#150 - Steve Lott on Coding, Writing, and Technomad Living

This week on the podcast, we're thrilled to welcome Steve Lott, a seasoned software developer and author whose mantra is turning coffee into code since 1978.

Steve has penned several influential books, including "Mastering Object-Oriented Python," "Modern Python Cookbook," and "Functional Python Programming," drawing from his vast experience since the early days when computers were a rare and costly venture.

In this episode, we dive deep into Steve's approach to writing about Python, uncovering his research process and how he infuses fun into his personal side projects.

Steve shares his insights on the evolving landscape of Python, the importance of hands-on learning through real-world projects, and the unparalleled impact of the Python community on developers worldwide.

But there's more to Steve than just code. As a "technomad," Steve has mastered the art of living on a boat, embracing the nomadic lifestyle while staying connected to the tech world. We explore the unique benefits and challenges of his life at sea, from the freedom it offers to the distinctive perspective it brings to his work and life philosophy.

Steve's belief in the power of stories — “Don’t come home until you have a story.” — shines throughout our conversation. This episode is packed with stories from his adventures both in front of the keyboard as well as from his nomad lifestyle (we even talk language accents).

Join us for this fascinating journey with Steve Lott, where coding meets adventure, and learn how embracing the unconventional can lead to a fulfilling and storied life. We're sure you'll walk away inspired, perhaps even considering how you can live life more fully.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro podcast and guest + win of the week
03:20 Python writing process
06:01 Book research process: answer questions and understanding underlying issues
11:05 Personal side-projects and keeping it fun
16:14 Future of Python
19:20 Teaching through real-world projects and related tooling & skills
23:00 Impact of the Python community, the best Python "feature"
29:07 Being a "technomad", living on a boat, and learning about different cultures
35:50 Mindset tips for developers
39:14 False assumptions and proper troubleshooting
44:50 Book tips and reading books out loud
48:50 Wrap up, Circle and book unittesting
51:44 Outro music

Reach out to Steve:
- Mastodon
- Blog | books
- Pybites community, join here