This month, we discuss how to get off of Big Tech's platforms and take control of our digital lives with Andy Bowling and Phil Waller of Comp.coop.

Steve Giordano from Interstitial and Ethan Winn from Obran join us to talk about one of our favorite topics: worker co-ops! What they are and, more importantly, why we think they are a great corporate structure for tech startups.

Henhouse, our new privacy-focused, small-tech web hosting co-op, is in private beta. If you want to test it out, contact us. If you want to support Henhouse, donate on Open Collective.

This month, software engineer and systems builder Corey Snipes joined us to talk about small tech, digital sovereignty, LLMs, and why he's optimistic about the future of tech. Corey has 25 years of experience across security, cloud, and web-facing technologies. He likes to fix things, spend time in the woods, and play music. He's also a founding member of our Henhouse Computing Co-op. Listen to all our episodes at limeleaf.coop/podcast.

We're headed to Vancouver, BC, Canada from March 26-29 for ATmosphereConf 2026! If you'll be there, too, say hi.

This month, we reflect on some 2025 highlights here at Limeleaf and look ahead at our plans for 2026. Topics include: Bluesky, ATProtocol, apply.coop, owning tech vs. renting it (i.e., SaaS), Silicon Valley's devolution from cuddly unicorn to bloodthirsty monster, tech ICs are the new working class, and more.

ATmosphereConf 2026 is happening in Vancouver in March! Attend in person or online for two days of AT Protocol-focused learning, networking, and fun. Limeleaf will be there, as will folks from Bluesky PBC, Graze, Blacksky Algorithms, Streamplace, Tangled, and many other AT Protocol enthusiasts. Get your tickets now!!

Bluesky Directory

apply.coop

Source Cooperative

Means Media

Panther Peak Studios

Comp.coop

Farox Cooperative

You Deserve a Tech Union by Ethan Marcotte

Seven Myths About AI and Productivity: What the Evidence Really Says

Beyond the politics of nostalgia: What the fall of the steel industry can tell us about the future of America

The Tech Workers Coalition

In this episode, we discuss AT Protocol, a technology that underpins Bluesky and many believe is the future of social media. ATProto pioneer Boris Mann @bmann.ca educates us about AT Protocol, where it's used, why so many people are excited about it, and even how it's pronounced.

Breaking news: In the episode, we discuss software patents as they relate to ATProto standardization. Today, Bluesky published a patent pledge vowing to "not enforce any of the patents on any software invention Bluesky Social owns now or in the future." The pledge includes IP related to ATProto. Progress!

Do you have an idea for a Bluesky or AT Protocol product? Build it! Our team can guide you through every step, from defining requirements to launching your product, scaling your infrastructure to handle millions of users, and beyond. Learn more.

Overview of the ATmosphere's potential from Dan Abramov

AT Protocol Specification

AT Protocol on Github

Free Our Feeds, "A campaign to support open, people-powered social media"

Blacksky, "Decentralized tools for creating safe, independent online spaces"

Boris' "Beyond Microblogging: AT Protocol for Building Unique Social Apps" post

Alex Russell's post about web standards

Toronto User Directory

Leaflet - online publishing

Tangled - source code management

Graze - custom feed creator

Streamplace - video livestreaming

Spark - decentralized social networking

Germ - secure chat

Semble - social knowledge network for researchers

Smoke Signal - event planning

Flushes - uh, wtf?

Anisota - experimental social media interface

Recipe Exchange

Roomy Chat - group chat

Grain Photos - photo storage

Anchor - geo checkins

Find many more at blueskydirectory.com

This month, we talk about the state of computer science instruction in higher education, and how it's changing. What even is "computer science" these days? Do tech workers really need a degree in it? Should schools develop new degrees in topics like application development instead of coding and algorithms? Naturally, AI comes up in the conversation. We also cover some clever new robot slurs that have been making the rounds online. Don't be a clanker, give it a listen!

apply.coop, our privacy-first job board for values-driven organizations, is in production! Visit apply.coop and use promo code "solidarity" for free job postings!

Slopsquatting

How ‘Clanker’ Became the Internet’s New Favorite Slur

Coding is dead: UW computer science program rethinks curriculum for the AI era

In this episode, we explore paradigms in psychology and software development, with guest Laurie Smith, a human services expert and applied behavior analyst. The discussion traces psychology's evolution from behaviorism to cognitive approaches, and software's progression from procedural to object-oriented and functional programming, and, of course, artificial intelligence. We also explore emerging paradigms in psychology, computer science, and economics, emphasizing the need to measure success beyond traditional metrics.

apply.coop, our privacy-first job board for values-driven organizations, is in production! Visit apply.coop and use promo code "solidarity" for free job postings!

New paradigm for psychology just dropped

Kuhn’s phases of science

Valuing What Counts: United Nations System-wide Contribution on Beyond Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

start.coop - Our mission is to scale the next generation of cooperatively owned businesses

It’s Mubs! The newest owner-member of Limeleaf joins us to discuss his career, his past collaborations with Blain and Erik, and his experience launching over 100 digital products. In our “Explain It to Me Like I’m John” segment, we learn about AT Protocol (the tech that powers Bluesky), the pain of moving your “social graph” to a new social platform, and how AT Protocol might help solve it. For links, socials, and more info about Limeleaf Worker Cooperative, visit limeleaf.coop.

Bluesky Directory

Mubs’ website

AT Protocol

Bluesky

Phone Number Portability

We started Limeleaf on March 18, 2024. To celebrate our one-year anniversary, we'll take a look back at what we've accomplished and where we want to go in 2025 and beyond.

For links, socials, and more info about Limeleaf Worker Cooperative, visit limeleaf.coop.

This month, we have a special episode with Mavreen Smiel. Mav is a Senior Test Automation Engineer and long-time veteran of the video gaming industry. She gives us an insider’s view on software testing past, present, and future. (Yes, including the impact that “AI” is having on software quality assurance folks.)