# Stephen Hackett

> Stephen Hackett is a Memphis-based writer, podcaster, and co-founder of Relay FM - one of the most respected independent podcast networks in the Apple world. Through his blog 512 Pixels (running since 2008), his flagship podcast Connected, and co-hosting Mac Power Users, he has built a career at the intersection of Apple history, hardware archaeology, and independent publishing. He is also the driving force behind Relay FM's annual St. Jude Children's Research Hospital fundraiser, which has raised nearly $5 million - a cause deeply personal to him after his son Josiah survived pediatric brain cancer treated at St. Jude.

- **Role:** Co-Founder at Relay FM / Writer at 512 Pixels
- **Organizations:** Relay FM, 512 Pixels, Cross Forward, Inc.
- **From:** Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, University of Memphis
- **Known for:** Co-founded Relay FM (now Relay), one of the most prominent independent podcast networks covering Apple and technology, with 31+ active shows and 1.5 million monthly downloads, Led Relay FM's annual St. Jude Children's Research Hospital fundraiser since 2019, raising nearly $5 million total by 2026, Created the Aqua Screenshot Library - landmark preservation of 1,500+ screenshots spanning all macOS/Mac OS X versions since 2000, captured on actual vintage Apple hardware

## Career timeline

- **2004** — Enrolled at University of Memphis, majoring in Journalism; became News Editor at The Daily Helmsman
- **2007** — Posted first tweet on March 20: 'laying out the paper.' while working on college newspaper
- **2008** — Launched ForkBombr blog (later renamed 512 Pixels), focused on Apple and technology
- **2009** — Son Josiah diagnosed with astrocytoma (brain tumor) at 6 months old; treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- **2010** — Son Josiah's cancer declared dormant at age 2.5
- **2011** — Connected with future Relay FM co-founder Myke Hurley on Twitter; graduated from University of Memphis
- **2012** — Working as Director of IT & Multimedia at The Salvation Army Kroc Center, Memphis
- **2013** — Launched The Prompt podcast (later renamed Connected) with Myke Hurley and Federico Viticci
- **2014** — Co-founded Relay FM with Myke Hurley, launching August 18, 2014 with 5 shows
- **2015** — Left traditional employment in July to go fully independent; began Apple consulting
- **2016** — Began freelancing for The Sweet Setup, iMore, MacStories, and Six Colors
- **2018** — Launched Aqua Screenshot Library - 1,500+ screenshots of every macOS version since 2000, captured on actual vintage hardware
- **2019** — Joined Mac Power Users as co-host alongside David Sparks; launched first Relay FM for St. Jude fundraiser
- **2020** — Hosted '20 Macs for 2020' limited podcast series on Relay FM
- **2022** — Launched annual Apple Hardware Wall Calendar on Kickstarter; St. Jude fundraising crossed $2M lifetime
- **2024** — Became Managing Director of Cross Forward, Inc. - managing apps Widgetsmith, Pedometer++, and Sleep++ with developer David Smith
- **2025** — Relay FM rebranded to simply 'Relay' in January; St. Jude fundraising approaching $5M lifetime
- **2026** — Connected podcast reached episode 600

## Achievements

- Co-founded Relay FM (now Relay), one of the most prominent independent podcast networks covering Apple and technology, with 31+ active shows and 1.5 million monthly downloads
- Led Relay FM's annual St. Jude Children's Research Hospital fundraiser since 2019, raising nearly $5 million total by 2026
- Created the Aqua Screenshot Library - landmark preservation of 1,500+ screenshots spanning all macOS/Mac OS X versions since 2000, captured on actual vintage Apple hardware
- Authored 'Aqua and Bondi: The Road to OS X & The Computer That Saved Apple' - an accessible history of the iMac G3 and Mac OS X
- Maintained 512 Pixels blog for 17+ years as a respected Apple history and technology resource
- Built a fully self-sustaining independent career combining podcasting, writing, consulting, and app business management
- Connected podcast reached 600 episodes
- First podcast network to partner with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for fundraising (2019)
- Annual Apple Hardware Wall Calendar photographed from his personal vintage Apple collection

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Connected podcast reached episode 600; blogging about Tim Cook's retirement and John Ternus becoming Apple CEO
- **2026-03** — Covered Artemis II moon mission and iPhone 17 Pro Max use in space
- **2025-09** — Annual St. Jude podcastathon raised $753,756 in a single campaign; cumulative total approaching $5M
- **2025-01** — Relay FM officially rebranded to simply 'Relay'
- **2024-01** — Became Managing Director of Cross Forward, Inc. managing Widgetsmith, Pedometer++, and Sleep++ apps with developer David Smith

## Links

- Website: https://512pixels.net
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sthackett/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/ismh
- GitHub: https://github.com/ismh
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ismh86/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/stephen-hackett
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-04-25