Thoughtfully Critical

Today, I start with some spring positivity before diving into two main topics. First, I share my strong preference for wired tech over wireless in the wired vs. wireless debate, highlighting the frustrations of device charging. Then, I discuss the often overlooked but crucial topic of maintenance, stressing its importance throughout the lifecycle of a system, from deployment to eventual retirement. I also touch on the challenges faced by companies failing to adapt their maintenance strategies over time.

📙 Chapters:00:00 Introduction01:05 Wireless vs Wired02:30 Maintenance07:57 Updates

In this episode, I share impactful advice that has shaped my career success, primarily through a systems perspective. This presentation revolves around three crucial habits that can enhance your thinking and approach to your career and life. From maintaining a comprehensive portfolio, documenting your solutions publicly, to upholding a single source of truth—these strategies not only streamline your workflow but also ensure consistent improvement and clarity in your professional journey. Join me as I delve into practical examples and insights that you can implement for your long-term success.

Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wahl Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

02:42 The Importance of a Portfolio

06:32 Enhancing Your GitHub Profile

09:50 Documenting Solutions Publicly

12:24 Maintaining a Single Source of Truth

16:09 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Links & Resources:

When Shit Hits the Fan Podcast

I share insights from my recent solo business trip to California. I attended the Southern California Linux Expo (SCALE 22), visited Rubrik's headquarters, and reconnected with old friends. We'll explore the unique challenges of planning a self-funded business trip, the inspiring environment of SCALE 22, and the importance of reconnecting with loved ones.

Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wahl Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:00 Planning a Solo Business Trip

02:30 Experiences and Reflections from the Trip

04:42 Reconnecting with Friends and Former Colleagues

09:12 Attending the Southern California Linux Expo

14:37 Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections

Links & Resources:

SCaLE Page

I dive deep into various AI tools, market conditions, and exciting topics around AI. I start by discussing the Descript editing tool, its capabilities, and how it streamlines podcast creation. Then I cover Cursor, a fork of VS Code, and its role in automated coding with insights into its privacy and security features. Additionally, I touch on Gartner's Hype Cycle and its stages, offering perspectives on where AI stands today. Finally, catch a preview of upcoming content and an announcement about attending the Southern California Annual Linux Expo.

Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wahl Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:13 New YouTube Content and AWS Course

01:58 Exploring Descript for Content Creation

06:44 Cursor: AI-Powered Coding Tool

12:44 Gartner Hype Cycle and AI Expectations

14:50 Upcoming Conference and Conclusion

Links & Resources:

AWS and Terraform Essentials Course on YouTube

AWS and Terraform Essentials Course on SlideShare

Cursor Security Page

A pivotal experience from 1999 involving a PowerMac G4, college, and a costly mistake. This isn't just a trip down memory lane; it's a raw and honest look at a time when a 'personal supercomputer' dream turned into a financial and technical nightmare. I'll detail the financial pitfalls I fell into, the hard lessons I learned about companies and marketing, and how I ultimately took control of the situation. If you've ever felt misled by a company or made a costly tech purchase, this episode offers valuable insights.

Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wahl Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:27 The Road to Chicago and a Budding Mac Fan

06:05 The PowerMac G4 Dream and Disaster

10:53 Major lessons learned

12:23 Building My Own & Escaping the Lemon

Links & Resources:

Quote: " My biggest issue was counting on future earnings to pay for current costs. Bad idea."

Let’s explore the complexities of choosing and adopting new technical tools in your tech stack. We’ll discuss the importance of evaluating a tool's overall value, including its benefits, drawbacks, and long-term implications. We delve into the essential components of getting buy-in from your team, writing comprehensive Architecture Decision Records (ADRs), and the pros and cons of making versus buying tools. Additionally, we scrutinize the use of Terraform Automation and Collaboration Software (TACOS) and infrastructure wrappers like Terragrunt and Atmos, weighing their potential benefits against the added complexities they introduce.

Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wahl Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:02 Evaluating the True Value of a Tool

01:33 The Ripple Effect of Tool Adoption

02:09 Tool Sprawl and Its Impact

03:07 Building vs Buying Tools

04:31 Getting Team Buy in and Documentation

08:14 Exploring Terraform Automation and Collaboration Software

13:11 The Case Against Infrastructure Wrappers

14:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Links & Resources:

Reshape your AWS CloudFormation stacks seamlessly with stack refactoring on AWS Blog

Quote: " Tools should enable you to do your job better, not become the job itself."

I'll take you on a nostalgic journey back to the 1980s. We'll explore the early days of computing and gaming, talk about the Apple IIe and Bulletin Board Systems (BBSs), and delve into the exciting world of making games. Whether you're a seasoned tech enthusiast or simply curious about the origins of the digital age, this episode is for you.

Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wahl Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

03:02 The Apple IIe

05:38 Bulletin Board Systems

08:36 Making games

10:32 Where to start

Links & Resources:

⁠BASIC Computer Games on Wikipedia

Quote: "Never stop asking 'why?' and 'how?' The tech and gaming worlds thrive on innovation, and curiosity is the engine of that. Don't be afraid to tinker, experiment, and push the boundaries of what's possible."

We're diving deep into the concept of technical debt. I'll explore what it is, where it comes from, and most importantly, how to manage it effectively. I'll discuss strategies for using technical debt as a tool without letting it become a burden, and how to balance the need for progress with the importance of maintaining a healthy codebase. Join me as I navigate the complexities of technical debt and keep projects on track.

Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wahl Network⁠⁠⁠⁠. Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

04:33 Leveraging debt

05:26 Tracking and paying debt

11:09 Where to start

13:31 Getting your team involved

Links & Resources:

Identifying and Paying Off Technical Debt on Wahl Network

The other infinite loop that all coders fear by CommitStrip

Frequency Reduces Difficulty by Martin Fowler

Quote: " Good ideas on paper don't always translate into good ideas in reality. It's best to nip those debt issues in the bud early. "

From the shocking realities of technical debt in major companies to my first big win as both designer and implementer, this is my origin story as a "Technologist as a Service." I share key lessons for aspiring consultants, including the importance of listening, writing, and networking.

Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wahl Network⁠⁠⁠⁠. Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:45 The Consulting Life

05:26 Learning to Design and Deliver

11:09 Key Lessons for Consultants

Links & Resources:

Technologists as a Service by Wahl Network

Every engineer should do a stint in consulting by Forrest Brazeal

Quote: "I don’t need to be the expert in all things; I just need to know who the experts are."

How do platform engineers become the "keymakers" of modern technology? In this episode, I break down the principles of platform engineering through the lens of product development—prototyping, scaling, and abstracting. You'll learn how to design platforms that empower teams to build, test, and deploy at scale while maintaining consistency and reliability across environments. From modular design to service contracts and pipelines, this episode dives into creating platforms that truly unlock success.

Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠Wahl Network⁠⁠⁠. Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

04:16 Where to start

07:32 Scaling the platform

11:16 Abstracting the platform

Links & Resources:

How to Improve Documentation Practices in Engineering Teams on Wahl Network

⁠Platform Engineering⁠ topics on Wahl Network

The Matrix Reloaded IMDB Page

Quote: "Platforms are the right way to build if you want it done right."

Lessons in leadership, collaboration, resilience, and knowing when to pivot—drawn from the highs and lows of leading World of Warcraft guilds and raids—prove that even unexpected experiences can shape your career and life.

Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠Wahl Network⁠⁠⁠. Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:08 Raid leader

05:05 Guild leader

08:25 The pivot

Links & Resources:

World of Warcraft: Official Site

Dragon Kill Points (DKP)

Zanzer’s Z Hunter Mod: Archived Mod Information

Quote: "Don’t take your situation for granted. It can always get worse, and you rarely know you're in the good times until those good times are gone."

Understanding every layer of an organization—its processes, people, and challenges—unlocks the path to strategic leadership and impactful solutions, blending the power of Kaizen with practical insights for crafting technology strategies and building cohesive teams.

Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at ⁠⁠Wahl Network⁠⁠. Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:55 Nissan and kaizen

04:02 Returning to college

08:36 Learning the business

Links & Resources:

Gemba Kaizen: A Commonsense Approach to a Continuous Improvement Strategy on Amazon

Office Space IMDB Page

Deep Work⁠⁠⁠ by Cal Newport on Amazon

Quote: “Surround yourself with good people and success will follow.”

Redefining goals, eliminating distractions, and embracing deep work pave the way for intentional growth, impactful leadership, and a career built on focus and meaningful progress.

Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at ⁠⁠Wahl Network⁠⁠. Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

03:49 What is deep work?

06:50 Why pursue deep work?

10:59 Where to begin

Links and Resources:

An Intentional Focus on Deep Work

Deep Work⁠⁠ by Cal Newport on Amazon

Start With Why by Simon Sinek on Amazon

Quote: “If you want to win the war for attention…let that terrifying longing crowd out everything else.” – Cal Newport

This debut episode dives into the transformative journey of leading a multi-million dollar program—facing fear, building teams, and harnessing the power of mentorship and collaboration—while setting the stage for a podcast dedicated to exploring leadership, tools, and frameworks that drive meaningful change.

Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at ⁠Wahl Network⁠. Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

04:45 Podcast goals

Links and Resources:

Timothy Cain on YouTube

Quote: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”