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If you’ve ever questioned whether your job title comes at the cost of your freedom, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Beyond the Build, we dive into the messy reality of work-life balance in tech—especially as your role and responsibilities grow. 

We ask the tough question: Is balance even possible once you start owning important projects or teams?

From seasonal workloads to title-based expectations, we explore how your career trajectory affects your ability to unplug and whether balance is something you can maintain—or something that shifts with context.

We also share personal experiences and offer practical tips on how to reduce the “work” and push for more “life,” even in high-ownership roles.

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In this episode of Beyond the Build, we open up about something nearly every software engineer faces but rarely talks about — imposter syndrome. 

From feeling like we’re not “technical enough” to questioning whether we belong in the rooms we’ve worked hard to get into, we share our personal stories, struggles, and how imposter syndrome has shown up throughout our careers.

We also dive into the clever strategies and mindset shifts that have helped us push through those moments of doubt — including things we've learned from peers, mentors, and the job itself.

If you've ever felt like you're faking it or waiting to be "found out," this one’s for you.

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In this episode, Ope and I break down what it really takes to build strong technical skills as a software engineer. We go beyond just writing code and dive into how to deliberately sharpen your expertise by:

• Building a portfolio of projects that showcase your abilities
• Developing taste in engineering and writing about what you learn
• Surrounding yourself with an environment that pushes you to grow (or creating one if it doesn’t exist)
• Seeking scale—working on problems that challenge you
• Asking the right people for problems to solve—and actually following through

And, of course, we emphasize something engineers often forget: taking care of yourself. Knowing when to disconnect and have fun is just as important as grinding through hard problems.

This episode is packed with practical insights for software engineers at any stage. Whether you're early in your career or looking to sharpen your edge, you'll walk away with actionable advice.

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In this episode, Ope and I discuss how we incorporate AI into our work as software engineers—the benefits, the challenges, and the misconceptions. We break down the pitfalls of relying too much on AI, share strategies for using it effectively without compromising core engineering skills, and offer practical advice on leveraging AI to boost productivity rather than replace developers. Whether you're excited about AI or skeptical of its role in tech, this conversation sheds light on how to use it responsibly and efficiently.

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In this episode, Ope and I dive into our experiences with technical interviews—from their evolution into the current LeetCode-heavy format to the challenges they present for both candidates and hiring teams. We explore alternative approaches to assessing software engineers and share practical tips on how developers today can better prepare for these rigorous evaluations. Whether you're gearing up for your next interview or just curious about the hiring landscape, this conversation is for you!

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In this episode, Ope and I discuss our backgrounds and how we got to where we are. We also go into what the podcast will be about moving forward