Best Spec Network Podcasts (2025)

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Part One - Bryan McCann, CTO of You.com, on AI, Engineering, Art, and Everything In Between 34:40

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3d ago34:40

34:40

Hey everyone and welcome to today's episode of Developer Tea. It's been quite a while since I've had a guest on the show. Today, I'm joined by Bryan McCann, CTO at you.com. We dive into a wide-ranging discussion, exploring the philosophical origins of his career—from studying meaning and language to working in very early AI research. This discussio…

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RFI Horror Stories: Demolition Disasters & Construction Nightmares featuring Zach Rapaport | Halloween Special 1:05:34

3d ago1:05:34

1:05:34

It’s Halloween, the one day of the year when the scariest things come out of the walls … literally. 👻 In this special Halloween episode of What the RFI?, Matt Brennan is joined by Zach Rapaport to share real-life RFI horror stories from the construction world. From demolition surprises and lead-time nightmares to change orders that make your blood …

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Guarding the JavaScript Supply Chain: Preventing NPM Attacks with Feross Aboukhadijeh - JSJ 695 1:00:01

6d ago1:00:01

1:00:01

Hey everyone—it’s Steve Edwards here, and in this episode of JavaScript Jabber, I’m joined by returning guest Feross Aboukhadijeh, founder of Socket.dev, for a deep dive into the dark and fascinating world of open source supply chain security. From phishing campaigns targeting top NPM maintainers to the now-infamous Chalk library compromise, we unp…

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Going to War with Burnout - Less Hours Isn't Your Only Option 18:09

11d ago18:09

18:09

I'm tackling a massive challenge today: burnout. While the standard advice usually involves working less, I want to show you a practical dimension of burnout you have more control over, focusing on increasing your agency and autonomy to manage chronic workplace stress more effectively. Burnout is classified by the ICD-11 as a syndrome resulting fro…

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Live from CSI 2025 — Building Connections, Sharing RFI Horror Stories, and a Surprise Musical Performance 32:52

10d ago32:52

32:52

Recorded live at CSI 2025 in Cleveland, this episode of What the RFI brings together Dean Moilanen (Noble Company) and Holly Gotfredson (Finishing Dynamics & American Metalcraft) for a conversation that hits every note, literally. Host Matt Brennan dives into the state of the construction industry, optimism returning to projects post-pandemic, and …

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Making Monorepos Breakproof with Anton Stoychev - JSJ 694 1:13:36

15d ago1:13:36

1:13:36

In this solo-hosted episode, I (Steve Edwards) dive deep into the world of modern monorepos with special guest Anton Stoychev from Yotpo. Anton shares his journey from the early days of PHP and IE6 nightmares to his current work in front-end infrastructure, performance optimization, and developer tooling. We talk about the challenges of managing de…

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Live from CSI 2025: The Future of Spec Writing, Collaboration, and Construction Innovation 43:37

17d ago43:37

43:37

Recorded live from Cleveland, this episode of What the RFI? dives into the energy, insights, and connections shaping CSI National 2025. Host Matt Brennan sits down with Nish Patel (RIB North America), Eric Letbetter (Letbetter ink, LLC.), and Dory Azar (Architect & Product Specialist, RIB Software) to explore how the world of spec writing, RFIs, an…

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The Good and Bad of Choosing Measurements - Traps and Opportunities of Measuring What Matters 15:01

21d ago15:01

15:01

In this episode, I dive into the management mantra that "what is measured is managed" and explain why this simple assertion often leads to a complex trap. We discuss why the act of measuring team productivity is never neutral—it's an intervention that immediately changes behavior, often resulting in unintended consequences like gaming the metrics. …

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Architecture With Heart: Carley Chastain on Equity, Community, and Global Inspiration 46:46

22d ago46:46

46:46

“Vernacular is what you do when you can’t afford to get it wrong.” Carley Chastain Episode Summary: This episode of The Zweig Letter Podcast, hosted by Randy Wilburn and joined by marketing co-host Luke Carothers, traces Carley Chastain's unique path through the architecture profession. Carley, an emerging architectural professional at Marlon Black…

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The Power of Networking: Building Your Support System 25:36

24d ago25:36

25:36

After an unexpected career shake-up, Matt Brennan opens up about the true power of your network, the people who rally behind you when life changes overnight. In this episode of What the RFI?, Matt shares how a single LinkedIn post reached over 10,000 people and became a lesson in community, mentorship, and resilience. Through stories from architect…

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Spec-Driven Development and the Future of AI IDEs with AWS’s Kiro - JSJ 693 43:55

29d ago43:55

43:55

In this episode of JavaScript Jabber, I sit down with AWS’s Clare Liguori and Erik Hanchett to talk about Kiro, a brand-new AI-powered IDE that’s reimagining the way developers build software. We dive into how Kiro takes “AI-assisted coding” to a new level through spec-driven development — a process that focuses on defining requirements and collabo…

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Engage in Deliberate Practice to Level Up Your Engineering Leadership Skills 18:08

1M ago18:08

18:08

By Jonathan Cutrell

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InktoberArchitecture: Why Architects Still Need to Sketch in a Digital World 53:24

1M ago53:24

53:24

It’s time to dust off the desk, grab your favourite pen, and roll out the trace because InktoberArchitecture is here! In this episode of What the RFI?, host Matt Brennan welcomes back Nathan Taylor, Building Envelope Consultant, artist, and creator of the global sketching movement InktoberArchitecture. Together, they dive deep into how hand sketchi…

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Shift Your Locus of Control to Take Charge of Your Engineering Career 20:45

1M ago20:45

20:45

This episode explores the concept of Locus of Control and why developing a more internal locus of control is beneficial for your career and life. You'll learn the difference between internal and external perspectives, why one is more useful than the other, and practical exercises to shift your mindset to believe you have more influence over the out…

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Modern JavaScript Testing: Integration, Contract Testing & AI Tools - JSJ 692 1:06:28

1M ago1:06:28

1:06:28

In this episode of JavaScript Jabber, I sit down with Dan Shapir and our special guest, Yoni Goldberg, to dive deep into the ever-evolving world of JavaScript testing. Yoni, a consultant who’s worked with over 40 organizations to refine developer workflows, shares valuable lessons learned from helping teams design efficient and reliable tests. We e…

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Resumé Driven Development - Your Career is In Your Hands 12:27

1M ago12:27

12:27

In this episode we'll discuss why "Résumé Driven Development" is a powerful mental model for building a thriving career. Instead of seeing your résumé as just a job-hunting tool, you'll learn to use it as a guide for setting measurable, impactful goals that benefit you, your manager, and your company. Focus on Impact, Not Just Tasks: Discover why a…

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The Comeback of RPC: SolidJS, TanStack, and the Future of JavaScript Frameworks with Ryan Carniato & Tanner Linsley - JSJ 691 1:29:52

2M ago1:29:52

1:29:52

In this episode of JavaScript Jabber, I sit down with Ryan Carniato, creator of SolidJS, and Tanner Linsley, the force behind TanStack, for a deep-dive conversation on the resurgence of Remote Procedure Calls (RPC) in modern web development. We explore why RPC is making a comeback, how frameworks like Solid, TanStack, and others are shaping the way…

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From Vision to Detail: Toby Witte on Modern Architecture 1:00:27

2M ago1:00:27

1:00:27

In this episode of What the RFI?, host Matt Brennan sits down live at AIA Aspire 2025 in Asheville, NC, with architect Toby Witte of Wittehaus. Known for designing modern, energy-efficient homes across the Carolinas, Toby brings a deep passion for detail, sustainability, and storytelling in architecture. The conversation traces Toby’s journey from …

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Benchmarking the Future: AE Firm Performance Insights with Monograph and Zweig Group 1:01:56

2M ago1:01:56

1:01:56

“Whatever is the hardest path is probably the path we should be on. The hardest path is also the least traveled.” Robert Yuen Episode Summary: In this episode of The Zweig Letter Podcast, host Randy Wilburn is joined by Robert Yuen of Monograph and Mark Zweig of Zweig Group for a candid conversation around the future of A/E firm management. Togethe…

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Forced and Unforced Errors 15:31

2M ago15:31

15:31

In this episode, we introduce a simple yet powerful mental model from the world of sports: forced vs. unforced errors. By understanding this concept, you can shift your focus from things outside your control to the simple, foundational behaviours that truly define a successful career. Understand the Difference: Learn the distinction between forced …

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Live from AIA Aspire 2025: Resilience, Technology, and the Future of Practice 1:04:20

2M ago1:04:20

1:04:20

Recorded live at the Diana Wortham Theatre in Asheville, NC, this special episode of What the RFI? takes the stage at AIA Aspire 2025. Host Matt Brennan is joined by an incredible panel of industry leaders: Mark Levine, FAIA — Principal at LS3P and founding Aspire volunteer Morgan Chawaga, AIA — Career Coach and Founder of The Healthy Architect Akh…

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View Your Productivity Through the Lens of Values and Priorities 13:39

2M ago13:39

13:39

In this episode, we introduce two fundamental thought experiments to help you uncover your true priorities and core values. By exploring scenarios of scarcity and abundance, you'll learn to align your daily actions with what truly matters, leading to a more satisfied career and life. Uncover Your Priorities: Engage in a "5% exercise" where you imag…

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Exploring Vibe Coding and the Future of Product Management with Gunnar Berger - JSJ 690 1:13:13

2M ago1:13:13

1:13:13

In this episode of JavaScript Jabber, I sit down with Amazon product leader Gunnar Berger to dive into the fast-evolving world of vibe coding and how it’s reshaping the relationship between developers and product managers. Gunnar brings a wealth of experience from his years in IT, Citrix, and now Amazon, and shares a unique perspective on how AI to…

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This One Skill Signifies Seniority For Software Engineers 14:28

2M ago14:28

14:28

This episode explains what is arguably the best career advice you'll hear this week: the one skill that signifies seniority in software engineers is the ability to synthesise and optimise for multiple factors at once. Instead of focusing on a single factor, such as performance or maintainability, senior engineers identify and weigh the various trad…

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How to Use Web Components, Iframes, and Module Federation for Multi-Framework Apps - JSJ 689 1:17:58

2M ago1:17:58

1:17:58

This week on JavaScript Jabber, we dive deep into the challenges and opportunities of mixing and matching frontend frameworks in modern applications. I’m joined by Dan Shapir, Steve Edwards, and our special guest Hadar Geva, CTO and co-founder of Myop.dev. Together, we explore how companies are tackling multi-framework environments, the role of web…

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Why We’re Building the Front End Wrong (and How to Fix It) - JSJ 688 46:52

2M ago46:52

46:52

In this episode of JavaScript Jabber, I sit down with Delaney Gilliland to dive into why most of us are building the front end wrong—and what a faster, leaner, and simpler alternative could look like. We explore his background in game development and military applications, which gave him a unique perspective on web performance and real-time data ch…

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Backup Plans and Risk Reward Curves 13:50

2M ago13:50

13:50

This episode focuses on the critical importance of having a backup plan, not just for technical redundancies but especially for situations involving human error, which are highly prevalent in one's career. The core argument hinges on understanding risk and reward curves, highlighting the disproportionate impact of failures compared to incremental s…

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Vibe Coding: Building Faster with AI-Powered Development - JSJ 687 1:11:29

3M ago1:11:29

1:11:29

In this episode of JavaScript Jabber, we dive deep into the world of vibe coding—what it means, how it works in practice, and why it’s changing the way developers build software. I’m joined by Anthony Campolo, who shares his hands-on experience developing AutoShow, an app that automates podcast show notes, using AI-assisted workflows. We talk about…

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Second Order Consequences and Forcing Functions 23:45

3M ago23:45

23:45

Todays episode delves into understanding and leveraging second and third-order consequences – the ripple effects that occur after an initial action – and introduces forcing functions, which are an inverted way of thinking about these consequences, designed to drive desired outcomes by first determining "what must be true" for them to occur. The epi…

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Don't Try to Solve Hyperobject Problems Once 15:46

3M ago15:46

15:46

This episode delves into the philosophical concept of hyperobjects – problems so vast and complex they lack clear boundaries and cannot be "solved" once and for all. It explores why attempting to permanently fix issues like technical debt, user experience, or performance management is often ineffective. Instead, it offers a new perspective: how to …