Smart Home Security 101 + Alonzo Bodden’s Dream House + Hydrangea Grow Guide

Smart Home Security 101 + Alonzo Bodden’s Dream House + Hydrangea Grow Guide

From This Old House Radio Hour by American Public Media

April 28, 2026 · 51 min

About this episode

The episode discusses smart home security, features comedian Alonzo Bodden's dream house, and provides a guide on hydrangea care.

Your smart home might be making your life easier, but it could also be making you an easy target. A cybersecurity expert explains the most common mistakes people make with connected devices and the simple fixes that can protect your home. Then, comedian Alonzo Bodden takes us inside the Los Angeles hill house he dreamed about for decades after years on the road. Plus, if your hydrangeas aren’t blooming, it might come down to when and how you’re pruning. We break down how to identify your plants and get them thriving again. In This Episode You’ll Learn: * How to safely install a corner shelf in a tiled shower without damaging the tile * What to do when a ceiling fan loses power after an electrical mishap involving a backup generator * How to fix squeaky, uneven second-floor floors without removing newly installed carpet * How to diagnose water seeping into a garage foundation and whether a neighbor’s construction could be the cause _ All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

People in this episode

Guest: Alonzo Bodden

Topics covered

  • smart home security
  • cybersecurity
  • home improvement
  • gardening
  • hydrangeas
  • interior design

Keywords

  • smart home
  • cybersecurity
  • home improvement
  • hydrangeas
  • pruning
  • interior design
  • Alonzo Bodden

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: American Public Media

Places: Los Angeles

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