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In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, hosts Brittany, Bethany, and Erika engage in a deep conversation with Piotr Sarna, co-author of 'Writing for Developers.' They explore the journey of co-authoring a book, the importance of writing in engineering, and the challenges and joys of technical writing. The discussion also touches on the significance of blogging as a continuation of learning and sharing knowledge, as well as the role of writing culture in engineering teams. The crew kicks off the next book club, where the Overcommitted engineers will be reading Writing for Developers together over the next 2 months!
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In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, hosts Bethany, Brittany, and Erika engage in a deep conversation with Jason Lengstorf about the concept of being unreasonable in the tech industry. Jason shares his journey of embracing unreasonableness to pursue big ideas, the importance of community and networking, and how to navigate risks in career decisions. They discuss the value of non-traditional backgrounds in tech, the process of learning and consolidating information, and the creative approaches that can lead to innovative projects. The conversation wraps up with Jason sharing his future projects and reflections on the tech landscape.
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In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, Erika and Brittany discuss the evolving landscape of AI agents and their implications for security and identity management. Joined by expert Dan Moore, they explore the challenges posed by non-deterministic agents, the importance of granular permissions, and the need for developers to be aware of security practices as AI technology advances. The conversation also touches on industry standards, the role of developers in navigating these changes, and personal reflections on the future of AI.
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Join us for a conversation with Kate Holterhoff, an industry analyst at Redmonk who tracks developer trends from Reddit threads to conference halls. Kate shares her unique journey from earning a PhD in Victorian literature to becoming a self-taught developer and analyst, and discusses Redmonk's "new kingmakers" philosophy that recognizes developers as key decision-makers in tech adoption. We explore current industry trends including JavaScript bundlers, the real story behind AI and developer jobs, why communication skills matter as much as technical expertise, and her experiments with vibe coding across different IDEs.
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In this episode, Matt Sinclair, former partner and VP of Engineering at BCG Digital Ventures, explores the critical role of storytelling in effective leadership and shares his journey from building high-performance payment systems to coaching the next generation of engineering leaders. The conversation covers Matt's passion for Elixir as "the most future-proof and AI-aligned language," diving deep into functional programming, immutable data structures, and how modern coding assistants like Claude Code are revolutionizing developer productivity. Matt emphasizes that the first job of leadership is to tell a compelling story that inspires smart people to collaborate, while the art of good management lies in getting out of the way and letting talented engineers solve problems their own way.
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In this episode of Overcommitted, hosts Erika and Brittany interview Adrienne Braganza, the author of the book Looks Good to Me. The conversation delves into the critical role of communication in code reviews, emphasizing that misunderstandings often lead to issues. It highlights the importance of understanding the purpose behind code reviews rather than just focusing on tools and speed.
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Misunderstandings are at the heart of code reviews.
It's important to understand the purpose of code reviews.
Focusing on tools can distract from the main goals.
Collaboration is key in software development.
Clear communication can prevent many issues.
Taking time to reflect on processes is valuable.
Agreeing on objectives enhances team alignment.
Code reviews should foster learning and improvement.
Understanding each other's perspectives is crucial.
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Adrienne’s Website: https://adrienne.io/
Adrienne on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/abt.bsky.social
Adrienne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriennetacke/
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In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, host Bethany and co-hosts Erika and Brittany welcome Rick Turoczy, a veteran in the Portland tech startup scene. They discuss Rick's journey from a hobbyist developer to a key supporter of startup founders, the unique culture of Portland's tech community, and the importance of mental health for founders. Rick shares insights on the challenges of being a founder, the evolution of startup culture, and the role of PIE in supporting startups. The conversation also touches on local recommendations and the vibrant community in Portland.
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- Learning how to learn is a crucial skill for navigating the startup world.
- Portland's tech scene is characterized by a unique culture of humility and creativity.
- Founders often face significant mental health challenges and need support systems.
- The PIE initiative aims to foster collaboration between startups and established organizations.
- Mistakes are a part of the learning process for founders, and experimentation is key.
- The startup landscape has evolved, making it easier to build products but harder to sell them.
- The challenges of being a founder are often underestimated, leading to burnout.
- Understanding the difference between wanting to build a product and wanting to build a company is crucial for founders.
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PIE Cookbook: https://github.com/piepdx/pie-cookbook/blob/master/docs/pie-cookbook-0.9.md
Powell’s City of Books: https://www.powells.com/bookstore/powells-city-of-books?srsltid=AfmBOoqCGKjvdY5g6DowX0ReNqRlLARxeI5WKwGyc8P0Pq3O8j9Fd0NQ
Deadstock Coffee: https://deadstockcoffee.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopNiNhvGUigNJxASlm97jUCcSb6l36xCJ6sZF6mRIkyIseejJQy
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In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, Erika and Brittany delve into the concept of flow state in software development, exploring its significance for productivity and job satisfaction. They share personal experiences of achieving flow, discuss the balance between challenge and skill, and highlight the importance of psychological safety and team dynamics. The conversation also touches on managing interruptions, the role of pair programming, and strategies for improving flow state within teams. The episode concludes with a fun quiz to engage listeners in reflecting on their own flow experiences.
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In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, host Brittany Ellich and co-hosts Bethany and Erika welcome Thomas Dohmke, former CEO of GitHub. They discuss Thomas's journey in software development, pivotal moments in his career, the importance of passion and continuous learning, and advice for overcoming career stagnation. The conversation also touches on the future of software development, particularly the impact of AI, and concludes with a fun round of questions about LEGO.
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SummaryIn this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, host Erika and co-hosts Bethany and Brittany Ellich engage in a conversation with Don McKinnon, founder of Searchcraft. They discuss Don's journey in software engineering, the challenges faced while building Searchcraft, and the unique features that make it accessible for developers of all levels. The conversation also touches on the integration of AI, market competition, and the path to founding a startup, concluding with a fun segment about walkout songs.Takeaways
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In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, hosts Brittany Ellich and Erika engage with Brad Heller, co-founder and CTO of Tower, discussing his journey from software engineer to startup founder. They explore the evolution of software engineering careers, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the skills necessary for success in the tech industry. Brad shares insights on the importance of aligning passions with work, the realities of startup life, and advice for aspiring engineers. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on coding and the importance of understanding the fundamentals of software development.
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In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, hosts Bethany and Brittany discuss their experiences at recent tech conferences, including Cascadia JS and GopherCon. They reflect on their goals from the past quarter, sharing successes and challenges, and set new objectives for the upcoming quarter. The conversation also touches on the importance of community engagement and personal development in the tech industry, culminating in a fun segment where they share ideas for potential TED talks.
Takeaways
The importance of community in tech events.
Reflecting on past goals helps in personal growth.
Engagement in newsletters can shift focus from self-promotion to sharing others' work.
Attending conferences can provide fresh insights and networking opportunities.
Setting realistic goals is crucial, especially during busy times.
Public speaking can be a rewarding experience despite initial anxiety.
Finding enjoyment in activities is essential for long-term commitment.
Quarterly retrospectives can help realign personal and professional goals.
Exploring new interests can lead to unexpected opportunities.
Community engagement is vital for mental well-being in remote work environments.
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In this episode of the Overcommited podcast, the hosts engage in a deep conversation with Indrajith Premanath, an engineer at GitHub, who shares his journey of transitioning from an individual contributor to an engineering manager during an interim manager role while his manager was on leave. Indrajith discusses the challenges and lessons learned during his six-month stint as an interim manager, emphasizing the importance of team dynamics, transparency, and personal growth. The conversation also touches on career aspirations, technical interests, and the significance of building strong relationships within a team. Indrajith offers valuable advice for future managers and reflects on his childhood aspirations, providing a well-rounded perspective on his career journey.
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In this episode of the Overcommitted podcast, host Brittany Ellich and co-hosts Erika, Bethany, and Jonathan Tamsut engage in a conversation with Annie Sexton, a developer advocate at fly.io. They explore Annie's unique journey into developer advocacy, her approach to education and community building, and the importance of teaching techniques in the tech industry. The discussion also delves into the role of AI in learning and development, as well as personal interests outside of software engineering, highlighting the multifaceted lives of software professionals.
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Annie Sexton transitioned from software engineering to developer advocacy through her passion for education.
Developer advocacy involves community building, education, and marketing to developers.
Education is a powerful tool for building trust with an audience.
Asking basic questions is crucial for effective teaching and learning.
AI can be a valuable resource for research and learning, but fact-checking is essential.
Understanding the audience's knowledge level is key to effective communication.
Annie emphasizes the importance of storytelling in education and advocacy.
The journey to becoming a developer advocate can be unconventional and varied.
Engaging content can attract a wider audience beyond just product promotion.
Personal interests and hobbies contribute to a well-rounded life as a software engineer.
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In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, Brittany, Erika, and Jonathan delve into the complex relationship between software engineering, social media, and ethics. They explore their personal experiences with social media, the evolution of algorithms, and the monetization strategies that have transformed platforms into profit-driven entities. The conversation highlights the societal impacts of social media, particularly on mental health, and discusses the responsibilities of engineers in creating user-centered designs. They also consider potential regulatory measures, such as profit caps, and the need for a code of ethics in software engineering to mitigate harm.
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Join Bethany, Erika, and Brittany as they dive into the art of storytelling in tech — and discover why your next presentation or documentation doesn't have to be boring! From the visual wizardry of Astro's docs to Julia Evans' beloved wizard zines, this episode explores how great technical communication combines compelling narratives with clear information. Whether you're crafting a lightning talk (like Bethany's upcoming NeoVim presentation at GopherCon!), writing PR descriptions that tell a story, or trying to hook your audience from the very first sentence, you'll learn practical techniques for making complex concepts engaging and accessible. Plus, hear why AI-generated content might be "an act of war" on people's time, discover the power of self-deprecation and visual storytelling, and enjoy a hilarious developer-themed mad libs featuring thrown staplers and flappy outcomes. Perfect for anyone who wants to level up their technical communication game!
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In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, the hosts discuss the role of gamification in software development, exploring how it can influence learning, creativity, and project management. They delve into the psychological aspects of fear of failure, the importance of trial and error, and the balance between external and internal motivation. The conversation also touches on the potential trade-offs of gamification and the significance of celebrating efforts within a team culture. The episode concludes with a fun segment where the hosts share their favorite video game characters.
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In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, hosts Jonathan, Brittany, and Erika delve into the exciting world of AI agents. They explore the potential of AI agents in software engineering, their functionality, and the challenges of building and categorizing them. The conversation also touches on the future of job searching and personal development through AI, emphasizing the need for a more personalized and effective approach to technology and learning.
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- AI agents represent a new paradigm in problem-solving.
- AI agents can offload cognitive tasks.
- User experience with AI agents needs to be redefined.
- AI agents can be tailored to specific domains for better results.
- Defining success metrics is crucial when building AI agents.
- Job searching processes are outdated and need innovation.
- AI can assist in personal development and career growth.
- Customizable search engines could enhance information retrieval.
- The role of human bias in hiring processes is significant.
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In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, the hosts discuss the concept of personal branding for software developers. They explore what a personal brand means, the importance of authenticity, and how to build visibility within the tech community. The conversation highlights the balance between promoting oneself and staying true to one's values, as well as the challenges faced by individuals in a male-dominated industry. The hosts also share their thoughts on admired personal brands in tech, emphasizing the significance of community and mentorship.
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In this episode of the Overcommitted podcast, hosts Bethany, Brittany, and Erika engage with guest Nick Gerakines to explore the intricacies of the AT Protocol, its implications for user data ownership, and the evolution of social media platforms. They discuss the importance of user control, the concept of a credible exit from platforms, and the development journey of applications built on the AT Protocol. The conversation also touches on the complexities of OAuth in modern applications and the significance of community involvement in open source projects.
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