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Beyond Coding
By Patrick AkilTechnology
Beyond Coding episodes
- From Pixels to Tokens: UX Is Not Enough Anymore
What does it take to build AI features at the scale of Microsoft Copilot?
Senior Product Manager Stéphanie Visser reveals the massive shifts in product development, from focusing on pixels to tokens and embracing a culture of rapid, data-driven experimentation.
Learn how the roles of PMs, engineers, and scientists are evolving and what it takes to succeed.
In this episode, we cover:
- The shift from UX-focused products to output-quality-focused AI.
- How to run experiments and decide when an AI feature is ready to ship.
- The changing roles and expectations for PMs, engineers, and data scientists.
- Building trust and a strong product culture in a distributed AI team.
This episode is a must-watch for product managers, engineers, and tech leaders looking to adapt their processes for the age of AI and accelerate their delivery cycles.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - How Microsoft Builds AI Features
00:00:49 - The #1 Thing That Changed for Product Managers
01:28 - From Pixels to Tokens: The AI Product Shift
02:58 - Why AI Is All About Output Quality, Not UX
04:46 - When Is an AI Feature "Good Enough" to Ship?
06:45 - The "Non-Embarrassment Bar" for Releasing AI
09:07 - Why Old User Feedback Methods Don't Work for AI
12:28 - The New Expectations for Software Engineers in AI
15:33 - When to Involve Engineers in the Product Process
17:43 - How Microsoft Structures Its AI Product Teams
20:40 - Why 3-Month Planning Is Obsolete in the AI Era
22:42 - How to Remove Bias From Your Product Decisions
25:36 - Balancing Data vs. User Intuition in AI
27:44 - The Biggest Bottleneck in AI Experimentation
31:12 - How to Define the Right Metrics for Your AI Product
33:39 - Building Trust and Culture in a Remote Team
37:47 - The Most Underrated Skill for Product Managers
40:57 - How to Cultivate a Strong Product Culture
44:32 - The AI Tools a Microsoft PM Actually Uses
46:29 - How to Manage the Expanding Scope of the PM Role
Connect with Stéphanie Visser:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanievisser
Connect with Patrick Akil:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-akil
https://twitter.com/PatrickAkil_
Sponsors:
Xebia - https://xebia.com
#ProductManagement #AI #Microsoft
48 min - Stop Hiring Junior Engineers Because of AI?
As AI accelerates development, many companies are halting junior hiring, believing AI tools can replace them. Shahin Shahkarami, Director of Data & AI at Ikea Retail, argues this is a massive mistake and that now is actually the best time to invest in new talent.
In this episode/video, we cover:
Why companies should hire junior talent despite the rise of AI.
How the role of a data scientist is evolving with generative AI.
The most valuable business use cases for AI beyond chatbots.
This conversation is for tech leaders, hiring managers, and aspiring developers looking to understand how to build and grow their careers in the age of AI.
Connect with Shahin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahin-shahkarami
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/Jui-8Lx6kvk
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Why Now Is The Best Time to Hire Junior Talent
00:01:46 - The Massive Mistake Companies Make with AI Hiring
00:03:11 - How Junior Talent Can Stand Out in 2025
00:04:39 - Why Senior-Only Teams Can Become Negative
00:05:56 - The ROI Problem: What If Your Junior Talent Leaves?
00:07:44 - How Companies Can Actually Retain Top Talent
00:11:06 - How AI Has Changed Personal Productivity for Leaders
00:15:34 - How the Role of a Data Scientist Is Evolving
00:18:28 - The 80/20 Rule of Building AI Products
00:21:37 - The Rise of the "AI Engineer" and What It Means
00:23:37 - A Simple Strategy for Personal Growth in Tech
00:28:46 - Where Generative AI Delivers Real Business Value
00:32:37 - Why You Must Differentiate Your Business With AI Now
00:38:09 - A 2-Fold Strategy for Prioritizing AI Projects
00:40:41 - The Power of a 20% Experimentation Culture
00:43:10 - The Problem With Chatbots as a First AI Project
00:46:20 - The Danger of Releasing an 80% Good AI Product
#AI #TechCareers #DataScience
50 min - How to Master Software Engineering (From Junior to Architect)
Feeling overwhelmed by the constant change in software engineering? After 25 years in the industry, CTO Joris Kuipers shares a pragmatic roadmap to not just survive, but achieve true mastery in your craft, whether you're a junior developer or a seasoned architect.
In this episode, we cover:
How to focus your learning when new technologies emerge daily
The ideal environments for junior and senior engineers to thrive
Why rapid, frequent deployment is SAFER than slow, careful releases
The critical feedback loops you must have to accelerate your career
How to move beyond rigid processes like Scrum to deliver real value
This is for any software engineer who wants to stop just "doing the work" and start building a deeply fulfilling and successful career by mastering their craft.
Connect with Joris:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jkuipers
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/pNtkOZuWetg
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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Timestamps:
00:00:00 - The #1 Thing That Gives a 25-Year CTO Energy
00:02:39 - How to Maintain Mastery When Tech Constantly Changes
00:05:30 - The Chicken-and-Egg Problem of Learning on the Job
00:08:49 - What Junior Developers Should Master First
00:11:39 - The Danger of Starting Your Career at a Small Startup
00:14:45 - How to Persuade Senior Engineers to Change Their Ways
00:17:33 - Why I Don't Want to Be a Full-Time Coder Anymore
00:20:14 - The Right Way to Ask Your Senior for Help
00:22:42 - Why We Stopped Doing Story Point Estimations
00:25:39 - The Problem with Managers Who Lack Technical Depth
00:29:26 - Why Integration is the Future of Software Engineering
00:33:11 - The Dark Side of Accessible Cloud Infrastructure
00:35:34 - Why You MUST See Your Code Running in Production
00:37:35 - Should Developers Be On-Call for Their Own Code?
00:41:38 - The Surprising Reason Faster Deployments Are Safer
00:45:57 - Why Small, Frequent Changes Reduce Your Risk
00:49:09 - How Your Environment Makes or Breaks Your Career
00:52:10 - The Good News: Learning Gets Easier Over Time
53 min - The Simple Daily Habit That Unlocks Your Productivity
Time is your most finite resource; once you spend it, you can never get it back. In this conversation, co-founder and Senior Product Manager Joseph Hill reveals the mindset and systems he uses to be intentional with his time, manage his focus, and stay productive without burning out.
In this episode, we cover:
How to be intentional with your time and challenge unnecessary meetings.
The right tools for knowledge and task management (Obsidian, Jira, etc.).
A simple daily logging method to boost awareness and reflection.
Why experimenting with your processes is crucial for career growth.
How to overcome FOMO and take control of your workload.
This episode is for any professional who feels overwhelmed by their to-do list and wants actionable strategies to reclaim their focus and energy.
Connect with Joseph:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillmeister
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/9r2_49wW2xU
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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Timestamps:
00:00:00 - The #1 Realization About Your Time
00:00:44 - My New Approach to Knowledge Management
00:02:10 - The Surprising Reason I Use Jira for Personal Tasks
00:04:03 - Why You Should Experiment (Even If It Fails)
00:06:40 - How to Challenge Processes Without Being Flaky
00:08:56 - How to Say "No" to Meetings Early in Your Career
00:11:57 - The Only Person Who Can Manage Your Time
00:13:13 - How AI Is Changing Meeting Productivity Forever
00:16:24 - Is Your Team Using Async Communication Correctly?
00:19:25 - How We Track and Limit Context Switching
00:21:29 - The Simple Trick to Managing an Overwhelming Workload
00:24:08 - The Hard Truth About Dropping Tasks You Enjoy
00:26:49 - Giving Yourself Grace: You Don't Have to Be a Superhuman
00:28:29 - Why We Don't Value Our Own Time (And How to Fix It)
00:30:23 - The Daily Logging Habit That Creates Insane Awareness
00:33:48 - My Sunday Ritual for Weekly Reflection and Micro-Goals
00:36:21 - The One Daily Question That Brings Me Joy and Energy
00:38:20 - How I Keep My Work and Personal Knowledge Separate
00:41:24 - The Power of Analyzing Yourself to Improve Your Life
45 min - Principal Software Engineer: Democracy at Work is Overrated
Dario Gieselaar, Principal Software Engineer from Elastic gets brutally honest about what it really takes to succeed in a top tech company. We uncover the uncomfortable truths about the promotion game, why direct feedback is crucial (even when it hurts), and why a "winning" mindset is everything. This is the conversation about career growth they don't have in HR meetings.
In this episode, we cover:
Navigating promotion cycles and advocating for yourself
Giving and receiving critical feedback without being seen as "negative"
The importance of accountability and managing low-performing colleagues
Why a top-down approach can be more effective than team democracy
How to "disagree and commit" to keep projects moving forward
This video is for any software engineer who wants to level up their career, navigate corporate dynamics, and become a high-impact performer in a competitive environment.
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/1q7Jjbi5GJ4
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Career Progression for Software Engineers in Big Tech
00:00:28 - The Pain and Frustration of a Missed Promotion
00:03:44 - The "Classic Game" of Asking Your Manager for a Promotion
00:05:38 - When Salary Becomes a Trigger for Your Motivation
00:08:09 - Why Recognition is More Important Than Money
00:11:09 - The Challenge of Giving Positive vs. Critical Feedback
00:13:26 - Is Your Critical Feedback Being Labeled as "Negative"?
00:15:36 - When Being Indirect Wastes Everyone's Time
00:17:44 - Why Direct Disagreement Leads to Better Decisions
00:20:16 - The Surprising Impact of Meeting Colleagues In-Person
00:22:43 - How Reorgs Destroy High-Performing Teams
00:25:59 - Why the World's Biggest Codebase is Embarrassing
00:27:58 - Should You Let Your Team Make Their Own Mistakes?
00:30:47 - The Unique Challenge of Building Enterprise Software
00:34:16 - A Hard Lesson: When Your Directness Hurts a Colleague
00:38:45 - The Uncomfortable Truth About Managing Low Performers
00:43:21 - Why High Performers Leave Teams That Tolerate Coasting
00:47:05 - A Contrarian Take: Is Workplace Democracy Overrated?
00:50:54 - How to "Disagree and Commit" Without Wasting Time
00:55:52 - The #1 Instinct to Control When Receiving Feedback
01:01:43 - Mindset Shift: Treating Software Engineering Like a Competitive Sport
1 hr 5 min - How to Get a Remote or International Tech Job (Complete Guide)
The most common question I get is "How do I land a remote or international tech job?" In this episode, I'm breaking down the exact roadmap I would follow, from building core skills to the one thing you MUST do to get noticed by recruiters. This isn't just about resumes; it's about building a career that opens global doors.
In this video, we cover:
Why your first job should be local (and in-office).
How to build a "social presence" that gets you hired.
The right way to message recruiters so they actually reply.
How to prepare for modern tech interviews that go beyond LeetCode.
My personal story of failing a dream job interview and what it taught me.
This guide is for any software engineer or tech professional, from early-career to experienced, who wants to break into the remote or international job market. You'll learn the actionable steps to stand out, get your foot in the door, and ultimately land the job.
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/GtPyXqFbCus
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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Timestamps:
00:00:00 - The #1 Question You Must Answer First
00:01:08 - Why Your First Tech Job Should Be Local
00:03:14 - The Surprising Benefit of Working In-Office
00:05:17 - The Easiest Path to an International Role
00:07:09 - Mastering English: The Underrated Skill
00:11:23 - How to Stand Out in the Age of AI Resumes
00:14:31 - Proving Your Worth with a Strong GitHub Portfolio
00:17:37 - Build Your Network Through Community and Content
00:20:13 - The Right Way to Message Recruiters on LinkedIn
00:23:20 - How Tech Interviews Are Changing (Beyond LeetCode)
00:26:41 - What I Learned from Failing My Dream Job Interview
00:28:08 - Your Complete Roadmap to Landing the Job
#TechCareers #RemoteJobs #SoftwareEngineer
31 min - Tech Founder: From 0 to 15 Million Users. Here's What We Learned
Maximiliano Neustadt, CTO and co-founder of Polarsteps, shares the incredible journey of building a travel app from 5 people to over 15 million users.
From surviving as a travel company during the worst possible timing to scaling without hustle culture, Maxi reveals the key decisions, hiring practices, and leadership lessons that drove their success.
Learn how they built strong company values, made tough product choices, and why they spend a full day with every hiring candidate as part of the interview.
Connect with Maximiliano Neustadt:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximiliano-neustadt-90137b2
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/3ZLmpggjcUY
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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OUTLINE00:00:00 - Introducing Maximiliano Neustadt, CTO of Polarsteps00:00:46 - The founding story of Polarsteps00:03:21 - The early days and first key hires00:05:48 - The unique Polarsteps hiring process00:15:15 - Transitioning from CTO to CEO during COVID-1900:19:37 - Rejecting startup hustle culture00:22:51 - Balancing employee freedom and company direction00:29:05 - Polarsteps' five core company values00:33:04 - Balancing user data and intuition in decision making00:38:24 - The approach to adopting new tech like AI00:44:13 - How Polarsteps fosters innovation
46 min - Software Engineering Went From Hacker Culture to...
Pauline Vos (Senior Software Engineer at MongoDB) reveals how software culture evolved from its counterculture, DIY, and anarchist roots to what we see today.
We explore:
The original hacker mindset and why it mattered
How open source was always political
Why 2017-2018 changed everything
Where to still find real hacker culture (hint: hacker camps, FOSDEM)
The difference between building puzzles vs. building APIs
From Anonymous protests to battle snake competitions, from lockpicking to the lost idealism of the early web - discover what software engineering lost and where you can still find it.
"Open source culture goes back to the 70s... quite a few of them see free information, open information, accessible information as a human right." - Pauline
🔗 Connect with Pauline:
https://pauline-vos.nl
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulinepvos
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/0fIoRVlObNo
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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OUTLINE:
00:00:00 - The Origins of Software Culture
00:02:13 - The Shift to a Profit-Focused Culture
00:03:48 - The Reality of Production and the Need for Guardrails
00:05:32 - Contrasting Modern Startup Goals with Hacker Culture
00:07:16 - The Role of Architects and Pragmatic Design
00:09:46 - The Anti-Capitalist Roots of DIY Culture
00:11:52 - Open Source: Political Roots and Business Models
00:15:28 - The Thriving and Misunderstood PHP Ecosystem
00:21:23 - Why Open Source Lacks User Experience Professionals
00:23:36 - The Decentralized Web and The Fediverse Explained
00:30:12 - The Web's Original Vision vs. Its Current State
00:33:09 - The Impact of AI on How We Use the Internet
00:36:07 - AI-Generated Code: A Goldmine for Hackers
00:40:47 - "Slop Squatting": A New AI-Related Security Threat
00:43:03 - How to Find and Engage with Hacker Culture Today
00:46:20 - Gamifying Software: Battle Snake, CSS Battles, and the Demoscene
00:50:04 - Final Advice and How to Get Involved
51 min - Search Is In Everything You Build (And You Probably Don't Know It)
Search is just about Google? Think again. In this conversation with Pratim Bhosale (Senior Developer Experience Engineer at Treblle), we discuss how search technology secretly powers nearly every app you use daily.
What we discuss:
- Why Netflix recommendations are actually reverse search
- How dating app swipes and e-commerce filters are sophisticated search in disguise
- The evolution from keyword matching to semantic understanding
- Why JavaScript developers are writing the most insecure code (surprising data)
- How AI is changing what brings developers joy
- The authenticity crisis in tech content (and why Pratim blocks AI-generated responses)
Key takeaways:
- Every filter, recommendation, and personalization feature you build involves search
- Modern search goes way beyond text - it's about context, location, and intent
- The developer experience is fundamentally changing with AI tools
🔔 Subscribe for more Beyond Coding episodes
💬 What hidden search problems have you discovered in your projects?
Connect with Pratim:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhosalepratim
https://x.com/BhosalePratim
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/X4CxFXTpcBQ
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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OUTLINE
00:00:00 - The Evolving Magic of Search
00:03:28 - From Physical Files to Contextual AI
00:05:00 - Why All Developers Should Care About Search
00:08:28 - Unlocking New Possibilities with Hybrid Search
00:12:40 - The Developer Advocate's Dilemma: Depth vs. Breadth
00:15:05 - The Joy of Fast Feedback in Backend Development
00:18:01 - How AI is Reshaping Creativity and Joy
00:21:17 - AI's Impact on Code Generation and Security
00:24:57 - Programming Languages and Code Quality
00:29:05 - Picking Up New Languages in the Age of AI
00:33:12 - The Rise of AI-Generated Content on Social Media
00:38:52 - When to Use AI in Your Content Creation
00:42:15 - Why Empathy is The Most Valuable Skill for the Future
00:45:52 - The Future Value of Human Experiences
50 min - Inside VEED’s AI Product Strategy: Speed, Scale, and User Feedback with Samuel Beek
Samuel Beek, Chief Product Officer at VEED, joins me to share how their team ships AI-powered features in days, not months.
We explore VEED’s product strategy, how they stay close to users, and what it really takes to build fast without breaking things. If you're building with AI or working in product, this episode is packed with useful takeaways.
Topics include:
Shipping AI features at startup speed
Embedding user feedback into product decisions
Building for scale and testing fast
Balancing innovation and execution
Connect with Samuel Beek:
https://samuelbeek.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelbeek
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/UgFbZhWCrGc
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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41 min
About Beyond Coding
From the publisher's feed
For software engineers ready to level up. Learn from CTOs, principal engineers, and tech leaders about the skills beyond coding: from technical mastery to product thinking and career growth. Created…
by Patrick Akil. Powered by Xebia