

Code with Jason
Jason Swett
On the Code with Jason podcast I discuss technical topics with interesting people. Guests include people from companies like GitHub, Google and Stripe.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 8, 2025 • 1h 12min
271 - Hotwire with Radan Skorić
In this episode I talk with Radan Skorić about his book Master Hotwire, the challenges of Hotwire documentation, blogging in the AI age, how AI affects content creation, the Chinese room thought experiment, consciousness and computation, trust versus critical thinking, and why quality content that goes deeper than AI can produce still matters.Master Hotwireradanskoric.comRadan's Rails World talkJason's stuff:Nonsense MonthlySaturnCI

Sep 29, 2025 • 1h 2min
270 - AI with Daniel Nastase
In this episode, I discuss AI with Daniel Nastase, covering Daniel's journey from building neural networks from scratch to understanding embeddings and vector databases. We explore the limitations of current AI learning models versus explanation-based reasoning, and discuss practical AI applications including agents and voice interfaces for programming.JS CraftDaniel's LangGraph bookDaniel's LangChain bookSaturnCINonsense Monthly

Sep 26, 2025 • 1h 15min
269 - Cody Norman, Founder of Spot Squid for Tattoo Shops
In this episode I talk with Cody Norman about his journey from economics to programming, his tattoo shop management software SpotSquid, and lessons from building products for non-technical users. We discuss market challenges, customer development strategies, and Cody's path to conference speaking.CodyNorman.comSpot SquidNonsense MonthlySaturnCI

Sep 22, 2025 • 1h 36min
268 - Joel Drapper
In this episode I talk with Joel Drapper about open source development, the joy of coding without constraints, AI tools like GitHub Copilot, and our shared discomfort with the phrase "duplication is better than the wrong abstraction." We explore abstraction, technical debt versus "technical poison," and our mutual search for high-quality work environments.Joel Drapper on LinkedInPhlexNonsense MonthlySaturnCI

Sep 19, 2025 • 54min
267 - Upcoming Ruby Events with Jim Remsik, Founder of Flagrant
In this episode I talk with Jim Remzick about how AI has affected the job market, the value of in-person networking, and XO Ruby, Jim's series of regional Ruby conferences happening across the US.XO RubyFlagrantNonsense Monthly

Sep 15, 2025 • 1h 19min
266 - Hotwire Native with Joe Masilotti
In this episode, I talk with Joe Masilotti about his new book on Hotwire Native, which lets Rails developers build mobile apps using web views with native functionality. We explore the writing process, consulting approaches, client engagement strategies, and how both of us find clients through speaking and writing.Hotwire Native for Rails Developers book (use discount code CodeWithJasonHotwire for 35% off)Joe Masilotti's websiteNonsense Monthly

Sep 7, 2025 • 1h 17min
265 - Software Design with Paul Hammond
In this discussion, Paul Hammond, a passionate software developer and speaker, shares insights on effective testing strategies and the joy of working with well-designed TDD systems. He emphasizes the importance of synchronous collaboration for improving code quality and advocates for technical excellence that enables fearless releases. The conversation also critiques data-driven decision-making in software, promoting direct user interaction for more profound insights. Additionally, they explore integrating diverse stakeholders into development teams to enhance overall alignment.

Aug 29, 2025 • 1h 10min
264 - Dan Moore, Principal Product Engineer at FusionAuth
In this episode I talk with Dan Moore from FusionAuth about authentication solutions, testing strategies, and when to skip tests based on risk and cost factors, then dive into philosophical discussions about experience versus knowledge, objective versus subjective programming practices, and imperative versus declarative coding approaches.FusionAuthDownload FusionAuthFusionAuth articlesUse managed services

Aug 8, 2025 • 59min
263 - Gayle Laakmann McDowell, Author of Cracking the Coding Interview
In this episode I talk with Gayle Laakmann McDowell, author of Cracking the Coding Interview. We discuss coding interviews as well as the current state of the job market and economy.Cracking the Coding Interviewgayle.comNonsense Monthly

Jul 28, 2025 • 45min
262 - Michael Lubas, Founder of Paraxial.io
In this episode I talk with Michael Lubas, founder of Paraxial, a software security product for Ruby on Rails applications. We discuss his background in both development and penetration testing, and his recent creation of GemShop - a deliberately vulnerable Rails 8 e-commerce application designed to teach developers about web security through hands-on experience. Michael explains common attack vectors like credential stuffing, the legal complexities around security research, and why developers are actually very interested in security despite stereotypes. We also cover his experience at Rails World and how Paraxial helps Rails developers get started with security.Paraxial.ioMichael Lubas on LinkedInmichael@paraxial.ioNonsense Monthly