The Programming Podcast

The Programming Podcast
The Programming Podcast

Leon Noel and Danny Thompson explain technical problems, industry information, career advice and more on The Programming Podcast! Danny Thompson, Director of Technology @ This Dot Labs Leon Noel, Managing Director @ Resilient Coders & 100Devs

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    How To Problem Solve More Effectively As A Software Engineer

    Today we break down why problem-solving skills—not just syntax—get you hired and how you can level up your ability to tackle challenges on your own. This is how to problem solve in a better way! 💡 Sponsor: Level Up Financial Planning Changing careers or increasing your income? Get financial clarity with Level Up Financial Planning—helping early and mid-career tech professionals secure their financial future. Visit LevelUpFinancialPlanning.com for a free consultation! Stay in Touch: 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com! Danny Thompson https://x.com/DThompsonDev https://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDev www.DThompsonDev.com Leon Noel https://x.com/leonnoel https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/ https://100devs.org/ 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com! 🚀 Key topics include: ✅ How to shift from "asking for help first" to independent problem-solving ✅ The importance of system design for career growth ✅ Why reading code, exploring open-source projects, and practicing real-world coding scenarios is crucial ✅ How to improve your technical interview strategy with step-by-step breakdowns ✅ The power of community, learning resources, and mentorship If you're looking to stand out as a developer, whether you're a junior breaking into tech or a mid-career dev leveling up, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to develop the mindset of a problem-solver! 📌 Chapters & Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction: Are You Over-Reliant on Help? 1:04 – Meet the Hosts: Danny & Leon’s Take on Problem Solving 2:44 – Seeing the Bigger Picture: Jeep Wranglers, Coffee & Coding 4:06 – The Key to Nailing Technical Interviews: Process Over Syntax 8:02 – Scaling Up: Thinking Beyond the Code You Write 12:17 – Sponsor Break: Level Up Financial Planning 14:00 – Why System Design Matters & How to Get Started 16:00 – How to Improve Your Debugging & Researching Skills 25:04 – The Role of Community & Networking in Becoming a Stronger Dev 32:02 – Q&A: My Boss Said I Need to Be More Independent—What Should I Do? 38:00 – Final Thoughts: Building Long-Term Career Success

    39 min

  2. FEB 20

    React 19! Some features explained + Networking with Shruti Kapoor

    Join hosts Danny Thompson, Leon Noel, and Shruti Kapoor as they dive into the secrets of professional growth in tech. In this episode, they explore why networking is your greatest asset—even if you only have 15–30 minutes a day—and how to stay relevant in today’s fast-paced industry. From navigating the hidden job market to leveraging React 19’s game-changing features like streamlined forms, actions, and the useOptimistic hook, this episode is packed with actionable tips for developers at every level. Connect with Shruti! https://x.com/shrutikapoor08 https://www.youtube.com/@shrutikapoor08 https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrutikapoor08/ Stay in Touch: 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com! Danny Thompson https://x.com/DThompsonDev https://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDev www.DThompsonDev.com Leon Noel https://x.com/leonnoel https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/ https://100devs.org/ 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com! Learn how to: - Maintain and grow your network even with a busy schedule - Use React 19’s new capabilities to simplify your code and improve UI responsiveness - Strategically migrate legacy codebases to React 19 without major disruptions - Adopt better design patterns and custom hooks to write scalable, maintainable code - Build a personal “brag book” and living document to track your career achievements - Find fulfillment both at work and beyond by taking ownership of your professional growth Whether you’re a junior developer looking to break into tech or a seasoned pro aiming to stay ahead, these insights will help you navigate the ever-evolving tech landscape. Chapters & Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction: The Power of Networking & 15-Minute Growth Hacks 1:09 – Host Introductions & Email Story: Losing Momentum in Your Network 4:33 – Why Maintaining Your Network is Crucial for Job Opportunities 5:39 – Networking Strategies: 15-Minute Daily Tasks to Stay Top of Mind 9:01 – The Hidden Job Market: How Networking Opens Doors in Tech 14:03 – React in 2025: Is It Still the Go-To Technology? 18:55 – React 19 Spotlight: Streamlining Forms with Actions 24:05 – Understanding useOptimistic: Instant UI Feedback & Faster Experiences 27:03 – Migrating to React 19: A Step-by-Step Approach for Large Codebases 31:01 – Design Patterns & Custom Hooks: Building Better, Scalable Code 36:42 – Optimizing Performance: React Profiler & Avoiding Excessive Prop Drilling 42:58 – Audience Q&A: Improving Yourself in a Small Company 46:03 – Brag Book & Living Document: Tracking Your Achievements 48:02 – Finding Fulfillment Beyond Your Day Job: Mentorship & Volunteering 50:00 – Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up: Taking Ownership of Your Career

    57 min

  3. FEB 13

    Response Time CUT IN HALF With This JavaScript Feature!

    "Single flight mutations can literally cut your app’s response time in HALF!" "Web performance should come first—everything else is secondary." Welcome to The Programming Podcast! In this episode, Danny Thompson and Leon Noel are joined by Dev Agrawal, core maintainer of Solid JS and organizer of Momentum Conference. This conversation dives deep into modern web development, performance optimizations, and community building. Connect With Dev Agrawal! https://www.youtube.com/@UCDXzM8ijdxkVA6NbQiQCKag https://x.com/devagrawal09 https://www.linkedin.com/in/dev-agr/ Solid JS Docs https://www.solidjs.com/ Topics Covered in This Episode: - Why Volunteering at Conferences is a Cheat Code – Learn how volunteering can help you level up in tech. - Solid JS vs. React – A deep dive into why Solid JS is shaking up frontend development. - Single Flight Mutations – A game-changing performance technique that reduces request latency by 50%. - The Rise of Signals – What makes Signals so revolutionary in web frameworks like Angular and Solid? - Conference Organization & Sponsorships – Insights into running a successful developer conference. - Using AI for Learning – Should you feel bad for using ChatGPT to learn coding? (Spoiler: Absolutely not!) - How to Stay on the Cutting Edge of Tech – The mindset and resources that keep top engineers at the forefront. Stay in Touch: 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com! Danny Thompson https://x.com/DThompsonDev https://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDev www.DThompsonDev.com Leon Noel https://x.com/leonnoel https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/ https://100devs.org/ 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com! Whether you're a frontend developer, a conference organizer, or just passionate about new trends in web development, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and real talk from some of the best minds in tech. 📖 Chapters & Timestamps: ⏱️ 0:00 – Volunteering at Conferences: The Ultimate Cheat Code ⏱️ 1:03 – Meet Your Hosts & Guest: Danny, Leon, & Dev ⏱️ 2:01 – The Tweet That Started It All: The Importance of Nuance in Dev Discussions ⏱️ 2:17 – Why Should You Use Solid JS? A Core Maintainer’s Perspective ⏱️ 4:04 – React’s Mental Model vs. Solid’s Fine-Grained Reactivity ⏱️ 6:18 – Why Solid JS Isn’t Mainstream (Yet) & Its Developer-First Approach ⏱️ 8:09 – Performance-First Development: The Ryan Carniato Philosophy ⏱️ 8:55 – Single Flight Mutations: How They Double Your Performance ⏱️ 10:16 – Web Frameworks are Like a D&D Party: Why We Need Different Approaches ⏱️ 11:38 – Why Top Devs Are Excited About Signals ⏱️ 12:04 – Explaining Signals: The Future of State Management ⏱️ 17:48 – The Angular Signals Effect: How It Revitalized Angular’s Reputation ⏱️ 20:17 – The Story of Commit Your Code Conference: Running a Dev Conference on a Budget ⏱️ 24:26 – The Reality of Sponsorships: Why Companies Struggle to Define ROI ⏱️ 28:42 – Organizing a Developer Conference: Lessons from the Field ⏱️ 32:07 – Should You Feel Bad for Using ChatGPT to Learn Code? ⏱️ 42:45 – The Best Way to Learn Advanced Concepts in Programming ⏱️ 46:37 – How to Stay on the Cutting Edge: Reading, Coding, & Experimentation ⏱️ 49:09 – Wrap-Up: Final Thoughts & Podcast Outro

    50 min

  4. FEB 6

    Deepseek made me cancel my ChatGPT subscription?!

    In this episode, hosts Danny Thompson and Leon Noel dive deep into the AI revolution with a special focus on DeepSeek—a tool that impressed Danny so much he canceled his subscriptions to ChatGPT and Claude within just one hour of use! They explore how DeepSeek’s unique approach—especially its transparent, visible reasoning process—sets it apart from other AI models and what this means for developers and the broader tech industry. In this episode, you'll learn about: - How DeepSeek’s performance and cost-effectiveness challenge established AI tools - The importance of visible AI reasoning in reducing reprompts and increasing accuracy - Market implications, including reactions around Nvidia’s valuation and the future of AI investments - The potential shift from traditional SaaS products to dynamic agent-based models - How automation is transforming routine tasks—from code generation to call center operations - What this means for software developers and why strong problem-solving skills remain essential Stay in Touch:📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com!Danny Thompsonhttps://x.com/DThompsonDevhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDevwww.DThompsonDev.comLeon Noelhttps://x.com/leonnoelhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/https://100devs.org/📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com! Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction: Meet Danny Thompson (Director of Technology at This Dot Labs) and Leon Noel(Managing Director of Engineering at Resilient Coders) 1:14 – DeepSeek’s First Impressions: Danny explains why DeepSeek outperformed ChatGPT & Claude 2:19 – Visible AI Reasoning: Discover how seeing the AI’s thought process can refine code generation 3:38 – Market Impact: Discussing market swings, Nvidia’s valuation, and cost-effectiveness 6:04 – Technical Integration: How DeepSeek works seamlessly with existing APIs 10:29 – Agent AI & Automation: The future of automated tasks and AI agent models 12:35 – The SaaS Evolution: Is this the beginning of the end for traditional SaaS products? 16:56 – Impact on Work & Jobs: How AI-driven automation could reshape industries like call centers 25:40 – Future of AI Agents: Exploring next-generation applications and agent models 32:33 – Developer Skills in the AI Era: Why coding and problem-solving remain critical 41:26 – Upcoming Episodes & Guests: Sneak peek at special guests like Dev Agrawal and Shruti Kapoor 42:23 – Closing Remarks: Final thoughts and a call for community engagement

    39 min

  5. JAN 30

    How to ACTUALLY Freelance and get a paying client

    In this episode, Danny Thompson (Director of Technology at ThisDot Labs) and Leon Noel (Managing Director of Engineering at Resilient Coders) dive deep into the realities of freelancing as a web developer. They discuss how to land your first clients, effectively communicate your value, set prices (and get paid!), use contracts to protect yourself, and grow your network so that freelancing becomes a reliable source of income. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your freelance hustle to the next level, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and real-world experiences. What You’ll Learn: - Why the hardest part of freelancing isn’t coding—it’s finding clients. - Proven strategies to identify potential clients in your existing network and local community. - How to confidently discuss budgets and pricing (including when and how to ask for deposits). - Why clear communication and regular updates with clients are crucial. - How to scale your freelance business from small gigs to larger, high-paying projects. - Tips on contracts, scope, and protecting yourself legally. - Balancing building new features vs. maintaining projects—and deciding which is best for you. - If you’ve been unsure about how to start freelancing or how to level up your current freelance work, this video is for you. Shout out to our Sponsor Level Up Planning, Lucas Casarez https://www.levelupfinancialplanning.com/ Stay in Touch: 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com! Danny Thompson https://x.com/DThompsonDev https://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDev www.DThompsonDev.com Leon Noel https://x.com/leonnoel https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/ https://100devs.org/ 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com! Chapters & Timestamps 0:00 – Intro & The Hardest Part of Freelancing Danny and Leon share their thoughts on why actually getting clients is tougher than the coding or deployment work itself. 2:01 – Why Freelancing is a Crucial Skill Leon explains why freelancing can be life-changing and why every developer should consider it. 3:05 – Cold Calling & First Client Strategies They discuss the reality of cold calling, the grit required, and how to improve your pitch to win your first projects. 4:00 – Start with Your Existing Network Learn why your friends, family, and local connections are often the best way to find your initial freelancing gigs. 8:01 – Figuring Out Budgets & Pricing How to talk about money without scaring away clients—and why you should ask the client for their ballpark budget. 9:00 – Danny’s First Paid Gig Story Hear how Danny sold his very first website to a local restaurant and what he learned in the process. 11:55 Sponsor Lucas Casarez 18:25 – Transitioning from Small to Large Projects Danny shares how his freelancing evolved from smaller projects to more complex (and better-paying) contracts. 23:30 – Setting Payment Terms & Deposits Why you should always ask for a deposit and how it filters out difficult clients. 28:00 – Contracts & Legal Protection Key contract clauses to include, such as ownership of work until final payment and liability protection. 33:10 – Maintaining vs. Delivering & Walking Away Deciding whether you want to offer ongoing maintenance plans or simply provide a project handoff. 40:00 – Turning One-Off Clients into Evergreen Clients Practical tips on establishing long-term relationships and retaining clients for continuous work. 47:00 – Q&A: Being the Solo Dev in a Company Advice for someone struggling with skill growth when they’re the only developer at their workplace. 52:02 – Final Tips: Tackle the Hard Stuff First Danny shares his strategy for handling the most challenging tasks early in the day to boost productivity and confidence.

    54 min

  6. JAN 23

    TAKE ACTION: Overcoming Fear and Building a Tech Career That Lasts

    In this episode of The Programming Podcast, Danny Thompson and Leon Noel dive deep into the topics of consistency, networking, and the actionable steps that can help you achieve your career goals in tech. Whether you’re trying to break into the industry, level up to a senior role, or simply stay on track with your New Year’s resolutions, this episode is packed with advice, real-world anecdotes, and motivational insights to keep you moving forward.We cover:The power of networking: Why building connections is critical, how to send effective messages, and what you should avoid.Consistency and goal-setting: How writing down your goals and staying accountable can create lasting change.Overcoming fear and self-doubt: Tips to push through the fear of rejection and take the first step toward success.Real-life success stories: Hear how people have transformed their careers with simple but effective actions.The importance of action: Why taking even small steps daily can create exponential growth over time.If you’ve ever wondered how to get a coffee chat, write a cold message that gets a response, or break through the mental blocks holding you back, this is the episode for you.Stay in Touch:📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com!Danny Thompsonhttps://x.com/DThompsonDevhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDevwww.DThompsonDev.comLeon Noelhttps://x.com/leonnoelhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/https://100devs.org/📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com!If you enjoyed this video, please Like, Share, and Subscribe for more tech career insights and tutorials. Chapters 0:00 -Introduction: Learning from ConversationsDanny and Leon reflect on their experiences helping thousands of people and how common trends emerge in success and failure. 1:05 -Welcome to The Programming PodcastDanny and Leon introduce themselves, the podcast, and how listener feedback fuels their motivation. 2:12 -Leon’s Wildfires and Community SupportLeon shares his experience dealing with wildfires, his community’s incredible support, and the value of consistency in building trust. 4:35 -The Power of Showing Up ConsistentlyLeon explains how consistency has been the foundation of his success, even in difficult situations. 6:08 -How Your Goals Reflect Your ActionsDanny and Leon discuss the importance of keeping your goals visible to stay motivated and accountable. 10:05 -Why People Break Their New Year’s ResolutionsExploring the concept of "Quitter’s Day" and common mistakes people make when building habits. 13:02 -Identity and Goal Setting: Key to ConsistencyLeon dives into how adopting an identity tied to your goals helps maintain motivation. 16:30 -Making Your Goals VisibleDanny shares his system for writing goals on index cards and keeping them in sight as a daily reminder. 20:00 -Planning Your Days with IntentWhy planning your days, weeks, and years intentionally is crucial for long-term success. 23:06 -Networking: A Game-Changer for Your CareerThe importance of networking and how it’s helped people land jobs, build opportunities, and grow professionally. 27:14 -Overcoming Fear and Taking ActionLeon discusses how fear and self-doubt hold people back and why taking that first step is critical. 30:00 -Danny’s First Freelance ProjectDanny shares how a conversation at a restaurant led to his first freelance web development project. 40:52 -How to Write a Great Coffee Chat MessageTips and strategies for crafting personalized, effective messages that get responses. 50:00 -Consistency in Podcasting and Helping OthersDanny and Leon talk about their commitment to showing up for the podcast and scaling their impact. 54:01 -Final Thoughts and Call to ActionDanny and Leon encourage listeners to take action & network.

    1h 3m

  7. JAN 16

    Front-End vs. Full Stack: The TRUTH About Your First Coding Job

    In this episode, Danny Thompson (Director of Technology at This Dot Labs) and Leon Noel (Managing Director of Engineering at Resilient Coders) tackle a big question: Is front-end development alone enough to land your very first job in tech? They discuss the pros and cons of front-end–only roles, why understanding the full stack can open more doors, and how crucial it is to balance skill-building with networking. They also share common mistakes junior developers make—from not reading error messages to failing to ask questions on the job—and offer strategies for building a strong portfolio and passing the “smell test” in interviews. Plus, they answer a listener’s question about average recruiter response times and how to handle being left in the dark after an initial screen. Whether you’re just starting your coding journey or already in a junior role, this conversation will help you navigate the job hunt and thrive in your first developer position. Stay in Touch: 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at dannyandleonpodcast@gmail.com! Danny Thompson https://x.com/DThompsonDev https://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDev www.DThompsonDev.com Leon Noel https://x.com/leonnoel https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/ https://100devs.org/ 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at dannyandleonpodcast@gmail.com! If you enjoyed this video, please Like, Share, and Subscribe for more tech career insights and tutorials. CHAPTERS 0:00 – Why Your Summary Statement Matters 1:07 – Meet the Hosts (Danny & Leon) + Episode Introduction 1:45 – Is Front-End Development Enough for a First Tech Job? 9:50 – Skills vs. Networking: Which Unlocks More Opportunities? 14:30 – Building Fundamentals & Avoiding ‘Tutorial Hell’ 17:00 – Common Junior Mistake: Not Reading Error Messages 20:00 – Why ‘Calculator Apps’ & ‘Weather Apps’ Aren’t Enough 21:00 – Perception & Passing the ‘Smell Test’ 27:00 – Reading Documentation & Understanding the Full System 33:00 – Ask Questions or Lose Your Job: Communication Is Key 36:00 – Finding Your Niche & Taking Ownership 38:00 – Q&A: Average Wait Time for Recruiter Responses 45:10 – Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts

    49 min

  8. JAN 9

    How YOU Can Learn To Code in 2025 Part 2

    In this Part 2 discussion, Danny Thompson (Director of Technology at This.Dot Labs) and Leon Noel (Managing Director of Engineering at Resilient Coders & founder of 100Devs) share their insights on how to start learning to code, the best free resources, and the power of community. They tackle whether coding bootcamps are worth it, why free platforms like FreeCodeCamp and 100Devs can be game-changers, and how to overcome the common pitfalls (like tutorial hell). They also talk about building real projects, finding your support network, and carving out time to invest in your future self. Topics Covered in This Video: Why you don’t have to break the bank to learn to code The pros and cons of bootcamps Essential resources like FreeCodeCamp, 100Devs, CS50, and more Learning how to learn: active recall, spaced repetition, and building projects Setting aside “4% of your day” to code The importance of community and cohort-based learning Overcoming fear, anxiety, and impostor syndrome to reach your goals Mentioned Resources & Links: FreeCodeCamp 100Devs (Discord: discord.gg/100Devs) CS50 (Harvard’s Intro to Computer Science) Learning How to Learn (Coursera) Anki (Spaced Repetition Software) The Odin Project MOOC.fi (University of Helsinki) About the Speakers: Danny Thompson: Director of Technology at This.Dot Labs, previously worked in gas stations, self-taught coding journey, and now a community leader helping others break into tech. Leon Noel: Managing Director of Engineering at Resilient Coders, founder of 100Devs, and former Distinguished Faculty at General Assembly. Dedicated to making coding education accessible to everyone. Stay in Touch: 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at dannyandleonpodcast@gmail.com!Danny Thompsonhttps://x.com/DThompsonDevhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDevwww.DThompsonDev.comLeon Noelhttps://x.com/leonnoelhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/https://100devs.org/📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at dannyandleonpodcast@gmail.com! If you enjoyed this video, please Like, Share, and Subscribe for more tech career insights and tutorials. Chapter Timestamps 0:00 Introduction & Part 2 Overview 1:07 Why Bootcamp Owners Get Mad About Free Options 2:20 The Value of Free Resources (FreeCodeCamp, 100Devs, CS50) 8:05 Beware of Predatory Bootcamps & ISAs 12:35 Cohort-Based Learning & Community Support 19:10 Tools for Learning: Git, Terminal, & UI Tools 26:00 The “4% Rule” – Making Yourself a Priority 31:40 Building Real Projects (Avoiding Tutorial Hell) 35:10 Additional Free Resources (MOOC.fi, etc.) 36:20 Importance of Community & Finding Your Tribe 43:00 Work Ethic, Motivation, & Overcoming Obstacles 49:00 Q&A: Doing It Afraid vs. Honoring Your Feelings 56:45 Closing Thoughts & Goodbyes

    57 min
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4.9
out of 5
49 Ratings

About

Leon Noel and Danny Thompson explain technical problems, industry information, career advice and more on The Programming Podcast! Danny Thompson, Director of Technology @ This Dot Labs Leon Noel, Managing Director @ Resilient Coders & 100Devs

Information

  • Creator
    The Programming Podcast
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Programming Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Programming Podcast

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