Michael's been frustrated with his current podcast app for months, so he did what any reasonable person would do: opened Claude, wrote a PRD, and started building. Thirty-six versions later, there's a working iOS podcast app with a cross-platform plan, real testers giving feedback, and a list of features pulled straight from what blind podcast listeners actually want.

We get into the build process, including why Michael went with a phased approach, the testers who caught things he never would have (player controls missing above the tab bar, search being completely broken, follow buttons not changing to unfollow), and the features people keep asking for like folders and OPML import/export for subsets of subscriptions. Damashe also makes the case for GitHub labels and milestones so feature creep doesn't eat the project alive.

From there, things go sideways into Apple's developer experience, which is rough. App Store Connect in Safari with VoiceOver is a mess. Damashe has had to switch to Chrome just to accept terms and conditions. Michael couldn't add testers to a TestFlight group from Safari at all. We hope WWDC has something to say to the wave of vibe coders showing up to Apple's ecosystem this year.

We pivot to AI usage in general and make a case for the people who aren't building apps or websites: use these tools to understand things you're not an expert in. Commercial leases, tax code, anything dense and unfamiliar. Feed it the document, ask questions, then verify the answers in a different tool to check for consistency. The AI didn't change Damashe's behavior, by the way. Search has been bad for years. AI just gave him a way around it.

Plus: Lyft vs Uber pricing (Lyft was significantly cheaper for both of us this trip), scheduling airport pickups with flight tracking, why Michael won't schedule rides if he can help it, a shoutout to Vijesh at the Hyatt in San Francisco, Damashe needs a new rolling suitcase, and a reminder to Tip Jar subscribers to check your email this week.

• The vibe-coded podcast app: thirty-six builds, real testers, what's working
• Why Michael built it: frustration with his current app, wanting cross-platform
• PRDs as a starting point for AI-assisted projects
• Tester feedback that mattered: player controls, search, follow buttons, folders, OPML subsets
• GitHub labels and milestones for managing feature creep
• App Store Connect accessibility, or the lack of it
• Practical AI usage for non-developers: leases, tax code, things you don't know
• Verifying AI answers across different tools
• Lyft vs Uber: pricing, scheduled pickups, flight tracking
• Airport tips: leave early, turn off your VPN before you try to use the rideshare app
• Hotel shoutout: Vijesh at the Hyatt in downtown San Francisco
• Auphonic as a way listeners can support podcasts
• Tip Jar subscribers: check your email

• Technically Working: https://technicallyworking.show
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• Michael on Mastodon: @payown@dragonscave.space
• Damashe on Mastodon: @damashe@technically.social
• Show bot: @tw@technically.social
• Auphonic: https://auphonic.com

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Michael and Damashe catch up from two different locations this week. Damashe is recording from a hotel room in Orlando with the Beta 87A he found at the bottom of his AT Guys backpack. Michael shares an exciting podcast launch and a new writing experiment on Substack.

Topics covered in this episode:

• ACB National Convention 2026 in St. Louis: registration opens May 28 for members, June 4 for non-members. Convention runs July 24 through July 31 in person, with virtual programming starting July 13.
• Meetup plans: if you'll be in St. Louis between July 25 and 29, send an email and we'll set something up. Send restaurant recommendations too, especially the hole-in-the-wall spots.
• Marriott vs Hilton: Damashe is collecting Bonvoy points and would pick a Marriott most days.
• Our Perspective podcast launch: Michael's new show with a friend drops in early June. Two completely blind people talking about how they get through life. Trailer publishes Tuesday, Episode 1 follows shortly after. Search "Our Perspective" wherever you get podcasts.
• Using Claude to generate the show artwork and learning how to push back when an AI says it can't do something.
• Substack update: Michael started a Substack at payown.substack.com. AI helps draft posts based on what he's been working on each week. Search Payown on Substack to follow.
• GitHub featured Michael's video about Builder on LinkedIn to their 6.4 million followers.
• Pinecast tip: listener.email is a beta feature that gives your podcast a private email address so your personal inbox does not end up in the public podcast database. Use the discount code in the show notes for 40 percent off your first months of Pinecast.
• bag review update: the zipper finally gave out under heavy packing. Still a solid bag, but worth knowing the limits.
• Pirate Ship plug for shipping AT Guys demo gear and saving real money on labels.
• Wingstop talk, dry rub preferences, and the new Citrus Mojo flavor.
• A handheld 2 meter / 70 centimeter radio that was marketed as fully accessible but is not. At 49 dollars it is still a reasonable buy for what you actually get. Reach out if you want more details.
• San Francisco meetup: Michael will be in the city May 20 through 23. Reach out if you want to connect.
• Austin meetup: Damashe will be at NFB Convention July 3 through 8. Stop by the AT Guys booth or email to set up a meetup.
• Travel app idea: a Lyft vs Uber price comparison app that did not quite work. Still searching for a good one.
• Backup recording confession: Michael forgot to start Audio Hijack again.

Get in touch: Email feedback@technicallyworking.show Mastodon: @payown@dragonscave.space, @damashe@technically.social, @tw@technically.social Hashtag: #TechnicallyWorking

Support the show: tip jar link in the show notes.

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This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-431b7d for 40% off for 4 months, and support Technically Working.

Mike's back from a workation and Damashe is recording from a cardboard box in his old office because the new office already isn't big enough. We get into audio app updates, the travel boom arm setup, a new podcast project called Our Perspective, and answer a listener question about starting an email list without breaking the bank.

Damashe shares the news that he's already moved to a bigger space, two doors down from the original office, and walks through his automation plans: Home Assistant, Ubiquiti Access for door entry, sensors everywhere, and cameras inside and out. We talk Lucid radios as a possible replacement for giving employees phones, the Perkins Bloom add-on (and why $300 feels steep), Tailscale wins while traveling, and a quick PSA on the recent Linux vulnerabilities.

In this episode:

• Audio Hijack, Loopback, and SoundSource updates
• Travel boom arm review and mobile recording setup
• Our Perspective podcast launching early June
• Listener question: free options for starting an email list (MailChimp, Groups.io, Kit)
• Teams, SharePoint, and syncing files locally
• Lucid radio follow-up and deploying them in a business
• Office move update: twice the space, front-to-back access
• Home Assistant vs Homey Pro, Ubiquiti Access, and sensor plans
• Perkins Bloom: $300 to turn your Brailler into a Bluetooth keyboard
• Throwback to Braille 'n Speak, Braille Lite, and Mountbatten
• Linux vulnerability PSA: update your machines
• Tailscale for remote access while traveling

Support Technically Working by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/technically-working

Find out more at https://technically-working.pinecast.co

Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/technically-working/bb830347-99fa-41f1-aaeb-177fa457b8af

This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-431b7d for 40% off for 4 months, and support Technically Working.