The modern web is changing fast. Front-end frameworks evolve quickly, standards are emerging and old ones are fading out of favor. There are a lot of things to learn, but knowing the right thing is more critical than learning them all. Modern Web Podcast is an interview-style show where we learn about modern web development from industry experts. We’re committed to making it easy to digest lots of useful information!
The podcast Modern Web is created by Modern Web. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).
Discover how Makeswift empowers developers and marketers with seamless Next.js integration in this episode of the Modern Web Podcast. Hosts Rob Ocel, Adam Rackis, and Danny Thompson talk with James Q. Quick, Head of Developer Experience at Makeswift, about building dynamic web experiences using Next.js. Learn how Makeswift combines a powerful visual builder for marketers with developer-friendly customization through Next.js. James shares insights on bridging the gap between no-code and full-code development, enabling teams to create flexible, scalable websites with ease. Chapters 00:00 - Intro & Banter 01:36 - Official Welcome & Guest Introduction 03:28 - Next.js Conf Recap: Major Takeaways 07:26 - Server Components in Next.js: Impact & Challenges 14:17 - Caching & Revalidation in Next.js 18:13 - Next.js Learning Curve & Education 24:06 - Learning the Platform vs. Learning Next.js 27:59 - TanStack Start: The Next Big Framework? 30:03 - What Is Makeswift? 33:50 - Why Choose Next.js for Makeswift? 36:51 - Where to Learn More 37:06 - Outro & Final Thoughts Follow James Q. Quick on Social Media Twitter: https://x.com/jamesqquick Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesqquick/ Github: https://github.com/jamesqquick Makeswift: https://www.makeswift.com/ Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co
Backstage at All Things Open 2024, hosts Rob Ocel and Danny Thompson talk with Max Howell, creator of Homebrew and founder of the Tea Protocol, about making open source sustainable. Max shares his journey from building Homebrew as a passion project to launching Tea Protocol, which uses token-based economics to support maintainers without compromising open source values. They explore challenges like corporate involvement, project monetization, and building resilient open source communities.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
02:20 - Max’s Open Source Journey
09:09 - The Problem with Open Source Sustainability
13:54 - Why Traditional Funding Models Fail
16:08 - Tea Protocol’s Economic Model
18:34 - What Happens Without Open Source?
20:59 - Sacrifices Open Source Maintainers Make
23:09 - Capturing Value in Open Source
25:10 - Advice for Aspiring Open Source Developers
27:36 - Where to Learn More
Follow Max Howell on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/mxcl
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mxcl/
Check out Tea Protocol: https://tea.xyz/
Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, recorded backstage at All Things Open, hosts Rob Ocel and Tracy Lee sit down with Bermon Painter, Composable Platforms Leader at Slalom, to explore how behavioral economics shapes ethical UX design. They discuss real-world examples like continuous glucose monitors, AI-driven personalization, and tackling dark patterns while balancing user trust and business goals. Berman also shares career tips and his unique open office hours, making this a must-watch for designers, engineers, and leaders alike.
Chapters
Introduction and Guest Welcome – 00:00
What is Behavioral Economics? – 02:36
Real-World Application: Voting Policies – 04:37
Healthcare Example: Continuous Glucose Monitors – 05:52
Design Challenges for Healthcare Apps – 08:12
Personalization and AI in UX Design – 12:52
International UX Design Differences – 14:08
The Ethical Dilemma of Dark Patterns – 17:28
Ethical Frameworks for Product Design – 20:33
Balancing Profit and Ethics – 22:39
Behavioral Economics for Engineers – 27:10
Berman’s Open Office Hours and Final Thoughts – 28:56
Outro and Sponsor Shoutout – 30:59
Follow Bermon Painter on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/bermonpainter
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bermonpainter/
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, recorded at All Things Open in Raleigh, NC, Rob Ocel talks with Tobie Morgan Hitchcock, co-founder and CEO of SurrealDB, about redefining databases. SurrealDB consolidates the complexity of using multiple database models—relational, graph, document, and more—into a single platform, enabling advanced queries and features like time travel. Toby shares insights on its innovative approach to separating storage and compute layers, the challenges of building from scratch, and the enthusiastic adoption by developers and enterprises.
Chapter
00:00 - Introduction and Setting the Stage
01:46 - Why Create Another Database?
04:31 - How SurrealDB Works
07:36 - The Developer Experience with SurrealDB
11:01 - Time Travel in Databases
16:21 - Challenges and Opportunities in Database Innovation
20:01 - Educating Developers on SurrealDB + Community and Adoption
Follow Tobie Morgan Hitchcock
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiemorganhitchcock
Twitter: https://x.com/tobiemh
Hosts Tracy Lee and Rob Ocel talk with Jesse Hall, Staff Developer Advocate at MongoDB, about the future of databases, web frameworks, and the evolving role of developers. They explore how MongoDB's latest release is transforming data storage and access patterns, the mindset shift required for adopting document databases, and the rise of vector databases. The conversation also covers the current state of frontend frameworks like Svelte, Next.js, and Angular, and how AI and low-code tools are reshaping the developer landscape. Whether you're a database enthusiast or a web development pro, this episode offers valuable insights into the technologies shaping the industry.
00:00 - Intro and Setting the Scene
02:30 - Behind the Scenes at All Things Open
04:00 - The Evolution of Databases
08:00 - Understanding Document Databases
10:45 - Vector Databases and AI Integration
14:00 - Frontend Frameworks: The State of the Ecosystem
18:30 - Collaboration Across Frameworks
22:00 - AI and the Future of Development
26:00 - The Future of Server-Side Rendering
29:00 - Closing Thoughts and Resources
30:00 - Outro
Follow Jesse Hall on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/codeSTACKr
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/codestackr/
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, recorded live at All Things Open in Raleigh, NC, hosts Rob Ocel and Danny Thompson sit down with Dr. Sally Wahba, Principal Software Engineer at Splunk. Dr. Wahba shares her experience tackling on-call burnout, offering insights into reducing fatigue through better observability, automation, and thoughtful team practices.
The conversation also touches on mentorship and growth in the tech industry, including practical advice for junior engineers navigating the transition from academics to professional roles and tips for companies to better support new talent.
Chapters
00:00:13 - Introduction to Marketing This Dot
00:01:00 - Asking for Help Effectively
00:02:21 - Reducing On-Call Fatigue
00:04:42 - Observability Best Practices
00:07:07 - Balancing Alerts and On-Call Efficiency
00:09:30 - The Role of On-Call in Modern Engineering
00:11:29 - Insights from the Grace Hopper Celebration
00:13:56 - Mentorship and Team Dynamics
00:16:14 - Rapid Changes in Technology and Adaptation
00:18:39 - Automation, Observability, and Debugging Challenges
00:21:04 - Addressing the Talent Gap and Junior Engineer Growth
00:24:00 - Closing Thoughts and Where to Learn More
Follow Dr. Sally Wahba on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/sallyky
Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/sallywahba/
Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Danny Thompson sits down with Ferdinand Como and Baptiste Leproux from Nuxt Labs to uncover the story behind Nuxt Studio, a tool that's transforming how developers and non-technical users interact with Nuxt applications.
Ferdinand and Baptiste share how Nuxt Studio bridges the gap between developer customization and user-friendly content management. Built to empower agencies, freelancers, and their clients, Nuxt Studio combines powerful features like live previews, Vue component integration, and schema-driven forms to make managing content seamless.
The conversation also explores the broader mission of Nuxt Labs—building sustainable open-source tools that enhance developer experience and meet real-world needs. With insights into the future of Nuxt Studio and its potential to scale for larger organizations, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about innovation in web development.
Chapters
1. Introduction and Setting the Stage (00:00:00)
2. The Vision Behind Nuxt Studio (00:03:10)
3. Nuxt Studio’s Core Features (00:08:45)
4. Challenges in Building Nuxt Studio (00:16:20)
5. Target Audience and Use Cases (00:22:35)
6. Sustainability in Open Source (00:29:00)
7. The Future of Nuxt Studio (00:35:10)
8. Nuxt Studio’s Role in the Nuxt Ecosystem (00:42:30)
9. Closing Thoughts and What’s Next (00:48:00)
10. Sponsor Shoutout and Wrap-Up (00:53:20)
Follow Baptiste Leproux and Ferdinand Coumau
Baptiste Twitter: https://x.com/_larbish
Ferdinand Twitter: https://x.com/CoumauFerdinand
Baptiste Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baptiste-leproux-618842b0/
Ferdinand Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ferdinand-coumau-nuxt/
Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Rob Ocel and Danny Thompson chat with Lawrence Lockhart, Developer Advocate at Vaadin, about using Java on the front end. Lawrence introduces Vaadin’s frameworks, Flow and Hilla, which empower Java developers to build full-stack applications without needing JavaScript. They discuss Vaadin's web components, built-in accessibility, seamless integration with Spring Boot, and how it simplifies complex web applications for enterprise use. Chapters 00:03 - Introduction 01:02 - What is Vaadin and Full-Stack Java 03:12 - Why Use Vaadin? 05:58 - Vaadin’s Communication Layer 08:13 - Vaadin vs. Traditional Front-End Frameworks 11:04 - Flexibility and Support for Web Components 15:14 - Micro Front-Ends and Cross-Team Collaboration 17:57 - Accessibility in Vaadin 19:27 - Sponsor Break 20:37 - Vaadin’s Backend Integration 22:39 - Power of Web Components in Vaadin 24:07 - Open Source and Community 26:15 - Testing with Vaadin 27:02 - Success Stories with Vaadin 30:09 - Customization and Theming in Vaadin 32:51 - Danny’s Perspective on Vaadin 34:02 - Conclusion and Closing Remarks Follow Lawrence Lockhart on Social Media Twitter: https://x.com/LawrenceDCodes Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencelockhart/ Github: https://gist.github.com/lawrencedcodes/forked Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co
Rob Ocel and co-hosts Tracy Lee, Adam Rackis, and Danny Thompson talk with tech educator Ankita Kulkarni about her journey from engineering leader to full-time educator. Ankita shares insights on teaching Next.js, bridging practical knowledge gaps, and helping developers tackle real-world challenges. They discuss Next.js as a React-based framework, its benefits, and the challenges it presents for beginners.
Chapters
Introduction to the Podcast and Guests 00:01
Meet Ankita Kulkarni, Tech Educator 00:26
Ankita's Transition to Full-Time Education 01:41
Teaching Practical Knowledge in Next.js 03:19
Effective Methods for Teaching Next.js 05:27
Challenges of Being a Full-Time Educator 07:48
Balancing Broad and Specific Examples 09:54
Embracing Mistakes as a Teaching Tool 12:13
Pair Programming and Mentorship 14:00
Discussion on Next.js and Framework Adoption 16:48
Advantages and Challenges of Next.js 18:12
Choosing the Right Framework for Your Needs 20:35
Impact of Next.js in React Documentation 22:26
Learning Paths for New Developers 23:24
The Rise of Full-Stack Web Development 25:09
Benefits of Frameworks Abstracting Complexity 26:27
OpenNext and Deployment Flexibility 28:06
Ankita's Excitement for New Next.js Features 30:35
The Future of Next.js Without Vercel 32:16
Final Thoughts and Where to Find Everyone Online 34:21
Follow Ankita Kulkarni on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/kulkarniankita9
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kulkarniankita
Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co
Annie Sexton, Developer Advocate at Fly.io, to discuss Fly.io’s approach to simplifying cloud deployment. Annie shares Fly.io's unique position as a public cloud that offers the flexibility of infrastructure control with a streamlined developer experience. They explore Fly.io’s private networking and distributed app capabilities, allowing developers to deploy applications close to users worldwide with ease. Annie also addresses common challenges in distributed systems, including latency, data replication, and the balance between global reach and simple, single-region projects.
Chapters:
- 00:00 - 01:32 Introduction to the Modern Web Podcast and Guests
- 01:33 - 04:00 Overview of Fly.io and Annie’s Role as Developer Advocate
- 04:01 - 06:35 What Makes Fly.io Stand Out Among Cloud Platforms
- 06:36 - 08:57 Distributed Applications: Benefits and Use Cases
- 08:58 - 11:28 Understanding Distributed Web Servers and Private Networking
- 11:29 - 13:49 Challenges in Distributed Data and Replication Techniques
- 13:50 - 16:12 Fly.io’s Unique Solutions for Data Consistency
- 16:13 - 18:34 When to Consider a Distributed Setup for Your Application
- 18:35 - 20:35 Tools and Tips for Evaluating Geographical Distribution Needs
- 20:36 - 22:22 Simplifying Global Deployment with Fly.io’s Command Features
- 22:23 - 24:18 Considerations for Latency and Performance Optimization
- 24:19 - 26:45 Balancing Simplicity with Advanced Control for Developers
- 26:46 - 29:04 Easy Deployment for Hobbyists and Smaller Projects
- 29:05 - 31:27 Getting Started on Fly.io with Fly Launch
- 31:28 - 33:48 Developer Advocacy and Meeting Diverse Needs in the Cloud
- 33:49 - 36:15 Catering to Beginners and Experienced Developers Alike
- 36:16 - End Closing Remarks and Where to Find Fly.io and the Hosts
Follow Annie Sexton on Social Media
Twitter:https://x.com/_anniebabannie_
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-sexton-11472a46/
Github: https://github.com/anniebabannie
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, host Rob Ocel is joined by Adam Rackis, Danny Thompson, and guest Braydon Coyer, Senior Front-End Developer at LogicGate to talk about using Angular Signals for improved state management and DOM performance. Braydon explains how Signals simplify Angular development and offer better readability and efficiency compared to traditional methods like RxJS. The conversation also touches on hiring in the AI era, discussing challenges around take-home tests and live coding, and how AI tools like ChatGPT are changing the interview process.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:57 - The Angular Renaissance
02:24 - Signals in Angular
03:27 - Transitioning to Signals
04:19 - Signals in Utility Development
05:09 - RxJS and Signals
07:52 - Signals vs Other State Management Solutions
09:34 - Testing Signals
10:29 - Control Flow and Standalone Components in Angular
12:02 - Angular's Evolution and Accessibility
13:28 - Angular’s Framework Governance
17:10 - Hiring in the Age of AI
19:15 - Pair Programming and Real-Time Problem Solving
22:24 - The Role of AI in Interviews
27:58 - Wrapping Up
Follow Braydon Coyer on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/BraydonCoyer
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/braydon-coyer/
Github: https://github.com/braydoncoyer
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Danny Thompson, Director of Technology at This Dot Labs, hosts a conversation with Theresa Mammarella, JVM engineer at IBM, and Brian Sam-Bodden, Applied AI Engineer at Redis. They explore their talks at JCONF in Dallas, Texas, covering topics like GenAI architectures in the Java community and OpenJDK's Project Valhalla. Their conversation covers Java’s evolution, AI applications, semantic caching, and how these technologies are impacting development workflows and performance optimization.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:00 - Brian on GenAI in the Java Community
01:47 - Java’s Safe Evolution Path
02:17 - Teresa on Project Valhalla
03:54 - Value Classes and Performance
04:33 - Brian on Semantic Caching
06:54 - Challenges of Rewording Prompts
09:15 - What is RAG Architecture?
11:34 - Java’s Role in AI
13:57 - Cost of LLMs and Caching Strategies
15:57 - Teresa on Java’s Future
18:22 - Learning Resources for Java Developers
20:44 - Addressing Misconceptions About Java
22:39 - Final Thoughts
Follow Theresa Mammarella & Brian Sam on Social Media
Theresa Mammarella Twitter: https://x.com/t_mammarella?lang=en
Brian Sam-Bodden Twitter: https://x.com/bsbodden
Theresa Mammarella Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tmammarella/
Brian Sam-Bodden Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sambodden/
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, host Rob Ocel and co-hosts Adam Rackis, Tracy Lee, and Danny Thompson discuss the importance of unit testing for maintaining code quality and reliability, emphasizing its role in scaling projects and ensuring long-term stability. The conversation also highlights the benefits of TypeScript in improving code safety and developer productivity, sharing experiences on how it catches errors early in the process. They also examine the growing role of AI in automating development tasks, weighing the efficiency gains against the risks of over-reliance on automation while stressing the importance of understanding the underlying processes.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Episode Overview
02:59 - The Importance of Unit Testing
10:03 - Best Practices for Implementing Unit Tests
17:15 - TypeScript’s Role in Code Safety and Productivity
2:30 - AI in Software Development: Automating Tasks
29:16 - Balancing AI Automation with Developer Expertise
32:07 - Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks
Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Danny Thompson, Director of Technology at This Dot Labs, sits down with Vincent Mayers, a seasoned tech conference organizer with over 15 years of experience. They discuss the intricacies of running successful conferences, including the challenges of selecting event locations, building community engagement, and creating memorable experiences for attendees. Vincent also shares insights into the evolution of tech conferences, from the importance of shorter talks to the value of the "hallway track" for networking. Tune in for an inside look at how these events shape the tech ecosystem and tips for organizing your own conferences!
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:45 - Vincent Mayers' Background
03:50 - Choosing Conference Locations
06:10 - Building Community and Spreading the Word
08:40 - Sponsorship and Funding Challenges
11:00 - Securing Speakers for Tech Conferences
14:20 - Improving the Conference Experience
16:30 - Badge Design and the Attendee Experience
18:50 - Engaging Attendees Beyond Talks
21:00 - The Role of Tech Conferences in the Java Ecosystem
23:12 - Attendees Still Using Older Java Versions
26:00 - Balancing Cutting-Edge Tech with Fundamentals
28:15 - Evolving Attention Spans in Tech Conferences
30:00 - The Importance of the Hallway Track
33:19 - Closing Remarks
Follow Vincent Mayers on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/vincentmayers
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentmayers/
Github: https://github.com/vincentmayers
Sponsored by This Dot.
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Rob Ocel, Danny Thompson, and Adam Rackis talk with Michael Liendo, Senior Developer Advocate at AWS, about building practical AI applications and tackling challenges like scalability, multimodal functionality, and cloud infrastructure choices. Michael shares insights on tools like AWS Amplify and DynamoDB, discusses strategies for managing cloud costs, and explores the evolving role of prompt engineering. Michael previews his upcoming talks at AWS re:Invent on AI and scalable B2B SaaS applications. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:30 - Talking Weather and Life in the Midwest 03:00 - Exploring Generative AI and Practical Applications 06:45 - Navigating Cloud Costs and Scalability Considerations 08:30 - Maintaining Creativity and Customization with AI 11:00 - Managed Services vs. On-Prem Infrastructure Debate 15:30 - Choosing a Tech Stack for Side Projects and Startups 18:45 - Learning Cloud: Paths for Full-Stack Cloud Development 22:30 - The Role of Cloud Certifications in Today's Market 26:00 - Preview of Michael’s Upcoming Talks at AWS re:Invent 32:00 - Where to Find Michael Online Follow Michael Liendo on Social Media Twitter: https://x.com/focusotter Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/focusotter/ Sponsored by Wix Studio: wix.com/studio
Danny Thompson, Director of Technology at This Dot Labs, talks with Tanner Linsley, Creator of TanStack, about his latest project, TanStack Start. They discuss the challenges of existing frameworks like Next.js and Remix, the development of TanStack Router, and the future of React Server Components. Tanner also explains how caching strategies and fine-grained invalidation can transform the user experience.
Chapters
1. Introduction & Tanner’s Background (00:00)
2. Going Full-Time on TanStack (01:00)
3. The Birth of TanStack Router (02:21)
4. Why Build Another Framework? (04:00)
5. React Server Components: Potential & Limitations (07:05)
6. Fine-Grained Cache Invalidation & UX (09:02)
7. Parallel Data Fetching in Routing (13:39)
8. TanStack Start: Alpha & Future Plans (16:41)
9. Where to Learn More About TanStack (18:48)
Find Tanner Linsley on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/tannerlinsley
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tannerlinsley/
Github: https://github.com/tannerlinsley
TanStack: https://tanstack.com/
Tracy Lee and Rob Ocel chat with Jason Torres about the challenges of breaking into tech, especially for self-taught and underrepresented developers. Jason shares his journey from a 15-year career in the film industry to pursuing software development, discussing the emotional and financial hurdles involved. They also discuss the importance of networking, finding a niche rather than mastering everything, and the impact of the tech downturn on junior developers. Chapters 1. Introduction and Tech Career Journeys (00:00 - 02:30) 2. The Struggles of Breaking Into Tech (02:31 - 06:00) 3. Jason’s Career Pivot from Film to Tech (06:01 - 10:30) 4. The Importance of Networking and Community (10:31 - 15:00) 5. Specializing vs. Being a Generalist in Tech (15:01 - 20:00) 6. Finding Your Path in Tech (20:01 - 25:30) 7. Dealing with Imposter Syndrome and Belonging (25:31 - 30:00) 8. Final Thoughts and Tips for Breaking Into Tech (30:01 - 33:00) 9. Closing Remarks and Tech Talk Humor (33:01 - End) Follow Jason Torres on Social Media Twitter: https://x.com/TasonJorres Linkeidn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejasontorres/ Sponsored by Wix Studio: https://www.wix.com/studio
In this episode of the Leadership Exchange, John Crichton, Chief Technology Officer at Lightning Step Technologies, shares insights on balancing privacy and compliance requirements while fostering innovation in the electronic medical records (EMR) space. The discussion explores the complexities of healthcare data, the evolving use of AI to improve efficiency and patient care, and the importance of servant leadership in building high-performing teams. John also reflects on his experience transitioning from the financial services industry into healthcare, offering advice on integrating AI and developing team culture in both fields.
Chapters
[00:00 - 00:25] Introduction and Welcome
[00:26 - 01:07] Guest Introduction: John Crichton
[01:08 - 02:21] The Lack of Standardization in EMRs
[02:22 - 02:52] Challenges in Clinical Trials and EMR Data
[02:53 - 04:28] Balancing Innovation and Compliance in Healthcare
[04:29 - 06:51] The Impact of Shifting Compliance and Privacy Concerns
[06:52 - 07:10] The AI and Data Privacy Challenge in Healthcare
[07:11 - 09:43] Integrating AI While Ensuring Data Security
[09:44 - 12:33] Leveraging AI for Developer Productivity and Clinical Efficiency
[12:34 - 15:13] AI in Enhancing Patient Care: Lightning Intelligent Assistant
[15:14 - 16:41] Ethical Considerations Around AI in Healthcare
[16:42 - 19:00] Comparing Regulatory Challenges: Financial Services vs. Healthcare
[19:01 - 21:22] Healthcare Records and Financial Records: Privacy and Security
[21:23 - 24:00] The Role of AI in Agile Development Processes
[24:01 - 26:21] Leadership Lessons: Mentorship and Servant Leadership
[26:22 - 29:12] Building a High-Performing Team Through Culture and Leadership
[29:13 - End] Closing Remarks and Where to Find John Crighton
Find John Crighton on Social Media
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrighton/
Lightning Step Technologies: https://lightningstep.com/
Machine Learning and AI expert Shivay Lamba, discusses the evolution of machine learning tools, and his work on MLOps and deploying large language models (LLMs). The conversation covers the accessibility of AI, the power of JavaScript in machine learning through tools like TensorFlow.js, and the growing importance of ethical AI practices. Shivay also discusses the transition of web-based AI tools, the importance of transfer learning, and how developers can break into the space of AI and machine learning. Chapters 1. Shivay’s Journey into Machine Learning (00:00 - 03:30) 2. The Power of TensorFlow.js and Web AI (03:31 - 07:00) 3. Challenges in Hackathons: Using Pre-trained Models (07:01 - 10:00) 4. Navigating the AI Ecosystem: Python vs. JavaScript (10:01 - 13:30) 5. LLMs and Their Growing Popularity (13:31 - 17:00) 6. The Importance of Core Machine Learning Knowledge (17:01 - 20:00) 7. AI Ethics & Challenges in Scaling Models (20:01 - 23:00) 8. Shivay’s Content & Community Involvement (23:01 - 25:00) 9. Conclusion & Final Thoughts (25:01 - End)
Follow Shivay on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/HowDevelop
Github: https://github.com/shivaylamba
Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Nick Taylor, Senior Software Engineer at OpenSauce discusses the current state of open source, including the challenges around funding, sustainability, and contributor burnout. Nick shares insights into how open source has impacted his career and highlights the growing importance of tools like TypeScript in the open-source ecosystem. The panel also discusses the evolution of TypeScript, its widespread adoption, and its role in shaping the modern web development landscape. They explore the nuances between JavaScript and TypeScript, the friction that developers sometimes face when working with types, and how TypeScript has grown into a default tool for many projects. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Co-Host Introductions 00:47 - Guest Introduction: Nick Taylor 01:37 - The Current State of Open Source 02:50 - Funding Challenges in Open Source 03:54 - Open Source Success Stories and Funding Examples 05:35 - Open Source Burnout and Quiet Quitting in Tech 06:43 - Challenges for Open Source Maintainers 07:26 - Motivation and Incentives for Contributing to Open Source 08:35 - Career Benefits of Open Source Contributions 10:11 - Nick’s Journey into Open Source Contributions 12:38 - The Burden of Managing Popular Open Source Projects 14:27 - Hacktoberfest and Low-Quality Contributions 16:14 - Challenges for Beginners Contributing to Open Source 18:01 - The Impact of Hacktoberfest and Mitigating Spam PRs 20:12 - TypeScript's Rise in Popularity 23:16 - Why TypeScript Became Popular in Open Source 25:45 - The Debate Around Static Typing in JavaScript 27:08 - TypeScript vs. JavaScript: Future Considerations 30:21 - The Role of Build Steps in Modern Development Frameworks 33:35 - The Complexity of TypeScript for Different Developer Levels 36:12 - Enum Usage and TypeScript's Type System 38:53 - TypeScript’s Structural Typing and Its Implications 39:47 - Nick’s Contact Information and Closing Remarks Follow Nick Taylor on Social Media Twitter: https://x.com/nickytonline Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickytonline/ Github: https://github.com/nickytonline Sponsored by Wix Studio: https://www.wix.com/studio
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, CSS expert Kevin Powell discusses the evolution of CSS, from the early days of CSS3 to the rapid advancements with Flexbox, Grid, and the latest innovations. Kevin explains how CSS is making strides to integrate features that previously required JavaScript, like scroll-driven animations and popovers, simplifying development and improving performance. He also touches on the importance of understanding the fundamentals of CSS, debugging techniques, and the future of tools like Tailwind and Sass.
Chapters
0:00 - Introduction and Technical Setup Issues
01:05 - Guest Introduction: Kevin Powell
02:00 - Kevin's Journey into CSS and Content Creation
03:21 - Evolution of CSS: From CSS3 to Modern Features
05:46 - The Role of JavaScript in CSS and New Features
08:08 - Popovers, Anchor Positioning, and Progressive Enhancement in CSS
10:26 - Discussion on SAS, Tailwind, and CSS Tools
12:35 - Challenges with Tailwind and Over-Componentization
14:57 - The Importance of Learning Core CSS Principles
16:56 - The "CSS is Hard" Memes and Overcoming CSS Frustration
19:12 - Formatting Contexts and Advanced CSS Concepts
21:31 - Opportunities for Junior Developers to Master CSS
23:54 - Browser Discrepancies and the Future of Web Standards
26:14 - Refactoring CSS for Performance and Best Practices
27:50 - Favorite CSS Resources and Conferences
28:26 - Imposter Syndrome and Kevin's Speaking Journey
29:55 - Closing Remarks and Where to Find Kevin Powell Online
Follow Kevin Powell on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/KevinJPowell
Github: https://github.com/kevin-powell
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kevinpowell
YK Sugi, Senior AI Developer Advocate at Sourcegraph and founder of CS Dojo, shares his journey from coding with MATLAB to working at Google and founding his YouTube channel, and how ChatGPT inspired his shift towards AI-driven applications. Along with our hosts, he discusses AI's impact on coding, particularly in large codebases, and the role of tools like Sourcegraph’s Cody and GitHub Copilot in improving developer workflows. They also explore how AI is evolving in code completion, legacy code, and its broader potential in development.
Chapters
Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:00
YK’s Coding Journey 02:01
AI’s Impact on YK’s Career 07:31
AI in Large Codebases 11:01
Choosing AI Models for Coding 17:01
AI for Code Completion and Development Efficiency 21:01
The Future of AI in Software Development 26:31
AI and Human Creativity 32:01
Closing Remarks and Where to Find YK 36:01
Follow YK on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/ykdojo
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ykdojo/
Github: https://github.com/ykdojo
Rob Ocel, Tracy Lee, Adam Rackis, and Danny Thompson sit down with Kyle Tryon, Senior Developer Advocate at Depot, to talk all things Docker, dev containers, and modern build systems. They break down how Docker simplifies development by solving those "it works on my machine" problems, how cloud-based caching speeds up builds, and why tools like Kubernetes are becoming essential for scaling modern apps. Kyle also shares his journey from fixing laptops in retail to becoming a leading voice in the dev space, plus some great insights into how Docker and Depot are changing the game for developers everywhere.
Chapters
1: Introductions (00:00 – 02:40)
2: What is Docker and Why It Matters (02:41 – 06:30)
3: Docker Files and Containers 101 (06:31 – 11:00)
4: Challenges of Environment Setup & Dev Containers (11:01 – 15:00)
5: The Power of Layer Caching in Docker (15:01 – 20:30)
6: Introduction to Depot and Cloud-Based Builds (20:31 – 25:00)
7: Optimizing Docker Builds with Depot (25:01 – 30:00)
8: Docker in the Modern Web Stack (30:01 – 35:00)
9: The Future of Cloud Builds and CI/CD Pipelines (35:01 – 40:00)
10: Final Thoughts and Where to Find More (40:01 – End)
Follow Kyle Tryon on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/TechSquidTV
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-tryon/
Github: https://github.com/techsquidtv Sponsored by This Dot
Nate Emerson is both a self-taught developer and a computer science university grad. How is that possible? In this episode, Nate talks about his unusual career trajectory, and what it has taught him about the differences between being self-taught vs. formal education in software development. Along with Tracy Lee and Jason Torres, he discusses leadership principles, such as extreme ownership, the value of confidence in engineering, and how humility and teamwork contribute to organizational success. They also highlight the importance of solving practical problems in tech and how this mindset can lead to innovation.
Here are the chapter titles with timestamps:
1: Setting the Stage – The Importance of Practical Skills in Engineering (00:00)
2: Engineering Management and Leadership Culture (04:36)
3: Extreme Ownership – A Leadership Superpower (09:12)
4: Confidence and the Developer's Journey (13:37)
5: Hiring Smarter and Building Stronger Teams (18:27)
6: Problem-Solving and Technology's Real-World Impact (23:13)
7: Leadership, Humility, and Long-Term Success (30:20)
8: Wrapping Up – Final Thoughts on Leadership and Ego (41:58)
Follow Nate Emerson on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/nateemerson
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-emerson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0K8hu90G3iV6327ymEViNw
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, we sit down with Shashi Lo, Senior UX Engineer at Microsoft and the founder of the Gridiron Survivor project. Shashi shares his approach to mentoring junior developers by helping them bridge the gap between boot camp and their first job in tech. We cover the challenges of onboarding, the importance of code reviews, and how companies can better support new talent by investing in mentorship and training. Shashi also talks about his experience with building a community of learners, the process of de-risking junior candidates, and why companies should be more proactive in nurturing the next generation of developers.
00:00 - Meet Shashi Lo
02:25 - The Gridiron Survivor Project
05:02 - The Importance of Code Reviews
07:25 - Teaching the Basics of Project Communication
09:47 - Code Reviews as a Learning Tool
12:06 - Why Shashi Mentors: Giving Back to the Community
14:26 - The Importance of De-Risking Junior Candidates
16:41 - Building in Public: Transparency and Learning
19:00 - Assessing Candidates for the Gridiron Survivor Project
21:25 - The Power of Simple Coding Tests
23:45 - Scaling Up Skills: From Small Tasks to Big Projects
26:07 - Should Companies Be Doing This?
28:25 - Finding Hidden Gems in the Job Market
30:47 - The Challenges of Filtering Candidates
33:02 - Where to Find Shashi Online
34:38 - Closing Remarks
Follow Shashi Lo on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/shashiwhocodes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shashilo/
Github: https://github.com/shashilo Sponsored by This Dot.
In this episode, Rob Ocel sits down with Gant Laborde, CIO at Infinite Red, to explore Gant's journey in the tech industry, his transition into leadership, and his role as a Chief Innovation Officer. Gant shares insights into the challenges and rewards of innovation within a company, how to manage upward and downward effectively, and the importance of trust in leadership. They also discuss the evolving landscape of AI, the significance of experimentation, and the courage needed to make bold decisions.
Chapters
1. Introduction and Opening Remarks - 00:00
2. Gant's Background and Journey in Tech - 02:05
3. Transitioning to Leadership at Infinite Red - 05:08
4. Defining Innovation at an Agency - 07:28
5. The Role of AI in React Native - 09:39
6. Navigating the Hype and Troughs of Technology - 11:35
7. The Challenges of Middle Management - 15:12
8. Building Trust and Managing Upwards - 16:25
9. Empowering Teams and Passing the Torch - 19:40
10. Developing Courage and Taking Risks - 22:30
11. Why Leadership is Worth It - 30:28
12. Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up - 31:53
Follow Gant Laborde on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/GantLaborde
Github: https://github.com/GantMan
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gant-laborde/
Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@gantlaborde
In this episode of the Modern Web podcast, Tracy Lee and Rob Ocel sit down with Sarah Shook, a UI/UX engineer at Hunter Industries. They discuss the topic of Sarah’s THAT Conference talk on color theory, exploring the intricacies of RGB, HSL, and hex color models. The discussion also touches on the importance of understanding how color accessibility impacts your page’s performance.
Chapters
- 00:00 - Introduction and Guest Introduction
- 01:30 - Balancing Work and Parenthood
- 03:20 - Family-Friendly Conferences and THAT Conference Experience
- 05:45 - Overview of Sarah's Presentation on Color Theory
- 07:00 - Understanding Additive and Subtractive Color Models
- 09:00 - RGB to Hex Conversion Explained
- 11:45 - Importance of Color Theory in Web Development
- 14:00 - Accessibility and Color Luminescence
- 16:00 - Tools and Resources for Color Accessibility
- 18:30 - Sarah’s Experience with Vue and Other Frameworks
- 21:00 - Discussion on Framework Deployment and Tooling
- 23:15 - The Challenges and Benefits of Learning Multiple Frameworks
- 25:00 - Tailwind, TypeScript, and Framework Preferences
- 27:00 - Vue Community and Tooling Insights
- 29:00 - Advanced JavaScript and TypeScript Content with DropJS
- 31:00 - Sarah’s Color Utility Project and Where to Find Her
- 32:30 - Closing Thoughts and Outro
Follow Sarah Shook on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/shookcodes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahshook/
Github: https://github.com/shookcodes
Tracy Lee and Rob Ocel sit down with Mark Thompson, aka "Mark Techson", to explore key themes around personal branding, workplace culture, and leadership. Mark shares his journey of building a strong personal brand, discussing how consistent online presence can shape public perception and create professional opportunities. The conversation provides valuable insights into the art of leading without a formal title, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity and gradual influence in workplace environments.
A significant portion of the discussion is devoted to Mark's motto of "Do what matters with who matters while it matters." This practical approach encourages listeners to focus on meaningful work, prioritize important relationships, and make the most of their time. Mark also reflects on the challenges of maintaining resilience in the face of personal adversity, offering a candid look at how to balance personal and professional life effectively.
Listeners will find actionable advice on how to take control of their career trajectory, foster a positive work culture, and navigate the complexities of leadership, all while staying true to themselves.
Chapters
[00:00] Introduction
[02:19] Personal Branding and Online Presence
[06:36] Navigating Workplace Culture
[08:56] The Story Behind 'Well Dressed Wednesdays'
[11:12] Developing the "Do What Matters" Framework
[13:29] Balancing Public and Private Life
[18:10] Overcoming Personal Challenges
[20:28] Taking Control of Your Career
[22:49] Practical Takeaways for Listeners
Follow Mark on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/marktechson
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marktechson/
Github: https://github.com/MarkTechson
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/marktechson.com
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Anthony D. Mays discusses code exercises, landing your first job, and how to succeed in interviews. He shares his personal journey to becoming a software engineer and career coach, and emphasizes the importance of not only having technical knowledge but also a strong problem-solving process. The conversation also touches on the role of senior engineers in guiding and empowering junior engineers, the interview processes at different companies, and tips for success in interviews. In this conversation, Anthony covers the interview process and how candidates can best prepare for technical interviews. emphasizing the importance of collaborative problem-solving and being authentic in interviews. They also explore the idea of secret questions and whether or not they are effective in assessing a candidate's skills.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
03:24 The Importance of Problem-Solving Process in Interviews
06:32 Guiding and Empowering Junior Engineers
10:20 Understanding Different Interview Processes
19:51 Tips for Success in Interviews
24:57 Collaborative Problem-Solving in Technical Interviews
26:26 The Effectiveness of Secret Questions
29:42 Defining the Interview Process
30:37 The Importance of Authenticity
32:30 Interviewer Training and Feedback
35:18 Selecting the Right Opportunity
Follow Anthony D. Mays Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/anthonydmays
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydmays/
Github: https://github.com/anthonydmays
Kent C. Dodds joins Tracy Lee and Rob Ocel at THAT Conference-WI for a discussion about his journey from being an Angular developer to becoming a leading figure in the React community. Kent shares his motivations for making the switch, detailing how React's focus on JavaScript fundamentals and its incremental adoption of new features appealed to him. He also reviews his current and upcoming projects, including the launch of EpicWeb.dev, a comprehensive platform designed to provide end-to-end web development education. Kent talks about the updates coming to EpicReact.dev, including a new tutorial where developers can build useState and useEffect from scratch, aimed at deepening their understanding of React hooks.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:41 Preparing for a 90-Minute Keynote
05:37 Writing a Book and Other Projects
08:04 Surrounded by Ambitious People
09:01 Personal Stories and Balance
10:22 Lessons from Domo and Joe Eames
11:21 Learning from Experienced Engineers
12:41 The Importance of Surroundings
13:33 Choosing the Right People to Associate With
14:46 Kent's Organizational Skills
15:41 Balancing Work and Family
17:06 Committing to Big Things
18:04 Avoiding Burnout and Assessing Priorities
19:26 Sharing Personal Stories in Talks
20:21 Finding Effectiveness and Efficiency
21:17 Dealing with Burnout and Overwhelm
22:46 The Entrepreneurial Mentality
23:15 Running to the Top and Figuring It Out
24:14 Kent's Various Projects
25:41 Transitioning from Angular to React
Follow Kent C Dodds on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/kentcdodds
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kentcdodds/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kentcdodds.com
Github: https://github.com/kentcdodds
EpicWeb.dev: https://www.epicweb.dev/
EpicReact.dev: https://www.epicreact.dev/
Learn More About THAT Conference Wisconsin 2024: https://thatconference.com/wi/2024/
Rachel Lee Nabors talks about the challenge of remaining current with new APIs and libraries, and how to prioritize which technologies you should invest your time in. Along with Tracy Lee, Rachel discusses their project of refactoring a demo using modern APIs and the benefits of challenging oneself with browser native APIs. The conversation also covers Rachel's involvement in standards development, and the evolving web technologies landscape.
Sponsored by This Dot
Watch this episode on our YouTube Channel
Timestamps
[00:00:00] Intro.
[00:03:10] Refactored code, removed external libraries, streamlined.
[00:04:35] Understanding web APIs requires deep knowledge.
[00:05:19] Focus on problem solving, not memorization.
[00:06:39] Many regions, new technologies, use cases.
[00:10:03] React Docs collaboration inspires Angular.
[00:12:17] Career advice and success stories.
Rachel Nabors' Social Media
Bluesky: nabors.bsky.social (Bluesky Social).
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelnabors/?hl=en
Twitter: https://x.com/rachelnabors
GitHub: https://github.com/rachelnabors
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelnabors/
Substack: The Tech Career Survival Guide (The Scrimba Podcast).
Additional Links
CascadiaJS: https://cascadiajs.com/
Rachel Nabors’ “Alice” Project: https://dribbble.com/rachelthegreat/projects/350942-Alice-in-Web-Animation-API-Land
Jonan Scheffler talks about bridging gaps between a brand and a developer community while also discussing the challenges DevRel teams face when aligning their goals with organizational objectives.
Sponsored by This Dot Labs
Tim Neutkens, Co-author and Tech Lead for Next.js, discusses how open source maintainers are simplifying the web, and covers the challenges faced with the current Next.js setup. Tim talks about TurboPack, a solution that optimizes bundling, improves parallelism, caching, and module graph calculations. He also talks about TurboAC, which focuses on addressing performance and compatibility issues, providing seamless transitions for Next.js users. Tim highlights the importance of efficient bundling processes to avoid excessive recompilation and discusses the updates in Next.js versions to enhance caching, rendering behavior, and client-side caching. Tim also discusses some exciting upcoming features in Next.js 15.
Socials
Twitter: @timneutkens
GitHub: timneutkens
Bluesky: timneutkens.bsky.social
Website: https://timn.tech/
Links
Vercel on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, GitHub and Vercel's website
Next.js on Twitter, GitHub, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, official Next.js website
Turbopack on Twitter, GitHub, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Official Turbopack Docs
Webpack on GitHub, Twittvser, YouTube, and Official Webpack Website
Show Notes
[00:00:02] Next.js and the upcoming release of TurboPack.
[00:04:27] JavaScript bundlers evolving to handle growth.
[00:07:58] TurboPack solves Webpack limitations efficiently.
[00:12:12] Bundler compatibility for optimal app performance.
[00:16:50] Client components separated in webpack instance. Turbo pack for better parallelism and stability. Industry moving towards server-side. Feed and rollup still relevant. Collaboration between tools for future.
[00:20:57] Replacing part with roll down, similar to Webpack. Overlapping ecosystem with Avonetic Conference. Limits with unbundling and loading on demand. Cycle of building frameworks and hitting limits. History of using Webpack for client-side code. Two compiler architecture for server and client. Coordination between server and client with Webpack.
[00:25:38] Server action imports, turbo pack improves performance.
[00:30:04] Next.js is popular for websites.
[00:34:18] Chipotle using Next in Vercel, exciting improvements.
[00:38:51] Next.js 15 release candidate with changes.
Sponsored by Wix Studio.
Tejas Kumar and Tracy Lee discuss AI models, tool calling, and Vercel's AI SDK for generating components. They explore AI agency, the importance of documentation, safety concerns, regulation, and the need for human oversight in AI development.
Sponsored by This Dot
En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.