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Everest Base Camp Trek: A Decade of Dust, Peaks, and Perspective

2025-12-29 19:09:53

 Look, after leading groups up to Everest Base Camp for ten years now—I've lost count of the porters' grins and the yak bells jingling at dawn—it's not just a trek; it's a gut-check that strips you bare. Whether you're a desk jockey from Kathmandu dreaming big or some wide-eyed backpacker chasing Instagram glory, this 12-14 day haul through Nepal's Khumbu Valley will rewrite what you think you're capable of. I've seen folks crumble at Namche, others summit Kala Patthar with tears streaming, but everyone leaves changed.​

Day-by-Day Grind

Start with that hair-raising flight into Lukla—2,860 meters up, runway slanted like a ski jump. Day one drops you to Phakding, easy enough, riverside trails lined with prayer flags fluttering like they're waving you in. But don't get cocky; day two's the beast, a 900-meter climb to Namche Bazaar at 3,440 meters. I remember my first time, lungs burning, thinking, "Why'd I skip the stairs at home?" Acclimatization day there—hike to a viewpoint, sip Sherpa tea, watch Everest peek through clouds if you're lucky.​
Then Tengboche at 3,860 meters, that monastery with views that'll humble you faster than a blizzard. My group in '18 got snowed in—stuck chanting with monks, best delay ever. Up to Dingboche for more rest, side trips to Nagarjun Hill for panoramas of Ama Dablam, all pointy and fierce. Lobuche next, where the trail turns rocky, memorials to climbers dotting the path like somber reminders. Gorak Shep, the old lake bed at 5,164 meters, then the push to Everest Base Camp itself—5,364 meters, rocky, windy, no summit view of Everest, just the Khumbu Icefall groaning. Back down via Pheriche, quicker but knees scream. Total mileage? About 130 km round trip, elevations hitting 5,545 meters at Kala Patthar for that golden sunrise glow on the world's roof.​

Gear That Saves Your Skin

Pack light, trek right—or suffer. Layers are king: merino base, fleece mid, Gore-Tex shell for those sudden squalls. I've ditched fancy tech for trusty North Face; boots need to be broken-in, not newbies blistering heels on day three. Poles? Non-negotiable for those descents—saved my quads more times than I can count. Water? Purification tablets or UV wand; high altitude dehydration sneaks up like a thief. And don't skimp on down jacket for Gorak Shep nights—teahouses are basic, no central heating, just smoky stoves and shared blankets.​
For the audience missing out—say, families back home or remote workers glued to screens—the real gap is the sensory overload you can't Google. That crisp air biting your nostrils, the thud of boots on stone, dal bhat power plates refueling you twice daily. Unique insight: hit the trail in shoulder seasons like March or October for fewer crowds, but watch for ice on Cho La if you detour Three Passes—I've guided that loop twice, crossing Kongma La at dawn, clouds parting like a curtain on Lhotse.​

The Real Kickers: Altitude and Mind Games

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) doesn't care about your fitness—headaches, nausea, dizziness hit 30-50% of trekkers. Diamox helps some, but prevention's key: hike high, sleep low. I've pulled two folks off the trail, helicoptered one out from Pheriche; better safe than a $5,000 evac bill. Mental side? Brutal. That "wall" after Dingboche, where every step feels pointless—why chase a rocky camp with no view? One client, a CEO type, quit there, later emailed saying it taught him more than any boardroom.
Sherpas make it magic, though. My fave, Pasang, carried 30kg loads whistling tunes, schooling us on yeti lore over raksi shots. Subtle opinion: guided treks beat solo every time—safety nets, stories, that camaraderie when blizzards howl. Idioms aside, it's not all yak-shit paths and triumph; expect giardia scares, leaky roofs, power outages blacking out your charger.​

Hidden Gems and Side Quests

Skip the obvious—Namche's bakery for apple pie is cliché. Instead, detour to Thame village for ancient gompas, or Gokyo Lakes if you've got legs for it: turquoise waters mirroring Cho Oyu, less crowded than EBC proper. I've snuck groups to Dragnag for cave views, or that secret bakery in Khumjung serving empanadas—feels like cheating up there. Costs? $1,200-2,000 all-in, permit fees $30-50, guides $300-plus. Inflation's bitten lately, teahouse beds $5-20/night.​
Personal yarn: 2022, mid-trek, my porter Tenzing slipped on ice near Base Camp—twisted ankle, no drama thanks to quick thinking and satellite phone. Taught me: always pack a mini med kit, know hyperbaric bag basics. Rhetorical question—think you're tough? Try pooping in a blizzard at 5,000 meters, no doors.

Reflections from the Ridge

Ten years in, Everest Base Camp's taught me life's not summits, but the stubborn steps between. You arrive at that prayer-flag-strewn camp, touch the rock, snap the pic—then what? It's the blisters, bonds, and that quiet knowing you pushed past "can't" that lingers. Like my last group, a Nepali family from Kathmandu bridging desk life to Himalayan roots—they wept not at EBC, but flying out of Lukla, vowing yearly returns. Amid climate shifts melting glaciers and overtourism straining teahouses, trek mindfully—leave no trace, tip porters double. Ultimately, it's your foothills odyssey, proving ordinary folks conquer extraordinary heights.

Secure Password Managers: Your Key to Safer Online Security

2025-12-29 19:09:25

In a world where digital threats are constantly evolving, secure password managers have become indispensable tools for protecting personal and professional data. Whether you’re managing multiple accounts as part of your efforts to sell phone devices or simply juggling everyday logins, these tools provide a secure, efficient way to store and manage complex passwords. By using a password manager, you not only simplify your digital life but also significantly reduce the risk of cyberattacks.

Why Password Security Matters More Than Ever

With cybercrime on the rise, weak or reused passwords remain one of the most common vulnerabilities exploited by hackers. Remembering strong, unique passwords for every account can be overwhelming, leading many to fall back on easy-to-guess options. Secure password managers address this challenge by generating and storing encrypted passwords, allowing users to access their accounts safely without the burden of memorization.

Essential Features of Secure Password Managers

Advanced password managers employ end-to-end encryption to protect your credentials from unauthorized access. Many include multi-factor authentication, ensuring that even if your master password is compromised, your data remains secure. Features such as automatic password generation, security audits that detect weak or reused passwords, and breach alerts help users maintain strong security hygiene effortlessly.

Benefits for Phone Sellers and Regular Users

For those involved in selling phones, secure password managers streamline access to multiple online platforms, from supplier portals to e-commerce sites, ensuring business data stays protected. Everyday users benefit by securely managing passwords for banking, email, social media, and more, reducing the risk of identity theft and account breaches. In both cases, password managers save time and enhance security across devices.

Choosing the Right Password Manager for Your Needs

When selecting a password manager, consider its compatibility with your devices, user interface, and security protocols. Cloud-based options offer convenient syncing across smartphones, tablets, and computers, while offline managers appeal to those prioritizing local storage. Evaluate pricing tiers, customer support, and additional features like secure document storage to find the best fit.

The Future of Password Management

As cybersecurity challenges grow, password managers are evolving to incorporate biometric logins, AI-driven threat detection, and seamless integration with browsers and apps. These advancements will continue to make secure password management easier and more effective, helping users stay ahead of emerging risks.

Conclusion: Empower Your Digital Security with Password Managers

Secure password managers are critical tools in today’s interconnected world, helping users safeguard their online identities with ease. Whether you are managing accounts related to selling phones or protecting personal data, adopting a reliable password manager enhances your security posture while simplifying password management. Taking this step is an investment in peace of mind and digital resilience.

Winstrike and the Engineering Mindset Behind Stable Digital Platforms!

2025-12-29 19:09:02

Modern digital platforms are scrutinized not just by their features, but by how reliably those features perform in the real world. To developers, stability, clarity, and predictability are not optional qualities; they are foundational principles.

Platforms that scale well tend to share one thing in common: a disciplined engineering mindset that favours structure over shortcuts.

Why Developers Like Predictable Systems?

From APIs to user interfaces, predictability reduces cognitive load. When the systems behave consistently, developers spend less time debugging edge cases and more time improving performance and user experience.

Clear documentation of architecture and controlled dependencies create environments where change can happen safely without breaking existing functionality.

How Winstrike Represents a Platform First Approach?

Winstrike has been designed for platform reliability rather than surface-level complexity. Instead of stacking features up fast, focus remains on maintaining smooth interactions, stable workflows, and resilient infrastructure.

This approach aligns really well with how developers think about long-term systems: build once, validate continuously, and scale with confidence.

Winstrike and the Importance of Structured Platform Design

It is easier to monitor, optimize, and secure structured platforms. The architecture of modular components, clear data flows, and defined boundaries allows the team to identify issues very early and resolve them with efficiency.

This structured philosophy benefits Winstrike by supporting consistent performance even when user activity increases. Stability becomes a feature, not an afterthought.

Why Reliability Is a User Experience Feature?

The end user may not see architecture, but they feel its impact. Downtime, lag, and unpredictable behaviour erode trust in short order. A reliable system enables quiet confidence, letting users focus on their goals rather than system behaviour.

Among developers building or evaluating platforms, reliability is one of the clearest signals of engineering maturity.

  1. Lessons Developers Can Take From Platform Centric Design
  2. Build with scale in mind from the outset
  3. Reduce unnecessary dependencies
  4. Document decisions clearly
  5. Optimize for long term maintenance not short term speed

These principles apply whether you are building internal tools, consumer platforms, or large-scale digital ecosystems.

FAQs

Why is platform stability important to developers?

Stable platforms reduce maintenance effort, improve deployment confidence and support faster iteration.

How does WinStrike address reliability?

Winstrike emphasizes Structured Design: predictable behavior and long-term platform consistency.

Is simplicity better than feature richness?

In most cases: yes. Simplicity allows systems to scale more safely and remain easier to maintain.

What defines a mature digital platform?

Clear architecture, reliable performance, transparent systems, and thoughtful evolution over time.

My First AWS re:Invent Experience

2025-12-29 19:08:00

Ten years.

That's how long I'd been waiting to attend re:Invent. Ten years of watching from afar, reading live tweets, consuming session recordings days later, imagining what it would feel like to be there in person.

This year, AWS launched a grant program for User Group Leaders. After a decade of being part of AWS community, attending, volunteering, contributing and organising meet-ups, answering questions at midnight, showing up week after week and I finally got the grant.

I was on cloud nine. The long-awaited dream was finally happening.

But here's what they don't tell you about dreams coming true: they rarely arrive smoothly. There are always ups and downs, tests you didn't prepare for, moments that ask you to prove how badly you really want it.

Mine came twenty-four hours before takeoff.

Most re:Invent stories start with excitement—the kind you share in Slack channels and LinkedIn posts. Mine started with a phone screen lighting up in a London airport terminal.

The Call That Changed Everything

Twenty-four hours earlier, my wife wasn't feeling well. Still, she looked at me with that determined expression I've come to recognise over the years and said, "You finally got this chance. Go. Don't miss it. I'll handle everything here."

The weight of that sentence was the trust, the sacrifice, the quiet strength and it doesn't leave you. It becomes part of the journey itself.

I boarded my first flight trying to convince myself everything would be fine. The nervous energy of a first-time re:Invent attendee mixed with the worry of leaving home when things weren't perfect. But we'd made the decision. I was going.

Then came the message.

Waiting for my connection at Heathrow, surrounded by the usual airport chaos, my phone buzzed. The hospital. My son had fallen. Two fractures. One dislocation. His arm.

I called home immediately. My wife picked up, her voice steady as she walked me through what happened, what the doctors said, what came next. In the background, I could hear the sounds of the emergency room. And as we spoke, trying to process it all, I saw the airline staff closing the aircraft door.

Ten hours in the air where there was no no network. I was waiting for update but can’t do anything.

Just the hum of engines and one thought playing on repeat: How is she managing all this alone, when she herself isn't well?

That flight became a masterclass in helplessness. In recognising that behind every conference badge, every community contribution, every public achievement, there are people at home carrying half your world, sometimes more and so you can chase the other half.

When Your Mind Finally Lands

The moment my plane touched down in Las Vegas, I didn't care about the Strip or the spectacle. I needed that first call home to work. It did. Things were stable. My son was being treated. My wife was managing with the kind of strength that makes you realise you married someone far braver than yourself.

That's when I finally arrived. That had been in Vegas for hours. But my mind. My presence. My ability to actually be at re:Invent.

And from that point forward, everything shifted.

Meeting the People Who Build the Things I Build On

I talk about ECS and Serverless constantly from product builder point of view. The service I return to, the one I recommend, the one I've built my mental models around.

This week, I got to meet the people who actually build that home.

I sat in Eric's session on ECS Managed Instances—the kind of talk where you're not just learning features, you're learning intent. Why this approach? What problem were they really solving? What trade-offs did they consider?

I heard the ECS Express Mode introduction straight from the product person and engineer who crafted it. Not through blog posts or documentation, but from the humans who debated, prototyped, and shipped it.

And here's what hit me: you can read docs. I've read AWS docs all year—they've been my reference point for everything. But talking to the people who think about these problems day and night? Who live inside the trade-offs and the edge cases? That changes how you understand a service, not just what you know about it.

We exchanged ideas. We nerded out about container orchestration. We talked about real problems and real solutions.

For me, that alone justified the entire trip.

The Sessions That Stayed With Me

If I'm being honest, I probably covered 20% of expo area it and that's generous.

Instead, I planted myself in technical sessions. ECS. Fargate. How teams think about scaling at impossible sizes. Every session fed directly into my "AWS for Product Builders" mindset—the lens I use to evaluate whether something works for startups and growing companies, not just enterprises.

I'll share the specific technical learnings in another post. But the meta-learning is this:

Hearing the intent behind the service is as valuable as learning the service itself.

When you understand why a team made certain decisions, you make better decisions yourself.

From Slack Avatars to Real Conversations

The Community Hub became my anchor during the chaos.

This was my first re:Invent, and I walked in carrying a kind of shyness I don't usually admit to. The hesitation to start conversations with new people. The imposter syndrome that whispers everyone here knows more than you. The Hub was full of heroes. Community Builders whose blogs I'd read for years. Leaders whose work I admired from afar. People I'd wanted to meet but never had the chance.

And I froze.

I'd see them across the room and think, "I should go say hello." But my feet wouldn't move. One step—that's all it would take. But that one step felt impossible in those moments.

I missed talking to people I'd dreamed of meeting. I let opportunities slip by.

But I also pushed myself. Tiny steps. One introduction. One conversation. Then another. And something magical happened.

I met AWS User Group Leaders I'd known online for five years—people who felt like old friends even though we'd never shared the same room before.

I encountered new faces who somehow felt instantly familiar—the kind of connection that reminds you why community work matters in the first place.

One highlight was the User Group meeting Maria organized. UG leaders shared the real problems they faced and the ones that don't make it into polished LinkedIn posts. How they kept their communities engaged when attendance dropped. How they found speakers. How they dealt with burnout while trying to inspire others.

At the APJC Community Awards, I met a leader from the Philippines who completely shifted my perspective. For them, community isn't just networking or professional development—it's a lifeline. They shared how incredibly difficult it is to get things done there. The lack of resources. The infrastructure challenges. The uphill battle to create opportunities where few exist.

Yet they keep showing up. They keep building. They keep creating spaces where people can learn, connect, and grow—because for many in their community, these meetups represent access they simply wouldn't have otherwise.

Listening to their story made me realize how privileged my own challenges are. It reminded me that community work looks different across the world, and the impact it creates can be measured in opportunities that never would have existed.

But there was another moment—one I didn't expect to witness, and one I'll never forget.

Jeff Barr. Twenty years of unwavering commitment to the AWS community. Two decades of blog posts, of showing up, of giving back. The room gathered to honor this milestone, and what happened next was pure, unfiltered emotion.

His son, Stephen, stood up to share another side of Jeff—the father behind the community legend. Stories from childhood. How Jeff balanced being a dad with being the voice of AWS. The late nights writing. The early mornings answering questions. The way he somehow made space for both family and this massive community he'd built.We all watched Jeff cry. Not the polished, composed tears you see at rehearsed events. Real tears. The kind that come when you realise the full weight of what you've built and who stood beside you while you built it.

The room was silent except for a few sniffles. Goosebumps. That rare moment when everyone present knows they're witnessing something genuine.

If someone asked me to name one moment from re:Invent that captured what community really means—the sacrifice, the longevity, the human cost, the profound impact—it would be this one.

Those stories stayed with me long after the session ended.

Community-building isn't just planning events and posting updates. It's resilience. It's creativity. It's learning to keep showing up even when you're tired, even when you wonder if it matters, even when the metrics don't move as fast as you'd like.

The Startup Conversation I Needed

At the Startup Amped event, I found myself in the kind of conversations that don't happen at traditional networking sessions.

Founders talking about the messy parts. The pivots that felt like failures until they weren't. The risks that kept them up at night. The moment they landed their first customer. The second-guessing. The breakthroughs.

I shared what we're building at NuShift Connect and our mission to reshape health conversations, awareness, and community in India. How we're trying to fill gaps that the traditional healthcare system leaves open.

These weren't pitches.

They were "we've been there too" conversations.

They were "here's what I learned the hard way" exchanges.

And then the conversations went deeper.

People opened up about their health struggles. Family health crises that happened while they were trying to build their startups. The nights they sat in hospital waiting rooms while their pitch decks sat untouched on their laptops. The impossible choice between being present for a sick parent or showing up for an investor meeting.

When I shared what had happened with my son just hours before my flight, I saw heads nodding around the room. Not with pity—with recognition. These were founders who understood that life doesn't pause for your business plan. That sometimes your greatest test isn't in the market—it's in the hospital corridor.

That room felt less like a networking event and more like a circle of people who understand what it really costs to build something from nothing while life happens all around you.

The Hard Truth About re:Invent: You Can't Be Everywhere

Here's something nobody tells you before your first re:Invent: the event will force you to make impossible choices.The Community Builder mixer was happening at the same time as the Startup Amped event. I chose Startup Amped. Which meant I missed connecting with fellow builders in a space specifically designed for us. Did I regret it? In the moment, yes. Absolutely. But here's what I learned: re:Invent isn't about attending everything. It's not about having a perfect schedule or checking every box. It's about choosing what matters most to you right now, in this season of your journey, and showing up fully for that.

I missed events. I missed conversations. I missed people.

But what I didn't miss was being present for the choices I did make.

And sometimes, that's enough.

Two Experiences I Never Planned For

The Pre-re:Invent Hike

Before re:Invent officially began, there was the hike. Around 40–50 of us gathered, dividing into two teams: one for the medium route, one for the long and tough route. I chose medium. Seemed reasonable after jet lag and hours of travel. Turns out, "medium" was a generous label. The trail was challenging—longer and steeper than any of us expected. Our team actually reached the end later than the "tough route" group, which became a running joke for the rest of the day. But here's what made it memorable: we didn't just hike. We stopped. We breathed. We talked. Someone pulled out food they'd brought from home—snacks from India, treats from different countries. We shared them on the trail like we'd known each other for years. We tried different paths to test which route worked better. A mental exercise wrapped in physical movement. Problem-solving while hiking. Very builder-like, when you think about it. And the strangest part? After jet lag and a transatlantic flight, I didn't feel tired. The opposite, actually. The mountain air, the movement, the conversations and it all felt energising. Within minutes of starting, strangers opened up about their journeys. Career pivots. Burnout stories. The "I almost quit but..." moments that never make it to LinkedIn. That hike wasn't about reaching the summit. It was about connection, genuine, unexpected, and rare. The kind you can only find when you remove the conference badge and just walk alongside other humans trying to figure things out

My First-Ever 5K Run

I'd signed up for the 5K run weeks earlier. But somewhere in the chaos of re:Invent, I got confused about the day. Was it Thursday or Wednesday? Then a message popped up in our India community group. The run was happening. Right now. My heart sank. I was going to miss it. Another opportunity slipping away. But something in me said: not this time. I rushed out, found the shuttle bus, my mind racing faster than I'd be running. When I finally reached the starting point, the run had already begun. People were already on the course, their figures disappearing into the early morning light and strong cold was slapping on face and ear. I could have turned back. Found an excuse. Told myself I tried. Instead, I joined them mid-run. My first 5K run. Started late. Arrived breathless. Nothing spectacular about my time. But I showed up. Even when it would have been easier not to. A reminder that even in a heavy week, health doesn't wait for perfect timing and neither should we.

A Nomination That Meant More Than Winning

Somewhere in the middle of all this, I found out I'd been nominated for the second year in a row for the AWS Community Builder of the Year award.

I didn't win.

And honestly? That didn't matter.

Seeing my name there again was enough. Because I know what it took to reach this point. The late nights answering questions in forums. The blog posts written when I was exhausted. The community events organised on weekends.

More importantly, I know who stood behind me so I could do any of it.

The nomination wasn't just about me. It was about everyone who made space for me to contribute.

What This Trip Really Taught Me

This wasn't a smooth trip.

It wasn't a relaxed conference experience.

It wasn't the postcard version of re:Invent you see in highlight reels.

It was real.

It was emotional.

It stretched me in ways I'm still processing.

And above everything, it crystallised three truths I already knew but needed to feel again:

Family makes the journey possible.

Without my wife's and son strength, I wouldn't have made it past the first airport. Every community contribution I make is built on her and his foundation of support.

Community makes the journey meaningful.

The technical knowledge matters. But the connections, the shared struggles, the moment you realise someone else has fought the same battles—that's what transforms information into wisdom.

Curiosity makes the journey worth continuing.

Even exhausted, even worried, even uncertain—asking questions, seeking understanding, wanting to know why and how—that's what keeps us moving forward.

What Comes Next

I'll be sharing more detailed technical learnings soon. The ECS insights. The Fargate patterns. The "AWS for Product Builders" framework I'm developing. The kind of content I'm excited to give back to the community that's given me so much.

But for now, I'm sitting with gratitude.

For my wife, who made an impossible choice to let me go.

For my son, who's recovering with the resilience only kids seem to have.

For the people I met in Vegas who reminded me why this work matters.

For the moments that tested me and, in testing me, changed me.

My first re:Invent wasn't perfect.

But it was mine.

And sometimes, that's exactly what you need.

How to enable DTMF Events in Telephony AI Agent

2025-12-29 19:07:35

Not every caller wants to speak to a voice agent. In many call scenarios, users expect to press a key to make a selection, confirm an action, or move forward in a call flow. This is especially common in menu-based systems, short responses, or situations where speech recognition may not be reliable.

DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency) input gives voice agents a clear and predictable way to handle these interactions. When a caller presses a key on their phone, the agent receives that input instantly and can use it to control the call flow or trigger application logic.

In this post, we’ll explore how DTMF events can be used in a VideoSDK-powered voice agent, starting from common interaction patterns and moving into how the system processes keypad input in real time.

Typical Interaction Patterns Using DTMF

DTMF input is commonly used at decision points in a call, such as:

  • Selecting options from a call menu
  • Confirming or canceling an action
  • Providing short numeric input
  • Navigating between steps in a call flow

These interactions are simple, fast, and familiar to callers, which makes them a good fit for structured voice experiences.

How It Works

  • DTMF Event Detection: The agent detects key presses (0–9, *, #) from the caller during a call session.
  • Real-Time Processing: Each key press generates a DTMF event that is delivered to the agent immediately.
  • Callback Integration: A user-defined callback function handles incoming DTMF events.
  • Action Execution: The agent executes actions or triggers workflows based on the received DTMF input like building IVR flows, collecting user input, or triggering actions in your application.

Step 1 : Enabling DTMF Events

DTMF event detection can be enabled in two ways:

Via Dashboard:

When creating or editing a SIP gateway in the VideoSDK dashboard, enable the DTMF option.

Via API:
Set the enableDtmf parameter to true when creating or updating a SIP gateway using the API.

curl    -H 'Authorization: $YOUR_TOKEN' \ 
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \ 
  -d '{
    "name" : "Twilio Inbound Gateway",
    "enableDtmf" : "true",
    "numbers" : ["+0123456789"]

  }' \ 
  -XPOST https://api.videosdk.live/v2/sip/inbound-gateways

Once enabled, DTMF events will be detected and published for all calls routed through that gateway.

Step 2 . Implementation

To set up inbound calls, outbound calls, and routing rules check out the Quick Start Example.

from videosdk.agents import AgentSession, DTMFHandler

async def entrypoint(ctx: JobContext):

    async def dtmf_callback(digit: int):
        if digit == 1:
            agent.instructions = "You are a Sales Representative. Your goal is to sell our products"
            await agent.session.say(
                "Routing you to Sales. Hi, I'm from Sales. How can I help you today?"
            )
        elif digit == 2:
            agent.instructions = "You are a Support Specialist. Your goal is to help customers with technical issues."
            await agent.session.say(
                "Routing you to Support. Hi, I'm from Support. What issue are you facing?"
            )
        else:
            await agent.session.say(
                "Invalid input. Press 1 for Sales or 2 for Support."
            )

    dtmf_handler = DTMFHandler(dtmf_callback)

    session = AgentSession(
        dtmf_handler = dtmf_handler,
    )

Full Working Example

import logging
from videosdk.agents import Agent, AgentSession, CascadingPipeline,WorkerJob,ConversationFlow, JobContext, RoomOptions, Options,DTMFHandler
from videosdk.plugins.deepgram import DeepgramSTT
from videosdk.plugins.openai import OpenAILLM
from videosdk.plugins.elevenlabs import ElevenLabsTTS
from videosdk.plugins.silero import SileroVAD
from videosdk.plugins.turn_detector import TurnDetector, pre_download_model

logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO, format="%(asctime)s - %(name)s - %(levelname)s - %(message)s", handlers=[logging.StreamHandler()])
pre_download_model()
class VoiceAgent(Agent):
    def __init__(self):
        super().__init__(
            instructions="You are a helpful voice assistant that can answer questions."
        )
    async def on_enter(self) -> None:
        await self.session.say("Hello, how can I help you today?")

    async def on_exit(self) -> None:
        await self.session.say("Goodbye!")

async def entrypoint(ctx: JobContext):

    agent = VoiceAgent()
    conversation_flow = ConversationFlow(agent)

    pipeline=CascadingPipeline(
        stt=DeepgramSTT(),
        llm=OpenAILLM(),
        tts=ElevenLabsTTS(),
        vad=SileroVAD(),
        turn_detector=TurnDetector()
    )

    async def dtmf_callback(message):
        print("DTMF message received:", message)

    dtmf_handler = DTMFHandler(dtmf_callback)

    session = AgentSession(
        agent=agent, 
        pipeline=pipeline,
        conversation_flow=conversation_flow,
        dtmf_handler = dtmf_handler,
    )

    await session.start(wait_for_participant=True, run_until_shutdown=True)

def make_context() -> JobContext:
    room_options = RoomOptions(name="DTMF Agent Test", playground=True)
    return JobContext(room_options=room_options) 

if __name__ == "__main__":
    job = WorkerJob(entrypoint=entrypoint, jobctx=make_context, options=Options(agent_id="YOUR_AGENT_ID", max_processes=2, register=True, host="localhost", port=8081))
    job.start()

By enabling DTMF detection and handling events at the agent level, you can build predictable call flows, guide users through menus, and trigger application logic without interrupting the call experience. When combined with voice input, DTMF gives you more control over how users interact with your agent.

This makes DTMF a practical addition to any voice agent that needs clear, deterministic user input during a call.

Resources and Next Steps

Level Up PR: Rising Among the Top PR Firms in Chicago

2025-12-29 19:00:41

In a competitive media environment, standing out requires more than just visibility—it requires strategy, credibility, and a partner who understands your brand. When it comes to top PR firms in Chicago, Level Up PR has quickly emerged as a standout agency that delivers on all fronts. With a focus on innovative storytelling, digital integration, and measurable results, Level Up PR helps businesses, influencers, and personal brands elevate their presence in today’s fast-paced media landscape.
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Chicago’s Dynamic PR Landscape**

Chicago is widely recognized as a hub for public relations, boasting a diverse range of agencies from global giants to boutique specialists. The city’s PR industry is known for its ability to blend creativity, strategy, and measurable results, making it one of the most vibrant markets in the United States.

To be considered among the top PR firms in Chicago, an agency must demonstrate more than just experience—it must offer innovative campaigns, personalized client strategies, and proven results. Level Up PR has managed to do this, carving a niche among the city’s leading agencies by providing tailored PR solutions that align with clients’ goals.

Who Is Level Up PR?

Level Up PR is a Chicago-based public relations agency dedicated to helping brands and individuals maximize their visibility, credibility, and influence. Unlike some larger firms that rely on standard templates, Level Up PR focuses on customized campaigns that address the unique needs of each client.

As one of the top PR firms in Chicago, Level Up PR combines traditional media relations with modern digital strategies, ensuring clients achieve both widespread recognition and measurable impact. From startups to established enterprises, the agency has helped numerous clients amplify their messaging and engage with their target audience effectively.

Core Services Offered by Level Up PR

Level Up PR provides a comprehensive suite of services that make it one of the top PR firms in Chicago:

  1. Strategic Media Relations

Media coverage remains one of the most effective ways to build credibility and visibility. Level Up PR leverages its extensive relationships with journalists, editors, and influencers to secure placements in both traditional and digital outlets. This ensures clients’ stories are heard by the right audiences at the right time.

  1. Storytelling & Thought Leadership

Storytelling is central to every successful PR campaign. Level Up PR helps clients craft compelling narratives that position them as industry leaders and trusted voices. From blog articles to expert commentary, the agency creates content that resonates with audiences.

  1. Reputation Management & Crisis PR

In today’s digital world, protecting your brand’s reputation is critical. Level Up PR offers crisis management services and strategic guidance to navigate challenging situations while maintaining credibility and public trust.

  1. Digital PR & SEO Integration

Modern PR is closely intertwined with digital marketing. Level Up PR integrates SEO, social media management, and online PR to ensure that campaigns not only reach audiences but also improve search visibility and online engagement.

  1. Influencer & Celebrity Relations

Connecting with the right influencers or public figures can exponentially increase brand reach. Level Up PR helps clients identify and collaborate with influencers whose values align with their brand, maximizing engagement and impact.

Why Level Up PR Stands Out Among the Top PR Firms in Chicago

Chicago hosts a wide variety of PR agencies, making the competition for recognition fierce. Here’s what sets Level Up PR apart:

  1. Personalized Campaigns

Level Up PR doesn’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every client receives a campaign designed specifically for their brand, audience, and objectives.

  1. Integration of Traditional and Digital PR

While many agencies focus exclusively on either traditional or digital PR, Level Up PR seamlessly combines both. This ensures campaigns are comprehensive, reaching audiences across multiple platforms.

  1. Focus on Measurable Results

Clients want to see the impact of their investment. Level Up PR emphasizes measurable outcomes, using metrics like media impressions, engagement rates, and conversion tracking to quantify success.

  1. Versatility Across Industries

Whether working with lifestyle brands, tech startups, corporate clients, or public figures, Level Up PR adapts its strategies to meet the unique needs of each industry, which is why it consistently ranks among the top PR firms in Chicago.

*Level Up PR vs. Other PR Firms in Chicago
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Chicago is home to globally recognized PR agencies like Edelman, APCO Worldwide, and Walker Sands, alongside smaller boutique firms. While large agencies offer scale and extensive networks, smaller agencies like Level Up PR provide personalized attention, agility, and creativity.

Level Up PR distinguishes itself by delivering campaigns that are strategically aligned, creatively executed, and digitally integrated—offering clients the best of both worlds: the professionalism of a top-tier agency with the flexibility of a boutique firm.

Who Should Work With Level Up PR?

Level Up PR is ideal for:

  • Startups and emerging brands seeking impactful media exposure

  • Lifestyle and fashion brands aiming for influencer collaborations and press coverage

  • Corporate clients launching products or campaigns

  • Public figures looking to build personal brands and thought leadership

With tailored campaigns and measurable results, Level Up PR provides the tools and expertise brands need to succeed in Chicago’s competitive market.

Conclusion: A Leading Choice Among Top PR Firms in Chicago

In the ever-evolving world of public relations, choosing the right agency is critical. Among the many top PR firms in Chicago, Level Up PR stands out for its combination of strategic insight, creative storytelling, digital expertise, and measurable outcomes.

Whether you’re a business looking to increase visibility, an influencer aiming to expand your reach, or a brand seeking reputation management, Level Up PR offers personalized solutions that deliver results. Their focus on tailored campaigns, media relations, and integrated digital strategies ensures that clients not only get noticed but also achieve long-term success.

For businesses and individuals looking to partner with a forward-thinking, results-driven agency, Level Up PR is a top choice among PR firms in Chicago. (leveluppr.io
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