Coding Chats

John Crickett
  • 5.0 (1)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

On Coding Chats, John Crickett interviews software engineers of all levels from junior to CTO. He encourages the guests to share the stories of the challenges they have faced in their role and the strategies and tactics they have used to overcome those challenges providing actionable insights other software engineers can use to accelerate their careers.

  1. 5D AGO

    Why most companies are getting AI wrong and how to build a culture that actually adapts

    Coding Chats episode 69 - John Crickett and Sairam Sundaresan discuss the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for learning, software development, and organizational culture. Sairam emphasizes the importance of bridging the gap between technical and business perspectives on AI, advocating for a hands-on approach to learning. They explore the hype surrounding AI, particularly large language models (LLMs), and the need for a cultural transformation within organizations to effectively adopt AI technologies. The discussion also touches on the future of software engineering in an AI-driven world, highlighting the blurred lines between roles and the necessity for continuous learning and adaptation. Chapters 00:00 Bridging the Gap: Understanding AI for Everyone 03:44 Learning AI: A Practical Approach 06:29 The Evolution of AI: From Hype to Reality 09:33 Generative AI: The Current Landscape and Future Directions 12:35 Transformative Use Cases: Beyond Basic Applications 15:23 The Art of Questioning: Engaging with AI Effectively 18:36 Navigating Large Codebases: AI as a Tool for Engineers 21:24 Writing and Coding: Learning from the Masters 27:42 Harnessing Subagents for Efficiency 29:48 Bridging the Gap Between Business and Tech 31:35 Cultural Transformation in AI Adoption 34:22 Understanding AI Fundamentals for Better Collaboration 36:11 The People Problem in AI Implementation 39:26 Evolving Roles in Software Engineering 42:26 The Resurgence of Software Engineering 44:37 Leading an AI-First Organization 49:16 Learning by Doing in AI 52:03 Navigating the Landscape of AI Research and Publications 54:05 Exploring Related Content Sairam's Links: Book- AI for the Rest of Us:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F29THNLT Substack Gradient Ascent: https://newsletter.artofsaience.com John's Links: John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/ John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social Check out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills. Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track. Takeaways AI is essential for modern products and services. Bridging the gap between business and engineering is crucial. Learning AI requires a hands-on approach, not just theory. Cultural transformation is necessary for successful AI adoption. Understanding the basics of AI is vital for all roles. The hype around AI often overshadows other important areas. Software engineering is evolving with AI technologies.AI tools can enhance productivity but require thoughtful use. Continuous learning is key in the fast-paced AI landscape. The roles within organizations are becoming more integrated.

    54 min

  2. MAR 5

    The benefits of speaking at tech conferences (even if you aren't an expert)

    Coding Chats episode 68 - Paulina Dubas shares her experiences and insights on the importance of public speaking at conferences, the challenges engineers face in communication, and the benefits of networking within the tech community. She discusses the significance of understanding AI in the workplace, the ongoing issues of gender balance in tech, and the value of an MBA for engineers transitioning into business roles. The conversation emphasizes the need for inclusivity and the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences to foster growth in the industry. Chapters 00:00 The Benefits of Speaking at Conferences 05:07 Overcoming Public Speaking Challenges 09:04 Key Lessons for Aspiring Speakers 10:49 Navigating AI in the Workplace 14:48 The Gender Balance in Tech 22:07 Creating Inclusive Workplaces 24:48 Consulting vs. Product Roles 27:32 The Value of an MBA for Engineers34:28 Exploring Related Content Paulina's Links LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulinadubas/ website : https://paulinadubas.com/ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@PaulinaDubas John's Links: John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/ John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social Check out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills. Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track. Takeaways It's beneficial to be involved in the community and put yourself out there. Public speaking helps deepen your understanding of topics. Overcoming the fear of public speaking can enhance communication skills. Networking at conferences can lead to valuable connections. You don't need to be an expert to speak at conferences. Starting small can build confidence for larger speaking engagements. AI tools need proper processes and training for effective use. Banning AI tools is a temporary solution that can lead to bigger issues. Gender balance in tech starts from early education and cultural perceptions. Consulting roles provide diverse experiences that accelerate learning.

    35 min

  3. FEB 26

    Ona - the AI software engineer that works while you sleep.

    Coding Chats episode 67 - Matt Boyle discusses the innovative AI software engineering platform, Ona, which aims to enhance productivity by automating coding tasks and managing multiple AI agents. The discussion covers the importance of planning, security, user experience, and the future of software development with AI. Matt emphasises the need for good specifications and the role of feedback in improving AI-driven development processes. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ona and AI Software Engineering 03:24 Parallelising AI Agents for Enhanced Productivity 06:16 Enterprise Solutions and Security in AI 09:21 User Experience and Unique Features of Ona 11:53 Feedback and Growth Initiatives at Ona 14:45 The Ralph Loop and Its Implications for AI Development 25:20 Understanding Context Management in AI Models 27:48 Optimising Task Management with Context Windows 31:45 The Importance of Clear Specifications 36:07 Enhancing Software Development with AI Tools 39:26 Demonstrating AI-Driven Development Environments 46:11 The Future of AI in Software Engineering Matt's Links: Ona: https://ona.com/Matt's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjamesboyle/Matt's Twitter: https://twitter.com/MattJamesBoyleMatt's Website: https://www.bytesizego.com/ John's Links: John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/ John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social Check out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills. Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track. Takeaways Ona is focused on building AI software engineers to enhance productivity. Human attention is treated as the most valuable resource in AI development. The platform aims to provide a calm user experience by managing multiple AI agents effectively. Ona allows for parallelisation of tasks across different environments to improve efficiency. Security is a priority, with AI agents operating within the customer's cloud environment. The integration with tools like Jira and Linear enhances the planning process. Good specifications are crucial for successful AI-driven development. The Ralph Loop encourages deeper thinking in AI task completion. Ona is targeting both enterprise and individual developers to broaden its user base. The future of software development will involve AI managing entire backlogs and driving changes autonomously.

    49 min

  4. FEB 19

    The Rust job market in 2026

    Coding Chats episode 66 - Alex Garella discusses the current state of the Rust job market, highlighting its mixed nature amidst broader software development trends. He emphasizes the importance of specific skills and industry experience, particularly in emerging technologies like data infrastructure. The impact of AI tools on software development and hiring practices is explored, along with strategies for breaking into the Rust market, including open source contributions and leveraging LinkedIn effectively. Chapters 00:00 The Current State of the Rust Job Market 03:15 Skills in Demand for Rust Developers 05:46 Emerging Domains for Rust Applications 08:44 Rust's Role in AI and Machine Learning 11:38 The Evolution of Interview Processes 14:30 Challenges in Hiring Rust Developers 17:28 Navigating the Job Market as a New Rust Developer 20:27 Leveraging LinkedIn for Job Opportunities 23:21 Final Tips for Aspiring Rust Developers Alex's Links: https://rustjobs.dev/ https://scalajobs.com/ John's Links: John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/ John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social Check out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills. Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track. Takeaways The Rust job market is currently mixed, with both opportunities and challenges. Experience in specific industries is often more valuable than tool-specific knowledge. Emerging technologies, especially in data infrastructure, are driving demand for Rust. AI tools are changing the landscape of software development and hiring. Hiring managers need to adapt their interview processes to account for AI usage. Open source contributions can significantly enhance a developer's profile. Tailoring CVs too specifically can raise red flags for recruiters. Remote work options can broaden the talent pool for Rust developers. Developers should not limit themselves to Rust when seeking jobs. Persistence and passion for Rust can lead to job opportunities.

    37 min

  5. FEB 12

    The impact of AI on software engineering and SaaS businesses

    Coding Chats episode 65 - Mike Rispoli discusses his experience of building a Loom replacement through vibe coding, the economic implications of AI for small agencies, and the evolving landscape of software engineering. He emphasizes the importance of hand coding, the challenges of interviewing in the age of AI, and the necessity of clear requirements when working with AI tools. The discussion also touches on the future demand for software engineers and the role of UX in AI-generated code. Chapters 00:00 Building a Loom Replacement in 30 Minutes 03:40 The Challenges of SaaS Pricing Models 06:29 AI's Impact on Small Businesses and Enterprises 09:19 Interviewing in the Age of AI 11:59 The Future of Coding and AI Integration 26:45 The Importance of Clear Requirements 28:31 Navigating AI in Development 31:31 Feature Creep and Planning 32:30 The Evolving Role of Engineers 34:34 Workflow and Planning with AI 38:45 Iterative Development and Feedback 42:28 Leveraging AI for UX and Design 45:59 The Future of Software Engineering Mike's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-rispoli-cto https://x.com/michael_rispoli https://www.instagram.com/mike_rispoli_cto https://michaelrispoli.com/ John's Links: John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/ John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social Check out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills. Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track. Takeaways Mike built a Loom replacement in just 30 minutes using vibe coding. AI tools can significantly enhance productivity for software engineers. The SaaS pricing model can be complicated for small agencies. It's acceptable to pass on good candidates but not to hire the wrong ones.AI is likely to amplify the demand for software engineers rather than replace them. Feature creep is a common challenge in software development. Clear requirements are essential when working with AI tools. The future of software engineering is promising and exciting. AI can help engineers improve their design capabilities. Navigating the evolving landscape of software engineering requires adaptability.

    51 min

  6. FEB 5

    The secret lives of SWEs: industrial automation and moving million dollar machines

    Coding Chats episode 64 - Jakob Sagatowski discusses his unique collaboration with YouTuber Mark Rober to build a robot goalie that plays against Cristiano Ronaldo. He delves into the technical challenges of motion control and computer vision, the role of software engineers in industrial automation, and the importance of real-time systems. Jakob emphasizes the need for better software development practices in the industrial automation sector and shares insights on how aspiring engineers can break into this field. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the YouTube Collaboration Project 03:22 Challenges in Motion Control and Computer Vision06:29 Trial and Error in Robotics Development 09:15 Understanding Industrial Automation 12:05 Programming Languages in Industrial Automation 14:31 The Role of Real-Time Systems17:49 Constraints in Real-Time Programming 21:22 Understanding Hardware Constraints in Industrial Automation 24:46 The Role of PLCs in Industrial Control Systems 28:45 Challenges in Software Development Practices 35:32 Breaking into Industrial Automation Careers Jakob's Links: Website: www.sagatowski.com PLC-programming course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLimaF0nZKYHz3I3kFP4myaAYjmYk1SowO Unit testing framework for Beckhoff PLC’s (the course talks about this), if you want to apply TDD in industrial automation:www.tcunit.orghttps://github.com/tcunit John's Links: John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/ John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social Check out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills. Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track. Takeaways Jakob collaborated with Mark Rober on a robot goalie project. The project involved significant motion control and computer vision challenges. Real-time systems require deterministic execution within strict time frames. Industrial automation is evolving, integrating more software engineering practices. Software engineers are increasingly needed in industrial automation roles. The development environment in industrial automation is often proprietary and closed. AI's impact on industrial automation is still developing, with challenges in integration. Real-time programming constraints differ significantly from web development. PLCs are essential for controlling industrial processes and machinery. Aspiring engineers can learn about industrial automation through online resources and experimentation.

    42 min

  7. JAN 29

    What to do when AI gets expensive and other CTO challenges

    Coding Chats episode 63 - John Crickett and Rob Bowley discuss the evolving role of the CTO, emphasizing the importance of strategic leadership that integrates people, process, and technology. They explore the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and other technological trends, highlighting the need for adaptability and effective communication within leadership teams. The discussion also touches on the significance of assessing technology teams and strategies to ensure successful outcomes in software development and organizational growth. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the CTO Role 02:49 The Misconceptions of the CTO Position 05:05 The Importance of Feedback and Adaptability 11:50 Navigating AI and Emerging Technologies 19:08 Testing Hypotheses in Technology Implementation 22:19 The Transformative Potential of AI in Software Engineering 27:09 The Economic Impact of Generative AI 29:24 Concerns Over AI Subscription Costs 31:32 Adoption Challenges in Software Development 35:14 Assessing Technology and Team Effectiveness 38:44 The Future of Software Engineering and AI 50:12 Exploring Related Content Rob's Links: Blog: https://blog.robbowley.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbowley/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/robbowley.net Company URL: https://www.pragmaticpartners.co.uk/ John's Links: John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/ John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social Check out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills. Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track. Takeaways The role of a CTO is a strategic leadership position that intersects people, process, and technology. CTOs should focus on understanding their strengths and how to leverage them within their organization. Effective communication and collaboration with the senior leadership team are crucial for a CTO's success. Many misconceptions about the CTO role stem from a focus on technical skills rather than strategic business outcomes. Adaptability and awareness of one's strengths are key attributes of good leadership. Feedback from peers and team members is essential for recognizing gaps in skills and performance. Learning from failure is a critical aspect of leadership growth. The integration of AI into products should be approached with caution and thorough exploration. Organizations must focus on proven, common technologies rather than chasing every new trend. The assessment of technology teams should prioritize people and their capabilities over just the technology itself.

    50 min

  8. JAN 22

    Bearly building in public

    Coding Chats episode 62 - John Crickett engages in a deep conversation with James about personal branding, building in public, and the challenges of launching a product. James shares his journey of using LinkedIn to build his personal brand, emphasizing the importance of transparency and community feedback in his projects. He recounts how his social network gained 20,000 users in the first 24 hours due to his public approach, which not only helped him secure jobs but also fostered a sense of community around his work. The discussion also touches on the significance of mental health awareness and the need for open conversations in the workplace, particularly in the tech industry.As they delve into James's latest project, Bearly Fit, they explore the balance between creating a minimum viable product and ensuring quality. James reflects on the expectations that come with building in public and how he has navigated the challenges of app development while maintaining a connection with his audience. The conversation wraps up with insights on the role of AI in coding and the importance of mentoring junior developers, highlighting the need for a supportive environment in tech. Chapters 00:00 The Power of Personal Branding 06:35 Agility in Development: Lessons Learned 18:29 Building in Public: Success and Challenges 26:08 Streaming and Job Search: A Double-Edged Sword 35:36 The Importance of Mentoring New Developers 40:22 Building in Public: The Journey of Barely Fit 52:58 Challenges and Expectations in App Development 58:54 Leveraging AI in Development 01:05:39 Final Thoughts and Future Plans 01:06:06 Exploring Related Content James's Links: https://linktr.ee/mahybe https://bearly.fit John's Links: John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/ John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social Check out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills. Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track. Takeaways Building in public can lead to unexpected success. Transparency in struggles fosters community support. Personal branding is crucial for career advancement. Quality matters in app development, especially when building in public. Mentoring junior developers is an investment in the future.

    1h 6m
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About

On Coding Chats, John Crickett interviews software engineers of all levels from junior to CTO. He encourages the guests to share the stories of the challenges they have faced in their role and the strategies and tactics they have used to overcome those challenges providing actionable insights other software engineers can use to accelerate their careers.

Information

  • Creator
    John Crickett
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    72
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © John Crickett
  • Show Website
    Coding Chats

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