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Mac Power Users

Relay
Apple
Productivity
Artificial Intelligence
Apple Intelligence
Automation
Ipad
Siri
Squarespace
Apple Technology
Icloud
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Shortcuts
Notion
Apple Silicon
Iphone
Macos
One Password
Keyboard Maestro
Vision Pro
Apple Watch

Learn about getting the most from your Apple technology with focused topics and workflow guests. Creating Mac Power Users since 2009, one conversation at a time. Hosted by David Sparks and Stephen Robles.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes861Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Technology

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Artwork for Mac Power Users

Latest Episodes

In search of the perfect kanban-style project management app, Stephen couldn't find what he was looking for. So, he built his own! We discuss the current landscape of tasks apps, where Kan Do differs, and how it was built.

This episode of Mac Power... more

YouTube

Merlin Mann returns to Mac Power Users 16 years after being our very first guest to break down the AI system he's built — Codex, "triangulation," 31 cross-indexed data sources, and the infamous "Friday Incident."

This episode of Mac Power Users is ... more

YouTube

David and Stephen turn the show on themselves: bags, chargers, MagSafe batteries, and fitness trackers. No tangential gadget is left behind.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

• Ecamm: Powerful live streaming platform for Mac.

• Dec... more

Teacher of teachers Ian Byrd returns to share how he's created thousands of videos using an unlikely stack: Keynote for visuals, Descript for editing, and iPad Pro for using AI remotely.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

• Ecamm: Po... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Merlin Mann
Original Mac Power Users guest; writer and podcaster
Independent
Episode: 860: The Friday Incident with Merlin Mann
Ian Byrd
Teacher of teachers; founder of Byrd Seed and Byrd Seed TV
Byrd Seed
Episode: 858: Making Educational Videos for 17 Years with Ian Byrd
Myke Hurley
Co-founder of Relay, host of Upgrade, Connected
Relay
Episode: 852: Designed in California and WWDC Wishlist with Myke Hurley
Patrick Rhone
Apple consultant and author focused on intentionality
Patrick Rhone (author of Enough and Minimal Mac)
Episode: 845: Intentional Technology with Patrick Rhone
Brett Terstra
Developer and founder of Bear and Glass
Bear and Glass
Episode: 843: Bear and Glass Teaches Keyboard Control
Christopher Gambray Wallencheck
Co-founder of Bear and Glass
Bear and Glass
Episode: 843: Bear and Glass Teaches Keyboard Control
David Pogue
Author and tech journalist, author of Apple, The First 50 Years
Author, PBS Nova, New York Times tech columnist
Episode: 839: Fifty Years of Apple with David Pogue
Chris Bailey
Author and podcaster who filled in for Stephen Hackett
Episode: 834: I Am The Tardis
Stephen Robles
New co-host of Mac Power Users, former podcaster with Apple Insider
Episode: 834: I Am The Tardis

Hosts

David Sparks
Host of the show; long-time Mac power user and writer with focus on Apple ecosystems.
Stephen Robles
Co-host with a background in music and tech; contributes to Apple-focused workflows and automation discussions.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.1k ratings
  • Wow another great host

    I’m very excited that Stephen has joined the show! I missed listening to him in a podcast format since he left Apple insider. Great to have him back! Going to make this show a weekly listen in my podcast lineup

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mxxyzptlk
    United States2 months ago
  • no longer listenable

    since the host change even the guests seem to all be egotists and not connected to us normal folk

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    skramer49
    United States2 months ago
  • Host Change Still Great Show

    I’ve been a long time listener and always enjoyed both the content and the dynamic between David and Stephen H. When there is a host change, you never know how it will work. Stephen R. Has been a great addition to the show. I’ve enjoyed his YouTube and other programs. He’s a great addition to MPU. Keep up the good work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    abc3+
    United States4 months ago
  • Great Show - episode 839

    Loved the discussion with David Pogue!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hog fan and Cowboy fan
    United States5 months ago
  • Peak Edutainment

    I listen to this in my sleep, and I swear I am learning from this in my sleep.

    Also, this podcast is ranked 61 in technology. I also like the swap of Stephens, Keep up the great work, David

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    review guyer 15
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Host transition has been positively received by long-time listeners.
Guests and topics often feel practical and useful for real-world workflows.
Listeners praise consistency and the dynamic between hosts.
Some critiques note excessive focus on certain topics or ads in some episodes.
Audience enjoys in-depth discussions on automation and Apple ecosystems.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#66
United States/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#89
United Kingdom/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#108
Canada/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#96
Australia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#123
Germany/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#170
Italy/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

860: The Friday Incident with Merlin Mann
Q: Can you explain the concept of 'triangulation' and how you use data sources with LLMs?
Merlin describes triangulation as pulling from many data stores (transcripts, photos, subtitles, notes) to cross-check and contextualize information, enabling more accurate and connected outputs, and stresses setting up reliable data pipelines to support this workflow.
860: The Friday Incident with Merlin Mann
Q: How do you decide what tasks to hand to an AI versus doing them yourself?
He emphasizes a clear division of labor, using the AI for mechanical, repetitive tasks and as a helper to organize and summarise, while preserving core creative control and decision-making for himself and trusted collaborators.
850: Overcast Transcripts and 48 Mac minis with Marco Arment
Q: Do you foresee a shift to local models on phones in the future, reducing the need for Mac minis?
Yes, as phones get faster and local models become capable, the need for a large Mac mini rack may diminish; the long-term plan is for devices to handle more processing locally and share results across users, though this will depend on model quality and efficiency.
850: Overcast Transcripts and 48 Mac minis with Marco Arment
Q: What model of transcription are you using on-device versus server-side, and why?
I rely on Apple's built-in speech transcription API on the device for certain tasks because it integrates well with iOS and provides acceptable speed, but for scale I use server-side Mac minis with Overcast Transcription to handle large volumes and ensure consistency across users.
850: Overcast Transcripts and 48 Mac minis with Marco Arment
Q: Marco, how many Mac minis are you running for Overcast Transcription and why that specific number?
I run 48 Mac minis because that many devices are needed to keep up with new podcasts being released daily; it provides enough parallelism to transcribe episodes at scale, given current hardware capabilities and the service's requirements.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Mac Power Users

What is Mac Power Users about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Mac Power Users revolves around maximizing the use of Apple technology through practical workflows, tips, and in-depth guest discussions. Episodes frequently cover Mac and iOS productivity, automation, smart home setups, and AI-assisted workflows, often with guests who are practitioners or thought leaders in tech, writing, or Apple-focused ecosystems. Listeners likely value hands-on techniques, deep dives into tools like Keyboard Maestro, Shortcuts, and home automation, and thoughtful perspectives on staying productive within Apple ecosystems. The show is distinguished by its long-running, steady format, practical problem-solving, and a willingness to explore both hardware and software ecosystems with a focus on power users and professional... more

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How many listeners does Mac Power Users get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Mac Power Users?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Mac Power Users:

1. Connected
2. Upgrade
3. AppStories
4. The Talk Show With John Gruber
5. Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting

How many episodes of Mac Power Users are there?

Mac Power Users launched 15 years ago and published 861 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Mac Power Users?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Mac Power Users?

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What guests have appeared on Mac Power Users?

Recent guests on Mac Power Users include:

1. Merlin Mann
2. Ian Byrd
3. Myke Hurley
4. Patrick Rhone
5. Brett Terstra
6. Christopher Gambray Wallencheck
7. David Pogue
8. Chris Bailey

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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