TD Cafe #009 - John Picozzi & Chris Wells

Aug 28, 2025

Chris Wells, Co-founder and CTO of Redfin Solutions, shares his passion for open-source development and insights on Drupal. The discussion covers exciting innovations at DrupalCon Vienna, including a custom project browser and AI integration, enhancing user experiences. They also tackle the personal challenges of navigating ADHD, sharing strategies for success. With light-hearted reflections on summer memories and the future of web development, this conversation is both engaging and informative.

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ANECDOTE

Summertime Busy, Rare Quiet Days

Chris and John compare summertime busyness and parental sleepiness while juggling family and events.
They describe rare quiet weekends and how summer calendars quickly fill with social obligations.

ADVICE

Extend Project Browser With Plugins

Use plugins to extend Project Browser so organizations can curate approved modules or recipes.
Build a plugin to lock down specific feature sets for distributions or institutions.

INSIGHT

Decoupled Architecture Enables Front-End Flexibility

Project Browser matured from proof-of-concept to stable with API and refactor work behind the scenes.
Decoupled architecture lets front ends swap frameworks without breaking backend APIs.

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Join John and Chris for an engaging conversation as they dive into the latest developments in Drupal CMS, including the analytics recipe installation and upcoming features for Project Browser. They also discuss the challenges and strategies of thriving with ADHD, the impact of AI in web development, and personal stories from summer activities to travel plans.

For show notes visit: https://www.talkingDrupal.com/cafe009

Topics

Introduction and Personal Reflections
Living in Maine and Childhood Memories
Travel Plans and European DrupalCon
Project Browser and Technical Discussions
AI and Coding Experiences
The Future of Drupal and AI Integration
Navigating ADHD Diagnosis and Management
Conclusion and Final Thoughts

John Picozzi

John Picozzi is the Solutions Architect at EPAM Systems, where he helps organizations implement scalable and sustainable digital solutions—most often using Drupal. With over a decade of experience in web development, John has become a trusted voice in the Drupal community for his commitment to open source, user-centered design, and thoughtful architecture. John is a contributor to Drupal and an active member of the community as the organizer of the Drupal Providence Meetup and New England Drupal Camp. He’s also well known as a co-host of the Talking Drupal podcast, a weekly show focused on all things Drupal, where he interviews community members and shares insights on development, strategy, and community engagement. Outside of podcasting and coding, John frequently speaks at DrupalCamps and conferences across the U.S., offering sessions that span technical deep dives to community and career development topics. You can find more about his work and speaking engagements at picozzi.com, or follow him on Drupal.org

Chris Wells

Chris Wells is a co-founder and CTO of Redfin Solutions, a web development agency specializing in Drupal-based digital experiences. With over two decades of experience in software engineering and web technologies, Chris has led complex projects for higher education, nonprofits, and enterprise clients—bringing strategic vision and technical excellence to every engagement. A passionate advocate for open source, Chris is an active contributor to the Drupal project and a frequent speaker at Drupal camps and conferences. He is known for his leadership in fostering strong client relationships, building sustainable development teams, and promoting best practices in accessibility, performance, and long-term site maintenance.

Guests

John Picozzi - epam.com johnpicozzi Chris Wells - chrisfromredfin www.redfinsolutions.com