140 episodes

If working on software teams feels complicated, frustrating, and filled with politics - that's just because your eyes are open. Unfortunately, you do need to make a living! So how do you keep up with the demands of your tech job and still have a life outside of work? Hi I'm Jayme Edwards, and I've had a 26 year career in the software industry filled with thrilling victories - and maddening drama. With so many problems in our industry, the more money I made the more ridiculous people's expectations were. I’m sharing the biggest mistakes I made in my career, and the insights I learned along the way. This podcast is the audio version of the Healthy Software Developer YouTube channel, where you can find new episodes every Monday. Podcast versions appear on Wednesday of the same week. Subscribe and join us! Let’s help each other grow a community of healthy software developers.

Healthy Software Developer Jayme Edwards

    • Technology
    • 4.8 • 19 Ratings

If working on software teams feels complicated, frustrating, and filled with politics - that's just because your eyes are open. Unfortunately, you do need to make a living! So how do you keep up with the demands of your tech job and still have a life outside of work? Hi I'm Jayme Edwards, and I've had a 26 year career in the software industry filled with thrilling victories - and maddening drama. With so many problems in our industry, the more money I made the more ridiculous people's expectations were. I’m sharing the biggest mistakes I made in my career, and the insights I learned along the way. This podcast is the audio version of the Healthy Software Developer YouTube channel, where you can find new episodes every Monday. Podcast versions appear on Wednesday of the same week. Subscribe and join us! Let’s help each other grow a community of healthy software developers.

    Do Programmers Think Intelligence Makes Them Wise?

    Do Programmers Think Intelligence Makes Them Wise?

    After my first decade of coding, I learned so much I thought: "I must be at least somewhat intelligent, right?". But there was something more valuable I lacked - wisdom. Without wisdom, you'll make decisions in your career that look right in the short term - but turn out disastrous over time.
    Wisdom is the ability to make decisions when the rules don't apply. There's no book you can read, no guide to follow, and no clear cut answer. It's derived from experience, sound judgment, a broad perspective, and considering the ethical implications of a decision. And if you learn to cultivate wisdom, you can achieve the things that really matter in your career - and life.
    In this episode I share why people in tech careers often mistake intelligence for wisdom. Then I'll help you understand why our industry is so prone to making unwise decisions. I'll go on to help you see the dangerous outcomes of short-term thinking. And finally, I'll share some practical things you can do to become a wiser programmer - and technologist in general.
    Download my free Career Guide here: 
    https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/guide/
    Get free access to TechRolepedia here: 
    https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/techroles/
    Need help with your career? Learn about career coaching:  
    https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/coaching/
    You can also watch this episode on YouTube. 
    Chapter markers / timelinks:
    (1:23) Defining Intelligence and Wisdom
    (2:14) Stories of Intelligence and Wisdom
    (5:10) 1. How Tech Jobs Confuse Intelligence and Wisdom
    (5:20) 1.1 Equating Problem Solving with Broad Insight
    (6:27) 1.2 Prioritizing Speed over Sustainability
    (7:51) 1.3 Specializing vs Holistic Understanding
    (9:44) 2. How Ignoring Wisdom Hurts Us in Tech
    (9:51) 2.1 Ethical Implications
    (12:42) 2.2 Short-Term Over Long-Term Thinking
    (13:45) 3. How To Be a Wiser Technologist
    (13:52) 3.1 Expand Your Breadth of Knowledge
    (16:35) 3.2 Get a Mentor
    (18:30) 3.3 Reflect and Be Mindful
    (22:02) 3.4 Seek the Counsel of Generalists
    (25:02) 3.5 Engage with Non-Technical Communities
    Visit me at healthysoftwaredeveloper.com
    Find me on X as @jaymeedwards
    Find me on LinkedIn as jaymeedwards

    • 28 min
    Why Most Programmers DON'T Last

    Why Most Programmers DON'T Last

    If you want a lasting career in software development, you've got to be wiser than your average coder. There's a lot of advice that promotes short-term thinking around programming, and if you aren't careful you can burn your bridges before you reach the finish line.
    In this episode, I share what I've learned about why most programmers don't last in their career. There are 8 laws to a lasting career as a programmer. If you follow these laws, you'll not only move ahead much faster than most programmers - you'll be able to develop software in a healthy way!
    Download my free Career Guide here: 
    https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/guide/
    Get free access to TechRolepedia here: 
    https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/techroles/
    Need help with your career? Learn about career coaching:  
    https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/coaching/
    You can also watch this episode on YouTube. 
    Chapter markers / timelinks:
    (1:33) 8 Laws to a Lasting Programming Career
    (1:52) 1. Embrace the Imposter
    (3:08) 2. Make Technology Stupid Simple
    (4:27) 3. Buffer and Delay Commitments
    (7:21) 4. Skip the Leveling Grind
    (9:29) 5. Pick Your Battles
    (11:18) 6. Always Be Networking
    (12:40) 7. Know When You're The Code Monkey
    (14:27) 8. Get Out While You Can
    (17:50) Episode Groove
    Visit me at healthysoftwaredeveloper.com
    Find me on X as @jaymeedwards
    Find me on LinkedIn as jaymeedwards
     

    • 19 min
    7 Signs Your Tech Job is Toxic: Should You Quit?

    7 Signs Your Tech Job is Toxic: Should You Quit?

    The familiar question "should I stay or should I go?" is common to programmers, or really anyone in a tech job. But it's tempting to just bail the moment you don't like some aspect of the job, hoping for greener pastures.
    The flipside of this is when you probably should have left a long time ago but you stick around! Hey, I've been there. It's easy to have fear and blind spots make it hard to know what to do.
    In this episode I share 7 signs it may be time to quit your toxic tech job and move on to something better. If you only see several of these signs, that's actually pretty normal. But if you're stacking up a bunch of these (or a few are particularly bad) you need to take action!
    Download my free Career Guide here: 
    https://jaymeedwards.com/developer-career-guide/
    Get free access to TechRolepedia here: 
    https://jaymeedwards.com/access-techrolepedia/
    Need help with your career? Learn about career coaching:  
    https://jaymeedwards.com/services/software-development-coaching/
    You can also watch this episode on YouTube. 
    Chapter markers / timelinks:
    (1:57) 7 Signs it's Time to Quit Your Tech Job
    (2:42) 1. Personal and Professional Stagnation
    (3:32) 1.1 Self-Serving Pitching of Opportunities
    (4:42) 1.2 Career Advancement Opportunities
    (6:15) 2. Misaligned Goals or Ethics
    (6:22) 2.1 Unethical Asks by Company
    (7:19) 2.2 No Passion for Company
    (8:20) 3. Toxic Work Environment
    (8:30) 3.1 Poor Decisions by Management
    (9:47) 3.2 Micromanagement
    (10:56) 3.3 Lack of Support 
    (11:50) 3.4 Overwork Culture
    (13:15) 3.5 Undervalued Employees
    (14:25) 3.6 Rife with Politics
    (15:56) 4. Work/Life Imbalance
    (16:04) 4.1 Unsustainable Work Hours
    (16:59) 4.2 No Flexibility
    (18:28) 5. Compensation Below Industry Standard
    (19:08) 5.1 Mismatch betweeen Qualifications and Pay
    (20:27) 5.2 Lack of Benefits
    (21:31) 6. Diminished Quality of Work
    (21:42) 6.1 Lack of Motivation
    (22:28) 6.2 Overlooked Contributions
    (23:24) 7. Better Opportunities Elsewhere
    (23:41) 7.1 Talk to People When Employed!
    (25:14) 7.2 Failure to Follow Industry Changes
    (26:32) Episode Groove
    Visit me at JaymeEdwards.com
    Find me on X as @jaymeedwards
    Find me on LinkedIn as jaymeedwards
     

    • 28 min
    Is Working in Tech Hurting Your Romantic Partner?

    Is Working in Tech Hurting Your Romantic Partner?

    You already know working in tech while staying in a romantic relationship is hard if you spend a lot of time on the computer. But there are other even more dangerous aspects of a tech job that can risk losing your romantic partner if you aren't careful.
    In this episode, I share lessons I've learned while married for 25 years to the same woman - and working in tech at the same time. It wasn't easy and I almost lost her a few times. But eventually I learned how to both be a successful programmer - and stay married. I hope this episode helps you avoid divorce or breakup if you're trying to balance a healthy relationship with a romantic partner with progression in your tech career.
    Download my free Career Guide here: 
    https://jaymeedwards.com/developer-career-guide/
    Get free access to TechRolepedia here: 
    https://jaymeedwards.com/access-techrolepedia/
    Need help with your career? Learn about career coaching:  
    https://jaymeedwards.com/services/software-development-coaching/
    You can also watch this episode on YouTube. 
    Chapter markers / timelinks:
    (2:15) 1. 5 Ways Tech Sabotages Relationships
    (2:45) 1.1 Long and Unpredictable Work Hours
    (6:14) 1.2 Communication Breakdown
    (7:58) 1.3 Financial Stress and Lifestyle Inflation
    (11:01) 1.4 Lack of Shared Interests & Experiences 
    (14:55) 2. 3 Ways to Keep a Relationship Healthy Working in Tech
    (14:13) 2.1 Schedule & Prioritize Quality Time
    (17:56) 2.2 Open Communication of Stress & Expectations
    (22:35) 2.3 Establish Boundaries With Work and Home Life
    Visit me at JaymeEdwards.com
    Find me on X as @jaymeedwards
    Find me on Instagram as jayme.c.edwards

    • 26 min
    Why Do So Many Programmers Use Drugs?

    Why Do So Many Programmers Use Drugs?

    If you've never been an addict, you may be surprised to know many programmers (and other people in tech job roles) struggle with drug use. Nobody working in tech is a stranger to stress and pressure! But sometimes the ways we cope are unhealthy.
    If you're currently using, I've been honest and transparent with you - I've been there. I was a marijuana addict for 25 years, and often used it with the rationale that it helped me manage the stress of my job. However, I learned the hard way that using drugs to cope with work creates more problems than it solves.
    In this episode, I'd like to help you understand WHY drug use is so prevalent in the tech industry. I'll also share the consequences to your career that arise from ongoing use of drugs. And finally, I'll offer some healthier ways to cope with the inherent problems that programming and tech related jobs introduce - rather than turning to drugs as a coping mechanism.
    I hope this helps you have some compassion for your coworkers who may be trapped in addiction, do what you can to improve the conditions we all work in, and if you're currently struggling - get help so you can flourish in your career!
    Download my free Career Guide here: 
    https://jaymeedwards.com/developer-career-guide/
    Get free access to TechRolepedia here: 
    https://jaymeedwards.com/access-techrolepedia/
    Need help with your career? Learn about career coaching:  
    https://jaymeedwards.com/services/software-development-coaching/
    You can also watch this episode on YouTube. 
    Chapter markers / timelinks:
    (1:12) Three Stories of Drug Use in Tech
    (5:32) 1. Why Do Programmers Use Drugs?
    (5:36) 1.1 Attempt To Inspire Creativity
    (7:27) 1.2 High Stress and Pressure
    (11:09) 1.3 Isolation and Lack of Social Support
    (13:36) 1.4 Normalizing Culture
    (14:57) 1.5 Burnout and Mental Disorders
    (17:01) 2. How Drugs Make Work Harder
    (17:08) 2.1 Impaired Cognitive Function
    (19:23) 2.2 Damage Mental and Physical Health
    (21:50) 2.3 Legal and Ethical Consequences
    (24:21) 3.1 Supportive Community
    (26:53) 3.2 Adopt Prayer or Mindfulness
    (30:23) 3.3 Better Nutrition and Exercise
    (34:11) Episode Groove
    Visit me at JaymeEdwards.com
    Find me on X as @jaymeedwards
    Find me on Instagram as jayme.c.edwards

    • 35 min
    Can Toxic Tech Projects Make You a Stronger Person?

    Can Toxic Tech Projects Make You a Stronger Person?

    The popular thing to do when faced with a toxic software project - is to complain until you get out. But a healthier alternative, is to use it as an opportunity to get stronger in your tech career.
    In this episode I share some things I learned by reflecting back on my career through the lens of the book of Proverbs from the Christian Bible. It showed me that I actually have more opportunities to grow than I thought when I deal with difficult software projects.
    I hope that even if you don't believe in the Bible, it maybe causes you to step back and look at your suffering through a different lens. And if you do believe, it encourages you to put your faith to action whether you're a programmer, product manager, QA tester, in DevOps - or really any role on a software project!
    Download my free Career Guide here: 
    https://jaymeedwards.com/developer-career-guide/
    Get free access to TechRolepedia here: 
    https://jaymeedwards.com/access-techrolepedia/
    Need help with your career? Learn about career coaching:  
    https://jaymeedwards.com/services/software-development-coaching/
    You can also watch this episode on YouTube. 
    Chapter markers / timelinks:
    (1:07) 5 Ways To Grow From a Toxic Project 
    (3:11) 1. Gain Resilience Through Adversity 
    (7:40) 2. Enhance Problem Solving Skills 
    (12:20) 3. Improve Collaboration Skills 
    (18:39) 4. Grow Empathy and Leadership Skills
    (22:56) 5. Increase Appreciation for Positive Jobs
    (26:20) A Story of a Toxic Hire
    (30:00) Episode Groove
    Visit me at JaymeEdwards.com
    Find me on X as @jaymeedwards
    Find me on Instagram as jayme.c.edwards

    • 30 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
19 Ratings

19 Ratings

seand03 ,

Great advice if you want a long career as a Software Engineer

This podcast talks about how to balance your life and software engineering. Each episode feels like something I’ve experienced or am currently in the midst of right now. Topics are relevant and current.

BacalhauMasterRace ,

The best

I have been listening to dozens of youtube channels // podcasts related to software development advice and no one reaches the quality and honesty that Jayme brings. As a young woman starting my CS career this gave me powerful insights over the professional life in the industry and a better overview on how to deal with certain aspects of it. Too bad no new episodes are coming, at least on his youtube channel and here on apple podcasts. Jayme is G.O.A.T!

RollTheRs ,

Helpful Podcast

This show hits all the topics that come up in the day-to-day for software developers with good advice.

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