Coding Chats

John Crickett

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. 2H AGO

    Soft skills for software engineers - why coding isn't the hard part

    Coding Chats episode 72 - Charles Humble and John Crickett explore why professional skills — communication, critical thinking, and documentation — are arguably more important than writing code itself. Drawing on his O'Reilly shortcut article series and a career that began with an English Literature degree, Charles makes the case that these so-called "soft skills" are actually core to the job, and that they can be learned through practice by anyone, regardless of background or natural talent. The conversation also digs into the seismic impact of AI on the software industry. Charles shares his nuanced take: while generative AI tools are reshaping how code gets written, the durable skills — understanding systems, debugging, domain knowledge, and clear communication — matter more than ever. Rather than panic or uncritical adoption, Charles encourages engineers to focus on what remains irreplaceable, and to approach an uncertain future with curiosity and a willingness to take shots on goal. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Professional Skills for Software Engineers 06:24 Navigating the Impact of AI on Software Engineering 12:09 The Evolving Role of Software Engineers 17:50 AI for the Rest of Us: Bridging the Knowledge Gap 25:43 The Ethical Implications of AI and Communication 27:12 Ethics in AI Development 31:04 Improving Communication Skills for Engineers 38:00 Overcoming the Fear of Writing 42:15 The Importance of Public Speaking 50:17 The Journey of Continuous Learning 54:30 Exploring Related Content Charles's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleshumble/\ https://bsky.app/profile/charleshumble.bsky.social 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 "Soft skills" is a misleading term — Communication, critical thinking, and documentation aren't soft skills; they're literally the job. Non-technical skills can be learned — You don't need natural talent. Like anything, they improve with deliberate practice. Career success often comes from non-coding skills — Charles found his own progression was driven more by presenting to executives and systems thinking than by programming ability. Communication becomes critical as you progress — From mid-level upwards, working with stakeholders, mentoring, and documentation determine who makes it to senior and beyond. Nobody knows what programming will look like in two years — Even Kent Beck acknowledges the deep uncertainty ahead.AI has shifted engineers from "extract" to "explore" — Programmers who felt settled in well-defined work have been thrown into a messier, less certain phase by generative AI. The durable skills are the same ones that always mattered — Debugging, domain knowledge, system design, and communication are as valuable now as ever — arguably more so. "Coding is dead" is nonsense — Software engineering has always been mostly about understanding what to build and why. Writing code was always a small part of it. Try things and see what happens — No grand plan needed. If you don't kick the ball, you're guaranteed not to score.

    55 min

  2. MAR 26

    Build better tech teams with neurodiversity

    Coding Chats episode 71 - Anita Kalmane-Boot talks to John Crickett about neurodiversity, its spectrum, strengths, challenges, and how organizations can foster inclusive environments, especially in software teams. Discover practical strategies for recruitment, team building, and accommodating neurodivergent individuals to enhance innovation and productivity. Chapters 00:00 Understanding Neurodiversity 03:32 The Spectrum of Neurodivergence 06:30 Strengths of Neurodivergent Individuals 09:08 Creating Inclusive Teams 12:10 Improving Recruitment Practices 15:00 Work Environment for Neurodivergent Individuals 17:43 The Connection Between Neurodiversity and Software Engineering 23:38 Exploring Neurodiversity in Engineering 24:39 The Impact of AI on Neurodivergent Workers 27:08 Inclusive Recruitment Practices 32:57 The Role of Managers in Hiring 38:46 Disclosing Neurodivergence in Job Interviews 44:11 The Future of Neurodiversity in the Workplace 46:11 Exploring Related Content Anita's Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitakalmane/ 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 Neurodiversity covers a wide spectrum — including ADHD, autism, and dyslexia — not just a single condition. Neurodivergent individuals often have exceptional strengths like pattern recognition, deep focus, and creative problem-solving. These traits make neurodivergent thinkers particularly valuable in software engineering and tech roles. Traditional hiring processes can unintentionally screen out neurodivergent candidates. Small recruitment adjustments — like sharing questions in advance or allowing written responses — can open the door to better talent. Managers are key to creating environments where neurodivergent employees can thrive. Many neurodivergent people struggle with whether to disclose during interviews — psychological safety reduces that burden. AI has the potential to reduce friction for neurodivergent workers, but also brings new challenges. Embracing neurodiversity isn't just ethical — it leads to stronger, more innovative teams.

    46 min

  3. MAR 19

    5 mistakes start-up CTOs should avoid when scaling the tech team

    Coding Chats episode 70 - Aaron LeClair discusses the top five mistakes startup CTOs make, covering everything from misunderstanding development pipelines to failing to make the leadership identity transition. The conversation explores AI adoption parallels, team diversity, hiring pitfalls, the "move fast and break things" mantra, and why a CTO's first team should be the C-suite — not the engineering team. Chapters 00:00 Scaling the Pipeline: Common Mistakes of CTOs 03:13 Understanding the Development Environment 05:59 The Importance of Team Diversity 09:03 Building Effective Teams 11:53 Hiring for Fit: The Cost of Misalignment 14:36 The Role of Leadership in Team Dynamics 33:52 Building Effective Teams as a Leader 37:35 Transitioning from Engineer to Leader 43:31 Hiring the Right Technical Leaders 46:01 Understanding the Role of CTO in Start-ups 54:40 The Balance of Speed and Quality in Development 01:01:24 Exploring Related Content Aaron's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronleclair/ John's Links:J ohn'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 Scaling your dev team without first fixing QA, product management, and stakeholder flow will create more problems than it solves.AI adoption falls into the same trap — faster code generation doesn't help if requirements, testing, and deployment are still bottlenecks. Invest in tooling, DevOps, and documented processes early, as poor systems frustrate great engineers just as much as poor management. Always ask why a process exists — the original reason may no longer apply, and changing it is often easier than expected. Build teams like an Ocean's 11 cast: diverse in skills, backgrounds, and working styles, not a clone army of specialists in the same stack. Hire generalists with depth in different areas who can flex as start-up needs shift, and reserve deep specialists for your true business differentiators. A failed hire is most often a leadership failure — you had more information than the candidate, so treat every miss as a learning opportunity. The most important things a CTO does are hiring and developing people — if a leader is still submitting PRs to a team of more than three, that's a red flag. A CTO's primary team is the C-suite, not the engineering team — treating engineers as "your team" creates an us-vs-them culture that damages the whole business. Match technical leadership seniority to your company stage — pre-product-market-fit you need a generalist head of engineering, not a full CTO."Move fast and break things" is valid pre-product-market-fit for validating hypotheses, but once you have real customers it becomes an excuse for poor process.

    1h 2m

  4. MAR 12

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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
    75
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © John Crickett
  • Show Website
    Coding Chats

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