HTML All The Things - Web Development, AI, and Developer Careers

In this episode, Matt and Mike dive into developer experience (DX) — what it is, why it matters, and how improving it can make you a better developer. They share personal stories of frustrating build processes, game-changing tools, and scripting away pain points. Whether it's speeding up deployments, eliminating unnecessary rebuilds, or embracing platforms like Vercel and PlanetScale, there's never been a better time to take your DX into your own hands.

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/why-developer-experience-matters

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Most coding guides are built for beginners—but what if you're already a working developer? In this episode, Matt shares his personal struggle with upgrading his coding skills after years of using no-code and low-code tools to deliver client sites. From outdated certifications to modern dev stacks, we explore how "situational developers" can navigate learning gaps, avoid repetitive beginner content, and figure out what skills actually matter next.

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/leveling-up-your-dev-skills-when-youre-not-a-beginner-but-feel-like-one

Use our affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

What happens when a real developer uses AI to build something in a language and toolset they’ve never touched before? In this episode, Matt shares the story of how he created a free, custom-coded Google News sitemap generator using Node.js, GitHub Actions, and the Webflow API—with help from AI. The catch? He had no prior experience with any of those tools.

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/what-happens-when-a-real-developer-starts-vibe-coding

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Ever wonder what a developer really does at a tech startup? In this episode, we break down a full week—from scattered meetings and deep work to deployments, sprint planning, and handling the chaos of outages and DDoS attacks. Get a behind-the-scenes look at balancing coding, team support, and product planning in a fast-moving environment.

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/week-in-the-life-of-a-developer-at-a-tech-startup

Use our affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

In this episode, Mike sits down with Anthony Shew from Turborepo to talk all things monorepos. They explore the pros and cons of monorepos versus traditional multi-repo setups, and how Turborepo compares to other tools like pnpm workspaces and Nx. Anthony shares tips on getting the most out of your monorepo, common pitfalls to avoid, and where monorepos might not be the right fit. They also dive into how AI tools like Cursor and Windsurf benefit from having full codebase context—and whether that context can become a downside. To wrap things up, Anthony gives a look at what’s next for Turborepo.

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/turborepo-changed-how-i-use-monorepos-w-anthony-shew

Use our affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

In this edition of Web News, we dive into our personal coding companions — from chill playlists and brain-boosting podcasts to TV shows that keep us motivated (or distracted 😅). Whether you're team lo-fi, true crime, or total silence, we've got takes. Plus, we explore how background content affects productivity and creativity.

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/do-you-listen-to-music-while-you-code

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In this episode, Matt and Mike explore what it takes to transition from being a developer employee to becoming a tech founder or business owner. They break down how your personal situation—time, money, dependents, and hobbies—can impact your readiness to make the leap. This isn't just about technical skill. You’ll need to think strategically, handle business admin, understand local laws, and price your services or products properly. Plus, they ask a critical question: do you actually want to own a business, or would a different job be a better fit?

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/should-you-go-solo-transitioning-from-developer-to-entrepreneur

Use our affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Are you constantly bombarded by notifications? In this episode of Web News, Matt and Mike dive into the growing problem of digital overwhelm — from buzzing phones to nonstop pings — and how minimal phones might be the answer.

We explore distraction-free devices like the Minimal Phone and Light Phone 3, how they work, and whether switching to one could help you focus, reduce anxiety, and reclaim your time.

📱 Is it time to ditch your smartphone?

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/drowning-in-notifications-minimal-phones-might-save-you

Use our affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

In this episode, Matt and Mike explore the 80/20 rule and how developers can use it to boost productivity, reduce burnout, and prioritize what matters—plus how AI is reshaping the rule itself.

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/what-the-80-20-rule-really-means-for-web-developers

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Endless ideas, abandoned projects, and a pile of unused domain names—sound familiar? In this episode, Matt and Mike explore how developers can avoid false starts and take meaningful first steps when launching new projects. They dig into why buying a domain name might feel productive (but often isn’t), when it's actually the right move, and how jumping into real problem-solving helps build momentum and deeper focus.

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/the-first-step-trap-why-buying-domain-names-isnt-starting-your-project

Use our affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.