Modern Web

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Nick Taylor, Senior Software Engineer at OpenSauce discusses the current state of open source, including the challenges around funding, sustainability, and contributor burnout. Nick shares insights into how open source has impacted his career and highlights the growing importance of tools like TypeScript in the open-source ecosystem.

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, CSS expert Kevin Powell discusses the evolution of CSS, from the early days of CSS3 to the rapid advancements with Flexbox, Grid, and the latest innovations. Kevin explains how CSS is making strides to integrate features that previously required JavaScript, like scroll-driven animations and popovers, simplifying development and improving performance. He also touches on the importance of understanding the fundamentals of CSS, debugging techniques, and the future of tools like Tailwind and Sass. 

Chapters

0:00 - Introduction and Technical Setup Issues

01:05 - Guest Introduction: Kevin Powell

02:00 - Kevin's Journey into CSS and Content Creation

03:21 - Evolution of CSS: From CSS3 to Modern Features

05:46 - The Role of JavaScript in CSS and New Features

08:08 - Popovers, Anchor Positioning, and Progressive Enhancement in CSS

10:26 - Discussion on SAS, Tailwind, and CSS Tools

12:35 - Challenges with Tailwind and Over-Componentization

14:57 - The Importance of Learning Core CSS Principles

16:56 - The "CSS is Hard" Memes and Overcoming CSS Frustration

19:12 - Formatting Contexts and Advanced CSS Concepts

21:31 - Opportunities for Junior Developers to Master CSS

23:54 - Browser Discrepancies and the Future of Web Standards

26:14 - Refactoring CSS for Performance and Best Practices

27:50 - Favorite CSS Resources and Conferences

28:26 - Imposter Syndrome and Kevin's Speaking Journey

29:55 - Closing Remarks and Where to Find Kevin Powell Online

Follow  Kevin Powell on Social Media

Twitter: https://x.com/KevinJPowell

Github: https://github.com/kevin-powell

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kevinpowell

YK Sugi, Senior AI Developer Advocate at Sourcegraph and founder of CS Dojo, shares his journey from coding with MATLAB to working at Google and founding his YouTube channel, and how ChatGPT inspired his shift towards AI-driven applications. Along with our hosts, he discusses AI's impact on coding, particularly in large codebases, and the role of tools like Sourcegraph’s Cody and GitHub Copilot in improving developer workflows. They also explore how AI is evolving in code completion, legacy code, and its broader potential in development.

Chapters

Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:00

YK’s Coding Journey 02:01

AI’s Impact on YK’s Career 07:31

AI in Large Codebases 11:01

Choosing AI Models for Coding 17:01

AI for Code Completion and Development Efficiency 21:01

The Future of AI in Software Development 26:31

AI and Human Creativity 32:01

Closing Remarks and Where to Find YK 36:01

Follow YK on Social Media

Twitter: https://x.com/ykdojo

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ykdojo/

Github: https://github.com/ykdojo

Rob Ocel, Tracy Lee, Adam Rackis, and Danny Thompson sit down with Kyle Tryon, Senior Developer Advocate at Depot, to talk all things Docker, dev containers, and modern build systems. They break down how Docker simplifies development by solving those "it works on my machine" problems, how cloud-based caching speeds up builds, and why tools like Kubernetes are becoming essential for scaling modern apps. Kyle also shares his journey from fixing laptops in retail to becoming a leading voice in the dev space, plus some great insights into how Docker and Depot are changing the game for developers everywhere.

Chapters

1: Introductions (00:00 – 02:40)

2: What is Docker and Why It Matters (02:41 – 06:30)

3: Docker Files and Containers 101 (06:31 – 11:00)

4: Challenges of Environment Setup & Dev Containers (11:01 – 15:00)

5: The Power of Layer Caching in Docker (15:01 – 20:30)

6: Introduction to Depot and Cloud-Based Builds (20:31 – 25:00)

7: Optimizing Docker Builds with Depot (25:01 – 30:00)

8: Docker in the Modern Web Stack (30:01 – 35:00)

9: The Future of Cloud Builds and CI/CD Pipelines (35:01 – 40:00)

10: Final Thoughts and Where to Find More (40:01 – End)

Follow Kyle Tryon on Social Media

Twitter: https://x.com/TechSquidTV

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-tryon/

Github: https://github.com/techsquidtv

Nate Emerson is both a self-taught developer and a computer science university grad. How is that possible? In this episode, Nate talks about his unusual career trajectory, and what it has taught him about the differences between being self-taught vs. formal education in software development. Along with Tracy Lee and Jason Torres, he discusses leadership principles, such as extreme ownership, the value of confidence in engineering, and how humility and teamwork contribute to organizational success. They also highlight the importance of solving practical problems in tech and how this mindset can lead to innovation. 

Here are the chapter titles with timestamps:

1: Setting the Stage – The Importance of Practical Skills in Engineering (00:00)

2: Engineering Management and Leadership Culture (04:36)

3: Extreme Ownership – A Leadership Superpower (09:12)

4: Confidence and the Developer's Journey (13:37)

5: Hiring Smarter and Building Stronger Teams (18:27)

6: Problem-Solving and Technology's Real-World Impact (23:13)

7: Leadership, Humility, and Long-Term Success (30:20)

8: Wrapping Up – Final Thoughts on Leadership and Ego (41:58)

Follow Nate Emerson on Social Media

Twitter: https://x.com/nateemerson

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-emerson

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0K8hu90G3iV6327ymEViNw

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, we sit down with Shashi Lo, Senior UX Engineer at Microsoft and the founder of the Gridiron Survivor project. Shashi shares his approach to mentoring junior developers by helping them bridge the gap between boot camp and their first job in tech. We cover the challenges of onboarding, the importance of code reviews, and how companies can better support new talent by investing in mentorship and training. Shashi also talks about his experience with building a community of learners, the process of de-risking junior candidates, and why companies should be more proactive in nurturing the next generation of developers. 

00:00 - Meet Shashi Lo

02:25 - The Gridiron Survivor Project

05:02 - The Importance of Code Reviews

07:25 - Teaching the Basics of Project Communication

09:47 - Code Reviews as a Learning Tool

12:06 - Why Shashi Mentors: Giving Back to the Community

14:26 - The Importance of De-Risking Junior Candidates

16:41 - Building in Public: Transparency and Learning

19:00 - Assessing Candidates for the Gridiron Survivor Project

21:25 - The Power of Simple Coding Tests

23:45 - Scaling Up Skills: From Small Tasks to Big Projects

26:07 - Should Companies Be Doing This?

28:25 - Finding Hidden Gems in the Job Market

30:47 - The Challenges of Filtering Candidates

33:02 - Where to Find Shashi Online

34:38 - Closing Remarks

Follow Shashi Lo on Social Media

Twitter: https://x.com/shashiwhocodes

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shashilo/

Github: https://github.com/shashilo

In this episode, Rob Ocel sits down with Gant Laborde, CIO at Infinite Red, to explore Gant's journey in the tech industry, his transition into leadership, and his role as a Chief Innovation Officer. Gant shares insights into the challenges and rewards of innovation within a company, how to manage upward and downward effectively, and the importance of trust in leadership. They also discuss the evolving landscape of AI, the significance of experimentation, and the courage needed to make bold decisions. 

Chapters

1. Introduction and Opening Remarks - 00:00

2. Gant's Background and Journey in Tech - 02:05

3. Transitioning to Leadership at Infinite Red - 05:08

4. Defining Innovation at an Agency - 07:28

5. The Role of AI in React Native - 09:39

6. Navigating the Hype and Troughs of Technology - 11:35

7. The Challenges of Middle Management - 15:12

8. Building Trust and Managing Upwards - 16:25

9. Empowering Teams and Passing the Torch - 19:40

10. Developing Courage and Taking Risks - 22:30

11. Why Leadership is Worth It - 30:28

12. Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up - 31:53

Follow Gant Laborde on Social Media

Twitter: https://x.com/GantLaborde

Github: https://github.com/GantMan

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gant-laborde/

Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@gantlaborde

In this episode of the Modern Web podcast, Tracy Lee and Rob Ocel sit down with Sarah Shook, a UI/UX engineer at Hunter Industries. They discuss the topic of Sarah’s THAT Conference talk on color theory, exploring the intricacies of RGB, HSL, and hex color models. The discussion also touches on the importance of understanding how color accessibility impacts your page’s performance.

Chapters

- 00:00 - Introduction and Guest Introduction

- 01:30 - Balancing Work and Parenthood

- 03:20 - Family-Friendly Conferences and THAT Conference Experience

- 05:45 - Overview of Sarah's Presentation on Color Theory

- 07:00 - Understanding Additive and Subtractive Color Models

- 09:00 - RGB to Hex Conversion Explained

- 11:45 - Importance of Color Theory in Web Development

- 14:00 - Accessibility and Color Luminescence

- 16:00 - Tools and Resources for Color Accessibility

- 18:30 - Sarah’s Experience with Vue and Other Frameworks

- 21:00 - Discussion on Framework Deployment and Tooling

- 23:15 - The Challenges and Benefits of Learning Multiple Frameworks

- 25:00 - Tailwind, TypeScript, and Framework Preferences

- 27:00 - Vue Community and Tooling Insights

- 29:00 - Advanced JavaScript and TypeScript Content with DropJS

- 31:00 - Sarah’s Color Utility Project and Where to Find Her

- 32:30 - Closing Thoughts and Outro

Follow Sarah Shook on Social Media

Twitter: https://x.com/shookcodes

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahshook/

Github: https://github.com/shookcodes

Tracy Lee and Rob Ocel sit down with Mark Thompson, aka "Mark Techson", to explore key themes around personal branding, workplace culture, and leadership. Mark shares his journey of building a strong personal brand, discussing how consistent online presence can shape public perception and create professional opportunities. The conversation provides valuable insights into the art of leading without a formal title, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity and gradual influence in workplace environments.

A significant portion of the discussion is devoted to Mark's motto of "Do what matters with who matters while it matters." This practical approach encourages listeners to focus on meaningful work, prioritize important relationships, and make the most of their time. Mark also reflects on the challenges of maintaining resilience in the face of personal adversity, offering a candid look at how to balance personal and professional life effectively.

Listeners will find actionable advice on how to take control of their career trajectory, foster a positive work culture, and navigate the complexities of leadership, all while staying true to themselves.

Chapters 

[00:00] Introduction

[02:19] Personal Branding and Online Presence

[06:36] Navigating Workplace Culture

[08:56] The Story Behind 'Well Dressed Wednesdays'

[11:12] Developing the "Do What Matters" Framework

[13:29] Balancing Public and Private Life

[18:10] Overcoming Personal Challenges

[20:28] Taking Control of Your Career

[22:49] Practical Takeaways for Listeners

Follow Mark on Social Media

Twitter: https://x.com/marktechson

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marktechson/

Github: https://github.com/MarkTechson

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/marktechson.com

Sponsored by Wix Studio.

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Anthony D. Mays discusses code exercises, landing your first job, and how to succeed in interviews. He shares his personal journey to becoming a software engineer and career coach, and emphasizes the importance of not only having technical knowledge but also a strong problem-solving process. The conversation also touches on the role of senior engineers in guiding and empowering junior engineers, the interview processes at different companies, and tips for success in interviews. In this conversation, Anthony covers the interview process and how candidates can best prepare for technical interviews. emphasizing the importance of collaborative problem-solving and being authentic in interviews. They also explore the idea of secret questions and whether or not they are effective in assessing a candidate's skills. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

03:24 The Importance of Problem-Solving Process in Interviews

06:32 Guiding and Empowering Junior Engineers

10:20 Understanding Different Interview Processes

19:51 Tips for Success in Interviews

24:57 Collaborative Problem-Solving in Technical Interviews

26:26 The Effectiveness of Secret Questions

29:42 Defining the Interview Process

30:37 The Importance of Authenticity

32:30 Interviewer Training and Feedback

35:18 Selecting the Right Opportunity

Follow Anthony D. Mays Social Media

Twitter: https://x.com/anthonydmays

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydmays/

Github: https://github.com/anthonydmays

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/anthonydmays.com