Develop Yourself

Brian Jenney
  • 4.4 (7)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

To change careers and land your first job as a Software Engineer, you need more than just great software development skills - you need to develop yourself. Welcome to the podcast that helps you develop your skills, your habits, your network and more, all in hopes of becoming a thriving Software Engineer.

  1. #296 - The 5 Worst Tech Trends of 2025 (And How to Win in 2026)

    2D AGO

    #296 - The 5 Worst Tech Trends of 2025 (And How to Win in 2026)

    Grab this project to learn the basics of RAG and working with agents https://www.parsity.io/ai-with-rag 2025 was one of the most confusing years to be a software developer. We were told AI would replace us. Then we were told it would make us 10× more productive. Neither actually happened — but the hype affected careers, hiring, education, and mental health in real ways. In this episode, I break down the 5 worst tech trends of 2025, based on what I saw firsthand as a working engineer and bootcamp owner — layoffs that never stopped, juniors getting squeezed out, AI being used as a crutch, the collapse of coding bootcamps, and the biggest lie in tech: the AI productivity myth. Then we flip the script. I also cover the best trends that quietly emerged and how I’m personally planning to take advantage of them going into 2026 — from AI agents and coding tools that actually help, to why generalist engineers and system-level thinking are winning again. If you’re: A junior developer trying to break inA senior wondering how AI really affects your careerOr just tired of LinkedIn hype and doom headlinesNo magic prompts. No fake roadmaps. Just reality — and a practical way forward. Send us a text Shameless Plugs Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career. AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

    23 min
  2. #295 - Career Leverage For Non-Traditional Developers

    12/22/2025

    #295 - Career Leverage For Non-Traditional Developers

    I want to offer you some politically incorrect career advice that the gurus on LinkedIn won't share with you. From job hopping to the #1 skill you need as a developer: I cover the things that helped me go from struggling bootcamp grad to engineering manager. Resources mentioned in the pod: My article outlining my salary jumps through interviewing: https://brianjenney.medium.com/i-used-to-suck-at-coding-interviews-then-i-quadrupled-my-salary-9d5260389a09 Here's your templates for writing on LinkedIn: https://www.parsity.io/learning-in-public Merry Christmas!!! Send us a text Shameless Plugs Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career. AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

    16 min
  3. 5 Takeaways from Working at an AI Startup

    12/15/2025

    5 Takeaways from Working at an AI Startup

    We’re in a strange moment right now. The AI bubble is showing signs of popping and the tech industry is waking up from a long night of partying. We were told to “do more with less” and “just use AI” for the past 12 months. After spending a year building production systems this way, I can tell you there’s a growing gap between what people think AI can do and what it actually does. To say I’m annoyed with the media and talking heads online is an understatement. It is really starting to boil my potato. Here are my takeaways after grinding on a 5 person team to build a product using AI. 🚨If you're interested in learning how to REALLY work with AI as a software developer - apply for our new program for working developers who want to learn AI: parsity.io/AIDev Send us a text Shameless Plugs Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career. AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

    16 min
  4. Inside the Email Infrastructure of High-Growth Companies

    12/11/2025

    Inside the Email Infrastructure of High-Growth Companies

    In this episode of the Develop Yourself Podcast, I talk with three email and growth experts about something most developers overlook: email as a serious  money maker. I’m joined by: Mike, founder of Seventh Sense, an AI-powered email timing platformBoris, Senior Digital Marketing Manager at Educative, one of the largest developer learning platformsDoug, CEO of Optimize 3.0, a HubSpot Diamond Partner agencyWe dig into: How AI is reshaping email marketingWhy email is still the most reliable channel you can ownThe biggest email marketing mistakes that founders and developers makeWhat it actually takes to build a product that sells—not just one that worksAnd real advice for developers who want to turn skills into a business 🎙 Guest LinkedIn Profiles Mike Donnelly — Founder, Seventh Sense https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedonnelly1/ Boris Robles-Slyusar — Senior Digital Marketing Manager, Educative https://www.linkedin.com/in/borisslyusar/ Doug Kirk — CEO, Optimize 3.0 https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglastkirk/ 🏢 Company Pages Seventh Sense (AI-powered email timing platform) https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-seventh-sense/ https://www.seventhsense.ai/ Educative (developer learning platform) https://www.linkedin.com/company/educative-inc/ https://www.educative.io/ Optimize 3.0 (HubSpot Diamond Partner agency) https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimize-3-0/ https://optimize3-0.com/ Send us a text Shameless Plugs Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career. AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

    44 min
  5. The ONLY Project You Need to Build to Become a Software Developer in 2026

    12/08/2025

    The ONLY Project You Need to Build to Become a Software Developer in 2026

    I lay out the project with tons of resources right here 👇 https://brianjenney.medium.com/your-learning-roadmap-to-become-a-software-developer-2e15e1ce1e22 Send us a text Shameless Plugs Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career. AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

    20 min
  6. #291 - Open Source + Hard Work: A CTO’s Roadmap for Junior Developers

    12/01/2025

    #291 - Open Source + Hard Work: A CTO’s Roadmap for Junior Developers

    Amber argues that the biggest problem facing new developers isn’t coding ability… It’s lack of real experience, and an over-reliance on feel-good advice that doesn’t translate into hireability. We dig into: Why contributing to real, medium-complexity open-source projects is the fastest path to becoming job-readyWhy most juniors aren’t actually hireable yet — and how to fix thatHow toxic positivity on LinkedIn is misleading beginnersWhy “passion” means nothing if it isn’t backed by proof-of-workThe kinds of projects and habits that actually impress hiring managersThe mindset shift every junior dev must make to survive today’s marketWhat Amber wishes she knew as a brand-new developerHow to stand out when 30,000 other bootcamp grads are competing for the same jobsIf you’re early in your software career — or mentoring someone who is — this conversation will challenge your assumptions, push you out of the fluff zone, and give you a clear, actionable roadmap to becoming the type of junior developer who actually gets hired. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Open Source Projects & Communities: Dance-Chives Prototype (Amber’s breakdancing app project): https://github.com/BenTheChi/dance-chives-prototypeBuild In Public community: https://buildinpublic.com/Gridiron Survivor project: https://github.com/LetsGetTechnical/gridiron-survivorMentorship: ADPList (free mentorship sessions): https://adplist.org/Connect With Amber: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-adamson-a33a3860/ Send us a text Shameless Plugs Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career. AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

    27 min
  7. #290 - 4 things no one tells you about learning to code after 30

    11/24/2025

    #290 - 4 things no one tells you about learning to code after 30

    Am I too old to learn how to code? If you're alive then the answer is NO. BUT, you are going to need a different game plan than your 22 year old co-workers if you want this to work. I was 31 when I got my first job as a coder. Here's what worked for me and others I've taught over the years. Send us a text Shameless Plugs Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career. AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

    13 min
  8. #289 - This Year Nearly Broke Me - Here’s What I’m Changing...

    11/20/2025

    #289 - This Year Nearly Broke Me - Here’s What I’m Changing...

    There are some major changes coming to Parsity and this podcast. As a listener, I appreciate you sincerely for listening and I want to extend the largest discount we've ever done for our 30 day Javascript program.  It's usually $49 but I'm reducing it to $10. Complete the 30 days and you got yourself a $1400 discount to Parsity's software engineering program. 👉 Join Dev30 👈 I want to hear from you!  What are the guests and topics you want in 2026? Send us a text Shameless Plugs Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career. AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

    12 min
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4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

To change careers and land your first job as a Software Engineer, you need more than just great software development skills - you need to develop yourself. Welcome to the podcast that helps you develop your skills, your habits, your network and more, all in hopes of becoming a thriving Software Engineer.

Information

  • Creator
    Brian Jenney
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    305
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Develop Yourself
  • Show Website
    Develop Yourself

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