ConTejas Code

Tejas Kumar

ConTejas Code is a long-form podcast hosted by Tejas Kumar, an AI engineer at IBM and the best selling author of Fluent React (O'Reilly), about applying engineering principles to everyday life. Episodes range from AI engineering, React and TypeScript to health, relationships, careers and leadership, with guests including Kent C. Dodds, Guillermo Rauch, Matt Pocock and Mark Erikson. More at https://tej.as/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 15 Apr

    How to Build an Effective Tech Stack: Balancing User and Developer Experience

    Let's stay in touch? https://twitter.com/tejaskumar_ In this comprehensive podcast episode titled "How to Build an Effective Tech Stack," listeners are guided through the intricate process of constructing a technology stack that harmonizes both User Experience (UX) and Developer Experience (DX). Beginning with a foundational understanding of what a tech stack is, the episode delves into the various components that constitute a tech stack, including technology, tools, libraries, frameworks, and databases. It also covers essential practices such as testing, deployment/hosting, monitoring, and the use of services like Software as a Service (SaaS). Key discussions include the balancing act between UX and DX, the importance of choosing the right mix of tools and services, and when to prefer a tool over a service. The episode emphasizes the significance of developer experience in shaping user experience and vice versa, presenting insights on unit testing and the pitfalls of striving for 100% code coverage. It also features a comparative analysis of popular frontend UI libraries such as React, SolidJS, and Qwik, addressing the question of how much optimization is truly beneficial. The podcast underscores the critical notion that beyond the choice of technology, the value of the product to its users is paramount. It concludes with the concept of a living, reactive tech stack that adapts to reduce friction and improve both development processes and user satisfaction. This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in building or optimizing tech stacks, offering a deep dive into making informed decisions that benefit both developers and users. Chapters 00:00 - Intro 00:32 - Sponsors 01:45 - Building a Tech Stack: Balancing User Experience (UX) and Developer Experience (DX) 05:03 - What is a Tech Stack? 08:25 - What is Technology? 17:09 - What are Tools? 21:39 - What are Libraries? 29:27 - What are Frameworks? 33:17 - Databases 35:37 - Testing 41:49 - Deployment/Hosting 46:14 - Monitoring 49:31 - Services (Hosted Tools), Software as a Service 54:21 - When to use a tool vs. a service? 58:53 - What to consider when choosing and using tools in a tech stack 01:05:41 - Balancing Developer Experience (DX) and User Experience (UX) 01:08:29 - Unit Testing and Why 100% Code Coverage is Bad 01:10:33 - Paying attention to how DX affects UX 01:14:24 - Comparing Frontend UI Libraries: React, SolidJS, and Qwik 01:21:32 - How much optimization is worth it? 01:23:02 - More Important than a Tech Stack: Is your product valuable? 01:28:17 - A Living, Reactive Tech Stack to Ease Friction 01:30:30 - Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How to Build an Effective Tech Stack: Balancing User and Developer Experience

  2. 2 Mar

    Paul Aragones: How to Engineer a Great Marriage

    Links - CodeCrafters (Sponsor): https://tej.as/codecrafters - Guest Socials (Paul Aragones): Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prequalizer/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PinoyHusbands- Gottman Institute (The Four Horsemen): https://www.gottman.com/blog/the-four-horsemen-recognizing-criticism-contempt-defensiveness-and-stonewalling/ - Cal.com (Peer Richelsen): https://cal.com Mentioned Episodes - Diazno Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4i4txd4HhngCGAtDWt0JZF?si=h-LM6LEPQGeh8Hsu2s5N4wApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/diazno-how-to-unlock-creativity-taste-and-effective/id1731855333?i=1000747678547YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8azxbxYBAc&list=PLEJpU2pV0Lie1VWU1unMg_7FRQ1gqFmAZ&index=4&t=5888s&pp=iAQBsAgC Summary In this episode, I sit down with Paul Aragones, an embedded Linux engineer who made the fascinating pivot to becoming a marriage coach. We explore the surprisingly deep parallels between building stable software systems and engineering a divorce-proof marriage. We discuss why marriage is actually the ultimate operating system for life, how to create a 'spec sheet' for your partner to avoid compatibility bugs, and why your friend circle might be increasing your divorce risk by 75%. Paul also opens up about his own journey through poverty and near-divorce, and we debate the controversial role of submission and servant leadership in modern relationships. Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:05:05 Marriage as an Operating System 00:08:28 Building the Spec Sheet: Requirements for a Spouse 00:13:38 Why Marry? The Societal & Financial API 00:18:45 The Danger of Being Too Picky (The "Feature Creep" Problem) 00:22:14 Defining Your 3 Non-Negotiables 00:27:46 The "Timeout" Clause in Dating 00:33:13 The Shock of v1.0: Early Marriage Bugs 00:39:20 The 75% Rule: How Friends Influence Divorce Risk 00:47:23 Implementing CI/CD: Continuous Improvement in Marriage 00:54:30 Overcoming Male Pride & Finding Mentors 01:01:15 Identity Stack: Husband > Father > Businessman 01:06:11 Addressing Religious Trauma & Misconceptions 01:19:58 The Four Horsemen: Predicting Divorce with 90% Accuracy 01:27:08 Emergency Protocols: Saving a Dying Marriage 01:37:41 Why It's All Worth It: The Highest Form of Satisfaction Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Paul Aragones: How to Engineer a Great Marriage

  3. 23 Feb

    What is AI engineering and what do AI engineers even do?

    Links - CodeCrafters (Sponsor): https://tej.as/codecrafters - The Rise of the AI Engineer (Latent Space): https://www.latentspace.com/p/ai-engineer - Anthropic Model Context Protocol (MCP): https://www.anthropic.com/news/model-context-protocol Anthropic Skills (SKILL.md): https://resources.anthropic.com/hubfs/The-Complete-Guide-to-Building-Skill-for-Claude.pdf?hsLang=en - Pratim Bhosale on Vector Search (Previous Episode): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJcrI1GbDec - OpenClaw (Official Repository): https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw - WormGPT/Prompt Injection Incident (The Verge Reference): https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/881574/cline-openclaw-prompt-injection-hack Summary In this episode, I’m finally breaking down what AI Engineering actually looks like in 2026. We’ve moved past the "wow" phase of demos into the hard reality of production, where models lie, costs spike, and security is a nightmare. I define the role formally—separating it from ML engineering—and dive deep into the three core problems we solve daily: hallucinations, real-time knowledge, and context engineering. I also explore the explosion of agent runtimes, specifically dissecting OpenClaw (formerly Clawdbot/Moltbot) and why its open-source, device-local approach is winning. We talk about the Model Context Protocol (MCP), the new SKILL.md standard from Anthropic, and why I believe multi-agent concurrency is the inevitable future of software. Chapters 00:00:00 Intro: The "Monday Morning" AI Nightmare 00:08:15 What is AI Engineering? 00:21:00 AI Engineers vs. ML Engineers 00:36:20 Problem 1: Hallucinations 00:48:30 Problem 2: Real-Time Knowledge 00:59:00 Problem 3: Context Engineering 01:13:00 Agents 01:17:30 MCP (Model Context Protocol) Explained 01:22:30 SKILL.md: The New Standard 01:39:00 The 2026 Trend: Multi-Agent Concurrency 01:42:30 Build Your Own OpenClaw 01:52:00 Conclusion: Moving from Talk to Action Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What is AI engineering and what do AI engineers even do?

  4. 16 Feb

    Mikhail Korolev: How to Hack the Job Market & Get Into VIP Rooms

    Links - CodeCrafters: https://codecrafters.io - Kyle Simpson (You Don't Know JS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEMG7Oxuan8 - Josh Goldberg (CFP Advice): https://www.joshuakgoldberg.com/blog/how-i-apply-to-conferences/ - JSHeroes CFP Guide: https://jsheroes.io/ (See blog section) - CFP.watch (by Roudy): https://cfp.watch - confs.tech (mentioned at ~00:34): https://confs.tech - Guillermo Rauch Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6NzkPBjwpwLmhIntEUB95x?si=51ac6de6d8fa4f8e - Santosh Yadav Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7HIl3zqyDd3cZDmJLzKR58 - Jeff Escalante Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf2E3dWfK3k - System Design in 15 Minutes (Hello Interview): https://www.hellointerview.com/learn/system-design/in-a-hurry/introduction - Mikhail Korolev (X/Twitter): https://x.com/mkrl__ - Mikhail on GitHub: https://github.com/mkrl - Mikhail on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkrl/ - Mikhail on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mkrl.xyz Summary I sat down with Mikhail "Misha" Korolev to discuss a reality many engineers face but rarely talk about: how to get into rooms where you technically "don't belong." We explored his journey from being unemployed after Toptal to networking his way into VIP dinners and eventually landing a role at Tekmetric. We dug deep into the "Pac-Man Rule" for networking, why I believe you shouldn't pursue DevRel jobs at companies with unfinished products, and the specific "cheat codes" Misha used to bypass standard interview gates—including how he used ChatGPT to speed-run a LeetCode assessment. If you're currently navigating the job market or trying to pivot from engineering to public speaking, this conversation is a masterclass in making your own luck. Chapters 00:00:00 Intro & Sponsors 00:02:45 The "VIP Dinner" Strategy 00:06:00 How to Enter Rooms You "Don't Belong" In 00:12:20 The Pac-Man Rule for Networking 00:15:00 Dealing with Competitive Networking (The MKBHD Effect) 00:20:00 Why You Shouldn't Idolize Tech Celebrities 00:28:00 How to Start Speaking at Conferences (CFP Hacks) 00:35:00 Live Coding vs. Pre-recorded Demos 00:43:00 The Truth About DevRel vs. Engineering 00:58:00 Misha's Accidental Path to Engineering (Quake & Turbo Pascal) 01:07:30 Job Hunting in a Brutal Market 01:13:30 Using ChatGPT to Pass LeetCode Interviews 01:20:00 Getting Referrals (The Supabase Story) 01:27:00 Closing Advice: Just Go Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Mikhail Korolev: How to Hack the Job Market & Get Into VIP Rooms

  5. 9 Feb

    How to communicate well: interpersonally, in teams, and on stage

    Links CodeCrafters (Sponsor)Steve Jobs iPhone Introduction (2007)Steve Ballmer "Developers"Bill Clinton "I did not have sexual relations"Tejas's First Talk (JSConf EU)Tejas at React Summit (The "Sweaty Room" Talk)Amy Cuddy's Power Posing TED TalkDiazno on ConTejas"Thin Slicing" (Ambady & Rosenthal)Mehrabian's 7-38-55 Rule (Original Paper)Elaboration Likelihood Model (Petty & Cacioppo)Cognitive Load & Multimedia Learning (Mayer/Wiley)Narrative transportationExposure Therapy for Public Speaking (Frontiers)Breathing & Physiological Sigh (PMC)Deliberate practiceFeedbackSpacing + retrieval practice Summary In this episode, we're doing something different. Instead of analyzing code, we're analyzing the science of communication. I've spoken on hundreds of stages, from massive conferences to small, sweaty rooms, and I've learned that great speakers aren't born—they're built. We're going to dismantle the "talent" myth and replace it with a repeatable system. I'll walk you through the three levers of connection (Clarity, Trust, Energy), debunk the famous 7-38-55 rule, and give you practical frameworks like the "4 L's of Listening" and the "4 C's of Storytelling." Whether you're an engineer trying to get buy-in for a refactor or a founder pitching a VC, this is how you make your ideas inevitable. Chapters 0:00:00 Intro 0:03:00 The Steve Jobs & Obama Standard 0:07:37 The 3 Levers: Clarity, Trust, Energy 0:10:33 Why Communication Fails (A Quick Diagnostic) 0:16:16 Debunking the 7-38-55 Rule (Mehrabian) 0:25:21 The 4 L's of Listening: Listen, Loop, Label, Lead 0:36:55 The One-Sentence Thesis 0:44:54 How to Change Minds (Elaboration Likelihood Model) 0:57:15 High Stakes vs. Low Energy: Reading the Room 1:03:00 Storytelling: The 4 C's (Context, Conflict, Choice, Change) 1:13:57 Delivery: Removing Fluff & Cognitive Load 1:21:00 Voice Control: Pace and Emphasis 1:24:40 Gestures: The "Check the Floor" Mental Model 1:30:56 Managing Nerves: Power Posing & Reappraisal 1:44:40 The 7-Day Action Plan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How to communicate well: interpersonally, in teams, and on stage

  6. 2 Feb

    Diazno: How to Unlock Creativity, Taste, and Effective Leadership

    Links - CodeCrafters (Sponsor) - Partner with ConTejas Code - Diazno on Spotify - Diazno on Instagram - Tejas’s Keynote in Malaysia (Sick Day) Description In this episode of the ConTejas Code Podcast, Tejas sits down with the artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Diazno. Often described as the "Black Rick Rubin" for his ability to curate sound and vibe, Diazno shares his profound insights on the intersection of creativity and execution. They dive deep into how to move from "idea" to "finished product" by overcoming the fear of commitment, the role of taste versus talent, and how true leadership is actually about influence and service. Diazno also opens up about his experiences directing major productions at venues like the Deutsche Oper, navigating cross-cultural communication, and how he views the rise of AI tools like Suno in the music industry. Whether you are a developer, a musician, or a team leader, this episode offers a masterclass in human connection and the discipline of high performance. Chapters 00:00:00 Intro & Sponsors 00:04:05 From Ideas to Execution: Overcoming "Fear of Commitment" 00:12:12 Creativity is Life: The Cycle of Creation and Rest 00:19:15 Consumption vs. Creation: Finding the Spark 00:25:22 Taste vs. Talent: The Role of the Producer 00:30:20 How to Get Buy-In 00:37:25 Communicating a Vision 00:42:15 Communication: Not What You Say, What They Hear 00:49:18 Honoring People & Building Relational Equity 01:00:20 The Power of Informal Relationships 01:15:20 Reps & Consistency: Performing on Your Worst Days 01:22:10 AI in Music: Will It Replace the Soul? 01:38:05 Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Diazno: How to Unlock Creativity, Taste, and Effective Leadership

  7. 26 Jan

    Isaac Akinsete: How to Optimize Health & Longevity as a Desk Worker

    Links - Codecrafters (partner): https://tej.as/codecrafters - Isaac on Instagram: https://instagram.com/isaac11890 - Contact: https://tej.as Summary Sitting 8+ hours a day is destroying your biomechanics. Here is how to engineer your way back to health. In this episode of ConTejas Code, I sit down with professional footballer and CrossFit coach Isaac Akinsete to reverse the physical damage of the developer lifestyle. We dive deep into the anatomy of "tech neck," why stretching isn't enough, and how to trigger the EPOC "afterburn" effect to burn fat while sitting. Whether you have a full gym or zero equipment, Isaac outlines the exact protocols to maximize longevity, fix tight hip flexors, and optimize mental and spiritual health. In this episode, we cover: - The Desk Worker Protocol: A complete zero-equipment circuit routine for hypertrophy and cardio. - Mobility vs. Stretching: Why static stretching won't fix your posture. - RPE Explained: How to train for fat loss vs. strength without burnout. - CrossFit vs. Gym: Which is better for the average coder? - Mind & Spirit: The role of positive self-talk and faith in elite performance. Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:04:22 Isaac Akinsete 00:09:10 Mythbusting: Does lifting weights stunt growth in kids? 00:11:52 Am I too old to start working out? 00:14:15 How to find the right workout intensity (RPE Scale) 00:20:55 What sitting for 8+ hours actually does to your body 00:26:08 Mobility vs. Stretching: Why stretching isn't enough 00:30:12 How to fix "Tech Neck" and Hunchback posture 00:42:50 Can you out-exercise a sedentary job? 00:47:11 Do under-desk treadmills and walking pads work? 00:53:36 Designing a workout routine for desk workers 00:55:36 The "Zero Equipment" Home & Hotel Workout 01:04:15 High Intensity Circuit Training & The EPOC Effect 01:11:17 Traditional Gym vs. CrossFit 01:16:05 Rapid Fire Questions 01:22:25 Faith & Fitness: Treating your body like a temple 01:29:53 The psychology of self-talk 01:34:50 Outro oAVv7QV7tdStFFrhiZzZ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Isaac Akinsete: How to Optimize Health & Longevity as a Desk Worker

  8. 19 Jan

    Faris Aziz: How to Get Promoted, Build Resilience, and Lead with Empathy

    Links - Codecrafters (sponsor): https://tej.as/codecrafters - Become a guest on the podcast: https://forms.gle/wMqBmVhuzL46Ha3P7 - ZurichJS Discount: https://conf.zurichjs.com?utm_source=contejas&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=zurichjs-conf-2026 - Faris on X: https://x.com/farisaziz12 - Faris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farisaziz12/ - ZurichJS: https://zurichjs.com - SmallPDF: https://smallpdf.com What does it take to become an Engineering Manager at 21? How do you rebuild your identity when a chronic illness takes away your physical strength? In this episode of ConTejas Code, I sit down with Faris Aziz, a Staff Engineer at Smallpdf and the lead organizer of ZurichJS. At just 25 years old, Faris has lived a career’s worth of highs and lows. From failing his first coding bootcamp module to building a career ladder for a fintech startup, and from ranking as the 2nd fittest CrossFit athlete in Switzerland to being bedridden by an autoimmune condition, Faris shares the mindset required to navigate extreme volatility. This conversation moves beyond technical skills into the "internal garden"—how emotional regulation, sleep, and nutrition directly impact your ability to lead others. Faris breaks down his philosophy on "Peace of Mind" as the primary metric for promotion, why invisible work builds character, and how to steward authority without intimidation. Whether you are an aspiring manager, a developer looking to level up, or someone navigating a personal setback, this episode offers a blueprint for resilience and professional excellence. Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:04:33 Getting into Tech at 19 00:08:12 Failing (and Surviving) Bootcamp 00:11:00 Building a CrossFit App During Lockdown 00:13:38 Getting Hired Without Writing Code 00:18:49 Accidental Managers: Leading at 21 00:22:19 Choosing a Pre-seed Startup Over High Salary 00:28:53 Red Flags in Leadership 00:33:41 Tending the Garden: Balancing Work & ZurichJS 00:42:51 Health Crisis: From Top Athlete to Bedridden 00:48:51 Emotional Regulation & Bio-Hacking 00:59:36 Mindset: Gratitude vs. Bitterness 01:07:44 Invisible Work & Building Character 01:11:18 How to Get Promoted: Giving Peace of Mind 01:17:28 Confidence vs. Arrogance 01:21:42 Owning Mistakes Confidently 01:25:38 Stewarding Authority (The Kent C. Dodds Example) 01:28:06 Don't Just Be an Engineer: Solve Business Problems 01:35:02 Managing "Diva" 10x Engineers 01:40:12 Organizing the First ZurichJS 01:46:30 Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Faris Aziz: How to Get Promoted, Build Resilience, and Lead with Empathy
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About

ConTejas Code is a long-form podcast hosted by Tejas Kumar, an AI engineer at IBM and the best selling author of Fluent React (O'Reilly), about applying engineering principles to everyday life. Episodes range from AI engineering, React and TypeScript to health, relationships, careers and leadership, with guests including Kent C. Dodds, Guillermo Rauch, Matt Pocock and Mark Erikson. More at https://tej.as/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Tejas Kumar
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Tejas Kumar
  • Show Website
    ConTejas Code