
Fallthrough
A deep and nuanced conversational podcast focused on technology, software, and computing.
Latest episodes

Jul 7, 2025 • 1h 11min
What Even Is A [Programming|Natural] Language?
The discussion kicks off with the fascinating parallels between natural and programming languages. Participants dive deep into how language shapes understanding, highlighting both the nuances and ambiguities of communication. The panel explores the philosophical implications of AI and its impact on our perceptions of intelligence. They also touch on the art of programming documentation and its importance for clarity. With lighthearted banter, they even bring carrots into the mix, showing the whimsical side of language!

Jul 7, 2025 • 1h 8min
Language and Codes of Misconduct
Steve Klabnik, a seasoned voice in tech discussions, joins the hosts to explore the evolving role of language in the tech community. They tackle the complexities of Codes of Conduct and their effectiveness, arguing for a deeper understanding of inclusivity. The conversation also delves into how language shapes perceptions in gender dynamics and technical fields, underscoring the importance of psychological safety. With personal anecdotes and a touch of humor, they highlight the challenges of communication and the absurdities of social interactions.

Jun 30, 2025 • 1h 8min
SIMD & Go
Clement Jean, a pioneer in SIMD for Go, dives into the intersection of performance and programming in this engaging chat. He breaks down SIMD's role in enhancing efficiency, especially for Go developers, and discusses proposals to improve SIMD support in the language. Listeners will learn about practical applications and challenges of SIMD, from processing large datasets to integrating assembly language. Clement also shares insights on measuring performance and the future of coding with SIMD. It's a must-listen for tech enthusiasts!

27 snips
Jun 23, 2025 • 1h 15min
The Three Ps: Understanding Product, Project, and Program Management
Dive into the world of software management with an engaging discussion on the distinct roles of product, project, and program managers. Discover the importance of trust and collaboration while navigating the complexities of team dynamics. Learn how effective decision-making and communication empower engineers and enhance project success. The panel even questions the necessity of product managers and explores the nuances of job titles in the tech industry. It's a thought-provoking take on how management strategies shape software development!

Jun 16, 2025 • 1h 10min
Go's Error Handling Is Handled
Delve into the heated debate surrounding error handling in Go, as the team reveals their decision to halt new proposals. Explore different perspectives on whether error handling is truly a problem. Discuss the implications of maintaining clear syntax amidst calls for innovation. The conversation touches on Go’s role in cloud computing challenges, especially with tools like Terraform and Kubernetes, and the potential benefits of incorporating WebAssembly for greater flexibility. A must-listen for developers navigating the complexities of error management!

7 snips
Jun 9, 2025 • 1h 18min
A Discourse On AI Discourse
Steve Klabnik, a writer and open-source contributor, joins the hosts to dissect the polarized views on AI. They explore the challenges of meaningful AI discourse, emphasizing the need for clarity in conversations about technology's impact. Klabnik critiques the narrative of technological optimism, describing its implications for creativity and the workforce. The discussion also touches on the evolution of hardware-software integration and the intersection of technology and music, advocating for diverse and balanced approaches to creativity in an AI-driven world.

Jun 2, 2025 • 1h 18min
Building An Open Source Maintenance Company
Filippo Valsorda, the founder of Geomys and former Go security team lead, teams up with Daniel McCarney, a system security engineer, to delve into the world of open source maintenance. They discuss Geomys' mission to provide stable incomes for maintainers, the challenges in managing projects, and the need for sustainable practices. Personal anecdotes blend with insights on preventing burnout, navigating priorities, and the future of Go and Rust ecosystems. The duo emphasizes community engagement and the importance of maintaining motivation in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

19 snips
May 26, 2025 • 59min
Event Driven Architectures
Chris Richardson, a software architect and author of Microservice Patterns, joins Indu Alagarsamy, a principal engineer at the New York Times passionate about event-driven architectures, and Ignacio Castillejos, a staff software engineer in the subscription platform group. They dive into the world of event-driven architecture, discussing its benefits over traditional methods. Key topics include the importance of idempotency, the use of technologies like Kafka and GCP's Event Arc, and best practices for managing distributed systems. Real-world examples highlight the potential for scalability and reliability.

11 snips
May 19, 2025 • 1h 14min
Blown Glass Half-Full of WebAssembly & SQLite
Danielle Lancashire, a Principal Engineer at Fermyon, shares her diverse expertise, from simplifying distributed systems to blowing glass. She discusses the evolution of WebAssembly and its innovative applications, emphasizing experimentation's role in tech. The conversation also covers effective problem-solving strategies and the importance of addressing customer needs. Danielle provides insights on work-life balance, highlighting the therapeutic benefits of engaging in creative hobbies and navigating the challenges of modern bureaucracy.

May 12, 2025 • 1h 37min
A Phoenix's Path to Principal
Evan Phoenix, a longtime Rubyist and former principal engineer at HashiCorp, shares his inspiring tech journey. He recounts his unique beginnings, from coding on a TI calculator to becoming GitHub user #7. Evan discusses the creative parallels between software engineering and writing, along with the importance of mentorship in navigating his career. He reflects on his transition to a principal role, the challenges of work-life balance while remote, and the complexities of open-source funding, making it a must-listen for anyone in tech!