Clojure in Product. Would you do it again?
Freshcode
Real-life product stories and insights from top Clojure leaders.We launched this podcast because we're fascinated by a paradox: Clojure is an exceptional language with a powerful philosophy behind it, yet it remains relatively niche in the industry. By talking to teams who've actually implemented Clojure in production, we're trying to understand this disconnect.Is there something fundamental limiting Clojure's adoption, or is it just circumstantial?Through conversations with people, who've taken the leap and built real systems with Clojure, we're exploring whether they would "do it again" — and more importantly, why or why not. We're hoping these real-world stories can help understand Clojure's place in the industry and perhaps shed light on its future potential.Visit our podcast page: freshcodeit.com/podcast
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 17, 2025 • 57min
Episode 10. Open-source is like all eyes looking at it, with Cam Saul, Metabase
Cam Saul, Chief Architect at Metabase, discusses the rapid development benefits of transitioning from Python to Clojure. He highlights how Clojure's stability allows for building upon existing work more efficiently. The conversation delves into the importance of a collaborative open-source culture that attracts contributors, as well as the challenges of hiring developers familiar with Clojure's syntax. Cam shares insights on navigating over-engineering in startups and the balance between code quality and accessibility in a JavaScript-heavy environment.
Feb 10, 2025 • 1h 8min
Episode 9. You need boundaries to do a meaningful work, with Alexander Johannes, JustOn
Alexander Johannes, Head of Development at JustOn, shares his insights on integrating Clojure into fintech development. He reflects on his journey transitioning from Salesforce to Clojure, emphasizing the capabilities it brings for rapid and meaningful solutions. The conversation dives into the challenges of team dynamics, hiring niche candidates, and maintaining a strong culture with local talent. They also explore coding pitfalls in Clojure and best practices for functional programming, highlighting the balance between delivering timely features and ensuring code quality.
Feb 3, 2025 • 1h 9min
Episode 8. ClojureScript is a Clojure killer app, with Jereme Corrado, Mobot
Jereme Corrado, the former CTO of Mobot and a Clojure enthusiast, shares insights from his programming journey. He discusses the challenges of hiring skilled developers and the importance of quality engineering in Clojure projects. Jereme highlights the unique strengths of Clojure, including its role in AI data management and the advantages of integrating it into a startup environment. He also shares humorous anecdotes from late-night coding sessions and reflects on the transition from Python to Clojure, emphasizing its elegance and efficiency.
Jan 27, 2025 • 1h 6min
Episode 7. And until you get to that point, you should be living in pain, right?, with Nathan Marz, Red Planet Labs
Nathan Marz, founder of Red Planet Labs and creator of Apache Storm, delves into his extensive programming journey and the intricacies of building scalable systems with Clojure. He discusses the innovative capabilities of his new platform, Rama, which simplifies software development by reducing code complexity. Marz shares insights on effective testing techniques, the challenges of hiring Clojure developers, and the importance of team dynamics in engineering, emphasizing a collaborative approach to coding and risk assessment.
Jan 20, 2025 • 58min
Episode 6. I truly discovered the enlightenment with Clojure, with Yehonathan, CyCognito
Yehonathan Sharvit, an author and cybersecurity pro at CyCognito, shares his journey from struggling with C++ and Java to discovering the elegance of Clojure. He emphasizes how Clojure reignited his passion for development and details the crucial role of experienced engineers in a team. The discussion dives into complex challenges like data schema management and software dependencies, plus the ongoing debate between sticking with Clojure or migrating to TypeScript. Yehonathan’s insights are both inspiring and practical for developers navigating their tech stacks.
Jan 13, 2025 • 47min
Episode 5. The capacity to learn new languages is very important, HolidayPirates
Jeffy, a Lead Backend Developer, shares his journey in adopting Clojure during the pandemic. He emphasizes the importance of simplicity in software and balanced coding practices. The discussion covers the challenge of recruiting for niche languages, highlighting the significance of learning potential in candidates. Jeffy reflects on how Clojure's functional programming benefits team culture and problem-solving. The podcast also delves into navigating the Clojure ecosystem, addressing the community's supportive nature and the evolving landscape of technology choices.
Jan 6, 2025 • 1h 2min
Episode 4. Is it easy to manage team of such highly qualified engineers?, with James Trunk, Griffin
In this engaging discussion, James Trunk, VP of Engineering at Griffin and co-creator of the Polylith architecture, shares insights from his extensive experience in the banking sector using Clojure. He highlights how skilled Clojure engineers can foster creativity and autonomy in their teams. James talks about the journey from skepticism to success with Clojure, the advantages of Bazel for testing, and the importance of values-driven engineering. He also explores team dynamics and the challenges of using data specification tools in a high-stakes environment.
Dec 16, 2024 • 1h 2min
Episode 3. So once you try Clojure, there is no way back, with Marten Sytema, CaterMonkey
Marten Sytema, founder of CaterMonkey, shares his journey as a solo engineer turned product creator. He discusses his shift from Java to Clojure, emphasizing its transformative impact on his development process and team dynamics. Marten reveals how CaterMonkey, a smart CRM for catering businesses, evolved from a side project to an international initiative. He touches on the importance of balancing speed with engineering standards and the unique advantages Clojure brings, including community support and innovative features.
10 snips
Dec 3, 2024 • 56min
Episode 2. We choose the best tool for the job, with Adam Tornhill, CodeScene
Adam Tornhill, founder of CodeScene and author of "Your Code as a Crime Scene," dives into the world of Clojure and software development. He shares his team's journey adopting Clojure, discussing challenges like performance and investor perceptions. Tornhill emphasizes the importance of technical decision-making and managing technical debt. He also explores the role of AI in coding and the value of documentation. Plus, he touches on onboarding challenges for newcomers to Clojure, advocating for better mentorship in the programming community.
Nov 27, 2024 • 41min
Episode 1. Now we are writing in Clojure, with Kalle Korhonen, Quuppa
Kalle Korhonen, CPO at Quuppa, brings his expertise to the discussion on integrating Clojure into a Java-based system. He shares insights on the challenges and triumphs of transitioning to Clojure and ClojureScript, touching on architecture, team collaboration, and the adoption of domain-specific languages. Kalle also delves into the unique recruitment dynamics for Clojure projects, emphasizing the value of familiarity with Clojure libraries. The conversation wraps up with thoughts on AI's future role in programming, focusing on the necessity of contextual input.
