In this episode of 99 Dev Problems, Tessa Kriesel is joined by Brian Casel, founder of Instrumental Products, to discuss his journey from front-end dev to full-stack mastery and his passion for building tools that empower developers. Brian shares insights from his unique career path, transitioning to Ruby on Rails, and the pivotal role AI plays in accelerating development workflows.

Brian explains how Rails remains a premier choice for building MVPs and SaaS products, thanks to its simplicity and developer-friendly philosophy. The conversation also dives into how AI tools like Cursor have transformed his productivity, unblocking challenges that once took weeks in mere minutes.

Tessa and Brian explore deeper topics like the evolving landscape for junior developers, the value of taking risks early in your career, and the joys and struggles of building a business as a technical founder. Brian also shares details about his exciting new projects: a Rails components library and a block editor for Rails, both designed to make development faster and more intuitive.

This episode is packed with actionable insights, whether you're a junior developer navigating your first steps, a seasoned coder exploring Rails, or a founder looking to build products smarter and faster.

Where to Find Brian Casel:

• Instrumental Products: instrumentalproducts.com
• Personal Site: briancasel.com
• Social Media:
  • Blue Sky (@briancasel)
  • X./Twitter (@CasJam)

Brian’s New Podcast:

• The Panel: Panel Podcast (Launching February 2025)

Additional Resources:

• For Rails enthusiasts: Keep an eye on instrumental.dev for the upcoming Rails components library and block editor.

Don't miss this inspiring conversation that reminds us why we love building, solving problems, and collaborating in the developer community!

In this episode of 99 Dev Problems, Tessa Kriesel sits down with long-time friend and developer extraordinaire Carl Alexander. Carl shares his journey from building robotics projects as a child to becoming a prominent figure in the WordPress and PHP communities. With a passion for programming deeply ingrained in his DNA, Carl dives into the challenges of navigating a non-linear career path, the joys of building developer tools, and the importance of creating spaces where developers can thrive together.

The conversation explores fascinating topics, including Carl’s insights on neurodivergence and the “double empathy problem,” how developers communicate, and why connecting with other like-minded individuals is crucial for growth. Carl also highlights the evolution of developer tooling, the role of AI in programming, and how his product, Emyr, is simplifying infrastructure management for WordPress developers.

Whether you’re a developer who loves solving problems, building communities, or just nerding out about PHP and Laravel, this episode has something for everyone.

Where to Find Carl Alexander:

• Ymir: https://ymirapp.com/
• Personal Blog: carlalexander.ca
• GitHub: github.com/carlalexander
• LinkedIn: Carl Alexander

Additional Resources:

• Carl’s book on object-oriented programming in WordPress: https://carlalexander.ca/object-oriented-programming-wordpress/
• Developer community hub: hub.builtfor.dev

Tune in to discover how Carl’s love for programming has shaped his life and how his innovative tools are empowering developers around the world.

In this episode of 99 Dev Problems, Tessa Kriesel chats with Noah Harris, a senior engineering manager based in Buffalo, New York. Noah shares his journey from Atlanta to Buffalo, his transition from electrical to computer engineering, and his deep passion for coding, leadership, and community.

Noah dives into:

• Why he sees coding as playing with Legos and an art form.
• His leadership philosophy rooted in servant leadership and empowering teams.
• The productivity boost he gets from mastering Vim motions.
• The importance of finding your tribe and staying connected to the developer community.

He also shares his unique approach to coffee (hint: it’s his Friday superpower) and how Commit Your Code reignited his love for tech connections.

Where to find Noah:

• LinkedIn: Noah Harris
• BlueSky: @nharris31
• Watch his talk, “Benefits of Joining the Mob"

Tune in for actionable insights on coding, leadership, and community building from Noah's inspiring journey!

In this episode, Tessa Kriesel chats with James Q. Quick, a seasoned developer, speaker, and teacher currently serving as the Head of Developer Experience at MakeSwift, a visual builder integrated with Next.js and part of the BigCommerce ecosystem. James shares his insights on blending developer-centric and marketer-friendly tools, crafting effective documentation, and navigating the ever-evolving challenges of DevRel roles.

Highlights include:

• Career Journeys: From education and self-taught paths to boot camps, James reflects on the diverse routes into tech..
• DevRel Challenges: Balancing startup agility within larger organizations and building tools that meet both developer and marketing needs.
• Practical Tips: Tackling documentation hurdles, leveraging feedback effectively, and building confidence in tech roles.
• Tools of the Trade: James reveals his love for tools like Warp (a next-gen terminal) and Raycast (a productivity booster for Mac users).

Whether you're interested in developer experience, tech career advice, or cutting-edge tools, this episode offers invaluable insights for developers at every level.

Where to Find James Quick:

• Across Socials: @JamesQQuick
• Website: JamesQQuick.com

Join us for this engaging discussion and discover why building things remains at the heart of James’ journey in tech.

In this episode of 99 Dev Problems, Tessa Kriesel is joined by Joe Casabona, a systems and automation coach, and the creator behind an incredible resource of podcast and automations templates. Joe shares his journey from software engineering to helping entrepreneurs and content creators streamline their processes through no-code automation. He talks about his unique approach to automation and how his technical background allows him to create systems that reduce complexity for others.

They dive into topics like automation tools such as Zapier and Make, Joe’s use of AI in workflows, and his experiences with automating business processes without writing custom code. Joe also shares personal anecdotes, including the unexpected joys of getting his family a dog, Bandit, despite not being a dog person. The conversation touches on balancing family life with career ambitions and the evolution of Joe’s approach to productivity and systems.

Join Tessa and Joe for a candid chat that not only touches on the technical side of automation but also explores the human side of career shifts, managing change, and the joy of solving problems creatively. Joe’s insights are a must-listen for anyone looking to streamline their own work or build systems for their businesses.

Folks can find Joe Casabona and his work at the following:

• Website: casabona.org
• Automations Resource: casabona.org/automations – Get access to his free database of over 40 automation templates for tools like Zapier, Make, and Apple Shortcuts.

Joe’s resources are great for anyone looking to optimize their processes with automation tools, and his storytelling style makes learning from him an enjoyable experience!

In this episode of 99 Dev Problems, Tessa Kriesel sits down with Flo Merian, a seasoned developer, founder, and marketer with a rich history of supporting DevTool startups and building communities. Flo shares insights into his journey, starting from self-taught coding as a teenager to co-founding impactful initiatives like Marketing to Dev, a thriving community for DevTool founders and marketers, and his latest venture, Launchweek.dev—a platform for showcasing new developer products.

Key Highlights:

• Origins of a Developer: Flo recounts how his brother introduced him to coding, leading to his lifelong passion for building and innovation.
• The Power of Giving Back: Tessa and Flo dive deep into the "give first" mindset, exploring how openness and community engagement foster growth and trust in the developer ecosystem.
• Building for Developers: Flo discusses Launchweek.dev, a platform bridging gaps for DevTool startups to gain visibility, and emphasizes the long-term value of nurturing developer advocacy.
• Problem-Solving with AI: Flo shares how tools like Raycast and Zed enhance his workflow, showcasing the evolving role of AI in development.

The conversation also touches on the unique camaraderie in the developer world, the challenges of measuring community-driven growth, and actionable strategies for engaging with developers authentically.

Connect with Flo:

• x.com/fmerian
• linkedin.com/in/fmerian/
• marketingto.dev/
• launchweek.dev

This week on 99 Dev Problems, Tessa Kriesel chats with Tim Banks. Tim brings a wealth of experience from the tech industry and a unique perspective as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner and five-time Pan American medalist. Together, they explore parallels between the discipline of martial arts and the challenges of DevOps, including navigating complex systems, maintaining resilience, and fostering continuous learning.

In this candid conversation, Tim shares:

• His journey into tech and lessons from DevOps.
• Strategies for tackling burnout and staying focused in high-pressure environments.
• How diverse life experiences can shape your approach to problem-solving.
• Practical advice for developers at all levels to grow and thrive in their careers.

Whether you're balancing code, life, or jiu-jitsu mats, this episode offers wisdom, inspiration, and actionable insights for grappling with the ever-evolving landscape of tech.

Tune in for an authentic deep dive into the human side of DevOps and discover solutions to some of the toughest challenges developers face.

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of 99 Dev Problems, host Tessa Kriesel chats with the multifaceted Kevin Blanco, a DevRel advocate, film enthusiast, and tech professional from Costa Rica. Kevin shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings, discovering computers in high school, to becoming a passionate community builder and a creative force in developer advocacy.

Topics covered include:

• Community Power: Kevin highlights how the Drupal community's generosity shaped his career and emphasizes the importance of giving back to the communities that uplift us.
• From Developer to Advocate: Transitioning from a 15-year tech engineering role to DevRel, Kevin discusses how his love for storytelling and creativity aligns with his work at AppSmith, an open-source low-code platform.
• Creative Approach to DevRel: Kevin reveals his process of blending film school storytelling techniques into developer advocacy, focusing on empathy-driven video content, user empowerment, and building meaningful partnerships.
• Lessons in Simplicity: The duo explore the pitfalls of overengineering and the virtues of simplicity, shedding light on practical solutions to achieve business goals.
• Inspiration and Uniqueness: Kevin shares profound advice on creativity, personal growth, and embracing one's unique journey, offering actionable insights for developers and tech enthusiasts at every level.

Join us for this insightful conversation that bridges tech, creativity, and community, showcasing how authenticity and passion can drive both personal and professional success.

Where to Find Kevin Blanco:

• LinkedIn
• KevinBlanco.dev
• YouTube

In this episode of 99 Dev Problems, Tessa Kriesel chats with Sean Falconer, AI Entrepreneur in Residence at Confluent, about his diverse career journey from academia to entrepreneurship and leadership in the tech industry. Sean shares insights into his unique role at Confluent, where he focuses on innovation and strategy in AI, and reflects on his transition from being a hands-on engineer to taking on broader leadership responsibilities.

Sean dives into his experiences founding a two-sided marketplace for blue-collar workers, the lessons learned, and why it’s vital to understand your strengths when scaling a business. He also recounts his "accidental" journey into becoming a CMO, emphasizing the importance of scrappiness and first-principles thinking in marketing and business growth.

The conversation explores the impact of AI on IT and software engineering roles, debunking fears of job loss while highlighting AI’s potential to enhance productivity and create opportunities for entrepreneurship. Sean also shares his go-to strategies for overcoming challenges, including rubber-duck debugging, fresh perspectives, and the importance of stepping away to rethink problems.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a developer curious about AI’s future, or someone navigating their career in tech, this episode is packed with relatable stories and practical advice.

Connect with Sean on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanf.

In this festive holiday edition of 99 Dev Problems, Tessa Kriesel welcomes Jason Torres, a developer evangelist at torc.dev, for a candid conversation about the power of community, meaningful connections, and the often-overlooked importance of great documentation in tech.

Jason shares his journey from the film industry to tech, where he's found his niche in fostering authentic engagement within developer communities. We dive into how Torc has experienced exponential growth by focusing on relationships and creating a supportive environment for developers. Jason highlights their initiatives like virtual networking events and lunch meetups that provide inclusive spaces for developers to connect, especially for those who might feel shy or isolated at large conferences.

The episode also unpacks the challenges of bad documentation and its impact on developer experience. Jason and Tessa explore actionable solutions for making docs more accessible, like tiered documentation for various skill levels and ensuring developers can quickly reach that pivotal "aha moment."

From acts of kindness, like Jason’s story of buying a Christmas tree for strangers, to strategies for building stronger developer communities, this episode celebrates the human side of tech. Jason reminds us that small acts of generosity and connection can ripple outward, creating a more positive and collaborative ecosystem.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of investing in developer documentation to foster trust and ease adoption.
• How Torc is redefining community engagement with innovative approaches to networking.
• Practical tips for building confidence to attend conferences and meetups, even for introverts.
• Why selfless acts and authentic connections are crucial in creating thriving tech communities.

Join us for this uplifting conversation that captures the holiday spirit and offers valuable insights for developers at every level. And remember, as Jason wisely puts it, "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice."

🔗 Connect with Jason Torres:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejasontorres/
• Twitter: https://x.com/TasonJorres
• Torc: https://www.torc.dev/

🎄 Merry Christmas from 99 Dev Problems! Tune in for more candid conversations and authentic tech talk in the new year!