Beyond the Device Podcast — Episode 1: Why We Started & the Future of Tech
We're excited to introduce Beyond the Device, a brand-new monthly podcast from Strictli. Each month, founder Landon Mooney sits down to talk about what's happening in tech, what's changing in business, and what we're seeing behind the scenes — with the occasional guest who uses technology in interesting ways.
Whether you're a business owner, tech enthusiast, school administrator, IT director, or just someone trying to keep up, this one's for you. Here's a recap of everything we covered in Episode 1.
Why we started Beyond the Device
Strictli began life as Strictly Apple — but the business, like technology itself, has grown well beyond that. Today we help people and organizations buy, sell, recycle, and repair all kinds of tech, working with schools, businesses, nonprofits, and thousands of customers across the country.
Along the way, the same questions keep coming up: What device should I buy? What actually happens to recycled electronics? Why are businesses upgrading? What's changing with AI? A Facebook post or a TikTok video only goes so far. We wanted a place for the longer conversations — and that's exactly what this podcast is.
A moment that stuck with us: a customer recently brought in a box of old devices to recycle — an iPhone 4, an iPhone 5c, a first-generation iPad, and an iPod Shuffle. Seeing tech from over a decade ago side by side was a great reminder of just how fast this industry moves.
What's happening in tech right now
AI is everywhere. From ChatGPT to AI built into phones, customer service, schools, and small businesses, it's hard to escape. The big questions we're all wrestling with: Is it genuinely helping people? Is it replacing jobs? And what should businesses actually be paying attention to versus just hype?
Devices are lasting longer. Not long ago, people upgraded their phone every two years. Today, many keep the same device for four to six years — thanks to better hardware, longer software support, and improved batteries. Which raises a fair question: do you really need the newest device every year? (As Landon put it on the show: what do you want your phone to do — make a pizza? Do your laundry?)
Refurbished tech has gone mainstream. With inflation and budget-conscious shoppers — and more businesses buying refurbished to stretch their budgets — certified pre-owned devices are no longer a fringe choice. They're often the smart one. It's a big part of what we do every day at Strictli.
What most businesses don't realize
One thing that still surprises us is how much technology sits completely unused. We've walked into closets full of laptops, shelves of iPads, stacks of old Chromebooks, and forgotten networking equipment — thousands of dollars of hardware gathering dust.
So here are two questions worth asking around your own office: How much unused tech is sitting in your building right now? And what could it actually be worth? We've seen companies throw away equipment that still had real value — value that could have been recovered.
Sitting on idle tech? We make it easy to turn unused devices into cash or recycle them responsibly. Sell or trade in your devices →
Tech recycling & sustainability
Electronics don't belong in a landfill — for environmental reasons and for data security ones. Responsible recycling matters, and a lot of people genuinely want to do the right thing; they just don't know where to go. That's where we come in.
When a device is recycled responsibly, it rarely just “disappears.” Depending on its condition, it can be given a second life through reuse, refurbishment, parts harvesting, or material recovery. As Landon said on the episode: technology doesn't always have to end up in a landfill — sometimes it just gets a second life.
Behind the scenes at Strictli
We also pulled back the curtain a bit. New tech is always coming out, so we're constantly adding the devices we buy back to the site. Over the last 90 days we've been to three networking events to work with schools and businesses, with two more on the calendar — and it's always great to compare notes with IT folks who get it.
There are plenty of fun moments too: the gentleman who wanted top dollar for a Windows 7 machine and walked out when we offered to recycle it for free; the customers who know far more than we do and keep us on our toes (a good problem to have). At the end of the day, we're here to help our customers and find the next great home for every device.
True story: we recently helped a school clear out older technology and they walked away with enough to buy lunch for their entire staff the next day. Sometimes it's enough for a used car — other times people are just happy to recycle and get something back for it.
This month's question
We'll end every episode with a question for you. For Episode 1: What piece of technology has had the biggest impact on your life? We'd love to hear your answer — and any questions you want us to tackle on a future episode.
Email the show: POD@STRICTLI.TECH
Coming up next month
In Episode 2, we're tackling a topic that affects almost everyone: why technology costs what it costs — and whether buying the newest device is actually worth it. Follow Beyond the Device so you don't miss it, and share it with someone who loves tech, business, or a good behind-the-scenes story.
“Remember, technology is about more than just the device. This is Beyond the Device.”
Frequently asked questions
What is Beyond the Device?
It's Strictli's monthly podcast, hosted by founder Landon Mooney, covering technology, business, sustainability, and what we see behind the scenes in the refurbished-tech world.
How often do new episodes come out?
Once a month. Episode 1 introduces the show and the future of tech; Episode 2 looks at what technology really costs.
How can I send in a question?
Email us anytime at POD@STRICTLI.TECH — we read them and may answer yours on a future episode.
Does Strictli buy and recycle business technology?
Yes. We help schools and businesses recover value from unused devices and recycle responsibly. Start with our sell & trade-in page.