Modern Web

Annie Sexton, Developer Advocate at Fly.io, to discuss Fly.io’s approach to simplifying cloud deployment. Annie shares Fly.io's unique position as a public cloud that offers the flexibility of infrastructure control with a streamlined developer experience. They explore Fly.io’s private networking and distributed app capabilities, allowing developers to deploy applications close to users worldwide with ease. Annie also addresses common challenges in distributed systems, including latency, data replication, and the balance between global reach and simple, single-region projects. Chapters: - 00:00 - 01:32 Introduction to the Modern Web Podcast and Guests - 01:33 - 04:00 Overview of Fly.io and Annie’s Role as Developer Advocate - 04:01 - 06:35 What Makes Fly.io Stand Out Among Cloud Platforms - 06:36 - 08:57 Distributed Applications: Benefits and Use Cases - 08:58 - 11:28 Understanding Distributed Web Servers and Private Networking - 11:29 - 13:49 Challenges in Distributed Data and Replication Techniques - 13:50

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, host Rob Ocel is joined by Adam Rackis, Danny Thompson, and guest Braydon Coyer, Senior Front-End Developer at LogicGate to talk about using Angular Signals for improved state management and DOM performance. Braydon explains how Signals simplify Angular development and offer better readability and efficiency compared to traditional methods like RxJS. The conversation also touches on hiring in the AI era, discussing challenges around take-home tests and live coding, and how AI tools like ChatGPT are changing the interview process. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction   00:57 - The Angular Renaissance   02:24 - Signals in Angular   03:27 - Transitioning to Signals   04:19 - Signals in Utility Development   05:09 - RxJS and Signals   07:52 - Signals vs Other State Management Solutions   09:34 - Testing Signals   10:29 - Control Flow and Standalone Components in Angular   12:02 - Angular's Evolution and Accessibility   13:28 - Angular’s Framework Governance   17:10 - Hiring i

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Danny Thompson, Director of Technology at This Dot Labs, hosts a conversation with Theresa Mammarella, JVM engineer at IBM, and Brian Sam-Bodden, Applied AI Engineer at Redis. They explore their talks at JCONF in Dallas, Texas, covering topics like GenAI architectures in the Java community and OpenJDK's Project Valhalla. Their conversation covers Java’s evolution, AI applications, semantic caching, and how these technologies are impacting development workflows and performance optimization. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction   01:00 - Brian on GenAI in the Java Community   01:47 - Java’s Safe Evolution Path   02:17 - Teresa on Project Valhalla   03:54 - Value Classes and Performance   04:33 - Brian on Semantic Caching   06:54 - Challenges of Rewording Prompts   09:15 - What is RAG Architecture?   11:34 - Java’s Role in AI   13:57 - Cost of LLMs and Caching Strategies   15:57 - Teresa on Java’s Future   18:22 - Learning Resources for Java Developers   20:44 - Addressing M

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, host Rob Ocel and co-hosts Adam Rackis, Tracy Lee, and Danny Thompson discuss the importance of unit testing for maintaining code quality and reliability, emphasizing its role in scaling projects and ensuring long-term stability. The conversation also highlights the benefits of TypeScript in improving code safety and developer productivity, sharing experiences on how it catches errors early in the process. They also examine the growing role of AI in automating development tasks, weighing the efficiency gains against the risks of over-reliance on automation while stressing the importance of understanding the underlying processes. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Episode Overview 02:59 - The Importance of Unit Testing 10:03 - Best Practices for Implementing Unit Tests 17:15 - TypeScript’s Role in Code Safety and Productivity 2:30 - AI in Software Development: Automating Tasks 29:16 - Balancing AI Automation with Developer Expertise 32:07 - Final Thoughts and Closing

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Danny Thompson, Director of Technology at This Dot Labs, sits down with Vincent Mayers, a seasoned tech conference organizer with over 15 years of experience. They discuss the intricacies of running successful conferences, including the challenges of selecting event locations, building community engagement, and creating memorable experiences for attendees. Vincent also shares insights into the evolution of tech conferences, from the importance of shorter talks to the value of the "hallway track" for networking. Tune in for an inside look at how these events shape the tech ecosystem and tips for organizing your own conferences! Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:45 - Vincent Mayers' Background 03:50 - Choosing Conference Locations 06:10 - Building Community and Spreading the Word 08:40 - Sponsorship and Funding Challenges 11:00 - Securing Speakers for Tech Conferences 14:20 - Improving the Conference Experience 16:30 - Badge Design and the Attendee Experience 18:50 - E

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Rob Ocel, Danny Thompson, and Adam Rackis talk with Michael Liendo, Senior Developer Advocate at AWS, about building practical AI applications and tackling challenges like scalability, multimodal functionality, and cloud infrastructure choices. Michael shares insights on tools like AWS Amplify and DynamoDB, discusses strategies for managing cloud costs, and explores the evolving role of prompt engineering. Michael previews his upcoming talks at AWS re:Invent on AI and scalable B2B SaaS applications. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:30 - Talking Weather and Life in the Midwest 03:00 - Exploring Generative AI and Practical Applications 06:45 - Navigating Cloud Costs and Scalability Considerations 08:30 - Maintaining Creativity and Customization with AI 11:00 - Managed Services vs. On-Prem Infrastructure Debate 15:30 - Choosing a Tech Stack for Side Projects and Startups 18:45 - Learning Cloud: Paths for Full-Stack Cloud Development 22:

Danny Thompson, Director of Technology at This Dot Labs, talks with Tanner Linsley, Creator of TanStack, about his latest project, TanStack Start. They discuss the challenges of existing frameworks like Next.js and Remix, the development of TanStack Router, and the future of React Server Components. Tanner also explains how caching strategies and fine-grained invalidation can transform the user experience. Chapters 1. Introduction & Tanner’s Background (00:00) 2. Going Full-Time on TanStack (01:00) 3. The Birth of TanStack Router (02:21) 4. Why Build Another Framework? (04:00) 5. React Server Components: Potential & Limitations (07:05) 6. Fine-Grained Cache Invalidation & UX (09:02) 7. Parallel Data Fetching in Routing (13:39) 8. TanStack Start: Alpha & Future Plans (16:41) 9. Where to Learn More About TanStack (18:48) Find Tanner Linsley on Social Media Twitter: https://x.com/tannerlinsley Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tannerlinsley/ Github: https://github.com/tannerlinsley TanStack:

Tracy Lee and Rob Ocel chat with Jason Torres about the challenges of breaking into tech, especially for self-taught and underrepresented developers. Jason shares his journey from a 15-year career in the film industry to pursuing software development, discussing the emotional and financial hurdles involved. They also discuss the importance of networking, finding a niche rather than mastering everything, and the impact of the tech downturn on junior developers. Chapters 1. Introduction and Tech Career Journeys (00:00 - 02:30) 2. The Struggles of Breaking Into Tech (02:31 - 06:00) 3. Jason’s Career Pivot from Film to Tech (06:01 - 10:30) 4. The Importance of Networking and Community (10:31 - 15:00) 5. Specializing vs. Being a Generalist in Tech (15:01 - 20:00) 6. Finding Your Path in Tech (20:01 - 25:30) 7. Dealing with Imposter Syndrome and Belonging (25:31 - 30:00) 8. Final Thoughts and Tips for Breaking Into Tech (30:01 - 33:00) 9. Closing Remarks and Tech Talk Humor (33:01 - End) Follow Jas

In this episode of the Leadership Exchange, John Crichton, Chief Technology Officer at Lightning Step Technologies, shares insights on balancing privacy and compliance requirements while fostering innovation in the electronic medical records (EMR) space. The discussion explores the complexities of healthcare data, the evolving use of AI to improve efficiency and patient care, and the importance of servant leadership in building high-performing teams. John also reflects on his experience transitioning from the financial services industry into healthcare, offering advice on integrating AI and developing team culture in both fields. Chapters [00:00 - 00:25] Introduction and Welcome [00:26 - 01:07] Guest Introduction: John Crichton [01:08 - 02:21] The Lack of Standardization in EMRs [02:22 - 02:52] Challenges in Clinical Trials and EMR Data [02:53 - 04:28] Balancing Innovation and Compliance in Healthcare [04:29 - 06:51] The Impact of Shifting Compliance and Privacy Concerns [06:52 - 07:10] The AI and Data Priva

Machine Learning and AI expert Shivay Lamba, discusses the evolution of machine learning tools, and his work on MLOps and deploying large language models (LLMs). The conversation covers the accessibility of AI, the power of JavaScript in machine learning through tools like TensorFlow.js, and the growing importance of ethical AI practices. Shivay also discusses the transition of web-based AI tools, the importance of transfer learning, and how developers can break into the space of AI and machine learning. Chapters 1. Shivay’s Journey into Machine Learning (00:00 - 03:30) 2. The Power of TensorFlow.js and Web AI (03:31 - 07:00) 3. Challenges in Hackathons: Using Pre-trained Models (07:01 - 10:00) 4. Navigating the AI Ecosystem: Python vs. JavaScript (10:01 - 13:30) 5. LLMs and Their Growing Popularity (13:31 - 17:00) 6. The Importance of Core Machine Learning Knowledge (17:01 - 20:00) 7. AI Ethics & Challenges in Scaling Models (20:01 - 23:00) 8. Shivay’s Content & Community Involvement (2

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Nick Taylor, Senior Software Engineer at OpenSauce discusses the current state of open source, including the challenges around funding, sustainability, and contributor burnout. Nick shares insights into how open source has impacted his career and highlights the growing importance of tools like TypeScript in the open-source ecosystem. The panel also discusses the evolution of TypeScript, its widespread adoption, and its role in shaping the modern web development landscape. They explore the nuances between JavaScript and TypeScript, the friction that developers sometimes face when working with types, and how TypeScript has grown into a default tool for many projects. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Co-Host Introductions 00:47 - Guest Introduction: Nick Taylor 01:37 - The Current State of Open Source 02:50 - Funding Challenges in Open Source 03:54 - Open Source Success Stories and Funding Examples 05:35 - Open Source Burnout and Quiet Quitting in Tech 06:43 - Cha

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, CSS expert Kevin Powell discusses the evolution of CSS, from the early days of CSS3 to the rapid advancements with Flexbox, Grid, and the latest innovations. Kevin explains how CSS is making strides to integrate features that previously required JavaScript, like scroll-driven animations and popovers, simplifying development and improving performance. He also touches on the importance of understanding the fundamentals of CSS, debugging techniques, and the future of tools like Tailwind and Sass.  Chapters 0:00 - Introduction and Technical Setup Issues 01:05 - Guest Introduction: Kevin Powell 02:00 - Kevin's Journey into CSS and Content Creation 03:21 - Evolution of CSS: From CSS3 to Modern Features 05:46 - The Role of JavaScript in CSS and New Features 08:08 - Popovers, Anchor Positioning, and Progressive Enhancement in CSS 10:26 - Discussion on SAS, Tailwind, and CSS Tools 12:35 - Challenges with Tailwind and Over-Componentization 14:57 - The Importance of Learni

YK Sugi, Senior AI Developer Advocate at Sourcegraph and founder of CS Dojo, shares his journey from coding with MATLAB to working at Google and founding his YouTube channel, and how ChatGPT inspired his shift towards AI-driven applications. Along with our hosts, he discusses AI's impact on coding, particularly in large codebases, and the role of tools like Sourcegraph’s Cody and GitHub Copilot in improving developer workflows. They also explore how AI is evolving in code completion, legacy code, and its broader potential in development. Chapters Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:00 YK’s Coding Journey 02:01 AI’s Impact on YK’s Career 07:31 AI in Large Codebases 11:01 Choosing AI Models for Coding 17:01 AI for Code Completion and Development Efficiency 21:01 The Future of AI in Software Development 26:31 AI and Human Creativity 32:01 Closing Remarks and Where to Find YK 36:01 Follow YK on Social Media Twitter: https://x.com/ykdojo Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ykdojo/ Github: https://github

Rob Ocel, Tracy Lee, Adam Rackis, and Danny Thompson sit down with Kyle Tryon, Senior Developer Advocate at Depot, to talk all things Docker, dev containers, and modern build systems. They break down how Docker simplifies development by solving those "it works on my machine" problems, how cloud-based caching speeds up builds, and why tools like Kubernetes are becoming essential for scaling modern apps. Kyle also shares his journey from fixing laptops in retail to becoming a leading voice in the dev space, plus some great insights into how Docker and Depot are changing the game for developers everywhere. Chapters 1: Introductions (00:00 – 02:40) 2: What is Docker and Why It Matters (02:41 – 06:30) 3: Docker Files and Containers 101 (06:31 – 11:00) 4: Challenges of Environment Setup & Dev Containers (11:01 – 15:00) 5: The Power of Layer Caching in Docker (15:01 – 20:30) 6: Introduction to Depot and Cloud-Based Builds (20:31 – 25:00) 7: Optimizing Docker Builds with Depot (25:01 – 30:00) 8: Docker

Nate Emerson is both a self-taught developer and a computer science university grad. How is that possible? In this episode, Nate talks about his unusual career trajectory, and what it has taught him about the differences between being self-taught vs. formal education in software development. Along with Tracy Lee and Jason Torres, he discusses leadership principles, such as extreme ownership, the value of confidence in engineering, and how humility and teamwork contribute to organizational success. They also highlight the importance of solving practical problems in tech and how this mindset can lead to innovation.  Here are the chapter titles with timestamps: 1: Setting the Stage – The Importance of Practical Skills in Engineering (00:00) 2: Engineering Management and Leadership Culture (04:36) 3: Extreme Ownership – A Leadership Superpower (09:12) 4: Confidence and the Developer's Journey (13:37) 5: Hiring Smarter and Building Stronger Teams (18:27) 6: Problem-Solving and Technology's Real-World Impa

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, we sit down with Shashi Lo, Senior UX Engineer at Microsoft and the founder of the Gridiron Survivor project. Shashi shares his approach to mentoring junior developers by helping them bridge the gap between boot camp and their first job in tech. We cover the challenges of onboarding, the importance of code reviews, and how companies can better support new talent by investing in mentorship and training. Shashi also talks about his experience with building a community of learners, the process of de-risking junior candidates, and why companies should be more proactive in nurturing the next generation of developers.  00:00 - Meet Shashi Lo 02:25 - The Gridiron Survivor Project 05:02 - The Importance of Code Reviews 07:25 - Teaching the Basics of Project Communication 09:47 - Code Reviews as a Learning Tool 12:06 - Why Shashi Mentors: Giving Back to the Community 14:26 - The Importance of De-Risking Junior Candidates 16:41 - Building in Public: Transparency and Learning

In this episode, Rob Ocel sits down with Gant Laborde, CIO at Infinite Red, to explore Gant's journey in the tech industry, his transition into leadership, and his role as a Chief Innovation Officer. Gant shares insights into the challenges and rewards of innovation within a company, how to manage upward and downward effectively, and the importance of trust in leadership. They also discuss the evolving landscape of AI, the significance of experimentation, and the courage needed to make bold decisions.  Chapters 1. Introduction and Opening Remarks - 00:00 2. Gant's Background and Journey in Tech - 02:05 3. Transitioning to Leadership at Infinite Red - 05:08 4. Defining Innovation at an Agency - 07:28 5. The Role of AI in React Native - 09:39 6. Navigating the Hype and Troughs of Technology - 11:35 7. The Challenges of Middle Management - 15:12 8. Building Trust and Managing Upwards - 16:25 9. Empowering Teams and Passing the Torch - 19:40 10. Developing Courage and Taking Risks - 22:30 11. Why Leaders

In this episode of the Modern Web podcast, Tracy Lee and Rob Ocel sit down with Sarah Shook, a UI/UX engineer at Hunter Industries. They discuss the topic of Sarah’s THAT Conference talk on color theory, exploring the intricacies of RGB, HSL, and hex color models. The discussion also touches on the importance of understanding how color accessibility impacts your page’s performance. Chapters - 00:00 - Introduction and Guest Introduction - 01:30 - Balancing Work and Parenthood - 03:20 - Family-Friendly Conferences and THAT Conference Experience - 05:45 - Overview of Sarah's Presentation on Color Theory - 07:00 - Understanding Additive and Subtractive Color Models - 09:00 - RGB to Hex Conversion Explained - 11:45 - Importance of Color Theory in Web Development - 14:00 - Accessibility and Color Luminescence - 16:00 - Tools and Resources for Color Accessibility - 18:30 - Sarah’s Experience with Vue and Other Frameworks - 21:00 - Discussion on Framework Deployment and Tooling - 23:15 - The Challenges and Benef

Tracy Lee and Rob Ocel sit down with Mark Thompson, aka "Mark Techson", to explore key themes around personal branding, workplace culture, and leadership. Mark shares his journey of building a strong personal brand, discussing how consistent online presence can shape public perception and create professional opportunities. The conversation provides valuable insights into the art of leading without a formal title, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity and gradual influence in workplace environments. A significant portion of the discussion is devoted to Mark's motto of "Do what matters with who matters while it matters." This practical approach encourages listeners to focus on meaningful work, prioritize important relationships, and make the most of their time. Mark also reflects on the challenges of maintaining resilience in the face of personal adversity, offering a candid look at how to balance personal and professional life effectively. Listeners will find actionable adv

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Anthony D. Mays discusses code exercises, landing your first job, and how to succeed in interviews. He shares his personal journey to becoming a software engineer and career coach, and emphasizes the importance of not only having technical knowledge but also a strong problem-solving process. The conversation also touches on the role of senior engineers in guiding and empowering junior engineers, the interview processes at different companies, and tips for success in interviews. In this conversation, Anthony covers the interview process and how candidates can best prepare for technical interviews. emphasizing the importance of collaborative problem-solving and being authentic in interviews. They also explore the idea of secret questions and whether or not they are effective in assessing a candidate's skills.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 03:24 The Importance of Problem-Solving Process in Interviews 06:32 Guiding and Empowering Junior Enginee