January 09, 2026

Coding Python With Confidence: Beginners Live Course Participants

1 hour 18 minutes

Are you looking for that solid foundation to begin your Python journey? Would the accountability of scheduled group classes help you get through the basics and start building something? This week, two members of the Python for Beginners live course discuss their experiences.

We speak with course instructor Stephen Gruppetta about building a course where the participants start using their knowledge as soon as possible. He describes how he’s evolved his teaching techniques over years of working with beginners. We explore the advantages of having a curated collection of written tutorials, video courses, and a forum for asking those nagging questions.

We also speak with students Louis and Andrew about their experiences learning Python through the course. They discuss learning how to apply their new skills, employing them in their careers, and building confidence to continue their Python learning journey.

Spotlight: Python for Beginners: Code With Confidence

Learn the fundamentals of Python step-by-step in a friendly, interactive cohort. Build confidence writing code and understand the “why” behind Python’s core concepts.

Topics:

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:01:40 – Instructor Stephen Gruppetta

00:02:42 – Designing the course

00:09:01 – Introducing mini-projects early

00:13:22 – How have the questions changed for Python beginners?

00:20:23 – Taking advantage of Real Python resources

00:24:07 – More courses for 2026

00:25:40 – Spotlight: Python for Beginners

00:26:39 – Python for Beginners participants

00:27:50 – Louis’ background in programming

00:30:46 – Andrew’s background in programming

00:37:43 – Starting to use the knowledge with mini-projects

00:42:52 – What were challenges with the language?

00:54:15 – Working on the larger final project

00:59:45 – What advantages did the cohort-style course provide?

01:03:56 – Are you ready for that blank page?

01:12:00 – How do you see yourself using these new skills?

01:17:39 – Thanks and goodbye

Show Links:

Python for Beginners: Code With Confidence – Real Python

Episode #246: Learning Intermediate Python With a Deep Dive Course

Intermediate Python Deep Dive Course – Real Python

Cohort-Based Live Python Courses – Real Python

MI6 chief: We’ll be as fluent in Python as we are in Russian - The Register

Level up your Python skills with our expert-led courses:

Python Basics: Setting Up Python

Python Basics: Code Your First Python Program

Python Basics: Lists and Tuples

Support the podcast & join our community of Pythonistas

...more

View all episodes

By Real Python

4.7

139139 ratings