Join our Community for free here
Get your personal coach here
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In this episode Julian speaks with Luis Palacios, an IT Analyst and aspiring Cloud Architect.

What makes this conversation extra special is that Luis shares his journey from a traditionally "blue collar", labour intensive role, to his first job in I.T. Full disclaimer: he achieved this after completing our PDM Program.

Luis shares how learning Python and Mindset skills built his confidence such that he was able to apply for his first tech role and then continue pushing through the complexities and challenges that came with it.

This really reinforces one of our current messages to folks that Python makes coding accessible to everyone. It doesn't matter who you are, or what industry you're in, Python can help you achieve your goals!

Enjoy!

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction episode and Luis
03:22 Luis' career journey
06:58 PDM takeaways, mindset and building confidence
09:21 From custodian to IT analyst
14:23 Favorite helpdesk experiences and networking
16:58 Python coding, side projects and LLMs
21:16 2 mindset tips
24:58 Importance of podcasts for learning
27:58 What's next?
30:56 Final piece of advice / takeaway
32:06 Book tip: Wiring the Winning Organization
34:10 Wrap up / outro

Links:
- Reach out to Luis on LinkedIn
- Book tip: Wiring the Winning Organization

---
Connect with us on LinkedIn:
- Julian
- Bob

And to get our weekly developer / mindset emails, sign up here

Join our Community for free here
Get your personal coach here
---

In this episode, Bob and Julian explore the challenges of being laid off and discuss strategies for adopting the right mindset to effectively navigate this difficult phase. They provide practical advice on taking decisive action and continuing to build a meaningful career.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:11 - Wins: veterans program and Pybites AI
07:04 - Lay off experience Julian
14:09 - Lean on your network and be proactive with your career
18:00 - Books
20:20 - Wrap and outro

---
Links:
- Books tip : Factfulness by Hans Rosling / The Power of Meaning by Emily Esfahani Smith
- Grow as a Python developer in record time with our PDM coaching program
- Pybites merch: https://pybites.bigcartel.com/
- Pybites Podcast: The Gift of Time: https://www.pybitespodcast.com/1501156/10769416-073-the-gift-of-time

---
Connect with us on LinkedIn:
- Julian
- Bob

And to get our weekly developer / mindset emails, sign up here

Join our Community for free here.
Get your personal coach, check out our coaching options here.
---

🎶 Dive into the intriguing journey of Christopher Bailey, video tutorial producer at Real Python, host of their weekly podcast, and an advocate for learning and teaching Python. 🐍 😍

In this episode Christopher shares his unique path from music to programming, illustrating how his passions for music, education, and coding have intertwined to shape his career in tech.

From early coding fascinations and playing in a band to becoming a key figure in Python education, discover how Christopher's diverse background and persistent learning mindset have propelled him through an inspiring transition into the world of technology.

We also delve into Python industry trends that excite him and what's next on his learning radar, along with a win of the week + book recommendation.

Join us for a captivating discussion on the intersections of code, music, and education with Christopher Bailey, and discover how embracing diverse experiences can enrich your tech journey. 🚀

Check out The Real Python Podcast hosted by Christopher here.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:00 Christopher Bailey intro and win of the week
03:47 Background and career progression
13:12 Real Python work and how to stay technical
17:10 Mindset of learning, music and teaching influence
21:20 Immersive learning, deliberate practice and building for others
26:12 How to get unstuck when coding and dealing with perfectionism
29:39 Python trends and what to learn next
36:40 Books
39:15 Wrap up and outro

Book tip:
- The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells

Reach out to Christopher:
- LinkedIn
- Fosstodon
- X
- Pybites Circle

---
Grow as a Python developer in record time - check out our PDM coaching program

---
Connect with us on LinkedIn:
Julian
Bob

And to get our weekly developer / mindset emails, sign up here.

This episode features a discussion with Louise Oprel, a cloud advocate, on her career journey and experiences with networking, mentoring, and personal growth.

Louise and Bob share insights into developing the right mindset for success and overcoming challenges through small, consistent actions like volunteering, reading, and daily reflection.

Practical tips are provided for using technology to connect with others, gain experience through events, and unlock one's potential through mentoring.

Links:
- Follow Louise on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louiseoprel/
- Connect with her in our community:  https://pybites.circle.so/

Join us as we journey through Django, open source, and PyCon conferences with special guest Paolo Melchiorre. 

We explore Django's evolution, the impact of open source, and the vibrant atmosphere of PyCons. 

Paolo shares his developer odyssey, offering personal insights and experiences from the tech world. Don't miss this insightful episode on the heart of Python development and community collaboration.

Chapters:
00:00 Podcast intro
00:47 Intro Paolo, how did you get into python and open source
03:47 What do you like about Django
05:34 Django and Pelican contributions
09:17 Getting into open source through Pycon sprints
10:31 Coaching Django girls and teaching
12:44 Your role / work at 20tab
15:33 Handling complex issues and problem solving
18:47 AI tools vs Stack Overflow (and articles)
19:47 Python / Django / web trends
21:27 Front-end and HTMX
22:37 Rust based tools
23:52 The importance of mindset for developers
26:02 Book recommendations
27:47 Pycon Italia shoutout and how to reach out
30:04 Wrap up

Links:
- Follow Paolo on Mastodon
- Check out his blog
- Connect with him in our community
- Pycon Italia

Books:
- Fluent Python
- Django by Example

In this episode coach Hugh sits down with Julian, co-founder of Pybites, to delve into the heart of what makes Pybites more than just about Python.

Julian shares the triumphs and trials of building Pybites, highlighting the significant milestones from the first subscriber to facing the tech industry's fast-paced and evolving landscape. 💡

More than coding, Julian emphasizes the critical role of mindset in overcoming obstacles and achieving growth, not only within Python but in personal and professional realms.  📈

With insights into Pybites' vision for the future, innovative initiatives for veterans, and efforts to introduce coding to school-aged children, this episode illuminates how Pybites champions a comprehensive approach to learning and development, rooted in perseverance, community, and adopting a growth mindset. 😍 

Links:

- Pybites platform
- Podcast Episode Featuring Isaac Smith
- PDM program
- Book tip: Quiet by Susan Cain
- Join our Python developer community here

This week we interview Mike Fiedler, the PyPI Safety & Security Engineer at the Python Software Foundation (PSF).

We discuss the importance of security within the Python ecosystem and offering practical advice for Python developers to enhance their security awareness.

Highlights include a deep dive into PyPI security measures, the challenges of securing the Python ecosystem, tips for Python developers, and Mike's journey to his current and previous (DevOps) roles, emphasizing the blend of technical skills and mindset needed to tackle security and solving challenges problems effectively.

Enjoy this episode with Mike Fiedler!

Chapters:
00:00 Show intro
01:20 Intro to audience and stateless testing win
08:24 Transition into PyPI security and current role
17:43 Challenging securing the Python ecosystem
24:48 Tips for Python devs to be more security aware
27:18 PDM ad segment
27:44 Security tips cont'd
33:16 Solving a puzzling problem in production (mindset)
39:40 Psychological safe workplaces / blame vs accountability
44:18 Security trends, how to prepare, and resources
48:05 Books and wrap up

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Pybites ad segment: apply for Python coaching here.
---

Show links:
- pytest-randomly
- pytest-socket
- Brian Okken's pytest content
- PyPI blog
- Trusted Publishers
- 2FA Required for PyPI
- git annotate
- Asimov Robot series
- Silo
- CPython 3.12.2 is SBOM-ified
- Trail of Bits blog
- Fastly blog
- Disaster recovery for Consul clusters (now this exists!)
- Bandit
- Pre-commit

Reach out to Mike here.

And we're back, Julian and Bob this time!

We're hearing some people being worried about AI and its impact on developer roles, even to the extent of being skeptical to move in or keep progressing into our field.

Hence we thought it would be good timing to discuss the current state of AI tools, their strengths + weaknesses, and how to effectively use them.

We don't think they will replace us developers because in this episode we come to the conclusion that so much in software development is (and will be) human.

We hope that our perspective will better help you navigate and use these tools. We think we live in exciting times and by embracing AI tools you really can create an edge for yourself.

We also have some exciting Pybites updates for you, books and more ... enjoy!

And don't forget to join our community and join the discussion.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:18 Wins / community / podcasts
07:44 We heard some worries about AI
08:56 Thoughts on ChatGPT for coding
10:52 It's not there yet
12:35 Looking a bit more under the covers
17:10 What it means for coding jobs
20:40 Shedding a mindset light on current fear
23:20 The productivity gains are real!
25:10 Julian's AI Utopia moment
27:13 Bob's pessimist counter balance (LOL)
27:30 Takeaway and adopting a growth mindset
28:42 Data privacy aspect
30:04 GPT4 vs 3.5
31:00 AI tools give you an edge (and reduces tutorial paralysis)
32:50 Join the discussion
33:25 Nerding out on books, book stories and series
39:15 Wrap up, Pycon 2024

This week on the Pybites Podcast, join Robin and Bob as they sit down with the remarkably skilled Marcelo Trylesinski, a distinguished software engineer currently working at Pydantic.

Not only is Marcelo a key maintainer for Uvicorn and Starlette, he's also recognized as a FastAPI Expert, a title earned through his meticulous dedication to resolving GitHub issues and contributing to the open-source community.

In our conversation, we dive into Marcelo's unique journey, uncovering the disciplined routine of issue resolution that propelled him to become a prolific open-source maintainer and a beacon of expertise in the FastAPI world.

Marcelo shares insights into his pivotal moment of joining Pydantic, his ongoing contributions, and the mindset that drives his success as a developer.

Beyond the technical, we explore what it means to be a valuable open-source contributor and the broader impacts of such work.

From his initial steps into the realm of Pydantic to his current endeavors, Marcelo's story is one of passion, perseverance, and the power of a positive developer mindset.

This episode is packed with valuable takeaways for anyone looking to make their mark in open source or to deepen their understanding of FastAPI and beyond.

Prepare to be inspired by this engaging conversation, offering a glimpse into the life of a developer who's truly mastered the art of open source contribution, one issue at a time.

---
Chapters:
00:00 Intro + win of the week
02:52 How did you become the FastAPI expert?
06:55 Learning frameworks through solving issues
10:30 Building up a habit of practice
12:05 How did you land a job at Pydantic?
13:40 GitHub + contributions a track record
15:12 Current Pydantic work
16:35 Zen's "there should be one obvious way" in open source
20:00 How to implement an admin page in FastAPI?
22:40 What does Starlette do in FastAPI?
23:20 Mindset and productivity as a developer
27:17 The ideal open source developer interaction
29:10 Use PRs to comment (document), not code
29:56 What are you reading / listening
31:28 Final piece of advice / using issues vs PRs
34:20 Learn GitHub repos by turning on notifications
35:35 Wrap and outro music

---
Reach out to Marcelo on X, GitHub and LinkedIn.

Follow his YouTube Channel: The FastAPI Expert

Mentioned talk: What does Starlette really do for FastAPI?

Book tip: The Medieval World

This week on the podcast, we're thrilled to welcome Steve Lott, a seasoned software developer and author whose mantra is turning coffee into code since 1978.

Steve has penned several influential books, including "Mastering Object-Oriented Python," "Modern Python Cookbook," and "Functional Python Programming," drawing from his vast experience since the early days when computers were a rare and costly venture.

In this episode, we dive deep into Steve's approach to writing about Python, uncovering his research process and how he infuses fun into his personal side projects.

Steve shares his insights on the evolving landscape of Python, the importance of hands-on learning through real-world projects, and the unparalleled impact of the Python community on developers worldwide.

But there's more to Steve than just code. As a "technomad," Steve has mastered the art of living on a boat, embracing the nomadic lifestyle while staying connected to the tech world. We explore the unique benefits and challenges of his life at sea, from the freedom it offers to the distinctive perspective it brings to his work and life philosophy.

Steve's belief in the power of stories — “Don’t come home until you have a story.” — shines throughout our conversation. This episode is packed with stories from his adventures both in front of the keyboard as well as from his nomad lifestyle (we even talk language accents).

Join us for this fascinating journey with Steve Lott, where coding meets adventure, and learn how embracing the unconventional can lead to a fulfilling and storied life. We're sure you'll walk away inspired, perhaps even considering how you can live life more fully.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro podcast and guest + win of the week
03:20 Python writing process
06:01 Book research process: answer questions and understanding underlying issues
11:05 Personal side-projects and keeping it fun
16:14 Future of Python
19:20 Teaching through real-world projects and related tooling & skills
23:00 Impact of the Python community, the best Python "feature"
29:07 Being a "technomad", living on a boat, and learning about different cultures
35:50 Mindset tips for developers
39:14 False assumptions and proper troubleshooting
44:50 Book tips and reading books out loud
48:50 Wrap up, Circle and book unittesting
51:44 Outro music

Reach out to Steve:
- Mastodon
- Blog | books
- Pybites community, join here