The Vergecast The Vergecast

The Digital Doctor will see you now

Aug 17, 2026 · 37m

Summary

David Pierce interviews Leo Mastrolia, the Digital Doctor, about his journey from opening a repair shop during the pandemic to becoming a viral content creator. They discuss the intersection of retail and media, common hardware and software issues, and the challenges of balancing customer service with content production. The episode also covers the future of repair as devices become more complex and less accessible to fix.

Topics discussed

Intro: Leo Mastrolia and the rise of repair shops News: Amazon arbitration and Uber drone delivery Leo's origin story: Starting a shop during COVID Early struggles and the shift to content creation The 'Digital Doctor' brand and customer psychology Balancing physical repairs with YouTube fame Repair trends: iPhone generations and upgrade cycles Common issues: Android bloatware and water damage Water damage advice: Repair vs. trade-in Learning to repair: Soldering and motherboard work DIY risks and the case for removable batteries Future of repair: Smart glasses and gaming consoles
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