In launching Season 26 of Building Better Developers, the hosts zero in on what truly sustains developer growth. Building Better Foundations becomes both the theme and the promise: this season will dig into the "why" behind tech trends, sharpen essential habits, and help you stand on solid ground in a shifting landscape.

 

Why Building Better Foundations Matters

Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche acknowledge that in a sea of buzzwords—AI, cloud, low-code, no-code, vibe coding—it's tempting to chase the next shiny tool. But they emphasize: without a foundation of clear reasoning and strong practices, those tools are at risk of collapsing under you. This season's goal is to get past surface hype to the principles that outlast trends.

Building Better Foundations through Clarity on Buzzwords

Part of the mission is deconstructing the buzz. The hosts plan to peel back layers—not just what new tools do, but whythey matter (or don't). Each episode will dig into a topic's role for developers, for business, and for end users. Below are three key concepts you'll hear about—and understanding them is part of your foundation.

Building Better Foundations in Integrating Legacy + Future

It's one thing to use new tech in a greenfield project; it's another to graft it onto 20-year-old systems. Rob emphasizes that migrating requires you to understand why the legacy system was built the way it was. Otherwise, you risk picking the wrong tools or design patterns and creating chaos.

Building Better Foundations for Scale and Sustainability

Michael warns: the fastest launch isn't always the wisest decision. Prototype tools built with low-code, no-code, or AI may serve you well early, but if they can't scale, you're stuck. This season will explore how to choose tools with an eye toward growth, pivot paths, and long-term stability.

Building Better Foundations in Developer Mindset

Beyond tools and architecture lies mindset. A strong developer habit is thinking intentionally—not chasing every "cool" trend, but grounding decisions in purpose, trade-offs, maintainability, and cost. As Rob says, a true developer is marked by how consistently they bring those fundamentals to every environment.

Join the Building Better Foundations Conversation

Rob and Michael invite you into the process. Email them at  [email protected] with your buzzwords, topic ideas, or challenges. This season is as much about dialogue as it is about lessons.

"We grow together. We want to make sure you're part of this journey." – Rob Broadhead

Key Takeaways for Your Developer Foundation

• Keyphrase alert: Building Better Foundations is the guiding lens—ask "why" before jumping into any tool.

• When modernizing legacy systems, start with context and purpose, not just the latest tech.

• Always think about scale and pivot options—don't let fast prototypes become dead ends.

• Cultivate mindset over tool obsession. The habits you build are the real foundation.

Additional Resources

• Building And Reinforcing Your Foundational Skills

• Stories Instead of Buzzwords – Showing What You Know

• Ramping Up Your Skills Through Broad Experience

• The Developer Journey Videos – With Bonus Content

• Building Better Developers With AI Podcast Videos – With Bonus Content