Worth Following – Podcast by Adrian Stanek

When is the Right Time to Become a Leader? Insights for Software Engineers In this video, we explore the right moment to step into a leadership role, particularly in software engineering. We discuss the importance of building personal credibility, being a role model, and motivating others before taking on responsibility. The speaker advises against prematurely assuming leadership roles without suf...

In this episode, we unpack the recent hype suggesting that AI agents will replace SaaS products. Adrian shares why that narrative is misleading—and why SaaS is still thriving. You’ll hear Why AI agents still depend on SaaS infrastructure The real needs of everyday users and businesses How psychological and economic factors continue to drive SaaS adoption Why convenience still beats complexity If y...

Navigating Software Development Methodologies: Tailoring Systems to Fit Your Needs In this video, we delve into the interplay between social media advice and practical application in software development. Highlighting popular platforms like LinkedIn, X, and Reddit, we discuss the importance of understanding the foundational purposes behind various methodologies instead of following them blindly. W...

🚀 From Developer to Entrepreneur: My 15-Year Journey. In this episode, I share my personal journey from being a software developer to becoming an entrepreneur responsible for multiple software products over the past 15 years. I'll discuss the challenges and realizations that come with this transformation, the critical need for business skills beyond development, and the importance of planning and...

🎁 BONUS: 14 Tips to Save Money with Claude Code! After spending over $300 working with Claude Code in production, I’ve learned what really works — and what’s just expensive noise. In this video, I share my personal lessons, what I wish I had known before, and how you can save time, tokens, and sanity. 👇 Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:37 What We Want, Why, and How 01:56 Clean Codebase = Better AI 02:51...

In this episode, we explore why quality is not the same as perfection —and why striving for the latter too early can derail your product, your team, and your goals. Adrian shares insights from over two decades in software development, highlighting the common trap of aiming for an undefined version of “perfect” rather than defining and hitting achievable quality goals. Through personal anecdotes an...

I see Flow Coding as the reasonable middle ground which will become mature in no-time. We hear about  Vibe Coding  everywhere. This is so different from what we have done for decades now. So, it might take too much attention right now, and things like  Flow Coding aren’t in focus . I see Flow Coding as the reasonable middle ground, that will mature quickly. Staying in the flow of coding is great i...

"So there is a machine, right now, substituting me after 32 years of coding. It’s just doing what I’ve done—so much faster. Can I go home now?" — from my video. The Moment I Realized AI is Coming for My Job I’ve been coding for over thirty years, writing, refactoring, and maintaining more code than I can count. Started with BASIC on C64 and transitioned into the web world. Yet here I was, sitting...

Why I Chose PWAs Years Ago—And Why You Should Consider Them Too "I have chosen Progressive Web Apps a while ago, several years ago actually, and I’m extremely happy to have chosen this. And I want to explain to you why." The Problem: Small Teams, Big Challenges A few years ago, I faced a tough decision—how to build the best possible user experience for my product while keeping development efficien...

How AI Can Make You a Better Developer | The Future of Coding & Engineering In this episode, we dive into the controversial topic of AI-generated code and its impact on developers. Rather than replacing good developers, AI can be a valuable tool that enhances development skills by assisting with tedious coding tasks and enabling better reflection and improvement. We explore the differences between...

In this video, we delve into the necessity of continuous communication in both personal and professional relationships. Highlighting examples such as manager-employee dynamics, the video discusses the benefits of requesting and providing feedback to nurture healthy connections. By continuously communicating, one can avoid unexpected negative feedback, build strong relationships, and stay proactive...

Talking with Bryan Finster, Software Engineer at Defense Unicorns and core team member of minimumcd.org , about what Continuous Delivery really is; and what's not. 00:00 Spontaneous Start and Introduction 00:13 Defining Continuous Delivery 01:28 Brian's Background in Continuous Delivery 03:44 Challenges and Misconceptions in Continuous Delivery 07:35 Automation in Continuous Delivery 12:44 Deploym...

Deploying on Fridays? No problem! For me, it’s just another day, and sometimes, we even push changes on weekends without breaking a sweat. Whether it’s small projects or large-scale systems, we stay confident and in control. So, what’s the secret? Let’s dive in and uncover how Continuous Delivery makes it all possible! 00:00 Introduction – Fear of Friday Deployments 01:27 What is Continuous Delive...

Ever wondered what really drives developer motivation? This episode dives deep into how joy and discipline shape developer motivation, why random deadlines are a killer, and how AI is transforming software development faster than ever. Join us for a personal conversation about the elements that energize and drain teams, and what leaders can do to keep motivation alive in the fast-paced tech world....

The Impact of AI on Software Development : Threat or Opportunity? This episode explores whether AI is a friend or foe for software developers and discusses the shift toward automating more straightforward coding tasks. Learn how this trend might reshape job roles, hear comparisons with other industries, and discover why demand for IT professionals remains high. We’ll also provide strategies for st...

Migrating from Next. JS to Vite: Is It Worth the Switch? In this episode, we dive deep into our migration from Next. JS to Vite for an extensive React application with over 80,000 lines of code. You’ll learn about the improvements in build time, Hot Module Replacement (HMR) speed, and bundle size. We also discuss the challenges of switching from Webpack to ES Modules and replacing Next—JS-specific...

Transformative Leadership: Embracing Honesty, Feedback, and Real Connections in Tech Discover the essence of effective leadership in the tech industry through personal experiences and expert insights. In this episode, Maria Glazunov and Adrian Stanek delve into the realities of burnout, the impact of honesty in leadership, and the importance of feedback. Learn about the hidden costs of poor commun...

Why start with React in 2025? Today, I dive into why React remains a solid choice despite new trends and frameworks emerging. We'll discuss how React has stayed relevant, the strength of its ecosystem, and why it's still a reliable option for building scalable applications. React isn't just about popularity—it's about real-world adoption. We'll look into how React's usage has helped it become the...

Bridging the Communication Gap in Software Development I used to believe the stereotype that developers are non-communicative, but I’ve learned that’s far from true. The real problem isn’t developers being quiet—it’s that they’re often not heard. There’s a disconnect between the business side and development. Too often, developers are handed tasks with tight deadlines and no context, expected to j...

What's the right team size for effective leadership and real human connection? In this episode, I share my journey of discovering the ideal balance between growing a team and staying truly connected with each individual. We'll dive into the reasons why team size matters more than you might think. You'll learn how the limits of human interaction shape optimal team dynamics, and how smaller, well-st...

The Importance of Cohesive Team Dynamics in Software Development In this video, the speaker introduces a new streaming format to facilitate deeper interaction with the audience while discussing key topics relevant to their content. The focus of the session is on effective team sizes and dynamics within software development environments. Through his experiences and recent mentoring sessions, the sp...

Hey there, I’m Adrian. Recently, I’ve been asked several times about how AI affects developers and whether it threatens jobs. So, I thought I’d take a moment to share my thoughts on the matter. Let me start by saying I understand the anxiety around AI. It’s natural to feel uneasy when new technology emerges that seems powerful. But we need to see AI for what it truly is: a tool. Not a replacement...

Can you tell stories? Can you fascinate others as a leader? This episode explores how storytelling can keep developers engaged and motivated throughout long projects. Leaders can foster creativity, bridge communication gaps, and connect the team to a larger, meaningful narrative by framing the project as a journey with challenges and achievements. For more information, visit snackableCTO . This is...

In this episode, I share my thoughts on what it truly means to step into a senior role in tech. It's not just about being the best coder or tackling the toughest technical challenges—it's about leading with simplicity and efficiency in mind. I discuss how senior engineers, engineering managers, and CTOs can make a real difference by empowering their teams, optimizing processes, and shifting from h...

Dear Fellows, I’m happy to share a discussion that is very close to my heart and pivotal in software development: the "make or buy" decision. This choice is one of the first and most crucial decisions we face at the onset of any project. It's not just about choosing between creating software in-house or purchasing a ready-made solution; the landscape is much more nuanced than that. In today's talk...