Talk Python To Me

In this discussion, Michael Kennedy, an influential Python educator and author, shares insights from his latest book, Talk Python in Production. He delves into the pitfalls of over-architecting and emphasizes pragmatic solutions for deploying web apps affordably. Michael also highlights the human side of open source and how AI tools can enhance productivity, sharing his own experience of using AI for site improvement. Additionally, he contrasts major cloud providers with smaller options, advocating for predictable costs and better user experiences.

Trevor Manz, a software engineer and anywidget creator with a PhD from Harvard focused on data visualization, dives into revolutionizing Jupyter widgets. He discusses the challenges of integrating front-end UI with Python and how anywidget simplifies this by minimizing JavaScript usage. Trevor highlights its role in enabling interactive visualizations and data exploration. He also covers the importance of cross-platform functionality and using AI to streamline widget development, making advanced data interactions accessible for all Python users.

David Kopec, a computer science professor and author, discusses rebuilding CS education for self-taught programmers. He emphasizes the importance of teaching low-level concepts through Python for better understanding. David highlights curriculum innovations blending liberal arts with careers, and the growing relevance of AI and cybersecurity majors. They also tackle challenges posed by AI tools in education, advocate for fundamental learning despite advancements, and explore practical projects like NES emulators and simple algorithms for art, illustrating the depth of CS concepts.

Vincent Warmerdam, a Python developer and educator behind CalmCode and Marimo, dives into the practical integration of LLMs into Python apps. He emphasizes treating LLMs as just another API, with specific boundaries and focused monitoring to enhance reliability. Topics include efficient caching of LLM responses, the benefits of using structured outputs with Pydantic, and the contrasting advantages of Marimo over Jupyter. Vincent also explores ways to improve productivity through ergonomic workflows and local model experimentation.

Den Delimarsky, a Principal Product Engineer at Microsoft and a key figure behind the Model Context Protocol (MCP), dives into the revolutionary potential of MCP for Python developers. He explains how MCP serves as a universal adapter for LLMs to access dynamic data across applications. The conversation includes practical insights on using MCP for podcast workflows, securing local servers with Tailscale, and programming with Python decorators. Delimarsky emphasizes the importance of prudently exploring public MCP servers while providing a roadmap for getting started with the Python MCP SDK.

Hugo Bowne-Anderson, a seasoned data scientist and educator, dives into the practicalities of building AI products with foundation models. He shares insights on the shift from analyst to AI app builder, emphasizing evaluation-driven development and the importance of proper data workflows. Hugo explores modern data tools like Marimo and DuckDB, and discusses the impact of AI on programming practices, including agentic coding. He also provides valuable advice for new data scientists to focus on delivering business value.

Rodja Trappe and Falko Schindler, creators of the Python-based UI framework NiceGUI, dive into the challenges of building modern web apps for robotics. They discuss the choice of FastAPI for async capabilities and how Vue/Quasar offers robust component support. Exciting features like live data updates, 3D scenes, and easy integration with existing systems are highlighted. With NiceGUI 3.0 just launched, they share what’s next, from scalable deployments to AI-friendly documentation, making coding more accessible for developers.

Join Peter Wang, founder of Anaconda and PyData advocate, and Calvin Hendrix-Parker, CTO of Six Feet Up, as they explore pivotal trends for Python developers in 2025. They discuss the impact of free-threading on Django, the necessity of mastering async programming, and the benefits of using Docker with Kubernetes. The conversation highlights innovative tools like DuckDB and PyScript, which transform edge computing. Expect practical tips and real-world insights that cut through the buzzwords, making Python more efficient and accessible!

Danny Yang, a Meta engineer, joins Abby Mitchell and Kyle Into to explore Pyrefly, a groundbreaking, Rust-based type checker and IDE language server designed for fast Python typing. They discuss how Pyrefly significantly improves developer experience by reducing check times in massive codebases like Instagram from minutes to seconds. The team emphasizes Pyrefly's open-source nature, aiming to benefit the broader Python community. They also highlight how features like inference and type hints help both newcomers and experienced developers streamline their workflows.

Quynh Truong, a developer advocate at Nixler and founder of CodeCut.ai, shares her wealth of knowledge on Python and data science. She delves into the art of crafting bite-sized tips, helping busy data scientists boost productivity. The discussion covers open-source tools, the balance between notebooks and scripts, and how to achieve reproducibility in workflows. Quynh also highlights the benefits of using Loguru for logging and Git for version control, making data projects more trustworthy and manageable.