Simplifying tech for real life—Frank Bravo demystifies gadgets, AI, and more with wit, clarity, and practical tips.

Hi, I’m Frank Bravo—technologist and host of Your Tech Makeover, the podcast that gives you tips and tricks to help you simplify and get more out of the technology in your life.

I’ve spent years helping people—from tech newbies to curious pros—navigate the fast-paced, often-confusing world of everyday technology. Whether it’s explaining blockchain in plain English or showing someone how to finally get their inbox to zero, I’ve built a knack for translating complex concepts into relatable, actionable advice.

Your Tech Makeover is built around one goal: making technology less overwhelming and more useful. Each episode covers a single topic like how to back up your devices, how to talk to AI like ChatGPT, or how to keep your family cyber-safe. I also dive into tools people are curious about—like private messaging apps, iCloud, or smart home gadgets—and answer questions like, “Should I care about cryptocurrency?” or “Can I really use my AirPods as hearing aids?”
The show is conversational, with a touch of wit, and designed to make listeners feel like they’re getting friendly, expert advice from someone who’s been there. There’s no co-host, but I occasionally bring on guests (like my own family members!) for special episodes that add a human twist to tech talk.

My listeners are regular people who want to feel more confident and in control of their tech—whether they’re managing family devices, working remotely, or just trying to keep up with what’s new. They appreciate clarity, personality, and a “no dumb questions” approach.

In short, I’m here to help you get past the tech stress and into the good stuff—because tech should make your life easier, not harder.
 

I started Your Tech Makeover because I saw the same thing happening over and over again: people surrounded by technology but unsure how to actually make it work for them. Friends, family, clients—they’d all ask me things like, “Why is my Wi-Fi so slow?” or “Is it safe to use this password manager?” And I’d find myself giving the same tips and explanations, often saying, “I really should just record this once.”

So I did.

I’ve always loved teaching and simplifying the complex. Combine that with the fact that in a previous life I wanted to be an on-air radio personality, the format just made sense. Podcasts are a little different, however, as they let you connect with people in a real, unfiltered way—and I wanted that one-on-one feel where it’s like I’m just chatting with you over coffee while helping you figure out your tech frustrations.

My goal from day one was simple: empower regular people to feel more confident and in control of their tech. Not in a dry “let’s read the manual” kind of way—but in a friendly, conversational way that makes tech feel less intimidating and more useful.

I released my first episode in April 2020 as the COVID pandemic got started because I realized I was not going to be able to help people in person and I had a lot of free time on my hands. Unlike a lot of creators, I knew my format immediately, knew the tech I needed to get started and just did my first recording. That first episode was just a short intro, but it was enough to get the momentum going.

Since then, the show’s evolved, the sound quality improved (thankfully), and the episodes have gotten tighter and more focused. But the mission is the same: simplify, clarify, and help people make the most out of their digital lives.
 

Like many podcasters, I wear multiple hats. I run my own tech consulting business, Bravo IT Consulting, and I am the CTO of a hyperlocal non-profit media organization, all of which keeps me busy—but working hybrid also gives me flexibility. I treat Your Tech Makeover as a passion project with purpose. It’s an extension of the work I already do: helping people untangle their tech messes and feel more confident about the digital world.

Since recommitting to the podcast, I aim to release episodes every other Tuesday. That cadence gives me enough space to research, write, record, edit, and promote each one without burning out—or sacrificing quality. On average, it takes me a couple of hours to produce a single episode from start to finish, depending on how complex the topic is, more if I bring in a guest.

Funding-wise, I cover it all myself. Hosting, web tools, equipment upgrades, and occasional promotional boosts come out of pocket. I keep costs reasonable—less than a few hundred dollars a year (other than upgrading my microphone this past year). I use simple, reliable gear and do my own editing, which is minimal since I 'record live", keeping overhead low.

Occasionally, I’ll get support through listener contributions, which I appreciate deeply (and even offer a tech consult discount for supporters as a thank-you).

I’ve found that podcasting doesn’t require full-time hours—it requires consistency, clarity, and a little creativity. I treat it like any other client project, scheduling time in my week and blocking out focused sessions. And honestly, because I love doing it, it rarely feels like a chore.

The return on investment isn’t just in downloads or dollars—it’s in the emails I get from listeners who finally figured out how to back up their photos or got their family on board with password managers. That kind of impact? Worth every minute.
 

Podcasting has brought me a lot more than just an audio file and a publishing schedule. It’s opened doors, deepened relationships, and helped me grow both personally and professionally. Every episode is an opportunity to learn something new—whether I’m digging into the mechanics of blockchain or simplifying the nuances of location sharing. But more than anything, it’s the conversations that happen after the episodes air that mean the most.

I encourage listeners to write in to share their tech wins—like finally getting their Wi-Fi under control or convincing their parents to use location sharing. That connection is what fuels me. I’ve also had the chance to talk with fellow creators, tech professionals, and even family members on special episodes, which has been incredibly rewarding.

I do take sponsorship and listener support, but I’m selective. I want anything I promote to align with the mission of simplifying tech for everyday people. My first “sponsor” was actually a listener who became a consulting client and wanted to support the show, which led me to the idea of starting to offer small perks for contributors. That’s how the $25 support = $25 off a consult idea was born.

As of now, most of the podcast’s funding still comes out of my own pocket. I occasionally get direct support through the website, and while I’m not (actively) chasing high-dollar ad deals, I’m open to partnerships that genuinely add value to my audience. My downloads are modest but steady—enough to keep growing organically and to build a loyal, engaged base of listeners who trust the content and return for each new episode.

Podcasting has also helped my consulting business. Clients often find me through the podcast, and it gives them a sense of who I am and how I work before we ever speak. So yes, while the podcast doesn’t fully fund itself, it absolutely pays off in ways that matter.
 

My podcasting process is all about keeping things smart and streamlined. Your Tech Makeover isn’t a high-production drama—it’s a direct, helpful, and hopefully entertaining chat about how to make technology work better in your life. That means my setup is designed to be effective without overcomplicating things.

For recording, I use a Shure MV7+ microphone paired. I record and edit using Garageband on my Mac—it’s free, it works, and I know it inside and out. I also use tools like ElevenLabs for transcriptions, and ChatGPT to whip up descriptions, social posts or promo graphics.

Every episode starts with an idea. I come up with a topic based on what I think my audience is struggling with or curious about (and sometimes based on what I’ve just helped a client with). I've trained a ChatGPT model to help me write a full script or a detailed outline depending on the episode type. Since the goal is clarity, I keep things conversational and focused, but still structured enough to deliver value in a short amount of time—usually between 7 and 15 minutes.

When I bring on guests (which I've done once but would like to transition to do occasionally), it’s usually someone I know personally or professionally—like a colleague, friend, or family member who has an interesting take or story to share. I keep the interview vibe relaxed and natural, more like a conversation than a formal Q&A. We record remotely, typically over StreamYard, and I’ll do very little editing afterward.

My goal is always to make the listener feel like they’re eavesdropping on a really helpful conversation, not sitting through a lecture.

In short, my process is practical, nimble, and listener-focused. It’s not about fancy bells and whistles—it’s about making sure people walk away from each episode feeling just a little more empowered about their tech.
 

Marketing Your Tech Makeover is all about meeting people where they already are—usually overwhelmed by their devices and looking for some clarity. I focus on making the show easy to find, easy to share, and easy to understand from the moment someone reads the episode title.
Most listeners discover the show through Apple Podcasts (which consistently accounts for the majority of my downloads), followed by Spotify or YouTube. I also get a steady trickle of traffic through direct links on YourTechMakeover.com and the embedded player on the site.

Social media plays a supporting role. I keep a Facebook page updated with new episodes, short summaries, and links back to the website. I also attempt to use that space to share bite-sized tech tips and engage with listeners encouraging them to comment or ask questions. The tone there matches the podcast—conversational and helpful without being too technical. Beyond that, email is a growing channel. I’ve started building a list where I share episode recaps, bonus tips, and occasional behind-the-scenes insights. It’s still early days, but it’s proving to be a good way to deepen engagement with regular listeners and turn them into long-term fans.

I also rely heavily on the content itself to do some of the marketing. Each episode is optimized with clear titles, good metadata, and SEO-friendly summaries that help with discoverability. And of course, I encourage sharing—whether that’s listeners forwarding an episode to a friend or leaving a review that helps others find the show.

Overall, I’d say my marketing strategy is built on clarity, consistency, and community. I’m not chasing viral growth—I’m focused on building trust, episode by episode.
 

If you’re thinking about starting a podcast—do it. But go in with your eyes open and your expectations grounded. Podcasting is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also work. Fun work, creative work, and meaningful work—but work all the same.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that consistency beats perfection. Your first few episodes might not sound the way you imagined, and that’s okay. You learn by doing. Get that first episode out there, then improve as you go. The tech can always get fancier. Your message, your style, and your connection with your audience—that’s what matters most.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of structure. Even if your style is off-the-cuff, having a plan keeps things focused and helps with editing later. I’ve found that outlining or scripting helps me stay concise, especially when covering complex topics like blockchain or AI. And listeners appreciate when you respect their time, which is why I keep my podcast short.

One tip that really helped me? Batch when you can. If you’re in the groove, record more than one episode. It reduces stress and gives you flexibility down the road. I attempt to record three or four episodes in a session so that I always have some in the pipeline. Also: make peace with your own voice. Listening to yourself is weird at first, but it gets easier.

As for resources, I’ve learned a lot from other creators in the podcasting community—especially in online forums and groups where people share wins and war stories. YouTube is packed with gear reviews and how-to videos. While I've not taken any of her classes, I listen to Rachel Corbett's podcast about podcasting.

And of course, ChatGPT has been an unexpected but incredibly useful collaborator in helping me refine scripts, write episode descriptions, and even come up with social posts.

Above all, remember why you’re doing this. Whether it’s to teach, entertain, or connect, your passion will come through. Listeners can tell when you care—and that’s what keeps them coming back.
 

You can find everything related to Your Tech Makeover at YourTechMakeover.com. That’s the hub for all episodes, show notes, and ways to listen—whether you’re on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms.

If you want to learn more about me and my tech consulting work, visit BravoITC.com. That’s where I help individuals and businesses simplify their tech setups, get organized, and feel more in control of their digital world.

I’m also on Facebook at facebook.com/YourTechMakeover, where I post new episodes, bonus tips, and listener questions. It’s a great place to join the conversation or drop a topic idea.
Want to reach out directly? You can always email me at frank@yourtechmakeover.com.

If you’d like to support the podcast, you can do that through the link on YourTechMakeover.com. Supporters who give $25 or more also get $25 off a one-on-one consultation with me to help simplify your tech—even more reason to join the community!