Summary

In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, host Bethany and co-hosts Erika and Brittany welcome Rick Turoczy, a veteran in the Portland tech startup scene. They discuss Rick's journey from a hobbyist developer to a key supporter of startup founders, the unique culture of Portland's tech community, and the importance of mental health for founders. Rick shares insights on the challenges of being a founder, the evolution of startup culture, and the role of PIE in supporting startups. The conversation also touches on local recommendations and the vibrant community in Portland.

Takeaways

- Learning how to learn is a crucial skill for navigating the startup world.

- Portland's tech scene is characterized by a unique culture of humility and creativity.

- Founders often face significant mental health challenges and need support systems.

- The PIE initiative aims to foster collaboration between startups and established organizations.

- Mistakes are a part of the learning process for founders, and experimentation is key.

- The startup landscape has evolved, making it easier to build products but harder to sell them.

- The challenges of being a founder are often underestimated, leading to burnout.

- Understanding the difference between wanting to build a product and wanting to build a company is crucial for founders.

Links

• Rick's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/turoczy/

• • Rick's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turoczy.bsky.social
  • Rick's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@turoczy_

• PIE Cookbook: https://github.com/piepdx/pie-cookbook/blob/master/docs/pie-cookbook-0.9.md

• Powell’s City of Books: https://www.powells.com/bookstore/powells-city-of-books?srsltid=AfmBOoqCGKjvdY5g6DowX0ReNqRlLARxeI5WKwGyc8P0Pq3O8j9Fd0NQ

• Deadstock Coffee: https://deadstockcoffee.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopNiNhvGUigNJxASlm97jUCcSb6l36xCJ6sZF6mRIkyIseejJQy

• • Podcast recommendation from Erika ​​https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/237-mistake-it-till-you-make-it-learn-faster-and-fail-smarter/id1494989268?i=1000732814742
• 
  

Hosts

• Bethany Janos: https://github.com/bethanyj28
• Brittany Ellich: https://brittanyellich.com
• Eggyhead: https://github.com/eggyhead

Summary

In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, Erika and Brittany delve into the concept of flow state in software development, exploring its significance for productivity and job satisfaction. They share personal experiences of achieving flow, discuss the balance between challenge and skill, and highlight the importance of psychological safety and team dynamics. The conversation also touches on managing interruptions, the role of pair programming, and strategies for improving flow state within teams. The episode concludes with a fun quiz to engage listeners in reflecting on their own flow experiences.

Takeaways

• Flow state is linked to enhanced productivity and job satisfaction.
• A balance between challenge and skill is essential for achieving flow.
• Cognitive overload can hinder the ability to enter flow state.
• Immediate control over tasks contributes to maintaining flow.
• Psychological safety within teams fosters better performance.
• Managing interruptions is crucial for maintaining focus.
• Pair programming can facilitate flow but may introduce challenges.
• Team dynamics significantly impact individual flow experiences.
• Investing in tools and environments can enhance flow state.
• Regular reflection on flow experiences can lead to improved productivity.

Links

• Developer flow article: https://leadership.garden/developer-flow/
• Podcast: Neuroscience and Developer Productivity: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prefrontal-by-cortex/id1760813899?i=1000676601346
• Vibe Engineering by Simon Willison: https://simonwillison.net/2025/Oct/7/vibe-engineering/
• SPACE Metrics: https://getdx.com/blog/space-metrics/

Hosts

• Overcommitted Website: https://overcommitted.dev
• Brittany Ellich: https://brittanyellich.com
• Eggyhead: https://github.com/eggyhead

Summary

In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, host Brittany Ellich and co-hosts Bethany and Erika welcome Thomas Dohmke, former CEO of GitHub. They discuss Thomas's journey in software development, pivotal moments in his career, the importance of passion and continuous learning, and advice for overcoming career stagnation. The conversation also touches on the future of software development, particularly the impact of AI, and concludes with a fun round of questions about LEGO.

Takeaways

• Thomas grew up in East Germany and discovered coding through a school lab.
• His passion for software development has been a constant throughout his career.
• Mentorship played a crucial role in his transition from university to the automotive industry.
• The importance of continuous learning in a fast-paced tech environment.
• Developers often feel stuck in their careers, but a growth mindset can help overcome this.
• Asking for help and having open conversations with managers can lead to new opportunities.
• Reading books on engineering and leadership can provide valuable insights.
• AI is set to revolutionize the software development landscape again.
• The journey of a developer is filled with ups and downs, but passion keeps them motivated.
• Thomas encourages developers to embrace change and stay curious.

Links

• Thomas on GitHub: https://github.com/ashtom
• Thomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashtom/
• Thomas on X: https://x.com/ashtom
• The Great Mental Models book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44245196-the-great-mental-models
• An Elegant Puzzle by Will Larson: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45303387-an-elegant-puzzle
• Staff Engineer by Will Larson: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56481725-staff-engineer
• The Engineering Executive's Primer: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199699997-the-engineering-executive-s-primer
• Bricklink: https://www.bricklink.com/v2/main.page
• Host: Bethany Janos: https://github.com/bethanyj28
• Host: Brittany Ellich: https://brittanyellich.com
• Host: Eggyhead: https://github.com/eggyhead

SummaryIn this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, host Erika and co-hosts Bethany and Brittany Ellich engage in a conversation with Don McKinnon, founder of Searchcraft. They discuss Don's journey in software engineering, the challenges faced while building Searchcraft, and the unique features that make it accessible for developers of all levels. The conversation also touches on the integration of AI, market competition, and the path to founding a startup, concluding with a fun segment about walkout songs.Takeaways

• Searchcraft aims to reduce complexity in search infrastructure.
• Rust was chosen for its efficiency and performance benefits.
• Building Searchcraft took two years of development before launching as a product.
• Searchcraft allows non-technical users to manage search relevancy through a GUI
• AI integration is crucial for modern applications, especially in search.
• The market for search tools is evolving with the emergence of AI.
• Founding a startup involves learning and adapting to new challenges.
• Identifying pain points is key to developing a successful product.
• It's important to focus on solving real problems rather than perfection.
• The journey of building a product can lead to unexpected opportunities.

Links

• Don MacKinnon⁠⁠: https://donmackinnon.dev/
• Searchcraft⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.searchcraft.io/⁠
• Article: Improving trust in AI systems⁠: ⁠  / improving-trust-in-ai-systems  ⁠

Hosts

• Overcommitted: https://overcommitted.dev
• Bethany Janos⁠⁠: https://github.com/bethanyj28

• Brittany Ellich⁠⁠: ⁠https://brittanyellich.com⁠
• Eggyhead⁠: ⁠https://github.com/eggyhead⁠

Summary

In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, hosts Brittany Ellich and Erika engage with Brad Heller, co-founder and CTO of Tower, discussing his journey from software engineer to startup founder. They explore the evolution of software engineering careers, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the skills necessary for success in the tech industry. Brad shares insights on the importance of aligning passions with work, the realities of startup life, and advice for aspiring engineers. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on coding and the importance of understanding the fundamentals of software development.

Takeaways

Summary

In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, hosts Bethany and Brittany discuss their experiences at recent tech conferences, including Cascadia JS and GopherCon. They reflect on their goals from the past quarter, sharing successes and challenges, and set new objectives for the upcoming quarter. The conversation also touches on the importance of community engagement and personal development in the tech industry, culminating in a fun segment where they share ideas for potential TED talks.

Takeaways

• The importance of community in tech events.

• Reflecting on past goals helps in personal growth.

• Engagement in newsletters can shift focus from self-promotion to sharing others' work.

• Attending conferences can provide fresh insights and networking opportunities.

• Setting realistic goals is crucial, especially during busy times.

• Public speaking can be a rewarding experience despite initial anxiety.

• Finding enjoyment in activities is essential for long-term commitment.

• Quarterly retrospectives can help realign personal and professional goals.

• Exploring new interests can lead to unexpected opportunities.

• Community engagement is vital for mental well-being in remote work environments.

Links

• ⁠CascadiaJS
• GopherCon
• MagnoliaConf

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tech book club Repo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Overcommitted Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hosts

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Overcommitted.dev⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Bethany Janos

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brittany Ellich⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
  

Summary

In this episode of the Overcommited podcast, the hosts engage in a deep conversation with Indrajith Premanath, an engineer at GitHub, who shares his journey of transitioning from an individual contributor to an engineering manager during an interim manager role while his manager was on leave. Indrajith discusses the challenges and lessons learned during his six-month stint as an interim manager, emphasizing the importance of team dynamics, transparency, and personal growth. The conversation also touches on career aspirations, technical interests, and the significance of building strong relationships within a team. Indrajith offers valuable advice for future managers and reflects on his childhood aspirations, providing a well-rounded perspective on his career journey.

Takeaways

Links

• Indrajith Premanath LinkedIn
• Charity Majors Engineer/Manager Pendulum Article

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tech book club Repo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Overcommitted Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hosts

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Overcommitted.dev⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Brittany Ellich⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eggyhead⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Jonathan Tamsut⁠

Summary

In this episode of the Overcommitted podcast, host Brittany Ellich and co-hosts Erika, Bethany, and Jonathan Tamsut engage in a conversation with Annie Sexton, a developer advocate at fly.io. They explore Annie's unique journey into developer advocacy, her approach to education and community building, and the importance of teaching techniques in the tech industry. The discussion also delves into the role of AI in learning and development, as well as personal interests outside of software engineering, highlighting the multifaceted lives of software professionals.

Takeaways

• Annie Sexton transitioned from software engineering to developer advocacy through her passion for education.

• Developer advocacy involves community building, education, and marketing to developers.

• Education is a powerful tool for building trust with an audience.

• Asking basic questions is crucial for effective teaching and learning.

• AI can be a valuable resource for research and learning, but fact-checking is essential.

• Understanding the audience's knowledge level is key to effective communication.

• Annie emphasizes the importance of storytelling in education and advocacy.

• The journey to becoming a developer advocate can be unconventional and varied.

• Engaging content can attract a wider audience beyond just product promotion.

• Personal interests and hobbies contribute to a well-rounded life as a software engineer.

Links

• ⁠fly.io

• fly.io YouTube channel

• Annie’s YouTube channel

• Book: Deep Learning A Visual Approach

• Book: A City on Mars

• Show/Book: The Expanse

• Bluesky: @anniesexton.com

• Bluesky: for Annie’s comics

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tech book club Repo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Overcommitted Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hosts

• ⁠⁠Overcommitted.dev⁠⁠⁠

• Bethany Janos

• ⁠⁠Brittany Ellich⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Eggyhead⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠Jonathan Tamsut
  

Summary

In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, Brittany, Erika, and Jonathan delve into the complex relationship between software engineering, social media, and ethics. They explore their personal experiences with social media, the evolution of algorithms, and the monetization strategies that have transformed platforms into profit-driven entities. The conversation highlights the societal impacts of social media, particularly on mental health, and discusses the responsibilities of engineers in creating user-centered designs. They also consider potential regulatory measures, such as profit caps, and the need for a code of ethics in software engineering to mitigate harm.

Takeaways

• The promise of social media was to increase social connection.
• Algorithms have shifted from social interaction to maximizing engagement.
• Monetization strategies have created a creator economy.
• Social media platforms often prioritize profit over user well-being.
• The societal impact of social media is profound and concerning.
• Engineers have a responsibility to consider the human impact of their work.
• Regulation may be necessary to address the harms of social media.
• Profit caps could help redirect funds towards community projects.
• An information diet can help mitigate negative effects of social media.
• A code of ethics for software engineers could guide responsible development.

Links

• Video: Why everyone is quitting social media

• Careless People

• Interview on information diet with Herari

• Bill in 1996

• ACM Code of Ethics

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tech book club Repo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Overcommitted Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hosts

• ⁠Overcommitted.dev⁠⁠

• ⁠Brittany Ellich⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Eggyhead⁠⁠
• Jonathan Tamsut

Summary

Join Bethany, Erika, and Brittany as they dive into the art of storytelling in tech — and discover why your next presentation or documentation doesn't have to be boring! From the visual wizardry of Astro's docs to Julia Evans' beloved wizard zines, this episode explores how great technical communication combines compelling narratives with clear information. Whether you're crafting a lightning talk (like Bethany's upcoming NeoVim presentation at GopherCon!), writing PR descriptions that tell a story, or trying to hook your audience from the very first sentence, you'll learn practical techniques for making complex concepts engaging and accessible. Plus, hear why AI-generated content might be "an act of war" on people's time, discover the power of self-deprecation and visual storytelling, and enjoy a hilarious developer-themed mad libs featuring thrown staplers and flappy outcomes. Perfect for anyone who wants to level up their technical communication game!

Takeaways

• Technical storytelling can make complex concepts relatable.
• Visual elements enhance engagement in documentation and presentations.
• Approachability is key for technical documentation.
• Understanding the audience's needs is crucial for effective communication.
• A strong hook captures attention in presentations.
• Emotional connections can enhance technical storytelling.
• Documentation should be clear and scannable for users.
• Using a glossary can help bridge knowledge gaps in presentations.
• Empathy towards the audience improves the storytelling experience.
• AI tools should enhance, not replace, human storytelling.

Links

• ⁠Astro docs
• Julia Evans

• GitHub Blog Post: Documentation done right - A developer's guide
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tech book club Repo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Overcommitted Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hosts

• Overcommitted.dev⁠
• ⁠Bethany Janos⁠
• Brittany Ellich⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Eggyhead⁠