What Makes the Cut 🎬
From inbox to episode...or not.
Every once in a while, I get asked some version of the same question: “How do you decide what to feature in each episode?” So I figured it’s time to peel back the curtain and walk you through the surprisingly thoughtful (and sometimes chaotic) process of how tech and accessories end up on the channel.
Turns out, most of it falls into three simple buckets, each with its own flavor.
📦 Bucket One: The Big Investments
Think phones, tablets, computers - the heavyweight stuff. I buy over 95% of these myself. No early press units. No special access. Most of the time, I get my hands on things right alongside everyone else.
And I like it that way. It gives me room to breathe. No pressure to be first, no race to shout into the algorithm void. Just enough space to actually use the product, live with it, and tell, hopefully, a good story that feels real.
Yes, sometimes a brand sends over a device, and maybe once or twice a year, there’s a paid segment. But those are always clearly marked. No cloak-and-dagger nonsense. My goals have always been to have the complete freedom of speech, so if I love something, you’ll know. If I don’t, you’ll definitely know.
🎒 Bucket Two: Accessories
This category is where things get a bit more… eclectic. I buy a fair share of them, especially the ones I care deeply about, like smartwatches, earbuds, or an absurdly specific type of desk accessory. That being said, many others do show up at the studio uninvited - cases, grips, chargers, docks, stands, pucks, and everything in between.
Here’s the catch, though: just because something lands on my door doesn’t mean it lands in a video. I only feature items that stand out. Things that impress. The ones that make me go, ‘Wait—this is actually good.’
If it doesn’t earn that moment? It never makes the final cut.
🕹️ Bucket Three: The Passion Purchases
This is the fun pile, the spontaneous buys. The I-don’t-need-this-but-I-want-it category. Think Nintendo Switch 2, a pair of cool speakers, or that one keyboard I totally didn’t need but absolutely love.
These aren’t planned. Sometimes they don’t even have a video in mind. But when they turn out to be special, I can’t help but find a way to talk about them—whether it’s a surprise appearance in a short, a cameo in a desk setup, or a full-on episode I didn’t see coming.
It’s a mix of intention and instinct. I don’t follow trends—I follow curiosity. And if something makes it to the channel, it’s because it earned its spot.
The last two episodes are great examples of how these three worlds collide—definitely worth checking out if you missed them:
Favorite Tech & Accessories:
Favorite iPhone 16 Pro Accessories: