--- title: Picks of the Week 2025 – WELSTech --- - - - - - - - - - [![tunein-svgrepo-com (1)](https://welstech.wels.org/hubfs/tunein-svgrepo-com%20(1).svg) ](https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/WELSTech-Audio-p1206615/) - [![Groups-2-Fill--Streamline-Rounded-Fill-Streamline-Material](https://welstech.wels.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Groups-2-Fill--Streamline-Rounded-Fill-Streamline-Material.png?width=16&height=16&name=Groups-2-Fill--Streamline-Rounded-Fill-Streamline-Material.png) ](https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/g/welstech) - [Stitcher icon ](https://app.stitcher.com/browse/feed/22792) - - - # Picks of the Week 2025 A complete listing of the **Picks of the Week** from 2025 WELSTech episodes [Best of 2025 (Episode 767)](https://welstech.wels.net/2026/01/08/767-best-of-2025/?hsLang=en) ### AI - AI for meeting notes, summary, and action items - [Otter.ai](https://otter.ai/) - [Fireflies.ai](https://fireflies.ai/) - [Comparing the two](https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQecYkpQE9vBR0_pT6k4NroQD4lMomNIoQOHqVZObYwS3rk8t2ER7PRUe7FBrLRNjobAyoFNlpC3ik0/pub) - [AI Toolkit for Schools](https://www.commonsense.org/education/AI-toolkit-for-school-districts) from Common Sense Media - Education Week article – [Putting AI to work in schools is difficult. A new toolkit outlines how to do it.](https://www.edweek.org/technology/putting-ai-to-work-in-schools-is-difficult-a-new-toolkit-outlines-how-to-do-it/2025/06) - [*Elevating Educational Design with AI*](https://www.amazon.com/Elevating-Educational-Design-Accessible-Inclusive/dp/1948334771) by Catlin Tucker and Katie Novak - [Google AI mode](https://labs.google.com/search/experiment/22) - Google [Gemini Storybook Gem](https://gemini.google/overview/storybook/) – [Example – featuring anime Jason & Rachel](https://gemini.google.com/share/37252aa0de13) - [Google Learn About](https://learning.google.com/experiments/learn-about/signup) - [Hour of AI](https://csforall.org/en-US/hour-of-ai) - [Hume](https://www.hume.ai/) – Voice AI - [Notebook LM App](https://notebooklm.google/) - [Notebook LM](https://notebooklm.google.com/) Video Overview – [Example](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hf9vGSW22EyG81lT2a0DZoHqZi3fQhEs/view?usp=sharing) - [Perplexity AI weighs in on eye strain](https://www.perplexity.ai/search/what-are-some-helpful-suggesti-_PNjWjRURcOYQEWD4w9XPw) - [Plaud](https://www.plaud.ai/) – AI audio recorder - [Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT | Coursera](https://www.coursera.org/learn/prompt-engineering) - [Recent church tech ideas from Kim Komando, summarized by Google Gemini](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O59e32l6kTs2tYTVVVF6pYkROFPEAiBhTk989rz5-FE/edit?usp=sharing) - ['Saved Info' is Gemini's Hidden Superpower](https://lifehacker.com/tech/saved-info-google-gemini) - [The Impact of AI on Missions](https://connect.frontierventures.org/mission-frontiers/the-impact-of-ai-on-missions) - [The Prompt that Organizes Your Chaos](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sZIVZuMDn2yaCla-2bK2Ii-JeKaSWUjdRYljAfGGkfs/edit?usp=sharing) – featured in Jeff Su's *Workplace Essentials* newsletter ([Subscribe](https://www.jeffsu.org/newsletter/)) - Wispr [Flow](https://wisprflow.ai/) ### Bible Study - [Daily Refresh](https://blog.youversion.com/2022/12/introducing-daily-refresh/) in the [Bible App](https://www.bible.com/) ### Education - [Snorkl](https://snorkl.app/) – AI student feedback - [What's new in K-2](https://www.k-2teachers.com/) - [Recent newsletter issue](https://www.k-2teachers.com/p/teacher-planners-and-management-tools) - [Canva Teacher Planner Templates by Teach Cheat](https://www.canva.com/p/teachcheat/collections/AYuuQ9CKL4xToMGktC2MyQ) - [Subscribe](https://www.k-2teachers.com/subscribe) - [Worksheets to WOW!](https://ditchthattextbook.com/worksheet-to-wow/) from Ditch That Textbook ### Fundraising - [Auctria](https://www.auctria.com/) online auctions – [Sample auction](https://event.auctria.com/850c137a-63c0-41f2-830c-92aca0056746/a780d600ec2e11e9ae081db830846aa5) by Risen Savior Lutheran School, Mankato, MN ### Hardware - [Anker USB C Adapters](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HZ6PS61) - [Apple introduces the new MacBook Air with M4 chip](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/03/apple-introduces-the-new-macbook-air-with-the-m4-chip-and-a-sky-blue-color/) - [Hubitat](https://hubitat.com/) - [Logitech Zone Learn Headset](https://www.logitech.com/en-us/products/education/headsets/zone-learn-headset.html) - [Nomadic Travel Pack](https://www.nomatic.com/collections/shop-all-best-sellers/products/the-nomatic-travel-pack) - [Pitaka Phone Cases](https://www.ipitaka.com/) - [Shokz](https://shokz.com/pages/openrun) – Bone conduction open-ear headphones - [Square payment processing](https://squareup.com/us/en) and [Square Reader](https://www.amazon.com/Square-Reader-contactless-chip-Generation/dp/B0C29GRRCZ) - [Third Reality Water Leak Sensor](https://3reality.com/product/water-leak-sensor/) ### Images and Video - [10 Highlights from Canva Create](https://www.canva.com/newsroom/news/what-happened-at-canva-create-2025/) - Canva **Bulk Create** add on – [How To](https://thebrandedbucks.com/how-to-bulk-create-in-canva/) - [Canva Templates for Churches](https://www.canva.com/templates/s/church/) - [Davinci Resolve](https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve) - [ELS Liturgical Year Artwork](https://els.org/worship/liturgical-year-artwork/) - [Ryan Trahan's 50 States in 50 Days family-friendly YouTube series](https://www.youtube.com/@ryan/videos) - [The Noun Project](https://thenounproject.com/) ### Marketing - Get free [Lent and Easter resources from Concordia Technology Solutions](https://www.concordiatechnology.org/preparing-for-lent) - [Optimize your Google Business Profile](https://www.blueprint-schools.com/the-blueprint-blog/school-marketing-must-do-a-simple-way-to-get-found-on-google) from Blueprint Schools ### Music - *Christ Begins* by Luke Thompson – Christian Worship Hymn 385 - [Lyric video from Mount Lebanon Lutheran Church](https://youtu.be/pHyjeng6FKM) ### Productivity - [*How To Take Smart Notes*](https://www.amazon.com/How-Take-Smart-Notes-Technique/dp/3982438802) by Sonke Ahrens - [Trello Inbox](https://trello.com/inbox) ### Utilities - [Chrome updates](https://www.concordiatechnology.org/preparing-for-lent) - [Manage Google Accounts Like a PRO](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vd9pcZP2vE) (video) - [Edge image magic](https://lifehacker.com/tech/magnify-image-feature-in-microsoft-edge) - [Google Keep](https://workspace.google.com/products/keep/) - [Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts](https://kinsta.com/blog/gmail-keyboard-shortcuts/) - [Google Messages on the Web](https://support.google.com/messages/answer/7611075?visit_id=638864730088627204-2999679496&p=web_computer&rd=1) - [iExit](https://www.iexitapp.com/) - [MindMup 2 for Google Drive](https://drive.mindmup.com/) - [RandomQuestionMaker.com](https://randomquestionmaker.com/) - [Readwise](http://readwise.io/) - [Smart Health Comparison](https://docs.google.com/document/d/15q1KrAyC5hbKbwCa3SvlvLR_zl8jbH8zmTKE77VMAvE/edit?usp=drive_link) using Gemini Deep research - Sun Seeker app – [iOS](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sun-seeker-sunlight-tracker/id330247123) | [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ajnaware.sunseeker&hl=en_US) - [The updated WELS Call Report](https://wels.net/callreport) ### Picks of the Week Archive [ 2008 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2008?hsLang=en) | [ 2009 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2009?hsLang=en) | [ 2010 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2010?hsLang=en) | [ 2011 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2011?hsLang=en) | [ 2012 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2012?hsLang=en) | [ 2013 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2013?hsLang=en) | [ 2014 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2014?hsLang=en) | [ 2015 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2015?hsLang=en) | [ 2016 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2016?hsLang=en) | [ 2017 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2017?hsLang=en) | [ 2018 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2018?hsLang=en) | [ 2019 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2019?hsLang=en) | [ 2020 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2020?hsLang=en) | [ 2021 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2021?hsLang=en) | [ 2022 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2022?hsLang=en) | [ 2023 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2023?hsLang=en) | [ 2024 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2024?hsLang=en) | [ 2025 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2025) | [ 2026 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2026?hsLang=en) ### About WELSTech exists to explore the use of technology to further the spread of the gospel. Audio episodes are released biweekly. This show is sponsored by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). ![WELSlogo_fullcolor_web_minsize](https://welstech.wels.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Welstech/WELSlogo_fullcolor_web_minsize.webp?width=150&height=71&name=WELSlogo_fullcolor_web_minsize.webp) ##### Upcoming Show Topics [![Subscribe](https://welstech.wels.org/hubfs/45057981/wtButnSubscribeEnewsContent-300x164.webp) ](https://welstech.wels.org/e-news-subscription/?hsLang=en) ## Latest Episodes ![777 - From Wagon Train to Airplane](https://welstech.wels.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Welstech/WELSTech%20777%20(1080%20x%201080%20px).png?width=500&name=WELSTech%20777%20(1080%20x%201080%20px).png) ### 777 - From Wagon Train to Airplane Eighteen and a half years. 777 episodes. And one unforgettable farewell. In this milestone WELSTech episode, Martin Spriggs and Sallie Draper mark the end of an era as Sallie shares that she will be retiring from WELS — and from WELSTech. Episode 777 is their final show together as co-hosts, and they spend it doing what they do best: looking back, laughing, and pointing to the God who blessed every episode along the way. [Read More](https://welstech.wels.org/2026/06/01/777-from-wagon-train-to-airplane?hsLang=en) [Read More](https://welstech.wels.org/2026/06/01/777-from-wagon-train-to-airplane?hsLang=en) ![776 - Wholly Unauthorized](https://welstech.wels.org/hs-fs/hubfs/WELSTech%20776%20Wholly%20Unauthorized.png?width=500&name=WELSTech%20776%20Wholly%20Unauthorized.png) ### 776 - Wholly Unauthorized What happens when you feed years of podcast transcripts into an AI and ask it to roast your long-time guest hosts, Dr. Rachel Renno and Jason Schmidt? WELSTech episode 776, that's what! You won't want to miss the standout phrase that should be cross-stitched on a pillow and lots more WELSTech goodness! [Read More](https://welstech.wels.org/2026/05/14/776-wholly-unauthorized?hsLang=en) [Read More](https://welstech.wels.org/2026/05/14/776-wholly-unauthorized?hsLang=en) ![775 - Cough Drops and Use Cases](https://welstech.wels.org/hs-fs/hubfs/775%20Cough%20Drops%20and%20Use%20Cases.png?width=500&name=775%20Cough%20Drops%20and%20Use%20Cases.png) ### 775 - Cough Drops and Use Cases Sallie's voice may not be at 100%, but the show must go on! In this episode of WELSTech, Martin and Sallie power through to explore one of the most practical questions in this Season of AI: what does AI actually look like in your ministry context? [Read More](https://welstech.wels.org/2026/04/30/775-cough-drops-and-use-cases?hsLang=en) [Read More](https://welstech.wels.org/2026/04/30/775-cough-drops-and-use-cases?hsLang=en) WELS.net | [Privacy Policy](https://wels.net/privacy-policy/) - - - - - - - - - [![tunein-svgrepo-com (1)](https://welstech.wels.org/hubfs/tunein-svgrepo-com%20(1).svg) ](https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/WELSTech-Audio-p1206615/) - [![Groups-2-Fill--Streamline-Rounded-Fill-Streamline-Material](https://welstech.wels.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Groups-2-Fill--Streamline-Rounded-Fill-Streamline-Material.png?width=16&height=16&name=Groups-2-Fill--Streamline-Rounded-Fill-Streamline-Material.png) ](https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/g/welstech) - - - -