Stories from the Hackery

NashviIIe Software School

Find out what it takes to start a career in software development, data analytics, data science, or UI/UX design from those who made the leap. Hear from musicians, veterans, single-moms, teachers, bartenders, postdocs, warehouse workers, and more - all graduates of Nashville Software School (NSS) - as they discuss their transition to tech and their capstone projects presented at Demo Day. Founded in 2012, NSS is a flourishing community of over one thousand alumni, active students, and a team of dedicated instructors all working together to grow and learn their craft. As a non-profit, NSS is committed to growing diversity in tech by creating opportunities for under-represented groups in these fields. Learn more at nashvillesoftwareschool.com.

  1. 2D AGO

    Climbing the Agentic AI Learning Curve: Software Development | Stories From The Hackery

    Does generative AI level the playing field between a junior and an experienced developer? Or does experience matter more than ever? To get a real-world perspective, we sat down with two Nashville Software School (NSS) graduates now working together at Purity Health: Ripal Patel, an alum of Web Development Evening Cohort 8 and developer with five years of experience, and Drew Goodman, a 2024 graduate from Web Development Cohort 70. They share their perspectives on climbing the agentic AI learning curve, from their initial fears about AI to how it's already changing their daily workflows 02:08 - Meet Ripal: From Healthcare to Software Development 05:18 - Ripal's Initial Hesitation About AI 08:02 - Meet Drew: From Finance to a New Career in Tech 09:41 - Drew's Experience in a Slower Job Market 14:46 - Ripal's View: Did Experience Help in the AI Class? 18:10 - Drew's View: AI, Experience, and the Power to 'Screw Things Up' 19:37 - Aha Moment: 'It's Not Gonna Take My Job' 22:09 - How AI Changes the Developer Workflow: More Time Reviewing 23:41 - How AI Helps Junior Devs: More Time for System-Level Learning 26:09 - Key Mental Skill for AI: Breaking Down Big Tasks 30:33 - How is AI Different from Stack Overflow for Learning? 33:35 - Using AI to Learn a New Tech Stack on the Fly 36:04 - Workflow Breakdown: Agentic Mode vs. Ask Mode 40:29 - Using Guardrails and Instructions to Keep AI Consistent 44:53 - The NSS Mindset: 'Learning How to Learn' 46:41 - Advice for Experienced, Hesitant Developers 47:38 - Advice for Junior Developers Using AI 49:41 - Recommended Resources 52:07 - Tech Guilty Pleasures LINKS: Purity Health: https://www.purity-health.com/ Nashville Software School: https://nashvillesoftwareschool.com Should Startups Hire Junior Developers in the Age of AI? | Stories From The Hackery with David Andrews and Fletcher Watson of Purity Health: https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/2025/10/29/should-startups-hire-junior-developers-in-the-age-of-ai-stories-from-the-hackery Agentic AI Tools GitHub Copilot: https://github.com/features/copilot Cursor: https://cursor.com Anthropic's Claude: https://www.anthropic.com/claude Community & Learning Resources Nashville Data Nerds: https://www.meetup.com/data-nerds/ FreeCodeCamp: https://www.freecodecamp.org/ Udemy: https://www.udemy.com/ Stack Overflow: https://stackoverflow.com/

    56 min

  2. NOV 5

    Evolving our Teaching For The AI Age | Stories From The Hackery

    Generative AI tools are changing software development, but how does that impact how we teach it? In this episode of Stories from the Hackery, NSS Founder John Wark sits down with Lead Instructor Steve Brownlee to discuss the intentional way generative AI has been integrated into NSS’s full-stack software development bootcamp. They cover NSS’s AI journey: from initially coaching students to use AI as a personalized learning assistant (and not for code generation) to teaching "reverse engineering" workshops where students learn to prompt AI to build projects they just completed themselves. Steve shares how NSS remains focused on building strong foundational skills first, emphasizing that students must know how to write good code before they can effectively review and manage AI-generated code. They also look ahead at new professional development courses, like Agentic AI for Developers, and what the rise of AI Engineering means for the tech industry. SHOW NOTES: 04:00 The Evolution: Integrating GenAI into the Bootcamp 07:17 Using NotebookLM as a Personalized Learning Tool 09:58 Creating Sample Data with an LLM 11:31 The "Reverse Engineering Workshop": Learning to Prompt 18:27 Using AI to Complete Features in a Final Project 23:25 The Most Important Skill: Learning How to Learn 25:09 Beyond the Bootcamp: The Agentic AI for Developers Workshop 30:48 How Agentic AI Works: Your "Coding Intern" 35:24 What's Next? A New Class on Debugging Existing Code 43:09 The Future: What is AI Engineering? 51:38 Final Thoughts: An Exciting Time for Developers LINKS: ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com/ NotebookLM: https://notebooklm.google/

    55 min
  3. Should Startups Hire Junior Developers in the Age of AI? | Stories From The Hackery

    OCT 29

    Should Startups Hire Junior Developers in the Age of AI? | Stories From The Hackery

    Should startups only hire senior developers? The conventional wisdom says yes, but what if hiring junior developers is actually a startup's secret weapon for building a strong, collaborative culture? In this episode, we talk to Purity Health's Chief Technology Officer, David Andrews, and Chief Product Officer (and NSS grad!) Fletcher Watson. David and Fletcher share why they've made it a priority to hire junior developers from the beginning. They discuss how they create a supportive culture, mentor new team members, and help them find their career paths. Plus, we get a real-world look at how their team uses generative AI tools like GitHub Copilot and the "strong guardrails" they’ve put in place—like mandatory code reviews and complete test coverage—to ensure quality. This is a must-listen for aspiring developers who want to know what supportive companies look for and how great teams are built or startups looking to hire junior developers. 00:33 Welcome & Introduction 01:06 Fletcher Watson's Journey: From Teaching in Korea to NSS 03:58 David Andrews' Story: A Serial Entrepreneur & Technologist 06:04 Roles at Purity Health: CTO vs. CPO 07:01 What is Purity Health? (Mission & Tech Stack) 11:53 The Startup Case for Hiring Junior Developers 14:42 Why Juniors Are Key for Building Culture 20:42 How to Mentor: Making Juniors Feel "Comfortable" 27:57 Helping Developers Find Their Path 38:25 Integrating Generative AI at a Startup 39:35 "Strong Guardrails" for Using AI 44:10 Using AI to Build and Review Tests 50:15 Build Guardrails to Avoid "AI Salvage" 53:47 Technology Guilty Pleasures 57:18 Final Thoughts LINKS: Purity Health: https://www.purity-health.com/ Nashville Software School: https://nashvillesoftwareschool.com GitHub Copilot: https://github.com/features/copilot

    59 min
  4. The Engine Behind AI: Why Data Engineering is in Demand | Stories From The Hackery

    SEP 10

    The Engine Behind AI: Why Data Engineering is in Demand | Stories From The Hackery

    In this episode of Stories from the Hackery, we talk with Nashville tech leader and hiring manager Jason Turan about one of tech's most in-demand fields: data engineering. Jason, a long-time friend of NSS, was one of the first people to tell us that Nashville needed more data engineers. He shares his perspective on what a data engineer does, describing the role as the "connective tissue between data producers and data consumers". Listen in to hear us discuss: - Why data engineers are essential for flipping the 80/20 rule, allowing data scientists and analysts to spend less time cleaning data and more time finding insights. - How the rise of generative AI has acted as an "accelerant," increasing the need for high-quality data and the professionals who can provide it. - Actionable advice for getting started in the field, including the importance of focusing on a "T-shaped skillset" with SQL at its core. - Why Jason's number one piece of advice is to be curious, experiment, and "go out and do the thing". 01:20 Meet Jason Turan: His Tech Origin Story 03:04 Jason's History with NSS and Hiring Grads 07:28 Defining Data Engineering: The "Connective Tissue" of Tech 11:15 Why Nashville is a Hub for Data Engineers 13:56 Healthcare's Impact on Nashville's Data Jobs 20:35 How GenAI Accelerates the Need for Data Engineers 31:33 Getting Started: Lower Barriers to Entry 39:03 A Top Use Case for AI: Understanding Your Codebase 52:21 Misconceptions & the "T-Shaped Skillset" 55:29 The Value of Hands-On Learning: "Go Do the Thing" 58:52 Lightning Round: Favorite Tech Tools 01:00:32 Lightning Round: Top Reads & Resources Links Metabase: https://www.metabase.com/ DuckDB: https://duckdb.org/ MotherDuck: https://motherduck.com/ Ralph Kimball: The Data Warehouse Toolkit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1118530802 Bill Inmon: Building the Data Warehouse: https://www.amazon.com/Building-Data-Warehouse-W-Inmon/dp/0764599445 Edward Tufte: The Visual Display of Quantitative Information: https://www.amazon.com/Visual-Display-Quantitative-Information/dp/0961392142 Brendan Keeler: The Health API Guy: https://healthapiguy.substack.com/ TLDR Newsletter: https://tldr.tech/ Nashville Technology Council (NTC): https://technologycouncil.com/

    1h 7m
  5. NSS Alumni Forge A Path In Data Engineering | Stories From The Hackery

    JUL 30

    NSS Alumni Forge A Path In Data Engineering | Stories From The Hackery

    In this episode of Stories from the Hackery, we explore the emerging field of data engineering with NSS alumni Teresa Whitesell and Joshua Rio-Ross. They share their career journeys and how their education in data analytics and data science set a solid foundation for their data engineering roles. Teresa discusses the critical role of data engineering in healthcare, while Joshua describes his experiences in both healthcare and FinTech data engineering. They also delve into the distinctions between data engineering, data analytics, data science, and software engineering, and offer advice for those considering a career in data engineering. 00:00 Introduction to Stories from the Hackery 01:27 Meet Teresa Whitesell: From A Desire to Work with Data to a Career in Data Engineering 05:52 Joshua Rio-Ross: From Academics to Data Engineer 12:20 What is Data Engineering 17:55 The Overlap of Data Engineering and Software Engineering 20:48 The Importance of Analytics in Data Engineering 28:16 Systems Building vs. Answering Questions 31:03 Understanding Industry-Agnostic Data Engineering Skills 32:18 NSS’s Data Engineering Bootcamp 33:23 Choosing Between Data Engineering and Other Pathways 36:35 The Role of Data Engineers in Organizations 40:36 The Impact of Generative AI on Data Engineering 53:55 Technology Guilty Pleasures 58:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    1 hr
  6. Code Campfire: Building Community, Building Skills | Stories From The Hackery

    MAY 20

    Code Campfire: Building Community, Building Skills | Stories From The Hackery

    In this episode of Stories from the Hackery, we learn about Code Campfire, a new community initiative founded by NSS grad Preston Robbins. Joined by Lynn Samuelson, they discuss how Code Campfire supports Nashville Software School graduates and other juniors in tech with projects, mock interviews, and gamified job search tactics. Preston shares how the idea came to life from a simple need for peer support, while Lynn dives into how hands-on projects are equipping participants with the practical experience to keep their skills sharp. We also discuss Code Campfire's weekly sessions, where mock interviews, resume reviews, and collaborative problem-solving sessions keep participants engaged and building connections. Whether you’re a recent bootcamp grad or an experienced tech professional looking to give back, Code Campfire is the place to grow your community and your skills. Tune in to learn how you can join in. 00:00 Introduction to Stories from the Hackery 01:50 Meet the Guests: Preston Robbins and Lynn Samuelson 05:57 What is Code Campfire? 09:57 Challenges and Iterations 15:02 The Importance of Projects 20:13 Project Structure and Roles 25:23 Projects Beyond Tier 1 31:25 Gamification of the Job Search 33:03 How to Get Involved with Code Campfire 41:18 Final Thoughts and Technology Guilty Pleasures Links from the show: Nashville Software School: https://nashvillesoftwareschool.com Code Campfire: https://codecampfire.org

    45 min
  7. What Happens When AI Builds Your App? | Stories From The Hackery

    MAY 6

    What Happens When AI Builds Your App? | Stories From The Hackery

    In the latest episode of Stories from the Hackery, we catch up with Steve Brownlee, Nashville Software School’s lead full-stack software development instructor, for a behind-the-scenes look at how he rebuilt an application we used for pre-work that was discontinued several years ago using an open-source agentic AI tool. The result? A working prototype that would’ve taken much longer to code by hand—and a glimpse at how AI is reshaping software development. Watch Steve's Demo here: https://youtu.be/RWhONVTO2oQ?si=KmC8cxhHyCVARKI0&t=1855 00:00 Intro: Meet Steve Brownlee 01:16 Case Study: Building an Application with Roo Code 04:17 The Pre-work Application's Background and Purpose 06:58 Initial Prompts and First Impressions 09:33 Refining the Code and Overcoming Challenges 18:55 Adding Features and Enhancements 22:38 The Role of Experience in Using AI Tools 26:14 Future of Junior Developers in an AI-Driven World 30:55 Interlude - You can view Steve’s demo here: https://youtu.be/RWhONVTO2oQ?si=KmC8cxhHyCVARKI0&t=1855 31.21 The Role of AI in Software Development 34.47 Future of Software Development 50:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links: Nashville Software School: https://nashvillesoftwareschool.com Roo Code: https://github.com/RooVetGit/Roo-Code Anthropic/Claude LLM: https://claude.ai Monaco Code Editor: https://microsoft.github.io/monaco-editor/

    53 min
  8. Scaling A Tech Career Through Life-long Learning | Stories From The Hackery

    APR 22

    Scaling A Tech Career Through Life-long Learning | Stories From The Hackery

    Life-long learning can open doors you never imagined. In this episode of Stories from the Hackery, we talk with Chris Miller, an NSS alumnus who pivoted into software development after studying jazz composition and bass performance in college and recently tackled a high-stakes project supporting one of the largest live-streaming events in the world. Chris shares how skills he developed as a musician provided the foundation for a growth-filled software development career. We also explore the value of knowing how to learn—whether it’s troubleshooting backend systems, understanding new technologies, or embracing generative AI as another tool in the developer's toolbox. Whether you're just starting your NSS bootcamp, navigating unfamiliar technologies, or simply inspired by stories of growth, this episode highlights the power of continuous learning. It’s a story about how curiosity, adaptability, and the willingness to step into unknown territory can shape an extraordinary career. 00:00 - Intro: Meet Chris Miller 02:34 - From Music Major to Software Developer 06:01 - Early Career Experiences at Aspire and CareBridge 15:00 - Moving to HCA and Tackling Large-Scale Healthcare Data 18:52 - Joining Tubi: Initial Projects and Technical Curiosity 21:02 - Scaling Challenges: Preparing to Stream a Major Live Event 24:37 - Musicianship, Mindset, and the Art of Continuous Learning 29:38 - Tubi Scaling Project 36:21 - Key Lessons from Scaling Under Pressure 39:50 - Generative AI: Skepticism, Practicality, and Future Outlook 51:26 - The Role of Understanding in Software Development 56:54 - Closing Thoughts and Reflections Links from the show: Nashville Software School – https://nashvillesoftwareschool.com Tubi – https://tubitv.com HCA Healthcare – https://hcahealthcare.com CareBridge Health – https://www.carebridgehealth.com Aspire Health – https://www.aspirehealthcare.com

    1h 3m
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5
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4 Ratings

About

Find out what it takes to start a career in software development, data analytics, data science, or UI/UX design from those who made the leap. Hear from musicians, veterans, single-moms, teachers, bartenders, postdocs, warehouse workers, and more - all graduates of Nashville Software School (NSS) - as they discuss their transition to tech and their capstone projects presented at Demo Day. Founded in 2012, NSS is a flourishing community of over one thousand alumni, active students, and a team of dedicated instructors all working together to grow and learn their craft. As a non-profit, NSS is committed to growing diversity in tech by creating opportunities for under-represented groups in these fields. Learn more at nashvillesoftwareschool.com.

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