

GOTO - The Brightest Minds in Tech
GOTO
The GOTO podcast seeks out the brightest and boldest ideas from language creators and the world's leading experts in software development in the form of interviews and conference talks. Tune in to get the inspiration you need to bring in new technologies or gain extra evidence to support your software development plan.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 16, 2025 • 42min
Flow Engineering • Steve Pereira & Andrew Davis
Steve Pereira, co-author of 'Flow Engineering' and Principal Consultant at Visible Flow Consulting, teams up with Andrew Davis, founder of the Institute for Transformational Leadership, to discuss enhancing workflow visibility in software development. They share insights on value stream mapping's adaptation to digital work and introduce a five-map framework for boosting team collaboration. The duo underscores the importance of visual communication in overcoming invisible barriers and explores the evolving role of AI in shaping the future of workflow management.

Sep 12, 2025 • 45min
Platform Engineering: A Deep Dive Conversation • Russ Miles & Kevlin Henney
Russ Miles, an Author and Chaos Engineering Practitioner, joins Consultant and Keynote Speaker Kevlin Henney for a thought-provoking dialogue. They explore the intricate relationship between platform engineering and user feedback, cautioning against the pitfalls of letting external requests dictate design. Emphasizing the human aspect, they discuss how effective communication and trust foster innovation. Both reflect on personal career fulfillment, highlighting the need for purpose and self-awareness to combat burnout in the tech industry.

Sep 9, 2025 • 41min
Ethics in AI: Biases & Responsibilities • Michelle Frost & Hannes Lowette
Michelle Frost, an AI advocate at JetBrains and responsible AI consultant, teams up with Hannes Lowette, a principal consultant and monolith advocate, to tackle the ethical challenges posed by AI. They dive into the delicate balance between accuracy and fairness, reflecting on recent regulatory changes. Michelle emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in AI development, while both guests highlight the need for rigorous bias measurement. The conversation also touches on AI's promise in healthcare, showcasing its potential benefits for patients.

30 snips
Sep 5, 2025 • 40min
Effective Code Reviews with Conventional Comments • Paul Slaughter & Adrienne Braganza
Join Paul Slaughter, a Staff Fullstack Engineer at GitLab and creator of Conventional Comments, alongside Adrienne Braganza Tacke, a Senior Developer Advocate at Viam Robotics. They dive into how structured feedback can transform code reviews from frustrating to collaborative. Hear insights on the balance of empathy and efficiency, the importance of clear labels in communication, and how GitLab's weekly workshops promote consistency among remote teams. Discover strategies for constructive feedback that improve both team dynamics and code quality.

17 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 32min
Beyond the Cloud: The Local-First Software Revolution • Brooklyn Zelenka & Julian Wood
In this insightful discussion, Brooklyn Zelenka, a distributed systems researcher and the brains behind the Vancouver Functional Programming Meetup, teams up with Julian Wood, an AWS Serverless Developer Advocate. They dive into local-first computing, a revolutionary approach that emphasizes running apps primarily on users' devices. The benefits? Reduced latency, enhanced privacy, and offline capabilities. They explore its potential for democratizing app development and contrast it with traditional blockchain functions, all while addressing security challenges and collaborative development.

22 snips
Aug 29, 2025 • 56min
Professional Skills for Software Engineers • Charles Humble & Trisha Gee
Trisha Gee chats with Charles Humble, a freelance techie and author of 'Professional Skills for Software Engineers.' They explore the importance of soft skills like communication and networking in tech careers, often overlooked in favor of technical abilities. Charles highlights how intentional communication can boost product development and career advancement. They also discuss the ethical implications of technology, inspiring personal stories for writing, and the positive impact of supportive team environments.

Aug 26, 2025 • 39min
TypeScript Cookbook • Stefan Baumgartner & Peter Kröner
In this engaging discussion, Stefan Baumgartner, author of 'TypeScript Cookbook,' shares his insights on practical TypeScript implementation strategies. He emphasizes the shift from theory to real-world applications and the importance of minimalist type declarations. Explore best practices for project setup and the balance between type safety and flexibility. Stefan also delves into the complexities of TypeScript classes and encourages simplicity in coding decisions, all while reflecting on the learning journey with this powerful language.

22 snips
Aug 22, 2025 • 40min
"Residues" & "The Architect’s Paradox" • Barry O'Reilly & Jacqui Read
Barry O'Reilly, founder of Black Tulip Tech and author of "Residues" and "The Architect’s Paradox," joins software architect Jacqui Read to discuss innovative ideas in software architecture. They dive into the concept of residuality, where architects stress-test designs to uncover vulnerabilities, allowing for more robust systems. O'Reilly advocates for embracing uncertainty with playful and creative approaches to architectural challenges. Their conversation also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary learning and stakeholder engagement in tech.

17 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 43min
Building Bridges: From Developer to Developer Advocate • David Edoh-Bedi & James Beswick
David Edoh-Bedi, a Developer Advocate at Stripe, discusses his fascinating journey from Togo to the tech world, emphasizing the importance of empathy and communication in developer advocacy. He explores the shift from traditional software development to the API-centric landscape, touching on the complexities of payment systems and the evolution of financial technology. Alongside James Beswick, he shares insights into public speaking and the essential traits for thriving in developer relations, making it clear that understanding customers and fostering community are key to success.

4 snips
Aug 15, 2025 • 37min
Balancing Coupling in Software Design • Vlad Khononov & Sheen Brisals
Vlad Khononov, an author and software engineer known for his work on coupling in software design, joins AWS Serverless Hero Sheen Brisals for a fascinating discussion. They delve into the principles of coupling and cohesion, reflecting on their importance amid modern architectures like microservices. Vlad shares insights on navigating complexity and the challenges of problem decomposition. Plus, he reveals his creative twist of including AI-generated poetry in his book to help readers understand complex concepts. This blend of art and technology offers a fresh perspective on software design.