How to prevent your car from being stolen

Here’s an alarming thought that should cause you to pause as a driver and car owner: Car theft is rising.

In fact, more than 1 million vehicles were stolen in 2022, representing a 7% increase over 2021 and the most thefts since 2008, according to fresh data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). Disturbingly, more than 250,000 auto thefts were reported in the fourth quarter of 2022 alone. The estimated total vehicle theft losses measured last year is $8.9 billion.

Learn more about states with the highest incidences of car theft, the top 10 most stolen vehicles, how to safeguard against car theft, and what to do if you are the victim of a stolen car by reading my newest article for Carinsurance.com, available here.

Execute a better ground game

It’s never too early to give thought to your home’s curb appeal and the condition and cosmetic appeal of your yard and grounds. If you want to be prouder of the home you own and catch the eye of visitors and passersby, it pays to devote extra focus to landscaping improvements in 2023. Consider, for example, how outdoor spaces have become increasingly important to many homeowners, especially those seeking to amplify al fresco entertainment and backyard parties as well as ecologically-minded Americans.

Learn more about landscape upgrades you can make this year by reading my article on the topic, published in the Daily Herald, available here.

Cineversary podcast marks King Kong's 90th birthday with Phil Tippett, Ray Morton, and Richard Correll

Phil Tippett, Ray Morton, and Richard Correll

In Cineversary podcast episode #57, host Erik Martin celebrates the 90th birthday of King Kong with three great guests: visual effects master Phil Tippett; Ray Morton, author of King Kong: The History of a Movie Icon from Fay Wray to Peter Jackson; and TV actor, director, screenwriter, and producer Richard Correll. Together, they take the scenic route from Skull Island to the Empire State Building as they explore why Kong still matters, how it’s stood the test of time, its huge influence on cinema, and more.

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Audible, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, PodBean, RadioPublic, and Overcast.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cineversary and email show comments or suggestions to cineversegroup@gmail.com. 

Charged up about EVs

Electric vehicles (EVs) and their plentiful perks—like zero emissions, quiet operation, high expected reliability, and cheaper power costs—have Americans buzzing with excitement. But if you’re planning on buying an EV anytime soon, you’re going to need to plan for regular battery charging at convenient and accessible times and locations. That’s why it pays to have a home charging system on your property.

For more information on EV home chargers, check out my newest piece for The Costco Connection magazine, available here.

Keep debt collectors off your back

Debt collectors are those notorious entities that collect debts for others. Credit card companies and banks may sell your debt or turn over your account to a collection agency, which makes money if it manages to collect from you. Some of these collectors can be very aggressive. 

However, you don't have to put up with phone calls (including collection calls at work), emails, voicemails, text messages, or contact through social media. Learn how to control when and how debt collectors communicate with you by reading my latest article for Bills.com, available here.

Exploring AI's impact on speech technology

It’s hardly a surprise that 2022 was a pivotal year for speech technology, especially considering the continued explosion of artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in this space. Numerous noteworthy innovations, developments, and signs of progress were observed over the past year, as were old and new challenges that need to be overcome.

So, where do we stand at this point, in 2023? What’s the state of adoption of speech tech to date, what newsworthy events over the past year are worth revisiting, which shortcomings need to be addressed, and what do the experts forecast over the next year and beyond?

Read my latest article for Speech Technology Magazine for more on this topic, available here.