books, chapters, journal articles, and others, along with 200 podcasts related to counseling, counselor education, and faculty life. His technology interest led him to develop the counseling profession ‘firsts,’ including listservs, a web-based peer-reviewed journal, The Journal of Technology in Counseling, teaching and conferencing in virtual worlds as the founder of Counselor Education in Second Life, and podcast founder/producer of CounselorAudioSource.net and ThePodTalk.net.

Currently, he produces a podcast about counseling and life questions, the Circular Firing Squad, and digital video interviews with legacies capturing the history of the counseling field. Generally, Marty is chasing the newest tech trends, which explains his interest in A.I. for teaching, research, and productivity. Marty is an active presenter and past president of the NorthEast Ohio Apple Corp (NEOAC).

Level Up Your Creativity with Mind Maps

Mike Schmitz

Whether you consider yourself to be a creative genius or you don’t believe you have a creative bone in your body, mind maps can help you make more of your ideas.

In this session, Mike Schmitz will teach you how to remove the obstacles from the creative process by using mind maps to develop your ideas. He’ll cover some basic principles for effective mind mapping, share some recommended apps and tools, and give several examples of how to use mind maps for various creative workflows from brainstorming to writing to book notes. By the end of this session, you’ll have the tools you need to make the most of your ideas — no matter what shape they happen to come in.

About Mike

Mike Schmitz is a nerd and an independent creator who talks about the intersection of faith, productivity, and tech He’s a YouTuber, screencaster (ScreenCastsOnline), writer (The Sweet Setup), and co-hosts the Focused, Bookworm, and Intentional Family podcasts.

Stepping Up Your Smart Home Strategy

Jeff Gamet

Not sure where to start with your smart home dreams, or how to ramp up to your current smart home setup without everything turning into a frustrating and complicated mess? We’ll explore choosing the right platform, picking the right devices, making a privacy and security strategy, what to do when something goes wrong, if you really need voice control, and more.

Most importantly, you’ll learn how to avoid all the mistakes Jeff made.

About Jeff

Jeff Gamet writes about technology and related topics for companies of all sizes, and is a technology blogger, podcaster, author, and public speaker. He has presented at Macworld Expo, Macstock, 360|iDev, RSA Conference, several WordCamp events, and many other conferences. You can find him on several podcasts such as The Mac Show, The Big Show, MacVoices, In Touch with iOS, Mac OS Ken, and more.

Session Coming Soon

Dave Hamilton

About Dave

Dave Hamilton, a seasoned tech enthusiast, podcaster, and publisher, has dedicated the past three decades to aiding computer users globally. Known for his insightful advice and valuable product recommendations on the Mac Geek Gab podcast, Dave also enjoys an esteemed reputation as the President of BackBeat Media, a network of fiercely independent publishers. His online publishing journey took off with The Mac Observer, an acclaimed Apple news site he co-founded in 1998, later acquired successfully in 2021.

Beyond his tech-savvy persona, Dave embraces a vibrant life filled with music and family in the New Hampshire seacoast. He passionately performs with bands Bitter Pill and Fling, among other musical projects, creating a harmonic balance between his love for technology and music. Alongside his wife, Lisa, he raised their two children amidst this symphony of innovation, passion, and independent spirit, showcasing the power of embracing one’s interests and using them to make a meaningful impact in the world.

Session Coming Soon

Allison Sheridan

About Allison

Allison Sheridan started podcasting in May of 2005, just 7 months after podcasting was invented, and her primary show, the NosillaCast has come out every week without missing an episode since late 2005. From the NosillaCast, she spun off an interview show called Chit Chat Across the Pond and from that with her co-host Bart Busschots another show called Programming By Stealth. She’s a frequent guest on Daily Tech News Show, Clockwise and the SMR Podcast, with appearances on MacBreak Weekly, Cordkillers, Tech’s Message, and The Productive Woman Podcast. She and her husband Steve produce video interviews from trade shows CES, NAB and CSUN’s Assistive Tech conference.

Session Coming Soon

Chuck Joiner

About Chuck

Chuck Joiner has been creating original Apple, Macintosh and tech-oriented audio and video content since 2000. MacVoices, delivered in both audio and video versions, includes one-on-one discussions with authors, developers, pundits, panel conversations on current trends in tech, and real-world hardware and software reviews. With interviewing skills honed by a career in insurance investigation, negotiation and litigation management, and a passion for technology, Chuck delivers content that is curiosity-driven and designed to both inform and entertain.

Professionally, he serves as Vice President of Claim and Property and Casualty Resources for The Alera Group.

Chuck’s credentials include over four years as Chairman of the Apple User Group Advisory Board, speaking appearances at Macworld Expo, User Group University, Macstock Conference and Expo, and The National Association of Broadcasters Show.

He is also Editor-in-Chief of The MUG Center, one of the longest-running Apple User Group resources sites on the web.