Testing the Podhome App

In this episode, I sit down with Chloe Lee to hear her remarkable story of living with bipolar II, depression, skin issues, asthma, bloating, and other chronic symptoms after growing up on what was considered a very healthy, mostly plant-based diet. Chloe shares how a strict elimination approach first led her to AIP and ketosis, and then eventually to a carnivore diet, where she says she experienced dramatic improvements in mood, focus, energy, skin health, recovery, and other long-standing symptoms. We also talk about how difficult it can be to question mainstream nutrition advice, especially when that advice comes from trusted doctors and family members.

Chloe and I also explore bigger themes behind her journey: the stigma around mental illness in Asia, the role of curiosity and self-experimentation, why some people may react poorly to foods commonly labeled “healthy,” and how traditional beliefs around meat, plants, and medicine can shape health decisions. She reflects on using Chinese herbs selectively, what she learned from reintroducing foods, and why she believes a simple carnivore or keto trial may be worth considering for people who feel stuck and haven’t found answers through conventional care.

• Improving Barry: https://www.improvingbarry.com/
• Episode page - From suicidal to happy with carnivore and keto with Chloe Lee: https://www.improvingbarry.com/episodepage/podcast/31-from-suicidal-to-happy-with-carnivore-and-keto-with-chloe-lee
• The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP): https://theautoimmuneprotocol.com/
• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/
• Weston A. Price Foundation: https://www.westonaprice.org/
• Seventh-day Adventist Church: https://adventist.org/
• Belinda Fettke on LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/belindafettke
• Gary Fettke on LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/gary-fettke-49657265
• Fenugreek (NCCIH): https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/fenugreek
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/new
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/

In this episode, I sit down with Brittany Ellich, Staff Engineer at GitHub, to talk about what software engineering looks like in the age of AI. We explore her path from working on GitHub Actions to building metered billing systems for enterprise products, where accuracy matters more than speed and even small mistakes can have major business impact. Brittany shares how billing for usage-based products like Copilot and Actions becomes especially challenging in distributed systems, across cloud environments, enterprise configurations, and data residency boundaries.

We also dig into how her day-to-day engineering workflow has changed with AI. Brittany explains how she splits work into synchronous and asynchronous modes, when she delegates tasks to cloud-based coding agents, and when she prefers working directly in VS Code with Copilot. We discuss agent-driven development, tools like Squad, the shift from writing code to shaping systems and products, and what all of this means for junior engineers, technical debt, productivity, and the future of software careers. It’s a practical and thoughtful conversation about learning to trust AI, staying adaptable, and figuring out what’s actually worth building now that creating software is faster than ever.


In this episode, I sat down with Brittany Ellich, staff engineer at GitHub, to talk about what software engineering looks like when AI is involved in nearly every step of the workflow. Brittany shared her path from a smaller medical education company into GitHub, where she first worked on GitHub Actions and now focuses on enterprise billing and metered usage. We explored why billing is such a fascinating engineering problem: in her world, accuracy matters far more than speed, and even small mistakes in a distributed system can have major business impact. She also explained how GitHub handles the complexity of enterprise licensing, usage-based billing, and data residency across different environments.

From there, we went deep on AI-assisted development. Brittany described how she splits her work between asynchronous tasks delegated to cloud-based coding agents and synchronous work inside her IDE with Copilot, and why the real challenge is no longer just building software, but deciding what is worth building. We also discussed tools like multi-agent "squad" workflows, the changing role of engineers as product and architecture skills become more important, the pressure this shift creates for junior developers, and why she remains optimistic about the future of software engineering. Brittany closed by sharing her growing interest in using AI for refactoring and technical debt reduction, and why that may be one of the biggest opportunities ahead.

In this episode, I sat down with Brittany Ellich, Staff Engineer at GitHub, to talk about how AI is reshaping modern software engineering. We explored her path from traditional software roles into developer tools at GitHub, where she now works on enterprise billing and metered usage systems—an area where accuracy matters far more than speed. Brittany shared what it’s like to build reliable billing infrastructure at massive scale, why underbilling can be just as painful as overbilling, and how complex things get when you add distributed systems, SaaS products, enterprise licensing, and data residency requirements into the mix.

We also dug into how Brittany actually works with AI day to day: delegating smaller, well-scoped tasks asynchronously to cloud agents, using Copilot and agent mode for more exploratory work, and experimenting with multi-agent tools like Squad to prototype ideas quickly. Our conversation covered the shift from “writing code” to “shaping systems,” why engineers are becoming more like product thinkers and architects, what this means for junior developers entering the field, and why Brittany remains optimistic about the future of software engineering despite all the uncertainty. If you’re wondering how AI is changing the real workflow of experienced engineers right now, this one is packed with practical insight.

In this episode, I sit down with Robert Viegehaven, 2016 Olympic rower turned high-performance coach and biohacker. We explore his path to the Olympics, what “high performance” really means, and why he believes winning is more about recovery than training. Robert breaks down the phases of elite training, the role of VO2 max testing and polarized training zones, and why professional athletes often live on the edge of overreaching. We dive into his personal evolution from a protein-first mindset to a comprehensive biohacking approach that includes labs, DNA insights, nervous system recovery, meditation, cold exposure, adaptogens like cordyceps and ashwagandha, and fully personalized nutrition and supplementation. 

Robert also shares how he helps ambitious clients—athletes, executives, and anyone seeking an upgrade—optimize biomarkers, neurotransmitters, sleep, and mindset to move from good to great. We cover practical takeaways like cold showers, targeted “super shakes,” and testing-driven neurotransmitter support, plus how mental blocks and trauma can limit progress if left unaddressed. He outlines his three-month, data-driven program (available across Europe) and explains why clarity of goals and accountability are as important as any lab result. And yes—we even touch on life inside the Olympic Village.

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(00:00:08) Welcome, guest intro: Olympian rower Robert Viegehaven

(00:01:02) From pro athlete to ex‑pro; Olympic memories and mindset

(00:03:27) Training blocks, tapering, and race‑day feels like any other race

(00:03:59) A week in the life: 2–3 sessions a day, rowing, endurance, weights

(00:05:32) Its a recovery game: training volume and recovering faster

(00:06:04) Zones and VO2 max: testing, polarization, and devices

(00:09:31) Life as a pro: routine, overreaching, and mental adaptation

(00:12:38) Recovery protocols evolve: nutrition focus and the protein pivot

(00:16:27) From short stature to strength: protein, casein, and real food

(00:20:20) Beyond protein: hormones, nervous system, and overtraining wake‑up

(00:22:11) Biohacking entry: testing, DNA, intolerances, personalized plans

(00:24:08) Why standard sports nutrition failed; functional approach wins

(00:26:32) Coaching today: high performance via data and accountability

(00:28:55) Cordyceps and adaptogens: legal ergogenics from nature

(00:33:07) Testing neurotransmitters; matching supplements to needs

(00:35:10) Client journey: tests, data, goals, and a 3‑month plan

(00:40:21) new vhapter

(00:49:07) Common client pitfalls: carbs, sensitivities, micronutrient gaps

(00:52:35) Mindset, trauma, and deeper work alongside biochemistry

(01:00:17) Quick wins: cold showers, daily super shake, neurotransmitter support

(01:04:39) Program availability and how to find Robert

(01:05:30) Olympic Village rumors confirmed; closing thanks

Test create show

In this episode, I challenge the conventional wisdom around distributing music exclusively through mainstream DSPs and explore an alternative: using open RSS infrastructure to publish and share your work. I lay out a vision for creators who want more control, ownership, and direct connection with their audience, and discuss how a podcast-style distribution model can broaden reach across many listening apps while keeping your creative freedom intact.

We consider what it means to build on open networks, cultivate deeper relationships with listeners, and rethink the economics and mechanics of releasing music. If you’ve been questioning the trade-offs of closed platforms and wondering how to chart a more independent path, this conversation offers a compelling framework and next steps to get started.

• Able James on Substack

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In this short update, I share a quick check-in and what’s coming up next for the show. We’re focusing on practical strategies to boost energy, sharpen focus, and improve sleep through simple daily habits and smarter hydration, nutrition, and recovery. I also highlight how we’re continuing to explore evidence-based approaches to whole-body wellness in upcoming episodes, along with actionable tips you can put to use right away.

Thanks for sticking with us—your feedback helps shape the topics we dig into, and I’m excited to bring you more conversations and insights to support your health journey. Stay tuned for fresh interviews and deep dives on performance, longevity, and everyday well-being.