Special Events
Mike Potter details the MacStock IX Digital Pass—three days of workshops and sessions captured with upgraded production, complete with slides and bonus moments. An early audio issue was fixed in post, and all content streams online for on-demand viewing. Attendees already have access; others can purchase the pass, download the schedule, and start watching. Plus: a teaser for MacStock X, July 10–12, 2026.
The Road to Macstock Conference and Expo wraps up in a conversation with Jeff Gamet where he previews his Macstock session on improving online privacy and security in practical, accessible terms. He shares some strategies to reduce tracking, protect against identity theft, and safely browse and shop online—without overwhelming jargon. Topics Jeff will address include on-device safety, ad tracking, DNS, and HTTPS, all presented with real-world examples.
Kelly Guimont returns to The Road to Macstock Conference and Expo to talk about her session on practical, privacy-conscious home automation. Starting from zero, she will help attendees make informed choices and avoid feeling overwhelmed, with real-life examples and insights drawn from years of experience. She also shares why MacStock remains a favorite event—thanks to its community, connection, and even the karaoke.
The Road to Macstock and Macstock Conference and Expo takes us to Jill McKinley, who previews her upcoming talk on how Apple’s ecosystem helped her lose weight and build a healthier lifestyle. She will explain how the Apple Watch, Fitness+, and apps like MyNetDiary and Todoist make tracking effortless, with reminders and data centralization driving consistency. In typical Jill fashion, her session will guide attendees through the full range of Apple’s health tools with small, sustainable steps.
In a first for both The Road to Macstock and Macstock Conference and Expo itself, Marty Jencius and his son Will Jencius team up for a father-son presentation on travel tech, inspired by their podcast Gear Up and Go. They share how tech frustrations while traveling sparked the idea, how two generations bring different perspectives to gear choices, and what attendees can expect from their interactive, audience-involving session.
Special Events
In this Road to Macstock Conference and Expo conversation we welcome longtime speaker Kirschen Seah to discuss her upcoming session, Passkeys Demystified. Kirschen explains the promise of passkeys as a more secure, user-friendly alternative to passwords, and why adoption has been slower than expected. She shares insights into how passkeys work using public key cryptography, addresses common concerns about biometric data, and outlines how password managers like Apple Keychain and 1Password integrate with the system. With real-world scenarios and practical examples, Kirschen aims to help attendees confidently adopt passkeys and understand the evolving standards behind them.
Mike Schmitz returns to the Road to Macstock Conference and Expo to discuss his session, “Think Different: Using AI as Your Creative Copilot.” He explains how he uses AI not to automate the end product, but to enhance the early stages of the creative process—particularly brainstorming and idea generation. By reframing “hallucinations” as sparks of inspiration, Mike shares how large language models help overcome creative bottlenecks, reduce friction, and support consistency without sacrificing originality. He also highlights specific tools that allow independent creators to scale their reach more effectively and thoughtfully.
Conference organizer Mike Potter joins us for a special live Road to Macstock Conference and Expo update on the news at the one-month-and-counting mark. Updates include an extended hotel block, session updates, and community-focused surprises. He explains how the “hallway track” and casual meetups define the event’s spirit, while new tech upgrades promise smoother production. Attendees can expect workshops, evening mixers, and the return of the Mac Geek Gab live show—all fostering connection and creativity.
On The Road to Macstock Conference and Expo Allison Sheridan previews both her workshop and her session. Her main talk focuses on how everyone has something valuable to contribute, while her workshop explores the advanced capabilities of Apple Photos on the Mac. Both sessions reflect her passion for empowering others through technology and developing community.
Katie Fawkes and Doc Rock from Ecamm join The Road to Macstock Conference & Expo to discuss how video has become essential in both personal and professional life. They share their excitement about sponsoring and presenting at Macstock, offering hands-on demos, conversations, and practical advice. From remote church services to family memorials, they highlight how easy it is to create meaningful content with tools like Ecamm, and why video is now accessible to everyone—no tech background required.
This Road to Macstock Conference and Expo has a familiar face: David Ginsburg has been a consistent presence at Macstock since the conference started up. Dave previews his presentation on Apple screen capture tools, highlighting apps like Snagit, Camtasia, and CleanShot X with an emphasis on practical use cases, cross-platform support, and integration with video workflows.
On this stop on The Road to Macstock Conference and Expo we pick up a first time speaker for the event. Chris Cook shares her journey as a blind tech instructor and advocate for accessibility, and previews her talk on empowering blind and low vision Mac users through a range of inclusive software tools. Chris emphasizes how accessible technology benefits everyone and encourages greater awareness and proactive approaches to digital inclusion.
The latest Road to Macstock Conference and Expo digs into AI and a presentation by Marty Jencius that will that focuses on Apple Intelligence and the practical integration of AI in education and productivity workflows. Drawing from his experience as an educator and technologist, Marty discusses how AI tools like ChatGPT can be tailored for better, safer results by feeding them curated, domain-specific content. He emphasizes the shift from one-off prompts to ongoing dialogue with AIs and highlights the importance of adapting teaching models to incorporate these evolving tools.
On The Road to Macstock Conference and Expo, Brittany Smith previews her workshop on simplifying social media posting through automation. She explains practical ways to streamline workflows using tools like Keyboard Maestro, combining personalization with efficiency while reducing distractions and technical fear. The conversation highlights adaptable strategies for customizing content across platforms without requiring coding skills.
Subscribe to the MacVoices Dispatch email newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest Apple and technology news. Get exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox and be part of our tech enthusiast community.
Check out the MacVoices blog for the latest news and catch up on Chuck's guest appearances on other podcasts.
Discover MacVoices through our exclusive Flipboard magazine! Delve into the realm of innovation and stay up-to-date with the latest trends in Apple technology. Join us on Flipboard today.