Best Skill Issue Studios Podcasts (2026)

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A Very Merry Descent Into Holiday Madness 1:01:57

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5d ago1:01:57

1:01:57

This week, Robbie and Adam talk about holiday travel chaos, parenting stress, and health scares before diving into AI-assisted coding, Linux quirks, IDE trends, burnout in open source, and more. In this episode: - (00:00) - Intro - (02:07) - Whiskey rating & review: Flaviar & Jack Daniels - (06:02) - Stress gummies, holiday chaos, and why Robbie is…

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SOC 2 in the Streets, Spaghetti in the Sheets 59:45

12d ago59:45

59:45

This week, Robbie and Chuck sip Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye, and discuss why SOC 2 compliance is a painful but necessary sign of company maturity. They also dig into AI coding tools, React fatigue, and the growing frustration of modern developer workflows. In this episode: (00:00) – Intro (01:43) – Whiskey rating & review: Jack Daniel’s Single …

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Spooky Scary CSS 1:03:27

19d ago1:03:27

1:03:27

This week, Robbie and Adam talk about Halloween vibes, excellent scotch, and the strange state of modern web development. After rating an Orphan Barrel single malt, they dig into AI coding workflows, agent tools, why one-shot prompts so often fail, and more. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:24) - Whiskey rating & review: Orphan Barrel Woven Hon…

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The Piano Man of State Machines w/ David K. Piano 1:00:17

26d ago1:00:17

1:00:17

This week, Robbie and Adam talk with David K. Piano about state machines, the chaos of overusing React hooks, Tailwind controversies, AI agents, security risks in emerging AI tooling, and why determinism still matters. They also chat about pianos, creativity, and finding grounding outside of tech. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:40) - Whiskey …

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S3 Ep2: Women in Defence: Leadership, Motherhood and Breaking Barriers - with Angela Owen OBE 35:27

22d ago35:27

35:27

In this episode, Jackie is joined by former Army officer and champion for women in the defence sector, Angela Owen OBE, who founded Women in Defence UK, focusing on mentoring, policy and cultural change. Jackie discovers the skills behind Angela’s incredible journey and why she is one of the fastest women on Earth… for her age! From City College Pl…

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Doing One Thing Exceptionally Well: CodeRabbit’s Approach to AI Code Review 46:11

1M ago46:11

46:11

Recorded live at All Things Open, Robbie and guest co-host Nick Taylor talk with Erik Thorelli and Hendrik Krack from CodeRabbit about how they’re rethinking AI-powered code review, why focus beats feature-bloat, the value of transparency, and how CodeRabbit reduces cognitive load for developers while keeping humans meaningfully in the loop. In thi…

1
Are Developers Overthinking Everything? w/ Bdougie 54:40

1M ago54:40

54:40

Recorded live at All Things Open, Robbie and guest co-host Nick Taylor talk with Bdougie (Brian Douglas) about open source’s impact on their careers, the legacy of OpenSauced, and why developer tools succeed—or don’t. They dive into Git philosophy, editor wars, AI’s sometimes-chaotic influence on coding, and how strong frameworks like Rails still s…

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The Future of Front-End, Vim Wars, and Raising Gamer Kids w/ Nick Taylor 47:00

2M ago47:00

47:00

Recorded live at All Things Open, Robbie and guest co-host Jason Torres talk with Nick Taylor about Kubernetes mishaps, DevRel life, front-end nostalgia, CSS wizardry, arcade emulators, and why taste and creativity still matter in an AI-accelerated world. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03:26) - Wine rating & review: Cupcake Prosecco (09:42) - Ca…

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From Librarian to Developer: w/ Roxy Rodriguez-Becker 45:21

2M ago45:21

45:21

Recorded live at All Things Open, Robbie and guest co-host Jason Torres talk with Roxy Rodriquez-Becker about her journey from educator and librarian to aspiring developer, the community supporting her transition, navigating motherhood and advocacy, and how her son’s medical challenges inspired her to build a life-changing G-tube feeding app. In th…

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How to Build a Career When the Rules Keep Changing w/ Taylor Desseyn & Jason Torres 44:38

2M ago44:38

44:38

Recorded live at All Things Open, Robbie talks with Taylor Desseyn and Jason Torres about the future of tech careers, AI’s impact on hiring, and why relationships still matter more than résumés. They share insights from years in recruiting and community building, stressing that genuine connection—not cold applications—opens doors in today’s market.…

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Open Source, Agents, and the Next AI Wave w/ Angie Jones 42:17

2M ago42:17

42:17

Recorded live at All Things Open, Robbie Wagner and guest co-host Jason Lengstorf talk with Angie Jones about AI, coding models, and the evolving landscape of open source. They unpack the importance of community-driven tooling, skill gaps in using AI, the future of agentic systems, and why open communities matter in shaping technology. In this epis…

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Why Open Source Might Be Your Best Career Move w/ Shruti Kapoor 43:07

3M ago43:07

43:07

Recorded at All Things Open 2025, Robbie Wagner and guest co-host Jason Lengstorf chat with developer-turned-creator Shruti Kapoor about her leap from Slack and PayPal to YouTube, the joys and pitfalls of open source, and eternal web dev debates. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:37) - Wine rating & review: Fre Sparkling Brut (06:33) - Hot Take:…

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S3 Ep1: V Levels Explained: Baroness Jacqui Smith on the Government’s New Skills Initiative 21:20

3M ago21:20

21:20

What better way to launch a new season of Skilfully Speaking, than with the current Skills Minister, Baroness Jacqui Smith? Covering everything from what’s in the latest white paper to her time on Strictly Come Dancing, this is essential listening for anyone with an interest in skills and education. From City College Plymouth, for everyone. Support…

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Rust Is Overrated w/ Naman Goel 1:11:10

3M ago1:11:10

1:11:10

This week, Robbie and Adam talk with Naman Goel about the origins and evolution of StyleX, how it integrates with React and other frameworks, and the pros and cons of different programming languages like Rust, TypeScript, and Swift. They dive into the challenges of building performant, type-safe styling systems, the surprising complexity of theme A…

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npm Worms & RubyGems Coups: Trust Issues in Open Source 1:06:48

3M ago1:06:48

1:06:48

This week, Robbie, Chuck, and Adam talk about the worst whiskey they’ve tasted, Tailwind as a “state management library,” and recent security scares in open source. Also — dependency hygiene, developer visa drama, and whether inflated tech salaries are finally being reckoned with. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:14) - Whiskey rating & review: …

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Is CSS a Programming Language? w/ Kevin Powell 52:25

3M ago52:25

52:25

This week, Robbie and Adam talk with Kevin Powell about the quirks and complexities of CSS, from Tailwind and Flexbox to AI’s failure to write decent styles. While sipping some Crown Royal Black, they dig into weird web history, emerging CSS specs, toast milestones, and the beauty of clean code. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:51) - Whiskey ra…

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TalkShop Show w/ Macho Man Randy Standards 1:00:37

3M ago1:00:37

1:00:37

This week, Robbie and Adam talk with Dave "Macho Man Randy Standards" Rupert about whiskey, web culture, and the quirks of building side projects. They dive into the shifting landscape of the web—AI-driven development, spec-driven workflows, RSS’s decline, and the joy (and pain) of creative tinkering. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03:21) - Whis…

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Agents of Chaos: Whiskey Experiments and the Future of IDEs 48:52

4M ago48:52

48:52

This week, Chuck and Adam talk about flavored whiskeys, offbeat experiments, and the chaos of tech culture. They discuss AI workflows, Warp vs. IDE debates, and the realities of coding culture, from bleeding-edge hype to WordPress drudgery. Plus, Chuck shares updates on life in Italy. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03:33) - Whiskey rating and re…

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DevRel, Linux, and the Shrinking Path for Junior Developers w/ Ali Diamond 1:00:59

4M ago1:00:59

1:00:59

This week, Robbie and Chuck talk with Ali Diamond about her journey through tech, cybersecurity, and community building. They sip tequila, swap hot takes on programming languages and developer culture, and dig into the realities of junior engineering paths, DevRel’s evolution, and how passion—not tools—shapes meaningful work. In this episode: (00:0…

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Is Cracker Barrel a JS Framework? 1:02:56

4M ago1:02:56

1:02:56

This week, Robbie and Adam talk about JavaScript trends, from the overuse of hooks to frameworks chasing sameness, and why Cracker Barrel’s rebrand feels like a frontend metaphor. They dive into tech nostalgia, from retro consoles to old-school LAN parties, and debate AI’s role in therapy and modern workflows. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:0…

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Dial-Up Is Dead, Long Live Adam Argyle 1:04:36

4M ago1:04:36

1:04:36

This week, Robbie and Adam talk about CascadiaJS, Adam’s new role at Shopify, and why tech interviews are so broken. They explore accessibility in front-end dev, the sameness of modern frameworks, and whether AI is the future of engineering or just another hype cycle. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:46) - Whiskey rating & review: Jim Beam Pine…

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Will Frameworks Survive? Web Development in an AI-Driven World w/ Typecraft and Robert Jackson 1:01:26

5M ago1:01:26

1:01:26

This week, Robbie and Chuck talk with Typecraft and Robert Jackson about everything from Japanese rice whiskey to the future of software engineering. They dig into Robert’s open source journey, his insights on MCP and AI, and whether frameworks will remain relevant in an LLM-driven world. They also explore how AI changes the way new developers lear…

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S2 Ep9: Dame Ruth Cairnie: Becoming the First Female Chair in Babcock’s 130-Year History, Women in Leadership, and the Power of Clear Communication 39:57

5M ago39:57

39:57

As the first ever female chair of Babcock International Group, Dame Ruth is an inspiration to many. She talks Jackie through her impressive career which started with studying black holes and then took her through various businesses over nearly 40 years. But what skills does it take to chair a board and lead a major international business through a …

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Live from Big Sky Dev Con: Code Debates, Content Insights, and What's Next for Web Development 50:55

5M ago50:55

50:55

Live from Big Sky Dev Con, Robbie is joined by Aaron Francis, Ken Wheeler, and Typecraft to discuss HTML and CSS programming status, React’s future, app security failures, NPM’s weak spots, content creation hooks, survival tech fantasies, and balancing big tech ambitions with family life. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (00:55) - Whiskey rating an…

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Error 500: Our Lives 58:06

5M ago58:06

58:06

This week, Robbie and Chuck talk about whiskey on Mondays, parenting chaos, and Chuck’s hot-water disaster. They dive into open-source dependency drama, including the Stylus package getting flagged as malicious, and the TEA app’s massive data leak. They question the stability of NPM, the illusion of software licensing security, and the ethics of da…

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Modern Web Dev Meets 2000s Flip Phone: What Could Go Wrong? 1:04:42

6M ago1:04:42

1:04:42

This week, Robbie and Chuck talk with Tom Barrasso about building modern web apps for $15 flip phones, and the challenges of building for ultra-low-end devices. Tom shares his journey from building a podcast app during the pandemic to working in developer relations at CloudMosa. They dive into digital minimalism, the surprisingly advanced features …

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S2 Ep8: Melissa Johns - Auditions, Adversity & Advocacy: Melissa Johns on Making It in Media 35:48

6M ago35:48

35:48

Melissa is a familiar face from the likes of Coronation Street, Grantchester and the much talked-about Adolescence. Recorded the morning after she presented the City College Plymouth student awards, Mellissa discusses the skills and strategy used to overcome negative attitudes in the industry about her disability, and how she’s now helping young as…

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From the Rickhouse: Tech Talk, Social Media Use, and Netflix with The Primeagen 1:37:19

6M ago1:37:19

1:37:19

The Primeagen is known for embracing controversy. He returns to the podcast for a conversation on a range of topics like masculinity, social media, and pornography. He also opens up about his father’s passing and his journey growing up with a single mother. Michael Paulson aka The Primeagen, Software Engineer at Netflix, is an influential figure in…

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From the Rickhouse: Why Svelte Might Just Outdo React w/ Rich Harris 1:01:58

6M ago1:01:58

1:01:58

In this special International Whiskey Day episode of Whiskey Web and Whatnot, hosts RobbieTheWagner, and Charles William Carpenter III are joined by special guest Rich Harris. They share a toast with Lagavulin Offerman Edition whiskey and dive into a discussion covering a range of topics from Rich's journey in software development, his work on the …

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From FAANG to Fired: The Illusion of Stability in Big Tech w/ Adam Argyle 1:11:19

6M ago1:11:19

1:11:19

This week, Robbie and special guest co-host Adam Argyle talk about life after layoffs, the myth of job security at big tech companies, and what it really means to build meaningful things on the web. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:23) - Whiskey: Chicken Cock Rye (02:45) - From FAANG to fired: the illusion of stability in Big Tech (14:49) - How…

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S2 Ep7: Beth Mead MBE: Lessons from a Lioness – From Women's Euros Triumph to Teamwork and Tenacity 28:16

7M ago28:16

28:16

Beth’s journey started with her playing football as the only girl in a boys’ team to winning the Golden Boot at the Euros. We find out the skills required to become one of the most famous and successful sportswomen in the country. Essential listening as the Women’s Euros get underway in Switzerland. Supported by Babcock, and brought to you by City …

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The One Rye to Rule Them All w/ Kendall Miller & Rishi Malik 59:54

7M ago59:54

59:54

This week, Robbie and Chuck talk with Kendall Miller and Rishi Malik about their startup Friday Deployment Spirits, and creating whiskey for developers. They discuss the art of making good whiskey, bourbon vs rye, coding in the age of AI, and much more. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (00:53) - Meet Rishi and Kendall (03:01) - Whiskey rating and r…

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Father's Day Drinking w/ Typecraft 1:02:26

7M ago1:02:26

1:02:26

This week, Robbie talks with Typecraft about the chaotic joys of fatherhood, the realities of raising twins, and various dad-related hot takes. They also discuss their tech carries and conference talks, including Typecraft's Vim nerdery and Robbie’s sarcastic ode to underappreciated HTML features. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:05) - Beer sel…

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S2 Ep6: Judge Rob Rinder: Law, Media and the Power of Telling the Truth 58:38

7M ago58:38

58:38

Rob Rinder sprang to fame on our TV screens as “Judge Rinder”. Since then, he has gone on to present numerous TV shows and has fronted many documentary series covering law, travel and art history. Jackie met up with Rob during his panto run in Plymouth and found out the skills required to become a barrister, how he continues to inspire young people…

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Will AI Kill the Joy of Coding? 1:00:54

7M ago1:00:54

1:00:54

This week, Robbie and Chuck review Barrell Craft Spirits' Cranky Kong, and talk about the AI boom, how senior devs are (or aren’t) using it, and what the future of software jobs might look like. They also discuss the rise of "celebrity developers", job market shifts, real estate economics, and parenting twins. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:2…

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Stop Fixing Things That Aren't Broken 1:05:54

7M ago1:05:54

1:05:54

This week, Robbie and Chuck talk about the unintended chaos of “move fast and break things” in both software and startups. From Riverside glitches to Tesla’s overengineered wipers, they explore how updates can derail otherwise stable experiences. They unpack the economics of getting laid off, the pressure to build a personal brand in tech, and the …

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The Myth of Perfect Code w/ Marc Backes 53:41

8M ago53:41

53:41

This week, Robbie and Chuck talk with Marc Backes about Vue vs. React, work-life balance, and the realities of messy codebases. They also sip an Evan Williams Single Barrel, debate inbox zero, and discuss Marc’s adventures in coffee roasting and pilot training. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:45) - Whiskey review and rating: Evan Williams Sing…

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Should You Learn Tailwind Before CSS? w/ Bree Hall 55:48

8M ago55:48

55:48

This week, live from React Miami, Chuck, and special guest co-host Aaron Francis, talk with Bree Hall about React styling strategies, Tailwind CSS, and whether you should learn fundamentals before frameworks (spoiler: it depends). They explore the evolution of Next.js, the importance of developer momentum, and how to break into tech in today’s land…

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Static, Dynamic, Generative: What’s Next for the Web? w/ Guillermo Rauch 1:09:02

8M ago1:09:02

1:09:02

This week, Chuck and special guest co-host Aaron Francis talk with Guillermo Rauch live from React Miami. From early days at Zeit to founding Vercel and launching Next.js, Guillermo shares stories of scaling infrastructure, creating developer-centric products, and navigating startup challenges. They dive into how AI is transforming the web, why tho…

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S2 Ep5: Unlocking the Power of Digital Education: Robin Ghurbhurun on AI, Tech & Transformation 43:36

8M ago43:36

43:36

Robin is the UK Executive Lead for Jisc’s further education and skills policy. Jackie discovers how Robin’s journey took him from working in shops to managing a band, before a career in teaching came calling. So, what skills are behind being at the forefront of digital innovation in education? How will using tech such as AI and blockchain transform…

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Why You Can’t Skip the Fundamentals w/ Henri Helvetica 58:05

8M ago58:05

58:05

This week, Chuck and special guest co-host Aaron Francis talk with Henri Helvetica live from React Miami. They explore the evolving challenges of web performance, why genuine research skills still matter in an AI-driven world, and how developers can stay curious and resilient in a fast-moving industry. Henri shares insights from his React Miami tal…

1
Are Frameworks Still Worth the Tradeoffs? w/ Adam Rackis 46:22

9M ago46:22

46:22

This week, Chuck talks with Adam Rackis live from React Miami. Along with special guest-host Aaron Francis, they dig into React Server Components, the quirks of modern JavaScript frameworks, and why TanStack might be the future. Sipping an Appleton Estate Rum, they swap hot takes, get candid about developer trends, tech philosophies, and share some…

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S2 Ep4: How to Keep Running When You Want to Quit: David Wetherill on His Marathon World Record Attempt at the 2025 TCS London Marathon 43:18

9M ago43:18

43:18

Recorded in the week leading up to the 2025 TCS London Marathon, Dave is setting out to break a record! Dave has already been a triple Paralympian and is an inspirational athlete. But this will be his biggest challenge yet, breaking the record for completing the London Marathon on crutches. Jackie explores Dave’s story and finds out the skills invo…

1
WTF is MCP? w/ David Cramer 56:49

9M ago56:49

56:49

This week, Robbie and Chuck talk with David Cramer about MCP—microservices for language models—and why it might be the future of AI tooling. They dig into the state of AI agents, developer efficiency, and why Codegen isn’t killing jobs anytime soon. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:47) - Whiskey review and rating (17:12) - Hot Take: Syntax.fm v…

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Vibe Podcasting: App Rewrites, AI Assistants, PB&Js, and more! 55:16

9M ago55:16

55:16

This week, Robbie and Chuck talk about American whiskey, buttered PB&Js, and the quirks of AI coding assistants. They swap TV recommendations, debate developer priorities like security and rewrites, and more. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:43) - Whiskey review and rating: Union Horse Distilling Co Rolling Standard Four Grain Whiskey (13:59) -…

1
Your Terminal Is Getting Smarter with Ben Holmes 55:49

9M ago55:49

55:49

This week, Robbie and Chuck talk with Ben Holmes—Astro core team alum and now at Warp—about the rapid evolution of developer tools, the promise and quirks of AI-powered coding, and why he’s betting big on terminal UX. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:09) - Warp and dev tools (04:20) - Whiskey intro and rating: Heaven Hill Grain To Glass Kentuck…

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Inside Sagamore: The Revival of Maryland Rye with Clint Spotleson 1:00:26

10M ago1:00:26

1:00:26

This week, Robbie and Chuck talk with Clint Spotleson of Sagamore Spirit about the craft behind their unique Manhattan Finish Rye, the history of Maryland-style whiskey, and why great whiskey is meant to be shared. Clint shares stories from his journey through the spirits industry, his passion for whiskey, and what makes Sagamore stand out in a cro…

1
What Makes a Good Job in Tech? 58:52

10M ago58:52

58:52

This week, Robbie and Chuck talk about career moves and tech transitions. They discuss Robbie’s new role at HashiCorp and Chuck’s dive into cybersecurity. They also debate legacy tech quirks, open-source updates, and the ever-evolving world of AI. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:21) - Whiskey rating and review: Cyrus Noble Small Batch Bourbon …

1
S2 Ep3: The Hull Boy on Running the Length of the UK and Facing His Mental Health Head-On 41:58

10M ago41:58

41:58

Marcus is also known on social media as “The Hull Boy”, where you’ll find him undertaking a wide variety of running challenges. In this episode, Jackie explores what skills are involved in raising money for charity, managing a huge social media presence and keeping mental and physical health in check, just as Marcus is about to take on his biggest …

1
Why Most Developers Overcomplicate Everything w/ Aaron Francis 1:05:19

10M ago1:05:19

1:05:19

This week, Robbie and Chuck talk with Aaron Francis about developer education, Laravel vs. Rails, and the evolution of full-stack development. They explore the trade-offs of opinionated frameworks, the practicality of PHP, and why simplicity often wins. Plus, Aaron shares his hot takes on modern web dev trends, and the joys of working from a home-o…