The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source

Gotta give to get back (Interview)

Nov 14, 2024

Danny Thompson, a community builder in tech, shares his inspiring journey from gas stations to global connections. He highlights the importance of user-centric decisions in product development and discusses the vital role community support plays in tech career transitions. Strategies for organizing engaging meetups are explored, emphasizing networking and collaboration. Thompson also delves into the intrinsic rewards of helping others and the transformative power of face-to-face interactions in building meaningful relationships within the community.

46:48

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Episode guests

Danny Thompson

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Danny Thompson's transition from gas station jobs to tech illustrates that anyone can successfully learn coding with determination and resources.

Community engagement plays a crucial role in personal development, prompting Thompson to create inclusive spaces that foster collaboration and growth in tech.

Thompson emphasizes the importance of consistent education and mentorship initiatives that empower aspiring developers, ultimately leading to successful career placements.

Deep dives

The Journey from Gas Station to Tech

Danny Thompson shares his transformative journey from working in gas stations for over ten years to becoming a notable figure in the tech community. He reveals that his motivation to learn coding was ignited by the realization that anyone, regardless of their background, can learn to code. His early encounter with Free Code Camp provided him with essential skills and the confidence to explore tech, despite feeling out of place at first. This journey underscores a key theme in the podcast: how personal determination and accessible resources can pave the way for success in the tech industry.

Intro

3min

Navigating User Success Through Connected Product Development

2min

From Gas Stations to Global Community Builder: A Journey in Tech

6min

Fostering Community Through Meetups

7min

Building Community Through Collaboration

7min

Transformative Journeys in Giving

10min

Tech Transitions and Community Empowerment

9min

Transformative Connections and the Power of Community

3min

We’re on the main stage at THAT Conference with Danny Thompson. He has an amazing story and journey into tech. Thanks to our friends at Cloudflare for helping us get to THAT Conference earlier this year to enable this conversation.

Special thanks to Nick Nisi and Clark Sell for coming in clutch and getting us the audio to ship this show!

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Featuring:

Danny Thompson – Twitter, GitHub, LinkedIn
Adam Stacoviak – Mastodon, Twitter, GitHub, LinkedIn, Website
Jerod Santo – Mastodon, Twitter, GitHub, LinkedIn

Show Notes:

Something missing or broken? PRs welcome!

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