Don't hate mail me just yet. 

“Free” work as a developer can feel like a controversial topic, but it could be the key to jump-starting your career. 

I’ll walk you through strategies for gaining credibility, building a portfolio, and turning your free work into a launchpad for your development career. 

You will learn how to:

 -Discover valuable projects, not junk work 
- Position yourself as a developer while still learning 
-Leverage open-source and freelance work for career growth 

And don’t worry, this isn’t about working for free forever—just smartly leveraging it as a stepping stone.

Check out my buddy William Ray who has some really good advice about freelancing as a developer.

Send us a text

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🤔 Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software with AI integrations.

AI Bootcamp - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to AI

I know the smartest and best looking developers are listening to this podcast.

As a thank you, here's a mini-tutorial to learn some backend software development as a Javascript developer.

Video: https://youtu.be/9mU6Mnq9ZXY
Code: https://github.com/CodeCoachJS/js_pros_backend_starter.git​

Please share this and tag me if you do!

One last thing 👇

Join me and Aaron Cordova, a recent guest on the podcast to talk about how you can actually break into tech as an outsider. Register here.

Send us a text

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🤔 Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software with AI integrations.

AI Bootcamp - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to AI

In the last decade, I got sober, learned to code, and lost 50 pounds. 

At the end of the day, the key to all of these transformations came down to habits. 

In this episode, I break down how small, consistent changes can lead to big life transformations—whether you want to improve your coding skills, land a job, or just build better habits in life. 

Let's learn the science behind habit formation and practical tips to help you create habits that last.

Send us a text

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🧑‍💻 Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

🤔 Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software with AI integrations.

AI Bootcamp - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to AI

The field of software development tends to attract neuro-divergent people, and because of the emphasis on problem-solving, long stretches of focus, and task management, developers with ADHD often face unique challenges. 

Henry Lam, an ADHD coach for professionals who shares practical strategies for 

• managing time
• boosting motivation
• minimizing distractions 

This advice can be applied for anyone learning to code and especially to neuro-divergent developers. 

Whether you’re struggling with procrastination, hyper-focus, or juggling multiple projects, this conversation offers actionable insights to help you stay on track and reach your full potential.

You can connect with Henry at ​https://www.adhdcoachingnearme.com/

Send us a text

Shameless Plugs

🧑‍💻 Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

🤔 Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software with AI integrations.

AI Bootcamp - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to AI

Wondering where to take your first step in the tech world?

Should you aim for a fast-paced startup, a steady mid-sized company, or a giant like Google?

In this episode I share my personal journey through all three—from a stressful startup experience to working at Fortune 100 companies.

Learn the pros and cons of each environment, and get actionable advice on how to navigate your career, make smart choices, and avoid common mistakes along the way.

Lastly - this is the last week to get a major discount to Parsity. Apply here.

Send us a text

Shameless Plugs

🧑‍💻 Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

🤔 Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software with AI integrations.

AI Bootcamp - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to AI

In this interview, Dagna Bieda, an accomplished software engineer and author of "Brain Refactor", shares how she struggled with communication as a developer and how she had to "refactor" her own mindset to reach the next level in her career as well as:

• Common pitfalls that most software engineers make in their career
• Why "mindset" is more than a fluffy buzzword
• Marketing yourself as a developer
• Psychedelics?!

This convo took a turn I never expected 😅.
​
📖 Get her book here
💼 Connect with Dagna on LinkedIn
🧠 ​Finally, here's a link to the article we mention during the show.

Send us a text

Shameless Plugs

🧑‍💻 Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

🤔 Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software with AI integrations.

AI Bootcamp - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to AI

Let me be clear: junior developers are necessary.

They are also risky to hire.

Let's explore the economics of hiring juniors, how to de-risk yourself and what the hell "junior" really means.

Also - here's my email if you want any targeted advice: [email protected]

Include your Github and LinkedIn and I'll give you my 3 cents!

PS. We have 2 spots left for the last cohort of the year. Join me at Parsity.io if you want to become a software developer in 2025.

Send us a text

Shameless Plugs

🧑‍💻 Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

🤔 Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software with AI integrations.

AI Bootcamp - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to AI

Aaron went from rapper to New York City Transit worker to working at some of the largest names in tech including Coinbase, Docker and Meta (Facebook).

This story isn't really about tech or money, but that's a piece of it.

The real story is about refusing to settle, rising above your circumstances and creating options in life when you feel like you don't have any.

Aaron has nothing to sell you.

He reached out to me because he wants to share his story in the hopes it will help others who may be struggling or feel stuck.

If you're not inspired by Aaron's journey, there's a chance you're a robot.

You can connect with Aaron on LinkedIn here

Send us a text

Shameless Plugs

🧑‍💻 Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

🤔 Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software with AI integrations.

AI Bootcamp - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to AI

The problem with the tech advice you get on LinkedIn, X and TikTok is that it doesn't reflect reality.

The loudest voices dominate the space and create an echo chamber.

Luckily, Stack Overflow surveys tens of thousands of developers every year to find out:
 
- what professional developers REALLY think about AI taking their jobs
- the technology everyone is using 
- the tools we use daily to write code

Let's explore some of the most interesting take aways from this year's survey.

Send us a text

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🧑‍💻 Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

🤔 Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software with AI integrations.

AI Bootcamp - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to AI

Parsity grad Nils decided to change careers at 44 from professor of music to software engineer.

His story may not seem typical but in many ways it follows the same pattern that has worked for other career changers:

- He worked on real world projects in exchange for credibility.
- He was open to hybrid opportunities.
- He went outside LinkedIn and leveraged his personal network.

His life changed.

Pretty cool story. 

Nils breaks down how he did it in this episode with some practical takeaways for listeners.

Send us a text

Shameless Plugs

🧑‍💻 Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

🤔 Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software with AI integrations.

AI Bootcamp - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to AI