Coding Chats

Coding Chats episode 56 - Paul Grenyer discusses his journey to writing a book on team leadership, sharing insights on the differences between leadership and management, common mistakes new leaders make, the importance of delegation, and building trust within teams. He emphasizes the need for curiosity in understanding both technical and business domains, and reflects on the role of AI in software...

Coding Chats episode 55 - Emma Nedelcu discusses her experience managing teams that transitioned to Rust at Amazon Prime Video. She highlights the reasons for choosing Rust, including its performance and safety features, and the challenges faced during the transition from JavaScript. Emma explains the importance of over-the-air updates, device constraints, and effective onboarding strategies for e...

Coding Chats episode 54 - Nikki Maginn and John Crickett explore the critical role of soft skills in engineering, emphasizing the importance of communication, emotional intelligence, and collaboration. They discuss how engineers can bridge the gap between technical expertise and customer-facing roles, the art of asking questions, and the significance of building trust and meaningful connections. T...

Coding Chats episode 53 - John Crickett and Mary Fidler discuss the evolving landscape of job applications, focusing on common CV mistakes, the importance of showcasing skills and achievements, and the role of AI in recruitment. They explore the relevance of cover letters, salary transparency, and the current state of the job market, including signs of recovery. Mary emphasizes the significance of...

Coding Chats episode 52 - Robert Balicki discusses Isograph, an opinionated framework designed to simplify the development of data-driven applications, particularly with GraphQL and React. He explains the challenges faced in web development, such as over-fetching data and network waterfalls, and how Isograph addresses these issues by allowing developers to focus on specific components and their da...

Coding Chats episode 51 - Shane Harger shares her unique career journey from web development and graphic design to firefighting and back to tech, emphasizing the importance of pair programming, incident management lessons, and the evolving role of AI in software development. She discusses the significance of DevOps and platform engineering in enhancing team collaboration and efficiency, while also...

Coding Chats episode 50 - Lou Franco discusses the concept of technical debt, its implications for software development, and the importance of quantifying it. He emphasizes that technical debt is not just a financial metaphor but a real issue affecting developer productivity and team dynamics. The discussion also covers the role of managers in understanding and addressing technical debt, the impor...

Coding Chats episode 49 - John Crickett and Kev Milne delve into the critical realm of cybersecurity, exploring its various facets from social engineering to the importance of penetration testing. They discuss the evolution of attacks, the role of AI, and the significance of mainframes in modern security. The conversation also highlights the career paths in cybersecurity and the necessity for cont...

Coding Chats episode 48 - John Crickett and Gilad Naor explore the differences between working at startups and big tech companies, discussing the pros and cons of each environment. They delve into career growth, the importance of mentorship, and the balance between specialization and generalization in tech careers. The discussion also covers the management track versus individual contributor roles...

Coding Chats episode 47 - Warren Beazley shares his extensive experience in recruiting CTOs and outlines a five-step process designed to help tech leaders navigate the job market effectively. He emphasizes the importance of understanding one's value proposition, building a strong network, creating engaging content, and actively engaging with potential employers. The discussion highlights the c...

Coding Chats episode 46 - John Crickett and Fernando Villalba delve into the concept of Developer Experience (DevEx) and its significance in software engineering. They discuss how optimizing for flow state can enhance productivity, the importance of effective tooling, and the role of a supportive work environment. The conversation also touches on team dynamics, the necessity of regular retrospecti...

Coding Chats episode 45 - Guy Allen and John Crickett discuss the dynamics between software engineers, hiring managers, and recruiters and how they can work together to recruit the best software engineers. They explore effective strategies for collaboration, the importance of clear communication, and the impact of recruitment models on candidate experiences. The discussion emphasizes the need for...

Coding Chats episode 44 - Joe Woodhouse shares his unique journey from software to non-executive director roles, emphasizing the importance of building skills, networking, and understanding board dynamics. He discusses the concept of 'luck surface area' and how being open to opportunities can lead to success. Joe highlights the significance of emotional intelligence in leadership and the v...

Coding Chats episode 43 - Guy Allen and John Crickett discuss how software engineers can effectively work with recruiters to find a job. They explore the importance of building relationships, understanding different types of recruiters, crafting an effective CV, leveraging AI in job applications, and maximizing LinkedIn for job searches. The discussion emphasizes empathy, visibility, and the need...

Coding Chats episode 42 - Joe Woodhouse shares his journey with John Crickett - from a young software enthusiast to a non-executive director. He discusses the importance of customer engagement in software development, the balance between customer needs and technical solutions, and how he navigated his career without traditional management titles. Joe emphasizes the value of diversity in boards and...

Coding Chats episode 41 - Julianna Messineo shares her journey with John Crickett, from being a math teacher to transitioning into the tech industry, particularly focusing on educational technology (EdTech). She discusses her experiences with various educational software, the challenges she faced in the job market, and the importance of building projects to enhance her skills. Julianna also emphas...

Coding Chats episode 40 - David Weiss shares his journey from being a Spanish teacher to a software engineer, highlighting the transferable skills that educators bring to tech. He discusses the importance of teaching in reinforcing knowledge, the challenges of building SaaS applications, and the significance of personal branding in today's job market. David also introduces his initiative, Build to...

Coding Chats episode 39 - Tom Elliott discusses his startup - Ocuroot - which aims to simplify the developer experience by automating the management of complex production environments. He shares insights on the challenges faced by software engineers, the importance of customer feedback, and the lessons learned during his journey as a founder. Tom also delves into the competitive landscape, regulat...

Coding Chats episode 38 - John Crickett and Ryan Varley explore the distinctions between data science and software engineering, the impact of AI on these fields, and the current job market dynamics. They discuss the challenges of scaling start-ups, the importance of clear communication in software development, and the transition from leadership roles back to individual contributor positions. Ryan...

Coding Chats episode 37 - John Crickett and Simon Copsey explore the intricate relationship between technology, management, and leadership in software engineering. They discuss the limitations of technology, particularly AI, emphasizing that while it can be a powerful tool, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The importance of soft skills, situational leadership, and understanding organization...

Coding Chats episode 36 - Rob Morgan shares his journey from being a traditional software developer to becoming a successful freelancer and eventually launching his own SaaS product. He discusses the importance of client interaction, the challenges of freelancing, and how he identified a niche market in the window cleaning industry. Rob emphasizes the significance of networking, understanding user...

Coding Chats episode 35 - John Crickett and Brian Feister explore the journey of becoming a software engineer, discussing the value of self-taught skills versus formal education, the impact of boot camps, and the importance of community in tech. They delve into their experiences with the Go programming language, sharing insights on learning, challenges faced, and the advantages of Go in modern sof...

Coding Chats episode 34 - John Crickett and Brian Feister explore the journey from working in big tech to building startups, the evolution of mentorship in tech, the challenges of balancing multiple roles, and the intricacies of test-driven development. They discuss cognitive differences in software development, the importance of clear requirements, and the role of AI in the future of software eng...

Coding Chats episode 33 - John Crickett and Robert Roskam explore the significance of open source involvement, the critical nature of effective onboarding, the myth of 10x engineers, and the challenges of transitioning into management. They discuss how soft skills and community engagement are essential for software engineers, the importance of creating a supportive onboarding experience, and the m...

Coding Chats episode 32 - John Crickett and Loris Cro discuss the Zig programming language, its community, and various ways to learn and apply Zig. Loris emphasizes the importance of project-based learning, the unique features of Zig, and how it is being used in production by various companies. Loris also shares insights on how to get involved with the Zig community and contribute to its growth. C...