In this episode of the Bellingham Podcast, AJ Barse and Chris Powell catch up after a summer hiatus. They discuss recent personal experiences, including family vacations and changes in their professional lives. AJ shares his summer adventures, including time spent on San Juan Island and managing life as a working parent. Chris recounts his solo trip to Friday Harbor and his enjoyment of tech-free moments. They also delve into topics like their evolving relationship with personal technology, privacy-focused mobile devices, and the balance between digital and analog experiences. Towards the end, they reflect on the nostalgia of collecting and playing games, particularly focusing on AJ’s experience re-entering the world of Pokémon with his son.

Topics Discussed:

Summer Recap

* AJ’s vacation to San Juan Island and family adventures

* Chris’s solo trip to Friday Harbor and tech-free relaxation

Life Updates

* AJ’s experience balancing work and family life during August

* AJ’s wife landing a job right after graduation

* Chris’s insights into the evolving personal tech landscape and privacy-focused gadgets

Tech Talk

* AJ and Chris discuss personal tech choices like Graphene OS and privacy-focused apps

* Chris’s minimalist approach to tech: ProtonMail, VPN, and offline maps

* The debate on iOS vs. Android and privacy benefits of alternative operating systems

Analog Meets Digital

* AJ’s dive back into the Pokémon trading card game with his son

* Nostalgia around collecting, comics, and trading cards

* Insights on teaching the next generation about gaming, collecting, and community

Looking Ahead

* Upcoming plans for AJ’s 100th scuba dive milestone

* Fall projects, holiday gift ideas, and the continued journey in balancing analog and digital worlds

Listener Reminder:

Tune in on KMRE 88.3 FM for the radio broadcast of the Bellingham Podcast, and stay connected for future episodes!