The Cost of Not Updating Node.js (with Erick Wendel)

Sticking to an outdated Node.js version might feel safe—but under the hood, it can be a ticking time bomb. From unpatched security flaws to missed performance boosts, the tradeoffs aren’t always obvious until it’s too late.

In this episode, we’re joined by Erick Wendel to explore the hidden risks, technical debt, and missed opportunities that come from running on old Node.js releases—and why so many teams delay the upgrade in the first place.

We’ll dig into:

✅ How outdated versions silently impact performance and reliability

✅ The real security risks lurking in older releases

✅ Compatibility issues with modern libraries and tooling

✅ The gains you’re leaving on the table by not upgrading

✅ Practical strategies for safe, low-friction migrations

✅ The cultural, organizational, and technical reasons why teams resist updates

If your Node.js stack hasn’t been updated in a while—or you’re weighing the risks of upgrading—this conversation will give you the clarity (and the push) you need.