🍺 What’s the deal with the Ballmer Peak? Myth, meme, or just good old-fashioned developer humor? In this episode of Podcast Awesome, we unpack the hilarity and history behind this coding legend, complete with personal stories, team insights, and a responsible PSA. Whether you’re debugging at 3 a.m. or just love a good laugh, this episode has something for everyone.

(And check out the episode on our YouTube for an even more fun! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb77NS_zFgQ)

🍻 0:00 - Introduction to Ballmer's Peak 
💡 1:31 - What Is Ballmer's Peak? 
🎉 3:13 - Ballmer's Peak at Font Awesome Snuggle 
⚡ 5:15 - Steve Ballmer and Developer Energy 
🚀 7:07 - Achieving Peak Developer Performance 
🎶 8:32 - Real Developer Strategies for Peak Performance 
🔬 9:06 - DIY Breathalyzer and Exploring Ballmer's Peak 
🎬 10:23 - Conclusion and Credits 

Font Awesome: https://fontawesome.com/
The Font Awesome theme song was composed by Ronnie Martin
Audio mastering by Chris Enns and Lemon Productions

Font Awesome on Social 

🌤️ Bluesky: @fontawesome.com
🐦 Twitter/X: @fontawesome
📸 Instagram: @font.awesome
💼 LinkedIn:   / fontawesome   


🖥️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more nerdery, tech insights, and fun!

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In this episode of Podcast Awesome, Matt chats with Font Awesome co-founder Dave Gandy about building a workplace that doesn’t just work — but works for everyone. Whether you’re hustling in a startup, navigating open-source communities, or just trying to figure out if your boss actually values your humanity, this one’s for you. 

Dave dishes on the magic of finding the right co-founder (hint: they need to tell you when you're off your rocker), why open-source is about more than just writing code, and how empathy might just be the ultimate leadership hack.  So, if you’re dreaming of cultivating a positive work culture — or just want to avoid soul-sucking jobs — this episode is for you.

Timestamp Summary
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 0:15 | Finding Balance and Empathy in Co-Founder Relationships 
🏢 6:04 | Finding a Workplace That Values Employees as Human Beings 
🌐 14:56 | The Value of Empathy and Community in Open Source 
💡 19:29 | Empathy and Leadership: Building Teams That Care 
🎙️ 24:27 | Behind the Scenes of Podcast Awesome Production   

Key Takeaways: 
The Co-Founder Code: Pick a partner who balances your strengths and isn’t afraid to call out your crazy ideas (yes, you have them). 
Open Source Awesomeness: It’s not just about profit—it’s about passion, collaboration, and making something bigger than yourself. 
Empathy is Everything: Forget power suits; your best leadership tool is actually understanding your team. 
Work-Life Reality Check: When scouting a new job, look for a place that respects *you*, not just what you produce. 
Leadership Done Right: The best managers focus on building teams that are better than them at what matters most. 

Notable Quotes:  
💡 “You need someone next to you that’s going to tell you when you’re crazy—or not—and that is of *such* extreme value.”  
💖 “Empathy is your qualification for leadership.”  
🚀 “Management is more about how you inspire and execute, not just delivering outcomes.”  
🏆 “The best managers hire people who are better than them at the job that needs to be done.”  
🌟 “You call it a lifestyle company like it’s a bad thing. Spoiler: every company is a lifestyle.”  

Resources: 
🎨 Font Awesome: FontAwesome.com 
🐦 Twitter: @fontawesome
📸 Instagram: @font.awesome
🌌 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fontawesome.com
🎶 The Podcast Awesome theme song was composed by Ronnie Martin: https://ronniemartin.org/
🎵 Music interstitials by Zach Malm: https://muzach.bandcamp.com/
🎛️ Audio mastering by Chris Enns at Lemon Productions: https://www.lemonproductions.ca/ 

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Ready to geek out? In this episode of Podcast Awesome's Nerd Show and Tell, Matt sits down with none other than Zach Leatherman, the tech dynamo and creator behind Eleventy — the static site generator that’s got web devs buzzing. Zach’s tech-world experience is a wild ride of innovation, grit, and love for the open web. With a little help from our team here at Font Awesome, Zach’s pushing to make open-source sustainable and bring back the glory days of personal websites, free from algorithm overlords.

Zach gets real about the rollercoaster ride of building Eleventy and why owning your corner of the internet is more important than ever. Expect some hot takes on the tech industry, social media, and how platforms like Eleventy could just be the ticket to a new wave of web independence. Plus, you’ll get a peek into the collaborative brainpower with our founders Dave and Travis backing Zach’s mission. Hold onto your icons — this one’s packed!

Key Takeaways:

• Eleventy: Zach’s creation was inspired by Jekyll, but it’s packed with unique features — no messy databases or plugins here! Simple, secure, and seriously impressive.
• Sustainable Open Source: Zach’s career shines a light on the need for open-source projects to be sustainable, allowing devs to thrive without burning out.
• Browser Dev Tools Love: Remember Firebug? Zach does. He spills on how these tools have shaped modern web development practices.
• Indie Web Comeback: Forget the social media maze. Zach’s all about owning your digital real estate, championing a return to independent web publishing.
• Font Awesome Collab: It’s a team effort! With the support of our founders and a shared mission, we’re backing Zach and Eleventy for a brighter, algorithm-free web future.

Timestamp Summary 

🚀 0:00 | Zach Leatherman Discusses Eleventy and Open Source Challenges  

💸 1:59 | Navigating the Challenges of Open Source Project Funding  

⚖️ 13:04 | Balancing Open Source Passion with Sustainable Business Models  

🌟 20:15 | The Joy of Building Websites and Creative Storytelling  

🧻 25:26 | Debating the Proper Way to Hang Toilet Paper  

🌌 26:27 | Eleventy's Future and Integration into the Awesome Universe  

Links and Resources:

• Twitter: @fontawesome
• Instagram: @font.awesome
• Eleventy Documentation
• Zach Leatherman on GitHub

Credits:

• Theme music by Ronnie Martin: https://ronniemartin.org/
• Music interstitials by Zach Malm: https://muzach.bandcamp.com/
• Audio mastering by Chris Enns at Lemon Productions: https://www.lemonproductions.ca/

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🎙 In this episode, Font Awesome founder Dave Gandy joins our host Matt Johnson for an honest, unfiltered convo about what it means to build a *lifestyle company* (and wear that badge proudly 💪). This isn’t your typical startup hustle. We’re diving into the “people-first” culture that makes Font Awesome a standout, from character-driven hiring to redefining what success means beyond growth on charts and graphs. 🏆💼

As Dave says, instead of climbing someone else’s ladder, Font Awesome is building its own way up, with purpose, transparency, and some solid work-life balance goals. Here’s why we believe that putting *people* over profit isn’t just good business — it’s just the way the work should be. 🌱💼

 🔑 Key Takeaways:

Lifestyle Company, Proudly: We’re embracing the “lifestyle” label, focusing on growth, happiness, and well-being over sky-high returns. 📈💆‍♂️

Character > Skills: At Font Awesome, character-first hiring = trust, respect, and people who actually *want* to stick around. 🫶✨

VC Vibes Not Required: Font Awesome skips the “thousand-X-or-bust” mentality for a sustainable, fulfilling work culture. 👋💸 

 Life Outside Work Matters: The best parts of life are outside the office—so why not bring those values in? 🏠🌅 

The Right Partner in Crime: Success means finding a partner who balances your quirks. 👯‍♂️ The perfect co-founder is a friend, critic, and cheerleader rolled into one.

Timestamp Summary

0:12 | 🌱 Building a Lifestyle Company Focused on Well-Being and Growth 
6:52 | 💼 Creating a People-First Company Against Conventional Practices 
12:04 | 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Human-Centric Product Design and Company Culture 
15:59 | 🤝 The Importance of Balanced Partnerships in Business 
20:38 | 🫶 Embracing a People-First Culture at Font Awesome

Links and Resources:

• Podcast Awesome: https://www.podcastawesome.com/
• Font Awesome Hiring Philosophy: https://blog.fontawesome.com/company-culture/
• Twitter: @fontawesome

Credits:

• Theme music by Ronnie Martin: https://ronniemartin.org/
• Music interstitials by Zach Malm: https://muzach.bandcamp.com/
• Audio mastering by Chris Enns at Lemon Productions: https://www.lemonproductions.ca/

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In this edition of Podcast Awesome, Matt sits down with Font Awesome founder, Dave Gandy, at the 2024 Snuggle in Bentonville, Arkansas. Between karaoke sessions and Hoobastank choruses (blame Ed), Matt and Dave discuss a topic on a lot of minds lately: How do you build a company where people actually want to stick around?

With a tech industry average of just 18 months at a job, Font Awesome breaks the mold — no one has left in over 10 years. Dave and Matt dive into Font Awesome’s  hiring philosophy, the importance of building a people-first culture, and how giving employees autonomy and treating them like adults might just be the magic recipe for success. 

Key Takeaways:

• Loyalty Beyond the Paycheck: At Font Awesome, it’s about treating people as humans first — loyalty comes from loyalty. Simple, right?
• Hire for Character: Skills are important, but character and culture fit are what truly makes a team thrive.
• Autonomy Matters: Give people the freedom to make decisions, and watch creativity and innovation skyrocket.
• It’s Not Just Business: A company’s culture is built on everything someone brings from outside of work, not just the hours they log in the office.

Timestamp Breakdown:

• 0:05 | 🎤 Welcome to the Snuggle: Karaoke, Game Nights, & Company Culture
• 2:30 | 🏢 The Importance of Building a People-First Culture in Tech
• 6:45 | 🧠 How Loyalty and Trust are Built When You Hire for Character
• 11:10 | 👨‍💻 Autonomy is Key: Why Giving Employees Freedom is Essential
• 15:55 | 💡 Solving Problems vs. Solving Interesting Problems: Finding the Balance
• 21:30 | 🚀 How Font Awesome Created a Company People Want to Stick With

Links and Resources:

• Podcast Awesome: https://www.podcastawesome.com/
• Font Awesome Hiring Philosophy: https://blog.fontawesome.com/company-culture/
• Twitter: @fontawesome

Credits:

• Theme music by Ronnie Martin: https://ronniemartin.org/
• Audio mastering by Chris Enns at Lemon Productions: https://www.lemonproductions.ca/

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In this episode of Podcast Awesome, Matt and Rob take you on a wild ride through the evolution of web icons — because who doesn’t love a good glow-up story? From the pixelated mess of Geocities and MySpace days (RIP low-res images) to the sleek world of custom web fonts and SVG's moment in the sun, they break down each tech's pros and cons so you don’t have to.

Ever wondered how icons went from blurry to brilliant? We've got questions and Rob’s got the answers! He explains how web fonts came in like a hero to save the day, improving performance and making your designs look sharp when retina screens appeared on the scene. But wait—SVGs are here too, offering even more flexibility, accessibility, and crispness for those big graphic-heavy projects. Plus, with Font Awesome Kits, you’ll learn how to easily mix and match your icons for peak performance without breaking a sweat.

So. What kind of icon is best for your project — Webfont or SVG. Rob dodges the dogmatism and simply says, "well, it depends."

Key Takeaways:

• Evolution of Icon Technology: An overview of the shift from low-resolution images to web fonts and SVGs, highlighting their impact on web design.
• Pros and Cons: Detailed comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of web fonts and SVGs, including aspects like performance, accessibility, and usability.
• Font Awesome Kits: Explanation of how Font Awesome Kits help developers navigate between web fonts and SVGs, offering features to optimize icon usage.
• Accessibility and Semantics: Discussion on the importance of accessibility and semantic considerations in choosing icon technology.
• Practical Advice: Guidance on how to decide between web fonts and SVGs for specific projects, with practical examples and insights.
  
  
  Timestamp Summary
  0:09 | 🌐 The Evolution of Icon Tech on the Web
  2:16 | 🖼️ Evolution of Web Icons from Images to Custom Fonts
  7:33 | ⚡ Web Fonts Versus SVGs for Faster and Accessible Icons
  12:13 | 🔍 Choosing Between SVG and Other Formats Depends on Your Project
  13:01 | 🎬 Web Fonts Versus SVG: Pros and Cons for Icon Animation
  15:40 | 🛠️ Making Web Fonts Accessible with Font Awesome Kits
  16:57 | 🎨 Advantages and Challenges of Using SVGs for Web Icons
  20:17 | 🚀 Optimizing Font Awesome: Web Fonts vs SVG
  26:40 | 🔧 Simplifying Font Awesome Upgrades with Kits
  28:27 | ✅ Making the Right Choice: SVG Versus Web Font
  
  Podcast Awesome: https://www.podcastawesome.com/
  Font Awesome Pro:  Level up with Font Awesome Pro!
  Webfont or SVG: Well, it Depends: https://blog.fontawesome.com/svg-or-webfont/
  https://fontawesome.com/plans
  Twitter: @fontawesome
  The Podcast Awesome theme song was composed by Ronnie Martin: https://ronniemartin.org/
  Audio mastering by Chris Enns at Lemon Productions: https://www.lemonproductions.ca/

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💩⚡️ Hold onto your butts, folks, because this episode of Behind the Icon on Podcast Awesome is about to get ...  messy! We’re diving headfirst into the iconic history of one of Font Awesome’s quirkiest creations — the Poo-Storm icon. But if not for the creation of a stinker of a particular emoji, the poo-storm icon may never have come to fruition.

It all starts with the legendary rise of the poo emoji, a cultural masterpiece that has made its way into countless texts, memes, and conversations (whether you admit it or not). 💬

This episode is packed with everything you never knew you needed to know about emoji and icons, including a hilarious behind-the-scenes look at how Jory Raphael, Font Awesome’s own Icon Making Boss, got an icon mash-up idea. From the humble beginnings of the cloud icon to its thunderous twist into a storm of poo, Jory breaks it all down with plenty of laughs and middle-school humor. ✨💩

And yes, "icon creation", "poo emoji origin", and "Font Awesome magic" are the real stars here. Whether you're a design nerd or just here to catch a case of the goofballs, this episode is sure to entertain. 💥

Key Takeaways:
💩 The history of the poo emoji dates back to the late '90s in Japan 🇯🇵, thanks to Shigetaka Kurita, who basically invented emoji communication as we know it.

⚡️ And when boredom and eye-crossing monotony set in on a particularly long day of icon design, Jory Raphael mashed up the poo emoji into something even more fun — thus the Poo-Storm icon was born. 💡 Humor + design is the name of the game at Font Awesome!

🌍 Thanks to the Unicode Consortium, the poo emoji officially went global in 2010, becoming the symbol for all things cheeky and lighthearted in digital communication.

🎨 Font Awesome’s philosophy? Playful design with a side of absurdity — the Poo Storm icon embodies this perfectly.

🚽 Pro tip: The Poo Storm icon isn’t just for giggles — it’s been spotted in the wild at a plumbing company, proving even the weirdest icons have a purpose!

Timestamp:
0:09 - The Evolution and Cultural Impact of the Poop Emoji 💩
4:58 - The Creation of the Poo Storm Icon ⚡️
8:04 - The Perfect Use of a Fun Icon 🚽
10:20 - Clever Use of Poo Storm Icon on a Home Inspections Website 🏠
12:26 - Awesome Theme Song and Video Editing Credits 🎶

Notes:
💡 Shigetaka Kurita: https://emojipedia.org/shigetaka-kurita/ 
🔤 Unicode Consortium: https://unicode.org  
💩 The Poo-storm Icon: https://fontawesome.com/icons/poo-storm?f=classic&s=solid  
🏠 ROI Home Inspections: https://roihomeinspections.com/ 
🎨 Font Awesome: https://fontawesome.com  
🐦 Twitter: @fontawesome: https://twitter.com/fontawesome  
📸 Instagram: @font.awesome: https://www.instagram.com/font.awesome 
💬 Threads: @font.awesome https://www.threads.net/@font.awesome  
💼 LinkedIn: Font Awesome: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fontawesome  
🎶 The Podcast Awesome theme song was composed by Ronnie Martin: https://ronniemartin.org/

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In this headbanging episode of Podcast Awesome, we explore the story behind the devil horns gesture—an iconic symbol in the world of heavy metal. 🤘 From its origins in ancient superstitions to its popularization by metal legend Ronnie James Dio, this gesture has a history as rich as the riffs that accompany it. We also chat with Font Awesome’s own Jory Raphael, the creative mind behind the hand horns icon, to get an inside look at how this powerful symbol became part of the Font Awesome library. Whether you're a metalhead or just love a good story, this episode is a must-listen! 🎸

🕒 Timestamps: 
⏳ 00:09 - Heavy Metal and Visual Cues
🤘 00:35 - The Double Horns Hand Gesture
🧙‍♂️ 02:08 - Origin of the Devil Horns Gesture
🎤 02:49 - Ronnie James Dio and the Devil Horns
🧿 05:11 - The Evil Eye and Cultural Connections
🤟 06:56 - The Devil Horns as a Metalhead Salute
🎨 07:41 - The Creation of the Hand Horns Icon
🚀 09:56 - Call to Action for Font Awesome Community
🎧 12:36 - Credits and Closing Remarks

#DevilHorns #HeavyMetal #PodcastAwesome #IconDesign #MetalCulture #RonnieJamesDio

Podcast Awesome: https://www.podcastawesome.com/
Hand Horns Icon: https://fontawesome.com/icons/hand-horns
Font Awesome Pro: Ready to rock? Level up with Font Awesome Pro! https://fontawesome.com/plans
Twitter: @fontawesome
The Podcast Awesome theme song was composed by Ronnie Martin: https://ronniemartin.org/
Audio mastering by Chris Enns at Lemon Productions: https://www.lemonproductions.ca/

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Ever wonder how a chaotic internet meme became an iconic design? Join us in this episode as we dive into the fascinating journey of the Dumpster Fire icon—from its fiery beginnings as a viral GIF to its status as a symbol of modern times. 🔥

(And if you want ever more entertainment from this episode, make sure to check out the YouTube version!)
 
We’ll explore the history behind the phrase “dumpster fire,” its cultural impact, and how it inspired the creation of one of Font Awesome’s most beloved icons. Plus, hear behind-the-scenes stories from our design team and discover why this icon is as relevant as ever!

🕒 Timestamps: 
⏳ 00:00 Intro and Overview of the Dumpster Fire
👋 01:15 Origins of the Phrase "Dumpster Fire"
📈 03:22 The Rise of the Dumpster Fire Meme
🖥️ 05:45 Tracing the Source of the Original Dumpster Fire GIF
🎨 07:35 Designing the Dumpster Fire Icon for Font Awesome
🔥 09:10 Why the Dumpster Fire Icon Belongs in the Political Category
💡 11:50 Fun Facts and Design Insights from the Font Awesome Team
🙌 14:20 How You Can Use the Dumpster Fire Icon in Your Projects
🎉 16:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

#DumpsterFire #FontAwesome #IconDesign #MemeCulture #InternetHistory

Podcast Awesome: https://www.podcastawesome.com/
YouTube video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/8X40p-kfxYo
Dumpster Fire Icon: https://fontawesome.com/icons/dumpster-fire
Font Awesome Pro: Want to put the Icon Wizard to use? Grab a Font Awesome Pro subscription! https://fontawesome.com/plans
The Origin of the Internet's Most Famous Dumpster Fire: https://www.entrepreneur.com/science-technology/the-origin-of-the-internets-most-famous-dumpster-fire/284041
Twitter: @fontawesome
The Font Awesome theme song was composed by Ronnie Martin https://ronniemartin.org/
Audio mastering by Chris Enns at Lemon Productions https://www.lemonproductions.ca/

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The Story Behind the Mullet Icon: Celebrating an Enduring Cultural Symbol

🎬 Join us as we delve into the resilient history of the mullet, from its uncertain origins to its pop culture prominence in the '80s and '90s. 🎸 Learn about the creation of Font Awesome's 'User Mullet' icon and enjoy entertaining stories from team members who sported mullets. ✂️ Discover the evolution of this iconic hairstyle and how it has shaped popular culture over the decades.

🕒 Timestamps:
⏳ 00:00 The Enduring Legacy of the Mullet  
👋 00:55 Introduction to the Series  
📜 01:24 Historical Origins of the Mullet  
🎤 02:19 Cultural Impact and Popularity  
📚 03:17 Etymology and Alternative Names  
🔄 05:13 The Mullet's Modern Resurgence  
🖌️ 05:35 Creating the Mullet Icon  
🎨 06:10 Design Insights from Jory Raphael  
🎉 08:47 Personal Mullet Stories  
🙌 15:57 Conclusion and Community Engagement

#MulletMadness #FontAwesome #IconicStyles #PopCulture #MulletIcon

Podcast Awesome: https://www.podcastawesome.com/
User-hair-mullet icon: https://fontawesome.com/search?q=user%20hair%20mullet&o=r
Twitter: @fontawesome
The Font Awesome theme song was composed by Ronnie Martin
Audio mastering by Chris Enns and Lemon Productions

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