Terry Becker https://terrycbecker.com/ Storyteller, editor, designer, coder, adventure seeker, grilling enthusiast Mon, 23 Feb 2026 04:33:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Tell Me a Story: Why We Never Outgrow the Need for Stories https://terrycbecker.com/tell-me-a-story-why-we-never-outgrow-the-need-for-stories/ Mon, 09 Feb 2026 07:09:32 +0000 https://terrycbecker.com/?p=4977 Read Time: 2 minutesAbout a week or so ago, I was sitting on the couch watching TV late at night when our daughter Allie came downstairs to join me. She was on a call with a friend, half-present, half-not, when she started asking me questions. About dinosaurs, about the museum and about when I worked there. The kind…

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]]> When It’s Time To Fight https://terrycbecker.com/when-its-time-to-fight/ Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:53:38 +0000 https://terrycbecker.com/?p=4970 Read Time: 3 minutesWe’re taught early that fighting is bad. Don’t hit. Don’t argue. Don’t escalate. Walk away. That advice is mostly good. But it’s incomplete. Because life doesn’t stop presenting moments where not fighting has consequences too. And no one hands you a rulebook explaining when standing up is brave, when it’s reckless, and when silence quietly…

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]]> Alexa+ Early Access: The Future Feels a Lot Like Talking to JARVIS https://terrycbecker.com/alexa-early-access-the-future-feels-a-lot-like-talking-to-jarvis/ Thu, 23 Oct 2025 02:43:32 +0000 https://terrycbecker.com/?p=4957 Read Time: 2 minutesI’ve been an Alexa developer for a long time…building skills, experimenting with voice interactions, and watching the platform evolve from a helpful voice assistant into something much more intuitive. Now, with early access to Alexa+, I can say this isn’t just an upgrade. It’s a shift toward a more human-like interaction…and that’s both exciting and,…

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]]> 10 Tips for a Strong Voice Acting Audition (Including Audiobooks) https://terrycbecker.com/10-tips-for-a-strong-voice-acting-audition-including-audiobooks/ Tue, 19 Aug 2025 03:00:26 +0000 https://terrycbecker.com/?p=4925 Read Time: 2 minutesWhen I first auditioned for a fantasy magic audiobook, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had the gear, I had experience recording, but I had never actually recorded myself as the talent. The process started with preparation: I bought the book, studied the characters, and rehearsed the passages over and over. When it came…

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]]> A Guide to Video Production Lighting Types https://terrycbecker.com/a-guide-to-video-production-lighting-types/ Tue, 08 Jul 2025 03:10:14 +0000 https://terrycbecker.com/?p=4910 Read Time: 2 minutesQuick Summary Key Light: Main light that highlights the subject. Fill Light: Softens shadows created by the key light. Back Light (Rim Light): Adds depth and separates subject from background. Background Light: Illuminates the set or background. Practical Light: Visible in the scene, like lamps or candles. Bounce Light: Indirect light reflected off a surface.…

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]]> Easily Create Date Sequences with This FREE Tool https://terrycbecker.com/easily-create-date-sequences-with-this-free-tool/ Mon, 07 Jul 2025 03:20:36 +0000 https://terrycbecker.com/?p=4832 Read Time: < 1 minuteIf you spend time working with dates in forms spreadsheets or planning documents then having an easy way to generate a list of dates can save you a lot of effort. The Generate Date Sequence tool from Online Tools lets you create a list of calendar dates that follow a pattern you define all in…

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]]> Why Professional Photography Tops AI Headshot Apps https://terrycbecker.com/why-professional-photography-tops-ai-headshot-apps/ Wed, 11 Jun 2025 05:18:16 +0000 https://terrycbecker.com/?p=4888 Read Time: 2 minutesI’m feeling insecure because of AI. I’ve looked into numerous apps, fearful of uploading my image, and have even taken a few shots using Adobe’s AI. There’s been a flood of AI-powered headshot apps promising to deliver “studio-quality” portraits in minutes. With just a few selfies and a credit card, these apps promise LinkedIn-ready headshots…

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]]> A/B Test on TikTok, Win on Instagram: A Smart Strategy to Grow Your Audience https://terrycbecker.com/a-b-test-on-tiktok-win-on-instagram-a-smart-strategy-to-grow-your-audience/ Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:58:09 +0000 https://terrycbecker.com/?p=4835 Read Time: 2 minutesUnderstanding what content resonates can be the difference between stagnation and exponential growth. A clever strategy that’s gaining traction among content creators and marketers is this: A/B test content on TikTok first, then repost the winners to Instagram. This approach not only saves time and energy, but it leverages TikTok’s viral-friendly algorithm to refine your…

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]]> How to Set Up WP Engine Hosting for Event Espresso https://terrycbecker.com/how-to-set-up-wp-engine-hosting-for-event-espresso/ Wed, 14 May 2025 19:22:42 +0000 https://terrycbecker.com/?p=4782 Read Time: 3 minutesWhen you’re hosting events — from small workshops to large conferences — your website needs to be fast, secure, and reliable. That’s where WP Engine comes in. Combined with Event Espresso, one of the best event registration plugins for WordPress, you can create a smooth booking experience for your attendees. This guide will walk you…

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]]> WordPress Revisions: Control, Limit, and Clean Up Your Posts https://terrycbecker.com/wordpress-revisions-control-limit-and-clean-up-your-posts/ Tue, 22 Apr 2025 15:37:18 +0000 https://terrycbecker.com/?p=4775 Read Time: 2 minutesIf you’ve spent any time editing content in WordPress, you’ve likely noticed the “Revisions” section under your posts or pages. WordPress automatically saves each change you make, which can be a lifesaver. However, over time, these revisions can clutter your database and impact site performance. Let’s dive into how you can enable, disable, limit, and…

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