So last week I wrote to Kyle Simpson, world famous JavaScript developer and author of the incredibly popular You Don't Know JS series.

I asked if he'd appear on the Develop Yourself Podcast and I was bracing for a rejection email.

Within about an hour, I saw a new email in my inbox. Here we go. "Well, maybe next time", I thought... He said "sure". 😮

I freaked out. I've read all his books and in fact, I credit them with making me a better, more confident developer. I also follow him on social media and have read his polarizing views and some of the hate he's received online.

I don't always agree with his takes but I respect the fact he truly "learns in public"

Right now, Kyle is on the job search and has been documenting his experience. The ups, downs and in-betweens.

Believe it or not, he even got turned down for a role because he did not pass their challenge... written in JavaScript.

Should that scare the rest of us? According to Kyle, NO, it should not.

In this interview we didn't really talk about code at all. Kyle shares his origin story, how he became a world-famous author, his surprising take on JS frameworks, advice for beginners learning to code and gets real about his job search.

You don't want to skip this one.

Here's some links to get more Kyle Simpson in your life and become a way better JS developer: 

Kyle's Github

Front End Master's Course

Get Kyle's Spicy Takes on LinkedIn


Shameless Plugs

Parsity (Jan 2024 cohort is filling up - don't slack on it)

dev30 (if you don't know JS this should be a no-brainer)

Brian's LinkedIn or Brian's IG 😎

Send us a text

Shameless Plugs

🧑‍💻 Join Parsity - For career changers who want to pivot into software.

✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)