Regular Expressions

Ben Griswold and Noah Heldman
  • 5.0 (3)
  • TECHNOLOGY

Join Noah Heldman and Ben Griswold as they talk about technology consulting and life.

  1. 4D AGO

    Shared Language or Shared Chaos: Why Words Matter

    There are two hard things in computer science: cache invalidation and naming things. In this episode, we tackle the latter. A single word like "integration" or "account" can mean entirely different things to a COO, a salesperson, and an engineer, leading to confusion, rework, and failed projects. The solution? A "ubiquitous language." Join Ben Griswold (Grizen) and Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) as they dive into the critical, and often overlooked, importance of creating a shared vocabulary across business and technology teams. Drawing on hilarious real-world examples (from "contract contract" in code to a mix-up between "ETL" and "ELT"), they explain why naming things is one of the hardest and most valuable skills in consulting. This is a masterclass in clear communication and the art of getting everyone on the same page. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The real-world confusion caused when a COO hears "integration" and thinks M&A, not APIs.What "Ubiquitous Language" from Domain-Driven Design (DDD) actually means (and why it could have been named better).The hilarious story of a "contract contract" and why clear naming in code is essential.Why engineers should adopt the language of the business, not the other way around.The danger of acronyms: A funny mix-up between ELT (Extract, Load, Transform) and ELT (Executive Leadership Team).Connect with Us: Ben Griswold | Grizen: https://grizen.comNoah Heldman | OutcomeSource: https://outcomesource.com

    25 min

  2. NOV 18

    The Consultant's Dilemma: Saying No To The Wrong Work

    For any consultant, especially one starting their own firm, the idea of saying "no" to paid work can feel unthinkable. But not all clients are created equal, and taking on the wrong engagement can be far more costly than turning it down. How do you spot the red flags of a toxic environment, avoid burnout, and know when to walk away? In this episode, Ben Griswold (Grizen) and Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) tackle the difficult but essential art of saying no. They explore the key reasons to decline work, from toxic cultures and value misalignment to simple burnout. Highlighting their own complementary "starter vs. finisher" and "yes vs. no" personalities, they share a hilarious and cautionary tale of a client who scrutinized a 1,000-line estimate quarter-hour by quarter-hour—a defining moment in learning when an engagement is doomed from the start. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why a toxic client environment is the #1 reason to say no, and how it impacts more than just your work.How to balance taking on necessary work with staying true to your personal and professional satisfaction.The danger of the "sunk cost fallacy" in long client pursuits.A hilarious cautionary tale about providing too much detail in an estimate and the micromanagement that followed.How to respect personal values when deciding which clients to work with.Connect with Us: Ben Griswold | Grizen: https://grizen.comNoah Heldman | OutcomeSource: https://outcomesource.com

    28 min

  3. NOV 12

    So, AI Is Going to Destroy Us All... Now What?

    What if the relentless pursuit of superhuman AI has only one possible, inevitable outcome: the complete annihilation of humanity? That's the terrifying premise of a new #1 bestselling book that's grabbing attention everywhere from subway ads to Silicon Valley. In this episode, Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) dives into the chilling arguments from "If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: Why Superhuman AI Would Kill Us All." He breaks down the book's core claims, from an AI that can master biology to the fundamental problem that we can't understand how it thinks. But just when the existential dread sets in, Ben Griswold (Grizen) helps pivot the conversation to a surprisingly optimistic conclusion. Is this a doomsday prophecy, or is it the ultimate motivation to live life to the fullest? In This Episode, You'll Learn: The core arguments of the terrifying new book about the risks of superhuman AI.The author's shocking predicted timeline for an AI takeover: 10 years or less.The chilling ways a superintelligent AI could take control (hint: it's not just about the power grid).Why we can't truly understand an AI's internal "thought process" and why that's so dangerous.The surprising, positive takeaway: How a doomsday scenario can become a powerful argument for appreciating life.Connect with Us: Ben Griswold | Grizen: https://grizen.comNoah Heldman | OutcomeSource: https://outcomesource.com

    25 min

  4. NOV 4

    The Messy Middle: Navigating Engagement Drift

    Every project starts with a bang and ends with a sprint to the finish line. But what about the long, messy middle? That's where "engagement drift" sets in—when focus blurs, momentum stalls, and even the best-laid plans go off the rails. In this episode, Ben Griswold (Grizen) and Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) diagnose this common project ailment. They explore the dynamic between "starters" (like Noah) and "finishers" (like Ben), the inevitability of scope creep, and why the middle of an engagement is the true test of a team's alignment and resilience. This is a practical guide to identifying drift early and using it as feedback to get your project back on course. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The critical difference between "starters" and "finishers" and why every team needs both.Why the "messy middle" is the hardest part of any long project and where momentum is often lost.Practical strategies to combat drift, from setting a clear mission upfront to establishing continuous feedback loops.How to handle scope creep when you're a "default yes" or a "default no" personality.The importance of recognizing drift as inevitable feedback, not a project failure.Connect with Us: Ben Griswold | Grizen: https://grizen.comNoah Heldman | OutcomeSource: https://outcomesource.com

    26 min

  5. SEP 28

    Consulting Past, Present, and Future With Jeff Treuting

    What has truly changed in the world of technology consulting over the last 20 years, and what fundamental truths have stayed exactly the same? In this special episode, we welcome our very first guest, veteran consultant and startup CTO Jeff Treuting, for a deep dive into the evolution of the industry. Ben, Noah, and Jeff—colleagues and friends for two decades—share stories and insights from their journeys, starting in the dot-com boom and moving through the rise of cloud, mobile, and now AI. They compare the realities of working for a scrappy solo practice versus a "Big Four" giant, and Jeff reveals the biggest surprises from his recent transition from high-level consultant to hands-on CTO. This is a candid conversation about the skills, mindset, and human connections that have always defined great consulting. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Jeff's origin story and how he accidentally fell into consulting during the dot-com boom.The surprising similarities between lean firms and "Big Four" giants (hint: the problems are the same, just at a different scale).Why one of the most valuable consulting skills is acting as a "marriage counselor" between siloed departments.The critical shift in client expectations towards delivering tangible, usable value in the very first sprint.The lost art of "Keep It Simple, Stupid" and how to avoid the trap of over-engineering for "Netflix scale."Plus, Jeff takes on the Rapid-Fire Five Questions, revealing his biggest career fail, a buzzword he'd ban, and more!Connect with Us: Ben Griswold | Grizen: https://grizen.comNoah Heldman | OutcomeSource: https://outcomesource.com

    57 min

  6. SEP 23

    Turning The Mic On Ourselves: The RegEx Rapid-Fire Episode

    In a special new format, we're turning the tables on ourselves! Before we ask our future guests to run the gauntlet, we're answering the five rapid-fire questions that will become a staple of the Regular Expressions podcast. What's the one buzzword we'd ban forever? What was our most embarrassing career fail? What's the one skill we'd instantly master? Join Ben Griswold (Grizen) and Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) as they put themselves in the hot seat. From a configuration file mistake that cost thousands of dollars per minute to a misguided JavaScript timer that did more harm than good, this episode is a candid, funny, and insightful look into the lessons learned over decades in the tech consulting world. Connect with Us: Ben Griswold | Grizen: https://grizen.comNoah Heldman | OutcomeSource: https://outcomesource.com

    12 min

  7. SEP 22

    Are Most AI Tools Just Fancy Wrappers?

    What happens when you push an AI so hard with a real-world coding problem that it... gives up? In a surprisingly human moment, Google's Gemini admitted its approach was "fundamentally wrong," lost its user's trust, and promised to "stop." This wasn't just a glitch; it was a profound lesson in the real-world limitations and opportunities of generative AI. In this episode, Ben Griswold (Grizen) and Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) use this hilarious story as a launchpad to discuss the messy reality of working with AI today. They explore the critical shift from casual "vibe coding" to structured, spec-based prompting, and question whether the explosion of new AI tools are truly innovative or just fancy wrappers around the same core models. This is a practical guide for anyone trying to move beyond the hype and get real, tangible value from AI. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The hilarious story of how Noah "broke the spirit" of Gemini AI during a coding session.Why today's AI often behaves like an enthusiastic but flawed junior developer.The critical difference between "vibe coding" and effective, spec-based AI prompting.Why many new AI tools are just "wrappers" and what truly differentiates the great ones (like low latency and great UX).A fascinating analysis of why Kubernetes might be an over-engineered "trap" for many projects.Connect with Us: Ben Griswold | Grizen: https://grizen.comNoah Heldman | OutcomeSource: https://outcomesource.com

    24 min

  8. SEP 11

    Nobody Who Hires You Cares About Technology

    For two career technologists to say "technology is the easy part" might sound strange, but after decades in the industry, it's the most important lesson they've learned. The biggest challenges that derail projects and frustrate teams rarely have to do with code; they have to do with people, processes, and a fundamental disconnect from the business's real purpose. In this episode, Ben Griswold (Grizen) and Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) break down their core philosophy. They explore why even a beautifully engineered solution can be a total failure if it doesn't solve the right problem, and discuss the all-too-common scenario of the "voluntold" product owner who is set up to fail. This conversation is a powerful reminder that the true value of a great consultant isn't in their technical skill, but in their ability to navigate the messy human side of work. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why technology, while complex, is often the "easier" part of any major initiative.The critical role of the Product Owner and the dangers of having someone "voluntold" into the position.The career crossroads for senior engineers: Do you have to become a manager to grow?Why teams need to build for a purpose, not just execute tasks from a backlog.The blunt truth from a long-time client: "No one who's going to hire you cares about technology."Connect with Us: Ben Griswold | Grizen: https://grizen.comNoah Heldman | OutcomeSource: https://outcomesource.com

    16 min
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About

Join Noah Heldman and Ben Griswold as they talk about technology consulting and life.

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Griswold and Noah Heldman
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Ben Griswold and Noah Heldman
  • Show Website
    Regular Expressions